Happy Friday, and first day of June!
JUNE?
June!
This is when I start to panic that the summer is going to fly by before I get a chance to really savor and enjoy it. Isn’t that sick? That said, I’m going to try and spend some time outdoors everyday over the next three months (when it’s not raining, anyways,) to unplug, get away from the madness of everyday life, and just enjoy. That way I can look back in August and know I did all I could.
Luckily it’s a beautiful day here in central Iowa, and I’m headed out for a nice run after I hit publish. I hope you’ll be able to do some of the same this weekend, but in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites! :D
Favorite dessert: The Twix Tart. Chocolate + caramel + shortbread = SOLD! Look how dense & fudgy this pie is!
Favorite fashion: J Crew Ring Around Eyelot Top. Sweet & summery. Love the sleeve length too.
Favorite refresh: Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. I wouldn’t normally associate cheesecake with refreshing but the cool, creamy lemon center looks so, well, refreshing!
Favorite movie: Snow White & The Huntsman. I made Ben promise to take me to this movie when it opened months ago, and am finally cashing in on said promise this weekend – muwahaha! Can’t wait. Although annoyingly moody at times, I still love me some K Stew.
Favorite combo: Toasted Coconut Vanilla Limeade. I would literally give my left arm for someone to show up at my house with a pitcher of this toasty, tasty combo this very minute. How do people come up with this stuff?!
Favorite woah: Italian Moon. Do you think this is Photoshopped? Either way – incredible!
Favorite twist: Mango Apple Salad with Sugared Lime Zest. A new twist on the classic “fruit salad”. My mouth puckers and waters at the same time just looking at this picture.
Favorite DIY: IKEA Bookshelf Office Space. A workspace hideaway built out of 3 IKEA bookshelves. Genius! I especially love the burlap backing.
Favorite supper: Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage & Roasted Brussels Sprouts. This supper literally includes all my favorite things. ALL THE THINGS!
Favorite pooch. SQUEE!
Favorite sip: Sparkling Watermelon Limeade. A cool, ultra refreshing beverage for the hottest of summer days. Love how it’s alcohol free, but could be jazzed up with a hit of white wine, or vodka.
Favorite outfit. Coral and gold is one of my all-time favorite combos.
Favorite bite: Asian Shrimp Dumpling. If these babies taste half as good as they look, then I am in for a real treat. :)
Favorite app: Wedding Snap. OH how I wish this existed when I got married! Have your friends snap pics at your wedding, then upload them in real time to a personal website which displays them all.
Favorite light bite: Thai Mango Salad. Love the sweet-tart dressing for this fresh, light salad. I would inhale this.
Favorite decor: Vintage Travel Posters. Want. So bad. ‘Nuf said.
Favorite feel good: Black Bean Veggie Tacos. An awesome combo of fresh veggies, flavorful cheese, and hearty black beans. This is feel good food, for sure!
Favorite funny. Sorry, but I laughed for legit 10 minutes when I saw this!
Favorite picture. Growing up, my neighbor had a natural hole like this in their fence which their black lab would always stick its nose through. We had so much fun with her. :)
Favorite treat: Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn. Perhaps I’ll make a batch to bring to Snow White?! YUM!
LeeAnn 06.01.2012
My Dad never asks for anything from anyone, so through his own actions, he has taught me independence. In addition, he is always offering to help me and my siblings in some way or another, so he has also shown that he will do anything for me, IF I were to ask for it. Through all of this, he has taught me that kindness is the greatest gift, but to never take advantage of it.
Kristen D 06.01.2012
My favorite thing about my dad is his adventurous and fun spirit!
Ashley 06.01.2012
I love my dad to pieces he can do no wrong. I love our little lunch dates, we always try to find new restaurants to try. We’ve done the Indian restaurant and he introduced me to octopus (not bad) and we’ve been hitting the International Food Festival together for years. My husband and mother aren’t that food adventureous but my dad and I love it!!
Liz 06.01.2012
I liked the page!
Sarah M 06.01.2012
I love my step-dad for treating me and my sister as his own. He has loved and provided for us since we were little girls. An amazing man who would love that grill set! Have a wonderful weekend.
em @ simplypresent 06.01.2012
June, seriously?!?! I know!
That DIY and vintage travel posters are SO up my alley.
My went to Iowa State so the Hawkeye logo would def be out of the question, but a great gift idea! But he was in grad school when me and my brother were young and I know it was tough on him. He’s a really, really hard worker and I’m so proud of him! My dad would always take me fishing and to the park when I was younger. Now I associate all those things with him!
Erica 06.01.2012
I love my dad! Although we don’t talk on the phone during the week like I Do with my mom, I know he is always there for me whenever I need him. What a great feeling that is!
Kristin from MN 06.01.2012
I cannot wait to see The Huntsman either! I LOVE Chris Hemsworth – after Thor and the Avengers, I’m totally smitten! I look forward to hearing how you liked it. :)
Katie 06.01.2012
My Dad is the best! As a single gal in my late 20s he has been my handyman, mover, financial adviser, and so much more for years! I’m pretty sure that he would do just about anything for me. Can’t ask for more than that!
Cari Fairchild 06.01.2012
I also “Liked” on Facebook!
Cari Fairchild 06.01.2012
My late step-dad took me on as his own daughter and made a point to be at every one of my basketball and volleyball games throughout my childhood. He was a great dad!
McKenzie 06.01.2012
My favorite thing about my dad is the way he can make me laugh. Nothing but smiles just thinking about it.
Jaime 06.01.2012
Unfortunately he’s not in my life. I do remember though being very young and listening to him sing and play Puff the Magic Dragon on the guitar.
Megan 06.01.2012
He loves my daughter openly, and expresses his pride and joy in my brother and I so heartfelt… I appreciate he isn’t closed off or unemotional like so many men.
Margaret 06.01.2012
Liked Mr. BBQ on FB.
Margaret 06.01.2012
My stepdad is a source of calm and constancy when the world around me tends to get over-dramatic. I also always loved how he was at my high school activities. I could look up from my tennis match or volleyball game and see him in the crowd. Everyone else had a mom there, but my stepdad worked early hours so he was my cheerleader.
Sarah T. 06.01.2012
My dad is one of the nicest, gentlest people I know. So laid back and easy going. He’s a gentle giant!
Jodi N 06.01.2012
My dad has a heart of gold. He always helps others and is a die hard worker who never complains. He gets up at 3:30 every morning to water all the flowers in town then goes to work at 5 till 6 at night.
Lori H 06.01.2012
I love my Dad’s wacky sense of fun. This is but one example: He would listen to the 1812 Overture on the stereo, then turn it up to full volume when the cannons & explosions started. While I can only imagine what the neighbors thought, we 6 kids thoroughly loved it! Now older, he still shares the fun with the grankids & their friends. The younger generation has dubbed him “Papa Smurf”, and he loves it.
Alicia McClure 06.01.2012
My dad ROCKS! He is a very hard working, loving man. We have worked very hard tu build on upon our relationship since my parents divorced about 4 years ago. Grilling is one of his favorite things to do and one the great past times I have with my dad. I love him with all my heart :)