Happy Friday, everyone! How was your week?
Per usual, mine flew by. The other day someone said something that really resonated with me – when you have a young baby, the days are long but weeks and months are short. Truer words have never been spoken, I’m sure of it! This week Lincoln turned 8 months old and next week Ben and I will celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary.
Hey time…slow down!
Anywho, tell me about your weekend plans! The boys and I have got a few fun things in the pipeline. I’ll fill you in on Monday. : ) In the meantime, wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend, as my homey Ellen would say – BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click the light blue links to be taken to the original source.
Favorite devour: Homemade Monkey Bread with Caramel Sauce. Two words – YOU’RE WELCOME. Ok, how about a third. OMG!
Favorite geek: CrashPlan. A few weeks ago I signed up for Pinch of Yum’s weekly blogging tips emails, and it’s already paid off in spades because it led me to CrashPlan. CP backs up your entire computer plus external drives (not iPhones though, unfortunately) to their cloud, another computer, and/or an external hard drive so should your computer ever decide to go rogue, you’re golden. I lost my hard drive last year and as a result, nearly lost my mind. Never making that mistake again! (FYI this is not an affiliate link, I’m just that excited about this affordable back up option!)
Favorite slurp: Spicy Shrimp and Saucy Guacamole Ramen Noodle Bowl. I’ve been craving shrimp like a crazy person lately, and also have a soft spot in my heart for ramen noodles. Especially the creamy chicken kind. Mmm…creamy chicken. Anyway, great combo of spicy/cooling flavors in this slurpable bowl.
Favorite splurge: Lululemon Studio Pant II. Both girls I went to Seattle with had these pants on at some point during the weekend and I fell in love. Totally comfy yet cute enough to run to the store in so I splurged and bought a pair. Lululemon even hems them for free (key for a shorty like me!)
Favorite dessert: One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake. If this picture alone doesn’t suck you into wanting to make this incredible cake, the story behind it will. Totally reaffirms the fact that chocolate is my love language.
Favorite find: Chalkboard Baskets. I’ve been searching for a storage solution to corral Lincoln’s toys and blankets, which are currently taking over our living room, and these baskets from Target are totally it. Stylish enough to sit out, but also kind of kid-friendly with the little chalkboard feature.
Lincoln approved! ; )
Favorite journey: Join My Journey. I’m excited to hit the road again this spring and summer for the next leg of Join My Journey with the Iowa Food and Family Project, learning about agriculture in Iowa and the many people and places that support it. Last month I visited Shannon Latham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, and together we made this yummy Vegetable & Tofu Stir Fry. Check out the recipe and story of her family business that goes back three generations!
Favorite fitness: The BEST Ab Routine. Over the past few months I’ve had the mentality that I had to give all or nothing to a workout – which simply isn’t true. Routines like this can be easily busted out while Lincoln’s gnawing on a toy next to me. My abs hurt just looking at it!
Favorite dinner: Turkey Meatloaf Florentine. It is well documented that I. Love. Meatloaf. A florentine version incorporating yummy Mediterranean flavors with a ketchup crust looks like a perfect, crowd-pleasing dinner idea.
Favorite bite: Healthier Carrot Cake Cupcakes. Don’t these look so fun? I’d love to make them for Easter.
Favorite beauty: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. I have terrible genetic under-eye circles and have tried juuuust about every concealer under the sun. Well, I don’t need to look any further because this stuff is da bomb. Thick like shellac, it stays in place for hours. Sometimes I combine it with Benefit Erase Paste for even more coverage. Love it!
Favorite skillet: Quinoa with Spinach. Atichokes and Chicken. This looks similar to my Spinach and Artichoke Dip Chicken which I ADORE. I can’t imagine how fast I’d gobble it down with quinoa thrown into the mix.
Favorite fitness: 30 Minute Treadmill Workout. This routine looks amaaaaaaaaaaazing!!! I can’t wait to collapse in a useless heap after doing it!
