friday favorites

It has been quite the week. I started out working from home on Monday since Zoe’s daycare was closed for MLK. The real estate world cares not about most holidays, so work we must. Monday night I got a call from the daycare staying they would be closed Tuesday for impending snowmagedon 2018. Zoe and I waited around all Tuesday and this is all we got…

Quite underwhelming, right??? Well funny thing about it, schools were cancelled for Wednesday too! The roads in our area were fine, but apparently there were some secondary roads somewhere around us that were all ice. I dont know? I don’t know a single person who saw it.  Either way, yesterday was a rough rough drop off at daycare after being out for five days straight! This is what three days at home looked like….

That last picture could be me after work on a Friday. Hahaha.

After all that time cooped up at home, Laura and I met for lunch yesterday and it was FABULOUS!!! Obviously for the company!!! But also, Real and Rosemary has a Whole 30 menu and I could order off of it and enjoy something other than salad. It was so delicious that we may be planning what we will have there next already.

Even with all the snow days, I have been staying strong. We are 19 days in and over half way there! I gotta be honest and say that it was hard not snacking on all the things and making hot chocolate with the freezing cold weather!!!! This is Alabama, it isn’t supposed to be 4 degrees several mornings in a row! Or ever, really!!!!

Favorite Recipe: To keep myself excited, I have been scouring Pinterest for more compliant recipes. How amazing does this Chicken Lo Mein look?

And this Coconut Lime Chicken too!

Favorite Lust: For years I have coveted the Gucci and Channel bags, but I would never pull the trigger on one. Just way too much money for a purse for me. I stick in the Michael Kors, Kate Spade prince range. I saw this Rebecca Minkoff bag that is a dupe for one of the ones I love the most. Much better price!!! It is sitting on my Wish List with Nordstrom right now. Come here my pretty!!!!!

Favorite Funny: This seriously can’t sum me up better than any other meme out there.

Linking up with Amanda. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

1. I had to cancel on Laura last week for Birthday Lunch when Zoe came down with a fever. We finally got to do it yesterday! We went to Avondale Common House and I stayed Whole30 strong and ordered a salad with no cheese and grilled chicken. It was so delicious!!! Plus, girls lunch is good for the soul.

2. I haven’t had proper chance to say ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, Monday night was a roller coaster of emotions! First we were down, then we were really down, then we started to come back and then it was a tie and OMG we are going in to overtime. My heart couldn’t take anymore! A hell of a game, and I can’t think of two better matched teams to face off in the National Championship game! While I am a Georgia fan and super  happy to see them make it all the way, my heart belongs to Bama and they are my number one and who I pulled for.

There are a lot of haters saying that it isn’t fair that two SEC teams made it to the championship. But bottom line is the best of the best made it. SEC FOREVER!

3. I received some money at Christmas and wanted to treat myself to something I have been coveting for a long time. I went over to Saks and finally picked up a pair of these magical leggings!!! I am hoping that my month of Whole30 will give me the confidence to rock them. Looking in the mirror in the fitting room, I looked a good two sizes smaller in them. Did unicorns make these??

Also, it was my first time really shopping in Saks. I have been in there before to browse, but I walked up to the register to ask where the leggings were located in the store because I was on lunch and in a hurry. The person who helped me was amazing! She walked me over to them, helped me find my size, took me over to the fitting rooms, was waiting for me outside to see if I liked them, asked me if I wanted to look at anything else, and then walked with me over to the register. She was so friendly and conversation with her was easy, like I was shopping with my best friend. I might have to pop over there more often. I know they carry higher end things, but I am all about quality over quantity these days and still remember my experience there. More than I can say for most shopping experiences these days.

4.My hair has been awful the last few weeks. Looking dry and gross, laying really flat. I have used up nearly all of my products and want to try something new. Leave me some of your favorites in comments. Keep in mind that my hair is very fine and naturally straight.

5. I found this recipe for sweet potato waffles and I can’t wait to try them!!! They are paleo/whole 30 approved.

I didn’t even know how to get dressed this morning. It was in the 60’s when I was leaving my house and will be in the 30’s when I return. Layers is the only solution I came up with. Bipolar weather! I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. Linking up with Amanda.

Here there, Friday!!! I am not sure what all we have planned for this weekend. It is basically the last one for us to get any Christmas shopping done, since we have Christmas get togethers starting next Saturday with family. I am hoping we can get the supplies to make a gingerbread house and maybe catch a few more Christmas movies this weekend, along with whatever else we decide to do! Have you finished your shopping?

Favorite Memories:I had lunch with Laura yesterday. We decided on Saigon and I had the hardest time deciding what to order because everything sounded amazing. The spring rolls as an appetizer is always a given, and we had seen a Cider Wassail Slushy on Instagram earlier in the week so we knew that had to be ordered as well! (Cider Wassail slushy: apple cider, rum, cinnamon, ginger, orange juice, simple syrup, & anise.) I finally decided on the B4 pork and noodle bowl with egg rolls and it was soooooo good! We might be going back there again next week because their deliciousness cant be beat.

