Thank goodness my mom already had a visit planned for last weekend because Ryan had to leave for Las Vegas for a work event all week and I don’t know what I would’ve done without her for a few days there. Mae to the rescue! Despite me feeling rather awful for a few days, I was much better by the time my mom left and we were able to have some fun with the boys while she was here. We’re missing Mae already but will be seeing my mom and sister in two weeks for a big baby shower for my cousin’s wife in Raleigh at the end of the month so the countdown is on!
Another countdown we have going on right now is the countdown until Ryan arrives home this morning! He took a red-eye in from Las Vegas last night and should be walking through the door in a couple of hours. Assuming he can sleep for a bit this morning and then rally, we have a full day of Valentine fun planned for the boys and I cannot wait! It feels like a treat to have Ryan off on a Friday and we’re planning to take full advantage!
And now I want to quickly dive into my usual Things I’m Loving Friday post before I’m off to set up some Valentine’s Day treats for the boys since they’re sure to be up soon and the chaos will commence. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a fantastic weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
This is a random find I included in one of my holiday gift guides but I wanted to highlight it here as well because it’s something we use and appreciate in our home every single day. I ordered two wall mounts for our Google Home Minis and love the way they keep our smart home speakers off the counter and out of the way. You simply pop the speaker into the wall mount and then wrap the cord around the cord grooves, giving the whole thing a very streamlined look. This wall mount is one of those small, inexpensive Amazon finds we adore! You can find wall mounts for both the Amazon Echo and Google Home Mini, so definitely check them out if you’re sick of your smart home speakers taking up coveted counter top space.
On Wednesday night, we got to work in the kitchen baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies for Valentine’s Day for Chase’s teachers… but not just any chocolate chip cookies. We followed this recipe for a copycat recipe for NYC’s Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies and made GIANT cookies! I’ve had a couple of Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies in my life but it’s been years since my last one so I cannot speak to whether or not this recipe is a perfect duplicate but I can speak to its fabulousness. The cookies reminded me of baked cookie dough and, yes, I’m aware of how odd this sounds but they have a thick, somewhat doughy texture in the middle that’s unlike any chocolate chip cookie I’ve made before. The only change we made to the recipe was to swap pecans for walnuts but other than that, we followed it to a tee!
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Open Book by Jessica Simpson
I’ve been a Jessica Simpson fan for years and when I saw she was coming out with a memoir, I pre-ordered her book immediately and couldn’t wait to read it. Her memoir was a fantastic read, especially for a fan familiar with the rollercoaster she’s been on in the public eye throughout the years. She shares deeply personal stories and gives insight into her past relationships, childhood and faith. It’s obvious she poured her heart into her memoir and the book gave me a glimpse into the real person behind all of the glitz and glamour. If you have any other memoirs you’ve recently read and loved, please let me know because after flying through Open Book, I’m in the mood to read another one!
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Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water
This water was highly recommended to me by my sister when I was so sick last Friday. While I couldn’t even sip water without vomiting, by Saturday I was able to consume liquids again and Harmless Harvest coconut water saved me. I’ve tried coconut water many times in the past and always thought it was pretty good but this coconut water is on another level! It’s SO much better than any other coconut water I’ve tried and tastes like I’m sipping slightly sweet coconut water straight out of a coconut. I’m usually a Gatorade girl when I get sick (lemon-lime for life!) but love that this water is a much more natural way to hydrate my body when I desperately need fluids. I’ve since purchased and consumed four bottles and love it!
I know I’m incredibly late to the Door Dash game but can I just sing its praises for a second? I was completely worn out at the end of the day yesterday and all I wanted was Pad Thai but the last thing I wanted to do was load the boys up into my car just so I could swing by a local Thai restaurant for food I knew they wouldn’t even want to eat. Bless you, Door Dash for making my noodle dreams come true. Do you know what a luxury it felt like to have a hot dinner that wasn’t pizza delivered to me 20 minutes after I put the boys to bed? Oh happy day! Also, how sweet was the little bag of Valentine’s Day chocolates the man who delivered my food brought with my meal?
Oh and I should note that I’ve done zero research into what the best food delivery service out there is and went with Door Dash because I repeatedly see them pulling into our neighbor’s driveway, so if you have any more insight on the best food delivery services out there and pros/cons, I’m all ears! Annnd if you’ve been living in the dark like me and would like to try Door Dash for the first time, you can use this affiliate link for $15 off — $5 off your first 3 orders!
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Friday Flashbacks
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Bars (Just in case you’re craving a little sweetness on Valentine’s Day!)
Blueberry Banana Protein Pancakes (I made these for breakfast yesterday and they’re always a hit!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you’re loving on this Valentine’s Day?
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I’m so sorry these gross illnesses have been getting to you all, but I’m glad you’re better! Thank goodness it was over in about one day. I always look forward to your posts! I shared a Friday Favs as well, & I love your list! Those cookies sound amazing, & I know what you mean about a doughy cooked texture. One thing I’m loving today is having just enjoyed sunny side up eggs with two small slices of leftover pizza, & then I had some local chocolate with smoked sea salt with my coffee. It felt special. Happy Valentine’s Day to you & your family! Enjoy your day.
I’m reading Open Book right now and am loving it. I can’t remember the names, but Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling’s books are great. Tori Spelling has a couple and those are good too!
I read Mindy Kaling’s first book on an airplane and remember being embarrassed because I couldn’t stop laughing out loud!!
Julie, I read Jessica’s book as well and loved it! I was sooo thankful she didn’t mention her relationship with Jeremy Renner, because (crazy story!) I feel slightly responsible for their break up. I think Jessica and her husband are a perfect match so it all worked out for the best! But, back in May 2010 when they were secretly dating, I met Jessica. I even have a photo with her! I was in DC for a girls night and staying at the same hotel. Jessica and Jeremy had attended the White House Correspondence dinner and he came into the hotel lobby then waited for her. I was a huge Us Weekly fan so I emailed them about what I saw, never expecting to hear back. They called me immediately, put the story on the cover, quoted me twice in the article (my mom was beyond horrified!) and then they broke up. But she met her husband that fall! I still have the magazine lol. I feel like I want to send her an I’m sorry letter but she seems very happy so I think it’s all good!
Now I am in the Target 100 Facebook group. The author, Liz, is mentioned in Jessica’s book. She flew out weekly to CA to lead Jessica’s weight watchers meetings. I read the book, not just for the heathly tips, but for all the celebrity scoop in the book!
I recently finished Trevor Noah’s book and loved it! It’s humorous, but also provides great history and social commentary.
I recently read Andrea Barber’s Full Circle book. As a Full House fan, I really enjoyed learning more about Andrea Barber and what she did in between Full House and Fuller House. I hope the sickness clears soon. My husband was sick this week with an awful cold. I think he slept nearly 2 days this week and has been going to bed early every night.
Have a happy valentine’s day!! I think tonight we are going to make our own chocolate covered strawberries since the store ones are so expensive.
I am very much looking forward to reading Open Book! I was so obsessed with her when Newlyweds came out!
I highly recommend Tina Fey’s book “Bossypants” and Amy Poehler’s book “Yes Please”. I am currently reading “Carry on, Warrior” by Glennon Doyle which has been wonderful so far and I’ve heard fantastic things about Busy Phillips book “This Will Only Hurt a Little”. Happy reading! <3
Thank you!! I loved “Yes Please” and enjoy following Glennon Doyle on IG so I may have to read her book!!
Save Me the Plums and I Miss You When I Blink are two of my favorite memoirs. Cannot wait to get the Jessica Simpson one from my library!
Guiliana Rancic’s book “Going off Script” is really good!
Oh I cannot wait to read Jessica’s memoir! I am currently reading “Good Talk” by Mira Jacob. It is like a graphic memoir. Pretty good!
If you are looking for a memoir similar in the line of actress/celebrity, I just finished Inside Out by Demi Moore. I didn’t really know much about her besides what I’ve read in the tabloids but it was a seriously incredible book and amazing insight into her life. I listened to it on CD and had to push myself out of the car every day. And I will have to try those cookies. Levain Bakery cookies are my favorite!
I just had another person DM me on Instagram about her memoir! Sounds like a winner!!
I loved Jessica’s book! I am listening to Elton John’s book on audible right now and it is fantastic!
Ugh we have been sick it seems like all winter too. I am counting down until spring! We just finished up a delicious homemade steak dinner so I’m loving on that right now. Have a good weekend!!
I’ve got Open Book on my library list to check out! Glad you liked it. I really enjoyed Open Book by Demi Moore and although not a Memoir I found the book Robin about Robin Williams super interesting!
I’ve heard of Jessica Simpson’s new book, but haven’t yet read it, but watched interviews of her discussing it. It does sound like it will be a very good one. I’ve been reading this book called, You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley and it is beyond incredible! Honestly, I cannot recommend it enough to you. It’s captivated me the past several days I’ve been reading it and I’ve been completely absorbed in it.
I just have to say the Google home mini holder is a game changer! LOVE it! Slightly embarrassing but I recently got one for my bathroom – I listen to podcasts and music while showering and getting ready! 😉 So it’s super helpful not to have the cord or anything on the sink – it’s on the wall where it belongs. Thanks for a great reco!!!
I picked up The Light Years by Chris Rush because I liked the cover. I didn’t know what to expect, but it is a pretty amazing story!