Good morning! It’s Fridayyy! Who’s ready for it?!
This week has definitely had it’s highs and lows for me. Yesterday’s low was an afternoon of frustration, ending with a server failure on the blog. I was hustling to get my workout (as promised earlier that morning) up for you guys, but sometimes the Internet Gods don’t like my plans. It’s cool. That just means you have a heads up to look for a holiday themed dumbbell workout to appear early next week!
On a lighter note, a high for me today would be my plans to go see Straight No Chaser with a group of girlfriends tonight. They’re one of my favorite a capella groups. I’m really excited to see them live and spend a night out with the ladies!
Moving on to this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, here’s a list of things that made my week. Every Friday, I invite you to share things you have been loving too at the bottom using the comments section and link up tool!
Friday Favorites #67: Week of 12/12
Let’s kick things off with a fun little outing last night…
• Beau’s Grillery (Bloomfield)
Scott and I have been wanting to check out a new restaurant in Bloomfield called Beau’s.
It’s owned by the same team as Mex (one of the best Mexican restaurants we’ve been to!) and thought Alex and Alex getting engaged was the perfect excuse to celebrate and give it a try. Just as we suspected, this restaurant was filled with unique architecture and decorations.
The four of us were seated in what we deemed the “crazy room”. You can’t really tell in this photo, but the walls are lined with padded leather pillow squares with what looks like belts or straps accents.
It reminded us of what you might see in a psychiatric ward, only classier. Very odd, yet very intriguing.
The entire menu looked inciting! We all had a hard time picking just one main order, so Alex and I split two to try more. We started with the grilled artichokes as an appetizer.
They were really, really good, but a little awkward to eat. I wouldn’t order them on a first date… that’s all I’m saying. Alex and I split a chopped salad and a mushroom chicken pasta with homemade noodles.
We stopped ourselves halfway through to make sure to save enough room for dessert. We ordered the peanut butter cookies (yum!) and probably could have done without the German chocolate “cake”.
I wanted to order it since that is Scott’s favorite cake! This one was amazing and had three layers including a bottom “crust” of chocolate cheesecake with oreo crust. It was incredible. Actually, everything was so good! It was a great way to celebrate the happy couple.
Congratulations Alex & Alex!
• clementines
I have always had a thing for clementines, or cuties. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been constantly filling and re-filling this bowl with them!
They’re so refreshing as a snack or part of a meal at any time of the day. Both Scott and I have been taking a small handful with us to work almost every day!
• Lillian the Jeep
Earlier this week, I mentioned that I got a new set of wheels! She’s a black Jeep Patriot and everything I need to drive through Michigan winters.
After Scott and I both brought our cars from Florida up here, I quickly realized that RWD is absolutely horrible. I literally said to Scott, I don’t care what I drive, what color it is, or what it looks like. All I care about is that it has 4WD, heated seats (a must up here!) and an automatic start key chain (to warm it up in the cold). I was so happy to find Lillian!
You might laugh at the name, but it’s Lil for short because it reminds me of a ‘lil version of Scott’s Jeep Commander. I love her already!
• Scentportables air freshener
I couldn’t help but purchase this car air freshener months before I even got the Jeep. They are called Scentportables from Bath & Body Works and come all different shapes and designs.
You can refill the scent, and I started with one of my favorites this time of year, Flannel. It instantly fills the space with a wonderful scent!
• light remote
Speaking of automatic key chain starters, check out this clicker to turn on the lights on the Christmas tree. Have you seen these before?
Scott bought a set of these a few years ago (not sure where they’re from… maybe Walmart?), and I get a bit too giddy every time I turn the lights on and off with it. After hooking one up to the Christmas tree, we kept two others out for accent lighting in our house, and I always turn them on when we have guests. It’s the little things, right?
• this key chain
Knowing a new car was on the horizon, I saw this adorable key chain at a charming boutique in Clarkston, (Frank and Me) and had to get it. I love the colors and little bow!
Again… #itsthelittlethings
• Christmas Music… specifically a cappella & boy band holiday stations
Are y’all sick of holiday music yet? I’m not. I don’t think I can ever get tired of it. Is that weird? This week, I can’t get enough of holiday radio stations on Pandora and Spotify.
My favorites are a capella groups like Pentatonix (Holiday).
My love for a capella music blossomed when the show The Sing Off debuted in 2009. Scott and I love to watch it together. So much talent has been on that stage! Plus, my all-time biggest celebrity crush, Nick Lachey, hosts the show. So I guess there’s that…
When I’m not listening to a capella holiday music, I’m most likely listening to *NSYNC (Holiday). So great!
• favorite HWG posts
>> Hearty, Italian Tortellini Soup
>> 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For Foodies
and to end with a laugh…
• Friday funnies
Dedicated to my favorite funny fur balls!
Oh, Grumpy Cat.
Hahaha! Phtop. I love Tuna Melts My Heart.
(I thought you would especially appreciate this one, Julie & Gina!)
Your Turn
Have a great weekend!
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The Friday Favorites series features items I genuinely want to share with you! <3
Anna-Marie @BeautyandtheBeets
Love the Jeep! And that German Chocolate Cake looks amazing- have a great weekend!
Heather
Thanks Anna-Marie, you too!!
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes
I’ve been so obsessed with cuties too! I usually take three with me to work everyday and then have a few more at night when I’m relaxing! They are so delicious! Too bad they’re not around all year long!
