January Favorites: Food + Fun.
All of the Valentine’s Day stuff at Target. Seriously? Kills me every year. Hate them. I mean, just look at this.
FANGIRL! Wow. I loved this book more than words can say. It has been my favorite book of the year so far. I did end up reading Labor Day this week and I liked it but was also sort of… meh. I’d probably give it 2.5 stars. Should I do this goodreads thing? It overwhelms the heck out of me. But I’m keeping a list of the books I’m reading this year and it may be easier?
My black uggs. I sort of hate myself for this since I’ve been a hypocrite in the past and talked about how much I hate uggs and am past the point of wearing them in public. Ummmm no. I’m a brat. With these low temps, I’ve seriously had them on my feet ALL day long some days. They have definitely done wonders in this fifteen below zero wind.
Ch-ch-ch-chia! I mean chia pudding. I’ve had it for breakfast almost every weekday this month. You know how bored I get with stuff and it’s awesome that not only are the combinations endless, but it’s ready momentarily because I prep it the night before. Which means that immediately after I workout, I can go to the fridge and eat eat eat instead of having to be patient for three minutes while I cook eggs. I’m annoying.
Um. Sons of Anarchy. Do I even need to put this in here because I’m pretty sure we’ve talked about it every single week. We are so hooked on the show and it kinda surprises me since it’s out of my girly element. We are in the middle of season five but oh, don’t worry, in googling one of the characters I know what happens in the most recent season. THANKS GOOGLE. I honestly wasn’t even looking.
My rose gold Nixon watch. I just love this so much. Got it for Christmas and never want to take it off.
Some turbofire workouts. It has been SO cold that many days I don’t even want to venture outside. We’ve had turbofire for over two years now but for some reason, usually gravitate towards insanity for an at-home workout. I was bored with that and threw turbofire in one morning. Now I love it even more.
Gap winter scarves… again. I’ve included some form of scarf in my favorites since September, but these Gap ones are taking the cake. They are SO soft and warm. The past few years I’ve really been into infinity scarves and have missed out on the good old long scarf that has two ends. The colors are awesome too.
Avocado toast with… honey! This isn’t a new favorite, but I’ve covering my avocado toast with some humboldt fog cheese like usual and then giving it a little drizzle of the sweet stuff. Mind = blown. If I want even more of a meal, I’ll add a bunch of those sweet and tangy peppers on top that I love.
My Whitney English planner. I know I talked about it last month, but after a full 30+ days of using it? Just adore. It’s motivating and not overwhelming. It’s saving me. Makes me be more productive. Plus, it’s, like, totally pretty.
On that same note: PENS. I know what you’re thinking that word looks like. Come on. We aren’t in sixth grade anymore. I’ve been testing out a few pens that work best in the planner and don’t bleed through. I’m loving these sharpie ones because they are colorful and I am a child. I’m also really like these le pen pens I got in a swag package from Alt Summit. They are bomb.
When it comes to music, I’m still blasting the beyonce album like a ton of other people in the world. It makes my days fly by.
This chocolate bar. I feel like I talk about one of these every month, but I love stashing them away and breaking some off for a treat at night. The flavors!
All the Katie Waltman jewelry. I mentioned this earlier in the week, but I went into the store while in Salt Lake City and just love her stuff so much. I bought this delicate little necklace and haven’t stopped wearing it since.
Also, still loving statement earrings from J Crew. They kill my ears but they make me so happy. They are like wearing a super high pair of crazy ass shoes. I only wear them when I’ll be somewhere for a short amount of time. The pain is worth it. It’s the new statement necklace for me.
This milk frother. I bought it at the end of December and since I now like coffee (with a lot of crap in it), I really like this because I can make almond milk foam! I’m still trying to do latte art though and failing miserably.
The brown sugar cinnamon iced coffee from Dunkin. WHOA. Love it. Although, I am forced to get it with skim milk (I wish they had almond) because if you ask for regular milk or cream, the coffee comes out WHITE. For real. Either way, it’s such a delish combo. I want one every single day.
[none of this is sponsored, just like to talk about things that I discover and love. there are a few amazon affiliate links above. love love.]
60 Comments on “January Favorites: Food + Fun.”
I recently found your blog and love it! I am reading Fangirl and absolutely adore it. And you should definitely do the GoodReads things. I was overwhelmed and stressed out by the idea until I did it, and now I’m obsessed.
I have a Nixon watch and I’m obsessed! Gap’s winter scarves: actually got a few from my first grade students’ over the holidays. Love! Milk frother – I need, I want, I have to have!!!
Xo
Dana Ivy
http://www.iadorewhatilove.com – Check out my blog!!
