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!!)

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Bake

For an easy healthy meal sometimes a casserole is the way to go.  I've seen more complicated versions of this on Pinterest and decided I would simplify and make it my way.  The result was yummy!

You will need:

1 lb chicken

1 cup quinoa

2 cups broccoli 

1 1/2 cup cream of chicken 

Spices 

1/2 cup cheese (I used chedder)

The way I decided to do this was to bake the chicken first.  I marinaded it in milk and ranch with some salt and paprika.  Baked at 450 for 30 mins and it just fell apart.

I also cooked the quinoa as the instructions said, then mixed in home made cream of chicken (this is delightfully easy to make: chicken broth, milk, and flour heated up and blended).  Then I mixed in the chicken, and cooked broccoli.  Spread in a dish and topped with a bit of chedder I baked at 350 for 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

My first real Health Kick!

Over the years I've always had some interest in being healthy.  I got into organic eating my freshmen year of college.  I always enjoyed walking and being outdoors.  But never was I truly into working out. 

Last summer I got into the couch to 5K app, and though I enjoyed it--the summer heat eventually had me give up. I've always been that way until recently.

My hubs has always been very athletic, he is an excellent golfer (had been playing since age 6) a soccer player, and an avid tennis player (plays three times a week).  This always discouraged me and intimidated me.  But, in starting yoga and enjoying it I've really found my own path to being fit and healthy!  I highly recommend it.

Now, in addition to yoga 1-2 times a week I also have an app that has 15, 30, and 60 minute classes (yoga studio--totally worth the 4 bucks).  I've been doing this guts and glutes work out from Pinterest:

And, I've been watching everything I eat and starting my days off with something like this:

And I feel so much better!  These days, I wake up and I'm not exhausted.  I'm happy to go hang out with my sweet girl, split a smoothie with her dad, and be active all day.  I get home from work and still have energy to go on a jog or to yoga!

The best part is noticing my body slowly tightening up.  Noticing that I feel comfortable in a fitted shirt.  And it really doesn't take that much effort.

My main objective in this is to really get fit--and to hopefully have an easier time having babies because of it!  

If you have any tips to share I am all ears!

Life Lately

It's been a few weeks since I've posted.  Life has just been busy...  And, to be real, I wasn't feeling like blogging.  I've had a funky few weeks for varied and surprising reasons and I am not one to pretend all things are perfect when they are not.  This has been one trying year for us and at times it just can really weigh you down.  But, we had a really good and relaxing weekend and started to vibe well again (it's tough when you're always stressed to vibe).  For that I am very thankful.

So just a few life moments to share.

 

This was taken the precious weekend at my cousin's wedding!  Michael and I were dressed to the nines in threads we borrowed from Jill and Chris!  Lucky us.  Those balenciaga shoes may not of been comfy but boy did I feel cool!

 

This Pup was pretty excited to celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a BBQ at Lauren and Evans (it was so freaking delicious!!). Lauren got the pups some adorable patriotic stuff and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a photo of the two of them!

 

Hanging out in uptown with our friends Carl and Caitlin who just got a place up there!  Was super cool to walk to a rooftop bar for an after dinner drink.

Piper, Michael, and I hung out by the pool

And chilled out yesterday.  We had an easy simple day grilling at home and watching the bachelorette after dinner.  Sometimes simple is all you want.

I feel like I try to fit a TON of cleaning, errands, and organizing in on the weekends and it wears me out!  All in all it was nice and relaxing though.

Five on Friday! It's been a few weeks

I haven't had tons to post about lately but am happy to link up with Liz again for my five!

{ONE} Noda Brewery Cavu

I've become such a beer girl lately!  I spotted this at whole foods and was super psyched noda had a new brew!  It's light and perfect for summer and the can is super cute I think!  Noda Brewery is a local brewery here in Charlotte.  Their IPA "hop drop and roll" has won tons of awards and is the top rated ipa in the country.

{TWO} Piper's Patriotic Accessories 

Thanks to auntie Lauren Piper was decked out!  We had to snap a few photos of her cuteness!

