Floyd's Got Nutrition in the Bag

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Purina One, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ONEDifference

We are all very aware around there that Floyd is the star of the show.

We also all know that Floyd gets the best of the best. At all times.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

I guess some may call that spoiled...we call it, well, spoiled but he's our baby so that's just how it is. 

He is the light of our lives and we couldn't imagine not treating and fulfilling his life with the best.

He's the third musketeer in our troop and the ring leader of our pack.

We've always fed Floyd food that we've researched, studied, asked the vet about and felt 100% comfortable giving him.  

We are very cautious about what we put in our bodies and wouldn't think of having it any other way for Floyd. 

Ol boy has always had a sensitive stomach and so what we feed him has always been incredibly important in order to keep his stomach on the right track. 

Floyd has been chomping on Purina Sensitive Skin and Stomach for awhile and we've been really pleased with the Purina products. 

So recently while I was at Target (duh) I spotted Purina ONE Chicken and Rice and picked up a bag for Floyd to see how he liked that version. 

And boy is he glad that I did. 

We mixed in this new food with his previous food and he can't get enough.  He dives right in for the real chicken pieces and gobbles those up first.  

And any time he's not demanding a dinner made up solely of peanut butter, we are all happy campers.  

'Ma! Dinner!'

Not only can we tell a difference in Floyd's energy level, his coat is shiner and softer. 

Even with it being so hot lately, less and less is Floyd giving out on our walks.  He has been 'running', 'skipping' and prancing along the sidewalks.  

And Floyd wanted me to tell you and yours pups that you can sign up for the Purina One 28 Day Challenge and get a $3 off coupon when you do! 

And then you can share your pups 28 day journey by connecting with Purina One on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Personally, their Instagram account is one of my faves- adorable doggies? Yes please! 

I will speak on Floyd's behalf and say that he loved participating in the 28 Day Challenge!

You can bet that that yummy red bag of food will continue to be a staple in our house for a while! 

Fridays with Floyd : Bathing Beauty

If there's one thing Floyd loves, it's laying on the porch in the sun snoozin.

Well, until he gets too hot and then he comes in for a few minutes.

And then back out.

And if it's a Saturday or Sunday, this process repeats itself about 75 times.

I love how much he loves laying out there, you can just tell he's happy as a clam.

And that warms my heart.

He has the sit and then flop down onto his side move down pat.  It's almost one solid motion and thud.

This is his ideal situation- door open so he can keep an eye and ear on what's going on inside but also able to be in the sun.  Floyd dream world basically.  Nightmare for our electric bill.

This one only happens when it's not a million degrees outside.

Only the best accommodations for Floyd.

Towel? Check. 

Little bit of shade? Check.

Have a great weekend friends, hope you get to catch some rays! 

With SPF on, of course!

Current Favorites

I thought it was high time I did a product round up.

It's been awhile since I've done one and I have found some products lately that I am really loving.

Almay Smart Shade Concealer : I've never been much of a concealer girl because I feel like it always gets cakey, doesn't blend well or doesn't actually conceal anything.   This stuff is a whole different story.  Whatever the 'smart shade' technology is in it, works wonders.  It blends right into my skin tone and actually does it job of concealing.  I also like to use it under my eye for a little eye brightening. 

Maybelline Baby Skin : This 'baby' is the perfect primer.  I used to use Monistat Anti Chafing cream for my primer (100% dupe for Smashbox's Photo Finish) and this stuff is better, cheaper and slightly less embarrassing to buy.  Win win. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation : Recently I ran out of my ELF mineral foundation and after hearing great reviews from Jayme and Mendi and Katie about this foundation I was sold.  Generally it pains me to spend this much on makeup but this foundation is definitely worth it.  I love the way it covers and it is so easy to build with.  I also picked up this brush to apply it with. 

L'oreal Color Vibrancy Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner : I take my hair care pretty seriously and want to keep my highlights looking as good as they can for as long as they can.  I am pretty confident this shampoo and conditioner are helping prolong the life of my highlights.  

And a note on conditioner : I recently stopped using it and I have noticed such a change in my hair, for the better.  It's thicker, fuller and stays clean longer.  However, my hair dresser says I should still be using it at least one a week so I am trying to do that for it's general health. 

Boots No 7 Skin Melting Gel Cleanser : I'm a bit nutso and use 3 different face washes.  I use a Boots No 7 moisturizer which is what led me to this face wash.  I use this one every other day in the shower for a gentle wash.  This wash is, as it says, a gel and very, very smooth.  I'm a fan.

Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser : The face wash was recommended to me by my dermatologist and I love it.  I use this every other day and when I feel like I'm starting to break out.  I really love this face wash but be warned it's strong.  It is tingly when you put it on and there is a chance it will discolor your wash clothes, just fyi.  To me that just means it's working extra hard. 

