All about your pet's Winter Coat with Petcurean!

When it gets cold out, your pets can't just go to the mall and buy a stylish new jacket to keep themselves warm when the thermometer drops. And given the tremendous cold snap we had last week, I figure now is a perfect time to make sure that your pets are well prepared for the winter. I had the opportunity to talk about winter coats with Petcurean's Pet Nutritionist Michele Dixon and ask all my pet winter coat questions.

Old Red Boots: What is the difference between a cold weather and a warm weather coat for cats? Why do they change with the season? 

Michele Dixon: The change in season as cold weather approaches, starts the cycle, allowing the cat to grow a thick coat. This coat helps keep heat in and cold air out. As the weather turns warmer, they shed this thick heavy coat.

ORB: How do you know if your cat has a healthy cold weather coat? What should I look for?

MD: A dull, dry lifeless coat, often with accompanying dandruff requires attention, particularly in the form of diet choice. A healthy coat appears thick, bright and shiny, with hydrated skin.

ORB: What can I feed my cat to ensure that they have a healthy cold weather coat? What ingredients should I look for in food?

MD: Omega Oils are especially important for his/her coat, and a balance between Omega 3 and 6 also crucial. As well, because fur is majorly comprised of protein, a good quality recipe such as Petcurean FIT + FREE Chicken, Turkey + Duck which has meat based protein, is essential.

ORB: Besides food, is there anything else a cat owner can do to make sure that coats are kept healthy and shiny?

MD: Brushing a minimum of once a week helps stimulate production of oils, and remove shedding hair. Brushing also helps reduce hairballs.

My fur babies have been enjoying their diet of Petcurean's Go Daily Defense formula for the past two months and I have to say that they are looking fabulous in their healthy, shiny winter coats. (Not to mention the fact that they just love the stuff) I mean, look at these faces and just try to tell me they aren't the cutest things ever!

** This post is sponsored by Petcurean but the opinions contained herein are wholly my (and my cats') own. **

Buddha: The 31 Pound Cat!

If you don't live in Nashville, you may have not heard of Buddha, but this chubby feline is fast becoming a local celebrity. Buddha was found at Metro Animal Control and rescued by the lovely people at the The Cat Shoppe. Buddha weighs in at a hefty 31 pounds and is on a mission to lose weight so that he can be adopted to a loving home.

The goal is for Buddha to slowly lose weight over the next year. Part of this includes a new, healthy diet (apparently his previous owners fed him people food). The other part is exercise on a water treadmill.

How can you not love this cat?! When I found out The Cat Shoppe was doing a fundraiser this past weekend where you could have your photo professionally taken with Buddha, I squealed with joy! Steve and I got all gussied up in our feline finest and posed with the star.

The little sweetie I'm holding is Ferdinand and Steve is hugging Lolita. They are both looking for good homes.

I mean, are these not the absolute best photos ever?! (Penny Adams is the lovely lady who donates her time to photographing all the sweeties at The Cat Shoppe). I'm always in for events that raise funds for needy animals.

If you are in Nashville, you can see Buddha and lots of other sweeties available for adoption at The Cat Shoppe. If you are far away and would still like to help, you can donate money to Buddha's recovery and the rescue fund here. 

Kittens and Ice Cream

I'm just going to cut to the chase and talk about this outfit. I feel like I have to, because it might be the most epic piece of clothing I own. How can I possibly resist a dress with cats floating on various ice cream treats on a pastel background? It's as if this dress was designed specifically with me in mind. 

The dress is from JapanLA and I bought it the moment it went on sale. I had been stalking it via facebook for a while and I knew I had to save up and buy it. I've worn it pretty much every week since it arrived. Because the dress is nicely cut and the fabric is stretchy, it's perfect for a hot summer day. I can go on and on about how much I love this dress, but honestly, BORING! JapanLA has so many cute things (and cat-related things) I know I'll be buying from them again!

I wore this outfit over to the Stone Fox this Saturday for their Nashville Outlines block party. They had  beer, food, music, a craft fair and even a tiny petting zoo. It was a great way to spend a Saturday and I really hope they do this again next year!

 Of course I had to wear my Betsey Johnson ice cream earrings. DUH.

Dress: JapanLA

Boots: Some store in East TN

Earrings: Betsey Johnson

Necklace: Betsey Johnson 

Springtime Kittens and a little DIY

I am one incredibly happy camper. Why do I have such a happy face? Because spring has come to Nashville! All of the cherry trees in my neighborhood are blooming and everything smells like fresh cut grass. I have been waiting for this for so long! I did a nice long 8 mile training run on Saturday morning with some of my favorite East Nastys and I think it was my best run yet because the weather was so accommodating. That run was a big confidence booster!

This weekend was super special. Myself, Lladybird Lauren and Elle from Jam + Toast took a trip out to the country to celebrate Kaelah's birthday! We had so much fun hanging out at Kaelah's awesome new digs, gabbing and hanging out around a fire pit. We even went to a local bar where we sang karaoke (Total Eclipse of the Heart), danced and played pool. Kaelah's husband Mike was so sweet and cooked us the most amazing breakfast. Those girls are amazing and I'm so happy I got to spend a weekend with them! 

So, this outfit is super special. Why you ask? BECAUSE I MADE THIS SKIRT, Y'ALL. This is my first ever sewing project and I'm crazy happy with how it turned out. I really have the talented Lauren to thank, as she spent an afternoon teaching me how to sew. I also followed along at home with the circle skirt tutorial from Casey's Elegant Musings. This was such a fun skirt to make! I've already finished another, and even started a different type of skirt.

I'm going to brag on this skirt for a bit. I love how big and twirly it is. It's super full and I think the fullness makes my butt look really good (BONUS!). I also love that I put pockets in it; they're the perfect size to hold my cell phone and keys.

Plus, the fabric! I fell in love with this kitty paint by numbers fabric the second I saw it- I knew I had to make something out it. I love this print and I feel like I should make a dress out of it as well. Does anyone know a place where I can get more cute fabric like this? More kittens please!

 CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE KITTENS!

 Skirt: Made by Me

T-Shirt: Gift from Jen

Belt: Super Old!

Earrings and Ring: Honeybean

Necklace: Vivi Dot

Shoes: Old Red Boots