Ritzy Dog-Friendly Hotels, Punk and Packing Tips

Blue skies, palm trees and a pink hotel! There's more—it's dog-friendly! I nearly gasped in delight, grabbed Miss Lilac and took a road trip to Florida (at 28 pounds, she's too big-boned to fly). I discovered the Loews Don CeSar in St. Petersburg while researching "Posh Hotels for Your Pooch" for SheKnows. For more information on this perfect-looking beachfront hotel as well as other ritzy canine digs, read the online story. 

Here are two more recent stories I've done—including a piece on the return of punk to a travel getaway story, both for the Sun-Times.

Punk's calling on the runways - Chicago Sun-Times
Perfect pairs: Pack like a pro for Labor Day - Chicago Sun-Times

Style: How to dress for your body shape

One of my favorite stories I've ever worked on continues to be this figure-flattery piece for Real Simple. As the weather gets chilly and shopping for new clothes is ever-so tempting, I find these expert tips on how to dress for your body shape very useful. Do you know what your shape is? Check out the online story. And, happy shopping!

Where to stay: The Talbott Hotel

A cow—paying homage to Chicago's stockyard roots—walks the Talbott Hotel exterior in Chicago' s Gold Coast.

One of the best parts of traveling is staying in a great hotel. Even if you're not going away, it's so fun to check into a luxurious hotel in town. I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Talbott Hotel in Chicago's tony Gold Coast neighborhood. The historic boutique hotel exceeded my expectations—not to mention it's dog friendly (the hotel is named after a rare, now non-existent hunting dog), from the pristine exterior to the grand interior. Leather sofas, a toasty fireplace, traditional decor all contribute to its warm, homey atmosphere. The best part? The beds. They are so plush, you'll find yourself asking for late check-out. Don't miss the indulgent soaking tubs and deliciously fragrant Molton Brown bath products.

A toasty fireplace and cozy furniture add to the lobby's "living room" feel.