heather & olive

 

Gosh, this is a tough one to write.

On November 2, 2021, I put Olive down. She had suffered a number of seizures that couldn't be controlled with medication and the vet thinks it was a brain tumor. While I didn't realize it in the months leading up to that day, it's clear now that something was up and she wasn't her usual self. Putting her down was both the hardest and easiest decision I've ever had to make: I'm so grateful I was able to take away her pain in a humane way but it was so incredibly difficult.

And that's the thing about having any pet, isn't it? You know your life with them is finite, but it's still such a massive gut punch when their time is up. I'm so, so lucky I had the ten years with her that I did. She was such a funny little dog--she loved to sleep, was always up for a snuggle and there was nothing she enjoyed more than splaying in a spot of sun or lying up against a heater to get cozy. She was with me through five different living situations, four jobs, a couple of breakups and every major and minor life event in between.

I still feel like a piece of me is missing--December was a really hard month and there continue to be times where I find myself looking for her or wondering if there's anything I need to grab for her when I'm running errands. And it’s just so quiet. 

I miss her so much.

So here's to Olive: the sweetest, noodliest dog I've ever known. She will always have a piece of my heart. 

 

everything you didn't know your Caesar salad needed.

Judie's Restaurant in Amherst, MA was the best. Known for its giant popovers and extensive menu, it was the go-to spot for me and my sister the summer of 2016--we made a bunch of trips to western Massachusetts to visit my grandmother since she was sick, and Judie's was a comforting spot to get nourished and reset. 

I'm super bummed that they've since closed due to the pandemic, but I've been recreating one of my favorite things on the menu at home: the Caesar salad. Judie's Caesar isn't your typical Caesar--the basic version includes the addition of artichoke hearts and hardboiled eggs (which is delicious on its own) but I always loved to order the stuffed portobello with bacon version: it took the salad to the next level with the addition of grilled portobellos, roasted red peppers, bacon and warm gorgonzola. While definitely not traditional, this combo of flavors totally works together and will keep you full for a very time.

And if you're really feeling ambitious, make your our dressing: you can't go wrong with Julia Turshen's. 

 

my parents' house, with two small friends.

Happy September! I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by, but I'm honestly not mad about cooler temps--I put my air conditioner away this weekend and I'm hoping I'm in the clear for sleeping with my windows open and not overheating. I am, however, sad about how dark it is early in the morning and at night--this is not good for my sleep cycle.

It's been a busy couple of weeks with some work trips, and it's nice to mix things up a bit--I've done visits with my parents as a result because they're on Olive-watch when I head out of town (which I greatly appreciate).

I've been playing a bit of golf and watching a lot of tennis, and this weekend I did some serious shopping. I got some jeans from Madewell (this pair and this pair: skinny jeans for life) and I also got two shirts from J.Crew (in black and white). I also snagged these booties, which are a little bit tight in the footbed but I'm optimistic they'll stretch some with wear. I also stocked up on my favorite fall Nest candles and am going to try out the Necessaire shampoo and conditioner--I've heard good things. 

I'm really looking forward to the changing of a new season--here's to the unofficial start of fall. 

 

the laundress no. 723

Checking in on this Thursday with the best laundry detergent I've ever tried. I've been a skeptic of The Laundress for years (mostly due to the price), but my curiosity got the best of me during their recent 20% sale. I scooped up No. 723, the Original, and the Sport detergent to see if it was really worth the hype.

 

Hard to believe that it's been four months since I've checked in around these parts...and how are we halfway through August? Time is flying. Here's what I've been up to as of late:

Spent some moody time at the beach in April.

My sister and brother came to town over Memorial Day weekend and we had a great day in Portland, which culminated in the best dinner at my favorite place: Scales.

Had an amazing trip to Fortland on our legal retreat--cannot wait to do an overnight in one of their yurts.

My mom, sister and I flew to Chicago for a quick weekend in June--we stayed at London House (highly recommend), had an epic meal at Nobu, saw the Obama portraits at the Chicago Art Institute, and despite some tornado warnings and serious downpours, it was a super special, great trip.

In July, my brother and I flew down to Pittsburgh to visit my sister and her husband--we had too much fun, and the I love the city more and more each time I visit.

At the end of July, my sister came up again and we spent a few days in Portland before heading to my parents' house for a week. We had the best meal at Street and Co. (their clam pasta cannot be beat).

Olive turned 10, and spent a lot of time doing this.

And that's pretty much it--work has been busy and challenging but great. I had been going into the office a couple of days a week but with the Delta variant raging, I'm back to working from home, which Olive enjoys. I bailed on my 10 mile race that was originally scheduled for the spring of 2020--it was rescheduled to September 0f 2021 and training had not been going well. (I get overheated in the most mild conditions so throwing race training into the mix during a hot and humid summer was less than ideal). Hopefully postponing to April 2022 will be better. I'm also experimenting with a gluten free diet thanks to an esophageal issue that I finally went to the doctor about. As a wheat enthusiast, this has been a major blow to my pasta and bread loving lifestyle...but I suppose health = wealth so I'm going with it.

   

 

With swim season right around corner, this year I decided to be proactive. I usually wait to start looking for suits until we're in the throes of summer and by that point my size is sold out and I'm wearing the same sad suit of summers past. But not this year! I recently bought J.Crew's long-torso ruched femme one-piece (what a name) and it is absolute perfection. I dig the ruching, the long torso fits perfectly (no wedgies here) and it's also super classic and chic. 

If you're looking for the perfect one piece, this one checks all of the boxes.