Friday is for Favorites // My 10 Favorite Things This Week

Hey fellow music nerds, can we all just agree that this shirt is basically amazing? 

I'd take any yard I could get (oh the downfalls of living in a townhouse), but if I got to pick my dream yard, it would look something like this.  I had a place years ago with a backyard made up of endless acres of forest and wildflowers, and I vowed to have something similar again one day.  A bad ass treehouse would be an added bonus.

I love this, but mainly because my it reminds me of my little sister.  I'll just say that we've had all sorts of fun with incidents involving summer cocktails and 'to go' cups.  Morgan, if you're reading this, you're getting a present.

While completely out of my price range for a top, this blouse is just so pretty and summery that I've been going back to the Anthropologie website on the daily just to look at it.  It reminds me of pictures of my mom from the 70s, all barefoot and flower child-like, traipsing though fields and stuff.  I want it.

No explanation necessary for this one.  It's a baby giraffe.  It's really cute.  Enough said.  (source)

This article, entitled "Do Yourself a Favor and Forget What Your 'Size' Is," is spot on.  As someone who has worked in the fashion industry and has designed for a clothing line for many years, I can also tell you this - there is no standard size chart that the industry must follow.  Brands can make up whatever sizes they like to define garments.  So in the end, the numbers and letters on those jeans you've been coveting are likely all lies anyway.  My advice (to myself as much as anyone else) is to try things on and pick what looks the best on you.  Period. 

Imagine how much more collectively calm we'd be if we each took a couple of minutes to do this everyday... (source)

Even better than the deliciousness that the photo of these grilled peaches exudes is the description on how to make them: "There's not much fuss about it.  It's peaches.  On a grill."  This will be happening at my house this weekend. 

Because everyone needs a 'Random Crap' bag.  (Or as this one is more demurely titled, a Random Kindness Bag.)  The best part about this cheery oversized tote?  It doesn't put on any airs.  It just tells it like it is.  Nothing to hide. And the company that makes it, Wild & Wolf, supports the organization WaterAid, which helps to provide clean drinking water to people around the world.  Win-win

I've been listening to this album all week.  Which is nothing new.  It just happens to be one of those favorites on regular rotation.  'Old man take a look at my life, I'm a lot like yoooouuu.."

Two weeks of Friday is for Favorites posts in a row?  It's a miracle!  For new readers, 'Friday is for Favorites' is my (once upon a time weekly; then monthly; now more accurately occasionally) series where I become a rebel, and break all of my own rules of design cohesiveness to which I normally adhere on the Bubby and Bean blog.  No themes, curated collections, or matching aesthetics here.  Just a gathering of a few random things that I happen to be loving most this particular week, now shared with you. 

I'm so glad that today is Friday, and even more grateful than usual that the weekend is here.  This has been a heavy week you guys.  Late Sunday night, my grandmother (and idol) 'Maggo' had a massive stroke.  I haven't said anything here, but I did mention it via a photo on Instagram, and the thoughts/prayers/good vibes that came in as a result are appreciated beyond words.  She has been slowly improving - even moved out of ICU into a regular room.  We're staying hopeful and spending lots of time with her as she recovers. 

Yesterday also marked three years since my 'brother,' long-time ex (I hate that word), and closest friend Jeff took his own life after years of struggling.  I've mentioned this only a handful of times here on the blog, but it was without a doubt the most horrific time in my life.  I am a firm believer in creating positivity out of even the worst situations though, and losing Jeff in such a tragic way motivated me to make some major life changes (including breaking years of a workaholic lifestyle), and ultimately to start this blog and my art shop as side businesses.  Jeff was loved by so many people, but he just wasn't able to see this for himself toward the end.  If you or anyone you  know ever feels this kind of emptiness or desperation, please reach out.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a wonderful organization with whom I've worked several times now by donating items to their local walks, in Jeff's honor.  They are here to help.


As I said, I strongly believe that we have the power to make positive situations out of difficult ones, and to create happiness out of sadness.  So let's leave this post on a happy note.  It's the weekend!  It's summer!  My husband will actually be off the road on a Saturday for the first time in forever!  My sister is coming to visit!  I hope your weekend - and the rest of your Friday - is full of all of your favorite things.