The #1 Way to Make your Doggy Fall in Love with YOU

I get concerned about our doggy from time to time.  

Buddy is literally the cutest golden retriever that you ever will meet, he has the happiest attitude and is the most loving dog in the world.  On top of that, he is obedient (we placed state dog obedience competition with a second place ribbon) and can do agility with a grace that makes the other dogs at the park jealous.

And he has a real smile.  You can tell when he's happy by his lips.  True story!

I get worried about him though - he's 8, and golden retrievers don't have the longest lifespan (they have hip problems and seizures!).  I always have to wrinkle my nose at the store bought dog treats and wonder how good they can be for our dogs.  

Processed foods, artificial colors, and odd flavorings.  YUCK.  

So I went on a search and found the most amazing dog treat recipe on Pretty Fluffy - my new favoritest doggy blog - seriously - it's adorable.

The recipe only has a few ingredients:  

2 Organic Eggs

1 1/2 Cups Almond Flour
1 TBSP Coconut Oil
3 -4 TBSP of Coconut Flour
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

I made it even shorter by using regular flour rather than the almond and coconut flour.  I also used blueberries in the dog treats rather than the dried cranberries.  

Blueberries actually protect doggies against "free radicals" which damages their cells, because of the antioxidants in the blueberries.  

In more human terms - blueberries are great for dogs to eat because they prevent cancer, and heart disease!

Cranberries are also great for your doggy if she has kidney problems!


This is an extremely easy recipe to follow and the results are impressive.  No nasty - odd fake meaty smelling treats that are greasy for Buddy anymore!

And Buddy LOVES the treats!  I did a test and dropped one of the store bought treats on the ground and one of the homemade treats on the ground, and he snarfed up the homemade treat within seconds of it dropping.

Have you tried any homemade dog treat recipes?


All photos credit to Pretty Fluffy 

25 Birthday Wishes for Me and You

Today was my 19th birthday.  My birthdays are always kinda emotional.    I get super excited for my birthday, all worked up, and then I never want it to end - and then it does.  It's silly really. And them I'm sad.  Think Jess from New Girl style:

My dear friend told me at his graduation party last year that he doesn't look at another year gone by, but looks forward to every day of the next year to come with the mindset that every year will be better than the previous - and he goes forth to make it that way because he can.  Having that mindset can change everything.

On that note, here are My Wishes For you and Me:

1.  To keep my GPA above a 3.8 because ya know...transfer scholarships!

2.  For more swimming in the pool, in the lake, in the ocean.

3.  To finally sew that swimsuit I've been wanting to sew!

4.  For women to be paid the same as men for doing the same work.

5.  To wear a pretty ballerina tutu

6.  To remember that LORDE is only 17 and she writes deep stuff like this, when I'm feeling un-inspired or down.  

7.  For you and me to have enough self confidence to Say No.  

8.  For you and me to have enough courage to Say Yes.  

9.  To become more decisive!

10.  To remember that there are bloggers like Alexandra Franzen to inspire posts like these.

11.  To be inspired by the fact that I can be sitting in a restaurant or shopping in a little shop and hear a song being played a favorite artist that only a few years ago no one knew about. (Kate Herzig in particular)

12.  That Monsters and Men comes out with another epic album.

13.  To feel loved.

14.  To listen to more Grammer Girl - because it makes sense to sound smart.

15.  To DO something with all the inspiration that surrounds us!

16.  To give more than receive.

17.  To reach my goal of making girls feel gorgeous and like princesses for my Boutique Senior Portrait business.

18.  I wish that sometimes I will remember to eat dessert before dinner!  And for breakfast too!

19.  To dedicate enough time towards my classes to really fall in love with what I'm learning - because falling in love with something = retaining and growth.

20.  To watch more commercials - because commercials are full of inspiration!

21.  To not worry about long wait lists at restaurants - because it's not really not about the food, it's about the person your spending time with - and the longer the wait list - the longer amount of time you get to spend with each other.  Wait lists are really just blessings in disguise!

