Tag Archives: Cleaning & Organisation

Hey Pup!

Giveaways & Deals Shop It 07 Mar

Where does your dog sleep? For me there are so many answers to that question. Soda has an outside bed, and an inside bed; but what-do-you-know she prefers to sleep on our bed. By day it’s her little fort where she can keep a watchful eye over the neighbourhood cats, by night it’s the place where she tests how far she can stretch her legs out (which, in fact, is far enough for me to end up most nights crawled into a small ball). So when the fab, BRAND NEW range Hey Pup! sent Soda a sample of their new range of bed linen to try, it was a very happy day in the Faber Nelson household.

The Hey Pup! range of stylish dog bed sheets is a fabulous new concept. The idea behind it came from the research that 75% of dog owners rarely wash their dog’s bedding. This is in contrast to humans washing their sheets and pillowcases every 1-2 weeks (teenage boys excepted of course).

The design is simple. Just like your own fitted sheets, the Hey Pup! linens come with elasticised bands to fit over your dog’s current bed, giving them a clean 100% Cotton cover to sleep on. Then every week or so simply remove the sheet, pop in the washing machine, quick dry with your own sheets and replace. It’s that easy! Your dog can dig in the dirt, slobber, and shed all over the bed with you having the peace of mind that all it takes is a quick washing cycle to have things clean, hygienic and looking as good as new again. As their slogan says “Don’t all dogs deserve a clean bed to sleep on every night?”

The Hey Pup! range currently comes in two adorable designs (with more to come), and are available in four sizes to fit all dog beds. And if you’re in the market for a dog bed, to compliment the dog linen, they offer a range of luxury foam beds to suit all pooches. And for that final cherry on top – Hey Pup! pledges to donate 5% of all sales to animal welfare groups as chosen by the customer. Beautiful!

To see the full range and purchase your own doggie linen visit the Hey Pup! Website. And as a special deal for Pretty Fluffy readers only, to celebrate their launch Hey Pup! is offering 10% OFF the complete range for the month of March! Just add the code FLUFFY10 to your shopping cart. Happy sleeping!

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Join me for a March Makeover!

Sunday Session 26 Feb

I love makeover shows. Whether it involves people’s homes, their lives, their wardrobes – the ‘befores’ and ‘afters’ of a program completely suck me in. Even when I’ve worked on makeover shows and watched the day by day progress before my very eyes, revealing the final transformation always brings me to my knees.

But when it comes to real life, there are too many times when the befores never quite make it to the afters; and the transformations we envision never seem to quite get there. We start the year full of promises and resolutions. To be healthier, to be wiser, more financially solvent, kinder…the lists go on and on. But as January passes, and February comes to a close, often the wheels have not only started to fall off the wagon – in most cases the wagon has come to a complete stop, someone’s stolen the wheels and wild animals have turned it into a makeshift home.

Too often by March, real life has gotten in the way of idealism and our best intentions have been long forgotten – taken over by a sea of business, obligations, and non-stop pressure. We start to question where the year has gone, and if we’re not careful, fall into a sea of disappointment of what we have failed to achieve; or feel helpless as we watch time slipping away before our very eyes.

So I’m here today to call you to action to grab a little piece of that New Year resolve back. No, it doesn’t mean to hop back on that train of wild promises and outlandish statements. If you haven’t gone the the gym twice a day, every day, and drunk your detoxifying green smoothies every morning, chances are a new month is not going to get that happening.

But what a new month can do is give you the option to choose one task. One task only. And make it your month’s prerogative. The task can be anything. Makeover your home, your career, your self. Just make the task something you WANT and something you can ACHIEVE.

For example, for months I’ve been planning on giving Soda’s ‘cupboard’ a makeover. This cupboard is filled with bits and bobs – from food, to medical kits, old toys and towels. And while I’ve kept it somewhat neat and tidy, I’ve promised myself every month that I’m going to clean it out and get it organised just-so. This is going to be my March Makeover. I pledge by the end of March, Soda’s cupboard will be functional and fabulous.

So that’s my pledge. What about you? What’s that one thing you’ve been meaning to do that you’ve never really devoted enough time to? Do you want March to be the month that you finally get better posture? The month that you get control of your email inbox? That you finally spruce up your blog header? Or beautify the back garden?

Think about something that requires devotion and a task that can be achieved in these upcoming 31 days. But most importantly think about how you want to feel at the end of the month. Picture yourself on April first. Apart from playing some awesome April Fools prank, what do you want to be able to look back on having achieved? How will you feel having finally learnt how to master liquid eyeliner and bronzer? Or organised and beautified your work station/home office? Or discovered how to run 5kms without stopping? Big or small. Important or indulgent. Whatever it is make March the month to do it. Make it count.

So why not join me? You can leave your pledge in the comments below, you can tape them to your bathroom mirror, or you can set a reminder on your phone for every morning. Whatever you do just write it down. And while you’re at it write down how you’re going to feel when April rolls around having achieved your makeover. Happier? Lighter? More in control? Pinpoint that feeling and capture it. So as the calendar days float by you have a physical reminder of what you’re working towards.

Then by the time April arrives no matter what’s happened to those New Year goals, you can say proudly – I completed my March Makeover. I did it.

What’s your March Makeover?

HANDY HINTS FOR MARCH MAKEOVERS

  • Home Organisation. Want to spruce up your castle? Get inspired by Jen’s Project Pretty Challenge over at I Heart Organizing. Jen hits it out of the park. Every. Single. Time.
  • Get Business Savvy. Looking to take your business or career that next step forward? Read this amazing article on Building Your Own Personal Brand by the fabulous Camille Styles.
  • Are you a blogger? Want to take things to the next level? Nikki’s post over at Styling You is a great place to start.
  • Do you want your health to be more of a priority? Why not try to incorporate one of Kimberley’s 10 Health Rules to Live By over at Dream Delight Inspire.
  • Or is it all about your dog? (No judgement here! Let’s face it – you’re in the right place!) Why not learn how to Groom At Home, Make Your Own Treats, or get your pooch organised.

