Do you guys have any good pranks in the works this year? I don’t have anything planned but I always get a kick out of hearing about some quality jokes that always seem to go down on this crazy day!
Even if your April Fools’ Day plans are minimal like mine are today, I hope your weekend is a good one! The only real commitment I have on my calendar for the next two days is a friend’s baby shower on Saturday morning (so excited to celebrate Amii!) but other than that, our weekend should be pretty laidback. Just the way I like it!
And now let’s get to the good stuff… Your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post where we all chat about what we are loving most each week. Below you will find a list of a few things that are making me smile and, as always, I’d love to hear a little bit about what you’re loving in the comments section of this post.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Gretchen’s Facebook Shout Out
Early Tuesday evening, my day got a whole lot brighter because one of my all-time favorite authors shared my blog post! I have been a huge fan of Gretchen Rubin for years and seeing her share my blog post about Abstainers vs. Moderators was such a special moment for me. And I absolutely love the fact that she took the time to read your thoughtful comments on the post as well. Thank you to everyone who weighed in. I’m sure you played a huge part in why Gretchen actually noticed my post and I am grateful to you. As a Gretchen Rubin super fan, this was seriously one of the coolest things that has happened to me through this blog!
And if you enjoyed Tuesday’s blog post, this happiness-related post might also be of interest: Little Indulgences = Big Happiness
This book. Ugh. I’m not sure what to say about it. Did I like it? Yes. I read it over the course of three evenings so clearly it roped me in and thoroughly entertained me enough to recommend it but there was something about the last 100 pages or so that left a LOT to be desired. The built up to the ending was fantastic and had me turning each page with vigor, but the end of the book felt rushed and left me with a lot of questions. It’s an easy read and from the Amazon reviews, it seems like most people really enjoyed it so I’m curious to know if any of you out there read it and feel the way I do about the ending! Thoughts?
On that note, I’m now on the lookout for a new novel to read and am hoping for another page-turner with a little mystery. All recommendations are welcome!
My friend Cherayne and I have a similar body shape and when she wore these shorts to Theo’s first birthday party a couple of weeks ago, I think I complimented her a million times and then immediately ordered them online from NordstromRack.com. They looked so cute on her and were quite flattering for our shared body type of curvier hips with a more narrow waist. The shorts are high-waisted and the fabric is lightweight and flows over the hips in a flattering way. I just wanted to share these here in case any of you out there have a similar body type and struggle to find flattering shorts that aren’t too tight in the hips and too loose in the waist. (FYI, I think they fit true to size.)
I first subscribed to Clean Eating magazine years ago. I was bummed when it went out of publication for a while there but I’m so glad it’s back! I instantly subscribed when I saw it back on the market and really love the way the magazine features EASY recipes made with wholesome ingredients. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for recipe or meal planning inspiration!
I recently had the opportunity to try The Crock-Pot® Brand’s Rustic Beef Stew from their new line of Crock-Pot Cuisine Ready-To-Slow Cook meals and I’m pretty sure it was one of the easiest meals I’ve ever prepared! Crock-Pot Cuisine meals are made for you by chefs so all of the prep work – the chopping, measuring and shopping for ingredients – is already done before the frozen meal kit arrives at your doorstop. The meal does not require defrosting before you place it into the slow cooker.
I simply put the two packages of frozen ingredients directly into the Crock-Pot slow cooker, added a combination of water and red wine and set the slow cooker to cook on low for eight hours. I had dinner cooking away in the slow cooker in less than three minutes!
I paid attention to some of the reviews on the site and seasoned our stew with salt and pepper before serving and we both thought it was delicious! The meal truly could not have been any easier to prepare and was perfect for us on a night when we didn’t have the time or energy to cook an elaborate dinner.
If you’d like to try out one of the new Crock-Pot Cuisine Ready-To-Slow Cook meals, Crock-Pot Cuisine is offering the first 100 PBF readers $10 off when you buy two or more meals! Just click this link and the discount will be automatically applied. Enjoy!
(Note: While I am not earning commission on any Crock-Pot Cuisine meals purchased, I was given a complimentary meal to try and that portion of the above post was sponsored by The Crock-Pot Brand!)
- Friday Flashbacks
Simple Ways To Make Vegetables Taste Better (If you – or your children! – aren’t the biggest fan of vegetables, this blog post gives simple ideas for ways you can make vegetables taste more delicious!)
Walking Workouts (A roundup of five walking workouts to try!)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I was not aware of the crockpot ready to slow cook meals! How awesome is that?! I must really look into it!
The one thing that is making me smile this week is that it is finally sunny and warm in Seattle! I’m sure we’ll be getting rain again soon (lol) but I’m going to soak in the sunshine and enjoy it while I can!