22.  Listen to more Lorde and Birdy.  They are so talented.  Refer back to #6

23.  Spend more time doing nothing but observing the beauty of the world surrounding you.  The colors, the sounds, the sights, take the time to appreciate where you are in the moment.

24.  To write more frequently in my journal

25.  To create a Senior photography program that makes girls realize how beautiful they truly are.


What are your birthday wishes?

The #1 Best Reason Why your Butt Should Have Bruises

First off - this is the first time I've used butt in a title!  *Cheers*

It's for a great reason though - I've been thinking a lot about butts lately.  In particular - the bruises on them.

Have you been watching the Olympics?  I am IN LOVE with Sochi 2014!

I am mostly just really in LOVE with the way they fall.

Have you noticed?  The beautiful figure skaters in their stunning costumes - they've worked and worked and worked, they've spent countless hours falling in love with ice skating - falling in love with what they are doing - developing technical skills and grace, and then...

...they fall.

...They fall in front of millions of watchers.

And they GET UP and they KEEP GOING.

Why?  Because these people - these figure skaters, snow boards, skiers, etc. are in love with what they are doing.

And even more than that - they know that falling is the only way they can get better.

If these professional athletes train for countless of hours and they fall at the Olympics - can you imagine how many times they must fall in their training?  The bruises!

You must learn to not be afraid of falling to move forward in what you love.

If it's good, it's not going to be easy.

Your going to fall.

It's going to hurt.

but in the end - all those falls? ...

You'll be thanking yourself for the bruises as you stand on the podium with a gold medal around your neck.

Tell me - what are you SO IN LOVE WITH that your not going to be afraid of falling so that you can succeed?  Leave a comment - I love being inspired by you!

Pretty Tumblr Girls and Boys Meet Death - Why not to Skip School

So I was just going about my day, and clicked onto this little Australian Commercial.

Oh. My. Goodness.  WHO comes up with this?!  It is so messed up and just...very...pretty meets horror.  

I sent two messages within seconds of watching this...

They very exuberantly went something like:
"If your on your phone right now, get on the computer right now and watch this!  OMG."

Just for your own safety, you probably should set your coffee cup down while watching this.




When I was a kid my dad would always tell me "if you don't want to end up living in a box, you have do your homework."  This takes it to a whole new level!  I guess I wouldn't be saying "suuree whatever dad" to this one anyways, so maybe their on to something!

This commercial makes me scared for the ballerina in the last picture of this post.  *Don't go to the beach, you will die!*

At least the music is pretty!

Also - Learn For Life isn't a real nonprofit apparently - here's their one page website if you want to take a look!

Spread the Love - Follow me on Pinterest 

Tell me - do you think Teen's should be warned against going to school? Or do you think that school is generally a waste of time?

7 Inspiration Iphone Cases that will make even the Hipsters stop and Look

Confession:  My first Ipod shattered after about a year of owning it.  

I was working at the Minnesota State Fair in the 4H building as a Minnesota State 4H Ambassador (say yes to fancy titles) and was carrying a bunch of the other Ambassadors dirty laundry (hehe) to the laundry room across the hallway.  

I was wearing a dress that had no pocket and my hands were occupied by the box.  You can imagine where this is going...

...badumpadump...bam my Ipod fell out of the cardboard box and landed face down on the hard concrete floor.  

I had to take a few moments to kneel down next to it and whimper before picking it up.  It was worse than I expected - completely shattered!

We will save the story of my MacBook shattering for another day.

All I can say is - Protect those precious little electronics with cases!  

And they might as well be pretty as well as functional ;)  

It's hard to read on this tiny picture but it has one of my favorite quotes "The cure for everything is salt water, salt water tears or the Sea"  

This Iphone case is seriously perfect if you have a friend that complains about how she isn't pretty a-lot.  Next time she's complaining, look down at your phone non-chalently and then look back up at her all surprised like and show it to her - "Omg.  You gorgeous - even my phone thinks so!"  **Giggles erupt, awkward situation averted - 2 points for you!**

Who/what do you love for infinity?  Reflect with this pretty Infinity Iphone case! (Amazon $4.90)

It's so good to be reminded to Hustle because we get so much more done when we do!  It's even better to be reminded by a sweet iphone case every-time you check your tweets for the 500th time that day!  Hustle hustle pretty girl!

