Fashion Shows and Shoots, New Retailers and Pups - Oh MY!!

Whew - Finally, a few minutes to breathe and recouperate!!  grrlDog had a crazy good time last month with our good friend, designer Adriana Pavon, at Fashion in Detroit.  Adriana was the winner of the Local Designer competition at FID and was granted full access to the show - and quite graciously brought grrlDog along!!

FID VIP Preview Party

That cop was loving his job!!

We attended the VIP party on Thursday night, meeting Joe Farris and Kevin Chirstiana (both of "Project Runway" fame), and lots of other Detroit area fashionistas!  Friday we dodged the downpour to hit the tent for the final shows.  Then it was off to the studio to grab jewelry for the evening wardrobe change and off to the party!  What a fun time!!

The beginning of November brought a big order from our newest retailer - the Detroit Institute of Art!  Be sure to stop in for the Avedon show, then stop in at the Gift Gallery for grrlDog jewelry.  Remember, the holidays are coming!

And last weekend, grrlDog hosted the first of a series of photo shoots in the studio.  I've assembled a strong group of fashion designers, professional models, hair and makeup artists, jewelry and accessory designers and photographers to all donate their time and services for photo shoots.  I've seen the early proofs of the photos and they're AMAZING!!  Our photographer, Kevan Bowers really knows his stuff!!  He made grrlDog jewelry and Femilia Couture's clothing look fantastic and oh so glamourous!!  And everyone couldn't stop ooh'ing and ahh'ing over Lucy, a temporary grrlDog studio dog.

Lucy, a short-term grrlDog studio dog

What?  Yep, stray dogs always seem to find their way to us, and this amazing pitbull was no exception.  Lucy, the silly redhead, now has a safe new home where she sleeps cuddled in bed with her new family!!  We'll miss you Lucy, but are SO happy that you have a loving new home. 

Thanks to all who came out to hang with grrlDog at the Ferndale DIY Street Fair over the weekend!!  It was a great time, and sales went incredibly well! 

For those of you not in the know, grrlDog design shared a booth at the fair with our buddy, Detroit GT - who just so happens to have the coolest Detroit T-shirts in town!!

And, as a warning, things are "in the works" and, if you still haven't gotten a piece of your own grrlDog flair, you'd better hurry up!! 

Steve and Libby's Wedding

We had the pleasure of enjoying a beautiful day with Steve and Libby to celebrate their marriage to one another on August 15th. Their ceremony was, without a doubt, one of the most fun - and entertaining - ones I have every attended! There was lots singing and dancing - yes, DURING the ceremony! After a delicious dinner (even our vegan dishes were AMAZING) the dance party REALLY let loose. Belle Isle was definitely rocking that night!!

The weather cooperated and we were dazzled by a fantastic sunset over the Detroit River. The perfect end to a beautiful day!

grrlDog design was honored to create Libby's bridal jewelry, as well as the earrings for all of the bridesmaids. When Steve and Libby were originally engaged, grrlDog design was to create the wedding rings as well, but a beautiful gesture from Libby grandfather altered our plans - in a most beautiful and sentimental way. Unfortunately, Libby's ailing grandfather passed away shortly after her engagement. As Libby helped her family clean out her grandfather's house, she came across an envelope that said "For Libby." It contained her grandparents' wedding rings and her grandmother's pearl engagement ring. This engagement ring became the basis for the balance of Libby's bridal jewelry.

Steve and Libby, you are a beautiful couple with HUGE hearts for each other and your community. Congratulations on your marriage!!

"Bringing up a Bumper Crop, Bumper Crop!"

I'm SOOO excited about our gardens!! As usual, we got off to a late start. I always think about planting seeds early so that they'll be ready by May/June for planting out, and sometimes, I even buy the seeds. Just doesn't usually work out that I actually PLANT the seeds and get things going.

Well, even though we were off to a late start, things are going pretty well this year! We've already had a few yummy harvests!

We built new planters for the front porch, that also act as storage, a dog house/puppy shade area and as a privacy fence (so we can actually use the porch and not feel like we're on stage). The front porch gets LOTS of sun, so the variety of peppers are LOVING it out there.

