Dogs of the Blogs: lovelucygirl

Dogs of the Blogs 07 May

Nothing makes me happier to find a corner of the internet that is all about being positive. When I first stumbled across lovelucygirl I knew Kayla was a person who not only loved her gorgeous dog Lucy, but loved life! Because isn’t that what it’s all about? Let’s meet this pair that have their joie de vivre on speed dial…

Who: Kayla and Lucy
Where: lovelucygirl
In A Nutshell: lovelucygirl is a lifestyle blog for the everyday girl. It’s a place where I share affordable style, beauty tips, home improvement ideas, DIY projects and the ins and outs of my everyday life. I think (hope) it relates to the normal girl by giving a glimpse into my life and seeing that we really are all the same at heart. We are all trying to be the best person, wife, daughter, friend we can be!

Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging to challenge myself in all areas of my life. Honestly, I was a HUGE online shopper and probably thought I needed to focus my energy else where or I was going to end up broke. SO I thought I would use that energy to create my own little style space that I now call lovelucygirl. It challenges me to come up with outfits that are already in my closet and use pieces that I had completely forgot about.

I also have so many favorite things to share, and why keep those to myself? It is so much fun to share my amazing finds online or a new beauty product that I’ve tried and can’t live without. My husband and I had also recently moved into our first house and I wanted to chronicle all the projects we were working on and the things we were updating. We were newlyweds, on a budget, and I wanted to share how others could update things in their home without having to purchase all new items.

Tell us about Lucy…
LUCY! She is the absolute LOVE of my life (besides my hubby). I could go on about her for days. She is so lovable, kind, sweet, friendly, energetic, carefree, protective and so many other wonderful things. Lucy is a mix between a daschund and a terrier. She is a total sassy-pants but is the best friend I’ve ever had.

She usually stays by my side all day. We wake up together and we play toys while I get ready for work in the mornings. She has the roam of the house while we are gone and greets us with the waggiest tail and lots of kisses when we get home. She sleeps right underneath my arm or on top of my head, when she wants to protect me. She makes us SO happy and I’m not sure what I’d do without her.

If Lucy was a superhero what would her name and power be?
If Lucy was a superhero her name would be Loving Lulu. She would go around solving all the problems in the world and make sure everyone was friends. She’s a total lover.. not a fighter.

How is Lucy involved in your blog?
Lucy is the true inspiration behind lovelucygirl (hence the name, haha). The blog was named after Lucy because she is so happy-go-lucky and light-hearted. She doesn’t have a care in the world and never meets a stranger. She makes everyone around her feel loved.

That is exactly how I want lovelucygirl to be perceived. I want everyone who visits to feel a part of it and be happy they stopped by. Lucy often makes and appearance on the blog and will tell you about what is going on during her life at the moment or tell you about a special puppy product she thinks you might want to try.

What is your idea of a perfect day?
My idea of the perfect day would be to wake up early in the morning, have a huge cup of Starbucks coffee, cuddle with Lucy in the bed while we read our favorite blogs or write our own. Then I would take a little shopping trip with my mom or friends, have a sushi lunch and find the perfect pair of new shoes. After shopping I would come home and take a nap with Lu, wake up and take her on a walk, have a lovely dinner with my hubby and then take a long bubble bath. To end the night I would curl up on the couch with Lucy and the hubby and watch movies.

What is your favourite blog/website and why?
I have way to many favorite blogs to name but a few are The Average Girl’s Guide, Penny Pincher Fashion, Glitter and Pearls and of course Pretty Fluffy. I love them all because I can totally relate to each and every one.

What is your #1 tip for other bloggers?
My number one tip for other bloggers would be to consult with other bloggers that have been doing this for a while. Build a community of blogging friends that you can rely on for advice + ask questions when you are totally confused. The knowledge that experienced bloggers have is SO valuable. Most bloggers are nice and will totally help you out – just send them an e-mail and be yourself!

Kayla’s TOP 5 Pretty & Fluffy picks…
1. Totally, totally love Pet Head’s dry shampoo for Lucy. It is perfect for when she has been playing outside but doesn’t necessarily need a bath. Just spray it on, brush it out and she smells like perfection!
2. I’m obsessed with Buxom’s lip plumper lip gloss. It comes in several colors and lasts stays on all day. Plus it gives your lips that extra boost!
3. Lucy’s favorite Etsy shop is BowWow Couture (pictured). They have the cutest Dog Collars and accessories. Lucy owns a few and proudly recommends them!
4. Can’t leave home without my Michael Kors gold watch! It is a total classic, timeless piece and works with any outfit!
5. I’m a total lover of scarves – in the winter & summer. My favorite ones are from Express. I love their infinity scarves (pictured). They are the perfect length and give just the right amount of fluffness to them.

