Top Dog Picks From Amazon
Hey guys! If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know that I recently found a dog on the side of the highway. After weeks of not being able to find his owner we decided to adopt him! Now we have three dogs in our lives and I thought I’d round up some of my favorite dog items over the last few years from Amazon! Each item we personally own and love.
P.S. All of the images are clickable! :)
See more:
See the “What’s In My Dog’s Travel Bag” blog.
See the “Low Cost Spay/Neutering Place in Atlanta” blog.
See my Amazon Storefront here.
P.S.S. I know it’s not an Amazon item, but I’ve been buying the Bark Box Super Chewer box for two years now so I wanted to throw that in as well! My dogs love it!
Vegan Jalapeño Popper Tray with Grape Tomatoes and Pineapple
Can you believe it’s July already, because I can’t! I am, however, loving this hot weather and you know what goes great with hot weather? Delicious food! If you find yourself getting together with close family and friends anytime soon I highly recommend this Jalapeno Popper Tray! Far too often the vegan and dairy free people at the party are left out when there is absolutely no need! These taste just as delicious as the original, but can be enjoyed by everyone, well, if they are vegan or dairy-free that is!
Vegan Jalapeño Popper Tray with Grape Tomatoes and Pineapple
Ingredients:
8 Jalapeños
8 oz vegan cream cheese
Garlic salt to taste
Onion powder to taste
1/4 cup Bread crumbs
1 tbsp Vegan butter
10 oz Grape tomatoes
1 Pineapple, cut into bite sized pieces
1 bunch of Cilantro
1 Lime
Directions:
Preheat oven 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut the jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes with a spoon. I recommend wearing gloves.
Mix cream cheese with garlic salt and onion powder until you like the taste.
Fill jalapeños with cream cheese mixture, top with bread crumbs, and lightly drizzle with vegan butter.
Cut pineapple into bite sized pieces, chop cilantro, and cut the lime into slices. Put to the side.
Place the filled jalapeños, pineapple, and grape tomatoes on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Garnish with slices of lime.
Low Cost Pet Vaccines and Spay/Neutering in Atlanta
Having a pet can be really expensive so I’ve created a list of low cost and moderately priced vet clinics in the Metro Atlanta area. This includes vaccines, spay/neutering, and more.
Hi guys! If you follow me on Instagram you know that I found a dog (again) on the side of a busy highway a few weeks ago. After I had no luck finding his owner I knew that he needed to be neutered and vaccinated in order to be around my dogs while I fostered him. Spoiler alert, I’m a foster fail, we are keeping him, and I named him Franklin - haha! Anyways, as you can imagine a new dog was quite the unexpected cost and I set out to give him everything he needed as inexpensively as I could.
As you know, owning a pet is a HUGE responsibility and pretty dang expensive so I’m going to list the places that offer low cost vaccinations and spay/neutering in the Atlanta area. I’ve also listed a few moderately priced places because the super low cost places are booked a month+ out because of Covid-19.
P.S. My public service announcement for today is to remind you to always give your pet heartworm preventative medication! After finding Loki in a parking lot a few years ago, we found out the day of his neutering that he was heartworm positive. Heartworm disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito and can result in lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death if untreated. Heartworm disease treatment is VERY expensive, the animals can’t play/get their heart rate up for months, and the injections are painful. Be a good pet owner and GIVE YOUR ANIMALS HEART WORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATION, PLEASE! Ok, back to my post…
Here is a list of low cost and moderately priced places that offer vaccinations, spay/neutering, and additional vet services in the Metro Atlanta area:
I am not directly affiliated with these programs, just listing them to help out. Please contact the respective programs directly for more information.
