Good Morning and thank goodness it’s Friday!
Today I am sharing a compilation of fun and yummy things from my week. Because we are oh so close to the weekend and it’s nice to look back at things that make us smile from time to time.
This week also marks the second week I have hosted a new link up for anyone to join in on the Friday Favorites train! Whether you decide to link up every week or every once in a while is totally up to you…
Or, simply hop over to check in on mine. I’m totally cool with whatever. 😉
Friday Favorites #8: Week of 10/25
(With a little fall flavor if you will…)
• fall leaves in our backyard
Fall is in full force in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Or should I say winter?
I have woken up to a layer of frost on the grass and on my car the last two mornings. I’m so not ready to deal with that yet. For now, I am soaking in the good stuff as long as I can.
• ArgaBeta oil
I have always had problems with my hair tangling. I purchased this Dikson ArgaBeta oil from my hair salon a few months ago and it has significantly helped out with matting.
You only use a tiny bit, since the oil is really concentrated and goes a long way. It’s also been great to keep some of the friz down.
• protein pancakes with pumpkin applesauce topping
Oh geez. If there’s anything I have been infatuated with this week it is the return of protein pancakes into my life.
(Especially when they are topped in pumpkin.)
My best topping to date is this pumpkin applesauce spread with a big ‘ol spoonful of almond butter.
Holy yum. I might as well have called it pumpkin pie for breakfast because that’s how good it was!
• working out at home
I’m not sure if the all of the sudden freezing cold weather has anything to do with this, but I have really enjoyed getting back into working out at home. I say the weather has something to do with it because I haven’t been on one run outside this week either.
Maybe it also has to do with the fact that my lower back has been bothering me and I don’t want to aggravate it. Whatever the case, I have reverted to a handful of Cathe XTrain workouts and have been loving them. Remember my ghetto excuse for a step-up?
It’s still kickin’! Ohhh yeah.
• “The Fox” Halloween Light Show
I would imagine that the majority of you have seen “The Fox” music video by Ylyis by now. It’s absolutely ridiculous, but ever intriguing at the same time. I first learned about this about a month ago and couldn’t stop watching it.
The costumes, the lyrics, the choreography… everything captured me and eventually I heard the song not only pop up on iTunes Top 100, but also on a few local radio stations. Check out this awesome Halloween lights show that goes with it!
• candy corn
I totally blame Scott for this one. I never keep candy in the house. I rarely eat it, and when I do I usually can’t help but to grab a handful of it every time I walk by it.
Candy corn has always been a favorite of mine ever since I was little. I knew I was in for it the moment this appeared on our kitchen counter.
Don’t let the tiny bowl fool you, either. I probably had at least three of those over the past two days. Okay fine… like seven.
• leather sweatshirt jacket
This was one of my purchases I brought home from Saturday’s spontaneous shopping date.
I call it a black leather sweatshirt jacket and just this week I have noticed similar looks becoming very popular this season. I got mine from Pac Sun, but a few of my friends got a similar version from Forever 21.
• California Tan tan extender lotion
Keeping a tan up is actually part of my job, and I am very thankful for things like self-tanning lotions and spray tans. In college, I thought nothing of going to a tanning bed two to three times a week. Every week.
Now that I am older and wiser, I realize that tanning beds are not the solution and I avoid them as much as possible.
In-between spray tans, I have been loving this tan extender moisturizing lotion with bronzers to help my color last it’s longest.
Hallelujah!
• butternut squash and black beans
Oh my. I don’t know why I haven’t introduced this combination into my meals at home until now.

I never realized how easy lunch could be until I added leftover black beans and butternut squash to seasoned quinoa. While cooking the quinoa, I simply heated the combo up in the microwave (separately) and mixed it in when everything was ready. I could have gotten more creative and added vegetables like red peppers and spinach, but I was a little pressed for time yesterday.
I’ve also enjoyed eating squash on it’s own and top of salads.
Sometimes you just need a few new ingredients to spice things back up!
NOM.
