Weekend Wander: BarkBox + Madison Square Park Conservancy's First Annual "BarkFest"

Being a long time attendee of local film festivals and outdoor movie screenings, Holly and I wondered when someone would create a festival program designed specifically for pups. Our prayers were answered this weekend with the first ever BarkBox + Madison Square Park Conservancy "BarkFest," an evening of food, fun, and film under the stars in Madison Square Park.

We chose matching orange for the evening. Holly's polo, Ralph Lauren. My shirt, Threads For Thought. Headband, Jennifer Behr.

We arrived at the park at 6pm, right when the evening was starting, and were greeted by a portion of the park decked out specifically for pups, with a long stretch of astroturf dotted with plush dog beds, and booths along the side passing out treats by Bocce Bakery, BarkBox doggie friendly beer, and programs and crayons to keep the humans entertained. The Madison Square Park Conservancy had a booth with a raffle benefiting the park's beloved dog run (prizes included Shake Shack pup treats!). We claimed a couple pup beds and went to check out the people-friendly food offerings from Calexico and Shake Shack.

The scene was set for the paw-fect night out! Below: the raffle prize (left) and treats courtesy of BarkBox (right). 

While grabbing dinner, we were greeted by several pooches, including Thai the Boston, who looked simply smashing in a bow tie. More pup stars graced the stage of the event, including Hamilton Pug, Marnie the Dog, Pomsky Princesses, and Chloe the Mini Frenchie. After each pooch was introduced, attendees were able to pose for photos with them at a nearby step and repeat. Holly and I were having such a great time with our pals we decided to forego the step and repeat and instead headed back to our puppy beds, where we hammed it up for the professional photogs around for the event and befriended the pooches in our area. 

Holly and Lexie chill with some BarkBox pup-friendly brews. Above: the crowd checking out the celebre-dogs, one such dog, Thai the Boston, looked paw-sitively fabulous in his bowtie!

Henry knows his angles. This is a dog on his way to stardom!

After an introduction from BarkBox co founder Henrik Werdelin, it was time for the pups to silence their humans and settle in for the selection of short films! Holly was so tuckered out from all the playing she took a little cat nap, but our favorite film was the Pixar short Dug's Special Mission, featuring Dug the Dog from "Up."


After the movies wrapped up, we packed up our bags and said our goodbyes to our new pals. We love being a part of the New York City pup community, and the unique events like this one that we are able to attend as a result! We met so many amazing new friends and fellow animal lovers, and can't wait to go back again next year! What do you think of a pup friendly film festival? Will you try to make it out to BarkFest next year?
Until Next Time, Darlings!

Store Spotlight: Crafting4Cause On Etsy

Hello darlings,

So if you know me, or have perused my blog or Instagram, you know I am obsessed with Etsy. It seems every time I open the page on my browser I discover some new must have item or store, and my recent find, Crafting4Cause, is just that.

I stumbled across Crafting4Cause when I did one of my blanket searches for "Chihuahua" on Etsy, thinking I would do a post of some of my favorite pup themed items the site offers. Of course, the moment I saw all of the amazing items in this store, I knew I had to dedicate an entire post just to them!

The shop's owner donates a portion of all proceeds to animal rescue, making my fairly long wishlist a little easier to justify as a rescue mom myself. With the beautiful hand stamped nature and wonderful philosophy, it was hard to choose favorites, but here are some of my top picks in the shop:

1. Dog Mom necklace

2. Adopt bracelet with paw charm 

3. Chihuahua Mama bracelet  ...I was so surprised to open my package and discover this item, which was at the top of my birthday wishlist, had been gifted to me with my order! I am bowled over and totally honored, and excited to show off my Chihuahua Mama status with pride :). Remember, Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls are at the highest risk of being put down in shelters, so consider rescuing one if you have the ability!

