Happy Friday everyone!
Today the three of us – Ben, Lincoln, and myself – are heading up to Minneapolis for our first weekend trip. Eek! Ben and I have always agreed that we don’t want to be tied to the house just because we have a child, but at the same time L does well on a schedule and I just hope he’ll do ok away from home. I suppose it’s like any new experience with a baby – you don’t know how it’ll go until you try!
That being said, #prayforus.
Speaking of hashtags, check out this video which nearly made me spit out my Apple Izze. It is SO funny!
Anyway, I’ll be sitting on a panel at an agribusiness conference this afternoon, discussing my experience with the Join My Journey program, then we’ll play the rest of the weekend by ear. Hoping to sneak in a trip to IKEA and maybe West Elm to look at furniture for the house (yep, STILL EMPTY – told you this would take awhile!) and no trip to our old stomping grounds would be complete without brunch at Uptown Diner. I can taste the cinnamon french toast now, mmm… : )
Wish us luck!
Whatever you do this weekend, make it a good one, and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click on the blue links to be taken to the original source.
Favorite bite: Apple Cider Caramel Glazed Pound Cake. Now, I really love my Fresh Apple Cake recipe, but something it’s unfortunately missing? An Apple Cider Caramel Glaze. DROOL.
Favorite find: Merona Satchel Handbag. I spotted this bag at Target earlier this week and swooned. Definitely not as luxe as the Coach bag I showed you a few weeks ago, but it looks really darn similar for a WHOLE lot less.
Favorite devour: Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs. Pinch of Yum got it right with this recipe and post. Sometimes simple really is best.
Favorite funny: Bat Dad (click then scroll down for videos.) Oh my gosh, these videos of a Dad who disciplines his kids while wearing a batman mask are HYSTERICAL. I dare you not to laugh.
Favorite reuse: Mason Jar Lid Pies: Spiced Peach. What a brilliant idea to bake an individual pie inside a mason jar lid! The possibilities are endless.
Favorite fitness: Training for a 10K. Thinking about trying to fit this in before it gets too cold to run outdoors. The idea of a training plan to stick to as I get back into running is definitely appealing (yes I know the potential effects of exercise on nursing – I’m being careful!)
Favorite dip: Apple Pie Fries. I’ve had this recipe pinned for months. Apple pie filling stuffed between pie crusts then cut into fries and served with caramel sauce. So clever!
Favorite space: Kid’s Nook. I have a perfect place in the house for a little learning/activity nook for Lincoln when he gets older. I love how this is both fun but neat and tidy-looking (although I suppose it wouldn’t stay that way for long!) ; )
Favorite twist: Quinoa. Cranberry, Almond Grilled Chicken Salad. Great fall twist on the classic chicken salad. Would be good between two slices of bread, stuffed inside a pita, or scooped over a pile of lettuce.
Favorite travel: Villa Honegg Hotel, Switzerland. Talk about a spa with a view! The Villa Honegg Hotel in Switzerland was built in 1905, and comes complete with a one-of-a-kind view of Mt. Burgenstock from the spa pool. Sign me up!
Favorite drizzle: Brown Butter Buttermilk Syrup. I think borrowing my parent’s waffle maker so I can drown homemade waffles in a thick drizzle of brown butter buttermilk syrup might be in order soon. Crazy decadent.
Favorite lounge: Skinny Sweatpants. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on these skinny sweatpants really appeal to me. I just think they’re too cute!
Favorite snack: Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Granola Bars. Homemade granola bars always seem to catch my eye. The combo of chocolate chips and almond butter in this version sound extra scrumptious.
Favorite bling: New York Stud Earrings. I think I’ve featured these earrings in another Friday Favorites post, but in a different color. The tortoise version here looks so smart. The perfect cap to a cute fall outfit.
Favorite indulge: Skillet Brownies. DYING! Love the fact that this recipe can be made from start to finish in a cast iron skillet. Totally trying this sooner rather than later.
Favorite DIY: Outdoor Fall Lanterns. Aren’t these cute? They’re not-so-cute craft store lanterns spray painted then filled with– well, I’ll let you click over to read the rest of the instructions. I think they’d look adorable on the front porch or fireplace mantel.
Favorite sweet: Pumpkin Twinkies with Cream Cheese Marshmallow Filling. Ok, these babies make me giddy. Homemade Pumpkin Twinkies with Cream Cheese Marshmallow Filling?! Definitely favorite pumpkin recipe I’ve found this season so far!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love the lanterns! Enjoy you weekend!
I am sure you get more unsolicited advice than you could ever need…but I learned this one the hard way. If you travel (and you should!) and are supplementing with formula at all, bring water from home. We visited grandparents on the farm with well water and my little babe didn’t care for their water. Made for a long weekend!
Love your blog, have a fun time in MNPLS!
And Bat Dad? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? John and I just peed a little.
Skip IKEA (It’s awful on the weekend) and invest in some long lasting and beautiful from the Room and Board outlet. It opens at 10am on Saturday but you must be in line by 9:30am. http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/more_ways_to_shop/stores/detail.do?x=outlet
I have never been disappointed with a purchase from Room and Board. And you can even have them deliver it for you, instead of lugging back boxes of furniture from IKEA.
Someone else mentioned Hell’s Kitchen and it is AMAZING for breakfast. Also do NOT miss out on Patisserie 46 in the Kingfield neighborhood http://www.patisserie46.com/. Even if just for coffee and an almond croissant. If you have time, Travail will change your life. https://www.facebook.com/Travailkitchen
I could go on for paragraph in other suggestions … I’m from Ames and have lived in Minneapolis for 10 years. We love our restaurants and cafes and coffee shops. And our lakes. And our bike trails. And our lives.
Oh man, those sweatpants. MAMA WANT MAMA NEED. Thanks for the share, friend! Hugs.
I ran a half marathon six months after having my son, and never had issues with my supply because of it. I like how you preemptively call people out not to say anything before they do (like with the car seat straps). People give such annoying unsolicited advice.
I will surely be looking the sweatpants. Old Navy trip planned this weekend anyway!
Also, your new mom must haves inspired me to do a post on my must haves for the first year, as my little guy approaches one: http://www.alexastales.blogspot.com/2013/09/countdown-to-one-my-first-year-must.html
Take Care!
Good luck on your trip and have fun! Sounds like you have a good attitude. It’ll go well!
Those apple pie fries are genius!! Those sound AMAZING.
Love this list – so many fun (and funny) things. And how did you know I’m aiming to train for a 10K? Well, in between bites of that amazing pound cake! LOL Very much enjoy your blog so thanks for sharing!
Always love your Friday faves!
Also will just chime in and say I have been an active exerciser after both my pregnancies and nursed both girls past one year (still nursing #2 at 15 mos old)!
I was going to leave a comment on nursing and running as well, but see others beat me to it! I trained for a marathon as well while nursing, and had no issues (well, beyond needing better supporting sports bras!). In fact, “they” say that you’re V02 max goes up in the year after having a baby, so now’s the perfect time to try to train and get faster, if that’s your goal. I improved a lot in the year after I had my son.
Bahaha Bat Dad! Can I guess what your first favorite is? “MAKE SURE YOU POINT IT DOWN!!!”
Love it.
love those lanterns.
happy friday, kristin! :)