So, do you know who is as sweet as pie? Sophie of BooMama.
Last week she wrote a post called Five Current Favorites which I loved and immediately wanted to copy. I’m always finding things I enjoy (products, posts, recipes, quotes, videos, etc.) that I want to share with you all but which don’t really warrant an entire post.
Anyway, I emailed her to ask whether she might be planning on turning it into a link-up and she said no but gave me permission to run with it. I don’t know if I’ll turn it into a link-up but I’m definitely going to write a Five Favorites post every Wednesday. There’s just too much goodness out there to share!
So, without further adieu, here are the five things that kept me alive this week…
1.
Raspberry Coulis
I apologize in advance to any of you holy souls who gave up sweets for Lent. You might just want to move on to #2. If I’m going list my Top 5 current favorites, though, I can’t in good conscience skip this one.
At the end of every single one of my boy pregnancies I’ve craved Raspberry Coulis like nobody’s business. This is what Heaven tastes like to me right now:
Raspberry Coulis on top of vanilla ice cream and topped with homemade whipped cream. And repeat.
And just because I love you, here’s the super simple recipe I use:
1 pint raspberries
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until well combined. Press mixture through a fine mesh strainer and serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Enjoy!
2.
Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray
Bouncy hair full of shine and volume that smells delicious and possesses not a trace of stickiness? Be still my heart!
I feel certain that Tami Taylor is a fan.
Just so you know, I love this product so much that the last time I traveled for a speaking engagement I made time to stop by a beauty store to buy more since the airline wouldn’t let me pack it on my carry-on. (Ridiculous. No – not me, sillies. The airline!).
3.
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
i
Yes, it’s sad that my husband will have to be a single parent until I’m done reading this but what can you do?
i
Truth be told, I haven’t read this novel yet but I’ve been smitten with Maeve Binchy since high school. Sadly, she passed away last July but sweetly, she left us one last novel to enjoy. Kirkus called A Week in Winter “classic Binchy” so I feel safe categorizing it as a favorite before having even cracked the cover.
4.
Written by real women! Real women who are no longer pregnant! This is totally going to be me one day! (Right???)
Scrumptiousness.
Thanks for keeping me alive for these last 5 weeks of pregnancy, Grace. You’re a peach.
5.
Gap’s Little Black (Maternity) Dress
i
My little miracle worker.
I know what you’re thinking. This wrap dress looks a little…blah. I know. I thought the same thing when I first spotted it but I bought it anyway because I really needed a LBD. Turns out it’s a magic dress. Every pregnant woman who has slipped it on agrees. I can’t explain it, but to say that it is flattering would be an understatement of epic proportions. This little number works miracles. If you have a baby on board you need this dress. Trust me.
Until next time, lovelies!
(Oh, and I just found out that Style, Sex, and Substance is in the running for About.com’s Best Catholic Book of 2012! I’m so honored! And a little embarrassed because it’s up against one of Pope Benedict’s books. Which is just silly. But thank you so much to those of you who nominated my book. You’re so sweet.)
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fun idea! Oh, yum. I love anything raspberry! And I have been hoping for a fiction recommendation. I burnt out on fiction once I became a mom — but I’ve been wanting to read something immersing lately. May try that one! Love seasonal titles!
And I think that dress is not “blah” but classic.
Thank you for sharing!
Jeannine recently posted..Catholic Woman’s Almanac
What a fun idea! I may have to do a fav 5 tomorrow too. :-) The dessert looks delicious! And congrats on the nomination!
bobbi @ revolution of love recently posted..TV Talk: Downton Abbey, Season 3 Finale
Dear Hallie,
I’ve been reading your blog regularly for over a year now, and gathering inspiration for how to fully live the married vocation, stylishly and with grace.
Well, it finally happened …
I’m engaged!
And I wanted to let you know that the wisdom and encouragement you and your readers have shared in this blog have been hugely helpful to me.
Many blessings on you as you await the birth of this baby!
Congrats!
Kelly @ In the Sheepfold recently posted..A Most Excellent Sneaker
Congratulations!
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! You will absolutely love married life. You and your soon-to-be husband will be in my prayers!
Love this link up idea. I’m going to have to try the raspberry dessert and I’m getting that book. I’ve been in need of a good novel. Thanks for the recommendation!
Elisa recently posted..p e a c e
Thank you for the raspberry recipe. Its the first year in many that I am NOT giving up sweets for lent so time to get my coulis on.
