The Hound that Follows Me Around

Top: Maurices / Skirt: Dorothy Perkins / Shoes: Bandolino via Ross / Belt: Ruche / Earrings: DC Street Market / Hat: Asos clearance / Watch: Anne Klein / Necklace: Giveaway Win

I wore this to a temple trip yesterday. I just love temple trips. Yet another reason to love white. Then, when we got home, the Husband and I took a nice, long nap under the ceiling fan with the Hound.

This summer, I've noticed that Slurp Hound has taken to following me around more than she used to. She's always followed me into the kitchen, hoping for a bit of food or treat, but now she follows me everywhere else, too. I go to fold laundry in the bedroom, Slurpee pads along and plops down at the foot of the bed. I'm working on the computer, she's furring up my papasan chair or lying by my feet. I go to the restroom, she noses in and lies down on the rug below the sink. Yep, I don't even have kids yet and already I've no privacy in the loo. In the evenings, when I sometimes catch up with Dancing with the Stars, she's whining to squeeze into my grandpa's old La-Z-Boy with me. Then at night, she's either by the foot of my bed on the floor, or, if it's cold, snuggled up right against me under the covers. I know. I swore it would never happen.

She doesn't follow me all day. Obviously, someone still has to watch out the windows to make sure the deer and rabbits don't get too comfortable. And someone had better be watching out that that one neighbor's dog doesn't put one toe onto our lawn. But when the neighbor's dog is no where in sight, and the deer and rabbits have cleaned the yard of all fallen fruit for the time being, suddenly everywhere I turn is my not-so-baby baby Hound.

And I kinda like it. Even if she does get furs everywhere. My vacuum and I have become total frenemies. It's cool. It's about time I caught up with the trends and got myself one of those.

P.S. This is the top I wore on my very first date with Husband at Cold Stone Creamery. It's kinda gotten a bit pit stained and tight in the ta-ta-region due to some medications I'm currently taking {not that I'm complaining...} But it's our first date top, and I just can't let it go.

Goodbye, Winter

Dress: ModCloth / Skirt as Slip: Gap / Belt, Necklace: Ruche / Boots: Ugg / Shoes: J Crew via DownEast / Watch: Fossil / Bag: Bunco Prize

This winter was fairly mild compared to last year, and I think { fingers crossed } it's finally over. Blossoms and sunshine are finally in abundance. We no longer huddle in the smallest room of our house around the electric heater. Nor do we need our mattress warmer. Getting out of the shower is no longer the hardest part of the day, and I no longer dread coming home to a freezing house. Merci, merci, merci, Madame Spring for coming earli(er) this year! In return for such kindness, I feel I must bid a proper adieu to Old Man Winter. I won't be missing his icy greetings any time soon. Or ever, actually. In fact, I'd be perfectly satisfied to get my fill of snow at Crater Lake each year if he'd just leave me alone.

We love to hit up Crater Lake for a nice after-church drive, and wanted to get up there for a last look at the snow. A few thoughts:

1) I purchased this dress with this particular lake in mind. I may have bought it in hopes of entering a photo contest to win a gift card, which would in effect pay for the dress and leave me extra for some other lovely. Then the contest closed before the dress arrived. Boo.

2) The snow didn't get as high as last year along the roadside. Evidently, this displeases me.

3) My birthday shoes, snagged at DownEast for under $30, are way slicker at modeling than I am.

4) I love my Husband and Hound. And Spring! Le printemps, je t'adore!*

And yes, this is their new official pose. 

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*Le printemps, je t'adore! =I love you, Spring!
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Love

This man. I love him. { And our baby Hound, too.}

Turbin Time

Pants: F21 / SS Top: Gap clearance / 3/4S Top: Shade / Boots: MIA / Scarf: AE / Bracelets, Belt: J Crew final sale / Bag:: TJ Maxx

F21 is my favorite place for fast fashion. I found these pants for under $20 on sale. They're sold out online, but they have these adorable printed ones in a darker, but similar color.

I think the Husband was a bit embarrassed by today's head attire. I told him that was a prime example of reason #4859 for why we should move to a big city. Or at least close to a metropolitan area. There, my nifty scarf-turned-turbin trick probably wouldn't even merit a second glance. He may not be sold, but I am in l-o-v-e. I couldn't get my bangs to behave very nicely today, and this scarf whipped them right into place { which was out of sight, of course. }

This evening we went for a little stroll between the marsh and the lake. This is, quite possibly, the Hound's favorite spot for a stroll. It's replete with critter-holes. Her head disappears into the most interesting holes, and when her tail starts to wag wildly, you can bet the digging will start next. She gets so excited she starts tearing away mounds of dirt with her mouth and flinging it aside, at which point I insist she be pulled away { and by pulled, I mean picked up and hauled off, while she fights desperately for release.} I won't have her tearing up any homes. One of my favorite childhood stories was about a chipmunk family that had a network of tunnels leading to their home under a chestnut tree. I'm certain it was a true story. Autobiography, maybe.