Currently ordering those shorts! So cute. Not to mention yellow is my favorite color so makes it even better 🙂
I hope you like them! Cherayne paired them with a lacey white tank and they were so cute! I’m actually debating ordering them in the plum color, too!
One thing making me smile this week is my upcoming four day weekend! And also my Fitbit, which I finally charged and am now totally re-obsessed with.
By the way, I had a great book recommendation for you! If you haven’t read Big Little Lies, you absolutely should. It is 100% what you’re looking for, a page turner with a bit of mystery. If you want to know more I actually wrote a review on it here: http://www.afloatonafullsea.com/2016/03/book-review-big-little-lies.html.
Definitely don’t read the “Reader Questions” though because there might be spoilers!!!
http://www.afloatonafullsea.com
SO GLAD IT’S FRIDAY!!!!!!
I liked Reconstructing Amelia too but wasn’t happy with the ending either. It just wasn’t very satisfying. You should check out In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. It’s an addicting mystery (kind of along the lines of Gone Girl). I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks Meghan. I love mystery novels and I am always looking for suggestions. I’m currently working my way through the ‘alphabet series’ by Sue Grafton. They’re light and easy. Have you read them?
I haven’t heard of them before but that sounds interesting. I’ll have to check them out. Thanks 🙂
I’m a little more than halfway through The Luckiest Girl Alive and am loving it!
As a fellow Gretchen Rubin super fan, that is SO EXCITING that she shared your post!!! I can only imagine how cool it must feel! She rocks. And so do you! Happy Friday, Julie!!!
Those shorts are so cute! I think I might need them since they’re half off…..
I just got so happy for you that Gretchen gave you a shout out! I started listening to the Happier podcast after your recommendation and love it.
The thing that’s making me smile this week is hearing the news that Publix is finally coming to the D.C. area in the next few years! I know you can appreciate that. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Thats so cool that Gretchen saw the post!! 🙂 I really liked Nicholas Sparks “See Me” It’s his first mystery/thriller type book and I really was on the edge of my seat. There are his classic love story components that everyone’s expecting but the mystery was really good!
I read Reconstructing Amelia a few months ago. Could not put it down. I agree the ending felt rushed and I have so many questions that just didn’t get answered.
Pretty Girls – Karin Slaughter – this book is AMAZING. we read it as part of our book club. I highly recommend it, if you haven’t read it.
Where’d You Go Bernadette – this is a good book too. easy read
Me Before You – movie is coming out on this book. I haven’t read it yet. I hear its a tear jerker!
HI there, love your blog! A FANTASTIC mystery author is Sophie Hannah (the Culver valley collection), great page turners, intricate, whodonnit mysteries. Have a lovely week-end. Greetings from Ireland
Either of Mary Kubica’s books: The Good Girl or Pretty Baby. I finished each in about 3 days because I just couldn’t put them down!
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
The Rumor – Erin Hilderbrand
The Kind Worth Killing- Peter Swanson
The Good Girl – Mary Kubica
What Alice Forgot – Liane Moriarty (SO GOOD)
I loved Reconstructing Amelia but completely agree, it left something to be desired :/
TGIF!
I just finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl). It was terrific, but incredibly dark. The mystery was great and definitely surprising at the end. If you’re ok with the darkness, I highly recommend it!
It is my husband Greg’s birthday today, so at work his coworkers told him the receptionist called and his girlfriend was waiting in the lobby…he was like I don’t have a girlfriend and they said something like maybe it’s someone who waited for this special day, so he went downstairs and no one was there of course, haha! meanies
I felt the same way about Reconstructing Amelia. Have you read defending Jacob? Similar but from a male writing and a dad point of view which was interesting.
Super random question— is that a 4 qt. Crock Pot or is it bigger??? One thing making me happy = I’m getting married next month!!
Happy April Fools Day. No pranks in the works just glad for the weekend. Thank you for your book review. I just finished “All the Light We Cannot See” and could not put it down.
Hi Julie!
Love your post! I suggest you read “Girl On The Train” if you havent already! I could not put it down! Murder mystery its so good. Happy weekend!
If you liked Reconstructing Amelia, read Where They Found Her by the same author. So good!!
What a great idea for the Crock Pot!
Those shorts look so cute too. Going to look them up!
I don’t have any pranks planned either, but I reallly hope no one at work pranks me!
I agree about Reconstructing Amelia! I liked the first half a lot and got quickly drawn in. From there I felt compelled to keep reading but wasn’t loving it quite as much, and I can’t put my finger on why. Part of it was the ending which was kind of lackluster for me– I think I was expecting some crazy twist ending a la Gillian Flynn!