We are slowly trying to wean Zoe off her bottle. Honestly, her feeding times have been some of my most favorite moments over the last year. The way she will just stare into my eyes sometimes, or hold my hand while she takes her bottle is just the sweetest. I will never forget her gummy crinkled face smile that she gives me sometimes after she is finished. Or the way she she is silly and will hide behind it and giggle like in the picture below. Or how she screams when you take too long to get one together for her. It is bittersweet saying goodbye to these bottles. The ones I have spent hours and hours of my life cleaning over the last year. The ones that have given Zoe all the nutrients.

Favorite Recipe: I mentioned before that I am going to be doing Whole30 again in January. If you are looking for a good reset, please join me!!! I would be happy to share any recipes I have loved or any knowledge doing it the last two years. Anyways, I always struggle with breakfast because I really hate eggs. How amazing does this pumpkin apple bake look???

Favorite Beauty Buy: I had to make a Sephora run this week to get face wash. I need some new lip products, a lot of mine are about empty. I have been dying to try the NARS Rita for a really long time. I always talked myself out of it before, but decided to pull the trigger. I love it!!! This has to be one of the longest lasting lipsticks I have ever used. Plus, the packaging is amazing. The lid is magnetic, so it isn’t falling off in your black hole of a purse….ruining all the things. It is true what they say, it really is the perfect red for any skin tone. Thanks Lindsay for recommending it!

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up with Amanda. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Favorite Moments: On Monday I grabbed a salad from Moe’s!  I hadn’t been there in so long. It was delicious.

Wednesday, Chris asked me if I wanted to meet him for lunch. It is so nice to have a day date together!!! We went to Shiki and I had massaman chicken and enjoyed every last bite.

Zoe loves turning pages in her books and being read too. Makes me so happy to see her looking at them randomly during playtime too!

The pure joy on her face lights up my entire world.

The flags are out all along the street on my route to work Wednesday. I guess they were out for Thanksgiving? I love seeing them again.

Favorite Recipe: I am getting ready for another round of Whole30 in January. Starting to pin all the things!!! Although this Sweet Potato Pizza Bite recipe says Whole30 friendly and dairy free, one of the ingredients listed in the comments is cheese. Just skip out on that if you are trying to stay true to the diet.

Favorite Lusts: Has anyone tried this shampoo? I saw it and wondered if it’s claims for hair loss and fuller hair was true. It seems to be all natural and cruelty free.

I went to Ann Taylor on Tuesday and they were having a 50% off sale. Unfortunately, my store didn’t really have anything I wanted in my size. I went to order some of the stuff I saw online until I realized the sale was over. I hope they do another one in December!!! These are the items I will keep checking back on!

Love this houndstooth shirt!!!

This shirt is such a gorgeous color!

I really loved the Kate Fit dress pants that they had. They fit soooooo good on me. Unfortunately, they only had ankle cut and I really need some trousers or  more professional looking ones. I noticed it said they are dry clean only. Has anyone washed them on the delicate cycle in their washer before? I have zero time for a dry clean run.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up with Amanda. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

My mom and I have been doing Black Friday together since I was 10. I absolutely love our tradition and that is where I am today! I am not out for anything crazy this year, normally we just pick up some Christmas presents and do some clothes shopping for ourselves because there are some killer clothing deals out there! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I hope my walking around all the stores burns off some of the calories I consumed yesterday. I have no limits or control when it comes to delicious holiday foods!

Favorite Moments: Had lunch with Laura Monday at Babalu. Of course their enchiladas, tacos and table side guac are amazing…but they seriously might have one of the best burgers in town!!! Look at this thing!!! The fries are delicious too. mmmmmm

Tuesday I had to run an errand over by Brookwood so I stopped in Chick Fila to collect my free 3-count chicken strip (I am forever a nugget girl, but free wins) and I ordered a fruit cup instead of fries because balance and Thanksgiving or something.

Selfies with this sweet girl are always my favorite.

I was getting the shaft from Influenster for a lot time, but this past week I received two packages from them and one from Smile360! I will share all of my thoughts, of course!

Favorite Recipe: After all those delicious eats at Thanksgiving, it is time to go back to paleo/keto type foods again! Well, until we start baking Christmas things! These sweet and sour meatballs in the crockpot sound delicious! I think I might prepare them on a Sunday and we can have them during the week!

Favorite Black Friday Wish List Items: I went to Loft earlier this week to scope out what I wanted to try to get on sale today. These are my top picks! I already tried them on so I can just grab my sizes and go!

This shirt is so pretty in person and I love the bright red. Perfect for Christmas activities and still wearable all year.

This rib trim grey sweater with the split sides was so flattering on and felt sooooo cozy!!!! I cant wait to scoop it up. Will look so cute with so many things!

I really loved the color and fit of this tie sleeve top too! It would be so easy to dress it up or down.

Favorite Funnies:

What do you have your eye on for Black Friday? I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Linking up with Amanda.