Time for an installment of Friday Things:
1. I’m going to The Big Potluck this weekend and can’t wait.
75 bloggers will be in attendance, and we have a packed lineup of events, speakers, and of course, eating and socializing.
This day that I spent with Matt was a life-changing one and can’t wait to see him. And Ree. And 75 people who I either know and can’t wait to see again, or know virtually and will finally get to meet.
It’s in Southern California’s wine country, about an hour away from San Diego. I love the Temecula area and have plenty of fond pre-child impromptu winery tasting expeditions with my husband. An hour away, but world’s apart, and a perfect setting for a big ole potluck.
2. Freaker Vanilla Ice-Ing bottle insulator for your water bottle, wine bottle, or anything that gets sweaty. How freaking cute is that print.
Scott and I used to live in Wilmington, NC (13 years ago), where they’re made. Such fun memories.
3. Ben Affleck joined the Live Below The Line Challenge, bringing awareness to global poverty. Participants are only allowed to spend $1.50 per day for food and drink.
This article gives some tips on what to do, like going to Sam’s Club for free samples.
4. I’m a contributor in the free e-cookbook, Fresh, Fruity, and Fabulous Fruit Recipes: 25 Summer Desserts with Fruit
If you’re in need of some lighter, more summery dessert recipes, check out the free download.
They featured my Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies, perfect for all those summer cherries or use peaches, nectarines, or whatever is seasonal
5. This enameled cast iron Le Creuset Flower Cocotte, $150. The flower shape is just too cute and the color is so springy and fresh. I love yellow.
6. Loving the Haute Hippie look. The sunglasses, the red sequin jacket ($985) and gold sequin skirt. The beige light that screams dingy retro chic is right up my alley, too.
7. My Vanilla-Avocado Banana Ice Cream was featured in Parade Magazine’s Six Creative, Delicious Ways to Use Avocado
Thanks to Lori the RecipeGirl for including me.
8. Cookie Jar with Enamel Flower Market Lid – $54 from MacKenzie-Childs
Tea Kettle, $130
Their entire site and store is just a feast for the eyes. I could spend $20,000 in under 20 minutes. I wish I was joking. The store has some seriously gorgeous pieces but I’ll need to win the lottery first.
9. Tracy’s Cheddar Cheese Bread looks ridiculously good. And easy.
I’m all about easy, 5-minute loaves
Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon-Ribbon Bread
10. DIY: Create a Sweet and Savory Dessert Crostini Bar – This sure beats the same chips and dips on the average party table
One of their suggested toppings is homemade nut butter. I’ve got that covered, and then some.
Honey Roasted Butterscotch White Chocolate Peanut Butter (GF) – My favorite nut butter that I’ve ever made
What are your Friday Things?
If you’ve made anything, done, seen, or bought anything fabulous recently, feel free to link it up in the comments.
Blogger meetups or events you’ve been to? Conferences or events you’ve attended or want to attend?
I’ve been on many, and am really excited that Big Potluck was capped at 75 people so it’ll be more intimate and less herd-like. I’m so excited to see old friends and meet people I’ve wanted to meet for years.
Eating on $1.50 a Day?
I could eat on $1.50 a day, and many days probably come close. Not eating meat is a huge cost savings, and I’m a frugal shopper in general. I buy whatever produce is on sale and buy store-brands of anything I can. With planning, not impulse-buying, shopping from a mental list of things I know I need and not things that I may want but aren’t practical (another expensive condiment for example), I try to shop as frugally as possible.
Even simple things like not eating out, not grabbing coffee out, not buying bottled water when out; planning ahead and doing it all at home slashes monthly expenditures, especially when you’re doing it as a family.
That said, some days I spend a ridiculous amount more when I’m baking all day and go through a pound of butter, sugar, and chocolate. Before noon.
Have a great weekend and check back for two great giveaways!
I hope you had an awesome time at the Potluck! I love that Le Creuset cocotte–I totally need that. Their yellow stuff is my favorite too.
Yellow is my fave color for lots of things, especially kitchen stuff. Part of the reason I love your site so much is the cheery yellow :)
So many adorable products here :) love the tea kettle! The live below the line challenge is intriguing, I can’t fathom it.
I hope you had such a wonderful time at the potluck! It looked like a great group of people were there!
Those MacKenzie Childs items are so gorgeous! And the eating below the line challenge? Wow. That is quite the challenge indeed!
Maybe one day we both will be at the same event! :)
Oh…I was wondering what all the #btp1 hashtags were about! (Sometimes I’m afraid to ask because it’s probably something I should already know.) :D Sounds like fun!!
Love the Haute Hippie look too – especially those glasses! ♥
Ooh that le creuset flower-pot is soo pretty…I’ve decided to get a Le creuset, but I think that shape might be a little less practical. And that insulator?! So cute! Oh I had such a bless this week, a friend is visiting me, and we had some crazy shopping-tours! And I cooked&baked plenty yummy stuff for her, naked apples and vegan pancakes today for breakfast, the last day :( but we had so much fun!
I bought a New Diana-mini camera, a backpack, and gray high waisted skinnies! I’m in loove :))
wow, i’m intrigued. vanilla banana avocado ice cream? I gotta check out this recipe. I love healthy ice cream that doesn’t’ taste healthy. Love avocado, just made deviled eggs today with them.
Geez your life sounds exciting right now! Good for you Averie! I can’t wait to hear about the blogger event – sounds awesome!
So many great finds Averie ~ I need that flower cocotte pronto!