Happy Leo Season everyone!! Here are some of my favorite memories & moments from the month of July:

The 4th of July

Saul & I went to Ian & Sarah’s for a cookout on the 4th.  It was really nice to hang out with everyone, I felt as though I hadn’t seen them, or Kristen & Jordan, in a while.  I made Funfetti Dip & BLT Pasta Salad.  This was a big deal for me, because I am not the greatest cook, nor do I bake.  Funfetti Dip is actually super easy, no baking involved!  It’s one bag of Funfetti/Confetti Cake Mix, Cool Whip (I’m not sure how much cool whip you’re actually supposed to use, I don’t follow directions when it comes to certain amounts, but I used 2 normal sized containers) and Plain Greek Yogurt.  (I used three individual yogurt containers.  I would probably use Vanilla yogurt next time.)  You mix it all together, and voila – you’re done.  It’s delicious.  You can serve it with whatever you’d like, but I used Vanilla Wafers.  For the BLT Pasta Salad – I honestly do not remember the recipe.  I’m pretty sure it was ketchup & ranch, because I remember thinking that it sounded disgusting and that I should probably reconsider using Pinterest recipes, but it came out really good.  I used bow tie pasta, some Romaine lettuce, and tomatoes.  Saul made the bacon, obviously.  (I refuse to cook meat.  It bugs me out!) All in all, it was a fun, relaxing, time.

The Shallows

Saul & I went to see The Shallows – it was great!  Blake Lively absolutely killed it.  She’s so amazing.  I was also really excited because we saw it during Shark Week LOL.

Eat, Drink & Be Martins!

Jacky & Derek’s wedding was on 7/9/16.  They got married at Salvatore’s, and it was absolutely beautiful.  Jack was such a gorgeous bride.  Her entire look was “so her”, I don’t know how else to describe it.  She looked so amazing.  Her dad gave the most amazing speech – I couldn’t help but tear up.  Jacky had sewn a little patch into her dad’s suit jacket that said “Dad, I loved you first”, as a surprise.  It was so sweet.  Jacky and Derek were beyond thrilled – the love they have for each other is so apparent when you see them together.  I am so happy for both of them.

Architectural Digest: Lexington Street Style

I finally saw Jena’s house, the completed project!  To say it looks magnificent would be an understatement.  I’m really not kidding when I keep saying it should be featured in Architectural Digest.  She did such an amazing job, in such a short amount of time.  (Jena will not stop working on a project until it’s completely finished.  She seriously worked her ass off on the house.)  We relaxed on the deck with Boo (her dog), on her gorgeous new patio set (complete with a fire pit in the middle), while drinking Summer Shandy’s.  We had a really nice night.

Girls Night

I hung out at Jena’s again that seem week.  We had a semi-relaxing night in, minus our quick Boston adventure.  We ordered Fusion (really amazing Chinese food), and Talia came over for a little while.  Am & Bob were both there – Am had gone to bed, but Talia, Jena, Bob and myself talked for a while.  It was fun.  I miss living close to my friends. (Jen and I used to live across the street from each other.  I still get nostalgic when I see my old house.)  I’m now about 45 minutes away, give or take with traffic.  My apartment with Saul is super close to my work though, and his as well.  So it makes sense.

Nantasket Beach

Me and Saul went on a day trip to Nantasket Beach.  I had never been before, and I was pleasantly surprised.  It’s very pretty.  Saul’s mom grew up there, so we drove around, trying to find her old house.  (We didn’t find it – Saul had the wrong street name LOL.)  I fell in love with the houses – mostly the porches.  I’m so obsessed with wrap around porches.  I can’t wait to own a house.  A wrap around porch is probably my only must have.  It sounds so nice to just sit outside, on my swing, drinking Lemonade on a hot day, reading my book in the shade.  Or sitting outside during a thunderstorm.  Anyway, I’m getting off track.  We went to lunch at a place called Paragon, which was cute and beachy.  We walked around, and I got to see the Paragon Carousel.  The ground leading up to the Carousel is covered in bricks, and the bricks are engraved.  I was loving reading them all, especially when I found a Rebecca De Winter brick! (Rebecca De Winter is a fictional character from the book, Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier.  It’s an amazing read, FYI.) It was such a nice, relaxing day.

A Rose for My Rose

I came home to unexpected flowers one day after work from Saully.  It literally made my entire day.

I Love (Vegetarian) Sushi!

Saul & I went out for sushi a few times.  We typically go to Genki, which is located in Legacy Place in Dedham.  We also tried Misono, which is Chestnut Hill.  Both places are very good.  Genki definitely has a larger vegetarian section (I don’t eat any fish!), but Misono’s tastes better.  I like the Sweet Potato Tempura Roll.

Sister Sunday @ IKEA

I have a love/hate relationship with IKEA.  Mel and I went on a Sunday, right when it opened, and it was still packed and full of screaming children.  We still had fun, and I got a really cute bookshelf for $29.  (Ask me if I’ve put together that bookshelf yet.  Nope.  In my defense, it’s been so hot, and we don’t have central air in our apartment.  We will get around to it…eventually.) Mel and I also took a trip to the Christmas Tree Store.  (Don’t you just love a bargain?)

Family Dinner

I met my mom and brother for dinner at The Chateau in Burlington one night after work.  Greta was very  late, so me and Jame ordered apps and just caught up with each other.  It was really nice.  I really enjoyed his company, and my mom’s too, when she finally showed up! (JK Gretch, hehe.)

Beach Days

I went to the beach a few times, which is always fun and one of my favorite things to do in the Summer.  Nothing beats that ice cold water and soaking up the sun! ❤

Weight Watchers

Joining WW & losing 7.4 lbs was very, very exciting for me!

Cookout #2

Kristen and Jordan had a cookout this past Saturday.  Kegan is home from traveling the world, so he came, and brought his girlfriend, Amy, who is a doll.  Ian and Sarah also came as well.  And the pups, of course.  We had a god time.

I have some fun stuff planned for this month, so I’m excited to see what August will bring!