Things I’m Loving Friday #65

Good afternoon! I’m going to go out on a limb here and say many of you out there are still in holiday mode and aren’t reading blogs today (which is great – enjoy your time!),  but I still wanted to stop by and say hi this afternoon and share your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday post!

Without a doubt the thing I’m loving most this week is Christmastime with my family, but there are still a handful of other things that are making me smile as well. As always, please chime in below in the comments section of this post and share something you’re loving this week, too. I always love reading your comments!

Things I’m Loving Friday

• Lunch at Sweet Pete’s

Early this afternoon, the whole family headed to downtown Jacksonville to check out Sweet Pete’s,  a new restaurant in the area. It’s part candy shop, part restaurant and the atmosphere is upbeat and quirky. We all gave it rave reviews and I would gladly go back again both for the food and the candy.

• Dog Playtime on the Beach

I don’t know why, but watching Sadie and Kona go absolutely crazy on the beach makes me so happy. You can see the joy in their faces and their excited energy makes me smile so big! They are beyond adorable together and their enthusiasm for the beach and the saltwater is contagious.

• Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding

I’ve briefly blogged about my love of this recipe before, but it’s quickly becoming a family favorite in our house. Ryan, Ross and I made it together on Wednesday night and served it for dessert on Christmas and it got rave reviews from everyone… even the typical banana pudding haters (myself included). There’s no artificial banana flavoring (only real bananas are used) which I think makes this banana pudding appeal to people who usually scoff at banana pudding that tastes like all the other weird banana-flavored treats out there. This dessert is creamy and oh-so-delicious! (Oh, and the dessert on the right above is a family favorite, too! You simply top crushed Oreos with peppermint ice cream and more crushed Oreos. Yum!)

• Smashbox Bordeaux Long Wear Lip Lacquer

This arrived in a POPSUGAR Must Have Box I was gifted from the company for the holidays (thank you!) and I initially thought it would be waaaay too dark, but I am a big-time fan of Smashbox products, so I gave it a go for our family’s night out to see A Christmas Carol and was surprised by how much I loved it! The bordeaux color went on rather dark but within 20 minutes it faded a tiny bit and left a lovely deep red color that lasted for hours and hours. I’m a big fan!

• Peterbrooke Chocolate

This chocolate has been a favorite of mine since I first discovered it back when we were living in Orlando. (Their chocolate-covered popcorn is unreal.) My whole family shares my love for this stuff and my dad surprised my mom with a big box of the chocolate as part of her Christmas gift yesterday. She was kind enough to share with everyone and I was reminded, yet again, just how much I love it!

• This Photo of Sadie

This photo of sleepy Sadie is my favorite picture from Christmas yesterday. She was absolutely passed out on Ryan’s lap during the present unwrapping extravaganza and Ross quickly snapped her photo. I love my sweet little girl so darn much.

Question of the Day

• What is one thing you are loving this week?