Happy Friday!! I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! We will be going out for a celebratory dinner, kicking off college football season, and enjoying some much-needed family time. Here are my favorite links, thoughts, and finds from this week. Enjoy!!
Favorite Article: The Cast of Downton Abbey Reverses Their Roles. I love these gorgeous photos and can’t wait for the film to come out next month!!
Favorite Fall Finds: Fall may not be quite here in calendar terms, but it’s definitely alive in spirit. It’s always funny to me how someone flips a switch at the beginning of August and Pinterest is suddenly taken over by pumpkins and sweaters. I’m making myself wait until mid-September to purchase any festive items, but have already started bookmarking things. I love this outfit for Lyla (another cute option for a boy), these gorgeous placemats (only $3.99 each until 9/2), these mules, and this cardigan (the “brown cattail” color is perfect for fall!).
Favorite Mom Moment: Lyla started Mother’s Day Out this week. Being a work from home mom, it was something that I hummed and hawed over for a while before enrolling her. Mom guilt and budget guilt finally submitted to the practical notion that the child needs socialization among her peers. If any SAH parents out there are reading this and trying to decide whether or not to put their pre-school age child in some sort of program, I say go for it! Let go of the guilt or stigma that you’re feeling, give yourself a much deserved break, and allow your child to have this experience. We’ve only had one day so far, but getting her little monthly calendar and information about her day was beyond fun. A little absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder and picking her up at the end of the day was such a special moment.
Favorite Splurge: I have been in need of a shoulder bag for over a year now. I’m the type of gal that does not switch out purses. I will literally carry the same one for months at a time. Two Christmases ago, I received a beautiful black Kate Spade satchel that has been my purse of choice since. While a great bag, something that I have to carry in the crook of my arm while also carrying a diaper bag, keys, water cup, baby’s hand, and whatever was in baby’s hand that is now in my hands is just not functional. Tim surprised me with a gorgeous new bag that I am in love with! We are outlet shoppers, but this one is very similar (and on sale for 40% off!). The quilting and the chain strap sets off the basic design beautifully. It’s a great investment piece that goes with everything and is timeless.
Favorite New Recipe: It’s no secret that I am an avid crockpot user (check out this post for my go-tos). I am constantly in search of new yummy (and healthy) recipes to add to my rotation. I tried this one for Korean BBQ Pork Tacos Tuesday night and it was a definite hit! We absolutely love Mexican and Asian foods, so the combo of the two is right up our alley. I altered it just slightly: I used regular yellow mustard, added just a bit more soy sauce at the end to cut the sweetness of the hoisin sauce, used this cole slaw recipe vs the creamy one that she uses, and omitted the cilantro. I ate this the next day for lunch, but as a bowl. Layer the meat on-top of the coleslaw and sprinkle with some peanuts. This makes it the perfect take to the office lunch!
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