Hey, hey friends and welcome to the first Friday Favorites of 2019. WOW! 2019!!! So crazy to think that that’s actually the number of the year we are living in. Have things gotten back to normal for your family yet? Tomorrow Katie goes back to school (insert allllll the sad faces here). I’m happy to report, she’s not anxious to leave except for seeing her boyfriend. Last semester was really a tough one (and she managed to make a 4.0 #mombrag) and this semester is going to be equally challenging. For those of you who don’t know, she’s a kinesiology major and prepping to apply to PA (Physician’s Assistant) school. She’s loved being home and we’ve had the best time just goofing off together. I’m going to be one lonely puppy next week. I guess there’s only one thing for me to do….get a trip planned to look forward to.
Seeing as it’s Friday, let’s get right to Friday Favorites, and see what tickled my fancy recently.
Having some quality time with our family is by far favorite numero uno. Having all three kids home (which seems very natural to say) was a blast. Katie and Erin get along so well and just love each other to death and Erin just blends into our family seamlessly.
We went down to San Jose to tour the Winchester Mystery House. If you aren’t familiar with what it is, just click here. We then came home and watched the movie which was super bazaar, but now we can say we’ve done it. LOL. It was entertaining and informative, but what we’d call a “one and done”.
One of our favorite games to play is Mexican Train Dominos, and we even got Benny to play. #notafanofthegames It’s so much easier to play when you have these handy dandy domino racks. The train hub in the middle is also something extra that I ordered along with extra trains. It makes playing with more than 4 people easy and allows you space to run extra lines of dominos. I found this set of dominos on Amazon (where else?) that includes a nice wooden train hub.
Get your own dominos here
One of my favorite things I received this Christmas was this precious ornament from Shelly. I absolutely loved it and the sentiment behind it. I’m not putting it away with all the other ornaments either, but keeping it “hanging around”? as a sweet reminder of special friends. She also gave me the best idea. I’m going to start a tradition of making one of these every year (with the year on it) for our family, and then eventually having a small tree dedicated just to those ornaments. Won’t that be sooo cute? I’m going to still have one made for this past Christmas with a picture from the kids wedding. ❤️
I picked this box of travel size hairsprays up at Target the other day. I’ve been thinking it would be fun to try some different ones for comparison. I’ve been using the Sebastian that’s in the box for the last year and it holds well without being too stiff. I busted the box open this week, and I’m currently taking the Rusk for a spin. So far I’m giving it two thumbs up.???? I think it’s a good product. It seems to have a nice amount of hold without being stiff and the scent is pleasant. This may sound weird, but I also like the power of the spray the nozzle produces.
Katie and I made two trips to my latest obsession…Trader Joe’s. She even commented that I’m quite the fan now. I saw someone on Insta sharing this shampoo and conditioner, so of course I had to pick them up to try. First off, they were only $3.99 each, so pretty much a bargain. Second, they have Tea Tree & Eucalyptus in them and I love a shampoo with a little tingle. Do you? I’ve used a couple of others in the past like this one and this one. I’ll have to use them a little longer to develop a true feeling, but I liked them the first time.
Have a great weekend friends!!!!
Happy Friday but friend, I know the feels, the boys are heading back tomorrow too and I am sad. Guess I’l need a trip up to Trader Joe’s, let us know how you like that shampoo and conditioner! We played so many family games, we will have to try Mexican Train Dominos! Hope you and Katie make it a great last day of break together!!! Love ya mama!! xo
I bet y’all would love the dominos if you love games, and you can have quite a few players. I was telling KT about your cooking for the boys to take back and told her if she was within driving distance, I’d be doing the same. Such a sweet mama you are. Happy weekend!!! XO
Enjoy your time together- it is my favorite part of the Christmas season! 🙂 Love the Blogging Ladies Holiday card too- have a great weekend Lisa!
Thanks Holly!!! It was a great season of celebrating for sure. Have a wonderful weekend! XO
I used to live in San Jose and I share your thoughts on the Winchester Mystery House! It was amusing if you have time to kill…but not California’s greatest attraction. 🙂 I’m glad you had such a good time with all of your family home!
Thanks Gina! I guess all good things must come to an end. We had a very blessed holiday! XO
My in-laws are huge Mexican Train Dominos fans! We used to play it at every family gathering when we first started dating. I LOVE that shampoo (and body wash) from Trader Joe’s — we’ve been using it for years! It’s so cheap but does such a great job plus it smells amaaaazing.
Ooooo, I didn’t see the body wash, but I’ll be looking for that next time I go. I actually need some right now. Thanks!!!
I was going to mention that I also use the body wash and LOVE IT!
HOW FUNNY!!! I just mentioned it in my other response. HAHAHAHA!!!!!
