Happy Friday to you all! I am on my last day of break and did not get quite caught up on everything as I was hoping… a few unexpected things came up and somehow this break is already over. Next semester is going to be double the load of what the summer was… which I don’t even know how that’s possible, eek!.. hence, I may be a bit MIA again till the holidays 🙁 (I do have some posts backlogged to share though!!). And of course, I will pop in when I can, I just may not be as active as I’d like to be… we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for being patient. Anyway, I do have a bit of time this AM to whip out a Friday Favorites 🙂
- Hello mat from Walmart. In the Bay Area we didn’t have a welcome rug and didn’t really need one since we were rarely bringing in dirt or dust. However, in Texas our shoes get pretty covered from walking around the trails. I found this rug at Walmart to help the cause! It’s technically an outdoor rug, but it works inside our foyer area.
2. Texas Blooms. I have loved discovering the different types of flowers/wildlife local to the area. I do have to be careful to not touch the foliage lining the trails though because it’s littered with poison ivy! (And, yes! I did find a new walking/running path (wooohooo!)- I’ll discuss that more in a recap post.. eventually… hah).
3. Impractical Jokers! Okay y’all, this is one of our favorite shows ever ever!!!! This is so funny! We watch a 20ish minute episode occasionally before going to sleep, and it has us in stitches every time.
4. Boxed. I love writing letters, sending hand written notes, and even have a pen pal from high school… so we go through stamps like nobody’s business. Going to the USPS for stamps is always a pain in the butt and a big waste of time. I found these stamps in bulk at Boxed- Plus, at check out you get to add two free add-ons, so I chose the bare baked crunchy apples and a protein Kind bar. What a deal. I am going to use them more for bulk buys in the future! If you use LOVEBULK you can get 15% off your first order plus free shipping 🙂
5. theo organic fair trade salted almond dark chocolate. I picked this up in Miami to have for our Bachelorette night… and all of us were going crazy over how good this chocolate is!
6. Greeting Cards for every occasion.I found a roundup of the forty cutest cards from Amazon for only $12.99. I have already used several— they really do have every occasion and the cards are adorable! This is just a small sample below.
7. Cauliflower Gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. The obsession is still going strong.
8. Mariell Earrings . I felt like these were the most perfect simple, but pretty bridesmaids earrings. I’m sure I’ll be able to wear them again for other occasions too.
9. Niksen. This is a Dutch concept of literally (I’m trying to use “literally” when it is literally in only a literal sense 😉 ) doing nothing with no agenda. We are not meant to be productive all the time… this is a great reminder to take a few moments to just “be”. It reminds me of Psalm 46:10… “Be still and know that I am God”. How often do we just “be still”? It was very thought provoking for me. Time to put it into practice!
10. Today I did save the best for last!….. DRUM ROLL……. Amy started a blog!!!! It’s called Rightfully Lost & is going to be your new favorite travel blog. When it comes to traveling, she knows what’s up. She does world-wide expeditions, often solo, so if you want to know how to do cost-effective trips while getting the most out of them, she’s the one to talk to. Plus you’ll just leave feeling so dang inspired. Traveling the world on your own is no small feat, and her stories are incredible. I am stoked she started this!!! Right now she has a post recapping her time in New Zealand- it’s a fascinating read, and she has a serious eye for photography.
Any favorites for you this week?! Have a great weekend. Can’t tell you guys how much I miss ya.
xo <3
**There are affiliated links in this post, but all ideas and opinions are my own**
Aw Mack I miss you but at least we have Instagram! And don’t feel any rush to get back to the blogosphere hun, focus on you and come back when you’ve the time! We will all be here ready for ya!!! And looking forward to all your recaps!
I have to say, those flowers in the first flower photo (the yellow and pink ones, are so beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like that before, so gorgeous thank you for sharing ❤️❤️ Glad you’ve found some pretty places to walk! And that ‘hello’ mat is just so cute and welcoming, I love it!!
Those greeting cards are so cute too, I love sending cards for all occasions!! I just love these ❤️❤️ And that gnocchi looks so delicious omg!! Dreamy 😍😍😍
I love that ‘Niksen’ concept. I haven’t heard of it until now but the Dutch sure seem to know how to live, have you heard of the term ‘hygge’? It’s a Dutch phrase also and is all about cosiness, like fires and candles, baking and all that sort of thing. So cute!!
