Happy Holly-Days (Part One): Pictures With Santa

Last year, a dear friend of mine came in to town in mid December from LA, and we decided to take Holly to Bloomingdale's to tell Santa what a good pup she had been. While we were waiting in line, we noticed a few other pooches waiting to do the same, and learned that Bloomingdale's (59th Street) is the only major New York City department store that allows dogs to pose with Santa.

Santa and the photographer were a delight, and I knew I had to make the trip an annual tradition. Holly and I have been looking forward to going since the 1st of November, especially since her grandpa (my dad), will be in town for Thanksgiving and get to join in on the fun!

Since this year will be a multigenerational family affair, I wanted to make sure we had coordinated outfits so we would have a cohesive theme (my dad was thrilled when he was given these marching orders...hehe). I started browsing wag.com for options and stumbled across an adorable dress from famous designer Isaac Mizrahi, but unfortunately they were sold out of Holly's size :( . Isaac Mizrahi's pooch line is super cute and well priced (the dress was under $20!), though, so I know I will return to it when Holly needs an outfit for future events.

This Isaac Mizrahi dress was super cute and festive, but sold out in Holly's size.

I decided our holiday photo wardrobe crisis was the perfect opportunity to add another Fab Dog sweater to Holly's collection. After some browsing of the holiday selection available, I decided on this cute snowman style. I'm a little worried that the light blue color will make people think she's a boy, but it was so cute I decided it was worth correcting a few people!

This snowman sweater was too funny to pass up!

Inspired by Holly's cute snowman sweater, my dad and I will both don blue sweaters as well. I will share pictures right after we take them--I'm sure they will be paw-sitively fabulous!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Holly, it's cold outside: Winter Walking Essentials for You and Your Pooch

From early November decorations to holiday music playing on loop in Petco, New York got into the holiday spirit very early this year. One look at the forecast this morning showed that the weather decided to join in on the trend as well.

I was hoping to wait until Black Friday to stock up on our cold weather walking gear, but a forecast of 23 degrees and wind made me wish I had started a little earlier! Here's what Holly and I rely on for Winter weather walks, and what we hope to add to our closet next week (if we don't freeze by then!). 

For me: I already love my 3 in 1 jacket from Colombia Sportswear, which has a waterproof hooded shell exterior and a zip out fleece liner that allows you to wear it as a windbreaker, standalone fleece jacket, or the way I wear it the most as a fleece lined windbreaker that can also stand up against surprise freezing rain or snow. It also has huge pockets that fit my phone, pedometer, gloves, and spare treats for clicker training. I found mine on Sierra Trading Post for more than 60% off and .99 shipping, and they currently stock many similar styles for the upcoming season. 

This Colombia Sportswear 3 in 1 jacket keeps me insulated from all kinds of walking weather,
and has roomy pockets for treats.

One of the things I have the hardest time with is finding gloves for walking Holly. Many traditional gloves are too thick and slippery, making it difficult for me to have a firm grip on Holly's leash (absolutely necessary for the moments she sees a squirrel and goes dashing through the snow). The best solution I have found are gloves designed for winter horseback riding. They have to be warm enough to protect a rider's hands from the outdoor elements, while thin enough and with enough grip for them to control the horse's reigns and cue their movements. Dover Saddlery offers pairs for under $20 that are warm and have extra grip so your pup's leash stays safely in hand. 

Riding gloves proved the perfect solution to our warmth & leash grip needs.

I have two go-to footwear items for Winter months. The first, for chilly days where snow and ice are not an issue and I want to be able to have the freedom of movement provided by a traditional athletic sneaker, are my Adidas Climawarm Blast Running Shoes. They are designed to keep feet warm and dry during outdoor walks and runs in cold weather, and are still supportive enough for long park treks on the weekends. 

For icy and snowy days when the treads on a running shoe just won't cut it, I reach for my Sorel Tivoli boots. They are just as warm as my favorite Uggs while being much more water resistant, allowing me to tackle icy puddles in the street and muddy paths in the park while still keeping my toes toasty. 

Now for our Winter Walk Wishlist: it became apparent this morning that my standard yoga pants  would not stand up to freezing winds, and I need something more to keep my legs warm. Luckily yoga clothes guru Lululemon has a pair of pants specifically designed for outdoor dog walks in chilly temperatures, the Dog Runner Pant, which features a wind and mud resistant exterior and a cozy "Rulu" lined interior that wicks away moisture and keeps legs warm. 