Because you do everything Like A Boss and you know it!  (Urban Outfitters - $16)

Seriously - we all need inspiration to remember to check up on our fishy's, to feed our fishy's, and if you don't have a fishy - to get a fishy.  Everyone needs a fishy because they are always there when you are lonely.  I bet you can't honestly tell me you've never wanted a fishy!  And everyone needs an iphone case to show this need for a fishy.  (Delias $14.90)

Honestly though learn to say No when you want to say No.  (Society 6 $35)

Do you have any tragic shattering (quite literally) stories of your beloved Apple products (or any other touchscreen products for the matter) dropping to their death?  I'd love to hear - it will make me feel better about myself!

Sexy Baby Blue Spring Heels

There is just something so attractive about the right pair of heels with a simple outfit.  I have a crush on these baby blue heels - they make me smile.

Isn't it amazing how heels can just put an outfit together?  This Yale sweatshirt + Comfy Jeans + Awesome Heels = Perfection

Photos:  

1 - Unknown 

2 - Style Caster

Desert Looks: Vintage Denim Overalls - Style Alert

After last week's post about how much I loved denim overalls..I fell even harder for the trend and picked myself up this pair from Target.  I LOVE them!  Every-time I look at them I get a wave of Nostalgia. I love them!

Dancers Among Us in Everyday Life

I am forever fascinated by the passion that ballerinas and dancers in general portray in their dancing through their physical actions.  

By only using their bodies, dancers are able to make an audience believe that they are deeply and passionately in love, devastated to no ends, or weary and tired beyond comprehension.  

They convince us through their movements that they can fly to the highest of heights and crash to the deepest of oceans.

Jordan Matter was inspired by his child's passion for the little things that we, as we grow over, replace with feelings of boredom or usual.  He wanted to show the world passion through his little boys eyes, and felt that portraying everyday life using dancers would be perfect.

Jordan writes:

“I’ve created these images for Hudson and his little sister, Salish. My children are everything to me; my dreams for them are enormous. I hope they have long and healthy lives, find loving partners and fulfilling careers, and, if it suits them, experience the joys of parenthood. Most important, I want them to be free from self-consciousness, to discover the deep happiness that comes from a life filled with passion, and to find the serenity necessary to be truly present. These photographs communicate my dreams for them more powerfully than words: Relish moments large and small, recognize the beauty around you, and be alive!”

And how beautiful his project turned out!  I am in love with all of the photos, and there are many - take a peek on Jordan Matter's website!

All photos taken by Jordan Matter

Arizona Pro Bike Race Photo's - Weekend Love and Setting your Soul on Fire

So I debated writing a blog post with a DIY on fixing dropped arches today.  

But then I decided that feet just weren't cozy and cheery enough for a Saturday.  And I'm all about having cheery, cozy, happy, Saturdays.

Last night I couldn't fall asleep, my mind was wide awake thinking of photo-shoot ideas, and getting all anxious wondering if I would ever be able to come up with another interesting blog post.  Yup, scary late night stuff.  So I started the day out tired, but it got better because...

...My mom and I went to watch my Uncle compete in a biking race today.  The power and passion that the men and ladies had while biking is truly amazing and falls in line with this quote:

"The Most Powerful Force on Human Earth is the Human Soul Set on Fire"

Isn't it amazing what we can accomplish and do when we are in love with what we do?    

More Passion, more creativity, and being amazing at what you love comes from Pursuing what you are in love with.

And who doesn't want that?

For these men and ladies, they are able to bike at speeds faster and longer than most of us can even imagine doing.  

Why?  The answer isn't because they were born good at biking or extremely fit.  Yup, there goes your excuse for not doing it!  

It's because they are passionate about biking and they pursue this passion - by pursuing it, they become more excited and more passionate, creating a bigger and bigger fire, which gives them the inspiration to keep going.  

And then they do amazing things.  

Tell me, What Sets your Soul on Fire?

All photos taken by Reyna Meinhardt