Happy Friday! It’s been a gloomy few days here in the Bay Area but today is supposed to be clear before a weekend of more rain, so I’m excited to get out and do a few things this afternoon with Sophie. Before I sign off for the weekend, I wanted to share a few links since it’s been a while since I did a Friday Favorites post!

• This spicy cashew dressing is AMAZING. I made it yesterday thinking it would last and I basically ate all of it standing at the counter (I dipped cucumbers into it and yes, I also licked the bowl). I also want to make this salad soon.

• I bought this shirt the other day and wasn’t super sure about it, but then I tried it on again and sent a picture to two of my best friends who convinced me to keep it. After sharing it on Instagram Stories yesterday, so many people asked about it so I thought I’d link it here—it is seriously cute and I’m glad I decided to hold on to it! (I also ordered this dress in peach but it matched my skin exactly and was bizarre so I sent that one back.)

• This is an old article, but an interesting one considering what’s going on in Georgia and Alabama recently.

• Game of Thrones spoiler alert! I thought this piece perfectly captured how I felt after last week’s episode.

• Just a quick moment of self-promotion and a sale for funsies: grab my Monetize Your Blog e-book at half price this weekend with the code HALFPRICEWEEKEND (That comes out to a grand total of 9 bucks.) I also sent out my newsletter (it’s less news and more of a letter) yesterday, so if you want to read that and receive future ones make sure to subscribe here.

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We’re back! It’s so nice to be home—we had the best time in London and Dublin and I have so many thoughts on taking a big trip like that with a little one, which I’ll share in a post a bit later. The time change still has us a little off and our house looks like a luggage and laundry tornado ripped through it, so we’ll be spending the weekend unpacking, folding, cooking, cleaning, catching up on work, and maybe doing a little napping too. I teach two classes on Sunday but other than that I’m really looking forward to spending some time at home after a week and a half away.

Before I sign off and get to it I thought I’d share some links with you:

• I’m really into these shoes—just wishing they came in black or nude.

• This piece on the purity movement really spoke to me, having grown up in the Catholic church.

• I’m still on the hunt for the perfect black raincoat—this one might make the list of potential candidates.

• Gordon Ramsay on Hot Ones made me laugh so much.

• I started using this “natural” deodorant a few weeks ago and I’m still not sure if I like it or not—I’ve been using Secret for such a long time but keep wanting to clean up some of the products I use daily. Does anyone have an aluminum-free deodorant they love?

• Sophie has a pair of these and now I feel like I want some to match.

• The photo above is from Brother Hubbard in Dublin—we went for breakfast one morning and it was so good! They also have the dreamiest little retail space, which is where all these plants can be found.

PS Have you signed up for my newsletter? I loved hearing from so many of you after I sent out my first one in January! I’m working on another right now and hope to get it out soon! And while we’re at it, be sure to check out my new e-book if you haven’t seen it yet!

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Happy Friday! We’re busy packing and getting ready to head out of town for the holiday, but before I go I wanted to share some links because it’s been a while!

Some Things I’m Loving Lately:

• My new planner—last year I got a smaller Day Designer for Blue Sky with a page for each day but this year I went with the larger size and a page for each week. I like seeing the whole week with one view.

• My Allbirds Loungers—I wear these things so often and I love that you can just throw them in the wash.

• Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas album on Spotify. I mean, come on.

• What a Child Can Teach You About Life and Love—this piece brought tears to my eyes.

• This holiday Google ad made me smile.

Last-Minute Gift Ideas:

• 23and Me is on Amazon Prime (I saw some at Target this week as well!)

• Anything from this lovely website—you won’t get it in time for Christmas but check it out if you’re doing a gift exchange later or just know someone who might appreciate a simple, personalized gift. I got a necklace with an S on it for Mother’s Day this year and have my eye on the birthstone rings as well—so pretty.

• I wrote a few cookbooks—just sayin’.

Current Wish List:

• Spanx Faux Leather Leggings—talk to me. Does anyone have these? Are they as amazing as they seem?

• I’ve been a little obsessed with these boots for too long—it might be time to pull the trigger in 2019.

• Sponsored: do any of you use a Waterpik? I never have but my idol/BFF Jonathan Van Ness swears by them and now I wonder if I need one.

Tomorrow night we’re having some friends over for snacks, cocktails, and a holiday movie and then on Sunday we’re off to Arizona to celebrate Christmas with Rob’s family! Safe travels to everyone on the road this weekend!

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