Friday Favorites September 11, 2026: Tiki Boat, Good Cleaning Product, Fall Lip Gloss, Autumn Hallmark Movie and Essential Oils

 

Before I get into Friday Favorites, I do want to stop and acknowledge those that lost their lives in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and the many heroes that helped on the ground the day of the attacks and for months after. We can never forget that day and the sacrifices that were made.

To close out this week, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. To lighten the day a bit, I am sharing a very fun night I had last weekend, a cleaning product I have gone back to, and a Good lip gloss to kick off fall. I am also including a favorite fall Hallmark movie that brought us Joy again the other night and some essential oils that are providing me some relief lately. If you need to exhale right now, join me for Friday Favorites.

1. Birthday Tiki Boat

In June, my lovely friend had a big birthday. On Saturday night, we celebrated her on a Tiki boat that cruised up and down the Potomac river on a beautiful September night. It was super fun and we had the whole boat to ourselves. We laughed, we danced and the boat captain said we were the most fun group they had in weeks.

I would follow this group of ladies anywhere. There are ladies in this group who have been there when I cried, loved on Hockey Guy, protected me and always make me laugh. I am truly blessed.

0

Friday Favorites September 4, 2026: Favorite Tennis Shoes, Body Serum, 9 to 5, Lovely Show with Companion Podcast and Dry Eye Mascara

 

Hey there Besties. I am finally back for another Friday Favorites. Writing and sharing things that bring me Joy seems to be exactly what I need right now. I am so looking forward to taking a deep breath and trying to enjoy this weekend. Last weekend felt a little hard. 

Today I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. This week's list has my favorite tennis shoes of all time, a body serum that will help cut down on shaving (really), and what the movie 9 to 5 taught me. I will finish things up with a lovely show that I needed right now and I think I finally found a mascara that works for my dry eye. Let's jump into this long weekend and enjoy a few Friday Favorites.

1. Tretorn Tennis Shoes

I have been wearing Tretorn tennis shoes since I was probably thirteen years old. The reason why I have always loved Tretorns is that they are not clunky. Some of the trending tennis shoes look rather clunky in my opinion. For a person who is not very tall, my feet are on the larger size. I am an 8.5 shoe size now, and was an 8 before I had Hockey Guy. That means in any type of sneaker, I am in a 9. A clunky size 9 on someone who is not super tall is not super cute.

0

Monthly Musings April 2026: Spring Flowers, Fashion and Food

 

Here we are at the end of April Besties. We have had some really glorious weather over the last few weeks, but it does not want to seem to stick around. While I can't control the weather, I do host Monthly Musings and for April, this link party is focusing on spring flowers, fashion and food. Let's talk spring.

1. Favorite spring flower?

Honestly, I love them all and get really excited when something new pops up in the garden. Truly, my favorite flowers are peonies and hydrangea. Those were mainly our wedding flowers and they make me the most happy.

8

Hello Monday April 27, 2026: Monthly Musings April 2026 Topics

 

Happy Monday Besties! I hope you had the Best weekend. It was a little chilly in our area. I didn't seem to mind it because I was able to get a few things accomplished inside due to the weather. 

As we head into the last week of April I am linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday. Today I am sharing the topics for the April Monthly Musings. For April we are sharing spring flowers, fashion and food. I hope you will join me back here on Thursday for Monthly Musings as a writer, reader or both. 

1

Hello Monday: Monthly Musings September 2025 Topics-Fall Decorating and Fashion Preview

 

Hey Besties, I hope you had a Good weekend. Just a quick post this Monday morning for Hello Monday with Holly and Sarah. Today I am sharing the topics coming up on Thursday for Monthly Musings. This month we are embracing all things fall and sharing fall decorating, favorite fall outfits and what makes your house fall cozy.

Join me back here on Thursday for Monthly Musings!

4

What's Up Wednesday: July 2025

 

July felt like a long but Good month. The weather has been blazing hot, think heat index of 109, but time with friends has really made this month fun. As this is the last Wednesday of July, I am joining in for What's Up Wednesday. I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer to share a little food, fashion, favorite shows and all the July summer fun. I can't wait to share this month with you.