IMAGES: (Top) Cherry Blossom Calender by JooJoo. Shop more of her fabulous Etsy store here.
(Bottom) Image via Pinterest. Original source unknown.

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Guest Posting on MamaMia

Behind the Scenes 30 Jan

Happy Monday everyone! I’m delighted to be Guest Posting over at MamaMia today. There are already some fantastic comments and even some adorable photos on the post. Make sure you check it out!

Also, if you missed it last week I Guest Posted over at one of my most favourite blogs, I Heart Organizing. Seriously, if you love your home and love getting organised you have to pay this fab site a visit.

Thanks so much for both of these wonderful sites for having me contribute. I’ll be back here tomorrow with our final week of Fresh Start 2012 – Getting Happy! And just in case you’re wondering, yes I have some wonderful DIY tricks up my sleeve for Valentines Day…stay tuned!

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DIY Doggie At Home Medical Kit

DIY Fresh Start Healthy Living 13 Jan

So we’re getting organised, we’re getting everything sparkly clean, we’re well onto our way for a Fresh Start. But like I said, this week is all about laying foundations for the year ahead. Feeling secure knowing you’ve got the big stuff sorted. Knowing that you have a safety net to catch you when things fall apart. Because as much as we want life to be perfect – it aint. So this month I want to encourage you to go about creating your own DIY Doggie At Home Medical Kit.

What you’ll need:

  • Storage container with snap lock lid.
  • Cotton Pads for clean up and topical applications.
  • Gauze for swabbing, padding or wound cover.
  • Bandages for compression and dressings.
  • Cotton Buds for topical applications and clean up.
  • Scissors.
  • Tweezers.
  • Flea and Tick Treatments.
  • Worming Treatments.
  • Antiseptic for small grazes and wounds.
  • Sanitiser for your own hands after dealing with wounds.

This is merely a starting list for you. Think about what your dog needs medically day to day and in an emergency. Check with your vet as to what they would recommend to include, and consider your local area and your dog’s lifestyle for any extras – such as doggie sunscreen or tick removal devices.

Package all of the items into the container, and wrap in a bow (for prettiness!). Don’t forget to label the kit with your vet’s emergency contact number. Should you have an emergency on your hands this saves time by allowing you to call the vet for help while attending to your dog.

And as much as you may want to, DO NOT use it to dress up as a mummy for Halloween. Emergencies only, people. (You can, however, pretend to be a doctor from Grey’s Anatomy when tending to the thorn in your dog’s paw. You can even use the word ‘Stat’)

LIKE THAT? HERE’S MORE HANDY HINTS TO GET YOUR DOG’S HEALTH & SAFETY SORTED FOR 2012:

> Eliminate the Paper Clutter.

Ever gone to find out your dog’s registration details and after hours of searching have found them in with your toaster’s warranty guide? (Which has, of course, expired.) It’s time to get rid of that clutter. Streamline your dog’s paperwork into one folder – this one from Kikki K does all the hard work for you. Believe me often when you’re looking for this info, you want it pronto! You want this file to include the following:

  • Your vet’s contact details (including emergency after hours numbers)
  • Registration and microchip papers
  • Vaccination details
  • Health records
  • Training Certificates
  • Dietary Information

> Clear out the Medicine Cabinet

This one goes for you too! Throughout the year it’s easy to build up old tablets, powders, lotions and potions for the family, and your pooch is no exception. Trouble is these medications go out of date, and using them when they have expired can be ineffective and plain right down dangerous for your dog. So go through your home medical collection and dispose carefully of anything damaged, or out of date. Not too sure about something? Contact your vet or err on the side of caution and get rid of it. Once the clean out is complete, now’s the ideal time to stock up on at home treatments such as worming tablets or flea treatments for your at home kit, to ensure you have your dog’s healthiest foot forward.

> Get your Shots

So your dog hates the vet. Or maybe they love the vet. Or maybe they liked the vet but then thought the vet wasn’t that into them and then the whole thing got complicated. Whatever it is, just get your dog to the vet annually to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. And don’t leave it too long – be cool, call the vet, check when your dog is due and get them booked in.

> Don’t Forget!

Set digital reminders on your phone or computer that will bring up alarm notifications for annual vaccinations, worming, flea treatments and any other medications. This will ensure you don’t forget!

> Create a Doggie Profile

No, I’m not talking about Facebook (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I’m talking about a one page CHEAT SHEET for visitors who may come to look after your dog when you’re away. You never know when you may be called away suddenly or unable to return home. Having a short guide to what your dog eats, where they sleep, how often they exercise, and any important medical info means that practically anyone can step in to care for your pooch when you can’t. Believe me, if you get hit by a bus, this one page document means one less thing for you to care about – allowing you to worry about important things – like what sort of underwear you are wearing. But in all seriousness, this cheat sheet means you can get on with sorting yourself out knowing your dog is cared for – allowing to get home to your pooch sooner.

TOP ONLINE RESOURCES FOR GETTING YOUR DOG SORTED:

Kikki K – Beautiful, practical paperwork solutions for important documents.
Apple ‘My Dog’ App – Keep all your dog’s info in one handy app.
Get Sorted –  A handy pocket sized book & reference guide for all your organisational needs.
Dog Help Network – A new online guide providing help & information on a variety of dog health issues.

What are your pet friendly tips for a happy and healthy 2012? 

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