A few hours ago we said goodbye to Rosie, our beautiful little Yorkshire Terrier. She was 13 years old and, like her litter-mate Jasmine, she struggled with congestive heart disease during the final chapter of her life. We are heartbroken. 

I was very skeptical about getting a Yorkie when Angie suggested it 13 years ago. My previous dogs were big, athletic boxers and I couldn’t imagine making a connection with a little dog. The book we bought on different breeds scored Yorkies (out of 10) with a “warning factor” of 8 and “protection factor” of 2. What was the point of that?

In an attempt to win me over, Angie took me to visit a friend’s little Yorkie. That just reinforced my preconceptions, but although I wasn’t convinced, I agreed to go ahead. 

The night before we went to see Rosie and Jasmine’s litter I had one final rush of doubt. I told Angie how I was feeling. Getting a dog was a commitment of many years, after all. Were we sure we wanted to do this? The look I got in response told me that we were sure.

Fast forward 12 hours and we were arriving in the living room of a nice lady that bred Yorkies on her small farm outside the South African capital city of Pretoria. Saying “I know you want small ones”, the lady immediately whisked away the largest of the three puppies, leaving two very similar little girls. At least they looked similar. Their natures were very different. One puppy immediately rushed to Angie, plopped beside her, and looked up at her with huge soulful eyes. Love at first sight.

The other Yorkie wobbled away from us on her brand new little legs. Her exploring brought her to a large sofa, so she decided to climb it. Clearly impossible, but she was going to try. I said, “look at the little soldier”. And I was sold.

Angie wanted more than anything for me to be happy with our choice, so she suggested we take the little soldier. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave without the soulful little lovebug that had already claimed Angie. For a terrible moment I contemplated the choice, then I realized we didn’t have to make it.

“We’ll take them both.”

Angie had picked Jasmine’s name months before, but we didn’t come prepared with a name for a second puppy. At some point during the hour-long drive back to our home in Johannesburg Angie named her “Rosie”.

Rosie spent the next 13 years showing me how big a little dog can be. We enrolled her and Jasmine in puppy socialization classes that culminated in a sort of puppy olympics where the less-than-a-year old dogs would compete in a variety of events. Rosie didn’t only take part in the events for larger dogs, like walking on a beam and jumping through hoops, she also won them. The owners of the Border Collies and German Shepherds, who were taking this whole thing very seriously, were dumbstruck when Rosie and I went up to collect the Agility Puppy title. It was awesome. I was so proud of my big little dog.

Many years later Rosie and I were alone at home in Seattle. Her downstairs on watch, me upstairs programming. She was barking, which wasn’t unusual, but something about her bark was different — more insistent — so I decided to see what was up. I was at the top of the stairs when I said something like “hey, what are you barking at?”. Then things unfolded very quickly.

First a big blur — the burglar — flashing past the bottom of the stairs. Then a little blur — Rosie — hot on his heels. I leapt down the stairs but by the time I caught up with Rosie he was back out the window.  

Now our little soldier has fought her final battle. We will never forget the way she talked to us, lifting her front legs with excitement, when she thought we might be going for a walk. Or the way she gave a funny little smile when we came home, showing off her dodgy teeth. Or the way she would look back at us showing the whites of her eyes. She somehow combined such sweetness with her fierce sense of independence. 

Aside from us, her favorite things in the world were Jasmine, walks and chicken. And she loved small children, especially babies. She was an extraordinary little character.

It is a huge understatement to say that Rosie and Jasmine were special to Angie and me. They were our first dogs together. They were Angie’s therapy after her mom passed away, and they kept me sane as I fought through the final stages of completing my Ph.D dissertation. They accompanied us to many hotels and houses across three continents and always made the place we were in immediately feel like home. Now they have both passed on, and the house we’ve been living in for years doesn’t feel like home without them.

Thank you Angie for bringing these two precious little pups into our lives. 

In a while, crocodile.

Rosie.

Sleepy in Johannesburg.

Pile of puppies in Samois Sur Seine.

On guard.

Snow day.

Walkies.

Claiming the guest bed.

Rosie’s garden.

Direyorkie.

Photo shoot.

White eye.

Wardrobe workhorses are items that you wear very frequently, and often for season after season. Absolutely any item of clothing, pair of shoes, or accessory can become a wardrobe workhorse. They are interesting animals because they take on many forms. A simple, fairly nondescript piece like a layering tee, black turtleneck, pair of straight leg jeans, nude bra, stud earrings or white button-down shirt can be a wardrobe workhorse. But a dazzling and eye-catching statement piece like a bright red coat, white leather moto jacket, pair of harem jeans, pony boots, striped full skirt, zebra belt, or neon clutch can be one too. Some workhorses stretched your budget, while others were cheap as chips. The only thing that these widely different items have in common is that you wear the heck out of them.

