Happy Friday, everyone! How’d your short week go?
For once it wasn’t too big of an adjustment coming home from vacation. I can be quite lazy at times but there’s one thing I’m adamant about after taking a trip and that’s unpacking the second I get home. Otherwise the suitcase becomes a permanent object in the corner of the bedroom collecting dust much like the stack of books on my nightstand that’s been sitting there largely untouched for, cough, a YEAR?
Note to self: quit watching trashy reality television at night and read! What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
Anyway, where was I, oh yes. My bags are unpacked, the fridge is stocked, and our sights are set firmly on Saturday – game-day, baby! We’re heading to my parent’s house to watch the Hawkeyes play Ball State. Can’t wait. I’m bringing a new Savannah-inspired appetizer recipe that I’m testing out for Monday’s post, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond, and have a great weekend!
Click the light blue links to be taken to the original source.
Favorite decadence: Double Chocolate Cookies. I can’t even handle the meltage in these cookies. A chocoholic’s dream come true!
Favorite DIY: Turn a Drawer Into an End Table. This drawer-turned-end-table project is one of the coolest DIY projects I’ve seen. The leather strap and etched details are so smart.
Favorite upgrade: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bowls. Wait ’til you see these! I just bought a spaghetti squash to make Low Carb Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs but am totally reworking the menu to make these instead. Looooove it.
Favorite travel: 19 Truly Charming Places To See Before You Die. Good grief this roundup just gave me the travel bug (and hey, check out #5!)
Favorite devour: Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Pizza. One gluten-filled craving I just cannot kick is a doughy homemade pizza. MAN I’d kill for a cheesey, sweet-heat slice of this homemade pizza from Pinch of Yum!
Favorite funny: 21 Actual Analogies Used by High School Students in English Essays. Ben and I found this floating around Facebook the other day and were dyying. #14…I can’t even.
Favorite bite: Bacon Wrapped Grilled Peaches with Balsamic Glaze. Seriously all my favorite flavors in one bite. These would be awesome for a tailgating party since they can be served warm or room temp.
Favorite project: DIY Chalkboard Sign. How adorable are these DIY chalkboard signs? Rustic and fabulous. Are you getting excited for fall?
Favorite fall: White Chocolate Pumpkin Snickerdoodles. The folks at Trader Joe’s recently told me that all their pumpkin products are coming in next week – whee! In the meantime, I’ll be over here drooling over these chewy pumpkin-spiced snickerdoodles. :)
Favorite slurp: Slow Cooker Quinoa White Chili with Roasted Poblanos. I’ve had soup, stew, and chili on the brain in a major way lately. Think I’ll kick off soup season with this thick and hearty chili with a unique touch of roasted poblanos.
Favorite fashion. Ok, if fall food isn’t getting you excited for the next couple of months, maybe this charming fall outfit will. LOVE me some fall boots, scarves and sweaters!
Favorite crave: The Shiny Shiny – Gruyere, Jamon Serrano, Candied Garlic and Tomato Chutney Grilled Cheese. Holy buckets – need to get me one of these stacked grilled cheeses, stat!
Favorite decor: Log Filled Fireplace. I really like the looks of this log filled fireplace with brick up to the ceiling (swoon!) but what I’m really loving is the mantle decor! It’s the perfect styling for a side table I have in the entry hallway that’s kind of awkwardly styled at the moment. Taking notes…
Favorite breakfast: Cinnamon-Pumpkin Waffles with a Caramel Syrup. I saw this photo on my Instagram feed a few days ago and my mouth instantly began to water. I want to take a swim in that caramel syrup!
Have a great weekend!
Mary Joos 09.05.2014
I just read Ordinary Grace this summer. It was great. Also love Cutting for Stone. Happy Reading! Thanks for all the great finds.
McKenzie 09.05.2014
Favorite books recently: This Is Where I Leave You–Jonathon Trooper; Following Atticus-Tom Ryan; We Were Liars-E. Lockhart :)
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 09.05.2014
Yay for your reader survey!!! And I love that fall fashion photo. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but I can get on board with those boots and sweater! So cute!
hilary.fox12@gmail.com 09.05.2014
Go Hawks!
Kelly 09.05.2014
Oh man, ignore my survey. I asked for my GF recipes, but I just had been working off your recipes I pinned years ago, and had ignored the GF recipes and was just diagnoses with Celiac, so please excuse my ridiculous survey!
Myla 09.05.2014
Wow! Today’s Friday Favorites was a great one! Those cookies look epic, but I’m so excited about the spaghetti squash. Our one hill yielded 30+ squash! Oh and a couple good books I’ve read this summer were: Orphan Train, Calling Me Home and Attachments. Check ’em out and let me know if you liked them!
Dee 09.05.2014
On the log-filled fireplace, I saw a similar photo in BH&G, but they had painted the ends of some of the logs to match the season. The ones I saw where pastels for spring. Interesting decorating idea.
Amanda 09.05.2014
Those waffles!
I’ve recently read The Husband’s Secret and Me Before You. Loved both!
kayla 09.05.2014
I just finished reading Jane Eyre, and before that the Grapes of Wrath. Both very great, very different, yet very classic :)
Hannah 09.05.2014
Thank for those wonderful Friday Favourites! I am ready for fall and want to cook soup, brownies, cookies and all that stuff that comfort foods that heats up during the cold season!
I also enjoy drinking a cup of tea and reading for hours when it’s raining outside.
You should definitely read “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn and “The longest ride” by Nicholas Spark – awesome!!
Erin W 09.05.2014
I just got through reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio and it was soooo good. It was sweet and moving. I ready it in 24 hours because it is a fairly short and easy read. I must get my kids to read this one day.
Kari 09.05.2014
This spring, we had a mystery plant start growing in our compost heap. Turned out to be spaghetti squash. We have at least 20 huge spaghetti squash! That lasagna recipe is awesome! Thanks!
Sarah 09.05.2014
I recently read “Mrs. Kennedy and Me” by Clint Hill (he was her secret service detail). I could not put it down, I mean, reading it while stuck in the stand still traffic of Houston could not put it down.
I love the fall decor!
Lea J. 09.05.2014
I love fall! I am ready for boots and scarves.
I also run into the same problem with reading, which is sad since I used to devour multiple books a week.
Recently I read Gone Girl and the Aviator’s Wife. I would highly recommend both of them. I’m currently working my way through The Hundred Year Old Man who Crawled Out the Window and Disappeared. It’s awesome too.
Julia 09.05.2014
Just added the spaghetti squash lasagna bowls to next week’s meal plan
Emily 09.05.2014
Pumpkin + Snickerdoodle + White Chocolate = HEAVEN! Happy Friday!
Bri | Bites of Bri 09.05.2014
I love this fall inspired Friday Faves! Thanks, Kristin!
Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey 09.05.2014
Those waffles look incredible!! Definitely adding them to my list of delicious breakfast recipes to try!
Colleen 09.05.2014
Oh my GOD those waffles look so good! Yay football! Have a great weekend :)
Kim @FITsique 09.05.2014
TJ’s pumpkin stuff is COMING!?!?! Ha that just reminded me of the movie Elf! I love their supply of pumpkin goodies. I’m going to have to go with those double chocolate cookies though..my goodness they look good. Have a great weekend!