1. Last day of July. Wow…how did we get here already? Not that I’m complaining though…I’m okay with having this month behind us.
2. We have got quite the little fish on our hands. The child absolutely looooves the water, and gets more and more daring by the day.
Oh lord, help me.
3. I went out to lunch with one of my girlfriends from work yesterday to a nearby little Mediterranean spot called Garlic Lovers Corner. I think I’d only been once before, which was way before this blog started, but I can’t believe I’d waited so long to go back. It was SO good!
We both started off by sharing the GLC Plate, which comes with hummus, baba ghanoush and tzatziki with fresh pita bread.
Innnnncredible. And while I could have made a meal out of that alone, we both decided to split/share a Greek salad + a Chicken Pita.
The pita actually reminded me a lot of my Chicken Souvlaki Pitas with Tahini Sauce. Absolutely delicious! Even if Jay informed me 8 hours later that I had “Mediterranean breath” as we were talking close. Gahhhh.
4. In case you wanted to know…yesterday was my half birthday.
And my dad was the first one to remember and indulge me in my silly celebrations (do you remember back in the day when Jay made me a surprise half birthday cake??) of half birthdays. <3
5. You can tack this one on to the list of things I have been meaning to share with you guys for a while now (months, in fact), but I’ve gotta tell you guys how much I am LOVING this Full Thickening Mousse from Living Proof.
I was sent some samples a while back, and this one is one that managed to make the move with me. I use it probably every other day (or just on days when I really want/need a little extra volume) and I’d be tempted to say it’s probably one of the best volumizing mousses I’ve ever tried. And trust me…I’ve tried TONS of them. So for any fellow fine/limp hair ladies out there, I can’t say enough about this stuff!
6. So Lucas has a new thing…he’s alllll about the dirt.
I saw these pics after he spent the day with his grammy earlier in the week, and she was telling me what an absolute blast he was having.
Ohhh, and to think…this is only the beginning. Any tips out there from fellow boy moms, or should I just always keep tons and tons of soap on hand?
7. We got the email yesterday…we have our first official walk thru at our house next Thursday! The house is set to be complete by then, and I am over the moon excited! I stopped over there the other day and peered in the windows a bit to see what was new…looks like we’ve got bathrooms and flooring!
And yes, the pictures are terrible because I took them through dirty windows. But you get the idea!
8. I’m sort of obsessed with this shirt. Amen to that, right??
9. Giveaway alert! You guys know about Van’s Foods, right? I’ve raved about their pastas, cereals, granola, and waffles for a while now, and they’ve recently added two delicious new varieties to its award-winning cereal line: Blissfully Berry, with natural strawberry flavor, and Cocoa Sensation, made with real cocoa. They both boast great nutrition facts, like 17 grams of nutrient-dense whole grains, 5-6 grams of fiber, no artificial flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, and no dairy, egg or corn.
To celebrate, they’re holding a pretty sweet giveaway with over $100 in prizes!
If you want to enter, feel free to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway below…you’ve got TONS of ways to enter and win!
10. Does anyone out there have any great recommendations on where to find a good dining table (and maybe chairs) without breaking the bank? We’re going to need a new one once we’re moved in, but I also don’t want to invest in something wicked expensive with a toddler running around. I’m all ears, so tell me what you’ve got!
11. I’m wrapping up this post so I can go make myself a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cone, which I’ve been waiting all day for. Heck. Yes.
I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend, whatever you may be doing!!
Lee says
We got our dining room table and 6 chairs from Costco. The original price was around $500 but it was on sale for $350. It’s much nicer than I would have expected.
Sarah says
I wonder if Lucas thinks the dirt is the same thing as sand – and you guys were just at the beach so he probably is like hey this is just like before. I bet he would love a sandbox to play in with lots of toys. I know that is still messy but at least it brushes off easier. Too cute though. Hey, if dirt makes the little man happy I guess there could be worse/more expensive happy “toys” he could want.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
We found our table at Rooms to Go. They have a pretty decent selection that won’t break the bank! Good luck!
Brynn says
i know the days of playing in the mid are around the corner, gah!
Katy @ Have You Hurd? says
I am also in the market for a dining room table! I cannot decide whether to buy new or do some thrifting. I know I can get a good deal if I get something secondhand, but with two small kiddos it’s so hard to take the time to go looking! Part me of me just wants to say screw it and buy something new, get it delivered and be done with it. Then I look at the prices and I immediately change my mind haha. Let us know if you find a good deal!
Heather @fitncookies says
I’d say check out Craigslist or if you have Facebook pages for Flea Markets around you! People are always selling them for cheaper than stores. I’m so excited for you guys to move into your house! I feel like that time went by so fast, but maybe that’s just for me :) haha
Linz @ Itz Linz says
your house is looking amazing!!!! and that lunch looks fantastic, too!! we have a birthday party for one of william’s friends this weekend! :) hehe i love baby birthday parties!