And last but not least, the piece that was so special I couldn't leave without it:

4. Little Dog Big Kisses necklace

I was super excited when I saw this one, because of course it reminded me of our blog title!! I was even more excited when the shop's owner, Laura, agreed to customize the necklace with our blog name and a pink bead and floral border at no additional cost! I received the final product today and I couldn't be happier!!

Always close to my heart, just as it should be. 

What are your favorite stores on Etsy? Do you know of other fashion-forward brands that support your favorite cause? We sure do, which is why we will be featuring many more super-chic ways to give back to rescue organizations in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Weekend Wander: Broadway Barks 16

Every year for the past 16 years, some of Broadway's biggest stars have gathered in Shubert Alley to raise money and awareness for local animal shelters, and find fur-ever homes for deserving rescue cats and dogs. The event, Broadway Barks, co-created by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, is sponsored by the ASPCA, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The New York Times, and Mayor's Alliance of New York. This year's line up featured major names from both inside and outside the theater community, including Zach Braff, Audra McDonald, James Franco, and Norm Lewis.

Image courtesy of Broadway Barks. 

I was so excited to learn that the star-studded Broadway Barks event was not only free of charge, but also open to two and four legged supporters of NYC shelters and pet adoption. Knowing that the Humane Society of New York (the shelter that rescued Holly) would be there, it was a no-brainer for us to attend. We donned our latest set of matching Ralph Lauren polos and set out to spend the day supporting a great cause!

Pretty in purple for the big day! Polos by Ralph Lauren.

Luckily the weather wasn't too hot on Saturday, since the event is entirely outdoors, and Shubert Alley (stretching between 44th and 45th in between Broadway and 8th ave) doesn't offer a lot of shade. The alley and street were lined with booths for local shelters with adoptable puppies and kitties on hand as well as merchandise and donation options for those not quite ready to adopt.

Shelters had tables where prospective pet parents could visit adoptable animals and make a donation. 

The area was packed with animal lovers and Broadway stars! 

Adoptable pups in orange vests greeted everyone and gave them a chance to meet & greet possible families!

Holly was excited to meet all of the pups and people who came out for the event, especially the stars of the Cosmopolitan Mag "Butts and Mutts" video (check out "Zoey" here)! She took time out of checking out new friends to pose for a few #selfies and give kisses to new friends.

Holly loved this charming pooch from The Husky House.

Snapping pics with our pal Lindsey!

The presentation of adoptable pups by Broadway stars began at 5, and even though the alley was packed, we didn't feel like we needed to camp out early for a good vantage spot for the presentation (plus, I didn't want to stress Holly out too much by standing in the middle of a big crowd for too long). We decided to take a break to stop by the world famous Junior's Cheesecake for a slice, since the outdoor area of their cafe space is pooch friendly.

Yum!

After our snack we were back to the festivities, and the crowd started to pile closer to the stage for the pup presentations. Since Mary Tyler Moore couldn't make it to this year's event, James Franco stood in as second host, and though Holly was a little curious about the applause and some of the pups on stage, she was mostly content to sleep in my arms and occasionally sneak a back scratch or kiss to one of her adoring fans (aka anyone standing within a three foot radius).

Bernadette Peters and surprise cohost James Franco. 

The cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical performs a number, pooch in hand!

Zach Braff and this pup definitely had a bromance--we spotted them smooching backstage!

I was very excited to see some of my favorite Broadway stars, though my picture taking was a bit hindered by the 20lbs of snoozing mutt I was holding! In addition to the big names I mentioned before, we were thrilled to see Bill Berloni (trainer to the Broadway stars, including those in Annie and Bullets over Broadway), Sarah Greene (who stars opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the FABULOUS Cripple Of Inishmaan, which I was lucky enough to score front row seats to the night before), and Marti, the pooch who plays Sandy in the upcoming film remake of Annie!

Audra McDonald introduces adoptable pets.

Sarah Greene, from Broadway's Cripple Of Inishmaan, was showing love to the Great Danes.

