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.
Evonne 02.26.2016
I love the grey and vintage totes! I’ve been needing a simple, but sturdy, large bag and this would be perfect!
Mandy 02.26.2016
The original is still my favorite.
Rachel 02.26.2016
Gray and brown both look awesome! It’s a hard choice…
Rita 02.26.2016
I can SO relate to being freaking cold! That sweatshirt is spot on.
Barkley 02.26.2016
I would choose gray
Jackie G. 02.26.2016
I love the original- a classic!
Tara 02.26.2016
Close call between the natural and black!!
Sheri Poulson 02.26.2016
I would choose the tote in blue
Lori Moore 02.26.2016
Ooh, the classic warm brown of the original for me!
Also, since I’ve never commented, I just wanted to share that you are my favorite recipe site. Out of at least ten recipes tried, all have been winners. And the bacon cheeseburger quinoa bites were even a hit with my super-picky twelve year old with autism – a kid who won’t even touch rice! So thanks!
Maria 02.26.2016
Your backyard plan looks amazing, good luck!
Those totes are so pretty, I adore the brown one!
Sheri Poulson 02.26.2016
I would choose blue
Kelly 02.26.2016
Those bag are awesome!
Abbie 02.26.2016
What a fun giveaway! I would choose the original colored tote.
Julie 02.26.2016
Looking forward to throwing away some things this weekend- thanks for the link!
Kelsey 02.26.2016
I LOVE the brown tote. :)
Courtney Schlichte 02.26.2016
I LOVE the tote! I’d go with the vintage color!!
Jennifer K 02.26.2016
Oh my gosh I would LOVE to win one of these!! The original is my absolute favorite!
Hannah 02.26.2016
I love the Vintage Color!
Michelle G 02.26.2016
I love the original but the gray is gorgeous too!
Lucila Molina 02.26.2016
I would love the natural tote!