Do Goodreads! It is a great way to track what you’ve read, find some new books, and keep a list what of whst you want to read and all those “someone gave me a great name of a book and I can’t remember it” books.
You should definitely give Goodreads a shot! You can do as much or as little as you want on there, and it’s a great way to keep track of booklists and get new reading suggestions. in fact, I just did a quick blog post on some of my favorite things about it:
http://barksandbaking.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/goodreads/
Seriously cannot stop with the chia pudding either.
Bought a small little container at fresh market thinking I would never go through it, but it is seriously the best stuff post workout. Not having to wait on eggs. Life changer. And can I talk about your jalapeño honey hummus and those pita chips. I’ve already made the pita chips on 3 different occasions. My friends and I cannot stop eating them. Your recipes are all life changers.
I just finished Fangirl too and LOVED it. Except the kissing scenes. Why is Cath into biting chins?! I couldn’t deal.
I’ve spoiled so many TV shows by googling characters. In fact, I’ve probably spoiled every TV show I’ve ever watched. I hate the internet. Just kidding, I love the internet.
I’m obsessed with writing in my planner using my collection of Stabilo pens. You can get them at a lot of art supply stores. They last for years, and the colors are so pretty:
http://www.stabilo.com/com/products/point-88
A brown sugar cinnamon iced coffee from Dunkin exists?! Wow, I need a Dunkin Donuts in Ottawa pronto! and a milk frother.. i’ve always wanted one!!
Thank you for reminding me that I still have to try chia pudding. Also I love mashed avocado on toast, and I am loving the idea of adding cheese and honey even more!
I absolutely adored Fangirl, and can’t wait to start The Attachments next! Are you planning to see Labor Day now that you’ve finished the book?
i do really want to see it, but only because i love kate winslet. :)
I totally ordered the Whitney English planner after you talked about it last time, I’m so super pumped to get it since my life is TOTAL chaos and I basically keep track of everything on my phone which is SO not working. Thanks for the rec!
i’ve been using the Pilot G2 (like she recommended) pens and really loving them! They aren’t bleeding through at all!
My whitney english is supposed to ship any day now. SO excited! I totally need it, badly. And that milk frother. Now that looks like a good one! Brevilles usually are great products. The ones Ive tried in the past basically aerate the milk all over my counter and make a total mess, but they don’t froth it sufficiently to actually enjoy you know, frothed milk. Thanks for the tip!
I <3 Le Pen pens too! Oriental Blue is my fave. And I just finished Fangirl on your rec, and LOVED it! : )
I love those Sharpie pens. I special order them for work. Makes the days on the road some much brighter!! Literally.
I am starting to love chia pudding…next time I make it, I think I might blend it a little to make the texture a bit smoother.
I was in Target today and veered my eyes away from all holiday displays…way too tempting!
I just started Sons of Anarchy on Netflix. I cannot believe how caught up in it I get!
Goodreads, yes. It’s such a great place to keep track of everything you’ve read or want to read. You don’t NEED to write a full blown review either. I need to start Sons of Anarchy!
I am so addicted to Target’s Valentine’s day stuff it’s sad! I’m especially weak when it comes to their kitchen towels…cute little hearts on a kitchen towel and I’m done for! Glad to see I’m not the only one.
I can’t believe you don’t love Uggs! I seriously need to replace mine, as I’ve worn them constantly – even in the summer – for two years since they are SO comfy!
Goodreads is great! It’s a great way to track the long list of books you want to read,remember what you’ve already read and what you thought of it, see what your friends are reading if you can’t think of what to read, and if you love a book it’s a great way to find books similar to it!
Goodreads — YES! Do it! It’s seriously Facebook for bookworms. You see what your friends are reading and then, if it looks good, you add it to your to-read list. So you never have to worry about forgetting which books you wanted to read ever again. Plus they have this 2014 Reading Challenge that’s a great motivator!
I seriously need to buy those kitchen towels from Target! TOO FREAKING CUTE! (My boyfriend and I have this owl thing going on, so I immediately fell in love.)
Insanity! I just started doing it (as in, I did the first workout last week and then got sick, so I stopped temporarily) and wow is it freaking intense! My fitbit was on fire! Is turbofire harder or just different? They’re both from BeachBody, right?
yes they are both by beachbody but turbofire is completely different – it’s kickboxing!
Hi! I’m a barista and I can tell you that using almond milk will be next to impossible to make latte art. Almond milk doesn’t froth quite like normal milk. The best art comes from using halfnhalf (I know, terrible) but skim works well too if you’re careful not to make it too bubbly. Hope that helps your endeavors!
ooooh i know, i learned that the hard way! haha. i’ve tried the latte art with whole milk and half/half but still can’t get it!
