::christmas:is:going:to:the:dogs::

FYI to my regular readers, this is just an older post...but really wanted to post this! :)

What a weekend. It went by crazy fast. 

My poor little Lou'e had to go to the emergency vet on Sunday because of a bad eye infection. No idea how or what brought this on. But my heart breaks for the little guy every time I look into his big chocolatey brown eyes...because he can barely open one! 

I know that a lot of people look at animals and say they're "just dogs" or "just cats"...but my two, Lou'e and Moo, are part of my family and I treat them as such. I will still treat them like dogs, but at the same time, what's wrong with coddling them?? As long as they don't have any behavioral issues, right? They're my little babies and I love to nurture and love 'em up. 

Let me tell you though, they can get expensive! LOL! The vet visit wasn't cheap and oftentimes it can set a lot of people back. That's why I think that sometimes it might be wise to invest in a pet-plan where you pay into some sort of an account monthly - or a health insurance plan.

Since I've got dog on the brain and have for the last few days (non-stop!) AND Christmas (since it snowed this weekend!!) I've decided to do a little post on great gift-ideas for pet parents and their sidekicks! 

PS. This is a dog-lover post, I'm sorry I have nothing for the kitties at this time. Maybe in a future post! :)

Also, please be mindful of the sites - some are Canadian and some are American! You can click on the title of each product, which will take you directly to a link where you can purchase these items. :) And no, I'm not getting paid to endorse these products. I just seen them and thought it would be a great idea to put some ideas together for you guys for spoiling your pooch at Christmas!

Christmas is Going to the Dogs!

Your puppies Christmas Wishlist! (And maybe yours too! :))

Snack Duo for Dogs
$19.99 USD

This is the perfect {and only} 2-in-1 travel 'pupware' that you'll need on road trips or hikes with your pooch! There are two compartments here, one for water and one for food or treats that you can take with you when traveling. The lid also pops off and gets turned into a collapsible dish.
Great for people - and pups! - on the go! :)

::post:to:come::

Sorry! I have a good excuse!! Christmas is coming, exam is finished, training at the gym, etc etc etc! So....thus the lack of posts. BUT I do have a couple that I began writing and I need to tweak and share...so stay tuned. I plan on sharing a HOWL-iday post with you guys soon! Especially for those last minute shoppers that have pup-parents for friends! :) 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend...it's raining here! Where is the snow!?!?! 

-S.*

::book:gift:ideas::

One day...

WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!! 

Black Friday is coming up! 

Do you guys actually shop on Black Friday? I never have...and I won't be tomorrow as I'm broke as a joke! Damn...it's 

Murphy's Law, eh? You have a bit of money, you can't find nuttin....you don't have money? You want the entire world! 

I have got a long list for Santa this year {of course, nothing can really top the Vitamix from last year, seriously!} such

as books, boxing gloves, clothes {gym ones too!}, some things for the pups {an awesome HOWLiday gift idea post coming up in the next few days too!} and much, much more. What's on your guys' wishlist for the year? 

I know that I gotta take those pennies and spend on some kidlets for thie Christmas. I would have loved to get Travis' nieces and nephew a BUNNY for Christmas, but not sure if his Sister {my shopping partner-in-crime} Lori would appreciate that. LOL. So the hunt continues! 

::bon:appetit:is:back!::

I must admit that after eating pretty healthy for the last 3 months I have fallen off the wagon. 

I blame my Mom!! LOL!

My family came to visit in October - first for Thanksgiving and just because and then extended their stay because of a very unfortunate passing that happend in our family.

But, I am grateful that I was able to bother my parents incessantly for another week. Honestly, when my Mom is down it's as if I'm a kid all over again. 

I am usually on the go 95% of the time - taking care of the majority of household chores, bills, the pups, my man and myself as well...not to mention working full time and school as well (which I must finish by the end of the year!).

So I'm usually not sitting until around 8 or 9 in the evening...it gets tiring...but you get into the swing of things and it becomes routine. 

But when my Mom was here...did I just milk it! Lol! I was the biggest lazy bum EVER and I hope my Mom doesn't think I'm this incredible sloth. 

But honestly, I needed it! I loved being able to come home and just sit on the couch, play video games and be a kid again! That's exactly how it felt. I think everyone needs that from time to time. 

When I took vacation back in July it didn't feel like vacation - and even though during my parents stay I was going to work everyday it felt MORE of a vacation then anything. 

The biggest thing I was spoiled with was the food. My Mom's incredible cooking! And despite pigging out on everything that she made, I still managed to lose a good 5lbs in two weeks. 

::fighter::

If you know me well, you know that once I get really passionate about something, I tend to go all out. 

It really could be anything - from my all time favorite: animals...to art...to music...to scarves...to my vitamix blender...cooking....perfumes...motorcycles...

Now it's turned to fitness...and every so slowly (or quickly!) has it veered towards the world of mixed marital arts and boxing. 

::back:?::

I can't seem to cut loose of this blog.

I tried to go a different route with Live Well with Miss G....but I've worked so hard on this one since 2012 that I can't seem to cut loose. 

When I sit there and try to figure out things to blog about on Live Well I just can't seem to get inspired enough to type ANYTHING. I begin...and then second guess everything it is that I write. I know I shouldn't, because it's MY blog...but I just feel like the Darling blog is more personable...it's like sitting on a box window with a large quilted blanket and a warm cup of tea and just reading some random ramblings for the sheer fun of it while it's raining or snowing outside...

I feel more inspired when I come here...probably because I have such a history with it. 

And as much as I like the new blog...the look of it in particular...I just can't launch off the ground with it like I wanted to...and Darling has some deep roots that I can't shake.

Therefore, I am back at the Darling...maybe I'll change the new of this blog...but for now...I am going to putter away here and then maybe figure something out for Live Well down the line. I love the name of it...I love both names...but I feel more comfy and cozy here with you guys. 

I always used to love blogging...and go through old posts...and even though a lot of edits are gone...we will still do a bit of fashion...more food...and a LOT of random ramblings. 

There will be book lists...and wish lists...and "inspiration" posts...there will be reviews and such as well. Basically, everythign that I did before...that I haven't done in a long while. 

Time to get back it. And get inspired. 

-S.*