Happy Friday, friends! I hope you’ve had a good week and are gearing up for an even better weekend. I have a lot of relaxation and productivity on tap. Plus, family time and watching The Americans, because my parents have been alternately busy for the last week, so we haven’t all hung out together for about that long. And I guess we like each other or something. Anyway, let’s start the weekend on a good note by talking about some of our favorite things from the past week. Sound good? Okay!
Shopping with my cousins
My aunt and cousins visited on Friday and we went shopping together. My dad and uncle were both gone last week, and I don’t know that I’ll see my cousins again before Christmas (crazy). Also, they had some back-to-school shopping to do, so they let us join in the fun. I hadn’t spent four hours at a mall in who knows how long, and I don’t really feel the need to make a habit of it. However, watching them try on clothes and making them try on everything in the store was so fun.
Also, I saw this shirt. I resisted buying it because it wasn’t that soft (my clothes better be soft), and I probably wouldn’t wear that many sparkles on a regular basis. But consider it your weekly reminder that you’re awesome.
Extra time with my dad
I mentioned it yesterday, but when my dad did come home, since he took the next day off work, we got to spend the next day together. My hip was so not up to running that day, so he went on a run solo, but we did all our other daddy-daughter activities (grocerying, podcast listening, Sunday show watching) together that afternoon. And since my mom has been busy the last few nights, we’ve had some extra time together. We’ve spent it eating Chipotle and snacks, talking more than I can handle about UChicago in the news because it’s blowing up my Facebook feed, and watching Stranger Things (which we don’t love… what are we missing?). Anyway, it’s been nice to catch up on time with him after his week off the grid.
Touch & Go
Last week, I told you about a book I enjoyed, but didn’t feel like I fully “got”. It had been hyped up, but maybe didn’t really sink in with me. This week, I flew through the nearly 14 hours of listening to Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner.
{Source}
It’s the second in a series, but given that I didn’t realize that until I looked it up for the link just now, I can tell you it serves perfectly as a standalone thriller/mystery. I guessed at the ending several times and while one of my guesses was right, it wasn’t the one I was expecting by the end. I pretty much always successfully predict the end, so I appreciate any good surprise. Also, I really liked the characters and thought they were nicely complex. I’m now listening to the next book in the series!
Downton Abbey
{I love Maggie Smith. Source.}
Whenever this show came out, I started watching it. Honestly, I loved it, but then I kinda gave it up when I left for school and became “busy”, so I quit watching about two seasons before it ended. Well, over the past week, I’ve picked up where I left off and am so glad. It’s one of the rare TV shows that actually engages me. The characters are written to be pretty funny, I love the acting, and I would officially like everyone around me to speak in British accents.
Sweet potato chips
Ohhh my goodness. These are insane. Obviously, they are deliciously sweet-and-salty, as sweet potato chips should be. Additionally, many of the chips are folded over like three times and enormous, so you get maximum crunch factor. I approve. Yes, I can make my own sweet potato chips, but I was at Target and these called to me. (What else is new?) They have all of three ingredients and are super convenient. Get these!
And that’s all for me this week. Hug someone you love, eat something delicious, and have a lovely weekend!
Loving lately: shopping, a show, and @target sweet potato chips. #bgbcommunity #fitfluential Share on XYour turn:
Have you watched Stranger Things? Do you love it?
Do you prefer series or standalone novels?
What are you loving this week?
Linking up with Heather
I like episodic novels–ones that can standalone or be read as a series–but they also need to be consistent and have character development over time. Everyone says that we should watch Stranger Things, but I can tell you right now that it will NOT be my jam…
Character development is the key for me. Otherwise, it starts to feel like I’m reading the same story over and over again. And yeah, I say don’t bother with Stranger Things.
I prefer stand alone, but sometimes I’ll accidentally pick up something later in a series too and then go back, but most of the crime/thrill/detective novels that I love that are series CAN be stand alone so, alls good! I’m reading No Place To Die right now and I think it’s the second in a series with the same characters, but you really wouldn’t know and the book is SOOOO good!
I have heard awesome things about Stranger Things! I need to start it.
Also- those target sweet potato chips are bombb. Love them!! Happy Friday!
Obsessed with the chips 😀
You didn’t love Stranger Things?!!! WHO ARE YOU! 😉 Just kidding, it’s definitely a different sort of show that you really have to get into 🙂 BUT, spending extra time with your dad I’m sure made it all worth it!
Hahaha definitely in the minority on that one, aren’t I? ?
Depending on the novel, I think I like stand alone novels the best, but if it’s a good series, I’ll read the series! Sweet potato chips are SO Good. 🙂 They are probably my favorite chip.
I seriously just love hearing about how much you get to spend time with your parents and how you are such good friends.
They’re my favorite chips, too! And thank you, Emily! I’m very lucky 🙂
I’m with you on Stranger Things, just not my thing I guess! Have you tried the Terra Exotic Vegetable chips? They are made with sweet potatoes, beets, and other veggies (some I had never heard of before) I got my mom to buy a big bag at Costco and now am completely addicted!
I absolutely LOVE those Terra chips!
Come to London! Although I can guarantee there will still be a few American accents too…
Downton Abby has a massive following over here and lots of people were upset when they finished it last year but I’m glad you are enjoying it. 🙂
Your daddy-daugther activites sound just like mine; grocery shopping is always so much more interesting when we do it together and chat as we go along.
Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
I would love to come to London!!!
My dad and I love grocery shopping together! It’s so much better than going on my own when I’m at school. 😛
Thanks, Charlie! I hope you had a great weekend, too. 🙂
Downton Abbey was great until they killed off all of my favorite characters, haha! Then I got angry with the makers of it and refused to keep watching. It’s still good, though. 😛
This afternoon we dug up our first ever homegrown potatoes and they’re in the oven right now (they smell sooo yummy) so I think that’s my favorite happening from the week so far!
Growing your own potatoes?! That’s awesome! Enjoy your trip, Claire 🙂
I’ve just started hearing a ton about Stranger Things! Is it super scary?
It’s not really… it’s just kinda supernatural. It’s hard to describe, but I’ve heard people say it’s like Goonies crossed with ET, if you’ve seen those.
I have yet to get into Stranger Things, but we’ll see where this next semester of college takes me 😉 and those potato chips look ridiculously good!
Hahaha college is full of surprises 😉
What episode of Stranger Things are you up to? The first one I was like hmmmmm but by the end I was a little bit hooked and kept watching and by episode three I was completely into it 😛
I love that shirt so much! 😛
I think we made it through the third one…hm.
I know!! I really did almost buy it. ?