REVIEW & COUPON: Cloud Star Holiday Buddy Biscuits

Holiday Buddy Biscuits

Where to Find: Cloud Star

 

If you have been reading our blog for awhile or know the Lapdogs at all, you know we are long time fans of Cloud Star.  So... imagine how excited we were when they not only asked if we would review their Holiday Buddy Biscuits collection (four tails were wagging uncontrollably!), but if we would also like to offer our readers an unheard-of 50% off coupon (Mama was jumping up and down about this part!).

 

Gasp! The holiday season is almost here and Cloud Star fans know what that means.... It's time for the yummy smelling Gingerbread flavored Holiday Buddy Biscuits!  I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful these treats smell. Perhaps if you close your eyes and imagine fresh baked gingerbread coming out of your oven, you might get the idea. Seriously, these treats smell so good you just might be tempted to try them yourself, however they are made for our 4-legged children!

  

Holiday Buddy Biscuits are available in three formats:

• 16 oz box of traditional Buddy Biscuits
• 6 oz bag of Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits
• 5" tall XXL Buddy Biscuits 

As with all Cloud Star goodies, the Holiday Buddy Biscuits are Made in the USA with simple, all natural ingredients.   

Traditional Buddy Biscuits: Wheat flour, rolled oats, blackstrap molasses, natural gingerbread flavor, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols)

Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits: Unbleached wheat flour, tapioca starch, maple syrup, glycerin, rice flour, gelatin, natural gingerbread flavor, salt, phosphoric acid, sorbic acid, mixed tocopherols (natural preservative)

 

The Lapdogs are not fussy and love all Holiday Buddy Biscuits equally.  Big or small, soft or crunchy, they will devour them all!  We are definitely giving our Official 16 Paws Up Seal of Approval to these delectable holiday treats.  As you can see, Sophie shows they are drool worthy!  She thinks every dog deserves some cute little buddy treats, and thanks to the wonderful folks over at Cloud Star, we can help make that happen with a very special coupon code for 50% off your Holiday Buddy Biscuits order! 

Yes, that's right, I said 50% off your order of Holiday Buddy Biscuits!  Simply enter coupon code HOLIDAY-13-LAP at check out on the Cloud Star website.... but hurry, this coupon is only good through Sunday, December 15th (I got them to extend it an extra day from what is written above).  Grab some for your pack, and some to share with others!
Fine Print: Offer is good on Holiday Buddy Biscuits only, and limit is three units each per order.

Disclosure: Cloud Star sent a set of Holiday Buddy Biscuits treats to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Debra's Garden Necessary Pins

Necessary Pins

Where to Find: Debra's Garden

Whether you're a new knitter, or a seasoned knitter who has 101 projects going at once - and, uh-hum, often leaves said projects hibernating in bags for months on end before picking them back up again - Necessary Pins can make your life a little easier. 

The newest item from Debra's Garden, Necessary Pins are a set of 10 plastic tags which you pin directly onto your knitting (coiless safety pins are included).  These great little aids can help new knitters learn to recognize their sides, and seasoned knitters to remember a stitch pattern.

The 10 tags in the set are: Knit Side, Purl Side, Increase, Decrease, Armhole Decrease, Neckline Decrease, Even Rows, Odd Rows, K2TOG and SSK.

While the tags are weightless, they are just a tad bit on the large size. Necessary Pins are the same size as shopping reward key cards (they're actually made from the very same plastic stock).  This is fine for sweaters and other larger size projects, but could be a bit bulky if used on smaller projects.  However, for new knitters, I truly believe the benefits completely outweigh any bulky issues!  The tags are invaluable for newbies who are learning how to read their stitches, remember which side is which and just understanding what they are creating.  I really wish I had a set of these when I first learned to knit!

Necessary Pins retail for $10 per set and can be purchased directly from Debra's Garden, along with several other great notions and accessories.  Grab a set for yourself or a crafty friend.  They make great stocking stuffers or you can pair them with a Needle Gauge Pendant for the perfect Knitters Secret Santa gift.  You'll also find some beautiful yarn bowls, stitch markers, embroidery scissors and so much more!

Check out Debra's Garden for all of the crafty folks on your holiday shopping list this year!

Disclosure: Debra's Garden sent a set of Necessary Pins to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

PREVIEW: Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed

Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed

The Fascinating Science of Animal Intelligence, Emotions, Friendship, and Conservation

by Marc Bekoff
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: New World Library (November 5, 2013)

In 2009, Marc Bekoff was asked to write an article on animal emotions for Psychology Today.  Since then, he has written more than 400 popular essays.  Some present research and scientific theories about animal minds and emotions, while others are more practical and address what each of us can do to improve the lives of other animals - and by doing so, improve our own. 

Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed is the compilation of Marc's updated essays.  They showcase animals' cognitive abilities as well as their empathy, grief, humor, and love.  The essays are organized into eleven sections:

• Animals and Us: Reflections on Our Challenging, Frustrating, Confusing, and Deep Interrelationships with Other Animals
• Against Speciesism: Why All Individuals Are Unique and Special
• Media and the (Mis)representation of Animals
• Why Dogs Hump: Dr, What Can We Learn from Our Special Friends
• Consciousness, Sentience, and Cognition: A Potpourri of Current Research on Flies, Fish, and Other Animals
• The Emotional Lives of Animals: The Ever-Expanding Circle of Sentience Includes Depressed Bees and Empathic Chickens
• Wild Justice and Moral Intelligence: Don't Blame Other Animals for Our Destructive Ways
• The Lives of Captive Creatures: Why Are They Even There?
• Who We Eat Is a Moral Question
• Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why: Redecorating Nature, Peaceful Coexistence, and Compassionate Conservation
• Rewilding Our Hearts: The Importance of Kindness, Empathy, and Compassion for All Beings

The following is an excerpt from Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed.

Old Brains, New Bottlenecks, and Animals: Solastalgia and Our Relationship with Other Beings

A few days ago one of my colleagues, Philip Tedeschi, founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (www.humananimalconnection.org) at the University of Denver, reminded me of a very interesting and important New York Times essay concerning our relationship with nature in which the concept of “solastalgia” was discussed.

While the concept seems to apply more to our relationship with landscapes, describing the pain we feel when we witness and feel their destruction, I had also written about solastalgia in my book Minding Animals concerning our relationships with nonhuman animals, who surely are an integral part of natural landscapes. People often forget that the integrity of an ecosystem is inextricably woven in with the well-being of the animals who live there, and that when we “redecorate nature,” we can have serious effects on the lives of other animals. When we are removed from the natural world, we often feel alone and alienated because our old brain pulls us back to what is natural and what feels good. This is what E. O. Wilson proposed with his “biophilia hypothesis.”

Basically, our old big brains force us to seek nature’s wisdom even though we are living in — some might say we’re really trapped in — new technological and sociocultural bottlenecks. We become very uncomfortable when we allow ourselves to reflect on how alienated we truly are. It’s important to ask why we feel good when we’re out in nature. Years ago I discovered the following quotation by the renowned author Henry Miller: “If we don’t always start from Nature we certainly come to her in our hour of need.” Perhaps there isn’t only one reason why nature’s wisdom is frequently sought when we feel out of balance, when times are tough. Perhaps we can look to evolution to understand why we do so.

I find I’m never alone and neither do I feel lonely when I’m out in nature. Her wisdom easily captures me, and I feel safe and calm wrapped in her welcoming arms. We converse with one another. Why do we go to nature for guidance? Why do we feel so good, so much at peace, when we see, hear, and smell other animals, when we look at trees and smell the fragrance of flowers, when we watch water in a stream, a lake, or an ocean? We often cannot articulate why, when we are immersed in nature, there are such penetrating calming effects, why we often become breathless, why we sigh, why we place a hand on our heart as we sense and feel nature’s beauty, awe, mystery, and generosity. Perhaps the feelings that are evoked are so very deep and primal that there are no words that are rich enough to convey just what we feel — joy when we know that nature is doing well and deep sorrow and pain when we feel that nature is being destroyed, exploited, and devastated. I ache when I feel nature being wounded. I experience solastalgia, as do so many others.

What about our ancestors? Surely, there must have been more significant consequences for them if they “fooled” with nature. They didn’t have all of the mechanical and intellectual know-how to undo their intrusions into natural processes. And of course, neither do we, because our rampant intrusions are so devastating, and in many cases irreversible. Indeed, early humans were probably so busy just trying to survive that they could not have had the opportunities to wreak the havoc that we have brought to nature. And the price of their injurious intrusions would likely have been much more serious for them than they are for us, because of their intimate interrelations with, and dependency on, nature.

We can easily fool ourselves into thinking things are “all right” when they’re not. Denialism is a great mechanism for allowing us to ignore the effects of what we’ve done and to continue on the heinous path of destruction. Nonetheless, our psyches, like those of our ancestors, suffer when nature is harmed. Human beings worldwide commonly lament how bad they feel when they sense nature and her complex webs being spoiled, and ecopsychologists argue just this point. It would be invaluable if we could tune in to our old big brains and let them guide us, for our brains are very much like those of our ancestors. However, our sociocultural milieus and technology have changed significantly over time, and we face new and challenging bottlenecks. Cycles of nature are still with us and also within us, although we might not be aware of their presence because we can so easily override just about anything “natural.” Much technology and our incessant “busy-ness” cause alienation from nature. This breach in turn leads to our wanton abuse of nature. It’s all too easy to harm environs to which we are not attached or to abuse other beings to whom we are not bonded, to whom we don’t feel close. But of course, if we carefully listen, animals are constantly asking us to treat them better or leave them alone. Our brains can distance us from nature, but they also can lead us back to her before the rubber band snaps. For when it does, we easily continue on the path of destruction that harms ecosystems, their animal residents, and us. There’s an instinctive drive to have close ties with nature, and when these reciprocal interconnections are threatened or ruptured, we seek nature as a remedy. Our old brains still remember the importance of being an integral and cardinal part of innumerable natural processes; they remind us how good these deep interconnections felt.

