What Makes You Happy?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about where I was and what I was doing this time last summer as opposed to this summer.  I ran a lot.  I was sad a lot.  I probably wrote what was my most popular post of all last summer about my split with 3 Putt.  I felt foolish.  I saw my friends a lot.  I read lots of books.  Later on, Em came to live with me.  I took my first week long vacation in years.  I've seen two jobs come and go in that time.  I have felt lots of love around me. 

It's pretty crazy how far you can come in one year.  A whole journey that even I couldn't have imagined.  And I sure tried.  Any given day try to look back and think what you were doing and where you were a year ago -- it really can freak you out.  I never would have told you that I would be here.  With a new job.  With the person I love.  With a new dog.  Stronger friendships.  New friendships.  Lots of summer rain.  Flowers on the patio that are actually still alive.  I still feel lots of love around me.  Some things don't change.  

What I really focused on this week was feeling happy.  Obviously there were things I did last summer and things I have done this summer because they have made me happy.  Some are the same and very constant.  Others are a bit different from the year before.   And I felt like they were worth listing.  And if you would care to leave a little comment on anything that makes you happy, well that would make me happy.  

walking the dogs

cooking

fresh flowers

honesty

nail polish

books

my sweet nieces (got two more after last summer!)

new beginnings

a certain tall, redhead 

laughing with my best girlfriends

a glass of red wine

a good, long run 

summer storms

~the single gal~

Weekend Recap

Happy Wednesday! I have to say, I kind of loved all the rain we got over the holiday weekend. I had Thursday off but had to work again on Friday so I basically got up for a treadmill run with The Housewife and spent the day at home.  3 Putt and I grabbed an early dinner at our favorite Mexican place and stopped by The Housewife's place to see little people and hang out for a bit later that day. 

Other than that my weekend pretty much revolved around workouts, household chores, reading, the Wimbledon finals and catching up on DVR since 3 Putt had to work most of the weekend. 

Here are some pics! 

Sleepy puppy.

Finally able to get Rocky groomed!!! 

3 Putt and #1 making America a birthday cake. 

Fresh flowers! 

Little H loves Jack Rogers, too. 

Fancy table setting for at home brunch with Em while we watched the Wimbledon final on Sunday. 

I even made dessert. And threw the leftovers away. Then the dogs got in the garbage later and ate the rest of them. 

Spoils from Homegoods for the guest room makeover. 

A little pic of the measuring Hedgies from

anthro I got Monday! 

That's all I have! Hope everyone is having a great week! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~ 

Monday Obsessions

It was kind of a big shopping week for me due to all the holiday sales. I seriously tried to resist but I just couldn't.  A few things came home with me, a few others I still have my eye on.  I have not been budget friendly lately! 

These cuties live at my house now!

Anthro Hedgehog Measuring Cups.  

You can never have too many sleeveless blouses or striped blouses...

JCrew Factory Striped Sleeveless Popover
{marked down to $45}

I have a fairly fancy wedding to go to in August. I'm thinking of my first Rent the Runway item. This Milly dress is killer, no?

What are you obsessing over?

~the single gal~

{fourth of july}

Happy Mid-Week Holiday, everyone! I don't know about you but part of being an American and "living the dream" will involve me going back to work on Friday.  But for now -- celebrations.  Whatever you like to do to celebrate your freedom know we are wishing you a safe and happy fourth! 

the single gal and the housewife

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I was making a Target run the day of the NKOTB concert and I was in desperate need of a new bottle of top coat for my at home manicures. After stocking up on some ZBars and large bottles of water to take with us to stash in our hotel room I ran through the nail polish aisle. I grabbed some Essie top coat at first but for the price obviously there was probably something a few dollars cheaper. I turned around and the Revlon was behind me. So I grabbed some top coat but also a bottle of their gel base coat. Now, nothing against Essie because I came home with a bottle of Fifth Avenue to use so chill out people. Essie rocks my socks off but I've got mouths to feed. All I can tell you is that I did another manicure with the Revlon Gel Base Coat last Wednesday and it's still on my nails for the most part with no crazy chips. Obviously the ends of my nails have really worn off because I Crossfit and wash manic amounts of dishes, bottles etc. I couldn't find a great image of this product and it was confusing me because some bottles just have "long wear enamel" and do not specify "base coat" but it appears to be the same thing. Grab some and you won't be sorry if you need to paint your nails at home like me.

