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Over the past few months, I’ve jumped into several projects (both for clients and myself) that have challenged me on a mental level. I’ve had to stretch my creative muscles much further than I ever had before, and while frustrating at times, I’ve been so grateful for both the opportunities and the faith others have put in me.
In the past, I may have steered clear of such challenges in fear that I may fail or disappoint. But as these opportunities have come around, I’ve decided to embrace these blessings, work beyond my limitations, and strive for the best.
I’m still in the midst of many of these projects (so no reports on success of failure yet), but I can’t tell you the personal satisfaction I’ve felt by overcoming my fears and accepting the good graces that have been bestowed upon me. And I’ve learned so much! I’m a master at the online tutorial and a pro at the advanced search on Google. The world wide web is an amazing abyss of information.
You should never stop learning.
I hope it’s a thought full weekend for everyone. Get outside and breathe some fresh air. It’s good for your lungs…and your soul.
Cheers,
Steph
As I’ve shifted the scope of content on this blog in recent weeks, there is one column that I’m not quite ready to let go…Breed Love. I love hearing from you all asking for certain breeds to be featured and thanking me for already showcasing your favorite ones. So I’ve decided to post a new Breed Love every other week, and today we’ve got the ever charismatic Jack Russell Terrier.
Is there a breed you’d love to see featured? Leave me a comment and I’ll add them to the list!
above photo / print / pattern / dog tag / mug / stamp
In honor of the launch of Maker Made, our father/daughter wood shop, I thought it would only be appropriate to round up some of my favorite wooden delights. This list could seriously go on for weeks, but I decided to keep it brief, with a selection of goodies for both canine and human.
And be sure to check out my “Wood is Good” Pinterest board for more wooden inspiration!
Wood is good. Respect it.
chair / cake stand / spoon / dog tag / necklace / dog bowl / dog house / sign
This post has been a long time coming and I couldn’t be MORE thrilled to make this announcement:
We’ve opened up a wood shop!!! Yes, a wood shop!!
Over the past couple of months, my dad and I have been toiling away at building (literally and figuratively) our own wood shop. While we have our disagreements (the typical “old-school” v. “new-school” ways of thinking), we love nothing more than getting into our shop–the family garage–powering up our tools and crafting simple housewares for everyone to enjoy.
Woodworking has always been a passion of ours, and now we are sharing that passion with the masses. From decorative trays and planters, to unique cheese boards and organizational office items, we strive to create one-of-a-kind handmade products for your home.
Introducing, Maker Made, our father and daughter wood shop.
Recently we tackled a longtime wish list project of mine: a dog house of Mr. Harvey.
I’ve always dreamt of owning a home with a spacious yard, large enough for my pup to roam and also call home with a cozy little abode of his own. But since that is not currently my reality, I decided to build a custom dog house that was airy, sized according to our small outdoor balcony space and of course, unique in design.
Here is a look into the design and build process.
Mr. Harvey couldn’t be more thrilled with the final outcome. He’s now a homeowner after all.
One of the core tenants of Maker Made (we even have a manifesto!) is that we never apologize for or avoid using wood that has flaws. In fact, we embrace those scrap pieces that others may deem unusable and transform them into handmade goodness. We are equal opportunity woodworkers!
It’s an exciting time in our House and we are thrilled to be able to share it all with you.
We hope you take a gander at our new shop and let us know what you think. We are always striving to make products that are functional and well-designed, so your feedback is appreciated!
And if you are as big a wood lover as I am, be sure to check out our new “Wood is Good” Pinterest board for some inspiration. There’s nothing like the wonderful world of woodworking.
Cheers!
This was one of those weeks. Beyond the typically petty complaints that come with a new work week, we all felt the undeniable sting of sadness from the devastating events in Boston.
Whenever I hear of such inexplicable tragedy, it always seems to make me stop in my path and assess. Assess my lifestyle. Assess my relationships. Assess my world.
In the end, after the sadness and self-reflection have passed, I come through with an overwhelming sense of appreciation. I’ve been so blessed to live a life full of good fortune, a supportive family, and endless opportunities, never having to know the struggles that many have to face.
And when it comes to the awful reality that many will have to come to terms with after this week, I can’t help but hold onto my many blessings even tighter than before and remember to cherish and be thankful for everything in life.
I am especially appreciative for all of you. You are my constant motivation and encouragement through it all.
I hope that next week brings some much needed smiles….especially because I have a BIG announcement that I am so excited to share with you all!
Make it a thought full friday and superb weekend, everyone!
xo,
Steph
above photos from House of Harvey Instagram. Check it out and follow along in our everyday happenings!
When I say I like a “floral print,” I’m not talking about some dainty daisies or bunches of baby’s breath (although they are quite lovely too). My love of florals comes from the powerful pop of color they offer to any drab room or outfit. So in keeping with our floral theme for the week and rounding up some of my favorite floral items, I wasn’t seeking out the delicate designs, but more so those patterns that instantly bring you to a vibrant cheerful place, full of life and color. We could all use a few more patterns like that in our lives I think.
shorts / leash / wedges / iphone case / tea towel / card / bow tie / satchel
You may recall from last week’s Thought Full Friday post that I have decided to switch things up a bit to reflect more of my personal interests and a little less of the things that didn’t feel like a natural fit. So the time has finally come to launch those “big changes” and start sharing the projects I’ve been working on over the past few weeks.