Follow lovelucygirl: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Review: Dog Tails Dog Shampoo + Microfiber Pet Towel

Product Reviews 05 Apr

Ever since I started bathing Soda at home, I’ve wanted three things out of a dog shampoo:
1. For the shampoo (and therefore my dog after a bath) to smell great.
2. For the dog shampoo to be gentle on my pup’s skin, and filled with natural ingredients.
3. For the shampoo to lather up quickly and rinse easily to make bathtime quick and easy.

I’m happy to say after reviewing the new Dogtails Clarifying Shampoo, this fab new brand ticks all three boxes. And the microfiber towel! There’s going to be lots of raving about this little lifesaver. The Towel Appreciation Society* would be going nuts over this guy.

THE DOG SHAMPOO

Want the details? Formulated specifically for a dog’s PH balance and sensitive skin, Dogtails Clarifying Shampoo is a one step system that allows you to bathe your dog with no fuss.

HOW-TO…

Simply squeeze a small amount into your palm, lather in your hands and massage in to your wet dog’s fur. Then simply rinse off – it’s that simple. When I used it, the shampoo left no residue, lathered up straight away and rinsed out quickly. Win.

INGREDIENTS

Loaded with essential oils, I found the Dogtails dog shampoo to have a fresh, floral scent – with hints of Rosemary, Grapefruit and Lime lingering on Soda’s fur for days after the wash. Whoever said a dog can’t smell divine hasn’t used Dogtails shampoo! The scent was light and pleasant as well – no “who just sprayed themselves with Old Spice and over powered the whole room” situation going on. The shampoo also contains aloe vera to soothe sensitive skins. For the full ingredient list visit here.

THE PLUSH MICROFIBER TOWEL

My ultimate praise would have to fall with the Dogtails plush microfiber soft towel. It says it’s plush, but that word doesn’t even cover the softness you feel – this towel is what I imagine would happen if clouds and baby pandas were combined. Before we used it, I was seriously considering keep the towel for myself. Bad fur-parent. I blame the brainwashing ways of the Towel Appreciation Society*. But alas, Soda got the towel after enduring her bath. And boy did it earn its keep.

CUT YOUR DRYING TIME IN HALF

Not only is it gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive dogs, the Dogtails plush towel completely dries off your dog in record time. The microfiber material soaks up 7 times more water than a regular towel.

Dogtails claim the towel cuts your drying time in half, and after using it, I would fully support it. I’ve never dried off Soda more quickly. Within minutes she was 80% dry and before too long she was fluffier, cleaner and drier than ever.

With the combination of the easy, simple and natural shampoo plus the speed drying, super soft towel, Dogtails makes for very easy at home grooming – even for first timers.

WHAT WE LOVED:

Pure natural ingredients for sensitive dogs. No harsh chemicals.
Use of Aloe Vera Gel, Rosemary Oil and Lime Oil soothes and nourishes your dogs skin and coat, while smelling fantastic.
Clarifying Shampoo is filled in recyclable PET bottles and can be reused again.
Not tested on animals and earth friendly.
Microfiber towel cuts your drying time in half – keeping your dog dry and warm after bathtime.
Super soft, hypoallergenic towel retains its softness after washing.
For every purchase of Dogtails Dog Shampoo a soft blanket is dropped off at a local animal shelter for dogs in need of warmth & comfort.

BEST FOR:

Dogs with sensitive skin.
Dogs with thick coats that take a lengthy time to dry.
Environmentally conscious dog owners.

The Dogtails Clarifying Shampoo can be purchased through Dogtails. CLICK TO BUY
The Dogtails Plush Microfiber Towel can be purchased through Dogtails. CLICK TO BUY

SPECIAL: DogtailsShop.com is providing Pretty Fluffy readers with a 25% discount on their next purchase. Just enter the promotional code PRETTYFLUFFY2013 at checkout. Offer valid until June 1, 2013.

* If the Towel Appreciation Society actually existed.

