Five Loves on Friday // Overnight Date, Lilly Loveliness, Sparkly Snow, and Delicious Delights!

Happy Friday!  You know what that means, it's time to capture a handful of highlights from the past week and share them all with you here, friends!  Let's get right to the good stuff...

One  //  Overnight Date

My parents had our girls come for a sleepover last weekend, giving them some quality time together and also providing Jason and I with an overnight date!  We decided to pick up some yumminess, then cozied up for a sweet night in followed by a luxuriously lazy morning for two.  It was truly fantastic and easily one of the highlights of my month!  I sure do marvel over the goodness of God in blessing me with such a wonderful hubby!  *happy sigh*

Two  //  Sparkling Snow

This week we had another stunning snowfall.  I reveled in the gorgeousness of those big beautiful flakes as they sprinkled down from the sky.  Another simple joy was found in watching wildlife having a field day in the winter wonderland right outside our window.  I wish I had captured the cuteness of four bushy tailed squirrels chasing each other up and down our tree, through the street and along every other tree that lines it.  It was absolutely adorable!  While I didn't get a snapshot of their fun, I did see some evidence of some snow bunnies bouncing through our backyard...

Such a sweet sight!

Three  //  Lilly Loveliness

Y'all know that purses are one of my biggest weaknesses.  So, when I spotted this bright and cheery beauty in the Lilly After Party Sale for under half its retail price I pounced on it! (Those who shop that sale know what I mean as fast fingers are required to scoop up those pretty pieces before they're sold out!)

I'm loving the bright, bold colors along with all the gorgeous gold detailing.  I'm also a big fan of bags with built in card slots which are so handy!  Hooray for another reason to anticipate the spring to come!

Four  // Brinner {Breakfast for Dinner}

This week's "new to me" recipe really hit the spot!  I especially loved the addition of cream cheese to this breakfast casserole.  Yum!

Five  //  Nacho Fries + My Man's Thoughtfulness

You may remember around this time last year when Taco Bell introduced Nacho Fries and I went on and on about them.  It was love at first bite!  Yesterday I snapped a screenshot of an ad announcing their comeback and texted Jason along with clapping hands and heart eyed emojis, naturally.  The real life heart eyes came when my hubby arrived home announcing that we were having Taco Bell for dinner because his wife "needed" her nacho fries!  I immediately stopped my oven from pre-heating, happily took the night off from cooking, then savored my hubby's thoughtfulness ...along with the yumminess of those seasoned fries and cheesy goodness!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  After sharing so many of my food faves of this week with you, I'd love to hear what eats you've been enjoying too.  Feel free to share a "must-try" with me in the comment section below!

Have a wonderful weekend!

LINKING UP WITH:

Tif, Della, Becky, Whitney P., and Whitney J. 

for High Five for Friday

&

Andrea, Erika, and Narci 

for Friday Favorites

Join me in the adventures to come!

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Five Loves on Friday

Hello, sweet friends!  Welcome, welcome, to my first five loves of the new year!  Woohoo! My holiday hiatus was a bit longer than I initially intended for it to be.  I enjoyed every lit'l bit of it, but I sure missed you all!

Before we get to this week's five I'd like to share a sweet milestone Chatting Over Chocolate has hit, its 3rd blogiversary! 

{via}

I can hardly believe it's been THREE years since I started Chatting Over Chocolate!  I began this blog as a creative outlet and had no idea that blogging would lead to so much more!  The friendships I've made throughout these years have definitely been one of the sweetest parts!  I'd like to take this moment to thank YOU for reading!  It is such a treat to share with you, and to hear from you as well!  I hope each time you pop by my lit'l nook of the blogosphere you feel welcomed, as if we're meeting up for a slice of delicious chocolate cheesecake and enjoying a nice long chat over it!



Would you like a peek at what else has been happening around here?  Here's a handful of things that have made my heart smile this week!

One // Bicycle Love

Remember this beauty?

Women's Glendale Bicycle // Schwinn Bicycle Wicker Basket

I hate that my pretty bicycle has been collecting dust during these winter months!  I was telling Jason how much I miss riding and that I really wished I could be more active during this bitter cold season.  Being the incredibly thoughtful, ridiculously amazing man that he is, that night he surprised me ordering this...

Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle 

*Please be advised that I've included affiliate links to the above products we purchased and love!

Seriously, I can't even put into words how much I adore and appreciate that man I call mine!  I'm loving this thing!  It's comfortable, compact, and such a simple way to be active inside my warm cozy home!

Two // Austin & Ally Finale Fun

If you don't have kiddos you may have missed out on a super fun and hilarious sitcom on Disney Channel, Austin & Ally.  It's Princess' all-time favorite.  Sunday night was the series finale and we celebrated with Austin's favorite meal of pancakes.  The episode was so well done.  I might have even cried through it.  Gotta love Disney! 

Three //  Lilly Loveliness!

My Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale goodies arrived this week and I am in love!  I absolutely adore the wild confetti print, so much so that when planner shopping somehow a matching drink hugger found its way into my cart.  How'd that get there?! :)

Four // A Dear Friend's New Beginning + Winning!

 {Instagram}

My sweet friend Elise launched her fabulous new blog this week, Her Heart and Home!  In celebration of this exciting new chapter in blogging, she hosted a giveaway for a $25 Starbucks gift card.  Guess who won?  This girl!  Woohoo for free caffeinated deliciousness!  You should definitely pay her fresh new space a visit a.s.a.p..  While you're there be sure to tell her that your mutual friend Brenda says, "Hello"! ;)

Five // Date Night!

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Last night was date night, which always makes for a great night!  We cozied up for dinner and a movie, and afterward we did some couples Q&A.  After 17 years of marriage it'd be easy to think we know everything there is to know about each other.  But, I sifted through several websites' date night questions and found about a dozen that I didn't know the answers to.  These fun questions also led to reminiscing about some of our most cherished memories.  We laughed.  I cried (happy tears).  It was a pretty perfect night with my man!  

Thanks for stopping by today!  I appreciate you, sweet readers & dear friends, so very much!  Have yourself a lovely weekend!