Perhaps our close ancestral ties with nature offer reasons for hope, reasons for being optimistic about healing a deeply wounded nature. It just does not feel good to cause harm to nature. Perhaps the intense joy we feel when nature is healthy, the joy we feel when we are embedded in nature’s mysterious ways and webs, is but one measure of the deep love we have for her. This love offers us a chance to change our ways, for this love awakens us from a dangerous and pitiful apathy that amounts to the betrayal of our collective responsibility to act proactively and with passion and compassion to save nature for our and future generations. Calling attention to our destructive ways and doing something to right the wrongs can be healing for us and nature. It is but one way for us to return to nature some of the wisdom and solace she provides, to allow her to continue to exist for all to relish.

So let’s all rewild our hearts and build corridors of compassion that connect diverse landscapes and all of the amazing animals who depend on our goodwill. Indifference is deadly and inexcusable. Let’s allow our old brains do their job before it’s too late.

Excerpted from the book Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed.
© Copyright 2013 by Marc Bekoff. Reprinted with permission from New World Library.
 
About The Author: Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has worked alongside leading writers and activists including Jane Goodall, Peter Singer, and PETA cofounder Ingrid Newkirk. He is the author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Animal Manifesto, among many other titles. He lives in Boulder, CO.

Disclaimer: New World Library sent Lapdog Creations a complimentary copy of Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

REVIEW: Planet Dog Holiday Items

Planet Dog Holiday Items

Where to Find: Planet Dog

The holidays are quickly approaching, as is the holiday shopping!  Have you made your list and checked it twice?  No matter how naughty they can be, we know you won't forget the pups in your life, which is why we couldn't wait to tell you all about the great goodies we received for review from Planet Dog this holiday season!

We hope your dog already has his or her very own stocking to hang by the chimney with care, but we're sure there are a lot of new pups out there this holiday season in need of one for Santa Paws to stuff. Or, perhaps you need to replace an existing one - or, ah-hum, a non-existing one if someone got a little too chewy last year.  

The Lapdogs love the Classic Canine Stocking.  Available in traditional holiday tartan colors, this big stocking is truly universal.  It is 100% lined and features a soft, white Berber fleece cuff which you can easily personalize with your pup's name.  Measuring in at 17" long and 7" wide (neither measurement includes the "foot" part), this stocking is big enough to fit all of the coolest toys and treats on your pup's wish list!

The Orbee-Tuff Coal ball sure is a fun gift to give - to both humans and canines!  I think it would be the cutest gag gift ever for the doggy parent with a sense of humor on your list.  And, of course, it's a great gift for the canine who loves to chew.  Rated 5 out of 5 Chompers, this minty lump of coal is suitable for the most aggressive chewers.  Made in the USA, the Orbee-Tuff Coal easily rinses clean, in non-toxic and recyclable. 

The Lapdogs have loved Planet Dogs eats since they first came out!  In fact, back in 2010 we gave eats our Official 16 Paws Up Seal of Approval!  Fans for a long time, we also reviewed the PB & J and Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie flavors in 2012.  As I said, the Lapdogs sure do love these tasty, great smelling little treats!  Their Mama does too - eats are Made in the USA with all natural ingredients and have been designed to fit inside any of the Orbee-Tuff toys.  I love turning treat time into an interactive fun game. 

Of course, eats are also fantastic treats all on their own.  They are free of wheat, corn and soy, as well as gluten.  They are available in 12oz boxes, in two flavors - PB & J is made with real Maine blueberries and the Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie features pumpkin to help aid digestion. 

Visit Planet Dog for some fabulous finds for the 4-legged ones on your holiday gift list this year, as well as their proud parents.  You'll find a wonderful selection of toys, treats, collars & leashes, home items, travel items and more -- all Made in the USA! Plus, Planet Dog donates 2% of every purchase to the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) to support canine service programs nationwide. PDF provides cash grants to programs throughout the country that train, place and support dogs who help people in need. Since January 2006, PDF has given away more than $875,000 in cash grants and in-kind product donations.

