nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek

Friends, mark your calendars for next Wednesday, November 26. At 12:01 am, when you’ll be able to preview 1000+ Nordstrom deals and plan ahead for your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. Here’s a sneak peek at all the fun in store!

nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress
nordstrom black friday deals sneak peek, ted baker zadi fit and flare dress

DRESS ted baker zadi fit and flare dress (wearing size 2, more color options here & here) | SHOES stuart weitzman heels (shorter heel height linked) | EARRINGS pearl studs

I’ve made a goal for myself this year, friends. To be completely done with Christmas shopping by the end of Black Friday. (Which, can you believe it, is a week away?!) Year after year, I seem to push it to the limit. But not this time!

This year, I’m so excited to share that one of my very favorite retailers, Nordstrom, will be publishing their Cyber Deals early!

That’s right, mark your calendars for next Wednesday, November 26. At 12:01 am, when you’ll be able to preview 1000+ deals and plan ahead for your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. Here’s a sneak peek at all the fun in store!

 

nordstrom cyber deals sneak peek

 

The hunter boots! The faux leather leggings! The set of Hanky Pankys! So. Many. Good. Finds. Nordstrom has also given me a heads up that they’ll be dropping more sale styles on Black Friday itself… so it’s looking like this is going to be quite the weekend!

Now… let’s talk about the dress.

 

the green dress

 

I couldn’t help myself, y’all. This perfect dress by Ted Baker is definitely a splurge, but have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Between the color, the beautiful fabric, the stunning detailing, and the timeless fit, I simply couldn’t say no.

I ordered it in a Ted Baker size 2, which translates to my usual size 0. I didn’t have to touch it in terms of alterations. Perfect through and through!

I actually packed it up and took it to Paris with me (photo), and while I can’t be sure if it was the dress, the city, the beautiful restaurant I wore it to or a combination of it all… I had the most magical night in it. Let me tell you, it is so much fun to wear.

It’s selling out quickly, so if you’re looking for a perfect Christmas eve dress, don’t delay! Is your size not currently available? Be sure to bookmark this page and check back for restocks, or check out these other color options!

 

 

Nordstrom has an amazing selection of Ted Baker dresses, which never let me down when I’m looking for classic beauty in a high quality, beautiful piece! See them all here!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

Thank you, Nordstrom, for sponsoring this post.

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’tis the season // under $50 gift guide for her

Today, I’m excited to share my 2019 under $50 gift guide for her! (You can find gift guides from years past here.) I’ve spent a ton of time including products I personally love, as well as researching gifts that pack a punch without a hefty price tag!

There’s something so fun and festive about publishing my first gift guide of the season. As I sit here sipping coffee with cheesy Christmas movies on in the background, the reality that Christmas is just a few weeks away is finally setting in. Jingle jingle, friends!

Today, I’m excited to share my 2019 under $50 gift guide for her! (You can find gift guides from years past here.) I’ve spent a ton of time including products I personally love, as well as researching gifts that pack a punch without a hefty price tag!

There are so many great ideas below, and I hope they make Christmas shopping fun for you instead of a chore!

Unlike most of my collages, this roundup isn’t click-able. But I have all the details linked at the end of the post… so keep scrolling for details!

under $50 gift guide for her

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve // thirteen // fourteen // fifteen // sixteen // seventeen // eighteen // nineteen // twenty // twenty-one // twenty-two // twenty-three // twenty-four // twenty-five // twenty-six // twenty-seven // twenty-eight // twenty-nine // thirty // thirty-one // thirty-two // thirty-three // thirty-four // thirty-five // thirty-six // thirty-seven // thirty-eight // thirty-nine // forty // forty-one // forty-two // forty-three // forty-four // forty-five // forty-six // forty-seven // forty-eight // forty-nine // fifty

 

fifty gifts under $50

 

one // my favorite lip. ever.

$37

This Chanel stain + gloss in the shade Merry Rose has been my wear-every-day, ride-or-die for two years now. I recommend it to everyone, and continually get questions about it. This shade, Merry Rose, is the perfect, chic, subtle nude that looks good on everyone.

