Friday Favorites

Hello Friday- I am so happy to see you! 

Courtesy of September Farm, here are my "things", my five favorites about this Friday: 

i) ahhh its the start of a three day weekend & I've been looking forward to it all week -I'll take an extra weekend day anytime.  

ii) we will be spending our Labor Day weekend with family & friends. Oh and relaxing...hopefully! 

          Tonight we have a wedding for a truly lovely couple. 

          Tomorrow we will be doing something fun to celebrate our 8^th anniversary - not sure what 
          we'll be doing, suggestions anyone?  

          Sunday we have a family cookout at Jack’s father’s house, he does a summer cookout every
          year, and it is always a blast.  Their house is gorgeous and is on a perfectly landscaped yard,    
          with a breathtaking garden.  

iii) on Monday I am hoping to do some decorating around the house. Yes, it has been three years this October in our house and I still haven’t found the time to completely decorate, yikes.

          My goal is the Kitchen.  I really want to get some decorations on the top of my kitchen 
          cabinets.

          Some inspirations are:

          From Thrifty Decor Chic

          

          

          

          And White Whimsy

          

What are your Labor Day plans? Would love to hear, please share! 

iv) ice coffee - it's Friday and we have a late night so I will splurge and get an iced caramel swirl from Dunkin Donuts

v) Pandora radio - love me some of today's country hits


What are your favorite things about this Friday? Be sure to stop by September Farm.

Have I told you lately, I love you like crazy

                   Every love story is beautiful,

                                                but ours  is my favorite

And so, today marks our 8^th year anniversary.  Time does fly when you’re having fun.

We started dating the summer before I went to college.  I had known Jack for some time before we started dating, and let me tell you ladies, I loved him from the first time I saw him.  Still to this day I get those “butterflies” in my stomach when I look at him.  I find myself smiling at the thought of him, or knowing I get to go home every night to him. 

And yes we do have a wonderful, storybook kind of love for each other, but we sure have had our share of struggles.  We have gone through more in our relationships than most, and come out strong every time.  I know that I wouldn't be who I am today had I not met Jack.  He has taught me so many valuable life lessons and has made me strive to be the best person I can be. 

I thought it would be nice to share with all of you a few pictures of us throughout the years, I mean who doesnt love pictures right?!

Summer of 2006 - Our first summer dating, YIKES!

We wanted to do a fancy dinner , April - 2008 

White Mountains, New Hampshire - 2009

Belgrade Lakes, ME, July - 2009

 Celebrating our 4th year anniversary, Newport, RI, August - 2010  

Christmas - 2011

Thanksgiving - 2012

College Graduation – May 2012

My Birthday dinner, June - 2012

Holiday Party, January - 2014

Newport , RI,  May - 2014

You will forever be my always

Everyday is National Dog Day ...for me

Seriously. Yes I joined the bandwagon and posted a tribute to my little ladies, but in all seriousness- everyday is dog day for me.

We adopted both these girls, Sadie first from Lucky Labs. She was only 6 month old, a stray pup for the first 6 months of her life, until the she was placed in a "high kill" shelter. Jack and I had filled out an application at Lucky Labs to adopt a dog- we didn't care size, color, age, etc. We waited patiently for the application to be approved and a potential "match". I'll never forget, when I got a call. The women on the phone said "I got this sweet girl here, she's small, young, timid, saved her 30 minutes before being euthanized. I don't currently have any pictures, but she's a black lab mixed with a smaller breed, only going to be approx. 40lbs." I literally lost it, I WANT HER. It didn't matter to me how "big" she was going to be, or what she looked like.. I just wanted to bring her home and give her a good life. And that we did.

And so we waiting a long month for the transport of dog from the south to the northeast. But finally she was here! 

And then, Sadie needed a friend, naturally! So we found Regan. She was also adopted, but I prefer not to say where from. She came to us very sick and we did not have a good experience with the shelter. She is on the right track now, she is only 1.5 years old, hopefully her immune system will continue to build. She is just the sweetest, smartest little girl and I hate to see her suffering. Sick and all, she does have quite the personality!

And so, these girls are my best friends. They are always by my side, sharing unconditional love.They lick away my tears and bring a smile to my face everyday. 

20 Questions

Okay, so I know I love to know a little bit about the person behind the blog I am reading, so I figured I would write a post to tell ya’ll a little about me.

Please note, I took these questions from The Southern Thing, blog post.

1.  What made you start blogging?

Well, mainly I am looking to find that one thing I am truly passionate about.  I’m a twenty-something with no real…ahh, hobby I guess you could put it.  I work a lot, I am a homeowner with piles of laundry always around, rooms to clean, meals to make, puppies to care for and a wonderful guy to make happy. I often feel stuck in a 9am-5pm corporate type job where I can’t really express myself, and honestly, don’t always enjoy.  I enjoy reading blogs, my favorites The Southern Thing and Aubrey Kinch, as well as other lifestyle blogs, crafting DIY projects blogs, and I am always so inspired so I decided to try one of my own.

2.  If you could give any tip about blogging, what would it be?

I am certainly no pro here, I just started my first blog this past month. BUT I know I certainly love pictures when I am reading blogs, and I love to add pictures to my blog posts, so I’d say make sure you always include fun/pretty/eye catching pictures with every post!

3.  What is your favorite food?

Uhh, does ice cream count as a “food”? Most definitely ice cream, I am an addict.

4. What is your favorite accessory?

Ahh, this is a tough one.  Probably my handbag.  I literally carry my life in there.

5.  What is your favorite thing to do during your spare time?

Spare time, what is that?? Kidding, I can usually be found doing something with my two puppies.  I love to take my lab on jogs, and both of them to the trails right our house with my boyfriend, Jack.

