Pucker up
Guess who I got to kiss today?!
Viesa!
I was so excited to see her furry face. We went over to hang out with little Meg, my doula friend (Viesa’s new mom) and her family, so we got to cuddle Vies the whole time we were there. Love it <3
Of course, when we got home, Bella couldn’t stop sniffing us- she recognized her sissy right away.
Even though it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, they really were best little friends.
In addition to Viesa kisses and taking Bella to the dog park, it was a pretty amazing Sunday over here.
Started off with brunch with the fam –there were 11 of us- at Blue Willow, one of my favorites.
We usually go to Blue Willow for lunch or dinner, so I’ll get a salmon Greek salad or veggie creation. I was excited to try breakfast, which I’ve heard is phenomenal:
and it totally was.
I ordered 2 eggs with brown rice, corn tortillas, and turkey sausage, covered it all in salsa. Perfect.
Afternoon snack:
The Pilot and I ran some errands, and went to Home Goods so the Pilot could see the mirror I like for the master bedroom- approval granted. We also went to Trader Joe’s, where we found this little beauty:
You read that correctly, my friends. Apparently it’s like Biscoff spread, which I’ve never tried, but the Pilot and I each had a bite from the tester booth (not gluten-free) and he was hooked. It’s basically crunched-up cookies in peanut butter……
He got a jar to enjoy on top of toast (or on a spoon) and the Trader Joe’s employee said it makes an awesome cupcake frosting, too.
It’s dinnertime over here, and then I’m going to start working on this year’s holiday gift guide. It will be up in the morning, just in time for Cyber Monday!
Have a lovely night <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about: What’s on your holiday wish list this year? Let me know if you have any awesome gift ideas for yoginis, gym-goers, girly girls, or domestic diva friends 🙂
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I saw that spread! And literally died and went to heaven. Omg. I didn’t buy it for the same reason, so I’m on a mission to make my own. It’s gonna happen.
whoa i just bought a ton of biscoff spread (from the actual manufacturer) … i didn’t know that cookie spread was a thing now! craziness, i’ll have to check it out.
Speculoos is amazing!!!!!! The first time I had it was in NYC from a waffles and dinges cart in central park!!! unbelievably good!
This months issue of Yoga Journal has a great baking idea! Fill a mason jar, layer by layer with dry ingredients for yummy baked goods like otmeal chocolate chip quick bread. Then attach a little card with the instructions and enjoy! Totally making it for my mom and preparing a baking themed gift basket. 🙂
Anthro aprons for domestic gals! Always a fun gift that most people won’t buy themselves.
love that! they have the cutest aprons
My holiday wish list: dehydrator, food processor, gift cards and a boyfriend (bahaha, you said wish list, right??)!
Ideas for friends: I need to get on this! I do know for the girlie girls that I’m close to, I think I may do Chanel lip gloss! It’s about 30$. While it is small, I gave to to one of my close friends for her birthday and she is still thanking me a month later for making her feel like a girl 🙂
sending boyfriend vibes to you! 🙂 hoping he’ll fall out of the sky and into starbucks like the pilot did
great idea- chanel makes AMAZING lipgloss
My jar literally hit the floor when I saw the Cookie Butter photo. MUST GET SOME NOW!
yogi gift ideas- a mat towel (like the manduka eko), i swear this is something tons of yoginis will never think to buy for themselves but makes alllllll the difference; a unique yoga mat bag (my friend makes really cool ones out of used jeans but there are plenty on etsy and stuff like that) or just a really high quality one (I have the lululemon one in mind); a wrap for apres-yoga (a la the wraps from Hanuman clothing, or Beyond Yoga); a class pass to a preferred studio; yogajournal subscription.
hahaha wait is that my wishlist?
also yoga books- Autobiography of a Yogi, ANYTHING by Pema Chodron, Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life.
Next time you have to try getting the eggs sunny side up and mixing it up with the brown rice! So good!
i have had my eye on the book meditations from the mat as a gift for myself, maybe it would make a good yogi gift? so funny, i am making my christmas list now and having a hard time coming up with things, hoping this post will help me : )
Omg cookie butter?? That sounds like heaven! I hope the Pilot enjoys it!
My fave gifts I’ve seen/bought for someone/received in years past have been Anthro aprons, sparkly BIC bands, mat towels, bright colored compression socks/sleeves, subscriptions to Food Network magazine, sweat resistant headphones, and pretty ceramic bakeware… just to name a few 🙂
oh my goodness… trader joe’s makes spekuloos?!? must find…
I’ve got my eye on some new lululemon gear for the holidays! I love it so much, but my college-sized wallet definitely does not.
OMG! You found Speculoos at Trader Joes!! I was so sad to leave that stuff behind in Europe! It’s the most amazing thing ever!
