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!
I think Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake should forever have their own TV show together. #bestbromanceever
Eating the Quinoa, Cranberry, Almond Grilled Chicken Salad right now for lunch. Love it! Made it yesterday to take with me each day for lunch this week. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love every one of these ideas. Now daydreaming about sitting in that spa pool with a pumpkin twinkie. Seriously can’t wait to try those! BTW we made the pork and gnocchi that you featured in Friday favorites a few weeks ago, and it’s one of our “most favorite things that has ever come out of the Dutch oven” to quote my husband. Have a great week!
Replied to a comment above, but forgot to add – good stuff today! Those brownies might look a little too good, though . . .
I miss the Uptown Diner! Hope you had more than one of the cinnamon french toast.
Have a great trip! And dude, those skinny sweatpants – I would wear it every day!
Good luck taking L on yalls first trip! I’m sure it’ll all work out. The Buttermilk Brown Butter syrup looks amazing. Just wanted to let everyone know that I learned the hard way, skillets are sweet OR savory. Not either. Being Southern, I use my cast iron skillet for just about all my cooking. One day had a brilliant idea to try pineapple upside down cake in said skillet. Inedible. Ick. Tasted of onions, beef and cornbread. Good in themselves, no so much for a dessert! Lesson learned. Must have dedicated iron skillet for sweets only!
I LOVE your Friday Favorites!! :) That first video is hilarious and I’m in love with the recipes you posted. And that Switzerland hotel? Sign me up! ;)
Just went to IKEA today in Canton, Michigan to buy some goodies for mt new house! Closing on Wednesday! It was house #62! Whew! Exhausted after that house hunt!
Will be using West Elm’s free decorating service to assist me with picking out new furniture and accessories in Columbus,Ohio (where my new job and house are located) Cannot wait to move in and decorate!
Hope you were able to find some great things on your trip to IKEA and West Elm and survived the trip with baby L! He is too stinking cute!!!!
The skinny sweatpants totally remind me of long john underwear! :)
haha I love that you’re already commenting before anyone can harass you about nursing and exercising!! I love your friday faves, please don’t ever stop!
THAT pound cake!! SO drool worthy. I am laughing over all of these videos. I am in love with JT and his #hashtags. Hahahaha.
LOVED meeting you and having you on the panel. Enjoy Minneapolis!