Happy Friday friends!
I can’t believe we are just one week away from Christmas and Hanukkah. My husband is just now asking for ideas of what I want for Christmas (does he NOT read my Friday Faves???) and I still need to wrap all the presents. But some of those duties have been put on hold as I’ve been a busy little beaver getting in all my final posts and recipes for 2016 so I can take a little holiday break with my family to really sit back and enjoy the season.
And then, BOOM! It’s 2017.
Let the champs flow and let’s get to clinking the glasses!
With 2017 right around the corner I want to be sure yours is going to be as great as mine and there are a few giveaways going on right now for my printed 2017 planner, The Nourished Planner, that you aren’t going to want to miss.
Ending today is a Nourished Planner giveaway by Jessica of How Sweet It Is in her 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways. She even made a video of when opening the planner for the first time and shared her favorite parts of it. Yes, she is as hilarious and over the top in real life as she is in video—I am obsessed with her vlog and the tour of her totally decked out for Christmas house.
Enter the How Sweet It Is giveaway here. Thanks for sharing Jess!
Also, don’t miss this giveaway on our Nourished Planner site where you can win a Nourished Planner and a 3-piece set of Zwilling Pro knives valued at $350.
Hop over and enter the giveaway here.
Be sure to order your planners for holiday gifting by this weekend to make it by Christmas and Hannukah.
After I swore off any travel for the rest of the year I was asked to speak on a panel in Austin, TX about Influencer Marketing to a room full of marketers. I was simply hoping their eyes wouldn’t glaze over during the process, and luckily it turned out great.
It was a super quick overnighter and I didn’t even leave the hotel, but I DID eat the amazing caprese salad you see at the top of this post. I’m a caprese connoisseur and I’ll say here and now, this one was top notch and a gorgeous presentation. So if you’re ever in Austin, head here to eat it and get more great ideas of where to eat in Austin from one of my fellow panelists here.
But enough about me, let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves!
FINALLY! THE AVOCADO EMOJI IS HERE!!! (and yes this fact DOES deserve all caps!)
I’m totally digging this all in one spinach dip.
Love this DIY dinner in a bowl.
This slow cooker dinner looks so easy for weeknight but fancy enough for showing off your mad cooking skillz to friends.
speaking of…
Did you see the Instant Pot is $50 off?? GET IIIIIIIITT!
This no-boil pasta and no-cook sauce bake into one delicious hands-off dinner! So smart.
Okay, this fingernail polish is a must have for every foodie. I LOVE the names and a perfect stocking stuffer.
Not gonna lie, I’m totally making these adult SpaghettiOs.
Reindeer mules. Drink up buttercup.
This sipper would make a totally delicious homemade neighbor or hostess gift.
Since the everything bagel is my everything, I’m totally ready for this breakfast casserole.
This cake is giving me weak in the knees. Stuuuuuning.
These cookies are my eggnog jam.
Have you ever eaten a 5-course gourmet dinner in a yurt? Yes, I said YURT. I did again this week and it was FABULOUS—the new chef prepared just about the best dinner I have had in years. IN A YURT! You need to put this on your bucket list.
Because I know you were wondering, here are the 9 best cheeses to serve at holiday meals.
which leads to…
Okay, some people are just way too original and have way more time on their hands than I do. Check out this mouse café in Sweden. Yes, I said MOUSE. So frigging cute.
The 7 best books about Julia Child. I need every one.
This woman could be a genius.
Did you hear me on this podcast? Ugh. I hate hearing my voice. I guess this is why.
20 books every woman should read from 2016. Have you read any of them yet?
This holiday top is so cute, but the reason it was created has an even more meaningful story.
The holidays aren’t always happy times for everyone. I love this piece on letting go of what makes you sad.
Just got this cardigan and I’m in love—and it’s on sale!
This top is too cute. Those slits!
Also, I don’t think I can resist these ear muffs—and they’re on sale, too!
Recipes I Pinned This Week
I’ve seen so many festive winter recipes this week that make me wanna hunker down and get cozy! Here are three I’ve pinned that I think you should pin too.
Apple, Cranberry + Ginger Cocktail
Tart, spicy, fizzy — what more could you possibly want in a cocktail? This one’s my jam.
Creamy Red Lentil Carrot Soup
Quick, healthy, creamy, and colorful, this soup is right up my alley, and the perfect respite in between all of the crazy Christmas cookie binging.
Peppermint Dark Chocolate Mousse
Luscious dark chocolate mousse with a peppermint twist — all dolled up for the holidays! Bonus? This recipe is super quick and easy.
Thanks for reading, friends, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
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Ainsley
Thank you for giving Palate Polish a shout, Heidi! xo
Leah / Freutcake
Thanks so much for including me in your faves! Cheers, buttercup. lol :)
Jonathan
Do you know what FRIGGING means? as in above: “Okay, some people are just way too original and have way more time on their hands than I do. Check out this mouse café in Sweden. Yes, I said MOUSE. So frigging cute.” Try this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Frigging
Loren
Wow! You have me drooling with these babies! They all look so tasty! xo Loren // http://www.thinkelysian.com
Sara @ Last Night's Feast
My husband hates that I love Spaghetti-O’s. I don’t buy them anymore, but I do make Spaghetti and MB soup that tastes just like Spaghetti-O’s. So good, and it makes you feel like your 9 years old!