Store Spotlight: Barking Bitches Denver (+ A Discount!)

Holly and I are always on the lookout for shops featuring unique, high quality pup & pup lover items. So we were very excited when my dad picked up a flier for Denver outpost Barking Bitches while visiting the vet near my parent's Colorado home. 

Barking Bitches is a local, family owned Colorado company that creates high quality dog apparel and household accessories that satisfy even the most discerning female dogs out there! As a puppy parent to four Italian Greyhounds, founder Ken Carrick is committed to not only creating quality pet products, but also supporting the local human and pup communities--the company is very involved with animal charities, and employs local senior citizens and retirees looking to supplement their pensions. 

As if that wasn't enough to get your tail wagging, fans of Little Holly's Big World get 20% off with code CATC20! Here are some of our pup-sonal favorites that we are adding to our cart: 

This applique dog pillow will be featured prominently in our new apartment. The cute mattress ticking fabric and pup silhouette make it the perfect addition to our shabby chic decor! Even though the Chihuahua isn't one of the featured breeds listed on the site, a quick e-mail to Barking Bitches confirmed that one can absolutely be made!

We will be getting a 20 x 20 blue ticking pillow with a Chihuahua!

Some of my favorite unique items featured on the site are the puppy PJs & robes. Holly and I love to spend lazy chilly weekends curled up on the couch with Netflix and tea, and these cozy items would make those afternoons feel like a slumber party! The PJs even come in Holiday patterns, which will make for terrific Holly-day cards come next year. 

This ah-dorable robe will make for fun lazy Sundays and Mommy & Me spa days! Pawdicure, anyone? 

How cute would these Holiday PJs be for a family photo?

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fabulous party dresses featured on the site, which would make any pup feel paw-sitively royal and may be necessary for Holly's second birthday. We are especially in love with the Princess dresses, which have enough sparkle and bling to make even Kate Middleton's pooch jealous!

Lupo Middleton may live in Kensington Palace, but sure doesn't have any wardrobe items as royal as this dress!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Decorating for the Dog Lover

Holly and I are very excited to have signed a lease on a new one bedroom apartment. Currently we are living in a studio, so with the extra space comes extra design opportunities!

As an avid devotee of HGTV, I am never one to shy away from a DIY project or a home decor Pinterest page. I have spent the past year combing through the web looking for the perfect items to dress my new apartment, from throw pillows to picture frames to door stops. Put simply, I have never met a decorative accessory I dislike.

That said, it can be difficult as a dog and design lover to find ways to incorporate your pet into your decor without things getting too cheesy or theme-y. Below are some of my favorite decorative items that will reflect your puppy love without sacrificing style!

Heather Galler Art Chihuahua Tile:

A dear friend picked up a collection of these colorful tiles for me for Christmas, and I can't wait to use them in my new place. The artist has an Etsy page full of bright portraits of a variety of breeds and species on products ranging from shower curtains to posters to throw pillows. I will use the tiles representing my animal pals as coasters in my living room, where I am planning on featuring bright, bold patterns and colors reminiscent of the Southwest.

Dean Russo Art Chihuahua Print:

Also being featured in the living room is this Dean Russo Art Chihuahua Print, which I first discovered on Joss & Main and fell so in love with it I tracked it down on the artist's website after the sale had ended. The Brooklyn based artist also offers up portraits of Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, and Huskies on a variety of products. Each print comes individually signed by the artist, making an 8x10 a steal at $25. I plan on framing mine in a Pottery Barn frame with an extra large mat so it really stands out on the wall. 

Story People "Chihuahua" Story:

Story People has been a favorite source of art for me for many years. They create whimsical, irreverent "stories" featuring hand lettering and a wacky picture on crisp white mats. As soon as I got Holly, I knew I needed to add the "Chihuahua" story to my collection, the story reads: "I remember once I went to my great-grandmother's house. It was a big white house & it always smelled like slightly burned toast & raspberry jam. She had a picture of Jesus on the wall in her living room. She told me his eyes would follow you around when you walked. I told a friend about it a while ago. He nodded & said he used to have a Chihuahua that did the same thing." Knowing the way Holly looks at me when I have even a crumb of food in my possession, I can certainly relate!

Vintage Kandy Dog Teepee:

This is by far the piece I am most excited to purchase for my apartment. Etsy store Vintage Kandy sells pet beds in the shapes of teepees, eliminating the concern about tucking a ratty pet bed somewhere it won't clash with your decor. I was inspired by my friend Molly's beautiful canvas teepee in her children's playroom, and I immediately scoured the internet to see if a similar creation existed for Holly. The pet bed is ideally suited for pups and kitties 25lbs and under, and features a cushion upholstered in outdoor fabric for easy upkeep and a heavy duty canvas shell. The $95 price tag is on par with high quality pet beds, though this one goes above and beyond in terms of uniqueness and style. 

Earth Studio Metal Art Chihuahua Bookends:

In case you haven't noticed, my decorating style is heavily influenced by the bright colors and bold prints of the Southwest, with a dash of pop art whimsy. These bookends from Etsy store Earth Studio Metal Art combine the best of both worlds, with whimsical Chihuahuas cut from rough metal adding a fun touch to any bookshelf. A far cry from the standard ceramic doggie bookends, these are sure to be a conversation starter and to last in my home for many years to come.

Until Next Time, Darlings! 

Puppy Bowl!!!

Hello darlings!

Sorry it has been so long since we posted--after the holidays Holly decided to snack on my (unplugged thank goodness) laptop cord, so we had to take a brief blogging hiatus while we waited for a new cord to arrive :)

The good news about our break is we seem to have emerged from the freezing temps of the "polar vortex" and are now just two weeks away from the greatest Sunday of the year. That's right, I'm talking about the Puppy Bowl.

For those of you not familiar with the Puppy Bowl, it is a much cuter and cuddlier alternative to the Super Bowl, which airs on the same day as the big football game on Animal Planet. For those who are fans of football and puppies, Animal Planet plays the event several times throughout the afternoon (it is pre taped in October), so you don't have to miss a minute of the action or the cuteness!

Now in its tenth year, the rules of the puppy bowl are simple: 39 adoptable puppies are released in two shifts onto a mini football field filled with fun toys. After that, it is full on puppy playtime, with the occasional pup dragging a toy into the end zone and earning a "touchdown." Are there teams and points? Not really. But there is a whole lot of cute (including instant replays!), as well as a Kitten halftime show and live "tweets" from sideline reporter Meep the Bird (follow him @MeepTheBird for all the action).

I have watched the Puppy Bowl for two years with my friend Eliora, and last year Holly got to join in the fun (she mostly tried to steal carrots and celery from our snack spread when we weren't looking, though she did look at the TV when she heard a bark!). I have been looking forward to this year's event all winter, so I was very excited to discover on our most recent trip to Petco that Animal Planet collaborated with the chain on an adorable line of toys and apparel for your pup! Below are some of our favorites:

Puppy Bowl Football Squeaker:

Even though this toy is a little big for Holly, the fact that it comes in pink with the official Puppy Bowl logo might make it a must for this year's party.

Puppy Bowl football squeaky toy. Also in brown and blue.

Plush football rope toy:

Holly loves rope toys, especially with a plush squeaky toy in the middle! This one is also better sized for her little teeth, making it an MVP in our book.

Plush Football Rope Toy

Animal Planet Puppy Bowl Pink Cheerleader Tutu:

No Puppy Bowl party would be complete without a cute outfit, and as a true girly girl Holly loves pink tutus. This outfit combines the best of both worlds for under $20!

The front portion of the tee is branded with the Puppy Bowl logo.

Unfortunately, Petco doesn't stock any official Puppy Bowl merchandise for puppy parents, but I have had my eye on this adorable tee from Skreened for several months now. Not only does it declare my love for the Puppy Bowl and general distaste for football, but it comes in pink to match Holly's outfit for the day!

The design can be purchased on several styles of sweatshirts and tees.

Have a very Yappy Puppy Bowl!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Happy New Year!

2013 was a wonderful year for Holly & me. We walked more, played more, and really figured each other out, and I'm excited to start my second full year with her and see what new fun it brings! Some of our resolutions for this year:

• Me: try to cut back on "mommy guilt" when I leave Holly at home. I know now that Holly is getting a great exercise routine with her fab walkers and our morning walks, she is suffering far less separation anxiety. What will completely nip it in the bud, according to my latest issue of Caesar's Way Magazine, is if I make less of a fuss when I leave the house if she is going to be alone. By leaving with a calm energy instead of fretting about her being home alone, I can give her complete security in knowing being alone for a bit is no big deal!

When Holly gets plenty of exercise, she has fewer issues with separation anxiety.

I am resolving to get rid of any "mommy guilt" when I leave Holly so she knows her "pack leader" is calm and she is safe & secure. 

• Holly: try not to destroy "indestructible" toys after one day. Just kidding, that will never happen ;)

Even this "super strong" Kong stick was no match for Miss Golightly's mighty teeth!

10 minutes later...

• Me: Brush Holly's teeth regularly. I slack some on this because Holly is an active chewer and a baby, so she has had fairly excellent dental health so far. But I know how important dental health is to small dogs especially, and how keeping up with regular tooth brushing can keep your pup happy and healthy for many, many years! So this year I resolve to brush Holly's teeth a couple times a week at least, even though she hates it! We chose a Cain & Able Collection Kissable Toothbrush and Toothpaste combo to help us keep this resolution, since it was certified natural and had a easy to use double headed brush.  

I liked that the toothpaste is certified natural and the brush makes cleaning Holly's little teeth a breeze!

• Holly: Let mommy sleep in sometimes? Please? Nope, this probably won't happen either!

From our big world to yours, we wish you a happy, puppy filled New Year. 

Until Next Time, Darlings!