Monday Items and Obsessions

I'm so bummed I had to run home today after work! I actually attende my Monday night gym class 3 weeks in a row -- and now I have missed what should have been my fourth.  Matt is out of town and against my better instincts I opted not to schedule the dog walkers since he would be home at 6.  That was a great plan until he had an hour and a half delay.  Sigh.  Trust your instincts people.  Even for menial items.  Lucky for you I've scrapped the gym and Matt and I are having a quick date night now so while I wait for him you are stuck with my internet presence.  I guess your either horrified or glad about that.  

I'd really like to do some online shopping but hey -- the house needs to be pressure washed so again I say -- "Hooray Responsibility!".  But I don't really mean it.  I keep trying to wrack my brain for some really cool stuff to post here but I am in a bit of a shopping slump so I can't find much -- because I feel like I keep seeing the same things over and over and over again and by the time I want to order something I'm not even into the item.  I love a good bandwagon but lately I can't commit.  

I am, however, dreaming of one of these bracelets for wedding day and beyond. 

small sarra cuff - loren hope $58

I would also like to force the dogs into some costumes for Halloween.  But I am trying to curb what I call 'ridiculous spending'. 

But something like this may well be worth the money! 

I'm really obsessed with wanting to order Erin Gates' new book.  It's so beautiful on the outside, she seems beautiful on the inside and the outside -- it just seems like something I really need to read and display in my home. She was in Atlanta just over a week ago for a book signing at Ballard Design.  I didn't make it.  Did anyone go??? 

You can grab her book on Amazon Prime for $22.14

How was your Monday? 

~the engaged gal~

Sunday Randoms

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are all with loved ones doing something fun today! I survived my first week at work and it was nothing out of the ordinary regarding trying to get logins, sending numerous IT tickets, setting up VM, and doing online corporate training videos.  I'm trying to relax tonight before licensing class (round two) starts Monday for the full week. 2014 is still throwing curve balls at me so even though work went really well it still seems like other areas of life are lagging behind in the "wonderful news" area. Also, I need some sleep.  As such, we are keeping Sunday reads light today! 

First off -- JCrew Factory is seriously getting me this season.  I have been ordering a lot of their stuff for work and with the 50% off sale that goes through April 21st I may or may not have added some more items that are on the way here.   Sad story -- they had some striped bow pumps that were amazing but I can't even link a photo because they didn't have my size last night and I guess they are completely sold out.  BUT -- I have been searching for some metallic pumps and for 50% off I thought I could at least see if I could work these into some outfits. 

 JCrew Factory Isabelle Metallic Pumps $59.00

Here is some outfit inspiration I found on Pinterest: 

Let's also note the weird come back of pull-on shorts which I feel is very 70's.  So obviously I'm on board.  They have solid pull-on shorts for $21.00 on the JCrew Factory site through tomorrow.

Outfit inspriation: Could this be me every time I go out this summer? The printed pull-on shorts from Factory were adorable but appear to be gone now. Sads. 

Other things -- I've been binge reading YA Lit lately.  Definitely really enjoyed these two books that I got from the library this month! I'm actually dying to run back to the library to get the next in both of these series but I am making myself concentrate on studying for my license exam this next week (adult problems). 

What are you ordering/wearing/reading/ lately? 

~the single gal~

Winter Reading

I'm trying not to be fooled by these few nice days that we have had here in Georgia so I thought I would do a little reading post.  Even though they don't seem to be our most popular.  Just go with it.  I have hunkered down and really devoted myself to some seriously consistent reading the last few years (or maybe this isn't different from any other year of my life from third grade on) and just wanted to share some of my reading list! 

//the rosie project//

I absolutely adored this book about a quirky professor who essentially has Asperger's Syndrome and is looking for a wife.  It was very funny at times and also heartbreaking at times.  It's only $1.99 on your Kindle.   

//the art of fielding//

This was a bit of a different book for me.  I usually read a bunch of YA Lit and historical fiction mostly but I really enjoyed this novel.  It takes you to a small university where a young guy goes to college to become a baseball star.  Except an accident during a game derails him.  There are 5 main characters that are all affected by this accident -- mostly dudes.  It was a very masculine read for me.  It didn't have a super quick pace but I really enjoyed straying from my normal routine.  

