National Dog Day: How Does Your Dog Make You Feel?

It's National Dog Day and we need to throw our little fur babies a BIG party for all they do to enhance our lives as humans.  And I decided to create this post to help celebrate this special day for so many dog owners and lovers out there.  I have had a dog in my life for almost the entirely of it.  They are wonderful companions but they also do so much more and that is what I would like to share with you today.

Did you know that dogs can do everything from improving your health,  in not only getting you out to exercise,  but also by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol?  In addition to helping to keep your physical body working better, dogs are also great for people with emotional and mental issues.  Elderly nursing home patients' moods have been reported to improve by simply bringing a dog to them to pet.

As I said before, I have had a dog in my life for pretty much always!  When I was six years old my father passed away.  I was the only child at home and well, it was pretty somber around there.  I was lonely and  passed most of my time playing alone.  That is until one day a friend showed up at my house with a puppy!  I'm sure that I was more excited than my mother was at the time but I immediately took to this little chihuahua and promptly named the little fellow Irving (I know...how does a kids of six years old come up with a name like that?!).  Anyway, Irving and I became fast friends and continued to be so until he passed away at about twelve years of age.  He was a companion to me and another little being that I could attach emotions to.  Whenever I lost him, I truly grieved because he had been such an important part of my life and gotten me through such difficult years.

I found this 1970 snapshot of Irving and me in an old photo album and it immediately brought up such fond memories.

After I married and started a family of my own, of course, I longed for a dog.  And we have had many over the years.  I felt that there was so much that a dog could bring into the lives of my children.  They learned compassion and responsibility as they cared for them and allowed them to become a part of their daily lives.  I still have pups around here and am so happy that my grown children have decided to make them a part of their families as well.
 Meet Louie!  Louie is the newest member of my daughter's family.  He came into their lives just as they were moving from Cleveland to Louisiana.  And what a perfect idea to bring this precious addition into their family.  You see, moving can be a bit unsettling for children.  They need something familiar in their lives and Louie has been just that for my sweet little grandchildren.  He has brought light and laughter and made their transition here so much easier. (Photo Credit:  Caitlin Jarrell)
And that is why, for many years,  dogs have been called, "Man's Best Friend".  Hats Off to YOU, Doggies, for making our smiles a little brighter every day! (Photo Credit:  Caitlin Jarrell)



                       For more information on how dogs can improve your life, go to puppyspot !

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Proper Wedding Attire for the Season

Summer is wedding season and right now it is in full swing.  There is always the question of, "What will I wear to the wedding?"  The proper wedding attire, suitable for the venue,  is quite important.  Whether one is dressing for a church, destination,  or outdoor wedding, they will want to look their best and appropriate for the occasion .  I absolutely LOVE weddings and have had lots of experience with them, therefore, I was so excited to team up with Bonobos to give you a little assistance in dressing for the next wedding you attend.

The first question many women ask is:  "Is it OK to wear black to a wedding?"  I would have to say that black, in my opinion, is appropriate for almost any occasion.  So, yes, I think a little black dress would be fine for wedding attire.
 This  Michael Kors, little black dress, with a fit waist, flare skirt and mesh detailing would be perfect for any wedding.  Paired with either black or nude shoes and you've got a classic outfit.

There are other venues that have more unspoken rules concerning appropriate wedding attire and one of those is a church wedding.  Because it is a more reverent site for nuptials, I believe  conservative is better.  Conservative, however, does not mean that you cannot dress fashionably, it just means perhaps no plunging necklines or mini skirts.

 You can never go wrong with a classic DVF dress.  This knit dress in a flattering colorblock pattern is the perfect length and style that would be great for a church wedding.  Paired with red heels for an afternoon event and if you want a more dressy look for evening, pair it with black ones.

The outdoor wedding event is a a little more tricky, especially in the south, where I live.  First, know the weather for the area in which the event is planned.  Hopefully it will be planned during a mild season where one does not have to worry about extreme temperatures.  In any case, you can dress both for the weather and the event in an elegant fashion for the outdoors.
Whatever you do, do not dress extremely casual for an outdoor wedding simply because of the venue.  One can dress beautifully for an outdoor event and a maxi dress is one of my favorites things to wear.  This glamorous yellow ruffle dress with a sheer bottom is perfect!  Sleeveless and sheer enough for the comfort of the outdoors, yet beautifully designed to be dressy enough for a wedding.
And let's not forget the sun that could be a factor at an outdoor wedding.  Choose a classic hat to accompany your dress and you're set!  And what could be more classic than this Aubrey Hepburn, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" hat for the occasion?  Of course, always come prepared by having an umbrella and raincoat nearby just in case of inclement weather.
This DVF Denim-Wrap Trench Coat is perfect for not only an outdoor wedding but any event where rain could be a factor.

And Don't forget to add just a bit of jewelry to your ensemble.  You never want to wear too much; as Coco Channel said, "When accessorizing always take off the last thing you put on."
I absolutely love these Kendra Scott Gold Drop Earrings!  I was actually given this pair of earrings for my birthday and I wear them all the time.  They are the perfect earring for any outfit.

                    Putting your perfect wedding guest look together is just a click away!

              Michael Kors LBD Because a LBD is always a good idea. 
              DVF Colorblock Knit Dress For a classic look you just can't beat.
              Yellow Ruffle Maxi Dress For that outside wedding that makes you look as radiant as the
                                                         sun.
              Breakfast at Tiffany's Hat To block the sun from your face and give you that classic Aubrey
                                                         Hepburn look we all adore.
              DVF Trench Coat To keep you dry and stylish at the same time.
              Kendra Scott Earrings To finish off the perfect look for any occasion.
              Bonobos For your guy and all your looks in between.
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