I have the black maxi dress from old navy and I am pretty sure I will be wearing it every day in the month of June…desipite the happy colors everyone else will be wearing. Comfort is key.
Also, congrats on your book! So exciting!
Thanks, Anna! I hope you love the coulis! And maxi dresses are just the best for pregnancy, aren’t they?
I had a little black maternity dress that made me feel so beautiful! Enjoy!
Kelly @ In the Sheepfold recently posted..A Most Excellent Sneaker
If someone created a Tami Taylor line of hair care products, you’d better believe I’d buy every. last. one.
Margaret recently posted..Valentine’s Day Chocolate Truffles
Ditto!
Which of Maeve Binchy’s books would you recommend to someone who has never read anything by her before? In other words, do you have a favorite?
Melissa B recently posted..Cease Striving and Look Up
Oh, gosh. That’s a tough question! I’ve loved them all and read so many of them years ago that I can’t quite remember which ones I enjoyed the most. Circle of Friends always pops into my head but that may simply be because they made a movie about it. Maybe see what others thought over on Amazon?
This is a really interesting idea. I have decided I would like to come along and join this. It might be interesting for me.
Also I have voted for your book. Congrats on the nomination. Plus number 3 on your FF I might have to add that to my to-read list. (I have a goodreads account so makes it easier for me to look for books to read.)
God Bless!
Nikita recently posted..Five Favorites Vol. 1
Ack. Gap is out of my size! Sad, sad, sad.
I did however, put the Binchy book on hold. I’ve never read anything by her.
And I’ll pass on the birth stories, thanks. ;) I’m one of those pregnant women who starts hyperventilating when ladies start chatting birth. :)
Yes, thank you, Sarah. I posted my comment before I read yours. Glad to see I’m not the only one!!! Hyperventilating is a great descriptor there. I used torture, but it’s all the same. ;)
I think it’s because once they’ve written their birth story they have a babe in arms so it reassures me that I won’t be pregnant forever. ;)
Also, I’m one of those weird women who kind of likes labor so hearing about other women’s experiences makes me even more excited about my own and gives me ideas about how to manage it and even make it more enjoyable.
I think you’re just the greatest, Hallie. Love your links, have taken lots of your advice, bought lots of products (and always loved them!) that you’ve recommended, but…
Oh, birth stories freak-the-heck-right-out-of-me. Like, epically. Especially when I’m pregnant. Oh, and also when I’m not. I’ve birthed 7, and I don’t even want to think about those! :o Well, the moment riiiiiiight after, I simply love to think about! Sweet baby, no more pain (heck, you hardly even know where you are!). But not the actual birth. Oh. No. No, no, no, no, no.
Isn’t that like torturing yourself? Why do women like birth stories?
Because there’s always a happy ending? :)
Now show me a postpartum LBD that flatters all and I’ll be your BFF for life!!
Colleen Martin recently posted..24 Hour February Getaway
You know, I’m planning on wearing this one postpartum. I’ll give you a full report after I do but the fact that it’s a wrap dress (and so is adjustable) gives me hope!
Maeve Binchy died???!!! Oh, no! She’s one of my all time favorite authors. Sadness. Thanks for the tip on the final book. Love EVERYTHING she has ever written. And I’ve read them all.
Isn’t that sad? Last July, I think. I’m savoring every word of this last novel of hers.
Thank you for the recipe! I have been dreaming about it since you posted in on the gram. And, my husband thanks you for prompting me to buy new hairspray and a dress. ;)
Jenna@CallHerHappy recently posted..BlogHer Book Review: A Good American
Ha! My pleasure. Let me know what you think (of the coulis, dress, and/or hairspray)!
Hallie, you are one cool gal! Though it pains me a little these days to read all the blogs about Catholic wifedom and momhood I have loved so much, due to my beloved husband’s terminal illness and feeling like I am just….hanging out there in space somewhere, not quite anything anymore, your posts are still beautiful and fun to read–you have truly found your calling in life!
Kerry @ Brand New Catholic recently posted..Beauty in Darkness
You’re so sweet. And I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. You all have been (and will continue to be) in my prayers! xoxox
Wahh! The dress is sold out in my size!
Keeping you in my pregnant-lady prayers, Hallie!
Oh, that’s terrible! Hopefully it will be back in stock soon!
And thank you for the prayers! They mean the world to me. :)
Rasberry Coulis? That looks fabulous!
Also, I’m not pregnant but I’m pretty sure I own that Gap dress. It is so comfy but now I feel a better awkward. :)
Katie @NFP and Me recently posted..snOwMG Part 2