Happy Friday friends!
In This Post
What a great week last week was, and what an adventurous one I have ahead of me.
I spent last week’s spring break with my lil’ family on a sort of last minute get away to Carmel, CA. Just the three of us with zero agenda, just doing what felt good in the moment. It was everything we needed to regenerate our boosters and officially welcome spring of 2016.
I found cheap fares on Alaska Airlines (I’m subscribed to all of the airline newsletters because they say so to here) and even though I had another trip planned the day after we returned home, I worked my tail off before we left so I could get away for both trips.
It’s been totally worth it.
Our home away from home was the lovely Carmel Valley Ranch. If you ever needed another incentive to visit Carmel (as it!), this is definitely one. I had visited the ranch on a blogging trip a few years back and couldn’t wait to bring my little family along to introduce it to them too.
They were just as thrilled with our stay as I was and that Easter brunch…definitely in the top three of all-time best brunches, EVER, because who serves all you can eat KING CRAB LEGS on a brunch menu?
Carmel Valley Ranch does, that’s who.
After a one day turnaround I’m back in the air en route to Washington D.C. for a girls trip with my mama and my little sister. Cherry blossoms are at the top of our agenda and fingers are crossed they’re still en masse bloom. If not, it won’t matter much, because I’ll be with my favorite girls doing what we girls do best. And isn’t that really all that matters in the end anyway?
If you have any dining rec’s of where to eat in D.C., we are all ears and empty stomachs so please, add them in the comments below!
But enough about me. Let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves! Enjoy!
The most gorgeous macarons I’ve ever laid eyes on!
Well now this DIY recipe is smart!
Looking forward to steady warm weather and giving this cocktail a try in my own backyard!
Because sourdough starters are pets too, right?
Because spring means rosé.
Break up with these bad cooking habits. Now.
Chipotle is opening a burger chain. Watch out Shake Shack.
I can’t get over how lovely this cake is, and how perfect it is for spring!
Today’s trendiest foods (from yesteryear).
A dining club for toddlers.
“The IG community was at the emotional level of a hormonal 16 year-old on Monday and it was ug-ly.” This is one of the best reads and look at social media’s convoluted influence on all of us that I’ve read in a while because the big Instagram dust-up isn’t all it’s been made up to be and I won’t be turning on my notifications either.
and not to be outdone…
Snapchat updates itself too, and here’s why it’s quickly becoming my favorite app to date.
It’s not too late pull these pranks. I pity the fool.
This is the coolest thing and the rest of the world totally needs to start doing this!
We saw some incredible sunsets on our trip and that only makes me want to see these 25 incredible sunset views around the world.
Since I seem to have the travel bug, these tips to make flying suck less are gonna help me make it through. My mom is a HUGE fan of #1.
and…
I’ve heard of dining with sharks but sleeping with sharks? Airbnb out does it again.
These hairstyles. So vintage, so chic.
and…
A cute (and inexpensive) dress to wear to an afternoon wedding.
I’ve been seeing these jackets everywhere. So cute for spring.
What a fun and colorful DIY project for warm weather!
Because sometimes gyms are overrated. The 10 best streaming workouts.
This is what a BILLION dollar wedding looks like. Oh those flowers!
What 32 celebrities wore to meet the queen. Did Lady Gaga wear it worst?
Blog Biz Tips
Instagram Hashtags That Will Triple Likes
How to Update Old Content for Pinterest
Stuff I Pinned This Week
Spring is here and salads are on my brain. Here are a few that made my Pin boards fat and happy.
20 Minute Caesar Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
Spiced, rolled and roasted, these chickpeas add the requisite caesar crunch, but in a much healthier way.
Springtime Cobb Salad
All the spring flavors make this salad more than a mouthful.
Ramen Broccoli and Kale Salad
This salad puts a whole new face on ramen.
kempamma
I thought I should let you know about this company I came across. Right now, they are actively hiring people who know how to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
If you fit the profile, then you can make great money doing this, as is explained here:
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Robert Smith
All photos were just awesome. I enjoyed my whole time on your lovely blog. Thanks
Lucille J. James
Those are captured by a capable photographer .
Creamy Jerk Chicken Pasta
Iron Gate! Beautiful outdoor seating in the courtyard. I was in a panic when I saw on snapchat that I might not get my Friday faves!!! Thanks for coming through! Have a great trip and tell Holli and P hi from me!! ❤️
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Carmel Valley Ranch is one of my faves, so glad you had a great trip! I’m dying over that springtime cobb salad… seriously gorgeous!
Melissa Rideout
I was in a panic when I saw on snapchat that I might not get my Friday faves!!! Thanks for coming through! Have a great trip and tell Holli and P hi from me!! ❤️
Nikki Gwin
The trips sound DREAMY! and really??? King Crab Legs for BREAKFAST!? and the infinity pool? and reading by a pool…. and a glass of wine with that view! Just wow.
:)
https://gwingal.blogspot.com/2016/04/small-changes.html
Maggie
Iron Gate! Beautiful outdoor seating in the courtyard
Mary
I’m a DC resident – some of my additional favorites (all of Alison’s recs above are great) are Maketto, Mintwood Place, The Red Hen, Little Serow (another place where you have to wait in line for a table when it opens). Enjoy!
Alison
Have a great time in DC. So many great places to eat, but I highly recommend Blue Duck Tavern, le Diplomat, Rose’s Luxury (have to wait for a table so get there right when it opens, but so worth it for the food), amazing cupcakes and lattes/coffee or iced tea at Baked and Wired along with some pretty incredible people watching in Georgetown. So many great places. Enjoy!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking
Yeaaah, Friday! That sounds so good, just doing whatever you feel like.. How great are vacations like that!
Great list, I love that DIY Tea Blends! And those pins, definitely a big YES for me. Have a great weekend!