Happy Friday friends! Well, it’s finally here. We’ve waited all year and now the weekend before Christmas has arrived. I’m guessing many of you will be off work for the rest of the year. Woo-to-the-hoo!
This is the last Friday Favorites of 2018 for me. Next week, I’m going to step back from blogging and focus on my family. Katie is home, as y’all already know, and Benny & Erin get here late Saturday night, followed by my parents on Christmas Eve if my mom is up to it. She’s had a terrible case of bronchitis for over a week and is on her second round of antibiotics. We’re praying for a miracle turn around, but it doesn’t look good. Insert all the sad faces right here.
Before I go on hiatus though, I’ve got quite a few things that have recently tickled my fancy to share and just like every Friday Favorites, I’m linking up with some other great bloggers. Link ups are a fantastic way to find new blogs and make new friends.
I shared this BRUSH BATH last week on my Stocking Stuffers For Her post. A friend of mine told me about this and said it worked wonders on her makeup brushes. I’d actually been looking for something for mine, so I had to give it a shot. Holy cleanness, Batman. This stuff really works, especially on brushes that are used for foundation, BB Creams, and the IT concealers. I am totally amazed at what a great job it does of cleaning. You spray it on and then start wiping away on a tissue, and just continue until it’s nice and clean. You’ve GOT TO TRY THIS!!!! You can get a 3.4 oz large bottle or a smaller travel size bottle. I’m a total fan!
I may be too late telling y’all about these and for that I’m so sorry, because these are both such fun finds. I got them a few weeks ago at Trader Joe’s and went back to stock up on more before they sell out. I’ve quickly come to realize that the things they get seasonally sell out fast, and once they’re gone…they’re gone…and you’re sad.
These little Mini Peppermint Meringues are the perfect little pop in your mouth snack, and you can eat 11 of them for only 80 calories. That feels like a very decadent treat. I’m also thinking they would be so delicious to dip in some dark chocolate to harden on the bottoms.
The Candy Cane Green Tea has the perfect amount of peppermint in it. I’ve never been that big of a peppermint fan, so when Katie came home and I had both of these, she was kind of like “what’s going on here?”. Apparently, I’m coming around to the idea of peppermint. Who knew?
Having this girl should be favorite number 1. I’m am so loving having my playmate back and already grieving that she’s only here a few weeks. I know she’ll be so ready to get back to school and her life, but I sure love having her home.
I’m also beyond thrilled that she will still snuggle up with me on the sofa. Last weekend we spent a lot of time watching Hallmark movies and Friends and it was grand!
We have an elf named Gretchen who came to live with us last year…she helped me win my Barrington tote. (read about that here) She typically lives on one of my tiered trays, but has made a few random appearances for Katie. ❤️
Want your own elf and some accessories? Find them here…
I keep adding pillows to our sofa and Kent says pretty soon there won’t be any place left to sit. MEN! They just don’t get it. (sorry Bubbie, it’s the truth?❤️) I love the striped pillow above and I wish I’d thought to take a picture of the back. It has smaller stripes for a contrast. The other new pillow is the striped one below. They are both from Pottery Barn. I love all the pillow options they have, and I’ve mentioned before, I love that I can buy just the covers to change out seasonally, making for easier storage.
Here are a few of my favorite pillow picks
Don’t y’all love it when you find out about something from a blogger friend? I was watching an Insta-story and someone (I can’t remember who) recommended this tea, so being the TJ’s sucker I am, I went right out and got some. Yep, it’s good! AND…can y’all believe you can get some of the Trader Joe’s items on Amazon? I didn’t realize that until yesterday. So, if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, then no worries. You can order it and have it delivered to your front door. Score!
Pecan Pie in the house. I made this one day this week and stuck it in the freezer for next week. My favorite pie pan is this red one by Emile Henry. Don’t you just hate it when you go to all the trouble to bake a pie or quiche, bake it the right amount of time, think it’s done, only to cut into it and the bottom isn’t done. What the heck? Until I bought this pie plate, (do you ever call it that?) I could never get a pie done on the bottom without pre-baking the shell, which then led to the edges getting too done even with the silicone covers. I found one by the same maker currently on sale here if you need one.
Now let’s talk about these super clever silicone pie crust shields. I found these one day and had no idea what I had just stumbled on. They are pure genius and adjustable to fit any size pie plate. I had a metal crust guard that was basically worthless. Why was it worthless? It only fit one pie plate that I never use. True confession: I have a Pampered Chef stone pie plate and don’t love it, in fact, I don’t even use it and that’s what the metal ring fit. I’m sorry if you have a Pampered Chef one and love it, it just wasn’t right for me.
You can shop these pie making supplies right here, and they’d make a darling gift for a baker in your life.
Well that about wraps it up friends. I wish y’all the Merriest Christmas. Eat all the things and enjoy with no guilt. Soak in the moments and live your best life.