I am SO excited to check out Amy’s blog! Thanks so much for sharing Mack, have a beautiful weekend! Xx
Hi, Jennie!! Thank you, girl. that means soo much <3 <3
Aww so glad you liked the flowers 🙂 There are some pretty blooms here- I did not expect that! I thought there would just be tumbleweeds lol!
That gnocchi is my obsessssion. I crave it nearly daily!
I have heard of Hygge!!! A blog friend actually wrote about it & I loved the idea. So awesome & cute!!
Aw thank you for checking out her blog- you will love! Have a great weekend too, m'dear! XOX
Good luck on the busy semester! I love these Friday Favorite posts, so hopefully you can keep them coming. I also hope you remember to fit in some niksen time when everything gets crazy again 😉
Thanks so much, Taylor! haha, I love your thinking!!
Wow, thank you for introducing a new podcast! It sounds so interesting and a great way to start the day!
Hand-written stuff is so nice to get! How sweet that you still send out things by mail!
Omg, what a deal for such pretty birthday cards!! They are so niceeee I’d probably end up collecting them HAHAHA!
The earrings looks so delicate and it brings out the twinkle in your eye! 😍
I’m gonna go look up niksen, its what you totally don’t expect to hear.
Yay Im gonna go check out her blog!
Favourites this week was trying a cream cheese and chocolate-filled churro, its so freaking good! And also finding out raw and fresh oysters are such a delicacy HAHA!
Hi, Cordelia! Thanks for reading, girl 🙂
I agree– there is something soo special about getting little handwritten cards, especially these days because it’s so rare.
Aw thank you, love!
Yes, it’s almost hard to wrap your mind around Niksen because we are always so “go go go”… alll about being more productive.
Shut the front doooor!!!! My mouth is watering …. cream cheese and chocolate filled churro?! Sign me uppp!!!! And yass girl, oysters are soo yummy. It took me a few tries to appreciate them, but now I absolutely love um’. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend 🙂
YES, and I’m not even a fan of churros till this! Holy!!! Yeah I’m so surprised by what a fresh and raw one can actually be! You too!
Yummm!!!
So nice to see you for a moment:) I hope the semester turns out better than you expect!
Hi, AJ! Ahhhh I so miss reading your blog. Did you know blog withdrawals are a REAL thing? Life needs to slowww down. But thanks for stopping in & your kind words. I hope this school year is off to a nice start for you!
I know about blog withdrawal – I’ll be suffering in another week and a half when I go back to school:(
I hear ya. Enjoy these last few days 🙂
I’m trying to!
🙂
Oh I’m trying!
I’m totally on board with A#7 and all things Trader Joe’s.
Yessss!!!! Do you have any other items from TJ’s that are a “must try”?
The obvious are the everything but the bagel seasoning and cookie butter. Are really love to go though and check out their seasonal products.
Ohhh I have to try the cookie butter 😍 I do love the EBTB seasoning too, especially on avocado toast 😋
love those greeting cards & that gnocchi looks SO GOOD!!
It’s sooo good, girl ! If you have a TJ’s by you it’s a must try! Thanks for reading 🙂 I need to pop over & see what you’re up to when life slows dowwwwn. I’m having some major blog withdrawals!
This is one of the best Friday Favorites! I just started snacking on dark chocolate almonds this week and the salted ones look so good, and kinda healthy? I could use more Niksen in my life, like a lot more!!! Can’t wait to listen to the Toasters as I now love listening to podcasts while I run, especially Paradise ones and so so excited about the Rightfully Lost blog!! Thanks for all these goodies today!
Awww SO glad you enjoyed this 🙂 Ok dark chocolate almonds sound soo yummy-I think I tried them in college when my roommate had them, but time to restock!
Yesss ! We both need to get on that Niksen train. I wonder how it could really change the course/clarity of thinking for the day.
Ohhh I love the Paradise podcast recaps too! It’s so fun to hear so many different thoughts/perfectives & they always point out things I hadn’t considered.
Thanks for reading 🙂 <3
Cauliflower Gnocchi- haven’t had one of those! And BTW those earrnings a GORGEOUS and I want them for myself too!
xoxo
Natalie
http://nataliesdailylife.wordpress.com/
It’s soo yummy!
