Friday Finds :: New Year's Edition

Happy New Year!!!! I thought it would be fun to kick off the new year with a Friday Finds post that looked back at the best finds of 2015.

I'm going to break it down to what has been my favorite things in my survival kit for the 2015:

Wearing

• Jeans from Forever 21 - They are soft and fit really well--plus they are under $18!
• Mindy Mae's Market - I have purchased four items from this shop and LOVE them all. 

• Green Utility Vest - It has been a staple to my wardrobe this year. Here is one similar to mine which I got from Charlotte Russe, but is no longer available.

• Project Free 2 Fly purse - most recently, I bought a clutch with a crossover strap, but I could buy one of everything and this organization empowers women. Win, Win.

Podcasts

2015 was the year of Podcasts for me (clearly since I started one!)

• The Popcast with Knox and Jamie - I seriously look forward to Wednesdays as much as I looked forward to NBC's Thursday line-up back when Friends was on. You need this podcast in your life in 2016. Click here to see their suggested starter episodes.
• Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey with Jess Connolly Episode 47 - At one point, Jess talked about how she has been handling her self-worth lately and it has literally changed me. I firmly believe that it is why I was able to step up on the scales at the doctor's office boldly with booties and layers on. She said that daily she raises her hand and says, "I take myself out of the running for being the ____." So for instance, "I take myself out of the running for being the most attractive girl in the room." Life changing.
• The Lively Show episode 100 with author Melissa Gilbert - Melissa talks about her new book Big Magic which is all about creativity and fear. This episode was so good that I listened to it twice!
• Off Camera with Sam Jones - my two favorite episodes are #28 with Will Ferrell and #46 with Connie Britton. 

Music

• Ben Rector - I discovered him when I was looking for music for the show and his song, When I'm With You, captured exactly what I wanted. So Ben, if you are reading, please let me use your song! I'll be your best friend.
• Amanda Cooke's You Make Me Brave album - This was on standing repeat most of the year for me
• The Popcast with Knox and Jamie's Spotify Covers Playlist - If you love cover songs, then you will LOVE this playlist.
• My two favorite dance tunes were Silento's Watch Me and Bruno Mars Uptown Funk

Books

• Check out my previous post to see what books I read in 2015.

Blogs

• Flowerpatch Farmgirl - Shannon has such a way with words and so eloquently captures what is in my mind. This post particularly got me.
• Parent Cue - loved this post by Reggie Joiner about noticing the good in your kids
• Jones Design Company - Loved what Emily had to say about doing your thing.
• I really enjoyed writing for Ungrind this year and this was my most popular post there which is all about surviving the strong-willed child

Watch

• Jimmy Fallon - there are just so many that I loved this year. This and This and This and This for sure.
• I've been re-watching Friends and Gilmore Girls on Netflix
• I've watched this video too many times to count. She just kills me.
• True Detective First Season on HBO

Its been a good year full of entertainment! What about you? What were your favorite finds for 2015?

Friday Finds

I think about Friday Finds ALL. THE. TIME. Maybe its because every time I stumble across something, I immediately want to share it with you guys. I have all the thoughts in my head but I have been slow on posting my finds lately. Just life. No other excuse.

Do you guys read The Inspired Room blog? I have loved it for a long time, and Melissa just released a hardback coffee table book. This would make a great gift for the woman that loves to decorate.

I am loving podcasts these days. If you have an iPhone, you had a handy little podcast app–use it!! Check out Off Camera with Sam Jones – featuring Connie Britton and The latest episode of The Podcast with Knox & Jamie. It’s their Christmas episode and there is a specific part on December card newsletters that you will want to hear!

We all need a good laugh and I shared this with my buddies the other night: the shark’s house

This little combo has been my favorite outfit lately: gingham + fur

shirt: similar     fur vest: similar

This recipe of chicken and rice soup has been on my Pinterest board for years, and I finally got around to try it. It does not disappoint! Simple and easy ingredients. Perfect for cool winter days.

