I woke up this morning to find Harlow’s left eye looked a little red and it looked like it was bothering her. I checked to see if she had any hair in her eye and noticed it was starting to look cloudy. You can imagine what I did then: freaked out, grabbed the phone, called our vet and tried not to sound completely freaked out and begged them to see her even though they were closing in less than an hour.

I dashed over there and the results: She has an ulcer on her eye due to trauma.

Ugh my poor little dog. Last time she did this she actually managed to poke a hole in her cornea. I feel like a terrible mother.

Do they make doggie goggles?

I love books but I especially love old books. I think they tell a story of their own with a faded cover, dog-eared pages, notes or dates inside the cover. I always wonder who owned them before me, where they took them. I always have a book with me it’s fun to wonder where my old, beloved, beat up books have gone with their other owners.

What are some of your favorite things?

1. danske 2. cori kindred 3. jelens 4, 5. abby try again

Inspired by Joslyn I’ve made an Earth Day resolution to not use another plastic bag for a store. I’m usually pretty good about bringing my reusable bags but you know, I get lazy.

Good thing I have these two cute totes from darcyart and forest bound. I love them both.

On Friday Grace posted these insanely pretty shortbread cookies from Miette and I haven’t been able to stop looking at them. If I hadn’t sworn off sugar, I’d order some right this second.

photos: Design*Sponge

I was minding my own business the other day when I came across Nicole and Candice’s French Photo Retreat. Ooh la la! I have loved Nicole’s photography for a long time. And so hearing that her and Candice were putting together a photography retreat in Paris no less, well… I decided right then I had to go.

It’s probably silly to make this kind of decision on a whim but if you think about it, some of my best decisions and adventures were made on a whim. I’m so excited! We’ll be in Beynac-et-Cazenac, which, no, I cannot pronounce. BUT I do know that it’s where Chocolat and Ever After were filmed.

Did I mention I’m excited??

This summer just got interesting!

photo credit

You guys. I decided on Wednesday that enough was enough and I’d give up sugar. Completely. Of course this means no more Coke. The first day was brutal. Yesterday was … okay. Today I might be able to get through the day without losing my mind.

I had no idea I was such an addict.

Don’t they make a patch or something for caffeine addicts?

Who would have thought I’d be blogging about swimsuits? But I think
this one is pretty much the cutest swimsuit I’ve ever seen.

Too bad I’ll be avoiding bathing suits this summer!

Actually I’m starting a new eating/workout “program” next week which is sort of embarrassing to talk (blog) about but I’m kind of excited. I’ll maybe share more after I give it a shot.

But until next week I’m drinking lots and lots of Coke…. I know, I know.

Anyway, maybe I’ll save this bathing suit for next year!

Are you ready for summer?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I love Easter SO much. Plus it was General Conference weekend. Double win.

To make the weekend even better my cousin Deana and her kiddos (the bobbleheads as she calls them) were in town for Easter and an early birthday and of course my cutest niece and nephew are here now. Harlow was in heaven with lots of little toes to chase, I was up to my eyeballs in cake baking (and spatula licking) and the sun was busy shining.

My favorite things about the weekend:

General Conference talks

Little 3 yr old Paisley telling me, “Carlos is a pre coot little goggie”
(I may change Harlow’s name to Carlos)

Maxtin who’s 4 getting very excited at the thought of helping me clean my room and finally exclaiming, “I’ll be your hero!

Playing chess with my nephew Triston who’s 9 and awesome.

Alexis telling me she named her goldfish Aunt Vanessa.

Getting Harlow a pair of shoes and watching her walk (and admit defeat) in them. I have a video somewhere. It’s laugh out loud funny.

Realizing I bought my dog shoes… oh dear.

Yummy, yummy dinners with family.

A long talk with my dad.

Flowers blooming all over the place.

It was a perfectly perfect weekend.

ps – Sorry I am so lame at posting photos. I did take a few Polaroids but my scanner and I are fighting.

photo by FuturoWoman. Check out her shop

Dear lung infection,
I will not miss you even a little bit.

Dear Harlow,
Sorry I missed your birthday. Don’t be sad. I’ll make it up to you.

Dear sweet niece and nephew,
Thanks for moving close by. Being Aunt Vanessa is way better than being regular Vanessa.

Dear Kyle and Mark,
Thanks for coming to visit. I love you SO much.

Dear sunshine-y weather,
Love you!

Dear people who think it’s annoying when I talk to my dog,
It’s WAY more annoying when you answer for her.

Dear frizzy hair (mine),
Calm the heck down.

Dear self,
Calm the heck down too.

Dear Corey,
I’ll always miss you

Dear Facebook,
It’s the random notes from my mission President that keep us together.

Dear Impossible Project,
Can’t wait for the new film to arrive.

image found via You Are My Fave

I haven’t seen the movie yet. But… I have seen these window displays at Selfridges. So dreamy and pretty.

Sefridges is my favorite store to wander around when I’m in London because I swear it’s bigger than the town I grew up in. It’s insane. I love it!

images via Selfridges