Heather
I know! I’m pretty sure I have a few every single day 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Grilled Artichoke! <3
I really need to amp up the Christmas tunes! I haven't heard any….except TV commercials so far!?
Heather
Yes you should! I really do enjoy both of those radio stations I linked to. I’m most likely listening to one throughout the entire month of December!
olivesanwine
Ooooh a new car!! I love Jeeps – yours looks pretty too! Enjoy it 🙂
Heather
Thank you!! Definitely will do 😉
Diane Oui In France
So cool you’re seeing Straight No Chaser. I used to work with one of the members before he left to pursue SNC full time. They’re great! And I have to make that soup this weekend. Looks wonderful
Heather
Really? That’s awesome!! I love them. Let me know how the soup turns out if you make it 🙂
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Sorry about your server issues! The internet Gods seem to always sense when you are pressed for time. Congrats on the car! I think the name is cute. Enjoy the concert. I would really like to see Straight No Chaser one of thse days. Have a great weekend!
Heather
Haha, thanks!! Have a great weekend too! <3
Jenny Bender
I love that air freshener! I just bought a Febreze car plug in in the pine scent–it smells amazing, but not nearly as glam! I need to upgrade when it’s finished, LOL!
Heather
Pine scents are great this time of year! Scott isn’t a huge fan but I am!
Chelsea @ Raw N' Toned
Love the new car! And for some reason I thought of BridesMaids when you said Lillian haha. And those scents from Bath and Body Works are the best! I feel like they last for a long time, and I love how you can get a scent and design perfect you!
Heather
Haha that’s actually what made me think of it! <3 go figure.
Chrissy @ Pink Polish and Running Shoes
I Love Jeeps. When I bought a new car last year I ended buying a Nissan Rogue, but I looked at Jeeps too. Just like in Michigan, FWD is a necessity in the winter in New England and I spent too many years without it lol. Last winter was a breeze with my new wheels.
Heather
Oh totally!! I don’t wish driving with anything but FWD or 4WD in winter conditions on anybody. I did it for a year (Scott still does!) and don’t know how… it’s SO much scarier!
Pretty Little Grub
Nice new wheels! Four wheel drive in snowy conditions is definitely a must, you’ll feel so much safer. Love the name too.
Heather
Yes!! It’s such an amazing difference. I feel 1,000 times more prepared to take on the roads!
chareatsgreens
The new jeep sounds awesome. And, I love that you named her. I had a friend that named her cars too and asked what mine was and I never knew! Tyler and I should so start doing that! We’ve owned a lot of jeeps (I had a liberty during my first uni degree, Tyler had a grand keep cherokee and now we own a sahara!), and we love them. I think Tyler wants another Grand Cherokee (can’t argue with that!).
I seriously need to get on the holidays stations. I’m ALL over that NSYNC one!!
Heather
The Sahara! Swoon <3 I loved my little sedan in Florida, but I bet Jeeps are fun to drive there too. No snow or ice, woo hoo!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner
Heated seats are definitely a must in Michigan!!
Heather
Amen, sister! My last (Florida) car in MI did not have heated seats… and they were leather. It was so cold getting in sometimes! Totally worth every penny of the upgrade 😉
Tanya S.
I just learned about Straight No Chaser from one of my co-workers! They are awesome! Hope you have fun. 🙂
Heather
Thanks!! Yes they are so good! Another great Pandora Radio station 😉
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Oh man, that cake…with the cheesecake bottom and Oreo crust?! Yes please! It sounds incredible.
Congrats again on your new vehicle!! I love it!
Heather
I know. Good thing I was too full to have much of it!! #sinful
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Sooo exciting that you got a car! I should be getting one early next year too. So weird that I’ve lived this long without one, but you can totally get away with in walking around San Francisco. Have fun this weekend!
Heather
Thanks!! I know right? It blows my mind that Scott and I went close to an entire year sharing one car. Granted I worked from home until recently, but STILL. It was definitely a pain. I’d love to be in a city where I could take public transportation like a train or metro 🙂
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
I love artichokes too but they seriously are a nightmare to eat! Lillian is such a gorgeous lady! A capella makes a song sound so magical….Pentatonix are great and their voices match perfectly!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Heather
Thank you!! I agree. Pentatonix is my all time fav. <3
bendiful
My husband keeps trying to get me to trade my car in for an SUV. I love my little car, but your jeep is cute! I love that air freshener. Winter driving sucks. End of Story…give me summer!!
Heather
I fought that battle for while too! I test drove a lot of SUVs and this was the first one I actually liked driving. Well, and the wrangler of course. That one is so fun! Just double the price tag.
Farrah
All that food looks so delicious! I’m getting kinda hungry again, haha. 😛
I love that you named your car! 😀 My car’s name is Cordelia because I drive an Accord. :]
<3 grumpy cat!
Heather
Aw, that’s so cute! It’s weird, I never named my cars until the one before this one. I guess they started meaning more to me when I paid for them on my own!
Courtney @ Alkeks Abroad
That’s my go to pandora station for the past month! Also, no joke my stomach growled at the sight of that cake.
Heather
Haha that’s great. Sorry for the tease!
LeanGreenGabi
Oh I want one of those remotes!!
Allison T.
Yay! Congrats on a new Jeep! 🙂 I just bought a Chevy Equinox and I (almost) want it to snow so I test out how it drives. Almost. Hope you had a great weekend!