I love those pie crust shields!! Your beautiful pie looks Competition worthy!!! I do hope your sweet mama feels up to the trip, I am so happy everyone will be home. Just adore the pics of your and Katie having your fun, I can just picture you all curled up having your tea and snacking watching something fun on TV, just the kind of perfect days I treasure! Love you girlfriend, enjoy these festive days ahead!!! xoxo
Every baker should have those shields. I wish I could just stop time and keep my girl here. I love having my best buddy home. Happy Friday and Merry Christmas! XO
The pie crust shields are genius…way better than the foil I always end up using. I’m so happy Katie is home and you’re having fun hanging around together. I hope your mom feels better soon. Merry Christmas!
Oh my gosh…I used foil forever until I happened upon these. Y’all have a wonderful Christmas!!! XOXO
Such cosy times you’re having with sweet Katie.
Hope your poor mum’s health improves soon.
And cushions, TP pretty much repeats the same thing as Kent each time I Iust after yet more cushions. And throws. Men just don’t get it eh?
Wishing you all a Merry and Bright Christmas, enjoy your break.
Hugs, Mary x.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com
Thanks Mary. Her health isn’t good in general, so it’s really challenging. Katie and I have been having a ball. Tonight the other two get here and we’ll be rolling then. Hope you and TP have a wonderful Christmas!!! XO
How did I miss your mom’s illness?? I hope she feels better and can make the trip to Cali! You and Katie just eat your time up together. I’m off to check out Amazon and Trader Joe’s because you know we don’t have one here! Ugh! Merry Christmas, Lisa!
Thanks Laura…her health is always questionable at best, so this is just par for the course unfortunately. I’m praying for a miracle, but the trip is hard for her on a good day, let alone when she’s already compromised. Have a wonderful weekend and Merry Christmas precious friend. Thanks for the sweet card too. Love ya’ girlie!!! XO
Oooh so many great things in here! The pie crust shield is such a great idea! And you and Katie…gosh we know where she got her looks! You’re both just so pretty. Those mint meringues sound so good! And the brush cleaners sounds awesome!! What a great roundup!
Gina || On the Daily Express
I was so excited when I stumbled on those pie shields. Crazy what makes me excited. LOL You are too sweet complimenting us and I truly appreciate it. She is a very pretty girl…even if I am her prejudiced mama. The brush cleaner really works. I’ve tried Dawn, that Dr. Bronners stuff, shampoo…this works the best!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!! XO
Love.
Merry Christmas Regine!!! XO
Merry Christmas, Lisa! Have a wonderful time with all of your family and we will see you in the new year!
Merry Christmas to you too Kim!!! Enjoy everything the season holds. XOXO
Somehow I missed this post yesterday!Glad I came back today because so much goodness right here. I love that you and Katie are having so much fun together and tonight will be even better when Erin and Benny get there! Still hoping your mom feels well enough to travel, that is a bummer. Now I MUST get that brush bath, I hate to tell you what I use to clean my brushes. I have a metal pie crust shield too but I’d sure love to try the silicone ones, love the idea that they fit all sizes.
Well friend, here we are wrapping up another year! Soak up all the wonderful family time and have the very best Christmas!
Love ya!
Kellyann
Well it’s super easy to miss posts during this super busy time. Seriously, the Brush Bath…WORKS! I’m hoping for a miracle for mom, but highly doubtful. On a good day the trip is so hard on her, she doesn’t need to be traveling when she’s compromised and miserable. Have a joyous weekend!!! XOXO
Oh yum your pies look great! 🙂
I like the idea of the peppermint meringues too, I like meringues 🙂 Hope that things are better for your mum!
Hope that you are having a nice weekend! I finished Christmas food shopping yesterday and all the gifts are bought so now we are just relaxing until the big day 🙂 Enjoy your break and family time and have a merry Christmas!
Away From The Blue Blog
Mica, Hope your family had a beautifully magical Christmas. XO
That winter wake up tea is so tasty! I got some last year and my husband and I really enjoyed it! I need to revamp our pillows in the family room downstairs. I’ll have to check out pottery barn! Yours are all so cute!
I’ve been drinking it and the Candy cane as an alternative to a second cup of coffee. Hope y’all had a magical Christmas!!! XO
Girl. I’ve never heard of pie crust shields before. Where have they been my whole life?! I’m sorry I didn’t comment before the holidays – I totally took a break 😉 I hope you had the best time with your sweet family though, and I loved following along on IG! Cheers to a nearly New Year!
They are legit! No apologies are ever necessary. This is the life of bloggers sweet friend!!! XOXO
Pie crust shield sounds like a really nifty tool. I definitely need that! Thanks for sharing dear.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
They should be in every kitchen? Happy New Year!!! XO