 

two // french bull dog pj pants

$23.50

Have a pup lover in your life? These adorable, cozy pink puppy pajama pants are good. So good, in fact, it might be worth snatching up a pair for yourself as well!

 

three // my must-have key accessory

$25

These O-Rings may look large, but they are so amazing. I’ve owned this pink leather version (which has a higher price tag at for a few years now. It makes finding my keys or grabbing them out of a big tote a breeze.

 

four // coffee mug warmer

$27.99

I have a feeling I’m not the only one who would *love* this practical gift. Pink not your color? This coffee mug warmer comes in a few other shades (including white) as well!

 

five // kate spade heart head warmer

$38

I’ve always thought winter headbands that cover your ears and keep you warm are one of the cutest winter accessories. This pink style is adorable, and Kate Spade for under $50, no less!

 

six // custom phone case

$46

There are cute phone cases, and then there are Clairebella customized phone cases. I am obsessed with all of the pattern, font and color options. I’ve actually never ordered from Clairebella, but I’ve been keeping an eye on this adorable shop for years and think this might be the perfect first purchase!

 

seven // my (favorite) makeup bag

$19.99

I was #influenced to buy this Amazon find makeup case after seeing it in tons of bloggers IG Stories. Let me tell y’all… it lives up to the hype! It is the easiest thing to organize in and travel with, and it comes in lots of cute color options!

 

eight // pink duck head umbrella

$36

Isn’t this pink umbrella just too adorable? Sure to put a smile on anyone’s face… and extra useful for those living in rainy climates like me!

 

nine // iphone + ipad stylus

$24.99

For your tech-loving friend, get her this sleek stylus! I always get questions about how I make such pretty fonts in Instagram Stories, and the secret is one of these bad boys. This is such a fun for creating and making magic on screens!

 

ten // monogrammed greek key catch-all

$29 + $49

This precious little catch-all has it… you guessed it.. all! Adorable color options, on-trend greek key detailing and, of course, a monogram! The small size runs for $29 and the large runs for $49.

 

eleven // rose quartz ice roller

$18

Another blogger-favorite… this ice roller! Store this in the freezer and use to brighten and de-puff under eyes or to massage in essential oils and facial products. Perfect for the beauty guru!

 

twelve // slip hair ties

$25

I’m a big fan of the slip brand (Andrew got me a pillowcase for Valentine’s day one year!) and have been hearing rave reviews about these hair ties. Apparently they don’t tug or leave creases. Plus, they’re nothing short of luxurious!

 

thirteen // leather tech-touch gloves

$34.99

I found these glamorous gloves at Target the other day, and ended up walking away with two colors! Such a glam gift for your sophisticated gift. Love that they’re tech-touch, too!

 

fourteen // cable knit personalized dog sweater

$39

If you know a fluffy friend who doesn’t have a personalized cable-knit sweater, make it the poshest pooch EVER with this adorable piece. I have a hunch any dog-owner would just die to be gifted one of these! (I know I would!)

 

fifteen // agate wine bottle stopper

$14.99

A glam gift for any girl on your list. I’m a sucker for beautiful household knick-knacks, and love this bottle stopper! Gift it with your favorite bottle of wine for a personal touch.

 

sixteen // my favorite sports bra

$45

One of my favorite sports bra styles ever, the Outdoor Voices TechSweat Crop, is now available in the cutest leopard colorway and I’m drooling over it! Fits true to size and is oh-so-comfortable.

 

seventeen // a must-have beauty set

$40

You either haven’t tried the life-changing Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow and Light Wand and need to ASAP, or you know how amazing it is and need to gift this to all yo friends! This set is the perfect gift because anyone can use these products, no matter how much makeup they wear. Sure to get them hooked, as well as give them the perfect holiday glow!

 

eighteen // monogrammed agate coaster

$16

Another home gift that makes my “nice list” any day of the week. Love the personal monogrammed touch! This would be especially cute for any newly-weds you’re shopping for.

