Monday, August 29, 2022

Guest Post :: Healthy Tips for Taking Good Care of Your Pet

 Pet care is so important and one thing I think people honestly underestimate when they adopt their first furry family member. From the time I was little I always remember having an animal of some sorts in my family home, from birds, to wild baby bunnies, domesticated French flop bunny, gold fish {short lived experience…}, guineapig, dogs, cats, etc… Each one has been so sweet and they always steal a piece of your heart, but animals require attention and the proper care. Peter Minkoff is guest posting on the blog today and he is sharing all about pet care! 

Having a pet is like having a child or a best friend. A cat or a dog can quickly become that one friend that you can rely on every time for cuddles and comfort. However, like humans, pets require proper care and love to stay healthy and happy. From regular vaccinations to grooming and vet appointments at least twice a year, we have several convenient tips to help pet owners provide their furry friends with utmost care and a healthy lifestyle. 

Regular vaccination

Pets can develop many health conditions if you don’t offer them their shots when needed. Every responsible pet owner will schedule an immunization appointment with the vet as soon as they get their new four-legged friend. You’ll get a thorough immunization schedule from your Sydney vet, to know when to bring your pup or cat for the following vaccination. Keep distemper, Lyme disease and rabies at bay by offering your dog regular vaccinations. Feline leukaemia and herpes virus are common in cats but can be successfully prevented with regular immunization.

 

Healthy nutrition

Unlike stray cats and dogs who eat whatever they find on the streets of Sydney, you'll want to offer your pet only healthy foods. For your pet, you'll want the best and healthiest ingredients. Therefore, enrich your best buddy's life by feeding them the energy and nutrients they deserve. A good balance of fats, carbs and proteins is essential for cats. Wheat, barley, corn, beef, tuna and chicken are some proteins that your cat will enjoy eating. Vitamins A and B, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium and zinc are equally valuable to cats and dogs. For better digestion, offer your pets plenty of fibre. 

Usual vet visits 

Aside from vaccination appointments, your pet should have regular vet visits at least twice a year. That way, the vet will be able to identify any health risks and diagnose illness early on. If your pet urgently needs a veterinary surgeon, Sydney is the place to look for them. You can find professional and expert vets that will offer your pet the best treatment regardless of the severity of their condition. Make trips to the vet less stressful by familiarizing the pets with the vet visits and offering them treats after they've acted well during a pet visit. 

Keep them active

Regular walks are essential for dogs. Cats will find their way to entertain themselves indoors as long as they have a few of their favourite toys and one climbing piece. Dogs, on the other hand, need regular outdoor activity because they won't be using a litter box as cats will. Aside from that, dogs love to run and spend time in the fresh air, so look for the nearest dog park if you don't own a backyard. Do your morning and evening walks with occasional afternoon trips outside if they let you know they're too confined inside. Not only will outdoor activity keep the dog happy but fit too and prevent many health problems like obesity. 

Don’t forget oral care

Oral care is imperative for cats and dogs as much as for humans. So, don't forget to include that in the pet's grooming ritual. Abscesses, tooth loss, and jawbone infections are common oral problems in dogs that arise due to improper oral care. Brush your pups' teeth at home if the dog is obedient enough. Brush them with wet gauze, and don't forget to check the teeth every six months. Ask for food treats and oral care products from your vet, so you can perform proper at-home oral care. 

Final thoughts

Looking after your pet goes beyond thinking about what food to give them. You'll need to take the pet to the vet regularly, vaccinate them according to schedule and keep their oral care in check. Keep them active, and you'll have a happy, healthy pet that will keep you company for years. 

Friday, August 19, 2022

Links I'm Loving

 How crazy is it that Labor Day is just a little over two weeks away… I know schools and colleges have started back, but it is so weird to see fall windows, banners, and even a few leaves dancing in the air… the days are still so sweat with heat that it is a little hard to get in the mind of sweaters, coats, and pants, even as much as I love them. I do have to say though, that I love how the change of seasons singles a new change in life and that there is always something to embrace with each season {in life and in the literal seasons}. For now though… here are a few links that I am currently loving!

One// Summersalt Sale

Keep calm, Summersalt is having a sale! Everything is currently up to 60% off! Summersalt has done so many fun collaborations over the summer with Kendra Scott, Rifle Paper Co, and DVF, and all of these collaborations are included in this sale. And… you can use code: LAURENJS10 to save an extra $10 at checkout!!

 

Two// Hocus Pocus 2

The countdown to the release of the second Hocus Pocus is officially on! I am so excited for this movie! I cannot wait to see how the writers decided to bring back the Sanderson sisters and the new plot line they have dreamed up. September 30 cannot come soon enough! I fully intend to have a fire and a pot of chili on the stove in anticipation for the premier.

