Friday Five

It's a rainy Friday night and I'm staying in, am getting up at 6am tomorrow to run a 5K with my colleagues to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I am not begging for donations like the 3-Day but you can make a donation on my behalf that will benefit the Strong4Life program. My company built strong4life.com, lots of man hours went into the creation of it, check it out!

2 weeks since my last update so here is another Friday Five post!

The usual excuse, work! I have not had much spare time during my workday, but lots of exciting things are happening!

{1}

I got some new plants for my little balcony -

3 new plants doesn't look like a lot but it was quite the process for me!

And a new hanging dragon fly stain glass I got at the Decatur Arts Festival -

{2}

I finally got a light blue Clarisonic Mia, obsessed -

How I ever thought I was cleaning my face by rubbing face wash on it with my hands.... It's like a Sonicare toothbrush I'll never be able to not use it now!

Here's some lovely examples:

And it just feels a gazillion times better. Like last Saturday night I had been out in the Virginia Highlands for the annual Summerfest. (one of my fav festivals in Atl) Humidy + crowds + alcohol + fatty food = Ick! When I went home at the end of the night and used my Mia and put on PJ's = Ahhhh :)

{3}

George got groomed last week so of course a photo shoot was in order -

And he had his first beer over Memorial Day weekend

My little cavy is growing up! Oh but a real George update: We've started going on long walks! I had held off because of his weight and being malnourished but I've started taking him on longer and longer walks. We've even walked the belt line trail by my condo a couple times and it's 3 miles!

{4}

I'm trying to eat more fruits and veggies and just more healthy overall. I have such a sweet tooth and crave candy like gummy bears, Twizzlers and Mike&Ike's. (random I know but I love 'em) Anywhere I can get the bag your own candy I'm in heaven because there's fruity gummy candy galore. (Chrissy tells me the serve yourself candy is germy) So I *try* to counteract this craving by drinking a lot of water and eating a lot of fruit. I've started putting frozen fruit in my water, keeps water cold and then I eat the fruit, surprisingly satisfying. The Very Cherry Blend from TJ's is delish -

I've made this fruit quinoa salad twice the past couple weeks, for a family cookout and for a small group dinner. It's super easy and you can add whatever fruit you want. The recipe calls for a honey, lime and mint dressing and the second time I made it with lemon instead of lime and it turned out great. Recipes you can't mess up are best for me :)

Recipe!

{5}

 I'm getting new kitchen appliances delivered tomorrow and on Monday! My yellowing white 70's appliances are getting replaced with new stainless steel, will post before and after pics!

Friday Five

{1}

Saw Gatsby last night and loved it. Listening to the soundtrack right now, obsessive personality much? Saw it at the recently remodeled Phipp's Theater and was maybe the best movie going experience I've ever had, huge leather reclining seats and great concession and drink offerings. Safe to say it's my new fav place to watch a movie in Atl.

Aaannnd after watching Gatsby I want all of this.

{2}

A couple of my lunches this week (been a very eventful week ha)

A turkey lettuce wrap -

And catered lunch at work today, a veggie burger, pasta and salad, and I may have had a cookie too but it was so good totally worth the calories.

{3}

While talking food I have to admit my fitness has been a little lagging this past week due to having caught a stomach bug last weekend. Thankfully it was just a 24 hour bug but have wanted to play it safe and not push myself too hard when I'm feeling low energy. I've gone on a couple long walks with Georgie (he has boundless energy) and one 3 mile run this week. Nothing yesterday or today except the usual strolls with George. Tomorrow morning I'm planning on going to spin and then next week will hopefully be back to my routine of running with a couple of spin and yoga classes in the mix. 

This is what you have to go through to get into the good instructor's classes at LA Fitness spin, get in line at least 30 minutes prior to the start time and put your name on the list, how I'll be spending my Saturday morning tomorrow. I snapped this pic a couple weekends ago but never got around to doing a weekend recap post, haha.

{4}

The latest few things I've ordered from Very Jane and GroopDealz, boutique deals that are emailed daily-

I got the statement necklace to the left in white from Very Jane -

This chevron infinity scarf in blue from GroopDealz but haven't received it yet -

And these fun teardrop earrings from Very Jane that I haven't received yet either but have gotten an email saying that they're on their way!

Way too easy to shop and buy, just wish the shipping time was a little speedier.

{5}

I adopted George on February 15 so this past Wednesday I have had him 3 months :)

Pic to the left was taken by the adoption counselor at Fulton County Animal Services after I'd signed all the papers and everything was official, pic to the right was taken this past Sunday at my parent's house while celebrating Mother's Day (day after my stomach bug ick). 

Milestones in George's life over the past 3 months: Weight gain, got neutered, developed an affinity for sleeping atop plush pillows and eating chicken and rice, started going into the office to earn his keep ;), has made lots of new furry and non furry friends and of course a new home :)

Friday Five

1. Someone got neutered last week and was not pleased about it -

My boss gave me that soft cone for when her maltese was spayed and right when walking out of the vet he flicked it off, so I stopped by a pet supply store on the way home to get a new one but they didn't have any, so I cut that one and tied it to his collar with a bandana.

