1 Month Later: Do we still like each other?

You will be happy to know that the answer is yes. 
After exactly one month of living together, Dom and I do still like each other. Success!
I can't say you should be really impressed though, since our past month has mostly consisted of exploring the Sunshine State and getting our pasty skin to glow just right.
But still, it's a milestone, and it's exciting.

Dom even loves living with me so much he gave me a new nickname, Taz!
I was certain it was because Tasmania is close to Australia and he wants to think about where we met every single day.
 
It's actually short for Tasmanian Devil, which he has decided I resemble when I'm cooking.
{Screeeech.}
I can explain.

See, when you first live together, you learn some nuances about your loved one you never knew before.
Dom? He likes to clean as he goes.  If something drips on the counter while he's cooking, he cleans it up right away. Then he continues cooking, and stops every time an ingredient decides to hurl itself onto the counter. Or worse...the floor.
Me? I figure if I'm cooking, things will get messy. So, I just do my thing and then when everything has been prepared, I just clean the whole kitchen all at once and every one is happy.

But this means when Dom enters the kitchen when I'm cooking, it looks like a bomb went off.
Or, as he likes to put it, a Tasmanian Devil came flying through spinning and leaving a tornado in its wake.  A little dramatic, don't you think? 

So I have been named Taz, his little Tasmanian Devil.

Aside from our cooking styles, Dom and I really mesh well together.  He likes to go go go, and I am more of a relax and chill kind of person.
It works for us because we spend the day running errands, working out, and being active, but every night we cook dinner, have wine, and watch whatever singing competition is on that night.
We really get the best of both worlds!
So I'm happy to report living with Dom is everything I hoped it would be, and then some.  I get to be with my best friend every day. 
He makes me feel better when I don't hear back from jobs.  He helps parallel park my car when I'm squeezing between a Maserati and a Bentley in my little Hyundai. He motivates me to be the best I can be. I'm sitting here in our little breakfast nook wondering how I got so lucky.

So in return, I might try to clean up as I go.
But maybe not.
Why? I kind of like my new nickname.

You know what I can't believe?

I can't believe Dom has to fly back north to get his car today. Yes, it's still in NY.  He hired a company to ship it down and they said it would be down in 5-7 days. That was in August. So? His best friend, Murph, is getting his car and driving it to Philly, and Dom is flying tonight to Philly, where Murph will pick him up and they'll drive through the night to get here Friday afternoon! So inconvenient, but thankfully he's had his nana's car to drive this past month.  But that also means I will be spending my first night in this house by myself! You can bet all of the lights will be on.  The bright side is that Murph gets to come down. He and Dom are seriously 2 peas in a pod and they are so much fun together! I don't even mind being the third wheel.  They're men and don't talk about feelings, but I know they're really missing each other. :)
***
I can't believe we're going to see Brad Paisley this weekend! We all love his music and I haven't seen him in concert yet! Plus, to me country concerts are about as fun as it gets.  Especially with the tailgate before hand! There will be lots of drinking, singing, and country happiness.

{circa 2010}

I can't believe the home owners association of the community we're living in is charging us each $300 for our background checks to live here! Seriously, I've gotten them for jobs before, and they do not cost that much. They're lucky we really like it here!
***
I can't believe Mr. Health Nut suggested I order a pizza at 11 Tuesday night because I was hungry! It was so glorious to be able to order a delicious gluten-free pizza for delivery (oh heyy Dominos!) and devour it late at night with no regrets or judgement. I was in HEAVEN. And may or may not have eaten all but 2 pieces. Judge me. I dare you.
***
I can't believe my best friend from college left her very unhealthy 3 year relationship last night. I'm OVERJOYED! But I can't believe it.  I never thought she would, but her strengh is so inspiring and I feel silly for ever thinking she couldn't do it.  It was the hardest thing she's ever done, but she's free now, and I couldn't be happier.

I can't believe I can open water bottles by myself now! I see you 5lb weights. And I love you.

Florida Home Tour!

I know I promised this awhile ago, but we've had a few weeks of overcast days and I wanted to make sure to capture how bright the house is!  I love, love loveee natural light, and get really depressed when I have to turn on lights during the day.  This house has tons of windows and skylights, so it's always bright.  I absolutely love it!

