Alfie’s Adventures

AlfieHeaderGosh! Time just flies by when I’m not blogging. I need to get a system down pat again where I set aside a day or two to write and pump out some blog post ideas and photograph the things I want to share with you in advance. Otherwise, it’s complete radio silence around these parts for days on end! Oops.

And for good reason this time. If you follow me on Instagram then you already know what happened. But, the past two weeks I’ve been preoccupied with taking care of our little puppa-friend, as everyone knows and loves: our little Alfie. A little under two weeks ago, Alfie and I had the scare of our lives when he was attacked and mauled by a neighbours pitbull. Counting his lucky stars, he wasn’t killed (and could have been easily! Many small dogs get mauled and killed instantly this way). While it was happening, all I could do was scream and watch it happen, only by the end of it I clicked-in and my instinct told me to try and yank Alfie’s harness + leash as hard as I could to fly him up into my arms. It was terrifying, and the visuals and Alfie’s little screams still haunt me. I rushed him to the vet 20 minutes after the incident happened and he required sedation and a lot of stitches across his entire belly and a drain to help the gross stuff come out. I don’t want to get into any details about how the other person is dealing with the whole situation, but my husband and I — we’re working on it. It’s stressful. That’s all I’ll say.

GOOD NEWS. He is doing well, amazingly well to be honest. He has surprised us all and bounced back within the week of the incident.

A few days after, I had the Mazda CX-3 dropped off to me for the week. I asked Mazda if I could review the same car that I own, but a newer version (Mazda 3 hatch) for my birthday week—but unfortunately it wasn’t available. So I reviewed the snazzy little bug-like car: CX-3! It’s taller than the hatch, but wider and stumpier (shorter lengthwise) which was surprising. But super fun to drive around in. I think my next car is going to definitely have a white leather interior. There’s something a lot more luxurious about white leather, than black cloth (what I have) or black leather (typical, right?). And those red accents against the white leather? Hoooowee. The panelling on the CX-3 is significantly more different than my 9 year old Mazda 3 hatch. I’m loving the upgrades! I do have to say, I do not like the center console and where the drink holders are. It’s impractical, and the straws hit off the center console. Plus, there was nowhere to “hide” stuff (I suppose you could stuff things into the glove compartment, but I like having options. Like again: center console). But I guess those are minor details.

As my Dad would’ve said, it’s a slick lookin’ car!

Alfie in CX3Of course, as per usual rules are rules and Alfie must always be my first passenger as he’s the little Captain in Command. I was so excited to see Alfie smiling when we were driving around— just like old times.

Alfie required a t-shirt on his body, and a cone on his little noggin’ as we didn’t want him at his stitches. But how cute is he, popping his head up at this little Snapchat video I posted? What surprised me, is that Alfie is really digging the tee-shirt I picked up for him for $1.50 at Daiso. He gets huffy when I take the tee off him to clean his cut!

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2016 Mazda CX3My husband and I toured around in the CX-3 scoping out new-to-us areas, and just after sunset we went up on one of the mountains in the South Bay, and what a view of the area.

ZoomZoomIt was incredibly stunning and it’s something you have to trust when I say, you have to see it for yourself since photos wouldn’t do it justice. Also, I didn’t take any photos while we were up there (all you’d see were street lights and darkness haha!).

RonaldMcDonaldOh, how was my birthday? Excellent, considering I met Ronald McDonald and had my photo taken with him, haha. Mister and I were invited to a Mother’s Day event (dog Moms totally count too!)

White Shellac nailsI also ended up getting my nails done. White shellac is back. I was so excited to see Mr R. McDonald I started wiggling. Hence the awkward stance. Hey, I’m a kid at heart.

Bday surprisesI also got spoiled with a nice surprise on my doorstep from a pal of mine. One of the last days with the CX-3 I decided to drive up to the Livermore Outlets to do a bit of birthday shopping for myself. Tip! If you’re from out of state/country: bring your license/passport and you can go to concierge and get a free discount booklet to use at the stores.