 

Three// Hill House Home Re-Edition Gingham

With summer drawing to a close I love the fact that Hill House decided to re-release their gingham collection; it is the perfect print to have in between their whimsical summer prints and winter plaids. Personally, I have my eye on the Louisa Nap Dress in Emerald Gingham 

 

Four// August, by Taylor Swift

I am currently obsessed with this song. I love how dreamy the instrumental parts and the lyrics are when they are married together. I have been listening to it on repeat!

 

Five// Blackberry Hand Pies

How perfect are these for the upcoming Labor Day holiday?! I love seasonal food, and blackberry hand pies {with a scoop of ice cream} just screams ‘summer time’ to me. 

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Favorite Tex-Mex Recipes

 I don’t care what time of year it is, Tex-Mex food is always a favorite of mine. I feel like these dishes are always so easy to make, hits the spot 100% of the time, and is the best type of comfort food. Each of these dishes smell amazing when they’re cooking, taste delicious, and make for the best leftovers! 

One// The Pioneer Woman Stuffed Belle Peppers

Unpopular opinion, but I really love chopping things up and there are so many things in this recipe that need to be chopped and diced, and I completely love this factor! This is such a great dish that you can even make ahead of time. Comfort food and healthy – definitely a hard combination to beat!

 

Two// Baked Southwest Chicken

This is such an easy and delicious dish to make. I feel like this is another tex-mex dish that has enough vegetables in it where it makes you feel like you are being healthy, minus the amount of cheese… Perfect for a week night dinner!

 

Three// Sheet Pan Fajitas

I have made this dish countless times this summer. The time is always right for Fajitas. This is such a healthy, simple, and flavorful recipe. Love this dish! 

 

Four// Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

If you are not in the mood to cook or do the prep work that most recipes require, then this recipe is for you. This Chicken Chili recipe is so delicious, and it is literally one of those things that you can toss in the crock pot, set it and forget it, and six hours later it will be absolutely delicious! 

 

Five// The Pioneer Woman Turkey Chili 

This is my most favorite chili recipe. I’m not a big beef person, but I usually do prefer beef in chili… however, this recipe is so delicious and well-balance that you will not miss the beef, at all! I love all the ingredients in this recipe, and as far as chili goes, I feel like this is actually a really healthy chili recipe

Monday, August 8, 2022

Links I'm Loving

 Isn’t it funny how age gives you a different perspective? When I was younger and in school, I felt like the day after July 4th started to signal an end to summer, and once school was in session, I felt like it was ‘fall’. Now I feel like fall is still so far away… I live in Nashville, and it really doesn’t start to feel like fall consistently till mid-October, so I feel like I have another month or so left of summer, and I cannot wait to embrace fall fashion and hear the rustle of leaves floating in the air. In the meantime, I love all the gold and brown colors that are starting to surface in the world of fashion! But for now, here are a few links that I am currently loving!

One// Sarah Flint Mirjana Sandals 

I have been wearing these sandals non-stop as of late. They go with literally everything, super comfortable, and who can resist a bow detail {not me}! These sandals are so perfect for now and will make the perfect transition shoe for fall!! Use code: SARAHFLINT-BALAURENAID for $50 off your first pair of Sarah Flint Shoes!!

 

Two// Historical Pointe Shoe Collection

If you ever took ballet at some point in your life, you have to watch this short little video. I have never heard of someone collecting point shoes before, but now I am tempted to collect a few myself… such an interesting and fun video to watch!

 

Three// Summersalt the Coastal Poplin Tie-Waist Midi Dress in Bloom in Midnight

I feel like this is the most perfect summer to fall transition dress. It is so flattering, eco-friendly, has pockets {!}, and the color and print of this dress makes it both summer and early fall friendly! When the temperatures start to drop a little just pair it with your favorite cardigan and you are ready to go! Use code LAURENJS10 to save $10 on your next Summersalt purchase!

 

Four// Wedding Season Trailer

I am 100% here for any feel good, new or old, good or corny – they always put me in such a better frame of mind. This new Netflix rom-com looks so good and I cannot wait till it is released!

 

Five// Southern Living Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

There might be a debate at the fall table over how one is supposed to pronounce “pecan”, but no matter how you say it, one thing is for sure, pecan pie is always the perfect way to end any fall celebration or dinner! I haven’t tried this pie recipe before, but once the leaves start to change colors, I will definitely be making this one! 

Friday, August 5, 2022

Honest Review of My Sarah Flint Shoes

 Before having the opportunity to work with Sarah Flint as a Brand Ambassador, I was first a customer of theirs, and can honestly say that both ends have been such a wonderful experience! Also, you can use my code: SARAHFLINT_CCLAURENAID to receive $50 off you first Sarah Flint shoe purchase!! I was a fan before, but now having worked with the Sarah Flint company, learning about some of the behind the scenes, and the inspiration for different shoes and collections, I have fallen even more in love with this company and all their products! 

