Friday Favorites (42)

Happy Friday, friends! It’s time for Friday Favorites, a series where I share my favorite hobbies, books, films, TV shows, style, and more!

For me this January has felt like a slow unfolding, part hibernation and part a reemergence of creative energy. I know many people go into the new year with lots of gusto and enthusiasm. This January has been a bit different for me. We started the year with Covid and then my mom had surgery and I spent a few weeks at her home helping her through her recovery. It was a good chance for me to reflect on all we accomplished in 2023 and what I may want to tackle or try out in 2024.

I guess what I’m trying to say in a rambling way, if you’ve had a slow start to the New Year that’s totally okay.

Right, let’s talk about Friday Favorites. Are you ready?

Favorite New Patterns

I reworked my Starfish pattern and I love how it looks! Peach Fuzz is the Color of the year so my coral starfish work with this trend. See the coral color-way here (available in wallpaper, fabric, and ready made home decor elements.

I’m a blue and white girls o I also have this pattern available in that colorway too. See more of the navy blue starfish here.

Favorite Way to Add A Summer Glow

It gets to be this time of year where I feel so pale. I’m ready for a getaway! My favorite way to add a summer glow is with some Jones Road products. I love them because they’re natural and give a very natural look. I’ve been using them since the 2020. I love their bronzer and use it year round. I have it in Medium Tan. I apply this with the bronzer brush. I just ordered the Miracle Balm in Golden Hour for a shimmery glow.

I actually shared my natural make up routine if you’d like to see more (this was before they had the bronzer).

Favorite Books

I’m reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and I can’t put it down. I love his writing because it’s so descriptive. It’s a mystery set in England at an old estate and there are some elements of sci fi and supernatural. A good “escape book” if you need one.

Favorite Healthy Food

Lately I’ve been doing “avocado toast” on rice cakes. I chop up avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and put it on a Lundberg Rice Cake and drizzle with olive oil, black pepper, and crushed pepper flakes. I love the crunchy texture of the rice cakes.

I also love their thin crackers too.

Favorite Find for the Bathroom

I’d love to completely revamp our bathroom, but it means a big renovation which won’t be in the budget for many years, so instead I added these pretty bottles which give our bathroom a spa feel. Can you believe they’re from Amazon? The package came with three bottles with waterproof labels and a funnel. I saw them in my friend Andrea’s bathroom (she’s the founder of Pretty in Ink).

Favorite Podcasts

I’m an avid podcast listener. Are you? I discovered two new podcast which I’m really enjoying!

Art 2 Life Podcast with Nicholas Wilton – Nicholas is an artist and art educator. He has the most relaxing voice to listen to. I’m listening to the back catalog right now to catch up, but I love his interviews with artists. It’s so inspiring to hear their stories and how they navigate an art-making life.

The Preppy Podcast – is hosted by PR guru Patricia Mae Olson. She loves preppy style and interviews female entrepreneurs embodying that style. I really loved listening to my friend Michele of Coastal Brahmin and Bridget of Whale Tail Weaving. I’m looking forward to catching up on ALL the episodes. Patricia’s questions are really thought provoking.

Favorite Apparel

This is pretty much my winter apparel. Jeans from J.Jill (I love that they have petites and these have a little stretch in them), classic sweater from J Crew (I had this same heritage roll neck in high school and I’m so glad they brought this style back) and mules by TOMS.

Favorite TV

Archie – on BritBox. This is a series about the life of Cary Grant and we’re finding it so interesting.

Murder in Boston – this is a documentary series on MAX of a murder that happened in Boston when I was growing up. This is so well done and also talks about race, society, and about the lies people tell and their consequences. I’m going to have our boys watch it too.

Maigret – on BritBox. In a similar vein to Hercules Poirot but set in 1950s Paris. We’ve watched the first episode so far.

Favorite For Relaxation

Lately I’ve been painting monochrome paintings using just a single color and I’m loving how relaxing it is. I used Sepia for this painting. I also love Prussian Blue and Payne’s Gray for monochrome paintings.