We kick off this week with my favorite new column: “Styled” which will include curated/styled photo shoots with my very own Mr. Harvey. The inspiration for this column came from the bevy of bloggers out there that post photos of their daily wardrobe. While I’ve never felt compelled to share my daily “look” (or the lack thereof), I have thought, “Why should humans be the only species to share their personal style with the world?” (I know….crazy dog lady moment #3,407)
Thus, a new column was born.
In all honesty, though, I really wanted to stretch my artistic muscles and create opportunities to practice art direction and my photography with my favorite subject. And today is just the beginning of some fun, curated shoots to come. My creative juices of definitely flowing, so get ready to see some quirky, funny and downright adorable Styled posts in the future.
Today’s post was obviously inspired by the beautiful floral bounty that Spring brings. I truly can’t get enough of it, and now Mr. Harvey is a floral-fiend convert too.
I’ve been switching things up with vases and found these adorable polka dot buckets at the Dollar Store to hold these vibrant yellow buds. Just a whimsical little touch to an already cheerful flower.
How fun is this bright pink flower toy? I was cruising the pet aisle at Target the other day and happened across these fun plush toys. The minute I tossed the flower on the grass, Mr. Harvey pounced.
I love it when dog toys match the changing seasons. It’s as if Mr. Harvey put away his winter wardrobe and brought out his favorite Spring pieces.
Sometimes you have to stop, look around, and say “This doesn’ feel right.”
For almost a year now I’ve been blogging about my favorites in the dog and human world. There have been posts I’ve loved (like this one and this one) and then there are those that were slapped together just to “get something up.” I have enjoyed learning the ropes of the blogging world first hand, but now it’s time that I stop, look around and say, “It’s time for a change.”
In recent weeks, I have thought that something just doesn’t feel right with the content on the blog. While I love scouring the web for the best items in the pet and human realm, I have come to realize my interests reach beyond the product design world. And just as with everything in life, there comes a time when you have to grow, evolve and move on.
So in the coming weeks, you will see a change…a major change…in the format of this blog. I will still be bringing you some curated round ups of great dog and human products, but you will also be seeing much more of my other passions: art direction, photography and design, infused with a dash of inspiration.
You will also notice that I am dropping my postings from 5 days to 3 days a week, all in the hopes of finding more balance in my life. I love to blog, but I love a lot of other things too, and my eyes need a break from the glow of my screen from time to time in order to reboot, get inspired and bring you some fantastic original content.
I’m very excited to introduce all of the new, exciting and, potentially, magical things I have in store for House of Harvey. I am ready to bring you better and more focused content, and I hope you will join along for the ride and embrace change with me.
Here’s to a balanced, more creative life and a refreshed and exciting House of Harvey 2.0!
xo,
Steph + Harvey
I know spring just happening/is happening around the US right now, but I can’t help but think of summer. I have a LOT of exciting plans coming up this summer (more on that soon), but I am most excited to get outside for some backyard BBQs and bonfires. So in honor of the upcoming outdoor hours, I thought I would round up some fun lanterns.
copper lantern / rustic lantern / tangled lantern / moroccan lantern
When it comes to dog blogs, none quite do it as beautifully as Serena Faber Nelson’s Pretty Fluffy. From the gorgeous photography (a lot of which is contributed by the talented Sarah Dickerson of Chic Sprinkles) to the inspirational messaging (my favorite being The 13 Project), Serena has captured the dog world in such a stunning and positive way. But she can’t do it alone. Her trusty sidekick Soda is there every step of the way, and today, we get to know her a little better. Thanks for sharing Soda’s story Serena! (And thanks for having me and Mr. Harvey on your blog last month!)
What breed is your dog?
Border Collie
How old is he/she?
12 years
How did you and your dog come to be together?
I got Soda when I was just 21. As someone unhealthily obsessed with sitcoms, Soda got her name from Seinfeld, where George has his future firstborn’s name stolen and he tries to get the couple to switch to the name ‘Soda’ in the delivery room. She’s been by my side as I’ve started by career, met the love of my life, moved houses, and everything in between. She really is my best friend. My husband always jokes that once he had Soda’s approval he knew he had a chance with me! I love that now that she’s older, I get to be there for her and the bond we have these days runs very deep.
In one word, how would you define your dog’s personality?
Intuitive – she always know whether it’s time for a cuddle or time to whack you in the face with a paw to get you out of bed!
What is your dog’s favorite toy/treat/plaything?
Soda is a toy-aholic! She loves anything squeaky, and has destroyed many soft toys in her lifetime. However her favourite would have to be the Kong – whether she’s gobbling up the treats stuffed inside or playing fetch she adores her Kong. Now that she’s older she has the purple senior Kong which is much better for her teeth and gums.
If your dog were human, what career do you think they would have?
Bar tender. She’d listen to your problems for days on end, likes to get rowdy, and frankly, with her name, would fit right in. Scotch and Soda anyone?
What celebrity does your dog most resemble?
Amy Poehler. Hilarious, whip smart and gorgeous – but not afraid to be silly.
Where is your dog’s favorite place in the house?
I know this is a no-no but she loves sitting on our bed looking out the window watching the world go by!
What do you love most about your dog?
Every. Single. Thing. It really is amazing that the longer you have a dog, the bigger your heart grows.
Finish this sentence: The love of a dog is_______________.
…a life well lived.
CHECK OUT MORE PUP PROFILES HERE.
all photos by Pretty Fluffy
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