Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends! I'm off from work today and couldn't be more excited about it. It's my team's last "Summer Friday" off, so we're a little bummed, but I've SO been looking forward to today since it seems to be the only Friday I've had off this summer that I haven't had any plans. 

Today you can find me in bed after sleeping wayyy in ;) and vegging out in front of the tv with my pup and some queso under 7 blankets with the air conditioning on full blast. 

*bliss*

And also, be forewarned, this is probably the most random Friday Favorites I've ever done. There is no order and no reason for anything except they're all things I'm kind of totally digging right now.

This is what my desk looks like when advanced copies of our books get delivered. And it's definitely a favorite because there's nothing like seeing a book you helped produce come to life and become something you can hold in your hands. 

I can't imagine how our authors and illustrators feel. They are the true artists.

Another huuuge favorite is seeing my name in a book's acknowledgements. (I'm the extra, extra long name there right in the middle.) When an author uses such valuable real estate in their book to thank me for my efforts...ugh, it never gets old. So grateful I get to do what I do.

And moving right along to something totally unrelated, except it's related in the sense that we're moving from my career to Sammy's...a police scanner app! How exciting, I know. BUT it is pretty cool. You can download Scanner Radio and search any area you'd like and follow along with the police scanner. If you have a family member or partner who works the second or third shift (especially if you don't yet live together because you're trying to milk it at your parents' house forever and you don't see each other a ton), it's nice to hear their voice over the speaker and know that they're safe.

Because cauliflower is such a natural shift in topic... I've been trying to get back on the wagon lately and cutting carbs is UNFORTUNATELY usually where I have to go in order to see any kind of progress on the scale, so I've been on the hunt for some good alternatives to comfort, carb-y foods. This mashed cauliflower side is actually really good. I was impressed with how much flavor was there. It's quick, it's already done for me, and it tastes pretty good, so it's a win for me. 

I don't love, love vegetables. Like I like them, and I really like the ones that aren't that great for you (potatoes in all forms, corn, etc.), but after day three I'm like, okay, where's the deep dried version of this? Seriously, you people that loooooove vegetables... how? and in what world? Because in mine, they all get old pretty quick. Unless someone is cooking them for me, in which case, I tend to like them a lot. 

So maybe the issue here is me ;)

I saw this in the grocery store the other day and grabbed one just to try it. I love, love, love pumpkin pie, but I was still hesitant about whether or not this was going to be good, but I really liked it! It tastes more like pumpkin cheesecake filling to me, but that's something I can get behind. It would be great as a dessert "alternative" especially since it only has like 8g of sugar or something. If you happen upon it, I would recommend trying it. 

This mascara is a game changer people, a game. changer. It's no wonder people are talking about it all over social media. After Carli Bybel mentioned her obsession with the L'Oreal Telescopic mascara, I went out and bought it immediately and haven't used anything else. Until now. People have said this is the drugstore dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, but I think this is way better. It makes my lashes look full without being clumpy and it lengthens insanely with only one swipe (I obviously swipe about 17 more times, but still). L'Oreal just knows what they're doing when it comes to mascara. If you're into makeup, please do yourself a favor and buy this if you haven't already. 

shop here

I knowwwww, I know. People don't want to hear about fall, let alone Halloween, but I can't help myself. I follow Bucket List Narratives because I think they're adorable and they're super into Disney, which obviously makes me like them even more, so when I saw they started selling the cutest Disney stuff in their shop, I immediately added this mug to my cart. "I need it for work," I told myself. My coworkers will think I'm adorable and festive. 

They literally won't care. Or they'll chalk it up to me being my normal, holiday-crazed self.

But isn't it so cute?! I can't wait to see what they come out with for Christmas. 

I may or may not have purchased the pink castle hoodie as well... #WhatCreditCardDebt?

Speaking of holidays and spending...! It's officially "that time" as my coworker and I have declared it. The time to start looking for ugly holiday attire to embarrass ourselves with by wearing to work. 

I am nothing if not professional.

I found the Croft and Barrow holiday mother load on ThredUp today and grabbed that lovely wintery vest and a brand-new snowflake long sleeve t, each $6.99. A snowflake top, two sizes too big, with the tags still on it? A snowman applique?! Sign me up. 

You'd probably never guess it, but I'm very much in love with fashion. I always have been. However, no one can appreciate the insanity and fun festive knit vests and holiday sweaters bring more than me. I'm growing quite the collection much to everyone's dismay. 

I read about Function of Beauty on Cupcakes and Cashmere a few weeks ago and decided to place an order before Sammy and I left for Cabo. The package was waiting for me when I got back and I have been loving it ever since. It's a company that creates customized shampoo and conditioner sets and while I'll admit it's a little frivolous and a tad bit pricey (I think I paid $30 for the set), it's the best shampoo and conditioner for my curly hair. You start by doing a hair personality quiz and you get to pick five things you'd like your products to do for you. Some of mine were growth, nourish roots, define curls, tame frizz, etc. You give a preference on scent (I chose something in the essential oil family) and strength of scent. Mine smells so good, like peppermint and eucalyptus which happen to be two of my favorites. Above all, I can't believe how well it tames my frizz and leaves my hair feeling so soft and healthy. The products are made in the USA and the packaging is so sweet--my bottles have my name on them! If you're in the market, I would recommend trying it out, even once. 

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I could add a few more randos here, but I thought I would spare anyone who is possibly still reading ;) bless you if you are.

Unfortunately, we have a funeral to go to on Saturday, but it will be nice to be around family I don't get to see too often, and hoping for a low-key night after that. And on Sunday, we have Sammy's family's annual picnic which is always such a fun day. 

Enjoying the last of these summer days. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

xo