Categories: Favorite Things

Friday Favorites: Volume 38

Happy Friday! It’s been over a month since we had a proper Friday Favorites post, so we have a few things to cover! We’ve got everything from the usual what I am reading; a new hair tool I’m loving; and a new-ish Mexican restaurant in Charlotte (Puerta) that I loved!

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush

My Revlon brush finally bit the dust during our recent trip to Italy. I think the outlets overseas killed it because on one of our last days in Rome, when I was drying my hair, it smelled like my hair was on fire lol

I stumbled across this CHI one that is a little bit more expensive than the Revlon, but you can switch out the round brush for a hair dryer attachment, or a paddle brush, or a diffuser! I figured that would make it more convenient while traveling because I often still need to blow dry my hair a bit before I use the round brush. I’ve really been liking it so far, especially for travel because now I don’t have to bring a hair dryer and the round brush blow out dryer!

I also don’t think it’s as loud as the Revlon and the shape of the round brush gives my hair a different look that I really like.

1989 (Taylor’s Version)

Been listening to this on repeat since it came out! I think this is my favorite rerecord that Taylor has done so far. I may be a little biased because 1989 was already a top tier album in my books, but the vault tracks are the best ones!

Now That We Don’t Talk is my fave:

Cranberry and Orange Anything

Maybe it’s because I’m getting into the Christmas spirit, but I have been really obsessed with anything cranberry and orange flavored right now! I have some ideas for recipes involving that flavor combo that I really want to try out too.

I am going to a neighborhood cookie exchange in a couple of weeks, and I am thinking about trying these out! I don’t have a go-to Christmas cookie recipe, so I may just be trying some new recipes out to bring.

Puerta in Charlotte, NC

Puerta opened in Charlotte in August, so I somehow managed to try out a cool new restaurant within a few months of it opening? Who am I? A friend and I had a kids-free mom’s night out here a few weeks ago and really loved it!

Highly recommend the lamb birria empanadas! That was my favorite thing that I had, and I haven’t stopped thinking about them. We split the salsa trio and then I got two tacos for my entree: a carne asada and the crispy fish (the latter was my fave). I also got a spicy margarita that hit the spot!

If you are in Charlotte and looking for a new Mexican restaurant to try, check out Puerta in the Elizabeth neighborhood.

Currently Reading

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

This is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series. I’ve been enjoying the series pretty well so far and felt like I was waiting for Queen of Shadows for months before it finally became available at the library.

I literally started it last night, so I don’t have any opinions to share yet, but you can follow me on Goodreads if you want to know my final verdict once I do finish it!

Audiobook: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This one has randomly been on my to read list for a while. I’m about 30% through it, and I’m honestly not loving it, but I’m going to stick it out! I feel like I read a lot of time travel books, so I’m not sure if this one has a twist that makes it really special.

If you are like me and enjoy listening to audio books, you can get 2 free audio books with Audible Premium Plus here!