Showing posts with label friday favorites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friday favorites. Show all posts

Friday Favorites: Netflix Queue

Friday, March 27, 2015 | Stamp in My Passport| | 5 Comments

Friday, March 27, 2015


Once you have finished season three of House of Cards you might be left with a void of what to watch next on Netflix, especially as spring finales are approaching. Here are a few of the movies and TV shows waiting in my Netflix queue.

Magic Beyond Words Lifetime (as they always do) dramatizes the struggle J.K. Rowling went through bringing the wizarding world of Harry Potter to life. Personally, I love Lifetime's dramatizations of real life events (here's to you Tot Mom and Jodi Arias) and I love Harry Potter, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I will love this. But I can understand if it's not everyone's cup of butter beer. 

Portlandia The sketch comedy starring Fred Armised and Carrie Brownstein in 99 percent of the roles is sure to make you forget you have spent an entire afternoon or night on the couch. This is a must watch for any SNL fans.

One Day Starring Ann Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, this romantic film follows the lives of a couple each year on the anniversary of the day they met to see where they are, sometimes together and sometimes apart. Most romantic movies spend the majority of the time following a couple as they grow closer together, then there is a major conflict which they must overcome to find each other again. This is the complete opposite, which is refreshing.

Bletchley Circle For fans of all BBC and Masterpiece Classic shows. Set in the 1950s, this show follows a group of women who served in London's wartime code breaking center who must now track down a serial killer.

An Idiot Abroad Samantha recommended this one. It is a travel documentary that follows Karl Pilkington as he visits the New Seven Wonders of the World and focuses on his reactions to cultural indiosyncracies in all of the places he visits. Needless to say, it's super awkward and I love it.

Tiger Eyes This takes me back to middle school when I was in my Judy Blume phase. Also, Willa Holland (aka the troubled younger sister of Marissa Cooper) stars as Davey. It's your standard coming-of-age story that will bring back memories of flying through Here's to You Rachel Robinson, Just as Long as We're Together and Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. 

What's in your Netflix queue?


Friday Favorites: Paris

Friday, January 16, 2015 | Stamp in My Passport| , , | 10 Comments

Friday, January 16, 2015


It's been almost three years since this city stole my heart. This time of year, and especially in light of all the tragedy that has taken place, I always enjoy reminiscing. And thanks to Instagram, I can pretend for just a little while that I am once again strolling down the boulevards, baguette in hand. My bank account is most thankful for this; without it, who knows how many transatlantic flights I would have booked by now just for a quick visit?

Here are a few of my favorite accounts to follow for my daily dose of all things parisienne: beautiful buildings, cafe, ornate doors, flowers, pastries, the breathtaking skylines...I could go on for days.







Friday Favorites: Datebooks

Friday, December 19, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , | 8 Comments

Friday, December 19, 2014

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I am a pen and paper kind of girl when it comes to keeping to a schedule and to-do list. When I say "I'll pencil you in" I would like to actually do just that instead of type it into iCal. Call me crazy. My planner is used as an all-in-one and includes blog post ideas/schedule, appointments, travel dates, to-do lists, meal planning and grocery list. For me, keeping all of this in one central location is crucial instead of having lists, sticky notes (both  the paper and digital kind) scattered to and fro. I will admit though that I do additionally put important appointments and dates, the kind that require reminders, on my iCal. That way I can quickly scan through the notifications panel on my phone in the morning and have a quick snapshot of major events for that day.

What I look for in a planner/agenda: 

1. Month view and week view: I like to put what weekends I'll be out of town on the monthly view as well as longer events to get a quick overview of the weeks ahead. The weekly view then becomes my daily to-do list, etc. 

2. Medium-large size: For everything I try and write in my datebook, a pocket size won't make the cut unless I don't mind getting carpel tunnel from writing so small. 

3. 17-month academic length: Some habits never go away, but for some reason I still associate August with picking out a new planner rather than starting fresh on New Year's. Perhaps this will change as time goes on?

4. Finally, it should be pretty. It's always sitting out on my desk and almost always in sight, so might as well have something nice to look at. My favorite trends right now are gold foil, kraft paper and oxblood. I also love the Lilly Pulitzer artwork on the month divisions.

