Summer Travels: Glamping in Hunt Country, Virginia

Thanks to my lovely job, I spent the first week of June at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia. It's one of the few shows where we are able to camp on site. You can't beat the commute... and frankly there's something quite nice about coming home to your own "space" at the end of the day, rather than the barren austerity of a hotel room. The Upperville show is usually brutally hot, but we were graced with pleasant enough temperatures to make evening cookouts and occasional journeys into town very enjoyable.

Some of the best barbecue I've ever had in my life was at this spot here... and the aroma from those giant smokers was not to be believed.

collar and leash by Houndworthy, beer by Guinness, Galway boot in black/brown by Dubarry

Otto held things down in the camper most of the time, but he felt obligated to walk down and make sure things were running smoothly at the booth too. Boy did he benefit...

The folks at Nutro were at the show promoting their canine goods, and Otto was more than happy to try something new. (Thanks Nutro!) 

P.S. Those crunchy treats have actual berries in them. 

P.P.S. I ate one.

P.P.P.S. It seriously wasn't bad.

Don't worry, I did eat some half decent human food on this trip too. 

I don't know if it was because I'd been subsisting off of bacon and mac + cheese in the camper, but the meal I had at the Hunter's Head Tavern was one of the best I've ever had in my life. All of their food comes from local farms, so their menu changes with the seasons. Otto also enjoyed a delicious dog dinner to-go for only 3 bucks! For Hunter/Jumper people reading... Joe Fargis was eating there too. That's an endorsement, if nothing else!

photo by Lauren Giannini for Sidelines Magazine
Our good friend and fellow photojournalist/blogger Lauren stopped by to get an obligatory glass of champagne and a photo for her Sidelines Magazine blog post about the show, which you can read here.

I've been to plenty of feed stores in my time, so I had a difficult time imaging what Dubarry product would look like being sold on one. Everyone kept telling me that Tri-County Feeds in Marshall, VA was a totally different story, but I didn't really believe them until I saw for myself. The place is mindblowing. From the outside, the building is huge, nice, but still unassuming. Step foot in the door, however, and it's like stepping into Disneyworld for tasteful country dwellers.




If Tri-County did wedding registries... I'd register for these dishes! and I'm not even engaged!

Feed, stable and pet supplies, home goods, elegant country clothing, and a top of the line collection of riding apparel for every discipline from polo to showjumping. Owners Bill and Jeri definitely know what they're doing: my wallet barely escaped in one piece. If you're too far away to make the trip, they are online... but the trip is definitely worth it.

Virginia... you were an impeccable host. Same time next year?

Hello, Killer Little Antler Keyring!

Quick update! In my Holiday Gift Guide I shared an eye-catching, hand painted antler keyring available at Houndworthy through the Toronto based brand North. Lucky girl that I am, I've just received my own! This one is a single-tip version (as opposed to the double tip one I show in the gift guide) so I figured you'd all like to have a look!

(Also shown: my brass telescope keyring, $12 at TROVE GENERAL.)

Check out North on their Etsy shop or order keyrings through Houndworthy! They're all very unique, and perfect for girls, guys, whatever sort of human you are. 

Dapper Dog Styles: Houndworthy Edition

It's not every day that I receive a package from the UK, but when I do, it's for my dog. Today the little guy was lucky enough to get a box from England's own Houndworthy, and boy were we excited. I tend to have a "little kid on Christmas morning" reaction to awesome packaging, and Houndworthy nails it. Good gear for dogs and eye candy for aesthetically-minded humans.

After months of wanting to replace his nylon harness with something a bit more suitable for his distinguished, gentlemanly nature, I'm pleased to have replaced it with the Houndworthy Monogram Collar & Lead set. Made in Kent, England from vegetable dyed Italian leather and sturdy brass hardware, it's really beautiful and understated. It's available in four different color combos, with your dog's name (and number if you want) stamped right into the leather.

As if it weren't enough that they took him to the next level of awesome dog-ness, they threw in a Scottish deer antler chew... which he promptly began parading around the house like a mob boss with a giant cigar. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

This is the equation: 
Cheap stuff looks cheap.
Looking good is feeling good.
ERGO
Cheap stuff doesn't look good.
If you don't look good, you don't feel good.
DO THE MATH.**

**I have a degree in English Literature. Please forgive my attempt at symbolic logic.

the 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and other Happenings!

