Best Pal

Today is my sweet dog's "birthday." It's not her birthday, but her "birthday." And she's turning five-ish. We hit the lottery four years and two months ago when we picked up our sweet girl (from this amazing shelter here in Chicago), and she's been the best pal either of us could ask for! She was about 10 months old that day, so we counted back 10 months and called February 1 her "birthday" from then on. I know every dog owner says it, but seriously, there's not a better dog and furry companion to be found on the planet. We often joke that all of our luck went into our dog, and nothing else will ever work out as well for us in life, and that's okay. Our sweet Lanie (full name Penny Lane) is truly one of the coolest and greatest animals around, and she totally deserves the Dairy Queen delight she'll get in celebration of her "birthday" later this evening!

Do you celebrate your pets' birthdays? Do your pets have great names? I love pet names. There's a little puppy French bulldog in our 'hood named Gary. Every time I see him I crack up. Lanie is Lanie because she was "Bailey" in the shelter, and she was fairly well-trained by that name, so we wanted to keep the vowel sounds and syllables the same to ease her transition. How do you name your pets?

Happy Birthday, Best Dog Ever!

(now indulge me in a photographic tribute to the aforementioned best dog ever)

(still such a sweet pup after all this time! seriously, how cute is my girl?!)

Winter

Winter's supposed to get here any minute now. We've been so lucky - not only has the snow held off (we've had less than an inch in total since fall "ended"), but the temps have been averaging in the 40s and 50s, and even a few days nearing 60! So, the fact that it's January 12, and we're just now getting all the snow warnings, is less painful than if they were coming in November, like normal. I don't know if I worded any of that the way I wanted to, but I haven't had any coffee, so you'll forgive.

Mostly I started writing about this today because in the elevator on the way up to my office this morning, there was a young gal with the cutest winter boots on, in preparation for the onslaught the weather folks are getting all worked up about. Meanwhile, there I stood, in clunky but cute fashion boots, thinking, 'will these be ruined by the time I get home this evening?' But p.s., people are totally geeking out about this "winter storm watch" as if they've never experienced winter weather before and as thought they don't live IN FREAKING CHICAGO! Seriously, there's hardly anyone at my office, and my bus commute down the usually-traffic-heavy Lake Shore Drive this morning was a breeze. Maybe I missed some sort of memo...

So anywhoozits, I started considering the winter boot... a shoe in which I often do not invest. For the past two years I've added a yummy fleece boot liner to my Hunter rain boots and called them winter boots. This works fairly well, because the snow in Chicago tends not to stay soft and fluffy--or even packed--for very long. It's usually lovely for 10 minutes and then gets wet and slushy and grey-brown-gross. So tall wellies are effective for multiple reasons. That said, they're not the warmest, in spite of those liners, and they are more difficult to get on and off with said liners.

All that to say that I'm considering a purchase of some truer cold-weather boots. Suggestions? Here are a few possibilities (I guess)...

(By Kamik, available at Nordstrom)

(by Jellypop, available at DSW)

(by Khombu, available at Macys)

(by Beartraps, available at Famous Footwear)

Do you have any recommendations? Any brands you swear by? I clearly don't know what I'm talking about/doing.

New Year Shout-Outs

Happy New Year! Is it just me, or did 2011 really zip by?! I feel like I blinked and it was the holidays again. And now here we are in 2012! Holy moly!

2011 was filled with lots of good things and bright moments. Lots of friends, lots of laughter, lots of family, lots of fulfilling and active choices. And there is only more good to come in this next year. I'm going to try to write more meaningful posts, though there will inevitably also be some good ol' fluff, because, well, who am I kidding. First up - the Golden Globes are around the corner, so get ready for A's and my second round of Award Show Fashion Recaps! Whee!

But before we go there, I want to start the year off with a little shout-out to some of my friends who have some noteworthy things going on in their worlds, electronic or real. In no particular order...


* A's new(ish) blog, Anthologie, is great. Just all around great. She themes each day, and therefore has some really good fodder for consistent, content-rich posts. There are good updates for those who know her and her family, but there's also regular good stuff on crafts, food, beauty products, fashion, and lots of great ideas. If you're on Pinterest (and if you're not, get on Pinterest), you'll want to pin a million little tidbits from her posts.

