Last year I really wanted to start sharing some of my favorite things with you, and they ended up being some of the posts I most looked forward to writing. It’s like grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting around with girlfriends chatting about a great deal we found at Target or the softest scarf we’ve ever owned. I felt like I was inviting you in to share in a part of my life that some of my other posts don’t show. And using affiliate links sometimes didn’t make me much money, but it’s nice to know there are ways to keep offering free encouragement and inspiration if a couple people click through.
Instead of “What I’m Loving” I’m switching this to a “Friday Favorites” post. I don’t really see myself posting every Friday because we all know I’m a blogging rebel, but it feels like a fun day to celebrate all the awesome from the week. And I’m going to focus in on four categories: Read, Watch, Wear, Listen. So here we go!
Read
This post by Annie Downs (which also has a favorite “watch” from the week in it!) – I’m not single, but her words? Y’all God leaned in close and asked me to think about how often I say “right now” instead of asking Him if it’s “right FOR now.” Good, good stuff.
Loved this passing of the baton post by Kristen Welch – nothing makes me happier right now that seeing women cheer for one another, support one another, and invite other women to join them on their journey.
Watch
I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but this video with Jimmy Fallon & Nicole Kidman. When he falls off the chair? Dying.
The Librarians – I’ll admit it. I loved the movies, and I love shows like Doctor Who and Warehouse 13 that have slightly cheesy graphics and impossible story lines about time travel and magic. When you add in one witty librarian, one awesome guardian, and three librarians in training (LITS), and there are books and references to art and literature and history? Well. Consider me sold.
Worst Cooks in America – I’m sure I’m mean for loving this show but I laugh so hard every season at the chefs reactions to the food the cooks make the first few weeks of the show. It’s honestly one of my favorite “reality” shows because they are kind and work together and compete without drama, and they all leave truly better as cooks.
Fixer Upper – I mean, seriously. Chip & Joanna Gaines might be the most endearing couple on television, and they’re incredibly talented (and hilarious) to boot. I love Joanna’s style and how they renovate houses into homes for couples they seem to genuinely care about. It’s not just a quick flip to make money – they’re clearly helping make memories. Nashville and Texas can’t possibly have all the awesome people though – how about some PA peeps make it on to the scene soon?
Wear
affiliate links included
fashionABLE scarf – I got this for Christmas and I absolutely love it!
FitBit Charge – so I’ve been in the market for some sort of calorie/step counter for awhile, but every time I would go online to buy one I’d be paralyzed by all the options. After Christmas I spotted a repackaged Fitbit Charge at our Target, marked down to an incredibly affordable price. Now that I’ve used it for a few weeks, I’ve got to admit that I really love it. It totally underestimates the number of calories I burn in Zumba and PiYo, but I knew that going in. I also tend to forget to log ALL my food, so I figure it works itself out {wink}. But so far it’s reminding me to move, to drink more water, and to take care of myself. That’s a win in my book!
OPI Trend on Ten Nail Polish – these were a fun Christmas gift! They’re adorably pint-sized little nail polish colors, but you get 10 of them and the colors range from sheer to sparkly to super dark. I’m currently loving “Princesses Rule!” which is a sheer pink sparkle and “Haven’t the Foggiest” which is a gorgeous sparkly gray.
Listen
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars – this song. Oh y’all. Listen, first I apologize if my love of this song leads you astray. But it’s so darn fun I can’t even help myself.
Coffee with Chris Caine Podcast – I listen to podcasts as I get ready in the morning, and there are so many incredible nuggets of wisdom in this one that I find myself wishing for a waterproof notepad and pen to take notes. The episodes are super short (unlike Serial, which..um..I actually tried to get into and just couldn’t do it. My highly sensitive personality find real life crime things to be too much. And I was bored. Um. Don’t hate me for saying that.) so you can actually listen to the whole thing at once.
I’ve also been listening to the soothing sounds of our neighbor using a chainsaw to cut down a huge tree for two days, but that’s not actually something I would wish on anyone. Hello, headache.
So that’s the line up this week! What have you started out the new year loving? Anything you’re looking forward to that is coming out later this year? I know I always look forward to the music that comes out of the Passion conferences, so that will probably make the list later!
Jenni DeWitt says
Oh my gosh, now I can finally figure out what the cool kids are into! : ) This is a fun idea, Crystal. I always seem to hear about things a couple years late. I feel like you’re gonna bring me into the here and now!
Lisa-Jo Baker (@lisajobaker) says
I love this – and I’m now adding those shows to my list if I can figure out how to watch them online- especially the chefs one – that makes me laugh just thinking about it.
And I totally think you should make it a monthly link up – I’d love to find some new shows, products etc from what other folks are discovering/sharing…
Stacey Thacker (@staceythacker) says
This is so fun. But of course it is. Happy weekend!
Crystal Stine says
{{smooch}}
jas154 says
Fixer Upper and Worst Cooks in America are two of my favorite shows. I would say most of the shows on HGTV are just not my style and feel so out of my reach, but Joanna and Chip seem so real, I would love for them to do a fixer upper for me. I wish they weren’t only in Waco, TX. And Worst Cooks in America just makes me laugh. It is hard to believe some people just don’t know the basics about cooking.
Crystal Stine says
I think my favorite Worst Cooks was last season watching them try to separate an egg yolk from the white 😉
Jessie Weaver says
I am a pretty established cook, but I STILL have trouble with separatiing eggs! I can’t imagine. We watched the first season or two of Worst Cooks, but then I think we had kids or something else that got in the way.
❖ LeeAnn Taylor (@leeanngtaylor) says
Also, I love podcasts and I love Christine Caine and I don’t know how in the world I didn’t know she had one. Can’t wait to download it! I was just thinking I needed something like this for my mornings. Thanks for the introduction.
❖ LeeAnn Taylor (@leeanngtaylor) says
Such a fun list and a way to introduce us to new things and people! Would you consider making this a link up for other bloggers? Not necessarily a weekly one, but if it was occasionally, I’d participate!
Crystal Stine says
It’s so funny that you mentioned that – I thought about it yesterday when I was putting the post together! Maybe an end of month “January Favorites” link-up so you would have lots of time to post? I’ll keep thinking on it!