Hello!!! I am back in Florida and typed up another fun Things I’m Loving Friday post to share with you guys during my flight to Orlando from San Francisco.
Below you will find a few simple things that made me happy this week. I’d love to hear what is making you smile in the comments section of this post, so please feel free to play along!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- The Dinner by Herman Koch
I bought this book at the Orlando airport right before I boarded my flight to San Francisco on Thursday evening. I purchased it because a quote on the front cover said it was “unputdownable” and as I began reading, I realized the quote was more than accurate. I ended up making my way through three quarters of the book in one sitting and was immediately drawn into the dark plotline by the smart yet incredibly disturbing narrator whose character became more complex with each chapter. It’s an easy read and I recommend it to to anyone looking for a page turner that’s creative and also quite chilling.
- Balsam & Cedar Candle from Anthropologie
One sniff of the balsam and cedar scent of this candle transported me to a log cabin. The smell makes me want to curl up on the couch, wrap myself in a big plaid blanket, light a fire in the fireplace and watch the snow fall outside. Living in Florida, I know this will never happen, but when Raechel lit this candle on our first night in San Francisco, I couldn’t help but daydream about a cozy winter evening in a cabin. This candle is now on my Christmas list!
I’m sure this car service is incredibly commonplace for many of you, but for someone who lives in a town with basically no need for cars services or taxis, I was blown away by Uber! Cotille, the marketing manager at Stitch Fix, introduced us to Uber and after downloading the app, I couldn’t get over just how easy it was to call for a car and have someone meet you, ready to drive you anywhere within minutes. So efficient and easy to use!
- Winter Dream Tea Latte from The Coffee Bean
Jenna deserves all of the credit for bringing this unbelievably delicious latte into my life! She recommended it to me and Gina on Wednesday and we could not stop raving about the chai-like flavor of the warm drink. I am now on a mission to recreate this latte at home.
- Direct Flights
Direct flights happen once in a blue moon for me since I often fly out of a small airport in Jacksonville and want to keep my travel as budget-friendly as possible. I forgot just how fabulous it is to be able to hop on a plane and end up at your final destination without enduring the headache of a layover (or two) and possible delays along the way. Catching a direct flight from Orlando to San Francisco and back again was such a treat this week and made my travel to the west coast absolutely seamless. I know direct flights aren’t something I’ll get to enjoy often, so I was loving my direct flight this week!
- Just Bitten Lip Stain and Colorburst Lip Butter by Revlon
These lip colors were two impulse purchases at Walgreens on Monday. I went into the store to buy travel-size hairspray and left with two different Revlon lip colors because they were buy one, get one 50 percent off. The Just Bitten lip stain + balm (in Passion) adds a very subtle pink color to my lips and is perfect “day makeup” when I am looking for a lip color that’s more muted. The Lip Butter (in Wild Watermelon) is a much bolder color (it’s the lip color I wore on Tuesday that a few of you asked about) and I think it’s a lot of fun! It’s soft and moisturizing and feels more like lip balm than lipstick.
Past Things I’m Loving Friday posts:
Now it’s your turn…
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you’re loving lately?
Melissa says
That latte sounds absolutely wonderful and I’ve heard so many good things about Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, but sadly there are none in Pennsylvania, where I live.
peanutbutterfingers says
It was so, so good! I’m sad I can’t get one in Ocala!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Direct flights are the bomb for sure!!
Ive been loving clementines lately. mmmmm!
sue says
I read “The Dinner” back during the summer and really liked it. I had trouble getting into it at the start and almost gave up on it, but so glad I didn’t. I just love that the story unfolds from the central point of a simple dinner.
Ashley says
I love Uber – such a great service when you don’t know when you’ll need a ride in advance!
Jackie says
I just read what Alice forgot and I loved it!
Ashley @ BrocBlog says
Ive heard The Dinner is amazing, I’ll have to see if they have it at the library!
Jen@PregnantDiabetic says
I just went to look up that book on Goodreads, and it was already in my “to read” queue. Sounds amazing!
Linda says
Adding The Dinner to my tbr list. I love Uber!
Amy Rock says
I love Uber!! It’s so convenient and waaaay nicer than a taxi! I live in Seattle but I’ve actually used their service in San Francisco as well. And…a bonus (for me anyway) is that they’re a sponsor of my favorite podcast. The host of the podcast, TBTL, has actually been on Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! quite a few times. I think I remember you’d mentioned listening to that podcast. Anyway…that’s a super roundabout post! Happy Friday!
Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia says
I stumbled upon Uber some time ago and thought it was a super awesome idea! You’re the first blogger I’ve heard talk about it 😀 Glad to hear you liked it!
I’m loving that Santa visits the mall tomorrow 😀
Natalie says
I have a great tea latte recipe!! Heat up 1.5 cups almond milk and then put 2 tea bags in it and let them seep for 3-5 minutes. Then add cinnamon, stevia, and 1.5 tsp coconut oil and put it in the blender for a minute so it gets frothy! I don’t know if it will be like the one from coffee bean but it’s still delicious 🙂
peanutbutterfingers says
Definitely trying this!! Thank you!
Ganeeban says
I’ve been loving beets lately! Not the most glamorous, but so good!
I wish we had a CBTL in my city. I got used to them in college and now have withdrawls every once in awhile.
peanutbutterfingers says
I love beets, too! So good!