Jaclyn says
I know you’re up in the Albany area, huck finn’s? We have gotten a few different pieces from there. (Some held up better than others?)
Christy says
We got all of our furniture, minus the baby’s room, at Old Brick. http://www.oldbrickfurniture.com
We bought the baby’s furniture at Buy Buy Baby. I loooovvve that store.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I have always wanted to try Living Proof. If it’s what my girl Jennifer Aniston uses, then it must work!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Courtney! I’ve been celebrating my half birthday since I was little. My real birthday is a couple days before Christmas, so my Mom always let me celebrate in the summer so all my excitement was in one week of the year. Even my husband indulges me in it still and calls it my “halfy birthday”! :) Yay! Happy weekend to you!
Michelle says
We got ours at Jordans. Not sure if you have those in NY but there is an outlet in the bottom of the store with some pretty good deals!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I love that you celebrate (or at least acknowledge) half birthdays! That’s so fun. Have a fabulous weekend!
Alaina says
Hey lady! Thanks for the suggestion on the mousse… I need a good one! As for a dining set, you would never know it, but recently we went to Ashley Furniture and saw a bunch of gorgeous ones! I was actually impressed with how they have revived their collections! Inexpensive in comparison, too! Good luck and so happy for your new chapter of life in the new house!
Katie McClung says
I know I’m stating the obvious but we found a solid wood 6 chair dining table (with leaf) for like $200 on craigslist! I didn’t feel so bad painting to update or I can put fabric over the chairs too. We’ve had it for 3 years now so we def got our money’s worth! Good luck!
Cassie says
Old Brick has great prices and the quality is good. They also have one year no interest financing. There’s one in Colonie and Troy. :)
Lesli says
I got my table and chairs at Sears. It was a great deal. Check them out since you work with them!
Lindsay says
Huck Finn’s for the dining room table!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Oh yes, the joys of being a boy mom. ;) I say just embrace it (if that’s possible) and plan on lots of baths/showers! Hunter is all about the dirt too. He could play in it for hooooouuuurrrs.
SO exciting about the house! Ahhh, I bet you’re so eager to move in. As for a dining room table, do you guys have American Furniture Warehouse by you? I have no idea if it’s just an AZ thing, but they have some awesome deals on quality furniture. I think Living Spaces is another one that is like a discounted furniture warehouse. Or what about Wayfair? Costco has a ton of furniture out right now. There’s always IKEA too, which isn’t my favorite but sometimes they have stuff that I really like.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
So I’m not the only one that celebrates half birthdays?! Good to know! haha everyone else thinks I’m crazy for actually acknowledging my half birthday!
Jessie Deschane says
Haha I always forget we’re birthday twins – so happy half birthday, twin! :) I totally forgot about it until about 10 p.m. last night at work when I was like HEY! IT’S MY HALF BIRTHDAY! No one cared. ha!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Recently, Lucas looks SO much older! I love watching him grow up. It’s been a pleasure. Have a wonderful weekend, Courtney!
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts says
Aha I love, love that shirt!! Yum, cookie dough ice-cream sounds perfect right now! Hope you have a great weekend :)
Shawna says
that’s so sweet that your dad emails you about your half birthday! and i loooove Garlic Lover’s Corner – so cute and yummy. we try to go there as a fam a couple of times a year, as my brother lives right down the road, and Mediterranean food is my fave. have you been to their sister restaurant in Delmar, the Hidden Cafe? also adorable.
Jamie says
Ha! I also loveee celebrating my 1/2 bday and everyone thinks I’m crazy. yesterday just so happened to be my ACTUAL bday, so I guess your actual bday is my 1/2 birthday. :)
christy says
We love garlic lovers! Funny you bring it up because we were just talking about the mediterranean plate the other day and how we wanted to go… hopefully soon!
Have you been to tables and chairs in cohoes? They have tons of stuff… not sure on price because we didn’t buy there but def lots of options. I also know people who purchased online from target and said quality was good.
Betty Wetmiller says
We got one years ago from huck finn – It is expandable with 2 leaves that store in/underneath the table surface – I love it doesn’t require more closet space. The table has held up for years. Also, if you’re driving around, east on 7, past the rt22 intersections, is the place with the huge bed – they custom make stuff – I didn’t think if was overly expensive -also keep checking wayfair
Kelsey Bjelland says
We had been looking for a dining room table too and didn’t want to drop $$$$ on one. I went around to some flea markets and found a solid wood table for only $60 – then I sanded it down and repainted the legs with chalk paint, and restained the top a dark wood color – it turned out amazing and literally cost me $75 for everything! I found beautiful chairs too at Home Goods to go with it, and we are doing a wooden bench on one side of the table.
Courtney says
That sounds AMAZING (and exactly like what I want!) :) The only trouble I’m finding is that I want a table with a removable leaf (and most of the ones like you described haven’t had them). Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get lucky soon! ;)