Friday Favorites~a weekly series where we share our favorite books, decor, fashion finds, recipes, podcasts, articles and more.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 598
Good morning friends!
Can you feel it? The winds of change are coming. Even though it’s August, the mornings here are a little cool these last few days. Like many I am weary from the heat of summer and looking forward to Fall. Not wishing away time or the season I am in but enjoying the small changes and enjoying them.
Thankfully we are drying out from all of the rain. The landscaping has taken a beating and a few of my plants look like they have root root. Perhaps a week or two f sun can help with that?
How was your week? Are the kids and grandkids back at school? Are you itching for summer or enjoying the last of the summer sun and fun?
As always, I have lots to share so let’s get to all of our Friday Favorites!
FOOD
Beef birria, slow-cooked in a broth made with herbs and spices like chili peppers, oregano, and cumin, This looks like a delicious dinner to make this weekend.
Cucumber, mango, watermelon salad an interesting twist on watermelon salad.
Friday night is pizza night at my house and we are always looking for new combinations, this fig and caramelized onion pizza is the next one that we will be making.
Looking for an easy weekend cocktail? Look no further, this Rossini cocktail is a blend of strawberries and Prosecco.
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
If you want to learn some holiday baking recipes, tips and tricks from your favorites bloggers and social media crushes check out the 2024 Holiday Bake Fest!
Divorce Design Part 1: What it is and why it’s needed
The 25 Best Spots to Get Coffee in Paris
An Old English Schoolhouse Gets a Modern Addition, With Sleek Lines and Bold Hues
Winners and losers of the 2024 Olympics: Big upsets, failures and joyful moments
Glen Powell and the Manufacturing of Modern Movie Stardom
A Brief History of Peanut Butter
How Renaissance Art Found Its Way to American Museums
BOOKS
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.
She bikes home from work at exactly 4pm each day, buys the same groceries for the same meals every week, and owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). The closest thing she has to a friendship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.
And Lenny Marks is very, very good at not remembering what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was still a child. The day a voice in the back of her mind started whispering, You did this.
Until a letter from the parole board arrives in the mail–and when her desperate attempts to ignore it fail, Lenny starts to unravel. As long-buried memories come to the surface, Lenny’s careful routines fall apart. For the first time, she finds herself forced to connect with the community around her, and unexpected new relationships begin to bloom. Lenny Marks may finally get a life–but what if her past catches up to her first?
Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming, Kerryn Mayne’s stunning debut is an irresistible novel about truth, secrets, vengeance, and family lost and found, with a heroine who’s simply unforgettable.
The Instrumentalist
Anna Maria della Pietà was destined to drown in one of Venice’s canals. Instead, she became the greatest violinist of the 18th century.
Anna Maria has only known life inside the Pietà , an orphanage for children born of prostitutes. But the girls of the Pietà are lucky in a sense: most babies born of their station were drowned in the city’s canals. And despite the strict rules, the girls are given singing and music lessons from an early age. The most promising musicians have the chance to escape the fate of the rest: forced marriage to anyone who will have them.
Need More Book Suggestions?
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.Â
SHOPPING
OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Blue and burgundy are on of my favorite color combinations. The rich tones look beautiful together, especially if you like moody, dark colors.
This outfit is another that is made up of items you probably already own, a white t-shirt, jeans, a blue blazer and a scarf. If you are not a fan or burgundy you could wear black shoes and a bag or even blue for a tone on tone look. Add a scarf for a little pattern and a pop of color!
Outfit Details
That’s All for Now
What are your weekend plans?
Tell me something that made you smile this week!
I hope you enjoyed the recipes, links and books I discovered this week on Friday Favorites. Thank you for spending part of your day with me, your time is valuable and I am grateful that you spend a little of each day with me. Â Have a wonderful weekend.
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On My Radar-On Sale and New Arrivals
Love your fall outfit, this week! I definitely need to get a copy of “Lenny Marks”. Sounds so good! Be blessed, friend!
Thank you Kim! Have a wonderful and blessed week friend.
The food looks exceptionally tasty! Interesting about doom scrolling. I totally agree. Actually, before I came here I’d just put peanut butter into my online Walmart order. If I’d forgotten your post would have reminded me.
Brenda
Good Monday morning Brenda!
I hope that you had a great weekend! Doom scrolling is an interesting thing, in this day and age I don’t care what you are looking at(most blogs excluded) it is depressing.
Enjoy your peanut butter and have a great week.
I’m sorry it has taken me so long to visit, but I thoroughly enjoyed Friday Favourites, Elizabeth! I particularly liked the School House renovation link and I am adding The Instrumentalist to my reading list. Thank you for sharing! I hope you had a lovely weekend and that your week is going well.