Howdy everyone, and TGIF! :D
So earlier this week I mentioned that Ben’s turning the big 3-0 this weekend. Guess what he was greeted with when walking up to his desk this morning?!
BAHAHAHAHA! His picture text to me was accompanied with one word: furious. I say, HILARIOUS! Great job, co-workers! ;)
In addition to tearing 500 post it notes off his desk, Ben and I will also be driving to Chicago this afternoon for the weekend. Check this out – Ben’s favorite team in the entire universe is the University of Miami’s college football team. (Long story short, he formed the love as a young kid and his feelings have only intensified over the years, per this psychotic video I shot of him watching a Miami game several years ago. This, coming from the most mild-mannered man alive.)
Please excuse the sleeveless tee, btw, but please acknowledge the precious Miami flag.
Anyways, they’re in Florida, and we’re in Iowa, so we figured it was going to be awhile before we were ever able to go see them play. WELL, guess who’s playing Notre Dame at Soldier Field, merely 5 hours away, on the weekend of Ben’s 30th birthday??
MIAMI!
The timing was too perfect not to act, and it’s his 30th birthday after all, so I snatched up a pair of tickets 6 months ago and have been holding onto the secret for just as long. It’s been torture. I finally surprised him with the tickets last weekend after his birthday lunch, and I cannot wait to see his face when they kick off on Saturday night. WHEE!
So, open road, here we come! :D
I hope you have a fun weekend planned too (get out and enjoy those fall leaves and farmers’ markets!) and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite must-try: Oil-Cleansing Method. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to try something… I’ve been reading this week about the oil-cleansing method – cleaning your face with oils like castor, olive, and jojoba instead of commercial face wash. It makes SO much sense, and I’m going out later today to collect the supplies to start on Sunday. Has anybody ever tried this method?
Favorite slow cook: Slow Cooked Quinoa Chicken Chili. Whole Foods had a quinoa chili the other day that Ben and I were both drooling over. Bonus that this recipe cooks in a slow cooker.
Favorite recipe: Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookies. I’ve been attempting to keep sugar consumption low lately, for the aforementioned skin and weight control, but BOY am I glad to have this recipe in my back pocket!
Favorite find: Mercer Tall Boot. OH. EM. GEE!!! Completely obsessed over every single detail in these boots, but equally as devastated that the shaft height is about 1-3/4″ too tall for my short little legs. These are the things us vertically challenged women must deal with.
Favorite bite: Sweet Potato Pulled Pork Slider. The ultimate 2-bite delight. My mouth is totally watering!
Favorite fantasy: Venice. Oh, this.
Favorite wake up: Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls. I would have to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t still dreaming if cough, someone, cough, ever woke me up with a plate of these babies. ;)
Favorite furball. Cute. Overload.
Favorite supper: Pumpkin Coconut Curry. Oh my, you really need to check out this recipe. Thinking I’m going to make this for myself as soon as Ben has a late work night.
Favorite faux: Rachel Faux-Leather Clutch. I saw this at Banana Republic last weekend and was dying to get it. Perfect for a dressier occasion, but still holds a TON of essentials.
Favorite redo: Butternut Squash and Crispy Sage Pizza. A pizza version of my Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Garlic Butter & Sage Sauce! So clever to put these ingredients on a pizza!
Favorite photo. Ahhh, fall. :) Do you have your pumpkins yet? Ben and I still need to get ours. Hoping to pick some up at the Farmers’ Market next weekend.
Favorite treat: Ooey Gooey Caramel Pumpkin Blondies. Speaking of pumpkin…OMG! The ooo, the goo! ;)
Favorite tip: Custom iPhone Covers. This tutorial for creating custom iPhone covers is so clever!
Favorite outfit. I don’t know if I could pull off all the jewelry, but I am still crushing on orange clothes, especially going into fall. Looks so cute with chunky gold jewelry too.
