You guys, IT’S FRIDAY!
I mean, not to pat myself on the back or anything, but we have had a BIG week in blog world, and I personally feel like today’s Friday Faves is EXTRA big too. Whether you’re into wellness, patio furniture, the Bible, brisket, glowing, carpooling or just about anything in between, we’ve covered it this week. It truly makes me SO happy!
Okay, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing my weekly faves.
This first one is BIG…
You guys, TODAY IS MY DAD’S 70TH BIRTHDAY!!!
From my love of studying the Bible to my love of the Boston Red Sox, my dad has been the one to inspire so many passions in me over my lifetime.
My dad is the reason why I’m so passionate about travel (he’s been to over 50 countries on all 7 continents).
My dad has always been really focused on fitness and pushing yourself to be better/stronger/faster at anything and everything (he’s completed two marathons).
My dad is the ultimate dog person. His pups are his favorite people.
My dad is the one who introduced me to Nantucket…a place he loves and adores as much as me.
If you picked up my phone and looked through our text thread, you would see a whole lot of funny memes and inappropriate jokes (he loves a good laugh) as well as a whole lot of scripture and photos from his Bible lessons and notes…how he’s praying for me and my family…pictures of his dogs being sweet or doing silly things…and a whole lot of baseball talk.
I could tell you a million stories about my dad but now that I’m a parent of almost three teens myself, one of my very favorites is that during football season my junior and senior years, every single afternoon, my dad would walk up to the field between the drill team practice field and the football field and put his chair sideways so he could sit there in the sun/wind/rain/cold with his Big Gulp and watch both of his kids practice their sports to the right and left of him. When we were done, he’d take his chair home and repeat again the next day.
My mom lost her dad at 65 to cancer, and I think about that too. I feel incredibly blessed to not just have a dad that gets to turn 70 today but that he’s in great health. We’ve been on three trips together over the last 11 months and I treasure that time together more than words could express.
Happy happy birthday to my sweet dad! Seventy looks REALLY darn good on you!
This Friday, I’m partnering with COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD because it’s their BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF SPRING STOCK UP SALE!
Last month, I shared…
…my THREE WINTER FAVES…
…and right now, you can BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF SITEWIDE!
You know my faves include the RADIANT CLEANSING BALM + the VITAMIN C NOURISHING CREAM (which I’m currently using both morning and night during the winter!) + the COMPLETE EYE CREAM.
To round this out, might I suggest you also add…
…the AGE RENEWAL SUPER SERUM too?! This has been one of my favorites for YEARS! You can apply it morning and night under your moisturizer.
This is the perfect combination: CLEANSER + SERUM + EYE CREAM + MOISTURIZER!
Whether you pick skincare or hair care, any combination is BOGO for 50% off right now 🙂 .
I am dipping my toe into the Matcha waters right now. I’ve been trying to incorporate this in the afternoon in lieu of my coffee.
Are you guys drinking Matcha?
Do you guys have thoughts on Matcha?
I would love to hear alllll the things.
I’m about 50/50 this week on making this instead of coffee. My only hesitation (on the days when I made the coffee instead) is that Matcha takes a little longer to prepare.
My friend Lauren is VERY in to Matcha and she suggested I start with Shayna’s Kitchen for the quality. I like how it tastes, I just need to figure out a “routine to savor” that makes the preparation more of “a moment” for me during the day instead of just “more time consuming than making coffee”. Make sense?
It’s a favorite this week of mine because I do enjoy it more than “regular” tea, and I really do think it’s something I can really get into if I can just get the hang of it.
You guys, I stood here in my office going through my phone of “favorite things” from this week and laughed out loud because clearly, one of my favorite things is WEARNG BLACK EVERY DAY…
I wore this super cute ROMPER one day…
…it comes in a lot of colors and is only $19! The fabric quality is REALLY good. I am very very pleased especially based on the price!
On another day…
…I wore this LOUNGE SET 🙂 .
Looks like a romper, but it’s actually…
…two pieces. I added my denim jacket and was out the door!
And shocker, I wore black again on Wednesday…
…with THIS SET and also topped it with my denim jacket and my SNEAKERS.
And finally, I wore my OPEN BACK TEE with those CUTE VUORI ANKLE PANTS with my SNEAKERS.
Clearly the color black was a favorite of mine this week 😉 .
**UPDATED** Okay, I just went to locate a denim jacket for a blog comment and mine is not in stock, but I just purchased THIS DENIM BOMBER because it’s crazy cute, the reviews were stellar, AND it’s on major sale 🙂 . A bonus Fave!