Glad you like the earrings- you are the ultimate fashionista! These aren’t too pricy- hope you can treat yourself to a pair 🙂 Have a great rest of your weekend, Natalie! Thanks for stoppin’ on in!
Wow I love this so so much. Your earrings are stunning, they look so sophisticated. I hope you have had a lovely weekend. xxx
Thank you so much, love!!! They were exactly what I was looking for to go with the bridesmaids dress 🙂 Have a great Sunday! xo
I use those greeting cards as well! I love having them on hand. You never know when you will need them!
Also, TJ’s cauliflower gnocchi is life.
Ah I love that you use them too 🙂 I agree- it realllly is like. I think I’ll make them for dinner… again, hehe. Thanks for stopping in, Katy 🙂 I hope you are so well!
glad you are finding your new favorites in your new town. the flowers are very pretty.
Thank you 🙂
I love Mariell accessories!!! I ordered a headpiece from them for my wedding and it was gorgeous!
Aw I love that you found one through them! I bet it was so beautiful 😍 thanks for stopping in!
Oh my the chocolate – all the cacao is good for you if a strong percentage so chow down away – oh wait, maybe not so good for the waistline. I was in the store the other day and they had a “taste table” set up. The taste table was for two Coffeemate creamers. I looked when I got home and they are not new, but I guess our store is carrying them not. This one made me think of you due to the Himalayan salt: https://www.coffeemate.com/products/artisan-cafe/artisan-cafe-himalayan-salted-caramel/
Hehe- good for the soul, right?
OH MY GOODNESS- my mouth is watering out of control! That coffeemate sounds tremendous! Thanks for sharing with me!!!
I thought it’d be a nice treat when you are in the mood for “room service” at home instead of getting your coffee out.
Absolutely!!!!
Those cards are so cute!! I’ve actually clicked the link to add to my cart :D. I also find it a nuisance to get stamps, but if I could get them mailed to me…that would be nice!
Aw yay!!!! 🤗 I have already used like 5 in the last few weeks- so handy! Aren’t stamps a pain?! This was fun with boded because you get free goodies too 🙂 hope you’re having a great week!!
We ordered a variety pack of some birthday ones and I am so excited to get them! Thanks for the suggestion!!
Yayyy! 🎉 enjoy 🤗
I have the same doormat!! Isn’t it just the cutest?! I love those wildflowers. We had lantana in Florida. I don’t know if it grows here. I’ve watched Impractical Jokers many times with my kids. Those guys are so crazy! lol. I love that term. “Niksen”. Yes, I will need to incorporate more of that. I hope your week is starting off wonderfully!! xx
Yes! It is soo cute 😍 I love that you have the same one!!
Haha we are full fledged obsessed with Impractical Jokers. My main question is how do they come up with this stuff?!
I hope you had such a nice Labor Day!! ❤️
You just gotta have the right welcome mat. It pretty much sets the tone for everything. 🙂
Totally agree!!!
Such great favorites! Such a cute welcome mat and I LOVE all the blooms! No matter where you are flowers make everything brighter and prettier! Love the Trader Joe’s obsession as alway! And I have to check out boxed. Also those greeting cards are so cute! You know me and my letters beauty! I love snail mail and am always on the hunt for the cutest cards and stamps!
I hope you had an amazing weekend! <3
Aw thank you, love!!!! I agree- Flowers bring so much joy! 🌸 thank you for your comment that brightened my day! XOX ❤️ I hope you had the best Labor Day weekend!
I love that cute welcome mat, and I think it’s versatile to be for both inside and outside! Those blooms <3 I've never heard of that show, but I'm so intrigued now. I also must live under a rock because I don't believe I've heard of Boxed, but it sounds neat! I'm pretty sure I've tried that chocolate, but I need to get another bar to know for sure! 😉 Love love love those cards – so cute!! I want to order them sometime to keep on hand as well. Is it sad that because they're so cute, I would struggle to give them away? Those earrings are dreamy. Thank you for sharing this post! xo
Aw thank you! I didn’t even realize when I bought it it was an outdoor mat (I used Walmart online pickup, but I love that it will work in the future too as an outdoor mat!).
Ok, Impractical Jokers is my OBSESSION. They are only about 20 minutes and easily a highlight of my day !
I just heard of Boxed too! they have so many great deals and are great for buying in bulk.
