Hello and Happy First Day of Fall, my friends! The weather in Charlotte this week jumped back up into the upper 80s so it feels like the middle of summer over here right now. We were teased with a brief glimpse of fall weather a week or so ago and now I’m kind of over the heat and humidity. I am feeling ready for boots, scarves, cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice everything. Bring it on!
Since this weekend looks like it will be a hot one over here, we’re planning to embrace the sun and hope to get out on the lake for some boating and swimming. I’m also hoping to start a new book because I finally finished Beneath A Scarlet Sky. I mentioned how much I enjoyed the first part of that book in last week’s TILF post but the more it progressed, the more I was blown away by the incredible story. I was up way too late reading it this week and couldn’t fall asleep for a while once I finished because my mind was reeling. I think I want a little break from WWII historical fiction (I love it but it can also be really hard to read for obvious reasons) so if you have any great book recommendations for something in the suspense or mystery genre, let me know!
And now it’s time for your usual Things I’m Loving Friday roundup! Below you will find a few things that are making me smile this week and, as always, I’d love for you to join in and tell me about something that you are loving this week, too!
I hope you all have a great Friday and an even better weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- “He Gets It From His Mama”
![Julie Chase 25 months[9]](https://i2.wp.com/pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Julie-Chase-25-months9.jpg "Julie Chase 25 months[9]")
Ryan likes to joke that Chase gets his eating abilities from me because somehow I always end up with food on my face when I’m done eating. When I picked Chase up from preschool on Wednesday, I had a chocolate chip cookie leftover in my purse from a lunch event and gave it to Chase to eat on the way home. When I opened the back door to unload him from the car, a big chocolaty grin greeted me and I laughed out loud. I had to send Ryan this picture to show him that once again Chase’s eating abilities mirrored his mamas. I love his little chocolate chip smile!
- InvisiBobble Hair Ties (and Eliminating Ponytail Creases)
Have you guys seen those hair ties that look like an old fashioned phone cord? They’ve been on my radar for a while now ever since I saw my friend Laura wearing one and she told me they do a great job at preventing lumps and bumps in your hair from a tight ponytail. She also said they’re virtually tangle-free so I ordered some during the Nordstrom sale a few weeks ago. They hold tight and feel comfortable without pulling and do the best job at eliminating ponytail creases of any hair ties I’ve tried to date. I actually like them most for prolonging my hair when I take the time to curl it. I’ll pile my hair on top of my head into a high pony and secure it with an InvisiBobble before bed and when I take my hair down in the morning, the waves are still there and the ponytail holder crease is virtually undetectable. It is a bit more noticeable when I have my hair straight, but still superior to other hair ties I’ve tried.
Right before Chase began preschool earlier this month, I was on a mission to find a kid-friendly lunchbox that would be relatively easy for him to manage, reusable and easy for me to clean. I loved the idea of a Bento box for him but so many of the ones I found had little tiny containers inside that he would have to open which seemed like a big pain (mostly for his teachers). Amazon to the rescue! I found this Bentgo Kids Lunchbox online after reading some reviews and it is fantastic! The inside with all of the little compartments pops out for easy cleaning (it’s also dishwasher safe) and since the lunchbox seals tightly food in each compartment stays separated without the need for tiny containers. A great find!
- Fresh Figs
I still cannot believe that the first year we lived in our house, we had no idea we had a fig tree in our yard! Now we look forward to picking fresh figs off the tree every fall and they taste amazing. Chase cannot pass the tree without saying, “Pick figs!” and it’s been so fun to watch him try to spot the ripe, purple figs and pluck them off the tree to eat every time we are in our front yard. I have ambitions to create a garden in our yard with Chase when he’s a little older – maybe this upcoming spring – and think he’d be really into it. I’m also hoping that his interest/involvement will encourage me to keep up with a garden because while it’s something I really want to have and cultivate, it’s not a natural passion of mine. Perhaps planting things that bear fruit or vegetables will help make it a little more interesting for me!
- Around the Web
Fitness: 4-Week Barre Bootcamp / 20 Minute Kettlebell Blast / Shoulder Burnout Workout
Food: Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits / Grilled Halibut / Easy Tortilla Breakfast Quiche
Weekend Sales: 20% off entire purchase (including markdowns!) at West Elm with code FFSALE / 40% off everything at LOFT (This cutout sweater looks so cozy for fall!) / 30% off everything at Neiman Marcus Last Call (Love this French Connection Mini Backpack!)
- Friday Flashbacks
Why Rosehip Seed Oil Is My Natural Beauty Rockstar (Still using and loving this stuff!)