Then the Husband decided we needed some artsy photos with the pretty sky. So here are my artsy poses.

When you can't see the tail of the scarf, it kind of resembles a helmet, doesn't it?  Eh, oh well. 

Ciao!

Hound Adventures

Skirt: Old Navy / Chambray: Gap / Sweater: AE / Tights: We Love Colors / Shoes: Asos / Necklaces: F21, Piperlime / Belt: From a Threadcase dress

That's an awkward little pose there on the right, isn't it? Not that there's very much that's not awkward about taking your own photo. It's been staying light longer, so I've been able to snap a few photos if I get home from school early enough, and I really wanted to get a picture with this sweater. I picked it up for $9 from American Eagle. They're having an excellent end-of-winter sale going on right now. Since winter still has several months to go in my neck of the woods, it's perfect timing. 

As I took these shots, the Hound was watching ever so mournfully from the living room windows. Sometimes, when we're in a mischievous mood, the Husband and I will play a little game with her from this deck. I set her on our bed and tell her to sit while Scott traipses through the back yard to our neighbor's, which just so happens to be rabbit-land, bordered by a big hill.

Slurpee waits with her ears cocked, perched and ready to fly on command. She trembles with excitement and begins a low whine. When Scott sends the signal that he's ready, I open the sliding-glass door while commanding Slurp to "stay." Then, after she's proven what a good little obedient Hound she can be, I say, "Go get 'em!"

And this is the moment for which she lives. She flies out the door, leaps off the deck in one heroic bound, and, nose to the ground, zooms straight to bunny heaven, her tail cutting circles wildly. Pretty soon the yipping howls start, and I chase after her.

We let her have some fun before we catch her, as long as she steers clear of the hills { which have led to hours of search in the past, including a hitch-hiking incident for me...} Catching her requires us to corner and tackle her. All obedience flies right out the window when she's on a trail. As the Husband hauls her back home under one arm, her tail helicoptering behind them, she has the biggest doggie smile on her face you've ever seen. Utterly contended with her run, she plops onto the floor and waits for a treat.

And that, friends, is how the Hound gets her supervised adventures. Now the only problem is that anytime we want to use that deck, she thinks she's getting an adventure, so I have to lock her out of the room lest she streak out after a rabbit. Her obedience only lasts if someone's looking directly at her. We've clearly trained her well, that one.

P.S. Are you watching the Academy Awards tonight? I'm rooting for The Artist-- we just saw it last night and it was absolument merveilleux.* Midnight in Paris is another favorite, of course, but it's just not on that level for me. I'm going to an Oscar party, so I've got to find something fun to wear...

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*absolument merveilleux = absolutely marvelous { of course }

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10 Points to the Hound

Sweater: Ross ($7!) / Skirt: YesStyle / Boots: Ugg / Belt: UO / Tights: WalMart / Earrings: Gabes (Monet) / Necklace: Ruche / Bracelets: Christmas Gift (J Crew)

This afternoon, as the Husband and I moved towards the door to go snap these shots, the Hound eagerly followed, thinking she was getting another walk. The Husband, a bit annoyed since she'd just been out, told her to get out of the way and motioned for her to move. She bowed her head, put her tail between her legs, and slank away with a hurt expression.

Then, of course, the Husband felt bad. So he made a cozy nest of her favorite fuzzy blanket, put her in it, and got one of her favorite treats, a dried piece of yam wrapped in chicken jerky.

I've never seen her turn down one of these. Ever. But that's just what she did. She wouldn't take it, so he placed it before her and she didn't even sniff it. Not one tiny whiff. She just stared with the most woefully forlorn look you've ever seen.  

Absolutely heartbreaking. 

He patted and reassured her that she wasn't in trouble, but she still wouldn't take the treat. I told him she must be sick. She hadn't eaten her food that morning, and her tummy had been grumbling. Yes, that was it. She must be terribly ill. So we caressed and coddled her, trying to get her to lie down or try bits of the treat, to no avail.

Then, feeling bad that she was obviously not well and had wanted to go outside, we realized that perhaps she needed to go out again, so he said, "Okay, let's go," and motioned for her to come.