In the midst of my aversion to all things related to "Black Friday" and the circus that is holiday shopping, I've truly enjoyed taking a lot of time to dream up my holiday gift guide. This year has been quite a journey for me as far as discovering new products and making new friends in the small business world is concerned, so in the spirit of mixing old with new, this year's guide features 'old faithful' brands that we all love and trust like Dubarry and Woolrich, alongside some smaller, younger brands like Barnwood Leather and Houndworthy. Let it also be emphasized that I'm of the QUALITY over QUANTITY philosophy. One gift, that's a bit more expensive but unique, stylish, and functional, is infinitely more meaningful than a pile of Black Friday doorbuster specials. 

Also, click through after the Guide for a peek at what I've been up to...

I should probably title this section: "Stuff Anne Loves and/or Wants," because that's basically what it is. (No, I'm not sorry.) 1. Dubarry of Ireland "Behan" jacket, $479. Full disclosure: I own it, and it's been my favorite piece all season (see mine at the bottom of the post). It's a Gore-tex lined (waterproof and breathable), classic quilted style with a bit of a motorcycle jacket vibe. The collar is amazing and the cut is really tailored, plus it's got handwarmer pockets, a hidden inside pocket, and 3 more outside pockets. 2. Dolce Vita "Assam Tea Booties," $129 at Anthropologie. For a leather Chelsea boot, the price on these is really reasonable, and I've had good luck with Dolce Vita footwear before, so I trust the quality without seeing them in person. The pop of orange on the gusset really transforms these into a distinctive piece that I'd base an outfit around. They come in all black smooth leather as well, but ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (see what I did there?) 3. Swiss Army for Hudson Bay pocket knife, $40 at Trove General Store. What girl (or guy) couldn't use a little pocket knife? Hey, if you get the Behan jacket you can stick it in your hidden pocket! Though it's a pretty basic gadget, the iconic Hudson Bay stripes ensure quite a bit of stylistic longevity in this little conversation piece. 4. Sanctuary "Patch Me Thru" vegan leather sweater, $88 at Wildfang. This is the Joan Jett, Wednesday Addams, Lisbeth Salander answer to all of your technicolor holiday garb. Simple and understated with a dash of badass, and yes, I said vegan. I can't tell you how I lust for this sweater! Wildfang is a Portland based shop created for reckless tomboys like myself - watch out! They're starting a movement. 

City boys are catching on to the benefits of hard working country style gear... and the country boys are getting more dapper. I decided they should meet halfway. So whether your dude tromps around the concrete jungle or sneaks off to hunting cabins, these picks should have universal appeal. 1. Colorblock Antler Keyring from North at  Houndworthy, $32 (£22). Each one of these Canadian antler keyrings is unique, (as no two deer are alike), and the color sequence varies as well, so there will be no confusion about which keys belong to you! P.S. The antlers are naturally shed, so no deer are hurt. 2. Dubarry of Ireland "Kerry" boot, $399. Ladies and gentleman, the world's first and only Gore-tex lined, waterproof Chelsea boot. They have a proper hand-cut leather sole with a stacked leather heel and rubber on the bottom for grip. The ultimate winter dress boot for the guy who works in the city and needs to look sharp. 3. Woolrich x Topo Designs "Klettersack" backpack, $249. Made in Colorado by Topo using Woolrich's heavy duty wool on the outside with a coated pack cloth liner on the inside. The entire Topo x Woolrich collaboration line is worth checking out, as they're made in very limited numbers! 4. Manastash Panel Parka, $450 at Trove General Store. Aside from the fact that they use extremely high quality fabrics, Manastash excels at creating pieces with an almost retro vibe that are somewhat insane looking, but indescribably appealing. The Panel Parka is completely waterproof with cozy handwarmer pockets.

As far as gift giving goes, fine leather goods are a no-brainer. If it's handmade, then that's even better. 1. Ball and Buck x Danner Light, $376. Ball and Buck has made a name for themselves by epitomizing the dignity inherent in American hunting and sporting culture. Their collaboration with the bootmaking icons at Danner features tough Vibram Gumlite soles supporting Gore-tex lined leather and camouflage uppers. Handsome enough for the street, hardcore enough for the field. 2. River City Leather "Smallet," $70. I've been following RCL for quite a while on Instagram and always admired this piece, and since they've just opened their online shop I figured it was a good time to pay the Smallet its due. Quite a simple little wallet, but I'm a sucker for the asymmetrical snap design. 3. Teranishi Brand iPhone 5 case, $85. I had my Trove x Teranishi iPhone 4 case for a long time and it served me well. This updated model does what most leather cases cannot, in that it maintains the streamlined silhouette of the phone while still giving it ample coverage and protection. Also, just wait and see what an amazing patina the natural leather will pick up after some use! 4. Barnwood Leather "Original Outdoor Office," $135 before Dec 13, $190 after. With room for notebook, tablet, cards, pens, etc., this sweet little carryall hearkens back to days of yore when people toted around day planners, yet it manages to capture a modern minimalist aesthetic. The dudes behind Barnwood are producing these high quality goods and sharing the profits with two nonprofit organizations that provide kids with horse-related therapy, and give food to children who are going hungry! A "feel good" purchase if there ever was one. 