In case you didn't know, Dom and I moved to Florida about a month ago into his grandmother's vacation home that no ones uses.  We are so lucky to be able to move into a fully furnished house! I'm also very lucky his nana and mother have very similar color tastes to me, the house is cream, pink and blue themed.  It's so beachy and Floridian!

{Living Room}

{Kitchen Breakfast Nook}

{Master Bedroom}

{Note Patrick, my stuffed moose that I slipped in.  Took Dom 2 days to notice him ;)}

{Half of the walk in closet, Dom has the opposite side, and the other side of the hallway is all closet too!}

{Master Bathroom}

{Lanai}

{Lanai to porch to golf course}

{View form our back porch, with our one palm tree!}

 *Off the living room on the opposite side there is a hallway with a second bathroom, Dom's Nana's room, another guest room and the laundry room, which are not pictured.  I figured you'd only want pictures of the fun stuff! 

You can see from this last picture how close the golfers are to our house. When we pull the blinds in the morning there are almost always carts right on that sidewalk.  The first time I opened the blinds in my underwear was definitely the last.  Having people so close took a little getting used to, but it makes sitting outside very entertaining!

 Dom and I are both so happy we get to live here! It's our first "home" together and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

My first time...

The other day I was driving to Lowes (aka home) and a song came on the radio. "No Scrubs" by TLC to be exact.  After screaming to no one, I sang every word and couldn't believe I remembered everything so many years later.  I remember feeling so cool buying my first CD when I was in 3rd grade, and this was it.  It got me thinking about all my other firsts, so you lucky readers get to see them too.


First CD: TLC- No Scrubs.

 via

First R Rated movie: Shakespeare in Love.  But I had to close my eyes during that "bad" parts.

First time to a movie theater without my parents: Blue Crush

First Kiss: Okay, this is one of the most traumatic stories of my childhood.  It comes up all. the. time. with my family sooo I'm sharing it with you for your enjoyment.  My first kiss was my second cousin. Yep, incest. But it wasn't my fault! You see, I was only 4 years old and did not know we were related because it was my first time meeting them and when you're that little you don't understand that stuff anyways.  I was 4, he was 3 (I've always been a cougar!) and our older brothers locked us in a bedroom (deemed The Love Room) until we kissed for 10 seconds.  It was oh so romantic as we touched lips and stared cross eyed at each other for 10 seconds.

First Concert: It's Britney, bitch.

via

First Vacation: Puerto Rico to visit my grandfather

First Date: McDonalds for a frosty.  That should have been a sign.

First Boyfriend: The typical player.  He was older, he dated a lot of girls, but he wanted me.  I was young and naive and was certain he had changed for me. I don't  even remember how long we dated, on and off for a year maybe?  But it was filled with lies and cheating and things I was too young and innocent to be dealing with.

First Heartbreak: Like all relationships with a player, it ended badly.  Although, I think it was extra brutal.  He had just graduated high school and had a huge graduation party.  When I got there I was introduced to his new girlfriend.  I got the message loud and clear. I've never cried so hard.

First Facebook Picture: 

First True Love: While I've loved boyfriends before, and thought it was real love, there's something different with Dom.  I love him, his jokes, his pinky toe and the way he walks. He's also the first guy I've let see me sans make-up and my hair au natural...

Well, now you too. Just because I love you all sooo much.

He's home to me.  And that's true love.

First Car: '97 Chevy Cavalier. Crank windows. Manual locks. Granny car.  Yes, I had it up until 2 months ago!

What are your firsts??

Show and Tell: Stuck on an Island

  1. Tell us, if you could only take 5 people with you to a deserted island, who would it be, and why? Dom, easy answer. And not just because I love him! He's one of those people who always knows what to do, not matter what.  He's also really strong so he can build us a house, and he'd know how to cook all the fish he we catch.  I'd also bring my mom, because sometimes you just need your mama.  On that note, I'd bring my dad too because he's a doctor, and that could come in handy.  Then I'd bring my friends Felicia and Julia, because Julia is very calm and Felicia would always make me laugh!  Come to think of it...we'd have a really fun island.  2. Show us which island you'd like to be deserted at. 