6.  Do you have any pets?

Yes I do. Two actually.  Two fun, energetic, loyal, loving dogs: Sadie and Regan.

7.  Can you tell us about one of your favorite childhood memories?

I absolutely loved driving around at Christmas time with my Daddy and my big sister looking at the houses decorated in Christmas lights.  We used to go on drives and my sister would look out one side and I would the other.  We could count the number of houses that had lights.  I still love to do this, except I go with Jack at Christmas time just to look at the Christmas lights everywhere. 

8.  Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully married with a child and maybe another one on the way. I’ve been with my wonderful guy, Jack, for well, let’s see, 8 years on Thursday (8/28)! We are not married yet, but I am secretly hoping he pops the question soon, and we have a small wedding, and little one running around within the next few years.  I cannot wait to be a wife and a mommy.

I’d also love to have this blog really up and running, with a super cute website design, and maybe even have a decent following of readers.

9.  What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas, hands down.  I love all of the beautiful Christmas displays, the lights outside the houses, and spending time with family.  Okay, you got me…of course presents too!

10.  What kind of music do you like listening to and who is your favorite artist?

Country!! I am a northeastern-er, yes, but I am secretly a southern girl at heart.  Luke Bryan, LOVE.

11.  If you could pick one place to live for the rest of your life, where would you pick?

I am not 100% sure the exact location, but definitely somewhere that has seasons like here in the Northeast.  That is one of my favorite parts of living here. I love the change in weather.  I could never move somewhere such as Florida, I just can’t handle the heat and humidity – I am much more a fall/winter gal.

12.  Who is your favorite author?

Nicholas Sparks.. on the rare occasion I do read, I absolutely love every single book of his.

13.  What is your dream car?

Ah, well, actually I would dream to have a chauffeur every day, ha! I am an extremely nervous driver and hate to do it. It doesn't help that I got into a pretty bad accident, oh 6 years ago now, and I am even more scared to drive now, but I do it.  If I wasn't such a baby when  it comes to driving I would want some kind of SUV, I love Jeep Cherokees, or the Acura MDX and I only like white or black for colors.. but I could never drive an SUV.  I am perfectly content with my small, compact, Acura TSX I am currently driving.

14.  What do you like to do in your free time, other than blog?

See number 4 above.

15.  Where would you want to live when you grow up?

Hmm, will I ever really grow up??? Well I suppose I don’t really have a choice.  I really would like to be anywhere that is close to my family; especially my parents and sister - location doesn't necessarily matter to me.

16.  If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

Elephant! I just love them.

17.  If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be?

Reading people’s minds.  Although I would love to have this “power”, it could be somewhat dangerous…

18.  What is your favorite season?

Fall!! I love everything about fall.  The colors, the fashion, apple picking, hay rides, apple pie, pumpkins, pumpkin carving, flannel shirts, knee high boots, cool crisp air, apple cider, mulled spice sent! Ahh take me to fall!

19.  Are you a beach, city, or nature person?

Hmmm, part of me says all three. I guess if I had to pick one I would say nature, only because I want to live on a large piece of land on a lake one day.  Lots of land for my fur-babies to run around, and a lake for my best guy to fish on early in the morning.  The city is definitely nice to visit, and grab a nice dinner and drinks.  And I could NOT live without the beach in the summer. 

20.  If you could have any job, what would it be?

I would love to not have to work and spend all my time volunteering to help others. The one thing that truly drives me is making others happy – it is my role here on earth, in this life.  

ohhhh, hello fall!

Fall is just around the corner, I can feel it. And let me tell you lovelies, I can not wait! Fall is definitely my favorite season - not just because of apple picking, pumpkin carving, pumpkin spice candle scents, pumpkin coffee, but also I love fall fashion. Here are some fall fashion items I am crushing on:

First and foremost FLANNEL. There is nothing I am more obsessed with than flannel and knee-high boots!

On second thought,  I am also obsessed with jean button up too....

 Ohh and can't forget about LACE!! Love Love LOVE lace!

AND cute puffy vest.. in love. Love the color tones!

This pale pink leopard shirt.. ahhhh.

And, absolutely LOVE stripes, and navy with yellow.

A trip to P-Town

This past weekend my sister and I ventured to Provincetown,Cape Cod, MA.  The inspiration for this trip came when we found out that owners of Sal's Place Restaurant (visit their website here or their Facebook page here) will be selling the restaurant at the end of the season. My family has been dear friends with Lora, her late husband "Captain Jack", and their son Alex since my mother was a child, i.e. a long time!

We sure did have a lot of laughs! Here are some photos to capture the trip.

We started the day at the National Seashore

This sign was posted on the booth we drove by to get into Race Point Beach, I found it comical.

Hello, Race Point Beach

Our comfy set up 

Nothing beats a good book, the beach, and some SUN!

After the beach we headed into town to Commercial Street.

Ummm, batman anyone?

Or should I say "bat-women"

I found these carts to be so cool. We didn't actually get to ride in one, but part of me really wants to!

I just adore this house.  

And then we finally made it to Sal's!

(visit their website here or their Facebook page here) 

Starting from the left, my sister, me, my Mother, Lora, my Auntie Lori and Liz.

Me, my sister, and my Mother 

One of my all time favorite pictures of my sister and I.

View from dinner, just stunning.

My sister and I shared the Pollo Mediterraneo.  It was grilled chicken breast topped with artichoke hearts, feta cheese, calamata olives, and plum tomato. Delicious and highly recommended!

See the rest of the menu here

Homemade Tiramisu = one word--- A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

And it wouldn't be a trip to the Cape with sitting in a boatload of traffic!

The day was pretty amazing.  Share so many laughs with my sister, and family.