Good morning! I’m so glad it’s Friday.
It’s been a bit of a weird week around here. Scott was out of town, so I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with him tonight and throughout the weekend. We have plans to attend the Woodward Dream Cruise tomorrow with a couple of friends (after my morning shift at the gym), but other than that, the weekend looks pretty clear. That’s a beautiful feeling!
In true Friday fashion, it’s time to celebrate getting closer to the weekend with another edition of Friday Favorites. Every week, I share what I have been loving lately through a series and link-up, and I can’t believe we are already two weeks past the 100 mark!
I enjoy seeing what you guys have also been loving, so I invite you to join in on the fun by sharing your favorites for the week in the comments section. If you are a blogger, make sure to look for the blue Inlinkz button at the bottom and link up your own #FFavorites posts too!
Friday Favorites #102: Week of 8/14
• dark chocolate
Welp, my sweet tooth is back. There were a few weeks that went by when I wasn’t craving something sweet before bed, but… have no fear. The need for for (chocolate) speed has returned.
Instead of loading our freezer up with ice cream and dessert sandwiches, I decided to go a different route and stocked up on chocolate this week. I saw these dark chocolate bars in the organic section of the grocery store the other day and had to take them home.
Equal Exchange Dark Caramel Chocolate //
The mint was for me and the salted caramel was for Scott. Or, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. (Let’s be real, they’re both for me.) And, they’re both delicious. Just a few squares per night go so far and are completely satisfying!
• EO Essentials all natural hand soap
I also found a new line of hand soaps to become obsessed with this week. It’s called EO Liquid Hand Soap, and I picked this bottle of Lavender + Tea Tree + Peppermint up from TJMaxx.
It must be a throwback because I can’t find the replica on their website, but here is a similar one. You can also find them and refill bottles . I seriously can’t get over the smell of the essential oils every time I wash my hands. It’s so calming!
• garden vegetable medley pita chips
On a whim, I picked up and tried new-to-me Garden Veggie Medley Stacy’s Pita Chips up a couple of days ago and ohhhh my.
Give me a side of hummus with these bad boys and I’m done. Stacy’s Pita Chips are ridiculously good (and addicting), and this flavor is no exception. Go try them!
• press on acrylic nails
I have shared these a couple of times on the blog before (here and here), but they’re worth bringing up again for my newer readers.
I am not a huge fan of acrylics (or spending a lot of money on my nails), so I have turned to press-on nails any time I want them to look nice for a special event, photo shoot, or wedding. I picked up a box similar to the left for a wedding we attended last weekend, and they stayed in place and looked great for close to a week!
My favorite kind is Kiss French Petites or Real Short length, and both retail for around $7-$8 a box. There are several skeptics out there about using press-ons, but I can personally assure you that they are wonderful.
The box includes easy-to-apply instructions, the entire process takes less than ten minutes, and they always last at least five days after I put them on. Try adding a clear top coat for extra shine, too! No one will ever suspect they weren’t professionally done. Promise.
• fruit smoothies
Ahhh, fresh fruit smoothies. You definitely have my heart lately.
My favorite concoctions always randomly come together, and they always include whatever fresh produce I have on hand.
I can’t even remember exactly what went into this smoothie, but I do know it had a ton of fresh berries (most likely strawberries, blueberries and raspberries), almond milk, plain Greek yogurt, and ice. Smoothies have become a snack I turn to often, and on the days where I have two lunches or dinners, a big part of my meals when I add extra protein.
The more colorful and loaded, the better! Am I right?
• favorite LIL posts
» Summer Chicago Trip Highlights
» Bee Better With Bombas Athletic Socks (Giveaway!)
(Have you entered yet? If not, YOU SHOULD!)
» When Life Hands You Lemons… (You Blog About It)
By the way, I am still floored (yet not crazy surprised) by how incredibly supportive this online community is. This post wasn’t an easy one to write, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to publish it after I wrote it, but I’m so, so glad I did. I truly appreciate all of the love and messages I have received and am still receiving. Thank you. You guys really are the best.<3
• Friday funnies
And to end things on a lighter note…
These are for all of the parents, teachers, and back-to-schoolers out there!
Hilarious.
And I remember that book buy-back struggle like it was yesterday.
Haha!
Your Turn
Grab The New Friday Favorites Button
Have a wonderful weekend!
Disclaimer: Friday Favorites is a series of posts that features items I genuinely want to share with you. While #FFavorites isn’t sponsored, affiliate links may appear from time to time. As always, any support is much appreciated! <3
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Green & Blacks in my FAVOURITE chocolate. I always have a sweet tooth, and eat a bar or two a week. Good thing I like exercise 🙂
briwifruit recently posted…{Friday Favourites} The best reads in health, wellness and fitness this week
I’ve never tried it before, but I’m definitely hooked! Haha, I feel your struggle. It’s all about moderation 😉
I’ve been all about smoothies this summer! Yours looks delicious…whenever I add berries it turns an ugly color haha.
Mine usually turns out a reddish-brown, so I must have put a LOT of blueberries in this one, haha. Rarely do they ever look this bright!