Now for the "Happenings" part of the post...

Four Legged Finery of the Hound Persuasion

Before you say anything: 1) I know! 2) I'm sorry! I've been busier than I'd ever imagined this summer. Between working, riding, and spending every nice day off going outside and soaking in the sun, I definitely neglected my bloggerly duties. HOWEVER, in the spirit of that "go outside and do something" attitude, I've been inspired by a chat with Morgan Cummins of the new UK-based Houndworthy to do a post dedicated to the active-lifestyle dog owner.

Houndworthy and I got in touch after discovering our mutual affection for Dubarry boots via Twitter. After a couple of emails back and forth, I saw that the Houndworthy mission was very close to my own objective with this blog. Co-founder Morgan explained their goal as such:

"The strategy behind our brand visual approach is to create this immersive experience where it should make you actually wish you were outside somewhere (with hound) and not sittin' indoors lookin' at a website! ... providing the impetus for people to go and do more rewarding things; and buying and using better goods is part of that."

Though they've likened themselves to a canine-oriented Patagonia or North Face type of lifestyle brand, I would even venture to compare their online branding strategy to something like Anthropologie. Anthro works by assaulting all of your senses as soon as you enter the store: the scented candles burning, the music playing, the look of the staff, the store visuals, etc. It's a truly visceral experience, and Houndworthy has managed to skillfully achieve this and more without the physicality of a brick-and-mortar shop. Creative Director Morgan and his partner Jo Holdaway have fused their talents to create this amazing brand, and use their own hounds as models, muses, and test subjects for the array of unique dog toys, leads, collars, clothing, and accessories on the site. Don't get it twisted, though. You're not going to find pink and blue gendered doggie collars with paw print designs, or dog t-shirts with corny phrases screened on in Comic Sans. This is hardworking dog gear for folks with a more refined aesthetic.

(all taken from their Instagram: @houndworthy)

Another brand with a purpose is Found My Animal, a Brooklyn-based brand making fisherman style rope leads, collars, and accessories. They're also dedicated advocates of animal rescue, partnering with local rescue organizations and foster programs to help shelter pups find homes. Aside from the fact that their goods are super cool, I love that they go over and beyond to do their part helping needy dogs in the community.

I've got a serious soft spot for rescue dogs. My own pup is a 3 year old Dachshund mix named Otto that I rescued when he was a little 5 pound morsel, and my life has never been the same. Having a dog has gotten me outside, led me to conversations with complete strangers, and brought me to a much happier spiritual place as an independent explorer of this world.

He's a pain to find good gear for though, since he's very long and skinny, and has a neck like a little goose. That certainly didn't stop us from making a wishlist though!

Since it was Dubarry that originally brought Houndworthy and myself together, the Galway boot must be included. I live in my brown Galways, but I've always thought a black/mahogany pair would be rather striking for dogwalking, since Otto and I would then match. Morgan had his own Dubarry testimonial: "I have a pair of Dubarry gamekeeper boots... I love them. They come up to my knees and keep anything out! I've gone across rivers in Scotland 2ft deep, they are awesome." I can only dream of trudging through rivers in Scotland. Morgan -- I envy you!

It's very annoying that Otto can't wear regular collars... his neck is just too skinny and they always rub off his fur. The plaid button bandanna from Houndworthy would probably look AMAZING on him though. The Natural Leash from Found My Animal is sharp, and made in the USA, fisherman-style, from high-quality materials. I see this look improvised at horse shows a lot by people who just use their horse's lead rope as a leash, but FMA's version is a huge upgrade. As for that slick canvas satchel... be still my heart. I make no secret of my difficult relationship with handbags, but this one is exactly my style. It would be perfect for carrying all my stuff, and I'd even throw Otto's favorite ball in there too.

Go forth and explore! And when you're done doing that, go outside!

Houndworthy

Found My Animal 

Dubarry