Welcome to Friday Favorites, a weekly series where I share interesting articles, books, fashion finds, recipes and more.
Good Friday favorites morning to you. Yesterday the first official day of fall it was 86, this morning it is a crisp 50! Break out the jackets and coats, not just the sweaters. The pups are snuggled in front of their first fire of the season, a wee bit premature but who cares, it’s Friday, it’s fall and it’s a fun way to start the weekend.
We are headed out for a walk, and then home to bake and prep dinner. A few weeks ago we met a couple that volunteer their time and resources at a local women’s shelter. After just a few moments I knew we wanted to be a part of her group. Once a month we contribute a portion of two meals for whomever is staying at the shelter.
Although I have no specifics of what brought these women and children to the shelter I can guess. For now this is safe haven for them until they move on to a new and better life or go back to the situation they were in.
I pray that these women and children find a measure of comfort and hope for better days from a simple meal prepared by strangers with love.
Enough about me, let’s get to the good stuff, food, finds, books and more. Grab you coffee, cocoa or tea and let’s explore.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 499
Food
Buffalo Cauliflower Bowls are an easy and delicious meal for weeknights or weekends. Not to mention it is a great vegan alternative to buffalo chicken bowls.
Bratwurst Burger with Sauerkraut on Pretzel Roll, a fun meal for Octoberfest.
Rigatoni with pistachio, ricotta and herb pesto, looks delicious!
Oh my goodness, my mouth is watering just looking at this Apple Cheddar Bacon Pizza.
A salad is always a good idea, and this Roasted cranberry butternut squash and cauliflower salad is one of my favorites.
I love whoopee pies and have been known to eat one or two a day when I visit Maine. This year I want to make my own and I will be trying these pumpkin whoopee pies.
Interesting Articles & Links
How to Figure Out What You Want in Life
The 27 Best Decluttering Tips of All Time
Fall Movies to Add to Your List
Another five films on your list for fall
Moving to Paris: Diary of a Would-Be Parisian
5 Destinations You Didn’t Know Existed
Boasting prolific gardens with deep green roots, Rowallane speaks to the beauty of the Emerald Isle.
4 Tips for Writing the Perfect Thank You Note
Commonwealth: Seven things you might not know
In Pictures: The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
This was history – solemn, spectacular and intense
The Door Swings Shut on The Elizabethan Era
I am a huge fan of Vivian Howard, her books and her restaurant Chef & the Farmer. I recently learned that she has a book club and October 8th she is hosting my friend Kristy Woodson Harvey at Lenoir. You get a signed copy of the book, cocktails and nibbles and two fabulous Southern women chatting about books and so much more. For more information visit here.
If you ever wanted a tour or a behind the scene look at Stonewall Kitchen, Molly shared her adventure to the factory, headquarters and more.
Books
Writers & Lovers
Blindsided by her mother’s sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she’s been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey’s fight to fulfill her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.
Writers & Lovers follows Casey—a smart and achingly vulnerable protagonist—in the last days of a long youth, a time when every element of her life comes to a crisis. Written with King’s trademark humor, heart, and intelligence, Writers & Lovers is a transfixing novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting
What can I say, I love romance novels.
Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin.
Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season.
Kitty may be neither accomplished nor especially genteel—but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with cunning and ingenuity, she knows that risk is just part of the game.
The only thing she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn….
Gift books for yourself of the holidays
I have both of these books and I enjoy paging through them for inspiration. Susanna Salk is the author of many interior design books, and you will love them all.
It’s the Little Things
It’s the Little Things shows us how to display our beloved objects to create sophisticated interiors. With interiors by some of the world’s top designers, such as Alessandra Branca, Bunny Williams, John Derian, and India Hicks, among others, and with Salk’s encouraging design tips, It’s the Little Things inspires us to slow down and pay attention to the details that can add richness and personality to any interior.
Be Your Own Decorator
Selecting favorite rooms from more than fifty renowned designers such as Kelly Wearstler, Bunny Williams, Albert Hadley, Nate Berkus, and Mary McDonald—and shot by the world’s top shelter photographers—Susanna Salk offers insightful advice on how to apply basic design principles to interiors.
Covering a range of styles from traditional to modern, formal to whimsical, and showcasing some of the best work by the best designers of our age, Be Your Own Decorator is a rich resource for the aspiring decorator.
Books You May Have Missed
If you missed a book I have shared in the past or are looking for something additional to read you can find many of my book suggestions here.
Finds
Plaid lovers you might need to add this to your Fall and Winter wardrobe. I ordered this skirt and I cannot wait to see it in person, I will let you know how it fits and looks.
I love white shirts! They are a classic for any wardrobe.
I know that many of you do as well. Any time that I post one not only do you message me to let me know but you purchase them too! Thank you!
While perusing the sales I found several new shirts that I like and have in my cart. This oversize shirt//this slim fit drapey shirt//this classic cotton shirt//this romantic ruffled shirt
Should you need a little help styling your white shirts both Jennifer and Cindy posted some fabulous ideas this week.
Add a cosy sweater or two to your wardrobe this season, they pair perfectly with t-shirts, button down shirts or a lighter sweater underneath.
Cardigans are “the rage” this year, and are “on trend”, funny because I have always considered cardigans another piece of a classic wardrobe. I have my eye on this one above, in several colors, you can wear it with jeans, with pjs, yoga pants over a skirt and more.
Speaking of sweaters, why not add a “sweater” blank throw to your couch or favorite chair to snuggle with on cold days?
UNTIL TOMORROW
I hope that you enjoyed Friday Favorites no. 499 and that you found something enjoyable to read or to make. I cannot wait to make the pizza and the whoopee pies.
Have a wonderful weekend friends and don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for ”weekend meanderings” with Kim and Juliet! We will have lots to share from coast to coast.
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Thank you so much Elizabeth, for including my recipe in your post! So many great finds – that pizza!!!!
You are very welcome Sheri! I cannot wait to make your buffalo cauliflower bowls. Have a wonderful weekend.
Here we are seeing frost warnings tonight.
I like the ‘touch it once’ rule from the decluttering article. I’m terrible for putting things closer to its home rather than in it.
I love the touch it once rule!
You always share the best recipes and great links to dive into have a great weekend!
Thank you Cindy! I appreciate you saying that.