Planned Pethood in Duluth, GA offers low cost vet care including a vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). This is where I took Loki to be neutered and vaccinated. (Spay/Neuter $70-$110 dogs and $35-$60 for cats, price includes pain meds/cone is $10) (Vaccines/testing $10-$25/each) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
My Kids Have Paws in Dalton, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet & vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). Spay/neutering cost includes pain meds, nail trim, and cone which is amazing! They also have unbelievably low cost vaccines, microchipping, and preventative tests. They also offer an array of surgical services including dental cleaning, amputation, mass removal, and more. (Spay/Neuter $70-$110 and $35-$55 for cats, price includes pain meds, cone, & nail trim) (Vaccines/testing $10-$25/each) (Microchipping $10). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
Atlanta Humane Society Clinic in Atlanta, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet & vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and a spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). Spay/neutering cost includes free microchip, pain meds, and cone which is amazing! Additional vet services include annual physicals, vaccines, testing, prescriptions, nail trims, microchip, dental services, heart worm care, surgery, and more. This is where I took Franklin for his vaccines, heart worm test, fecal test, and purchased his heart work medication. (Spay/Neuter $100 for dogs and $60 for cats, price includes free microchip, pain meds, and cone) (Vaccines $20/each) (Microchipping $20). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
Lifeline Animal in Atlanta, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet clinic (click for pricing), spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing), and low cost vaccine wellness days (click for pricing). If getting spay/neutering you can add vaccines, microchip, tests, and treatments the same day. If you only need vaccines, you must go to one of their wellness days. (Spay/Neuter $70-$95 for dogs and $25-$60 for cats; pain meds are $8-$15, unsure if cone is included) (Vaccines $10/each during spay/neutering and $40+ package pricing on wellness days) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
H.E.L.P. Spay/Neuter Clinic in Newnan, GA offers a low cost spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add low cost vaccines, microchipping, nail trim, heartworm testing, and deworming at the time of surgery. (Spay/Neuter $80-$125 for dogs and $45-$60 for cats; unsure if price includes meds/cone) (Vaccines/test $13-$20/each during spay/neutering) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
The Animal Project in Ball Ground, GA offers a low cost spay/neuter clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add additional services the day of surgery like microchipping, vaccines, dewormer, flea preventative, and heartworm testing. (Spay/Neuter $80-$105 for dogs and $55-$65 for cats, price includes rabies vaccine, nail trim & pain meds. Cone is $10.) (Vaccines/test $10-$20/each during spay/neutering) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
Paradox Spay/Neuter in Loganville, GA offers a low cost spay/neuter clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add additional services the day of surgery OR by separate appointment. (Spay/Neuter $60-$80 for dogs and $35-$55 for cats, price includes pain meds. Cone is $12-$16) (Vaccines $17/each) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
Value Vet in Lawrenceville, GA and Tucker, GA offers moderately priced vaccines (click for pricing) and low+ cost spay/neutering (pricing not on website). Their website doesn’t list their spay/neutering pricing, but in June 2020 I was quoted $115 for a 50+lbs dog and the price includes pain meds. Come is $15. Check their website for services and call for pricing.
Pet Vet in Cumming, GA offers low/moderately priced spay/neutering (click for pricing), and vaccine packages (click for pricing). They aren’t as inexpensive as the first few places I listed, but worth checking out. Some of their services are a good price (like their annual vaccine package) and some are a little high, like microchipping for $50 is a lot in my opinion), but their website is completely transparent for pricing so it’s worth checking out if you can’t get a timely appt elsewhere. (Spay/Neuter $80-$100 for dogs and $50-$60 for cats, unsure if cost includes pain meds/cone.) (Vaccines/testing packages $65 for puppy/kitten, $125 for adult dog, and $100 for adult cat) (Microchipping $50). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.
Thrive Affordable Pet Care has multiple locations and offers low/moderately priced vaccine packages (click for pricing). Their spay/neutering is VERY expensive so I recommend going elsewhere for that. (Spay/Neuter is not low cost, but I wanted to put it for reference: $275-$335 for dogs and $220-$230 for cats) (Vaccines/test packages $59-$99, this works out to be about. $16-$20 each) (Microchipping $35). Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.
Wellpet Humane in Doraville, GA offers moderately+ priced vet services, spay/neutering, vaccines, prescriptions, dental care, surgery, and more. They aren’t as inexpensive as some of the others, but you can get in quickly and it’s still reasonably priced especially if you do a package instead of single services. They don’t list their pricing on their website, but this is where I took Loki for heartworm treatment when we first found him. Side note, check with the Atlanta Humane Society clinic because I just found out that they do heartworm treatment as well and I would assume they are less expensive than Wellpet, but call to confirm. Sometimes the wait for them to answer the phone is long, but they are always happy to answer any questions you have and are fully transparent about their pricing. (In June 2020, I was quoted $184 for neutering a 50+lbs dog and that includes the office exam, cone and medicine. They will waive the office exam if you get vaccines done through them prior. I was also quoted $209 for exam, heartworm test, fecal test, rabies, distemper, bordetella, lepto, and influenza. Their packages are better value for money than single services. Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.
