{House} Coming Together.

Thank you to an unexpected gathering at our house this past Weekend- heavy duty cleaning & last minute unpacking was upon us.

I have a Husband who enjoys a clean (de-cootied) Home- and he helps with making it that way.  We spent lots of time vacuuming, organizing- and my specialty, decorating a bit.

Basically, our house isn't where we want it to be. Not with the furniture. Not with the artwork, rugs, or paint colors. But for now, we're working with what we've got.

Here are a few pictures of our House, mostly unpacked! (Excluding bathrooms & guest rooms)

Don't like the curtains or the wall color- and we hope to eventually get new night stands & all matching (white) furniture.....and an actual bed. :)

This is my little nook of the room. I rather enjoy it. Sadly, I still have lots of makeup/beauty organizing to do. That mirror used to be black! (Good thing there isn't a close up picture- it looks pretty....rough when you give it a good look, ha!)

This is looking into the living room from the entry way of the House. Eventually, we want to get all white furniture (again) & also Gray sofas/accent chairs. And a new rug!

I rather like the dining area. But of course, white is our hopeful theme for the future. I also need a good centerpiece for the table, huh?!

We want to get rid of the rug & the chair. And the coffee table. And the end tables. :) But for now, it'll do!

I want this area to be a cozy little cubby. The artwork is one of my favorite- although there is a glare, it's two cats sitting on a shelf of books, gazing out a window. Lamp is from IKEA.

I need something for the entryway instead of two stools, fake flowers, books...and a Cat. :)
Notice everything is brown in yellow, as far as wall colors. I'm DYING to change them to blues & grays.



Stay tuned for further Home updates as they come :)
I'd love ideas & suggestions too!

CLUB 25

Hello Friends.
It's Monday. And despite the fact that I'm not going into work today, I can still feel it a bit.

I survived turning 25 on Saturday!
I'm sure it's because my Husband did an amazing job at making the day full, fun & special.

Here's a photo overload of the Day.

Kyle woke me up with a sweet letter & a Sephora gift card. (He knows me so well! Although my Mom insists he's just helping my makeup addiction!)

Then of course, Starbucks was involved. I got my favorite Bacon Gouda Sandwich & a Grande Iced Caramel Latte. It was...superb. :)

     I made "VIB" status at Sephora, heck yes! Although, I can't really disclose any information. You know, VIB members only.... ;-)

K then took me to Barnes & Noble- I picked out French Caramels, English Tea & a Hardcover Ann of Green Gables book.

He drove me to Munson's Chocolate next- where we picked up everything from Dark Chocolate Apricots to Coconut Truffles.

We went to Lunch at a place in Woodbury, CT called "The Good News Cafe". (Check out the link HERE )

The Food was very good & really not too expensive. (Although I suppose we did go at Lunchtime)

K got a "Zee Burger" with some "Freaky Dog" Cream Soda & I had some Italian Wine (that I can't pronounce.) & Lobster/Spinach Penne with Smoked Gouda & Truffle Oil.  It was really good & the portions were perfect!

The Day ended with a Movie, Ice Cream Cake & 5 to Midnight, some beautiful earrings :)



Return of..

Dear Friday,
You're my first day off of 2 weeks. Amen!

Dear Pip,
Potty OUTside.

Dear Starbucks,
Thank you for your much needed boost.

Dear Glasses,
Thanks for helping cover up the no makeup thing I have going on today.

Dear Birthday,
Be gentle tomorrow. I'm nervous about 25.

Dear Snow,
Melt.

Dear Brakes,
Please stop squealing. It's highly embarrassing.

Pip Pip Hooray! (Part 2)

Well, around 4 PM yesterday we brought home our little girl, Pip.

She both barked & tried nipping our fingers at first... (to which her foster Mom replied, "Oh she's never done that before!" .... Riiiiight.)

It took a while to get her into our car, she kept trying to bite us. But once in the car, she sat comfortably next to me.
Her, with her bad breath & herbal smelling shampoo.

The first thing 007 did when Pip came inside our House- was walk directly up to her and sniff her face. Pip growled.
Moneypenny stayed at a safe distance but followed Pip around.

Pip has had about 7 "accidents" in the house, so far.
She isn't a fan of toys or dry food. But she loves wet food.

