Thankfully, I received a couple of encouraging words asking me to continue with my Things I’m Loving Friday series which made me happy! We’re 358 TILF posts in, so I’m glad it’s a staple you guys want to see continue on the blog because it’s one I always enjoy writing. Anything that helps me focus on the little joys in life every week is a win for me. Let’s dive right into this week’s roundup of favorites, shall we?
Things I’m Loving Friday
-
Oat Bran
Okay, I kind of feel like I’m 5,000 years old with this one, but I am loving oat bran lately and apparently this is the kind of thing that gets me excited these days. As a kid, I loved Cream of Wheat and the texture of oat bran reminds me a lot of a hybrid between that throwback favorite hot cereal and grits… but with the flavor of oatmeal. It’s awesome and easy to make and I’ve been enjoying a bowl several times a week for a while now. For some reason a lot of local retailers around here don’t carry oat bran, so I just order mine on Thrive Market (it’s only $3 for a 1-pound bag). From a nutritional standpoint, oat bran is a great source of fiber and even boasts five grams of protein per serving! Some ways I like to enjoy it: Topped with fresh or frozen berries, with cottage cheese or protein powder stirred in (for a protein boost), topped with a dippy egg, salt and pepper and some diced green onion or with pureed pumpkin, cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup.
-
Joules Padabout Boot Slippers (aka the BEST kid slippers)
I included these boot slippers in my holiday gift guide for kids two years in a row for good reason! I discovered them years ago when a pair was included in one of Chase’s Stich Fix deliveries and they are the absolute best! Both Chase and Ryder live in them all winter long in our house because they are warm and cozy but, perhaps most importantly in the kid slipper department, they actually stay on (thanks to the boot design!) and have non-skid soft soles. The quality is fantastic and Ryder has been able to wear Chase’s hand-me-down slippers with barely any signs of wear. (For sizing reference, Ryder wears an XS and and Chase wears a size small.) Thank you to my mom for getting the boys matching pairs of dinosaur slipper boots for Christmas because they LOVE them!
-
The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
(Friendly reminder that you may easily find my past book recommendations in one place in my Amazon shop!)
I first discovered Fiona Davis’ novels thanks to one of your recommendations which lead me to The Lions of Fifth Avenue. I loved the book and have kept the author on my radar ever since. I began reading The Dollhouse last week and it immediately sucked me in. I love the way the author uses real places and incorporates some elements of history in her novels along with her interesting characters and plotlines.
The Dollhouse was another great read and follows two women whose lives are connected by the famous Barbizon Hotel in New York City. In 1952, Darby McLaughlin arrives at the hotel and is enrolled in a secretarial school with hopes to become an independent, career-minded woman. She initially feels out of place when she realized she will share the hotel with models from the Ford Modeling Agency until she befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid, who opens her eyes to a different side of the city, complete with jazz clubs, drugs and possibly an intriguing love interest.
Many years later, the Barbizon Hotel is now a condo in the city but some of the women from the hotel remain, due to a rent control agreement. When Rose Lewin, a journalist living in the building, is on the lookout for a story to impress her boss and distract her from a recent breakup, she begins digging into the past of some of the women who share the building, While discovering the death of a former hotel maid is initially intriguing, what she continues to find is shocking and may change not only the lives of the women in the building, but Rose’s life, too.
-
Mama, All I See Is You by Jessica Urlichs
(The gorgeous artwork in the above image is by Chole Trayhurn)
Cue the waterworks! This piece by Jessica Urlichs is something I read a couple of weeks ago that hasn’t left my mind. It is so beautiful and emotional and so pure and the way Jess writes from the perspective of a tiny baby was all I needed to read to shift my perspective after one particularly challenging day. It’s absolutely worth a read, especially if you feel like you’re in the trenches with little ones right now.
-
Friday Flashbacks
Valentine’s Day Ideas: Last Minute + Easy to Assemble (A roundup of ideas to spread a little love on Valentine’s Day!)
Leg Workout (A throwback leg workout that hits your glutes, hamstrings and quads!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you’re looking forward to this weekend?
Tell me about one thing that made you smile this week!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
That poem! I am currently 7 months pregnant and definitely teared up. My boys will be almost 7 years apart and I am so nervous because I truly remember….nothing about the infant stage. I feel like a first-time mom when it comes to babies. But this really put it into perspective and made me feel more confident that all of the important things will come back to me….and if they don’t, that will be okay too. My baby will be just fine.