What We're Eating This Week

There's a lot going on this week, so dinner will not be on a regular schedule. That's ok because there are Good things happening for us all.

Monday-Running Daddy and I had a wonderful dinner out with our sweet friends at a local Italian restaurant that several people have mentioned over the last few years. It's located in an office park and it is nothing fancy but the food is amazing. They made me a great gluten-free chicken marsala.  I adore places like this.

Tuesday-I am having drinks my niece and her friend that is moving back to New York.  I have no idea what dinner will look like.

Wednesday-I have an acupuncture appointment so we will probably do something easy like pasta and meatballs or meatball subs when I get home. 

Thursday-Running Daddy has his class so I will probably do something like taco bowls/tacos because they are easy and flexible.

Friday-Some type of take-out. 

1

Friday Favorites July 25, 2025: Nespresso Machine, Ulta Eye Palette, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Better With Glasses Podcast

 

Holy smokes Besties, this month is flying by. I cannot believe we are at the end of July but there are some fun things coming up over the next few weeks that I am really looking forward to. 

I have been thinking about Fridays a lot lately. I love that feeling of a later Friday afternoon when I am ready to slam my laptop shut, put on some sweatpants, grab some takeout and slide into the weekend. Since it is Friday I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites. Are you ready? Let's go.

1. Nespresso Virtuo Pop

When everyone and their dog was having sales earlier in the month, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Nespresso Virtuo Pop. Running Daddy and I are having a lot of fun with it and trying the different types of espresso pods.

1

What's Up Wednesday June 2025

 

Oh June, you were a busy month but you were also a quick month. June was filled with work projects, celebrations and a resolution on a foot issue I have been having for years. As this is the last Wednesday of June, I am back for What's Up Wednesday. I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer to share a little food, fashion, favorite shows and all the June fun. Let's dive in.

What We're Eating This Week

This is going to be a busy week for me as it is the last week of the quarter. I am going to be out for work on Tuesday and Thursday, so I will probably be bringing home event leftovers that may or may not serve as dinner. The boys can also make food on their own if I am home late. It won't be a traditional dinner schedule this week.

Monday- Homemade pizza. Don't be overly impressed, the gluten-free version was a Schar gluten-free pre-made crust and I also used the Pillsbury pizza crust. The Pillsbury crust is just a Good thing to have in the house at all times. 

Tuesday-I had a work event and we had event left-overs at home. One of the perks of my job, especially if you are in college, is that I bring a lot of food home from events. It was literally an appetizer buffet. 

Wednesday-Probably taco meatballs. 

Thursday-I have another work event. See Tuesday!

Friday-Some kind of take-out.

9

Monthly Musings May 2025: Kicking Off Summer

 

It's Friday Eve Besties and it is also time for May Monthly Musings! For May, Holly and I are kicking off summer and we have a lovely group of talented writers that will be joining us too.

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial kick-off to summer, we re ready to share all of the summer plans and fun. We were so busy last summer getting ready for college drop-off that summer fun took a little bit of a backseat. Summer 2025...I am so ready for you!

1. What are you looking forward to most this summer?

While I loved the graduation season last year and the process of getting ready for college send-off, I am ready to have a real summer in 2025. Hoping that all of our friends are around and I also cannot wait to get back to Hilton Head.

I also need to return to the farmer's market on the weekend in Old Town or at least the farm stand that comes to our neighborhood. 

9

What's Up Wednesday-May 2025

 

While May was definitely a weird energy month for me, I do feel like it flew by. We had some Good things happen with some big work projects going well, Running Daddy's birthday and Hockey Guy coming home for the summer.  Today I am back for What's Up Wednesday, linking up with Shay and Shaeffer to share a little food, fashion, favorite shows and all of the other Good parts of May. Let's dive in.

What We're Eating This Week

Monday-Grilled chicken with vegetables and leftover corn salad. This Baja Citrus marinade only takes 30 minutes and is amazing. I will be buying this all summer.

