Springtime Scottie Cushion

It's the weekend so I finally have time to post :) another hectic week over, another week closer to the fleeting 6 week holiday!

I am always on the look out for new stuff for the flat - as we rent at the moment we can't decorate decorate with paints etc so we have to accessorise. As you might have already noticed, I'm a sucker for cushions and I love bedding.

 I got this cute little cushion with Scottie dogs on for £8 in Asda. I have to have all things Scottie themed. I have to. When I get a sec (or several hours!) I'll show you my collection!

Cute right? I particularly liked this one because it was spring colours. I'm usually into autumnal colours and obviously tartans, but this little cushion would fit right in with the current season. Think it'd make a fairly cheap gift for any dog lover - who doesn't love a good Scottie print?

What do you think? Have you ever found any good doggy themed home items in supermarkets?

Kitsch Cushions

I do have a bit of a cushion fetish, so my eye is often caught by pretty ones wherever I go. Clearly I'm also a sucker for anything with an animal on it - stick a pup on it and I'll buy it. I came across Laissez Lucie Faire a few days ago and just had to share the secret.

It is a french brand that designs all sorts of products from purses to chairs, however I though the cushions were the best pieces I saw.

They are all bright and colourful, and most feature animals set against a pretty background. There were lots with dogs on, but I've included some others too as I thought they were cute :) Very kitsch, and just the sort of thing to brighten up any old sofa!

Here are my favourite few:

Prices start at 19 euros in the online store, but some Urban Outfitters shops stock them too. Maybe you'll be lucky and find one in a store near you!



What do you think? Do you love all things Kitsch?

15 Orangutans that look like Boris Johnson

Now I know this isn't strictly dog related but there are orangutans involved so bare with me! (Nice to have a change sometimes isn't it!)

Unless you've been living under a rock, or unless you have a much more exciting life than me :), most of you will have heard bits and bobs about the electoral race to become Mayor of London. With two candidates, Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour's Ken Livingston, streaking ahead, it was a closely run thing.

However, it was announced in the early hours of yesterday morning that Boris had emerged victorious! Now I'm no Tory, can't stand them, and I know alot of people think Boris is incompetent, but there's just something loveable about him. He's the anti-hero London needs to inject a bit of humour into everyday life, and his bikes aren't bad either.

Anyway, love or hate Boris, some genius, (greggdd69 over at Buzzfeed if you're interested) has realised that he looks a fair bit like an orangutan. So he's put together a litle collage of 15 orangutans that look like old BoJo. Not bad for a days work. Enjoy!

What do you think of BoJo?? What do you think of Orangutans?? Can you see the resemblance?

Teddy's going to Scruffts 2012!

I've always loved dogs and I've always loved watching Crufts on the box ever since I was tiny. I know people have mixed opinions on the whole thing, but I do enjoy going as most people there have the dogs' best interests at heart and it's always nice to meet other doggy mad loons like me :)

So you can imagine my excitement to find out today that Teddy has been selected to compete at Scruffts 2012 - the Kennel Club's annual dog show for Crossbreeds!

I got really into the whole Crufts thing this year and finally got the chance to go up to Birmingham and experience it for myself after winning some tickets. It was an amazing day and I'd say it's a definite must for any dog lover!

It was around that sort of time that I applied for Teddy to enter Scruffts - to be honest I'd completely forgotten about it until I saw the kennel club headed letter when I got home today!

Scruffts was launched in 2000 and is just like Crufts but for mixed doggies :) it's also a lot more light-hearted and fun! Entry is £1 and all proceeds go to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

As there is no 'breed standard' for crossbreeds, the judges base their decision on 'good character', 'good health', and 'good temperment with people and other dogs'.

All the dogs involved get a few minutes to shine in the ring and wow the judges - fingers crossed Teddy will be in a good mood on the day!! He's already perfected his posing!