I loved reading about Flower Patch Farmgirl on how they do Christmas. This is such a refreshing view.

This fall, I experienced Jen Hatmaker’s 7 Bible study with a few girlfriends. And in it, I discovered the organization, Kiva, which is micro lending organization. Scott and I are in the middle of looking for someone to be our dream in our new endeavor so we said, “We should be apart of making someone else’s dream come true.” So, we are supporting a woman in Cambodia with her small business. This is a great way to empower women. Please check it out.

My friend, Emily, shared this video the other night and we all had tears and full hearts. I think I need to do this with my girls.

My besties got together the other night and did a little “favorite thing” gift exachange. The price limit was $5. I gave my favorite beauty find of 2015 which you can find here. One friend gave delicious dark chocolate infused with oranges. Another the cutest little “B” wine topper. And the other friend this adorable bitty bottle of champagne.

Merry Christmas!

*I’ve added amazon affiliate links. If you decide to purchase, please so so through my links. It’s an easy to support me. Thank you!*

Friday Finds

Friends. I am so glad its Friday. And in Atlanta, it is a beautiful day. I have picked the worst possible time to sit down and write–my kids are home from school with extra kids playing here. However, I miss you and really wanted to say hello.

Speaking of hello, I really want this.

I have been cooking recipes on repeat around here, however, I did try a new soup this week since the weather was dreary and cold. Y’all this soup was so very good with lots of veggies packed in it, and I paired it with Trader Joe’s Gluten Free cornbread.

I seriously love cover songs so its no doubt that I have one to share with you. Scott and I discovered this one separately yet both love it. Phoebe Ryan sings a mashup of Ignition and Do You Like Drugs.

A friend shared this video with me and I loved it. I spent most of my free time as a child playing Barbies. Barbies can have a bad rap, but I did love how much creativity and imagination they ignited in me. Check out their new commercial.

I am been listening to so many podcasts lately. You definitely need to start listening to some–there are some really great ones out there. And if you do listen to podcasts, let me know what I should listen to. I listened to The Lively Show interview the author of Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert. I was really fascinated with the content! You must check it out.

I just ordered these boots yesterday–there was a flash sale of 40% off!

And I am loving these seven looks for fall by Jones Design Company.

I’ll leave you with this. Not sure if any of you needed to be encouraged today. You are loved, friend.

Friday Finds

I write this post sipping on a blonde misto from Starbucks... honestly I wanted to jump on the Pumpkin Spice Latte wagon, but for the love its 90 degrees outside. I wannnnnnt it to feel like fall so badly that I wear sweaters around my AC chilled house and then sweat the moment I walk out the door. I am committed to waiting for a fall drink until it actually feels like fall (which may come sooner than later for me since we travel to northern California next weekend!) FASHION

Speaking of fall, how many of you are dreaming of boots, scarves and layers?! I get so excited about fall clothes because I feel like I know how to own fall outfits. Summer-wear is basically like survival instincts. Its tough to be stylish when you have to suffer through 90 degree weather with a heat index of 200 every. blessed. day. But there are two staples that I want to add to my fall wardrobe. First is the denim jacket. You guys, I could kick myself. I bought a denim jacket back in 2001 from The Gap and I just gave it to Goodwill the year we moved to Atlanta. I really push myself to not hold on to anything and denim jackets haven't been in style in a really long time so I finally let it go. And although the jacket was too big for me now, I still hate that I have to buy a new one now. I've seen a few options around: here and here and here

denim jacket style

The other fall staple I want are white Converse shoes. I have worn black Converse shoes since 2001 as well and simply love the classic style however I'm ready to update the look. Last year, I purchased my well-worn leopard sneakers but need to add another shoe into the mix.

converse white shoes

converse white shoes

READS

I mentioned recently that I read For The Love by Jen Hatmaker. There is an excerpt from that book on the Washington Post for church leaders. If you are a church leader or know someone who is, there is a great read.

