POM Friday . 20

Alfie-in-front-of-Ros-Egp-MAs much as I try to bring Alfie new places all the time, I don’t think he will ever grow out of the nervous-pooping. He is fantastic in the car and chills out, sometimes looks out the window — occasionally barks at the cars next to us. If we’re going to his favourite dog food place to get him a new bone, he’s cool. If we’re going on adventure the first thing he needs to do is mark his spot about 17 times, then comes the nervousness. I clean that up because I am prepared unlike the last time. And he does circles around me, freaking out and he just wants to be up in my arms. Well ya ain’t gettin’ your way 100% of the time Mr. Schnogg. I want some pretty blog photos with you in them, Alfie!

Alfie-barking(He’s already barking and we had only just arrived. Pipe down young Alfie, sheesh!)

Alfie-smiling-on-trailSo we headed out to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum mid-morning yesterday and spent some time on the outside grounds since they’ve been known for pretty scenery. There was a hoard of young teens arriving at the same time as we did, they were with their school. I tried not to get any photos with them in there, to make for better pictures — ha let’s be real.

Alfie-near-flowersBut get this. One of the teeny-boppers ran over to Alfie squealing You have such a cute cat! Oh dear, I think that kid needs to stay in school a little longer.

Onto the pictures.

Walking-out-of-ros-gardens

Table-chairs-under-tree

Ros-Peace-Garden

Rosicrucian-Peace-Garden

Ros-Egypt-GardensCheck out alfie in the picture above. He kinda blends in, find him!

Peace-Garden-Entrance

Bird-of-paradise

Alfie-testing-the-waters

Alfie-sitting-and-waitingAlfie is an excellent dog behavioural wise when no one is around (isn’t that always the way). He will sit-stay for as long as I tell him to. Little guy looks so tiny in the Peace Garden!

Alfie-happy-runThis is after I said the release command and he’s full force happy-running to me. Nothing makes me smile bigger than seeing this little fella run into my arms.

Alfie-sittingThe grounds were really beautiful, and so much larger than I expected — so we stayed for a good 45 minutes.

Lilacs-at-Egyptian-Museum

Alfie-running-to-me

Alfie-smiling

Alfie-king-of-castleThe most fun picture, saved for last. I think he felt like a king of the castle up there. Ha!

Happy Friday folks, see ya next week.

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday #8

Whoa. I haven’t done a Thinking Out Loud Thursday post since October. Better get on that more often, they’re so fun to do — and get all my brain thoughts out on paper screen.

So, let’s get started.

I love the freedom I have with this blog. If I take a break, it doesn’t bother me (for instance that week break in early March when we had a visitor). But when I do let my work pile up, that’s when I start to get a little frazzeled. I’m still trying to think of a really quirky unique way to showcase a couple of products I received for review. I still have to review our huge king sized bed that we were sent to review (hint: we love it).

Want to see some stuff I bought recently from Muji? So during the weekend of our San Jose staycation I discovered that this was attached to the Fairmont hotel in downtown San Jose, and I didn’t have a chance to pop in because the weekend was packed. But I did keep it in the back of my mind to pop in when I was back from my climbing trip (which I have to tell you guys about still. The entire trip was so W E I R D!). I heard one opened up in Toronto and I was so gutted because I didn’t realize we had one down here in California (let alone more than one in the state alone!).

1314185416_nobones_danceBasically my excited dance when I stepped in the store. I’ve been told I dance like a weirdo, this was the closest representation I could grab from the interwebs. And I’m taking Megan there today, too since she’s coming down my way for a visit!

My friend and I were there for a good hour browsing around, so here are my goodies I picked up. I’m still eyeing a couple of other items but I want to wait to see if I really need them. You know, limited budget over here.

Muji-HaulI’m a sucker for simple design and useful packaging. Oh, and pens!

Look how they write! Just writing a list for my trip back home to Newfoundland, preliminary thoughts of what to pack though, this isn’t the only stuff I’m bringing. That list will get much longer :) What-to-pack-on-a-carry-on

If you don’t already know this about me I’m a huge stationary fan. Plus, these pens were $1.50 each. At other stores in the Bay Area for pens this tiny they cost 3x as much. I love needle point type of gel pens, thinner the better. The ones I picked up are 0.38 & 0.3, I prefer even smaller at 0.25. Enough with the geek speak. But I’m excited to show you how I style the toothbrush holder in our guest bathroom, that’s what the little while donut shaped thing is, along with clear toothbrushes. Ugh. Perfection.

