The Friday Five, 6/1/18: 5 things I've been up to this week

I had about a 3.5 day weekend for the holiday, which was nice, and I also spent some time outdoors at a marina for a BBQ with friends (and got burnt ... even when I put on sunscreen I get burnt ...) and was able to enjoy some good food.

Pizza at Pop's for Italian, Ferndale, MI
Margherita pizza at Pop's for Italian, Ferndale
What I've been up to this week:
  1. Starting off my long weekend with a delicious Yelp event. I was bummed when I was put on the waitlist for Yelp Detroit's event at Pop's for Italian, in Ferndale, but very excited when I received a message that I was OFF the waitlist, about an hour before the event! We got to make our own pizzas and gnocchi, and then were treated to a fabulous meal including both the pizza and gnocchi we made, plus more of their pastas, and some wine, as well. Great way to kick-off the weekend!
  2. Hanging out with an Ann Arbor friend. My friend Elyssa was in town from Ann Arbor to visit me, for about 24 hours (Friday night through Saturday night), and we went to Ferndale on Friday night, to Imperial and later Dino's for live-band karaoke, and to Detroit and back to Ferndale on Saturday, for Eastern Market, brunch at Bobcat Bonnie's, and Rust Belt Market. We also stopped by Treat Dreams for some ice cream.
  3. Eating good food. I made a few Hello Fresh and Home Chef meals this week, and on Monday, my boyfriend and I visited Fogo de Chao, since they had sent us $15 off lunch coupons. It was my third time there (read my blog reviews here and here) but his first, and the food was very good.
  4. Attending a BBQ with friends. On Sunday, one of my Meetup friends hosted a BBQ at the marina that she and her family belongs to, in Waterford, and it was a fun time. Although the beach was small, the lake was crystal clear, and we also had some jello shots and cheesecake shots (!!!) which were delicious. 
  5. Driving the Mazda CX-9 Signature. Yesterday the Mazda CX-9 was dropped off at my condo and I will have the usage of it for one week - check back after that for a review. I'll be attending the Cinetopia Film Fest in Ann Arbor this entire weekend, as well as staying at the Red Roof PLUS+ near UM's North Campus, so it will definitely come in handy. I also plan on checking out Miss Kim's and Zingerman's Deli—I've been to Zingerman's, of course, but not Miss Kim's yet—and Destination Ann Arbor has graciously provided me with a gift card to check both out.
Mazda CX-9 Signature
Mazda CX-9 Signature - she's a beaut!

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