Franklins World: TJMaxx

This is not where I thought this post was going to go today, but hey!  I had all day today off with nugget - we have had unseasonably warm weather for the start of fall and so we spent the morning taking advantage of it with a nice walk around the lake {see photo below of my pup - part cavapom part mountain goat}.  I had a few errands to run, including a return at TJMaxx, so I called them once they opened and asked if they were dog friendly.  Now - I only bothered to call because they DID show up on a list of "dog friendly" stores I had looked up, but I don't alwayssss trust the internet.  Anyway!  The woman checked with her manager and told me that yes dogs were allowed!  So, Franklin and I headed off.

My observations: TJMaxx IS definitely pet friendly.  Every associate was nothing but friendly to us - but you could definitely tell that customers aren't used to people actually taking advantage of the policy in this particular store.  I had a couple people give me funny looks, but Franklin and I went about our business.  He was pretty adorable - he likes the bark at his own reflection and they had mirrors at the checkout that caused a little bit of an episode.  What are ya gonna do?

In other related news, TJMaxx had some absolutely amazing seasonal items they were just putting out!  I am not always great at actually doing it, but I love getting the house ready for the various holidays - so we picked up a few things and surprised Ant when he came home to a home ready for fall!

Pictured below:  table runner & pumpkin salt & pepper shakers just purchased today!  Rewind candle was a gift & mercury pumpkin was from Target last year.

I also completely couldn't help myself with these adorable gargoyles.  They've been added to our staircase frames - along with a pumpkin vanilla diffuser shaped like a bottle of poison {sadly not pictured}.  That was the first thing my husband noticed - the smell of the diffuser!!  It is amazingggg.

Also - did you know you can shop online at TJMaxx???  Sorry if I'm behind the curve, but I just discovered this a few weeks ago when I was looking for frames for our gallery wall.  When you order online you can return to the store for free - nice and easy.  They usually have a deal that's free shipping if you spend at least $89, which is scarily simple.  Here are a few of my holiday favorites currently available online...three things I've become a complete sucker for: pillows, candles, & table runners.

Have you already gotten your home ready for fall??  Where do you find your decor?? I'd love to know!!

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries: Gallery Wall Update

Last year, Ant & I put up a gallery wall above our fireplace.  We decided it would primarily be photos of places, rather than people.  This was the original wall:

After our vacation this past spring, we had so many new pictures of amazing places - we decided it was time to update the wall!  We chose a number of photos, and I went a little crazy online shopping at TJMaxx {who knew you could buy online @ TJMaxx?? I didn't! Talk about dangerous.} One afternoon after work we popped a bottle of bubbly, took the whole wall down, and redid it.  I had "the vision" for layout, and Ant did all the measuring to ensure it actually came together okay! 

Franklin discovered he could get a better view from the stairs.

This shot includes two of my favorite pieces - the custom home watercolor I gifted Ant on our anniversary, and a painting his cousin did for us based on a photo Ant took while we were in San Fran.  

I love that the updated wall makes better use of the space, and includes a more interesting mix of colors and detailing on the frames!  It helps bring together the space, and is a great reminder of some of the travel we've been lucky to do.  What house projects have you been working on?? 

xoxo

Franklins World: Chester's BBQ

I am REALLY excited about this blog post - I am not going to lie to you.  I totally understand why many businesses are not pet friendly, but Ant and I work crazy hours and when we get home we don't want to leave Franklin alone for even more time, so we like to include him in whatever plans we have for the evening!  While there are tons of things we can do at home, it is fun to get out sometimes!  So we are CONSTANTLY on the look out for new pet friendly places around us to go to.  Luckily, we've found quite a few!  So I thought I'd review them here for you, so you have all the best information...

For the sake of ensuring you have all the facts, I'll include some of the nitty gritty details from Yelp, etc so you know what the rest of the world thinks, as well as my honest opinion as the mother of a sometimes bratty, but always sweet puppy!

First up, and the one that really motivated me to do this...is Chester's BBQ - the new Clinton location!

Chesters and I go wayyyyy back.  Their original location is in Groton, right near my dad's work.  I'm very familiar with Chesters and their delicious barbecue.  I introduced Ant to Chesters, and he instantly became a big fan.  Chester's actually catered our rehearsal dinner!  We had delicious BBQ on the deck at Project O.  It was casual and summery and perfect.

A couple of weeks ago, Ant and I were lamenting the fact that there was no good BBQ near us - and when we went on Yelp to do some research we were SO excited to find out that Chesters had opened up a new location in Clinton, just 15 minutes from us.  A couple days ago, I called them on my way home to find out if their outdoor seating was dog friendly.  "Sure!" said the guy who answered the phone - "as long as it's not a pound of dogs....that might be tough, but we can handle a dog!  They will just have to stay outside"  I laughed and assured him my 16 pounds of dog would be okay.  So Ant and I headed to Chesters for dinner.

When we got there I parked myself at a table with nugget on their outdoor patio - there are only about 7 tables, but they are large and comfortable and there is plenty of space.  We set up at one near the fence, so I could hook Franklin's leash to the fence and let him wander a bit.  When Ant came back outside after ordering he told me that the guys inside had been super helpful - they have "Bowzers Bones" - free bones (one per dog per visit) - that they served on it's own plate on our tray of food.  While Franklin was fine on his leash attached to the fence on the patio, they also offered up the side yard of the building - another entirely fenced in area, where they told us we could let him run around off leash if we wanted.  Talk about pet friendly!  Dinner was served and Franklin was pretty much in heaven.  If he could talk, he'd be asking us why we don't go back there every night.  The bone they served him was roughly the size of his head, times two.  He was in puppy heaven.

Overall, I could not speak more highly of the service at Chesters - not only for Franklin but for us as well.  and the food.........speaks for itself.  Just go get some.  You're welcome in advance!

But don't take my word for it....here's the Yelp rating (including mine BEFORE our Franklin visit):

and TripAdvisor - although for this one I'm showing you reviews for Groton - Clinton doesn't have many in yet.

Now....here comes the most important part - I need your help!! Are there any amazing pet friendly spots we should be checking out in CT/RI??  Specifically, 16{ish} pound Cavalier Mix puppy friendly??  Send me your suggestions!!  We would love to check them out.

xoxo