REST-minster after effects..

On Saturday, Lacy slept the entire day! All the fancy prancing, butt sniffing and red carpet posing at the Pre-Westminster Fashion show and gala in New York's Hotel Pennsylvania last week was exhausting for the poor diva. She was actually relieved to spend the last hour of the event, zipped in and snoozing comfortably in her carry-on crate, flanked by the two ever present german shephards eight times her size, who chose to hang out at our side of the vendor table. Could have been the treats I kept passing over to them, I imagine. They were such sweeties, like a couple of big old bears so I couldn’t resist. They pretty much left Lacy alone, except to lap up her water bowl in a nano second each time I filled it.

It was a great night. Lots of color and glitz, masks and costumes, some beautiful and some just plain silly, on both people and pups. I always feel bad for the dogs who CLEARLY don't want to be dressed in exaggerated attire, but for the most part, it was fun for one and all with many of the pooches loving the adoration bestowed on them by passers by and puparazzi alike. Sales went well although even with the offer of wholesale pricing for the sweaters, only a few were bought up. The harnesses were a hit and some sizes even sold out, because I only brought along a limited supply. It’s so hard to tell how much to bring to these events, given the space limitations of each vendor table. But no complaints here, the whole purpose being exposure for Lollypups, and just having fun. Met lots of nice people, both vendors and customers alike, but my biggest take away from the whole night was that people were there to “be seen” and not to buy, so I consider myself lucky we did as well as we did.

Back home, Erika re-educated me on how to set up my Facebook page (again) and I think I’m getting the hang of it, though there are still things that puzzle me about the whole process. Frustrating, yes but I’ll get there.

Meanwhile, it was back to the drawing board (literally) and I’m feverishly sketching new embellishment details to scan in and use in my library. I’m so thankful (pat on the back to you JoAnn) that I was patient enough to learn how to use Illustrator and Photoshop as a designing tool, along with  performing all the other tasks necessary for a start up business. Though difficult at times, being a corporation of one has it’s plus side if one has the right tools and attitude of fun and discovery.  That I have.  My fiddle playing does suffer though, from lack of practice time. Can’t have it all I guess……… nah. I will.

Peace and pats.

The Pre_Westminster Fashion Show and Gala is upon us

So today is Wednesday and almost all preparations for the gala are complete....harness vests have been added to the collection, free gift with purchase tucked into valentine bags, tasty table treats for pet and parent alike, masquerade theme set up for the table (all of my 3 feet worth of space!).   I've done it before and I'll do it again so no worries there. I added feathers to my School of Visual Arts mask and either will use it to decorate the table or wear it for photo ops. Not sure yet.

Glad Erika will be helping me again this year!   

       My model for the fashion show is a too, too cute little bit of maltese adorableness,  named ZZ, with a face like a younger version of The Divine Ms. Lacy. Ilene, her mom, wants to get her into modeling and by the looks of her, I can’t see how she’d fail!  If Jeff  got the go-ahead to film ’Moose on the Loose’, I would certainly cast her in the female lead, as Moose’s love interest. Hmmmmm……haven’t thought of that project in a while! Time to resurrect it perhaps now that dog lovers have taken over the world!!

           Ms. Lacy however is not up to snuff these days. Seems one of her "hot spots" has grown to the size of a garbanzo bean and bright red,  due to her constant licking. It's just at chest level on her upper right front leg so the ease with which she slurps on it has initiated the need for me to keep coming up with creative ways to to keep it covered.  I’ve sprayed it with ‘chew guard’ (doesn’t work), wrapped it in surgical gauze and tape (which slips down to her paw resembling a mini legwarmer after 15 minutes), don her in tee shirts with sleeves (freckled with dried blood within the hour). I’m thinking of fetching (no pun intended) her ‘cone of shame’ out of shear exasperation but feel too sorry for the old girl to put her through that. Gladly, it’s not dangerous according to her vet, and doesn’t hurt her.  It’s just something that’s common to the breed . She’s actually had several of these cysts removed twice before. She was younger then but now, I shudder at the thought of putting her under anesthesia for fear she won’t wake up.  Emily suggests that I go ahead with it,  but insist on  local anesthetic, since it's just one that needs to be removed. I may do that.  But for now, I keep a close watch over it, keep it clean, spray it with antiseptic and put a pillow over my head at night to avoid the cringe-worthy sound of her consistant licking.