Disclosure: Planet Dog sent the above pictured items to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Nature's Variety Instinct Treats

Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits

with Rabbit Meal and Apples

Where to Find: Chewy.com

Just in time for Tasty Tuesday, our friends over at Chewy.com have sent us another delicious treat to review!  This month we have Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits with Rabbit Meal and Apples.   

"At Nature's Variety, our passion is the health and happiness of your cherished cat or dog. We are proud pet parents, just like you! So we understand that your pet has a special place in your family, in your life, and in your heart." - Nature's Variety

Nature's Variety, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is passionate when it comes to providing holistic nutrition for both cats and dogs.  This small, independent pet food company believes the best nutrition starts with healthy, natural ingredients.

I was very excited to have the Lapdogs try these biscuits - perhaps almost as excited as they were to eat them!  After all, they are Made in The USA, grain-free and feature a non-typical protein source, rabbit.  I figured Lola and Teutul would love them, like anything else, but wasn't sure how my picky pups, Zeus and Sophie, would react.  Needless to say, all four Lapdogs loved them, and I'm thrilled to have yet another amazing grain-free treat to add to our regular rotation! 

"Instinct grain-free biscuits are guilt-free, healthy treats that your dog will love and you can feel good about.  In nature, your dog would choose to eat meat, poultry, and fish - not grain." - Nature's Variety

It's official, the Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits with Rabbit Meal and Apples are a huge hit!  While we selected the rabbit variety for various reasons, these perfectly sized bone shaped treats are available in three additional flavors: Chicken Meal and Cranberries, Lamb Meal and Carrots, and Duck Meal and Sweet Potatoes. Each variety is available in an 11oz bag, which comes with a convenient sticker you can use to easily and quickly reseal the treats.... genius! (Why don't all dog treat bags have this extra little feature?)   

You can pick up these, along with other Nature's Variety treats over at Chewy.com, where 1-2 day shipping is always free with your order of $49 or more!  Restock the pantry at your house, and do a little holiday shopping for the furbabies on your list. 

Disclosure: Chewy.com sent a box of Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

GIVEAWAY WINNER! Treat

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a personalized mug and stationery set from Treat!

The winner has been chosen by Random Number Generator... Congratulations to Roxy!  We can't wait to see what your Mom creates, and sure do hope it'll be your pretty face on the mug!

Stay tuned... reviews coming soon include Necessary Pins (for knitting), Woodland Knits, Planet Dog holiday items, Cloud Star and more!

GIVEAWAY: One-on-One with Treat

Do you Treat?  "Do I what?," you say? 

 

Treat... as in the website where you can create one-of-a-kind greeting cards. 

I absolutely love having the ability to create completely personal cards for birthdays and holidays, all from the comfort of my own home.  Once created - through a very easy and simply process - I can then have the card either mailed to me or directly to my recipient.  Personally, I like to get the cards so I may include a handwritten note, however when time is of the essence, I let Treat do all the work.  And get this, the only cost for them to mail the card off?  The cost of a postage stamp.  How amazing is that?  I can't even begin to tell you the wonderful reaction I receive from these cards.  Most notably the birthday card I sent to my Dad earlier this year.  I used a bunch of old photos of he and I, creating a truly memorable piece that he treasures.  

Treat even offers digital cards.  Of course, these digital cards are unlike any other you've seen.  Check them out for yourself...

Now, let's talk holidays.  Yes, they are creeping up faster than you can say Turkey Day!  Treat now has an amazing collection of one-to-one holiday cards and personalized gifts available.  Now you can personalize the card and gift all in one place!  Choose from such great gifts as mugs and canvas prints to iPhone cases and stationery. There is sure to be something for everyone on your list! 

Thanks to the great folks over at Treat, one lucky reader is going to win their very own personalized mug and set of stationery!  Just don't hesitate on entering... this is going to be a super fast giveaway!  And, because of that, entering is going to be easy-peasy, just like creating cards and gifts over at Treat! 

Are you ready to win?

• To enter, view Treat's holiday cards, then leave a comment below indicating which card was your favorite.   

• For a bonus entry, like the Lapdog Creations Facebook page and leave a separate comment below indicating you did so.

To be eligible to win, you must be a resident of the USA.  Winner will receive a 1 (one) mug and 1 set (one set) of personal stationery.  Please be sure your entry includes a way to contact you (i.e. link to your blog or include your email address).

Winner will be selected by random number generator. Deadline for entries is Friday, November 22nd at 11:59pm EST (midnight).

This post is sponsored by Treat.  I am being compensated with free product for helping spread the word about their holiday products, however Lapdog Creations only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.  All opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Happy Dog Box

Happy Dog Box

Where to Find: Happy Dog Box

"Spoil Your Dog Silly" ~ Happy Dog Box

Who doesn't love a box full of goodies delivered straight to your door every month?  Such subscriptions have become quite popular and include everything from make-up and household items to beer and cheese.  Of course, we all know the best ones are the ones for our furry family members (although this doggy Mama wouldn't complain if Santa wanted to bring her a yarn box subscription)!  After all, these boxes make the people smile and the dogs wag!