Not a fan of the cone, this is his "Seriously?" expression, he also gives it to me when I talk to him in a British accent -

The cone has held up relatively well until yesterday... When I got home last night his cone was still intact but missing were his sutures. The cone has gotten worn out and he managed to get to them. But it ended up being a good thing since I took him to the vet this morning and was told everything looks good since it's just a few days from when he originally was supposed to have his sutures removed. The vet tech said it looks exactly how it would look if they had taken them out. So no more cone or sutures for George! He's at the office with me today and a happy camper. He even jumped out of my cube area and sprinted to where another office cavalier, Oliver, was across the office -

He loves Oliver and this sweet 5 month old puppy Lula, who is the most calm and well behaved puppy I've ever seen -

I'm so glad he is sans cone now especially since he will be staying with one of my neighbors while I go to Tampa for a girl's beach weekend :)

2. So very excited to hop on a plane with Allison and Sheena tomorrow! Fingers crossed it doesn't rain the whole time and we can get lots of time beach time in. (under an umbrella for me and Allison of course)

Got a much needed pedi earlier this week, a new swimsuit and coverup from Target last night (yep another Target trip haha, see previous post ;) and getting a spray tan tonight :)

Xhilaration® Junior's 2-Piece Swimsuit -Peppermint

Xhilaration® Junior's Strapless Cover Up Dress

3. It's officially springtime, pretty flowers around my condo -

I wish I could get a pic of George smelling a flower :)

4. With warm weather I like making smoothies with fresh fruit and veggies to take to work, this one had frozen blueberries, spinach, kale, apple, blueberry Greek yogurt, a splash of orange juice and green tea and some Trader Joe's super green powder that is full of vitamins -

Here are lots of great recipes on my smoothie pin board :)

And the occasional milkshake splurge!

5. Springtime is my favorite time of year to do some serious cleaning and organizing, something therapeutic about it. Last weekend when George was recuperating I spent a good chunk of my Sunday organizing and cleaning out my closet. (It's the kind of chore that's painful to get started on but once you start you can't stop!) These pics aren't super impressive or blog worthy haha but I am very proud of my newly color coordinated hanging clothes and that I can now walk in my closet :)

The shoes still need some work. I got those clear plastic cases from The Container Store a couple years ago and need to add some more.

George was giving me a double "Seriously?" look as he was sitting on my bed sporting the cone and watching me wreak havoc in my bedroom by pulling everything out of my closet. I also wrestled with these wire stack-able shelves I got from Target when I first moved in and I am not being dramatic when I say this but they are possessed. They are impossible to stack. And I may have broken them in the process of trying.

Be back next week with pics from the beach :)

Friday Five

1 - I finally saw Silver Linings Playbook last Friday night and like everyone else loved it and all the actors -

Saw it at one of my fav spots to see movies, Cinebistro in Brookhaven, with some of my small group ladies -

+ Louisa's boyfriend Chad was there on a date with the 4 of us :)

2 - Today is George's first day in the office!

He's doing really well and already worn out by all the attention and new sites and smells :)

Today I have had him for 1 month!

We are working very hard on getting some weight on him, he's already gained a few lbs and needs to gain a couple more before getting neutered. He gets chicken and rice 3X's a day! Why chicken and rice you're probably wondering, well the vet recommended it for the protein and carbs and he was not loving the wet dog food, so we'll be sticking with this diet for another week or so and then transition over to kibble. I was feeding him his chicken and rice today at lunch and someone walked by and asked if he was eating chopped up onions, yes I feed my dog a big plate of raw onions.

He loves going places, can't wait until he's operating at full speed!

3 - I am beyond ready for spring, picked up a few spring clothes at where else Forever XXI last weekend -

Contras Maxi Dress

Buttoned Accent Shorts

Pointed Hem Blazer

Pointe Knit Jacket in this pink color, I never buy pink so this was a risky purchase for me :)

Ready for maxi's, flip flops and not having to wear a big coat when I take George out!

4 - George and I love watching the Bachelor and Bravo, I'm going to have serious Bachelor withdrawal as it was one of my fav guilty pleasures. I approve of Catherine who he chose and really want to ride on an elephant one day -

Those are my thoughts about that :)

5 - Some snacks I'm loving -

Louisa got me hooked on these snap pea crisps when she brought them on our small group lake weekend I ate pretty much the whole bag -

Good substitute for chips and salsa that I used to regularly buy and eat my weight in.

Trader Joe's reduced guilt brownie mix, you can make one serving in the microwave with a spoon of nonfat vanilla yogurt. I gave up desserts and candy for Lent and this has been a good go to for Sundays when I'm desperate for some chocolate. Last Sunday I indulged in cinnamon jelly beans and a Reese's egg!

On the agenda this weekend -

Read and drink coffee, my fav weekend activity

Spin class in the morning

Dinner at Loca Luna with friends

Enjoy the 70 degree weather, jog on the beltline and walk George

Put up the protective fence on my balcony railing a neighbor who moved out gave me that she used for her little dog (Anyone want to help?!)

Church

Pick up healthy groceries for the week

And of course lots of cuddle time :)