Friday, November 10, 2023
It’s Friday! I am linking up here for Friday Favorites!
How was your week? I will share some things that made me happy this week!
I changed my press ons to this color. I thought it was going to be less summer aqua and more of a light fall green (yes, I’m crazy!), so it looks pretty summery to me.
While my grey and my black lasted 7 days, these popped off after 4 days. I don’t know if I needed to let my nails “rest” or I didn’t prep them well, but now I am letting my nails stay naked for a bit before applying any more.
I was looking for the wonderful Truly Holiday pack and found the Celebrations pack instead:
Ok – love! I have only tried these two, but I really like them.
I meant to get the sugar free, but I love this peppermint mocha. Yes, I jumped the gun a bit. I need to do more pumpkin before December!
Monday was my turn for lunch for Erica and I and this turned out great – cauliflower rice, grilled chicken, black beans, red onions, sweet potatoes, and I made a little chipotle crema to go on top. Erica gave it two thumbs up, too. I made up the recipe.
I’m kind of obsessed with sweet potatoes lately and I love the combo with black beans.
The weather has been fabulous even though it’s getting dark earlier. I have made it a point to sit outside in the morning, after school, and in the evening after dinner.
Monday after school I had my friend Beth over and Ernie was waiting for her. I forgot to take pictures but we had some wine and truffle popcorn and chatted. I could do this on a Monday because I was off Tuesday. What a treat!
When I was off Tuesday, I picked up two books I’m excited about from the library. I didn’t even know Sophie Kinsella had a new book, so I am super happy. I love her!
And, here was a Christmas book I have not read:
Tuesday I voted, of course, but I also got a bunch of errands run. Erica wanted me to help her put some outfits together and we had lunch at Cheesecake Factory after shopping. I ordered from their Skinnylicious menu and it was really, really good.
I had salad and a chicken sandwich:
Texts from Mason continue to be a favorite. He often starts texting me at 3 or 4 am my time and then I wake up and see them and text back. I wouldn’t have it any other way! He seems like he is doing well and I know he is growing a ton from this experience.
Neither of my kids really like Thanksgiving food. I love it!
Mason had an adventure this week. He had two whole days in London which is a little over 3 hours away from where he is studying. He left really early one day and stayed in a hostel and left really late the next day. He did it all with just a backpack.
Coffee shop pic he sent:
Japanese food for lunch:
Crossing the Thames:
Portuguese piri-piri chicken for dinner.
Such a foodie! Also, he bought a famous James Smith and Sons umbrella as a souvenir. He texted and said he just passed a really cool umbrella shop and I told him he should get one as his souvenir. He did (a lesser priced one) and texted that he loved having it to walk around the city. He is such an old soul.
I plan to finish this book this weekend, but it is so good! I think I know what is going to happen and it’s a little silly, but I am enjoying it.
What were your faves this week?
I hope you had many!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Mason is living the life! My husband and I each purchased walking sticks from James Smith and Sons. An umbrella from the iconic store is an excellent choice as his London souvenir!
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He is! Oh, how cool! I thought so. He told me yesterday that he plans to buy two or three more nice things to save instead of a bunch of touristy souvenirs.
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I love how much Mason is sharing with you about his trip – what a great experience! I hope you have a fun weekend – can’t wait to read about it on Monday, lol. I live vicariously through you Amy, you make the very best of your weekends!
xo,
Kellyann
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He has been way more communicative than I thought he would be. It’s been really nice. I feel like I don’t do that much here lately, but thank you!
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I love that Mason is having such a great time! Is he sad about his time there coming to a close pretty quickly? I wonder if it’s going slow for him, or flying by? That Truly pack looks amazing! I may have to give that one a try. I still love the margaritas in the glass bottles…I can’t remember the name of it, but they’re so good! We buy a pack every so often to have when we have Mexican for dinner. I hope you have a great weekend!
