Five On Friday

It's the most wonderful time of the week ::: FRIDAY.  And you know what that means, it's time for the 5 On Friday link-up!  Please do join me, Darci, Natasha, and Christina ... it's simple!  Just write a blog about five things on your mind today, anything goes really, and then enter your post address below.  You can get a lot of new eyes on your blog and maybe meet a new friend or five along the way!

So here's my 5 on Friday.  Cheers to the weekend!

O N E
You may have seen this on my Instagram account (@alizadventures) but it's worth a repeat.  Any Aldi shoppers out there?  It's not the most glamorous shopping experience in the world (think total opposite of Fresh Market, for any of you that have experienced the dim lighting, the soft-spoken employees, the classical music being piped through the store).  The prices are incredible though!  They maintain low prices by some really strategic marketing efforts like charging a minimal amount for bags, charging a deposit to use a cart, and accepting debit and cash only.  I bring my own reusable bag, fill it up, and enjoy the cost savings!  Everything below rang in at just over $19.  The strawberries and blueberries were on sale for only $0.99.  Another great find was the log of goat cheese at the top right for $1.99.

T W O

There's nothing more that I love than finding a new trick on Pinterest that actually works!  The pin below claimed that shaving with baby oil gel will keep stubble at bay.  It works, people!  I picked up some lavender-scented baby oil gel from the baby section at Dollar Tree (cheap cheap) and it's amazing how smooth my legs still are on day two!  I love smooth legs, so I'm an everyday leg shaver, but now I just do it every other day.

T H R E E
Another "duh" moment from Pinterest.  The other day Ian was craving crunchy tacos.  This is pretty rare -- in fact, it's the first time I've ever prepared crunchy tacos in my LIFE!  I'd seen the idea on Pinterest to load the shells with the meat (we used ground turkey) and cheese and then pop in the oven to melt the cheese.  Why didn't I think of that?!  What a smart idea and they were oh-so-tasty.

F O U R
Do ya'll read the Mint Love Social Club blog?  She and her husband are entertainers extraordinaire and they can make a mean cocktail.  Check out her awesome post - Grilled Summer Dinner Menu - for fantastic ideas.  These blue-cheese stuffed grilled nectarines with honey and black pepper are absolutely calling my name.  Seriously -- they'll be on the menu next week.

F I V E

Lastly, just a big ol' thank you to all of you sweet friends who had such nice things to say about our Paris photo session with L'Amour de Paris (seen here).  Your thoughtful comments just really made my day/week/year!  I think that experience just further solidified my belief that getting professional photos from time to time is always an investment you won't regret.  Now don't get me wrong -- even though Ian was a great sport about it, he is totally a NORMAL man, so don't go giving your man the side eye because he hates photo sessions!  Ian's the same way.  A few of those smiles you see in the pictures are hiding the fact that through gritted teeth he was saying things like "I feel like a total tool April", "I'm so effing hungry", and "I thought you said this would only last an hour".  HA!  But when it was all said and done, he totally agreed that it was a worthwhile experience and he loves the photos we received.  If any of you have questions about our experience with Stacy Reeves, just say the word -- I'd be more than happy to brag on her even more.

Your turn ... I hope you'll play along!