Dark chocolate mint is my favorite! I’ve been craving dark chocolate lately too and have been indulging from time to time in a square (or two) of Theo’s Dark Chocolate with sea salt. So good! Hope you have a great weekend Heather!
OH MY GOSH me too. It’s seriously the best combo ever. This Theo’s Dark Chocolate you speak of sounds delish. Thanks for sharing and happy weekend!
Mm that dark chocolate looks amazing. Dark is definitely my favorite kind. Trader Joe’s always has good looking bars right by the check-out and it’s hard not to grab one!
I totally agree about the press-on nails. I haven’t used them in a while, but they’re great to keep on hand for when you need to have nice-looking nails.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Friday Favorites 8.14.15
I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been to Trader Joe’s. That needs to change! Glad to hear you are a fan of the press-on nails too. 😉 Thanks for linking up Kelly!
Ugh, the book buy back struggle was so real!! I would get so annoyed, especially the ones in perfect condition that I barely opened..
I ended up keeping so many books or just giving them to friends out of frustration! Haha
Both of those chocolates sound amazing – the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. And thanks for the tip about those press-on nails! I love the way French manicures/acrylics look… but not the price/effect on my nails. I’ll have to give those a shot 🙂
Ellen recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 08/14/15
Exactly. I like the short ones and end up filing them down too. A clear coat to finish makes them look like they came straight from the salon!
Happy Friday, Heather! I always forget to try to do my nails with those press-ons, because yours look great. Nice work! And I’m with you on fruit smoothies and dark chocolate. I hope you guys have an excellent weekend, my friend! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Friday Favorites: A fitness giveaway and more
Thanks! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t eat the entire mint bar in just a few days… so good! Have a great weekend!
Wow you ate a whole candy bar over three days
Also press on acrylic French manicure nails. Lol girl your Florida is showing!
The backpack reminds me of a kid at my high school who had about 50 pine tree air fresheners tied to his mesh backpack. You could smell that kid coming from down the hall, and it was pretty hilarious.
Jenny Bender recently posted…Friday Faves 8.14.15
Oh my gosh, haha why?! So funny.
What a great idea to use press on nails instead of a manicure! Does the adhesive mess up your real nails after you take them off? Happy Friday!
Not at all! You can take them off very easily and it’s like they were never there 😉 genius!
That smoothie looks so good I think I just found inspiration for breakfast 🙂 Happy Friday!
Alexandra @ My Urban Family recently posted…Friday Favorites – Week 2
Woo hoo, thanks Alexandra. Enjoy your weekend!
Mmm I love dark chocolate! Like way too much! haha
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Friday Five
YES to all the dark chocolate. 🙂 Random question, but what type of hair brush do you use to blow your hair out straight? It looks awesome in your pictures from Chicago. Great faves and enjoy your weekend!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…NEW VIDEO: No Bake Almond Butter Bites
Aw thanks so much Lauren! Honestly, mine is a super old Conair round brush that’s years and years old. I think I bought it at Sally’s or even CVS!
Absolutely! It looks very smooth and shiny. Thanks for the info! 🙂
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…NEW VIDEO: No Bake Almond Butter Bites
Too many times have I purchased something I thought ‘my mom would enjoy’ when in reality, it was all for moi.
I am going back to school in two and a half weeks, so your memes hit me hard! Cannot wait to purchase 200 dollar text books again… woot.
I am so going to buy some embarrassing pencils to lend to people who didn’t bring theirs now ;)!
lifewithniki recently posted…My Favorite Place (The ‘Woo Woo’ Bookstore) | Friday Favorites
Haha I think that’s a great idea. Best of luck with your book purchasing and school year!
I love that picture of you and Scott–you’re in black and white. SO cute!
I did jamberry nails the other day and really liked ’em–the adhesive nail stuff. Super cute patterns!
Annette@FitnessPerks recently posted…Friday Favorites {8/14/15}
I’ve never tried Jamberry, but everything I’ve seen looks adorable. Thanks so much!
Green & Black’s are delicious, I didn’t know they sold them over in America
I had never seen them before at all. I’m a fan!
Equal exchange makes the BEST chocolate!!
Rebecca – Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 8/14/15
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it. I’ll definitely be buying more!
Oh man, my college was so awful about the books. The books required for many classes weren’t even books- they were shrinkwrapped loose leaf pages, “books” for the courses written by the professors of the courses. There was no selling back of these. Just a cost you had to eat. ugh!!
Mary recently posted…A very long week.
Oh how I miss Stacy’s pita chips! Those were a staple in our house. I have yet to find anything similar here.
Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} recently posted…Friday Favorites: Vacation Mindset Edition
LOL to that BOOK RETURN MEME! SO FRIGGIN’ TRUE!
Green & Black is one of my favorite chocolates especially the darks. We went to Chicago this summer and had the best time. Have a wonderful weekend Heather!
jillconyers recently posted…Five Things Friday
Those pencils are too awesome! That’s a good teacher. 🙂 So glad you received a huge outpouring of support–such a hard topic to talk about, but it’s something I think a LOT of women go through. We love you and we’re here for you! 🙂
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted…Five Friday Faves #45