//fangirl//

No book list of mine would be complete without some YA Lit.  I eat it up.  The books are usually excellent prices and great reads.  The genre has really come a long way since Twilight  (still a special place in my heart).  I loved this because it was about a girl who was a twin (le duh) who goes off to college and really struggles with the transition, her changing relationship with her sister and family who loses herself writing fan fiction.  I don't know a lot about fan fiction but thought the book was well done.  Plowed through most of it during what I will now refer to as The Great Sinus Infection of February.  Also note Rainbow Rowell's other acclaimed novel Eleanor and Park is only $5.00 for your Kindle right now.  

What are you guys reading while the weather is still gross?  Will winter ever end?  I feel like it won't. 

~the single gal~

What I'm Loving Wednesday {single gal edition}

I missed Monday Obsessions so I figured I'd jump in on Wednesday with the important stuff.  I'm trying not to buy all the things so I'm trying to post about real life and not wanting ALL THE THINGS but I broke down this week.  Like I do every week. 

I went to JCrew this week to return these pants (didn't hate them, but didn't love them) and ended up trying on this sweater that I'd been stalking since the fall stuff came out.  It was sold out online and they had one small in the store.  I tried it on -- I couldn't leave it.  And now I will be eating beans and rice the rest of October. 

I've also been thinking about this bracelet a lot.  {read: Christmas is coming} 

C Wonder Skull Bangle

In other news I resolved to read at least two non-fiction books before the end of the year.  If not 3.  I am currently reading The Happiness Project and while I am late to the Malcom Gladwell fan club and have never read any of his other works, I picked up Outliers this week and I am oddly really excited about it.  

What are you reading? What are you loving? We'd love to hear from you!

the single gal

Hello, Friday.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have wonderful weekend plans.  I was going through some images today that just say "weekend" to me.  

Yawns. Coffee. Eating outside. Take out & long runs. Books.  

//via//

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//via//

And, lets not forget to show all those moms out there lots of love! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Feeling Good

It's been a really good week.  With all the work stress it's been hard to say this of late.  So definitely heaving a big sigh of relief here. 

My new Sperry's came in the mail -- love my little Masters Shoes.  Now to break them in ASAP and find an outfit. Pray to the Little Baby Jesus that the weather is perfect that day. 

 I think a lot of my happiness kind of did come with shopping -- it just feels good.  I know, I know, all that shopping I wasn't supposed to do until April.  I do feel like I have been fairly responsible since January but I guess April approached and I went a little crazy.  On top of the Masters Shoes {totally needed those! Ok..maybe not..} Gilt had those awesome Red Carpet Manicure kits for $59 {regular price $79.99) so that just fell into my online shopping cart and then Lilly was on RueLaLa so I attempted an order at a new swimsuit.  Not sure I will like the suit so that may be returned but on top of my remaining bedroom items that were needed I feel like I have been on a spending spree.  

I have also been reading more which always equals happiness.  I grabbed this on Amazon -- $3.00 for the Kindle version.  It's sort of a modern day Jane Eyre.  Not bad so far for the price.  

It's been raining today but we have had a lot of sunshine lately so I will be happy with that.  Have an outdoor run under my belt for the week and plans for another run with The Housewife on Saturday -- life is as it should be I think.   If I can manage to keep up with my blogging duties for the week, rescue some dry cleaning, and make it to a Friday night with 3 Putt everything will be coming up roses. 

How is your week?

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

{bits of my week}

...realized it was dumb that I didn't think I would need a bedskirt.  New bed looks a bit janky.  Order placed.  But won't ship until mid April.  

...even though the bed skirt won't ship for a while I think I found what I want to hang over the bed. 

//both via etsy//

...i randomly wandered into Barnes and Nobel after work yesterday to find that Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog" was speaking and signing her new book that is out.  Very interesting! Her book can be found here.