           Brother-in-law Gary will be visiting from Florida on Thursday so a family dinner with spouse, daughters and their husbands, (precious) only grandson and cousins is in my future (the day after the gala to be exact). I suggested cold cuts and potato salad and got a unanimous ’whaaaaaatttt???’ from said kids and spouse. Maybe I’ll just cater it.
And life goes on………"for the little heartbeat at my feet". (to paraphrase Edith Wharton) And here’s a bit of trivia, did you know she was one of the first founders of the ASPCA? I didn’t either. Peace.

My little germ factory is at it again.........

Just when I think it's safe to smother my grand baby in kisses, his runny nose catches me off guard again and wham, I'm back out of commission.  All the handwashing in the world won't stop baby germs, that's a fact.   Doctor said "stop making out with the baby and you'll stop getting sick" and I should have listened last month after a bronchial infection knocked me on my butt, but I truly learned my lesson after this knock down, drag out bout with a24 hour stomach virus that hit me right at the beginning of my tapas dinner party! Bed rest for an entire day which I really couldn't afford, so I am listening to him now (grudgingly I might add) and managed to stay away from the love of my life for at least a day.

Continuing getting ready for the Pre-Westminster Fashion Fashion Show and Gala 2012 this year,

http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com with new Spring 2012 harness vests in the works. So chic and functional, made right here in the USA and priced right! The sweaters will be offered at wholesale prices to attendees at the event for that night only and I’ve been FB-ing and Tweeting constantly to get the word out. There is a Venetian Masquarade theme but I feel costuming the Divine Ms. Lacy at this stage of her 15 years is undignified and slightly humiliating so, sporting one of the newest harness styles will be as dressed as she’ll get. I, on the other hand, may just wear the “Satan’s Little Helper” devil mask from Jeff's film of the same name and scare the bejesus out of one and all…..just kidding ofcourse. I do have the mask I made for the School of Visual Arts 40th anniversary gala. Add a few feathers and viola! Venetian Masquarade revisited. We’ll see if I even decide to use it.  Maybe as a prop.

I loved doing the masks used in The Actor's Shakespeare Company’s production of  "Two Gentlemen of Verona" back in 2004 I believe,  but don't see myself going through that kind of time consuming creativity for this event.  Time is better spent perfecting the Spring '12 collection and generating some interest (read sales).  I attended Texworld at the Javitts Center again on Tuesday and came away with color and fabric direction for 2013 and a great solution for the new paisley harness embellishment from Mako Inc. I always find something wonderful and inspirational from them. Now to place my order so it's delivered in time for the gala.  So far I have 3 new spring styles to introduce.  The new fringed plaids will have to wait for the Winter collection though....
And away I go, germ free and back on track! 

Holidays fun.....and .....over........

I'm no Ebenezer Scrooge.....not by any stretch...I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME......however, I find that as I get older, my tolerance level has waned .........to.......nonexistent.  I don't know why, I just find so many things about celebrating the holidays have become fodder for situation comedy-like situations,  or reality shows (both of which I've never taken a liking to). 
I found refuge at the shelter though. 50 plus dogs were rescued from a shelter down South and transferred to Elmsford over the holiday and I went to pay a visit.  They were in various stages of confusion which was sad, but several volunteers were soothing, talking and making them feel welcome.
There was Button, pure white, wiry haired and skittish.  A few milk bones and scratches behind the ears, and he was ready to go.  I took him out and we played in the yard, he's great with tennis balls......as long as you have several on hand as he grew bored with each one,  and he wanted to RUN, when we started to take a walk.  That was OK, I was glad to oblige but, my running days are over and the senior me had to slow down (reluctantly) after a short period of time.  Ah youth..........He would gallop like a stallion set free, tongue flapping and wearing what looked like a big grin.  It made me so happy to feel that same breeze on my face that he was feeling on his.  No more fear, no more uncertainty .......but then he'd stop short......bow his head down in a cringe, lower his tail and look back over his shoulder at me with sad eyes.  It broke my heart.  Who scared you Button, who would dare to hurt you?  Never again now that you're here. We will see to that.   Now he needs to relearn how to trust.


I'm happy to report, Dale, the beautiful great dane mix,  was adopted in December,  though I had no doubt he would be.
Sheeba, still my first priority, has slowed down a lot.  Kind of behaving like Lacy does now.......
two steps forward......stop.....look up as if to say, that's enough.....treat , two more steps forward.  I guess old dogs follow the same age related pattern (don't we all?)  Sweet girl.