I was not the only one suffering from cold weather blues this morning, though. Holly had a growth spurt this year that left her backside hanging out of her puffy coat and shivering in the freezing wind!! As a quick fix, we ordered a Fido Fleece jacket from Amazon, which will cover her legs, tummy, and bottom under her current jacket to keep her extra warm on blustery days.

After Black Friday, we hope to add the Ralph Lauren Striped Reversible Dog Vest in pink and navy to Holly's Winter wardrobe, which when combined with the Fido Fleece will have Holly covered from neck to tail and keep her comfy enough to enjoy our long walks even when the weather dips below freezing. 

These cold weather staples should allow us to continue our fun morning routine of long walks even now that New York's notorious Winter seems to be upon us. But if all else fails, Holly knows the recipe for a perfect snowy Sunday is a cozy blanket and a full Netflix Queue. 

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Wallyware (Plus a Discount!)

When I was younger, my parents sold their condo in Southern California and packed up to move to Colorado, where my dad's family had a small Summer cabin. That year, while staying at said cabin, my dad noticed a plate at a local gallery featuring a yellow dog named Wally, in a convertible, packing up after selling his dog house in California to move to Colorado.

This was the first piece in my parent's collection of "Wallyware," the wacky, irreverent, topical, and sometimes off-color brainchild of Tom Edwards, a Colorado Artisan who himself is a California transplant. Wally started as a simple goofy sketch on a few plates at a craft fair that were interspersed with the pretty, "functional pottery" Tom was creating in the early 80s. The plates garnered so much attention (including a massive order for a dinner service for 12!), that Tom took his little cartoon dog and leveraged it into a brand with a dedicated cult following, soon celebrating its 30th year. Custom orders have been commissioned for wrap parties for Jackass films, The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, and even as a retirement gift for former Secretary Of State Hillary Rodham Clinton! Suffice it to say--Little Wally has had MANY big adventures.

"Wally learns the true meaning of horror when his Mom joins Facebook."

"Wally becomes a vegetarian simply because he likes being asked stupid questions."

"Wally learns that on Etsy, 'hand drawn on ironic vintage tableware' means a Sharpie drawing on an old paper plate."

The beauty of Wally, says Tom, is he can be inserted into almost any joke. My parent's collection of Wallyware can attest to that; Wally has been to Catholic School, met Martha Stewart and Harry Potter, run for political office, and visited Jackson Pollock's studio, just to name a few. The pottery my parents have collected over the decades serves as a mini time capsule, showing many of the major political, social, and economic events through Wally's (and Tom's) very unique perspective.

In addition to Wallyware, Tom offers other lines of unique and funny gifts, from ornaments (new designs out next week!) to pins, funny dishes and mugs, and a whole line of intricately detailed mugs based on David Bowie and Iggy Pop Lyrics (available exclusively on his Etsy page).

Of course the thing I am dying to get my hands on is Tom's line of custom dog bowls and milk bone jars. Like everything on Tom's site, the pots are hand thrown and hand drawn, but with the added bonus of your pup's personality being uniquely represented in the design.

The bowls come in two sizes, 5.5" and 7" diameter, with four style options for the inside, and four color options for their name on the outside. Holly is a fan of "Feed The !#!@&!! Dog Already" design, since my kitty had the cat version of the bowl when I was younger.

A sample of a custom dog dish

Our favorite interior option. Others include a heart, doggie bone,  and meat (seen above).

The custom Milk Bone jar is definitely #1 on Holly's Holiday Wishlist this year. Tom will create a custom design using your dog's name and breed, and the examples online are hysterical. I would love to see Tom's take on Little Holly's Big World, especially since her big yellow ears remind me of a certain pup he's been drawing for the past 30 years...

Some of the adorable and hilarious Milk Bone jars for other lucky pups!

With both the custom bowls and Milk Bone jars coming in under $50, I think there is a strong possibility Santa can bring some Wallyware to Holly this year. And if you are feeling inspired to add some Wally to your life, or gift some Wally to your favorite person (or pup), Tom has offered an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT to readers of Little Holly's Big World. Just enter "HOLLY" at checkout to receive 10% off your Wallyware order!!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Weekend Wander: Ricky's Pup-Up Shop

I've been fighting a losing battle against a nasty case of the sniffles all weekend, so I was not super eager to leave the comfort of my Netflix and sweatpants to take Holly to school this afternoon. But I know how much she loves the time with the other puppies, and we have been working on more complex clicker training that would be tough to make up, so I willed myself to put on real pants and head out the door.