...ordered some shoes to walk around in at The Masters {more on this later} with 3 Putt since Sperry's were on Ruelala this week.  please take a moment for this amazingness. 

Sperry "Biscayne" Topsider

It's been a good week.  What about y'all??

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Where I Talk About This and That and Photo Bomb You.

Well, we've made it through most of the week.  Hooray for the home stretch!  I hope y'all are having a lovely and productive week.  Just wanted to check in...and also gift y'all with some pics.  Because you care so much.  

//

I'm just going to go ahead and confess that I ate three doughnuts last week.  All in one day.  But they were cute and heart shaped and work has been tough lately.  

//

3 Putt and I went to Waffle House for Valentine's Day.  It was amazing.  Some of the locations decorate, take reservations, and have specials on the menu.  How super cute was our little Valentine's day table at Waffle House? 

JCrew Factory Winnie Twill Pants

//

In other news I faltered on my resolution to shop like never until April.  But -- I have been controlling much more spending.  And, a lot of my pants were too big since I lost a few pounds {and if I stop eating doughnuts at work} and I need something nice and not baggy to wear to work.   I was nervous to order these but they came today and I love them! 

I have also been really bad about having my phone out a lot. I certainly can work more on that.  

The bright side -- I am quite sure that my goal of paying off my credit card completely by the end of March is definitely going to happen.  Baby steps people.  I've been skipping a lot of Starbucks trips.  I have been suffering for the cause. 

//

Started reading Beautiful Creatures.  I really like it -- and probably will never see the movie.  Books are better anyway. 

//

3 Putt and I ended the week with dinner at a new place in Buckhead -- Seven Lamps Atlanta.  I loved it! I will try to take more time for a review before the end of this week.  

{that's a real couples photo, folks.  jaw-dropping. i know.} 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Remember When We Thought We Had Time for a Book Club?

I remember earlier this year when The Housewife and I thought we were going to be super on top of a book club of our own making.  It was incredibly short lived.  Not that we haven't been reading machines all year, it's just that it ended up being really hard to get 4 people together that didn't even live that close or have remotely similar schedules.  

So here's what I've been reading. But since I'm on a kick y'all leave some comments on what should come next! It's getting cold out there so other than those few days a week I may need to get out and run you will find me curled up inside by the fire as our December heat wave has suddenly disappeared here in Atlanta. 

After reading Clockwork Angel I immediately jumped the second book in Cassandra Clare's series and also read it in less than a week.  And actually after googling this cover I realized that the third one appears to be out as well.  Add some YA Literature to your life people -- John Green's The Fault in Our Stars just won fiction book of the year.  Like out of all fiction books.  That is HUGE! {how weird does that word look in all caps? just me? Ok.}

I am currently in the middle of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.  I mean, I like sci-fi YA stuff as much as anyone but I'm having a hard time getting into this one.  It's sort of like that Disney movie "How to Train Your Dragon" but not.   Maybe its because I don't have my Kindle and I've been trying to read it on my phone? I just don't love it. 

I am less than 100 pages from the end of this book that I only even started while I was traveling in NYC and read during some down time.  It. Is. So. Good.  Every time I read a book by Susanna Kearsley I am all oh-I-love-this-one-best-of-all-it-was-amazing.  I love all her stuff. Go get all her books now {if you like time travel/historical/kinda romancy books that is}.  She has similar themes for all of them but they are all very different at the same time. If that makes sense. Which it probably doesn't.  

The Housewife and I are always looking for a good book -- tell us what you are reading! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Sunday Mornings

Happy Sunday, y'all!  How is the weekend almost over? I had a fun play date/date on Friday with Rocky where we met up at the park with our dogs {Hogan and Luna} and walked and talked and let them meet and play.  Hogan was a gentleman and very well behaved just like I expected him to be but Luna is still just a puppy so I am pretty sure it wore him out just hanging out with her for 2 hours! We let them loose in a baseball field {even though I can hardly get Hogan to come back so I can put his leash on} and it was fun for me to see him just run around and play.  Sometimes I forget how fast and athletic he is even though he is a 8 year old puppy.  It made me really happy to see him stretch his legs and run and bounce around.  I'm still not sure how I feel about Rocky.  He's been trying to play hard to get with me which just results in us hardly talking because I am not going to be texting anyone to ask for a date.  I don't get him.  