I’ve been looking for a coin purse, and I thought I’d pick up this little clear one that was suggested to be used for beauty products (scissors/tweezers etc) but it works great for coins, and I don’t have to keep them jumbled up in my purse.

And lastly (I can’t believe how much talking I’m doing about these products I bought lol) I got a clear sliding plastic case for important documents. I have a ton of these around the house from Chapters back home in Canada, but I needed a couple of more for our Taxes 2014/2015.

One more thing because I bought them a few days ago. I randomly strolled through Target, and of course I had to take the escalator up to the second floor (I know. It’s a HUGE Target and I love it) to the shoe section, and I came out with two pairs. Which ones do you like better? Here’s something weird. Last summer I was a 9 in their sneakers (these one’s from my Instagram) and now I’m an 8. To be fair, I’m a true 8.5, but these shoes are a bit snug and the 8.5’s just slipped right off my heel. Anyway. I bought them. I’m happy!

Target-Black-FlatsThese black one’s are knock off’s of the new Vans sneakers. I like ’em, and I like the $24 sticker price.

Target-White-SneakersThen I got a pair of fake converse. I’ve been eyeing converse sneakers for years in white, but they make my feet look ginourmous. So I setteled with these, and!? they’re on sale for $16. Pshyeah.

What have you guys been up to lately?

Bought anything cool? Checked out a new store/coffee shop?

Or even tell me what you’re doing later on this evening!

Whatcha cooking for supper?

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San Jose Staycation

I’m back in the game, folks!

The past number of weeks have been fairly busy over in my neck of the woods. With playing tourist in my own city for a little bit, then having one of my closest friends come for a visit, things have been jam-packed full of fun and I can’t wait to blog about everything. I took SO many pictures of touring around San Jose, then heading off to Yosemite, which was a feat all in itself to even get there. My GPS was definitely on something.

I’ve been feeling a little homesick for Newfoundland, and while I am still looking at flights for going back in April-May month, I thought I’d finally start making roots down here in San Jose. It still feels funny for me to call San Jose my city. But we’ve been living here for over a year and I wanted to take my husband on a city wide exploration, because the poor fella works long hours and doesn’t get to explore where he lives, like I do on a daily basis.

So we got to know our little neck of the woods and became tourists in our own city. A full itinerary was booked to check out museums, restaurants, theaters and even staying at a hotel for the night. You’d be amazed at how much new stuff you find out about your city, just exploring new-to-you places.

Now today I’m going to give you a bit of a sneak into what will be showing up on the blog within the next few weeks!

Tech-MuseumThis was at the Tech Museum of Innovation, so colourful and really fun to play around for a couple of hours. It’s now a given fact that I am always a cold person. Check out the thermal exhibit. Red = cold, white = hot. Tons of my body shows so much red, my husband who is always super warm was mostly white. I’ll show you more around this place in a little while :)

California-TheatreI had no idea this place existed. Cinequest is a yearly film festival that comes to San Jose. Check out the incredibly intricate detailing and gorgeous architecture in this building! So lucky to have had the chance to sit here and watch a few films. I know my Dad (a retired Architect) would love to see this spot in person.

Winchester-Mystery-HouseWe’ve driven past the Winchester Mystery House quite a bit since moving to the United States, and finally had the chance to go inside and do a tour. Definitely a must-do when you visit the area. Way too many tiny rooms, so creepy, super weird, but awesome.

FairmontKiller packaging hotel sample sized bathroom products at the Fairmont in San Jose. Sold. I’d totally buy it, especially to give to my guests when they visit our house.

Tourists-in-San-JoseDelicious food in downtown San Jose, enjoying the fun European-feel walkways, and I can never go without photographing a set of awesome looking PALM TREES.

Egyptian-MuseumThe Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum!!

Downtown-San-JoseSo many restaurants available in downtown San Jose. Almost equivalent to the amount of bars per street in my home city of St. John’s Newfoundland. In that middle picture check out the lobby of one of the towers at Fairmont San Jose (fancy smanchy looking right?!) and finally the last pic is my first time at a Japanese restaurant! Of course, I ordered chicken. Typical!

All that and more, coming to the blog soon!

When is the last time you had a staycation, let alone explored your own city?

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