Foodie Friday

Great grilling recipes for making your summer sizzle! This recipe, Summer Grilled Corn, is courtesy of Emeril Lagasse from the Food Network. I love food on the grill, and having a vegetable on the grill is even better. Enjoy and have a great weekend with your doggies!

Ingredients

• 4 ears yellow or white corn in their husks
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lime, quartered
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

Pull back the husks on the corn and remove the silk. Pull the husks back into place and soak the corn in a large bowl of water for at least 2 and up to 4 hours. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Preheat the grill.

In a small bowl, mix the butter, Essence, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pull the husks down and spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture evenly over each ear of corn. Pull the husks back into place, tying the ends if necessary to keep in place.

Place on the grill and cook until the kernels are tender, about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.

Remove from the grill and carefully peel back the husks. Place on a platter and squeeze lime juice over each cob. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve immediately.

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Doggy Thursday

Black and white photography is beautiful and classic. I have featured some pugs above in black and white photography and they are just gorgeous!

If you have any special pictures of your pug or your dog you would like to feature on my blog, just email me (lydiaandpugs@gmail.com) and I would love to feature your dog photo on my page. Also, any summer-like photos would be as great well. I can't wait to see what you send me!

I'll be featuring a Dog-a-Day each Thursday, starting June 1.

P.S. I am working on many new designs for Lydia & Pugs, I'll be sharing more in the next week!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Wednesday Dog Treats

{for a closer look click on collage}

{1} Aroo Studio. The collection is completely handmade and features materials that are gentle on the earth. Durable and sustainable components, such as cotton webbing in place of traditionally used nylon is ideal for pets. My friends at Aroo Studio, Jessica and Elaine, make wonderful doggy collars and leashes in multiple colors and patterns. Absolutely great!

{2} Paris Chic Boutique. Ohh lala...it's "Le Bow-Wow" our biggest bowl yet! This one is for the dogs! Visit the blog where you can learn a french word per post! Merci~

{3} SKS Boutique Co. Dog backpack carrier, for dogs and cats. Probably one of the cutest things I have seen in a while! This would be great for your sleepy pug!

{4} Inspiring Color. Custom Tie Die Rainbow Swirl Doggie Hoodie. Now you can your doggie can match!

I always like to feature new and exciting dog finds for my "Wednesday Dog Treats" post. If you have ideas, or you would like to have any of your dog items featured here. Just drop me a line and let me know. Your item could be featured in next Wednesday's Edition!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Foodie Friday

{Recipe from Kraft Foods}

What better way to celebrate summer and Memorial Day weekend than with a delicious and patriotic dessert! You can also make a lowfat version if you use angel food cake and fat free whipped topping.

Ingredients:

2 pints of strawberries 1 recipe of your favorite white or yellow cake (mix or from scratch, your choice) 1 1/3 cup of blueberries 1 tub of whipped topping

Instructions:

Mix up and bake your favorite cake mix or recipe. Let cool. Slice 1 cup of strawberries, set aside. Halve remaining strawberrries set aside. Top cake (in pan) with 1 cup sliced strawberries strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and all of the whipped topping. Arrange remaining strawberry halves and blueberries on whipped topping to create a flag design. Refrigerate until ready to serve. I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo, Dawn

Aroo Give Away

You don't want to miss out on a fabulous Give Away from the Aroo Studio!

Aroo Studio is celebrating their Grand Opening and are featuring a Give Away for an original collar. They are so colorful and would look great on your pooch!

The Give Away ends this Friday, May 22.

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Wednesday Dog Treats: New York Edition

{For a closer look click on collage}

{1} Trixie And Peanut. A small dog boutique located in Gramercy. Offers pet owners unique products at a high quality. Shown is a Reflector Rain Jacket with velcro closure.

{2} The Poochie Place, is a dog boutique and also feature dog grooming, located in the East Village. They have cute website, you'll have check out.

{3} The New York Dog Shop. Shown is a Pet Stroller features rear safety brakes and double 360 degrees turnign front wheels with suspension. Now you pup can ride in style, very trendy for you lazy pup.

{4} The Arf Dog, has many brands of high end doggy accessories for you pooch, like this rectangular shaped bed with moulded head rest. Great for those really pampered pooches!

I always like to feature new and exciting dog finds for my "Wednesday Dog Treats" post. If you have ideas, or you would like to have any of your dog items featured here. Just drop me a line and let me know. Your item could be featured in next Wednesday's Edition!

Next week, I'll be back to my regular Wednesday Dog Treats post. So if you asked me to feature any of your products, please be sure to take a look next week.

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

National Stationery Show

Today was my first day at the National Stationery Show (NSS) in New York City! (That's me standing in front of the NSS sign)

I saw many new trends for 2009 for stationery at the show. One of the hot trends are the scented greeting cards and the green Eco-friendly greeting cards. Also, mostly everybody now-a-days wants to get the best value for their dollar. Greeting card colors are always huge. And some popular include colors such as, purple, orange, and gray. And purple is expected to be the color for 2010, so be looking for purple and lavender hues in Lydia & Pugs designs coming up!

Another trend is patterns, which I absolutely love considering my background is interior design. Old patterns and new patterns, such as 60's prints are coming back as well.

Finally, some other trends popular in the stationery design realm, is animal prints, birds, butterflies, lace, personalized, damasks, silhouettes, and lattice.