Items can be bought with the intention of becoming workhorses. In my case when I bought a citron clutch, white belt, and straight leg white jeans this year, I knew I would reach for these items frequently. And I’m happy to report that this is the case. 

Items can also unexpectedly become wardrobe workhorses. I did not expect my white pumps, white boyfriend jeans, fluid charcoal Theory trousers, blush moto jacket, and ankle strap Okala pumps to become wardrobe workhorses. But now I’m wearing these pieces all the time. 

Some items were bought with the intention of becoming wardrobe workhorses, but you just don’t reach for them as frequently as you thought you would. I thought my white tuxedo shirt would become a wardrobe workhorse, but I reach for my shirts with “collars that pop” much more frequently. 

Items can also be workhorses one year, and fall out of favour the next. I often feel this way about my fast fashion items that I purchase from places like Zara. I wore a bone and black scarf print blouse till the cows came home last year, but it’s not a wardrobe workhorse this year. In fact, I am thinking about passing it on. Same goes for a whole slew of scarves that I used to wear a lot. These days I wear scarves mostly for insulation and seldom for decorative purposes, so I reach for them less often.

As much as we try to predict our wardrobe workhorses to ensure that we spend our budget wisely, it’s a tricky business. I warn my clients that we can make educated guesses about potential wardrobe workhorses, but that it’s not a guarantee. A wardrobe workhorse is born when it’s already part of your wardrobe and you have put it through its paces. The best you can do is assess the items that do become workhorses and use that learning to make more informed decisions about future purchases. 

Do these wardrobe workhorse scenarios resonate with you? How often have you correctly predicted a wardrobe workhorse? How often has an item unexpectedly become a wardrobe workhorse?

Mums, Grans and gals on the go needn’t wear jeans, cropped pants and shorts all Summer long — they can wear skirts and dresses too. A few weeks ago I covered skirts, and today’s all about the dress ensemble. As long as the dresses are casual and non-restricting, you’ll feel comfortable and carefree. This relaxed and breezy outfit is fab on a hot day if you aren’t in air conditioning. 

Here are the components: 

• Casual Dress: Woven cottons, cotton blends, linens and jersey knits are best. Think fit and flares, high-low tank dresses and roomy sheaths with an elastic waist. Short boxy shirt dresses and shifts are another option. Solids and patterns are both great. Choose a length that works for you. 
• Sandals: Throw in a pair of Summer sandals, like a tan ankle strap wedge or gladiator. If closed shoes are your preference, choose D’Orsay or pointy toe flats. 
• Tote or Crossbody Bag: Both options are hands-free. 
• Hat and Eyewear: A fedora or straw hat keeps off the sun, and sunnies protect your eyes. Of course, these items are optional. Finish off the outfit with jewellery as desired. 

It doesn’t get easier, or breezier, than pulling on a dress and a pair of sandals for Summer. Add a bag, the odd accessory, and you’re done. Who’s in?

In “Manning Up in the Heat“, the NYTimes turns to menswear designers to get tips and suggestions for what to wear when temps start to rise.

Invisible Woman advocates layering on hot, sticky Summer days, and looks at Iris Apfel for pick-and-mix inspiration and having fun experimenting with unusual outfit combinations.

The Guardian has an extensive roundup of shorts, T-shirts, leggings and lightweight jackets to keep you cool while exercising. In the meantime Michelle Shemilt, a former equity sales trader, has launched an anti-sweat, anti-odour undershirt line for the office. The Nudy Patooty undershirts with reinforced underarms are made from 95% bamboo fabric, which is very breathable, anti-bacterial and three to four times more absorbent than cotton. Would you consider sporting these?

Fab Links from Our Members

Suz recommends watching this video about Beijing street style. It was shot in the neighbourhood where she stayed when visiting last Fall, and she found it very accurate.

Joy’s husband got a big chuckle out of this Esquire list on what men should wear on weekends. A fun conversation starter, for sure.

Jade Beall has photographed more than 70 women embracing their post-pregnancy bodies. The photos, no touch-ups or airbrushing, will also appear in a forthcoming book, A Beautiful Body. Isabel loves this project on the beauty of “imperfection”.

Milehighstyle (Linda) doesn’t feel that she is in rut, but is definitely going to give these ideas a try because they sound like fun.

Angie would like to share this photo of Coco Chanel and Serge Lifar, ballet dancer and choreographer, sporting His and Hers pleated pants in 1937.

Caro enjoyed this article on how Dress for Success Manchester is helping to transform women’s lives with wardrobe makeovers and confidence coaching. She adds that it is always nice to see a demonstration of how clothing can change lives.

Clara T stumbled upon this slide show of what the display of a “smart watch” might look like. This watch was conceptualized in 2009 and called facetime (before FaceTime as we know it existed).