Good morning, it’s (almost) the weekend!
Any fun plans on deck? Any exciting events to attend? Date nights? Dates with your couch and Netflix? I would honestly be excited for any and all of the above.
As usual, today we are winding down the work week with a new edition of Friday Favorites. Every week, I share what I’ve been loving, and I invite you to chime in at the bottom via the comments and link-up sections, too.
Have a great Friday!
Friday Favorites #149: Week of 7/8
• lucky bamboo plant
I have been wanting to add a few low-maintenance plants to our apartment since we moved in. After searching around online, I found a variety of house plants at Lowe’s, so I decided to walk over to my neighborhood store and check them out last week.
There were several options, but I kept coming back to the lucky bamboo plants. They had different versions of them, and I eventually decided on this 4 oz. design with the bamboo sticks in a straight line because of the height. I guess I misjudged a tad because it just barely fits on the shelf I bought it for in our living room.
I’m sure I’ll have to move it eventually (hopefully it makes it long enough to grow!), but for now I’ve been enjoying it any time I’m hanging out in the living room. Lucky bamboo plants are said to bring luck and good energy into your home. God knows we need it on the job and family front. It really does make me smile!
To those of you who have housed lucky bamboo plants before, maybe you can help me out. How often do you water it? Articles online tell me about once a week, but instructions on the actual plant said frequent with indirect sunlight 1-3 hours a day. I’ve been lightly watering it every 2 days or so. Any tips?
• watermelon knife
I can’t get enough watermelon during the hot summer months. I’ll always buy one when I see them on sale at the market, and I like to keep slices ready to grab in the fridge whenever I can.
I can’t remember when or where we purchased this Good Cook watermelon knife, but you can find it on Amazon, and it’s the perfect size and blade for cutting … you guessed it … watermelon.
We probably didn’t need to buy a knife just for cutting watermelons, but it really does a fantastic job. And for that under $4 price, I don’t feel bad about it. It’s adorable, no?
• Chobani watermelon Greek yogurt
Speaking of watermelon, have y’all tried this Chobani blended flavor yet?
I was expecting it to be a brighter red, but the flavor is all in the taste. It’s so good. I remember trying it last summer, but I almost forgot how delicious and intense the flavor is. If you are a fan of watermelon you will definitely love it!
• Calexico – Park Slope
Little by little, Scott and I are making our way around town to try out local restaurants for lunch or dinner. We’ve been trying to watch our budget by taking notes of happy hours and specials that occur on certain days.
Yesterday, we both got the craving for Mexican food and decided to walk over to Calexico after receiving a strong recommendation from our friends.
Calexico started as a food truck (which still exist in the City!), and the owners are Californians who wanted to share their hometown California/Mexican recipes with New York City. (Get the name?) We live close the Calexico in Park Slope, and we loved the ambiance.
The menu items were priced higher than I expected, however, and there were a few things that disappointed me like a $7 charge for chips and salsa, and an up charge of $1 or more for a side of salsa or sauce with your meal. I guess I’ve been spoiled by having chips and salsa included in my meals when visit Mexican restaurants, but $7 seemed a little steep.
They were having a lunch special that included two tacos, a side, and chips and guacamole for $12. I would have ordered that, but I didn’t realize that the chips and guac were included … so I thought I was getting the better deal with the $10 burrito bowl.
They did have buy one get one drinks for their happy hour special from 4-7 p.m., so we just missed that. I’m sure we will be back because the food was delicious. I just wish they wouldn’t up charge so much! Am I the only one that gets ridiculously bothered by this?
• Archaeology No 5 candle
Another addition to our apartment that I have been loving lately is that Scott picked out at a recent trip to Target. It’s very masculine, but I like it.
The candle is made out of soy wax and is different than any one I’ve lit before. The black top intrigued us both, and it looks pretty neat when it’s lit. They have an entire line in-store at Target (most are about $14), but they’re pretty hard to find online. If you find another retailer or online distributer, feel free to link it in the comments below!
• favorite LIL posts
Since I didn’t get to blog much this week, I thought it would be fun to throw in a few of my favorite posts from the archives that newer readers might have missed. These are all summer-themed. Enjoy!
» What To Expect On A Color Run
Tips on how to be prepared for a color run, and what to expect once you get there!
» Frozen Fruit Popsicles (Dairy-Free)
Cool off this summer with this healthy and easy fresh and frozen fruit pops recipe.
» 20 Questions: Would You Rather?
Twenty family friendly “Would You Rather…?” questions to take on your next road trip or bring up at your next game night!
• Friday funnies
Hehe.
Your Turn
Have a wonderful weekend!
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Friday Favorites is a series of posts that features items I genuinely want to share with you, and 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)
I love the watermelon Chobani way more than I expected to! Sounds like a weird Greek yogurt flavor, but it’s really good! And buying flowers/plants/candles always makes home feel extra happy 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend, Heather!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 07/07/16
Right? It’s SO delish! And I totally agree on candles, flowers, plants making a home more home-y. I would alway have fresh flowers around if they weren’t so expensive!