Taylor @ Singletrackedmind says
Direct flights are the way to go!!! SF is going to be beautiful this weekend – enjoy!
One thing I am loving lately? Frou frou coffee as a weekend splurge.
Rachel says
How do you find time to blog, read a book, travel cross-country, tour a warehouse, and then still are able to relax and watch Scandal all in one weekend??? You amaze me! Pretty please do a post where you share your time-management secrets because you are the most efficient person I know!!
Lexie says
I agree! I need some of your skills!
Kelsey says
Oh yum that coffee sounds good! I had Starbucks Caramel Brulee holiday latte today which was delicious! I’m loving my hot apple cider candle these days! Just makes you want cider every time you smell it.
april says
i’m loving getting off work early today and looking forward to cooking dinner with my dad tonight 🙂
have a great weekend!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
That latte sounds delicious! I’m loving the Starbucks holiday drinks right now — yum!
Happy Friday!
Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine says
Anthropologie candles are my absolute favorite! 🙂 By ‘chilling’, does this mean The Dinner is a scary read?
peanutbutterfingers says
Disturbing!!
Lauren says
THIS: http://mashable.com/2013/11/15/batkid-begins/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link
And in SF too!
AJ says
I borrowed “The Dinner” from the library but couldn’t get into it. Maybe I need to give it a second chance? Also, tea lattes are amazing! I must try this one!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
I am loving being able to visit with friends and family! It is a great and unexpected time!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
Uber is a lifesaver! I live in Washington, DC, and am always blown away by their efficiency! It’s so nice to know I can go out with friends, call for a ride on my phone when I’m ready to leave, and have a car waiting for me outside three minutes later. 🙂
I’m loving the spicy sweet Christmas Blend roast at Starbucks right now. It’s so cliche, but I swear coffee tastes better when drunk out of those cute red cups!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
I always love my chai lattes! But one thing I am loving today is this awesome jeans shop here in Melbourne where they make all their own jeans you go in and try jeans on and they tailor and hem it to you within an hour…all for only $50, how amazing is that?!?
I am now wanting to go buy that lip stain it sounds great.
Brooke @ Running In Heels says
LOVE both of those lip colors! And that tea latte sounds amazing!
Lauren says
I love Starbuck’s Awake Tea Latte. I used to have one EVERY day while I was at college. It’s definitely good, but I would only ask for like one or two “pumps” of the classic syrup or just add your own sweetener! It’s seriously DELISH.
Sarah Smith says
I’ve picked up that book a few times lately when I’m at the airport but haven’t purchased it yet since I’ve been reading other thing. I’m glad to know you like and I’ll have to actually buy it next time I see it!!
peanutbutterfingers says
I’m totally done with it and can send you my copy if you want! 🙂
Livi says
i’m loving holiday drinks!!
janet says
Love that lip butter too! I chew my lipstick off in seconds and this stuff lasts!!!!
Mak @ Kenzys Kitchen says
I am loving training to become a certified OULA fitness instructor! It is honestly the funnest workout ever 😀 And I am in love with the song Back It Up by Caro Emerald AND Pumpin Blood by NONONO. Oooh and pizza…man it’s good. hahaha thanks for the great post Julie!
Casey says
I read that book entirely in one sitting while travelling. So good!
Jenny says
These pumpkin bars http://detoxinista.com/2012/09/grain-free-pumpkin-bars/
are fabulous for fall!
Very easy to make too…
Christina says
i’m loving that apparently it’s “National Peanut Butter Month” according to Ellen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Ht4RmPw0I, thought you might enjoy that fun fact 😉
i really enjoy your blog Julie :)! thanks!
samantha says
I normally don’t ever go into this store, but my friend likes Hot Topic. So I went in with her last week and ended up getting super cute Lion King socks. They were the perfect thing, especially since I’ll be going to Orlando this week.
Janiek says
Yes, Herman Koch is a dutch writer and very popular over here! Recently (like a week ago!) The movie based on the book was released. It’s in dutch though… so I don’t think you’ll understand:( great book though!
Ashley says
Direct flights…SO true! My poor husband has been traveling SO much lately and hardly any of his flights have been direct. It just adds so much time and stress…
Kimberly says
Lately I’ve been getting into colored jeans. I used to be a standard denim jean girl but I’ve recently picked up a green pair and my new favorite, a faded pair of grey jeans. I’d love to pick up a few of these lip stains!
Nicole says
I actually prefer changing plans to direct flights. I love playing and people-watching in airports.
And, what I am loving most right now is Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea by Celestial Seasonings. It’s only available seasonally but really does taste like a sugar cookie and is awesome mixed in to anything you’d add liquid to (baked goodies, smoothies, etc.). Calorie and caffeine free and a great afternoon pick-me-up.
Rebeka says
We have Uber in Seattle too and I use it from time to time but on my trip to San Francisco this weekend my friends and I used it constantly. We walked a lot but we had a lot we wanted to see and do and it was so nice to be able to open an app and have someone come pick us up just a few minutes later, especially when our legs were tried from walking up all those hills. Hooray for technology! Hooray for Uber!
Stephanie says
Your Things I’m Loving Friday posts are always my favorites!!
rudi says
I am currently reading the Dinner per your review! but I am about 50 pages in and still trying to get into it! Will it pick up?
rudi says
I finished the Dinner and was not a fan! It was really weird to me!! On to the next.. Book Thief!!