* Another friend A made a hugely bold move and quit her (amazing) full-time job at a major magazine in NY to pursue a freelance career and move back to Chicago (yay for us in Chicago!). First and foremost - I am incredibly impressed by A's bravery, and also by her tenacity. She's been writing away, taking this freelance life by the horns and killing it. You can check her out in this month's Whole Living, where her article on being healthier in the work place made the cover - WOOT! Go A!

* My friend EA is also taking on new challenges in 2012... And she faced her trepidation and is doing it in the blogosphere! The 52 Project will have E and anyone who chooses to join her doing something different each week for the year, with the over-arching goal of simply living a healthier, more balanced, more meaningful and inspired every day. How wonderful is that?! I'm going to join her wherever I feel inspired, and you should, too! It's a fantastic idea, and an inspiring way to approach the new year. I hope she doesn't kill me for posting this on Owlet............

* My former (and maybe soon will be again) trainer and now great friend C is going to kick 2012 in the pants. She's opening her first studio (yoga, fitness, personal training) in Chicago in the coming weeks! It's in Lincoln Park, and as soon as I'm given the green light to release more details I will, but you can feel free to email me if you're local and interested! She's so talented and so strong and she really connects with each of her clients - a gift that makes anyone lucky enough to work with her get more out of their fitness/yoga/training experience then they likely ever had before. This new facility is going to be beautiful and incredible. I will be there regularly. Come with! AND... her previously self-produced annual detoxification guide (earlier versions were printed and sold low-budget to clients only) has been given a total overhaul for the 2012 edition, and it will be sold on Amazon (and at the facility) starting this month! Oh, did I mention I'm the editor?! (a little self-promotion - forgive me)

Good things for good friends to start the year off right. Here's to a wonderful year to come...

Photo Challenge Day 23

Sunflare.

(I didn't take this one today, though it is sunny, but it happened by accident one day when I was just enjoying the warmth from the sunlight seeping into the office, and I thought, I wonder if I could catch this sunlight in a photo? So I tried, and I did, and I liked it, so I saved it for today's post. A little self-indulgent, I know. But I was really enjoying the warm-up I was getting!)

All 30-Day Photography Challenge posts here.

Photo Challenge Day 22

Hands.

All 30-Day Photography Challenge posts here.

Photo Challenge Days 19 & 21

Delayed posting again - not photographing. Also... failure #1 on this assignment. I am not having success with day 20 - "Bokeh." However, I intend to eventually succeed, so I'll save Day 20 for the day I actually get the photo right, or close to right. I also plan to do this before the 30-day challenge is over. In the meantime, here are Saturday's and today's posts...

Day 19: Something orange.

Day 21: Faceless self-portrait.

(stupid busted finger)

All 30-Day Photography Challenge posts here.

Photo Challenge Day 16

Yesterday's photo... Long exposure.

All 30-Day Photography Challenge posts here.

What a Difference the Sun Makes!

Sorry for the office-view pics from my phone camera, but look how bright and lovely the sunshine makes this city!

and even an itty bitty hint of the lake...

Makes one almost forget it's about to get seriously cold up in here!

Happy weekend! Enjoy some pretty weather!

Running Downtown

I've started running again. Slow and steady is my plan, so as to protect my knees and hamstrings and what-not, because that's what halted me abruptly last year. Short runs at a slower, more steady pace. I think I can manage it. Especially if I'm running downtown to take a break during work. Not so hard to do when the River Walk provides such a perfect path and perfectly distracting views:

(all photos my own; taken on my iPhone)

I sure do love this town...

Lake Michigan Sunrise Voyeur

I love living by the water... and I loved seeing this guy enjoy it early this morning when I was walking the dog...

(snapped with my iPhone)

Jess LC Handbags

I met Jess of Jess LC last year in the lobby of my office building, where she was holding a one-day trunk show. This local designer impressed me with her unique mix of metals and design. I loved her jewelry at once (check out this and this and this and this), but I was also moved by her attitude. More than positive, she was warm and open. With no money in hand that day, I resolved to follow her blog and her business, and buy another day. And then I lost her business card, and time got away from me, and Jess LC somehow slipped off my radar. Until today.

Launching her first handbag collection, Jess LC and another blogger I follow, Anna (of The City Sage and RUE) collaborated on a photo shoot for the lookbook. Worlds collide, I tell you. So today, I saw this and a light bulb just went off for me. There she is! And how fun! I love how her collections are named for her (and my) adopted home city. These are simple, sweet, and super accessible. I particularly love the clutches. Maybe the navy one best. (The whole lookbook can be viewed here.)