Gracie got mail!

I want to share with you a wonderful surprise that arrived on Valentines Day!

A package filled with heartfelt goodies!

Healthy peanut butter hearts for Gracie & healthy Hershey nuggets for moi!

This friend even personalized the mailing label with our pictures!

Guess who sent this scrumptious surprise?

  Miss Erma Moore, the adorable best friend to blogger & designer extraordinaire Renae Moore.

It was all Gracie & I could do to sit, stay, sniff & then finally enjoy!

Thank you so much, Renae, we just loved the treats...all of them!

You'll never guess where Gracie & Erma met. 

On Facebook at The Gracie Porter Collection!

It's where all good dogs come to sit, speak, stay, and a few even know how to roll over!

When you come over I'll introduce you to,

Lars & Wellington from Chic Coles

   

  

Billy from My Dog-Eared Pages

 

Dylan & Photo stylist/Producer Annette Joseph

Lexi & Leeloo from Carollyn Hammersmith

Henry from Sophie Dahy

 

Sam from Love Where You Live

Buffy T. Milne from Dumbwhit Tellher

Chloe & Weezie from Anne Standish

Irma from Delightful & Delovely

Gracie & Oliver from Michelle Masters Topiary Art

Gracie's boyfriend Luke from across the street with the Chappells.

& many more!

At The Gracie Porter Collection we talk about great dog gear & beautiful books & movies. We celebrate rescues & heroes too!  I'll introduce you to Gracie's cousin Buddy who just became a certified therapy dog & friend Kristin Lawless who just competed at the Westminster Dog Show!

Mascot

  In my blog post, "Are you a blog dog?", I mentioned just a few of my wonderful blogger friends who have the best blog dogs.  There are many that I know you will love and if there's a new friend on the block then invite them over too.

At The Gracie Porter Collection, we have lot's of room to run and play.

So we hope you'll stop by, bring your best friend,

and grab a link below!

Just Breathe...

For the last two weeks, Spring has been flirting with us.

It's been wonderful to be able to open up the house.

My apologies for being away,

I've been under the weather.

The fresh air, warmer temps, sunshine & rain

are helping to clear my lungs & my head.

I hope you enjoy these beautiful photos and remember to just breathe.

Maureen Long

Crumpled Envelope

Cottage in the Woods

via Greige

  Sam Scholes

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Grey and Charming

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Denise at Home

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 Levoig

Pink and Green Owl

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  Enid Blyton
I hope Spring has been flirting with you too!

Grab & Go

The Chic Coles are playing tag, and I'm it!

They've asked me to share with you five things that I must have when I leave the house. 

Five?

Really?

Ok, I cheated...but this was hard! 

To grab & go I  must have...

A bag or two or three for the market, the library & all the little stops along the way.
I like The Market Bag from Apolis Global.
It's sturdy and sits up straight!
I really like All the eco-friendly bags out there. There's nothing worse than getting home and having a gazillion plastic bags to deal with!
My Verizon LG.
I like this phone but hardly ever use it.
If I'm driving and it rings I don't answer it.
If I'm in a store or restaurant and it rings I don't hear it.
Call me at home ok?

My Ralph Lauren Sunglasses.
I wear them ALL the time!
My Coach Watch with the soft leather strap.
I've had it forever & it goes with EVERYTHING!
Who loves a glamorous approach to climate control?
 I DO!
Coach scarves to the rescue!
I love them & tie them around straw hats & bags too!
Bobbi Brown lip gloss. She gave me a make-over about ten years ago. Well, actually it was the lady at Neiman's but she was really good and I've loved the stuff ever since!
water 
music
kleenex
a notebook
readers
a book (I'm always waiting for someone)
a snack
umbrella or ice scraper
Tylenol
something that someone forgot
dog leash
dental floss
extra flip-flops or snow boots
library books
drycleaning!

So there you go Chic Coles.  I bet you can't get all that stuff in your Rebecca Minkoff Nikki Bag!
Just wait, your time will come : )
To get to know more about these adorable & stylish daughters & their devoted designer mother,

read my interview with them at
Good Things Come In Threes!

Thank you again, girls, I really appreciate playing along. It keeps me young!

Chic Coles

I'm in the garden with Michelle Masters

There are three items

that are always a must in my garden.

No.1 

Wellies

No. 2

Beautiful Flowers

and

No. 3

Gracie



As you may or may not know,

Gracie now authors a facebook page,

The Gracie Porter Collection

& when I saw this new topiary painted by artist friend Michelle Masters, I had to contact her!

"Whaaaaat"

was her immediate reaction and before I knew it,

 her two Labs were over for a visit!

I first met Michelle two years ago.
It all started with a "tweet".
And this weekend I'm so happy to be in the garden again with her & her incredible

Topiary Art!

Michelle's clever images are clean, simple, uncluttered and well designed. Her topiary line is whimsical and fun & is based around a casual upscale style.

They are a perfect gift idea for dog lovers!

Meet Chloe & Weezie.

Their mom just recently received Michelle's "Puglet" design on notecards as a gift from a friend.
Boy was she excited!

Michelle works in watercolor, pastels, and oils.

Her attention to quality & detail in everything that she creates, translates beautifully onto stationary, linen guest towels, lavender sachets, and pillows.

Wouldn't you love to curl up with this handsome boy?

You can.

Animal lovers, gardeners, and numerous organizations have come to appreciate her original art & custom topiary designs.

Michelle Masters offers custom illustrations, private labeling for organizations, and artwork licensing.

Some of her clients include;

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation

and the

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Visit

& then follow me over to her blog,
Hedges & Hares

Photos & Art Copyright & Compliments of Michelle Masters.