And at that sign of surrender, she picked up the treat, trotted to the door, tail wagging happily, and gulped it down before jumping up to have her leash attached. Booyah, suckers!

What should've been a 2 minute trip outside for us turned into a treat and a walk for her. So there you have example #935 of how Slurpee has cunningly achieved virtual carte blanche* in our home.

Oh my. We're in for some serious trouble when kids enter the picture.

P.S. The Husband calls this my Pancho Villa outfit. Mexican revolutionary references aside, it's not my favorite outfit, but it was quite a cozy church ensemble on such a blustery day.

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*Carte blanche = the license to do whatever she wants (i.e.: have her way)

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Dear Weekend: I Love You

 Sweater: H&M / Jeans, Earrings: AE sale / Boots: TJ Maxx / Necklaces: Maurices / Bracelet: DC Street Market / Glasses: BonLook

Oh, how I love the weekends. Oh, how I love a break from school.  This is my life right now.

Two more weeks till the end of the semester. It can't come fast enough. Two more weeks...

In other news, I shamelessly caved to the promotion of all the cool and popular blogs out there and got a pair of hipster glasses. And I kind of love them. The timing was perfect because the Husband just gave me a new prescription, and Bonlook is having a sale for $10 off your first pair. They also have a really nifty virtual try-on feature that makes it easy to select a pair, and they have free shipping.

I first got glasses in the 2nd grade. A horrid pair of thin purple plastic that covered the entire top two-thirds of my head...Like all the other myopes out there, I recall the amazement that I could see, from the ground, the individual leaves of trees. Even the ones that were far away! That day, I rode home seeing a whole new world of wonder from the back of my dad's pick-up. It was the early 90s...My joy was promptly over the second we got home and my brother made fun of my new 4-eyed look. He had issues being the only boy with 4 sisters.
 
At that point, my sight wasn't too terrible, so I could get away without wearing them if I sat in the front of the classroom to see the board.  In other words, I sacrificed the privilege to see leaves for the sake of style and went without. These days, I can't even see that the that the board is there. Here's looking at you, -6.25. Actually, I can't see you without you.

For a long time I was quite bitter about my need for myopic correction. Both of my parents, in their 50s now, still see at 20/15. "C'est pas juste!" I whined { In my memories, I whined in French. Makes it seem more pithy. }  And I vividly remember my doctors telling me that eventually my eyes would stop getting worse as I matured and reached adulthood. Whelp, guess I missed that mark...But now that glasses are popular, I suppose I really oughtn't complain anymore, and be glad that I'm not forced to suffer the indecision of whether to pay for spectacles I don't need in the name of accessorizing.

And today, ladies and gents, after boring you with this ridiculous diatribe about my eyes, I'll conclude by admitting that these days I'm grateful for my abnormally long eyeballs. Their habit of continual elongation provides me many an opportunity to keep up with the world of fashionable eye-wear.

Also, it's fun to look at Christmas trees without them. What? You don't keep yours up till Valentine's?

P.S. Linked up to The Pleated Poppy's WIWW!

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*C'est pas juste = Ce n'est pas juste = It's not fair!

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A True Story About the Husband and the Hound

   Cashmere Sweater, Skirt: Consigned at Periwinkle (Vintage Saks made in Scotland, Old Navy) / Bracelets:  F21 & Christmas gift (J Crew) / Leather Bracelet & Earrings:  DC Holiday Street Market / Crystal Necklace: Grandmother's

Once upon a time there was a lonesome non-Husband working his way through long hours of medical school in Missouri. One day, he saw an ad for beagle puppies and thought, "Hey, that would be fun!" Upon meeting the seller, he found a mess of tri-colored pups in the back of a pick-up. He paid the man $50, plucked out the wiggliest, squiggliest, smallest Hound-pup of the bunch, and put her in his car.

She whined and whimpered on the ride home till the non-Husband put her in his lap. Then the Hound-pup was very contented. They lived happily the next couple of years, learning to howl at rabbits and having adventures and such, providing one another quite good company.

Then one day the non-Husband had to go away for his internship and residency and couldn't take the Hound-pup, who was practically all Hound by this time. So she moved to Nevada with the non-Husband's brother, and then to Utah with the non-Husband's parents after the howling didn't work out too swell with the Vegas neighbors.

Meanwhile, the non-Husband completed his intern year in Arizona, and then went off to West Virginia for his residency. This is where he semi-met Girl by asking her to play football at a picnic. Girl declined, by the way, so he arranged to pick her up for a trip with mutual friends to jump off of a waterfall the next day. This was a surprise for Girl.  Pretty soon, the non-Husband was showing up at Girl's apartment and asking her to go for ice-cream. Where he told her stories about his Hound, kept her out to the wee hours on a playground, and tried to teach her to drive a stick at the end of the night. Girl is pretty sure that last part was because he didn't want the night to be over. She didn't either.

