Etiquette Wednesday: Texting

Q: What is the proper cell phone etiquette when eating dinner? My husband sends or receives text messages when we are having meals at home. This bothers me, because I feel that dinner is a time that we should spend together without outside distractions.

A: The proper etiquette is to refrain from using cell phones at all while at the dinner table. You would probably never use a landline phone while at the table, and it’s no different with a cell phone. Perhaps you could point that out to your husband while asking him to leave his cell phone off during dinner.

Certainly you should let him know that you feel slighted when his attention is otherwise at the table. Hopefully he will change his ways out of respect and consideration for you.

Source: Emily Post

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Weekend in the Hamptons

Lydia & Pugs is featured in the Etsy Treasury: Weekend in the Hamptons!

Our pink Nautical Note Cards and wrap around labels have been featured! What a perfect way to send a summertime handwritten note from the Hamptons!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Personalized Canvas Tote Bags

Medium Canvas Tote

Large Canvas Tote

Jumbo Canvas Tote

Lydia & Pugs is now offering personalized tote bags with you custom illustration or a pooch from our library!

Our tote bags come in few different sizes to suit your needs: medium, large, and jumbo. And each tote is made from 100% cotton canvas. They are the perfect eco-friendly bag to carry your groceries, school books, or even a great beach bag!

These fashionable designs are hard to pass up, especially since they have to the option to be personalized with your embroidered name or monogram!

The tote bags are available to pre-order, as they are not yet available on our website, so please email me: dawn@lydiaandpugs.com, if you are interested or would like to know more info.

And remember any previous custom illustration you ordered from Lydia & Pugs in the past can be used on the tote bags!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Fabulous Friday Favorites

I hope everyone had a wonderful week! I can't believe it's going to be July already, where does the time go!

Lydia & Pugs Graduation stationery and paper goods, will be up on the shop for another week, then I am taking them down! So if you haven't put your grad orders in, do it soon!

Our Summer stationery is up in the shop and I have had a lot of positive feedback from my watercolor designs.

A HUGE thank you goes out to all my new followers on the blog and my new fans on the L&P Facebook page! I was overwhelmed with you fabulous comments on our Give Away last week!

SO without further ado...the winner of the "All about You Give Away" is Mrs. Pick! Please email me and we'll get the details together for your Custom Stationery!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Another Etsy Treasury!

Lydia & Pugs made it to another Etsy Treasury!

Our embroidered colorful Pug pillows is on the "and they call it Puppy Love" treasury! Click here and check it out!

Today is the last day to register for my custom stationery give away!!! Don't forget!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Tea Time

Q: When I order tea in a restaurant and get a bag, a pot of hot water, and an empty cup, I’m not sure where to dunk the bag. Also, when I’m served tea in a mug, what should I do with the bag afterward?

A: Tea may seem a lot more complicated than coffee, but you don’t have to give up on Earl Grey. First of all, when your waiter brings you a pot of hot water, drop the tea bag in and wait for it to steep – about three to five minutes. After you’ve poured yourself a cup, leave the bag in the pot.

If you’re served a cup already filled with hot water, put the bag in right away. After steeping about three to five minutes, remove the bag with your spoon and hold it over the cup so it can drain, then place the bag on your saucer. When tea is served in a mug without a saucer, go ahead and ask for a small dish. A couple of other tea-drinking pointers: Don’t pick up the bag by its string and jiggle it, and don’t wind the string around the bag while it’s on your spoon and squeeze it dry.

via Emily Post.

P.S. Don't forget to check out my Give Away ending tomorrow!!!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Blog Header: Pink Peonies

I had the pleasure of working with Adrienne on a new custom blog header design for her blog La Vita e Bella!

Adrienne doesn't have any pets, however she still loved the Lydia & Pugs "watercolor look" and feel, and she really wanted something unique and fresh for her blog. Adrienne wanted to be standing next to her desk displaying all her favorite items, such as her laptop, cell phone, daily planner, Louis Vuitton, and of course her daily Starbucks coffee. She is also highly involved with her local Junior League, so incorporating the red JL logo on the tote bag under desk, worked out perfectly.

Adrienne also requested her favorite flower, pink peonies to be used as a border, which turned out beautiful and made the illustration really have a splash of color!

I know Adrienne is absolutely thrilled with the final proof! Check out Adrienne's sweet words about her new header here.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

All About You Give Away!!!

Lydia & Pugs has teamed up with Brown Eyed Belle and Analyze This to bring you a fabulous Give Away called "All About Your Give Away"!!!

The Give Away includes a set of 10 custom note cards from Lydia & Pugs and a custom designed rosette necklace from TuTu Cute. What a great way to start off the first day of Summer!!!

To enter the Give Away visit the Brown Eyed Belle blog for all the rules and leave a comment!

One of the requirements, is you have to be a fan of Lydia & Pugs on Facebook, if you aren't already! The Give Away ends Thursday night, June 24 at midnight!

Good Luck and Happy Monday!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Friday Favorites

Lydia & Pugs Summer time stationery is up our shop! Check out all the new designs of the season!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! A sense some exciting postings and Give Away next week!!! Stay tuned for all good news!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Let's Get Connected!

Are you a fan of Lydia & Pugs on Facebook? If not, join the fan fun!
http://www.facebook.com/lydiaandpugs

Lydia & Pugs is also on Twitter too!
http://www.twitter.com/lydiaandpugs


Sign up for Lydia & Pugs Monthly Newsletter! A great way to keep up with Lydia & Pugs exciting news, new products, and also you get a Birthday Coupon
sent to your mailbox on your special day!

Follow me for new Updates, Promos, Give Aways and Coupons!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Lydia & Pugs Calling Cards

Lydia & Pugs offers Calling Cards that will coordinate with your Custom Stationery. These Calling Cards are as unique the note cards I design!

And once you custom design is rendered, there is no additional design fee to create you cards with your favorite pets, even cats!

Above are some of my previous client examples. They look just adorable, and are really a conversation starter when networking!

If you're interested in your own custom design, or would like to know about how the process works, don't hesitate to email me: dawn@lydiaandpugs.com

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Sailor Dogs Summer Stationery

New Lydia & Pugs Summer Stationery!

This week I'll be debuting some fun summery dog stationery! Who doesn't love a dog in a sailor hat? Each note card is completely personalized fit your sense of style! You choose the dog breed, font style, polka-dot colors, and if personalization of your name or monogram!

Check them out here!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Lydia & Pugs: Summer Stationery Coming Soon!

Lydia & Pugs summery designs are coming up next week!

If you haven't checked out the nautical stationery already for sale, check here!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Registry Gifts

Q: My friend set up a gift registry for her baby shower. She has more money than I do, and most of the gifts she chose are too expensive for me. What should I do?

A: No worries: It’s always up the gift-giver to choose a present, so you’re not obligated to buy something from your friend’s pricey registry. Pick something within your budget that you think your friend would like (and get a gift receipt just in case she doesn’t!). Or, if you’re friendly with other people on the shower’s guest list, you might ask around to see whether someone would like to chip in to buy a joint present.

via Emily Post.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Lydia & Pugs: Wedding Sneak Peak

Wedding season is here!

And I have been working on some special wedding paper goods lately! Here is a sneak peak at what I've been designing and printing! It's a take-off Lydia & Pugs traditional girl silhouette walking dogs, except now she has a flowing veil!

What do you think? More wedding updates to come!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Stationery: 2 Pups & a Cat

What better way to show you care than with a set of custom stationery?

Kristin had been eye-balling Lydia & Pugs custom designs for months now, and she knew exactly what she wanted.

She wanted a set of stationery for her Mom, Sandra, featuring her Mother's beloved fluffy fur-ball Angelique, a breed which is a descendant of a bobcat, has no tail, huge paws and is super fluffy. Kristin also wanted to include a few potted flowering plants, as that her favorite hobby.

Kristin also couldn't go without a set of custom stationery for herself, featuring her 2 beloved pups, Montana and Bella.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn (& Hera the Rescue Pug)

Friday Favorites

Here's some colorful and fun favorites to start off your weekend!

I just found out that Pantone's 2010 Color of the Year is turquoise! So calming, it reminds me of turquoise green waters at the beach! Also excited about Paper Source new color of choice: Peacock of course! This new color will definitely be making an appearance in the Lydia & Pugs stationery soon!

DIY: Decorative Wooden Clothespins. Fancy up your plain clothespins with these crafty ideas from Creature Comforts. Easy and cheap way to decorate your gifts or even use them around your house or craft room!

Check out Lydia & Pugs new Summer homepage! Have a great weekend!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Bring the Dog or Don't bring the Dog?

This is kind of a hard topic to discuss with family or friends, especially since your dog might just be your best friend and is a part of your family. But Emily Post has a good way of explaining how to keep your pet at home.

Q: Friends are planning to visit us for a week, and they’ve informed us that they’re bringing their dog. I’m not crazy about dogs, and my husband’s concerned about the lawn. Is there a polite way to tell them we’d rather they come alone?

A: Sure. The fact is, it’s impolite of guests to ask – much less “inform” – hosts about pets being included in visits. When the stay is for one week, versus one or two nights, it’s all the more inappropriate.

You and your husband have a right to say no, but do be as diplomatic as possible, saying, “We so look forward to your visit, but we must be honest in telling you that we feel uncomfortable about having Fido. We have to ask you to leave him at home.” You can give a reason: “Dog hair seems to jump-start my allergies.”

If you feel like being more accommodating, you can offer some alternatives: “We’ve found a nice, nearby motel that allows dogs” or “There’s a great kennel in town.” Talking it through often results in a viable solution for all.

via Emily Post.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn