Hello all and happy almost weekend! We’ve been busy working away on our New Year New Room Refresh in addition to settling back into a routine after the holidays. Everyone around here is managing a full schedule with before and after-school activities and weekend sports! Today, I’m here with The Friday Five, so let’s chat and catch up!
If you’ve missed any past posts in the Friday Five series you can get caught up here.
I haven’t popped in with a Friday Five since before the holidays, but you can always catch up with regular blog posts here as well as on social [INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, LTK SHOPPING APP & I’m now on TIK TOK!]
The boys are in full swing with their basketball seasons and Soccer just started up for the littlest too. In addition to sports, the older boys are keeping busy with Student Leadership, Musical Theater and Henry is gearing up for Junior High next year. We had Jr. High Open house a couple of weeks ago and he turned in his Electives selections for next year today. Gosh, I’m not sure where these last almost 12 years have gone, but all I know is that I blinked and suddenly my firstborn is taller than me.
I know every mama out there can relate. They say it goes fast, but some days it takes your breath away when you think about it.
Ok, now on to some actual content!
THE FRIDAY FIVE
ONE // ANNOUCEMENT: I’M A 2024 AVARA AMBASSADOR!
I recently announced that I have been accepted into the Avara Ambassador Program! This is an exciting opportunity as I continue to expand my fashion & style content creation.
What does this mean for you? I will be sharing monthly pieces from Avara’s adorable women’s fashion collection in hopes of bringing you outfit inspiration composed of darling tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories to bring into your closet to help you look & feel your best!
sweater // jeans // sneakers // bag
The quality is amazing and the pieces are fun and unique! I love a good Amazon find just as much as anyone, but I also love being able to share well-made, fun & inspiring pieces from woman-founded businesses, like Avara.
blouse // wide-leg jeans [size 6] // silver heels
A little bit about the brand…
Avara was founded in 2018 by a mother, Emily Wickard who took a leap of faith to start her clothing line after spending 20 years in corporate finance. The company started in Emily’s home and just 6 years later, is projecting to do $25 million in sales this year, with 90% of its revenue coming from online sales. Avara is headquartered in Dallas, TX, but because of Ambassadors like me and 200 other women across the country, we can bring you real-life try-ons and up-close and personal details about Avara’s fun, on-trend compliment-worthy clothing that aims to help women confidently celebrate life’s special moments.
You can shop my Avara affiliate link here and be sure to use code “RACHAEL15” at checkout for 15% off your first order! Please let me know if you have any questions.
I can’t wait to share more Avara with you this year!! So stay tuned!
TWO // AT-HOME ORANGE CHICKEN HACK [TRADER JOE’S DUPE]
The boys requested TJ’s Mandarin Orange chicken one night as I was heading out to the grocery store. We didn’t have any in the freezer [like normal] and I didn’t have time to drive to the nearest Trader Joe’s so told them sorry, some other night! I quickly ran into Fry’s for a few items and stumbled upon this Orange Peel cooking sauce and threw it in my basket. We had a bag of our favorite chicken nuggets in the freezer and thought I’d combine them as an attempt to fulfill the boys’ dinner wishes!
I added a little less than half the bottle to a pan of nuggets on the stove and simmered it until the pieces started to carmelize. We all loved this version of Orange chicken, but it was a smidge spicy for the younger two. Overall it was an easy solution to satisfy their craving! Sometimes you just have to get creative and think on the fly!
I love to add a little bit of spicy mayo and Everything but the Bagel Seasoning [did you know you can get this at Dollar Tree & Amazon now?!] to my plate when I eat orange chicken. Sometimes we eat it with riced cauliflower on the side instead of fried rice!
THREE // CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been in a reading slump but decided to add a few books to my list at the library and a few became available almost instantly. I decided to dive into Carrie Soto is Back first because it was the THIRD time I had checked it out! The first 2 times I ended up returning it back to the library when it was due. I had ambitious reading goals last year, but couldn’t get myself to sit still and pick up a book!
I am absolutely loving it so far! Especially after jumping back on the tennis court myself about 18 months ago after not playing in nearly 2 decades. I can’t wait to read more this weekend and hopefully finish it by the end of the month!
If you want to keep up with my book recommendations, you can check out my Book List in my Amazon Storefront and I recently joined Goodreads, so I’ll be updating my books over there, too.
FOUR // THE LOUNGEWEAR SET I’M LIVING IN
I recently shared a Reel on Instagram highlighting an incredibly fabulous two-piece lounge set. It is a half-zip sweatshirt with an oversized collar paired with wide-leg sweatpants with pockets, an elastic waistband and a drawstring. It feels so luxurious- like BUTTER! and is a Spanx look-for-less!
You can shop the full look here.
I highly, highly recommend this set for all of your casual wardrobe needs! Its the perfect time of year to wear this set and you can easily add a denim jacket or long cardigan over top.
It would make an excellent travel outfit all year-round!
It comes in a ton of colors, but I have the black option and am in a size small. You can grab it here!
FIVE // NAIL INSPO FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
Ombré glitter nails perfect for Valentine’s Day or Spring nail inspo! Here is what I did:
- DIP application
- Almond shape
- color: OPI “Bubble Bath”
- ombré w/ pinky gold glitter
That’s it for today! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’m going to be working on finishing up the Office + Guestroom project in between basketball and soccer games. Wish me luck!
If you’ve missed any past posts in the Friday Five series you can get caught up here.
