Happy Friday, everyone! This has been a whirlwind week, what with it being BEN’S BIRTHDAY today (wooot!) and me making my live TV debut this morning (details to come!) This weekend we hope to continue to enjoy our record high temps for October by spending as much time as we can outdoors. Something tells me this weather isn’t going to last much longer! :D
Here are my favorite finds from around the web this week:
Favorite drink (perhaps of all time): Dizzy Apple Cider. Ok, so this drink has already made an appearance on FF before, but it is totally worth posting again. Fresh apple cider mixed with ginger ale and bourbon is the most amazing taste ever. I’ve made it twice in one week!
Favorite DIY craft: twig vase. I feel like I could actually do this, and who doesn’t have a million sticks laying around their yard right now?
Favorite tailgating accessory. This solves so many problems, right? Right?!
Favorite fantasy. I’ve GOT to get to Africa someday!
Favorite funny. This is SO Ben and me, hahahaha! Look how depressed the big dog looks!!! Doh dee doh.
Favorite unique decorating idea: butternut squash vases. This would be relatively inexpensive too.
Favorite dessert: Butterscotch Candy Bar Brownie Tart. Yes, yes, yes and, yes.
Favorite easy upgrade: tiled mirror edges. Clearance tiles + silicone adhesive + 1 hour = no more builder grade mirror edges!
Favorite sip. Need. Â
Favorite fall photo. These are the colors I am seeing all over the city this week!
Favorite side dish: Roasted Garlic Pilaf. Looks easy to make and I bet the whole house would smell incredible as it bakes.
Favorite party dress. I just think this is so FUN! Plus I love the color. I’m sort of obsessed with navy.
Favorite way to remember a vacation: keepsake shadow box. I think this is so cool, and I have seen shadow boxes for really cheap at craft stores.
Favorite indulgent dinner: Gnocchi Mac & Cheese. I have been holding off on posting this for a few weeks. I could hold back no longer. OMG!!!
Favorite pup. Babe, have you seen my skinny jeans?
Favorite wrist accent: custom initial bangle bracelet. I am a sucker for initial jewelry!
Favorite Photo. Because don’t we all still feel like this deep down inside?
Favorite ingenious idea. Seriously – how clever and that looks awesome!
Favorite spot. This reminds me of Ben’s Aunt & Uncle’s house in Colorado. I could lounge by the fire here with a mug of cider allll day.
Favorite DIY decor: hand stitched vacation route. Wouldn’t a bunch of these look really cool all lined up on a wall?
Favorite sweet treat: Instant Oatmeal Cookies. I have a severe soft spot in my heart for oatmeal cookies. Add some peanut butter in the mix and I’m SOLD!
Favorite outfit. I am a sucker for stripes. And scarves. And good jeans.
Favorite no it couldn’t be…: Cookie Dough Eggrolls. I laughed like a maniac for a good 5 minutes when I found these. Holy deliciousness!
TGIF friends!
Lesley 10.07.2011
Omg, the dogs, hahaha. Poor big dog.
AC 10.07.2011
That striped outfit was one of my first pins on pinterest.com! Too cute!! Congrats on your tv debut this morning! You definitely rocked it!
Kristen W. 10.07.2011
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite posts of yours! Of course, I always get excited when I see a post from you in my rss feed!
I’m looking forward to relaxing this weekend. And perhaps, a trip to do some apple picking.
Imwaytoobusy 10.07.2011
I’m loving your Friday posts! Gnocchi mac n cheese? Macaroni and cheese is my favorite comfort food! Gnocchi comes in right behind. Just genius…
Karen 10.07.2011
They have those cookie dough egg rolls at Court Ave Brewery here in Des Moines, I had them last week and they were delicious!
Carrie 10.07.2011
Court Avenue Brewery has delicious Wonton Cookies. Their menu describes it as “Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough in a fried wonton, with powdered sugar.” Dee-lish
Jane 10.07.2011
Happy Birthday to Ben! Your Friday fav’s are killing me! I have bookmarked/saved so many recipes, jewelry sites, etc!! The initial items are too cute, thinking about a bracelet for my daughter for Christmas! Love your site, can’t wait to see/hear about your tv debut! :D
Alysha @ She's on the Run 10.07.2011
That living room in the mountains is gorgeous. Give me a cup of that cider and I’d be a happy woman!
debbie 10.07.2011
omg, I saw that picture of the dog on Pinterest and I almost died. And that picture of Africa is beautiful!
Meredith 10.07.2011
I love your Friday Favorites posts! Keep ’em coming, please!
Jenna 10.07.2011
Saw you on kcci.com today! Great job!
Beth B. 10.07.2011
HAHAHA! That tailgating plate is hilarious and a total necessity!!! Also, I totally pinned that same outfit on pinterest the other day. So cute!
erica 10.07.2011
so many great photos here! i loooove that small dog/big dog pic and the dog w/the scarf (too adorable!) and the little girl w/the mug. i feel like that all the time :)
happy birthday to iowa guy eats!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss 10.07.2011
I loved this post! I had to double take on that gnocchi mac and cheese. That seems down right incredible. Enough to put plain ole mac and cheese to shame!
Oh, and that tailgating necessity made me laugh. I’m surprised I haven’t seen more people walking around with those on game days. ;)
Thank you for linking to the Instant Oatmeal Cookies!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) 10.07.2011
I love Friday Favorites posts. I also love that outfit!
Erin 10.07.2011
I totally made that garlic rice pilaf (exact recipe) last week paired with some simple salmon and roasted brussel sprouts and it is totally easy to make and savory. My only advice is add more than just a squeeze of lemon juice, i used almost an entire lemon’s juice and it was perfection!
Anita 10.07.2011
Oh my gosh. The puppy!? So adorable. And I love your caption!
Lynn Marie Collver 10.07.2011
Hi,thanks for a cute site,will be checking back .
Am a retired Iowan in Florida.
LOVED the squash /flowers ,fun idea !
Keep searching the world for ideas we’d miss otherwise !
Don’t forget to post on the IOWA FALL FUN PLACES !
nicole 10.07.2011
I love these posts! I love getting to see all your favorite things. fun post for all random ideas.
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 10.07.2011
That Adele song gets me everytime. Just this past summer my ex-bf from high school / college (we dated for 4 years) whom I hadn’t spoken to since I was 23 (I’m 29) randomly came back into my life and told me that this song reminds him of us. I regretted breaking up with him for years and thought he had moved on, turns out the feelings were mutual, but life has just taken us in such different directions at this point. Unfortunately real life doesn’t always work out like you want now does it :/ *sigh* Anyways… on a lighter note, adore that navy dress! I need one!