A little “life lately” is always a fave of mine.
Charlie, Mades and I have watched My Father the Hero at least three times. This is another FEEL GOOD FILM to add to our list!
On Friday night, we had the Bronco Cheer Banquet…
…this picture here of these two besties is just the sweetest.
We have had such a FUN year of cheer! This pic was taken almost four years to the very day after…
…this one 🙂 . These little sixth graders had just tried out for middle school cheer in February 2021, and Erika and I were waiting nervously in the parking lot for them to come out, and when they did, they both had such big smiles because they had felt so good about the tryout. Isn’t this the sweetest?!
They went from getting to cheer together in middle school…
…to high school 🙂 . They always find a way to stand next to each other, ha!
It was a GREAT cheer year, and I’m just super super proud…
…of these two 🙂 .
Speaking of proud…
…spring soccer is BACK, and Ashby is loving every minute of it!
We love watching her play soccer!
And on Sunday morning, we loved…
…watching our sweet Mades sing in the kids choir at church.
Between church choir and her theater classes production of Annie, there is a lot of singing going on at our house.
I bought these RUNNING SHORTS because I heard they were a great “Lulu dupe” and you guys, they’re so good plus, they’re under $20!
They come in several other color choices, are fully lined and have a zipper pocket. They’re great!
I ordered NEW PAJAMAS to take with me on spring break and LOVE them! Target has the best pj selection. I know I’ve shared them with you several times before, but the quality and the comfort is crazy good especially for the price. These are only $25!
Whether you make these for St. Patrick’s Day because they’re green or make them just because they’re delish…
…my CITRUS CUPCAKES are super easy and oh so yummy!
That wraps up this week’s batch of Frida Faves! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
I’ll see you all back here on Monday! xx
Susan Jeffries says
Happy bday to your dad! Treasure him. I miss my dad every single day. I love the new vuori cropped pants for spring! Just added those to my cart! Happy weekend.
Elspeth Mizner says
Have a wonderful weekend. What a great roundup of favorites!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jess says
Are you using a milk in your matcha or just water? I do find oat milk compliments matcha very well. I’ve never made it at home but it is one of my favorite lattes to get after my coffee hours! Such a unique flavor!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t use any sort of milk. I could buy some oat milk though?! If it complements, maybe I should try?!
Addy Robinson says
Agreed that is much frothier / smooth / yummier with milk. Liz Earle’s book has me rethinking cow’s milk!
Leslie says
Highly recommend flax milk as an oat milk alternative. Less calories and sugar with way more protein and micro nutrients. I think it still has the same level of creaminess of oat milk too. Good Karma is the brand I use.
Addy J Robinson says
Thank you!! I have not tried flax.
Mary Arredondo says
Try frothing almond milk with it. So good and try pique matcha, it’s the best
Addy J Robinson says
I love matcha! Do you use one of those little frother tools? (I can find the link)
Does that matcha have added sugar? I couldn’t find the ingredient list on the site.
Thank you, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do. I will break it all down soon (maybe next week?) after I practice a bit more.
Paula Hobbs says
HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY, PAPA JAY!!!! It took me about 2.5 seconds to add that Wednesday set to cart!! It’s super cute! Have the best weekend, Shay! TGIF 🙂
SS says
Happy Birthday to your Dad!!!! It is such a treasure to see your dad go from your Dad to Grandpa. My Dad passed a couple years ago and we miss those moments. His bday is the same as our kiddos. It is always a bittersweet day. I always remind kiddo that he always said kiddo was best gift ever. Enjoy all those moments and take more pix and videos!!! I wish I had more videos!!!
How fun to see those girlies grow up in cheer!!! It is fun to see how they have changed.
Winter sports are ending up here…good thing we still have a frozen ground and snow covering it. Although, next week it may be changing!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, friend! Sending YOU so much love! xx
Eliza says
I like matcha w a little vanilla & a little (real & organic) maple syrup… it cuts the grassy taste 🙂 I couldn’t find it last time I was at Trader Jos but they usually have it in individual servings so it’s great for travel.
Good for you trying something new! 💚🌱
Mix and Match Mama says
So you add both? I love that idea!
Eliza says
Yes! A splash of both is what I do.
Lori says
Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad!