 

nineteen // monogrammed leather wine tote

$39

Such a classy, chic little gift that’s perfect for the girl who has everything. The elegant monogram takes this wine tote to the next level!

 

twenty // monogrammed clear pouch

$49

Throw this monogrammed pouch in your purse, in your suitcase, or in your travel tote! It’s the perfect organizational tool since you can see straight through it, and the leather detailing and monogrammed aspect make it a lovely gift.

 

twenty one // huggie hoop earrings

$45

For the girl who is all-about-accessories, these huggie earrings are a must. A fabulous price point for a piece that looks much more expensive than it is!

 

twenty two // framed instagram photo

$39

I always include this gift idea, because it’s one of my favorites! Simply upload an Instagram photo to Framebridge, and they’ll print it, frame it and ship it to you in a beautiful frame. I have a few of these in my home and want to order more. They make for the loveliest gift!

 

twenty three // monogram your favorite candle

~$35

One of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received was from my sweet mother-in-law. She had a beautiful vinyl sticker of our wedding monogram placed on one of her favorite candles. Order a monogrammed sticker from Etsy (here’s one of many shops that make them) in your friend’s initials and place on your favorite candle for a beautiful, personal gift.

 

twenty four // monogrammed yeti mug

$24.99

Did you know you can order a monogrammed yeti straight from their website? I love easy gifts with a personal touch, and this is such a great option for any coffee-lover on your list!

 

twenty five // leopard pom pom beanie

$25

Cute and cozy, I’m loving this stylish little beanie! Great for all leopard-lovers who are heading somewhere cold this holiday season.

 

twenty six // tory burch perfume set

$42

I wear the classic Tory Burch scent often, and absolutely love it’s light, feminine aroma! This set is beautiful… the little bottles are so cute!

 

twenty seven // blue light blocking glasses

$19.99

For that friend who spends lots of time in front of a computer screen, give this thoughtful and stylish gift that will protect her eyes from harmful UV rays!

 

twenty eight // milk frother

$39.56

I have a milk frother (one that isn’t as nice as this!) and it’s changed morning routine! I now enjoy my morning coffee with delicious froth and I feel like such a barista. This would be the cutest gift for anyone with a similar caffeine addiction!

 

twenty nine // star reusable straws

$27

Helping conserve the environment has never looked so cute! These straws are a perfect, unique gift for anyone on your list looking to be more eco-conscious.

 

thirty // lindsey leigh jewelry cleaner

$18

My sister gave me this jewelry cleaner last Christmas, and my ring seriously shines and sparkles whenever I use it! I’ve tried a few different cleaners and this is 100% the best I’ve found.

 

thirty one // luxurious laundry detergent in my favorite scent

$45

I was so excited to see this collaboration between The Laundress and one of my favorite scents EVER, Santal 33 by Le Labo! I already have a few people on my list who will be getting this, including my mother. Such a fun gift, since it’s an item you probably wouldn’t splurge on for yourself!

 

thirty two // monogrammed eye mask

$16.50 + $10 monogram

Another easy peasy personalized gift? This J.Crew sleep mask! Add a monogram for $10 for a darling treat anyone would love.

 

thirty three // fifty state hydrangea napkins

$40

A dear friend of mine, Jenny, started the most amazing textile company… Honey and Hank! She uses state silhouettes to create the most beautiful patterns. I’m especially loving this fifty state hydrangea print, but there are tons of other state-specific options as well. Such a thoughtful and sweet gift!

 

thirty four // cute calendar magnet

$12

For your always-organized and on-top-of-everything friend, this adorable calendar magnet is both functional and beautiful! What a cheeful way to keep track of every week, don’t you think?

 

thirty five // blue & white juliska mug

$44

Not just any old coffee mug… this blue & white juliska piece is a true beauty. I’m loving all things blue and white lately, and can think of so many who would also love this beautiful gift!

