Hey hey it’s Friday!

Haven’t done a Friday Favorites post in months, so I think it’s high time, don’t you? Let’s get to it then!

Favorite mid-season return: Cougar Town (<–That’s an article about Courteney Cox that I adore)

Oh, Cougar Town, I missed you. Thank you for coming back. Please don’t ever leave me again.

Favorite new show: Smash

Are you watching this? Because you should be. I promise it’s not Glee (thank God). I can never pass up Debra Messing. And as much as I don’t want to like Katherine McPhee, she’s awesome in this.

Favorite running-related article: Yasso 800s

Want to run a 3:30 marathon? Just run half mile repeats in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Yep, that’s the theory behind incorporating Yasso 800s into your training plan. Check out the link above if you’re interested. I might not do this for my first marathon, but I’ll keep in in mind for New York in the fall!

Favorite read: Bright Side Up

I read about this book on Rachel’s blog a couple of weeks ago and immediately pre-oredered it. I’ve only started to read it, but so far, I’m in love! Since I seem to require a little help in the happiness department, I love that Amy’s book gives you practical ways to appreciate what’s right in front of you. If one won’t work, don’t worry, there are 99 others to try. Highly recommend you check it out!

Favorite face: this one.

We’re on day 3 of no accidents in the house! (Which means she’s somewhere peeing right now . . . )

Favorite recipe you’ll have to wait for: French Bread Pizza with Caramelized Chicken and Mushrooms

Oh my heavens. YUM.

Favorite foodie ingredient: Coconut Milk

Kind of obsessed with this stuff. It makes oatmeal and smoothies creamier, and it’s only 50 calories per cup! Plus, it’s rich in magnesium, helps prevent anemia, and decreases the risk of joint inflammation. You should probably run out and buy some right now.

Favorite coveted item: North Face Arctic Parka

I have a long walking jacket that I wear to take Roo for walks in this frigid weather, but she seems to think it’s a toy and has already torn multiple rips in it with her little puppy teeth. This would be an acceptable substitute for my ratty (ripped) Target coat.

Favorite Ab Workout: The Ab Portion of Lindsay’s FLOW post for today.

It’s full of planks, which happen to be my favorite for abs. I just did one round through and it took about 10 minutes–definitely keeping this in the rotation!

What are your favorites this week?

OK, I’m going to be a little mushy today.

On a personal level, I’ve been a little blue for the last month or so, and I’m really trying hard to power through it and keep it off of the blog as much as possible. I just want all of you to know that I think you’re great. You might not know it, but reading your blogs makes my days so much better. So thanks for writing them–they make me happy! And those of you who comment? I adore you, too! Thanks for caring enough to read my little old blog! Y’all are the best!

Just had to get that out.

Onto other things . . .

I love reading everyone’s Friday Favorite posts–this is a trend I really enjoy around the blog world. Since I’m feeling the blog love today, I wanted to share my favorite posts from around the blog world this week.

1. Nightmare Before Christmas Cookies on Annie’s Eats

How fun are these? Annie has a lot more talent for these types of things than I do, but I love how these came out!

2. Winged Eyeliner at A Cup of Joe

Joanna is the cool New York girl I always wanted to be after college. Love her blog.

3. Monster Mint-Chocolate Chip Cupcakes at Chocolate Covered Katie

A healthy cupcake with a holiday theme? Yes, please!

4. Michelle’s generational TV post . . . it reminded me how much I used to love Life Goes On.

Oh, how I wanted to be Becca Thatcher with the hot Jesse McKenna for my boyfriend. Good, wholesome, early-90s entertainment.

5. Paula wrote about Halloween Anxiety . . .

although I have no idea why because all of her costumes were super fun and creative! I could totally relate to this, though. I never put all that much thought into my Halloween costume, but then I panic the week before and worry that I won’t have anything to wear. I love to dress up, though, so I always figure something out.

6. Pretty much everything Rachael says, but especially this.

Why hide the truth, right? #twinsies

7. Jessica of How Sweet It Is is usually trying to kill me with brown butter and bacon (which I’m not at all opposed to), but I loved the looks of this, too.

Roasted Autumn Panzanella Salad? Hello! Plus, she is hysterically funny. Read that post. Make that salad (for me). Thanks.

8. Kristin of Iowa Girl Eats made meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting.

I know. I usually make my meatloaf in muffin tins (Party of One friendly!), but this takes it to the next level. Not that I’m surprised. Kristin is pretty much a genius.

9. The always darling Lindsay of In Sweetness and in Health shared some great stress relievers, including dancing it out.

I need to do this more often. Plus, is that scene from the Proposal not one of the funniest things ever???? How can you not laugh at that?

10. Beautiful Claire shared a recipe for Pumpkin Granola.

Now I just need her to come make me some.

11. Rachel Wilkerson wrote one of the most interesting posts to me: Beauty Booty: My First Weave.

Truly, I don’t really understand all that goes into caring for a black woman’s hair (or a half black woman, in Rachel’s case), but I was completely fascinated by this! In case you’re curious, you should totally check it out. Doesn’t she look amazing???

Happy Friday, blog friends!!! Thanks for making my days brighter!

What was your favorite post this week???