Big news: we got a dog. I didn’t want a dog. I’ve said the words “we are not getting another animal” out loud to multiple people in the last year. I meant them. And yet… here we are.

Her name is Nessy, a heeler mix puppy that the kids fell in love with instantly. I lobbied hard for the name Dolly (because of course I did), but I was outvoted. Apparently, naming your dog after a country music icon is “predictable” when you’re me.

She’s adorable, of course. And energetic. And I, the person who most vocally didn’t want her, am already completely attached to her. Which brings us to this week’s quote…

SH!T COOPER SAYS

“No one loves a new dog more than the person who didn’t want it in the first place.”

– Cooper Koch

I stand by this. I’ve gone from “absolutely not” to “who’s a good girl?!” in under a week.

MIDDLE-AGED

“Cooper, What Did You Do To Your Face?”

The short answer: a lot. The longer answer? I made a video about it, because y’all keep asking what I use, what I’ve had done and how my skin is still holding it together even as I’ve already blown past 50. (Spoiler: hydration and sunscreen are my besties.) Watch the full breakdown here. No gatekeeping, I promise!

DEAL ALERT

The Best Time of Year for Hot Weather Shoppers

If you live in Texas (or anywhere else the temperature stays “hell adjacent” through October), this is your moment. Fall collections are launching, and retailers are practically begging us to take their summer stuff off their hands. I just scooped up some J. Crew staples, think shorts, tees, lightweight button-downs, for a fraction of their original price. Serious deals!

Perfect timing for back-to-school, end-of-summer getaways or just looking cute in your own backyard. I’m sharing a few of my favorite finds here. (I’ll keep adding to it as I see new things!)

LOVE IS LOVE (AND PAPERWORK)

11 Years of Marriage (But Who’s Counting?)

Todd and I were married 11 years ago tomorrow. We never remember the actual day because we always celebrate our OG anniversary: February 28th, the day we had our first date in 1999. We were together 15 years before we made it official at San Francisco City Hall. It was beautiful, and it still took another year to be legally recognized in Texas.

This year, Todd is down at the coast fishing with Mason, my brother-in-law and my nephew. Claire and I are hanging out here with Nessy, and honestly that sounds just about perfect.

ICYMI: Last week I talked about our two-week European vacation and the MVPs that made the trip easier, like my Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the Alpaka tote and the sneakers that saved my feet. Catch up here.

YOU ARE LOVED!