We were recently contacted by the folks at Happy Dog Box asking if we would be interested in doing a review of their boxes.   They did not have to ask twice...

Teutul and Lola were sniffing out the goodies as soon as our Happy Dog Box arrived and wasted no time interrupting the review photo shoot.

Happy Dog Box is a monthly gift box filled with only the very best in toys and treats for canines.  When you subscribe (or if your pup is lucky enough to receive a gift subscription), a Happy Dog Box will show up on your doorstep each month, stuffed full with at least five premium products.  Items are carefully selected from leading manufacturers, as well as up-and-coming boutique brands. Personally, I love the up-and-coming stuff the most!  Subscription boxes are the best way to learn about and try new products. Kudos to companies like Happy Dog Box who can help launch the "little guy" brands.


Inside our Happy Dog Box we found...

• Cloud Star Dynamo Dog Hip & Joint treats - If you recall our review of Dynamo treats this summer, you already know we give these 16 paws up!  We're thrilled to see such great quality, Made in the USA treats included in our box - especially ones for hip & joint issues!
• Jump Your Bones Roo Jerky - This gluten free 100% uniquely dehydrated kangaroo meat is Made in Australia with no preservatives, no flavoring or coloring, no added salt or sugar, and no soy.  While the Lapdogs have not yet tried it, I am sure they will soon be jumping for 'roo.
• Woofables Gourmet Dog Bakery Handmade Biscuits - As I mentioned, we love trying the "little guy" brands and this is surely one that shines!  Each biscuit is cut by hand and made with all-natural ingredients.  Just look at the adorable duck and carrot shapes (above).  Apparently, they must taste as good as they look because the Lapdogs were drooling for more!  The package we received was marked wheat free, however the exact flavor was not included. 
• Earth Rated PoopBags Dispenser - These poop bags were created to help care for the environment, while making picking up poop more fun and keeping your pocketbook happy.  The cute green dispenser can be clipped to a bag or belt loop, or you can use the Velcro strap to attach it to a leash.  The bags are long, strong and have a subtle lavender scent. 
• Jolly Pets Monster Mouth - This adorable treat dispensing toy is great for engaging your dog's brain activity, while he chews on something appropriate!  Hide some treats inside and watch him go nuts, especially with the unpredictable bounce.  The Monster Mouth is designed to massage gums and help keep teeth clean. 
• Barkworthies Curly Bully Stick - I don't think I've met a dog yet who doesn't love a bully stick.... enough said!

Happy Dog Box subscriptions can be tailored to your dog's size - Small, Medium or Large -  and are available in Monthly, 3 Month and 6 Month durations.  Cost is $25 per month (with free shipping!), however if you sign up for 6 months you will save 16%, making each box just $21.

If you're looking to try a subscription box service, give Happy Dog Box a go!  Subscriptions also make great holiday gifts for the furbabies on your list...and the Lapdogs have no shame is barking out loud about how much they sure would love Santa to bring them one!

Disclosure: Happy Dog Box sent a box to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Soup Night

Soup Night

Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup

by Maggie Stuckey

Paperback: 304 Pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (October 22, 2013)

There's a chill in the air here in New England and that has me craving comfort food like you would not believe!  I'm sure I'm not the only one though, am I right?  And, what better comfort food is there during the long winter months than a big bowl of steamy soup?  Not only is it the perfect cold weather food, it's great for sharing and creating community...
 

Remember the good 'ole days when children played freely in the streets (heading home for dinner when the street lights came on) and neighbors were, well, neighborly to one another.  You not only knew their names, but you BBQ'ed together on hot summer nights and shared hot cocoa and good conversation in the dead of winter. Now, kids play video games indoors and adults rush home from work to watch TV and chat online.  We know more about our Facebook friends, whom we've never met in person, than we do our own neighbors. 

In Soup Night: Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup, author Maggie Stuckey shares her optimism for bringing back the idea of neighborhood communities and talking to friends in person... as opposed to online!  Through wonderful community stories, Maggie has documented the powerful and positive ripple effect that the humble idea of gathering friends and neighbors on a regular basis for casual soup nights has on everyone.  But, of course, Soup Night isn't just about stories of sharing, it features some great recipes as well... more than 90 soups, as well as 40 additional recipes for sides, salads and desserts!

Soup Night is divided into six chapters; Soup Kettle Basics, Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer and Start Your Own Soup Night.  Each recipe is clearly written and the photographs throughout will make your mouth water.  Stories and tid-bits are scattered throughout making this much more than just another cook book. 

