Hello, sunshines!
I am writing a 5 Friday Favorites post for the first time. They seem to be all the rage in blog land so I thought I would give them a go, too. From what I can tell, each Friday gals share 5 of their favorite things from the week before. I think I am understanding correctly. Ran over to Kellyann’s at This Blonde’s Shopping Bag to check out one of her recent Friday Favorite posts before undertaking my own. She shared some cute clothes, a nail polish and this recipe from Lisa at Coast to Coast for shrimp and grits. YUM!!
Since I am new to this business, might have been more prudent for me to start with 3 Friday Favs but that doesn’t have the same ring to it as five has. So, here we go, hoping I can think of 5 things.
5 Friday Favorites: For the First Time
Over and over, I have tried to become an Amazon associate. But I guess my links don’t get enough clicks or something. The folks at Amazon are always sending me emails to say ‘thanks but no thanks’. And then my associate profile is shut-down or turned off. I think a lot of the gals use Friday Fav posts to promote things on Amazon. Maybe someday I will be deemed worthy enough by that giant discount store in the sky to do that, too.
Until that time, these are products, purchases or gifts I made that brought me happiness this week.
Friday Favorite #1
Lavender products from my friend and fellow baseball wife, Veronica. She is a direct distributor for the Lavender Farm’s scrumptious black ice sugar scrub and silver ion-infused, all-over moisturizing blend. Her online store can be found here, at Veronica’s Closet. But if you are in the El Paso area, visit her at the various farmers’ markets around town or the outlet mall. We have used the CBD oil she sells for a year now, immediate relief to sore spots and achy muscles. And I spritz our sheets and pillow cases with her lavender scented linen spray. Can you say ‘sweet dreams’? Just in time for Mother’s Day, Veronica has these cute little gift boxes and assorted larger gift bag sets.
Friday Favorite #2
A little over 2 years ago, I closed the cover on what has become my favorite book…along side Alice in Wonderland and the Diary of a Young Girl. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. Please click here to read my review. I began following Martha on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, her website and her blog. And even on Goodreads. Just a teensy bit like a stalker! But that’s how much I loved Lilac Girls. When I received an email from Penguin/Randomhouse that Martha’s new book Lost Roses had been released, I was tickled pink.
One morning last week, I put on my big girl panties and got very brave and emailed Martha. I shared the blog link to my review of Lilac Girls and then – this is the gutsy part – asked if she would send me a copy of Lost Roses in exchange for a review on my blog. I explained I was her biggest fan aside from her parents.
Guess what she said? YES!!! The book arrived yesterday. I finished Next Year in Havana today and cannot wait to begin Lost Roses at bedtime tonight.
Could have brushed my hair, huh?
Friday Favorite #3
Did you gals take advantage of the great sale Loft Outlet ran about a week ago? Everything was 50% off with free shipping. I had just been in the store the weekend before the sale. Had seen some really pretty pieces, none of which I bought when the sale began. Here’s why…I fell in love with some of their cropped jeans, these and especially these. But guess what? They only come in Loft’s modern fit. Boo! Don’t know about you, but I am decidedly not modern. Curvy all the way. And so are most of the gals I know. Can’t understand why Loft doesn’t offer the same great styles in both fits. By a show of hands or comment below, how many of you guys prefer a curvy fit? Was so disappointed that I wrote Loft an email and left a comment on their Insta account. Thankfully, they haven’t pulled my Loft card yet. Hoping they will begin to offer more choices to us curvies.
Here’s what I did get through the sale, though. This twill skirt in olive, which was on the GYPO spring 2019 capsule wardrobe shopping list. The floral 3/4 sleeve tee that is shown with it. And this coral peplum top that PC liked in the store. Thank you to my sweet mama for the birthday check that afforded me these pieces. I feel a ‘my fashion haus’ post coming on.
Friday Favorite, #4
Have you heard of diamond painting? I hadn’t until my daughter Brennyn sent me a DIY 5D Fashion Diamond Painting as a sussie (surprise) for my birthday. Apparently, diamond painting is a combination of cross stitching and paint-by-number. I haven’t jumped into it yet so I am not crystal clear on how diamond painting works. But I feel sure this will be another activity that will bring me peace.