Neutrogena Visibly Clean Foaming Cleanser : This is my 'in the morning' and in between face wash.  It's a very mild, middle of the road face wash.  I don't know if it's actually make my skin more even but I do feel like it does a good job of cleansing. 

And that's what I've been using. 

What have you been reaching for lately?

Patriotic Paintin'

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  #PaintYourWay http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Every year for the 4th of July we head home to our hometown for a weekend long boat race event called 'Regatta'.  And every year my girlfriends and I try to out craft each other with patriotic crafts, foods and drinks.  

We go all out, all weekend long.  

It's red white and blue as far as the eye can see. 

We brainstorm for weeks and then spend a full afternoon camped out in our friends backyard crafting our hearts out.  We try to outdo each other each year to see who can come up with the best crafts, ideas and projects. 

We live for this weekend so adding the fun of crafts to it, definitely make it one of my favorite times of the year.  

 I was recently in Michaels and picked up some Sharpie Paint Markers and a few other supplies and for said weekend and my imagination was running wild with ideas.  

I decided this year I would get a head start on the crafting (don't tell the girls!). 

Including in our celebrating each year, we always do a big, festive cookout one night.

Burgers, dogs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, ice cream sundaes, anything you can imagine, we have a spread of it.

I thought this year it would be fun to have decorations to put on the dishes and the table to bring the patriotic theme full circle.   

Once I got home, I broke out my heavy card stock, Sharpie Paint Markers, glue gun and twine and got to work.  The Paint Markers worked really well on the card stock and I loved being able to layer the gold one over the blue to create the idea of stars on a flag.  

After painting a few festive flags and sayings, I hot glued them to skewers to create a stakes to stick in a few of the meal items.
I think cut out triangles with fun scissors and used the markers to make mini flag banners hanging from twine.  I am envisioning these hanging on the ledge of a beautiful fruit trifle bowl. 

I also created labels for a few of the items that are on the menu so there's no mistaking what we're eating.

For now they are going to reside on our table but they are itching for their official debut on the 4th!

Do you decorate for the 4th of July?  

Lucky for you, Michaels has great deals on Sharpie Paint Markers! Check them out next time you are in Michaels!

Also be sure to check out Michaels on Facebook and Twitter! 

USA!

On the shelf {Book Reviews}

I haven't done a book review in a while and with summer travels coming up, I thought this may be beneficial to you guys! 

(you can see my last review here)

I have really been making it a point lately to put down the computer and phone and just read. 
Last Sunday I even spent a few hours doing nothing but tanning on the deck with Floyd and reading.

 That is a miracle for me! 

I just checked in with my GoodReads account to see what I've read lately that I haven't told you about!
I love that site for that sole purpose for finding great new books.

Also, Kady, told me about www.whatshouldireadnext.com

Which is as genius as it sounds.  You type in the book you just read and it gives you tons of similar books.  How great is that?!

Here's what I've been reading.  And listening to on book tapes, because I'm a huge dork.
But seriously, it makes driving go so quickly!

The Life List - Casey told me about this book and it was quick, easy, fun read. The main character, Brett, is a mission to fulfill her 'life list' after her mother passes away.  The way in which her life and goals work out will surprise you and I think this book has a great ending. 

Once Upon a Secret - I really loved this book and it is a very, very quick read.  I love all things JFK and in this book, Mimi Alford, recounts her time working in the White House and her affair with Mr. Kennedy.  So scandalous! This would be a great beach read! 

Carry On, Warrior - I am obsessed with this book.  I can't stop thinking about it, all. the. time.  I had originally checked this book out from the library but I plan on buying it soon so I can highlight my own copy.  I'm sure we all know how fabulous Momastery and her blog are but this book takes it leaps and bounds beyond her blog.  This book is incredibly empowering, as in after I read it I was pretty sure I could take on the world.  It's amazing what a few short pages and powerful words can do.   I think I could do a whole blog post on my thoughts, but I'll let you read it for yourself first.

The Husband's Secret - I love any book that involves multiple stories weaving together.  This book is that to a 'T', therefore, I really enjoyed it.  I am a big fan of 'everything happens for a reason' and that is exactly how this book ends.  And on the last page, it all makes sense....

The Fault in Our Stars - I think we probably all know about this book. And the movie. And the tears.  I sorta want you to experience this one for yourself if you haven't already.  But I will tell you I cried at the end, while listening to it on book tape.  Crying and driving aren't ideal.  Who thinks I can talk Mister into going to see the movie?