Stayed with friends in the city for New Year's weekend like we did last year.  Great food, wine and champagne flowing, Central Park fireworks and midnight runners slapping five to shouts of Happy New Year and horns blowing. Lots of merriment and celebration.  Good for the soul, for sure. Then movie marathon, junk food, bloody mary's and an 80 pound black lab pretending she's a lap dog, sleeping on top of me.  Silly Tilly.  While Lacy was all out of sorts the whole time there, doing nothing but sleeping, body pressed against the arm rest of the leather couch. 
Now it's back to work.  The pre-Westminster Gala will take place on February 10 and I've once again decided to participate.  I did ok last year, and broke even so even if I do the same this year, I think it's important that I keep the brand in the public eye.  I have some new harnesses (as per my previous post delighting over the newly discovered fabric resource right across the Tappan Zee bridge) and intend to sell the sweaters at wholesale prices for the night.  It feels good to be able to concentrate on the business again. It feels good to be healthy again after two back to back bouts with major bronchial infections since our return from Italy.  It feels good that 2011 and the joy that year brought to our little family unit is still reverberating.  Jeff was a bit more mellow and less curmudgeonly this year, during our festivities, due mostly to it being Logan's first Christmas.  Children always make celebration happier.
So........2012.......here we are.......doing what we do, living and loving, working and playing, making a difference.... what's in store?  Can't wait to see........   Happy New Year!!

SSSLLLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWW season...

A situation that's both bad and good. Gives me much needed time to send out mailings, design new styles and shop for next season. Fun. Found a new resource for vintage fabrics, buttons and trims ::yowza!!::: where I will be able to acquire some more fringed wool. And not far from home!! I was also able to reorder the cool little mittens again this year, so the "Holiday Mittens" harness vest is being reissued. Big seller that one.  Because of the fact that the plaid I used for the first one was a remnant, I thought I'd be limited in the number of pieces I could produce. I may not get the exact camel plaid but the substitutes make for a whole new look. Yaaa!
So far, several stores have responded to the mailings inquiring about wholesale pricing, lead time etc. so I'm happy the Lollypups name is getting out there and more people are visiting the site. I'm also happy that I can jump back into the biz with NO further family commitments or travel, except of course, the holidays (and occasional babysitting) until June when we'll be headed to Switzerland!! Stay tuned.
On a sad note, I was finally able to go back to the shelter to see my seniors last week and was told that Reily had passed the week before. Poor little bony boy, although I knew how sick he was, I'm sorry I didn't get to see him again and that broke my heart. Now Sheeba is the only one left of my three friends and I know it sounds silly, but she does seem a bit slower and sadder...I know she misses her companions-- first Buzzy and now Reily, and I hope the shelter will at least put another senior in her pen with her to keep her company. I'll check on her soon and maybe suggest it.

I kind of felt the need to look into the eyes of some youngsters that day, and maybe feel less hopeless with their situation then I do with my seniors. So I met Hector, who was brought into the shelter in October. Wow, talk about love at first sight.....(new?) He's a Glen of Imaal terrier mix and 6 years old, but doesn't look like the picture anymore since his fur has grown over his face making him look like a mini-sheep dog. He has the disposition of a goofy, fun loving, nerdy kind of bear and I know he'll get adopted but just needs a grooming. Another one I met was Dale, a great dane mix and not overly huge. Talk about beautiful! Crystal clear blue eyes, white and black face and still just a pup. Under a year if I remember correctly. I think I'll start posting pictures of the dogs on my website. If people aren't going to buy the clothing, at least they may pass the word about these wonderful animals that so desperately need a home. http://www.petsalivewest.org/
A quick trip to the city tomorrow, apple pies to bake then off to Albany for Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Newly weds and their family.  I have so very much to be thankful for this year and am always aware of that fact.  If the business picks up, so much more so.  Happy Thanksgiving!

THE DOGS OF ITALY

We took a trip  to Milan, Sardinia and Florence this past month. Besides doing all the touresty things, I observed how Italians treat their dogs, and there were many to observe. For the most part the pups appeared loved and well cared for, and as in most of Europe, accompanied their human everywhere. Bakeries, boutiques, meat markets, restaurants......everywhere I went, there they were, like little alter egos participating in daily human activities with patience and grace. However, I did notice that Italians DO NOT dress their dogs. I saw very few sweaters (though the weather was still fairly warm) and certainly, no fru fru dresses, tee shirts or bandanas so my undisclosed hopes of expanding the business were sadly deflated.



It  appeared that the dog of choice in Milan and Florence was a squat little, smooth coated terrier type, a breed I was  unable to identify. I must have seen a dozen of them-- fawn and white or black and white with a patch over one eye.  There were also quite a few strays roaming the streets. One little apricot colored poodle had no collar and trotted along the narrow streets in Florence. It walked right up to two other small dogs sitting with a homeless man resting against a building, and as if in recognition, wagged it's tail excitedly as if wanting to play. They just snorted and he trotted off again. Was he lost? He didn’t appear to be in distress and did seem well taken care of.  I would have scooped him up in a nano second but thought, what would I be able to do for him? Take him home? I think not. I looked around to see if there was anyone to whom he may have belonged, but peope just continued to scurry along and took no notice of him.   This was all far too emotionally draining on our first day in Florence, so I made a note to myself to check out what kind of shelter programs are available for pets in Italy. Curious.

