Friday Favorites

It’s Friday, so y’all know what that means! It’s time to link up with Erika and Andrea to let everybody know what some of my favorite things are right now.

 

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CHARLIE

This sweet boy is always a favorite.

I’m starting off today’s post with a bit of a personal update because Charlie gave us quite a scare this week. And while he is still not out of the woods, we are feeling very thankful and hopeful at this moment.

As I’ve mentioned before, Charlie has been having difficulty eating since Buddy passed. His energy has been fine, so we thought he wasn’t eating because he was sad. After all, Buddy and Charlie did everything together, including eating together for every meal for 7 years. Since he was having trouble at mealtime, we made an appointment to take him to the vet on Wednesday. We were hoping they might give him an appetite stimulant or maybe even put him on an antidepressant.

Well, the appointment ended up going very differently than we had imagined. During the physical examination on Wednesday morning, the vet thought he felt a mass, so he immediately did an x-ray. The x-ray showed a very large mass on his spleen. If you remember, Buddy had an aggressive hemangiosarcoma that was on his spleen (diagnosed by an ultrasound). We of course immediately anticipated the worst-case scenario and were beside ourselves. The vet recommended that we go to the same animal clinic we had taken Buddy to for his ultrasound, but they didn’t have an appointment until Thursday morning. So we made the appointment for Thursday and spent all day Wednesday loving on Charlie, sobbing, and praying for a miracle (while assuming it was very possible that he would be diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma like Buddy). We did have some hope because where Buddy had very low energy and was having some potty issues, Charlie’s energy was great and he wasn’t having any difficulty with going potty. We also had hope because we know we serve a big God. My gosh we prayed a lot on Wednesday.

So yesterday morning we headed to get the ultrasound and while still praying for a miracle, we were of course very aware that we could be receiving terrible news.

They did the ultrasound, and the vet/surgeon immediately came into talk to us. It was the same vet who had seen Buddy just a little over two short months ago. She walked into the room and told us while Charlie did have a very large mass (she estimated that it was probably around 5 pounds), she was hopeful that it might not be cancer. On the ultrasound, she didn’t see any evidence of disease on his liver or anywhere else and she didn’t see any bleeding either (and she had seen both with Buddy). She of course couldn’t guarantee us that pathology wouldn’t end up showing cancer, but she said that if it was her baby, she would do the surgery. THAT WAS THE ONLY HOPE WE NEEDED! They brought him back in for us to love on him and pray over him, and then they took him back and told us they would call us before starting surgery later that afternoon.

They called us about 1:00 yesterday saying they were about to start the surgery. The surgery took about an hour and a half, and she called immediately after. Of course we still have to wait for pathology results which probably won’t be back until late next week, but she was very hopeful after the surgery! She said his liver looked PRISTINE (Thank You God!) and she didn’t see any obvious evidence of disease in other places. Now again, that doesn’t mean pathology won’t show it, but so far this is wonderful news. Now get this. The mass they removed out of our sweet boy was 10 pounds. Can you even imagine? No wonder he hadn’t been super interested in eating! This tumor was pressing against his stomach, making it much smaller than normal, which in turn was of course making it difficult to eat. And the vet told us again that the fact that the tumor was so big could actually be a good sign. I’m guessing because if it was cancerous, a 10 pound tumor would have resulted in many more symptoms for Charlie rather than just difficulty at mealtime and surely it would have spread.

So right now, we are feeling so incredibly grateful, but we would still love your prayers!

If you would take some time to pray for Charlie, we would be so so appreciative. Of course, pray that pathology comes back as NON-CANCEROUS. Also please pray that he continues to heal from surgery. They are still keeping him for observation and to monitor all the things. If all goes well, he will be able to come home on Saturday. In the meantime, we need prayers that he won’t throw a clot, that there won’t be excessive bleeding, and that he starts to eat and act like his normal self.

There’s no hiding that we had a super traumatic 36 hours, but right now we are incredibly hopeful! I will of course keep y’all posted on how our sweet boy is doing!

 

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MIX AND MATCH PIECES

On Wednesday’s post, I highlighted 5 different tops and 5 different pairs of shorts in 5 different outfits.

Today I’m going to mix and match them all together into lots of new outfits to hopefully show y’all the versatility of the pieces!

Y’all saw these great navy linen drawstring shorts on Wednesday with a vibrant orange ruffle tee, but you are going to see them here with several other tops. I love giving new styling ideas!

This floral gauze top is light, airy, breathable, and adorable! The split v-neck, the cute little collar, the flouncy sleeves, I love it all. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

These shorts are a lightweight linen with pull-on styling, so they are super comfortable. The perfect rise, the perfect elastic waist with a functional drawstring, and the perfect length. The link says they are a 4″ inseam, but they definitely seem longer on. They’re classy and casual, but they can easily be dressed up or down. I have super similar ones that are neutral that I love, so the navy seemed like a no brainer. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium for a relaxed fit.

floral gauze top / drawstring shorts / straw tote / turquoise earrings / heart toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

This is the yellow sweater you saw on Wednesday with the longer denim shorts. I think it looks awesome with these navy shorts and the colorful jewelry!

I’m completely smitten with this pointelle sweater. The site calls this color “green finch”, but I would definitely describe this sweater as a yellow and not a green. It’s 100% cotton, lightweight, breathable, and a fun look for summer! The pointelle pattern is sweet. It also comes in pink and white. For size reference, I wear a medium.