 

thirty six // gray malin coffee table book

$40

Gray Malin coffee table book? Best gift ever! I adore his work, and think anyone would love to have this beautiful Italy edition on their coffee table.

 

thirty seven // one of my favorite scarves

$48

This blue and white scarf is a true beauty. I’ve loved wearing it all autumn, everywhere from Savannah to Paris! It’s huge, soft, and so very vibrant. This would make a great gift for mother-in-laws.

 

thirty eight // custom coasters

$49

Looking for the perfect gift for the always-fashioanble hostess? I’m loving these monogrammed coasters! They come in a few different color and font options, and I’m loving them all! Especially this blue and white greek key set.

 

thirty nine // acrylic stir sticks

$20

If you haven’t heard of Sweet Caroline Designs, you’re in for a treat! Not only is she the designer behind my favorite planner that I use every day, she’s also doing our Christmas Cards this year! On top of everything, she has a darling store with a huge selection of these adorable acrylic stir sticks. Check out the full collection here. I want them all!

 

fourty // monogrammed luggage tag

$45

Perfect for the girl on-the-go, this Barrington luggage tag is an incredibly high-quality piece that comes in countless customizations! You can even create a more manly combination perfect for any guy on your list.

 

fourty one // ginger jar velvet flats

$39.99

These Jack Rogers ginger jar velvet flats are currently on sale… like, big time sale! A pair of beautiful velvet flats (with ginger jars, no less!)? Low key adding to my list as well!

 

fourty two // set of three designer-inspired headbands

$9.00

One of my favorite Amazon purchases of this season, these headbands are so chic, so high-quality and so well-priced. Order a set and wrap individually for three separate gifts at under $4 each!

 

fourty three // 10″ ginger jar

$45

I firmly believe you can never have enough ginger jars. No matter your style, these classic pieces always add a beautiful touch to any room! Whether your gift-ee has a full collection or doesn’t even have one, add this to her repertoire for a lovely, timeless gift!

 

fourty four // kate & meghan paper doll book

$9.99

Ok, how unique and fun is this paper doll book? This would make the perfect, unique gift for a royal-lover of any age. All of the outfits are absolutely stunning, and I feel like I could play with it for hours!

 

fourty five // my favorite hair tool

$38.99

Confession: I own a Dyson hair dryer, and I haven’t used it since buying this drugstore beauty buy! Think of a hair dryer and hot brush all in one… it leaves my hair smooth, straight and volumized without having to go through multiple steps. Trust me when I say it lives up to the hype!

 

fourty six // custom hair pin

$24

I love the idea of gifting someone with a personal piece they don’t already own, and this personalized hair pin would make for the perfect surprise! Choose from multiple different materials for a hair acessory that’s one of a kind.

 

fourty seven // emerald cut ring

$44

These emerald cut rings have been all the rage lately. This style comes in tons of different colorways, and would be a fun addition to any accessory-lovers arsenal.

 

fourty eight // dry bar giftcard

$45

I always have a few Dry Bar giftcards on hand. They’re one gift that never falls short! Who doesn’t love an hour of pampering followed by a head of shiny, voluminous hair? A gift card of $45 will cover one blow out in most cities!

 

fourty nine // chanel mirror

$42

Imagine gifting Chanel… at under $50! This elegant compact mirror is a great gift for any hard-to-shop-for girl on your list. Pro tip: order from the online Chanel store for beautiful packaging!

 

fifty // ticket stub organizer

$25

I’m always saving plane and concert tickets from special trips and events, but never know what to do with them. This ticket stub organizer is the perfect solution. Such a cute stand-alone gift, or as a compliment to a set of tickest to somewhere fun!

 

Whew! If you’ve made it this far, I’m seriously impressed. Hope you enjoyed this 50 gifts under $50 roundup! Now, what guide should I start working on next?

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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video // target holiday haul

‘Tis the season! Well, in my opinion. (If you’re a post-Thanksgiving celebrator, forgive me!) I made a sweaty stop into Target after my workout class yesterday morning… not realizing I was walking into Santa’s workshop! It was amazing!

