What a week! The Lowe's Spring Makeover in Long Island last weekend was so intense, challenging and fun. We lucked out and got the absolute best homeowners that we instantly clicked with. I've been putting together the post all week, so look for that early next week! Although you may have caught this sneak peek before and after on Instagram.
After Long Island, I flew directly to Charlotte, NC for a Holiday Campaign meeting--Christmas in April! Although I was exhausted from the makeover, I'm so grateful I was able to go. Our blog has grown so much in the past year and I'm constantly reminded of a memory from over a decade ago when I was in college: I was playing the game Cashflow with a bunch of friends. Every so often in the game, you're able to pick up an opportunity card and decide whether you'd like to take the opportunity or not. Not all opportunities cards were created equal, some were small opportunities and some were big. Some you took and maybe they helped lead you to winning the game and some you didn't and you would never know. Even now, when I get an email or offer or idea, I still look at it as an opportunity card and try not to take it for granted.
Other thoughts for the week!
-Chris still wears his chef's coat from college nearly every time he cooks. I've been casually looking around for a good masculine apron for him so covering his clothes wasn't such an ordeal. While I was in Charlotte, I found the perfect sophisticated, pinstripe one at Sur La Table! I wish we had a place to hang it up right in the kitchen (it's that lovely), but the pantry might have to do.
-Charly was diagnosed with arthritis a couple weeks ago and she takes her prescription like a champ. We put her on a diet (which, I'm so sorry Charly!) and she just keeps getting worse. Now she is only walking on 3 legs so we booked an appointment with another vet to get a second opinion. The only thing I can think of is the last thing I want when I'm in pain is to be on a diet. We're praying it's nothing more serious and trying to keep her comfortable until we know for sure. Speaking of, we've had many questions about her dog bed. It's just the cushion from our old Ikea Kivik Chaise. Perfect size for our big girl.
-A children's book to support an important discussion we all need to have with our kids.
-Did you see the new house (ahem, estate) Chip and Joanna Gaines purchased? It's a massive colonial and I'm so anxious to see what they do with it. Crossing my fingers we see a shift from their usual shabby chic, farmhouse aesthetic and they pay homage to its history instead. But I'm sure whatever they do, it will be beautiful.
-Brittany's backyard is looking DREA-MY! and Kim's bathroom made me a pinning fool.
-Our living room rug (pictured above) is on sale!
-Big fat Nope!
-I ordered a small seascape from my favorite artist for the built-ins downstairs and now that it's here, I wish it was as big as a whole wall! Maybe my favorite art piece in our whole house.
Lastly, we are working on a fun side project that we hope to debut here very soon. (Shooting for next Friday, could be the Friday after). I can't wait to spill the beans. It's going to change everything. Happy Weekend!
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Uh, any spider that gets in my house is gonna die! Probably at the hands of my husband because I will be up on the kitchen counter.
I've seen firsthand the difference a significant weight loss can do for an arthritic giant breed. Even though you may think it is cruel, keep Charly on that diet! A Bernese Mountain Dog in our family developed arthritis rather suddenly when she was 6 years old; she was limping and yelped loudly every time she had to use stairs, even if it was just a few short steps. After a much-needed 30 lb weight loss, she no longer limps or yelps and for a while she was like a puppy again. It's been a few years now and she has maintained her svelte figure and we haven't seen a return of the worst of her arthritis symptoms, even though she's considered 'elderly' for her breed at nearly 10 years old.
I also whole-heartedly recommend a Kuranda dog bed. They make them large enough for giant breeds and the slightly elevated "hammock" style is wonderful for dogs with arthritis.
Keep us posted on Charly! We had a golden retriever with arthritis (we did the glucosamine as well and it was amazing for him). I'm surprised her arthritis (if that's what it is) would be getting worse this quickly (unless she's totally over doing it all the time). I would definitely be considering an X-ray to make sure there's nothing else going on. Good luck!
We adopted a six year old shepherd cross who had arthritis in her hips. She had been chained up outside most of her life and our vet thought she might live for a couple more years. I bought her an orthopaedic dog bed to make her more comfortable and she lost weight with a better diet and freedom to move. 5 years later she is still with us, medication free.
