Things I’m Loving {Friday Five}, #2

Can I just get an ‘amen’ that the weekdays following a three-day weekend are sooooooo much longer than a normal week?

Glad we agree.

But there’s always something I’m loving, or five. 😉 And here they are in no particular order on this fabulous Friday morning:

1. Easy shredded chicken!

Shredding cooked chicken {it can be poached or baked or sautéed} in my mixer is a beautiful thing. Dump it in there fully cooked, turn the mixer on {with paddle attachment} and in a couple of minutes it’s all shredded perfectly. Makes my heart sing–no more burned fingers trying to cut it up or shredding it by hand while it’s still warm!

2. My six favorite cookbooks right now!

I keep them on my counter & the pages are stained and dog eared & there are notes in the margins ’cause these are that good. {If I had to pick my #1 favorite it would be this one (I even made cupcakes from it today!).} I’m going to do a review on each one (eventually) and post some pics of my favorite recipes inside each. Just wait ’til you see the cake I made for New Years Day from the cookbook on the far right!
From left to right: The Southern Baker, The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook {it’s a bakery in Savannah and is DELICIOUS and is a Savannah must-do!}, Back in the Day Bakery: Made with Love (less than $14!),  The Southern Cake Book, Slow Dough, Real Bread, and Marbled, Swirled, and Layered.

3. My new Clarisonic Cashmere brush head!

I’ve been using this puppy for a couple of months now (I use my Clarisonic Mia {that I’ve had for a looooong time now} at night before I go to bed. Note: I do NOT use the cleansing oil with my Clarisonic even though they’re pictured next to each other–it just fit on the tray, HA!–I use that in the mornings. I use the cleanser in the container to the left with my Clarisonic) and I’m in love. I’ve always liked the sensitive brush head (thanks rosacea for the sensitive skin!), but this new one is a dream. It still exfoliates, but it’s!so!soft! you could even use it on your eyelids!  If it’s time for you to get a new brush on your Clarisonic–they recommend every three months though I usually hold out for six since I use it just once a day–you NEED to try the cashmere brush head. Oh la la!

{This picture makes me realize I need to do a skincare regime post soon!}

4. 100th Day of School for MM!

On the 100th day of school she is allowed to get out of dress code (hooray!) and dress as a 100 year old person (hip hip hooray!). And this year’s outfit is on point. Dress, cardigan, knee highs, heels, & {the most amazing} sunglasses found at Goodwill by Moseby and I this week. Walker from one great-grandmother, purse {with Kleenex sticking out of the top} from another great-grandmother. Sassiness? All her own.

Oh, and her face? That’s what she thinks old people look like, HA!
5. Click Magazine

If you like photography, you’ll love this magazine. I devour each issue–I love the talk about lenses, photography styles, external hard drives, etc. Last month there was an article by a photographer who takes pictures {mainly of her kids} just because she enjoys it. She doesn’t get paid–she just does it because it brings her joy. And it spoke right at me because (as of now–because never say never, right?) I have no interest in “professional photography”–I’ve always done it because I love it and it makes me happy. Something about this woman’s article gave me permission to just enjoy it. I think I may take some more classes {I haven’t taken any in 7 or 8 years} this summer when I’m off just for fun.

And that’s my Friday Five for you! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend–we’re having four of MM’s friends over to eat hibachi, go to a movie, and spend the night tonight. Pray for me! We were supposed to go two weeks ago, but it was snowed out (high that day: 32, today’s high: 72). #southernwinter