Friday Favorites + $325 Nordstrom Giveaway

Can you believe Thanksgiving is already next week? My favorite time of year is about to kick off which means many busy weekends ahead until the end of the year. We have our first Holiday party to attend on Saturday night but otherwise it should be a fairly low key weekend.

ONE:
This week we had our annual potluck at work and there was over 20 dishes plus the dessert table was out of control. It was hard deciding what to chose! I made a delish broccoli salad (recipe coming soon) to add to the spread. I posted some potluck dish ideas yesterday if you didn't catch it.

TWO:
I was putting my wish list together for the Holidays and my birthday in December and stumbled upon this 2016 Blog Planner from Amazon. I know they have free printable ones but it would be ideal to have everything recorded in one book and you can always go back and see what you've done in previous weeks.

THREE:
On Wednesday I went out for a happy hour girl date at our favorite sushi spot downtown to celebrate JQs birthday. It was fun catching up and getting our sushi fix.

FOUR:

We received these Wellness Petite Treats from Chewy.com and they are probably my favorite treats to date. Turkey, pomegranate and ginger are a unique blend plus they're healthy and grain free which is important when choosing treats for Lola.

FIVE:

For the next week, I'm teaming up with Pamela from Sequins & Sea Breezes and 20 other fab bloggers to give away a $325 Nordstrom Gift Card right in time for the holidays! The more ways you enter, the more chances to win! The giveaway end on Friday, November 27th at midnight and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 30th. Good luck!

Hosted By:

Sequins & Sea Breezes

The Gorgeous Co-hosts:

Cheshire Kat Blog | B Loved Boston | Champagne & Suitcases | Going The Distance | Love & Bellinis

Green Fashionista | Kids & Cabernet | Pink & Fabulous | From Here To Eternity | Martinis & Bikinis

Pink Persistence | Miss in the Midwest | A Memory of Us | The Sequin Notebook | Birdie to Be

MakeupHER | Christina Lea Loves | The Wandering Weekenders | Medicine & Manicures | Meet @ The Barre

$325 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway

Joining my fellow Floridian blogger Amanda from Meet at the Barre for some Friday Faves.

Thanksgiving Potluck Dish Ideas

I don't usually like to post two food recipes in a week but with Thanksgiving next week, I definitely wanted to share these ideas sooner than later. I mentioned on Friday that I'm always looking for new recipes to contribute to the annual potluck at work as well as our Thanksgiving family dinner and sometimes even potlucks with friends around the Holidays. I shared this Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole recipe which is one of my favorite sides but I found a few other potluck ideas to share.

Tomato Basil Spinach Risotto

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Roast

Paleo Stuffing



Mexican Pasta Salad

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Hazelnuts

John Legends Macaroni and Cheese

 
Creamy Broccoli Salad

Strawberry Crumb Bars

Fall: What is that?

Well it's no secret Florida really doesn't experience a true Fall. The weather is still in the 80's so definitely don't need the cute scarfs or boots and the leaves don't change to those beautiful red and orange colors like the photo above. However, the weather does become slightly more comfortable compared to the blazing hot summer and there are several other things I enjoy around this time of year that remind me it is in fact Fall. 

#1: Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. I can't wait to go next weekend and sample all the food and wine from different countries. 

Image source

#2: Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Fall Scented Candles. I just put in my order over the weekend for some new pumpkin scented candles so my house can smell like Fall.

#3: Pumpkin beer. Since they hit the shelves a few weeks ago, I've been trying a new pumpkin beer every weekend with K. Call me crazy but I even have a whole post about this coming soon.

#4: Pumpkin carving. Or I should really say pumpkin pattern designing and then someone else does the carving. (K made that meme last year as a joke.) And do you see that patch of lawn to the right of him? We had a pumpkin plant start growing out of control there until from him throwing the seeds out until we finally decided to remove it a few months ago.

#5: Potlucks at work and Thanksgiving out of town with family. This was Thanksgiving last year  when Lola had just joined our family and was a tiny puppy.

Okay I'm a little late to the party but I'm joining Pinky and Katie for their Falling for Fall linkup.

Fun Holiday Potluck Dips

The holidays are coming up and I, for one, usually have a few potlucks to attend with friends & family and at work. I've been looking for some fun dip ideas from blogs I follow and via Pinterest and wanted to share some ideas I came across. 

White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip
via Little Broken

 

BBQ Chicken Dip

via Home of Malones

Cauliflower & White Bean Dip

via Martha Stewart 

Pimento Cheese Dip

via (me) Martinis & Bikinis

7-Layer Mexican Dip

via Chew Out Loud

Avocado & Yogurt Dip

via Two Peas and their Pod

Texas Caviar

via Scattered Thought of a Crafty Mom

Pumpkin Dip

via The Sequin Notebook

Do you have any go-to potluck dishes (not only dips) to share?

Easter Dinner Entertaining

Can you believe it's Easter already?

We're having some friends over on Saturday for an Easter potluck dinner. I plan on baking a ham and frying a turkey but, of course, I'm running around like a chicken with no head trying to decide on last minute dishes for the party.

Carrot Crescents Stuffed with Chicken Salad

Deviled Eggs

Pineapple Glazed Ham

Paleo Sweet Potato Stuffing

Corn Casserole

I made this for Thanksgiving last year and have been craving it since.
 

Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

What's your favorite dishes to cook for Easter dinner?