James Monroe Iglehart, the Genie in Broadway's Aladdin, was as funny as he is on stage!

We would definitely recommend the Broadway Barks event to any pooch and theater lover in New York, especially those looking for a new furry family member! You can check out the event's website and Facebook for details about next Summer's event, as well as more photos and info from this year.

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Little Holly's Big Book Club: An Exciting Announcement!

Good morning, Darlings!

I'm excited to announce that as part of our first installment of Little Holly's Big Book Club, not only will we be reading the super cute story of Gidget the "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" chihuahua and her meteoric rise to fame in A Famous Dog's Life, but I will be interviewing the book's author (and Gidget's trainer), Sue Chipperton!

Sue with Gidget on the red carpet (Image via IMDB)

Got any questions for Sue about Gidget, her work in Hollywood, or training your own superstar pooch? Submit them in the comments below! I will be passing some along to Sue as part of my interview--maybe you will see yours there!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Mom & Pup Fashion for the Fourth

Hello and Happy Fourth of July Weekend!!

Holly and I are so excited to be travelling back to Colorado this year to visit my family for the Fourth, especially since my mom's birthday is the Fifth! We had a great Fourth of July with friends last year, but Holly was not a big fan about being in close proximity to the fireworks, so we have learned our lesson and will instead be sticking to a low-key evening barbecuing with family far far away from any big scary noises!

I'm also really excited about the outfits I have picked out for Holly & myself this year. Usually I keep my Fourth of July look low key with denim shorts and my American Flag scarf, but as soon as I saw these pants from the Gap I knew I had to indulge. The pattern is definitely patriotic but not so over the top that I can't wear them with a chambray shirt to work post Fourth festivities.

For Holly, I have an "Uncle Sam" costume from last year that she does look quite dashing in, but I can never really help but shop around for new wardrobe options for her when the opportunity presents itself :). And she's happy wearing whatever as long as people tell her she looks cute and I let her dig while wearing it (really mostly the second one)!

This year, I'm loving the Ralph Lauren Flag Hooded Dog Fleece, though I am a little worried that it could get warm in the July heat. For an evening outdoor BBQ in Colorado, though, the little bit of extra warmth might be just right!!

I'm also completely head over heels for this Miss USA dog dress, but it seems to be sold out everywhere in Holly's size!! If someone happens to stumble across it in their internet dog outfit searching (this is a thing people besides me do, right?) leave a link in the comments! I will be eternally grateful :)

Of course, the thing we're MOST excited to wear this holiday are our matching sparkle Fourth of July bows from Jumping and Jellybean. I know I have talked up this shop before, but Molly seriously makes the most adorable things, and I can't help but keep adding to my growing Jumping and Jellybean collection!

Holly senses there may be another matching outfit in the works.

PS--I'm also seriously obsessing over her latest coffee cozy, which is not only a seriously cute compliment to my upgraded walking wardrobe, but also benefits a great rescue organization!! Sparkle, puppy love, and proceeds to charity? Trust me, it's already in my cart :)

Have a fun & safe Fourth of July!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Little Holly's Big Book Club: Book One

I was talking with my mom the other day about all the great books that celebrate the bond between people and their pups. With that idea in mind, I decided to start a Little Holly's Big World summer book club, where I will be reading three books (one per month for July, August, and September) all about puppy love and posting a quick recap/review after.

In case you want to join in on the fun, my first read will be "A Famous Dog's Life, The Story Of Gidget, America's Most Beloved Chihuahua." Think you're not familiar with Gidget? Chances are, you know her more as the famous big eared pup that coined the tagline "Yo Quiero Taco Bell!" I can't wait to gain more inspiration for my little chi-mix's story from this very well known pup!

If you want to join in on the fun, let me know in the comments, or tweet me @Preppyinpink365 with the hashtag #littlehollysbigbookclub. I will be posting my review at the end of this month.

Until Next Time, Darlings!