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 :) 

The Friday Five

1. Dinner and drinks with Chrissy/Pony last night! We went to Maki Fresh then made our way over to Cafe Intermezzo  (2 of our reg spots :) for champagne cocktails -

and split white chocolate covered passion fruit gelato for dessert (I ate almost all the white chocolate), it was delish! Literally right as we both took a bite we were all "MMMM!" Kickball is over for the season so we took advantage of having a free Thursday night to do something fun and girly, bocce will be starting up on Thursday nights in a couple weeks!

 2. I know I have a problem, I am addicted to taking pics of the office dogs I work with. I'm exhausted today because after Intermezzo I went home and worked very late (and then lunch today catered by Moe's BBQ didn't help either), so to get some fresh air and wake up I took sweet Bella for a walk around the office complex this afternoon -

 Hard life

Um can I help you?

Well get ready for more puppy pics because I am getting Austey tomorrow amd will have him for 5 days all to myself!!!

 3. I got a gift card for my 1 year anniversary at my job and I just ordered a Zafu meditation cushion in green from Amazon with it. I think it will really help me get into the right mindset when meditating and having quiet time. Kind of like how I cannot for the life of me workout at home I need to go to a gym, class or be outside. I'm pretty excited about it, it's filled with buckwheat hulls :)

 4. Fun things planned for this weekend and next week, tomorrow going to a concert at Park Tavern -

5/Misc. Celebrating our friend Scott's, who we affectionately call the Fancy Feast Cat, birthday next week-

And then next Friday flying to Vermont for Shana's bachelorette festivities! We're driving up to Montreal for the night and going to dinner and getting a hotel. Don't wait up, bitches!

Anyone seen the new show Gallery Girls on Bravo? I'm obsessed! I know that's shocking I'm hardly their target demographic ;)

She's the worst -

K laters!

Things of Thursday

Just a few random thoughts :) 

One of my current guilty pleasures is Make It or Break It on ABC Family, a drama about a group of girl gymnasts trying to make it to the Olympics. It's super cheesy of course but I've gotten hooked on it. I stopped watching for awhile (because of my jam packed Real Housewives and Bachelorette schedule) but when I was sick about a month ago I caught back up online. Ready for the next season!

Season 3 ended with the announcement of who made it onto the US women's gymnastics team and next season is at the London Olympics, yeah! One ABC Family show I do not like is Secret Life of the American Teenager, I just find it boring and everyone gets on my nerves. I did watch one episode of the new show Bunheads, created by the Gilmore Girl's show creator, and liked it so I'd like to catch up on that one, too. And everytime I've tried to watch Pretty Little Liars I just have no idea what's going on, so maybe I'll revisit that one next time I'm laid up sick. So much to do!

Don't trust Becky, the girl on the top left!

And yes I am aware I may be a tad older than their target audience. This is so going to be me -

A few products I've been loving -

I just love Trader Joe's. I'll be doing my weekly grocery shopping and pick up an item like lavender body spray for just a few bucks. I spritz some on my arms and legs at night to moisturize and I find the lavender scent very relaxing.

And y'all know I love anything Kiehl's, if I were to randomly win the lottery (which would never happen because I've never bought a lottery ticket and probably never will) I would buy every product they have. I especially love their olive fruit hair products, great for my hair that has a tendency to look like straw when too dry. They just came out with a leave-in hydrating cream that I picked up some samples of, of course I'm obsessed. I've been trying to use lots of leave-in conditioners on the ends of my hair to avoid having to get so much cut off when I go in for a trim. I want long, healthy shiny hair :)

Strengthening and Hydrating Hair Oil-in-Cream

And I just got some of their vanilla lip balm and it is heavenly -

Scented Lip Balm

I really want the small Clarisonic! When I got my microderm a few weeks ago the lady was telling me about it. I have some places on my face that are prone to hormonal and stress breakouts and she said it would really help. Chrissy just got the small one and her skin looks better than ever :) And you can use any kind of face wash with it, it just really gets in and cleans out your pours, so basically a mini facial every time you wash your face. I hate when I wash my face with my makeup removing cleanser and then use toner and look at the cotton ball and see there was still makeup on my face. I feel like a Clarisonic would be the equivalent to my Sonicare toothbrush, I can never imagine using a regular old toothbrush now ;)

The Clarisonic Mia

I've been trying to do some different, fun, easy up-dos. Pinterest inspired that goes without saying. Here's my hair today that really has no rhyme or reason. Will someone please teach me how to french braid my own hair? It never ends well when I try.

I went to get my passport renewed on my lunch break today (required a trip downtown, ugghh) because I am going to Montreal in 6 weeks for Shana's bachelorette festivities, holla!

Had my dad mail me my old passport, such a beautiful pic of me at 13 -

And here's taken 2 days ago at the Wal-Greens in Midtown on my lunch break looking thrilled -

Trotter update, y'all!

I am so happy that Allison has joined our team this year! Just wasn't the same without her last year. We have officially hit the ground running and are working hard on our fundraising event, the Boobie-Q on August 4th. Look for your Evite this week!

You may have noticed a flurry of online activity from me requesting donations. Same as last year each walker is required to raise a minimum amount of $2,300 in order to walk. The walk is in October but I am hoping to have my fundraising complete by mid-September. Oh here's my fundraising page :)

Just a few reasons why I am walking again this year:

1. It's a cause I truly believe in. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and I feel so honored and thankful to be a part of something that is really making a difference in putting a stop to this deadly disease.

2. Last year when we were organizing our team one of the girls came to my mind to ask if she wanted to do it. I won't say who because it's not my story to tell, but I just felt a very strong leading to reach out to her. She did it and had an amazing experience. Well barely a month or so after the walk last October her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since been through chemo treatments and is now undergoing radiation, she is doing really well. The whole family felt more adapt to being there for her because of the 3-Day. It is amazing how God works and provides for us even in the midst of unthinkable circumstances.

3. It is empowering to be out in the community raising awareness and educating ourselves and others about something that has such a real impact on our lives. We can all make a difference!

4. Our team has just about doubled in size! As well as Allison our friend Emily and some of Sheena's relatives (one who is a breast cancer survivor) joined. The Harlem Boob Trotters are bigger and better than ever!

I really appreciate all of your support!

Last year's closing ceremonies at Turner Field -

Me, Allison and Mark after the ceremony :)

A midweek pick me up

Just some random happy things!

*Sweet otters*

*A giant magnolia from my parent's yard, illuminated from the late afternoon sun*

*Mason jar goblets I bought at the Peachtree Hills Festival a few weeks ago for Tim and Shana to use at their reception, can't believe their wedding is in September, will be here before we know it!*

*This pretty sunset from my condo balcony I took when I was sick last week. It was cool because I had just finished reading that day's Jesus Calling devotion that said, I speak to you continually. My nature is to communicate, though not always in words. I fling glorious sunsets across the sky, day after day after day.*

*This tweet that Rachel tweeted to a bachelorette contestant*

*This Friday evening the Harlem Boob Trotters are meeting for our official team kickoff meeting! The original members returning are Sheena and I, but Allison gets to do it this year with us plus some more recruits from Sheena! (she will always be Resourceful Trotter)*

Her fav sign during the walk

Allison was the Trotter's #1 supporter last year!

*Homemade peanut butter cookie for an afternoon snack*

*Loving vitamin water right now, trying to cut back on the soda*

*Also loving these gummy B complex vitamins that I take after lunch for an afternoon boost*

*A reminder to -