Tuesday-Chicken sausage, polenta and salad

Wednesday-This could be a busy night so I think we are going to do pasta with chicken meatballs and salad.

Thursday-Build your own taco with salad. I am going for a taco bowl.

Friday-We have wine club pickup so we will bring some food to that. I have not really figured it out yet.

6

Friday Favorites May 23, 2025: Summer Blanket, New Song , The Last Thing He Told Me, DJ x Jack Rogers and Good Everyday WIne

 

Hey Besties, I am back. I am not going to lie to you, this has been a really weird month. This month was capped off last weekend by a 15 minute storm on Friday night that took out around 15 trees on our main road in our neighborhood where we lost power for over 24 hours. So many friends and neighbors were impact and the roads were closed all over the neighborhood until Wednesday. We were safe but it just continued the weird energy that May is giving. 

Today, I need to focus on some fun and share a few things that are bringing me Joy when things are going sideways. I am ready to be back and link-up with Erika and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites.

1. Better Homes & Gardens Luxury Gauze Reversible Blanket

The blanket we had on our bed was really more of a winter blanket and we have had it for more than 15 years. With summer coming I wanted something lighter but also wanted a really soft blanket. The Better Home & Gardens line at Walmart is really high quality at a Good price point.  You would never know this blanket was under $30. 

6

Friday Favorites April 11, 2025: Fun, Spring Fashion and Beauty

 

It's been a while since I have posted a Friday Favorites and my writing has not been as frequent as in the past. Mostly, I am pretty exhausted recently. The traffic has really picked up around here and I think it is taking its toll on me. In general, it's a stressful time to live and work in the nation's capital. Not a political statement, just the truth. I am excited to be back and taking a moment to link up with Erika and Andrea and share the simple pleasures that brought me Joy this week. Today is all about fun, spring fashion and beauty. Let's end this week with a little fun for Friday Favorites.

1. Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nail Gummies

I was not born with a Good head of hair. My hair is naturally fine, thin and not cooperative post menopause. I know there are a lot of pricey hair supplements on the market that people really like, but I can't swallow the price. I bought the Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nails gummies at the beginning of the year. Last month when I went to have my eye brows done, my gal who has been doing my eye brows for 18 years (only one other person has touched my brows once in that time) asked me if I was taking a hair growth supplement.

2

Monthly Musings March 2025: Spring Fashion Preview

 

Oh spring is in the air in the Washington, DC area and I am excited. Holly and I cannot wait to share all of the spring fashion this month for the link-up party we host Monthly Musings. Follow the questions and we will have the Best outfits for spring, dress up events and our favorite stores and sites for spring shopping. Edit your closet and join us for Monthly Musings.

1. Favorite Spring Outfit?

In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with a great pair of white jeans and a bright colored blouse. Add in a neutral sandal and you have the perfect outfit in my opinion. 

3

Hello Monday March 24, 2025: March Monthly Musings Topics

 

Happy Monday Besties! The weather is starting to get really nice in Virginia even though we do have some March winds blowing some days. With the weather getting Better, I am linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday to share the topics for Monthly Musings. I am ready to share some spring fashion with you and get inspired by the writers joining us for Monthly Musings on Thursday.

I am hoping to be back on Wednesday for What's Up Wednesday after my technical challenges in February and then I'll see you on Thursday for Monthly Musings! 

1

What's Up Wednesday January 2025

 

Hey there Besties, we are slowly but surely making our way through January. This month feels long doesn't it? Now that we are nearing the end of January, I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for What's Up Wednesday. Even though I know January has been challenging for a lot of people, but let's finish this month strong.

What We're Eating This Week

Monday-Running Daddy has a class on Monday night so we both do our own thing. I had a turkey burger, a few sweet potato fries and cucumbers.

Tuesday-Taco bowls with salad.

Wednesday-Sheet pan chicken parmesan with salad

Thursday-Not sure yet, I need to figure that out.

Friday-We are going out on Friday. More to come on that.