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Thank you! I think he is, but he says he worries that Jack misses him! So sweet. And, of course, he told me he missed Jack the most of things from home, but that he is not homesick. I have not seen the margaritas in the glass bottles, but I don’t usually go to big liquor stores with a great selection. I think that is a great idea. But, I love my Fresca margaritas so much that I would be a tough critic!
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So happy Mason got to spend time in London too. He is going to remember these experiences forever. I hope you have the BEST weekend!
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Me too! He will!
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Happy Friday! I actually got a post out today, too, so proud of the way my day is starting – ha! And time to read a bunch of blogs too. . .the calm before the storm (literally, there is a storm on the way and figuratively, a houseful tomorrow). I bought your press-on nails but they were too small!! I looked at the package to make sure I didn’t get “kid sized” or whatever. . .I just must have really big thumbs – who knew??? The rest would fit, but, again, I couldn’t cut my thumbnails short enough to make the biggest ones fit. Oh well. Sorry you had bad luck with the lighter ones. Thank you, too, for sharing about the Truly Celebration Pack – that is absolutely going on my shopping list!! We are tailgating next week and that will be a fun addition. I love all your Mason adventures and stories. . .it seems like his time is flying but I’m sure, for you, it is not. You’ll be there soon though!
Have a great weekend.
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Good job! I hope the storm turned out to be mild! There is a wider fit version I noticed. I gave my wider fit set to Erica because I accidentally ordered them and don’t really need wider. You can also get ones for toes and that might fit your thumbs.
I hope you like the Truly! I still want the holiday pack, too.
Thank you – it does seem like that to me, too. Fall is my busiest time at my job so I feel like that has helped it to go by for me.
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I have had that happen with press on nails too; I’ve had sets that lasted nearly two weeks and then others that popped off after just a few days and I don’t know why! It wasn’t like I used different brands or kinds or did anything differently that I could think of. I’m going to have to look for that holiday book– it looks so cute!
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I’m wondering if that set was older (bought it on the shelf at Walmart grocery) and the glue was old?
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How fun that Mason went to London. He’s very adventurous! I have never tried hard selzer but it looks delish! Have a good weekend!
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Yes! He is really growing through this experience. I think you would like it if you like drinks like Bubly and La Croix.
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Wow, Mason seems to be having a fantastic time and really enjoying the different varieties of local cuisine. What a fantastic experience for him.
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I think he is! I am really proud of him!
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Random book tip, Jenny Colgan is a great writer. She even lives in a real castle near Edinburgh! Her winter books are awesome.
Other great british authors are, Milly Johnson, Jill Mansell, Elly Griffiths, Katie Fforde, just to name a few. Have a nice weekend.
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I love her! Thank you so much! I need to look and see what books of hers I have not read. I also will look into the others, because those are new to me. I love getting in the mood for a season or a trip with themed books.
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Did you know Sophie Kinsella also writes under the name Madeleine Wickham? I don’t really remember, but it seems like they’re pretty close in genre. I would suggest Jen Lancaster for an uproarious laugh. Her first book is Bitter is the New Black. I like her memoirs (which this one is) better than her fiction.
Mason seems to be so comfortable in the UK. I’ll bet he’ll make a splendid tour guide for you when you go. Oh, now I really want to go back to London!
Have a fabulous week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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That sounds vaguely familiar, but thanks for the reminder. I have read some Jen Lancaster. He says he is not homesick at all, but is struck with the realization that his time is almost up and he needs to do some more things! You too!
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Oh how nice with the London pics! Mason is such a cool young man! Alone in London with his umbrella… I love it!
We’re planning our next trip to Mallorca… We really fell in love with that place! But London would be so nice… I’m so jealous of your trip! Promise you will blog!
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I was so happy to get those pics! I would love to go to Mallorca! I do not plan to blog – but I will give a full report after.
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I just realize I hadn’t read your Friday post. The seltzer pack looks like one I’d like. Mason’s adventure sounds amazing.
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Ha – that’s ok! I am still going to look for the Holiday pack, too. I remember wishing I had stocked up last year bc the flavors were so good.
I am so jealous of all he is doing!
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