Hi folks!  I hope you all had wonderful weekends.

I apologize for this very long, picture-less post.  I’ll try to be a better blogger and actually capture my life on film better.

We spent lots of time playing at the dog park.  Charlie met a new pal that he romped around with [whoever came up with that phrase???] for a good hour.  We came home and made homemade pizzas and relaxed because we had an early wake up call Saturday morning.

Saturday we went to Des Moines for the first time since moving to Iowa.  We woke up early so we could make it there in time to do a mighty big to-do list.  We went to the Jordan Creek Mall and walked around for a long time.  I am such a sale shopper that I didn’t buy a single thing!  I saw so many cute spring things, but I just couldn’t get myself to pay full price for anything.  The mall was beautiful though and we will definitely go back!

Then we went to Macaroni Grill for lunch.  I love MG so much and was really sad when they went out of business in Madison.  I can’t get enough of that bread they bring out before the meal.  And the Caesar Salad is to die for!

We hit up Marshalls and World Market.

And the pièce de résistance - Trader Joes!  TJ’s is one of the things that I miss most about living in Madison.  Josh actually used to work there so I think it has a special place in his heart too.  My best find of the day – Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Black Sea Salt!  Shut the front door.  Soooooo good.

And Sunday was spent studying and catching up on work from Spring Break.

So where was the cooking in there?  Oh, it wasn’t.  Homemade pizza.  That’s about it.  So today I’m going to to do something different.  I saw the TAG! on MMandL’s YouTube channel and loved it.  I think I’m supposed to do a vlog of it, but I just worked out and don’t think you want to stare at sweaty me.  My answers are the bold ones.  And there are some links to my fave products.  Here we go!

It’s time for another edition of my favorite things.  You know the kind – bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.  Those mittens are extremely necessary right now here.  Today there is a high of 7 degrees, with -30 degree wind chills.  Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!

I’ve had some time to catch up on blogs over break and as much as I love new recipes and seeing beautiful pictures of food, I’ve also loved seeing my fellow bloggers’ favorite new products.  I mean, new recipes for larabars are great, but knowing which bright pink lipstick will look best on me is equally fantastic.

So here are a few of my favorite things.

Favorite face wash: Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser  Last month I ran out of my Neutrogena face wash and was in the market for something new.  I’ve used Neutrogena products since high school when my dermatologist recommended it and always felt like it did a really good job.  Lately though, I felt like I was getting more and more random breakouts (aka – not the kind that mother nature brings once a month).  I used my Clarisonic and still got the breakouts.  So I decided my face wash must be the culprit.  After reading lots of reviews, I decided to give the Philosophy line a try.  So far I have nothing but good things to say.  I feel like it cleans my face really well, without leaving that super tight feeling behind.  My breakouts are starting to clear up too.  I’m going to keep using it before I give it a full fledge review, but right now I love it!

Favorite nail color: Essie polish in Tart Deco  I’m not exactly a fashionista, but I hear that sherbet/pale neon colors are all the rage this spring.  Everywhere I go I see mint, coral, lime and periwinkle colored jeans.  While I think the trend is cute, I’m pretty sure I’ll leave the stunning colors off my behind, and on something a little more conspicuous.  I spied this lovely light coral at Target and decided it was the perfect way to run with the trend and also bring a little color to my winter wardrobe.  I absolutely love how it’s bright, but not in an 80s neon way.  I can see it taking me all through the summer, and it would look super cute on my toes too!

Favorite lookalike: Harness Boots  You’ve all seen these boots I’m sure.  On the streets of NY and LA.  On every model and superstar walking the streets.  You’ve also likely seen the $300 price tag.  I’ve been eyeing these boots for a long time now but they are not in the cards for me unless someone happens to accidentally drop them on my doorstep (size 7.5 in dark brown leather )

So as I wait for the miracle doorstep boots, I spied these babies on the end rack at Target and I found my temporary/forever almost as good pair.  Sure they’re not 100% real leather, and they don’t have the famous Frye logo on them.  But they also cost a tenth as much.  So I can wear my boots, and still go to school and put dinner on the table.

Favorite morning pick-me-up: Dirty Chai  No, this isn’t a scary man sitting alone in the corner of the bar at 10 am.  If you’re not familiar, a dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso.  I love the zing that chai tea has to it, but some days I need a little extra java jolt.  You can order this at any coffee house.  Or make it at home like we do by mixing some chai mix, milk and extra strong coffee.  Yumm!!!!

Favorite adult beverage: Ginger-cake  Josh and I were introduced to Pinnacle cake vodka over break.  We were sold and promptly went out to purchase a bottle to add to our collection.  We looked up a few recipes to try out and our ultimate favorite is “ginger-cake”.  Basically ginger ale mixed with the cake vodka.  It’s so good!  It tastes like cake, but it’s not sickeningly sweet.  The ginger kind of counteracts the overly sweet nature of the cake.  De-licious.

Favorite fashion statement: Live Fashionable Scarves  I fell in love with these scarves back last August when I bought one for my mom for her birthday.  They are absolutely gorgeous and 100% handmade.  Each scarf is made by a woman in Africa who has been brought out of a tragic life and given a new way of life.  The scarves come with a hand written note from the woman who made it thanking you and explaining how the company has transformed her life.  What’s more beautiful than that?

So now it’s time to hear from you…  comment below and tell me one of your favorite things right now.  You can choose from one of the categories I did, or something else you think is so fabulous that I need to know about it.