My effort was rewarded when we stumbled across the new Ricky's NYC "Pup Up Shop" on the corner of 85th and Lexington on the Upper East Side. The only store of it's kind in the city, it promises to "Bring Downtown Attitude To Your Uptown Dog." Since I have loved Ricky's for it's fun and funky beauty and costume staples for years, Holly and I knew we had to stop in and see what it was all about.

The exterior of the exclusive Ricky's "Pup-Up Shop" on New York's Upper East Side

The store promises to bring Ricky's signature "Downtown attitude to your Uptown pet"

The "Pup Up Shop" is in a small storefront next to the entrance to the subway, and is only open for the holiday season (through January 2014). Though there is a small selection of toys, collars, and leashes, the definite focus is on apparel for the smaller pup--everything from festive holiday costumes to puffy coats to everyday tees and sweaters, all with a signature Ricky's flair. We loved tees printed with snarky sayings like "It's my party and I'll bark if I want to" and "Spoiled, but not rotten," as well as the selection of cozy knits--especially the pup-friendly riff on the classic "I Heart NY" design.

So many outfits, so little time! Luckily, the store is open late (until 9pm on weekends)!

A New York classic updated for your furry friend. 

Since Holly is my BFF (Best Friend Fur-ever), this sweet hoodie may be the next addition to her wardrobe.

The centerpiece of the store is the high end "Rich Bitch Collection," which features sumptuous fabrics and details such as soft cobalt velvet, Swarovski crystal buttons, and fabulous (faux) fur that would make any Upper East Side princess the envy of all the pups on the block. As the name would suggest, these fabulous clothes have prices to match--the blue coat we loved totaled just over $200.

The store's signature high end collection is sure to satisfy even the most discerning pup.

This faux fur ensemble screams Old Hollywood glamour--but has a New Hollywood price tag.

Since we, sadly, do not have a Tinkerbell Hilton budget, we returned to the regular selection of clothes, where we spotted a decidedly not-Downtown feeling pink tweed coat by Le Chien. Complete with button closures and tonal floral embroidery, it was perfect for Jackie O--or, in this case, Holly Golightly!

This classic tweed coat with bow sleeves was more Uptown Chic than Downtown Cool, but that worked for us!

Holly modeling the coat--she's ready to be First Puppy!

Unfortunately, the largest available size in the coat was still a little small for Holly, but we will definitely be checking back as well as adding some of the other adorable items to our holiday wishlist!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Store Spotlight: Tory Burch

At lunch today with my trendy pals Mariel and Michelle, it was brought to my attention that designer Tory Burch had decided to adapt her classic preppy style to suit four legged fashionistas. Always a sucker for any designer brand we can get our paws on, Holly and I decided to sit down this evening and peruse the offerings.

The collection online is fairly small--just a couple of sweaters and an embossed leather collar and leash that give the look of expensive lizard skin. As pretty as that set was, we skipped right past it, knowing full well the leash would be a goner the second Holly saw a pigeon in the park!

The sweaters, however, are adorable and definitely up our alley. Available in a seasonable burnt orange or a classic navy and white combo, they have the look of a classic fisherman's sweater with on-trend additions of a kangaroo pocket and Tory's signature logo button. 

Tory Burch's chic new Dog Sweater in Burnt Orange

At $65, the sweater seems well priced when compared to other doggie designer offerings, particularly when considering the warm, high quality fabric (100% merino wool) and light knit, which could make for a good base layer under heavier coats for pups like Holly who have very little hair and live in areas where it can get very cold. 

The drawback to merino wool, while making the sweaters super warm and super durable, is that they would not be not machine-wash friendly. My mom would say these sweaters were "just for show"-not something your pup should be rolling in the mud or chasing squirrels in!

It also appears that the sweater may not have a leash hole to accommodate a harness, though that is a fairly simple fix your local tailor can take care of for about $10. 

