Things I’m Loving Friday #533

Friday is here! I am coming at you a little later than normal because we were running around all morning but I’m hoping better late than never applies here. And I also hope you’re as psyched for the weekend ahead as I am right now!

Ryan’s mom and Les arrived on Tuesday and will be staying with us through Monday. We’re especially excited because we’ll be celebrating Diane’s birthday with her this weekend!

We have plans to see a show at a local theatre, make a homemade birthday cake and spend some quality time together. It should be a good one!

And now, after an unintentional one-week hiatus, I’m back in action this morning with this week’s roundup of weekly favorites, Things I’m Loving Friday style. Below you’ll find a few simple things making me smile this week and, as always, I’d love to hear a little bit about something you’re loving right now in the comment section below. Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

Things I’m Loving Friday #533

(Sweater: Amazon / Skirt: GAP but old — this one is similar / Sneakers: White + Green Sambas / Bag: Moda Luxe via StitchFix / Necklaces: Gorjana Amour Necklace + Gorjana Poppy Gem Necklace + Amazon Heart Pendant Necklace) 

(Sweater: Target / Jeans: Target / Sneakers: White + Green Sambas / Necklace: Amazon Heart Pendant Necklace)  

You know those trends you see pop up that you immediately think to yourself, “YES. This one is a YES for me!” That was me and adidas Sambas sneakers. Rewind a few decades and I remember Sambas being super popular when I was in 5th/6th grade. I wanted a pair so badly but I remember a group of soccer girls saying only girls who played soccer on a real soccer team could wear them. I didn’t want to get made fun of for wearing Sambas if I wasn’t a true “soccer girl” so Sambas eluded me as a young girl.

Well, fast forward to 2024 and now it’s my time to shine! I’m still not a soccer girl (but I am kind of a soccer mom, I guess!) and I’m definitely a mom who is all about cute comfort in my footwear so Sambas are right up my alley. They feel like an updated version of the basic white sneaker I paired with everything for years and I’m all about it.

(Sweater: Amazon / Pants: Target / Sneakers: Red Sambas / Bag: Target / Necklace:Amazon Heart Pendant Necklace) 

Remember to size down!

I ordered a pair at the end of summer and have found myself reaching for them over and over again. They look so cute with everything from jeans and dresses to midi skirts and sweats. I also couldn’t resist ordering a pair of bright red Sambas with an old birthday gift card last week because I think they’ll be so cute through the holidays and always love bright statement sneakers. (One important note: Definitely size down! The first pair of Sambas I ordered were huge on me but after sizing down a full sneaker size, they fit well.)

My rating: B+ / Genre: Contemporary Romance

This book was such a fun read and a solid recommendation from my blogging friend Anne. (I’m going to miss her blog so much! She just announced she’s stepping away from blogging and was one of the OG healthy living bloggers I read.) Maybe Once, Maybe Twice was similar to a lot of other romance reads out there but something about it felt fresh and different. It was funny at times and quirky, steamy and thought-provoking and just an all-around captivating read. I loved the flashback timelines, the main character Maggie’s passion for music, the author’s way of growing Maggie over the course of her life through her relationships and the fact that I was honestly not sure who Maggie would end up with in the end.

From Amazon: 

You know that old saying, “if we are still single when we’re 35, we should get married?” Well, Maggie Vine made that vow with two different people, at two very different stages of her life. And they both showed up.

Maggie Vine’s life is going extra-medium. At 35 she’s pursuing her dreams of being a singer and being a mother―though neither is successfully panning out. So when Garrett Scholl―stifled hedge fund manager by day but electrifying aspiring rock singer by night―comes to her 35th birthday party with the intention to kiss Maggie senseless, it feels like one piece might click into place.

Enter Asher Reyes. Her first boyfriend from summer camp, turned into heartthrob actor, he’s lived a successful yet private life ever since he got famous. When a career-changing opportunity is presented to Maggie after her reconnection with Asher, it feels like everything―music, love, family―will fall into place. But her past won’t let her move on without a fight.

I swear some of those old school brands that have stood the test of time have stood the test of time for a reason. Apparently Hanes is one of those brands. After ordering a pair of their wide-leg cropped terry sweats a few months ago, I found myself reaching for them to lounge in the minute they were clean out of the dryer; a true test of love for any comfy clothes! I ended up ordering a few more cozy Hanes finds, all in their terry material, and have loved them all! The material is perfect for this time of year — not too thick or hot — and I’ve actually found myself pairing them with sweaters and cuter tops in addition to super-soft oversized sweatshirts. The price point is great and I am a big fan!

Some of my favorite finds (I’m wearing a medium in all of them):

Hanes Terry Joggers

(Sweats: Hanes / MERRY Sweatshirt: Target / Socks: Hanes / Slippers: Amazon)

Hanes Terry Wide Leg Sweats

(Sweatshirt: Amazon / Wide Leg Sweats: Hanes / Slippers: Amazon)

I received a DM from someone on Instagram saying her husband said she looked like she should be on the streets of Agrabah in these wide leg pants and I laughed out loud. And yes, she’s wearing them regularly anyway because dang it, they’re so so comfy and we’ve done our time with skinny-leg pants.

Hanes Terry Sweatpants (On super sale for $10 today!)

(Sweats: Hanes / Sweatshirt: Beyond Yoga / Ultra-Mini Boots: UGG) 

My rating: B / Genre: Contemporary Romance

I know Carley Fortune has a big following but I admittedly didn’t seek out her novels after I read Every Summer After which I found eerily similar to Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, a novel published a few years prior to Every Summer After. It just felt too similar and left a bad taste in my mouth, but I figured I’d give the author’s work another shot when This Summer Will Be Different became available through my Libby app. I found the book cute and enjoyable though very predictable. It was an easy, breezy read and read like a will-they-won’t-they kind of beach read.

The book kicks off when Lucy heads to Prince Edward Island to spend time with her best friend Bridget at her friend’s family’s beach house. Lucy arrives before Bridget and a quick solo bite to eat at a local restaurant leads to a fun and passionate night with Felix, a handsome local, who just so happens to be her best friend’s younger brother. When Lucy realizes who Felix is, she’s shocked and quickly decides their passionate night can never happen again, as Bridget vehemently asked Lucky to not fall in love with her brother. The decision to never repeat their night together proves to be more challenging than either anticipated and annual visits to PEI result in annual hook-ups for Lucy and Felix. But if all the connection is only a series of secret yearly hookups, why does Lucy find herself thinking of Felix all year long?

Favorite Healthy Pantry Kid Snacks (Some of our family staples!)

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chicken Curry (Creamy, veggie-packed and oh so comforting, this recipe is a fall favorite in our house.)

How to Make Overnight Oats (A quick rundown of how to make this easy go-to breakfast!)

Question of the Day

What is one thing making you smile this week?