I find scarves a necessity in my wardrobe….whether its the warmth of a chunky winter scarf that keeps the chilling wind at bay or a light cotton one that becomes a necessity for spring adding a pop of colour to a an outfit or providing reassurance during a cool evening.  So whether its for warmth, protection or for a pure visual effect, the scarf for me is the ultimate accessory.

But I am not alone in this assessment…..Sparkles is also a huge fan of the scarf….yes, he wears it for me for a pop of colour but for himself, he finds it incredibly useful when in hot weather. He loves and clearly appreciates it when I soak the scarf in cold water so it acts as a cooling sensation on his skin.

I have to admit, I don’t have to do it often here in Wellington but having lived in places such as Melbourne where the heat reaches soaring 30 degrees or when he is up the coast and running around the beach, he sees these scarves as his saviour.  So whether or not you’re a scarf girl yourself, your pooch might just have the final say about them being in the wardrobe.

If you do happen to be a little crazy over scarves like myself, here is a selection that I have told Sparkles would make a ‘great’ Christmas gift idea to me from him.  All available from www.luisaviaroma.com

Speaking of Christmas, this will be our final blog for the year. Christmas comes early for us, with presents to wrap, visitors to host and parties to attend. We hope that you have a happy time over the festive season, and look forward to you joining us again in the New Year.

Top row – Blumarine Printed Woolcashmere Knit Scarf, Pierre-Louise Mascia Washed Silk Twill & Jersey Scarf

Second row – Givenchy Silk Panter Edged Scarf, Givenchy Iris & Leaves Silk Scarf

Third row – Mary Katrantzou Printed Cashmere Modal, YSL Edition 24 Hearts and Lips Silk Twill Foulard

Bottom row – Ott Printed Wool and Silk Scarf, Ott Printed Wool and Silk Scarf

Where would you go if you wanted to be treated better than a King or to win the heart of your Queen?  Ace Hotels beats everything else hands down !

As we (from the Southern Hemisphere) approach our summer months, we often start thinking about how to escape our chilly winter next year. Many opt for the warmer climate of a Northern Hemisphere summer, but as with all holidays, there is always the problem of what to do with your pooch.

As we previously wrote in ‘A Room with an (extraordinary) view‘, it’s hard finding accommodation which caters to both you and your pooch’s needs without sacrificing any of the joys of staying at a deluxe hotel; superb location, excellent room service, activities close by… but you get all of these with an Ace Hotel. Better still, there’s a “pack” of Ace Hotels across the US – found in places such as New York, Portland, Seattle and Palm Springs. These hotels certainly meet all the above criteria – along with having an additional “achingly cool” factor where you can imagine finding Hank Moody (from Californication) at the bar in New York or poolside in Palm Springs.

Thinking about our cold winter, it is a pretty easy choice. Palm Springs is known for its crystal blue skies, year-round sunshine, stunning landscape, palm tree lined streets and starry nights. The Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs not only appeals to the family because of the inviting swimming pool but being close to attractions like the Joshua Tree and the Salton Sea National Park (which is within walking distance of downtown) or, for the brave, an off road adventure along the San Andreas fault. It also equally appeals to those who are dying for a massage or natural spa treatment to combat the effects of jetlag, or those who just want to wander through the many one-of-a-kind shops and art galleries along Palm Canyon Drive

The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs happily invite dogs to sleep with their owners and they welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes. There are dog treats and dog bowls available and an area for them to run around outside (under strict pooperscooper supervision !) Pooches are welcome poolside to hang out with the children and through out the property – but if they try to enter the restaurant, you’ll both be in the “dog house” as it’s a no-go zone for pets.  With their addictive cheese popcorn available from the minibar, there will be no worry about them going hungry though….

Today’s weather was so ideal for a race around the park, a chase of the tennis ball AND a roll around the freshly cut grass with Sparkles ! By the end of the day,  we were both exhausted and really looking forward to a refreshing drink and a lie down (for both of us)!  When I mentioned to Chris Toal (www.wellnessatwork.co.nz) that Sparkles looked exhausted and sometimes even whimpers as he gets around later in the evening, he says that its likely Sparkles has simply “overdone it”.  Chris explains that this is not an uncommon problem and he has been very kind in providing a couple of ideas to help Sparkles and others dogs to get over a day that was maybe a bit too active.

“As dogs get older they can tend towards relying on their front legs to do a lot more of the acceleration work – this is because the back legs and hips are often a bit sore from years of overuse.  Like many humans (and unlike cats) dogs really don’t spend as much time as they need in stretching after a workout, so they end up with short tight sore muscles placing more and more stress over time on their joints and aching. They really need a good flush from all the toxins left over from all that exercise.

You can actually stretch your dog out, (if they can be still for longer than a minute) by laying them on their back and gently and very slowly pulling each foreleg one at a time forward and slightly outwards for about 20 seconds at a time. As almost all dogs will go into freeze mode roll on their backs and lay still as soon as some massage is on offer, this may be the easiest way to get your best friend some relief.

Put both of your arms straight out in front of you then reach across with either hand and squeeze your thumbs into your pet’s bicep muscles. This is roughly where you want to start working you your dog. Holding the paw of the leg you are working, massage your thumbs in small egg circles orbits in and around the thicker muscles on the inside of the leg up towards the shoulders. Take your time, but about 3 to 5 minutes per leg should be sufficient.

Then make a fist and pointing your knuckles massage them into the outside of the shoulders in small egg shaped circles, again for about 3 to 5 minutes. You can also use this method on the back legs and flanks.”

