What’s up, buttercup? TGIF!

Got any fun weekend plans? Ben and I have a wedding to attend on Saturday (YES!) but will be laying relatively low for the most part. It feels strange to be doing anything outrageous considering what’s happening out east. I don’t know if that’s strange, but I think you know what I mean.

Thoughts and prayers to our friends out east, and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. In the meantime, please zone out and enjoy some fun, frivolous finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!

Favorite read: Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio. I have known Sarah for a couple years and was so excited to hear that she recently released her latest novel, Blackberry Winter. The book is written in one of my favorite styles – jumping back and forth between the past and present, intertwining two women’s lives in a fascinating story of history and mystery. Sarah is a fantastic writer and her stories feel incredibly vivid and real. I read this book in one night simply because I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing what happened to the characters! Oops!

Favorite help: American Red Cross Disaster Relief. As I mentioned, the devastation on the east coast caused by Hurricane Sandy continues to sicken and sadden me. Please consider donating to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief fund to help our friends in need, if you are able!

Favorite bite: No-Knead Pumpkin Rolls with Brown Sugar Glaze. Ohhhh dear. The sweet & squishy factor here is off the charts!

Favorite fashion: Michael Kors Double Wrap Chain Bracelet. I don’t think I’ve ever desired a piece of jewelry more than this double wrap bracelet. LOVE the buckle detail!

Favorite treat: Homemade Hostess Cupcakes. These are the cupcakes of my childhood! My Mom would stash one in my brother’s and my lunchboxes for a special treat every once and awhile when we were young. :)

Favorite pooch. I used to lay under my dog (Friski, the cockapoo) and look at her from this view. Too cute.

Favorite fall: Roasted Acorn Squash. I saw oven-ready kits of halved and hallowed acorn squash filled with butter, brown sugar, and spices sold with a major markup at the store the other day. Why pay more when you can easily make this yummy fall treat at home?

Favorite project: The Penny Project. How cool do these shiny, copper-looking letters look in this kitchen, which literally cost pennies to make?

Favorite slurp: Caprese Soup. A great twist on the classic tomato soup. Yummy.

Favorite place. I think 9 times out of 10, I’d pick a cozy mountain retreat over a beach vacation, preferably sipping soup of the sort above. Okay, maybe 8/10. Is that crazy?

Favorite feast: BBQ Pot Roast over Cheddar Ranch Grits. Ben saw this over-the-top feast over my shoulder as I was surfing the interwebs this week, and demanded that I include it in my Friday Faves. There was NO argument on my part. Holy cow!

Favorite wedding wear. I’m convinced there needs to be a new section in department stores – wedding guest wear. It is so hard to find cute/appropriate dresses for weddings – especially fall/winter weddings. This outfit is exactly what I’m looking for (and not finding!) for the wedding this weekend!

Favorite photo: Pumpkin Pie Pancakes. The recipe for these fluffy flap jacks looks scrumptious, but WOW, that PHOTO!

Favorite find: Pottery Barn Lookalikes. A whole blog dedicated to finding more affordable versions of Pottery Barn products. Awesome!

Favorite snack: Buffalo Pretzels. Don’t let the plain look of these pretzels fool you – what you can’t see is a yummy layer of buffalo-ranch flavor baked into the crunchy snacks. These would be perfect for a party.

Favorite workout: Your Best Butt. I’ve been really into butt workouts lately. Not actually doing them, per se, but collecting them anyways. Baby steps!

Favorite sip: Apple, Ginger, and Cranberry Cocktails. These sippers were created with the summer in mind, but the combo of flavors sounds like they’d be equally delish in the cooler months. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for some fall flare?

Favorite feature. A fire pit with openings around the bottom for increased airflow to the flames, AND for warming your feet. Genius!

Favorite indulge: Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte. All. The. Things.!! :)

 

Check out past Friday Favorites >

Wishing you a fabulous weekend! :D