Shepherd Animal Hospital in Duluth, GA offers moderately priced vet services. They waived my $39 exam fee because Planned Pethood recommended me which was nice. They do not list their pricing on their website, but are great if you call and ask. (This is what I was quoted for Franklin in June 2020: Vaccines are $19/each for some, but others are $21 and $32. Fecal testing is $36 and heartworm testing is $39. Neutering for a 50+lbs dog is $124, $25 for medicine, and $15 for cone). Note: the day I came in for surgery they said I had to have an influenza vaccine which had I known I would got it when I was at the ATL humane clinic for $20 and Shepherd wanted to charge me $32 for the same vaccine. They did waive that requirement after I mentioned that no one told me this information prior. Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.
Spay Georgia provides low-cost spay/neuter certificates (click here) at an affordable price.
The following places may be closed currently due to COVID-19:
14. VIP Pet Care is a moderately+ priced clinic offering an array of services. Their individual vaccinations are pretty expensive honestly, but they are low cost for things like microchipping and vaccine packages. See their pricing here. Services include vaccinations, testing, bloodwork, microchip, nail trim, deworming, tapeworm treatment, anal glad expression, ear care, skin care, eye care, urinary care, GI care, and physical exams.
15. Paw Atlanta in Decatur, GA offers low cost vaccination packages every other Sunday (click for pricing). Their individual vaccine ($25-$35/each) and microchip ($30) pricing is pretty expensive, but the packages are low cost.
If you have any other suggestions or know of any updates that I should make to keep the post up to date, please leave it in the comments below. The more resources people have, the better! Let’s help other pet parents out!
Vegan Oreo Fruit Tarts
This easy vegan fruit tart recipe is perfect for summer. As you guys know, my husband is vegan but I’m not so everything I make has to be tasty for the both of us. This is perfect for anyone who can’t have dairy, but craves a sweet treat. You can find vegan butter and vegan cream cheese at most grocery stores and it’s amazing. I made 4 small tarts instead of one big one because let’s be honest, it’s just the two of us and we can’t eat a whole tart by ourselves. Feel free to double the recipe for a larger amount. I hope you guys enjoy!
Vegan Oreo Fruit Tarts
Makes 4 small tarts
INGREDIENTS:
Cookie Crust:
- 14 Oreos
- 2 Tbsp + 2tsp of vegan butter, melted
Vanilla Filling:
- 8oz vegan cream cheese
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk (use the solid part only)
- 1/3c powdered sugar
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- Berries and fruit of your choice for topping
To make crust:
Combine Oreos and butter in food processor until well combined. Press mixture into tart trays and place in fridge while you make the filling.
To make the filling:
Combine vegan cream cheese, the solids from the coconut milk can, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in food processor. Cover and cool in fridge for at least an hour.
Finish it off:
When both the crust and filling are chilled, add filling to the mini tart pans, and top with the fruit of your choice. Enjoy!
New House Interior Design Plan
Hi guys! I thought it would be fun to show you what is currently in my head and on my mood boards for each room of the new house. If you want to see ALL of my Pinterest boards, click here.
LIVING ROOM
The living room, kitchen, and dining room are all open concept and we are keeping the design in those three areas very modern. To the left of the fireplace area is a large 18’x18’ window so this area will get a lot of light.
I made this design to scale for the living room.
KITCHEN
I've already shared our full kitchen design on the blog, but here it is again.
DINING ROOM
I would love for the dining room to have a raw edge table, cool band posters nicely framed on the wall to show our personality, and a neon light in the space. I’m still undecided about a rug, light fixture, and chairs.
SUNROOM
The sunroom is one of my favorite rooms of the new build! I’ve had it planned since the beginning and I can’t wait to fill it with plants! The window are very similar to the photo below and the tile on the bottom right is what I’ve picked out!
MY OFFICE
I love pink and green together and I think this is the direction I’ll go in for my office. I prefer the pink shade in the middle photo and love the wall trim for an added sophisticated look.
MASTER BEDROOM
The rest of the house is so modern and/or bold that I thought making the master bedroom more calm and earthy would make for a relaxing space. I love the bali vibes, rattan furniture, pampas grass, neutral tones, and natural textures.
MASTER BATHROOM
The master bathroom is still undecided except I know I want the black grid shower, free standing bathtub, marble-look tile, and mirrors with lights around them. Everything else is still being decided on.
HALF BATHROOM
Who knew I could be so excited about a half bathroom? I love the idea of going REALLY bold in a small space because it’s low risk. I imagine a really bold wall paper, a funky mirror, and fun TP/hand towel holders.
Want to see even more? Check out my Pinterest where I have a board for each room of the house!