... She's stopped nipping at us and she lets us pet her with ease now. She's not growling at the cats *as* much and she sleeps comfortably through the night on an old comforter.

I'll admit, this has been much harder than I thought it would be.
I've already had two small breakdowns over it. (Thank goodness for phone calls with my Mom!)
I don't want to let her down- she was found as a stray in NYC & also rescued from a high-kill shelter. I feel like she deserves to spend the rest of her life in a firelight home, completely with cuddles & treats.

Wish us luck as we continue to on this journey. :)

Pip Pip Hooray!

Good Morning!

Despite feeling under the weather today, I've decided not to let it spoil anything.

I've been drinking tea for the past Week now, and I've been loving it.
For those of you who have been following along for a bit know- this is a big deal for me!

I've been liking Twinnings Black Tea with a bit of milk & sugar. 
It hits the right nerve to satisfy my "hot drink" need.






On Saturday Kyle asked me what I wanted to do that Evening after he got off from Work. I texted him a list, including "Adopt a doggy". 

With much searching & nearly 20 emails later- we're ready to bring home our first Dog today!
I'm still in awe of the idea & honestly, super nervous. Our Cats, Moneypenny & 007, haven't really been exposed to Dogs much.

The Dog's Name is, Pip.
While we'd like to come up with our own name, being that she's 10 years old, we want to leave her name be.
She's Black, "peppered" with some gray & white patches.
She's a Terrier/Dachshund mix.

We actually haven't met her, but her Foster Mom tells us that she's exactly what we're describing would suit us.  A happy, laid-back sweetie.

Wish us luck!
Come 3 PM, we'll be a Family of 5 :)

You Know What Day It Is.

Happiest Valentine's Day to you all! :)

Hope you're having a good day wherever you are & are celebrating love.

Last Year, Kyle took me to an extremely fancy French Restaurant. It was awesome & an experience for us both. We tried escargot!
This Year though, after moving recently, I just wanted a low key evening. I told Kyle I'd be down for Chinese take out & a movie :)

I also thought it would be fun to plan the Day- together.
I mean, I don't know anyone who does that & the day IS about both of us.

The idea hasn't grown on him entirely yet, but I'm working on it. I think it'd be fun!

I'm becoming more accustomed with homemade Valentines gifts. Luckily, I've been blessed with a Husband who (seems to) appreciate them.
This year, it's three letters sealed with a kiss & a jar full of reasons why I love him.

I'm not sure what tonight will hold- but I'm excited! I'm happy to have my forever Valentine for another Year.

Finding "Nemo"

Of course you've heard about the Nemo Blizzard that has tromped all over the East Coast- so I've decided to share a few of my personal photos with you.

 

I really didn't think the Storm was going to be worth all the hype it was receiving. I've lost a little faith in the weather predictions- they're wrong quite a bit.

 

 

But, as I drove home around Noon on Friday the 9th- I quickly saw that this was going to be some kind of a doozy. The roads were already slick & had a few inches of white powder.

 

 

The idea of being snowed in with my Husband is a cheap thrill for me :) So I didn't mind the prospect of a power outage (Which we were only out for about 45 minutes) or not being able to leave our cozy home.

 

We ended up with about 3 feet of snow- 5 or so feet at the front of our driveway- thanks to the plows.

Most of the plowed roads were only wide enough for one vehicle to pass through- if the road was plowed at all!  We drove over to where our apartment had been & discovered that none of the roads leading to it- were plowed.

People were literally walking in knee deep snow to grocery stores and any open restaurants. It was a little surreal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today there are lots of business still closed, roads yet to be plowed & it's raining and super foggy.

I've heard rumors about snow on Thursday...buh.

Tomorrow, I head back to work.

Wish me luck!

 

Wintery Moisture

(A little fireplace time is pretty nice for cold Winter nights too...)

 

This Winter has been especially hard on my skin- that, and something about the air at our new place has been drying up my face, hands & lips like nobody's business!

My go-to products this Winter have been, L'Occitane Hand Cream, Josie Maran's Argan Lip Treatment , and recently, the Intense Moisture Cream by The Body Shop.