While in NYC, I also got to stop by Kate's Paperie, one of the biggest stationery boutiques in New York. It was paper and stationery galore! And they even have cute shopping bags too!

I will post more when I can! Til then good-bye from New York!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Empire of Cupcakes

As you can see pictured above. I made it to the top of the Empire State Building. And what a spectacular view! I highly recommend you going to the Empire State, when you travel to NY, the 82 plus stories are worth it.

I also had to stop by the Magnolia Bakery, which has been featured and/or mentioned in many movies such as The Devil Wears Prada, Sex & the City, and Saturday Night Live. The Bakery smelled heavenly! I highly recommend stopping at one of their 3 locations, and eating one of their $1.50 cupcakes, it's worth it.

I have also done many other typical NY site seeing. And I have also came across many pugs, surprisingly in the area where I am staying. And I think of Hera each time.

This coming week I've going the National Stationery Show, I am very excited about. I will post soon!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

New York: Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty

My Mom and I on Ellis Island

New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street

Twin Towers Spot

Hello from New York!!!

Day 2 of my 2 week long journey to the Big Apple! What a busy and exciting place. I found out I get Internet access where I am staying! Always a good thing. Today we went to the Statue of Liberty, as you can see from the pictures.

We first took the subway from our apartment, the first time I had been on the subway. And what a different experience, compared to Florida. Everyone was very used to the loudness of the trains and the swaying of the trains, it was unreal to me. I guess you'll get used to it after a while though.

We took the ferry from Battery Park to get to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. My great-grandparents on my mother's side all went through Ellis Island to get to America. It's was truly amazing to understand the history my family.

We also went to Wall Street and the area where Twin Towers used to be. It amazes me how New York is just like all the movies and TV shows you watch. The busy streets, the rushing people, the tall buildings, and the rats in the subways... aww... you gotta love New York!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

New York City

Hello fellow bloggers,

I appologize for not posting in a while. I've had a busy couple of days. Yesterday was a big day for me, and I wanted to share it with you all. I graduated from college with a BA. I've spend just about 5 years in college, non-stop, full time, and still managed to juggle a part-time job as well.

I have accomplished to graduate with honors and in the end I now have 2 degrees to put down by my name. I am excited to see what my future will hold and truly can't believe time has gone by so quickly. I wanted to share my achievement with you.

I also wanted to announce I will be going on vacation for the next 2 weeks to New York City! (Kinda like a graduation present). I will joining my mom, who is originally born and raised in New York. I will be doing the usual tourist-like things you do in NYC, and as well attending The National Stationery Show. We are also visiting a few friends and family.

I will try and blog as much as I can, however, I am not sure I'll be able to get Internet access too often. Hera will be going to "Pug Camp," she is staying with my dad. Hopefully we don't come back to an over weigh pug.

I am very excited! I will post pictures when I can.

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Wednesday Dog Treats

{For a closer look click on the collage.}

{1} Argyle Bone Dog Toy, from the Big Dog Boutique. For the hound too sophisticated for an average toy.... introducing classic flocked argyle fabric in a shape sure to please.

{2} Polka Dot Patch Boutique. Now what little girl wouldn't just "bark" with delight for this adorable pug puppy dress? The pink and white striped dress has a sweet faced big-eyed pug on the chest. It would match perfectly with Lydia & Pugs, Little Girl stationery.

{3} Polka Dog Bakery. Wholesomely stylish. A classy 12oz. refillable cookie can chock full of polkadog's signature wheat-free, corn-free and soy-free love biscuits. Treat time will never be the same again. I recently received these treats from Sandra y Coco, for "Pay It Forward 2009." And Hera loves them.

{4} Striped Cotton Jumper , from Hands And Paws. Cute, casual, and comfortable, this striped stretchable tee is perfect for any day that your pampered pooch wants to look fashionably sporty!

I always like to feature new and exciting dog finds for my "Wednesday Dog Treats" post. If you have ideas, or you would like to have any of your dog items featured here. Just drop me a line and let me know. Your item could be featured in next Wednesday's Edition!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Found these cute puggys getting ready to have some Mexican fun!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn from Lydia & Pugs

Give Away Winners!!!

Congratulations to my Spring Give Away winners from last week:

Jacque Curl

&

Jody Belliveau

Please check your email to claim your Pug Stationery (set of 5)!!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Give Away!!! I really enjoyed reading your comments.

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn

Pay It Forward 2009

A box of goodies with cute paw prints all over them! I wonder what it is?! The package is from Sandra y Coco!

There were so many cute dog things. A box of doggie biscuits from the Polka Dot Bakery, a cross stitch pug made by the Compassionate Pug Rescue, a coin purse, and some Tejas chocolates for me!

Hera thought it was the best, she even barked at the mail man for 15 minutes after he left!

Even a cute pug card!

Thank you Sandra y Coco!!! We love your goodies, I can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into making it special!

Now, here's the rules of the game:

"The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'pay it forward' in their own way. This is how it works...I am going to send something to the first 3 blog owners who want to take part. In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And, remember that kindness does not have to involve money, there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go- just look around.

Please post a comment letting me know that you want to play! Hera and I are looking forward to sending some cute stuff your way!

Happy Friday!

xo {Pugs & Kisses} xo,

Dawn