Rescue pets are just the best, and I say so from personal experience. All five of my pets – three cats and two dogs – are rescues. One from a farm in Arkansas, one from a sealed crate in a parking lot, one from an acquaintance who was fostering a stray, one from the shelter, and one from the aftermath of last May’s tornadoes here in Oklahoma.
Theron Humphrey ( of Maddie the Coonhound fame) partnered up with Purina One on a year-long documentary series entitled Why We Rescue to tell the stories of how shelter pets make our lives better. He hit all fifty states with the goal of sharing just how amazing, devoted, and happy shelter pets are and why you should consider adopting one the next time you’re looking for a furry companion. Three out of four people looking to adopt a pet don’t even consider it an option, and perceptions need drastically changed. Check out the site for an adoption story from each state, see Theron’s incredible photography, and listen to the beautiful relationships these pets have with their owners.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you might know that I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA. I’ve mentioned it here and there and I’m definitely not lacking when it comes to hometown pride. My entire family (other than my mom and stepdad) still live there, and I’ve missed it since the day I packed up my bags and headed off to college 16 years ago.
So last November I made the decision that I’m making the move back to Pittsburgh.
Everything is still very much in the early stages. Only last Friday did my realtor – the very same one who sold me my current home nearly six years ago – stop by to kick things into gear. I have yet to decide whether I’m going to buy or build (I’m crossing my fingers for the latter), and I still have to do preliminary things like see how much money I’ll be approved for. I bought this house, my first, when I was still working for a design firm and now that I’m self-employed things are bound to be a little different. The good thing is my realtor says that everything is in great shape – only a few paint touchups and packing up my personality before the house can go on the market. He doesn’t anticipate it will last long once listed, so it’s really a matter of figuring out my living situation in PA and then putting it up for sale. NO PRESSURE.
While I’m definitely looking forward to be closer to my family and back in my city, this entire move feels very bittersweet. Oklahoma City has been my home off and on for the past 16 years. In fact, I’m more entwined in it than I ever was in Pittsburgh because I became an adult here. I’m a part of the creative community. I get incredibly sad when I think about leaving, but the fact is the only things truly holding me here in OKC are my mom and stepdad. And they decided to move back to Pittsburgh, too! So the story wrote itself, really.
I have no plans to turn Design Crush into the trials and tribulations of moving halfway across the country, but I’m sure there will be a moving themed post occasionally since it’s about to become such a big part of my life. I hope you’ll hang around throughout the process, and if you live in Pittsburgh say hello. I’m looking to build my future community starting now!
Country Road is anything but country in style. Sleek pieces with curves and an incredibly appealing color palette make this Australian company simply Scandinavian by design. Great quality, value, and attention to detail doesn’t hurt either. I’d love to outfit some open shelving with the entire collection.
Completely brilliant and oh so fun, The Made-Up Words Project is the brainchild of illustrator Rinee Shah. The goal is to collect and catalog made-up words used among friends and family. I can completely vouch for the above growing up in western Pennsylvania, except that we pronounced it guh-chies instead of goh-chies!
In January I had a conversation about blogging as a profession, and it went something like this. “If you’re only having fun, you’re not really a blogger.” Because really, blogging its work. It’s a job. And if I’m being honest I don’t like all aspects of it – invoicing, analytics, weird hours.
But here’s the thing. I wouldn’t trade my job for any other profession, because I love it that much. If you feel the same as I do and want to take the next step, join me and a slew of other pros who know what they’re talking about. The Business of Bloggingis Alt Channel’s day-long schedule of online classes Thursday, March 20th full of ten hours of knowledge dropping. I’ll be talking about growing your readership, and you can check out the schedule in its entirety right here. Hope to see you in my class on the 20th!
Let’s kick off this week with the biggest giveaway Design Crush has ever been a part of – Drake General Store’s Au Courant: Curated Classics! At the end of February Drake General Store launched their first major campaign, it’s brimming over with tried and true favorites and we’ve teamed up on a major giveaway – I’m talking $1,000 worth of prizes – to go along with it!
Toronto-based Drake General Store has been on my radar for awhile now as a fantastic modern gift shop paired with a classic general store that carries contemporary nostalgia with a Canadian twist. (You might also know them for the cultural hotbed that is The Drake Hotel.)
I’m the happy owner of an HBC Caribou Throw that’s amazing on the coldest nights (and Peanut the Cat approved), as well as the Shared History Macho Man Robe which is basically the biggest sweatshirt hoodie you’ve ever laid eyes on or cozied up in. Both of these pieces are included in the giveaway among FORTY OTHER ITEMS. It’s complete insanity, all because these Canadians want to share their best sellers with you.
You can enter for a chance to win the best giveaway ever from now until March 14th. Just click over to the Drake General Store’s Au Courant: Curated Classics giveaway page to toss your hat into the ring. Good luck!
It was unseasonably cold (like everywhere), and I took full advantage of my puffer coat.
I received the best valentine from my friend, artist Rebecca Rothfus.
I’m two months into my #365quotes project and haven’t missed one yet!
I found out I love blush colored roses.
I ate waaay too much sugar, specifically grocery store cupcakes.
And these macarons from Dana’s Bakery.
Peanut spent most of the month cuddled up to a fuzzy blanket on my bed.
I made bread for the first time ever! And it was so good.
My mom gave me this sweet little salt cellar.
Rainey is 11 months old now, and a super affectionate little kitty.
Piper’s been restless for warm weather and more outside time.
I’m so excited that spring is just around the corner.
I’ve been waiting over a year to lay hands on this book! Creative Blockis the brainchild of my friend Danielle Krysa, aka The Jealous Curator. Between the covers Danielle taps into the minds of fifty successful artists and elicits advice and exercises for overcoming all manners of artistic impediment, that thing you probably know better as creative block. Of course the pages are also brimming with the artists’ resulting work. My plan of action is to read about one artist a week in the hopes that it keeps my creative mind fresh and ready to tackle anything!
is the brainchild of my friend 
