Hey! It was my birthday. Thank you to so many of you who sent birthday wishes my way this week. It made my day to see posts, texts and even an old fashioned snail mail card or two from new friends and old ones and some that simply came out of the woodwork.
I guess that’s one of the good values of Facebook.
I got spoiled by my sweet family with sweet wishes and prizes including beautiful flowers to perk up the day and a new oven mitt Smudge made in sewing class. I mean really, could it get any better than that? Oh yes, it could. The oven mitt is reversible!
I’m definitely calling it my favorite Friday Fave.
I’ve spent some time this week surrounded by fellow creators who are all seeking the magic pill on how to achieve success in this weird, wacky and fickle space on the www called blogging.
So what’s the prescription I heard repeated by panelists at Alt Summit again, again and again? Content is king. Be authentic. And, the take away nobody really wants to hear: there is no one magic bullet.
I made a few observations and took notes and am sharing a few today, along with a few other random faves.
Let’s get to it!
Alt Summit isn’t known simply for it’s blogging intel, but also for the fashionista’s who grace it’s presence. Here’s what’s hot:
Short booties like these.
Vests like this. (still? I guess so…)
Anything with sequins. Here we go… OR … DIY make it yourself!
Hair accessories like these.
Rings like this.
Pinterest, you better watch your back because Instagram is king. Check out the the editing apps above to make your pics perfect.
I downloaded this one right away.
They were all shared by this Instagrammer. She should know what works, since she has 826,000 followers.
Check out your Instagram stats with this app.
Make Instagram videos with this app.
I hosted this #dreamstudio lounge with Microsoft and Wayfair. From the walls to the cabinets to the mixers, cups and dishes, I couldn’t believe how real it all was, right smack dab in the middle of a convention space. Especially that huge crystal chandelier—oh wait, that’s firmly attached to the Grand America ceiling and not. going. anywhere.
You can shop for everthing in my #dreamstudio lounge here.
I discovered how to immediately sync all of your iPhone images right to the cloud. I’ll never lose one again.
And then I fell in love with this desk that was in the other part of the #dreamstudio. Man I’d look good writing blog posts at it.
And these benches were there too. They’d be amazing in my living room.
I bought this soap and lotion for the kitchen. A birthday present to me. It’s my favorite scent but this one is sneaking close to taking over the top spot.
14 habits of exceptionally likable people. I exceptionally like #12.
And because we’re still in January, the top diets of 2015 ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
How to work from home, and still get things done. Impossible? Possible!
9 food writing trends you need to know about.
I LOVE Amazon Prime for free shipping. Saturday only it’s on sale. $72 per year instead of the usual $100. Let’s shop!
Currently Crushing on This Week’s Fave Recipes
This week I’m trying something new, giving you just the links to get you through. If you miss seeing the photos that go with the recipes, I’d love to know. Tell me know in the comments below.
From breakfast to dinner and even drinks > 50 healthy slow cooker recipes.
This very well could be the richest birthday cake EVER!
Baked goat cheese and sun-dried tomato dip. Pass the crackers.
Baked honey lemon chicken. All the best flavors to soak in.
Blood orange mojitos. When’s brunch?
Healthy banana chocolate chip muffins. To go with mom-jitos above.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting FoodieCrush. Have something to say? I’d love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below.
Have a great weekend friends, and make something good.
As always, thank you for reading and for 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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Amber Frank
Happy Friday Birthday dude! I hope you will enjoy your happiness and the great event that you planned.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Your daughter did a most excellent job on that oven mitt – what a wonderful gift! I’m checking out all those apps. LOVE Caldrea. Hope you had a wonderful birthday! And thank you so much for the baked goat cheese recipe link love.
Farah @ The Cooking Jar
Thanks for the mention, Heidi! Loving the oven mitt and flower shot!
Emily @ Life on Food
What a great list of slow cooker meals and dishes! Happy Birthday!!
Traci B.
Yes, please, bring back the photos of the recipes – seeing the dish is what pushes me to click the link (if it’s something that I think looks great)…without the photo, I won’t click through on the link just by reading the recipe name…
heidi
Thanks for the input Traci, I really appreciate your opinion! So many more people click through when it’s just the recipe link, I wish they’d do the same when I show the photo. I love photos!! I guess they just want to be teased. I’ll play around with it and test to see what works best.
Patti
I love that great oven mitt, it’s even more special because it was made with love.
I enjoy seeing photos of the recipes you feature.
I love Friday faves!
heidi
Thanks Miss P. She takes after her grandmothers in the talent department.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl
What a list! Now I have like 35 browser windows open at once – there goes the day. ;) Happy Happy Birthday!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I have a few of the photo apps. I need more!
Thank you for including my muffins in your Friday Faves, Heidi! Have a fabulous weekend!
Nikki
Great information on this post! I found so much interesting stuff. I do have to say that I don’t do recipes without a photo though. I’m a “judge a book by its cover” person ALL the way! :)
heidi
Thanks for the comment about the recipe photos. Who else has an opinion? I want to know!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
I do like me some Instagram..thanks for the tips :)
Maria
Glad you had a fun birthday! Looking forward to another fun day at Alt! I better go get my vest, sequins, and booties on:)
heidi
I thought a sequined vest and booties are what you wore for your pajamas?
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden
Happy Belated Birthday! love that potholder. And Caldrea, tried the Olive Oil infused lotion. Totally works on my cracked, sore and bleeding (yes, I said bleeding!!!) hands!!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
Happy Birthday Heidi!!!! I hope you have a lovely day and that your celebrations carry on through the weekend too. Thanks so much for this resource-packed post. I’m a huge Lightroom user, yet had absolutely no idea there was a Lightroom app and I’ve just downloaded it. Really looking forward to reading about the 9 food trends!
Cara Tegler
Happy belated!!
So many great faves this week, thanks for sharing! I have a bagillion tabs open right now :)