Favorite thing - a guest post by Sarahinmi

Today's favorite things post is by a sweet friend I have not only grown to love... but respect as well. Sarah blogs over http://thismomswired.com/ - she is a gifted writer and an amazing photographer. Who does SHE say she is?

West Michigan mother. Friend. Writer. Photographer. Baker of cookies. Buyer of overpriced coffee. Music addict. Endorphin junkie.

Thank you Sarah!

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When Lisa recently asked me to guest post here at her blog, my first reaction was to be tremendously flattered. My second reaction was, "OH MY GOSH I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL WRITE ABOUT." Stage fright for blog writing? Apparently so.

"Something fun, something frivolous," Lisa told me when I asked her what kind of favorite thing my favorite thing should be. In my head I was thinking I could tell you about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (not fun, not frivolous, but magical indeed) or Downy Wrinkle Releaser (ditto - I hate ironing!). That my first thoughts were household products amused me. Briefly. And then I became annoyed with myself.

I can do fun! I can do frivolous!

Maybe?

And then I looked down at my hands and I realized that one of my favorite things was right at my finger tips. You see, this is my favorite time of year. When September rolls around, I'm so thrilled to say goodbye to summer. I love fall and its cooler temperatures. I love knowing my birthday is approaching (see, there's a reason Lisa and I get along!). I'm ready for football Saturdays (GO BLUE!). I'm ready for jeans and hoodies and I'm ready to ditch those sorbet shades and pastel nails and replace them with something dark and dramatic.

In fact, by September 1 I had replaced my summer-bare fingernails with OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. On my short nails (filed short originally because of guitar and now because of habit), it doesn't look scary or vampire-ish. Instead, it's kind of a classic neutral, and it's my primary nail look through the cooler months. Sure, every now and again I'll change it up with something sassy (I love a good blue polish too) or understated (last year's grays? I loved those) but I keep coming back to Lincoln Park After Dark. May OPI never discontinue it.

But I couldn't stop at just one favorite thing - I'm slightly indecisive. I had to pick a second. And the second is perhaps even more frivolous - particularly if you're of the "Why spend four bucks on a cup of coffee when you can do it for mere pennies at home?" camp. I am NOT in that camp. In fact, I make truly AWFUL coffee that would likely peel the paint off your walls and the lining from your stomach. It's not something I'm proud of, but until I buck up and buy a Keurig, I am a fan of coffee...made by other people. But do you know what makes that even better?

Cappuccino art.

You know there's no way I'm making my coffee look this good. Just... no way. Something about sitting at a table in a bright coffee shop and having a cappuccino that looks like THIS brought to your table? You can't help but smile. Throw in some great conversation with a friend while sipping your decorated drinks and that is the makings of a beautiful afternoon... and the perfect way to spend a fall day. This beautiful cappuccino pictured is from Grand Rapids' Madcap Coffee - definitely one of my local favorites.

Nails and coffee - that's probably frivolous enough - if Lisa ever dares ask me to guest post for her again, I'll be back to tell you about my favorite dental floss. Yes, I have a favorite.

Happy Wednesday everyone!