At my office in a non-profit healthcare setting , I see a myriad of styles- from blue jeans and flips flops to suits and heels. My role in Business Development means I have to balance looking approachable to my colleagues who are hanging with kids all day while looking polished for board meetings and meeting potential business leads.

I like ruffles and details and great tailoring. I’m not even close to rail thin.  At my age, I know my figure flaws and do my best to play up my accents.

Which is probably the greatest reasonI love shoes…they always fit!

I also dig bargains and getting the look for less.

Sometimes I’ll make a splurge here or there when it’s worth it.

Last week, our CEO threw me the style feature in Thursday’s WSJ.  I took that as a tipping point to share here the style pics I randomly post on my Instagr.am.

( find me over there as bootsmc ).

Since my iPhone is always with me and I have to get dressed everyday, I thought this might be a fun new weekly (?) segment for the mcblog.

Yes- iPhone pics because unlike those other fashionistas, I don’t have time to edit DSLR pics nor do I have a personal photog following me.

I have a job to do and I just want to look chic doing it.

Last week, I presented at the annual conference for the Arkansas Public Health Association.

My audience was a room full of nurses and dietitians.

Here’s what I wore-

Dress: Sand colored with striped ribbon details by shin choi. Purchased locally at Barbara Jean

Shoes: Miu Miu espadrille wedges (old)  bangle: wood cuff (old)

~

I matched it to my keynote slides – because I’m a dork.

And I came across this today on Pinterest and it coordinates with this sand, orange, peach trend I’ve got going.

Not to mention, it is so so so so me.

Tomorrow,  I’m off to Dallas to see my sweet friend.   There may be some shopping involved.  I need to find something garden chic.

I’ll be part of the crew attending P. Allen Smith’s Bean2Blog Event next Tuesday.   I’m thrilled and can’t wait to see Moss Mountain,  meet Allen, the other bloggers, and learn loads about the miraculous soybean from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.  This daughter of a tractor salesmen loves me some soybeans. After all, they supported my shoe habit the first 25 years of my life.

Happy Wednesday, Y’all!

xxoo,
Boots

Darlings,  This past weekend  was blanketed with the most exquisite blue skies.   Did you see them?   If not,  take some time this week to look up.   Then look around.   You’ll be amazed and awed by the beauty with which God has surrounded us.

Blooming peonies,  bright green trees,  the smile of a friend.

Seek the beauty and you will find it.

Happy Monday!

Fondly,

boots

(image found via Pinterest, originally pinned from Simple Blueprint)

Last Friday,  I attended the Chick-fil-A Leadercast.   It was an inspirational day wrought with tips for building stronger, healthier organizations and a better self.   One of the highlights for me was  Marcus Buckingham, co-author of Now, Discover your Strengths.  I’m a big fan of the StrengthsFinder methodology and was excited to hear of the next step in strength assessment.  Buckingham challenged us to look for the  unique excellence around us.

Today, open your eyes and scan your horizon to find the friend, employee, colleague, volunteer, or family member who is oozing excellence.

Study the underlying concept of their drive.

Don’t do exactly what they do.

Catch the spirit of their energy.

Then, reflect  excellence in the unique way God created you to shine.

xxoo,

boots

I stumbled across this quote last week.   I think it my be my life motto.

Remember your cause this morning and go out there and wow the world.

xxoo,

boots

image via lucky mag

I arrived in Chicago not expecting to be wooed, but open to letting the city change my mind.

With 6 days ahead of me with several breaks between meetings,  I set out to enjoy the sites.

Humor me,  as I share some of my highlights, iphone pictures, and tips from my little adventure.

(if you follow me on Insta.gram- these may look familiar)

FRIDAY:

Upon arrival and settling into my hotel,   I googled the location of Neiman Marcus.  Off I went to the mother ship.

On my first walk down Michigan Avenue towards NM,   I marveled at all the gorgeous tulips.   I was smitten.

Travel Tip:   When you arrive at your destination,  Make an appointment to have your hair done or stop by a make-up counter.  Spending time in the chair while you get pretty, allows conversation on where to shop and eat from a locals point-of-view.
You may even be invited on fun adventures to attend a local fundraising event or tour local homes or gardens.

The sweetest older lady working the fragrance counter at Neimans wanted to arrange for me to tour her friend’s historic home featured in Architectural Digest. She made  the call.

I left the counter with new parfum and a phone number for the homeowner.

