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Hello Hello! Happy Friday! Happy weekend to you. What you up to? We have a Christmas dinner at a friend’s, a squadron Christmas party, a birthday party and two birthday brunches. So many fun activities packed into the weekend! I’m hoping we can catch up on some housework between events (and that I can finally tackle the mountain of laundry that’s taken over our bed. I’ve been doing a load every night, and things just got out of hand very quickly …).
Something exciting on the way: Favorite Things starts MONDAY! Be sure to visit here again. The prices are SO good and I can’t wait to bring together 10 reader friends with some of my absolute favorite stuff.
Please take a few minutes to complete my annual blog poll. This will give you a head start on an extra entry for the huge giveaway! Your survey responses are invaluable to me and they help me build my entire content calendar for the new year. Please take 3 minutes to fill out your copy.
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves Party! Here I am sharing some of my favorite finds from the week and from around the web. I’m also always happy to hear about things you love, so please shout them out in the comments below.
Friday’s favourites
To learn:
One of my big goals for 2023 is to figure out TikTok. I’ve fought this for so long, but the reality is this is where people hang out right now. And as a user of the platform, I love it. It took the algorithm a while to get to know me, but now it definitely knows me. (Bring all the incredible choreography, behind-the-scenes cooking life, singing videos, interior decorating, fashion tips, and quick recipe videos.) I really want to start creating content on TikTok and adding value in a new way, but I feel overwhelmed by the platform, especially the different editing methods and features.
Luckily my friend Amber – we were Jill’s mastermind together – just created a course ALL about TikTok along with a masterclass and I’m so excited to be doing it. She’s been rocking it over there (274,000 followers!) and will be sharing her tips and strategies. I know this may not apply to everyone, but I also know that many reader friends have online businesses and are involved in social media. So if you want to join her TikTok class, the link is here!
It’s $200 off now and the price will jump on Monday when the course starts.
(Amber is on the far right of this picture from our Scottsdale trip about a month ago)
We’re live on Instagram today talking about TikTok if you want to join in then too – I’d love to see you there!
Read, see, hear:
This Josh Groban video that popped up on my YouTube playlist while at work. What a bang lol. But seriously, this is one of the songs that made me love him in high school. It is so good!
Speaking of favorite songs, what was your most-played Spotify song of 2022? This is mine! I’ve heard it so many times this year:
I started this book and although it took me a while to get into it I’m enjoying it so far.
Fashion + Beauty:
This sweater has arrived and it’s even better than I thought it would be. The fabric is high quality and I chose the color Heather Camel.
Dark image but you can get the idea:
LOVE this cheek palette.
I was obsessed with Vuori for everyday casual wear and kept my eye on this half zip. I think I’ll try it this weekend and put it under the tree. 😉 If you’re still shopping for gifts, I’ve got loads of ideas here:
Vacation Hostess Gift Guide and Favorites under $50
For the men
For her
For the kids
Fitness + good food:
A dessert board. We had some friends over for dinner last weekend and I used this Ina Garten tip and made a dessert board for dessert. It made it so easy and everyone could have whatever they wanted.
I made some chocolate peanut butter bars and then added assorted cookies and chocolate pretzels from the Whole Foods cookie bar along with some chocolate mousse bars from Trader Joe’s. The kids had hot cocoa and the adults had tequila sangria.
For dinner we had appetizers (a huge beautiful charcuterie board my friend brought, sundried tomato dip and crackers), my favorite fall salad, roast chicken, potatoes and fresh sourdough.
I am so grateful that our children introduced us to some of our closest friends. Making friends as an adult can be difficult and uncomfortable, and I’m so thankful that our kids have the cutest friends with amazing parents. 😉 We’re having a family dinner tonight and a secret Santa swap for the crew – it’s going to be great fun.
I wish you a nice Friday and see you soon with favorite things!
xo
gina