Sweet Mandy

Today my dog Mandy passed away. To write that sentence feels like a nightmare, but I know that it’s reality. She was 9 years young and taken away far too soon. I’m sure God has big plans for her and that’s why she left. It feels like a family member is gone and my house seems empty.

I’ll never forget the day we adopted Mandy for her previous owner. Her last words to Mandy were, “Have a good 2nd half of your life”. I know we’ve given her the best life possible and that Chase was her best buddy. She’s been around since he was only 4 months old and that’s all he’s ever known. We often called her “Princess Mandy”, because we’d never seen a dog that loved being pampered or dressed up as much as her. She loved attention and would go to anyone willing to give it to her. She was a special dog with a loving heart. I’ll never forget our sweet girl.

I’ll leave with my favorite dog quote that says it all..

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."
― John Grogan

Golden Globes 2012 - Red Carpet

This year the red carpet was impressive with the colors of the night being blush and navy. Most of the stars wore gowns that suited them perfectly and this is one of the first times I’ve had trouble narrowing down my favorites.

Here are the best and worst of the night (according to me):

Best Dressed:

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

This was by far my favorite gown of the night. From the blush color that suits her skin tone perfectly to the fit and style. She was stunning!

Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen

It's no secret that Reese is one of my favorite celebs. Her style is always on point and she looks beautiful as the lady in red.

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Kate is always so classy and absolutely gorgeous. My favorite part of this gown is the beautiful chiffon pleat detail at the bottom. Her jewelry and hair also fit the look perfectly.

Zooey Deschanel in Prada

I wouldn’t have liked this dress on anyone else but Zooey. The black and green combo had an almost mod feel to it, which goes so well with Zooey’s overall style. I also had to include a shot of her fantastic Tuxedo nails that she posted on Instagram.



Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald

Nicole has come a long way with her style and the dress she wore to the awards proves that. The dress shows off her arms and back beautifully and the beading really makes it a standout.

Heidi Klum in Calvin Klein



I couldn’t post this without mentioning Heidi Klum’s turquoise necklace. That’s what I call a statement piece. It made her entire look!

Worst Dressed:

Lea Michele in Marchesa

This looks a figure skating costume gone bad.

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs

This dress might make for some cute shabby chic curtains

Piper Perabo in Theyskens’ Theory

This is all wrong from the color to the fact that it's see through

To end on a positive note, I had to include these cuties on the carpet!

Ryan Kwanten


Uggie the dog from "The Artist"


Who were your fashion hits and misses? Please share.

Image source links: Yahoo, MTV

Fun With Our Phones Monday

I’m linking up with Savanah for Fun With Our Phones Monday!

I give you Santa in a Snuggie

I saw this is CVS and it completely cracked me up!

Cake Pops

I made these for a girls night a few weeks ago and they were a hit

Me with bangs

At said girls night, my friend brought band extensions and let me have them. I would never get my hair cut with bangs because it’s not thick enough. This is the perfect alternative.

An outtake from our Christmas Card photo session

It was a challenge getting the dogs to behave.

My Wal-Mart Scenty-ish Warmer

I’ve been loving this thing

Chase & Mandy

I had to include some of their cuteness

One of my fun watches with bracelets

Stacking watching or other bracelets together is my new favorite thing

Christmas at the mall

Pretty!

Goodbye, my friend

Today was bittersweet. It was time to say goodbye to my/my mom’s sweet dog, Happy. He was a source of stability in my life for the past 13+ years. No matter how much things had changed, I always knew I could count on him to make me feel better. When I lived at home he was my best buddy and slept in my room every single night. He was the most loving, well-behaved dog and a perfect gentleman.

I’ve lost animals throughout my life but nothing has ever stung this hard. The decision was made late this evening and we all went to the vet together. He was too good of a dog to continue suffering and being in pain. It was a horrible feeling and I don’t think you can ever truly prepare yourself for goodbye. We were all in the room as he slipped away and it’s something I never wanted to face. I looked into his eyes and kept kissing his precious head. I didn’t want him to feel alone for even one second.

I know he’s already running around in doggy heaven and that gives me peace.

Wordless Wednesday - Snow Dogs

Stay warm, my friends!

Christmas weekend recap

It started Thursday with us taking the dogs to Rose Tree Park for the Festival of Lights. They decorate it every year for Christmas and it’s lovely. If it weren’t so frigid we would have stayed longer. It was nice to see everything and let the dogs stretch their legs a bit.


Pretty lights!