Also- use good judgement.  SInce I was going it alone – I opted not to give the homeowner the call.  I found the Architecture Digest article online and toured the home virtually.

It was nice to be invited.

new TANGERINE lipstick I picked up at LM counter at NM

Saturday:

The Start of the Conference

This is the Conference I attended

I spotted this guy on the street.   I assume he was attending another conference in town – the Comic Conference.

One can only hope he didn’t wake up and decide to put this on and walk around downtown Chicago just for kicks.

I’m not afraid of no ghost – but I am kind of afraid of grown men who dress like this.

Saturday Evening,   The Joint Commission — yeah, those guys who put us healthcare types  into an utter tizzy and under the microscope every 3 years,

hosted a lovely reception a the Art Insitute of Chicago.

We had the privilege of private viewing of  the Impressionist and Post Impressionist Galleries.

I was in awe of the Hall of Degas

Amazed by the scale and detail of Seaurat

I also enjoyed Monet, VanGogh, Renoir….

then

some office building ode to the light-bright on my walk back to the hotel

SUNDAY:

After our session on Sunday, lured by the rosemary containers and happy umbrellas, I stopped in this fabulous place called The Gage - where I enjoyed the best little pot of mint tea.

- Hot Tea, that is.  Not iced like we Southerns like it.   It was still quite yummy.  Even if I did put a few ice cubes in my cup when others weren’t looking.

I followed my delicious mint tea with their Venison burger which was dressed with smoked gouda, pickled red onions, fried fresh jalapenos, smoked wild mushrooms, and a red wine ketchup.  I think it also had the kitchen sink thrown in.   This was about the time I started missing The Angler.   I usually split this kind of madness with him.

I barely made a dent in it – and yes,  it was delicious.   Don’t get me started on the fact it came with a half of a kosher dill AND cornichons.   sigh.

I might’ve eaten here again on Monday and had the more redeeming and delicious seared Salmon and rutabaga puree.

After I was well nourished,   I headed a 1.5 miles north on Michigan towards the old water tower.

And I scored a new pair of kicks…

or two…or three

MONDAY:

While we are talking shoes….here’s some evidence that I actually attended a conference.  Where else but a conference center or hotel ballroom would have carpet this hideous?

Monday entailed more walking through Gotham

and an encounter with the Giant Marilyn

After all that tacky,  it was time for some pretty.   I found my way over to Rush / Bellevue Area

This is where I discovered BHLDN — Anthropologie’s wedding inspired store.

It was more beautiful in person than I had imagined.

the wedding details

the wedding dresses

I might’ve bought another pair of shoes.

Tuesday:

I finally made my way into Milleneum Park.

Hey!  Look!   It’s me….the only one not dressed in all black.

I saw the bean.

All that walking means,  I earned myself a pedicure.

The Hard Rock Hotel -offers in-room spa services.   And they’re decor may have influenced my polish choice.

Also – If you need a spa recommendation or personal nail tech – this is Sophie.    She was awesome.

I also earned some Chicago Style Pizza.    I can see what the fuss it all about.

Wednesday:

It was finally time to pack it all up and head back to Arkansas.

I said good bye to my views

Grabbed some fuel for the journey

Hopped a plane.

A couple of hours later…

It was time to refuel again.

At my neighborhood starbucks…

where the barista knows my name and the tea is iced.

Then by grabbing some sunshine and fresh air in the beauty of our city.

I can honestly say,  I fell in total like with Chicago.   I’m ready to go back and enjoy it again with my honey or my fun girlfriends by my side.

Unlike the heroine of Adventures in Babysitting,  I did not encounter the Lords of Hell.   I didn’t have to scale the Smurfit Stone Building .

My adventures in conferencing were a success.

The shopping was grand.  The food was yummy.   The folks were down right hospitable.

It truly was a model city.

Thank You, Chicago!

xoxo,

boots

My five year old ears molded around those silly words.   Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers became a sing song.   Followed by, “Tommy Attat-a-mus took two tees, tied them to the top of two tall trees.”   That summer, my dad graduated top of his auctioneer class, and I, his mockingbird daughter, had acquired a lifelong skill – or at least a stupid human trick.

