{cheers to 2014}

How cute is this printable?  If only I were crafty! 

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Happy New Year readers! I hope you all have great plans -- even if that involves staying in away from the crowds.  3 Putt and I are stopping by a friend's house and then probably coming home in time to be in some pjs to watch the ball drop.  Y'all know I don't love staying up late.   

I re-read my post from January last year regarding my resolutions -- I think I did pretty well.  Shopping better didn't go as I had hoped and not being super attached to my iPhone was a big failure.  But I did read some non fiction, I feel like I have worked on being more patient and I can't wait to set more goals for 2014.   

Resolutions aside, I have to say that this year has been the biggest surprise.  Seriously -- it was so much better than I could have even imagined.  Thanks for reading, commenting, and just being awesome for another year!  The Housewife and I are looking forward to sharing many more moments with y'all. 

Monday Obsessions {the daily page notepad}

True to form I still haven't gone to get my planner for 2014.  But I'm just now unwinding from the holiday fuss and trying to get my house in order. What is it about Christmas day that makes everything explode?  We are lucky the toilets are clean around here and that we are keeping most dishes out of the sink.  I finally made it back to the gym last Friday. 

What does this all mean? We are getting back to our normal programming here on the blog.  And speaking of organizing -- I just ordered what may be the most exciting notepad ever.   While I found this via Pinterest it appears that this awesome girl from the blog Thyme is Honey makes what she calls The Daily Page Notepad.  A sheet that keeps up with your exercise, water consumption, chore list, etc.   I literally did not even hesitate to put in an order.  I cannot wait to get this in the mail! I ordered a 2 pack -- with shipping it was $28.50.  The link provided will send you to her Etsy shop and you can choose different options such as purchasing a download of the form as well -- which I also love.  

//image via Thyme and Honey//

Christmas Pictures

Well it's almost time to gear up for the new year. Thought I would share a few Christmas pictures today! Some are instagrams, some are not.  Some are good and some are just goofy.  

-the single gal- 

Merry Christmas!

I've been sitting here this morning thinking of all the blessings that found me in 2013.  I will definitely be sad to see this year go.  I've been up for a while and will be in the kitchen today and cleaning up a bit around the house before heading to The Housewife's later this afternoon.  We always do Christmas Eve with Mom and will head out to Dad's sometime tomorrow for lunch.  I hope you are all with your loved ones near and far in some special way today/tomorrow.  

Merry Christmas! 

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'Tis the Season For...

...making what seems like a million trips to the grocery store.  Only to get in the car and remember  you forgot something yet again. 

...getting your butt up early to avoid crowds (except The Housewife and I notoriously roll this way all year). 

...fitting 25 people + a small poodle in your Grandmother's house for Christmas. 

...religiously checking the doorstep for packages and the mailbox for Christmas cards. 

...taking some R&R from work

...attending all those Christmas parties every weekend!

...watching "Home Alone" and "Christmas Vacation" as much as possible. 

...remembering to water the Christmas tree.

...trying to figure out what to buy all those kids in the family (I never know). 

...trying not to eat every Christmas cookie or treat that you come in contact with. 

...pretty bows and wrapping paper.

...finding that perfect gift for someone.

...laughing with your girlfriends.

...looking towards a new year. 

Best wishes, 

The Single Gal and The Housewife

Saturday

In my dreams I'd be all -- look at my picture of me being all cozy with my coffee on a Saturday in December.  But, it's unseasonable warm, I ran 4 miles in a misty not-quite-rain with The Housewife this morning and made a trip to the grocery store sans makeup wearing some leggings that definitely could not pass as pants.  Some days you just pray you don't see anyone you know. 

I was super proud of my millionth trip to the grocery store because I swore I would be so happy I already went when Monday came and I didn't have to go anywhere.  Totally forgot a key ingredient to one of my recipes.  So I will definitely be at Publix on Monday.  Fail.  

At least all of the gifts are wrapped and ready to go except for one.  And imma drink a big cup o' coffee to pep up for my girls Christmas party tonight and pray I'm not hungover for Christmas at Grandmother's tomorrow. 

How is your Saturday shaping up? 

~the single gal~

Friday Five

1. I'm really grateful for some unplanned time off this holiday season since we are a bit slow at the office.  I don't have to go back to work until Thursday next week! Hoping to find lots of projects to occupy my time with because seriously I am no good at relaxing.  

2. Trying two new recipes for Sunday Christmas gathering with extended family! I tried to find a jazzed up green bean recipe because I think green beans are the only veggie 3 Putt likes and I'm making a fancy brussels sprouts salad that probably only the females in the fam will even try.  Links below to the pins where I found the recipes!

