Hogtied

This picture of Rex does a good job of summarizing life lately... I'm not sure if comparing my life to being hogtied is a good thing - but recently I've thought a lot about how I spend my time.  On good days I feel like I'm giving a good 10% to 35 different things - and as summer ramps up with more travel both personally and for work, I'm afraid my priorities have  screen time taking up less of my day.  While I'll be posting less, I still plan on sharing on twitter/instagram/facebook... taking less outfit photos have translated into more boyfriend/friend time, fun craft projects, and cooking/baking conquests - and my major short-term goal is to start volunteering again (something I really miss). I hope this renewed focus on my tangible life gives me the energy for my social life again.  Thank you so much for the love and support... I promise I'll be back ;)

Ruffles & Pinstripes

Shirt & Skirt (The Limited); Shoes (Nine West); Watch (Michael Kors);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Feminine ruffles and a structured pencil skirt are a perfect combo for an easy and appropriate look for the office.  And that that warmer weather has finally found its way to Minneapolis, Rex enjoyed a trip to the dog park this week... It was a highly anticipated 25 minutes of running around like an uncaged beast and marking his territory on literally every bush and tree in the park - the smile says it all :)

My Little Toto

Dress (Taylor find at Marshalls); Shirt (Old Navy); Tights (Target);
Boots (Guess find at Marshalls)

Rex is certainly not as tough as he thinks he is... and certainly not as tough as Toto.  Given my country girl meets Dorothy look, I thought some of Toto's courage would transfer to Rex (he did help Dorothy beat the wicked witch after all).  Poor Rex can't even face a bridge...  the entire time we were on it, he hunkered down and tried to slither as far away as possible.  So after a few pictures, we called it quits... and Rex will never be the same (yes, I plan on paying for therapy).

And I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Boston... yet amidst prayers and sadness, it's impossible to make sense of something so senseless. I hope that the good of humanity will rise above the evil of Monday, and that the stories of heroes outnumber the images of tragedy.

Weekend Wear

Sweater (Limited); Top (Kiss - NY); Jeans (Nordstrom); Shoes (Payless);
Necklace (H&M); Watch (Michael Kors); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)

I like my weekend wear to be easy and comfortable - which also happens to be how I prefer my weekends.  As nice as it is that my boyfriend and I are from basically the same hometown, it makes the time there jam packed with family activities on both sides. Last weekend we went back to Wisconsin (about a 5 hour drive) to celebrate my mom's birthday and his nephew's baptism - and we finally picked up Rex who had been staying with my parents for the past month.  Doesn't he look happy to see me???

My Funny Valentine

Here are some recent pictures of my love... I look at this face and can't imagine my life without it. It's amazing how something so small and unknowing can have such a profound impact on your life.  Take for instance my home...  if you walked in on a given weekend you would think I had either 5 dogs or 2 kids based on the amount of toys and balls scattered throughout the hallways and bedrooms. And he's such a goofball - what's with the one and two paw lift? The intensity in his eyes suggests there's a ball in the vicinity :)

Shades of Gray

Sweater (The Limited); Hat (H&M); Leggings (Old Navy); Boots (Nine West);
Earrings (Nordstrom)

I love this hat (my boyfriend does not).  It reminds me of the Season 2 Sex in the City episode when Big gets back from Paris and Carrie shows up in a beret and a bag of McDonalds (containing Le Big Mac, Le Filet de Fish and Le French Fry)... and she precedes to throw the filet of fish at him when he tells her to not move to Paris for him (one of my favorite moments).  
Speaking of shades of gray, I'm noticing more on my Rex monster as he gets older (he will be seven this year!).  The other day when I was wrapping him up like a burrito (one of his favorite weekend activities), I took the picture below and realized how gray he's becoming... although he prefers to be referred to as distinguished :)

6 Degrees

Faux Fur Vest (Joseph A find at Marshalls); Sweater (H&M); Leggings (Old Navy);
Hat (Steve Madden); Boots & Socks (Kohls)

At first I wanted to call this post "A walk in the snow" - which made me instantly think of the movie "A Walk in the Clouds".  Now all I can think about is Keanu Reeves and whether or not  I can link him to Kevin Bacon in 6 degrees of separation.  It was actually pretty easy (only 2 degrees needed):

1. Kevin Bacon was in A Few Good Men with Jack Nicholson
2. Jack Nicholson was in Something's Gotta Give with Keanu Reeves

And now I feel extremely accomplished and a little proud of myself :)

Christmas Cheer

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Rex and I are back in Wisconsin this week to celebrate with family... and he wanted to show off some of his favorite Christmas looks :)  

Halloween PJs

Doggy Halloween Pajamas (Target)

I don't love dressing up for Halloween, so it's a good thing Rex does! He has been a lobster, banana, and most recently shark bait - and this year he opted for Halloween pajamas... Frankly I think the understated doggy skeleton was an excellent choice.  I can't think of a better fur monster to celebrate this holiday with!!!  Happy Halloween :)

Fall Fur

Shirt (Gap); Tank (Loft); Faux Fur Vest (Joseph A find at Marshalls);
Jeans  & Sunglasses (Target); Hat (Tailors on Blake); Shoes (Payless)
Ryan Seidel Photography

And by Fall fur I mean my Fall furball :)  This is the time of year I love having a dog (yes yes, I love him all year round)... but fall is the best.  Walks have the most gorgeous scenery with the changing leaves, and the temperature is perfect.  Perfect for fur vests too! A fur vest really is one of most impractical items in winter (especially in Minnesota... we need those sleeves), so fall is a great time to get some use out of an item that is as fun as it is illogical :)

Birthday Paws

Rex's birthday was yesterday... Which means he got new toys, ice cream, and extra kisses.  I'm not sure how he feels about the birthday hat, but that doesn't really matter does it :)  Happy Birthday to my favorite 6 year old!  

Forced Pants Situation

Top (Loft); Tank (H&M); Pants (Limited); Shoes (Nine West)
Ryan Seidel Photography

So I thought Mother Nature and I were becoming friends... I'd gone camping recently despite my aversion to the outdoors, and spent an entire weekend at my boyfriend's family cabin... which means I've had more fresh air and nature time in the past few weeks than I usually get in a few years.  While at the cabin, we decided to take Rex swimming for the first time...and the poor thing was absolutely pathetic - truly the picture below says it all. A few days later my legs started to itch like crazy, and it looked like a mosquito was at an all you can eat buffet from my ankle to my knees.  Turns out I had lake itch (also known as swimmer's itch or gross). Between traumatizing Rex with the swimming episode and my lake itch, I've learned we're better off as indoor people :)

Rex "swimming"

Labor Day

Today's post is dedicated to Rex... for which every day is a day off from work, responsibility, or anything in general he doesn't feel like doing.  Happy Labor Day! I hope you are Rex-ing it up :)  Amen to having Monday off, long weekends, and short work weeks!  As you can see, Rex is ready for fall fashion like the rest of us... for Fall 2012, red is the new black for dogs ;)

Fur Monster

Jumpsuit (Limited); Necklace (Consignment Shop); Shoes (Nine West)

This little guy has been absent from the blog since he's been with his Grandparents' the past month.  Well Rex is back and as you can see he needs a haircut.  I can't decide if he looks more Gremlin (the Gizmo version) or Muppet. Either way he's going to the puppy salon this weekend, where he will come back less fur monster and more dog.  That last picture says it all... Tongue out, unruly hair, and crazy eyes - it's not a good look on anyone :)