Thursday, December 28, 2017

The Passenger


When faced with mortality, memories start to flood in. It was a crisp day in New Hampshire when I spotted him (or her…I don’t know). He was laying on the ground in all of his teddy bear-come-to-life glory. His parents were enjoying an ice cream cone (or a beer -- again, I don’t know, I was too distracted by him). We were on our way to a bar to celebrate our friend’s wedding. After about an hour, I ran from the bar, chasing him and his parents down the street. They were by now on their way home and about a mile down the street. I caught up to them huffing and puffing, and screeched – “What kind of dog is that?” “It’s a Wheaten Terrier” they said. As I would come to find out, it was probably the thousandth time they’d answered that particular question.

I became obsessed. I had to have one of these dogs. The way his hair bounced when he walked. Those perfectly kind, almond-shaped eyes. The shaggy terrier-ness of it all, with a refined fluff that is now more common in the Labradoodle, which to my knowledge did not yet exist in 2002.

My boss wants me to go look at a bird. Birds are kind of gross as pets, I thought, but sure, I’ll go. We walked into a pet store, and they were yes, selling birds. But also dogs. I had no idea you could even buy a dog in a pet store anymore. There he was. The glorious, radiant, obsessable Wheaten Terrier. Sitting in a cage with his own poop. He was way too big to be in a pet store. I eyeballed him for a moment, and then walked along to see the bird. It was a “work” outing after all.

A month later, I dragged Troy in to see The Wheaten Terrier. There was no way he was still going to be there. He was. We took our “rescue” dog home to meet our two much larger beasts. He was true to his breed – a terror. Running at full speed and hitting his head on the step to the deck and knocking out one of his canine teeth. Spreading his 8-hour-work-day-load of pee and poop all over our kitchen floor. Traveling at lightning speed through underground draining pipes to the neighborhood next door. But, he would sit on the couch with me at night when I was scared and alone during Troy’s first deployment to Iraq. We ate Cheetos together, and I had wine. I lost 10 pounds. He sat there with me again during Troy’s second deployment.

In 2010, we moved to San Diego. He was our only child. He got to pick whether he rode with me in the car or in the U-haul with Troy on our cross-country journey. His life was a wonderland. Dog beach on Coronado Island. Baseball games at Petco Park with a parade on the field. Dinner on dog friendly patio after dog friendly patio. Runs along the bay. Everyone stopped to ask, "What kind of dog is that?" I considered getting him a T-shirt that said "I'm a Wheaten Terrier" just so we could walk in peace.

He was my only friend for two years. Troy had PTSD and wanted nothing to do with anything. So, I took him shopping at Nordstrom. He joined me for Salade Nicoise at Café Chloe or croissants at Tartine when I needed a girl’s date. He was my sidekick. My son. My co-pilot. My best friend. My passenger. 

Today we have three dogs and a cat. I have friends again. We have a great life that involves a lot of hiking on mountains, rocks and dirt. He does not like dirt. He can’t hike anymore. He can barely get around the house. My friend is not going to be here for much longer. I’ve never loved anyone like him. I’ve never had a friend as loyal. I’m not sure I ever will again.


Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Goodbye Summer

I can't say I'm sad to see the summer go. It's never been my favorite season - probably because when you grow up in the South, it's so darn hot and humid and your hair is frizzy and I was never a girly girl who liked dresses (or God forbid, shorts). But, it will be sad to see a few things go, like this gorgeous Claire V. bag that was meant for summer (but, hey, I live in California, so I can use it year-round, right?)...


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

What You (and I) Need Now

Instead of buying everything I can get my greedy little hands on, I thought I'd start posting about things I am lusting after to try to satiate my craving. If this doesn't work, maybe I'll still go shopping. For now, hope you're inspired to try or buy a few new things!

What I Need Right Now is...Bryr Clogs
Can't decide if I want to Emma Closed Toe or Cross-Over, but suede definitely wins this game.

Bryr Studio


Thursday, February 11, 2016

Sprung

Spring has already sprung here in SoCal, with the dogwoods blooming and my allergies kicking in. Here's my round-up of what you and I need to stay chic this warm season:

Bedhead
Do it like the French girls...


Little Black Bags
So many good ones. Pick high or low. Wear it cross-body or not.
Little Liffner

Saint Laurent

High Tops
All the cool girls are doing it.


Dickeys+
There is always one elusive item I just have to have and cannot find. I can't even describe this thing I saw. It was part dickey, part turtleneck, part sweater, with no sides or arms, just a turtleneck, long front panel and long back. Worn over a tank. So effortless. So darn amazing. Will keep looking. Just think cool, cool way to layer.

Nips
No bra, no problem. Yay!

Slip Dress
I will never forget Kate Moss in the 80s. Only wish my hipbones still jutted out.
Worn here by local Ojai gal, Erin Wasson


Bodysuit
Flesh and bone, baby.
Kiki de Montparnasse


And with it being NYFW and all, my head is already spinning for fall. Velvet. Bow blouses. Bombers. Silk. Tweeds. Culottes. Oh my. Better. Start. Saving. Enjoy!


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Yoga Glowing

My friend Cassandra is kind of my personal fitness muse. She was a trainer at one point in her many lives and is so committed to keeping in shape. I am not like that. At all. I really hate exercise unless it's riding a horse.

But, something is starting to change in me and I think it's Cassandra's fault. Actually, I know it is. She invited me to do a yoga challenge with her back in January, and I liked it. And, I could see myself getting stronger. So now, I do yoga every damn day (or #yogaeverydamnday). And, I kind of love it!

Here are the tools I use:
YogaGlo - $18.95 a month for unlimited yoga and meditation classes you can do on your own schedule and level!
Instagram - Follow @beachyogagirl @kinoyoga or @stokedyogi for the latest practices aka challenges. Photographing yourself doing the poses seems narcissistic, but it actually helps you see your form, improve and stay motivated thanks to friends and strangers who say nice things about your progress (narcissist).
Pilates Anytime - I haven't joined this yet, but it looks to be the Pilates version of YogaGlo. I heart Pilates too, so maybe I'll join.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Gotta Have It...2014

I started this list well before NYFW, but it's been validated. So, here's a list of my "gotta haves" for 2014. Mind you, I won't be able to pull all of this off...but somebody should:


Backpacks

Whether high fashion or utilitarian, backpacks are back. Lately while traveling, I've been carrying my black Patagonia backpack instead of a purse, and putting my LV clutch or Chanel bag inside for when I need to dress up.


Tomboy/unisex
Boy's or girl's. Doesn't matter anymore. Button your shirt up to your clavicle, stat.



Something over-the-top unique 
Just show who you are. It doesn't matter if it's on-trend, so much as you love it.


Leather pants
Been on my list for a while now. Still relevant. And comfy.


Mohawks
For girls. Or dogs.


Combat boots
Doc Martens are good for the younger set. For us mid-lifers, I'm going with more of a paddock boot version by Frye.

Sven

Clogs
Take a cue from Europe and put these (back) in your wardrobe. I love my Sven clogs and they look especially great with black or grey skinny jeans. I will be wearing them non-stop with skirts and shorter pants or shorts when my legs are tan in summer.

Golden Goose

Tennies
I'm not a fan of the big clunky ones, but I do love a good pair of simple tennies with aforementioned leather pants, cropped black pants or cropped tight jeans.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Life Book vs. Facebook

I've stumbled upon an interesting phenomenon. It seems documenting/coping with life has moved on from posting everything on Facebook to more artistic means in the form of something called a life book. In fact, I'm participating in a yearlong course dedicated to "life booking" that has me pretty intrigued. I'll keep you posted on my journey back to my creative side.