Favorite sip: Honeycrisp Apple Sangria. How refreshing does this look?! Great cinnamon stick stirrer addition too. :)
Favorite spoonful: Chipotle Apple Turkey Chili. Unique, spicy, smokey, sweet combo. I am of the belief that you can never have too many chili recipes!
Favorite DIY: DIY Media Shelves. What a fun shelving unit – I’ve never seen anything like it, with the chains!
Favorite indulgence: No-Bake Stuffed Cookie Dough Bites. UMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m pretty sure these are outlawed in 19 states – good thing Iowa’s not one of ’em! ;)
Happy weekend, everyone!
Bonni 10.08.2012
I love the OCM. I dropped it in the summer just out of lazy ness but I plan on picking it up again this winter to combat dry winter skin. It does sound counterintuitive to wash your skin with oil but i felt so clean and soft after – and it removes eye make up with no tugging and rubbing. I can’t remember the mix of oils i use but i’ll be looking recipe up soon. Good luck.
Elizabeth 10.08.2012
Be careful with OCM if you are acne-prone. I can only use it as an occasional “treat” for my skin, and it makes my skin look great! It didn’t work for me as a daily regimen, but it is a great way to naturally remove makeup and cleanse your skin. Good luck!
Erin 10.08.2012
I’m a total OCM devotee! I’ve been doing it for about 6 months now and have never looked back. And what I learned is that you don’t have to get too fancy with it. I use a 50/50 ratio of Castor Oil and Grapeseed Oil. That’s it. I wash my face with it nightly, and in the morning just splash it with water in the shower. My skin has never been better. I haven’t had a single blemish since I started and actually, no longer wear any foundation or powder on my face. Just bare skin. I am always encouraging people to try it out. Also, I use EV Coconut Oil (from Trader Joes) as my face moisturizer when I need it–works great! Good luck!!
Carrie 10.08.2012
Thanks for the Quinoa chili link – made it yesterday and it was soooo good! My husband doesn’t like quinoa but loved this chili. I added a dollop of sour cream on top and it was great!
Kristen 10.07.2012
Came home tonight after no internet for a few days (in the middle of nowhere with the in-laws) with 3 honeycrisp apples and thought of you for an idea—the drink sounds great!
And, I do enjoy the oil cleansing method (OCM). I use 1/3 castor and 2/3 coconut oil for my skin, every few nights. Makes my skin brighter and with the Winter chill in the air, keeps the moisture in (I have mostly normal skin, slight T zone oil). Highly recommended…the drier the skin the less castor oil to use. BTW coconut oil is so good on the skin–my feet and elbows love it!
luv what you do 10.07.2012
I love the idea of quinoa chili. I have a huge bag from Costco and don’t always think to use it! BTW, those cookie balls look unreal!
Teresa 10.07.2012
I’ve used straight olive oil on my skin for almost a year. I put it on right out of the shower all over my body and it makes my skin much better. I tend to have dry skin, but a friend of mine with oily skin is using it too and really likes it. My doctor/friend told me to use that or Crisco, which sounds gross, but works well too. I wouldn’t do the Crisco on my face though.
Alie 10.07.2012
If you don’t want to make your own cleansing oil, I suggest DHC’s Olive Cleansing oil. You can buy it online at dhc.com or on Sephora’s site. I used it for years.
Mary 10.07.2012
On a post a while back, you had a fragrance from Victoria’s Secret. What scent was that? Thanks!!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.08.2012
Pure and Pretty Body Mist!
Mary 10.08.2012
Thank you for your reply on the scent!! I walked in there and couldn’t remember!!
kate 10.06.2012
please update us with your ocm experience! i have struggled with acne for over ten years and am always looking for something to help. i read the link you posted and it sounds amazing. might hav to give it a shot…
Iowa Girl Eats 10.08.2012
I totally will!
Ella @ Champagne + Cardigans 10.06.2012
College football is the best!! Love it!!
