Can I get a T.G.I.F.?! :)
Lordy, this week has semi crawled by. I’ve been experiencing day later syndrome all week (I keep thinking it’s Friday, for instance, when it’s actually Thursday – d’oh!) probably because I’ve been uber excited about heading to Napa Valley this weekend!
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Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide, is hosting an awesome sweepstakes series this summer called Seven Tickets to Your Paradise, where they’re giving away 7 legit trips like, I don’t know, a Ticket to Relax on a 6-night trip for 2 to Bali with all the spa treatments you can handle?! :)
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One of the trips is a “Ticket to Dine” which includes a trip for 2 to Napa Valley for 5 nights with experiences at nearby restaurants and vineyards, and Hilton HHonors invited me out to have a mini-experience/preview of the trip this weekend. I am so excited!
The seven trips are being revealed every two weeks until August 31. Four of the seven have already been revealed (including the Bali trip!) and the next one “Ticket to Adventure” will be revealed on the 23rd (you do NOT want to miss that one.) You can enter here, to win one of the trips everyday until the 31st.
At any rate, I’ll be blogging, facebooking, and tweeting throughout the weekend, so I’ll holler at ya’ from Napa – and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites, and have a great weekend!
Favorite indulgence: The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe. In addition to this being the best chocolate cake recipe, it might be the best picture of chocolate cake I have ever seen. Perfection!
Favorite fun: Sliding Rock in Brevard, NC. This 60 foot rock ending in a deep pool at the bottom has been naturally smoothed over thousands of years from rushing water. HOW FUN DOES THIS LOOK?
Favorite find: Shrimp Tacos with Apple Cucumber Salsa. I would have never in a million years come up with this mouthwatering combo. Plus I love the blogger’s story in this post. :)
Favorite tip: Print Size Guide. This is so helpful! I am always looking at art online (why?) but can never remember how the different sizes would fit into my space.
Favorite drool: Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter. Schhlluuuuurp!
Favorite dish: Creamy Garlic Pasta. I want to inhale bowls and bowls of this stuff. Pasta. Garlic. Cream. ‘Nuf said!
Favorite DIY: Heart State. I have always thought these were so neat, and this blogger gives great instructions on how to recreate at home no matter what state you live in.
Favorite remix: Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta. CCB always sounds so good, but I’ve never wanted to put the effort into pounding, layering, rolling, etc. Right? Anyways, this recipe totally sidesteps the fussy work, for the same delish taste!
Favorite outfit. This is totally my style. Everything except the white sandals, perhaps. I’d get those dirty in 4 seconds. But everything else!!
Favorite beat the heat treat: No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. Creamy, sweet, luscious – and no heat required. Love this recipe.
Favorite view. I went ziplining in the jungles of Puerta Vallarta once, which was totally thrilling. I can’t imagine ending the trip with a zip down into the ocean. So cool!
Favorite fresh: Summertime Noodles with Sweet Balsamic Dressing. This is a great dish to use up fresh produce, and is perfectly light for hot summer nights.
Favorite awwww. There was some kid selling baby chicks and ducklings one year in elementary school (I have no idea why) and I begged and begged my parents to let me have one. Thank goodness they knew chicks and ducklings grow up to be chickens and ducks, because all my friends who bought one had to take theirs to the “farm” 3 months later. Still, awwww! ;)
Favorite sweet: Blueberry Buckle. A sweet, and tasty treat to use all those in-season blueberries!
Favorite tip: How to Paint a Room Fast. Totally using these tips when I paint my kitchen. They are really, really good!
Favorite redo: Better Than Takeout Fried Rice. Fried Rice is one of my all time biggest weaknesses (especially from Wok in Motion.) Definitely going to have to try this recipe sometime.
Favorite must-have: Wood Grain Tiles. OBSESSED!!!! Must have in my future home/reno.
Favorite homemade: Raspberry Pie. Jenna promises this is the best pie crust recipe ever. If it tastes half as good as it looks, I’m pretty much sold. :)
Have a great weekend!
dangit! i cant decide which one i want to make first …. the banana bread bars or the peanut butter bars!!!!! :)
I was so excited to see you posted about Sliding Rock!! I grew up there so I have been there multiple times. The water is so cold that it takes your breath away!!! I would highly recommend you go there if you ever travel to NC! I just moved to the Midwest and I definitely miss NC!!! Have fun in Napa!
Have fun in Nappa! I live not far from there and just love it. (Sonoma is good too.)
We went to Napa about 2 years ago and loved every minute of it. We had our 3 kids with us so we were limited on the wine touring, but we look forward to going back one day just the two of us. It’s so beautiful! Have a great time!
we so want to do the pin string map project for iowa/des moines…i just don’t know if i have the patience!
So glad you posted about the HHonors giveaway! I stay at a Hilton almost every week and had no idea! Not that I’m going to win, but thanks for sharing. Enjoy Napa!
Not sure how much control you have over your schedule in Napa, but if you can get to Michael Chiorillo’s restaurant (Bottega) in Yountville, GO! So good!
OMG! I have been entering those HHonors sweepstakes like it’s MY JOB! I am so jealous that you are getting a preview! I hope you have a fabulous, fabulous time!!
Who ever thought so many people have been to sliding rock? I don’t live anywhere near it, but went as a kid when visiting my grandparents and still vividly remember it so it MUST have been amazing! Each recipe looks better than the next…thank you!
Never commented before but knew I had to when I saw Sliding Rock. I grew up going to Sliding Rock. My dad actually used to be a lifegaurd there in the 60’s at the Rock. Just know it is the coldest water you will ever FEEL but SOOO AMAZING! If anyone goes… wear some old jeans or shorts over your bathing suit! There are camping grounds and tons of trails to walk. Beautiful area!
Off to make that Blueberry Buckle right now…but with black raspberries instead!
I love your Friday Favorites :) They are always one of my favorite times of the day!
Also, I made a reallllly delicious cauliflower “fried rice” that I think you would love! Check it out:
Have a blast this weekend!!! Oh and I love those bathroom tiles!