Friday Faves

Happy Friday friends!

This week was just perfect. And here it is Friday and I’m expecting the weekend to only deliver more of the same. As long as I am the one to make it so.

Somehow, this week I found just the right balance of work, life and hey, I even took my first Pilates class.

Taking time out for me instead of always doing for someone else is going to be the key to my survival/success/happiness. It’s a hard task to master, but when you just DO IT, instead of dwelling on the should I/how can I/it’s too hard/aspects about it (whatever IT happens to be) is the oooph you need to set your sights to steam roll through.

Along with creating some great new content for others (more on that soon)  I attacked my to-do list and rejiggered my workflow. I’d parlay it out here, but it seems like it should be a post all on it’s own. If you’d like me to post about it, let me know in the comments below.

The best part of the week was outside of work (duh!). Baking cupcakes with Smudge for her 5th grade heritage project, visits to several new SLC eateries—Provisions, Copper Kitchen, Bumblebee’s Korean Grill with my man and my girl—and the restaurant where my husband and I met—Market Street Grill with all of us plus my mom for a bite before the ballet where got a a little culture.

I also met my friend Pam for a working lunch at Pago (the chicken tacos were ridic, but the cumin scented rice just about stole the show) to talk Instagram, social media and where she sources her amazing flowers. Her flower shop is one of my favorites in SLC.

And then, we put up the tree. This weekend, the decorations are coming out. Sorry, but I’m not sorry.

This Week’s Friday Faves

Enough chit chat about what’s going on around here, let’s dig into some stuff I discovered out in the world and online that you might just like too. Have a great weekend friends, and take some time for YOUR and make your weekend count.

My friend Tessa IG’d this post on Thursday and I said WOW! I am so proud of Becky of The Vintage Mixer who’s Charming Beard coffee company (founded by her husband, who yes, does sport a beard) along with several other SLC-caffeinated destinations, was featured in The New York Times! Well done! (And yes, you can get all kinds of drinks (clink, clink) in Utah.)

In the “I never thought of doing this at home” department:

How to make your own powdered sugar,

and…

Slow Cooker Apple Cider. Pass the rum, please.

This Caramel Apple Bundt Cake came out the day after I posted my round-up of 20 Bodacious Bundt Cakes. It definitely should have been in there.

My husband is going to flip for this Jalapeño Creamed Corn. Oh mama.

The Most Important Cooking Skill You Should Master By the Age of 30. Uh-oh, I passed that mark a while back. Must mean I’ve graduated.

and…

The Baker’s Dozen Tips and Tricks to Become a Better Baker. Get it? There’s 13 tips aka a baker’s dozen? Clevvvvvver, and good info.

Speaking of baking, I am possessed with the desire to make the best quiche, and to do it I feel like I need the BEST quiche pan. So like I’ll do, I asked the barista at SLC’s Coffee Garden (yes, more SLC coffee!) to show me the pans they use (no removable bottom). Because their quiche is amazing. I think I found it online and ordered it this week. Stay tuned.

Beer? Wine? Which one goes best with turkey? What to drink on Thanksgiving. Because you’re with family and you’re going to NEED to kick back a few.

I love everything about this post. There’s always room for more and reason to share.

J Crew’s holiday guide is like looking at a paint swatch of awesome product.

There were a lot of things I learned about at our blogging retreat a few weeks ago that I’m still relishing. I mean, I discovered a lot about business, balance and work, but these little side note jewels also made my day.

Jenny gave me this cute towel. Even without the rolling pin, it’s my mantra. Love it!

And then she did a few impromptu makeup tutorials, I mean, we are girls, right? I’m all over her makeover tips and products—in just 10 minutes!

After rummaging through her very well-kept makeup bag (how does she keep it so clean?) I went out and bought this beauty blender. Smooth skin and invisible blemishes. It’s like magic.

Ali left me with this mug so I can think of her while I drink my green tea. Did you know that drinking it helps with weight loss?

We had these candles scenting our Deer Valley home making it smell ah-mazing, and man, I needed one. So I shot out and bought a few and now my house smells heavenly too. I think I’ll give one to everyone on my Christmas list. Sign on up!

Sommer told me about these Moscow Mule cups. I love their simplicity. It’s on my list.

I saw the post above on Facebook and I guffawed out loud. Sarah of Vanilla Bean Blog is so clever. See more when you LIKE her on FB!

49 DIYs to make your kitchen uniquely yours. The printed tea towels would be a fun project with Smudge. People are so creative.

On the more serious side:

“I think balance is highly overrated,” adding that “if you find your life is out of control, it’s probably a sign of being very alive and in the game.”  This event recap of Martha Stewart’s American Made Summit honoring inspiring entrepreneurs who’ve made it is, well, totally inspiring. A must read.

Inside Pinterest: The Coming Ad Colossus That Could Dwarf Twitter and Facebook. This Forbes cover story on the founders of Pinterest was really interesting, and explained—or alluded to—what’s happening in the change-up of what we’re used to and what it’s like to be the invisible co-founder.

5 Ways to Grow Your Blog Without Relying on Google Traffic (or Pinterest for that matter.)

Rolling in the Deep

With T-day lurking around the corner, and no roll recipes on my site, let’s take a look at how easy it can be to bake your own at home from a few of my fellow Utah food bloggers. They’re my go-to source when it comes to baking.

Easy Dinner Rolls

A great reason to make great rolls is the message behind these easy to eat carbs.  Get the recipe here.

Overnight Refrigerator Crescent Rolls

No need to fear the yeast, this two step roll recipe is so easy, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Get the recipe here.

Honey Whole Grain Dinner Roll

A recipe that makes a lot of rolls. Good thing they’re healthy-fied. Get the recipe here. 

Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls With Honey Butter

End hunger one roll at a time. Get the recipe here. 

Homemade Sweet Potato Rolls

Another version of fluffed up sweet potatoes minus the marshmallows and her secret to making them the best: scalded milk. Get the recipe here. 

Thanks everyone for visiting. Have a great weekend and make something good.

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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