Hop On Hop Off Treadmill Workout (Treadmill boredom doesn’t stand a chance with this workout!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Hi there, great for mysteries is Sophie Hannah, the culver valley series.
Historical novels: I love Ken Follett, especially the series pillars of the earth, world without end, and the last one which I will be starting this week column of fire. It’s set in the middle ages in England and it’s just brilliant.
Anne-Sophie
I just read He Said, She Said, which I really enjoyed. My friend is reading a book called Final Girls, which she said is an awesome thriller.
Awesome! Thank you for the recommendations!
I tore through the Michael McGarrity Hard Country Series (local author for us New Mexicans), then read all 11 or 12 of his first series, little bit of suspense and a very well told story. This coming from someone who adores the WW II or all things non fiction water related!
Okay so this book recommendation is still in the WWII historical fiction genre but I’m loving it so far. It’s called “Secrets of a Charmed Life” by Susan Meissner and it’s about two sisters who are sent from London to the British countryside. Another good book is “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware, it’s a mystery/thriller that I really enjoyed.
Have a great weekend Julie!
Love that picture of Chase! And so jealous of your fig tree. Our local grocery store never has fresh figs and it makes me so mad, lol.
Julie, do those lunchboxes have enough space for ice packs? Our daughter’s daycare requires that we send food with ice packs since they can’t refrigerate it, so I’m struggling to find something that is compact but will also accommodate ice packs! Thank you! 🙂
Definitely check out the Robert Dugoni “Tracy Crosswhite” series – the first one is called My Sister’s Grave. There are four total right now (I think there’s a 5th on the way) and they will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!
I had invisibobbles on my friday favorites post last week! I’m wearing one right now, haha. They are the best!
Why have I not heard of these invisibobbles before?? What a neat concept, but also so weird! I think it falls under the, “why didn’t I think of that” category. I’m currently loving Sprout’s Pumpkin Spice cookies, I think I’m almost done wrapping up an entire bag on my own, ah!
TGIF! Hope you have a great weekend – I’m really hoping for fall weather soon too 🙂
(Although I can’t complain because we’re getting out on the lake tonight and tomorrow!)
I second “Woman in Cabin 10”!!
I haven’t started reading it yet (isn’t that the best recommendation) but our book for book Club next month is Behold The Dreamers, an Oprah’s Book Club book, that my dad recommended to me. Can’t wait to dive in on our vacation next week!
In a Dark, Dark, Wood and My Husbands Wife are both suspense thrillers I have on hold in my library queue. They look good and I can’t wait to dive into them!
I am totally in need of a good book to read right now too. Please let us know what book you decide next! 😉 It is pretty chilly here today, and it definitely feels like fall. I just love that picture of you and Chase!! It is so precious! I hope you have a great weekend!! Xoxo
I’m loving having a few days off work to just enjoy myself! I’m also loving the “cooler” weather so we can spend more time outside letting the dogs play. I say “cooler” because being a Phoenix girl its still high 90s but at least its not triple digit weather! Enjoy your weekend!
For a book recommendation I would definitely recommend Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris! It was my favorite book I read this year. Going to check out those hair ties now to see if they help preserve my curls too! Thanks for sharing!
I recently read See Me by Nicholas Sparks. I didn’t read the back to see what it was about figuring it was another romance-y love story but it was actually a really good suspense/mystery novel! It still had some romance in it but not a typical Nicholas Sparks book that kept me up late and sucked me in!
I’ve seen a lot of people with those cord hair-ties and for some reason, I just don’t believe they would keep my thick hair in place. But perhaps I need to give them a try! Happy Friday, Julie! 🙂
The picture of Chase’s chocolate-covered face is adorable. I somehow always manage to have food on my face too! The other day I was chatting with Felix for like, 20 minutes, and he looked at me and said, “You know you’ve had a piece of dinner on your face this whole time, right?”
I grew up with a fig tree in my backyard, and it was our family’s prized possession! Ripe and fresh figs are so wonderful and canning them for preserves is even better! We also had an orange tree and lemon tree. I wish I could have fruit trees now, but living in DC doesn’t offer up much backyard space. 😉 One day soon!
This week I’m loving the onset of fall and all of my ThredUp finds. LOVE that website!
I stopped using rosehip oil for an entire year and just started using it again this week and I am loving it! So that’s mine this week :)… a smooth face! Haha
I’m going to have to try those hair ties. My hair always gets that spot where you can see where the elastic was.
It’s been in the 90s for the past three days here in Chicago, too, and the earliest they say the heat will break is looking like next Wednesday. Oof. I want fall weather, too!