Friday Favorites: Stocking Stuffers

Friday, December 5, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , , , | 6 Comments

Friday, December 5, 2014


I've jumped on the bandwagon. I've taken my Christmas wish list off of it's Pinterest board and am sharing it as inspiration for all of you still on the hunt for the perfect gift for that friend who has more gold in her life than Versailles. Bonus? All items are under $35 so you can keep a little gold (or green) for yourself.

Cest la Vie Print - Rifle Paper Co. - $24
Bird Print Socks  - Anthropologie - $15 (For that friend who's life motto is "put a bird on it")
Bow Necklace - Etsy - $14
Gold Monogramed Mug - Anthropologie - $10
La Vie Boheme Phone Case - Society6 - $35
Colorblock Pouch - J Crew Factory - $24.50 on sale
Cord Taco 5-Pack - This is Ground - $29
Cold Cup Tumbler - Starbucks - $19.95

P.S. I won't tell if you won't if you decide to do a little online shopping for yourself as well. #treatyoself is still relevant in December.

Friday Favorites: Christmas Cards

Friday, November 14, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , | 6 Comments

Friday, November 14, 2014

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Christmas is one of the few times left in the year that everyone remembers how to stuff an envelope, address said envelope and seal it before walking to the end of the driveway to put their bundle of letters to be sent to friends and family near and far. 

Whether you put a photo of your family, your cat or opt for hand lettering, I hope this is a trend that doesn't die down anytime soon. It's the one time of the year that an email, a text, or an e-card simply won't do. 

Friday Favorites: Coats

Friday, October 31, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , , | 4 Comments

Friday, October 31, 2014


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I may be a Florida girl now, but that does not mean that I don't love a beautiful wool coat, especially when paired with a dress, tights and boots. I would trade in the mild weather year-round just to have use for the other half of my wardrobe that isn't shorts and tank tops. Perpetual summer is not all it is cracked up to be. I even told myself that once the high is 50, I'm breaking out the boots and the coats and scarves no matter what strange looks I get from others on the street. The first cold snap of the season is on its way this weekend and I am like a kid counting down until Christmas.

For those of you who don't live in the land of endless sunshine, would you trade your polar vortexes? And if so, perhaps you would be interested in a house swap for a few months?

Friday Favorites: Books Worth Re-Reading

Friday, September 12, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , | 2 Comments

Friday, September 12, 2014


I divide the world into two groups of people: Those who love to re-read their favorite books, and those who cannot stand the practice. Obviously I fall into the first category. To start, there are the classic books on my shelf whose spines are constantly creased, which include Harry Potter and all of Jane Austen's works.

Other than those, here are a few of the books that get better with age, even the third or fourth time they are read. Perhaps it's another life lesson learned, or another connection made in a complex plot, but there is something I enjoy about knowing the general ending that let's me work backwards and connect the dots.

These books tend to fall on the polar ends of the seriousness spectrum. Either they are mindless and easy distractions, or they make you constantly think and ponder. Quite rarely do they fall in the middle.

1. The Seamstress | This novel is set in Brazil, perfect for the World Cup not too long ago and the Olympics around the corner. The characters are deep and complex, a far cry from "good" versus "evil." It tells the story of two sisters who go down quite different paths in life and neither one turns out quite as they had expected. Is that summary cryptic enough for you? Just trust me, it is worth reading again and again.

2. The Twisted Thread | Similar to The Secret History by Donna Tart, The Twisted Thread is set in the ivory covered halls of a New England prep school and, as happens at all prep schools, there is a secret society and murder. It is a who-done-it the likes of Gossip Girl has never seen.

3. The Historian | I read The Historian at the height of the Twilight/Vampire Diaries phase when nocturnal mythical creatures were taking over popular culture. But The Historian is so much more than your average vampire novel. It follows a father and daughter as they are led on a journey in search for Vlad the Impaler, the historical person whom Dracula was based off of...except in The Historian, Bram Stoker's Dracula is not based on fiction, but on fact. 

4. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets | 1950s London was a glamorous time for the young British upper class, filled with parties that got out of hand more than those of their parents. I love the line from the description on the back cover: "Rice writes about the young British upper class with sharp wit as well as compassion, and her characters, beneath their glittering charm, are appealingly vulnerable and utterly memorable - in short, brilliant company." I couldn't say it better myself. 