Chrys says
Happy Friday!! Will you be doing a little Spring Break clothing haul? We have our Spring Break in mid April and I haven’t really found any cute outfits to wear to go out to dinner. Or maybe I just need a little inspiration. Hope you and the fam have a great weekend! xoxo
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! My annual haul is next week! Our spring break is a little later this year, so I’m later getting my act together 😉 .
Natalie Lyles says
Yes! I need some clothing ideas too Shay! 🙂 All my stuff is so old. I need to clean out for sure .. Happy Birthday Papa Jay!
Paula says
I love reading about your dad, his adventures, his devotion to family & the Lord! He would be a wonderful person to sit down with and garner some wisdom from the life he has lived.
Enjoy celebrating him & family time this weekend.
Catherine says
Maybe an interview with your dad around Father’s Day!?!
Terry says
I have to laugh when I see you wearing shorts! It’s still 20’s – 40’s here and Illinois., with occasional snow flurries. It will be at least another month before we can even think about jackets instead of winter coats here, let alone shorts!
LM says
Oh, Shay. Again with the stories about your dad! I just love that for you, and I love how much you appreciate him.
Michelle P says
Happy Birthday to your sweet dad! My mom and i met him in Nantucket last year on Daffodil weekend (before he went to the Sox/Cubs game) and he was so sweet to us. We met him in a store and then he came up behind us on the street and after talking to him for less than 5 minutes, he made us feel like we were the only people on the island. He told us that we were a blessing in his day which really warmed my heart. I hope that he has an amazing day, and even better year.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! I love reading this. Thank YOU for sharing!!
Nicole says
Matcha will never make me as happy as coffee! But, I do have it sometimes! I just use an electric hand whisk with warm water, add honey, cinnamon and then top with cashew milk. Ice or hot!
What size did you get in the amazon shorts? Thanks!!
Happy Friday!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have never tried cashew milk. I need to though! I bought them in xs. Happy Friday!
Nixole says
Elmhurst has a coconut cashew milk and it’s so delightful! You should try it!!
Janice Dobbe says
Happy birthday Jay🎂
MelanieL says
Happy Friday and happy 70th birthday to Jay!! Awe, the cheerleaders…I love seeing the side by side of how they’ve grown up!
Karah Stracener says
Happy Happy Birthday to your Dad!! He looks great for 70 and wow what an inspiration. I love those lulu dupe shorts, adding to cart. It is so sweet seeing those two girls grow up together and becoming beautiful teens. What a blessing their friendship is. Happy Friday Shay!!
Briana Meixelsperger says
Happy Birthday to your sweet dad! Can you share details on the girl’s cheer banquet dresses? They are just the right amount of modest and exactly what my girl is looking for to wear to a country concert coming up. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Kensington’s dress was from Altar’d State 🙂 . It was a “boots and boho” theme.
Amy Rae D. says
Happy Birthday to your dad!
Valerie Potts says
Happy Birthday to your dad!! What a gift to get to spend the time with him that you do! He clearly cherishes every moment with his family, as all of you do with him.♥️ I love the photo of him with Mades. So much joy and playfulness!
I was super excited to see your post on running shorts! I need new ones so your timing was perfect. I am wondering though, what size did you order? It says in the reviews that they run small. I love all the short sets too! We are a ways off from shorts weather here but it’s never to soon to get ready! Shorts season is my favorite!
I also wanted to share that I have been listening to Cynthia Thurlow’s podcasts….I am learning so much! Thank you for sharing them with all of us and how you work podcasts into your day. 😊
Have a wonderful weekend!!
LH says
I drink matcha every day! Try Elmhurst coconut cashew milk in it. So good!! Steam the milk,froth, and add on top! You can add honey or maple syrup if you need a sweetener.
Jeanette says
Happy Birthday to your dad!! The girls in cheer together is precious, the years are going so fast! Loved all the black outfits 😊.
joanna says
Okay, the story about your dad sitting sideways between both fields is precious. So special that he would do that, and with the Big Gulp LOL. I have gotten away from coffee because I figured out that I actually really just loved the creamer, not the coffee. Since it is so full of oils and sugar, it had to go. So I mostly do green tea and matcha. It doesn’t take that long for me. Maybe I am doing it wrong?? I just put it in a cup of very hot water, mix with a spoon and drink it. I don’t have the special whisk…yet. I sometimes leave my spoon in the cup and give it an occasional stir. I may be matcha-ing very wrong, but I still love it and think that I am getting way better health benefits than my whole-lot-of creamer mixed with a little bit of coffee. I never thought I would be thinking “I can’t wait to have some matcha” and yet here we are. I am currently using Ito-En matcha and it is great!