‘Tis the season! Well, in my opinion. (If you’re a post-Thanksgiving celebrator, forgive me!) I made a sweaty stop into Target after my workout class yesterday morning… not realizing I was walking into Santa’s workshop! It was amazing!

A few of you DM’d me to ask about seeing the haul, so I thought I’d put together a *very* real-life, rough one today. I love YouTube, so it felt great to film another video!

Here are the pieces I featured!

If you’re looking to start decorating your halls soon, the Target Christmas selection is PRIME right now. Not over picked and messy yet! I’ve also heard great things about HomeGoods… so will try that next!

Don’t forget, I’d love it if you click “subscribe” on my YouTube channel here!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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the lonestar southern x impeccable pig collection launches tomorrow // sneak peek

That’s right, y’all! One of my favorite projects of the year is just around the corner… the winter Lonestar Southern X The Impeccable Pig collection launches tomorrow morning at 9am CST!

That’s right, y’all! One of my favorite projects of the year is just around the corner… the winter Lonestar Southern X The Impeccable Pig collection launches tomorrow morning at 9am CST!

If you’re new around here, a bit of backstory: I’ve shopped at The Impeccable Pig as long as I can remember. The Dallas location is a few blocks away from my childhood home and over the years it’s where my mom, sister and I would shop for fun occasions!

Needless to say, it’s been a complete dream to release two collections with this special boutique over the past three years. How does it work? Easy season, I head to market with the team and spend a full day handpicking the pieces in each release! (So basically, if I had my own boutique, these are the pieces I would carry.) It’s such a unique and fun project to work on, and I look forward to it every year.

This collection is without a doubt my favorite winter release yet. Each season, I learn a little bit more about what it takes to put together a great collection, and this go-around, I’m so proud! From holiday dresses to cozy sweaters and just about everything in between, I think you’re going to find pieces fit for every occasion.

Like I mentioned above, the full collection will be live Thursday morning, November 7, at 9am CST… BUT I couldn’t wait to share a quick sneak peek with you below!

 

the lonestar southern x impeccable pig collection

 

sneak peek

 

Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE CAN I SHOP THE COLLECTION?

Online! You’ll also find the entire collection in-store at the Dallas Snider Plaza location, and a few pieces from the collection at each of the other Impeccable Pig locations! Feel free to reach out to The Impeccable Pig team for exact locations.

WILL IT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

You bet! Although shipping may be more expensive.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE FROM THE COLLECTION?

Ahh, such a hard one! While I truly can’t pick one single “favorite” (although I will say we have some pretty fabulous dresses coming your way) there IS a piece I’m especially thrilled about. Do you remember the mock-neck sweater from last year’s collection? It sold out in a flash, even after multiple restocks! We’re bringing it BACK this year in white, black, pink and camel! (Peep the collage above for a look!) The white, black and pink styles will have a longer hemline, too, which I think you’re going to love. I seriously wear this sweater ALL THE TIME and can’t wait to re-release it!

WHAT IS THE SIZE RANGE?

The pieces are available in sizes S, M and L. This year, we will also have three sweaters available in plus size! With each release, we are looking to include more and more items in plus sizes!

WILL YOU DO ANOTHER COLLECTION TRY ON?

Of course! Last year, I asked you to send in your “try on requests” once the collection went live. I then proceeded to share those pieces on Instagram Stories! I plan on doing that tomorrow as well, so feel free to leave requests as a comment on my Instagram Post tomorrow morning! (DMs get buried too quickly!)

HOW DO RETURNS WORK?

Just in case you haven’t shopped with The Impeccable Pig before, I wanted to bring your attention to the return policy. Returns are for store credit only, so keep that in mind when shopping. I would hate for someone not to realize that before ordering!

HOW DO RETURNS WORK?

Just in case you haven’t shopped with The Impeccable Pig before, I wanted to bring your attention to the return policy. Returns are for store credit only, so keep that in mind when shopping. I would hate for someone not to realize that before ordering!

