Happy Birthday Vinny!

 Today is our boy’s birthday and he is such a joy and so kind-hearted and loving. When my husband and Gio and I first laid eyes on him we knew he was ours.

 Israel, our collie whom we had for thirteen years, went to be with the Lord in April 2007. That was the hardest time for us.  It took some time to heal, but we had to have another doggie and a little brother for Gio in the family.  I had found a local collie breeder; but we were put on a waiting list because their dogs were not in a breeding season yet. My hubby went on the hunt for a another tri-collie breeder.  He searched in the local newspapers but found nothing. He looked for collie websites, but he could find nothing close to home. He happened to look at the classified section of the Chicago newspaper and found a breeder with collie pups available in Sherrard, Illinois;  a small town south of the Quad Cities. He called the breeder and she had one tri-collie male left. She sent us the photo of him below; and we knew he was the one for us. The breeder called him Tiny Tuxedo, but we call him Vinny. He looks shy in this photo, however is personality is lively and full of fun.

 

Vinny

 

I remember my husband and I set out on the road trip to pick him up after a Welcome Ministry meeting at Church. We drove more than four hours and ended up in farmland that really did not give a lot of direction. We called the breeder to find our exact destination. When we got out of the Jeep, it was like collie land. Rough collies, short-haired collies, tri-collies, blue merle collies, and Lassie collies were all around us.  We got to meet Vinny’s mama, Cleopatra. She was so kind and loving. I see where Vinny gets those qualities from. His daddy is very handsome; but at the time he was in heat so he couldn’t be let out, because, well you know.

This farm was out of a book. The collies had free reign and slept underneath the stars. It was a special place to visit. When we picked up our little guy, he jumped in the back of the Jeep like he knew we were coming for him and was ready to go home with us. At first, I was wondering if his mamma would miss him; but after sometime they don’t feel like that, so it was okay. This little guy was already potty trained, but could gnaw paper with the best of them.

vinny

This is one of my favorite pictures of the little fella because he has so much fun in the snow with his big brother Gio.

You may have realized that Vinny is in a chunk of my blog pictures. It seems like when my hubby turns on the camera, Vinny comes running to me so he can get into the shot with me. I don’t have to ask him to be in the picture. He just comes on his own. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

VInny and JTwisdom

VInny and JTwisdom

My husband, his big brother Gio and I love him very much and thankful that Vinny is part of the family.

Happy Birthday Vinny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinny and JTwisdom

Vinny and JTwisdom

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Florals Rule!

Hi Elegant Readers,

Happiness, joy and blessings to you!

I had to talk with you about how florals can be worn all year long. They are not only for the spring and summer. In the picture below, I am wearing one of my favorite Isaac Mizrahi cardigans. It works so well in the winter with the close-fitting, pop-of-color teal turtleneck underneath. The suede skirt is from a line that is no longer designed at QVC.com. It adds texture and has a sharp contrast. To me, stepping out of the box is adding different colors and textures; but to sync together for a completely cool outfit. My ankle boots are from Earth Origins, the design is so edgy and the comfort is really good.

JT in Isaac Mizrahi cardigan and Macy's turtleneck and Dialogue suede skirt

JT in Isaac Mizrahi cardigan and Macy’s turtleneck and Dialogue suede skirt

The doggies love the camera so they really enjoyed getting in the photo shoot.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The owl ring is to cool and it was only $3.99 from Heartfilledcreations.com. Fun fashion jewelry that really worked with this outfit.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Here’s an out-take of my puppies being their usual boisterous selfs, gotta love them.
Gio is the beagle and Vinny is the collie.

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The Many Faces of Gio!

Both of my dogs are full of energy, Gio and Vinny always want to have a lot of fun. My dog Gio is full of energy and always wants to be in the spotlight. I can rarely get him to sit still for a photo. I know your saying he’s a beagle what do you expect? Well a girl can always hope to get that perfect picture of her puppies.

Trying to get Gio to focus

Gio please smile for the camera

Gio smiling and Vinny sleeping

This post is linked with Whimsical Wednesday
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High Heel Shoes or Flat Sandals?

It’s hot all across the country and it makes me yearn for a cool breeze. Well it might not be cool right now; but I sure can give my opinion on heels vs flats.

My hubby takes my pictures and while editing images I looked at this photo with my high heel circa Joan and David heels on. The shoes made me look so much taller and I am over 5’7 in stature.

Women wear heels for a reason and it’s not just because the shoes are cute. It is more to it than that, I believe it is a psychological thing because heels add height and give off such a different look then wearing flats. I don’t know if it’s a feeling of ultimate chicness or it makes my thighs look smaller. These shoes are not comfortable after three or four hours but they look so pretty to me.

Me in heels

Now in flats I think the look is cute, but I love looking taller.

Me in flats

So when it comes down to it, I enjoy wearing both heels and flats. Heels don’t make your feet hurt more than flats, because flats can hurt too. Make sure you can wiggle your toes in your shoes. When you go to the store to try on shoes go at the end of the day because your feet feel different in the morning than when you have walked in them all day. It’s such a bummer to walk around in shoes that aren’t comfortable. Remember shoes can be cute and comfortable.

Outfit Review
Blouse -Anne Klein
Skirt- Dillards
Shoes- heels Circa Joan and David
Shoes- flats Life Stride patent leather sandals
Handbag- Coach
Necklace- Nolan Miller
Bracelets- Gift
Ankle Bracelet- Diamonique
Watch- gift
Earrings- Parker Beauty
Ring -Kenneth J Lane
Headband- Parker Beauty

Outakes
Gio is a fiesty and fabulously playful beagle and he will howl at you in a minute. I am holding him trying to calm him down. Calm down a beagle what was I thinking.

Me and Gio