Haha I love the cards so much- It’s so funny because I thought I’d feel the same way but it makes me want to send cards for absolutely everything 🤣
Thanks for stopping in. I am officially sick in bed after running myself into the ground the last couple weeks- so I’m giving my mind a 5 minute break to pop on here (since studying is not so productive right now) and this comment made this day much brighter !❤️❤️❤️
I need to start watching this show!
Hahah I then thought of that too! “Gee, it’s Friday. Better send someone a card to wish them a lovely weekend.” 😆
Oh girl, I’m so sorry to hear this!! I hope you are 100% yourself soon!
Thank you! I am feeling much better 🤗
It is always a highlight of my day to catch up with you …
Love that welcome mat – it has such a fun font!
Every time you post a Trader Joe’s pic, I think, it is an Aladin’s Cave of Treasures! What fun!
Hope the new term has started ok and that it hasn’t gotten too crazy yet!
Aw thank you, Ju Lyn!!! How are you?
Hehe it really does feel like a cave of treasures ! I love that analogy. Very spot on 🙂
Thank you so much! It’s been a bit insane. Definitely the toughest yet, but it will all be worth it. ❤️
Hang in there …. hope you are having a slightly more relaxed weekend!
Thank you, Ju Lyn!! 🤗
Yay!! I knew you’d find a new trail to walk/run. 🙂 The flowers are super pretty! & Oh my gosh!! I LOVE Impractical Jokers, boyfriend & I have prob watched everh single episode together, so freakin’ hilarious. Who is your fave guy?!
Yessss! That Theo chocolate is the bestest, I think I even featured that exact flavor in one of my Currentlys… YUM!!! 🤤 So happy you all liked it, too!!!
Those greeting cards are so cute & I’m pretty sure I practice ‘niksen’ everyday though this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it. 🤣
Hope you get some more breaktime soon. ♡♡♡ Have an awesome weekend, babe! Thanks for taking the time to share with us!
Okay isn’t IJ the BEST?! I go back and forth for who my favorite is. I think it’s Joe because literally nothing deters him but I find Murr so endearing .
Oh my gosh! I wonder if I subliminally picked it up after reading your post! You always have the best chocolate finds.
Hahah that made me laugh! Niksen for the win!
Thank you so much, girl. I’ve been feeling a bit down this AM because I’m so burnt out in studying already and it’s only two weeks into the semester. We have an on campus intensive next week so I think when that’s over I’ll feel a bit more at ease. Hope you have had the best weekend so far! Also, I haven’t had much time to comment but I have tried to stay up on reading your posts for a few minute study break here and there 🙂 I cant wait until a real break to actually leave my thoughts ! Xox
Joe is the funniest & I love Murr, too! Brian makes me mad sometimes though lol I feel like he is too in his head/insecure? Sal is my absolute favorite though. 😂
I saw the Extreme Dark chocolate you were talking about on my Sprouts app but not in-store, I wanna try it so bad. 😭
Gosh, babe, you are killin’ it out there. ♡ I’m so sorry you are feeling burnt out!! I hope the end of the campus intensive does help you a little. ♡ No worries at all about keeping up with or commenting on my posts! I know you are super busy!! ♡
Oh my gosh yes we were just saying last night how he always seems to get the punishments because he doesn’t seem to fully commit or something!
Hope you find it soon , girl! 😋
Aw thank you! I am on my way now. In a few days I think I will feel a whole lot less anxious! ❤️
Awh I’m gonna miss seeing your posts around here but I understand your education comes first, obviously. You’re gonna smash this next semester, you’ll see!💙
The blooms look gorgeous but terrible that theres so much poison ivy.
And I might have heard of impractical jokers before? Where are you watching it?
Salted almonds with chocolate?? 😋 sounds good where did you buy them?? Maybe I can find them here somewhere
Omg the sloth card is adorable!!!!! The best one. My spirit animal lol.
Amy is your SIL right? How cool! I had never been into “travel” posts until I started reading your blog. Its nice to see different sights of many different places because you never know when you might be interested in something that will make you want to visit there. 🤗
Have an amazing weekend love!
Thank you SO MUCH, Rossy! This is so encouraging.
We bought them at a Publix (I think- not positive!) in Miami!
Yes yes! She is my SIL 🙂 aw I love that you enjoy the travel posts so much! ❤️ that means a ton and our travels is one of the main reasons I started this blog! I have some Miami ones backlogged too that I need to post (I just have to read through them once or twice to make sure no glaring errors that I’m prone to lol).
