Friday Faves
Happy New Year friends! I have been a little MIA around here mostly on purpose as I tried to enjoy my holidays with family but also squeeze the most productivity into my time off. I’m proud to say it was a successful break but sadly still have some home projects to finish. Today I thought I would share some of my favorites from 2017; some personal and some shared by others but all favorites!
Favorite Tutorial
Even though I’m definitely old enough to be Brighton’s mom, I love following her insta-stories because I think she’s a little quirky but totally owns it and that is just such an attractive quality to me. She also has really great style and a strong faith plus her mom is a shoe designer! I loved this tutorial she posted via her blog here but also included video. I love me some dry shampoo and while it works to deal with the greasiness of three day old hair, I don’t always get the volume. This has been a game changer!
Favorite Winter Treat
As soon as I pull out the Christmas decorations, I also create a hot cocoa bar for the kids. I love hot chocolate too but do not like all the sugar or the calories. Enter this Fed and Fit cocoa recipe using Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 
Favorite Purchases
Camo|Utility Pants | Side Slit Tee | Clutch | Booties | OTK Boots | Scarf (similar same weight) | Leggings
All of these items were definite winners for me in 2017 and they are all still available! I love pieces which easily cross seasons and are versatile enough to dress up or down and all of these have been able to fit into my working girl wardrobe except for the leggings! And honestly with a great tunic I could probably even pull those off for casual Friday but they work equally as well for hitting the gym. I’m sure they make my booty look JUST like the model too! Ha! The clutch has probably been one of my favorite pieces to add some fun to an outfit and it is so popular it is once again out of stock until March 1st. BUT, launching today is this camo clutch! How fun!
Favorite Collaboration
Being able to join The Blended Blog as a contributor has been so much fun! I have so enjoyed getting to know these ladies better and can hardly wait until we meet in person! So much support in this group! You should definitely hop over today and link up your loves!
Favorite House Project
We did ALOT around our house in 2017 and all I can say is FINALLY! I have been slowly trying to paint this house myself for the past 14 years without much success because; one not enough time and two I suck at being a painter! Everything but our bedroom has now been painted including woodwork and ceilings and it looks so much fresher. I shared our living room project and while we do love it so much, the built in below is my very favorite! I dreamed about this forever.
This piece transformed our breakfast area which is the first thing I see when I walk in from work every day. I hope to have a before and after with more details and better pictures up soon
A really close second would be our entry hall which received updated wallpaper along with a repainted piece of furniture. I can’t wait to share the transformation with you guys as soon as I finish the gallery wall and have all the little bits and pieces tied together.
Favorite Kitchen Tool
I have a post in mind to share my favorite kitchen tools but hands down in 2017 the Instant Pot
I have so many great ideas for post in 2018 and can hardly wait to share with you! Creating an editorial schedule is top on my list as soon as I knock out the final touches on our house this weekend and have the kids bedrooms put back together. If you have been following my insta-stories you know what I’m talking about….all the crazy!
Oh! I almost forgot! If you are a regular reader you have for sure seen my friend Holly around here! She blogged previously at While I’m Waiting but in the New Year, new you spirit she has launched her brand new blog, Coordinator of Chaos, so head on over and give it a read!
If you missed these 2017 reviews or our Holiday recap you can catch them all below!
Happy 1st Friday of 2018! Make it count!
Linking with||Friday Favorites with Erika, Andrea & Narci, Oh Hey Friday, High Five for Friday, The Blended Blog and Awesome Life Friday
The links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link(s) and purchase an item (at no additional cost to you), I may earn a small commission. Thank you for helping to support The Queen in Between blog
Happy New Year, friend! What a fun post this is! Hooray that so many wonderful things came out of 2017 for you! I love the home projects you’ve completed featured here, and I’ve enjoyed watching the updates you’re working on via your IG stories too! Wishing you a fantastic fresh new year ahead! xo – Brenda // Chatting Over Chocolate
Your 2017 was definitely full of changes – and they all look fabulous! Here’s to a wonderful and blessed 2018 (and more time spent together!).