I’ve been growing flowers for the past three summers, but this was my first year that I expanded into vegetable gardening. I grew a tomato plant, and I have to say, eating fresh tomatoes that I grew in my own garden has been such a rewarding feeling! It’s definitely best to start small so you can figure out what requires the amount of care you’re willing to put in (my begonias, for example, are super hands-off, but I had to tend to my fuchsias almost daily until they all died) and what grows well in your environment. I definitely got way more emotionally invested in gardening than I ever imagined I would, but I’ve found the whole process to be really enjoyable and definitely recommend giving it a shot next year!
Thanks for the invisibobble hair tie heads up. I just ordered two from amazon prime. One for myself and one for my sister as part of her Christmast present. As for this weekend, my BFF’s 30th birthday is happening on Saturday. She planned the day’s events, but we have fun surprises in store for her at each event we go to. And yes, I’m so ready for fal!!!
It’s been ridiculously hot in Michigan too! I can hardly believe it. I too am ready for boots, scarves, sweaters, and cool weather. I can’t believe it’s the end of September and I’m about to put on shorts to go out tonight.
Hi Julie! This week I am loving my JOB! Three weeks ago I transitioned to a new position as a Wellness Specialist which means I organize and facilitate health & wellness groups for adults with severe mental illness. I spend my days researching and talking about fitness, healthy eating, and overall health and wellness. I love it!!
Over the past year I’ve started readying suspense novels that remind me of soap operas or dramas on TV- there’s not necessarily a lot of substance, but they really pull me in and I end up devouring the books quickly. A few I would recommend are Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough (there’s a bit of a supernatural element), Good as Gone by Amy Gentry, and Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (this has a sci-fi element and it’s probably the best book I read in 2016). Two out of the three books I received through Book of the Month Club. I’d highly recommend the book subscription service!
I am so glad you are loving your new job — that’s so fantastic! And thank you for the book recommendations!
You got me going on Rose Hip Oil, and I’ve never looked back! I love love love it, so thank you! I’ve actually been buying mine at Marshalls. They carry great varieties! Have a great weekend, Julie!
The Marriage Lie and Stranger in the House are both excellent thrillers!
I’m currently reading Before We Were Yours and I can’t put it down! It reminds me a lot of Orphan Train. 🙂
I read “All the Missing Girls” by Megan Miranda this summer and it was gripping! I was seriously addicted..great thriller/mystery book!
I’m a big fan of The Cinderella Murder series! The books are quick, suspenseful reads but not too graphic like some mysteries and thrillers. Love them all!
Those lunch boxes are cute! Here in Japan we have bentos everywhere =)
The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer!! We just read it for book club and everyone raved about it – I couldn’t put it down.
Beneath the scarlet sky – I read this a month ago. I downloaded it not knowing much outside of the reviews. Then I found out tha Pino lived in Mammoth Lakes (I used to live there.). So I ask my husband if he knew him. It turns out he is friends with his son. Such a small world and a great book. I would love to meet Pino and hear his stories. He is still alive living in Italy.
This is amazing! I would love to meet him as well.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading “Behind Closed Doors” by BA Paris. Whoa. Super intense.
Cassy Joy’s (Fed + Fit) summer reading list knocked it out of the park! I’ve taken several of her recommendations and devoured them all this summer.
We started a small garden this past spring and my 18 month old loves it! He picks off tomatoes, peppers and rhubarb. We started very small. I definitely will plant again next spring. But, I will do my Kale plants in containers because the bunnies have destroyed it!!
Glad to hear your little one loves the garden! I think Chase will be really into it — mainly because it’s outside and involves dirt. Haha!
Those hair ties have been a game changer for me! They are a miracle for second day hair!
I really enjoy Tana French. Her first story is In the Woods and the books are all set in Ireland. I think she has written 5 or 6 now?
What I’m loving this week is a visit from my best friend! She moved several states away this spring, and was in town for some things, and stayed at my house Wednesday night through this morning. I had the best time ever spending time with her, we went to the Shedd Aquarium with friends and also spent an evening at Dave & Busters. We were both sad that she had to leave, and there were plenty of tears and hugs, but we had an incredible couple of days together and I can’t wait to see her again. I’m definitely going to have to make a trip out to Phoenix to see her there.
We have a fig tree too–and it is frustrating. They ripen so quickly–and our tree is mature so we have hundreds on it–and it just overwhelms. So many on the tree overripen and bees and ants are happy.
But I do love what I pick!!
We had a garden started when my first was Chase’s age and he loved popping cherry tomatoes (though now as a teen won’t touch them). Gardening is a great idea. But if you have deer–make sure you fence it off.