I made a goal to read more books this year--and not just books that make me better but to read more fiction books. I tend to view reading as something I do to grow or learn or improve myself rather than viewing reading as entertainment. I do believe there is a balance of both views, but I've pushed myself to read more fiction this year. When I find an author I like, I tend to stick with them for awhile. My current favorite author is Liane Moriarty. My favorite is What Alice Forgot and then I read Big Little Lies. For our trip next week, I'm thinking about reading The Husband's Secret. Doesn't it sound dreamy to wrap up in a comfy chair with a warm drink and get lost in a story? What fiction would you recommend?

VIDEOS

My latest Spotify list involves cover songs. I don't know what it is about cover songs but I absolutely love them. I sometimes enjoy them more than the original versions. You must check out this mash up cover of We Can't Stop/Price Tag by two sisters, Megan & Jaclyn Davies on YouTube.

Jimmy Fallen is no stranger to my Friday Finds. I think he is the best thing that has happened to late night show and pop culture in general in decades. I love his lip sync battles and this one with Ellen will not disappoint. The last two songs are hysterical! He also has Justin Timberlake on this episode and they perform History of Rap 6. Enjoy!

I hope you guys have a fantastic weekend and maybe (just maybe) the weather will slightly cool and we can enjoy the long anticipated fall.

Friday Finds

We all have our little quirks--things that make you totally you. Yesterday, my husband helped put away the clean dishes and as he fumbled (self-admittedly) through finding each dish's location in the kitchen (I have failed him as a wife), he quickly realized my beautiful/neurotic quirks in the kitchen. Like how the purple & pink bowls go behind the white & green bowls. When questioned, I said because its prettier this way (please note that these bowls reside in a closed door cabinet. bless.) So I have some tendencies towards crazy. As I thought about my Friday Finds post, I found myself organizing my thoughts with statements like... "What I'm reading" "What I'm wearing" "What I'm wanting" and so on. I'm neurotic and beautiful. So let's just go with it.

• What I'm reading: For The Love by Jen Hatmaker. Loved every word of this book. It felt like I was reading a conversation with myself inside my head. You will laugh, you may cry and you will have deeper breaths that help you face yourself, your people, your husband and your world better. Read it.

• What I'm wearing: I bought a green utility vest last April and it has been my favorite purchase to date. It is so versatile and is an easy piece to add in order to make an outfit look different. Here are a few inspiration ideas to get you thinking (you can find more ideas on my style board:

green vest with stripe shirt

green vest white shirt

green vest ideas

• What I'm wanting: I am helping a friend decorate her house and one of the inspiration pieces is this rug. I have always leaned towards neutral rugs, but lately I've found myself wanting that style of rug paired with white walls and light furniture. Glory.
• Where we're going: This September, we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary in California. We fly into San Francisco, but will spend most of our time in Big Sur and the Carmel/Monterey area. Our good friends went there this past spring, so I've been spending some reading over her blog posts about it here and here. If you have any suggestions, shoot them my way!
• What I'm listening to: There are two things I want to share with you. One, is Silento's song, "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae). I want you to stop reading and google "learn Watch Me Whip Nae Nae". Spend a few happy minutes learning this dance. I promise you will feel better. Next, I have been binge-listening to The Popcast with Knox and Jamie. You guys, this is wonderfully funny and will keep you up to date on all things pop culture without having to purchase US Magazine. They will help you form opinions about things that matter--like how Brandy is responsible for the Kardashians or if Taylor Swift is the anti-Christ--in order to survive small talk at parties. You're welcome.
• What I'm watching: Since new TV hasn't started, I'm cruising my way through a class--Gilmore girls. I started watching this when Sinclair was born when it was in re-runs so this is my second or third time watching it all the way through.

Hope you guys have a fantastic weekend! We have great friends coming in town today from Tennessee and I can hardly wait to see them!