Friday Faves

Hello and happy Friday!

Okay, get ready for your brain to explode. Did you realize there are less than 60 days left in 2019? Whaaaat? I mean you know it’s the first day of November, but that means translates to less than 60 days left in this decade! It makes me realize how badly I want to make the most of each and every one of those 86,400 minutes.

A few weeks ago I walked past the TV and caught Maria Shriver guest hosting on the Hoda and Jenna Show. I’m a big fan of Maria Shriver (do you subscribe to her Sunday Paper emails?). She’s a strong woman who comes from means but doesn’t observe others from a lofty ivory tower. She lives her life through service, love, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel—even when going through her own personal life struggles.

The segment that caught my attention was Maria and Hoda talking about adventure. Maria’s philosophy is adventure doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or overwhelming to plan. Totally agree.

She encourages her family and others to choose their own adventure by starting with a capital A, or a little a.

Capital A’s are life’s bigger adventures like going on a river trip, making a career change, or buying that sports car or SUV you’ve always dreamed of. If you have the dollars and fortitude to make them happen.

Little a’s are mini adventures just about anyone of any means can try, like exploring a new restaurant or trying a sport you haven’t since you were a kid. Ice skating anyone?

The whole idea is you don’t have to go big to get a big bang out of trying something new and breaking out of those ruts we can all fall into. It also means making time to say “yes” to things you may have said “no” to in the past.

It’s about opening up your schedule by really looking at the commitments on your calendar and choosing the things you want to do instead those you feel you have to do.

• It’s about turning your to-do list into a to-want list.
• It’s about creating habits that feed you instead of drain you.
• It’s why I depend every single day on clearing my head by laying out my day, my week and my month in my printed planner.

My planner is the main reason I’m totally ready to finish out 2019 (I’m making my winter bucket list now!) and create new habits and inspiration in the next decade by saying no so I can say yes more and taking it all day by day.

Are you looking forward to the new year? Or is it too soon already? Well, it’s gonna be here before we know it so buckle up and get ready because it is on the way :)>.

But enough about looking forward. Let’s take a look back and the week and dig in to this week’s Friday Faves.

I spent the past few days at our annual Better Blog Retreat (this was the 7th year!) where I shared some serious quality time with some of my favorite content creators and recipe food bloggers. We ate. We laughed. We shared. And like every year it was so valuable to learn from one another and connect with others in my same field.

We always start off the retreat with an easy kale salad on arrival day. This is one of the recipes we usually make but this fall-flavored kale salad (shown in the photo at the top of the post) hit the plates this year.

A few more recipes from my food blogging retreat joining friends:

• Instant Pot apple sauce. Easy!
• I learned how to make this soup when we went to Vietnam and still need to make it for the blog. Until then, hers will def do.
• I never met a deviled egg I didn’t like and this one is promising “love”.
• Forget takeout, this is the Chinese chicken dinner that’s a full on winner.
• Solved! The 3 biggest reasons your cookie recipe flops.
• A new take on Brussels sprouts—as a slaw. 

This Tuscan soup will definitely need to make an appearance at my return of Soup Sundays with the family.

Mac and cheese soup. I get it.

How to create a beauty of a fall cheese board. 

A black hummus. So chic.

5 things you should never store in your kitchen’s bottom cupboards.

One more reason to grocery shop like the French. Money in the bank baby.

Having a favorite child is natural. Here’s why it’s okay.

I’ve been bingeing on this reality show while working at my computer and I’m not one bit sad about it. Kate is such a badass.

Why you leave all the tabs open on your browser window.

7 productivity apps that’ll help you get in the zone. This one wasn’t mentioned but I love it.

10 ways to start taking care of your brain no matter how old you are.

So I came home from the retreat and was beyond happy to be greeted with the scent from the reed diffuser I linked to a week ago (or two?). It’s a more balanced scent than the Thymes version and I like it so much, much more. I just ordered more for holiday gifts. SO GOOD.

8 ways to bring hygge into your home now.

and…

Enjoying soft textures is one way to rev up your hygge. Start with this throw. (30% off right now, plus get free shipping with code FALLFUN).

I am loving wearing this cozy sweater. The neck is drapey, it’s soft, and the cuffed sleeves are the best detail.

Chunky rainbow sweaters forever.

I kind of/really want these booties. I’ve been eyeing them all last year and this one. Way too trendy or go for it?

I’m all about the faux fur and this beanie is a cutie.

So my daughter is making earrings for all of her friends with these charms and these earring hooks. A cheap DIY holiday present she’s totally into doing.

I KNEW I’d be vindicated one day: Why swearing can actually help you get more out of your workout.

Craving a change, last week I went through my house and simplified my blue accents (mostly mid-century glassworks) and simplified to neutrals. Then I found this article. Same same.

That’s it for this week. I hope you find time to get outside and live, and also into the kitchen to make real good, real food with friends and family you love.

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