  That would still be Fiji, since Dom and I were kind of deserted there and it turned out alright! But, I don't think I'd want to go back to our island, even though it was beautiful.  I want running water this time!  So I think I'd pick one of the islands with the huts on the water, like in Bora Bora.  Since we're deserted there, no one can stop us from sleeping in the hut! 3. Tell us, if you could only bring 3 items with you, what would those items be. And why?  Is there cell service? Because if yes it would definitely be my phone.  That way I could communicate with the world and take pictures in case we got rescued.  Then I would bring my epi pen considering I'm sure I'll be allergic to everything on my island.  Then? A swiss army knife.  I feel like that would be helpful in this situation. 
4. Show us 3 pictures that you would take with you.    I chose these 3 because they feature those I love most and either make me laugh or bring back a great memory! I'd have one of my family but I'm bringing them with me :)

One of my favorite pictures of Dom and me.  One of (if not the) first picture taken of us. Promise there's a dress under that sweater! Just not a long one...

Favorite picture of my best friend from college and me! It always makes me laugh

And finally, my best girls!

5. Tell us what you envision life would be like on that island. Do you think you would go into survival mode? Would you be like those Survivor people and eat bugs? What qualities do you possess that would help you survive. Do share.   This is probably the wrong answer, but I'm told frequently that I would be the first to die on a deserted island. For starters, I'm underweight, so I wouldn't have much to live off without food! And if we could get food? I'm allergic to everything, and I'm not exaggerating. Fresh fruits and veggies? Almost all no.  And who knows what else we'd find!  I did elect to bring my epi pen though so that might help.  However, besides those two setbacks? I'd go into survivor mode.  If eating bugs was my only option? I'd do it.  But you better believe I would make sure that was my only option! I'm super girly and lets just say no one in their right mind would chose me to go with them on a deserted island.  But, if our lives were on the line? There's nothing I wouldn't do.

Dear Nana: We found your stash

Dear Nana: We found your stash.  Not that we're surprised considering the 5 tequila shots you did the night before Dom's graduation, but damn, that's impressive! Dear very aged wine in Nana's stash: we're trying very hard to resist you but it's getting harder. Dear Beautiful Friend: I'm so happy you are finally breaking free and seeing what is best for you.  This weekend might be painful but I promise you are making the right decision by telling him goodbye. Dear Blog: I think I have settled on a new name for you! Get ready for some changes around here. Dear Dom: Thank you for inspiring me to take my hobby and bring it to the next level.  Thank you for inspiring me in general! Dear spicy chili with tequila, whiskey AND chocolate:  You are heaven and I'm so glad Dom created you. Dear Self: Good job on landing yourself an Italian. Dear spending freeze: I'm failing at you miserably...but I'm trying! Dear X Factor: Why are you so great?  Seriously, we laugh, we cry (well, I cry) and dare I say, I find Simon charming? Dear Dom again: My favorite part of the night is cuddled on the couch with you. Dear Fantasy Football Team: Let's keep up the good work shall we? We're moving on up! Dear DMV: I think it's time we see less of each other, it's not me...it's you. Dear Readers: I think you should use the code URI to get 10% your order from Frat Collection! Happy shopping :)

I believe in wine.

* in wine.

* a meal is not a meal without cheese.

* the ocean cures the soul.

* there is good in everyone.

* there's no such thing as too much cilantro.

*"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

* there is definitely an alligator in the pond behind my house.

* in second chances.

* that my hair has a mind of its own.

* A smile can make someone's day.

* no show will ever compare to Friends

* a piece of my heart will always be in Fiji

* someone in Florida should hire me.

* the grass is greener where you water it.

* that one day I'll find my true passion.  Wine does not count.

* my bed is the most comfortable place in the world.

* murderers are hiding in my closets the minute I'm home alone.

* anything can be fun with the one you love.

* he will be the best doctor in the world

* my letting from Hogwarts got lost in the mail.

* my house should clean itself.

* adults should get nap time too.

* in miracles. I have proof. {More on that to come}

* love is all you need.

* I believe I am truly blessed.

Go link up with Erin and tell us what you believe in!

100th Post! Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!

