Friday Favorites
Is it just me or did this week fly by? I guess that’s what happens when you’re busy. Speaking of, can you believe I still have to sort through the results from the reader survey? I feel like such a slacker. Eeesh.
I’m hoping to have that done by next week so that I can share them with you but for now, let’s focus on today. It’s Friday which means it time to par-taaaaaaay! For me that means kicking back with a warm blanket and several glasses of red wine. I’m just crazy like that.
Whatever the weekend has in store for you, I hope you get to stop and enjoy every last minute! Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy some of my recent favorite finds!
Favorite Destination: Oneonta Gorge, Oregon. Brandon and I are planning on taking a road trip to Oregon in the summer and I can hardly wait! From what I’ve seen in pictures, it looks like a breathtakingly beautiful state. If you have any recommendations on things to see or do (or eat!), please share them with me!
Favorite Winter Meal: Portobello Chili with Shiitakes and Fennel. I’m always hesitant to try recipes that use fennel because I’ve never been a fan of the flavor of fennel seeds. But then again I’ve never tried cooking with fresh fennel so I feel like I might be missing out on something really great.
If there’s any meal that makes me want to give it a try, it’s this chili. Come.to.mama.
Favorite Cookbook: At Home in the Whole Foods Kitchen by Amy Chaplin.
I gifted myself this for Christmas and it is one of the best cookbooks I’ve ever seen. The author does a ridiculously thorough job explaining everything that you should have in your pantry, the nutritional benefits of each one, and how to store and cook them. Plus the recipes are simply gorgeous! I felt a huge wave of inspiration come over me after paging through it.
Favorite Fashion: Gap Knit Sweater. First of all, I’m not pregnant. I just love how cozy and warm this sweater looks. Wouldn’t the whole look be cute with a pair of ankle booties too?
Favorite Animal: Labrador Puppy. Because my favorites wouldn’t be complete without puppies. We rescued Coco from the shelter when she was almost a year old so we never got to see her as a baby. I can imagine she looked pretty similar to this one though. Makes me want to reach through the screen and give it’s little face a million kisses!
Favorite Song: Kansas City. I heard this song on a Showtime commercial while watching this past season of Homeland and it instantly won me over. Marcus Mumford is the lead vocalist and I love how raw his voice sounds in it. I can’t help but dance whenever it comes on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MwOarNpBcw
Favorite Kitchen: Sag Harbor Cottage. Now this is what my dreams are made of. How beautiful are the exposed wood beams and the skylight? LOVE.
Favorite Photograph: Top 10 Travel Moments of 2014. I recently found Tuula’s blog and the photography is utterly awe-inspiring. She’s a model that travels the world in the latest fashion and showcases each stop on her blog along the way. I have to warn you though, if you visit her site, you will get bit by the travel bug. Really hard.
Favorite Beauty: 7 Natural Makeup Brands to Try Now. If you’re like me and you don’t appreciate seeing a scary long list of chemicals in your makeup, then I’m sure you’ll find something interesting in this article. I’m in need of a new mascara so I’m going to give this one a try next!
Favorite Homemade Takeout: Vegetarian Pho from Scratch. Confession: I’ve never tried pho. Everyone is always raving about how good it is and I’m dying to see what all of the commotion is about. Karen’s version look like the perfect recipe to try making my own at home.
Favorite Tip: Hanger Turn-Around Hack. Please tell me I’m not the only one who hoards clothes that I never wear?
To solve the problem, this article suggests turning all of your hangers around and then once you wear something, turn the hanger for that piece of clothing back around. That way you have a clear idea of what you’re actually wearing and what you’re not. Genius!
Favorite Funny: Perfect Timing. That face!
Favorite Taters: Chana Masala Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. This one comes from my favorite organic farmer who has a flair for making meals that taste great, are super healthy, and are also easy to throw together. I’ve made several of her recipes and they never let me down. This one is next on the list to try!
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Layer Cake with Cacao Macadamia Mousse and Coconut Whip. Um yeah, she had me at cacao macadamia mousse. <insert wide eyed emoji here>
I love Oregon. Are you planning on going to southern or northern Oregon? I love the Portland are, but Bend in southern Oregon is also very beautiful.
We definitely want to visit Portland but I’ll keep Bend in mind too. Thanks, Kelli!
I am loving your new “Friday Favorites” post each week. First of all, can’t wait to hear the reader survey results. Second of all, I’ve never been to Oregon and seen so many gorgeous photos of it. They have a wine region there too. Hope you can hit that up! Happy Friday, Sarah! :)
Yes, I would love to be able to visit their wine country! It makes me wish I could take a full month to explore.
Loved your post. Couldn’t agree more about the Sag Harbor Cottage Kitchen…Love, Love, Love! Also, just checked out Tuula’s blog, your right… totally just got bit by the travel bug and hard too!