PradaI did a sneaky little purchase at Prada — because who has time to pay full price? Not this bargain hunter!

converseI think I’ve jumped on the converse kicks wagon. The regular lace-ups look like clown shoes on me, but the slip-on’s somehow make my 8.5 foot look smaller, and rightfully so since they run a little big. I tried on an 8 and I still have room. I didn’t buy them, but eventually I may consider it.

How has your week been? 

pallet in cx3

MazdaCX3Thanks to Mazda for loaning me the CX-3 for the week, for a little birthday gallivanting! :) 

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Another year older

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FlavorforLess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

On May 7 I turned another year older, so I decided to decorate our kitchen table and have a little party.Birthday-SpreadI wasn’t sure what colour to decorate with, but clearly I ended up pulling it together with greys and yellows. Having never drank out of paper straws, I thought I’d pick them up when I saw them at the store as they came in  yellow polka dots — perfect to go with the birthday décor. Those sodas you see front and centre are delicious. When I was at Safeway doing our regular grocery shop, I picked up some new ten calorie sodas in all four flavours available, seeing as they were on sale. My husband and I have a vice, and that is soda. For the most part, we eat/drink healthy and we’ve decided to incorporate these new drinks into our healthier lifestyle, because we still know how to indulge once in a while. I mean, it’s my birthday after all.

They certainly don’t compromise on taste. I’ll be buying them again. Note me and my awkward smile as the husband takes forever to take a photo.  ;)Nancys-Birthday

Backtracking to earlier, I was home alone most of the day, answering birthday phone calls from loved ones. Then the doorbell rang a couple of times — the first being a surprise gift basket from Jessica, filled with so many goodies, from a bottle of wine, to fresh flowers, a birthday banner and a few other things. birthday-banner

So sweet!Flowers

After lounging by the pool and Skyping my parents in the afternoon, I came back home and the doorbell rang again. I had no idea what to expect, but when I answered it — there was a delivery guy handing me a big pizza. The guys at my local pizza place sent me one in the shape of a heart. I thought it was such a genuine gesture for a regular customer like me. You know you frequent a place too often when, hey?my-2014-birthday

I didn’t want to head out to a restaurant on my birthday as I wanted to reserve it for the weekend where we had more time. When my husband got off work, I requested he make us some sliders, and sweet potato fries with a salad. We poured ourselves some of the ten calorie sodas that we bought previously and enjoyed our time together.sliders-and-ten-calorie-drinksAnything food related that comes in miniature form, automatically tastes better in my opinion.

birthday-decorThe birthday spread!

7up-ten-calorie-drink I couldn’t help but buy these peach and hazelnut macaron’s from a french bakery located in Santana Row. I don’t even like them (my husband does) but they were a nice little addition to the decorations, ha! I’m drinking the 7UP ten calorie drink garnished with a slice of fresh lemon and an adorable paper straw that eventually got mushy.

Sunkist-Ten-CalorieAnother close-up of the decorations. Have you tried those sodas? They were on sale for $0.79. Score.

We managed to eat quite a bit of food. I was so full by the end, but definitely made room for dessert. I cannot go a birthday without having a DQ ice cream cake.Nancy-and-Birthday-Cake

We had to go to the other town over to pick one up. That thing was huge, and it’s definitely going to last us a long time. Nancy-with-cake

I had one of the best birthdays yet. I loved all the surprises, and my husband made me dinner (so rare)! So thank you all to those who left sweet birthday comments on facebook, instagram, twitter and here on my site. I read, and appreciated every one of them. Thank you for making me feel so special.

If you want to try out one the four flavors of the ten calorie drinks at any Safeway brand store, there’s a printable coupon for a free 2 litre. The offer is valid from May 12 − May 19, while supplies last. Lastly, you can check out Dr Pepper Snapple Group on their twitter and faceboook.

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