Should I be embarrassed by the amount of joy I get from reading someecards?
Don’t answer that.
In other news, happy Friday, everyone! Got any fun plans for the weekend? We’re on what feels like the 27th weekend in a row of zip, zilch, nada on the calendar, except trolling Amazon Prime for soap dispensers. #sendhelp We’ve got a nutty couple of months coming up traveling for work and friends, so it’s been tough trying to fit in a much-needed, family-only getaway before summer hits. Every time we think we’ve got a free week, I remember something that wasn’t on the calendar, or March Madness game watching gets in the way.
March Madness: YOU’RE KILLING ME.
Anyway, wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite crunch: Fried Calamari. Ever since I got over my fear of deep frying (looking at you, Fried Goat Cheese Balls and Chicken Fingers with Everything Sauce,) I embrace the chance to try recipes at home that I’d usually have to go to a restaurant to enjoy. This pile of Fried Calamari not only has me craving the satisfying crunch you can only get from cooking something in piping hot oil, but the flavor of Fried Calamari drizzled with fresh lemon always makes me think of happy hour on a patio. Spring can’t get here soon enough!
Favorite clean slate: 100+ Things to Throw Away. YES to this list to help declutter our homes and lives of random little things that we overlook every single day. This is the best list of it’s kind that I’ve seen. Pick one number a day for the next 3-4 months and give your old, broken, and tired stuff the heave-ho.
Favorite fashion: Flutter Sleeve Top. I bought this top at J Crew last week and LOVE it. Lightweight but not sheer (are we almost done with the sheer fabric movement, clothing companies?!) and easy to dress up or down. I want one in every color!
Favorite fusion: Slow Cooker Carnitas Kimchi Fries. Can we talk about how Lauren from Climbing Grier Mountain always has the best, most interesting recipes?? Her double-decker Mexican/Korean fusion fries are calling my name. Loudly.
Favorite project. Sad news at Casa de IGE – we have to get rid of our pond this spring. ? It was what really sold us on the house when we bought it in 2013 but we’ve had several electricians over to look at the electrical (the pumps keep going out,) and they won’t touch it with a 10 foot pole since it was built by the previous homeowner vs a licensed electrician. Aside from that, the maintenance is insane, it attracts (big) wild animals, and the mosquito situation is pretty bad.
All that to say, we have a very large project ahead of us this spring and I REALLY want it to look something like this at the end. It’s got everything we could ever want! I’ll keep you posted on our progress!
Favorite skillet: Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet. 5 ingredients, great reviews, and on the table in 10 minutes? On the menu for tonight.
Favorite find. My life summed up in a sweatshirt.
Favorite tutorial: Easy Topknot that Stays Put All Day. I will admit to knot (see what I did there? ?) even being able to sit through this short tutorial on how to make an easy topknot that stays put all day before racing up to my bathroom to try it for myself. I used a small claw vs a large one, and used just one ponytail holder instead of two, and it was a complete success! I am always insanely jealous of women who can effortlessly swoop their hair into a gorgeous, messy topknot, but now we can join the ranks, muwhahaha!
Favorite fake-out: Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) Ali’s description of how she nailed this homemade version of Thai Drunken Noodles had me searching for the ingredients to make it mere minutes later. I still need to get my hands on gluten-free oyster sauce, then it. is. ON!
Favorite decor. I’ve been looking for a dining room table with a bench on one side for literally 2+ years now, but never thought to look for a high-backed tufted bench instead of a backless one. Game changer! Love this pretty look.
Morgan 02.26.2016
Love these bags!
Liz 02.26.2016
Friday favorites are always so entertaining and you hit the nail on the head with what you’re loving these days. Especially those totes, the original color is gorgeous
B. Walker 02.26.2016
Your Friday favorites are my favorite…and a giveaway for a gorgeous bag makes it extra special!
Lauren Shafer 02.26.2016
I love the original and the gray!
Megan 02.26.2016
I love that I am cold shirt!
Heather 02.26.2016
Oh- I love the gray and the vintage! I may treat myself to one if I don’t win! ;-)
Allison 02.26.2016
I would choose the bag in the original color! It is beautiful!
Lindsey 02.26.2016
I love the grey tote, but I think I would probably have to go with the classic vintage. Something about brown leather pulls a look together for me!
Carrie 02.26.2016
I definitely need to check out the J. Crew shirt. It looks perfect.
Nicole 02.26.2016
They are all beautiful, but I would choose the original!
Valerie Bostwick 02.26.2016
What a gorgeous bag!!!! I’d choose the original vintage color if I had my choice!!
Melissa 02.26.2016
Love the look of that bag! Also? That shrimp is being made tonight at my house too!
Millie 02.26.2016
Oh, what an awesome giveaway! I’d have to choose either the original or the blue! These bags are so beautiful!
Trisha 02.26.2016
Love the list of things to throw away and I’m happy to report I’ve thrown away a handful from the list within the past few weeks! Last weekend’s springy weather gave me the cleaning itch!
Suzie 02.26.2016
Love the original color!
Dupre 02.26.2016
The tote bags are beautiful!
Emily H 02.26.2016
Cute totes!
sam strang 02.26.2016
I always look forward to your Friday Favorites! This bag is classic and timeless…something that will last forever! I need it in my life. Especially the pretty brown color!
Rachael 02.26.2016
The original or gray are my favs!
Lisa Brown 02.26.2016
I would choose the tote in grey.