Thanks, Meggie! It’s easy to get lost on Tuula’s blog. The photography is so beautiful!
That kitchen looks so perfect! I’ve always wanted a big, white, sunny kitchen with lots of windows. When I become rich and get to design my dream home from scratch, that’s exactly what I’ll have.
So sad you don’t have any puppy pics of Coco. Riley adopted Bella as a puppy before we met and like a typical guy, didn’t get any pictures of her as a baby!
Aw, I bet Bella was the cutest puppy too!!
depends on where you go in Oregon. Like CA, there’s a lot to see and explore. On the Gold coast I highly recommend a dune buggy ride. so much fun, especially if you ask for the roller coaster experience :) Further inland is some great wine country and caverns. Crater lake is absolutely stunning and I totally would do another boat ride on the Columbia River gorge area. I think it’s called Hells Gate (?). There’s a similar boat ride on the coast. . . Portland area is fun. Oh! and if you are a fan of the Goonies movie, do a tour in the north west area by Astoria. Research sites and locations of where the film was done :) It’s pretty fun.
Thank you so much for the tips, Sonia! I’ll be sure to write them down before we go. I hope you and the baby are doing well! :)
Love that kitchen.
& btw, I am obsessed with 100% pure – it’s my new favorite make-up/skin care line.
I’m wearing that mascara now – it’s the best!!
I remember you saying you like that brand! I’m excited to check it out.
I’ve driven through Oregon a handful of times while road tripping in the States, and it’s absolutely beautiful. We didn’t end up stopping at any specific sites, but no matter what you do, I have a feeling you’re going to love it :D And I cringe to think of all the chemicals that go into my makeup. I’ve been meaning to switch to more natural brands for a while now, but they can be so hit or miss. Definitely checking out that article!
Chana masala stuffed sweet potatoes?!?! YUM!!! That sounds so good!!
Ummmm ya that kitchen is my dream kitchen for sure. And that puppy? I die. I have my own and that photo makes me want another. Happy Friday love! Oh, and your Friday night sounds a whole lot like my Friday night :)
I think I might sleep in that kitchen if I had it ;) It is gorgeous!
Wow…I absolutely love Marcus Mumford and Mumford & Sons. Thanks for sharing the song. Loving your faves on Fridays! I am looking forward to the survey results too. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Lauren! I hope you had a great weekend too!
Amy Chaplin’s cookbook was gifted to me and I’m totally in love with it! I made the kimchi this month and it was surprisingly easy and SO good. I’m enjoying all of her recipes––simple, healthy, and tasty! Great roundup. The dog and kitchen too––OMG!
Her book is so amazing! I haven’t had a chance to try any of the recipes but I’m glad to hear the kimchi is a winner!
OMG that puppy!!! I want to just go give it a big hug!
And that kitchen… it just so so gorgeous! The kitchen in our house is very nice … just not at all what I would have picked out myself! haha :) Some day…
You’re making me want to go buy that cookbook. Except I was given so many other cookbooks for Christmas that I still have barely cracked open yet!
I know, there are so many great ones to buy! But this one is definitely worth it, even if you don’t get to it for a while. :)
Thoroughly enjoyed this post, Sarah! I jut took a look at the Vegetarian Pho recipe (I’m trying to make a recipe myself – made it before, just didn’t photograph it) & it’s not so bad! It’s missing fennel seeds, star anise, & ginger though, however, the essential cinnamon & clove mix is there. Pho is a very aromatic soup, with full body flavored spices & herbs in a light broth. Vegetarian pho is often poorly represented on the interwebs, I’ve found at least, but this one is a pretty good one. My mom likes to roast the onions & ginger whole over an open flame (you could just bake it) & then tossing it in a huge pot of broth (in this case you’d use a vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef).
There are so many things you talked about & I love it all! I’ve only been to Oregon once, so I can’t give you much traveling insight there, but the place you’re thinking of visiting looks beautiful. TAKE YOUR CAMERA & PHOTO EVERYTHANGGGG.
I wish I had a puppy! They’re such a wonderful addition to your life. Are you & Brandon thinking of getting another addition to your family?
The cookbook by Amy is on my list of cookbooks I want! I’ll have to see to it that I purchase it in the near future. I’m such a cookbook hoarder.
You need to post your recipe for pho! It sounds like you know so much about it. I’m sure it would be amazing!
And no, we would love to get a puppy but we might have to move towards the end of the year and it’s hard enough with one dog so unfortunately it’s going to have to wait. Hopefully one day though!
There are so many great links here! The sweet potato Marsala thing looks so good and so does the chili… I haven’t found a chili I don’t like! And that kitchen is my dream! I want it soooo bad.
I love the clothes hanger trick! I used to always do that until I moved into my house — the stupid bar is built so hangers only fit in one direction!