I don't know that I would recommend the hand cream if you have extremely dry hands- mine are just dryer than normal & the cream is light enough to do the trick but not make me feel slimy.

Josie Maran Lip Treatment has been amazing. I use it in the Morning & again just before Bed. It makes my lips near flawless- or at least I feel that's the way they look!
A subtle scent, non-sticky, and packed with moisture.
The cute little jar doesn't hurt to make it even more appealing, right?!

The Intense Moisture Cream is more of a body butter texture to me- which I like- because unlike my hands- my face gets incredibly dry, so I need something thick & powerful.  I've only been using it a week now, but it's been great so far.


Also, Valentine's Day is coming up!
Make your plans!

---------->

I had to share this tid bit of a text between Hubs & I today. Too funny.

Something New & An Award

This Week I'm doing something totally unfamiliar to me- a body cleanse.

I saw it on Pinterest a few weeks ago & after reading about it, I knew it was something I could definitely handle if I stayed motivated.

So while Grocery Shopping for this coming Week, I picked out more fresh deliciousness than I have in Years, honestly. 

 

I'll keep you updated on how it all works out- I'm supposed to lose 10 or so pounds. If I lose even 5, I'll be happy.

Wish me luck!

Also, I was nominated for a Leibster Award, one of many- although I typically don't follow through with doing them, admittedly.

But, a sweet college Friend, Sarah from "Representin' " tagged me & I feel I need to respond :) She doesn't blog daily, and sometimes not weekly- but when she does, it's totally worth it. She's a Military Wife, a Mom, and she has the best sense of humor. 

I think most of you know the rules, list 11 random facts about yourself. Answer the 11 questions asked of you. Come up with 11 of your own questions to ask. Tag 11 Blog Friends with 200 or less followers.

Facts

1) I love burnt foods. Meat, Popcorn, Chips, Cheese on Pasta.

2) I have a weird shaped head. I never look good in hats.

3) I could take pictures of my brand new fireplace all day. "Cat in front of Fireplace". "Self portrait in front of Fireplace". "Fireplace alone."

4) I hate the words, Skull, Flesh, and Goober to name a few.

5) Having the light on above the Stove at night is a comfort to me.

6) I currently have 4 facial cleansers in the Shower.

7) My Tall Husband in the Low Ceiling Basement gives me anxiety attacks.

8) A dream vacation would include Ireland

9) If Facebook Stalking was a career, I'd be able to say I'd found my niche.

10) My all time Favorite Movie is, You've Got Mail.

11) I'm not entirely sure I want to have kids. (This fact still surprises me.)

Questions for Me

     1. What are you last 5 Google Searches?

How to use the ThermaScan

English Rhymes

Amici's Restaurant Menu

Painting Tips

Cat Colds

2. What is your first memory?

Having diaper rash cream applied when I was two or three. Awful.

3. What is one decision you have made that you will never regret? Marrying Kyle. Duh!
4. What's one thing you would try if you knew for sure you'd be great at it? Uh...being President?
5. "The Notebook". Yes or No? Mmm...on MOST days, No.
6. What would you do if you had $1 million, but only an hour to spend it? What wouldn't I do?
7. What is your dream job? Traveling Journalist
8. Do you believe in "love at first sight"? Not really. Hotness at first sight, yes.
9. What did you want to grow up to be when you were a kid? A Mom.
10. If you could change one thing about your wedding day, what would it be? Oh boy. My dress. Among other things.

11. What is your idea of the perfect vacation? Chilly weather, no itinerary, and my Hubs.




 


Questions for Nominees

1) If you could revisit an Age- which Age would you choose & why?

2) How much time do you spend daily Facebook Stalking?

3) Favorite beauty brand currently?

4) How much money would have to be offered for you to eat a hard boiled egg dipped in mayo and cottage cheese, with a pinch of cayenne?

5) Your worst habit?

6) What's your secret haircut/style obsession?

Blog Nominees

Cheater Cheater, Pumpkin Eater.

 

I'm only going to nominate a few people who immediately come to mind. :)

 

 

Cara @ Two Golden Spoons

Jillian @ Faith That Laughs

Kayla @ Olson's Orbit

Alisha @ Mommy Miller Thoughts

Rachel @ Toast and Tea