It could be worse

If I told you that my past two weeks have been dull, I would be seriously misleading you. Sadly, the adventure has nothing to do with any fun, wild, or crazy plans, it has more to do with a series of unfortunate events.

For starters, two Wednesday night’s ago, right around midnight, our 55 pound Doberman, Milli, came running into the house and jumped right into bed with us, only for us to find out that she had been skunked. Yes, you read it right. Skunked. It was the most FOUL smell in the history of smells, and it led me to spending from 12am until 6:30 am steam cleaning, washing sheets, cleaning curtains, mopping, giving dog baths, etc. Not exactly what a girl needs to be doing when she has to work 8 hours the next day {I did not possibly almost fell asleep on my desk..}

What makes matters worse is the fact that we were leaving that Friday to go to my nieces christening in Dallas, so we had to leave a semi-lingering skunk smell all throughout the house. Again, not ideal. I was about to have to do round two of steam cleaning, washing sheets, dog baths…

That following weekend was a whirlwind of family visits, playing with sweet babies, spending WAY too much time in the car, and finally coming home and crashing. The heat is getting unbearable here in good old Fort Smith, which has been putting me in this mood of cranky exhaustion and lusting over the fall {can’t sneak a late summer blog post in without mentioning fall somewhere..}

Then a few days ago, I am pulling out of my driveway and much to my dismay, I see our neighbors house on fire! I can’t make these things up. It’s been a mess of a few weeks. Always an adventure for the Alley duo.

This past weekend, Lake Ouachita was my zone of peace, and I had every intention of getting a few {too many} library books to bring with me for the trip. A hammock on the deck overlooking the lake and a nice book, a bottle of wine, and sunset boat rides? I had THE best time. It was also a bit chilly during the morning times with zero humidity, which is unheard of during a southern summer, so I took full advantage of having coffee outside on the deck. Fall is coming, fall is coming..insert happy dance here.

After every peaceful weekend comes a hectic week. That’s right..we got skunked. Again. Two weeks to the day of the last skunking. And that day is today. I’ve had only a few hours of sleep and my house smells like skunk {and so do I...sorry if I work with you and you've smelled me..Guilty as charged.}

So lately, I’ve been watching shows on hulu / Netflix like they’re going out of style. Washing dishes? Bust out my iPad. Doing laundry? Put on the Netflix. Cooking dinner? Who doesn’t love a good show in the background to pass the time. This has been especially helpful lately as I've been pulling all nighters right and left with skunk problems.. Lately, I’ve been getting back into Mistresses {scandalous}, Preachers Daughters {where in the world did they find these people?!}, The Mindy Project, Pretty Little Liars {like I’ll ever grow out of that}, and of course, The Bachelorette / Bachelor in Paradise!

Let’s jump right into some fun things that I’ve been doing the past week..

Because floppy hates, handsome drivers, and a cute Kate Spade tumbler are required for a road trip {Shout out to Paperwerk for the tumbler!}

Lake Ouachita & Lily Pad's with lifelong friends

When it feels like a glorious, humidity free {&& dare I say chilly morning}, you take advantage appropriately by wrapping in a mustard yellow crocheted blanket and drink coffee on the deck. You just do.

I can't even begin to describe my love for this picture. Sunset rides with bae are literally the epitome of perfection.



Okay Lake Ouachita, we get it, you're wonderful & glorious.

Alright, I've rambled on long enough, I can sense the laundry about to be done, I'm running on coffee and fumes, and I have to go to the Suite One debut of their Swanky Sooie line..smelling like a skunk.

It could be worse.