Mix and Match Mama says
His Big Gulp always always is a “half and half”. Half coke and half diet coke. 😉
Jessica says
You writing about your Dad brought tears to my eyes. I feel the same way about mine. Every girl should have a great dad. I know not everyone is so lucky. But man you have a good one!
Carol says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to your Dad. Thanks for sharing him with all of us. So enjoy since both my parents and grandparents are no longer here. Your Dad, Mom, and your sweet Grandmother would be a Great blog post guests sometime. Oh, and where is Andrew? Haven’t heard from him in a while.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh that’s so funny, well right now, he’s talking rather loudly on the phone downstairs. Haha! He is working from home this afternoon, and I was just about to close my door to drown out the noise. He was at all the things with me this week, sittin’ right by my side 🙂 .
Sheaffer says
Love all of the K and EL pics! CUTIES!
AliJ says
I love how much you treasure and love your Dad. I miss mine every day.
I hope your Dad has the best day ever!
K.K. says
I’m late to it today, but I’m really glad I didn’t miss this post!!
–Your dad had me after seeing him perform Sean and Catherine’s wedding ceremony on TV and talk about Jesus. I thought – this man is special, and look at how God is using him!! Thanks for sharing some stories about him from time to time on your blog. I think he has such a special place in some of our hearts!
–Those besties – that’s just the sweetest! I wondered a bit if as they aged, they would stay as connected (which I know can be natural to drift as you change and grow), but that’s so sweet. I’m imagining all the girls trips you and Erika and those two already take – and will continue to take across the years! Fun, fun, fun!
Marla says
Shay, I am so greateful for your dad . That sums it up….what a great man in so many ways .
Dawn says
I froth my matcha with warm water in the morning and down it in one go because I don’t love the taste, but have heard of the health benefits.😄
Kacy M says
I love matcha! Matcha latte with oat milk and no sweetener (that’s key) or matcha soft serve brings me joy.
Pam Gaston says
Please tell your Dad a very Happy Birthday for me. We used to joke about being “birthday twins.” I can most definitely see him sitting on the field watching both of his children. He has always so proud of both you and your brother.
Enjoy the days watching your children in all of their various activities. I miss those days dearly.
Keep being fabulous!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! Happy birthday to YOU! Love you guys so much. I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend! xx
~B~ says
Happy birthday to your dad, Shay! I love reading of your travels together and the story about him sitting between the fields to watch both you and Sean brought a smile to my face – those are the best kinds of memories to be blessed with! I am a big matcha gal and here is my new favorite when treating myself to Starbucks: Their unsweetened matcha (as you can now specify sweetened or un), oat milk and sugar free vanilla. So creamy and so good!! It’s been a winter favorite for sure! Oh my!! Look at those pics of Kensington and Ebby Lee! I seriously feel so honored to have been able to watch your families grow up. Have a great weekend and as always, thank you for sharing.
Lynn says
I love to add peppermint extract or cinnamon spice to my matcha. Peppermint is my favorite. I also add some type of vanilla protein powder or collagen. Helps make it taste better. I mix with frother.
Desiree says
Happy Birthday to your Dad! Praying he has the best year and more, filled with health and lots of love from his family!
Nicole says
Hey Shay! Will you do an updated day of eating with IF? What does a typical week day look like for you and is it different on the weekends? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes ma’am!!
Beth Hall says
For matcha prep, find Ashley Paige on insta or TikTok, she makes it a “thing” and her prep videos are so nice to watch. I haven’t yet tried but am considering.
Also allow me to recommend JoySpun pj’s at wal mart. Lots of options. Cute prints. Super soft.
Mix and Match Mama says
I will look her up! Thank YOU!!
Lily says
It sounds like your dad might be the kind of person who already writes a lot of things down, but allow me to suggest giving him a StoryWorth subscription? It’s a year-long homework assignment basically (one question prompt per week), but at the end they print a book full of all the memories and experiences your loved one has shared! I’ve ‘given’ it to both of my parents and my MIL (two loved it, one didn’t touch it – as predicted 🙂 but i had to try!) . Having their words and memories (and photos, if they upload them) IN PRINT for my family and I to keep is priceless.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow!! I LOVE THIS! I’m looking this up right now! Thank you!
Lauren says
No Manda Strong benefit this year?
Mix and Match Mama says
It was the same night as the cheer banquet this time around. Hopefully in two years when they have the next one, it won’t conflict.