It’s all in the wrist haha. Good luck! And thank you for everything! Your blog is so amazing and inspiring! Also your gift lists around Christmas SAVED MY LIFE. You’re awesome!
I would love to be able to wear Uggs but I can’t wear a completely flat shoe. Sigh.
Did you get my picture?
i didn’t get your picture judy! did you send it to my email?
I sent it to your Jessica merchant email. That’s the one you gave me.
First off, I just finished season 5 of SOA and don’t know what to do with myself now because I don’t have access to season 6 yet. But I also know what happens at the end of season 6…fail.
And I tried the brown sugar cinnamon DD iced coffee yesterday and I threw away at least 1/3 of it. This is shocking because I absolutely love DD coffee and also hate wasting money, even if it would equate to about 72 cents. I would rather have the holiday flavors back though, I didn’t love this one.
gah that’s a bummer!
Those le pens are the best! I used to buy them when I was a little girl and my mom would take me to this adorable little stationary shop (yeah, this is exactly what I begged for for entertainment…no wonder I turned out like this).
I ordered Fangirl after reading the first 3 chapters in a preview! Love!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS do goodreads! And read The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher (SERIOUSLY)
Loved Fangirl, too but her prior book, Eleanor and Park, is even better. Have you read?? Also…The Fault in our Stars…top 5 book ever!
Definitely join Goodreads – it makes it so easy to keep your list of read books, and they have a great email system that alerts you when books you want to read are published, or new books by authors you’ve read are coming out. Plus it’s just a fun community in general, all those people who love reading as much as I do :)
TurboFire use to be my downfall, but then I got Combat from Beachbody & LesMills. It’s now my go to workout, it’s the music you just can’t beat amazing music during a workout!
So, I tried the Chuao Potato Chip Bar for the first time on Saturday, and holy freaking wow was my mind blown away. I wish I had purchased at least 20 of them, but it’s a good thing I didn’t or they’d probably all be gone. Also, SOA– sucks that you accidently saw a spoiler alert about what happens in the season 6 finale. Not going to lie– it made me cry.
I LOVE Turbofire! Have you tried Shakeology yet? I am in LOVE with the new strawberry flavor that just came out! Mmmmmmmmmmmm…
Have you heard of Focus T25? Only 25 minutes… which I would imagine is great for you since you’re in the kitchen all day right? Or P90X3 is also 30 minutes…
I would love to help recommend something new for you :)
The brown sugar cinnamon latte makes. my. life.
Goodreads Goodreads Goodreads! I approve!
Can I ask what exactly it is that you love about the Whitney English planner? I’ve seen rave reviews but have never seen one in person, and am having a hard time determining what exactly makes it so different from other planners. I’m a pen and paper girl too, and I love a good planner!
yes! i have a little more in depth and some pics here: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/01/real-life-wednesday/
first, i love that it has a whole day on one page. lots of space for list making but also separate space for planning and appointments. at the top of each page it has a space to list your 3 top goals for the day as well as a few other little things that add character to each day – a spot for your dinner ideas, a daily gratitude spot, a little quote on each page, etc.
the thing that i really love though is that it’s very geared towards entrepreneurs. the first 8 pages are dedicated solely to planning out your goals, how you will get there, what you need to get there, etc. it’s a good bit of work (took me a few hours). if you are just looking for a planner to list some daily to-do’s, this one may be too much. but if you have your own business/want to begin one/have big dreams, this is awesome.
oh i should also add that she does hold a webinar for some guidance on filling out the first few pages.
LOVED Fangirl. Eleanor and Park is next on my list. So glad you introduced me to a new author!
If you love chia pudding, you should try overnight oats with chia seeds. I’ve been obsessed with it lately. I use 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt, a drizzle (or more if you like it sweeter) of maple syrup, a generous 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and cinnamon to taste. In the morning, I add banana slices and raisins, but like with chia pudding, the options are endless. Yum!
That watch is gorgeous!
DEFINITELY do Goodreads. It’s a great way to find good recommendations. I loved Fangirl too! Have you read the Fault in our Stars? It’s similar. And really good!
I’m so glad you read Fangirl and loved it! It was my favorite book of 2013 (and I read A LOT of books last year). I really want you to read Allie Larkin’s Why Can’t I Be You. It was my second favorite book of 2013 and I think you’d like it. Here’s the link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_18?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=why%20can't%20i%20be%20you&sprefix=why+can't+i+be+you%2Caps%2C180
And yes, join Goodreads, it’s oddly a lot of fun.
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Hello Jessica:
I just bot my friend the Whitney English planner for her birthday.
Did you show a striped pen on your blog?
Would like to get that for her also.
Thanks for everything.
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