Five on Friday!

Happy Friday, lovelies!  I don't know about you but I just love bloggy link-ups.  Tell me, is there a better way to find new blogs and connect with new readers?  I think not!  So today I'm linking up with Darci from The Good Life blog to share whatever 5 things tickle my fancy enough to share with y'all.  




1. Let me preface this by saying that Jen Lancaster is, without a doubt, one of my favorite authors... ever.  If you've never read Such A Pretty Fat (Or, Why Pie Is Not the Answer), Bitter is the New Black (Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office), My Fair Lazy (One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto)... well, I strongly encourage you to add any/all of these to your list because you will find yourself laughing to tears page after page, and feeling a little bit like you're having to say goodbye to a friend when you finish the book.  Her writing is THAT witty and good.  

I started her most recent book, The Tao of Martha (My Year of LIVING, or Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog), yesterday afternoon and I've found myself both wanting to race through it and limit myself to a few pages at a time so it doesn't end.  Straight from the author herself, "The Tao of Martha is my attempt at perpetrating a happiness project in which I spend a year living by Martha Stewart’s dictates.  As I knew I was in for a rough 2012, I wanted a way to try to stockpile happiness when things went awry, hence this book. 
Although the notion of a happiness project sounds super-Oprah and all Eat, Pray, Love, I actually looked to Martha for inspiration because she offers actionable advice.  She’ll tell you what to eat, how to pray, and who to love.  I needed a drill sergeant and not a best friend, and Martha fit the bill beautifully."  
Seriously-- read this book.  My laughter this morning provoked stares of "That bish is crazy" from my fellow bus-riders as Jen, trying to integrate four adopted cats into one cozy group of animal buddies, followed Ms. Stewart's advice and gently bit her cat on the head to show her who's boss.  Needless to say, it did not go well.
2. We found out last night that our Littles are coming to visit for two entire weeks this summer.  I may or may not already be adding craft and activity ideas to my Pinterest board.  I mean really-- the cuteness is too much to handle. 
When Uncle Bri and Aunt KiKi babysat solo so Mom and Dad could go away for the weekend.

3. Nothing makes you feel old like adding "cleaning supplies" to your shopping list... and LIKING it.  I do quick once-overs throughout the week of the bathroom and living room to keep dust and clutter at bay, plus dishes and wiping down the counters every night in the kitchen, and then a good deep clean every Saturday.  

Since golf season is now a part of our weekends, Saturdays are ideal for "me time."  After my long run and Spin at the gym, I stop to pick up our breakfast and coffees, and then shoo Brian out the door.  I clean, catch up on my trashy shows on the DVR, do self-manis... whatever my heart desires.  The day always wraps up with a pamper-y shower, lighting my most favorite candle ever, and having a glass of wine while getting prettied up for date night. Perfection, and exactly what my day tomorrow is lined up to be!

As for the best candle ever?  This one, right here:


4.  I've seen the One Pot Pasta recipe floating all around Pinterest and finally made it last night.  Seriously?  It was DELISH.  So easy and tasty, considering you literally throw everything into a pot.  Considering only two of us were eating, it made a ton of leftovers, which equal lunch for today-- win/win.


5. My fingers and toes cannot WAIT for the mani/pedi I'll be indulging in tomorrow morning.  It's been way too long, and my tootsies need to be prettied up for the summer!  Granted it's 55 degrees and raining in Boston right now, but whatevs.  Am I the only one who thinks picking my color is one of the best parts of getting a mani/pedi?  Yes?  No?

Alright, friends-- this was fun!  Have a wonderful weekend!