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 - 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 :) 

Motivation Monday

 It's my first Monday and full work week of the new year and am attempting a healthy start! I got my hair trimmed at Van Michael's, ran errands and stocked up on groceries yesterday. I'm going to try and bring my lunch more often that's something besides frozen food or a sandwich. Made this salad today and had 2 clementines and a handful of almonds with it -

Cheese, olives and tomatoes are my favs, I constantly crave Greek salads. I need to get creative and try some new and different veggies and sources of protein.

I eat a Luna bar for breakfast every weekday -

Did the treadmill and free weights before work this morning, morning workouts really do make all the difference, I'm much more energized throughout the day and sleep much better at night.

 I had a nice weekend, went to the Fernbank Museum for the first time and saw Les Mis, loved it! I thought I would get bored and tired (Saw a 9pm showing) but I really didn't, a couple moments when Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe's solos dragged on but I had my Sour Patch Kids to keep me occupied. Allison and I saw it together and afterwards we were splotchy and puffy eyed, went to the bathroom and just looked at each other in the mirror while washing our hands and one of us said, "That was intense." But very good I want to see it again!

And just a Monday pick me up from an email forward from a coworker -

  A dog after my own heart :-)

 

December Mega Post

Here goes cramming the last few weeks into 1 post, I won't even apologize again for my infrequent blogging, a new year will be a fresh start! 

December was filled with lots of delicious food, holiday lunch with my team at The Optimist, first time there and it was of course amazing. Banana pudding and praline beignets for dessert, a very productive afternoon followed ;-)

 Christmas party at Sheena's house!

Her adorable and delish Pinterest desserts -

 Guess who was the center of attention? :-)

Baby Austey of course!

"Get on the green!" they command him and he runs to that green mat, his tail was wagging furiously :-)

A happy hour at Noche in Brookhaven -

 Christmas cookie baking! From Pinterest recipes of course, giant ginger cookies and red velvet (I substituted white chocolate chips for dark). I broke my neighbor's electric mixer making them oops, it was super old and she wasn't mad. I got my own for Christmas :-) And Tim and Shana gave me this cupcake maker!

 Christmas presents all wrapped!

 Spent Christmas week at my parent's in Roswell, a crooked pic of our Christmas tree, I may have had too much wine at dinner haha, another oops.

Speaking of wine I have a new fav that Shana recommended, Vinho Verde, it's like 10 bucks and has a little fizz and is dry and not at all sweet. (Sweet wine makes me sick) I picked up a bottle for New Year's.

 Tim and Shana's first Christmas being married :-)

 All the Bentley siblings :-)

 I'd say this accurately sums up how a chunk of my time was spent last week -

Tim went out and got us Starbucks every morning he was there, married life is suiting him well ;-) I'm still reading the second installment in the Discovery of Witches series, it's really good but very long and dense so taking me awhile to get through.

We did venture out some, we always find ourselves at the Taco Mac down the road every time Tim and Chris visit -

Chris was over it ;-)

Tim's friend Josh looking like a random guy at another table who was not invited to be in our pic, haha

Then "Tana" (Tim and Shana's celeb couple name) headed back to Vermont that night, the weather was very different up there -

Jake's leg is shaved because he recently had surgery for a tumor but he is doing really well and should be just fine!

Chris and I saw the movie Django Unchained that night, it was good but definitely don't see it if lots of blood and violence bothers you. I wanted to see Les Mis :-/ I still haven't seen it someone see it with me please!

The next day Chris said he wanted to go into the city and see some areas he hadn't been to before, unfortunately Atl isn't super walker friendly like NYC but we drove in and made a day of it. We had brunch at the Highland Bakery, then walked around and stopped in some of the stores in the Little 5 Points neighborhood (I bought these TOMS, just classic I've wanted a pair for a long time :-) then went to Paris on Ponce, a giant antique and flee market.

No caption needed and don't worry my mouth wasn't actually touching it

My dad and I bought stuff there but Chris got bored after about 15 minutes which is weird because he just LOVES to shop ;-) Next stop was Piedmont Park, Chris and my dad's first time there.

 It was a cold but clear and sunny day.

We finished the day with SweetWaters at Smith's Olde Bar before heading back to Roswell. The only stop we missed that would have made it a more touristy Atl day was the Clairmont Lounge ;-) Um did anyone see the latest RHOA episode where they went there? I was really surprised they allowed them to film, I've heard cameras are strictly forbidden in there.

The next day Chris flew home (Kenneth from 30 Rock was on his flight) and my dad and I went on a hike up the Amicalola Falls, it is about an hour north of Roswell -

 

 I was sore the next day from climbing up those falls, don't know how all the little kids and dogs I saw there did it!