3

Friday Favorites-January 3, 2025: Favorite Meal, New Fave Sweater, Gentle Cleanser, Southern Charm and New Podcast

 

Welcome to the first post of 2025! I took off from December 24th through January 1st and it is probably the most vacation time I have taken in many, many years. Re-entry is tough with some year-end numbers due and a new Congress being sworn in today but I do think the time off was totally worth it.  Today I am taking a moment to link up with Erika and Andrea and share the simple pleasures that brought me Joy this week. I am sharing my favorite meal of the year, my new favorite sweater, a gentle cleanser for winter, Southern Charm is back and a podcast we are really loving right now. Settle in for the first 

1. My Favorite Meal of the Year

We went to Hilton Head for a few days after Christmas and it was a very Good idea. We didn't get there this summer due to college orientation and all of the freshman year prep. We even brought our dog and he loved island life.

This also meant that was able to have my favorite meal of the year. You can keep your Thanksgiving feast, all I want is the gluten-free clam strips at Skull Creek Dockside. They are fresh, sweet and crunchy just as a clam strip should be. They use cornmeal for the breading and that is why they are gluten-free. I barely even touch the fries because all I need are the clams.

6

Monthly Musings November 2024: Holiday Fun

 

I think I am finally ready to say, that the holiday season is right around the corner. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, and falling pretty late in November this year, the holiday season is basically here. This gal is excited! 

Due to Thanksgiving next week, Holly and I scheduled Monthly Musings a week early for November. We hope that the tips, tricks and holiday fun that the talented group of writers that join us every month will help inspire you this holiday season. I am so ready for this post.

8

Friday Favorites November 15, 2024: Cute Slippers, Trader Joe's Wine, Perfect Palette, Magnesium Spray, and Good Body Serum

 

Hey Hey Friday, so Good to see you. This week felt long but the workdays went by quickly. Has anyone had weeks like this? Today I am taking a moment to link up with Erika and Andrea and share the simple pleasures that brought me Joy this week. I have a Trader Joe's wine, two body care products, a beautiful makeup palette and super cute dupe slippers to keep you warm. Let's roll into the weekend and enjoy Friday Favorites!

 1. Super Cute Dupe Slippers

My feet are always cold and I have slippers on in the house all the time. I have been seeing the clog-style slippers everywhere this season but I definitely wanted a pair that didn't break the bank. After buying several other options and returning them, I landed on these slippers from Walmart. 

2

Monthly Musings-September 2024: Back-to-School Routines, Recipes and Fall Fashion

 

Here we are on the last Thursday of September. Did September fly by for anyone else? For September's Monthly Musings it is basically a buffet of early fall topics. Holly and I want to share what is working for back-to-school routines now that people have been settled in for a bit, favorite fall recipes, food and all of the fall fun. Join us for our link-up party that we host with a group of other talented writers for all of the goodness that fall brings. It's finally here!

1. What are your Best tips for getting into a fall/back-to-school routine?

As an official bird launcher, my back-to-school days are over or have taken a new look. The one thing that I will share is that for the first month or so is to be easy and flexible. Make dinner easy, don't pile on too many activities and understand, that everyone will be really tired!

4

Friday Favorites September 13, 2024: Pumpkin Mugs, The Perfect Couple, Concierge Moms, Everyday Cardigan and Empty Nest Podcast

 

Summer definitely feels like it is coming to a close and fall is slowly creeping in around here. I am really embracing the fall this year and have so many things to look forward to this fall. At the same time, this is a very busy season for me at work with the upcoming elections which means I am pretty tired this week. I am working hard to embrace to fall fun to balance out the workweek.

I am happy to be back today for Friday Favorites sharing simple Joys that are getting me through the week. I will be linking up Erika and Andrea to share all of the things that made me happy this week.

1. Hello Pumpkin Mugs 

This mug is one of those simple Joys. There is a TJ Maxx near my office and about every other week I take a break and walk around TJ Maxx during lunchtime just to clear my head. Does anyone else do things like this? I saw these mugs in August and didn't buy them. I also realized that some of our coffee mugs were getting a little faded and their service has probably come to an end after 18 or so years. 

3