Its been forever since I linked up with the lovely ladies of Five on Friday.  I don't really have an excuse except for my hobby of blogging has brought me a great opportunity!  But we'll get to that at the end!

one || Priorities...  With more (welcome) responsibilities on my plate its become way too easy to push what should be my most important priorities to the side.  Especially now that summer is here, I just want to run around outside and play all day long, but I guess thats not part of being a grown up.  Sigh... I have no idea how Mommies of little ones do life + working!  They're amazing.  Being a dog Mommy is enough for me.  So I'm trying hard to prioritize what I spend my non-working hours on.  Any tips on getting everything done besides downing coffee?



two || Puppy...  Speaking of being a dog Mommy, its amazing.  I've been on D to agree to a dog for years now and it was completely worth the wait.  Jake has been a part of our family for almost two months now and it feels like he should have always been here.  I have to remember to turn down the "I'm a Dog Person!" persona.  I totally get how people are so crazy about their pets now.  I actually put together some home-made treats for him last week so go get the recipe if you're a dog person like me!

three || Alexandra... My little sister, Alexandra, is coming to visit in less than a month.  I honestly can not even remember that last time we were able to just hang out as the two of us.  Over three years now I'd guesstimate!  Since we moved cross country we only get to go home for the big holidays, AKA Christmas.  And when we are home we are rushing between families and its hard to just sit down and hang with everyone!  So this is something that is long overdue.



four || The Fourth... Are you getting excited for the Fourth of July?  I don't know why but this year, I'm extra pumped.  Crossed fingers for good weather!  I actually have a tasty Red, White and Blueberry appetizer recipe over on Southerndoe today too!  Of course I already ate all of these but they're healthy right!?



five || Southerndoe... Finally, that awesome opportunity I spoke of in the opener!  I've officially started writing for Southerndoe!  I've been so passionate about this company since it's inception and I'm so lucky to bring my DIY projects, recipes, and doe-spriation over to their lifestyle blog!  You can't currently subscribe to their blog by google friends like you can over here, but if you go over here you can enter you email to get our Saturday's with Southerndoe newsletter featuring all of our fun posts from the week!  We have some really exciting things planned for July and I'd be so lucky to have some of y'all follow me over there as I continue my blogging journey!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

XO Taylor

Can you believe how close we are to Christmas?  I haven't even finished shopping... hence no gifts have been wrapped yet.  But I have been in a very Christmas-y mood with everything that has been going on... and with that here are my top five for the week!

{one} Christmas Music:  Enjoy this awesome playlist by some of my guy friends... they nailed it...

{two}  Our tree:  Our Christmas tree is everything I could ever dream for in a Christmas tree!  It is 9 1/2 ft tall and is fat and full.  It took us about 2 hours to properly add all the lights, but the work paid off.  I wasn't sure if I would have enough ornaments, but I think we have just the right amount!  Can you spot any of the snow covered pinecone ornaments I shared earlier this week?  {three} Cookies:  Eating my Nannie's Christmas cookies is a favorite tradition of mine.  I baked some earlier this week and I have to give them away due to my sticky fingers... THEY'RE SO GOOD!  {four} Christmas Vacation:  Christmas Vacation is easily my favorite Christmas movie.  We were lucky enough to go see it in the theater last night.  "Shitter was full!" I indulged in the Eddie's Eggnog...  {five} Lights:  Tonight I have big plans!  I'm headed to one of those fun drive through the lights places.  I fully intend on bring hot chocolate for the ride.  This recipe from Martha Stuart is spectacular and its made with Almond Milk!  Perfect for the non-dairy folks!  I hope you all have a holly jolly weekend! 

Its been a good long while since I've linked up with Carolina Charm for Five on Friday, but we're back!  Here's whats been going on...


{one} Glazed: The last few Saturdays... well... I've been bad.  We've been heading over to Glazed, just about a block from our loft, to snag the most delicious donuts.  With flavors like Earl Gray Iced, Bourbon Glazed and a bacon donut you expect it to just be a gimmick.  But NO.  They bad boys are so doughy and flavorful.  Yum... at least we're walking over, right?


{two} Arm Knit Blanket:  I got a lot of questions about the arm knit blanket I made.  I followed a tutorial from Simply Maggie.  She made it so easy to arm knit, I've also made her arm knit scarf.  I went with Red Heart Grande yarn in the color oatmeal.  I needed ten size six, super bulky, balls of yarn.  I doubled up my working yarn since I couldn't find anything as thick as she was using.  Michaels is having a yarn sale, so if you want to arm knit your own blanket... now is the time!


{three} Christmas Crafts:  I have watched some Christmas movies.  Its okay, I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I am getting very excited for the holidays, and my pintrest page is on overload!


{four} Maccaulay Culkin:  He didn't die, but I did see him on Monday night!  He sure has changed...


{five} Delayed Halloween Costume:  I know its late, but I thought I would share my deer costume from Halloween :)

Hope you all have a swell weekend, and be on the lookout for good deals on Turkeys!

Can you believe we are coming towards the middle of October??  I've started browsing around for Halloween costumes.  What are you going to be?


{one} Iphone 6:  This is my current Iphone.  Yep part of my screen is missing and it just turns off when it feels like even if I'm with a full battery.  Which if you're driving somewhere alone, can be terrifying.  I mean you'd have to try and wave someone down and ask to let them use your phone so you can call AAA.  Chances anyone is going to stop, 3%.  So for the sake of safety reason, I had to get the new Iphone... yes, safety reasons.  I can't wait for it to arrive!


{two} Cases?: Speaking of Iphones... I'm now hunting for a tough Iphone case.  Something that will protect it when it drops, but not as bulky as an otterbox.  I've found some pretty cases on Etsy that have "tough" versions available.  Have any of you picked one of those up?  A tough case from Etsy?  I need suggestions!


{three} Owl shakers:  I picked these up at target when I was grocery shopping to add a little spring to my fall step!  My kitchen is drenched in copper so they go perfectly!


{four} Chicken Tenders:  I saw this recipe on the almighty Pintrest and decided to whip it up that very night... um YUM!  These made me feel like I was right at the Texas Fair with all its fried goodness.  And chances are you have the ingredients you need already in the house!


{five} Texas resident:  So how much does the DMV suck?  I hate going, so much so that I put off going to switch over my license a little too long.  But I decided to suck it up and go on Tuesday morning.  I got there a half hour before opening and there were already 3 people waiting.  Luckily, I hopped right in line and soon the line behind me was at least 30 people!  Once they opened I was in and out within 30 minutes, shorter than it took me to drive home in Dallas traffic.  Howdy!  (Yes, I'm allowed to officially say that now...)

Have a great weekend y'all!