My canvas features a small fishing boat docked at the end of the day with a beautiful setting sun in the background. Similar to this image from Amazon that is not an associate link. Anxious to find out what this is all about.
Friday Favorite, #5
This year for my birthday, I told everyone NO PRESENTS. But no one listens to me. PC bought me several very cute workout outfits from Under Armor. He is so good! Sharon, my BFF, always goes above and beyond. She sent me 2 pairs of earrings (a tortoise pair of hoops and a pair of teal-blue-green stone earrings) and a Target gift card. See what I mean? Brennyn gave me the diamond painting kit, a sharp kitchen knife because I apparently I don’t have one, and a 5 second journal, which I will be reviewing in Keep It Together post with Lauren.
My Lauren sent me her signature birthday bouquet.
It features a floral puppy that is a crazy cross between our black and gray English sheep dog-looking pup and our buff colored Golden Retriever-looking pup from the girls’ childhoods. So precious, and brings back so many warm memories of our pups.
Well, now, that was kind of fun. Might have to make this post a regular in the monthly rotation.
Your Turn
Did you score anything special this week? More importantly, are you a curvy or modern fit at Loft? And are you an Amazon associate??? If so, tell me your tricks!!
PC and I are off to a Chihuahuas ball game so I need to jump in the shower and get my ears on. Looking forward to a dog bowl of nachos and a cold beer. Ahhh, let the weekend begin.
Hugs and kisses,
Gail
Thew funny thing is I am an Amazon Associate and wish I wasn’t, because I withdrew all my books from sale ages ago, and they still keep emailing me. It’s virtually impossible to leave the program – the page they give you to contact them returns a message saying you can’t email that address!
This “5 for Friday” is a nice idea. May look into it!
Fancy saying no presents! I;m glad they didn’t listen.
Congrats on getting the book – very brave, but the author was grateful you’re bringing her book to a wider audience! Enjoy your weekend my friend.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I received an email back from Amazon and they said because I hadn’t sold anything through the links on my blog, they pulled my associate status. Oh, well. can’t imagine ever getting rich from being an associate anyway.
I had seen a bunch of gals doing the Friday Favs posts and decided to try it. Might give it a go again this month. Come join me!
cindi
That is so cool about Martha! Congratulations.
I’m not a shopper so I wouldn’t be able to think of anything for Friday Favorites. But I may try to join in for a future post.
Have a great weekend.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am going to try to do Friday Favs again but without focusing on purchases but just things that I have read, seen that I like. Come join me!
Em
Wow…I can’t believe Amazon missed the boat with you!
You seem to have so many connections/groups/followers. Keep at it, I’m sure it’s in your future.
Looks like you had a wonderful birthday!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so sweet. Amazon said they pulled my associate status because I hadn’t sold anything via my Amazon links. Oh, well. Might try again someday but not going to lose too much sleep over it.
Have so enjoyed my Silver Springs tee, sweet Em. Can’t wait to wear it again now that it is freshly washed.
Nel
Hello Sweet Cyber Friend,
Just a quick post and question… I do enjoy your inspiring blog! Today, I chuckled as I saw you hug your new book. I thought, someone like me with books! Then my eyes fell on your kitchen floor, of all things! Our kitchens are similar, and I’m looking for vinyl planking to re-floor my kitchen. Just wondering if yours is a vinyl floating floor? Most of them now are plank shaped and yours look a little more square. Any information is appreciated. Thanks for your lovely blog!
(Just a private inquiry)
Nel
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hello, new friend. I am weeks behind on blog reading and writing since being in KY caring for my mama. So glad to come across your comment on my Friday Favorites post. Thank you!!
You asked about my kitchen floor. It is ceramic (cheap) tile. We live in El Paso, Texas and at the time our home was built, 2008, 18″ square ceramic tile was all the go. I think now everyone is moving toward tile that looks like wood. Both of my daughters have that and it is beautiful and durable. Our tile is holding up okay but the grout is cracking in places and tile is chipping in others. Hope you find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
Please come back again soon!!