(sweet talker Betty Crocker - through the years)

To this day, I can recite any of the above lyrics at warp speed.   Friends have asked to record it to make it their ring tone for me.   I haven’t obliged.   They particularly get a kick out of my favorite tongue twister to “perform”  – which  I can say in about 6.7 seconds (yeah,  I might have timed myself once or twice.)    Give it a shot and see how you do…

Betty Botter bought some butter,
“But,” she said, “the butter’s bitter;
If I put it in my batter,
It will make my batter bitter;
But a bit of better butter,
That would make my batter better.”

So she bought a bit of butter,
Better than her bitter butter,
And she put it in her batter,
And the batter was not bitter;
So ’twas better Betty Botter
Bought a bit of better butter.

Good ol’ Betty.

Even as I race through her story, I’m thankful she’s the rhyme that sticks with me the most.

I need to be reminded constantly about bitter versus better.

There are times in our lives things don’t go as planned.   I’ve sat across from friends who have told me their grand schemes and dreams to improve their business.  They hit some snags and obstacles.  The business fell apart or stayed exactly the same.   I know folks who in the midst of the rat race received a diagnosis that set them on a totally different life course.   There are parents whose children can’t keep up with the other kids due to disabilities.   There are women who in addition to children and husband and job are finding themselves caring for a parent or sibling.   Families have broken apart because somebody got bored.   Jobs went away.  Savings accounts demolished.   I know good people who did all the hard work and somebody else took all the credit.   What about the girl who finally finds the perfect guy  until he turns out not to be not so perfect.   4000 miles were logged on the treadmill and the scale didn’t move one inch.    The dream job is a nightmare. Somebody smeared another’s reputation …for the fun of it.    You name it, we probably have  been in one of these scenarios.     It’s no wonder we often feel – Disappointed.  Angry.  Confused.  Exhausted.

These feelings are normal reactions.   The problem begins when we let ourselves begin to stew in these feelings.  When we allow our hearts to remain and marinate in that disappointment, anger, confusion, and exhaustion, the result is bitterness.

I look back on a lot of things in my life that didn’t go as planned.  We moved my sophomore year of high school.   I was the new kid.  I didn’t fit.   For years, I blamed that for many of the reasons things didn’t go like the Sweet Valley Book in my head.   I became chubby because food became  my friend.   I didn’t have a boyfriend because I was chubby.   That’s not the truth.  It’s blame and bitterness.    Twenty years later, I am thankful.  I see that God was protecting me.  In those high school years, he protected my heart and set my life on course to live for Him.

A few years ago, I had two jobs back to back that were complete and utter chaos.   They had been billed to me as opportunities for career growth.   I walked away from both experiences exhausted, disillusioned and doubting my abilities.    Initially, I felt I didn’t grow my career.  I wasted my time.  I was a little bitter.  And it showed.

Now, I can see I did learn so much.   I learned what not to do.   I learned to examine every “great” oppportunty”  with a fine tooth comb.  I built a huge network of colleagues and friends in other arenas which led to a job I like.

Whether it is high school or those disappointing gigs, I can honestly say I look back on them now and know they made me better.

I’m striving to be able to say this about all things.   I have a very long way to go.

Often the bitterness creeps in  and the snark makes its way to my tongue.   When I hear critical things people have said about me or I view a situation through my “ what about me?” lens, suddenly a floodgate of vinegar floods around my heart.   The marinating begins.  I feel it.

And I want it to stop.

I don’t want a bitter heart.   I want a better heart.

You’ve probably seen the sign – especially if you are on Pinterest:  “It can make you bitter or it can make you better.”

It’s true.     It’s a choice.

Sometimes those choices can come in an instant.   Sometimes it takes time.

Sometimes it’s an everyday choice of laying the bitterness down at Christ’s feet and walking away.

It just donned on me as I write this…When Christ hung on that cross over 2000 years ago,  the soldiers gave him a rag soaked in vinegar for refreshment.   He turned his head.  He didn’t take the bitterness.  (Matthew 27:34)

We should do the same.

Don’t choose the bitterness.

Be a Betty.

Buy a bit of better butter.   Put it in your bitter batter.

It will make your batter.. and your heart better.

graciously,

Boots

xxoo

The past two weeks,  I allowed myself 4.5 days of not-so healthy food choices and no gym.   I figure as a dietitian I have the power vested in me to declare, upon the loss of a pet, you are allowed one day of binge eating for each year you own a pet.    I followed that up with 3 pairs of shoes.   ( one pair of blush patent sandals,  2 pairs of wedges.  There might have been more.  I’d rather not incriminate myself in the off chance The Angler is reading.)