The weekend of Girl's birthday, the non-Husband flew to Utah for his sister's wedding. He'd invited Girl to go with him. He'd even offered to pay halfsies. But that Sunday was Girl's birthday and she was expecting family. And she'd only just begun to date the non-Husband, after-all, and didn't want to appear presumptuous.

The non-husband returned on Girl's birthday, bringing the Hound with him. They arrived in time to both be big hits with Girl's family. Pretty soon, the Hound was whining at the door for Girl after she left from visiting the non-Husband at his place. Then the Hound began staying the nights with Girl, whose job allowed her to walk the Hound throughout the day. It wasn't long before the Hound moved in with Girl, and not long after that the non-Husband became the Husband, and he moved in too.

And that, friends, is a true story of how the Husband became the Husband, the Hound got a mama, and the Girl found herself with a Husband and a Hound fighting for snuggle space in her bed.

  Clockwise from top left:  non-Husband and Hound-pup, Girl jumps off waterfall and is photographed by non-Husband on that fateful day, non-Husband becomes Girl's Husband, Hound takes over Girl's bed

And you thought this post was going to be about my outfit...

P.S. It's black and white day at Everybody, Everywear! C'est très chic, le noir et blanc, n'est-ce pas?*

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C'est très chic, le noir et blanc, n'est-ce pas? = Black and white is very chic, is it not?

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Christmas, in a Chestnut-Shell

Top: Old Navy / Jeans: Guess via Macy's / Boots: Born / Bracelets: Christmas Gift (J Crew) / Watch: Christmas Gift (Fossil) / Scarf: Christmas Gift

*The Hound got to be in the Snow Flake Parade as we chaperoned my school's float. The Husband made her wave to all the kids. They shouted with joy,  trilling "Look, that doggie is waving at me!" She just wanted to lick them. I'm not sure whether Husband or Hound had more fun.

*We roasted plenty of chestnuts while listening to Christmas music. I may be addicted...

*We went to see two of my students debut in our town's musical production of  A Christmas Carol. 

*We continued to sleep by the warmth of our fire and under the lights of our Christmas tree. Lights per Husband's request, on behalf of his childhood :)



*Then, we headed East to spend the holiday with my family.  First, we stayed with my cousin in DC where we enjoyed PB&J cupcakes while catching up and playing with her baby boy.  PB&J cupcakes. Genius.

*The next day we hit up Dupont Circle, visited a holiday street market and the National Archives, and checked out all the city's sapins de Noël*. First we saw the tree at the capitol, then passed by the White House, and then we met up with my brother and his girlfriend, who'd flown in from Cali, at the National Tree. Oh, Christmas Tree...

*That night we stayed with my uncle and his adorable family in Chesapeake Beach, where we enjoyed playing with our little cousins.  The next morning we walked the Mall and took in the Cosmic Collisions show in the planetarium of the Air and Space Museum before heading to Georgetown. Husband used the show as an opportunity for a nap, which he blamed on the McD's oatmeal we'd had just before. Food comas are his thing.

*We enjoyed loads of festive decorations and lights. The owl tree in the Smithsonian Castle made me want to experience Christmas at Hogwarts. Geek, I know.

*There may also have been some shopping, vintage ogling, and cupcake hunting. Details later! 



*On our way to WV, we stopped to see the lights at the DC Temple, where we were married. Breathtaking. Merveilleux. Incroyable.

 
*There was a really neat exhibit of nativities from around the world in the visitor's center. The Husband's favorite was one from South Africa, which was made of Coke cans. Big. Surprise. I personally preferred their beaded version.

*Our first stop in WV was Morgantown, our old college town where Scott and I met. There was supposed to be a walk down memory lane, which just so happens to be the tree-lined lane leading to Friendship Hill, our favorite park. But it was raining dreadfully. So instead, there may have been more shopping. At Gabes. Where I found Express liquid leggings for $7. Merry Christmas to me!

*We made our way to OH where we enjoyed Christmas Eve at my sister's house and the boys laughed as the girls took turns shooting her bow. Turns out you need muscle to even pull the darn thing back.

*At home in WV, my mom made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Cocoa Wheats and toast. Do you know what Cocoa Wheats are? Heavenly, that's what.

*After opening presents, we had Christmas dinner at my Grandpa's with cousins and aunts and uncles and plenty of sweets. Did you catch my sparkly new watch up top? Ha- how could you not with all that smarmsing going on? { If you can smile with your eyes, you can with your arms...} I finally joined the trend after admiring my sister's version from her bf. 