The best shot I could get of Geof and the dogs

Christmas Eve day was spent in the kitchen baking cookies, brownies and cake balls. I also prepared fondue and buffalo chicken dip for the night. My mom came over with her dog, Happy later in the evening and we spent the night enjoying goodies with a movie marathon of Home Alone, Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story.


Cake balls!


Christmas Eve with the presents under the tree

Christmas morning was spent at our house exchanging gifts and enjoying a delicious breakfast that Geof made for the three of us. Later in the afternoon we went to my aunt and uncle’s to have Christmas dinner with my extended family. I got to catch up with some of my favorite cousins, including the triplets that are now 13, so it was very interesting hearing about their latest relationship drama. I say it every year, but I don’t know how my aunt prepares a sit down meal for 18-20 people and doesn’t lose her mind. She does an amazing job and deserves a ton of credit.


Chase on Christmas morning


Silly pic of my my mom and Geof at my aunt & uncle's


Us at my aunt & uncle's on Christmas

Sunday, we took all of the decorations down including the tree. It’s the earliest we’ve ever done that and it was a little sad, but also nice to get the house back to normal. We also spent a majority of the day cleaning out the basement and got rid of a ton of junk. It was the perfect day to do it considering we got hit with about 12 inches of snow. It’s only December and I’m ready for spring.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Weekend recap

Have you ever been tired of being tired? That’s how I feel right now and it’s not from my exciting weekend. This was a weekend spent working most of the time to the point where I think I’m now getting sick. I’m trying to fight it with hot tea and soup, as there is no time for being ill.



When you work like I’ve been you begin losing sight of what’s important. Geof went in for oral surgery last week and I couldn’t be there for him until he got home because I was bogged down with work. It’s a horrible feeling really. I try not to go too much into my job here because this blog is about my life outside of work. Unfortunately my life this weekend and for the past 2 weeks has been all work, all the time (at least I got to have some fun last weekend).

I need a break…a few days off to regroup. Hopefully I’ll be back with a happier post later this week.

Because I don’t want to be a complete downer, I will leave you with a pic I snapped this weekend of Chase & Mandy. They were waging war on their favorite toy and this made me smile. Chase has a complete “don’t mess with me” look on his face.

Labor Day weekend recap

Friday, we ran a few errands and then went to Pinocchio’s for dinner. Geof loves when we go there so that he can pay a visit to the beer garden and pick out some fancy beers. I even picked one out that we enjoyed at home growler style called Bethlehem Brew Works Loco Lime Lager. It was really refreshing and the perfect brew to end summer with. Once we got home, we did some weeding in our garden and got it all cleaned up for fall. We spent the night relaxing and it was nice to take it easy.



Saturday, we headed down to Delaware. It was the last day for 20% off at Ulta and Geof wanted to go to Best Buy. Since they were right next to each other, it worked out perfectly. After shopping, we went Jared Jewelers and then further into DE to have a late lunch at Don Pablo’s. It may be a chain, but I love that place. We were stuffed and ended up heading across the way to the mall to walk it off. When we first walked in, there was a sign stating that any minors had to be accompanied by an adult. Every 5 minutes I saw a mall security guard questioning a teenager. I guess they weren’t kidding! They opened a Bare Escentuals Boutique in the mall and it was beautiful. I ended up getting Well Rested and the RareMinerals facial moisturizer and eye cream. So far, I really like both.



Once we got back home, we took the dogs for a long walk. The weather was nice and cool and the dogs loved it. We came home and caught up on all of the TV we missed when we were in SC.

Sunday, I slept in pretty late and spent most the day relaxing. I took another long nap in the afternoon. I guess I was a little more tired than I realized. There is also something about when I feel that crispness in the air like fall is right around the corner. It puts me in hibernation mode.

Monday was nice to have off. We went to Tom Jones (diner) for lunch and then went to the store to get some things so that I could make a spaghetti dinner. We settled in for the rest of the afternoon and then I made dinner and watched Bachelor Pad. I wish I’d ever gotten into that show. It turned out to be not what I thought at all and I cannot stand all of the backstabbing.

Wednesday Randomness

We just got the pups back from the groomers and they look adorable! I had to share. I’m sure they’ll be a mess again in a few days, but for now I’ll enjoy the cute ribbons on their collars and the fact that they smell like little angels.

Mandy & Chase all fresh and clean

Last night, I went out with my ladies group and we did a spa night that was set-up at my nail salon. It was a blast. Everyone got manis and pedis (I just got a mani), had some wine, yummy snacks and listened to Lady GaGa on repeat.

The ladies

We had this really good blackberry merlot and those pink cookies were as soft as cake