I hope you have a great weeekend too 🤗❤️
You are so welcome! 🤗🤗
Haha I cannot wait to read those Miami posts!!
My weekend went ok. I was sick so didnt do much lol. I hope yours went well and hopefully you took a break. 😁😁
Yay!!!
Oh no- I hope you are 100% by now! ❤️
Hi Mack! I wanted to comment on your latest Austin trip post––and didn’t see a place for comments. So I’m doing it here. 🙂 First, congratulations on your exam!!! Yes, that’s a great accomplishment. You must be proud of yourself, and right before your trip to Miami too.
Glad to see you getting your house together, bit by bit. Aren’t Target and Trader Joe’s great? 🙂 I love the okra you found, to me it totally goes with eggs and carbs.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Know that I’m sending support to you and DJ.
Blessings,
Debbie
Oh my goodness thank you so much for letting me know, Debbie! I don’t know how that happened?! I did kinda rush through publishing it so I probably accidentally hit the no comments button- I didn’t even know that was possible 🤣 who wouldn’t want comments ?!
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. This semester is already so difficult but I have to remember that if I survived last semester I can survive this one 🤣
Glad you liked my hodge podge okra meal 🤗 that reminds me I must restock soon! Thanks for brightening my day- it’s been a really draining week and this helped rejuvenate me! Thankful for you and hope you have the best weekend ahead! ❤️
Pretty
Thank you!
It feels soo good to catch up on your blog! It’s funny you mention Impractical Jokers because I recently mentioned to John that we need to try watching it since it seems like everybody loves it! I am definitely going to check out Boxed for stamps because we always need them! We still pay some bills by mail so I use a lot of them. I love that you have pen pals! I used to have some years ago and I guess we just stopped eventually. I need to get a set of those cards! Sooo cute! I try to keep different occasion cards on hand so that would be perfect. Thanks for sharing!! <3
Hi Em!! From a student to a teacher I know how busy September is so thank you for taking time to stop in! I have been studying noonnnn stop, but can’t wait to catch up as soon as on campus intensives are over 🙂
YESSS! Watch IJ! It’s soooo funny. We are obsessed. It’s a great show to watch to wind down at the end of the day.
I figured if we need to buy stamps may as well get a few extra goodies right?! ☺️
It’s so fun! We don’t write often, but at least back and forth a few times a year, it’s so much fun to get her cards in the mail!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend, Em!!
I am definitely going to check out that show soon! I looked at the Boxed website and it took everything in me not to order EVERYTHING! SOOO many good deals!
Yay!!! Hope you find something great 🙂
Oh my goodness, love a Friday Favorites from you!! I’m sorry that your current semester has such a heavy workload, though. I don’t even know how you’d survive anything more than summer, which seemed to be too much. Stay strong girl, you got this!!
We also have a welcome mat from Walmart! Ours says “Wipe your paws” though, because we love our fur-babies and it seems fitting for us, haha. <3
Impractical Jokers is one of the best shows!! It's hilarious!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing deal for greeting cards on Amazon! I didn't even know they had something like that. I always get our cards from the dollar store (2 for $1 totally beats $5 at Walmart or Target lol), but Amazon is an even better deal! Definitely checking that out!
Also, I'm pretty certain those were the earrings I chose for my maid of honor!! So gorgeous!
Love love love the idea of Niksen. I need to research it more, but it sounds wonderful. We are minimalists, and that includes how we approach our schedule and activities, so I think this perfectly encompasses that idea!
Thanks so much for sharing, Mackenzie!! <3
Thank you for your sweet words, Courtney! I literally haven’t done anything since this semester has started- it’s double the workload as last which is NUTS! Every day is just trying to finish whatever is due the next day it feels like. But I love the content and what I’m learning- some of my favorite courses yet! So that makes a huge difference . And I’m glad we don’t have a move this time around 🤣
Ahhh that’s the best mat ever !!!!! 🐾
Once again- we are so the same! Impractical Jokers is such a hoot!
I was excited to see those cards on Amazon because I can’t leave the house right now so prime is hooking it up lol !!! 👏🏻
Yes yes you said that soo well about being minimalistic with our time too!! Ahhh thanks for reading ☺️❤️🤗