Happy Friday! We have had a busy week or two here and are headed to the beach on Sunday, which I’ve been looking forward to for a while. I kind of can’t believe this is our last little family vacation as a family of three (well four with Ender, who is coming with us, of course).

Before I go into vacation prep mode, I wanted to share a few links for your weekend browsing:

• This Is Your Brain on Peleton: the author of this piece completely nailed not only the entire experience of this platform, but also why I pretty much only take Cody Rigsby classes. So interesting, and such a snapshot of 2020-2021 life for me.

• COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone over age 16 in North Carolina!

• I am definitely a false lash newbie but I got a couple pairs of these since they were on sale and I really liked them! The longer we stay home, the less I want to put on makeup and I actually prefer having false lashes to take off at the end of the day to eyeliner and mascara to wash off. Maybe I’m just lazy, but at this point it is what it is.

• I love this series but Daveed Diggs and Emmy Raver-Lampman really took it to a whole new level. What a beautiful home.

• Speaking of homes, we are in the middle of having our kitchen cabinets painted and moving a few things around to get ready for baby boy’s arrival next month (I’m sorry did I just say “next month?”). We’re moving some of our bedroom furniture to our guest room but I also have my eye on a few new things, like this headboard.

  • We just ordered this desk because I keep saying I want our guest room (and our bedroom) to feel like a hotel—that makes sense right? My brother is coming to stay with us for a week and a half before my due date and I want him to have a quiet place to work. (I’m mostly just excited to be so close to so many friends and family again and have the space to host people for extended periods of time.)

• Rob has made this recipe twice so far and it is ridiculously good.

• And while we’re on the subject of recipes, I had such a good time putting together my cocktail/mocktail e-book, and the response from everyone has been so nice so far!

Well, that’s all from me! Thanks for reading!

This post contains affiliate links.

Friday again? January and February usually feel so slow to me every year, but in 2021 time really seems to be moving extra fast (might be the almost-3-month countdown until we have another baby—holy cow). I’m all about finding little things to bring us joy this year, so I may be popping onto the blog with Friday Favorites more than I have in the past. It also reminds me of the good old days of blogging, anyone else? I miss that.

Anyway, without further ado, some links for your weekend:

• I’ve been spending a lot more time photographing food lately and it is so fun for me. The three photos above are all local brands/businesses that sent me a few items and I have loved working with them. (From left to right, Sweet’s Syrup elderberry shrub and Whisk + Wood gluten-free peanut butter chocolate banana muffins and cookie sandwiches.) If you’re in the Charlotte area and have a small business or blog and are in need of food photos, let me know!

• I am absolutely living in these shoes—they’re like slippers but they have arch support which I love by the end of the day.

• Why experts aren’t panicking about new coronavirus variants: a bit of hope I think we could all use.

• These are my new favorite glasses—I love how “real” they look and that Sophie can still use them. They’re great for smoothies with these straws.

• I’ve heard great things about this oil and kind of want to order some.

• Equilibria is having a great BOGO sale right now through Monday! Buy any product and get any other product for half price—and if you’re a new customer you can use my code (FRECKLEDITALIAN) and save an additional 15%. This would be a great time to stock up on your favorites or try something new that you’ve had your eye on. I’m not currently taking any CBD while pregnant but definitely look forward to starting my routine up again when I’m done breastfeeding.

• Two Instagram accounts that I have been living vicariously through the past few months: Rick Martinez and Design Mom. I don’t always see their feed updates but I adore both of their stories—Rick’s life in Mexico and Gabrielle’s house renovations in Normandy are definitely a much-appreciated escape.

We have had endless rain and chilly temperatures recently, but next week it’s supposed to get well into the 60s! I’m not sure if spring is on the way but I am certainly ready to start spending more time outside soon. Wishing you a safe and warm weekend, especially if you are somewhere with unprecedented weather right now!

This post contains affiliate links.

It has literally been almost a year since I last shared a Friday Favorites post so I thought why not? I’m trying really hard not to make everything in my life right now “pandemic” edition but also everything in my life right now feels like it’s Pandemic Edition, capitalized.

• My friend Daci’s newsletter, Screentime & Despair, is hilarious and it makes me feel like we’re sitting at Spyhouse in Minneapolis together on a spring day, drinking lavender lattes at the window.

• Sourdough toast, especially with avocado. I know it’s basic but I love it with a bunch of toppings for a quick and easy breakfast. I’m tempted to try to make my own sourdough but it seems like a hobby I may not exactly have the time or patience for. Maybe we’ll revisit that idea if we’re still at home in June.

• I’ve been really enjoying this candle that I bought in San Francisco over the winter. If you’re local and there’s not a pandemic, you can buy a candle from her and bring the jar back to have it refilled for half price. I might just order a couple more since she’s obviously closed right now (and shipping is free over $25).

• Still fully digging my Equilibria CBD oil. I’m also really excited to receive my Mother’s Day gift box soon! (Affiliate links)

• It’s been really fun for me to watch brands pivot to make sheltering in place work better for everyone, and as usual my favorite is Bon Appétit. Their Test Kitchen Talks @ Home make me kind of weepy in the best way—I love seeing everyone in their own kitchen with their spouses or kids running around in the background. What can I say, I’m a fangirl.

What’s getting you through the day lately? I hope you’re all staying safe and healthy at home! It’s kind of overwhelming not knowing when this is all going to end, but knowing everyone is in it together has been a source of comfort for me most of the time.