Your Turn
I would love to see some of your favorite finds, recipes, or funnies from this week. If you aren’t a blogger, feel free to join in on the fun by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post.
If you are a blogger, I encourage you play along and grab this button and include it in your posts. Simply copy the code and paste it into your text. Party on!


I woke up to frost on my car yesterday, too! I am sooo not ready for this I thought we still had a good month left of perfect fall weather?! Your pumpkin pancake looks awesome and I loooove that jacket!
Me too. Let’s just hope this week was just a tease. 😉
Loving your Friday Favorites posts!! <3
Thanks April! I would love to hear some of yours. Link up is open all the way through next week. Have a great weekend! 🙂
I have a HUGE craving for candy corn, but I haven’t been able to find any that is gelatin-free! 🙁 It is making me very sad!
Oh no! If you do find some let me know and I’ll have to share the info. Hope you have a great weekend!
I’m loving home workouts in the mornings…gives me a chance to enjoy the afternoons and snuggle in. Also, I’m loving the mild Georgia weather!
Oh I bet Georgia weather is perfect right now! *jealous* 😉
I love leaves in our backyard and butternut squash! I made a butternut squash sauce last night over whole wheat pasta – yum!! Whenever you say you live in Rochester I think you live by me because there’s a Rochester, NY. Too funny. Have a great weekend!
I’ve actually never experimented much with it. Butternut squash over noodles sounds wonderful!
That’s funny. Before I moved up here I always thought the same thing!
Light shows are SO cool! We had a neighbor who always decorated her house for every holiday. She had the lights flash and “dance” synced to music and it was honestly really cool!
It would be really neat to see one in person!
Those pancakes look delish! And the leaves…so pretty!
Thanks! I may or may not have made another one since. 😉
I love at home workouts in the winter! Ahhh but I still use a ghetto step-up: a plastic crate. Maybe oneeee day I’ll upgrade haha glad to see you did!
Oh I do too. I have yet to invest, but you know what… it does the job and the only people who see it are you guys. I feel like you all understand! 😉
I might have to try that pumpkin and apple sauce combo! Yum!
I seriously can’t stop making it! When I run out I just keep making more and have it ready in the refrigerator at all times. 😉
Such a fun post!! Those pancakes look devine! omg I really just wanted to reach across the screen and grab a slice lol.
Haha, here ya go!!! 😉
Just wait until I’ve got my blog running! xo 😀
I’m loving fall leaves too.
Love your Friday Favorites today! …candy corn WILL be back in my life on Halloween; I’ve been doing a clean eating challenge and I’m not eating processed sugar intentionally for the first time in my life. 😉 It’s over the day before Halloween so I can’t wait to eat a bit of sugar again. That bowl looks so enticing! Super cute jacket and I need some of that tanning cream…I’m originally from California and now live in Canada where I.am.white! 😉 I need (read: simply want) something that works – is that from Target or somewhere like that? I’d love to know! Thanks and enjoy the weekend!
Thanks Bonnie! Loved reading your favorites as well. 🙂
This tanning cream in particular is meant to be used to extend tans. I use it a lot when I get spray tans. I got it from a salon, but you can purchase it online through Amazon a lot cheaper! (You can find the link above in the post.)
As for other tanning lotions and products I love, see this post: https://lifeinleggings.com/beauty/top-20-photoshoot-tips-tricks/
Have a great week!
That pancake looks super delicious!
I totally avoid buying candy corn. I don’t even like it that much, but it’s like once I start eating it I can’t stop! lol
I LOVE it, but I never buy it. Between the candy corn and pumpkin choc chip cookies in the house, I was really in for it this weekend. *shaking my head*
Love the leaves at your house! Wish I could see them 🙂 however, in Puerto Rico, weather is pretty hot right now, and we don’t get to experience seasons that much!! Love your jacket and your pancakes look delish!
Don’t worry, I’m originally from Florida so I know exactly what a hot fall feels like. Enjoy the sunshine, because now it’s freezing up here! 😉