Erin 10.06.2012
Kristin, keep me posted if you find the perfect riding boots for a shorty. I am 5 ft. tall and am dying to have a pair of fab tall boots but cannot find a shaft height right for me. Thought I found a pair at Macy’s online and received them to find out the web site had wrong shaft height, ugh!
classic • casual • home 10.06.2012
PS. My legs are too short, too :( Go Canes.
classic • casual • home 10.06.2012
Happy birthday, Ben!!! My husband (and son right now) went/go to UF…so they hate Miami. It’s strange to me. How the heck do you find so many wonderful things in a week…truly amazing. I should not be reading about all these delicious things late at night (and we even split an apple galette and ice cream at dinner tonight!). Cute boots. I LOVE your Friday favs.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes 10.05.2012
Totally drooling over those caramel apple cinnamon rolls! Happy Friday!
Melissa 10.05.2012
My husband turns 40 Dec 1. His favorite author also happens to be having a book release party in AZ that very same day. Because I like you, an awesome wife. I bought tickets to the book signing and am flying him to AZ for that weekend.
Iowa Girl Eats 10.08.2012
That is sooo sweet – what a great surprise!
Bek @ Crave 10.05.2012
Omg those cookie bites look SOOOOOOO GOOD! Make a healthified version for me, yeah? ;) Naw such a good wife- hope you guys have fun. Oh and I love that Iphone case idea! Why have I never thought of that before? Haha so simple but so brilliant.
Carmen 10.05.2012
I tried OCM, but it made me break out like CrAZY. I’ve read some places that you have to persist for 2+ weeks as your skin purges itself but I tried it for six weeks and my skin got worse and worse. My face cleared up soon after I stopped – BUMMER! I was so excited for this all natural method. Luckily, my skin is now clear once again ., I’m still a bit traumatized but am not trying to detract you from trying, I’ve heard great things from others and believe it is great for some but just not for me. You have gorgeous skin so I am sure it will be fine. I have sensitive and oily skin and it just made my face freak out.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.05.2012
HAHA I love that you recorded him! Boys and their sports… My BF isn’t as much into sports as he is nerdy video games, but they all have something don’t they?
I don’t normally use oils on my face, but I *have* noticed lately that when I use my oil-based makeup remover at night, my skin is SO nice and soft in the morning!
My mom made pumpkin curry once and it was prooobably the best curry I’ve ever had. I bought a tiny pumpkin at the grocery store for $1.99 and I’m going to make pumpkin puree soon! Then I’ll buy another one for decoration P
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.05.2012
P.S. I’m going to Napa tomorrow! I will say hello for you :)
Iowa Girl Eats 10.08.2012
Ahhh – have a blast! What wineries did you end up going to?
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.08.2012
We went to Domaine Carneros, which is a winery that does mostly champagne :D http://www.domainecarneros.com/
I was with the BF’s mom (who lives there) and she was driving, so we only did one winery before we went back so we could both drink in the safety of her home! But it was a beauuutiful, perfect day!
Linda W 10.05.2012
I have used the OCM and should get back to using it. When I do use it those nasty blackheads on my nose actually go away! In an old (cleaned) baby food jar I mix 1 part sunflower oil and 2 parts castor oil (unless I’ve got that ratio switched-Friday brain, sorry!). Pour about a dime size of the oil into clean hands, rub hands together to warm the oil, rub/massage over face while running the water in the sink to warm it. Now take a washcloth and wet it in the now warm water and do not wring it out. Leaning over the sink, hold the washcloth to one area of your face at a time. Do your chin, wring out the washcloth, run under the warm water and repeat on forehead, etc.
A couple tips: 1) do not do this in the shower! It is more convenient as it doesn’t matter if the water runs down your elbows in the shower instead of in front of the sink, but if anyone else in your household takes a shower after you, the tub floor can be slippery. @) I enjoy using hot water and this helps “steam” your pores and remove the oil. Our water heater is set at 108 degrees.
Well, I’m off to round up ingredients for some Ooey Gooey Caramel Pumpkin Blondies!
Enjoy!