Dara
That’s so weird that Amazon won’t let you be an affiliate. Even little old me is an affiliate! It is hard to earn much with them though. I do love your favorites this week. That is amazing that you asked the author for a copy of her new book and you got it! Great job! Hope you enjoy it. I didn’t know Loft has an outlet. I keep seeing mentions of their great clothing and it’s too expensive for me! So I will check out the outlet for sure! Hope you have a great weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Dara, Loft has a terrific outlet. They have just started selling online but for years were just brick and mortar. I prefer the outlet to Loft. Have a look. You will love what you see and can show off all that great work you’ve done in losing weight.
Juhli
Congrats for asking for a book to review and getting it! If we don’t ask others can’t say yes. And happy birthday – glad your loved ones showered you with presents.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Guess what? The author of whom I asked for the book is in El Paso today! I might just meet her. Will take my book and beg for an autograph. So excited.
Penny Struebig
Oh my goodness — the author of Lost Roses, Martha Hall Kelly, is coming to St. Louis and I’m hoping to meet her later this month! I just got the book last week and am going to have to get busy reading it before then.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am just 25% into Lost Roses. And Martha is in El Paso TODAY!! Wish I was a speed reader – ha! Will take my book to be autographed. So excited.
Kellyann Rohr
Well done my friend, you knocked it out of the park with your FF! You can do whatever you’d like since you’re the boss! Ha!
I am glad no one listened to you and spoiled you on your birthday! You are well deserving and good for you with your Loft goodies!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet friend. I just look at all that I have and think I don’t need another thing – not for birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas!
jodie filogomo
I gave up on the no gifts thing for birthdays!! It makes people feel good, and who doesn’t love new things!!
You are so cute with that book. I LOVED Lilac Girls!! We read it for book club last year and I passed it around to everyone I knew!!!
XOOX
Jodie
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hope you will try Lost Roses and then let me know what you think. I loved Lilac Girls so much but have had trouble focusing on this story line. Might be just me. Having trouble focusing on everything except food right now.
Jill
So awesome about Martha! Lilac Girls has been on my reading list for ages and so has Next Year in Havana. I need to get those on hold at the library! I haven’t heard of diamond painting and can’t wait to hear more about it! Those lavender goodies sound amazing!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
OH, JILL!!! Please read Lilac Girls AND Next Year in Havana. They are both so beautifully written and tell such interesting, historically-based stories.
Amy Johnson
I have noticed more and more bloggers are promoting Amazon products lately. It’s funny how blogging trends change. I remember in the early days all the bloggers promoted Shein, Chic Wish, or Mod Cloth, now it seems no one does that anymore. I haven’t tried to be an Amazon Influencer. Your loft items look so cute. Can’t wait to see them on you. I’ve never bought anything at the Loft.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am sure you could be an Amazon influencer. I just hadn’t sold anything from my links…maybe nobody likes my stuff?? And so they gave me the boot. Oh, well.
ShootingStarsMag
I never had much luck with Amazon associates either. Oooh I can’t wait to see your post on your new journal! I’m glad you had a nice birthday! I love these type of posts and I used to do them more often; I should try getting back into it again.
-Lauren
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Well, finally, someone else who hasn’t had much luck with Amazon Associates. Glad I am not the only one. Oh, well, they don’t know what they are missing, right?
Can’t decide whether to save my new journal or start using it. I have one I am mid-way through so makes more sense to wait but no one has ever accused me of having any sense.
Kim
Hi Leslie! Good for you for reaching out to the author, so nice she responded kindly. I’m *not* a curvy girl as my waist is a thing of the past. I’m not an Amazon affiliate either–I was for a short time, but they cut me off b/c I didn’t have any sales. (In fairness, I didn’t add them to many posts.) I’ll have to look for Lilac Girls, I haven’t read it yet.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Kim, please look for Lilac Girls. Listen to it, if you can. It was divine!
Glad I am not the only one Amazon has passed on. I will get over it, I am sure. They obviously don’t know what they are missing by excluding us!!