WHAT IS THE PRICE RANGE?

We worked hard to keep almost everything between $30-$100! There are a few special holiday pieces that will be a bit more expensive.

Unfortunately, I don’t have an Impeccable Pig discount code to share with y’all. But we will have a fun giveaway coming in a couple of weeks that I can’t wait to share with you!

WILL THE COLLECTION BE RESTOCKED?

Great question! We already have a set inventory for the collection, so most pieces will not restock. However, we always watch quantities on release day and if something sells out quickly, the Impeccable Pig team tries really hard to get a restock! More often than not, though, it doesn’t happen. So if there’s something you must have, I’d recommend snatching it up when you can!

Have any more questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments below! I am so, so excited about this and incredibly thankful for each of you… after all, you all are the entire reason this collection happens year after year!

Let me know what you’re hoping to find tomorrow, friends! Set those alarms and get ready, I can’t wait for you to see all the fun we have in store for you!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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the knee high boot i’m loving this season

I live for knee-high boots, y’all. What started as a love for the classic, equestrian (lol at this 2014 throwback) look turned into a full-blown obsession as styles in all sorts of materials, colors and silhouettes hit the market in recent years. For some reason, I always feel a bit more posh and put together in them. Anyone else?

sam edelman hai knee high boot
sam edelman hai knee high boot

I live for knee-high boots, y’all. What started as a love for the classic, equestrian (lol at this 2014 throwback) look turned into a full-blown obsession as styles in all sorts of materials, colors and silhouettes hit the market in recent years. For some reason, I always feel a bit more posh and put together in them. Anyone else?

There are so many styles I’m loving this season, but today I wanted to introduce you to one in particular. The Hai Knee High Boot from Sam Edelman.

I purchased this boot a few weeks ago after realizing I have plenty of riding boots (even though I’m still wanting this pair) and plenty of taupe/brown heeled knee/high boots… but didn’t have a chic black pair I could wear this season!

Enter this fabulous, suede beaut of a boot. I’m loving it for its block heel (two thumbs up for comfort), its pointed toe (super flattering, in my opinion) and its extensive variety of colors. Oh, and it definitely fits true to size!

So if you’re looking for a boot to style up, down and all around these coming months, the Hai gets my recommendation. I’ll be wearing mine with light, flowy dresses (this one is well under $100) until things cool down here in Florida. Then, bring on all the faux fur! (I know, I know.. wishful thinking.)

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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my friend flynn // first weekend with our new puppy

We did a thing this weekend, friends. We brought home a little furry friend name FLYNN, instantly melting our hearts forever and officially making us a family of three! I’m still pinching myself. We just simply do not deserve dogs.

We did a thing this weekend, friends. We brought home a little furry friend name FLYNN, instantly melting our hearts forever and officially making us a family of three! I’m still pinching myself. We just simply do not deserve dogs.

I took a quick poll on Instagram this morning, and it looks like y’all are interested in hearing more about this precious little guy. (I can’t say I blame you. :) So today, I thought I’d recap our first weekend with our new puppy… Flynn! I’ve officially become “that girl” who is obsessed with her dog (Instagram handle included) so thank you for letting me gush about him today! :)

 

Meeting Flynn

 

Saturday morning, Andrew and I made the two-hour drive to Flynn’s first home. (If you’re curious, we got him from Holly Jolly Schnauzers in Christmas, Florida. Is that not the prime setting for a Hallmark Christmas Movie or what?!)

The first time we saw Flynn, he was hanging back and relaxing while his siblings were going crazy over meeting us. He was so teeny, had a special little gleam in his eyes and the cutest markings. (It’s like his bottom half is white and his top half is black!) I instantly fell in love.

We spent a few hours there playing with Flynn and his sweet siblings and learning lots of important puppy parent facts from his sweet breeder, Tracy. Once we had been through everything, we loaded up to hit the road home!

Did I cry tears of joy when Tracy put Flynn in my arms? Why yes. Yes I did.