So I'm sooooo excited! My older dog Bonnie entered a few fun dog shows last summer and actually won a few rosettes :) she seemed to really enjoy it. Ted wasn't even born then, but hopefully he will follow in his big sister's footsteps!

Ted's heat is being held at the London Pet Show at Earl's Court on Sunday 13th May. So even if Ted doesn't get any prizes, we'll still have a lovely day out :)

If you too are a doggy lover, or even an animal lover as they have all sorts there (including rabbit show jumping!! - which Barnaby would absolutely smash), you should check the London Pet Show out - it's on Saturday as well and you can book tickets here. The show is open from 9.30 - 5.00pm and is a relatively cheap day out for all animal lovers!!


Any tips for how to prepare for Ted's dog show debut?? Wish us luck!!

Leigh on Sea

Yesterday, we woke up to glorious sunshine which made a nice change from the constant rain we've had lately - so we decided to jump in the car with Ted and make the short drive over to Leigh on Sea.

If you're an Essex resident, you'll should know Leigh; and if you're a TOWIE fan, you might have seen Leigh when Mick took Maria there on a date to have cockles! But if you don't fit either category and haven't heard of Leigh on Sea, it's a pretty little seaside place that's nice to visit for a day trip.

I say seaside, actually it's on the Thames Estuary, but it has some nice little sandy beaches all the same! (and the water's fairly clean which is more than can be said for Thurrock!)

 There is a little sea front you can walk along, with a few dog-friendly pubs, some fish and chip shops, and some sea-food bars. There's also a cute little shop that sells all sorts of gorgeous stuff (including cath kidston!), and a sweet vintage coffee shop.

If you're that way inclined, you can pay to learn to fish or you can even rent a little sailing boat and play around in the water! Normally I'd love that but as Ted had come along we decided against it (don't know if he's sea sick yet!)

Ted loved it and was in and out of the sea constantly. Although he did roll in some seaweed so he now needs a bath!

 

I went in a tiny bit with him (I came prepared with my trusty Hunters!). But a big wave came and we got wet (I got wet legs, Ted got a full soaking!)

We found a nice little pub that had a fish and chip shop attached - perfect combination! - so we sat down for some grub. It started to rain a little but it was still SO good! Is it just me or are fish and chips just soooo much better when had at the seaside??

Teddy sitting nicely, waiting for some fish!

 

 

 

 

 After we got him home, Teddy was pooped! Straight off to bed! I heart weekends!

So if you're looking for a nice day out, give Leigh on Sea a try! It's doggy friendly most of the time, but make sure you check the web in advance in case any dates are off limits to pooches!

Has anyone else been? Would you like to visit?

Pedigree Play Again

I was contacted by the lovely people over at Pedigree last week about my older doggy Bonnie taking part in their new Joint Care + trial, 'Play Again'.

They have released a new range of treats, for older dogs, to help with stiff joint. Bonnie's 8 1/2, has joint problems and, being a Labrador, LOVES treats - so I figured why not give it a go!

We received our special welcome pack in the post today - very quick turnaround!

The pack contained a welcome letter, a bright yellow backpack, 6 weeks worth of treats, a tube of bouncy balls with a ball thrower, and a video camera! How cute is the camera?! Can't wait to get some snaps of the pups!

Sadly, we do have to send the camera back when we're done, but it's sweet all the same :) its for recording bonnie's progress and antics. (She's very silly so I'm sure we'll get lots of footage!)

Pedigree's claims about the treats:

See a difference in 6 weeks!

72% of dogs fed Pedigree® Joint Care™+ daily experience a higher level of mobility within 6 weeks

3x more glucosamine per daily stick compared with the number 2 selling joint health dog treat

All active ingredients in a palatable easy to feed stick format -­‐ no tablets or powder

No tablets or powder, just a delicious easy-­‐to--feed stick

Clinically proven recipe

Developed with vets

Low in fat -­‐ small/medium contains 49 calories per stick, large contains 67 calories

Free from artificial colours or flavours

If you have an older doggy and would like to bag this nice little set of goodies and help your dog out in the process, you can get in contact with pedigree on twitter here! There's life in old dogs yet!

