weekend favorites

Hey hey, happy Friday!

Another week in the books. And time for another edition of Weekend Favorites!

1. Love this article about happiness habits. Let’s all strive to be supremely happy!

2. I’m going to spend some time breaking out the pumpkin in my kitchen this weekend. I have a few recipes coming together in my head, but I’ve been looking for pumpkin inspiration. How about pumpkin meatloaf, pumpkin manchego gnocchi, pumpkin mac ‘n cheese, or pumpkin cinnamon rolls? Can I have one of everything? Also, if you’ve never made these soft pumpkin cookies, you haven’t lived. They put the dream in dreamy.

3. Amazing food hacks. My life has been changed for the better. Especially the taco trick – genuis!

4. It’s official. Thank you to Netflix (and my friend, K) I have become addicted to Breaking Bad. Ironically, I cancelled my cable because I never had/made the time to watch TV. I am entering hermit status until I finish plowing through all 5 seasons.

5. This girl can write. I’m gently reminded that I don’t need to “have it all” to feel utterly content and happy with life, even in small doses. Thank you, Megan! I’m going to have to make those cookies, too.

6. I am a complete scarf whore. Like seriously, I have a nice lil’ collection going, and can’t turn down a beautiful scarf. Have you seen these gorgeous scarves from fashionABLE? Beautiful, hand-crafted, AND the purchase of every scarf helps to create sustainable business in Africa and fight poverty. I am so down with amazing initiatives like this one.

7. My friend, J has me hooked on to the Astro Twins astrology website. I’m not sure how much I believe in all of that stuff, but it’s rather entertaining to read my daily, weekly, and monthly horoscopes. I’ve gotten into the habit of reading my horoscope after the day, week, or month has passed to test out how accurate the predictions are. SO entertaining. And surprisingly, kind of true.

8. Making a fall picnic happen has just soared to the top of my Fall Bucket List. Thanks for the inspiration, Megan! Also on the list – get thrown into a pile of freshly raked leaves, go apple-picking, and drink pumpkin beer.

9. After deliberating for ages about whether or not to buy these boots, I finally bit the bullet this past week and splurged. Don’t worry, I found them for a much better deal than the price listed, but they still cost me a fair chunk of change. But they’re so perty and very well made. I can’t wait to wear them for approximately 239 of the next 250 days.

Friends, enjoy your weekend! And happy early Autumnal Equinox! I hope you all can find the time to relax and enjoy a special moment or two.

xo.

Friends, I’m home! Back from Hawaii, the land of sand, sun, and beautiful things. The last two weeks were filled with rest and relaxation, lots of good food, and a drink or ten (per day, of course). I came home with a happy heart, a rested mind, and many many freckles (oh, and amazing coffee and macadamia nuts, too!). If you’ve never been to Hawaii, I highly recommend that you get your arse there as soon as humanely possible. I spent my time in Maui and it was absolutely fantastic. The condo we stayed at was a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach, plus we had access to a beautiful pool. We rented a car, but were able to walk quite a bit too. And the weather? Amaze balls. I can’t wait to go back!

I am getting back in the kitchen this week to bring you some new recipes, including an attempt at recreating one of the most incredible desserts that I enjoyed while on vacation. In the meantime, here is another edition of weekend favorites!

My trip to Maui led me to develop a serious infatuation with fish tacos. Like, mega. If you’re ever in Maui, be sure to visit Fred’s Mexican Café and Coconuts Fish Café, both located on South Kihei Road. If you happen to have a bombshell recipe for fish tacos, please send it my way and I will love you forever!

Can openers hate me. Seriously. Rarely am I able to cut around the circumference of a can on the first try. And sometimes not even on the second or third. It’s annoying. Perhaps I should try this method. It just might be faster for me.

Aloneness is not loneliness. At least, not always. Being a single gal myself, I like this. I like it a lot. Being single has its perks!

This recipe makes me excited for rhubarb season.

Loving this portrait series by Rebekka. So much love in these photos!

10 Second Rant Alert. What is the deal with hash tags? I mean, I know what they’re for. I even use one or two from time to time. But there seems to be an epidemic of hash tag overload. I understand posting a picture of a sunset and using the hash tag sunset or beautiful. But what the heck does friends or ice cream or monkeys or shoes have to do with a sunset?! Seriously peeps, tone it down a notch.

I went snorkeling while on vacation. We visited a place called Turtle Town. We saw a sea turtle. Which led to approximately 137 reenactments of this video. It just never got old.

So apparently one is supposed to “detox” after a vacation filled with copious amounts of food and alcohol. Detoxes be damned! I want these, these, this, and this, in that order. Cookies for appetizers…yes!

Hope you’re having the loveliest of weekends. xo