They are reign supreme when it comes to shagginess, and you just can’t help but let out a giggle when they lay a dopey smile on you.  The Old English Sheepdog has always been a favorite of mine, and today we pay homage with a roundup of products dedicated to these scruffy pups.

above photo / iphone case / printable poster / keychain / letterpress card / miniature figurine

You really don’t need a whole lot to enjoy an outdoor dining experience, but it’s always fun to have some swag.  Here are just a few of my favorites in the picnic genre.

picnic blanket / bamboo dinning set / travel water bottle and bowl set / picnic basket / travel cooler / blanket / dog mat / crank radio

Picture it: a cool summer’s eve, a scrumptious selection of savory goodies and sweet treats, and a fuzzy pup sprawled across your cozy blanket watching the sun set.  A dream picnic scene indeed.

Man, do I love a good picnic.  Something about eating outdoors and on the ground just makes me swoon.  And I know that Mr. Harvey appreciates being in on the action, seeing as how his tends to bum rush any picnic scene that I set.  (He literally sat himself down on the blanket as I went inside to grab my camera….true picnic fiend!)

My dad was tinkering around in the wood shop the other day and came up with these adorable bottle carriers, perfect for a backyard picnic, beach day, or any soiree.  They’ll soon be available in our Etsy shop, so stay tuned!

As of late, I’ve felt like I have been falling short in a lot of areas of my life.  Phone calls aren’t being returned as quickly as they should, requests from friends and family are being put on the back burner, the quality of my work is subpar, and Mr. Harvey has spent one too many hours entertaining himself while I stare at my computer screen for yet another hour.

I’ve made so many personal claims that “I will change, I will correct, I will be more focused,” but I’ve backed out of every promise.  Typical.

So as we enter the new summer season, I declare it a fresh start and clean slate.

As you downsize your to do list, you leave more room and time to become focused on the projects and tasks that matter most. This post from Build a Little Biz (via The Veda House) really helped to set things into perspective for me. It’s not about jumping from one task to another like a game of hopscotch.  It is now a game of paying close attention and improving the quality of my work, and in turn, my daily life.

My dad always used to tell me, “It’s not worth doing unless you try to do it well,” and I think it is about time I apply that to my life…some 20+ years later. Good thing my mom always told me “better late than never.”

I hope it is a thought full weekend for everyone!

Cheers,

Steph

To be honest, I am not a fan of the creepy crawly variety. I’d much rather sit in a lawn chair than on the actual lawn and I’m the first to scream at the sight of a spider.  But with that said, I can appreciate some well-designed buggy swag.

So I’ve rounded up some bug favorites for you all to enjoy.

wallpaper / scarf / collar / bracelet / cake stand / dog toy / iphone case / ring

Summer has hit…in May.  With the heat boiling to a wild 102 degrees over the weekend out here, Mr. Harvey and I headed outdoors.

Anytime we spend time in the yard, I notice the Harvey will stare into the grass for prolonged periods of time.  He remains focused on a patch in front of him, sniffing and staring. What could be capturing his attention you ask: bugs.

Ants, rolly pollies, spiders, you name it.  He’s captivated by the creepy crawlies of the world.  I’ll even find him snapping his mouth at bugs that fly by, ready to chomp.

So I decided to take Mr. Harvey’s weekend hobby and make an afternoon of it.  (These fake bugs and toys will be the only insect critters I’ll get involved with…sorry Harv.)

Harvey went absolutely bonkers for these plush bug toys I found at Petco. Plush or live, he’s got the bug for bugs.

I’m feeling rather inspired these past few weeks.  I’m a hotbed of ideas and I don’t know what to do or how to harness them.  Usually I am dealing with the revers reality: utter lack of creativity and thought. So I’m a little unsure of what comes next.

This is a fantastic problem to have, but it can also be a little overwhelming. So I’ve decided to try something new: take one step at a time.  Yep, I’m deleting the lengthy To Do list–you know the one that contains all of the projects you’ve ever wanted to complete in your lifetime–and am starting clean.

One project. One day. One at a time.

It’s going to be interesting, but I have a strong feeling that I will actually complete some of these projects that have been taking up room on that lengthy list for quite some time.  It will definitely take a bit longer than anticipated, but I’m down for the ride.

If my transition into the 29th year has taught me anything (one hopes another year older always makes you another year wiser), it’s that we, as humans, often choose to dramatize our existence and turn it into a chaotic mess.  We, in an unfortunate way, thrive on the turbulence and, although we complain about it to our friends and family, we typically never attempt to change.

So I’m vowing to adopt a more dog-like existence.  One where you take each day as it is given.  You start fresh each morning. And in the end, you find that you’ve accomplished more, loved more and have lived much more.

Mr. Harvey is my guide.

I hope it’s a thought full weekend for everyone!

Cheers,

Steph

The Doberman is one of those dogs that has always had to deal with one stereotype or another.  Often thought of as ferocious and aggressive guard dogs, the Doberman is actually one of the most intelligent and playful breeds out there.

These muscular and agile dogs also make for some great design!  Here are some favorite pieces of Doberman swag.

above photo / tshirt / phone case / jars / bracelet / notebook

To me, there is nothing better than a bubble-filled tub, a glass of vino and a good book/episode of Veep (loving this show!!!) to end a hectic week.

So to continue our week of clean, I thought I’d round up some fun bath products for both me and the pup.  Mr. Harvey WILL be getting a bathrobe of his own.  You can count on it!

P.S. How fantastic is that shower head that doubles as a radio?! Dreams really do come true!

dog bath basin / dog robe / dog shampoo / shower radio / kids robe / shower curtain / teak bath caddy / bath towels

There’s nothing better than a good spring cleaning…right? This may not exactly be the kind of cleaning you have in mind, but for Mr. Harvey, it means getting some tub time outdoors in the amazing weather.

As a part Shar Pei mix, Harvey has an obvious  hatred  of water.  (He’s also a born and bred Angeleno, after all – resisting the rain at all costs.) So needless to say, bath time can be a struggle at times…until I found a foolproof solution: bath time + play time = best time!

The team at Dogtails generously sent us a sample of their new shampoo, so I decided to give it a whirl. I have a feeling Mr. Harvey thinks is tastes as delicious as it smells.

Appetizing or not, the Harvmeister couldn’t resist a taste.