Friday Favorites: March 2020 Edition

“Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears.” ~ Gillian Anderson

Friday Favorites

It has been a hot second since I did a Friday Favorite’s post. Actually it has been a hot second since I posted twice in a week! I would say thank you Corona Virus, but while social distancing has encouraged others to get creative and pick up blogging again or even take up a new artistic hobby, I really can’t use that as an excuse, unfortunately. While people might find they have more time on their hands, I am still helping my brother with the family business, acting as a nanny (alas unpaid unfortunately, though I do get the occasional coffee!) to my nephews and niece who are now learning from home, as well as attempting to fit in my own work. There are NOT enough hours in the day friends!

Quarantine life is definitely not dull! While life has been hectic, I have been trying to find joy in the small things, as cliche as it sounds, it is extremely true. Much like the quote I shared in my last post from Harry Potter, and one I have been repeating to myself like a mantra since January:

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” 

It is so very true. Even in the darkest of times, there is hope and there is joy, sometimes it is minuscule and sometimes it is huge, but it is always there, you just have to seek it. So here are some of my Friday Favs that are bringing me so much joy and happiness, especially during this time! And yes it does include coffee, AND Easter Candy.

Spring Is In The Air

It seems the universe decided to give us all a bone, despite having to be quarantined and social distancing, the weather has been gorgeous, and visions of spring are definitely in the air. Which is amazing, considering we have my nephews and niece half the week. Being stuck inside with four adults (sometime five and even six when my brother is here working.) AND three kids would drive even Mother Theresa crazy!

Thankfully my parents have a huge yard, and we have been able to get outside and play daily, from hide and go seek and Jolly Green Giant to hopscotch, blowing bubbles, playing wiffle ball, and jumping rope, the munchkins are taking me back to my childhood. Unfortunately, we still have snow, and it is still to cold, but I am counting down the days until we can get the pool out! And yes I totally own the fact I am rushing spring so we can get to summer, especially right now.

While we are told to stay in, we are allowed to take walks and even go on hikes as long as we stay away from people. I am lucky that we not only live in the mountains, but that there are trails right behind my parent’s house that we can use. The quarantine fifteen will NOT be happening nor will the kids be able to play hooky from PE. The other day I was also able to go to the beach, (and no not to sunbathe or party!) but I am not sure how much longer they will be open. I will definitely take what I can get!

Starbuck’s Coldbrew With (Extra!) Salted Caramel Cold Foam 

I have a confession. I cheated. I cheated on my vanilla sweet cream coldbrew and alas we have broken up. I don’t know if it is for good, but for the intermittent future, my heart belongs to another drink, the coldbrew salted caramel cold foam has won my heart over and I may never be the same!

I know I always say that I can’t drink iced coffee if it isn’t above fifty degrees, but I have had such a hankering for coldbrew, that I will gladly freeze for the caffeinated goodness, especially now that I have tried the salted caramel cold foam! It is creamy with just a touch of sweetness, but not disgustingly so. I might need an intervention, because I can literally drink it by the gallon!

Easter Candy 

Guys it is that time of year again, where I once again pay ode to Easter Candy. In the time of COVID-19 Easter candy is even MORE important. Alas while people are hoarding toilet paper, they were smart enough to leave the Easter Candy to me. I think the universe knew I would lose my shizzle if I could not get my Cadbury eggs!

And guys Cadbury has upped their game. This year they started selling a dozen creme filled eggs! Resembling an egg carton, they are actually a much better deal then the box of four AND they are way cuter. Yes I am a sucker for great packaging slash marketing. I also found a 31 ounce bag of the candy coated Cadbury Eggs and I will never pass up the caramel eggs!

While Cadbury is the OG of Easter Candy, I still love my Reeses cups and there is something about them in egg form and wrapped in pretty pastel paper that makes them taste SO much better. We really do eat with our eyes!

Sewcialite Crossbody 

I have been wanting to share this bag for months it feels like, but alas life has gotten in the way. I will definitely be dedicating a post to this bag, but wanted to give Sewcialite, which is run by the amazing Roula, a shout out, since her brand has given me life with all the nautical vibes this winter. Hand woven and sewn, Roula makes the cutest baskets, clutches, and bags.

If you followed me back  in the early days, you know anchors are my jam, and I asked if she would bead an anchor on her crossbody bag. I am obsessed with it, and while I haven’t had much opportunity to rock it, I cannot wait for when social distancing will be over and we can all leave our houses again!

Katz Gluten Free Frozen Desserts 

Oh my gosh guys I feel like a kid again. I JUST discovered these treats, that take me back to days as a child and all my friends would be eating Twinkies and Devil Dogs and I just stared in jealous adoration because I couldn’t have any. No more!

Katz makes amazing Gluten Free Donuts, that I am a huge fan of, but they upped their game with the discovery of cream filled pastries, that are not only delicious, but free from the eight major allergens as well as preservatives, making them a much healthier option.

Found in the frozen section, they are individually wrapped so you just have to take them out and wait for them to thaw, or throw them in a microwave for ten seconds. They come in four flavors, chocolate cupcake filled with cream, a lemon cupcake filled with lemon curd, a sponge cake filled with cream and a vanilla cream which is my favorite. They are some yummy and such a nice treat.

SkinFix

With all the hand washing that we are (hopefully) all doing, my hands have gotten destroyed. I have sensitive hands anyway do to getting frostnip as a kid, so while I hate having lotion on my hands, it is a necessary evil. I got a sample of the Resurface+ AHA Renewing Cream from SkinFix and I actually thought it was for the face, before I realized that it was actually a body cream. Of course I had already used it on my face and loved the results.

It hydrates without leaving my skin oily, and I definitely feel that it minimizes scarring, and has helped heal my skin. I found that I not only love it for my face, but all over. It leaves my skin incredibly soft after one use. This is expensive. I am usually a five dollar drug store body and hand lotion kinda girl, but because this works so well, and it is such a huge container, I don’t mind spending more.

Rael Acne Pimple Healing Patches

To be perfectly honest, I had my doubts about these patches. As someone who suffers from hormonal acne, I have tried a lot of skincare brands as well as tricks and yes a few gimmicks. This kinda felt like a gimmick, but when you are hormonal and your face looks like a pizza you will try anything!

These actually work! I use them at night, but you can layer make-up over them and use them during the day. The patches are designed to hydrate while drawing out all the gunk, and it is amazing as well as mildly disgusting how much it draws out. (the patch turns white and will raise) I have noticed the healing time has been cut in half, and the blemishes don’t leave my skin scarred. For something I thought was a gimmick, I now swear by these.

Honorable Mention: Hallmark Christmas Movies

When it was declared we would all have to self isolate, I had made a comment on Twitter that Hallmark should air their Christmas movies. While I like to think it was my brilliant idea and I had a hand in it, (kidding) whoever did make the executive decision to air Christmas movies last weekend is da real MVP. It definitely made that quarantine life a little better and I hope they will do it again!

What are some of your Friday Favorites? How are you hanging in there? What are you finding joy in?