7 Top Pet Products from Global Pet Expo 2013

Shop It! 28 Mar

In PART II of our Global Pet Expo round up, our friend and pet industry PR pro, Kerry Sutherland (founder of K. Sutherland PR, a boutique public relations agency headquartered in southern California) is back to share her Top 7 pet product finds…

I’m back from Global Pet Expo, the world’s largest, annual industry tradeshow and still feeling giddy about some of the amazing new products that will be hitting store shelves later this year! Here are my TOP 7 finds:

1. RAVING ABOUT: THE THUNDERLEASH - The makers of one of my favorite pet products, Thundershirt, introduced a new product to their line of solutions for dogs and cats suffering from anxiety and fear. Their new ThunderLeash is so easy to use, and quiet simply, genius. The company says the ThunderLeash is expected to be available for purchase in May. MORE HERE

2. WISHING FOR: ZEE.DOG LEASHES + COLLARS – Zee.Dog is hot. This lifestyle brand made their US debut at the show last month (they started the company in Brazil late last year). Their leashes and collars specifically are colorful, made from high-quality, durable materials and just look really cool too… I want! I want! I want! MORE HERE

3. OBSESSED WITH: SOGGY DOGGY SUPER SHAMMY – I was lucky enough to receive a Soggy Doggy Super Shammy, and I’ll be honest- it comes in very handy for me as my dog and I regularly enjoy beach days in Huntington Beach. The product is the softest ever. It absorbs 5x more water than a cotton towel, is odor and bacteria free, easy-to-use with pockets on either end for quick drying and machine washer/dryer friendly. If you bathe your dog often, hit the beach, lake, trails or live in a wet/rainy area- you need one. MORE HERE

4. CURIOUS ABOUT: PAW PODS – At first glance, this product made me a little sad. Who likes to talk about pet after care? But, it’s a fact of life and I was curious to learn more because I’ve never seen anything like Paw Pods (plus, we’ve got a really sick puppy in the family so it hit home). These eco-friendly, biodegradable pet burial pods help provide a meaningful experience for the entire family when the time comes to say goodbye. And, each year you can enjoy watching perennial flowers blossom in remembrance of the loving pet you’ve lost. MORE HERE

5. PONDERING: HING – I was introduced to this brand at the show, and LOVED LOVED LOVED their modern, super stylish pet feeding bowls. With several bright colors to choose from, I just can’t stop thinking about which one is best for our dog, Jesse and of course my kitchen. MORE HERE

6. IN DESPERATE NEED OF: ZUTUTH – I personally need to stop solely relying on my veterinarian to handle our dog’s dental healthcare. I brush my teeth more than twice a year, so Jesse really deserves and requires the same attention. Zututh offers pet parents both manual and an electric (yay!) toothbrush designed specifically for dogs, to adapt to the unique arrangement of their teeth and jaw. Plus, with a price point starting at only $4.99- really, there’s no excuse. Open up, Jesse! MORE HERE

7. WILL BE GIFTING: UP COUNTRY DOG TREAT BOXES – On the way to a puppy shower, party or looking for a cute housewarming gift for a dog lover in your life? I loved these Up Country Dog Treat Boxes! So colorful, made from solid wood and feature super cute, unique designs- can you imagine filling with your favorite or homemade dog treats and giving as a gift? I love it! MORE HERE

A Girl’s Best Friend

Behind the Scenes Shop It! 18 Feb

This week, Sarah and I are over at Luvocracy sharing our favourite finds and revealing what makes a pet product A+ in our books. You can read our full interview here entitled ‘A Girl’s Best Friend‘ – it doesn’t get much sweeter than that I tell ya!

Have you heard of Luvocracy? Launched late last year, this brand spankin’ new site is all about shopping the best the web has to offer. Think of it as if Pinterest and Net-A-Porter got together, had some wine and then 9 months later out popped this little guy. Too much?

Well to put it simply, on Luvocracy you curate your own boards of products you ‘luv’ (just like Pinterest) but the spin is, every single item can be purchased there and then on the spot.

No outward links, no missing source, nope – everything on Luvocracy can be bought with one click. And just like every other social site, you can follow others to see their recommendations and people can follow you to check out your favourite picks. In three words – super easy online shopping. Oh no that was four.

And just for that cherry on top, you can actually collect rewards for every time someone makes a purchase through your recommendation. Yep – you get shopping rewards towards your next purchase on Luvocracy just for telling others what products you love.

Want more? You can visit Pretty Fluffy’s Luvocracy board here and sign up for an invitation to join. Just don’t blame me once you get addicted!