Friday Things
1. I was so excited to see these two fluffy fellas on Sunday morning! Missed their sweet faces :)
2. We met this poor little Duck towards the end of our vacation (we named him/her Daffy).
We saw him laying on the beach towards the end of our stay during one of our walks and, long story short, saw him in the same spot for two days straight. He would get up and walk around, and once swam out into the ocean and dove for food, but he was clearly misplaced. When we saw him in the same spot for the second morning in a row, I called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, thinking they could rescue the poor guy. They tried connecting me to two different local rescues, but was never able to get a hold of anyone, although I did leave a detailed message with one.
Later that day, my mom was walking the beach and ran across a lady who was scooping up the duck in a big towel. She told my mom that she lives there and had rescued two other ducks before and taken them to the animal hospital. They each had maimed wings and couldn’t fly to fresh water, so the animal hospital rehabilitates them and then releases them. I was so happy that our little duck buddy was going to be taken care of!
3. I don’t know about you, but as awesome as vacation is, there are just some things that I start to crave towards the end. The four things I miss most when I’m away from home: (1) My pups (of course!); (2) My SHOWER! To me, few things feel better than standing in your own shower after being away; (3) My pillow – I really need to start traveling with it!; and (4) My bed – when I collapsed into bed on Saturday night I totally appreciated how unbelievably comfortable it is!
4. The other awesome thing about coming back from vacation? DVR catch-up and binge-watching all of my favorite TV shows! I was waning on Game of Thrones at the beginning of the season, but I’m ALL IN now… it’s getting good!
5. Thank you to everyone for the Athleta recommendations a few weeks ago. I ended up ordering a few things from them and have been extremely happy! I got two tankinis for vacation (this one and this one in black) and they were perfect – very flattering, totally comfortable and didn’t shift around. I also picked up a couple of capris and tanks and loved those as well. The ladies who told me that the bottoms were true to size and tops run small were absolutely right on – thank you all for the great advice!
6. I have become recently obsessed with Alba Botanica products. I first stumbled upon their shaving cream when I was looking for a replacement after realizing that the one I had been using pretty much for-ev-er was full of crap and color dyes. I mean, whyyyyy does shaving cream need to be a certain color?! All of their products are formulated with natural ingredients and none of the not-so-good-for-you stuff that I’ve found can creep into beauty products (for a full list, see their about page).
On vacation, my sister showed up with their sunscreen and after-sun lotion. I have been feeling a little “meh” about my shampoo and conditioner, so when I got back I was browsing for something new and saw that they also make hair products. I bought the mango body builder shampoo and conditioner and have been loving it so far! I can’t wait to try out some of their other products and swap out more of my not-so-natural personal care products.
7. I am DYING for a soft serve ice cream cone, but it’s been raining every.single.day. since we got back from vacation, which isn’t exactly ice cream cone weather. I need a sunny window of time so I can enjoy a vanilla/chocolate twist with sprinkles!
8. I tried to do some reading at the beach, but I read exactly one chapter. I gave in to just closing my eyes, letting the sun hit me, and listening to the waves. Now that I’m home, though, I need to get back into a reading habit. Give me your book recommendations!
9. I love this list of 50 Healthy Habits Every Girl Should Have…
10. TGIF! All of this rain has me missing these sunsets…
I’m so glad the duck was rescued! Those 50 tips are great too.
Love this list of 50 Healthy Habits A Girl Should Have!
Happy Friday!
Anisa from The Macadames. xx
http://www.themacadames.com
My book recommendations skew old (since I am old) but try Maeve Binchey if you have never read her books and like great character development. For a first time read I’d go with Circle of Friends (the book is so much better than the movie) but I love all her books.
Could not post on any blog yesterday and am checking again today. Love your labs. Read many books but not sure I would recommend anything.
I love your blog! I can totally relate to wanting to help the duck that you saw while you were on vacation. I’m a huge animal lover myself and it breaks my heart when I see an animal in need. That’s wonderful that someone came along to take care of the duck! I know how happy you must have been to get back home to your dogs. I have a dog too, and she’s my baby. I actually feel anxious every time we leave her when we go on vacation. I’m glad you had such a nice vacation! Your pictures are great…that sunset picture is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Can’t believe no one recommended The Goldfinch by Donna Tart
Ice cream weather? I’m not familiar with that concept lol.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. In fact, everything written by him. He is incredible.
Uh, the 50 healthy habits says to drink 8oz of fluids every day…? Only if you’d like to be very dehydrated.