Definitely more time together!!
Happy New Year Shelly! Love the breakfast nook area and your new wallpaper. Hubby and I are getting estimates for painting our 2 story greatroom and entrance way. No more white walls! Love your buys, i received the leopard scarf for Christmas from my inlaws. The Insta crock pot sounds like a winner!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Here’s to the new year! I love your breakfast nook, and also all the fresh new paint. I hadn’t seen Brighton before, so thanks for the tip. And she’s a fellow Longhorn! Have a great weekend wrapping up all those house projects. 🙂
Give me a post about the InstaPot, PLEASE! I am on the fence about one, but think this would be a great addition to make my evenings less kitchen focused!
I will definitely work on pulling something together Sara! Looks like lots of people are a little intimidated as was I last year. Dare I try a vlog? I don’t think I’m quite ready for that. haha
I’m so glad you had a nice break! It’s always great to step away for a bit. Your built-in looks so good and it really maximizes that space. I have wondering about an Instapot. I think I need to pull the trigger on this one! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I got an Instapot for Christmas. Going to try it soon.
I just love hot cocoa; we drink so much around here that we don’t have a coffee pot we have a cocoa pot. Seriously, a few years ago my husband bought me a cocoamotion; it’s for making the perfect cup or two of hot cocoa and my middle son uses it every day!
Oh my goodness that sounds amazing! My kids love it and this year tossing it in the blender really has made it yummy. I may have to check into this gadget!
Please do a tutorial on the Instant Pot – I bought one before Christmas and it is still sitting there as I am too intimidated to figure out how to use it!
I was the same last year Sheila! I will try to pull together a little tutorial. I suck at reading directions so it was all greek to me until I finally just pulled that sucker out and started using it. So far I haven’t blown the house up!
happy new year!!!! I love how your home turned out.
Your remodeled areas are great, love the wall paper. What a super year! Yes to Instapot tips, I want one but really to get to know it’s uses first! Soooo Happy you are part of TBB! The perfect fit indeed! Happy weekend beautiful!
I have loved seeing your house DIY coming together- I love your style.
Happy New Year! Can you believe I haven’t had any hot cocoa this winter? I have been sick off and on so I’ve mostly been drinking tea or Theraflu. Every now and then some coffee, but no cocoa. Pulled it out today, but decided on some espresso tequila with milk. 🙂
I seriously need to pull out the little chocolate vodka I have and try it out in the cocoa! I am so sorry you have been so sick…hopefully on the mend after all that snow!
You just gave me two new blogs to check out. Thanks so much…I’m dying for some great hot cocoa! 🙂
Yes–please share your Instant Pot recipes with us! I got one a few months ago & am not proficient with it yet. It intimidates me, to be honest (scared I’m going to blow up the house). A lot of food & recipe ideas you’ve shared here in the past look so good, so I think your Instant Pot recipes will be good as well. And, I can’t keep eating your Meme’s chocolate cookies all the time :)). Those were my favorites over the holidays!
Ok…I am going to work on pulling something together because I felt the exact same way the when I finally pulled mine out of the box. I was petrified that sucker was going to blow! And i’m so glad you love those cookies! I used up the rest of my ingredients today and made two more batches to share with friends. They are my fave Christmas treat!
Thanks Shelly! I can’t wait to try some of your recipes. And your Meme’s cookies–I had some in the freezer & pulled 2 out last night. My Sunday night blues needed a little chocolate fix!:)
I swoon every time I see that built-in! It is just gorgeous! I definitely want to see more!
the OTK boots look amazing!
p.s. visiting you from the H54F link-up!
I am SO excited to test out the inlaws instant pot. I have a feeling that after using it for a bit, I might HAVE to have on of my own. I LOVE your built in too. I can totally see how that area was a big game changer for your organization. Happy Monday!
I LOVE what you did in your breakfast area. Can’t wait to see more details! And I would love to read about your favorite instapot recipes. I am on the fence about getting one but if it really saves so much time that would be a game changer for my family.