Friday Faves

Hello and happy Friday!

Once again, thanks to you all and your gorgeous eyeballs for stopping by to see what’s on this week’s list of Friday Faves. I’ve heard from so many of you that while you love the recipes her la foodie de la crush, it’s this list that keeps you coming back to check in each and every week. And who can blame you? It’s our little spot on the interwebs for some uplifting brightness to lighten our load. And new favorite shoes. Because who doesn’t love shoes??!!

If you ever have any faves you’d like me to share, please e-mail me, leave a comment, or send your suggestion by carrier pigeon. But please no soliciting of weirdo products, money making scams, or hocus pocus self promotion because that won’t ever make the list.

A few weeks ago I asked if you’d like to see a few themed Friday Faves and you gave me a resounding thumbs up. And if you don’t, well then you people need to speak up or you’ll never get what you want.

So that’s why this week I’m sharing a bunch of fun centered around why most of us put in all the time at the daily grind: to get away and escape it all and TRAVEL!

For me, travel has become an increasingly important part of my business running this blog, to learn from and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, other online influencers, and the brands and companies I work with or hope to one day. But even more, it’s the travel opportunities I’m so lucky to have with my family that really keeps this FoodieCrush train pushing forward and chug-a-lug-lugging. Because whether it’s a day trip to Park City or Southern Utah, or a weekend in our beloved San Francisco, or flying half way around the world for Christmas in Vietnam and New Years in Cambodia, the memories created by sharing new experiences while traveling are the memories that last a lifetime.

So with summer travel season about to set upon us, let’s get our gas tanks filled, our camping gear cleaned out or our passports in order, and let’s dig into this week’s list of traveling Friday Faves.

But before I dig into this week’s theme, I just have to share one thing that made my weekly highlight reel.

My husband and I are avid golfers, and while we’re not crazy good, we totally appreciate those that are. So while watching The Masters weekend 24 hour marathon preview on Wednesday night, I found myself once again in a puddle of joyful tears when I watched this. Luckily my husband is as big a boob as I am and was happy crying right alongside me.

How would it be to do this for the first time on the biggest golf stage in the world with your grandpa who just happens to be one of the best golfers EVER?!! And he’s ONLY 15 YEARS OLD! And his tweet about it is just the second best thing ever.

What Went Up This Week…

This week’s kitchen creations included:

• Arugula Salad with Pesto Shrimp, Parmesan and White Beans You can easily prep this Mediterranean-inspired meal straight from your pantry and freezer and make it ahead of time for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.
• 30 Healthier Spring Pasta Recipes to Make in April because let’s be honest — we’re always craving pasta, but spring weather calls for lighter dishes with fresh herbs and pretty green produce, and these 30 recipes definitely deliver!
• Easy Green Beans with Browned Butter Almandine because it’s about time we let side dishes shine, and this one is easy enough to make on a weeknight, but also pretty enough to serve for special occasions (also, browned butter — need I really say more)?

So you know the drill….What are you craving? What recipes you want to see? Email me at [email protected] and let me know.

But enough about all that, let’s dig into this week’s list of traveling Friday Faves.

The secret is out: this is is how far in advance you should book a flight.

My personal favorite way to book a flight is with this site because it’s incredibly easy to track fares and have alerts sent to me when prices go up, and down too.

However, if you want to know the best deals to fly in and out of SLC, follow this Instagram account.

and…

3 more Instagram accounts I vicariously live through: for lusty international travel, to satiate my desires to leave it all behind and hit the road, and to hike all the mountains I never will.

and…

The 10 most Instagrammable summer vacation spots in the U.S. Yes, someone actually calculated this.

This airline is having a major flash sale with flights to cities around the country and world starting at $49. Holy smokes!

12 affordable places to visit this spring. My wanderlust is in overdrive.

And here are the best place in the world to visit in May.

The 33 cheapest places to travel all over the world in 2018.

Okay, let’s talk about packing…

I first bought this set of rose gold luggage for our trip to Vietnam, because hello, ROSE GOLD! But then I realized I’m a food blogger, not a fashion blogger, and the exterior didn’t handle the long haul as well as I’d wished and at some point somehow the tag on the zipper broke right off! So I returned it (I love Nordie’s customer service) and while I was going to order another set, instead I happened upon the same brand but just a different line for a whole lot cheaper and it works just as well. More money in my pocket to upgrade to the comfort seating zone!

But if you want consistently killer luggage deals, this is the place to shop for them.

This luggage tag is super cute and this is the one hanging from mine.

This is my favorite bag for weekend getaways.

Everyone thinks they know how to pack a suitcase, but here’s how to pack one like a pro.

And if you haven’t tried using packing cubes or pods, you are TOTALLY missing the boat. These are the packing pods I have and I love them because of the mesh top so I can see what’s inside without having to open them up. Packing game changer.

How to weigh your luggage before your flight so you don’t get stuck being “that person” standing in line frantically trying to find items that aren’t underwear from one bag to another as everyone looks on.

I bought this backpack in black for our trip to Vietnam and still use and love it every single day. It’s perfect for travel because it easily folds up and packs away. And score for you, now it’s half price!!!

Okay, and these are my on the plane or in the car travel essentials:

• Headphones for my phone, I’m boring and just use these but of course my husband the rock star uses these.
• Taking this for my ultimate secret to sleeping on a plane.
• I swear by taking this so you don’t get jet lag.
• A water bottle to refill in the airport before you leave and this is my fave because the water stays cold FOREVER.
• A high protein snack, always. This lists some of the best healthy snacks to pack for on the go.
• I never get on a plane without this. It always makes me feel comforted and refreshed.
• Ponytail holders and headbands. And scrunchies are back!
• These socks so my calves and feet don’t explode. And never, ever, ever go barefoot! (but only for flying)

What to pack to survive your next red eye flight.

15 fashion and beauty essentials for surviving long International flights.

But, don’t wear this on a plane. Who knew?

Trying to eat healthily in an airport is not always an easy feat, especially when it’s slim pickings in your terminal, but here are some of the healthiest things you can eat, and some of the things you should avoid.

And here are 18 road trip snacks you can make for vacay munching.

When you’re hosting guests, my this lasagna is always a welcome sight for weary traveler’s eyes. It’s super comforting, incredibly easy to make, and it uses no-boil lasagna noodles for an even easier win.

Friday Faves reader Amy shared she loved this Boston-based dessert recipe.

And, this is one of her fave perfumeries whenever she hits the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Going on a backpacking journey? Whether it’s just a weekend hiking trip or a trek across Europe, here are 19 things you need to know before embarking on your adventure.

Traveling with kiddos can be a bit stressful, but these 15 cool travel games will help keep them busy.

Flying with a toddler? You’ll definitely want a cocktail mid-air, but here are some ways to keep them entertained on the plane.

And because you can never have too many ideas, here are some more great ones for travel essentials for kids.

Are you one of those people who can sleep on planes? These tips are helpful.

Here’s the best gear for travel workouts, because we’ve gotta work off all that yummy food somehow!

Also, this hotel workout is one I come back to time and again. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Here are 18 books to fuel your wanderlust. Do you have a favorite?

All right friends, I hope you have a fantastic 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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