What are your favorite books to read over and over again?

Friday Favorites: Daily Survival Guide

Friday, July 25, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 2 Comments

Friday, July 25, 2014


I'm on of those people who carries an abnormally large bag on a regular basis. Whether or not I bring my laptop with me, I still use my laptop bag as my carry all. I've been known to mistaken diaper bags for tote bags. Those came with some quizzical looks in the checkout line. 

Needless to say, I carry everything I need (and more) with me. I may talk about organization and simplifying my life on a fairly regular basis, but this does not apply to the pile of receipts at the bottom of my bag.

So what do I always have on hand? 

1. Notebook - For all of those ideas, partial lists and random musings, and half-written blog posts. Typing on my phone keyboard is a pain even with autocorrect (made more so by autocorrect, sometimes) so I keep track of things the old fashioned way. 

2. Kindle - I never know when I will end up having to wait for a long period of  time or find myself needing to fill 20 minutes. Now I have no excuse to knock books of of my "must read" list.

3. A scarf - For those days that the office is freezing.

4. A liter water bottle - I drink 2 - 3 liters of water per day. Having a larger bottle eliminates the number of times I have to walk to the water fountain to refill it. Ever since I gave up tea and diet coke (ok, "give up" may be a little extreme) and made water my main beverage of choice, I haven't had a problem getting the recommended amount per day. 

5. Larabars - To curb the hanger that sets in about 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. like clockwork.

6. Tinted lip balm - I received this lip balm in a Birchbox and absolutely love it. It's the perfect mix between a hydrating balm and a tinted gloss. With other lip products, I still had to use my trusty EOS underneath. This cuts out the middleman. 

7. Multivitamins - Because I never remember to take my vitamin in the morning, I tote the whole bottle around with me. And they may or may not rattle around quite loudly. 

What is in your daily survival kit?

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Laura of Camis and Cushions

Laura lives in the UK and will be headed to university in a few months. What started out as a space for her to share her favorite fashions and home decor, has turned into a little bit of a mixture of everything going on in her life (and those are my favorite kinds of blogs because no one has just one hobby or niche) - see posts about being a novice hula hooper and crafting. She also loves hunting for a good bargain, as seen in her Steal of the Week posts. 

Follow along: Bloglovin | Twitter | Pinterest


Mia of A Swede Abroad

Mia is living the life that I live in my perfect dream world. She spent the last five years living in London and is now moving down under. Who else is jealous slash wants to crash on her couch on their next trip to Australia? And if that isn't enough wanderlust for you, just check out the list of all the countries she has visited here. Like most of us, Mia doesn't have a job that allows her to travel but just proves that if you love something so much you will find a way to make it happen.  

Follow along: Bloglovin

Friday Favorites: Bedside

Friday, June 20, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , | 2 Comments

Friday, June 20, 2014


Even after my days in college when my bed served as a place to sleep, eat, hang out and do homework (and not necessarily in that order), I have always enjoyed working from the comfort of my bed. And if I'm going to spend a lot of time there, I might as well be surrounded by pretty things. 

Just recently I have upgraded my nightstand from my suitcase to a real piece of furniture. Progress people. 


Friday Favorites: Loft Love

Friday, May 2, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , | 5 Comments

Friday, May 2, 2014

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I have a confession to make. About 90 percent of my closet comes from LOFT. And of course I have the rewards card. And let me tell you, I rack up those dividends like no one's business. I know store cards go against every financial guru's advice, but the amount of money I save makes up for it in my opinion. Plus I always pay off the card balance while I'm in the store, so it's a win win situation. 

If you haven't checked out their spring/summer collection, you're missing out. Unfortunately their most recent sale ended last night (hence my shopping spree) but I'm almost positive there is another one on the horizon very soon.

Here are a few of the items that I scooped up from the clearance section.


Friday Favorites: Olivia Pope Quotes

Friday, April 18, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , , | 2 Comments

Friday, April 18, 2014

I'm writing this before the season finale airs so to not be tempted to, or accidentally, give away any details about last night's episode. I know that once a season ends, I go through some serious Scandal withdrawals. So much so that I always end up starting back at the beginning and watching all the episodes. In my opinion, the first season was brilliant and the show is slowly going downhill, but I'm invested in it, so of course I'm going to stick it out until the end.