We went into the Mercado Centrale, a huge indoor market in via dell'Ariento and took pictures of the displays of fresh mushrooms (truffles are in season), fruits, meats and cheeses while deciding what wine we wanted to buy. At one meat stand, a butcher was tossing scraps to an excited patron standing on hind legs at the meat display. The pup deftly caught each morsel and barked in anticipation of more, to the amusement of all who stopped to watch.

 I visited several shops in Milan and Cagliari (in Sardinia), two of which were for pet products. No apparel at all in the Milan shop and only a few inexpensive sweaters were displayed in the other. But again, human boutiques had their share of the canine variety of shopper. A very regal gray and white grayhound wearing a thick leather collar on its long elegant neck, walked out of one shop. There were dog displays in another shop and dog art was plentiful in the piazzas throughout each city.   

We visited a small village called Pula in the southern tip of Sardinia and twice had lunch at a restaurant in a piazza at the towns' center.  There was a sweet little stray who wandered among the tables outside, came to our table and plopped himself down beside my chair, as if knowing I was a dog lover and someone who would give him something to eat. 
Here's another one I wanted to take home with me!  I know when I volunteer at the shelter back home, I feel the same way, but in a foreign country, where I'm helpless to do anything for these little guys, it really took out a chunk of my heart each time. Just look at that face.  I've got to stop feeling this way.  NOT!!  Happily, I saw that the restaurant owner gave him a giant bone and he trotted off to a nearby patch of grass to eat. He's probably a regular and gets fed all the time. So all's well in the little man's life today.  Good dog!





Baby inspiration trickles over to petwear!....

I will not be the typical gushing new grand ma........I will not be the typical gushing new grandma.....I will not be the typical gushing new grandma... Ok. That's taken care of. ::sigh::

Now, with the wedding a week away, I'm amazed that the only thing I'm stressing out about is Lacy. Being that dogs are not allowed at the hotel, I will have to leave her at Emily's house and although Cody will be there with the baby while Erika performs her Maid of Honor duties, he's not a dog person and I'm sure, doesn't know how to read her moods.  I have no doubt that she'll be comfortable there since the surroundings are familiar and especially because Scooter and Daisy, Emily's crazy-cute and overly energetic terriers will be staying at their "other grandma's" house so I take comfort in knowing that she won't be disturbed while she sleeps all day. Still....she's so old, I worry about her and don't want to appear too neurotic. Ha, as if.....

Three mailings went out this month and requests for wholesale info are trickling in.   I'm not sitting around with my fingers crossed though and am researching SEO strategies, how to take advantage of social networking etc,etc.  I listen to these webinars and although I'm able to take notes and pick up a few helpful facts,  I find the speakers talk too fast and assume anyone listening knows what all the abbreviations and seminar-speak stands for. Not me. Just figured out how to do the tiny url thing and marvel at these tidbits of technology that find their way into my limited computer consciousness.  I am woman, hear me roar! 

I found another great print for the rain slicker style and after I perfect the pattern, want to offer it in the spring rain wear collection for March delivery. I ordered a swatch to show customers in order to get some feedback but I still need a boys print.  I  discovered a site called Spoonflower last month and got swatches of their fabrics to custom print on, so I'm working on my own prints to maybe have printed up.  Problem is that the fabric is expensive even for dog wear and I'd have to have it laminated which will add to the expense so anything I do must be in limited editions.  But I LOVE the concept of doing it ALL!  It must be the control freak in me.  

I'll be semi-off the radar for the next week and a half as wedding duties call and finally, THE EVENT.

I'm looking forward to NOT having to do anything but enjoy watching my baby girl marry the man of her dreams in her beautiful confection of a wedding dress, wearing grandma Pearl's string of pearls, under a chuppah with grandpa Irv's tallis draped over it. They'll drink the wine from grandpa Sammy's Kiddish cup and Jeff's and recite their vows in Hebrew and English.    The symbolism sometimes overwhelms us all but somehow, it's all come together .......the joy of motherhood, and new nana-hood, watching the patterns of our lives as they weave and change.  First born, first teeth, first steps, first words and now,  it begins again with my grandson and with Emily's marriage to Chris........and all is as it should be, at least for now.  Peace.