I love Friday Things :) Regarding a book recommendation, if you have already read “The Art of Racing in the Rain” which is awesome, then I highly recommend “A Dog’s Purpose” by W. Bruce Cameron. Being a dog person you will love both of those books. Keep up the good work because you inspire me every time I stop by to see how you are!
I totally travel with my own pillow. It might seem weird, but it makes a ginormous difference in how I sleep. Way back when my hubby and I were dating I left my pillow behind at a hotel and we had to drive an hour one way to retrieve it. So he totally knew what he was getting when he married me! :)
And I’m glad your duck friend was rescued!!
Dog On It by Spencer Quinn, it’s the first in an ongoing series of mysteries, from the perspective of a PI’s dog. I loved this book but haven’t had a chance to read any of the others (been reading all the Game of Thrones books intead).
Love the dog pictures! They make me smile. The 50 habits was a good reminder except #42 — consider drinking liquid chlorophyll?! :P
The Goldfinch was a super read, as was The Fault Among Our Starts, The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty was our book club book this month and was enjoyed by all. I just started the Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro and it is well done so far!
Charlene’s comment about Shoemaker’s Wife is so true. It is one of my favorites. I just finished Orphan Train. It grabbed me from page one and I devoured it. Great summer read!
I’ve been reading a lot of juvenile and teen fiction but have really been enjoying the teen dystopian fiction. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau was particularly good. I thought it was going to be a hunger games knock off but, despite some similarities, it was definitely it’s own story.
Oh man, I used to LOVE the Alba body lotion, used it for years, but then I was introduced to the Cetaphil Cream (comes in the tub) and my life was changed. Haha. Best lotion I have ever used, hands down. I also use their cleanser to shave….works like a charm, is cheap (compared to buying an equivalent amount of shave gel, which I used to use) and you dont get that tight/itchy skin afterwards. I swear by it.
I have to second the suggestion for The Book Thief – such an amazing book! I also really loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Actually, all of the John Green books I’ve read have been fantastic and very well written.
Oh, and since you’re a fellow dog lover, you must ready The Art of Racing in the Rain!
I second The Art of Racing in the Rain! You will love Enzo in that book!
The Book Thief and I Am The Messenger by Markas Zusak. So well-written and just amazing stories! Life-changing!
I love the Alba products too! I use the face wash, toner and moisturizer and they are fabulous!
If you like Mysteries, I recomment Debra Webb The Faces of Evil Series and I also love C.J. Lyons just to name two. Supernatureal try Christine Feehan the Carpathian Series
My sister recommended Karen Kingsbury to me. The Redemption series was so good! I’m a slow reader, and I burned through them!
Always love to see the labs. I read lots of different things but would not recommend any. I hate the filthy words used in many of them now. Wish Amazon would put some warning out on those..
Michelle, I start every Friday with Friday Things. When I saw you asking for book recommendations, I couldn’t help but add my own, to your list, Armoires and Arsenic, A Darling Valley Cozy Mystery, by Cassie Page. But also, The Financial Lives of The Poets, by Jess Walter. Hilarious.
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Heartbreakingly awesome! Currently reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Wordy and long, but like it so far.
Love books written by Dorothea Benton Franks and Mary Alice Monroe.
Glad your vacation was so relaxing.
I do believe Einstein & Duke are smiling!
Try the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. The 7th book is due out June 17. Good reading with laugh-out-loud commentary from the Iron Druid’s Irish Wolfhound, Oberon, throughout the series.
Why is it that there are so many animals that need rescuing when one goes on vacation like those cute duck friends?
I mean, I never leave home without cat treats and little bags of dog food (especially if I’m leaving the good ole USA) because I know I’m going to encounter some hungry hungry animals who want food now!
Actually, some dogs (like humans) have alergys to some of their food products and so it isn’t a good idea to give treats to someone else’s dog. Our son has spent several hundred dollars on his dog at the vet with problems from food alergys. However, some good samaritan gave the dog a doggy treat, and it added financially more dollars to the vet to correct the situation. Just saying.
while i very much agree with you that some pets are allergic to some foods just like people are and the owner should always be consulted before giving a treat if the choice is to lure the animal out of a dangerous situation rather than risk a possible bad reaction – i would go with for former all the time. Plus why did your son just allow a stranger to give his dog a treat anyway?
Anything by Adrianna Trigiani. Being of Italian decent you will appreciate and relate to the stories. The Shoemakers Wife will make you appreciate what it took for your ancestors to leave their country and come to America. Enjoy!!
The pups look sooo happy to be home too! The Language of Flowers: A Novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is really good!!!
Still Alice by Lisa Genova.
All of her books are good, Still Alice was the best.