Sarah Flint has currently has a store in Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX., and then a couple of pop-up stores. Since they are still largely an online company, I thought I would share an honest review of all the Sarah Flint styles I have tried myself!

Grear Sandal

The Grear Sandals have probably been my most worn pair of sandals this summer. I love the fact that they are comfortable right out of the box and that you can wear them all day long. These are a Grecian sandal, that is very flattering, and the tie straps make it so easy to accommodate any foot width. I have a narrow foot and sometimes it is a little bit of a challenge for me to find a gladiator sandal that works for my foot, and the adjustable ties make my feet feel really secure, plus the way you lace them up always reminds me of ballet point shoes, which I love! 

Mirjana Sandal

The Mirjana Sandal is the perfect sandal to slide on and go! They literally go with anything and everything! The Mirjana Sandal is part of Sarah Flint’s ballet inspired collection and the intricate details of the bow and the way it is interwoven to create the strap of the sandal is truly inspired. There is a slight break in period with these shoes; I feel like it took me 3 wears to properly break them in, and the more you wear them, the more the strap mold to your feet and they will become one of your most comfortable pair of sandals that you will ever own!

Perfect Block Sandal 30

LOVE this block sandals! When I first started working with Sarah Flint as a Brand Ambassador these are the shoes that I first chose to try, in Gold Nappa, of course! I’m not a big heel person – I don’t tolerate being uncomfortable very well, especially when it comes to shoes… I chose to try the 30, because I was afraid of the higher heel heights {as ridiculous as that sounds}, and I am amazed at how comfortable they! This is another pair that is comfortable right out of the box, and I really enjoy how the 30-heel height makes these shoes more everyday-ish, just because they are an easy shoe to wear to a casual dinner, and they really go with anything from pants to dresses! All of Sarah Flint heels include extra padding, anatomical arch support, and a slightly wider toe box, and it just really makes a huge difference!

'

Natalie Flat

If you are new to Sarah Flint and on the fence about which shoe to purchase, this is the shoe I would recommend. I feel like the Natalie is her most iconic shoe and the one she became best known for early on. The Natalie Flat also includes extra padding, a rubber forepart on the sole to prevent slipping, and of course, the signature Asymmetrical bow! This is a shoe that also require a little bit of a break in period, but once they have started to break in these are the flats you will reach for a 100 times over – they mold to your feet making them feel like custom fit shoes, and they are so beautiful, I honestly cannot recommend these shoes enough!

Natalie Sling

The Natalie Flat is actually the first Sarah Flint shoe I purchased; back in early 2020 I saw someone wearing them in a magazine and I just feel in love with the shape of the shoe and the bow detail. I was so excited this past spring when they released the Natalie Sling! It’s the perfect spring to summer to fall shoe, and depending on your weather, I feel like you could even wear it during the winter months as well. These shoes are comfortable right out of the box; they have 360 padding {you will feel like you are walking on a cloud}, a rubber forepart to prevent slipping, and adjustable strap, and a hidden elastic right behind the buckle. I honestly think that everyone needs at least one pair of Natalie slings in their closet!

Parker Flat

I was so excited a few weeks ago when Sarah Flint decided to bring back the Parker! I love this shoe so much, I bought it twice {it comes in navy & black}! I love the elegant vintage feel the Parker style has to it; it definitely feel like a shoe Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn would have worn. For me this shoe was comfortable right from the start, it has extra padding and the fabric is just a dream!

Perfect Emma

My mom actually influenced me to purchase these pumps, she tells everyone that these heels are so comfortable that they feel like running shoes, and she is not wrong… I love how the block heel on these shoes is slightly inset so it doesn’t look as heavy as a regular block heel, and the anatomical arch support and padding is just everything. You will love this heel!

Perfect Pump 85

I usually avoid wearing heel/pumps at all cost, but I actually find myself reaching for these. Before I started working with Sarah Flint, I only owned four pair of heels… I hate when shoes are uncomfortable, and if I could avoid wearing heels to something, depending on the season, I would either wear a nice pair of boots or a dressy pair of sandals. I now have three pumps in this particular style… the extra padding, slightly wider toe box, and the anatomical arch support makes all the difference! I cannot recommend this pump enough!! If you have a narrow foot, I would recommend wearing your usually size, but if you have a normal width or wide foot, I would go up ½ a size.

 

Remember to use code: SARAHFLINT_CCLAURENAID for $50 off your first pair of Sarah Flint shoes!!!