Happy Friday! This weekend, I’m looking forward to my last long run before I get to start tapering.
Those shorts are super cute! And, I may just have to try the slow cooker meals. That sounds perfect for someone like me! 😉
I felt the same way about reconstructing Amelia. I am finishing The Thirteenth Tale right now by Diane Setterfield. It’s amazing. I don’t remember who recommended it to me but I am completely sucked in and have to force myself to put it down each night so I can get some sleep.
For super quick reads I also loved the Selection Series by Kiera Cass. Same genre as hunger games but more love story less violence. I read one of the books in a day even with a toddler lol.
A book that I highly recommend is That Night by Chevy Stevens .. it was one of the best books that I have read in a very long time!
I just finished reading Reconstructing Amelia and felt the same way. Far too many questions were left unanswered (or at least weren’t fully answered) by the end. I recently read Case Histories by Kate Atkinson and would highly suggest it! I couldn’t put it down1
Book reco: The Light Between Oceans. I’m currently enthralled.
I second this recommendation!
I hated that book. So many holes in the plot. Poorly written. Waste of time.
So fun that you got a mention – congrats, lady!!
Loving those shorts, too. Count me in. I’ve lately been into wearing clothing with a looser, more summery feel (thus the palazzo pants I shared on Semi-Sweet Tooth today) and those shorts have the the perfect feel I’m looking for in this warmer weather!
What’s making me smile is the trip that we just got back from to Peru, the fact that I have my second wedding dress fitting appointment today, and that we get to go skiing with the extended season at Vail. All in all, this week and weekend is definitely looking up. 🙂
Congratulations Julie!
I just flew through reading the book “Find Her”. It’s very suspenseful and a quick read.
Happy April Fools! I wish I was more creative with this day because it would be so fun. My husband and I always compete to see who gets the other one first and I rarely win but I did today!
Also, thank you so much for the shorts recommendation! I have the hardest time finding shorts that fit properly and don’t look vulgar. These also look super comfortable so that is a bonus!
So cool of her to give you the shout out! I would be delighted and humbled to have a favorite author of mine do the same 🙂
My baby girl (Sadie…lol) in her big floppy sun hat is making me smile this week (and hopefully all spring/summer).
I actually read Reconstructing Amelia this week too (after seeing your snapchat and reading the synopsis). I COMPLETELY agree with you about the ending. While I was reading the beginning of the book I felt so drawn in to find out what happened, but I really felt like it just fell flat toward the end. It’s disappointing because it seems as though a lot of these types of books lose me at the end (here’s lookin’ at you, Gone Girl).
I didn’t even know Clean Eating when out of publication. I used to read it all the time too. Glad it’s back. And congrats on being shared by Gretchen!
CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S APRIL!!!! Lovvvvvving the fact that we’re finally past winter and heading into warm weather! I need to get my crock pot out and start making dinners with it, it really is a gift sent straight from God that I always forget to utilize!
I’m usually a bit wary of “popular fiction”, but The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah was phenomenal. It about two sisters living in Nazi-occupied France and how they’re fighting back in their own, very different ways. Fast-paced and intense but also a bit of a tear-jerker.
any Kristin Hannah book is fantastic, she’s one of my favorites! Firefly Lane is a great book based off two girls friendship growing up into adulthood, def. recommend! Also, Night Road is good!
That’s so exciting about Gretchen’s shout out! So cool. One of my favorite authors is Liane Moriarty; all of her books, especially Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot, are really really good! I’m almost done with In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware right now and it’s so suspenseful and I love it!
I just started The Life We Bury and am really liking it so far. I think you’d like it too. It’s supposed to be a good mystery.
Also, I have a similar body style and love those shorts too! I’m usually a 2 or a 4… Do you mind me asking what size you got? I can’t tell if the 4 would be too big or not.
I’m obsessed with anything written by Liane Moriarty, so any of her books would be my recommendation! I also loved The Good Girl (can’t think of the author). Have a good weekend!
If you haven’t already read it, I highly recommend William Kent Krueger’s book ORDINARY GRACE. Amazing, lyrical, just wonderful.
That’s so cool that Gretchen shared your post! Congrats!
I love Clean Eating magazine too. I got it for free with a subscription to Vegetarian Times which actually just ran out so I need to renew it. Thanks for the reminder! Have a great weekend!!
I’m looking forward to a relaxing, restorative weekend as well after traveling for Easter!
Those shorts are so cute! Happy Friday!
Samsies -> Reconstructing Amelia. Boo. Started Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. So far so good!