Thoughts for Thursday: Time Off!

This week beginning with Labor day is my first actual week off since Christmas!  Now granted, I do have The Best Job Ever however, time off is super awesome!!

Monday, the hubs, the pup and I went to our absolute favorite water hole, Common Market for some lunch and some delicious IPAs on draft.  Man, I love that place.  They allow dogs inside in the AC (amazing) and Piper always finds multiple people interested in making out with her (thats a life goal for that girl!)  One of my littles was in town from my college sorority plus another sister and they met up with us for a bit!  That night we had a dinner date with one of Piper's best park friends (nope, not kidding about that) and her parents.  We brought the pups to angry ales and had a great time!

Now, I'm enjoying playing housewife this week!  I concocted the most wonderful pasta sauce last night!  It was easy, canned pomodoro tomatoes, ground turkey, basil, and two whole bulbs crushed garlic.  It tasted absolutely wonderful.

I had to share this cute photo!  She was given that treat at the bank and then carried it carefully inside from the car with her little head held high.  She's such a little person sometimes!!

Above are the two new pairs of shoes I splurged on for Hannah's wedding!  Both are Sam Edelman, and so incredibly comfortable!  I'm excited to see how they work with the whole look.  She's going for a very rustic boho/chic look!  The Gigi Sandals can be found {here} and the wildly comfortable Felicia flats can be found {here}.

Piper's First Birthday!

My sweet little puppy dog.  I cannot believe you turn one TOMORROW!!  Celebrations and a puppy pawty are in order as you and your bestie celebrate turning one (Bella turns one Sunday!)

So tiny here, just 13 weeks old when we got you.  You were a bit shy, and the first night you just flopped on your bed--surveying this strange new place.  I took a few days off work to get to know you.

You loved car rides from the start and we took you with us almost every where!

Michael and I loved you from the start and enjoyed meeting other fellow doggie lovers, going to puppy festivals and even dog bars!

It was so fun to show you new places!  You weren't certain about the ocean but you loved running on the beach in Wilmington!

Holidays with you to dress up are way more fun.  

 

Snow days were even more fun!  You loved the snow and couldn't get enough!

 

Always so happy, always so loving.  You've been such a wonderful addition to our family sweet puppy.  You've shown us true and unconditional love...helped us start to get ready to have even bigger responsibilities (babies!!) and been there for us always.  A true Velcro dog, we are blessed to have such a sweet loving pup in our lives.

(Can you tell how much I adore my dog?!  Can't wait to share photos of her pawty!!)

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday!  I feel like my week has absolutely FLOWN by and I can't believe the weekend is here already!  I'm ready for a relaxing weekend ahead.  Tomorrow Michael is going to The Masters with his brother so I've got a free day to get stuff done!  I'm bummed I'm not going, but have been lucky enough to go the last three years.  It's such a beautiful place, I love everything about this tournament.  I avidly follow it all weekend!

Since Michael will be gone I plan to prep for our anniversary!  Two weeks from tomorrow--wow!!  Might throw in a pedicure and some other fun things!

Anywho:

{one} British Slip Lead

Piper's new trainer sold us this and taught us how to use it this past weekend... and WOW.  We've been using it all week and and each day has been better and better.  Yesterday I used it and pushed the babe I nanny in the stroller and Piper was perfect.  I was such a proud mama!  I cannot wait to go back to this place and probably will pretty often!  Just to teach really cool tricks and help Piper reach her full potential!  I love this pup, can you tell?!

{two} Tiger Prawns from Clean Catch

Tonight we are getting some incredible shrimp due to Michael winning a game of best ball this week with his buddy Chris!  Chris likes to gamble to keep his head in the game and he knew I'd been wanting to try these (super pricey) shrimp!  I can't wait!

{three} Sesame Ginger Noodles 

Lately I am totally obsessed with these noodles from Laurel Market.  I must get them twice a week at least!  Spicey, cold, flavorful!  My fave!!

{four} White Homes!!

I don't know what it is lately but Michael and I are really into white houses!  It's so fresh and clean.  We want to repaint our interior all white!

{five} Palm Sunday

Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite church services all year.  The beginning of the wonderful week before Easter.

link-up

XO,

Brooke

Five On Friday!!

Happy Friday to you and yours!  I hope it's been a great week and that it will be an even better weekend!  I'm so happy it's Friday and am ready to hang out with my husband and see some friends!  This week was a long one, one day I worked 12 hours!!!  (Granted I get to hang with a cute kiddo all day but still!)

{one} Gap Fit gFast Leggings

So I am all about the leggings these days.  I love wearing a cute basic top and leggings that fit great to feel put together yet comfy.  Plus I try and run at lunch when I can and I'm ready to go in these!  Cheaper than my beloved lululemon wunder unders (32 on sale!) my hubby was so pleased he told me to grab another pair!!

{two} New Origins Compact and eyeliner!

So I am crazy for origins everything when it comes to makeup.  It's natural, it's light, it works really well and it's affordable!  It's also cruelty free which I am so passionate about!  Perfection!  It's always fun to refresh my supply with a new silkscreen compact (try it, it rocks!) and an eyeliner in navy!!

{three} Eastover Park

This park may be my favorite place in town.  We found it when Piper was 5 months old and have been going every chance we can get ever since!  It's just a lovely open park in a neighborhood.  There's plenty of regulars there to chat with and room for our Mini Australian Shepherd to run like she was bred to do!!  When we go there she will be exhausted the rest of the day.  Like they say, a tired dog is a happy dog!  Plus, we find it so peaceful.  I love how dogs remind you to be in the moment and enjoy the simple things!

{four} Laurel Market

Y'all I am crazy obsessed with Laurel Market these days.  Right by Eastover (behind the Starbucks on providence headed uptown) this tiny little market has the BEST sandwiches, coffee, espresso brownies, and these incredible soy ginger noodles I'm addicted to.  If you haven't been, go immediately!

{five} Hannah's Wedding!

My best friend from college is getting married in September and I can't wait!  I've got my shoes and dress now and it's starting to feel real!

(J. Crew Louisa in Graphite!  So comfortable and flowy)

My favorite kind of sandals, Jack Rogers!  In platinum.  It's so much fun to be on the other side of wedding planning!

Have a wonderful weekend!

5 on Friday

Spring Is Here!

 While the 40 degree weather right now doesn't feel perfect for Jack Rogers and Lilly dresses I know it's right around the corner.

Life has flown by since my first two feeble blog posts and with more time on my hands it seems like a good time to focus on keeping this little blog up to date!  If only to document the days that all too quickly fly on by.  Case in point, my hubby and I are approaching our first anniversary next month and I can hardly believe it!  I've got some more recipes to share but first just a few photos of life over the past few months!

Piper experienced her first Christmas!

And we had our first Christmas as Mr. And Mrs!!

 

We also had a ton of snow this winter!  For the south this was highly unusual!

Piper loved it!  But I think she's just as ready for warm days as we are.  We love enjoying the outdoors with her when we take her to our favorite park!  It's amazing how much these fur babies help you enjoy the simple things.