Some recipes that have caught my eye (or rather, earned a post-it tab on their pages) include Pumpkin Chicken Chowder, Taco Soup, Crab-Apple Soup, Creamy Cauliflower Soup and Neely's Potato-Cheese Soup.

I'm not sure we'll be hosting a neighborhood soup night anytime soon, but I sure am enjoying the stories of other people's community events.  And, I'll be enjoying the recipes quite a bit as well.

Love soup?  Grab yourself a copy of Soup Night today!  The book would make a great gift for long distance friends and family, especially with a heartfelt inscription inside.  For anyone lucky enough to have a neighborhood holiday swap, you should already be clicking on the Amazon link above!

 

Disclaimer: Storey Publishing, LLC sent a complimentary copy of Soup Night to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

REVIEW: Sleepy Eyes Knits Wonderlace

Sleepy Eyes Knits: Wonderlace

by Gina House

Hardcover: 80 pages

First Printing, September 2013

Where to Find: Sleepy Eyes Knits

Gina House, aka Sleepy Eyes Knits, is back with another collection of whimsical designs in her second book, Wonderlace.  The long awaited follow up to Dreamscape does not disappoint and will have lace knitters oohing and ahhing for years to come!

"Grab a lovely cup of tea, your most luxurious yarn and your favorite needles... and open this photo album to enter the magical world of lace knitting." ~ Gina House

Featuring 13 fairy tale inspired accessories, Wonderlace is THE book that should be on every lace knitter's wish list this holiday season.  The self-published, hardcover book features over 100 full color photographs which truly bring out the beauty in each and every design.  The instructions are clearly written, and charts are easy to follow.  Each individual pattern even includes it's own chart key, which prevents you from having to flip back and forth through pages while working on a project.  Your focus remains on what you're doing.

The designs not only cover all skill levels, beginner to advanced; but also all weights of yarn, lace to bulky.  That's right, not all lace patterns are written for lace weight yarn and toothpick size needles!  Some of my personal favorites are...

• Taylor Cowl - a versatile, reversible cowl that makes the perfect fall and winter accessory for you neck.  The pattern is written for both a DK and a Bulky weight yarn, giving you several options.

• Beauty Shawl - inspired by Belle's ball gown in "Beauty & The Beast," this shawl is designed to move with you thanks to the increasing fan stitch edging.  As the name suggests, this shawl is a true beauty!

• Poison Apple Beret - if you can't guess, Gina took inspiration from Snow White for this gorgeous head warmer.  Using luxurious silk and mohair, this beret will keep any chic chick stylish and warm all winter long!

 
As with Dreamscape, I really love how Gina's personality shines through in Wonderlace.  I suppose that's a huge benefit to self-publishing your work - controlling every.single.detail. from start to finish - but it's also quite a task to take on.  Gina not only does it all, but she does it all well. Creating beautiful designs, and spreading good cheer and happiness to all seems to be second nature for her. Just look at how I received my review copy of Wonderlace... a perfectly wrapped package, and a lovely handwritten inscription inside. Gina truly is one of a kind... I just haven't figured out where she finds the time to create these amazing patterns.  Maybe she truly is a fairy tale character in disguise?       

If you enjoy lace knitting and love fairy tales, Wonderlace is for you!  Pick up a copy for yourself and grab an extra for a friend.  You can learn more about Gina and Sleepy Eyes Knits here, plus check out Sleepy Eyes Knits on Facebook and Etsy.

 

Disclaimer: Sleepy Eyes Knits sent a complimentary copy of Wonderlace to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

REVIEW & COUPON: Dog City & Co

Dog City & Co.

Dog Breed Tees

Where to Find: Dog City & Co.

What pet lover doesn't love pet themed gifts?  Are you always looking for something new and unique?  Allow me introduce you to Dog City & Co., a line of products designed for pet lovers. 

Based out of Chicago, IL, Dog City & Co. offers tees, pillows, mugs, totes, prints, and more, covering over 50 breeds.  Designer Niki Crowe founded the line in 2011 after adopting her beloved rescued pit bull.  Wanting to show off her love for her new furbaby, Niki soon realized there was a huge lack of products available for stylish dog lovers.  Armed with a graphic design background, she set out to create a unique line of typographic prints made up of dog breed silhouettes and the words used to best describe each breed.

"We're all a little pet obsessed and half the fun is letting everyone know it." ~ Niki Crowe

When I was asked if I would review one of Dog City & Co.'s dog breed tees, of course I said yes!  Considering that my pack consists of 4 rescued mixed breeds, I opted to go with the "Dog" style on a women's long sleeve tee.  It is filled with all sorts of drool-worthy dog words, including Dog, Friend, Lovable, Canine, Mutt, Loyal, Park, Sleep, Bone, Woof, Trusting, Cuddle, Lick, Companion, Nap, Intelligent... the list goes on and on. 