We have herbs (cilantro, a few types of basil, parsley, rosemary, 2 kinds of oregano, stevia, lavender, and mint), LOTS of tomatoes (my heirlooms reseeded themselves - missed a couple at the back of the bush last year - so we've lots of "mystery heirlooms" this year), collards, broccoli, brussel sprouts, okra, zucchini, cucumbers and peppers.

In addition to the front planter boxes/fence, we built a few raised beds in the back, and A. built a movable planter out of an old bookcase. He added casters to the bottom we can scoot it around to follow the sun. He's pretty good like that! Oh - and to add to the whole eco thing (yes, we're mad recyclers!) the porch planters/storage/dog hole/fence thing, they're made out of old shipping pallets. Oh yeah!!! Not only eco, but friendly on the budget too!!

Bring on the harvest!!!

Pit Bulls, Procupines and Goats - OH MY!

I'm hard at work, figuring out layouts for the web-page to come, layout/design for the blog and getting product ready for it's local retail release at the end of the week. But, I took a break for a phone call from my sweetie, who is "up north" at his Dad's farm, getting it in shape for his father's memorial this weekend. I guess you could say the call didn't go as I expected.

We have three dogs, Ruby (my pit bull), Sara (Aaron's beautiful mix) and our pit mix puppy, Lola (actually, she's 18 months now, so she's technically not a puppy any more). Sara and Lola are up with Aaron, and I kept Ruby (and our cat) here with me for company. Apparently, Miss Lola's puppy curiosity got the best of her and she had a run-in with a porcupine.

Just as Aaron was telling me it too over 2 hours to remove the quills, some of which went straight through her cheek into her gums (she'll be home tomorrow and I'll shoot photos), he shouted "THERE he is!!!" to his brother, "I'll call you back. I have to catch a goat!" "Uhhh... What?!!"

Yes, it's been a VERY long time. (You should have seen how long it took me to figure out what my old login and password were!)

But anyway, now with the new design company getting on its feet, it's time to resurrect the old blog and dress it up to keep everyone updated on what's happening in the studio, the Etsy boutique and new retail outlets. Check back soon (I promise) for news!! You can also follow grrlDog on Facebook, Twitter and Etsy (www.grrldog.etsy.com).

O-

Okay, go ahead - call me a slacker. You wouldn't be the first. Anyway, I'm back from SF after an AMAZINGLY fun trip and am working on that new site with our pal, Dave. There are a few more finishing touches and then it's time for the unveiling! It'll be a lovely photo blog, along with pretty regularly posted rants on life. I'm sure you're waiting with baited breath...

My guess is, that if you're here, it's because you've either searched for bumpy cake (one blog about a weird cake name and you get hits for months...) or because of my friend, Davezilla. Well, I can actually blame the great Davezilla for this site as he's supposed to be helping me upgrade and get the new site off the ground. So, check back shortly for the new address.

The new and improved site will not only look incredibly cool and be incredibly entertaining, but it'll also have photos from my exploits, and a calendar listing for cool stuff going on around DeeTROIT. I promise - I'll be soon! No more bull!!

Wow, has it already been a month since I said the new page is "coming soon?" Well, no lie, it is. I'm working on it, and getting the domain name and all that good stuff. The new site will have The Social Calendar rolled into it, photo galleries and there will be probably be an "Opening Party" too. Sorry for the technical delays, but it's coming soon. And by soon, I mean before my trip to San Fran. really!

Due to annoying popular demand, and the fact that I'm riding a great creative wave lately, I'm planning to return to the whole blog scene. Not only that, but you Detroit area readers will remember the e-mail newsletter The Social Calendar, I mailed out weekly, detailing all the cool things to do in the Detroit metro area. Well, I've been harassed (downright nagged!) lately to get back on the horse and get that newsletter out again. Apparently, it was pretty damned helpful to a lot of Detroiters in getting their party on. So, in doing my part for the social scene of Detroit, The Social Calendar will be rolled into the new grrldog.com. Soon. I promise, sooon....