Anyone else have an elderly dog who's young at heart??

Cath Kidston Doggy Bits

My Cath Kidston magazine came in the post this morning - cue putting the kettle on and busting out some cake to accompany my read. As always, I was looking for anything doggy themed and this did not disappoint!

As is to be expected, as well as recipes, events and idea, this season's issue is full of gorgeous goodies; so many in fact that I had to share all my favourites with you! (I threw in a few sale and non-doggy items for good measure)

Here's what I'm lusting after at the moment:

 

Left to right, top to bottom:

• Spot Messenger Bag with free Zip Purse £45.00
• Floral Gumboot Socks £15.00
• Tartan Day Bag reduced to £36.00
• Bird Travel Purse £8.00
• Bleached Flowers Pocket Mirror £2.00
• Picnic Check Throw £30.00
• Stanley Friends Charm Bracelet £35.00
• Royal Stan Pocket Bag £30.00
• Bleach Flowers Espadrille £14.00
• Dog Treats Tin £8.00
• Antique Rose Bouquet Eiderdown £120.00
• Provence Rose Roberts Radio £200.00
• Jubilee Apron £20.00

I love the items featuring 'Stanley' the fox terrier. Perfect for me as they look so much like my teddy :) The little bracelet is a must have for me - it has both a fox terrier and a scottie - two of my favourite breeds having owned both myself. Would make a great little gift for any dog lover - something a little bit special!

As for the other items, the thick socks would be great for sticking on under some wellies and walking the dogs - great colours too! The check blanket would be perfect for picnics at the park, and the tartan bag is.. well it's tartan :) my fave!

When I get paid, I will definitely be splashing out on a few bits from this lust list, but I think I'll have to wait for some others!

You can get a free copy of the magazine for yourself here. Just fill in the form and they will send it within a few days :)


Do you like Cath Kidston? Has anything on this list caught your eye too?

The LOVE Cushion - A Perfect Gift :)

When Mothers' Day or my mum's birthday rolls around, I'm always stumped for what to buy. In fact, I actually have plenty of ideas, it's just that she's crazy fussy. She also refuses to tell any of us what she wants - helpful!
So, as there is no easy route, we have to buy her different things that she won't have seen anywhere herself. And, usually including dogs in it somehow is always a winner. After all, dogs make us all smile!

This year I stumbled across a gift I thought she'd really like through twitter. I found a website called Chic Shack, full of cushions, canvases, and other gorgeous items, most of which you can have personalised. There are lots of doggy items on the site, but the item that really caught my eye though was the LOVE cushion.

Some other tweeters had already ordered their own and it came highly recommended. The cushion is handmade by Martin; all you have to do is send him an image of your choice that will fit nicely into the O. And this means any image - so sit your little darlings down and get them to pose! Think of the possibilities (I'd quite like one with Barnaby bunny)

As my mum isn't very fond of me and my brother and sister, at least that's what she wants us to think, I decided to use a photo of our two dogs; my Teddy and Mum's Bonnie. A cushion with the pups' faces on?! Perfect!

I sent the photo off to Martin, paid for the cushion and it arrived in a matter of days. The end result was gorgeous and better than I'd expected. The quality of the cushion is lovely, the size is perfect and the letters are soft and velvety. The picture itself is a little hardier, which is good as it won't wear or get scratched. There's also a little zip at the bottom to wash the cover if you need to (it is white after all!)

Here's the finished product:

It now sits in pride of place on my mum's sofa; one of the only gifts I've bought her that she hasn't wanted to return! (moral = if it's personalised she can't ;))

 

So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for anyone you know who loves dogs this might just be it - who wouldn't love a cushion with their fur baby on it? I'd love it! Hint hint...

Be sure to give Chic Shack a look, like I said they have some lovely doggy themed items!!