Thank you so much for sharing! < 3
What kind of dog is Viesa? She’s beautiful. Why does she not live with you?
she’s a shiba inu, and yes, totally gorgeous and an amazing dog. i linked to the whole story in the post, but in a nutshell, she and bella didn’t get along. she tried to eat bella a few times, and the last time, bell was badly hurt so we had to find another home for her
Biscoff Spread = Heaven in a jar. I wonder if I could find the one you found…
Oh, I cannot wait for the Gift Guide. Maybe not the most fun idea, but practical and a “stocking stuffer” would be a runner ID bracelet? Also, for the yogis out there, a lululemon towel for the yoga mat? I have always wondered if they are worth it…it seems they are since everyone at my studio has them! I also always love to give Lulu’s headbands- they are so fun and colorful!
they are definitely worth it! especially if you like power yoga 🙂
A Runner ID bracelet (especially the interactive one from Road ID) is an AWESOME idea!
Aww, it looks like you guys had fun with V! I am sure she misses you just as much as you miss her. When I first saw your cut up persimmon, I was SO confused about what it was! Why do you eat it like that? You can eat the whole thing, you don’t have to cut it out!
I was *just at* TJ’s about a half hour ago. Had I read this post before going there, I’d have gotten that spread.
Speculoos cookies are almost exactly identical in taste to Biscoff cookies. I bet the spread is a dead ringer.
I love love love Biscoffs and the spread and now I won’t have to order it online!
And your hair has gotten so long! Beautiful! 🙂
Cookie Butter???? I can’t even imagine. Actually I’m not even going to think about it – I could just see myself in the kitch attempting to construct some tonight.
The Viesa thing is like an open adoption. It’s heartwarming.
Speculoos is a very special Dutch spice mix that traditionally only comes out this time of year in the form of ginger snap cookies that Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa in a way) leaves for children in their shoes. Glad to know it’s available in the US, too.
I enjoy reading the blog everyday. Congrats to you, the Pilot and Bella on the little family expansion coming soon!
Greetings from the Netherlands!
Groeten uit Nederland!
Cookie Butter!?! Goodness.. that looks like a little jar of heaven. I will have to look for it when I get to Trader Joes!
Must have been nice to see Viesa again! We are adopting our first dog… getting him Saturday. CAN’T WAIT!
man oh man I wish that cookie butter was GF!! I guess I’ll have to recreate it!
OH my gosh. I need to get my butt down to Trader Joe’s NOW to find some of that Spekulaas Butter. Thanks for telling us about it. I LOVE those cookies. I also love that the Commissary has them so my in-laws don’t have to send them all the way from Holland.
Vieasa looks super happy to see you two! OH man, I knew I’d need to get over to TJ’s, now I have another reason………………that sounds delish……………………!!! Have you had their salmon burgers? A new discovery for me……………..so good………………:)
Have a great day Gina……..:)
Oh wow I wish there was a soy nut butter version of that cookie spread! It sounds amazing!
And that cookie butter is the reason I can never stick to my list when I shop at TJ’s. They always have at least one new yummy food that I have to try! I will be on the lookout for that. 🙂
I have a Shiba-Inu as well. She is amazing:)
I was just in Belgium and Speculoos is what they put on Belgian waffles! SERIOUSLY one of the best things I’ve ever tasted! TJ’s knows what’s up!!!
I bet the cookie butter is unbelievable. I try not to keep jars of nut butters in the house because I have no self control with them. I just buy the single serving packets so they’re already portion controlled. As for Xmas gifts I got most of mine but good ideas are… A great winter coat, beauty gift sets (they have so many good ones right now), mini nespresso machines (such a good gift). My fiance and I are getting someone on our list a nice vintage bottle of red wine with Riedel decanter and glasses as a gift.
Cookie Butter?? Sounds AMAZING! And like something Paula Deen would make 🙂
right? or how about “butter butter?”
Umm… cookie butter? Holy. Crap. I neeeed a Trader Joe’s near me!
I just bought the cookie spread this weekend too :)!
Oh brother that spread looks heavenly!!
Ah almost forgot about cyber Monday!
Speculoos?!!?! Cookie butter?!? I was just at TJ’s a mere two days ago and did not see such a delight. Oh myyy, I have to go back, that sounds so amazing.
OMG, I need to go in search of that stuff. It sounds amazing. Love TJ’s.
Oh Viesa!!! Lookin’ foxy as usual…lol… it’s so great that you guys get to see her! I’m sure she loves it too!!!!
I love to give people a great book, to match their interests, and maybe another trinket to go with it, like a theme. I.E. a new cookbook, and a great chef’s knife. Or if I remember that someone really wanted to learn to crochet, I get them a how-too book in a craft store and add some beautiful yarn skeins and a basket.
It can be as economical or as luxurious as you like! My Mom always gave books as gifts. 🙂
Omg I just got the Cookie Butter yesterday too and it is to.die.for!! I’ve tried the Biscoff spread and it definitely tastes just like it – not as creamy as the Biscoff but the flavor is spot on. I’m a fan of just eating it off the spoon too – or better yet just my finger 😉
I found ‘Biscoff spread’ at Kroger here in Richmond. My son and I are pretty much addicted. 🙂
Sorry, Richmond, VA. 🙂