This past week I took a quick break from my typical mama duties and headed into Manhattan for a much needed girls night out. I grabbed my sisters and friends and headed to a beautiful holiday event hosted by Babbleboxx.

It's the week of Thanksgiving and you know what that means- loosen up those party pants because we are about to eat all the pie and drink all the holiday libations. And then we're going to wake up on Friday and get our holiday shopping on.

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Last night we packed up the car and headed north for a magical night aboard the Polar Express in Essex, CT. I had high hopes, and they were far exceeded. Madeline LOVED it; and was happily entertained for the full 90 minute train ride. It was beyond adorable- complete with singing, santa and lots of hot chocolate. Spike with some Schnapps for Mom and Dad.

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Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, and I just can't believe it. This year has flown by- especially in the past few months- and here we are, in the most wonderful time of the year.

Happy Friday, friends. It's been a great- but very busy- week over here in Connecticut.

It's been one of those weeks- the kind where I felt like I was constantly running around, with so many places to be, but without accomplishing anything all that significant.

A few weeks ago Philip and I packed up the truck, with MM and Georgia in tow, and headed to what we thought would be a Berkshire's vacation. If you follow along on Instagram, you know we had a slight change in plans last minute, and ended up making a game day decision to head to Vermont. Good thing both our human and fur baby are excellent travelers, and quite resilient when it comes to these things. And Philip was more than happy to visit one of his very favorite towns in VT.

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Yesterday I turned thirty-three. And we threw a good old-fashion pizza party- made a little more adult paired with lots and lots of pinot. And because I'm a sucker for fall fire pits and flannels, we all donned our favorite plaids.

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So, here we are again.

I promised I'd be more open this time around, so here it is:

This past Monday I found myself in that familiar waiting room; my first appointment back in a while. The first one since I mustered up the strength I needed to try to complete our family a few months ago; only to quickly psych myself out again.

So our road trip took an unexpected turn and this little family of ours ended up in beautiful Vermont. It was a welcome surprise, and it was a trip that left our hearts and bellies very, very full. Who knew such a small town in New England would host some of the most delicious brews and eats I've ever tasted?

Over the weekend I conducted another very helpful poll on my Insta Stories. It's one of my favorite new features on Instagram, and lets me know a little more about what ya'll are looking for, and how I can make this little blog of mine better.

I asked what you wanted to see more of here at LL; and the overwhelming majority of you answered that you wanted to see more of my favorite things to do here in CT. Just in time for our local giveaway. 

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This weekend will be my first full weekend away from my little family.

Actually, it's technically a long weekend away, as I'll be spending three nights down in Atlanta to celebrate my ten-year college reunion. But who's counting, besides maybe my husband?

Football and snacks and all the beers. That's what our Sundays are made of.

So when I came across the libation-laden man gifts by Bro Basket, I knew it would make the perfect surprise for my husband's game day with the Pats. Being that I have roots in sunny Santa Barbara, I opted for the craft beer tasting flight, featuring Firestone beers and lots of tasty snacks.

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Today my husband and I celebrate four years of marriage together.

Four years filled with laughter and tears; trying and triumphs; challenges and successes.

In those four years we made our girl. I turned thirty. We said goodbye to our first fur baby. We welcomed a crazy black lab to the family. We've become better friends. And better versions of ourselves. 

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I've said it once, and I'll say it again: mom-ing ain't easy.

Yes, it's rewarding and magical and amazing beyond words. But it's also exhausting and doubt-inducing and sleepless and worrisome, at times. And it's so easy to lose yourself in it all; in this thing called motherhood.

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Since my husband and I were first married {four years ago this Thursday} we have taken an annual trip to our local nursery to enjoy their Pumpkin Patch and fall festivities.

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This past weekend marked the end of September, and it finally started to feel like fall. Saturday was so crisp, you could say it was cold- and we spent the day at a local craft beer festival with friends and family. Sunday was spent enjoying our favorite turkey chili while watching football by the fire, and ended with a family dinner at mama's house.

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