The Almost Moon - This was another book tape 'read' for me.  I have mixed emotions about this book.  I liked the beginning, it kept me intrigued BUT it was a bit strange and weird.  And the ending really wasn't all that great.  It just sorta ended with not a lot of explanation.  However, overall I enjoyed it.
The Rosie Project - I really enjoyed this book! It was quirky and funny and a light/easy read.  Perfect beach read (or at the driving range while Mister hits balls, which is where I read it).  The main character, Don, is a strange man on a quest to find his true love.  As you may guess, he finds it in the most peculiar of ways.
What Alice Forgot - Another great beach read that goes by quickly.
One day Alice wakes up, 10 years later after a traumatic fall, and she attempts to remember her life and piece it back together.  She relearns and experiences everything that has changed in her life in the past 10 years, including have three children and being in the midst of a divorce. Can you imagine looking back on your life from 10 years ago?
Brain on Fire - I really, really enjoyed this book! It was right up my psychology loving alley.  What's better than a girl documenting her brain attacking her body first hand?  Very interesting read!

Currently I'm reading and listening to:

The House Girl - Again, stories weaving together and I love it! One viewpoint is current day, an attorney investigating old slavery cases and the first hound account of the slave that whom she is investigating.  The chapters flip flop back and forth between the characters and I'm totally hooked.

Orphan Train - Okay, one more with stories weaving together.  Two women create an unlikely friendship between one another once they are forced to spend time with each other.  It's amazing what a teenager and a 91 one year old woman can have in common.

What have you been reading?

How does your garden grow?

I'll be the first to admit that I know just about zero when it comes to gardening.

But I will also admit that I LOVE doing it and experimenting.

(With gardening gloves on, of course, I really hate getting my hands dirty. Ew yuck)

Last summer Mister and I dabbled in some gardening, planting and general yard sprucing up.

This year we have really gotten into more and I am loving it.

We have been buying flowers right and left.

We may be having beans and rice for dinner but gosh darnit we have a lot of flowers ;)

Honestly, I think we would both be happy if our entire yard were full of flowers and not grass. 

It seems like each weekend we end up at Lowes or a local nursery and pick up a few things here and there.  

Right now we are just trying different flowers and plants in different areas of the yard and praying for the best.

We've also experimented with buying flowers, bulbs and seeds from all different places.
We planted bulbs from Costco, seeds and lots of flowers from Lowes, a few random plants from a local nursery, succulents from Ikea and hostas and sweet potato plants from Meijer.  Just spreading our gardening love all over the city.

(my basil and rosemary are going bananas!)

This is the first year I've experimented with planting vegetables.  We picked up a raised vegetable container from Lowes and it has been so easy to use.  I planted cucumbers, onions and peppers.
Or so I thought.
I bought and planted 2 packets of pepper seeds.
You'll never guess what's growing...and it's not peppers.

After some research, I'm 99% sure I am growing squash.
I mean, I like squash, but I really wanted peppers.   The only thing I can figure out is that the seeds were mixed up in the packages.

The onions are finally starting to come up but I think the cucumbers may be a dud.
Regardless, I'm excited to be able to walk out the back door and pluck fresh veggies off the vine and cook them.

If you need me, I'll be in the yard.
Or at Lowes with my trusty assistant.

Half Way Point

Hope everyone and a nice weekend!

We sure did, very, very low key and it was just the way I like it!

Floyd and I ventured to Lowes to pick up yet more flowers for the yard (I can't stop!)

Seeing as how we are half way through 2014 (how in the world?!) I thought it was a good time to give you an update on how our goals are going!

As you know, we've always kept our goals on our fridge and I think this helps a TON in actually getting things done and crossed off the list.  

Often big, lofty resolutions are made on January 1st and then quickly fizzle out by around January 15th.  I like writing down goals that I know are reachable, some that take a bit work and a few reach goals.  As in, I know it's not in me to run 1,000 miles in one year, but 500 seemed like an attainable goal.  And so far it was been (you can see my miles down the page)! I'm currently at 244 miles, so just shy of 250 for being half way through the year and the goal.  Not too shabby!

Other items accomplished include : 

new appliances - this was a necessary one after our fridge leaked

new carpet - much, much needed and made a world of difference

paint headboard 

new kitchen floor - hated our old one but LOVE the new floors

Flying Pig Half Marathon

chalkboard wall

utilize office - I really cleaned out the office and have been using it to write blog posts in way more often

paint bedrooms - they had to fit in with the new carpet!

paint kitchen knobs - possibility the easiest one to cross off

We've attacked a few other items that weren't no the list as well. 

And don't think I didn't contemplate for a second writing them on the list only to cross them off when after we had already completed them. 

So I say that's not too bad for being 6 months in! I am excited to cross the rest of the list off.  There are plans in motion for getting the other items accomplished!

How are your resolutions going? 

Fridays with Floyd : Mopey

Someone call Snow White and tell her we have one of her dwarfs, Mopey.

We all know that Floyd looks sad on a daily basis...has. it. nailed.

I promise you, 100%, he is not.

