The Class Dunce

We've been training Heidi for awhile, but she is still super giddy around other dogs....

And then she forgets we exist and totally ignores us.

However, lately she seemed to have turned a new leaf.  We went for a 7 mile run yesterday and she heeled fairly well, and when I let her off lead on the trails she would come back to me on the first call without harassing the local fishermen or other dogs at all.  

(This is success for us.)  

So I was hoping today at her first day of school... ahem obedience classes, 

she wouldn't make a total fool out of us.

Key Word : HOPING

Before the class even started she broke NOT just one, but TWO leashes.  

The second being that of the burly looking training instructor who lent it to me as a replacement, 

And who was not at all impressed with the Doodle's shenanigans.  

(which I think is unfair really - 

like why would I be at obedience if my dog was already obedient... amiright?)

Can I also add that she decided to run laps around the field both of these times while barking and being a nuisance and EVERYONE was staring at me while I was shouting...

HEIDI COME!  

COME HERE RIGHT NOW!  

COME!!!!!

I imagine it must be like being a parent feels like when your kid throws themselves on the floor of the supermarket and has a tantrum because you won't let them have a toy or icecream or something.

Like all the other parents are watching and thinking 

"Thank God my kid isn't so awful."

Yeahhhhhhhhhh.....

So here we are... after all our hard work training... the class dunces.

Wish us luck for next Monday.

God knows we'll need it.

ps.  For those of you who are fashion bloggers, or are just nice people in general, my bestie, The Queen City Girl, Garenday has entered the My Career My Way Challenge from Lucky Magazine.  I know it would mean the world to her if you could take a little time out of your busy schedules to vote.   She is super duper fashionable and is also a good person and she is my friend.  So just vote for her!  Dooooooo it!  Doooooooooooo it!    Look how fantastically chic she is..

She deserves it!

Click here to Vote!!!

Wedding Fashion

Yesterday while running errands I mentioned I purchased this dress for a wedding...

From Mint Velvet.

I think it's pretty cute, but I'm struggling with styling it. 

So I was just wondering, my fashion savy blogging pals, 

how would you style it for a late November wedding? 

The only definite I have so far is I need to buy a belt,

and I will probably wear a chunky gold flower necklace with it.

Also, it is likely to be rainy and cold.  

So I am thinking tights?

Totally not sure about shoes or coat.

Help!

Too American?

So yesterday the husband and I go out and take the dog for a hike as is our usual weekend ritual.  As we're walking Heidi, he looks at me and says,

"You really need some new pants.  You dress too American"

"Too American?  What does that even mean?"

He goes on to explain to me that we Americans run around in hoodies and sweatpants and that is perfectly acceptable in Ohio, but not so much in England.   Furthermore, he says in much kinder words that I basically have turned into a frumpy little housewife.  I was a bit offended, but I took a good hard look at myself and thought... 

"Am I currently wearing really old American Apparel leggings which are covered in paint and have holes in the ass?  Do I wear a variation of old sweatpants covered in paint and full of holes almost everyday?"

Guilty.

Shit.  He's right.  I'm frumpy as hell.  But here is where the problem lies.....I take the dog hiking every morning.  Every morning she runs into mud, and then jumps on me.  Then I come home, covered in mud, and spend most my days applying to jobs online.  Where is the incentive to get dolled up?  

The husband has a few theories regarding my current state of sweat pant loving.

1. It is affecting my self esteem.  Poor self-esteem is bad for employment.
2. Sweatpants are more acceptable in America, and in our very small town in England we need to be making good impressions all the time so we can establish ourselves here.  Sweatpants = bad first impression.
3. I have become so focused on promoting my inner qualities when applying for jobs, that I have forgotten that outside appearances are important too.  
4. If I look better I will feel better.

I think he's right.  Now this isn't a fashion blog, lets be honest, I ate way too many whole sticks of butter as a child to ever be trendy, and I promise you won't be seeing me and my big boned self doing outfit posts anytime soon, but I need your help.  I need to create a dog walking "uniform" that I can wear every day so I no longer look like a frumpy American housewife.  In fact, I'd like to go for the American MILF look if possible?  Oh right I guess I'm not a mom.  Well trophy wife in that case.  I would love it if any of you fashionistas out there could help me with my dog walking uniform.  I need something that makes me feel pretty, is comfy, something I won't mind too much if it gets dirty, and shoes I can hike in.   Thanks for your help!!!