We have a trader joes and don’t go there enough! Lots of good things! I love that you play dominos, it used to be my mom and dads favorite , that and cards. Great family photos, so glad you had a wonderful Christmas Holiday. I also love the nashville gang ornament, adorable and a great memory for you.
jess xx
Have a great weekend!
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
It can become an addiction. LOL. We love most games, especially cards and dominos…less board games. Hope you’re having a great weekend! XO
The custom ornament was such a wonderful idea and memento of your trip. I very much agree that spending time with family is by far the BEST!
It sure is Kim. Hard to let them go back to their lives. ❤️ But, we’ve done our job and now it’s time for them! Happy New Year! XO
I am not familiar with the Winchester House or story so I am going to need to check that out asap. The picture of the 5 of you is precious! I love that Erin and Katie get along so well, that is a true blessing!
I think your ornament each year idea is a great one, I may have to steal that idea. I’m not putting mine away either because I love that sweet picture and it reminds me of one of the best trips I’ve had in a very long time as well as you ladies who have become such an important part of my life. Next week we’ll be back to MP’ing all day long and singin the blues to one another, lol!
I had been using Elnet hairspray for years and then it just stopped holding my hair, isn’t that crazy??? I am using Big Sexy hair now and I like it much better. That trial size box is a great idea, may need to look into that.
Also? I have never played any kind of dominoes. I feel deprived!
I’ll be thinking of you this weekend my friend, love ya!
xo,
Kellyann
I can’t wait for the 6 of us to add ANOTHER ornament!? I haven’t tried the Big Sexy yet, but I will soon. XO
What a sweet family pic! It looks like you have had a wonderful time together!
I like the ornament too! Every year we make or buy a different ornament for the tree, it’s a fun tradition to have! 🙂
Happy New Year! Hope that your 2019 is off to a great start and you’ve been having a great week 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Thank you Mica! I hope your year is off to a wonderful start too!
I used to play Domino train on vacation with my grandparents and that game brings back so many wonderful memories!
That’s so sweet. Love memories like that!
I absolutely loved Shelly’s ornament, too, and even thought my tree is STILL up (shooting for taking it down tomorrow), I’m planning on keeping the ornament in my woman cave so I can see it and remember our fun trip to Nashvegas, too!
I can’t wait to add another one?
I’ve been using that Rusk w8less hairspray for YEARS. I always come back to it, nothing else compares to it. I used to go to TJ’s once a month, I need to get back on that routine again. I wish it was closer!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Oh I’m so happy to know you like it. I tried one of the others yesterday and today. I’m spoiled that our TJ’s and Costco are close by. One thing I will miss when the time comes to move. LOL
I make a photo ornament every year from our bestie golf trip that we go on and this year I also made one from our disneyland trip with the kids! They are the best! great idea about making them for a small tree later on! I use the TJ’s shampoo and conditioner and I LOVE it. I even have my hair snob hubby using it and he loves it! Happy Friday!
Awesome Kim!! Someone told me they have a shower gel like the shampoo too. I want to try that. Those ornaments are darling!!! XO
Oh, we love to play Mexican Train and I have the domino racks but may order a new hub and new trains (we use pennies). The picture ornament is so cute and what a great idea to do a small tree of them. Your family picture is so good. Wishing you a blessed 2019!
Thank you Lea! I wish a wonderful 2019 to you as well. Hope your weekend is going great! XO
My bffl actually lives like blocks away from the Winchester Mystery house! How funny! I think she’s been there a few times, but I never have. And I’ve been using that Tea Tree Tingle shampoo intermittently for the past few years, I always come back to it! I’m sad that it’s starting to run out because that means i have to go to Trader Joe’s, which is always a zoo! Ugh! 😀 Hope you’re having a great weekend, Lisa! xoxox
Well that’s just a crazy wild coincidence! I’m finding out I’m apparently late to the Tea Tree Shampoo party. LOL Did you know they have a body wash too? I just found that out, so guess what I’ll be getting. ?Happy weekend, Cutie! XOXO
The ornament is such a great idea. I like that it is metal and imprinted. I’ve always just framed a small picture with an ornament frame. I’ll have to try that TJ’s shampoo. With tea tree oil, it has the added bonus of fending off lice…ha, ha!
I can’t wait for the ornaments to arrive. I didn’t know that about tea tree and lice. Thankfully we dodged that bullet. LOL
I love having tea tree in shampoo! I even add it myself if my shampoo doesn’t have it, especially in winter. It keep my scalp from becoming too dry and itchy. That dominos looks fun! We have a similar set but never played that version!
I was going to buy the body wash, but decided I didn’t want the extra “coolness” in winter…LOL
That domino game sure looks fun!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
It is, and it’s great for quite a few people too! XO