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Hello and happy Friday friends!
I, for one, am super happy for Friday today. Not because I can’t wait for the weekend but because Smudge successfully completed her first few days of 7th grade and I’m STILL feeling refreshed from our summer vacation in sunny So Cal where we hit just about every single farmers market, spent every day with the beach wind in our hair and kept ourselves chillin’ like villains. I’ve arrived back home feeling invigorated and refreshed, just like vacations are supposed to make you feel.
You know…the Europeans have the right mindset when it comes to vacations.
Unlike the ‘American way’ of taking pride in declaring they haven’t taken a ‘real’ vacation in 7 years, Europeans actually take full advantage of their deserved time away from their jobs. They’re not martyrs limping through the day in front of a computer screen. They’re out adventuring or relaxing or taking a mental break from the norm. I mean, what are we Americans thinking? Why give away all that time you’ve worked for and accrued and been given as a benefit for holding down a 9 to 5?
This article spells out all the facts, and man, if you’re one of workers who left 658 million vacation days unused…don’t blame anyone but yourself.
I say take back your vacation people! Get out. Find your passions. Discover how to become rejuvenated again because if you’re burned out at work, you’re burned out in life.
And guess what? SUMMER AIN’T OVER YET!!
I recently found this quote on Instagram and instantly related. Summer is NOT ending, just simply creeping it’s way away at our house. Smudge started 7th grade this week (and even conquered her locker combination!) but in my mind it’s still wayyyyy too early to go back and hit the books.
So after playing on the beach every.single.day of our vacation, I was hit over the head by this quote I found on Pinterest, “Less Mondays, more summer” and had to recreate it with a pic of our vacation.
For the past few months I’ve been using an app on my phone to create the main images with the overlay of type for Friday Faves.
I’ve used it for a few posts too, including all the graphics for this post about how to create the ultimate sandwich that will come in handy again when I’m making school lunches. GAH! Enough with the back to school!
The app is called Adobe Spark. Because I use photos I take with my iPhone for the images I create for my Friday Faves, Adobe Spark makes it SO easy to add text without having to transfer the photos to my computer to create them like I have in the past.
And for those that aren’t savvy with graphic programs, it is so super easy to use thanks to their templates, fonts, shapes and color schemes.
Plus, it makes it super easy to resize and share on different platforms, like…
This is the photo and graphic I’ll be sharing to promote this post on Twitter, that was adapted in, like, 10 seconds.
And then I quickly adapted the sizing of this one to fit the specs for Instagram and Facebook. Again, like magic, it reformulated the size of the image and text to the right specs instantly.
So to start off my list of Friday Faves, Adobe Spark is a fave I’ve been testing and using for months and can honestly say that for amateur and professional designers alike, you’ve gotta give it a try.
I mean, if my daughter could create a cover for her 6th grade report on Germany using it way back in May, you can certainly master it, too. Ugh.
And back to school we go…DON’T LEAVE US YET SUMMER!
And with that, let’s get to the rest of this week’s list of Friday Faves!
I want this every day for breakfast. Thick and delish.
I’ve had a massive craving for this salad ever since it popped up in my Pinterest feed. I think I could put that dressing on everything.
Ever heard of a “Sea Dog?” I could seriously eat like five of these if my brain would let me.
Speaking of dogs, these corn dogs are genius!
Aaaannnd, my cinnamon roll obsession continues.
Can’t wait to make these these zoodles. Hello, sweet corn.
I could so tear into this cheese ball — so perfect for summer and who doesn’t love a good cheese ball?
Absolutely fascinated by this savory brunch cake. My brain is so confused, but my mouth says “Yes!”
I laughed SO hard at this brilliant parody of artisinal foodmakers. I mean, it’s a little too close to true.
Chrissy, Danica and Ina are designing spatulas? I must have them all.
This artist dresses up envelopes by painting adorable foods on them. I would be ravenous with each piece of mail I opened, but seriously, how fun would it be to get a piece of mail with a taco painted on it?
Ever wonder what chefs love at Trader Joe’s? Now you don’t.
Gah. How did she go from that little babe I rocked in my arms to a bona fide 7th grade babe in this photo on her first day of school in this cute romper that I was totally surprised she picked out all on her own because SHE’S PRACTICALLY AN ADULT! (And a note to MY mom, I didn’t notice it needed to be ironed til I took the pic. Oh well.)
Okay, she’s just a tween, and this eye-opening article on kids growing up too fast has me scared, but there’s no way I’m going into this next chapter with my head in the ground.
and for the rest of you freaking out about your kids growing up…
10 back to school tips that’ll get you all though unscathed…
and…
I love reading about other people’s goals, I find it so inspiring to be able to relate to lists like hers.
These Improv Everywhere actors turned a New York subway station into a…spa?!? Would you have played along?
Speaking of New York…
I loved this. Behold, the most beautiful streets in the Big Apple…
A great post on networking etiquette.
and…
39 traits to make you that much more likable. I’m ALWAYS working on #35. I mean let’s just speak truth, who doesn’t want to be liked?
Who said Instagram was just for millennials? Love this roundup of 10 Can’t Miss Instagrammers Over 40. Follow…follow…follow…
Need this throw pillow. Those colors!
10 wardrobe essentials for fall.
but before we plunge all in…
A cute top to make the transition.
and…
I saw a girl wearing these booties and me being the shy one asked right away what brand they are. They’d be great for fall to spring to summer, but might have to go into hibernation for winter. Love the super deep cut!
I need a new toner and I’ve been hearing lots of great things about this one. Have any of you tried it?
Love this Florida home tour.
and…
This is what the Friends apartments would look like in 2016. Whoaa, Joey.
Recipes I Pinned This Week
So much goodness, so many Pins! Here are just a few beauties that caught my eye and went to my Pin boards this week.
Thai Noodle Salad with Glazed Salmon
Cool Thai noodles with flaky glazed salmon…I’m pretty sure I could live on this for dinner every night.
Zucchini Pizza
This gorgeous pizza is the perfect vessel for enjoying sweet summer zucchini (while we all still can)!
Crispy Chicken Thighs on Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Easy weeknight comfort food that’s so up my alley.
Thanks for stopping by friends. I hope you have a great weekend, that you get outside and live and then hop into the kitchen to cook something good.
Peace out ’til next week!
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Lucille J. James
Hello guys ,
Your all of these recipe items are very testy and i also like these .
Julie
As I have commented before…you have the BEST Friday faves!!!! Due to time constraints, I have pared down to you and Shutterbean for Friday links. Also…your daughter is gorgeous and I feel like you would be a friend I would so choose to hang out with. Thanks for all of your obvious hard work!
Elizabeth
The kids growing up article you posted was from 1995.
There are some fantastic recent (2016) books you could read if interested-
“How to Raise An Adult”
“American Girls- Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers”
Both excellent well respected books.
mfamb
i use that toner on the reg and it is hands down the cheapest way to glowing skin. trust.
Natalie
Love Friday Faves and look forward to it every week. So, I use that To read and I love it. It’s not harsh on my skin and it smells great.
Kristen
I love all of your faves, except how grown up your girl looks…she needs to stop this growing business!
Jennifer Berkey
Oh goodness, all of your faves are definitely heaven and mouthwatering! And by the way, nice photos!
Caroline
Spent far too long with you and your Friday Faves….Life is grand! I rarely comment (other than to myself) but just really wanted you to know how lovely my morning was going over all your faves. Love the new instagram feeds!
Sandy @ ReluctantEntertainer
Happy Friday, Friend. Always love your Friday Faves … I learn a lot, find new ideas, great recipes. You are ROCKIN’ IT, GF! XO