Green Bean Salad with Walnuts, Fennel, & Goat Cheese

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Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad with Creamy Shallot Dressing

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3.  I saw that PIPM recently reviewed some African Black Soap and I finally found some at Wal-Mart so I can try it! I heard it really helps with bumps and is an effective make-up remover.  The bar was just under $5! I promise to report back. 

4.  I have had such a fun time reflecting on 2013 lately as it is drawing to a close.  Lots of changes.  Lots of surprises.  Lots of potential for 2014.  Got a lot accomplished and looking forward to goal setting for the new year. 

5.  I'm sending up prayers to the sleep Gods for The Housewife.  Her children are not napping and I can't seem to see her and she can't blog.  Y'all join in. I know we all want to hear from her! 

Happy Friday! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

~the single gal~

Christmas Chaos

Well - I feel like I have been completely behind on Christmas this year! I did really well with getting the tree up and I did get some gifts wrapped. But I am lost in recipes for family dinners, stocking stuffers, have failed big time with my Christmas budget and still trying with the plane ticket search for our February trip.  

Soooo many things. The house is also a mess. I have dry cleaning I need to pick up and more to drop. 3 Putt and I found a flight with an extensive layover in Paris and wanted to have breakfast and walk around but now the flight has disappeared. Let's hope I can make use of my Paris Ideas Post-It! 

But this has been a year full of blessings and I am sure my fam won't be sad that I can't afford to buy them all the things I would want. And I also have some surprise vacation days because the office is a bit slow right now. 

How are you all faring with the December 24th cutoff date?! 

Did I use "faring" right? I'm phone blogging. 

-the single gal-

Friday Five

1. So...I got my H&M camel coat in the mail! It fit -- which was obvs step one. BUT I was really sad it didn't have any pockets. Even though I was impressed with the weight/cut/color, etc of the jacket I mailed it back.  I've been trying to only keep things I love and figured with Christmas coming the money was better spent on something else like a gift. I also feel certain I can still get a coat deal after Christmas. 

2. I'm off to SAV this weekend to visit Little A. I happened to look at the calendar and actually had an open weekend. It will be nice to see some warmer temps and have a break from walking the dogs I think. 

3. I'm still feeling super excited for Christmas.  Kind of a new thing for me. 

4. If you need me anytime soon 3 Putt and I will probably be logging copious amounts of time online combing through flights trying to find a decent cost for our trip.  

5. Happy Weekend lovely readers! Thanks so much for stopping by our little blog! We adore you. 

-the single gal- 

Lately <photo dump>

I'm real tired of my hair. Trying th middle part. I know you care. 

Thanksgiving pic with 3 Putt. He's so cute. Even if he does only drink imported beer. 

Holding babies. I do like it sometimes! 

More babies. 

Being festive this year. It's so nice! 

Let's take a real dramatic pause for this incredible dessert bar from my Aunt's amazing Christmas party! Apple pie on a stick? I will have them all. 

Also just one of her beautiful trees! 

Sister selfie. Can you guys tell which shirt is my fave lately? 

Now that it's cold black jeggings and camo loafs are in heavy rotation! 

Happy Thursday! We are almost to the weekend! Yay! 

-the single gal-

Sending Love to My Single Gals During the Holidays

I've been thinking a lot about where I was last year around Thanksgiving/Christmas.  And by "where I was" I really mean where I was emotionally.  Because we all know my broken-hearted self had been spending all my nights on my sofa with Emily making her eat Domino's with me and watching a lot of Downton Abbey on DVR for months.  Or I may have been watching "The Holiday" and "You've Got Mail" on repeat (I mean, do those ever get old? I think not.).  Let's not forget the Great Sinus Infection (and ear infection) over Christmas of 2012.  I wasn't suicidal or anything but good Lord I was tired of the whole damn Universe from Thanksgiving onward.  

What I'm saying is...all my single gal pals {and guys, too I suppose} -- I know how freaking hard it is to be single during the holidays.  It's not that I don't have my wonderful and loving family every year.  I love that and it's awesome.  But at the end of they day they all kind of have their own people, The Housewife is building new traditions with her own family and spending time with her in-laws, etc.  We do a lot of stuff in my family prior to Christmas Day so by that time the last few years I just felt downright glum and sorry for myself by Christmas Day.   And then you get to countdown to the New Year.  You know -- that year that's supposed to be "your year" and "all about you".  But then there is that nagging fear it won't be all that different?  

