Fun fact: Brady has never had a real Christmas tree in his life. I know, shocking. I grew up with real Christmas trees until around middle school when my parents finally switched to artificial. I’ve wanted to get Brady a real Christmas tree for years now, but it kept not working out. Last year, we didn’t even decorate for the holiday, because we drove home to Texas. The year before that, we had just moved to California. So, this year was the year. Artificial trees are convenient, but they don’t have quite the same cozy vibe as a the real deal…not to mention how terrible they are for the enviro ..read more

It’s summer. It’s hot as balls. You’re going to a picnic, a barbecue, or some other social gathering, and you want to bring something boozy that serves a crowd. You’ve probably heard of Sangria, right? Red wine and brandy-soaked fruit? Not exactly something you can pitch together last minute. But, let me introduce you to Sangria’s lazy sibling: tinto de verano! Tinto de Verano, which translates to “summer red wine,” is a simple Spanish cocktail that is the perfect summer drink. Okay, okay, technically it’s a wine cocktail….or maybe it’s a type of wine spritzer? Either way, it’s so go ..read more

A few weeks ago, we packed up the dogs and headed to the famously beautiful San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short. I knew SLO was going to be lovely, because I haven’t heard a single Californian complain about it (and Californians complain about everything ). But I was still blown away by how beautiful and fun this cute little town was! Plus, San Luis Obispo is one of the most dog friendly cities in California that we have visited so far, and that is saying a lot. So why SLO? First of all, it’s beautiful. They have perfect weather, stunning rolling hills, and the coast is just 15 minutes away. The ..read more

We love an easy dog enrichment hack, especially as the temperatures start to warm up and physical activity outdoors has to be kept to a minimum . Frozen dog treats are a fun and healthy way to help your dog cool off in the summer while providing some great mental benefits as well. Simply freezing dog treats, like a stuffed kong or a lickmat, is a great way to enrich your dog’s life when it’s too hot to go for a walk. One of the best diy frozen dog treats you can make is an ice lick or frozen dog bowl treat. They last much longer than a frozen kong or lickmat, and ..read more

Who is excited about warm-weather travel this spring and summer? We are going to Hawaii in May with some of our closet DINK friends, and I cannot wait! It’s my first trip to Hawaii, and I am excited to explore Honolulu, hike Diamond Head, and relax by the ocean. But, for now, I’m already thinking about my packing list. Over the years, I’ve really gravitated towards becoming a more minimalist-style packer. I hate lugging around extra heavy suitcases, not to mention trying to find something (like clean underwear) in an overly-full suitcase is a pain in the ass. At the same time, I want to look a ..read more

One of the most common dog mom myths I hear is that a dog needs a backyard to be happy and fulfilled. In fact, this myth is so pervasive that some rescues actually require potential adopters to have a yard with a physical fence ?. This is such a shame, because having a dog without a yard is not that big of a deal. I mean, don’t get me wrong; a private, fenced yard is definitely convenient for dog owners. Not having to put on pants just to take your dog outside to pee is pretty sweet. But, convenience is not the same thing as a requirement. Dogs don’t need a y ..read more

What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day? I feel like this can be a pretty polarizing holiday, and people either love it or hate it. I totally get the bad rep, but this celebration of romance and love does not have to be a commercialized wasteland, okay? Use it as an excuse to intentionally show love to those who mean the most to you, whether that’s a partner, best friend, yourself, or your dog. I mean, is there a better Valentine out there than a dog Valentine? I’ll wait. Brady and I love celebrating Valentine’s Day in small, meaningful ways. It’s a great excuse for a little date night, and ..read more

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday season. Ever since I was a child, I loved the music and the movies, the decorations and food, the thrill of finding (and receiving!) the perfect gift, and all of the beautiful Christmas traditions that I grew up with. A lot of holiday traditions tend to center around families with kids, so I wanted to share a few of my favorite, fun Christmas traditions for couples without kids. I have affectionally dubbed this holiday bucket list of Christmas traditions for childless couples as “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” because they also make great date ideas ..read more

Adopting a rescue dog can be a daunting challenge. Not only do shelter dogs carry the stigma of having something wrong with them (and many do have behavioral challenges), but rescue groups can sometimes feel difficult to work with. When it comes to dog adoption, I have lots of experience. In addition to having adopted three dogs so far in my life, I have fostered many more and provided adoption counseling for a local shelter. So, I put together a checklist of ten steps to follow when adopting a shelter dog that can set you up for success. From finding the right fit for your home to creati ..read more

From September 1 through the New Year, I absolutely revel in the holiday season. Food, traditions, decor, music, movies, baking– the works! It is truly my favorite time of the year, but that doesn’t mean the holidays are always smooth sailing. One of the trickiest challenges to navigate is how to deal with judgemental family at holiday gatherings, especially when you are childfree. It can feel like you are under attack with all the questions and skepticism and judgement. “When are you having kids?” or “Better hurry up before it’s too late!” are not uncommon points of conversation. As someone w ..read more