friday finds

T-minus 9 hours until the weekend ladies! It can't get here soon enough ;)
I'm linking up with the regular lovely group of bloggers for Friday's post!

one //

I found a fabulous new blog over the weekend - T.O. & Fro by Mar

She has some amazing looking home made recipes for beauty products like lotion bars and body scrub that I am dying to try out!

two //

Thanks to $25 in rewards bucks and a $25 Visa gift card from Xmas, I picked up these little Skechers Go Walk sneaks for only $7!! They are SO comfortable and will be perfect for going on walks and hikes with the dogs once the snow melts!

three //

I've also been on the lookout for a new casual everyday winter coat (since I'm still rocking the one I used in high school! Um, embarrassing.) I found this Jessica Simpson belted puffer jacket a Macy's, but they didn't have my size...so I did a little recon online once I got home and found it for $37 on 6pm.com! Queen of the deals this weekend ;)

four //

It's Old Navy Super Cash time! I earned $20 over the holidays and have been waiting for Jan 29th patiently to spend it! Going to get myself some new pjs this weekend ;) If you have it, be sure to use it by February 4th!

five //

And just a few funnies to kick off the weekend...

Bikini season is only like 4 months away!! 

I'm definitely guilty of this one...

Head over and join in the Friday Link-Ups at the blog listed below!

olive garden's zuppa toscana soup

I've been on a cooking-kick lately... trying a bunch of new recipes on the weekends...and a couple have been really tasty, so I thought I would share them!

I love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup, so I went searching for a copy cat recipe and the one I found tastes EXACTLY like the restaurant's version - I was really happy with the way it turned out!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage - I used mild
• 2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup bacon bits 
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups kale, chopped - I will add more next time I make this
• 2 (8 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 quart water
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream - I'm going to try using a healthier option next time (maybe half and half) 

Directions:

1. Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces. - next time I am going to try and make them smaller, or maybe do ground sausage

2.  Brown the sausage and dump (grease and all) into your soup pot.

3. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.

4. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot.

5. Cook on medium heat until the potatoes are done.

6. Add bacon bits.

7. Salt (and pepper) to taste.

8. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

9. Turn to low heat.

10. Add kale and cream.

11. Heat through and serve!