*Despite the fact that we got a wet Christmas, rather than the preferred white, it was a jolly good way to spend the holiday. I hope yours was just as merry and bright!

P.S. I just realized I have no photos with my family. They need to get over their photo aversions. New Years Resolution: Stop taking so many photos of yourself and take a few with others...

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*sapins de Noël = Christmas trees

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Ugh-ly Sweater

Skirt: Thrifted Vintage / Top & Bracelet: F21 / Belt & Necklace: J Crew final sale / Shoes: Miz Mooz / Scarf: Macys

Last week, I lamented the fact that I have far more ugly sweater parties than sparkling soirées to attend this holiday season.  After not participating last year, I finally decided to acknowledge it as a trend, stop pouting, and find something suitable. Above was my base outfit, which I wore to work for our holiday breakfast. For the party that night, I replaced my necklace and belt with my new vintage "ugly" sweater:

 Skirt & Ugly Sweater: Thrifted Vintage / Shoes: Miz Mooz / Husband's Bow Tie & Vest: c/o our Printer / Hound's Sweater: Target

It's about as ugly as I can handle, and it has personal significance. When I was kindergartener, my favorite outfit was a red plaid skirt and matching sweater with a plaid Scottish Terrier on it. I wanted to wear it every single day with my tights and Mary Janes. I think my obsession stemmed from Lady and the Tramp, which I adored. The dog on my sweater was just like Lady's little Scotty friend, Jacques.

This is the only surviving photo of  my beloved outfit. My sister is covering the skirt and dog. But I know they're there.

Even back then I couldn't hide my love of dressing up, dogs, and all things French. Perhaps my love of plaid, too.

P.S. Christmas is almost here! Christmas!  Joyeaux Noël a tous*!

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*Joyeaux Noël a tous = Merry Christmas to all!

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Little Black Dress

LBD: Target ($10!) / Cardi & Belt: J Crew Factory clearance / Scarf: Bunco win  / Boots: Larsen via 6pm / Tights: Ross layered over Ross / Bracelets: F21, AE / Earrings: Handmade by a friend

I got this dress for $10 on sale at Target, I've been looking for a way to dress it down. I knew just what to do after I won this fabulous scarf, also on sale right now at Target, at Bunco last week { I know...my odds have to be like 80% by this point...I don't know why I've yet to pack up and move to Vegas. Is there a Vegas-equivalent for dice games? }

In other news...Last night, the Husband and I pulled out the memory foam topper for our pull-out couch bed, parked it right in front of our wood-burning stove, and camped out in there for the night. It was heavenly. When you live in the mountains, and it's cold enough to ice-skate on the lake you live by, and you don't heat the house because the cost of enough heating oil for your rather large 40s home with wall to ceiling drafty windows is insane, this makes perfect sense.

The Hound has found this arrangement particularly to her liking.

P.S. Linked up to Clothed Much's last Rule-Breaking Party! Click to see how others break the rules with their LBDs.

Thankful

Dress: Consigned at Periwinkle (Trinity) / Top: Gap / Pants: Macys (Union Bay) / Belt: J Crew Outlet / Booties: Blowfish / Jewelry: F21

This was our very first Thanksgiving all by ourselves. The Husband was on call, so we couldn't go anywhere. I very briefly considered taking it easy since I spent the first part of the week out East for my cousin's wedding. I'm oh so glad I didn't. We've been relishing leftovers for days. This meal will keep on giving for almost a week :)

My little feast surprised me. Many thanks to Jennie-O for an easy peasy turkey with a pop-up timer, All-Recipes for a delicious seasoning blend and whole-wheat rolls, Safeway for whole wheat stuffing mix on clearance, Meta Given for a silky smooth pumpkin pie recipe, and my grandma for teaching me how to make crust {though mine is never as pretty as hers was.} Thanks to my favorite little consignment shop for my perfectly modern Pilgrim of an outfit for $13, to my Slurpee Hound for her warm snuggles on cold nights {and for putting up with my sweater-gifts}, and to my Scott for cutting wood, keeping our stove toasty warm, and consenting to a weekend of chick-flicks with me.  But most of all, thank-you to my kind and gracious Father in Heaven, for providing me with so many lovelies for which to be thankful.

P.S. The Husband wore his fuzzies all day. In honor of the feast, of course. So no family picture. But we did get a good one of the Hound, all festive in her new holiday sweater whilst watching for scraps. She's a hawk when poultry's afoot.

Happy Thanksgiving!