J. Crew’s stock probably went up last week –  because of me.  A friend had gifted me a $50 gift card.  I spent it more than 7 times over.  Oops.   Then, I arrived home Thursday to find a parson’s desk I had ordered.    That was the sign…it’s time to clear the clutter.   As one of my precious southern friends says,   it was time “to get some mayo and whip myself together” .

That’s what I’m now trying to do with the house.  Make the pet free  McCottage fresh and new.  A place where we can take deep breaths and heal.

I’m starting small.   With my jewelry & accessories.  It really is the most annoying thing to have bangles and necklaces laying all over the place.   It never fails the cuff I want to wear is AWOL the day I want to wear it.   I’ve spent some time on pinterest perusing some ideas.  Nothing wow’ed me.   I prefer my storage be pretty as well as functional.   What I’ve ended up with is a few original ideas you may be able to use in your own home.    The best part is, I didn’t spend any money.   See that,  Angler,  I can be frugal.   With a little creativity,  it’s budget friendly.   Did I just say the “b” word – oh my,   I may not be out of the woods on this grief thing yet.

~

I had a few crystal rose bowls that were scattered around the house – empty and looking reflective.   I took those to my closet  where my chest of drawers is and filled three of them.   One I filled with colored necklaces.   The next I filled with brooches, all those extra buttons attached to new clothes, and a few colored bangles.    The next is filled with my gold and metallic cuffs.

Next, I found a crystal ashtray which had belonged to my grandparents ( and never once held ashes)  and filled it with my wooden bangles and cuffs.

( Aside:  I love the natural touches wood accents add to my wardrobe this time of year.)

My next idea – was a stroke of genius that I think really takes the cake.   Literally.

My domed cake stand occupied a ton of  space on my limited kitchen countertops.   So, in comes the cake stand, to be the prop for my large straw hat.

My other hats fit well in my shelves, but the extra wide brim on this makes it at risk for getting crushed.

Don’t you love it?  This just makes me smile.

Oh, by the way – mark your calendars.   It will be time to wear it again to  the First Lady’s Tea on April 29th.   (Let me know if you would like tickets.)

Ok.  This feels good.  I’ve almost got everything corralled.

Next, necklaces that are in high rotation for me – are my pearls and a few gold or silver chains.   These are now hanging out in a pretty blush bowl on my dresser in our bedroom.

I love love the flirty feminine feel this brings to our room.

It’s baby steps to getting organized.   Pretty and functional.

This makes me smile.

It feels good to be getting it together.

Happy Weekend, Y’all!

xxoo,

boots

But here it is- my heart – broken into a thousand pieces, tears streaming down my cheeks because my Sadie Francis is gone.

My precious, Sadie Francis was a gift.  I was never supposed to have her.   But I’m glad I did.

Five years ago,  a friend called to say her neighbor had puppies to give away.  The mom dog – Annie  was a beautiful Silky Terrier.  She looked just like my Finley.  Frail boned and a silky mane.   My friend curiously wondered -  did I want a puppy.  They were free.   You see,  pretty Annie had escaped a puppy mill.   She was rescued by a warm heart in the Heights.  When her new owner John took her in,  he had no idea she was with child(ren).   Before he knew it,  Annie and her 5 pups had taken over his guest room.

I was in Dallas when I got the call.  Just a few days before the Angler and I celebrated our 8th anniversary.  I had that baby itch at the time.  (Something I’ve never admitted)   Timing wasn’t favorable to pursue children.  So,  I begged the Angler to let me have a puppy as an anniversary gift. He said no.

When I returned from Texas,  I stopped by John’s house and two puppies remained – a rambunctious boy and an anti-social girl.  John had already named her Sadie.   She had black eyes, black lips, and crazy eyelashes.  I scooped her up and she wrapped her front paws around my hand and  her little self around my heart.   All 1.5 pounds of her wanted down immediately – she hated being held.

I brought her home.  Now the score was even.  Two girls  (me and her)  against two boys ( The Angler and Finley-dog).  The boys were not happy.

We spent a few days anguishing over a name for her.  I had always wanted Finley to have a co-hort named Francis.  But “Sadie” seemed to fit her brown eyes.  So, like her adopted momma and any good southern girl – she got a double name.   Sadie Francis.    If you look it up in a baby names book   Sadie means princess.  Francis means free.   She was my free princess.