Question...am I the only one who is getting extremely fed up with the Olivia and Fitz tension? Because I'm over it. So over it. 

If you find yourself wondering what you will do in these next few months without our favorite lady in the white hat (and impeccable white suits, coats and gloves), here are my favorite quotes from my favorites at Pope and Associates.





Friday Favorites: Weekend Porch Sitting

Friday, April 4, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , , | 1 Comment

Friday, April 4, 2014

Congratulations, you have made it to the end of another week. I hope you enjoy your time off, relaxing, perhaps in a chair on your porch with mason jar in hand. And the perfect accompaniment? A blend of banjos, fiddles and twangy vocals in the best possible way.

Friday Favorites: Meals for One

Friday, March 21, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 3 Comments

Friday, March 21, 2014

Are you one of those people who doesn't read the number of servings at the bottom of a recipe until after you've made said dish, eaten two helpings and wonder just how long you would have to eat chicken cordon bleu casserole? Yeah, me neither. So for those of you who don't have an entire family to feed, don't like eating leftovers more than twice and don't have an unlimited grocery budget, these recipes and meals are for you.

On a side note, I've yet to figure out a dishwasher schedule for my limited number of dishes and so last night when I realized too late that I was out of plates and knives (and had already started the dishwasher), I ate out of a mixing bowl. Oops.

Photo Source: I Wore Yoga Pants
This is what I ate out of said mixing bowl and it was worth it. Plus I have just enough for lunch tomorrow. Letting the flavors marry and simmer together makes all the difference. So practice your patience and resist eating it all straight from the pan. 

Keep all the ingredients on hand and in ten minutes you can have however many you need. If you can layer ingredients on a pita, put it in the oven, set a timer and remove the pan from the oven, then I'm confident that you can master this one and impress friends and family with it. 
Photo Source: The Kitchn
Who can say no to a grilled cheese sandwich? I am now a firm believer in fontina grilled cheese. None of this cheddar, or heaven forbid, American business. These tips will help you perfect your crispy, melted sandwich goodness. Oh and if you haven't tried Campbell's tomato & sweet basil bisque, then you are missing out on the best tomato soup in a can.
Photo Source: The Everygirl
You can never go wrong with pancakes for both breakfast and dinner. And leave it to The Everygirl to come up with two new pancake recipes to mix things up a little. I don't know whether I'm more excited to try the cheddar & chive pancakes or the strawberry shortcakes. Yum! Plus, the recipe is for 1-2 servings. But if you want to make two servings for yourself, I won't tell anyone :)

Friday Favorites: Interior Design Inspiration

Friday, March 14, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 17 Comments

Friday, March 14, 2014

So last night was the first night in my new apartment. And until the rest of my furniture comes in, I have a mattress, club chair, desk/dining table and a tv. I'm calling it the ultimate minimalist look. The guys who delivered my mattress almost didn't take the plastic off since I didn't have a headboard and frame. So until my apartment doesn't look like I'm squatting in a vacant property, here is a little of my design inspiration: lots of gallery walls, clean lines and pops of color.

The Everygirl
Paper City Magazine
Live Laugh Decorate
Design Sponge
Better Homes & Garden 
Chic Sprinkles
Bright Bazzar

Friday Favorites: iPhone 4s Cases

Friday, February 28, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 5 Comments

Friday, February 28, 2014

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If you are like me, and are on the two-year phone cycle that has yet to come up for an upgrade, then you know how difficult it is now to find cases for the "late" model iPhones. Thankfully, Rifle Paper has a few left in stock and if you are lucky you can find some Kate Spade New York cases on Ebay. But thank goodness for Etsy.

Now that I am not in school and away from a charger for most of the day, I decided to take a break from my Mophie case. And what a lighter load it is now! 

Which is your favorite? And where are your favorite places to dress your tech? I love Fossil and Kate Spade the most. Is it bad that my motivation to buy a new phone is because I want a new case? 

Friday Favorites: For those moments I'm not watching Gossip Girl

Friday, February 21, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 12 Comments

Friday, February 21, 2014

It's true. My go-to Netflix pick is Gossip Girl. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. Even through the middle seasons when the writers fumbled adjusting the cast to life in college, I keep coming back for more. And, yes, even through the few episodes when Hilary Duff makes a cameo.