 It's a blissful morning here because I am up early getting some work done while Em and Little A are sleeping in.  I love having my girls here for a weekend!!!!  Hosting is so much fun!  We've been out and about visiting The Housewife and playing with #1 and holding new babies, drinking champagne "just because", and catching up with each other.  We had a wonderful dinner last night at Canoe {review to come} with Elise but we didn't get home until 11:30 or so {which is apparently now late if you are approaching 30}.  We had "big" plans to hit Little Alley Steak in Roswell for some after dinner drinks but there was no way that was happening.  I had coffee after dinner and once we got home we all promptly went to bed.  Funny how life changes. 

This morning I'm listening to...

I also picked up another book this past week. I needed to get my head out of that Outlander series for a bit.  I've been meaning to get the prequel to Cassandra Clare's YA series City of Glass {etc} and Em was kind enough to lend me her copy of Clockwork Angel. 

And once the girls get up we will having coffee and making pumpkin pancakes. 

Grabbed this recipe off of Pinterest and it's super easy and delicious! Great for family breakfast. 

*photo from website w/ recipe*

All this just means I am one of the happiest girls in the greater Atlanta area today! 

What do you with your girlfriends when they are in town? Traditions? Breakfast fare? I want to know. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

R and R

Good morning! What a glorious week it has been! Granted, I may have been floating on a little cloud leftover from last weekend -- but I had a short work week and I am pleased to say that I have mandated a week long gym/running hiatus along with lots of rest and relaxation at home this week.  Since I am out of town this weekend my most important tasks were resting my body and being at home for as much quality time with Hogan as he can absolutely stand.  Em has been home a lot this month and I actually felt like I got to see her a good bit as well. 

Some things I have been enjoying: 

Reading! Even though my Kindle bit the dust I am still working on the 2nd book in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series Dragonfly in Amber. It's not as gripping for me as the first book, but it finally picked up a lot for me midway through.  While I really recommend the first, I'm not so sure I will send you down the 1,000+ pages of the second one.  But seriously - I sat down and read for 2 hours straight on a weeknight! This never happens.  

Long chats, pizza dinners, and wine with Em at home! We tried the Dave Matthews collab brand and it was delish! Beautiful bottle -- and my most favorite Dave Matthews song "Dreaming Tree".  

A spur of the moment trip has also been planned.  Little A asked me ages ago if I wanted to come up for her 30th birthday when she was traveling and I really wasn't sure if it was in the budget.  But now that Em is my sometimes roomie when she isn't traveling I swore that I would not shop or even get Starbucks on the reg all of November so that I could go for a super long weekend.  Also, TDH is taking me off her hands later that weekend for our own bit of time in NYC.  I figure I can live through the cold for a few days to see all the beautiful Christmas decorations, drink hot chocolate, watch Little A shop, and eat wonderful food.  It's been almost a year since I got on an airplane. It's time.  

But for now...

This weekend I am headed down to Jacksonville for the Cocktail Party.  The weather is supposed to be terrible.  And the forecast for the Dawgs ability to beat the Gators is also terrible.  This, however, does not change the fact that I will be with my wonderful friends with plenty of cold beer and at least a memory of the last time I went to Jacksonville years ago when we actually won. 

Go DAWGS!!!! 

What do y'all have planned for this weekend? 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Checking In

I find 4 day work weeks super hectic and I don't know about you guys but I am straight exhausted from Labor Day.  I kinda felt like it was the perfect amount of busy paired with the perfect amount of relaxation and that small portion of work I had to do on Saturday.  But for some reason I am SO tired.  The bright side -- tomorrow is already hump day.  Boom. 

I grabbed a few Instagrams from this weekend -- none of which are probably very good or adorable, but here you go. 

Don't worry, we had lots of beers as well as the opportunity to drink water from this
cute jug for Friday happy hour in Roswell.
Don't even play. 

