Ruby turns 2 today!

{All amazing photographs by Emilie Inc.}

Happy birthday baby girl! I know, it's obnoxious, but I can't help it. She's the light of my life. Next to A.K. of course. Of course. At 2 years old she is still very much a puppy. She needs tons and tons of exercise and thanks to our lovely dog walker, Leigh, she gets it every day.

We picked Ruby (her name was Doris) up at the NHSPCA in December 2007. She was our Christmas present to one another. We had wanted to get a dog for years, but until we were settled down, it just didn't make sense. But, A.K. and I got engaged in June, 2007 and bought a condo that November. Finally we felt like we had a home and the stability to take care of a puppy. It's a good thing we waited because she was (and still is) a handful.

If you're thinking about getting a pet, your local humane society is the way to go. NH is a no-kill state so hundreds of dogs get driven up here each year from the south and are placed in good homes. It's such a wonderful thing to save an animal's life and the work that the NHSPCA does is just amazing. I am so thankful we drove over there that cold, December day.

Love you, Rubes! (ps: Happy birthday to my human friends, Charlie and Dana as well)

Love you, Mom

I apologize for the lack of blogging on my part. Luckily Sam is on top of it. I have been busy busy printing Leanne and Bruce's wedding invitations as well as my own. Unfortunately, after all of the hours spent with the C&P, trying to get the colors just perfect on the dahlias, it looks as though A.K. and I are postponing our wedding.

My mom is currently residing at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She is awaiting a much-needed heart transplant. For 17 years she has had an implantable defibrillator that shocks her heart when it goes into a life-threatening arrhythmia. She has lived a fairly normal life for 15 of the 17 years, but the last couple have been tough, and only getting worse. The time has come to replace that diseased heart with a healthy one and A.K. and I have decided that our wedding can wait. We want and need to be by my mom's side as she goes through this journey.

I have included a couple of shots of the almost-finished invitations (never got to either envelope or our rehearsal dinner card). The plan is to reprint this design when we set a new date, but knowing the way my creative juices flow, don't be surprised if I come up with something entirely different. Sorry, Sam. I can't help it!

Mom, if you're reading this from your cute little hospital bed covered with Grammie's handmade quilt, I love you so much. I am in awe of your strength and determination. You have shaped me into the person I am today and it's because of your love, support and encouragement that I have the tenacity/guts/drive to be starting my own business. You are going through something that nobody should ever have to go through and I believe in my heart that you will get through this and you will come out even stronger than you are today. Keep your chin up and get going on the knitting, reading, emailing, movie-watching and exercises. I love you and think about you constantly.

Gus and Ruby are praying to the doggy gods for a short wait and a quick recovery!

Big happenings = little blogging.

Hi friends! I do apologize that posts have been so sporadic. Lots going on here at Gus & Ruby! A quickie list of updates:

1. We signed our lease for our retail space yesterday! Couldn't be more excited. Lots of pictures and details to come as we build-out and set-up shop.
2. We're in the market for a heart (more to come on that).
3. We had a photo shoot with the oh-so-talented Emilie Sommer of emilie inc. It was a blast and we're just so lucky to be working with her.
4. We delivered a box'o'wedding invitations to adorable clients Leanne and Bruce yesterday and chatted with the blushing bride about all the little details that consume those last few months before the big day. Good luck, girl!
5. On press next: a wild (literally!) baby announcement, a fall wedding suite and some passion projects from me and the Whiz.

So - in a nutshell - we're cranking over here. Lots of photos and updates to come in the next few weeks as our dreams take shape here in Portsmouth. Stay tuned!

Finger Lickin' Friday

(Photo Courtesy of: Lovin' From the Oven)

You should all know this about me: I love s'mores. I love the word. I love each ingredient individually. I love the sounds and smells associated with making s'mores. I love the idea of cooking things on a stick. I love the skill involved in perfectly toasting a marshmallow. And, mostly, I love cramming gooey, crunchy, melty, delicious treats into my mouth.

But, alas, I live in downtown Portsmouth, NH in a teeny, tiny apartment with an electric stove and no outdoor space at all. So - while I go camping when I can - bonfires are not readily available to me and 'mallows toasted over the electric ring just don't have the same taste.

For this reason and because baking is my favorite way to unwind, I am going to be making these little gems this evening. I'm headed to a BBQ tomorrow evening - fingers crossed that a third of the pan remain intact for me to bring to the festivities. No promises, though. I mean, a girl has to eat (a whole pan of cookie bars herself), right?

Happy weekend, friends!

PS - Up next: Gus & Ruby notecards and a sneak peek at Whitney's to-die-for wedding invites!

Walking for Life

This weekend, I'm off to Boston to participate in the AIDS Walk with my bestie, Karen. She's an inspiration, let me tell you.

After graduating (with top honors, might I add) from McGill University, Karen charged off, alone, to work in Durban, South Africa for 7 months at an HIV/AIDS research hospital. She is now working at the Ragon Institute in Charlestown, MA as a project coordinator for some of the many, many research efforts being lead from this amazing facility.

The girl is selfless, heartful, and wildly intelligent. She truly gives me hope that we, as citizens of this earth, can make a difference and alter the course of our future. I am proud to know you, Karen, and am humbled by your dedication to this worthy cause.

I'm walking for YOU, Karen - because you are the type of person I want for this planet and because your generosity of spirit, resources and time is changing the world.

I'm walking for the millions of people living with this preventable virus.

I'm walking because I believe that I can change this world by speaking up and speaking out about causes I believe in.

If you can, please donate to this amazing cause.

Wild, wild (Wood) horses.

(Photo Courtesy of Ann Wood)

We heart Ann Wood. Her birds are fall-off-your-chair adorbs and we've been big fans for quite some time now. So, when I spotted these AMAZING stampeding horses on Design*Sponge, I was jazzed to find that they were another genius work of the lovely Ann Wood.

(Photo Courtesy of Ann Wood)

Get this - it's a DIY project, too! Hooray! I'm hearing the distant thunder of a thousand tiny hooves galloping across our studio wall. Watch out Whit - there's a good chance the pony express is on its way.

A little background info: I'm a total horse girl. And we're talking total, here. I rode my entire childhood, teen years and through college (hunter/jumpers! holler!) and have only taken a brief hiatus of late due to my zany, wacky schedule. I'll be back in the saddle before long, though. Once a horse person, always a horse person.

(Photo Courtesy of Ann Wood)

On a non-horse-related note, I am also lusting after this sweet little boat. I can see it sailing around a nursery; can't you?

Detail Oriented

A little vino inspired eye candy for you this sunny Monday morning. I'm loving the details here, people. Loving them!