Issues I am Loving Friday #489

Hey from Panama Metropolis Seashore! We arrived within the panhandle of Florida within the early night on Wednesday after a 9+ hour drive. It was an extended one however we made it and we’ve been having fun with sunshine and salty sea air.

We’re right here as a result of Ryan is collaborating in his first full Ironman race tomorrow. He mentioned he’s feeling a whirlwind of feelings — anxious, excited, nervous, intimidated — however he additionally feels prepared. He is aware of this race will probably be totally different from his 4 earlier half Ironman races and can demand way more from him and his physique. I’m admittedly feeling nervous for tomorrow as a result of I absolutely understand that what Ryan is about to do is extremely intense and demanding. I simply need him to complete feeling okay and injury-free (clearly his bike crash from his Roanoke half continues to be behind my thoughts) and know tomorrow goes to be an intense and emotional day for a myriad of causes.

I’m additionally extremely grateful my sister and her household shocked Ryan on his fortieth birthday by telling him they’d be becoming a member of us to cheer for him and having extra race day assist is simply ever an exquisite factor. The day after the race will probably be a journey day for our household however I’ll do my greatest to have a race recap up on the weblog as quickly as I can subsequent week. Within the meantime, carry on scrolling for this week’s roundup of Friday favorites!

Issues I’m Loving Friday

I like the look of darkish nails within the fall and winter months however for no matter purpose I don’t really feel like I can pull off black nails. I simply really feel ridiculous each time I attempt however I discovered a coloration that’s rather less intense than a jet-black however nonetheless darkish and enjoyable for fall. Hellooo ExprEssie Left on Shred! This navy blue polish discovered its approach into my Amazon cart earlier this week and I couldn’t apply it to my nails quick sufficient after it arrived. It’s truly my first time making an attempt Essie’s quick-dry polish and I’m a fan. I like a large nail polish brush for straightforward utility and, true to its title, it dried rapidly on my nails. The darker coloration meant my nails wanted two coats however I beloved the look as soon as they had been carried out and know I’ll be reaching for this coloration on repeat within the coming colder months.

I’ve been on an enormous granola kick currently and repeatedly discover myself reaching for granola after I’m feeling snacky. I usually make my very own granola (this easy coconut granola is my go-to proper now) however I purchased a bag of Purely Elizabeth granola at Complete Meals final weekend and flew via it! The granola was candy and salty with the right quantity of crunch, a stellar ingredient checklist and even a little bit enhance of protein and fiber. I ate the granola by the handful however I might think about it might be a wonderful topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls, too.

My ranking: A-

I stand by my ideas that Abby Jimenez is the queen of witty, enjoyable and hilarious dialog. Her books are all the time full of banter that makes me snicker out loud and The Happy Ever After Playlist was no exception. It’s the second guide in a trilogy (The Friend Zone is guide one and Life’s Too Short is guide three) however each guide can stand by itself. (For what it’s price, I preferred it greater than The Pal Zone however barely lower than Life’s Too Brief.) Whereas the plotline on this guide was not precisely plausible, I nonetheless completely loved this novel and flew via it in three days.

The Glad Ever After Playlist begins when a misplaced canine finds its approach into Sloane Monroe’s automobile. For the previous two years since she skilled a heartbreaking loss, Sloane has been a hole model of herself, shutting herself off from the world and the issues she loves most. One thing concerning the misplaced canine begins to drag Sloane out of her shell and he or she rapidly realizes Tucker could also be precisely what she wanted to seek out happiness once more. After which she will get a telephone name from Tucker’s proprietor, Jason, a musician at present on tour in Australia, and he says he needs his beloved canine again when he returns.

As Jason and Sloane focus on Tucker, Sloane realizes he actually loves his canine and he or she shocks herself by feeling a connection to this man she’s by no means met via their texts and conversations over the telephone. After they lastly meet in individual, all of Sloane’s expectations are blown out of the water… however the place can this connection actually go? Jason’s profession is on the cusp of exploding and Sloane continues to be feeling guarded after her loss? Is all of it well worth the threat?

My ranking: C+

I had excessive hopes for this guide after I noticed it was a part of Reese’ Guide Membership as I’ve learn and loved numerous books really useful by this guide membership. Sadly this one fell flat for me. I listened to the audiobook model and whereas it entertained me sufficient for me to complete listening to the story, I by no means actually felt invested within the characters or the plot. Although I take pleasure in a guide that jumps forwards and backwards from the previous to the current, I discovered this one predictable and unrealistic and probably not all that thrilling for a guide that’s presupposed to be a suspenseful thriller.

From Amazon: 

Maya was a highschool senior when her greatest good friend, Aubrey, dropped lifeless in entrance of the enigmatic man named Frank whom they’d been spending time with all summer season.

Seven years later, Maya lives in Boston with a loving boyfriend and is kicking the key dependancy that has allowed her to deal with what occurred years in the past, the gaps in her recollections, and the misplaced time that she will be able to’t account for. However her previous comes speeding again when she comes throughout a latest YouTube video wherein a younger lady immediately keels over and dies in a diner whereas sitting throughout from none apart from Frank. Plunged into the trauma that has outlined her life, Maya heads to her Berkshires hometown to relive that fateful summer season—the affect Frank as soon as had on her and the obsessive jealousy that just about destroyed her friendship with Aubrey.

At her mom’s home, she excavates fragments of her previous and notices hidden messages in her deceased Guatemalan father’s guide that didn’t stand out to her earlier. To save lots of herself, she should perceive a narrative written earlier than she was born, however time retains operating out, and shortly, all roads are main again to Frank’s cabin…

Winning Cornbread Recipe (Pairs completely with a heat bowl of chili!)

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (A child-friendly fall favourite!)

Query of the Day

What’s one factor making you smile this week?