Friday Favorites

Favorites on this (gasp!) last Friday in January...

1. Flowers and coffee, coffee and flowers


 Really, there's nothing better than the two of these combined. Together they can save any day and make it instantly better. After yesterday morning started off with a broken house heater and a shattered glass bowl that made a disaster of the kitchen, I decided I needed a little pick-me-up. A drive-thru Starbucks followed by fresh blooms from Costco was just the ticket. By the way, I heart Costco for flowers - they have the best prices and the flowers are always gorgeous. Bonus - our Costco has a Starbucks in the same shopping center, and it's all on the way to Sweet P's preschool.


I tried both the Smoked Butterscotch Latte and the new Cascara Latte this week, and give both a thumbs-up! The Smoked Butterscotch is similar to a Caramel Macchiato, but not as sweet (which I actually prefer). The Cascara Latte is actually a pretty light drink. They syrup used in the drink is made from sugar and dried coffee "cherries" (the fruit which produces coffee beans). The flavor is very subtle - overall similar to a Vanilla Latte. Nutrition wise, the Cascara Latte is slightly lower in calories than a Vanilla Latte (190 calories for a tall) and the Smoked Butterscotch Latte (made with a butterscotch syrup containing cream) comes in at 270 calories for a tall (slightly less than a Mocha Latte at 290). 

2. Talking as Fast as I Can
Last week, I wrote that I had placed a hold at our library for the recent release Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham, and I was not so patiently waiting for it. The way our online holds system works, you can only tell how many total holds have been placed, not where you are in line. There were a number of holds already in the system when I placed mine, but the number kept growing and growing every time I checked in, so I had no idea how long I had to go. Color me surprised when my name came up yesterday! I can't even count the number of times I've watched the full series of Gilmore Girls (I like to just have it streaming in the background whenever I'm doing laundry or other housework), and Lauren Graham is just my favorite - so my expectations for this book are high!



 3. Sweat, smile & repeat


Going along with my "I'm going to take care of my body" New Year's Goal, I've been getting my sweat on - which really does get smiles. Mentally and emotionally, a workout does so much good. I totally and completely need the accountability of a time and a class, so my go-tos these days are (still) Pure Barre (especially the kicked up cardio platform version):


And I've been mixing it up with group Pilates more and more. The weekday class that fits into my schedule with Parker's preschool is the advanced class, though, and I'm not gonna lie - at points I think I'm going to fall off my machine (there are serious standing and balancing portions and all sorts of gymnastics going on while holding hand weights) but I can also say I feel fabulous afterward ;)



4. Smoothie bowls for days


I'm back on my smoothie bowl kick - partly because they're so tasty, partly because they're so pretty, and partly because the highs this week were close to seventy degrees. I've been making them more creamy versus fruity lately (more plain greek yogurt, less fruit) but still super thick. This one was 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, 3/4 cup frozen mixed berries, 1/2 frozen banana, 2 Tbs. natural peanut butter, and a pinch of salt. I used my food processor to mix it all, but a heavy-duty blender will work also.


Earlier this week, I wrote about our recent outing with Parker to see our own Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (original post found here). I so loved all the comments on classical music, and how some readers are doing the same thing with their little ones! Parker is still talking about the music we heard (his favorite from the night was Vivaldi's The Goldfinch), and this book is back on repeat: 


I seriously cannot recommend it enough for teaching kids all about orchestras and classical music (bonus, it's discounted on Amazon right now). 

Enjoy this last weekend of January!






22 comments

  1. Fresh flowers and coffee are two of my favorite things too! I am on the waitlist for that book and I can't wait to read it! Happy Friday girl! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. Started it and loving it - there's even a chapter on her thoughts for each Season of GG :)

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  2. I've got the Talking as Fast as I Can book on my Amazon wish list... hoping that someone takes the hint & gets it for me for a Valentine's Day Gift :) I love all of the Gilmore Girls episodes and I'm like you, I've always got it streaming in the background when I'm doing things around the house. It drives my husband up the wall I think but it's just nice to have on in the background. Happy weekend!

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    1. It's funny - I feel like I have "listened" to them all but I miss a lot of what's on the screen, but because I'm doing things I miss what's on the screen (and even audio if I walk out of the room) so even recently when I've had it on, I'll catch a scene that I've never really watched before! :)

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  3. I'm loving the smoked butterscotch latte! So good! I'm curious how that Lauren Graham book is - please share once you finish!! Those smoothie bowls always look so good - I need to try one. I just discovered chia seed pudding recently. Have you tried that at all? I'm going to whip up a few kinds of that this weekend!

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    1. How do you make your chia seed pudding? We love chia seeds as a topping or stirred in yogurt, but I tried making an almond milk chia seed pudding when I was on Whole30 and it was an epic fail!!

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  4. I really want to read that book!

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  5. Such pretty flowers! That smoothie bowl looks so good. Have a great weekend! Beautifully Candid

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  6. I want to read that book! Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I miss Pure Barre! Those pilates machines look so intimidating to me so you go girl for knocking out the advanced class!

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  7. I am patiently waiting for that book. I have to say that Lauren Graham isn't my favorite but maybe this book will make me love her!

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  8. Those flowers are gorgeous! Yay to you for your workouts and healthy eating too!😊

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  9. That smoothie bowl looks heavenly!! I have been loving them lately, too. And you are so right about coffee and flowers making everything better. I have never really looked at Costco flowers, but those are beautiful!!

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

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    1. I definitely recommend Costco for flowers! I've even done baby showers/graduation party arrangements with them :)

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  10. Hi (fellow Gilmore obsessed fan over here!) You'll have to let us know how the book is, I may have to give it a read too. Happy Friday! :)

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    1. So far, so good! My favorite part has seriously been her thoughts on the GG seasons :) Very humorous - Lauren Graham is quite quirky, just like her GG character.

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  11. Thank you for the info on the new Starbucks drinks. I was there yesterday and had no clue what they were since there is no description of them. I can't wait to try them both out. I want to read that book as well. Let me know if it is worth it. And those flowers are sooooo pretty. Have a great weekend!

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    1. I really liked both the new drinks - if you are not big on super sweet, they are perfect! If you are making a decision, the Smoked Butterscotch is definitely the richer of the two depending on what you're in the mood for ;)

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  12. I love, love chia seeds! I'm on the list for that book as well. Thank you for the reminders on the new SB drinks!

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  13. I need to try the Smoked Butterscotch Latte... it sounds so good! And one of my friends got that Lauren Graham book for me for Christmas... I can't wait to dig into it!

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  14. Flowers + coffee, and coffee + flowers. I couldn't agree more!!

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  15. Oh man, you definitely deserved that pick me up! I am dying to try the cascara latte, it sounds so good!

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  16. I love fresh flowers! I will have to check out that book since I love Gilmore Girls (although I was not impressed with the new 4 episodes). Jess at Just Jess

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