I think the best part about these sweaters is they come in larger sizes to outfit every fashionable pooch in your life. So often the super cute designer clothes are only sized for "purse dogs," but according to the Tory Burch sizing chart, these sweaters will fit dogs up to 26" long (the breed example is a German Shepherd)! Now brand conscious doggie mommies with large-pawed fur babies can be included in the fun!

The verdict? While it may not be the most practical garment for your pooch's day to day life, the new Tory Burch puppy sweater is not only super cute and super trendy, but allows for furry fashionistas of all sizes to have a little luxe in their lives. And in our book, that's paw-sitively fabulous. 

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Holly's Adopt-A-Versary!

One year ago today, I brought home my best friend, partner in crime, and confidante from The Humane Society of New York. In order to have a celebration worthy of the occasion, I took the day off from work so Holly and I could spend our anniversary partaking in some of our most favorite Upper East Side activities!

We started the day off with a trip to Central Park, which was cut a little short by the unseasonably cool weather. Holly still managed to make the most of the time we were there, though; she had a blast rolling in the fall foliage and picking up sticks to play with!

Total goofball rolling in the fall leaves!

Next up we donned our matching anniversary outfits for a day out on the town. Holly wore her new Smoochie Pooch sweater with leopard collar, and I had a black sweater and leopard scarf to match. For extra fun, I sported my "I Love My Chihuahua" socks (you can find them here).

She may not be 100% Chihuahua, but she is 100% a fan of the socks!

Matching outfits on Madison Ave.

Our first stop was Ralph Lauren, where we wanted to check out the offerings from the newest "Dog Walk" campaign, which presented the latest accessories and pup line for the brand using rescue pups as models. We were already RL fans, but the super cute video for the campaign sold us even more!

I have my eye on the Striped Reversible Dog Vest for Holly now that it is getting chilly again, and I also fell in love with a Getty Images print featuring Audrey Hepburn holding a little Yorkie on the set of Funny Face, but we had to leave them both in the home department because we had more shopping to do!

Next up was a trip to our favorite store, Henri Bendel. They feature a dog on many of their products that looks exactly like Holly, and their offerings for pups are so glam and frequently come studded in Swarovski crystals. As usual, the store did not disappoint, and we will absolutely be returning come the holidays for the Heart Shaped puppy bowl, Crystal Rivet dog collar, and Scene Stealer 2014 Desk Diary. Somehow I managed to leave with just a notepad featuring the girl and her pup and the phrase "More Is More," but I don't know if my willpower will be so strong on our next visit.

My anniversary gifts to myself were this Henri Bendel "More Is More" notepad and an adorable "Dog Worries" Guatemalan Worry Doll from local boutique Alex & Lorenzo Home.

Since we were in the area and it was our special day, I decided it was the perfect time to take Holly on her first trip to Tiffany & Co. The sales people were so excited that her name was Holly Golightly, but unfortunately Holly was a bit less than thrilled with that leg of the adventure, likely because breakfast was not actually provided.

Holly is annoyed "Breakfast At Tiffany's" isn't something that really happens.

Finally we swung by Bloomingdale's to check on their latest pet offerings. When we reached the home floor, Holly and I were thrilled to see Christmas has come early! Our friend at Bendel's explained that a lot of the stores are "pushing the season" since Hanukkah begins on Thanksgiving day this year, so people are gift buying a bit earlier. Whatever the reasoning, we loved checking out all the decorations and dancing around to "All I Want For Christmas Is You," while taking in the offerings in the pet section.

These Bloomingdale's themed "Little Dog Treats" (a riff on the "Little Brown Bag") are definitely on Holly's
Christmas wishlist!

Checking out the ornament selection at Bloomingdale's. The conclusion? Fabulous, but not enough dogs.

Finally we came home for treats and gifts. In addition to her adorable leopard trim sweater, Holly got a new Multipet Lamb Chop toy, a Kong Beaver (with removable squeaker for safety), and a Haute Diggity Dog "Arfie Woofhall" Lithograph toy. She also got a special puppy cake pop from our local Petco (because anniversary calories don't count!).

Holly's anniversary gifts!

It was so special getting to spend the day celebrating having Holly in my life for the past year. Even after witnessing it every day for the past 365 days, it is amazing to me how she has the ability to put a smile on the face of every person she meets, be they a good friend or just a stranger passing on the street. She has been the best part of my day every day for the past year, and I can't wait for our many more adventures and antics and fun in the years to come!

Until Next Time, Darlings!