Our Modern Kitchen Design (Leicht)
Hi guys! Today I’m showing you our kitchen cabinet design - woohoo! We are working with Trey at German Kitchen Center here in Atlanta and our kitchen cabinets and handles are all from Leicht. I LOVE how sleek and modern the frameless cabinets are, the three tone design, and the diagonal cut on the waterfall island. We went with gold hardware on most of the cabinets and the rest are the handless design. The hood will be custom made by a metal fabricator since I can’t find a hood with the exact dimensions that we need for the stainless steel restaurant style hood that we want.
A few things will be different than the photos like the HUGE 36” sink, black Kohler faucet, and added gold Delta pot filler. We also think we might use either subway tile on the backsplash or hexagon tile if the cost of a matching stone backsplash is out of the budget. Lastly there will be lights installed on either side of the hood similar to what you see over the counter next to the fridge.
Our appliances are stainless steel and mostly from Samsung minus the dishwasher from Bosch that will have a custom panel over it. We almost went with all Bosch appliances but we currently have a Samsung refrigerator and I LOVE it. I know that sounds silly, but I need to have an external water filler and the flex drawer on the outside and Bosch doesn’t make that design. Because you get such a great deal when you bundle large appliances together we decided that Samsung was the way to go for everything minus the Bosch dishwasher since we need something that allows for a custom panel.
The door that you see mocked up leads into our pantry where we will put the microwave, food, another prep counter, more cabinets, etc. We don’t even have a pantry at our current house so this will be a whole new world for us!
Now we get to start looking for countertops, backsplash, barstools and lights to go over the island - yay!
WE ARE BUILDING A HOUSE
WE ARE BUILDING A HOUSE! I’m so excited to share this entire process with you guys! Although I will be showing the highlights on my normal Instagram account, I have also created a home Instagram account (@LutzGoHome) where I will share ALL of the details! The house is modern farmhouse on the outside and eclectic on the inside with a focus on modern design in the kitchen/living room/dining room. So far the house is framed and we should have windows in the next few weeks - woohoo! Below is the tour where I take you through each room and explain what my vision will be! Enjoy!
What's in my gym bag
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a little crazy to say the least. We have all shifted life to accommodate our individual circumstances which means everyones day to day looks a little different. Welcome to my new normal! I went from teaching spin and having an unlimited yoga membership to being at home with my dogs where my fitness routine looks a lot different.
Thank you so much to shortyLOVE for sponsoring this post! These bags were created by the boss babe who was previously the design director for Marc Jacobs and she named her brand after her dog (a woman who speaks my language!).
In the spirit of normalcy let’s talk about what’s in my gym bag! First off, my gorgeous gym bag is from shortyLOVE and it’s the Boxer in black. It holds ALL of my gym essentials and I store all of my go-to’s in it even while at home. The bag converts from a backpack to a shoulder bag (see below) so you can wear it how you want! I’m going to walk you through how I use it when life is a little more normal so you know how I use it to it’s maximum awesome capacity.
Use code MAE10 to receive $10 off your first order.
Let’s start at the bottom where you’ll find a large zipper compartment for my shoes. This compartment is spacious and depending on how big your shoes are, you could probably fit more than just shoes - I recommend throwing your dirty clothes in here as well (once we are back to the gym of course)!
The side zipper holds my laptop, the two side pockets hold water bottles, and the middle front zipper is perfect for easy access to my phone. Moving on to the spacious interior! The main compartment is massive and holds my clean clothes, hairbrush, shower spray, and whatever else I’m carrying with me. The inside is also complete with an interior zipper pocket, interior red pockets (another place for phone/wallet), and a GREAT pop out bag where I keep things like headphones, deodorant, gum, extra mic covers, snacks, headache medicine, and iPhone dongle. I love this because in other bags, my essential smaller bag always gets buried in the bottom so I LOVE that this pops in the top.
If you’re into this shortyLOVE Boxer, I also recommend checking out the other bags they make:
The Wonder comes in camo (pictured), black and navy. For me, this bag is perfect for yoga when I don’t have extra shoes, but I still need enough space to carry my towel, waterbottle, and essentials.
The Amuse is a crossbody or top handle bag and also comes in camo, black, and navy. This is the perfect purse size which means it gets used for EVERYTHING.
Lastly is the Shorthand which is my choice for walking the dogs. It’s perfect when I want to be handsfree when all I need is my phone and some treats!
What are your must have gym essentials? Let me know below!
Check out the full shortyLOVE collection here! Use code MAE10 to receive $10 off your first order.