chew on this...

just because i heart her...

back in black.

Why black? Well, I'm back in New York City, land of black-garbed locals. Black to mourn the long vacation that I just finished -- two full weeks! Today at work is rough, people. Rough. Black since I'm another year older as of last week. But the vacation was good, holidays were good, even the birthday was good. Back in the city means back with friends and back in my own apartment - I love my family (hi mom!), but it's always nice to be back in your own space. Although the dog is definitely a bit depressed since now she only has two people to spoil her instead of five.

Here are a few random things I'm loving lately...

Red velvet cupcakes, especially when they contain chocolate chips like the ones from The Flying Cupcake in Indianapolis (I know, I will never shut up about these, but I love them) - the fiance has declared them better than any of the fancy-schmancy NYC cupcakes, and I think I agree.

Ruffles on any and all clothing. They're just so feminine and delicate and can transform any outfit. If only I could figure out how to re-ruffle them without having to pay to dryclean them. I got this shirt from J.Crew for Christmas and want it in every color (and the sleeveless version for spring too, thanks).

Dog sweaters. Nothing makes me smile like a dog in a sweater. Lucy got a rather stylish one from Shift for Christmas, and she really likes it.

Speaking of Shift, she's coming to NYC in TWO DAYS - YIPPEE! It's about freaking time. We will have lots of fun and many adventures. But that's another post entirely.

Ho ho ho!

The fiance's dad came over last night for an early Christmas dinner and gift exchange before he heads out of town for the holidays. He came through our door looking like Santa Claus, with huge bags full of beautifully wrapped gifts. We were pleasantly surprised when he said that one bag full of gifts was especially for Lucy, our dog -- he has never been a big dog person, but we think Lucy has converted him! Our favorite gift he gave Lucy is a red bandana that says "ho ho ho" all over it -- she looks so festive in it! Growing up, our dogs always have bandanas they get from their groomer, but since Lucy doesn't get groomed she has always been left out of the fun. Now she will fit right in! I don't have a picture of her wearing it yet, but it looks sort of like this (but with "ho ho ho" on it):
Lucy has gotten lots of compliments on it already! Thanks Gramps!

What a weekend.

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with the fiance's family. There was lots of food, lots of good wine, football, napping, and laughs. But then Lucy, our 9-month-old French Bulldog puppy, woke us up at 3am on Saturday morning, shaking and coughing so hard she threw up. The fiance thought maybe she had eaten something bad and wasn't concerned. I was afraid she had eaten something really bad and was bleeding internally or something (I'm a worrier, what can I say). She wasn't any better later that morning, so we left early and took her to an animal hospital by where the fiance's dad lives. Long story short, Lucy has pneumonia - since when do dogs get pneumonia? The good news is that we brought her in before it got really bad, so they were able to treat her. The bad news is that she was in the hospital all weekend (that's her above, in her little isolation unit with an IV of drugs in her little paw) and it cost about a bajillion dollars. But at least she's on the mend, sleeping it off at home. Needless to say, after my slightly stressful weekend, I was almost happy to head back to work this morning! Almost.

Baby it's cold outside.

I hate cold weather. Lucy hates cold weather. But Lucy also hates her winter coat that we got her. When we put it on her, she acts like a little kid in a snowsuit that can't move her arms. So we're thinking she might need a sweater. Preferably one that doesn't cost as much as a sweater for me.

I like this cable-knit sweater (in a different color). It has sort of a weird turtleneck thing going on, but it might hide her neck rolls, so maybe that's a good thing.

I also like this fairisle sweater from JCrew's Crewmutts. But I do wish they had a photo of it on a dog, it's hard to tell what it looks like on. It says to size up for "stout" dogs - bad sign.

This one might be a winner! It's Polo (yes, as in Ralph Lauren, don't laugh), but it's on sale. And it comes in lots of colors. It also happens to be cashmere (do dogs even like cashmere?). I'll take it!

Autumn in New York...

The Billie Holliday song? Anyone? Anyway, fall in New York City is one of my favorite times of year. It's crisp and cool and perfect for wandering the streets with a coffee or hot chocolate to keep your hands warm. So this past Sunday the fiance and I took Lucy for her first trip to Central Park to see the fall colors before they disappear. It was a gorgeous, perfect fall day, and Lucy loved every minute of it. Especially the leaves.
When we finally got home later that day, she slept for probably four hours straight. All that running around and jumping in leaves is exhausting!

baby it's cold outside.

Today really feels like fall. It was 52 degrees when Lucy and I went out for our morning walk, and once we hit the cold air, she looked at me like, "really?" I was wearing a fleece so I was warm, but her poor little ears were freezing. I think it's time to look for a dog coat.

I think this would actually keep her warm. Too bad it's a "down shooting vest" and costs $115. Next!

A coat might be better than a sweater since I wouldn't have to pull it off and on. This barn coat is cute and looks warm.

Or I love this one - a little Barbour jacket for dogs! I know their people coats are warm, so I bet this would be too.
I know I'm gonna hear it from shift for writing a post on dog clothing...but how cute would Lucy look in a coat? Plus, it's Friday morning. No serious work is going on until the coffee kicks in.

you wanna know where i've been?

Came back from vacation on Monday, work is insane, Lucy got fixed yesterday and is clearly grumpy and drugged (see above), have been neglecting my freelance pr gig, had a client dinner last night, trying to ask all my bridesmaids in the span of a few days so they don't get mad for being the last one asked...and to top it all off, it's our first full-length, non-summer Friday since May. I need a drink. Or five.

Reason #26 why I love my job

Next Friday is Bring Your Pet to Work Day! I think Lucy would make a great assistant.

It's only for four hours (we have a half-day before Labor Day weekend), but it should be lots of fun!

just because...

A completely gratuitous photo of my babygirl, Lucy, who manages to be cute even when she wakes you up with retching noises as she barfs on her bed. Yes, that's how my day started. Awesome. But I love her anyway.