Hai there. Busted out the monogrammed koozie for a fun day on the lake. 

#1 wanted to help walk Hogie so we went up to see the horses and cows
at the front of the 'Hood.

I also reunited with Elise {post-beautiful baby C!} and we had a fabulous brunch at The Tavern and perused lots of great sales at Phipps Plaza.  I resisted a lot of stuff but did grab another Elsa blouse {see prior Monday Obsessions}. Its green and oh so beautiful.  If only someone would drop a new pair of Kendra Scott earrings in my lap. Preferably these -- 

Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings in Blue Goldstone

Thank goodness for resisting sales because my car saga continues! Ugh.  Had a couple cranking/starting issues so I had the battery tested on the way home from work today and yep -- it was done for.  Goodbye to $130.  Guess it's a good thing I have no appetite these days. 

{A few other things}

Adoring my Essie Watermelon for my manicure this week.  Hard times call for pretty, colored nails. 

I may have some overrated anxiety about running into 3 Putt.  Maybe warranted. Maybe not.  But it's there.  I am not sure why.  

I am reading {Outlander by Diana Gabaldon} and I am three-hundred-thousand-percent obsessed, y'all.  I have many sleepless nights ahead this week. It's good.  It has men with red hair.  Humor me. 

I don't want to read any more tweets ever about another fashion week ever. Sars. 

Only 2 weeks until vacay!!!

*******

Hope you are all enjoying the short week! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Monday Obsessions

Go ahead and take that shocked look off your face -- almost 3 Single Gal blogs in a row.  I'm trying to come back to life and be a good blogging partner to The Housewife who has really been putting in a lot of work here lately. {Thank you Housewife!} 

First, I want to be very up front {upfront? one word? two? discuss.} about the fact that I realize I am late to the "OhMyGoshJohnGreenIsAmazingAndPerfect" YA Party.  My friend Em has been praising his genius for, well, a really long time and I just now picked up "The Fault In Our Stars" this past week.  It's about two kids with cancer.  And they fall in love. And I haven't finished but it's so beautifully written.  And I am basically scared to keep reading because I know I'll walk around the house crying for days. I can just feel it. {not that I can even say I haven't been doing a lot of that lately but whatev} Anyway, I haven't even finished it and I am obsessed.  

I am also obsessed with the mere thought of my upcoming vacation with The Housewife.  It seems like everyone on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram is all "Oh, look at my awesome view from our condo." or "Leaving for the beach all next week." Well people.  It will finally be my turn in several weeks.  I'm trying not to hate everyone already on their vacations, but it's really hard for me not to. 

So, in the meantime, I'll just have to look at beach pictures on Pinterest like these: 

One other thing -- I am ridiculously obsessed with the song "Some Nights" by Fun.  The beat makes me happy. I'm not sure why.  But I'm not questioning it, that's for sure.  It's straight up on repeat in my car for always right now. 

What is everyone reading these days? I will obviously need some more books since I will have plenty of time to read during my week long beach trip. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

PGBC

PGBC

{poor girls book club}

As soon as marathon training was over The Housewife and I got together with a few of our besties and decided that since we all love to read we might as well attempt to start a book club.  It's all part of our classy and fabulous life--aside from all the baby barf, dog barf, 40+ hour work weeks, and really just working hard to come up with any excuse to get together and drink wine. We will even Skype Little A since she is about 4 hours away {and she has probably already finished because she likes to make us all feel bad}.

The book we have selected this month is The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.  

{please note that while we are kind of far into January I haven't started yet due to my hang up with the Hunger Games series.  So, also note that The Single Gal already sucks at book club.}

I am not big for reviews and as I haven't even started the only information I can offer you is that it has 303 reviews on Amazon last time I checked and 4.5 stars out of 5.  Even though this isn't always a great indicator of a quality novel, let's just go with it for now. 

If any of you are also in a book club let us know what you are reading!  {Well, only if it's awesome.  We don't care about the crappy books you got stuck with.}  We are also taking wine recommendations as well -- also the kind of wine that costs less than $10 {and doesn't taste like crap, obvi}.  

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~