Favorite forkful: Easy 30 Minute Cinnamon Roll Skillet Cake. I almost can’t handle the chewy, gooey factor of these cinnamon rolls. Saturday morning bliss (and perfect to indulge in after that run!) ; )
Check out past Friday Favorites >
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Sarah 04.04.2014
How are you adapting the dishes featured to be gluten free? I’ve developed eosinophilic esophagitis and am doing an elimination diet. I am interested in your new gluten free route.
Kristin 04.04.2014
Hey Sarah! Friday Favorites are still gluten filled – I still crave them even if I can’t eat them. :) That being said, I’ve found really good gluten-free products to replace almost all my old favorites – Barilla makes a great pasta, in particular.
Heather 04.04.2014
I tried out that 30 minute treadmill workout & it is awesome! I did it multiple times since :)
Deedee 04.04.2014
The shrimp and guacamole bowl looks delish. Guacamole on anything is my favorite. I’m surprised to see you posting Lululemon pants, though. They’ve had several PR disasters lately and don’t seem very woman-friendly as a company.
dana 04.04.2014
Thanks for the share, friend! Also, gonna try that concealer! I have major under eye bags too. Happy weekending!
Kari 04.04.2014
Are ramen noodles gluten free? Looks amazing
Kristin 04.04.2014
I don’t think so, unfortunately!
Martha @ A Family Feast 04.04.2014
Thank you so much for featuring our Quinoa with Spinach, Artichokes and Chicken!! (Your version looks delicious too!) Have a great weekend Kristin!
Britt@MyOwnBalance 04.04.2014
My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary next week too! We got married on April 9th. It’s only our second anniversary, although we’ve been together for 10 years!
Tiffany 04.04.2014
I have a great weekend ahead of me….going away party tomorrow night and then MOVING TO MINNEAPOLIS on Sunday! :) I can’t wait to try all of your yummy restaurants you’ve talked about here on IGE! Have a great weekend!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} 04.04.2014
Those carrot cake cupcakes look amazing! I might have to try those as well for Easter!
Nicole 04.04.2014
Any thoughts on the reviews of the baskets stating they will have off gassing of formaldehyde? I really want to go get these for my space, is that a serious thing? I have a 2.5 year old and a baby on the way so I’m looking into it!
Kristin 04.04.2014
Unfortunately I don’t still have the tags, but they’re kept indoors and not exposed to heat so I personally am comfortable using them!
Andrea 04.04.2014
LuLulemon is my splurge… FYI.. under armour makes almost the exact same pants…and they are 1/2 the price. I love mine and have them in several different colors, which makes my weekend wear a little more dressed than sweatpants :)
Carrie 04.04.2014
Do you know what the under armour pants are called? I lusted after the lululemon studio pants for months, tried them on and was disappointed.
Samantha @ The Faithful Runner 04.04.2014
I was going to pick out a favorite and tell you how much I wanted it/wanted to try it, but I love them ALL! I would love to get some of those lulu pants though! Thanks for sharing!
Chicago Jogger 04.04.2014
Awesome list this week! I need to try that treadmill workout asap, and that quinoa chicken recipe.. yum. Have a wonderful weekend.
Maria 04.04.2014
I need those baskets…and that chocolate cake:)
Alison 04.04.2014
Hi Kristin.. I love your blog and wait all week long for the friday favorites. They are the best. Thanks!
sally @ sallys baking addiction 04.04.2014
Thank you so much for sharing my monkey bread recipe, Kristin! I have the same MAC concealer- I swear by it! Have a great weekend.
Tammy 04.04.2014
Awesome list of Friday favorites….your Friday favorites list is one of my addictions, even though I rarely leave a comment. Have pinned tons of your favorites from this post…..love them!!
Becky @ Olives n Wine 04.04.2014
I have those lulu pants and LOVE them! They’re most definitely worth the splurge :) And that delicious cake photo is having me thinking I need cake for breakfast, haha!
Kim @ Roaming Raspberry 04.04.2014
Oh Kristin, that shrimp ramen bowl looks AMAZING!! I wish I had a bowl of that ready for lunch today….if only the husband didn’t hate seafood. It’s so unfortunate!
Emily @ Life on Food 04.04.2014
I went to a baby shower last weekend with monkey bread. I cannot get it out of my mind. Caramel sauce! Oh my!