Some Friday Favorites

Hi friends. I’m cozied up on the couch with hot tea, a blanket and the first episode of season five of Love Is Blind on in the background. I had a good week but I am feeling a little run down at the end of it so the plan is to take it very easy this evening. I’m thinking a bath, a movie and early bedtime are in order. I might even go crazy and order takeout. 🙂

I have a random mix of favorites to share with you for this Friday post. I have a great soup recipe coming for you later this weekend, along with some recent eats.

P DAY AT PRESCHOOL

Finn is doing a TK year at his preschool this year. Each week has a focus letter and on Fridays the kids wear something themed around that letter. This week’s letter was P which was perfect for Pokemon loving Finn! He went to school wearing Pokemon pajama pants, Pokemon boxers and a Polo shirt. And then he gave me peace fingers in front of the preschool sign. We definitely have fun putting these outfits together on Friday mornings.

In other school news, we toured two different elementary schools this week and are getting ourselves organized for that big transition next year. It is overwhelming but I’m very grateful to have abundant options so that we can make the right choice for Finn!

Here’s another favorite from school this week. Smiled so hard when I pulled this one out of his backpack.

STOMP ROCKETS

Finn enjoys playing with stomp rockets. In the past, we’d always had foam rockets but I recently ordered these that are made from plastic and they’re awesome. While they definitely don’t go to 400 ft high, Finn is always so wowed by how far they go and will play with them for hours.

RETRACTABLE MESH BABY GATE

Let’s talk about my furry children. I recently ordered this retractable mesh baby gate from Amazon to keep the dogs OUT of the living room and off the couch (I realize they’re closed in there for this photo – I closed it to take a photo to share in this post). I love it! It’s been up for a couple of weeks now and they haven’t gotten in the living room while I’ve been gone. I think the appearance of it is clean and I like that I can fully retract it and it hides behind the door frame. Definitely recommend!

CURRENT BEAUTY FAVES

Really jumping around here but I’ve had these items on the list of things to share with y’all for over a month now!

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer – I have been a fan of Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for years but recently tried the Light Revealer formula for the first time – LOVE! It’s amazing for daily wear. Ultra-sheer and hydrating with SPF 25 protection just like the original formula I’ve always used. I find that this formula gives you a little more of a luminous glow. I have the bisque color. I do a light dusting of the translucent ultra-blur setting powder over it.
• L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Waterproof Mascara– trying new mascaras is one of my beauty hobbies. I like a super curled, lifted and long look. Here to report that this is a good one and has earned a place in my regular mascara rotation.
• Dolce & Gabana Devotion Mini Spray – I cannot tell you the last time I purchased a fragrance but I picked this new perfume from Dolce & Gabana on a whim a couple of months ago. I’m super sensitive to smells but this one works for me. It’s very warm and vanilla-y with lots of orange and citrus notes (smells that I love!). I never spray it directly on me – if anything I spray a mist and walk through or just dab a little onto one or two spots.

MY EVERYDAY EASY MAKE UP ROUTINE

Not that I think anyone needs a close up of my face this Friday night but here’s what I’m wearing in this photo:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer in bisque
• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in medium
• Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Setting Powder in translucent
• Ulta Beauty Brand Too Cheeky in social
• L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Waterproof Mascara in black – fyi I always buy waterproof mascara because I never know when I might find myself in a hot yoga studio haha
• Ulta Beauty Shiny Sheer Lip Gloss in Petal

This is my go-to easy makeup look for day-to-day. I’ll share my updated skincare routine next week!

PUMPKIN BANANA MUFFINS 

Let’s look at food photos now. I posted the recipe for these pumpkin spice banana muffins on my blog last year and we’ve made them three times this fall. They’re delicious! Finn loves them too and I pack them in his lunch a lot. I’ve been using oat flour (just oats processed in my Vitamix) in the place of the whole wheat flour.

MY FAVORITE NEW DIP/SAUCE

I have seen Bitchin’ Sauce in stores for years but I am kicking myself for not trying it before now! O-M-G it’s PERFECTION and will be a new fridge staple. It’s made from almonds, grapeseed oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, garlic, spices and sea salt. It’s gluten-free and vegan. The texture is more thin/drippy than hummus and perfect for dipping tortilla chips, drizzling on a bowl or spicing up roasted veggies. I can’t wait to discover all the ways I can enjoy Bitchin’ Sauce and try some of the other formulas. Around Charlotte you can find it at Whole Foods, Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Fresh Market.

That’s all I’ve got for ya! Have the best weekend!

QUESTIONS 

What’s your favorite mascara? 

Have you tried any good sauces/dressing/dips lately?

What do you have planned for the weekend?