I simply adore this tee and am extremely pleased with the design and quality.  I've worn the shirt 3 times and it just gets more comfy with each washing.  One of the things I was most pleased about is the sizing.  The women's long sleeve tee has a very true-to-size fit.  It is not an itty-bitty, tween cut, but a true women's cut.  I would most compare it in sizing to the Life Is Good women's tees.  This is truly welcomed, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who's found really cute tees, only to realize you need to be 12 years old to wear them.

Another thing I love about Dog City & Co. is Niki's love and support for rescue animals.  A portion of every sale is donated to various small, underfunded rescues throughout the USA.  Additionally, Dog City & Co. works directly with interested rescue organizations to help them raise funds through an apparel program.

Whether you're looking for breed specific items, or just adore a simple "mutt" as I do, you're sure to find some great stuff at Dog City & Co.  You can even get custom designs based on your own pet!  How incredibly cool is that? 

Speaking of cool, how would a cool 20% off your order sound?  Thanks to the great Dog City & Co. folks, I get to offer my readers just that!  That's right, get 20% off your order when you use coupon code LAPDOG.  Just don't wait too long to do your shopping... this offer is good through December 1, 2013.  Now is the time to not only order holiday gifts for those you love, but to treat yourself as well. 

Disclosure: Dog City & Co. sent a long sleeve t-shirt to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: FROMM Four-Star Nutritionals Dog Treats

FROMM Four-Star Nutritionals

Grain-Free Parmesan Cheese Recipe

Where to Find: Chewy.com

The Lapdogs couldn't wait to bark all about it... Our buddies over at Chewy.com have sent us yet another delicious treat to try!  This time it is FROMM Four-Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Parmesan Cheese Recipe treats. 

We just love so much about these treats, where shall we begin? 

First of all, FROMM has been family owned and operated in Wisconsin since 1904.  In fact, they are the world's first and oldest family-owned and operated premium pet food company. FROMM specializes in finely crafted pet food and treats, and they stand behind every product with a money back guarantee.   


Second, these amazing smelling treats are made right here in the good 'ole USA.  Oven baked with fresh Wisconsin parmesan cheese, vegetables and a touch of oregano, I kid you not when I say they smell so amazing that you will wish they were made for humans!  They certainly had all four Lapdogs lined up, drooling for more.

Third, the Parmesan Cheese Recipe treats are grain-free.  This little tidbit has come to be so important to so many pet families in recent years.  While we still have some "regular" treats in our household, I tend to be buying more and more of the grain-free varieties these days.  Not only do I have two allergy-prone hounds in the pack, I just think all four dogs seem to do better with them.

I can go on and on telling you how much the Lapdogs loved these delicious little bites, but I think the pictures speak for themselves (that is, the pictures I was able to snap before they gobbled up the crunchy cookies).  We are certainly going to be adding FROMM treats to our regular rotation going forward.  With several other grain-free flavors available, my kids surely won't get bored... Salmon with Sweet Potato, Chicken with Carrots & Peas, and Lamb with Cranberry are all on our list. 

We urge you to grab a bag - or two - for your pack today!  Ordering is easy over at Chewy.com and 1-2 day shipping is absolutely free when you spend $49 or more!  Do a little early holiday shopping while you're at it... we're sure there's some well deserving furbabies on your gift giving list.

Disclosure: Chewy.com sent a bag of FROMM Four-Star Nutritionals treats to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Throw The Damn Ball

Throw The Damn Ball

Classic Poetry by Dogs

by R.D. Rosen, Harry Prichett, and Rob Battles

Hardcover: 142 Pages

Publisher:  Plume (October 29, 2013)

Love dogs?  Love humor?  Love poetry?  Let me introduce you to your favorite new book, Throw The Damn Ball - Classic Poetry By Dogs. 

Throw The Damn Ball is a hilarious collection that will have any dog lover rolling on the floor, laughing out loud.  Bestselling authors R.D. Rosen, Harry Prichett, and Rob Battles have teamed up once again to bring you the wittiest, wise-cracking dog poetry ever.  You may recognize the titles of some of their previous collaborations; Bad Dog, Bad Cat and Bad President.

"Borrowing heavily from the classic poets including Yeats, Dickinson and Frost, the poems in this volume reflect every dog's concerns: love, loss, friendship..."

Not only is each poem "channeled" through a smarter-than-the-average-human canine, each is also accompanied by full color photos of these witty dogs in odd, cheeky and funny poses and costumes.  Perhaps, the photos alone will have many LOLing.  If not, just look at some of the titles...

• Paw Ditty
• Scratch Me Arse
• Dreaming of Booty
• Hamburger Helpless
• Licking My Balls on a Snowy Evening
• Ode To Errands

Pick up a copy of Throw The Damn Ball today... or better yet, pick up two.  It makes the perfect stocking stuffer for literary dog lovers on your holiday list!

