Friday is here and it’s a good one because my mom and dad are in town for the weekend! They arrived yesterday afternoon and we are so happy to have Mae and Pop here with us! While our weekend plans are a little up in the air, we have a babysitter booked for tonight for an adults-only dinner with my parents which will be such a treat, as I cannot remember the last time we’ve gone out to dinner with them without the kids in the mix. Hooray for cocktails, good food and grownup conversation!
But before dinner this evening, my emotions are going to be all over the place because Ryder has his kindergarten readiness screening at his future elementary school this morning. Sending Chase off to kindergarten three years ago really got me and I somehow thought I’d be more prepared this time around but NOPE. I’m feeling just as intensely emotional about Ryder growing up even though I know he’s so ready. It’s a swirl of happy-sad inside my heart right now. Heaven help me at Ryder’s preschool graduation next month!
And on that sappy note, I’m off to get this Friday rolling but first wanted to share this week’s roundup of favorites with you guys! Keep on scrolling if you’d like to read about a few small things that are making me smile this week. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
$3 Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream (that tastes like Haagen-Dazs!)
For someone who loves peanut butter, I don’t love peanut butter ice cream. Perhaps I should rephrase that: I don’t love most peanut butter ice cream flavors that have peanut butter ice cream as the base. It never seems to taste quite right and has a weird fake peanut butter flavor that falls flat. The same can be said for most chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Except for Haagen-Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream. That particular flavor has been my holy grail of chocolate peanut butter ice cream for years because the peanut butter tastes like real peanut butter. It’s salty and thick and a little crunchy because it’s not some pseudo-peanut butter.
Well, I took a gamble this week, my friends, when I saw this little pint of chocolate peanut butter ice cream at ALDI. At less than $3, I figured it was worth a shot. The verdict? Daaaang it was GOOD. (And the ingredient list isn’t too bad either!) Haagen-Dazs is still my number one but this chocolate peanut butter ice cream is right up there. They nailed the peanut butter ribbon and the chocolate ice cream base is rich and creamy and tasted so, so much like Haagen-Dazs. It will be a definite *add to cart* in the future, though I think it may be a limited time offering at ALDI? Hopefully not because I need more of this ice cream in my life!
Free People Ziggy Overalls
(Overalls: Free People / Top: Free People / Sandals: Amazon / Bracelets: Anthropologie + Madewell / Necklaces: Gorjana + Amazon)
I’ve been an overall lover for years for two main reasons: I think they’re cute but, more importantly, they’re comfortable. My tolerance for wearing anything has plummeted ever since I left my 20s behind (almost 9 years ago!) and anytime I can put on an outfit that feels comfy on my body but still works well as a mom to three kids who have me running all over the place, I’m all about it. I’ve been eyeing Free People’s ziggy overalls for a while now and finally took the plunge and I’m glad I did because they fit well, feel good and are a little more flattering than most overalls (especially in the butt area — aka no “droopy butt”). I read reviews and opted for a medium in the powder blue color and think they will be so cute with everything from basic tanks and long-sleeve tops to tees and bodysuits.
Ultima Electrolyte Replenisher
For years, Ryan has incorporated electrolyte powders into his post-workout recovery. He’s in the midst of training for another Half Ironman (Chattanooga in May) and with so much distance training on his training schedule, his body clearly benefits from additional electrolytes. (I even included Ultima, his favorite electrolyte powder, in my 2023 Gift Guide for Him because of Ryan’s love for the stuff!) I’ve never really felt like my workouts or my day-to-day life really warrants the need for more electrolytes (outside of half marathon training years ago), but I recently began taking a scoop out of Ryan’s stash of Ultima after particularly sweaty workouts (I’m looking at you Burn Boot Camp MetCon!) and have found myself quickly swayed in favor of electrolytes. A little scoop of Ultima makes me feel more hydrated after a workout and seems to keep my energy levels more level, especially hours later. Plus, the flavors of Ultima I’ve tried are delicious (I like watermelon and pink lemonade best while Ryan loves grape and orange), though I like them more watered-down because don’t like my dinks too flavorful. I just combine one scoop with twice the amount of water and lots of ice and it feels like a little treat!
Where to buy: Ryan stocks up on Ultima when it goes on sale through Thrive Market but also orders it regularly through Amazon. (For any fellow Thrive fans, it’s currently 20% off!) I’d highly advise buying a single serving of any electrolyte powders you may wish to try to make sure you like them, as they’re not cheap and everyone’s flavor preferences differ. Amazon sells a handful of the single-servings of Ultima and I’ve seen then at Whole Foods as well.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
Genre: Fantasy
My rating: A
After loving the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Mass, I’ve had additional series written by the author on my radar for a while. I finally took the plunge and began reading Throne of Glass and absolutely flew through the first book. (I honestly liked the first book in this series more than the first book in ACOTAR, though books 2 and 3 in ACOTAR where where I really fell in love with that series.) The book is filled with action, relationship intrigue, twists, assassins, warriors, secrets and a competition to become the King’s Champion that kept me flying through the pages. I’ve already started reading book two in the Throne of Glass series and I think it’s safe to say it’s quickly roping me in!
The book follows assassin Celaena Sardothien after she’s captured and spends a year in a prison death camp. She’s released upon the orders of the Crown Prince who desires her to compete as his champion in a competition organized by his father, an evil king who desires a “King’s Champion” to serve him and kill anyone he wishes. Celaena agrees to compete, knowing it’s her only chance at ever leaving prison and regaining freedom, and embarks on a series of challenges meant to test her and the other 23 champions to their limits. As some of her competitors are found dead before the various competitions, Celaena begins to wonder if the real danger she faces might be lurking inside the castle. With the Crown Prince insisting she win and rooting fiercely for her and the Captain of the Guard assigned to protect her, Celaena should feel safe, but her work as the top assassin has taught her to never let her guard down, something that becomes increasingly challenging as she grows closer to the two men and the princess she befriends who is as intriguing as she is mysterious.
Friday Flashbacks
Teriyaki Salmon Bowls (Sharing this one because it’s the dinner I made for our whole gang when my parents arrived last night though I used the marinade from my salmon bites recipe instead of teriyaki sauce for the salmon. We loved it!)
Chocolate Chip Corn Flake Cookies (In case your sweet tooth has been raging lately like mine!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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