I can't believe this is my 100th post! I had no idea I'd fall in love with blogging this much when I first started.  I can't think of a better way to spend my 100th post than co-hosting a blog hop to meet more fabulous ladies! It's easy, just follow the rules below and make new friends!

If you're new here from the hop, welcome! I'm so glad you're here :) Grab some coffee, (or wine, I don't judge) look around and stay awhile! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an entire fall outfit!

Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday! This link party is here to aid you in finding not only new awesome blogging friends but followers as well. Share the love, follow the rules, and meet new people! This link-party can be found here every Wednesday.

1- FOLLOW YOUR HOSTS VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT

(the first links in link-up, marked host!)

2-LINK UP USING YOUR BLOGS URL

(please do not use a specific post)

3-FOLLOW OTHER BLOGGERS & COMMENT

(meet new people, make new friends)

4-GRAB THE BUTTON, ADD IT TO YOUR BLOG

(share the linky love, and button up below)

5-SHARE THE WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY NEWS

(tweet, facebook,  instagram & etc about link party)

      <a href="http://www.littlepetrie.com/search/label/wonderfulwednesday"> <img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2cwpkk9.jpg" border="0" /></a>

Giveaway!! You won't want to miss this!

Hello ladies! I don't know if you have heard about FabuLESS Fashions, but if not, you're missing out!  It's pretty simple, fabulous clothing for an even more fabulous price!  Seriously, their clothes are SO cute, and if you're on a budget like me fashionable and affordable is a winning combo.

Now is the time you get lucky (wink wink.)  Enter below and you could win a fabulous FabuLESS fall outfit!  

And it gets better.  Even if you don't win? 

There are prizes for second and third place!

1st place: A fabulous fall outfit from Fabuless

2nd place: Fashion Belt 

3rd place: Fashion Jewelry

 So enter away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Makes my heart happy

Have you ever found a place that makes your heart happy?
I have a lot of them.  My bed, the beach, my parents' kitchen, the bottom of a wine bottle. {Kidding.}
This past weekend we explored another part of our new state, and I found a whole city that makes my heart happy, Naples!

 {Naples Pier}

We went on this trip on a whim.  We were eating breakfast and Dom got that infamous smile on his face, and we know that always means trouble.  

Apparently while I was sitting there innocently reading all your bloggy blogs he was bidding on a hotel room, and won! So we packed up and drove the 2 hours to Naples, for $40 a night. :)

We started by going to Marco Island, which is probably my heaven on earth.  I feel like I say that about every place I go, but I mean it this time.  I promise.

All of Naples is a bird sanctuary so there were huge pelicans and all types of birds flying everywhere.
Kind of scary, but also pretty awesome.
The beach was so quiet and we had it almost all to ourselves.  I immediately got excited thinking about how perfect it would be to bring young children.  White sand, still shallow water and exciting animals. 

Dom quickly reminded me I'm dating a 22 year old male by swearing he'd never live somewhere so boring. {Happy bubble <---POP.}  He's more of a Miami nightlife, watch all the Bentleys go by kinda guy. He didn't seem to think that possibly running into Kelle Hampton made it more exciting either.  He even claimed to not know who Lainey or Nella were. Ugh, men.

Anywho it started to rain so we did what any normal person would do and found the nearest happy hour.  1 fishbowl, 5 amazing wings and 4 mini tacos later I was happy and hammered. 

And dinner? Naples outdid itself. We found a flatbread place with an entire gluten free menu, gluten-free flatbreads, pizzas and paninis. I was in heaven. Even more? It was also a wine bar.  And the waitress? Came over and told me I look like Jessica Alba.
I can't believe Dom made me leave. But he could just see my head (and thighs) getting bigger if I stayed there any longer and took me home.  Once again, men.


The next night was less delicious but gorgeous.  See, I love marinas more and a normal person should. I could sit and stare at boats all day and all night if I could.  So that is what we did. With cocktails.

Unfortunately, the guy we were chatting with had a few too many cocktails and after spilling a jager shot down Dom's leg I decided against handing him my baby camera to get a picture of us.  You'll just have to use your imagination for now.

So that's the end of my trip to heaven.  Naples and I? Life long friends.  Who needs men?