Friday Favorites: Thoughts

In some moments time has flown by right before my eyes and other moments it feels like eternity, but isn't that how it always goes?

I've found myself in this past month thinking a lot about what I do each day and about the future of Lydia & Pugs. Lydia & Pugs started out to me as something small to express myself as a creative outlet. I knew I could create beautiful things because I had done it before, whether it be in grade school coloring contest or designing gifts for friends or my interior design projects in college. My design and color ideas were typically always on target.

However, I didn't always feel that way. I've had a couple of good people who have given me encouragement along the way, and specifically one person who has always stuck by me. She is my biggest fan, my biggest encourager, and by far my biggest cheerleader with Lydia & Pugs and with my life, she is my Mom. So when I think back to the days when I was toying around with the idea of having my own business to the present, where my business is still growing. She has always stuck by me to talk things through and lead an ear. And for that I am grateful.

On a side note, it's been 2 years since we adopted our pug Hera, and two year since Lydia has not been with us.

Next month is a BIG month for us at L&P, so be on the look out for some fabulous blog posts and of course our August Newsletter!

Have a great weekend!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

July is Over!?

Oh my July is almost over!

With that being said, don't miss out on the HUGE HUGE exciting news
from Lydia & Pugs coming you way in August!

Remember to sign-up for the Lydia & Pugs newsletter featuring
all the juicy details, news and more!!!

Sign up here!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Dental Dinner Dilemma

(image via weheartit)

Q: What should you do if a piece of food gets stuck between your teeth while you’re having dinner?

A: If you’re dining at home with family, your problem may be solved by someone simply saying, “Yikes! You have food in your teeth!” – at which point a speedy swipe behind the napkin could take care of things. But if you’re eating out, or with less familiar company, the best choice is to excuse yourself from the table and tend to your teeth in private. If exiting is difficult (for instance, you’re wedged between four people and the wall) you may be better off ignoring the problem until later, unless you sense from your companions that the food is visible. In that case, a brief table disruption may be preferable to two hours of oral anxiety.

via Emily Post.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Bridal Shower Stationery

Bridal Shower stationery! One of my good friend's best friend, Lindsay is getting married in late fall and she planning her bridal shower.

She wanted an invitation that would also include her beloved pug named Cesar, as well as, a custom illustration of Lindsay dressed in her beautiful white dress. Cesar also had to part take in the festivities as he is wearing his tux, aka his black bow tie. Lindsay's main color is fuchsia, so I paired the invitation with fuchsia envelopes and added a polka-dot border as an accent to the invitation. And let's not forget that adorable matching envelope liner, with who else but Cesar!

I know Lindsay will be just thrilled with her custom invitations! And I think Cesar will love them too!

Pugs & Kisses

Dawn

Update from Lydia & Pugs

A few weeks ago I create this lovely Greyhound Tote!

Judy who had ordered from L&P in the past wanted a different canvas tote with a black and white patterned fabric. And of course I had the perfect floral paisley and she loved it! And if you notice we're starting to add the new coral colored Lydia & Pugs fabric tags to all our fabric related goods, you can spot it on the right side of this tote. A great way to show off your L&P love!

In other news, I've been mentioning here and there about the new L&P website, which I have been working for months on with my website designer. Everything is going smoothly and content and products are being added, so I am very excited to share with you all the new items and new designs!

Next month, I'll be sending out our August Newsletter and I'll finally be announcing our HUGE announcement, a project we've been working for months here at Lydia & Pugs. And I am beyond excited to share!

SO if you haven't already, please sign up to receive our Newsletter.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and Monday! :)

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Saturday Favorites: Special Edition

Hello all my followers and blog friends! The weekend is here!

These past few months I have been working hard on our new Lydia & Pugs website! Which I am happy to say will be launched by the end of the summer or sooner! Shown above are some of the items that will be available on our new site! I am so beyond excited about this, because it will give me the ability for clients to purchase directly from L&P and the site is offers more personalization, I can't wait to share it with you!

So of course with our new website launch we will be having give aways, coupons and of course promotions! But the other huge news to share will be in our August newsletter! The news is SO big I have dedicated an entire newsletter to the occasion!

Please sign-up here to receive our monthly newsletter's and to get in on all the inside scoop of what's happening at Lydia & Pugs! Not to mention I usually try and put a coupon in each month's newsletter, what better way to save!

