Friday Faves

Happy Friday my friends!

Guys, this post has a whole lotta goodness going on, so I rec’d trying not to skip the into, but read all the way through.

Since this year’s turkey day fell in the 3rd week of the month instead of the last, we actually have nearly a whole extra week to soak up the holiday spirit. There’s nothing better than not feeling rushed and simply being able to enjoy the season one simple day at a time. Because Christmas is my favorite time of the year!!!

That’s why I want to give you a little extra somethin’ somethin’ this holiday season as a thank you from the bottom of my food-lovin’ heart for being a reader of the old crush of the food (ala FoodieCrush).

2017 Crushing On Christmas Advent Calendar

I’m so excited to share with you the 2017 Crushing On Christmas Advent Calendar — a totally free virtual advent calendar where a gift is delivered to your inbox each day as a thank you for your support and following along. These gifts aren’t physical gifts, but rather helpful tips, easy ideas, thoughtful gestures and helpful downloads, meant to create holiday memories to share.

Not to say I won’t also be hosting a few exclusive giveaways, too :) but only for those who sign up below.

So how does it work?

If you already get my emails, no need to do anything! Day 1 will be heading to your inbox by noon MST. After that, they’ll arrive every morning ’til Santa shows his bowl full of jelly.

If you don’t yet, simply sign up below for my Crushing-On-Christmas Advent Calendar and through December 25 and you’ll get a daily email that reflects each day’s theme:

• Motivational Mondays
• Gifting Tuesdays
• Giveaway Wednesdays (because it is the season of giving!!)
• Recipe Thursdays (exclusives!)
• Festive Fridays
• Sharing Saturdays
• Suppering Sundays

I’m so excited to share these daily gifts with you! And again, they’re totally free. Sign up below and let the holiday happiness begin!

My Favorite Things Insta-Faves

I’m no Oprah, but I have totally caught her giving spirit. I’ve toyed with this idea forever and instead of noodling it to death and overthinking it so much that when I finally feel it’s ready, Christmas has come and gone, I just need to do it.

So, I am! Let’s fly by the seat of my stretchy pants together, shall we?

Here it is, My Favorite Things Insta-Faves. Each day of December I’ll be sharing one or more of my favorite things over on my Instagram Stories. Kind of like a Friday Fave but one for each day of the week.

But here’s the rub…I’m toying with doing a few giveaways of some of the things I share (unless it isn’t something tangible, and no, I’m not going all Oprah and giving away a car) but I haven’t totally figured out how you would enter to win.?.? Maybe through a Google form linked to each InstaStory post? Or is there an app for that? Because my searches are turning up nil. If anyone has an idea how best to achieve this, let me know!

Follow me on Instagram here and I’ll post my first favorite thing(s) by 10 am MST today—but hopefully more like 8 am. And hopefully with your help I’ll figure out how to do an Insta-story giveaway. Still flying by the seat of my sweatpants over here but this time I’ve upgraded my flight to Santa’s sleigh. :)

Social Kitchen Live: All Things Cookies!!!

Also! Did you see this week’s All Things Cookies Facebook Live with Two Peas and Their Pod’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, The Recipe Critic’s Best Ever Molasses Cookies, Chelsea’s Messy Apron’s Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and The Melea Show’s crazy smart budget ideas for the holidays? Man, we packed that episode with a whole lotta cookie intel!

I gotta admit, I was a little skeptical of how it would turn out since we sort of did it on a whim, but I must say, we totally pulled it off! And it was so much fun in fact that we think we’ll do more. Good idea? Bad? Who cares because you hate Facebook? If you like the idea and have a request of what you’d like to see, email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below, because we’re more than happy to hear!

Whew! So much for taking things off my loaded Christmas cookie plate. Ah, but there’s so much celebratin’ going on, why stop now?

But enough about all this gifty stuff, let’s dig into this week’s Faves below. XOXO and a HOHOHO!

I’m a total royal watcher so I can’t wait for the new Diana documentary.

Another royal wedding! And check out that sparkler!

Stranger Things fans, this will warm your heart! #soadorbs

My latest fave Instagram acct thx to all it’s inspiration, but her snarky stories are what make me keep obsessively watching.

and…

She’ll personally come and clean out my closets???!! I’m so in!

Wanna live longer? Get a dog (or several). :)

It’s the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean your bank account has to suffer. Here 11 budget-friendly ways to express gratitude.

7 things to look forward to in 2018. Yaaaas to #7 for my Smudge!

This movie just became the best-reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes. FC contrib Hayley saw it and said it’s wonderful and highly recommend.

These smoothie bowl paintings are just stunning! Gives new meaning to the term culinary arts.

Loaf cake. YES! It’s a thing! In fact, a very delicious looking thing.

After last week’s turkey smorgasboard, I think I may need a food coma vacation, and this 20-minute pasta is my ticket.

But when I’m back from that carnivore vacation, gimme all the carnitas soup!

also…

This potato soup! Totally locked and loaded.

Okay, let’s just make it a soup diet! Because I’m adding this one to my list.

These sweet and smoky mixed nuts are definitely ready for an appearance at your Christmas party.

If you’re doing Whole30, this handy printout of what you can eat will help ease your cravings. Maybe.

6 food podcasts you should be listening to. (Bon Appétit‘s is my fave.)

These no-bake breakfast cookies are totally festive.

and let’s keep talking cookies…

5 Christmas cookies you obviously need to make:

• Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Eggnog Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies
• Chocolate and Ancho Chile Crinkle Cookies
• Pie de Limón Cookie Bars

No one loves Olive Garden as much as this couple.

This. YES. Flies are so gross.

that’s why…

I love this ornament. The feathers!

And how cute is this little dude!

I had the most amazing dollhouse as a kid so I’m totally mesmerized by these tiny dollhouse accessories.

Loving these holiday gift guides with something for everyone (I spy my favorite planner! :)!

Another gift guide I love, and another sweet planner shoutout. Thanks, Laura!

This is one fine mug.

The fanciest schmanciest truffles I’ve ever laid eyes on.

These are the cutest holiday cards. Speaking of, I need to get a move on with mine!

An adorable (and delicious) idea for an advent calendar. Would make a sweet hostess gift.

Would somebody please put these in my stocking? #bubbles

This tote bag made me laugh. Although this one is actually more me…

How cute is this little planter? And what about this pretty storage basket?

These sweatpants and this hoodie are glam enough to wear anywhere!

This pompom beanie!

What do you think? These slides or these slides?

Just put this skincare set on my wish list (and it’s actually a really great deal too). Anyone else tried this brand?

Crushing on this eye shadow compact for the packaging alone.

People are going bonkers over this face mask. Have any of you tried it?

and…

Beauty buys you can feel good about. Definitely need to get my poor dry hands on that Charity Pot.

All right, friends, I hope you have a fabulous 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.  

Thanks for reading and subscribe to FoodieCrush to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.