About the Authors: R.D. Rosen is the Edgar Award-winning author of Strike Three You’re Dead and other Harvey Blissberg mysteries, plus several nonfiction books.  Harry Prichett has written and performed for the improv comedy group Chicago City Limits, and is the voice you often hear on television and radio commercials.  Rob Battles, who has written and produced for public radio stations and National Public Radio, is a senior vice president for a large, forward-looking media company.
Together, Rosen, Prichett and Battles wrote the bestselling Bad Dog, Bad Baby, Bad President, and (with Jim Edgar) Bad Cat.

Disclaimer: Plume sent a complimentary copy of Throw The Damn Ball to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

GIVEAWAY WINNER! Shutterfly Gift Card

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the $50 Shutterfly Gift Card!

The winner has been chosen by Rafflecopter... Congratulations to Jen & her newfies!  I can't wait to see what you create!

Stay tuned... reviews coming soon include Woodland Knits, Planet Dog holiday items, Wonderlace, Throw the Damn Ball, dog themed tees and more!

GIVEAWAY WINNER! Lace One-Skein Wonders

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of Lace One-Skein Wonders!

The winner has been chosen by Rafflecopter... Congratulations to Jenn!  Here's to trying something new and expanding your knitting horizons.

Stay tuned... reviews coming soon include Woodland Knits, Planet Dog holiday items, Wonderlace, Throw the Damn Ball, dog themed tees and more!

GIVEAWAY: Shutterfly Gift Card

Shutterfly Gift Card

 

Fall is upon us and you know what that means... the holidays are getting ready to 'round the corner!  Unless you've been hibernating, you can't help but notice the holiday decorations, gifts and candy that have already taken over the stores (hello Home Depot and your Christmas tree forest that was set up in September).  I thought it might be funny to give out Christmas candy on Halloween this year... but then again, we'd actually need Trick 'or Treaters to come to our house for anyone besides me to laugh. 

Have you started prepping for the busy holiday season yet?  Perhaps by gift buying, or list writing, or even food planning?  When it comes to gifts, I tend to pick up things here and there throughout the year as I find unique items... and, as a knitter, I've always got gifts on my needles as well.  That means my official "kick off" to the holiday season doesn't involve shopping for gifts, but instead it is picking out and ordering our holiday cards.  I have been using Shutterfly for years now and absolutely love their huge selection, not to mention the amazing quality.

No matter what your style, you'll find a holiday card that suits you perfectly at Shutterfly.  Is your style classic, with traditional colors, aspirational sentiments and iconic illustrations?   Maybe you're more contemporary, using texture and layering, shine and glitter, and trendy colors?  If humor and nostalgia come together at your house, one of the whimsy cards will fit in just perfectly.  Want to showcase your religion with incorporated stories and metallic type?   You'll find hundreds of cards, all waiting to be personalized with your photos, family member names and that personal touch that just screams "you."  Check out the entire Shutterfly 2013 Holiday Card Collection here. 

Shutterfly has even added some new things for 2013, including 5x7 tri-fold cards and back of card designs.  The tri-fold cards look like so much fun...

But wait, there's more... Shutterfly is not just for cards!  They have a wide selection of photo gifts too!  You can personalize everything from mugs and cell phone cases to pillows and blankets to puzzles and desk organizes.  There are even growth charts and wall art options, and of course, you can turn your photos into Christmas ornaments as well.

I can't wait to design our 2013 Christmas card!  I've been working on my photo selection and have several Shutterfly card designs in mind.  As you can see, I've scattered some of my favorites throughout this post.  I'm still chuckling out loud over the "Definitely Naughty" headline just above... would make a very cute Lapdog card, wouldn't it?  I adore the whimsy aspect of the "Spread Cheer" card.  Those colors are very unexpected for a holiday card and with the photos used in the example, it has a fun 70's vibe.  Of course, how could I not adore the "Woofing You a Perfect Holiday" card... However, I'm still in awe over those chic tri-fold cards as well.  Decisions, decisions... just what will we be sending out in two short months?

Have you caught the holiday spirit by reading this post?  Ready to design your own personalized holiday cards?  Would a $50 gift certificate put you in a festive mood?  Thanks to the Shutterly elves, Christmas is going to come a little early for one lucky reader!  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter, however please be sure to leave a comment on this post below answering the question found in the Rafflecopter.  The question answer is mandatory.  The other steps are optional, but will gain you extra entries.  One lucky reader will win a $50 off their total Shutterly order plus free shipping!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. I am being compensated with free product for helping spread the word about their 2013 holiday card collection and photo gifts, but Lapdog Creations only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.  All opinions expressed are my own.