hi, happy friday! i apologize for the lack of IFIIL post last friday, last week kind of kicked my booty and when something has to give, it’s usually the blog. but we’re back and feelin’ good, feelin’ strong and thusly, i’ve managed to scrounge up the half-dozen items that have me swooning this week. i hope you have a wonderful weekend -the last one before the best holiday of the year!

one || build me up, butternut. last friday, the sweetest newlyweds (#28) had S and i over for a home-cooked meal. i had warned S that a meal at the hands of mrs. F was going to ruin him for any of my future culinary endeavors, and i was correct in my predictions as our dinner of gluten-free chicken tenders, roasted fennel quinoa, salad with homemade vinaigrette, and maple butternut squash was undeniably delicious. sampling the squash reminded me how much i love the seasonal side dish. in fact, a few weeks ago i attempted to make it for S. but in the process, i ended up setting off the fire alarm, got so embarrassed/spooked, i abandoned the effort immediately. so after he had all but inhaled the butternut squash at friday’s meal (we both did, we seriously had two full plates), i was inspired to redeem my previously squelched squash ambitions. for dinner one day this week, i threw a pack of trader joe’s pre-cut butternut squash cubes into the regular roasted vegetable medley (zucchini, squash, and brussels) along with olive oil, salt and pepper, and pinches of thyme and sage. the result was caramelized goodness which not only appeased my taste buds, but maybe more importantly, satisfied S’s as well. sweet squash redemption, y’all.

 

 

two || LRD. forget the little black dress, i found its crimson-colored replacement and just in time for the christmas season. on a whim, my friend M and i popped into h&m last weekend for a little perusing. i reached for this sleeveless little number and tempted fate in the dressing room. what do you know? it fit like a glove -fitted through the boddess with a slight flair at the bottom. all that was missing was pockets! and perhaps the best part of the entire garment, other than how pretty pretty princessy it made me feel, was the fact that it was $14.95. yep, you read that correctly, $15 for the perfect party dress to take me into the season of holiday parties and family get-togethers and serve me well past valentine’s day.

 

 

three || right on target. usually i’m team nordstrom when it comes to entertaining christmas decor before turkey day (they believe in celebrating one holiday at a time), but i have to admit that after perusing target’s white and cozy home decor from their popular threshold collection, i’m kind of ready to transform my humble abode into a winter wonderland. i love the look of the clean color palette of whites, golds, and natural wood tones and given my love affair with cabin life, i’m fairly obsessed with the ceramic deer head, too. S and i have a target date for tonight. i can’t guarantee that along with a few other miscellaneous toiletries, a good portion of this cozy collection might also be making its way home with us.

 

 

four || uptown funk. i go back and forth on bruno mars but i must say, his newest collaboration with mark ronson entitled “uptown funk” is kind of my jam this week. it’s times like this when i’m really happy spotify has a “private session” feature because this baby has been on some serious repeat. favorite line? “smoother than a fresh jar of skippy.”

 

 

five || girls just wanna have fun. sometimes you just need a good girls day. especially if it means staying in your lulus all day. with our men otherwise occupied, M and i treated ourselves to a day-long girlapalooza last weekend and it was glorious. we took a studio barre class, brunched at beach plum kitchen and treated ourselves to the gift of painted nails. later we perused home goods’ christmas decoration inventory and stopped by the carlsbad forum for a few gratuitous purchases (see entry number two). it was one of those days where you just feel really thankful for budding friendships. M may be a newer addition to my friend arsenal, but she has certainly become a close confidant over the past few months alone. and spending a whole day with her reminded me that good girlfriends really are one of life’s little gifts.

 

 

six || bolt up. while i might not own any charger gear, i do own my fair share of navy and gold. so with that said, i’ve busted it out for this sunday’s game as S and i have tickets to see the bolts take on the st. louis rams. football, my love, fall-like temperatures and overpriced concession food? i can’t think of a better way to kick-off thanksgiving week.

 

 

have a wonderful weekend, y’all. and as always, thank you for sharing in my adventures.

xo

image via camille styles

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