In time we all grew to love her, even Finley.  She carried a certain joy with her.  She was the kind of dog who smiled. She loved to play – with Finley all the time and with us if we had a laser pointer.  She never ever ever once growled at us.  She loved to bury herself in fresh laundry and soft blankets.  At night, she tunneled under the blankets between me and The Angler.  Then she would sneak to put her head on his pillow.

When emotions ran high or voices grew loud, she’d hide…in the bathtub.  She learned to seek solace in the bathroom from me.

She sat in my lap anytime we watched the Hogs play football on television. She hated those whistles and the excited commentary.

She loved walks over the Big Dam Bridge or through the neighborhood.  She did not like wearing clothes – much to my dismay.  However,  she gladly sported her pink harness and leash  which matched her bright pink tongue.   And she knew her shoes….well, my shoes.   She knew that when I put on my TOMS – there was a good chance she was going for a walk.  She knew me well, I didn’t wear flats without a reason.

Unlike her dog brother or mother who were fine boned and petite,  Sadie Fran was thick and stout – she was a big girl.  We often joked that she was “big boned-ed”  Ah, how she loved her carbs…especially Wheat Thins and cupcakes (just like her momma).

After she proudly destroyed my down duvet

Perhaps the most peculiar thing about Sadie – is that she did not like here picture taken.  The vet once said she was an Austrailian Terrier not a Silky Terrier.  We thought – well, that explains it -she’s Aborigine. She’s afraid we were stealing her soul.  No matter how stealthy I was with my iPhone – she just somehow knew and would dodge any chance of a shot.  Yes,  Sadie Francis was a weirdo that way.

In the High Profile interview I did a few years ago,  I was asked how The Angler would describe me.  My answer: “ He’d say I’m a lot like our dog Sadie Francis – smart, spunky, and hard to handle”

Sadie Badger don't care

I’d still answer that question the same way today.   Indeed, Sadie was always curious – opening cabinets, turning pages of magazines left on the floor, or rooting behind furniture.    She was always ready to play, yet never wanted to be held.  She was always by our side, but affection was given on her own terms.  (just like her momma) Her affections came when she would put her head on my feet when she was sleeping or how she would sit beside me when I was sad.  She would lick tears occasionally.  She’d sneak a morning kiss right on the smacker while I slept.  And when I needed a listening ear,  she’d tilt her head as if she were really listening.    She was our comforter when we all said goodbye to Finley a year ago.   She was a trooper.  Never missed a beat.  She stepped right up and assumed the role of lead dog in the house and in our hearts.

The unexpected news that our sweet 4 year old dog had lymphoma hit us hard a few weeks ago.   We had no idea how quickly it would ravage her little body.    The Angler and I made a vow to not let her suffer.   Her breathing became more labored over the last few days.  And today – the vet confirmed – it was time.

The last few hours I spent with her, we walked the bridge, ate chips and cheese dip, and  split a chocolate cupcake.  Because we all know chocolate is bad for dogs, we never let her have chocolate.  Today, I figured she couldn’t leave this world without trying it at least once.  Every carb-o-holic knows that.  She loved it — licked all the icing off my fingers.  Her last day was a good day of love and comfort.  The way I think it should be for all of us.

Totally mesmerized by the lights reflected off the disco ball

The McCottage is empty of the sound of paws tonight.   In the 12 years we’ve been here,  this is a first.  We’ve never been dog-less.  We used to be the weird couple with dogs.   Now, we’re just the weird couple.

The weird couple who will miss her so very much.

The Angler and I are both struggling to justify our feelings of loss in a world with much bigger hurts around us.   We know we’ve made the right decision to let her go. It’s just one of those days, it really stinks being a grown up.   We’ve been saying our prayers- hoping it doesn’t seem selfish to ask comfort for our hearts as we adjust to quiet days ahead of us.  We’re thankful God entrusted a piece of his creation to us – a piece that taught us how we should love – unconditionally.

my pretty girl in her pink leash

Do I think we’ll see her again in heaven?  I definitely think so.    Some theologians may want to argue scripture, but my former pastor once said when asked the “do dogs go to  heaven?” question,

“heaven is always more, and never less.”

I believe that.   I believe it with all my heart.

I also believe there is no such thing as a free dog.  It always costs you a piece of your heart…

but it’s so very worth it.

our little family

Happy Monday!

xxoo,

boots

(images via Pinterest and etsy)