Sorry to hear about Charly's arthritis. Our last dog (who later lived to be 15) had arthritis as well. She went into our vet's office for her first laser treatment walking on three legs. When she came out she was walking on four! She had a series of those treatments and (for her) they helped a lot. She also took the canine equivalent of a glucosamine supplement. Good luck with Charly - hope he's better soon!
In regards to Charly, have you looked into laser therapy? Both @oliver.adventures and @dustylynnthelab get treatments. They are both on IG and I'm sure would be happy to share their experiences.
Good luck! Dogs are the best.
Poor Charly! Our old Golden Retriever has lots of arthritis and spine related issues. Glucosamine has been great, so have basic pain killers (an anti-inflammatory for dogs). The best thing we've done for him is keep him thin, unfortunately for Charly and her diet. Also, ask your vet about adequan. I think it was initially developed for horses with arthritis.It made a huge difference for our dog when he was younger (like miracle recovery difference) and has helped a good friend's dog as well.
Julia -- that is a terrible tease....Its going to change everything?!?!?
That oil painting is seriously gorgeous and I am pinning it to show hubs this weekend -- I HAVE to have this in my house! We are going to have SNOW - so Ill have plenty of time to order it on Saturday!! :-)
(Snow starting tonight and all day Saturday, into Sunday A.M. -- are you still getting snow there?)
Must check out the rug -- ive been eyeing it since you first posted about it!
Lastly -- poor Charly -- I sure hope she is feeling better soon!! My pooch had arthritis pretty bad, but the Omega 3 and Glucosomine worked wonders for him!
Have a great weekend!! :-)
"Everything" might be a bit of an exaggeration. But I think it's going to add something that's been missing.
OH! Nothing wrong with exaggerating --- I come from a long line of exaggerators!! :-) I read that line, and was like, OM Word -- I can't wait to find out what it is!! LOL!
THANK YOU for the link love!!! And I too cant get enough of Kai Samuels Davis's work. I should go ahead and buy something already...
Thank you from sharing this book with your readers! I am a therapist specializing in treating children and adolescents who've been sexually abused. It's uncomfortable to talk about touches with our kids, but empowering them about what's safe and what's not and giving them the tools to handle unsafe situations is essential to protecting them. Thank you again!
It's such an important, close-to-home topic and one we're passionate about advocating for. Thanks for all your work on your end!
We have an 80 lb golden retriever with the same issue. I highly recommend acupuncture if you're open to it. It really helps!
My dad is also an acupuncturist (for humans) and occasionally works on a patient's pet as well... most dogs really like it!
When our golden started hobbling from bad hips (made worse by trying to slither under the gate!) we gave her chondroitin and omega 3 pills too. They're the same supplement pills you'd get at the drugstore for yourself and it made such a difference.
Oh Charly girl! I've heard of people feeding their dogs gluten free diets for joint pain too. Hope she feels some relief soon.
And can I just say, I am loving casual Fridays (I'm all heart eyes over that oil painting) It's so great to see where you draw inspiration from. I've become familiar with a lot of other design blogs ( oh hey yellow brick house) it would be fun to see a post of all of your favorite design blogs!
Good idea! I'm on it.
Poor Charly! I don't know what the vet gave you but our sweet baby was on a daily dose of two different glucosamine supplements - one with MSM and the other with chondroitin. She started them when she would limp after going for a long walk and the impact was nearly instantaneous. So maybe that will help? Also, fish oil. Great anti inflammatory for them! (I'm going to brag on her and my mom's vitamin regimen a smidge and say that at her nearly 14 year old check up, the vet was blown away by her lack of arthritis and amazing blood work. Not something seen often in labs.)
Good luck to Charly. Diets suck sweet girl but it's because you're loved.
Good tips!
I second what Elaine suggested for Charly! We had a very large Chesapeake Retriever who was on very expensive meds for arthritis and hip dysplasia when we took her in that weren't helping much. We switched to a couple supplements (the glucosamine - MSM and chondroitin) and fish oil. She went from not being able to walk on her own at all, to walking around the entire yard and through the house in small spurts. I hope she feels better soon!