I don’t know about you, but this week has just gone by sooo crazy fast for me. It was Zo Zo Pop’s 10th birthday on Tuesday, which ended up being a week-long affair (just like her momma). Instead of a party, we took the girls to Harrison Hot Springs Resort for the night and spent hours floating lazily in the hot pools like sloths. It was so much fun AND I was recognized from the blog (eek), which is always kinda fun and weird. She said “hey, my friend and I are wondering, are you the Valley Mom?” Me, being the super socially awkward human that I am, busted out some ‘jazz hands’ and replied “in the flesh,” then awkwardly floated away backwards in slow-mo to my clan. Speaking of slow, I’ve been inching my way out of our covid cave and into the real world. While I’ve been kinda loving the anti-social life, I realized just how much I’ve missed seeing actual people without any screens or filters. I can’t wait for restrictions to fully be lifted so I can go around hugging people and booping them on the nose. Anyways, It’s time for round deux of 5 Things I Love Friday.
Here’s what’s on this Valley Mom’s top-5 hot list for this week. You ready?
1. Every Vow You Break
I like my books extra juicy with a side of scandal. It’s a tall order, but author Peter Swanson was able to satisfy this Valley Mom’s complex literary needs with his novel ‘Ever Vow You Break.’ In fact, it was so bloody good that I was able to finish it in three days and lend it to my mom, who is also hooked. Without giving away too much, let me set the scene. Imagine you are about to get married to a billionaire but end up having a wee ‘too much fun,’ on your bachelorette party with a handsome stranger. Somehow, Mr ‘too much fun’ manages to follow you and your new filthy rich hubby on your honeymoon to a super excluded resort that is off the grid. Say what? If you do end up reading this one, please let me know what you think!
2. FIBERLICOUS
You know you’re getting up there in age when you get excited about fibre, but this stuff is truly magical — and delicious. So no, it’s not just a clever name. I have to give props to that amazing lady at the Nutrition House in Willowbrook Mall again. She recommended this product to help combat my chronically bloated belly and IBS. It’s under $25 for a big bottle, has a really nice taste to it and zero texture. In fact, I prefer this to sugar in my coffee. Since I’ve started doing intermittent fasting, I no longer eat breakfast, which means I haven’t been getting as much fibre as I should be in my diet. This is an excellent replacement and my belly has been much more settled these days and flatter (well, as flat as a 39-year-old mom-who-has-had-two-kids-and-loves-to-dip-corn-chips-in-peanut- butter can be). You know what I’m saying?
3. Four Good Days
As someone who has struggled with addiction issues, I’m always on the lookout for films that cover this topic. Most end up being sensationalized and stereotypical garbage, but rarely does one truly capture the gritty and raw reality of this disease as this film. In an emotional journey based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, 31-year-old Molly, played by Mila Kunis, begs her estranged mother Deb (Glen Close) for help fighting a fierce battle against the demons that have derailed her life. Despite all she has learned over a decade of disappointment, grief and rage, Deb throws herself into one last attempt to save her beloved daughter from the deadly and merciless grip of heroin addiction. Rotten Tomatoes gave this one an audience score of 81%.
4. Sephora Brand Liquid Eyeliner Pen
I’m obsessed with winged eyeliner right now and have been on the hunt for ages to find the perfect liquid liner. That gal I mentioned last week about the mascara, also suggested Sephora’s own liquid felt tip liner for $19. It has really good pigment, goes on super smooth and doesn’t smudge. Now if only I could master the art of getting my wings to match…
5. SnapChat’s Cartoon Face app
Can I tell you a secret? I have never used SnapChat in my life, but did for the first time yesterday just so I could try out this fun ap. How fricken adorable is my cartoon fam? Now that I’ve shown you mine, you gotta show me yours. If you look closely, you can see my eyes are a little wonky just like in real life. Upload your pic to my Facebook page.
Alrighty, that’s a wrap for this week’s 5 Things I Love Friday. I hope you enjoyed it! And, if we do ever get to meet in person, please DO come say hello. I can’t promise it won’t be awkward, but I can promise that I will be xo.