{THREE} Havianas

I picked up a couple pairs at J Crew and am in love.  So comfy, so much better than old navy flip flops.  I'm ready for more colors!

{FOUR} Laughter

On a philosophical note... I've lately learned how important it is to laugh, to joke, to smile, and to feel happy around the people you choose to be with.  We all need friends that can make us laugh daily.  You find yourself becoming funnier--flirtier...it's a far better way to interact with the world.

{FIVE} feeling good

And on a similar note... I've also learned the importance of feeling good about yourself.  We all need compliments, we all need to feel attractive.  It helps us feel confident and who doesn't want to feel confident?  I had definitely forgotten how to just enjoy feeling good.  Now, from yoga, and some good influences in my life I've noticed how much it helps me.  I can be so much happier all day long now--and more energetic.  My advice is to give yourself a little attention.  Find a work out you enjoy, get your nails done, buy a new outfit.  Just don't forget yourself.

Happy Weekend!!

Five on Friday!

Happy Mother's Day weekend folks!  Linking up again with Liz for my Friday Five!  If anything I love how these posts help me remember my weeks better!

{One} being more social and mid week dinner date with my bestie Lauren!

This week I did more.  I did yoga twice, I ate out twice.  I was just more social and it rocked.  Best of all, Lauren and I grabbed dinner at a fave spot mid week at Zio!  Over wine and Italiano we chatted and had a great time (as always).  I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a great friend but boy am I so thankful.  Very few people make me feel as happy and at peace as she does--she also has a great perspective on life and gives the best advice.  Lauren, I love you like a sister!!

{Two} an unexpected sweet surprise 

This card and pedicure gift certificate was the sweetest and most unexpected surprise from the grandma of the munchkin I nanny.  I totally teared up!

{Three} Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer

This beer is seriously so refreshing and delicious!  I am completely obsessed.  It's not a girly fruity beer--it's just delicious and perfect for warmer weather!

{BBQ!!!} 

Tomorrow our friends Heather and Matt are breaking in their new backyard with a fun BBQ with a great group of friends!  I can't wait!  I'm bringing that hell or high watermelon to share with Lauren!  Just can't wait to be outside and loving life with some of my favorite people.

{Mothers Day}

I have a new appreciation for moms (especially mine) this year.

This little cutie pie has taught me a lot--and shown me how not easy the life of a mom is.  She's also a total joy and I love her like she's my own.  

Happy Friday folks!

Five on Friday: Happy May!

Linking up again with Christina and Liz for five on Friday!

-One- Golf!

The hubs scored us some club house tickets to the tournament this Saturday and I am pumped!  I haven't been since 2010 and am really looking forward to it!  It's so cool to have this event in Charlotte, and we live close by to the course so we often see the players out and about over the weekend!

-Two- LUSH

Oh my LORD!  I cannot believe this store is opening at South Park mall here in town.  I have been obsessed with LUSH for about two years and could only order it online which, was a little pricey shipping wise!  This company is super cool and fun, natural, and also cruelty free (which is why I found it originally)!  I'm right down the road (can walk to the mall) and I have a feeling I may buy out the whole store... 

-Three- Wedding Cake!

Okay, so Michael and I were very doubtful that our cake would survive a whole entire year in the freezer...but guess what it did!  It tastes just as good as it did at our wedding and we've been enjoying a small piece nightly all week!

-Four- Yoga!!

Tuesday night my friend convinced me to attempt my first yoga class.  I was nervous but excited too... I don't work out much and have been wanting to find something I enjoy.  Plus, there's a yoga studio right by my house!  The hour long class flew by and I honestly really loved it and can't wait to go back!

-Five- May!

Now that it's may it's really beginning to feel like summer!  I am excited for warm days ahead and fun summery weekends!  This month we've got two BBQs to go to plus my cousins wedding!  I can't wait.  Tonight we are headed to a cookout at our friends house and I'm ready to relax and unwind.  Happy Friday!!