WWJE?

What'samatter, Pookie? New diet not working? Well, maybe you should try this one. It's the What Would Jesus Eat Diet.

WHEW!!!

It's been a crazy few weeks!! I went home (Philly) to visit my family for a couple of weeks and have been shooting for Car Design News at the Auto Show. My office moved while I was on vacation and I had to play catch up all last week. But, they also gave me a big raise in the interim, so I guess I can't complain!!

So, speaking of the Detroit Auto Show, I was there A LOT last week. The exhibits are all set up to attract your attention and dazzle your senses – and that’s EXACTLY what happened to a guy walking next to me. The floor levels switched and he wiped out. I know it’s not nice, but I couldn't help but laugh! I felt SO mean, but I just couldn’t stop as I helped him up from the floor. The more I tried not too, the funnier it got. I explained that the only reason I was laughing was because I’m usually the one who trips and falls, and had it not been for the keen eye of one of my colleagues earlier in the day, he’d be laughing at me right then!

He seemed to buy my story (which was true, by the way), but I still felt guilty for laughing. Why is it wrong to laugh at a person if they’re not hurt, but okay when it is labeled “slapstick” comedy?

Birthday Hangover...

Yeah, I know you think that I'm dead or something; too much fun on my birthday just wiped me out. WRONG! Well, not completely! I'm still here, but I did get a bit caught up in all the parties and then the holidays, housewarming parties and family visits. But, I'm BACK! (well, kinda)

I'm working on a few new blogs, but here's a little something to tide you over until I get back: hee hee!!

Vroom VROOM!!!!

Happy Birthday

uhhh... to me! Yep, today is yet another birthday. Just wanted to publicly say thanks to all who sent birthday wishes and the flowers! That was very nice of you! I hope you can all make it to the party too! Watch your e-mail boxes!!

Rest In Peace

Run DMC's Jam Master Jay
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/4409441.htm

That’s Gotta Suck!

From News of the Weird: A 55-year-old condemned murderer-drug dealer, who suffered a heart attack just as the hangman's noose was placed on his neck, was revived, hospitalized and rescheduled for execution (Khomeini Shahr, Iran).

Take Off - eh!

Canadians... they're a hoot!

Bumpy Cake Brown

Recently, I had dinner with JSL (see Archive: 09/09/02). After our meal, our friendly waitress cleared our plates and asked if we were interested in dessert and then proceeded to list the dessert specials for the evening. I stopped her when she got to Bumpy Cake.

“Bumpy? Did you say BUMPY cake?”
“Yup! It’s fantastic!”
“Okay, (turning to JSL), I’ll bite. WHAT is bumpy cake?”
“You know, Bumpy Cake – like the song!”
“Oh, yeah, like the song…”

Needless to say, I had no clue what she was talking about. I didn’t feel too bad though because JSL didn’t know what bumpy cake was either. I thought it sounded like something I definitely would NOT be interested in eating! Bumpy cake sounds like a cake with a weird, itchy rash or something! JSL thought it sounded like a blues singer – Bumpy Cake Brown. I couldn’t stop laughing after that!! “Bumpy cake. I wrote a song about it. Wanna hear? Go a lil’ somthin like this…. Wah nah nah nah NUH!”

Last week, we had brunch at a little cafe near JSL’s house in Birmingham. The cafe has its own bakery. While waiting for our seats, I looked over at the bakery’s list of offerings. Guess what was listed prominently at the top of their list as one of their specialties – that’s right, Bumpy Cake. At least NOW we know what bumpy cake is!

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Busy...

I apologize for not blogging in such a long time. With all that's been going on I haven't even had time to secure an Internet connection at home yet! Things have been EXTREMELY crazy in my home life with moving into the new house; redoing the wood floors; getting unpacked; classes and a "revved up" social calendar. And if that isn't enough, things have been even more amped at work! I'm not complaining though; I LOVE this stuff!!

I promise to dig up some great stuff and write shortly. Thanks to all who have continued to visit daily anyway! You ROCK!