Click HERE for the self-tanner that I swear by. I love that it’s a mousse that goes on with a color, so you can see the application which is key! It applies very evenly, but if you miss a spot, you can immediately see that and correct it. And you can see that the color is a golden brown and not too orange at all.

pointelle sweater / drawstring shorts / turquoise earrings / colorful initial necklace / heart toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And this is the eyelet top you saw on Wednesday with the patch pocket denim shorts.

This eyelet peasant blouse is really sweet and a perfect summer blouse to style in lots of different outfits. It’s 100% cotton and lined, with the cutest little eyelet pattern. The neck is a flattering scoop neck, and I really like the little flutter sleeves. This top is airy, roomy, and kind of romantic. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

eyelet peasant blouse / drawstring shorts / turquoise earrings / colorful initial necklace / heart toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And here are the same shorts with a new striped tee! It has a great little cuffed sleeve and a relaxed fit. I love this navy stripe, but it also comes in 8 other solid colors. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

striped tee / straw tote / drawstring shorts / turquoise earrings / colorful initial necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And here’s the same tee with the patch pocket denim shorts…

These patch pocket denim shorts are from Wit and Wisdom, our favorite denim brand, and they have the signature fit and stretch that we’ve all fallen in love with. And although you can’t see them with the shirt worn out like this, they’ve got really cute oversized patch pockets on the front that do show when you do a half tuck. For size reference, I’m wearing a 4.

striped tee / patch pocket shorts / turquoise earrings / colorful initial necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

You saw this tie front top on Wednesday with my distressed denim shorts, but I’m loving the all neutral look with my favorite ecru jeans.

I’ve been loving all of the tie-front tops that I’ve been seeing all over social media, but most of them show a lot more skin than this, and that’s not my vibe. This linen blend tie front top is more modest because only the top tie shows skin. It is a boxy fit, but y’all know I happen to like a boxy fit. And the fluttery peplum hem is just my style. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

Y’all know that these ecru jeans are in my Top 3 finds for the year, and they’ve been on y’alls Top 12 list several times as well. They are actually a great year-round jean because they look awesome with booties in the fall and winter, but they look just as great with wedges and sandals in the summer! I love the fit and the frayed hem. I’m wearing my regular size 4.

linen blend tie front top / straw tote / ecru jeans / turquoise earrings / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

I showed y’all this yellow sweater and professed my love already, but here it is with several different shorts/jeans….

Here it is styled super casually with my distressed denim…

I think this is the 3rd year for me to be wearing and loving these distressed denim cut-offs. However, since they are both short and distressed, there are lots of places I wouldn’t wear them. They are what I affectionately refer to as toddler shorts because of the elastic across the back. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

pointelle sweater / colorful initial necklace / distressed denim cut-offs / turquoise earrings / straw tote / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And here it is dressed up a bit with the neutral jeans…

pointelle sweater / colorful initial necklace / ecru jeans / turquoise earrings / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

I showed this blouse on Wednesday with the ecru jeans, but how fabulous is it with these olive patch pocket shorts!

This floral flutter sleeve blouse is one of my new favorite finds. I think it’s absolutely darling. The little posies that are scattered all over the top are precious, and I’m in love with the pleating and swingy fit. The banded collar, the button up-styling, and the little flutter sleeves all come together to make this great top. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

These twill patch pocket shorts are a little bit unexpected with the color and a lot cute! 😉 They have the same fit and stretch as the denim patch pocket shorts you are going to see in a minute, but these are twill. The olive color still functions as a neutral, so you can style them with lots of different colors. For size reference, I’m wearing my regular size 4. I would suggest sizing up for a more relaxed fit.

floral flutter sleeve blouse / twill patch pocket shorts / turquoise earrings / heart toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And this outfit is giving me boho vibes, and I love it…

floral flutter sleeve blouse / longer denim shorts / turquoise earrings / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

 

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THE WEIGHTED VEST CLUB

I’ve joined the weighted vest community, and I’m totally digging it. I love that I can do my normal walks, spend the same amount of time on a walk, and my body is getting more out of it because of the added weight.

I started with 8 pounds and used that for about a month, and I recently moved up to 12 pounds.

weighted vest

 

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DAY DATES

Day dates are my favorite.

Chris and I had a day date last week at The Yard on Friday. I highly recommend the brisket nachos and the Frose. Pro Tip: Ask for the Frose in a regular glass. Not only will you get more, but it won’t be in the stupid little froofie glasses that they normally come in.

 

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A COUPLE MORE FAVORITE THINGS…

Carter and some buddies went to see one of their friends play in the spring Varsity football game last week. These boys are definitely a favorite.

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the ranch with friends and family and had a wonderful time. I was surprisingly terrible at taking pictures, but I did manage to grab this one of Carter and Brody fishing.

 

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WEEK IN REVIEW

If you didn’t see my post last Friday on 30 Summer Dresses, click HERE to read my full reviews and see sizing recommendations.

Here’s just a tiny sneak peak of some of the dresses you can see…

orange dress / navy dress / black dress / green dress / orange dress / striped dress

And if you didn’t see Wednesday’s post with 5 Summer Outfits, click HERE. I give my full reviews and sizing recommendations on that post.

OUTFIT #1: floral flutter sleeve blouse / ecru jeans /raffia sandals

OUTFIT #2: pointelle sweater / longer denim shorts / colorful initial necklace /raffia sandals

OUTFIT #3: eyelet peasant blouse / patch pocket shorts / turquoise earrings / raffia sandals

OUTFIT #4: ruffle tee / drawstring shorts / straw tote /raffia sandals

OUTFIT #5: linen blend tie front top / distressed denim cut-offs / straw tote / raffia sandals

That’s all for today, ladies! Have a wonderful weekend with your people!

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