Friday Faves

Hello and welcome to Friday! I’m ready for it.

This summer…ohhhh, this summer. You’ve really been a doozy, and given us all lots of time for reflection and introspection. And like most times when I’m looking forward, I first have to take a look back.

My grandma was a very good pie maker. My grandma was also very wise.

She was a wonderful storyteller and had sayings that fit every situation. The one I come back to time and time again is, “Inch by inch it’s a cinch, yard by yard life is hard, mile by mile it’s a trial.” She wasn’t the first to say it, but she was the first to say it to me. At least once a week, I reflect on that saying,  repeating to it myself and anyone else who is in ear shot. Things can seem overwhelming when looked at from the birds eye view, but when broken down Into small, achievable tasks, all of the sudden the little engine that could, does.

With my daughter entering her junior year and experiencing the terrifying pressure of deciding what the heck to do with her life (oh man, I remember it too well!) and saddled alongside the uncertainty and limitations of where this weird world is now, I’m sharing grandma’s wisdom with my girl over and over again. Don’t think too far in the future, it will still be there. Work on your goal/project a little bit every day and it will soon be done. Don’t worry about deciding what you want to “be” right this minute, just start eliminating what you know you DON’T want to do.

It’s funny how the words I am imparting to her as a teenager are the same ideas I tell myself as a 50 year old. It never ends. We just have to keep reminding ourselves it’s totally worth it to keep on keeping on.

But first, Labor Day weekend and summer’s final push of fun. Let’s all get out and get some sun on, okay? Theeeennn, back to bizness.

But first, let’s dig into this week’s list of Friday Faves.

Keeping with the inch by inch theme: 30 days of tiny transformations you can make to refresh your home this month.

Voter registrations dates by state you need to know now.

and…

Kudos to Old Navy and their employees!

As a kid, I loved my dollhouse, but I had no idea they could look like this. Incredible!

25 shows and movies that are perfect to watch no matter what mood you’re in.

Brilliant books to read now.

This cheesy cauliflower dish deserves to be the main attraction.

This Mediterranean chicken dinner looks right at home on my table.

This veggie side dish is way more delish sounding than plain old veggies.

Yuuummmm. I love the flavor of tarragon in this creamy chicken dinner.

The hybrid of summer and fall: crispy fried green tomatoes.

This creamy, dreamy zucchini dish uses it all, even the flowers.

These veggie wraps look so good feeling good too.

I am so ready to put an egg on this kimchi fried rice.

Instant Pot recipe alert: Braised chicken in the yummiest looking sauce.

No need for the stick with these caramel apple cookies

Cinnamon roll alert, this time with blackberries.

How to be selfish (without anyone knowing) and live a more fulfilling life.

Now that it’s back to school time, I had a serious twinge of nostalgia when I spied these things I had in high school:

• My Jansport backpack.
• My Patagonia fleece (why did I ever give it away??!!) 25% off
• Scrunchies. I still wear them every day.

So…I bought this underwear when it was on sale and I am in heaven! I’m not sure how they can be one size fits all and still be so frigging comfortable (no wedgies!) but I bought another 6 pairs even NOT on sale. Highly rec.

There will soon be a chill in the air and this vest will be needed. Plus, 30% off.

I  am ALL about the deal, with 95% of my home furnishings found on sale, thrifted, on the side of the road, or hand me downed, and follow these ideas for furnishing your home on a budget.

Why don’t more people build homes surrounded by a moat? I WANT THIS HOME!!!

7 interior design podcasts to add to your playlist.

Okay, these Ikea hacks to spruce up the kitchen on the cheap are pretty dang smart.

Don’t put away your gardening gloves yet! What to plant in September.

Cut, color, style! Which hairstyle flatters your face best.

Ok, if I was having a wedding, I would totally rent this island for the ultimate quarantine destination wedding.

7 signs you’re being a bad friend, and how to become a better one.

Feeling the mellow fall feels that are somehow inspiring me to get back to work with this retro playlist.

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