 

Flynn Comes Home

 

Naturally, Flynn was a little bit nervous for the first few minutes of the drive. But thanks to your amazing recommendations, I had brought along a Snuggle Puppy.

We made sure to gently rub it on his siblings and for the ride home, Flynn was calm as can be laying on top of it. (We used the heartbeat but not the heating pad.)

Much to my surprise, we didn’t get any whining or shaking at all from Flynn boy! Just lots of sweet snuggles and a good long nap, as well.

 

Our First Night

 

It was about 6pm by the time we made it back to our house. Before leaving, Andrew and I had set up baby gates and removed our rugs to make our kitchen a puppy play zone for Flynn. (We have a tile kitchen floor, so accidents are an easy cleanup!) We spent the next hour there playing with and getting to know him.

When we took him out for the first time, he was so timid. (Grass can be such a scary thing!) But he quickly got the hang of it and afterward was quite content to snuggle with us on the couch all night while we FaceTime’d our families to introduce him.

Once bedtime rolled around, we decided to set up his kennel (we refer to it as his “clubhouse”) in our bedroom at least until we could figure out his nightly schedule. Flynn had had such a busy, exhausting day that he basically fell straight to sleep, after a few snuggles on the bed of course, and didn’t wake up until about 6:30 in the morning! (Thank you, daylight savings.:)

 

Flynn’s First Day Home

 

Flynn woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6:30 Sunday morning. After a quick trip outside, he was ready to play!

Andrew and I normally head to our wonderful church here in Gainesville at 9am Sunday mornings, but we could not tear ourselves away from this little guy. You could instantly tell he was starting to feel at home already, and his adorable personality was blooming before our eyes!

As he started to figure me and Andrew out, along with his new home, you could see his confidence building hour by hour. Before long, he was trotting around the kitchen playing with toys, barking at his reflection in the mirror and snuggling us every single second. Dream puppy!

I think my favorite part of the day was Sunday afternoon. We headed outside to our screened-in porch and let Flynn run around and explore. It was adorable seeing him figure out the screen, stretch and sunbath, and even lick my beer bottle instead of his “Lick Croix” toy. What a stinker!

By far the hardest part of the day was leaving him for the first time. Andrew and I put him in his little clubhouse so we could head to a dinner in downtown, and we could hear him crying as we left. Talk about heartbreaking!

By the time we got home, though, he was quiet and as calm as can be. I think Andrew and I felt so guilty for leaving him that we compensated by a lot of playtime in the kitchen. Our objective was to wear him out, and boy did it work!

A little too well, in fact. The two of us accidentally dozed off for a couple of hours before bedtime, and as you can imagine, Flynn felt like it should be playtime after that! He was not a happy camper going into his clubhouse, but he finally settled down and went to sleep.

UNTIL… 1:30am. And then again at 3:30am. And then, for the final wakeup, at 6:00am. You know what they say about pride coming before the fall… Andrew and I thought we had the puppy thing magically figured out. Wrong! :)

So here I am… recapping Flynn’s first days with us at 1:54 pm while still in the very same pajamas you’re seeing from last night. I am completely exhausted and completely in love.

It’s so funny to me how every cliche you hear about getting a puppy is so true. Flynn is a 100x more adorable, snuggly, smart (so we think :) and fun than we ever imagined. Andrew said it best.. “I didn’t think I could love him so much!”

I am so thankful for this precious little blessing. Our transition to Gainesville has been wonderful, but even so, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get lonely from time to time given the fact that I work from home and Andrew spends so much time at the hospital.

My friend Flynn is the blessing I didn’t know I even needed. And I’m so happy to share him with you all today. :)

Now, I pinky promise not to flood your feeds with Flynn photos. BUT, if you’re looking for a dose of puppy cuteness, I’m having way too much fun with his Instagram account, @MyFriendFlynn. You’ll be able to keep up with him there!

Thank you again for all the love for little Flynn, friends. My brain may be a little groggy and slow this week due to sleep deprivation, but I’ve never been happier!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate