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.
Holly 02.26.2016
I actually love the original tote. Thanks for the giveaway! And that shrimp looks amazing…
Jana 02.26.2016
I would choose the classic tote. Love that brown color!
Kristin 02.26.2016
I love the original vintage tote bag. Beautiful leather…you can’t go wrong!
Dawn Mather 02.26.2016
I love your Friday Favorites! Get a little bit of everything in one post. Plus a bag giveaway. I’d probably choose the original colored one but wouldn’t turn away one in the other colors:)
Jana 02.26.2016
I love the classic tote! It’s a fabulous brown color.
Mandy 02.26.2016
Your Friday Favorites are my favorites! Happy Friday! I love the chestnut brown leather bag…..
Holly 02.26.2016
Love reading your Friday Favorites! I would have to go with the original tote color.
Stephanie H 02.26.2016
i love the vintage tote
Jen 02.26.2016
Love the tote!! Id prob choose original. And that sweatshirt is perfect!
Ayanna 02.26.2016
All the colors are so beautiful, I like the blue best!
Nicole 02.26.2016
Awesome bag! I love them all.
Melissa 02.26.2016
I love that grey!
Also, that sweatshirt speaks to my soul. Is it terrible that I looked at it and thought it doesn’t look warm enough??
Lauren 02.26.2016
The vintage tote bag the original brown :-)
Tali May 02.26.2016
Love it in the original tan color. Hope I win!
Sarie L. 02.26.2016
I would have a hard time choosing between the original and the gray – they are both so beautiful!
Ashley Miller 02.26.2016
Omg I’m dying for a new diaper bag. I have my 2nd baby on the way and my current one looks like a hot mess. I would kill for either the original or the gray. Love them!!
jenna 02.26.2016
i would choose the congac
Erica Thomas 02.26.2016
I would totally buy the vintage tote. That brown color is my favorite!!
Jane 02.26.2016
I would love to win the black tote!
Caitlin 02.26.2016
These totes are so beautiful. I love all the colors, but would probably choose either the grey or the original.