Five on Friday

Hey guys! Happy Friday! I got such a good response last week from my Five on Friday post that I thought I'd try it out again.

 

This week has flown by for us. We don't have any big weekend plans, but I'm looking forward to slowing down after a busy week.

 

*Affiliate links are used in this post.*

 

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If you know me, you know my love for unicorns runs deep. The girls and I are going to attempt the craft below this weekend. I picked up 3 mini white pumpkins yesterday, so fingers crossed they turn out somewhat like what's pictured. I'll probably alter it a bit and might attempt a horn out of paper rather than the modeling clay she mentions. I'll be sure to share a picture. I'm sure it'll end up being one big Pinterest fail! If you want to check it out yourself, here's the link.

 

 

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Hadley had the happiest 4th birthday on Wednesday. I can't believe my baby is 4-years-old. She opened presents before school that morning so she'd have all day to play with them. (Seriously, what's worse than opening presents after dinner and going to bed soon after?!?!) She got some fun surprises and was just filled with joy opening each present. There's not much better.

 

We sent snacks to school that day, complete with dinosaur plates, party hats, and blowers. She also wore some cute dinosaur tights and a dinosaur necklace. My girl loves dinosaurs. Hadley doesn't like cookies and cakes, so she chose potato chips and strawberries for her birthday snack! :)
 

 
 

Rob met us at Chuck E. Cheese after work, and we had pizza and played games. Chuck E. Cheese gives me the hives. Is that place every parents' worst nightmare or what? BUT, all that matters is that my girls were in heaven, and Hadley felt very loved on her birthday.

 

 

 

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I saw this cookbook in a recent Southern Living and really want to pick it up sometime. Such a good concept. And I think it'd make the perfect gift for any of your friends who like to cook.

 

What Can I Bring?
 

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Speaking of cooking, I made the BEST Shepherd's Pie last week. Rob declared it one of his favorite meals I've made. And the kicker: I doubled the recipe and made two. One to eat; one to freeze. Makes life so much easier.

Speedy Shepherd's Pie
{Cooking Light magazine}

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup matchstick-cut carrots, finely chopped
1 cup onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons unsalted tomato paste
1 cup unsalted beef stock, divided
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups frozen green peas
1 (24-ounce) package prepared mashed potatoes
2 Tablespoons freeze-dried onion
1/2 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place beef in a large skillet over high heat; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Add carrot, onion, and garlic to pan; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 30 seconds. Combine 1/4 cup stock and cornstarch in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add cornstarch mixture, remaining 3/4 cup stock, Worcestershire, pepper, and salt to pan. Stir in peas. Cook 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Place beef mixture in a 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish. Top evenly with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle freeze-dried onions and paprika over potatoes. Bake at 500 degrees for 5 minutes. (I added the onions and paprika on top after 3 minutes because I'd read reviews that the onions burn after 5 minutes.)

 

{five}

I shared this top on Instagram yesterday and got a lot of positive feedback. It's the coziest shirt ever, and the little tie detail is so cute. Plus it's on sale for 40% off and comes in four other colors! I'm tempted to grab one more!

Tie Front Cozy Fleece Pullover

If you want to follow along on Instagram, you can find me here! :)

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I hope everyone has a great weekend.