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!
Kristin from MN 09.08.2014
I LOVE when people ask about good books I’ve read lately! I could really talk about books forever so I will try not to get carried away. Good books I’ve read lately include:
1. Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson – historical fiction set in WW1 France and London
2. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman – YA fantasy set in the future, really fun read
3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – YA set in boarding school in Paris, super fun romance I couldn’t put down
4. The Beloved Daughter by Alana Terry – story about a girl set in North Korea, really eye opening and interesting about how people live in North Korea
Next up on my To-Read list is Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly (a favorite author of mine). It’s YA fantasy with mermaids. The cover is beautiful, and I have a feeling it will be epic! ;)
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 09.08.2014
I can’t believe it’s already been a year since your last reader survey. Time flies!
Oh, and if you’re serious about the book thing, I just finished Where’d You Go Bernadette and it was hilarious/entertaining. I highly recommend it!
Marylyn 09.08.2014
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if
you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Heidi @foodiecrush 09.05.2014
By the end of the week, your faves are always my favorite destination on the web. Thanks so much for the link love! You = Talent = Beyond.
Shelby N. 09.05.2014
I read a lot so it’s hard to pick just one…but Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler was amazing!! I highly recommend it to everyone!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15793184-calling-me-home
Nancy 09.05.2014
Since you just went to Savannah you might enjoy books by Mary Kay Andrews – a lot of her books are set in Savannah. They are light , fun reading – “Ladies Night” is even about a blogger.
Lori 09.05.2014
IG wouldn’t open (plus I dont have an account) but where are those boots from??!!
Also, you have THE BEST Friday favorites!
Christina @ Christina's Adventures 09.05.2014
oh hey – THANKS for including me in your faves!!! It means so much!! <3 And as you saw on IG – I am so trying to get away from the computer/Netflix to read more books…ugh its so HARD!! :)
Crystal 09.05.2014
I have been eating chili for the last 2 weeks (a prego craving) here in steamy SC. I am so ready for Fall. Might have to make the waffles this weekend.
Morgan 09.05.2014
I’m a librarian, so whenever I hear people asking for book recommendations I just can’t sotp myself….I think you’d really enjoy Rainbow Rowell, her newest book for adults “Landline” is super-duper but my favorite by her is “Fangirl”, it’s teeechnically YA, but don’t let that throw you! I saw someone else recommended “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and that was a page-turner as well! I’ve recently gotten really into Liane Moriarty (“Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret) both SO GOOD. I think I’m going to make the quinoa chili this week, I’ll let you know how it goes!
Millie l Add A Little 09.05.2014
Quinoa white chilli – drool!!
Millie l Add A Little 09.05.2014
I promised myself to drink water with lemon every morning and do some more excersize!!
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 09.05.2014
Friday favs are the best! I’m off to take your survey! In regards to books, I recently read Me Before You, Girl with the Pearl Earring, and Orphan Train, all of which were awesome!! Here are some more of my recent reads & reviews:
kristin from MN 09.08.2014
I also really like Me Before You and Orphan Train! I will have to add Girl with a Pearl Earring to my list. Thx!
Sally G. 09.05.2014
I can’t recommend The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, by Genevieve Valentine, enough! It was so good and I’ve been telling everyone about it :-) If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are lots of other book reviews on my blog as well, and I’m adding a few more this weekend!
Erica 09.05.2014
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is a great read, you can get totally caught up in it. Plus it’s the first of a trilogy so there’s more to read when you finish.. :)
Erin 09.05.2014
One of my 2014 resolutions was to read more, and I’ve actually stuck with it for once! Favorites so far include:
-Bread & Butter by Michelle Wildgen
-Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
-Wonder by R.J. Palacio
-The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
-The Kept by James Scott (Heavy, but good)
-Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Heather @ Shards of Lavender 09.05.2014
So looking forward to Trader Joe’s pumpkin items! Those bacon wrapped peaches with the balsamic look totally amazing and Sally’s pumpkin cookies are on my must-bake list. Thanks for sharing!
Leslie 09.05.2014
If you haven’t read the Outlander series yet I highly recommend it. Starz has just launched the first season of the TV which is amazing, but I recommend reading before watching. Also, GO HAWKS!
Erica @ Fetching Lovely 09.05.2014
I love the Outlander series! I am currently reading the eighth book, “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.” I can’t wait to watch Outlander on Starz (first we have to upgrade our cable subscription).
Jill 09.05.2014
I just finished “Reconstructing Amelia” and it’s SO good. Couldn’t put it down.
I’m sooo excited fall is almost here! Bring on the soup posts!
(go hawks!)
Dena 09.05.2014
An all blue smurf town? Who knew? I promise I read intelligent books as well, but I just finished “I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends” by Courtney Robertson (of Ben Flajnik bachelor episode). Pretttttyyyyy interesting! Oh, and am I the only one dreading the invasion of all things pumpkin that is about to start? BLECHHHH. ACCCKKKKK. Did the survey, entered the giveway, THANK YOU!