Via

I know I'm late to the party on a lot of things but it's because I'm just not a shopper. I'd love to be. Trust. I just don't have a ton of time to keep up with these things right now. It's why I love having the Single Gal around to keep me in check. Most of the time I run around in workout clothes anyway.  However, I decided to order some Twistbands with some left over birthday money and also snagged her a cute three pack. I love these things. I think they are the greatest things for Moms. It means I can put my hair back when I'm playing with the twins or trying to feed them and if I actually took a shower and spent time blow drying my hair it's not a complete waste. I signed up for emails and they sent me a free shipping code. They also carry fun prints in addition to these solids.

via The Twistband

Turtle had to travel to London recently and he is always so sweet to bring us back little gifts from abroad. He picked up this book for #1.  She is so funny. She picks it up and tells me, "Mommy, I'm reading Kate and William."

via

Anything you guys are loving lately? A new pug?  Ha, ha, ha! Love you Single Gal.

The Housewife

Weekend Recap - Single Gal Edition

All in all, it was a really great weekend.  I'm having a few blues lately because as a golf pro 3 Putt's summer hours are very long and frequent.  Some days its hard for me to eat dinner at 8:30 p.m.  So, this weekend we mandated a Friday date night since 3 Putt was off fairly early.  Actually, I felt like we were in that couples rut of just saying, "Oh hey, where do you want to eat tonight" so I nixed that talk and asked 3 Putt to just plan it all out and pick me up.  We had an amazing meal on a beautiful patio at Vin 25 in Roswell.  I may have had too much wine -- but we were just having such a good time! It made my 5 mile run with The Housewife in 100% humidity very hard the next day. 

3 Putt/beautiful patio at Vin 25

Meanwhile, Hogan is still wondering why Rocky hasn't left....

In other noteworthy news, I think my hunt for an affordable maxi dress that I really love is over.  I made the executive decision to comb through TJMaxx on my way home from work Friday and it paid off.  I snagged a Walter Baker 118 printed maxi for $40 that was originally $200 (I truly did feel like a "Maxonista") and a black Jersey one for $39.99 with a racer back.  

Spoils from TJMaxx

3 Putt is the master of breakfast.  Any time he makes something involving poached eggs it turns out beautifully.  

Took the new guy to the vet.  The were in emergency surgery so we have to go back for a few things on Friday.  Also note that the reason his nails are so long is probably because he freaks out like crazy when you just look at his feet.  So...he's probably going to have to be sedated to get them clipped.   But seriously, his Bon Qui Qui nails have Got. To. Go. 

Had a happy Sunday morning! 

Monday Obsessions: Things I'm Stalking Online...

Most of you know that I have been working on a bedroom re-do since late March/April.  I kind of have a feeling this will be a year long project based on finances, time,  furniture repainting, decision making, etc.  I've come to terms with that.   I've also found that I like decorating over a longer period of time because I find things that suit my vision as a go along and don't like to rush the process (or the  budget, ha).  I think rooms turn out better that way.  

I was really pleased to get the beautiful art from The Housewife for my birthday and it kind of inspired me to get the ball rolling on a few other items.  

West Elm Gray Stripe Euro Shame $24

The big le duh item my bed needs...that 3rd Euro Sham.  Going from a queen to king size bed was a new thing for me and I didn't really do the math very well on that. And I'd obvs like to get that sucker a nice big monogram. 

Clarendon Notched Headboard in Coral Sale price $359.99

Some new hardware for my dressers/night tables. Not really all that cheap but if I keep my existing stuff probably worth the investment. 

Lee Valley Hardware

I also wouldn't mind adding a "ghost chair" somewhere in this house.  This one from Amazon seems pretty affordable, no?

Now to just paint that furniture......

~the single gal~