I just hope that Sparkles remembers these massages when Christmas comes around, and gifts me if not a weekend away in a day spa, then at the very least, a couple of bathbombs and a relaxing foot spa !

Chris Toal is Director Research & Development at Wellness at Work Ltd.  His work also includes rehabilitation for people, massage for athletes (and non athletes) and whether you or your best four legged friend are not feeling 100%, its well worth a visit to Chris’ office where one of his team will get you back to the road of recovery and general wellbeing.

www.wellnessatwork.co.nz

A walk in the park – Part 4 of a 4 part series

When Sparkles is lying in the sun, eyes closed with a smile on his face,  I can imagine him daydreaming of his days in the countryside……endless green grass, the pursuit of cotton tailed bunny rabbits down burrows and even a rendezvous with the neighbouring farmer’s (much bigger) dog.

However, now we live in the city, its not always possible for Sparkles to have that unlimited space of the country. Since its important for both of us to get that daily walk in and for him to burn his daily excess energy,  we try to make it as fun and convenient as possible so that we stay motivated even when the weather is gloomy.

Being a creature of habit we love to visit our surrounding parks; the Parliament Gardens and the Botanic Gardens so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Wellington has 51 areas (plus eight beach areas) in the city where you can run your dog off-lead.

But what makes a good walk?  After much consultation with other pooches and their respective owners, we have found that the commonality lies in the triple T’s.

According to Sparkles, a good walking track requires a large number of Trees (and the occasional shrub) that he can mark as his own. One of my friends loves to drive to Otari-Wilton Bush Reserve where her dogs are really close to nature; it is the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants. This unique plant sanctuary and forest reserve consists of 100 hectares of native forest, and five hectares of plant collections. Some of Wellington’s oldest trees are here, including an 800-year-old rimu so there are plenty of opportunities for sniffing and investigating here!

For me, the T is trash -  the proximity of rubbish bins as there is nothing less thrilling than holding onto an used doggy bag.

For another of my friends, it’s the Takeway – coffee, tea, or hot chocolate – that is the only thing that gets her motivated to pick up the lead and take her puppy for a walk. One, who lives in an apartment, tells me that off-lead areas are essential, but, being a mother, I’m always concerned about those bigger and rougher dogs.

For us, if we can’t always make it to the park, Sparkles is just as happy to tag along if I am going about doing my errands.

What are your favourite places you like to visit with your pooch and why are they special ? Please take the time to add a comment below and share your story

So, whether or not everyday is a ‘walk in the park’, like us, we hope that the time you spend with your four legged pooch is as fun for you as it undoubtedly is for them!

Enjoy your walk !

A walk in the park – Part 3 of a 4 part series

Like every other dog that I have ever encountered, Sparkles just loves his walks.  He only needs me to grab his lead off the shelf and his tail wags in excitement and anticipation.  How easily pleased he is! However, it wasn’t always this easy…I remember when he was just a small puppy and we had to teach him to walk nicely on the lead.

So for those who still have a young puppy, or who are experiencing difficulties with their faithful companions, here are a few tips on perfecting that walk, kindly shared with us from certified dog behavioural trainer Jan Voss of A.C.E. (All Canine Education) Dog Training Ltd based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Working in well-run group classes is a good way to practise the skills under distractions – if your dog can do it there, they can do so anywhere!”

Feel free to check out Jan’s website at www.acedogtraining.co.nz, and if you still need a bit of help, give her a call or an email to ask about her one-on-one training or in-home training services – and good luck being a “tree” !

A walk in the park – Part 2 of a 4 part series

I’m the first to admit I have just discovered the beauty of crossbody bags.

Maybe it was the comfort and practicality of them whilst walking Sparkles enabling me to be hands free or perhaps more likely, having seen the new beautiful variations of them that had me excited with my heart beating that little bit faster that converted me.

Here are my choices for the upcoming season….do any of these make your heart do that little light flutter that makes you feel so happy?

With bags this beautiful, have they converted you too?

Images courtesy of www.luisaviaroma.com

Top Row -Marc Jacobs Ace Shoulder Bag, Dolce & Gabbana Laminated Print Bag

Middle Row – Valentino Ponyskin Studded Cross Bag, Valentino Calfskin Studded Crossbody Bag

Bottom Row – YSL Chyc Long Strap Shoulder Bag

A walk in the park – a 4 part series

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”
Friedrich Nietzsche

In the first of our 4 part series on going for a ‘walk in the park’, we begin with the foundations of every woman’s requirements.  Comfortable but chic shoes and oh, of course an eager dog!

Walking and living in the city is wonderful; at the end of our lane are a number of cafes, shops and even a supermarket ! The downside is that inevitably, there is always someone you know doing their weekly shopping or taking their out of ‘out of office’ coffee.

So, not daring to look too casual, I always opt for some suitably attired but practical and comfortable flats – as you never know who you might meet on your walk around town !

Here are my picks for the upcoming season from one of my favourite online stores; www.Luisaviaroma.com
Luisaviaroma always seem to have the best edited selection of clothes, bags, shoes…….

Images courtesy of Luisaviaroma

Top Row;-Valentino Patent Rock Studs Ballerina Flat, Jimmy Choo Patent Star and Studded Flat

Mid Row;- Giuseppe Zanotti – Leopard Print Pony Flat, Salvatore Ferragamo Suede Lasered Flat

Mid Row;- Lanvin Calfskin Metal Frame Ballerina, Marc by Marc Jacobs Calfskin Mouse Flat

Bottom Row;- Valentino Patent Rock Studs Ballerina

Which ones are on your lust list too?