I really, really love Fridays.
The past two weeks have been pretty madcap at work, which is I guess good for the company I work for (busy weeks = lots of $$) but very, very bad for my energy levels. I’ve come home from work pretty much beat every night (hi, negative impact on social life, good to see you there) and then spent weekends recuperating. Its made me into something of a granny. Needless to say, I am not a fan.
But I am a fan of Fridays, because on Fridays I can usually sneak out a little bit early and get a jump start on my weekend– which is awesome, no matter what I have planned for Saturday and Sunday. What better way to celebrate the best day of the work week than by sharing things I’ve been loving this week with you?
Hence: Friday Favorites, aka the things that topped my week.
Not being in a polar vortex anymore.

HALLALUJAH
I don’t even care that it’s raining and generally gross out. I’m just happy I can open the trunk of my car again because the entire thing isn’t frozen. And that my windshield wipers can actually work instead of making it halfway across the glass and slowing down like the little engine that really wanted to but was too cold to try any harder.
JD McPherson

I popped JD into my Pandora today; the next thing that came up was Chuck Berry. Ray Charles joined the party not long after. If this is how my morning starts, I’m pretty sure its going to be an alright day.
I’m already pretty in love with classic rockabilly, so I really shouldn’t be at all surprised that I have unequivocally found my new music love interest in JD McPherson. But this is pretty much perfect for my mood this month. I was listening to it at the gym the other day, and not only was it a pretty excellent motivator (damn that swing beat and its ability to make me want to move!) but it made me want to a) go home and bake something while doing the Charleston around my kitchen and b) take up swing dancing.
If you’re not on board with me yet, just go listen to North Side Gal and trust me, you’ll get it.
Vacation Planning

If I’m being honest, this could actually be the sole contents of my FFaves from now until April. I wish you could see how excited I am about this. I have been prone to spontaneous bursts of solo-dancing when thinking about this.
This April, my friend S and I are going on a friend vacation to New Orleans. This will be the first vacation I’ve taken in probably five years, and let’s just say it has been a long time coming. I’m not going to say too much about it right now (because this post would probably double in length and be severely less interesting) but just know that planning vacations is awesome and we’re staying at the #1 rated B&B in NOLA and they have zebra carpets and you should be jealous.
Tofu Shirataki

These guys are NOODLE GODS
I don’t know who came up with this stuff and why they’ve been keeping it from me for so long, but I just want to give a shout out to Hungry Girl for bringing it into my life. I think I already mentioned that I’m part Italian, so pasta has always been a big part of things– but I hate eating it because Reasons. And that makes me a sad panda.
Enter Tofu Shirataki into my life: way fewer calories, way less guilt, and the added bonus of some (if not a lot of) protein. I’m making a puttanesca sauce tonight to celebrate just how excited I am.
(Puttanesca is totally the party girl of Italian sauces. Don’t even joke.)
This wine stopper.
I don’t even drink wine, but I want it just in case I ever decide to.
In other news: happy birthday, papabear!