My favorite fun chobani flavor ever was the Green Tea. It wasn’t matcha-y, it was just awesome. I can’t really describe it! Have a fantastic weekend, Heather!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Five Ingredient Pesto Turkey Burgers (Gluten Free)
Ohhh I like that flavor too! I’ll have to keep a lookout for when it comes back (hopefully it does!). Have a great weekend, Suz!
I hope you’re loving NY and the intense heat we’ve been having! I need to try that watermelon yogurt… I had no idea watermelon yogurt was even a thing. Watermelons and pineapples are so hip this summer, I need to get on this bandwagon and get some fruit themed cutlery too! I love the bamboo but kill every plant I touch – so no advice here.
Happy Friday!
xoxo
Danielle
afloat on a full sea
I have! After growing up in Orlando and then living in Detroit during the 3 coldest winters they’ve seen in 20 years, I promised myself that I would never complain about how hot it is. Ever. lol, so I guess I’m doing pretty well with it! 😉
I water my bamboo plant about once a week and it’s been going strong for three years now 🙂 It’s also tripled in height since then so it no longer fits on the bookshelf I bought it for either ha. Good luck! I think the trick is to not over water it, but not let it completely dry out either.
alexandra @ my urban family recently posted…Friday Favorites Week 46
Thanks for the tips, Alexandra! Yeah, I have a feeling that I will be moving it to another location pretty soon. Enjoy your weekend!
That watermelon knife is such a good idea! I LOVE fresh watermelon this time of year but cutting it can be such a pain. Definitely going on my wishlist 🙂
I love the more masculine smelling candles, not really sure why! I always find a bunch at tj maxx, but target has great ones too.
Have a great weekend! I’ll just be relaxing, possibly spending time at the beach, and drinking lots of water cause it is HOT down here!
I have been loving watermelon too – it is for sure my go to when the weather gets hot!
Torry @ The Gluten Free Wheat Life recently posted…Fun Fact Friday (7/8)
That little bamboo plant is pretty super cute. And watermelon in the summer is so super delicious.
That little dog with the turtle outfit is pretty cute. 😀 It’s fun to dress up little dogs. The ‘Would You Rather’ game is one of our favorite games to play anytime, anywhere. 🙂 Also Calexico’s deal for 2 tacos? That is an amazing deal, and the food looks delicious.
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309) recently posted…Cereal, Fireworks, Stress, and Food Guilt
It’s a great game for the car, especially on long road trips! Have a great weekend, Emily!
Happy Friday, Heather! I like all the Chobani flavors, but wasn’t all that into the watermelon — I really like the coffee-flavored! Hope you have a great weekend friend. We’ll miss you next week! 🙁
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Favorite things: IDEA BlogFest event, LE TOTE and a little bit more
Oh no! The coffee flavor does sound pretty great – I need to try it! SO bummed I will be missing seeing you this week. Enjoy BlogFest! I can’t wait to read all about it!
I recently bought a lucky bamboo plant too, but the cats in my house chewed up the leaves. It’s still one of my favorite home decor items though because my house needs a little zen. And watermelon is a current favorite of mine too. As well as mango and pineapple everything. I just love summer!
oh no! I’ll be making a mental note to keep our plant high and out of sight for the fur kids. LOVE mango and pineapple!! Enjoy the weekend!
Now I’m craving watermelon. I always love all the sessional yogurt flavors.
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong recently posted…Friday Fitness Favorites
I kind of wish the watermelon and pumpkin were around all year long!
Watermelon yogurt sounds so good! We don’t get a lot of brands/flavors that you have in the US here in Canada. I’ll have to check for it at the grocery store the next time I’m there.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Indoor Pyramid Treadmill Workout
I am a lover of all things watermelon so I will definitely be adding the yogurt to my shopping cart this weekend. The knife is so adorable too! Have a great weekend.
I need to get myself a bamboo plant for our house – anything to bring us a bit more luck. I’m going to have a look to see if I can get the candles here in the UK aswell!
Amy xx
Included chips and salsa? Now that would be great. In the Chicago area most restaurants have chips and salsa as an appetizer you order. I would be irritated to have to pay extra for salsa with my food though.
I must find that watermelon Choboni. Speaking of watermelon, your knife is adorable!
Okay, so your post has inspired me to go eat some Mexican, buy one of those cool black candles at Target, and finally get supplies to make some homemade popsicles and try out some of those pops recipes I’ve pinned over the last year–ha! Thanks for hosting, my dear! –Ginger
http://gingerwroot.com
Watermelon really is the perfect summer fruit. I have been loving that even though Austin is so hot now I have been able to get out for a walk. Have a great weekend. xo Lauren
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Coconut Fried Rice + Giveaway
$7 for chips and salsa is highway robbery!! lol. That watermelon knife is the cutest. I’m also intrigued by the idea of watermelon yogurt — I would expect it to taste very artificial, but I’m looking forward to trying it : )
Sam @ Barrister’s Beet recently posted…Feeling Rushed? How to Have a Slower Morning