Favorite Things: November

When I find good things, I like to share them. These are a few good things I’ve found over the past month that you might like, too:

Kailey’s Apple Pie and Pumpkin Spiced Pecans

You know those nut stands that sell glazed almonds and make the entire state fair/mall/theme park smell like warm buttery vanilla goodness? These are those — but exponentially better. Crunchy and sweet, but they actually taste like an apple pie or pumpkin spice goodness. I’m throwing these in oatmeal, on salads, and just eating them straight out of the bag because, well, I can’t stop. They’re that good.

Cooking Light’s Soy and Cola Braised Pork Shoulder

Oh my heck, this is good stuff. Goooooooood stuff. Sweet and spiced and asian-y and barbecue-y…just do yourself a favor and make it. As a bonus, it’s as easy as it is delicious. I added a few thai chilis to the braising liquid to spice it up a little, and I can highly recommend doing that, as well. We liked it best as a filling for lettuce wraps topped with some quick and spicy asian pickles (I only use one cucumber and add in some radish, carrot, and onion.)

Kendra Scott Jewelry

I love jewelry — enough that I don’t buy it for myself unless I’m on vacation. (Why? Because then everything — in addition to being awesome — has a story that goes with it. And it’s much more fun to say “Oh, these? I got them when I went to (someplace exotic, or at least not here)” than “Oh, these? Target.” (Note: this has not kept me from buying things at Target when I’m traveling, so it’s not entirely foolproof.)

Anyways. Kendra Scott is one of my favorite jewelry designers and her flagship store just happens to be in Austin, so of course I had to drop in and walk out with far more than I should have. Not only is her jewelry gorgeous, but lots of it is customizable, making it easy to find just the right something you (may or may not) need — whether that’s something for game day or just to dress up jeans and a t-shirt. The Darby earrings (pictured above) are my new favorites, but I also came home from the Blathering with a new pair of Danielles and Anitas (which I can’t find in a linkable format, but I promise they’re cute.)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martinis (Pinnacle Vodka)

I love, love, love Pinnacle’s Whipped vodka. (If you aren’t familiar,it’s whipped cream flavored vodka. Yep. Let that one sink in for a while, because not only does it exist, it’s delicious.) A friend recommended their cake-flavored version and Oh My Goodness, do I have a new favorite drink. It is girly and sweet and dangerously easy to forget how many you’ve had — just mix pineapple juice, a splash of sprite, and a fairly heavy-handed shot of cake flavored vodka. Add in a cherry. Thank me later, or invite me over to share. If you want to get fancy, a caramel/brown sugar rim would be an excellent way to do so. These are millions of miles better than the vanilla vodka/grenadine/pineapple juice version, and just as simple. (There’s no pretty picture of the drink because even though we were gifted with gorgeous glassware for our wedding, I usually drink out of a tervis tumbler, which, while practical, isn’t exactly photo-worthy.)

Obligatory disclaimer: These are all my own opinions, none of these companies/people/things are compensating me in any way, shape or form.