Wishing everyone a wonderful happy weekend!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Blog Header: Pink Julep Abroad

Ashley from Pink Julep Aboard come to me a few months ago inquiring about a custom blog header. She told me she is planning on moving soon to London, England and she wanted a whole new look for her blog, however her news was kept a secret until now!

When Ashley told me her requests and knew exactly what she wanted with a few inspiration photos and few revisions, her beautiful header was coming to life! Her blog header has of course the London skyline and herself in the foreground dressed in her favorite color pink dress peeking through, black trench coat, a sassy pair of pink heels, and let's not forget that matching pink umbrella! LV luggage and few colorful shopping bags complete the illustration!

Her cute and colorful blog layout was designed by Jessica over at Front Porch Studio.

Ashley was so happy with the final header proof! Hop on over to her blog and read about her kind words about Lydia & Pugs!

Pugs & kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Dinner Party Debates

Q: At a friend’s dinner party last month, I got into an intense political debate with a few other guests I barely knew. Our exchange did not derail the party, but the hostess seemed uncomfortable, and later I wondered if we’d all been rude to have come out swinging.

A: Intelligent discussion of an important, interesting topic can be terrific at a dinner party – assuming no one uses offensive language or descends into full-scale arguing. Most subjects – world events, sports, the stock market, even politics – should be fair game, as long as you express yourself in a rational way, listen with an open mind, and don’t insist too vehemently on your own views. Before introducing a possibly controversial subject, first gather some information about your dinner partners. If anyone’s family members are overseas on dangerous assignments, asking what people think about the war on terror might be upsetting. Confronted by someone else’s emotionalism, you may avoid a blowup by calmly saying, “I’ve heard that situation explained differently,” instead of “You’re wrong!” or “That’s not so!” You might move on from an awkward moment by saying something like, “Poor Catherine – I bet she didn’t expect all these fireworks when she invited us over for casserole.”

via Emily Post.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Coffee Mugs

Lydia & Pugs coffee mugs!

A while ago Amber ordered a custom stationery design of herself and her Chihuahua Cheese. She decided she loved the stationery illustration so much, to order a matching coffee mug, which will be perfect when she goes off to law school this year! She decided to get her monogram in pink on the coffee mug, which turned out adorable!

Any previous custom design or dog breed from the Lydia & Pugs library can be put on a coffee mug! If you would like more details, just email me: dawn@lydiaandpugs.com

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Stationery Set: Presley the Pup

Watercolor rendering stages of Presley

I had the pleasure to work with Lori on a custom stationery order. She has been a long time fan of Lydia & Pugs and has ordered gifts for her friend in the past, and she was now ready to order a custom illustration for herself.

Lori has an adorable pup named Presley, who is her pride and joy! She wanted a stationery set incorporating her favorite colors and not to mention wearing her favorite outfit, dark denim jeans and a colorful teal and black patterned shirt. Lori ordered a set of stationery note cards, matching return address labels with Presley in the middle, and a set of calling cards.

A special feature Lori requested in her illustration is the FEED bag, a great way to be fashionable but also giving back, with each bag purchased two children are fed for an entire year through the UN World Food Program.

Lori was just in love with her final design and will be using her silhouette, as well as, Presley's illustration for future orders!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Friday Favorites: Happy Weekend!

It's been a busy week here at Lydia & Pugs!

Sewing new designs including new dog breeds for aprons, new pouch designs and of course new stationery! All will be debuted on our new website, which hopefully should be here at the end of summer/beginning of fall! I am SO beyond exciting to share with you all!

Until then, I hope you all have a great weekend and relax a bit because July is almost over! Also, be sure to check out our summer time stationery and other colorful designs!

Pugs & kisses,

Dawn

Personalized Gifts: Birthday Surprise

Personalized gifts are the best, the very best! It shows the thought and care was there in putting together your present. I've been holding out showing you all this special gift, as I know this person reads and/or might have the opportunity to view Lydia & Pugs blog, so I had to hold off for a few months!

Yesterday was my bf's sister's birthday, Rachael, and she recently got 2 little long haired dachshunds, who she loves to pieces. Stuey is the red haired dog and Molly is the black haired dog, they are brother and sister and are just too adorable! In Rachael's illustration, I made sure to include a few important qualities about her: she loves to ride her bike, she always wears big sunglasses, loves to recycle and of course enjoys a great glass of wine! And her 2 pups were a definite part as well!