But when I decide to branch out, I somehow always end up in the documentaries category. So basically I watch both ends of the movie spectrum, from trash to educational. 

Here are a few of my favorite documentaries: 
Somm - Follows a group of extreme wine enthusiasts as they prepare for their master sommelier exam. Some will triumph, some will fail, but all have a keen sense of smell and a thesaurus to describe all the nuances in each wine they swirl and spit.

First Position - Similar to Somm, this documentary follows a group of young ballet dancers as they compete in the Youth America Grand Prix. Be prepared to watch children and teens who have much more grace and coordination than you do as an adult. Accept this fact, knowing that unlike them, your feet will be ready for pedicure season.

The September Issue - This is the real life version of Devil Wears Prada and gives you a "behind the scenes" look at the making of the 2007 September issue of Vogue. While Anna Wintour is at the helm of this publication, I think Grace Coddington and Andre Leon Talley are the real stars in this film.

Helvetica - I love typography, so it's not surprise that I love a documentary that chronicles the creation of one of the most iconic typefaces in modern history. I first watched this in my typography class, and while others used the two hours to nap, I was glued to the screen.

Inside: Chipotle - This is an episode of the Bloomberg channel, but it does a great job at outlining what the restaurant has done to create the "fast casual" restaurant category as well as food with integrity.

In My Queue: 

Page One: Inside the New York Times - The New York Times has had to adjust with the move from print to digital and I'm interested in knowing exactly what challenges went into the process. But because it came out in 2011, I would imagine that it is slightly outdated on this topic.

180 Degrees South - Who doesn't love a real-life adventure set on the high seas? Follow the journey of "a band of bliss-seeking surfer-mountainteers" as they sail to Patagonia. 

The Tents - New York Fashion Week is one of the most iconic events perhaps in the entire world and "The Tents" gives you a behind the scenes look. Project Runway has given a look into what goes in to creating a show and the mehem that ensues, but I'm interested to see if this film goes into all that goes into the organization of the shows as a whole. 
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Hello, I'm Christina of Route Bliss. While I've been blogging for over a decade now, Route Bliss itself has only been around since the Summer of 2013. RB (as I've dubbed it) is where I share my love of travel and photography as well as what I'm learning on my journey to healthier living (adapted recipes as well as running and fitness tips and grumblings!). 

If you could have dinner with one person (living or dead) who would it be and why?
There's so many people I'd love to have at one dinner party, but if I had to choose just one on them, I'd have to go with Ansel Adams. I would love to pick his mind on photography as well as about all the national parks and other places he photographed in his career.

What you should be reading: 


Friday Favorites: Color Palates

Friday, February 14, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| | 7 Comments

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sometimes we all need a little design and color inspiration. Whether you are working on graphic designs, blog layouts, or combining your clothes into a new outfit, what colors are you loving these days? 

Friday Favorites: Brunch

Friday, January 31, 2014 | Stamp in My Passport| , , | 11 Comments

Friday, January 31, 2014

It is no surprise that brunch is my favorite meal of the day. Maybe because it is a meal designed for people who want to sleep late. Or that I see it as the perfect diet, because you only eat two meals instead of three. Although, most of my brunches include french toast, so I think that is a moot point.

Here are my favorite brunch foods: 

1. Maple bourbon french toast (in Valdosta, you can find it at Friends Bar & Grill)
Need I say more? If you have a sweet tooth, you will be craving this every Saturday morning. Some of the best dishes are ones that toe the line between brunch and dessert. 

2. Croque Monsieur/Madame and Breakfast Potatoes (pictured at Tartine)
A ham sandwich with melted cheese on top leans more towards the "lunch" part of brunch, but is a great option for those of you who don't like sweets (although I have a hard time understanding you.) But to each his own.

3. Sweet Potato biscuits (in Valdosta, you can find these at Friends Bar & Grill)

I am not a biscuits and gravy person. If we're being honest, I really hate white gravy. So when given the option to choose between biscuits and gravy, or sweet potato biscuits and honey, the choice is pretty obvious. By adding a piece of ham to these, they make a great snack all day long.

4. And for brunch on a budget, there is always pecan waffles and hash browns at Waffle House. 
Fun Fact: The WH at Turner Field is the only non-24 hour WH. 
What are your favorite brunch foods?