Happy Friday friends!
Here we are, already finishing up our third week of January. To me that means three things:
1) It’s a wonderfully cold and wintery wonderland outside. Finally! After the last few year’s lamest snow seasons in recent history, Utah has loads of snow! I LOVE THE SNOW! I love shoveling it, driving in it and simply watching it. There’s something terribly romantic about it.
2) It’s Sundance Film Festival time here in Utah. That means an influx of LA and NYC’s sleek and chic of the movie industry, film fiends and celebrity stalkers (what? are you looking at me??) geek out hopeful for distribution deals movies in Park City, Utah while the locals take advantage of empty ski runs due to the fact that the movie people have taken up all the lodging usually taken over by vacationing skiers so there are zero lines! I’ll be one of them. Go locals!
3) It’s my birthday week (yea!) and another year has come and gone. My birthday always brings with it reflections of where I was at this same time last year, and projections of where I want to be at this same time next year. I’m happy/vexed/stunned to say next year is a MAJOR milestone birthday (ugh, you don’t EVEN want to know) and this year I’m already feeling ahead of my game in anticipation.
I’m back to working out with a trainer who’s making me strong both inside and out (I’m wearing these shoes in the pic above.) Yoga is reminding my muscles I can actually reach my toes. I’m reading more and computering less. I’m saying no instead of feeling guilty about not saying yes. I’m remembering to take my vitamins more often than not, and my eyebrows are even beginning to grow back in after a shocking waxing that took just a wee-too-much scalping to them. And I am thrilled to have created a job for myself thanks to a whole lot of hard work and the hungry eyes and clicking /scrolling fingers of all of you.
2016 is my preparatory year to make 2017 (ugh, again with that big birthday) a year where I am proud of who, what and where I am.
So this year I’m celebrating my birthday weekend with my man and my Smudge eating Korean food, playing on the ski runs those Sundancers have left alone and eating forkfuls of my German Chocolate Cake. Okay, and the pie, too. SO GOOD!. Come join me! Follow along on Snapchat—I’m @foodiecrush—and let’s virtually celebrate the tail end of a century of my birthdays together.
But enough about me, let’s get dig into this week’s Friday Faves. Hit it maestro!
Okay, this will totally make you go “Awwwwwwwww.”
Smudge is all about decorating cookies, these are next on her list!
I can’t get enough of these noodles with this shrimp!
Oh my cheese biscuit eater! Yes you heard me, cheese!
This popcorn! I love the spice.
Totally craving this smoothie right now!
9 books to help you become a better cook. I need to get shopping!
and…
This cookbook is on my pre-order list now. It’s going to be beautiful.
And thanks to her suggestion, I ordered this for myself because she swears by it and it can easily be put out of sight. Happy birthday to me!
No one seems to nail meal prep quite like her.
How celeb chefs fight the battle of the bulge.
13 new kitchen trends that are stronger than ever in 2016.
I’m so sad this Instagram account is now defunct. It was genius and I miss the updates!
Hey! Are you listening to me??? This app actually rewards you for getting off your phone. Smart!
10 reasons you should always go for the girl who drinks whiskey and I can speak from experience. Last week my man and I were lucky to be invited to try out High West Whiskey’s intimate new Nelson Cottage. The big draw here is the prix fixe whiskey pairing dinner and let me tell you it’s an experience you will want to behold for yourself.
Or, you could forget the calcium chews and build better bones with this. Cheers!
So, I’m too cheap to buy regular priced shampoo so I buy whatever is on discount at TJMaxx, which means its always a random pick. BUT! I discovered this brand that I am totally in love with (I judge EVERYTHING by its package), so much so that I’ll pay full price if I have to! It smells great and my hair is so soft but it still styles and doesn’t fall limp during the day. Love!
because…
You’ll want your hair in great shop for the hair trends that are going to be huge in 2016.
Type geek alert! 10 very cool, and very free, sans serif typefaces.
Sundance Film Festival is taking over my city! These are the films creating all the buzz.
plus…
From the WHATthe??? department…If the traffic is just too much for you, you can always Uber by helicopter. WHATthe????
How Making a Murderer and Serial became cultural phenomena.
I’m headed to Minnesota next week (what am I thinking in traveling to a state that is -45 degrees??) and I hope I’ll get to see some of these.
I’m totally geeking out over these desk accessories. I want them all! Clearly I have issues.
Bookmarked! The best under the radar online shops. I’m all about Modern Citizen.
It’s not too early to stock up on these to show your love with a serious sense of humor!
Twitter quote of the week from @DavidRoads via @shutterbean:
Blog Biz Links
How to Use Hashtags Correctly (I’ve heard 11 hashtags on Instagram is the golden number)
This Is the Best Age to Start Your Own Business
5 Genius Gmail Hacks to Reclaim Your Inbox and Boost Productivity
Pinned for the Win
A few of this week’s favorite pins I hope you’ll want to add to your cooking schedule too.
Pressure Cooker Ribs
This recipe might just make you a believer in the pressure cooker.
The Mid-Winter Mule
The theory proves true. Bourbon makes everything warmer from the inside out.
Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies
Because isn’t quinoa season over with yet?
Have a great weekend friends. Get in the kitchen and make something good.
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Kristi G. Englehart
Great these recipe items . Feeling glad .
Jesica C. Santo
I’m satisfied to see your recipe item .
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Photojournalism is actually a caring career. Without the proper enthusiasm it is not easy to achieve your ultimate goal in this area. It is actually directly associated with third eye, that is why it’s just not an simple job.
Kay Anderson
Happy birthday to you! It’s my birthday week too (Wednesday). I pinned the pie; but GC Cake is one of my all time favorites! I make 1 1/2 recipes of the frosting. Downloaded the Forest app-what a great idea! I’m already “growing” my first tree. The shampoo is saved in my cart. I’m like you, whatever is cheapest!
Thanks for having such a great blog; Friday Faves are something I look forward to all week.
Marnely
Thanks for linking to my shrimp scampi! And happy belated birthday!
Kari
That otter video is just the cutest thing ever!!! Happy Birthday!
Kari
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Laura (A Beautiful Plate)
Hope you had the best birthday Heidi! (And hope the festivities go well into the weekend ahead). I love that paragraph about saying no, enjoying where you are, and reading more :) Cheers to an exciting year ahead! xo
heidi
Aw thank you Laura! Just trying to find the balance like we all are!
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)
Happy Birthday, Heidi!! Your weekend plans sound perfect. I’m also inspired by your efforts to get off the computer and read more. I’m trying to shut my laptop at least an hour before bed, but it’s so hard…
Where did you hear that 11 is the magic # of Instagram hashtags? I’ve been looking for more info on #instataggingtechniques (that one will never be trending, but I couldn’t resist!) and didn’t see it mentioned in the PureWow article.
heidi
I can’t remember where I heard it Becky, it may have been on a podcast? But, that’s kind of what I follow. Insta-wow!
Maureen
Happy birthday. Thank you for making such a fun blog to read each week. It is always fun and informative.
heidi
I’m so glad you enjoy it Maureen! Thank you for reading.