Her custom illustration was used on coffee mug, folded stationery note cards, and a large canvas tote with her name embroidered! All coordinating with her favorite color, purple! Rachael is was surprised and excited!!! She really loved her gifts, especially since they had that personalized touch!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Design: Business Stationery

Amanda owner of the Pawhaus Pet Boutique came to Lydia & Pugs in need of some custom stationery to give to her customers.

She wanted Follow-Up cards, as well as, a Thank-You cards. Both cards will also have a coupon code for her customers to come back to her shop, a great little incentive! Amanda wanted a cute illustration with dogs of course, but didn't know exactly how to show it. I suggested a few different dog breeds sitting on some colorful fluffy pillows to anchor down the note card, then inserting the Pawhaus logo at the top would make it complete! Amanda loved the idea, and couldn't be happier with the final outcome! I also paired each set of cards with coordinating sunshine envelopes, which matched perfectly with her logo.

Pawhaus sells everything from dog and cat collars to Canine Bath Time Spritz. Amanda also has two pugs, MeiMei and Miko. Check out her shop today!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Stationery Set: Motorcycles & Manolos

Shelley the owner of a Jack Russell Terrier, Hayden, and wanted something personalized with him and her husband. She requested a design that would not only be perfect for her personal items, but also for her business as well.

So the custom design process began! I came up with a custom illustration of her silhouette, her husbands silhouette, and her pup. However, she also wanted to incorporate one important detail to the design...her husband's pride and joy, his motorcycle! I had no problem illustrating his favorite item, in fact it looked just perfect in a art print to frame in her home. Shelley also loved the design so much, she ordered a canvas tote bag with her name embroidered, and a set of personal address labels.

Shelley has her own business, projectPosh, so I designed her some business cards with just herself and Hayden, professional yet chic.

This project made the design process fun and sketched beyond my design limits, I never knew a motorcycle could look so cute on a tote bag!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Friday Favorites: Summertime

Happy weekend everyone! Where has the week gone? I really love these "Life's Little Instructions" I found, they are things to live by and to really think about, especially the "have a dog" one! :)

Lydia & Pugs summer stationery is still up, so be sure to check it out! And I've been working on some new aprons, as I have recently sold out of them on my shop! They are coming soon!

I've heard many people talking about Christmas in July and getting ready for the holidays, I can't believe we are more than half way through the year! I'll need to be getting L&P Christmas items ready for the upcoming season!

Have a great weekend! And thank you too all my new followers this week, I hope you enjoy my blog posts!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Stationery: Preppy Boxer

Kara was the winner of the "All About You" Give Away a few weeks ago. For her custom stationery she wanted a set of note cards with her rescue boxer.

Similar to her inspiration photo, she wanted to be dressed in a cotton pink collared shirt and a pair of dark denim jeans. She also requested her favorite Coach handbag for her accessory.

Kara couldn't be more thrilled with the final design, it was just what she asked for!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Etiquette Wednesday: Prying Friends

Q: Help! My friend constantly asks me how much I paid for things (my dress, my haircut, my apartment). It’s not exactly secret information, but her asking feels like an intrusion. How can I get her to quit putting me on the spot?

A: You’re right to feel uncomfortable. It’s not her business, and she should know better than to grill you. But forget about lying. As you say, most of these prices are public, so if she really wanted to find out, she could. Instead, be up-front and tell her the questions make you uneasy. Most people will take a hint, but if not, try a few nonanswers (“At least it didn’t break the bank”) and sooner or later she’ll get your drift – but not your rent.

via Emily Post.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Absolutely Pawsome Etsy Treasury!

Lydia & Pugs Doggy Announcements are featured in another
Etsy Treasury!

View all the neat doggy items here!

Pugs & kisses,

Dawn

Friday Favorites: Happy Fourth!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday weekend and a Happy 4th of July!

I love this picture of the decorated bicycle decked out in the red, white, and blue, so festive! Check out, Martha Stewart's creative ways to display the American Flag for more info.

The American Flag cake, it's a traditional cake I enjoy making each year, and I sure hope to making again this year. Fresh strawberries and blueberries, how can you not resist and it's healthy too! View the recipe here.

Our Lydia & Pugs June newsletter went out a little late this month, but it's still packed with fabulous goodies and a summer savings coupon, so don't forget to sign-up here.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn