Good morning, my friends. I hope you are having a great Friday so far! Iām checking in today feeling rather excited about a jam-packed weekend. Between an Easter egg hunt play date (yes, already!), a 30th birthday celebration dinner with friends and some other odds and ends on our agenda, this weekend will be a full and FUN one!
In keeping with Friday tradition around here, Iām popping in this morning to share my weekly Things Iām Loving Friday blog post where I highlight a few things that are making me smile this week. As always, Iād love for you to share a little bit about something youāre loving right now with me in the comments section of this post.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Things Iām Loving Friday
- Celebrating Carrie
Yesterday afternoon we celebrated the 30th birthday of one of my closest friends in Charlotte! Laura hosted the sweetest afternoon play date that centered around Carrie, kids and cake! Carrie and her daughter Lilly mean so much to me and came into my life at the perfect time, just a couple of months after Chase was born. We had such a great time chatting and laughing over plenty of delicious treats and Iām really looking forward to some adult-only conversation during a special couplesā birthday dinner with a group of our friends as the birthday celebration continues on Saturday night!
I pretty much failed at keeping a detailed baby book for Chase but I really, really wanted some of my favorite photos from his first year compiled into one photo book. I ended up creating photo books for Ryan and our families as a Christmas surprise and we were really pleased with how they turned out!
The photo books are affordable and I had no trouble finding a discount code for the site (definitely check for one before ordering!) and I love the way the layouts are a little more unique than other baby photo album options out there. I used the āWelcome Baby Boyā template on the site, but customized the heck out of it so it looked a little more clean and original. Iām really happy with how it turned out and since I havenāt heard many people talk about Mixbook I figured Iād put it on your radar if you are hoping to create a photo book in the future!
- Divine Chocolate
Iāve always been a fan of chocolate but recently Iāve enjoyed purchasing new-to-me bars of chocolate to try when Iām at the grocery store or Target. A Divine chocolate bar has round its way into my grocery cart more than a few times and the milk chocolate with toffee and sea salt may be my favorite of the bars Iāve tried. Itās perfectly creamy with a hint of salt and a bit of crunch from the melt-in-your-mouth toffee. Big time fan over here!
- From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
My WWII historical fiction reading spree continued this week as I finished From Sand and Ash, a touching novel that follows the lives of childhood friends Eva and Angelo as they navigate their feelings through the most dangerous circumstances. Though Eva loves Angelo, he his torn by his feelings for her and the calling he feels toward priesthood. As the Gestapo enters Italy, Eva, Jewish by birth, is in danger and Angelo risks everything to keep her safe. The book is an emotional and deeply moving read and moves along at a very fast pace.
- Friday Flashbacks
Oven Baked Rutabaga Fries (A deliciously healthy side dish. Perfect paired with burgers on the grill!)
60th Birthday Present: 60 Reasons Why You’re Loved (A homemade gift I shared for my dadās 60th birthday! This gift idea translates to other birthdays as well!)
- Around the Web
Food: Vegan Strawberry Coconut Popsicles / Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala / Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies / BLT Egg Salad Jars
Fitness: Barre Legs Workout / Full Body Beginner Workout / Triple Tabata Bodyweight Workout / Total Body Dumbbell Strength Workout
Sales: 35% off everything at GAP with code NEW (I LOVE my GAP Pure Body joggers and live in them! The most comfy pajama pants ever!) / Free People + Dolce Vita Sale on RueLaLa / Additional 20% off clearance at Express + 15 % off everything with the code 2044 / 20% off dresses at ASOS
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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AAh, I love how your group of friends always goes out of the way to celebrate each other. It seems like such a sweet and thoughtful group. I hope that you have a great weekend. Have a blast Saturday night!
Wow, that birthday party looks beautiful! Your photos are so pretty š I’m loving spring wildflowers this week! The bluebonnets are everywhere in Austin right now and it makes me so happy.
yay for spring!!! <3 and thanks so much for the sweet words, christina!
Adding to the sale list… 30% off everything at LOFT or 40% off everything with your LOFT card!
You are such a fast reader! have a great weekend!
I’m not sure if you’re interested in book recommendations, but since you mentioned you’re on a WWII fiction reading spree, I recently adored We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It’s based on the true story of what happened to her Polish Jewish family during WWII (her grandfather is one of the main characters) and it’s a truly mind-blowing story. Prety fast-paced for a WWII book also.
Divine is even better because it’s fair trade (rarer for chocolate!). Big fan of the chocolates over here š
WHAt a fun party and oh my gosh divine is sooo good! So smooth and decadent yum!! I just posted my favorites too, but peanut flour makes the list!
A friend who is a professional photographer also recommended mixbook! That’s been my naptime project for the past week!
Your rutabaga fries are still a household favorite! I will make fries out of any vegetable just to sneak more into my boy’s meals.
What a fun way to get together to celebrate a mom friends bday! And I’m sure your couples dinner will be a blast. Nice mix of kid friendly and adult activities in your upcoming weekend. My husband and I are going to see the cherry blossoms in DC, we’ve been a few other years and the weather is looking nice tomorrow so we figured we’d enjoy it!
I can’t wait to check out the photo books on Mixbox! I’m determined to stay on top of pictures and albums with baby. Easier said than done, I’m sure! š Have a fun weekend!
My 13 year old son has to pick a historical fiction book soon to read for school, any you’ve read that you think are good and would be age appropriate? He is a pretty advanced reader but just trying to screen out overly graphic content. We are looking but haven’t found one that stands out. The teacher has to approve so we have that added reassurance. You’d think they would have a suggested book list or something! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Julie!
He’s probably a little old for this one, but I remember LOVING Number the Stars when I was younger. I actually think it was the first historical fiction novel I read as a kid!
I remember loving Across Five Aprils in high school.
Omg I’m drooling over that chocolate bar!
Have you been using the Kindle Unlimited membership? I’ve noticed a couple of your recommendations lately are available on there so I was curious if you are and what you think of it. As always, thanks for the recommendations!
Chase’s baby book looks adorable! I’m sure you family loved getting it as a gift.
From Sand and Ash sounds like a good book. I really enjoy historical fiction, so I’ve added it to my list of books to read.
Since you love historical fiction, I highly recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (set in occupied France during WWII). The story is so beautifully written but it’s also incredibly sad. I finished it just last night and sobbed through the last few chapters. But the underlying theme is about love and living each day to the fullest, so I definitely recommend it.
I want to read that book (it has been on my radar for a long time!) but everyone says it’s so sad so I’ve put it off… Although the last couple of books I read made me cry, too, so I’m not sure what I am waiting for! Thank you for the nudge to read it!
Things I’m Loving Friday is a perfect way to begin my day at the office while I drink my cup of coffee – just sayin’! <3
Your Mixbook suggestion is a welcomed one! I usually use a couple other popular choices for my photo books but love trying new sites and the book you made for Chase is adorable. I am quickly realizing that one day I am going to look back and all my photos are going to be on a memory card or *shudder* ..Facebook. I don't want that happening so I have been organizing my recent favorites to start making books. So easy and inexpensive! Might order a Mixbook this weekend š
One thing I loved this week was having dinner with the girls in my family and going to see Beauty and the Beast afterwards. If you haven't seen it yet- highly recommend!
Have a wonderful weekend <3
Yes! I LOVE photo books and want to make them more often for vacations, special events, etc. They always take me FOR-EV-ER to make though b/c I end up getting so picky, even with a template. Mixbook is wonderful though and I am really happy with the one we made for Chase’s first year!
something I’m loving this week – The workout you posted yesterday!! I did it after a quick run with the pup. I completed 2 rounds like you recommended and LOVED it. Feeling it a little today too š Thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!! Way to get it in after a run, too!!
I made your rutabaga fries a while back and they were delicious! Definitely worth a flashback. One thing I am loving this week are lots of visits with family and friends. Quality time with great people is always a highlight in my book!
Also, I will have to try out Mixbook. It looks like the templates are more intricate than something like Apple photo books. I love your take on a baby book! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you liked them! Thank you for taking the time to let me know!
So i am totally psycho mom and made four big photo books on shutterfly for A’s first year of life, one every 3 months. It was tough getting it done but I’m so thankful now that I did because her actual “baby book” is like not even half way filled out!
Happy Friday, Julie! So funny, I tried Divine Chocolate bars last weekend and threw them into my faves today too. Sounds like you have a great weekend ahead! And I love the Chase photo-book– my friend made me one of my wedding years ago, and it’s the best. Even though everything we have is digital these days — hard-copy pictures will never go out of style to me! š
That is such a sweet gift idea!
The divine bars are on sale at Whole Foods right now ! 2 for $6! Just bought 2!
WOOP! Thank you for the heads up!!
Mixbook sounds like a great company – that just might be where I order a bunch of my Christmas gifts for my family from this year. And your chocolate bar may just make its’ way into my Target cart when I am there later this afternoon, too. A day that feels like summer in Michigan today is definitely something that is making me smile. Have a great weekend. š
Can you give tips on how you find time to read so many books? I am so impressed by how much you read! There are just not enough hours in the day, or maybe I need to reevaluate how I’m spending my time, ha!
Hi Rachel!! I think the biggest thing for me is that I get in bed super early and that’s when I do all my reading. Sometimes I’ll honestly get in bed at 8 p.m. just because I look forward to reading so much at the end of a long day. Most nights Ryan and I will eat dinner, put Chase to bed and watch maybe one show together/hang out on the couch before heading upstairs to read. I’ve also found that I began reading a lot more when we gave up cable a few years ago. Now that our TV choices are much more limited, I don’t use TV to unwind as much as I used to since I don’t care about as many shows!
Great tips! I don’t have cable either but I always seem to find something on YouTube or Netflix. I will have to try getting in bed earlier. Can’t wait to start reading more! š
That cake looks divine!
What I am loving:
-Trader Joe’s Lemon Pound Cake. Soooo good and perfect for Easter dessert. Pair it with Vanilla ice cream and you are golden!
-High Brew and Vanilla Protein Shake together as iced coffee. LOVE!
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I love Amy Harmon! I highly recommend the book Making Faces…it’s one of my all time faves!
I am loving the farmers market I visit weekly here in Honolulu! I get excited when the local merchants remember me from the previous week…I know it sounds silly but I moved here all by myself and greatly appreciate and never take for granted new friends I make. Compound that with some incredible local healthy veggies and it is one amazing week!
You mentioned chocolate and I have to tell of my new favorite chocolate: Church Street Chocolate’s ginger and fennel bar. It’s actually a friends company, newly launched, but its not just a shameless plug because I am not a chocolate person. Like, really truly. I go for citrus or fruity candies over chocolate 100% of the time- until I had that bar! Lol. Besides that, their wrappers are GORGEOUS! If it wasn’t weird to frame a chocolate wrapper, I might’ve just done it, lol.
https://www.churchstreetchocolate.com/
Thanks so much for the shout out Ashlee!
I admire people who can celebrate their milestone birthdays after 21, lol. I didn’t think I’d be upset but 30 was rough, lol. My hubby barely got me to go out to dinner let alone a party or two.
As far as things I’m loving, raspberries in my local store have been amazing lately. I’ve been eating a container almost everyday, lol. Also, I rediscovered Olly vitamins. They taste like candy ?
oo thanks for sharing MixBook. I always use snapfish to make photo books but was looking for an alt and that looks gorgeous.
http://cuckoolemon.com
Your DIY gift for your Dad is awesome! So much heart and creativity (and effort). I’m sure your dad was floored and all of you were teary-eyed during the reveal! Birthday wishes to your dad and the best to a wonderful family.