I have all those fears, too.  This year has been completely different from the past few years so far and I know that I am very lucky to be where I am.  I am very happy this year.  Actually,  I feel like I really earned a damn holiday season of happies.  So I'm taking it all in.  

But all my loves out there -- call if you need a friend, a glass bottle of wine, or anything at all.  I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases.  And I know 2014 will be your year. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

A Mens Gift Guide. Or Just the Housewife's Husband's Gift List.

 Anyone else have the hardest time buying for their spouse/significant other? I do. Turtle returns practically everything he is given, doesn't like giving a list out or can't think of anything he wants. This may not help many of you but I will try to give you some of the Turtle's Christmas Wish List. 

1. Google Chromecast 

I may not be the best person to tell you what this is, exactly, but put it on the list as similar to apple TV but more easily portable? I can't get Amazon to open up and let me read about it (probably a personal computer problem and less Amazon problem.)

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2. Membership to Dollar Shave Club

Turtle used to complain and complain about the cost of razors all the time and how crummy they were. He joined the Dollar Shave Club earlier this year and loves it. He has the $6 a month blades. You can gift someone a membership. I have no discount code or anything useful except that he loves it and I'm always about a useful gift. 

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3. Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband

I actually think this is pretty cool and you can get these in pink ladies (pink for you not pink for your guys....or whatever floats your boat.) It tracks your activity/calories burned, your sleep and you can set goals for yourself and you can see how you are doing in meeting those goals. Also wakes you with a silent alarm. I always thought me wearing one of these would be interesting, especially when the twins were 0-5 months old. It would have been super interesting to view how much sleep I was actually getting. Now I just want one because I never sit down very much. This version is $99 but they have a different one that does more for $125. These are similar to the Jawbone Up too.

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4. Manzella Men's Vapor Glove in Black/Yellow

For the runner in your life. Turtle picked these out. He said he needs new gloves. Nice gift under $25. 

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5. Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

For the big spender and non-iPhone user. Turtle may upgrade to the Galaxy Phone and really wants this if he does. That whole new smartphone need smartwatch thing? Men. Why are we the complicated ones again? Or they don't understand needing new shoes to go with that new outfit? 

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Happy Shopping! Did this help anyone? Anyone have any more decent suggestions?

The Housewife

monday obsessions {two sweaters you need}

I've been searching high and low for the perfect cream cable knit sweater. Totally drooling over ones at JCrew and even some other more expensive versions.  Obviously I haven't been buying any of those.  I keep telling myself I'm going to blog about something more substantial that what I bought or want to buy but I really wanted to take a minute to spread some love to the two sweaters I ordered from Old Navy online. 

Old Navy Cable Knit Sweater $28.95

I think I would have hated this sweater had I not been online and opted to order it in the "tall" size.  I am almost 5'8 and I hate when sweaters ride up my midsection.  So, if you err on the tall side you may want to consider that option.  I was able to get the sweater for $15 but I truly would highly recommend this sweater. I was really pleasantly surprised with the weight and quality. 

Old Navy Mock Turtleneck Sweater $29.00 (on sale from $39)

The Housewife is a little weirded out by the mock turtleneck I think but I got the tall in this sweater too and aside from the arms being a bit too long it has a very ski chalet/tunic look to it.  I got it on sale Black Friday so it was only $20.  I definitely like it too much to send back even if I just wear it to the grocery store with leggings and around the house.  

{don't forget that all opinions are our own. we have like 20 followers so ain't nobody got time to send us free shit.} 

{have you noticed how "ain't nobody got time" is my new favorite phrase?}

~the single gal~

Friday Five

1. The rain needs to go away. It's only Friday morning and let's just say that between coming back to work from the holiday and trying to walk dogs/commute in this mess life has been sort of...unbearable. 

2. We managed to blog all week. High five to us. 

3. I had to get a tire looked at that had a leak in it yesterday. Not a bad car issue...but still another car issue. You can imagine my joy when the my patched the hole in my tire, and also rotated and balanced all of my tires for FREE. 

4. Somehow I managed to lock one of my file drawers that held my breakfast/headache meds/cough drops and other random things I need to survive at work. So yeah there's that. Not sure where a key would be...

5. Great news though -- if I can get through today it should be a fabulous weekend! Lots of holiday parties, birthday celebrations, etc! Happy Friday! 

-the single gal-

Housewife Photo Dump

how about a housewife photo dump because I cut my left index finger on a rotary blade? Check out some more pictures from our family session and this first one is an instagram I posted and tagged Henri Bendel and they totally re-grammed me! I was dying on Saturday. 2 seconds of minor fame. 