But, I will say, homeboy knows how to work those droopy eyes. Especially to strangers.

As his mama, I can tell if he's legit sad or just playing you.

I'll give you a hint, he's usually playing you, vying for a treat.

Last Sunday he was legit sad and it broke my heart. In a million chunky paw pieces.

See Floyd and I ventured to Knoxville to meet Casey and Eric to return Pierre and we were all sorts a mess about it.  We LOVED having Pierre and the boys got along so, so well.  Especially towards the end, they were doing SO well together.  They were following each everywhere, looking out for one another when one was rascalling and even snuggling. #meltmyheart

So safe to say, there has been less of this

and this

and we are all finally starting to turn the corner of not so much sadness.

But it's not been an easy week.

Floyd went with us to return Pierre and the boys were so adorable in the car.

I only wish I could put into words my excitement to see them basically snuggling.

and when your basset bff goes back to his parents, you cope with a pupaccino.

It only seemed appropriate.  I like ice cream when I'm sad...

I am not laying when I say Floyd was moping around on Sunday.

He was laying in Pierre's room looking even sadder than usual.  He was off by himself a lot and was just not himself.  Casey reported that Pierre was the exact same way.

'I miss my brudder basset.'

And to break my heart even further, every morning this week when we've gotten up, Floyd will go and stick his nose in the corner of Pierre's door as he would every morning before I let Pierre back.  And I have to say, 'he's not in there buddy.' Wahhhhh

So when do you think I should ask Mister if we can get another basset?

One Step Closer

....to adulthood.

We have matching night stands!!

back flips all around

Seriously I probably shouldn't get so excited about such a thing but I did and I still am that's just that.  

I'm not sure what took us so long but thankfully we came to our senses.

Yesterday I showed you how I painted our night stands (for practically free!) and today I am here to show you how they look in our room! 

We really love the way they turned out and how they give our bedroom a more cohesive feeling.

(as furniture should do!)

Ta da!

(currently reading The House Girl.  Does anyone else ever check out far too many books at the library?)

Mister's night stand was plain composite wood material but I still treated it the same as the Ikea piece.  

His needed to be painted a long, long time ago and I'm so glad we finally did!

Floyd's been reading The Tao of Maggie before bed

Now it's on to the next project! 

I've got my eye on Mister's bathroom...

DIY : Painting {IKEA} Nightstands

As soon as I hung up our new headboard I immediately wanted new nightstands.  

My nightstand is part of a dresser/nighstand set I bought off a friend, in college, from Ikea, for $75.

It's been around the block, if you will and was desperately in need of a make over.
And Mister's is just as old and equally not the cutest thing we own.

So I started racking my brain on how to change them up and how to do it very cheaply.

I did a bit of research, saw that others suggested priming Ikea pieces first and then got to painting.  Easy peasy.

 I knew I wanted to use the leftover paint from the headboard but I didn't want the nightstands to match exactly, I wanted them to a little on the darker side.

To achieve this, the first thing I did was have Lowes tint my primer as dark as they could.
(did you know you can primer tinted any color??)

As dark as they could do turned out to be a soft gray and that was fine with me!
The primer I picked up said it didn't require sanding so I got going with the primer.
I used a foam paint roller for the primer and the paint.  I had used a foam brush on our front door and I really liked how it performed.

I ended up doing two coats of the primer just for good measure.
Because it was approximately 88 degrees outside, the primer dried in no time and I was able to start painting fairly quickly.

Like I said, I wanted to use the leftover paint from our headboard but then I also realized we had the paint from our stripes left over too.  My mind started spinning.
I poured out both colors and started mixing.

Mister came outside and said, 'that doesn't look very scientific...'
To which I responded, 'it's not but I like it!'
The downside of this, I can't tell you the name of the color I used.
The upside is, I really like how my experimental color mixing turned out.

I did two coats on both nightstands and the amount of paint I mixed up worked out just right.
It was nothing short of a miracle.

And, of course, my trusty sidekicks weren't too far away.

*excuse the nose art on our door*

Come back tomorrow to see how they turned out and what they look like in our room!

I scream, you scream...

....we all howl for ice cream!

We live vicariously through vacation rules at our house. 

As in, you can eat whatever you want when you're on vacation (among other rules).

These rules also automatically apply when you have guests.

And we have a guest, as you've seen.

So in honor of Monsieur Pierre, we took the boys on a bit of an adventure last night.

It started with nuggets from Chick Fil A.

(Floyd would like to thank his Aunt Casey who graciously sent him his own personal gift card to Chick Fil A to buy nuggets with.)

If you want to mesmerize bassets, put some nuggets in front of them.

*Don't judge, I'm getting my highlights redone next week...

And then we rounded out the evening Frosty Paws at our local Graeters 'Dog Night Out'.

It's safe to say we have two very happy hounds on our hands.