Friday Faves

Happy Friday friends!

Only 13 more days ’til Christmas.

Time to get baking!

I made these little waffles for a recipe coming next week and they reminded me of little twinkling snowflakes. I wish I’d powdered them with sugar then they really would have been purdy.

And shopping!

And relishing in all the holiday has to offer.

This past week in between appointments and business breakfasts, I tried to sneak in a little shopping along the way. I’m a big fan of shopping local, so while I was out of town for post-Thanksgiving’s #shopsmall shopping day, I’m still carrying it over.

Here are a few local Salt Lake City spots I hit this week. If you’re a local or if Salt Lake City is on your bucket list, these should be added to it too.

Orchid Dynasty

One of my go-to spots for stunning orchids, flower arrangements, succulents and exotic plants plus all the beautiful vessels to put them in. This is where I bought my gorgeous fiddleleaf tree. 959 East 900 South, SLC. Follow them on Instagram here.

Katie Waltman

It may be small, but oh, this tiny boutique offers big, big style. Here you’ll find Katie’s own line of  jewelry plus clothing at totally affordable prices. I walked out with at 5 things, just for myself. Merry Christmas to me! 962 East 900 South, SLC, UT. Follow Katie on Instagram here.

Maison Confiserie et Boutique

The wall of glass jars of candy are the first thing that strike your eye, but as you wander through this tasty shop, the selection of home, bath and personal gifts will put plenty of items on your Christmas list. This is where I shop for my favorite hostess gifts. 1300 South 1100 East, SLC, UT Follow them on Instagram here.

Apt. 202

If you’re a fan of name brands but want the personal touch, but owner Ashley is the one to see. She is also a personal stylist with a flair for knowing what’s going to work on you just right. I love her minimalist but eclectic style. And her taste in jewelry makes me weak in the knees. 955 East 900 South, SLC, UT. Follow them on Instagram here.

Salt and Honey Market

And this weekend is the final weekend of the Salt and Honey Market at The Gateway Mall, where you’ll find gifts by local artisans, like this amazing Honey selection by two female bee keepers who harvest and package their own local honey with their biz Queen Farina. Follow Queen Farina on Instagram here and Salt and Honey here. 

So that’s where I’ve been. Good luck on crossing off your Santa list and remember to try and shop local this season.

But enough about me, let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves!

You may have already seen this floating Facebook, but my husband INSISTED I share it here! A little too close to the truth IMO. :)

This slow cooker soup will warm any and EVERY soul. Stunning!

I LOVE chewy cookies! These look perfect!

20 spirited holiday punches. Because who doesn’t love a spiked punch?

This quinoa salad is totally cheerful, because it’s healthy!

Latkes! What a great recipe and oh, that dipper sauce!

These cookies look especially festive–and actually easy.

50 easy holiday centerpiece ideas.

Five ways to save time on your holiday meals.

Copy the look! Gorgeous neighbor gift baskets to make your own (on the cheap!).

Turn up the jingle jams to cook to! This is a great holiday play list + must have albums. Hello…Wham!

A great read on food memories by Jacques (& happy 80th birthday!) : “For most people, the dishes that matter are the dishes that have been cooked with love, dishes that are part of a family’s structure, passed down from a grandmother, mother, spouse, aunt, uncle or cousin. Those dishes remain much more embedded in our taste memory than the recipes and dishes of great restaurants, even for a professional cook like me.” Agreed!

How to survive the office holiday party. Best tip: Avoid sitting on Santa’s lap. Ew.

Our friends invited us over for a holiday cocktail—this cocktail recipe needs to be added to the blog BTW! I’ll work on it. Meanwhile, here’s some suggestions on how to stock a bar cart.

And in case your guests imbibe more than they should…

Guest room essentials. Because they’re coming to stay!

If you’re like me and have a fake Christmas tree, these scented “ornament” sticks will trick you and guests into thinking it’s real. I just hide them all over the tree, I love the smell!

We made these DIY snow globes a few years ago. The kids loved getting crafty.

Smudge doesn’t know it yet but she’s getting this for Christmas. It is SO COOL! You’ve got to watch the video to see it in action.

The list is out! Apple’s 25 Best Apps of 2015. I need to download this one!

5 timeless dresses every woman should own.

I just reordered my favorite lip gloss. If you like a thicker gloss that stays put, this one if for you.

Does anyone know if these really work? They’d make a great stocking stuffer if they do.

I ordered these for friend gifts. I hope they don’t read this. I mean, I hope they do, but that they don’t. You know…

Okay THIS is brilliant! UBER now delivers puppies for play time breaks for humans. For real!

I totally wouldn’t mind having lunch here…

But if I did, I better come prepared in case I never left. While that pillow cracks me up, what could kid resist this?

Presidents, they’re just like us! POTUS and FLOTUS’s favorite songs and movies of 2015. (and Game of Thrones is NOT one of them.)

and…

Pass the popcorn, the list is out! The 2016 nominees for the Golden Globes.

Blog Biz Tips

How to find page views for a specific post with Google analytics.

How to grow your blog with Facebook groups.

Stuff I Pinned This Week

I know, I know. Cookies and cookies and more cookies. They’re on everyone’s minds and in our burgeoning bellys. But I still have a savory side that needs to be filled.

Easy One Pot Lasagna Soup

Ooooo, the strings of cheese!

Get the recipe | Pin it

Kung Pao Chicken Zoodles for Two

I need to put my Inspiralizer back to work (it makes a fab Christmas present!!). This is a good place to start!

Get the recipe | Pin it

Best Chicken Enchiladas Ever

I can vouch. I’ve made them. They’re awesome.

Get the recipe | Pin it

Have a great weekend friends, and get out and do something good.

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