Five Friday Faves - 5.3
The gifts you want but don't need
I always clam up or forget when my husband asks “what do you want for Christmas?” or “what do you want for your birthday?” So, I keep a list on my phone that I share with him of things I want so that if he needs a gift idea, he has a bunch (in a range of price points) at his fingertips without needing to ask. Most things are things that I want, but I don’t need. This has worked really well for us in the past few years - it gives my husband the confidence he’s getting me something I want, and also a relative surprise for me.
With Mother’s Day coming up, I thought I’d share a few gifts I’ve gotten or things on my “things I want but don’t need” list that would be great for a nice pampering treat from a partner or to give to your mother.
Gifts are great and all, but have you ever slept in when you have two kids?! I know some families trade off who wakes up with the kids on the weekend, but we aren’t that family. However, I’d be perfectly happy with a morning in which my husband takes the kids out of the house immediately upon waking and lets me sleep in!
Five Friday Favorites:
Breville Toaster Oven - My husband got me this for Mother’s Day last year and it definitely made me think of that scene from Father of the Bride. However, I will say we use this dang thing EVERY SINGLE DAY. So, he was right, and it’s great. It’s so nice to cook some food for the kids in the airfyer while we cook something else for ourselves, and it does give the flexibility of a double oven when you only have one. If this thing broke, I would probably buy a new one.
Lake Pajamas - These are my go-to pajamas. I try others, but there’s truly no competition. I love these and these and I have my eye on these. I also buy these exclusively for my kids now, and they hold up so well. These would be a great Mother’s Day Gift for your mom as well.
Anything from Dorsey - I have been a long-time fan of Dorsey, and I hope to get my first piece sometime soon. I love these earrings, this necklace, and this bracelet. Ok, these too. They have a ton of gorgeous jewelry options at multiple price points, and I love a female-founded business. Megan Alida Strachan , the founder, is a great Substack follow too.
Dyson Air Wrap - My husband got me one off my list almost three years ago and I have LOVED it since. It is an investment I probably wouldn’t have made for myself, but it has truly become the only thing I use for my hair. I have been committing to “doing” my hair more, and this makes it so easy. This is a great “want it but don’t need it” gift.
Matching Hill House - The Hill House line sheets just came out for the summer drop, and I have my eyes on some pieces for myself and my daughter. A matching Mom and Me Hill House set would be a really cute Mother’s Day gift, and might even be what I purchase for myself.
What’s for Dinner
This week we’re getting back to normal, and as someone who thrives on consistency, I am so happy to be back in a routine!
Sunday - Smoked Pulled Pork with Black Eyed Peas and Slaw - My husband has a smoker and laments that he doesn’t use it enough, and there was incredible weather this past weekend, and family to hang outside with, so it was a great opportunity to smoke something. He uses this recipe from Franklin Barbeque, and it came out really well. As for the beans, I make the Black Eyed Peas recipe from the Brother Jimmy’s Cookbook. I grew up eating at Brother Jimmy’s in NYC, there was one around the corner from our house in the UES. Two kids ate free with one adult, and when my mom traveled for work, my dad would often take us!
Monday - Leftover Pulled Pork Tacos with Beans - We love leftovers for one night, but by the next night, we’re done. We turned the pulled pork into tacos and toasted them in the airfyer to get a bit crispy with cheese. It was so delicious. Then the remaining leftovers went to the freezer to be enjoyed another time.
Tuesday - Brats and Tots - I had book club and took my son to an activity, so my husband prepared the brats and tots.Very grateful for a new delivery of delicious Brats from the midwest.
Wednesday - Salmon with Green Beans and Salad - Salmon is so easy, so I just roasted it at 425 for 12min and added this Japanese BBQ Sauce. I served it with green beans and an arugula salad with a dressing I learned from Julia Turshen’s Cookbook with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Tahini, and Olive Oil. It’s THE BEST.
Thursday - Dumplings and Asian Noodles - Dumpling Daughter and the Peanut Noodle Recipe from the In The Small Kitchen Cookbook. These have been a fan favorite in my kitchen for a LONG time, since my solo days in Madison. The kids love them, and they make great leftovers too.
Friday - Pizza Night
More A Day In Her Life:
ICYMI this week’s episode with Meghan Guffey is so great! We recorded right before she gave birth to her third child! She was so open about planning for the transition to three kids and how she started Bea Colette!
Julia Dzafic’s (Episode 25) Cookbook, Garden Grown, is coming out soon, and it looks GORGEOUS! Pre-orders are really important for new books, so pre-order her cookbook!
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