#1 with my Henri Bendel Snow Globes 

my sweet Hadley

all photos c/o Abby Hennington








hope everyone is getting in the spirit this week! #1 is actually taking her December nap right now but of course the twins are being brats and cut their nap short especially for me. we also had our 2nd annual black friday trip to the pediatrician and #1 is recovering from an ear infection and blister in her ear.


be merry
the housewife

Mid Week Round Up

Well, I had been really good on the no shopping thing but Black Friday and Cyber Monday did get me a little.  Dropped $45 online with Old Navy and finally found a decent camel coat thanks to a tweet from The Love List's Jess Graves for Cyber Monday where H&M was having 40% off.  In my dreams I ordered another beautiful coat from JCrew also...but that is not to be. (I mean really! The cost of some of them could get me halfway to Europe.) 

Meet my new frand (well, frand that hasn't shipped yet). Regular price $79.95 with 40% off and I think free shipping.  It was probably the best deal  I would find on a camel coat and I got too scared to wait until after Christmas.  Let's hope it fits.  Sometimes I worry they run a bit small.  Don't let me be broken hearted next week when it arrives, Little Baby Jesus. 

coat found here

I think I made a successful pot roast...I loosely went with this recipe from Martha Stewart on Sunday and had some pretty good results.  Confession, I pretty much used a ton of wine with a little water because I forgot to buy chicken stock and ain't nobody got time to go back to the store after you have already been.  I also skipped the onion and used lots of rosemary.  Do with that what you will. 

I also finally took the time to upload some photos and order them form Shutterfly.  I've been shameful about sending off pics of me and 3 Putt, me and The Housewife, my mom, me and my little sis on her wedding day, etc.  It was time.  Most of my pictures are pretty outdated that I have floating around the house.  

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I did embrace my small Christmas tree on a table idea.  Working on this post.  Maybe I get The Housewife to bring her fancy camera over here. 

Hope you aren't all getting dragged through the mud at work like I am this week.  Le sigh. It always happens after a long holiday weekend.  We are almost there! 

~the single gal~

Looking To 2014 { the planner post}

It's that time of year again.  My yearly planner is looking really rough right about now.  I should really get on top of ordering a new one.  I'm pretty picky about planners, but I feel like a few finite rules will guide me to the next one.  

1. Don't be cray expensive

2. Don't be 3000 pages long  I just need a brief overview of life. 

3. Be pretty. 

I only found about 3 so far that I would want to purchase.  I'm shying away from the Erin Condren planner.  It just seems like a lot.  I need some simplicity.  And I don't need cute stickers to put in my calendar. I'm a grown woman.  Not a 2 year old.  But if you like stickers please indulge. They are just not for me. 

Exhibit A is a planner from Mochi Things. I thought mochi was just something you put on froyo but I stand corrected.  On sale for $26.57 this planner offers a monthly view and some very neat extras including a pouch in the back, a band to put around the planner and a yearly view as well as monthly.  I'm a fan so far. 

Exhibit B - Kate Spade 17 month planner.  Found here for $36.  It's kind of at the top of my price range but it's a 17 month planner so Kate gets a pass. I've had one of her planners before and I did really like it.  Except that there isn't one that is monthly only.  So you get weeks with this one, if that's your thing. 

Exhibit C - The Lilly Pulitzer Monthly agenda.  I really loved mine.  I will say that the little band that is supposed to hold it all together broke in like 2 days.  But maybe I was overly excited.  The monthly planners are out of stock on the Lilly website but can be found at Lifeguard Press for $18.00.  

Happy planning! 

~the single gal~

Monday Obsessions {small Christmas}

In the spirit of  my small wallet and a small Christmas that is filled with lots of love and wine I was actually thinking to get a real tree this year.  It's my first real official Christmas with 3 Putt so I thought it would be a really fun trip for us (maybe even trying to take the dogs, too) and fun to have a night to decorate.  In the spirit of not spending a ton, I thought we could get a baby tree and put it on my downstairs desk or bookshelf.  

I have seen a ton of cute ideas on Pinterest.  

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In other Christmas decorating news Target is killing it this year with their Holiday items.  

I do kinda like snow globes this time of year.  A lot of these aren't sold online but just in stores. I think they are $12-$14.99. 

An antler candle holder? What more could The Single Gal want for the price of $14.99?! Actually they have a whole Stag Head collection.  It's like early Christmas. 

Throw Pillow.  Just too cute. 

$24.00

What are you doing to spruce up the house this holiday season? 

~the single gal~