YES! Every word of that served as a reminder that our little ones will be okay and that what we’re doing is enough even on the days when it doesn’t feel like it. <3 Congrats to you!!
I didn’t comment on Wednesday but definitely yes to keeping Things I’m Loving Friday posts coming! Always look forward to those. Don’t really have any new suggestions that weren’t mentioned already by your other readers. I just really like the variety you have on your blog.
Also, thanks for putting Oat Bran on my radar-also loved Cream of Wheat when I was younger but since having to go gluten free about 14 years ago, I’ve missed being able to eat it and couldn’t find a substitute. I want to try this! And I see the GF symbol on the bag so it’s good to go.
By the way, I can’t get over how much older/bigger/grown up Ryder has looked in recent posts! When did this happen? Ha. I guess having a new baby will do that! They are all such cuties and you are a terrific mom😊
So glad you like the Friday posts! And yesss you must try Oat Bran if you were a Cream of Wheat fan. The texture is so similar and it’s SO good!!
Oh my gosh – that mama post — thank you for sharing…so beautiful!!!
Never heard if oat bran cereal. I love oatmeal so now you have sparked my curiosity about oat bran.
How do you make it? Can it be made in the microwaved?
Do you mind sharing the way you make it please?
Can you get it anywhere other than Thrive?
Hi! Yes it can be microwaved and that’s how I make it –> 1/3 cup of oat bran + 1 c water or almond milk for 90 seconds (give or take) and it’s good to go!! And I haven’t seen it in any stores around me, but I haven’t checked Whole Foods recently and I have a feeling that would be the best bet!
Sounds easy enough!
How do you sweeten?
Toppings?
Sometimes I like the bowl savory so I don’t sweeten at all but when I do, I’ll just add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey — or even just a sprinkle of brown sugar!
Sounds delicious!
Thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
I love the TILF posts! I always make a point of checking your blog on Fridays for it and will catch up on posts I may have missed earlier in the week. I check the number because for some weird reason I’m waiting for TILF #365…a years worth of Fridays.
Also, my 5 yr old has been asking for a double bed and what he actually means is a bunk bed! I had a bunk bed with my sisters growing up. I loved it!
We have 2 things to look forward to this weekend b/c we have actual plans! My nephews bday celebration and a trip to the zoo (in WNY winter weather, but at least we’re doing something!)
Ha! “actual plans” — I feel ya on this one! It’s so nice when we have something legit on our agenda during these crazy times. Enjoy the zoo!!
Oh definitely yes to the Friday posts! 🤗
I look forward to your TILF posts ever since #1!!! So keep them coming please 🙂 They have become a Friday staple for me!
That poem! I read it as I sit here holding my sleeping 4 week old. I had considered laying her down to nap but after that, I’m snuggling her even closer. She’s our first child and I’m determined to soak it all up while I still can!
You’ve reminded me that I need to get oat bran soon! I also love Grape Nuts, shredded wheat, bran flakes, and Multigrain Cheerios. I have the cereal cravings of an elderly woman. 😉
I love your Friday posts, and I appreciate the effort you put into your blog!
that poem made me tear up – then again, i’m 38 weeks pregnant and feeling all the emotions about my 2 year old baby girl no longer being an only child/entering that crazy newborn phase again!
It’s funny you mention oat bran because I love it too but haven’t been able to find it anywhere! Also, thank you so much for linking to that poem… truly beautiful and it made me cry so much <3
I used to make s’more cereal with oat bran, chocolate chips, and marshmallows in high school!
I always check your blog on Fridays! I own a pair of the black and white spotted sneakers you recommended on one of them, I get so many compliments. My teenage daughter and I both cried reading that poem. My youngest is 11 months and it reminded me to enjoy the moments more. All our children need is us. It’s easy to forget that we are their everything and get caught up, stressed out, and frazzled over things that do not matter. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Julie! Oh wow, that poem is extraordinary! Gives me goosebumps 🙂 I was actually going to share that a blog request I have is for you to share a bit about how your journey with working towards being anti-racist and raising your boys that way is going. I remember you talking about it over the summer and I’d love to read an update! Also thanks for the recommendation re: the oat bran! Excited to try it!!
I love your TILF posts! I’ve bought quite a few items you have recommended – the latest one being the Dash 7-Egg Everyday Egg Cooker. Love that thing!