Soggy Doggy Super Shammy Giveaway

Bath time.  A dog’s worst nightmare.  It’s not exactly a dog owner’s dream either.

Look at that sad, dirty face. 

Bath time got a little more fun around the casa de Décor and the Dog.  The fine folks over at Soggy Doggy sent us a  Soggy Doggy Super Shammy to test out!

This shammy is 5x more absorbent than a regular cotton towel.  It is made from millions of textured, ultra-fine strands of microfiber chenille that are woven together.  The increased surface area of this shammy allows it to dry faster than cotton towels and it remains bacteria and odor-free.

The verdict?

The hand pockets were handy for drying the face and underbelly.  The shammy is super absorbent.  Ike has two coats of fur, a top wire coat and an undercoat.  The undercoat is tough to dry.  The shammy honestly did a great job of soaking up water that a towel normally doesn’t touch.  He snuggled up next to me after his bath and my arm wasn’t damp like it normally is after bath time.  Super Shammy for the win!

Besides bath time, we think this towel is super handy to keep by the backdoor for after walk cleanups! We tested it out last night after a gloomy/wet walk.  A little scrubbing and his paws were clean and dry.  My wood floors could stay clean for another night.  That right there won me over.

Did someone say walk?

Be sure to check out the Soggy Doggy Shop where you can pick out your own Super Shammy, Doormat (especially handy for those winter months ahead), or Slopmat (for those messy eaters!).

Soggy Doggy was kind enough to offer up a Super Shammy to one lucky reader (enter below)!  And because not everyone can win, use the code DECOR20 for 20% off of your purchase!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I was not compensated for this review/giveaway.  We were given the Super Shammy  to test out.  All opinions are my own.  For real.***

Kitchen Backsplash: Subway Tile Edition

Our backsplash is done! Our backsplash is done!

We had intended on installing a backsplash soon after we moved in…almost four years ago. I’m glad we waited because we had originally planned for a mosaic tile backsplash. Sometimes laziness patience pays off and you end up finding a perfect fit for your kitchen.  I like mosaic backsplashes but I think the subway tile ended up being a better fit for our overall design style.  (I act like I know what I’m talking about because I write a blog with the word “Décor” in the title.)

Our ivory cabinets made finding the perfect tile a challenge.  We ended up choosing the Imperial Bone Gloss subway tile from The Tile Shop.  The employees in the Des Moines store were awesome to work with.  (Not a sponsored post, just the facts.) We used Delorian Grey Premixed Grout. Contrasting grout is a love it or hate it type of thing. We both loved the look of it so we went for it. Good choice.

Installing the tile was fairly easy.  We used the Tile Setting Mat from the Simple Mat in place of mortar. Cleaning the dark grout off of the ivory tiles was less easy.  We’ll share our thoughts on the Tile Setting Mat tomorrow. I think I will also share some things to think about when installing a backsplash in a later post. 

This project wasn’t the cheapest.  The tile for the entire kitchen cost us ~$280.  We also had $100 in supplies.  (Luckily we had a $100 gift card to the Home Depot from a previous blog thing.  We paid the Home Depot $0.11.  It was pretty awesome.)  The cost was worth it to class the joint up.

It kind of looks like grown ups live here.  Weird.

Did you think we would ever finish this project (darn old age!)?  What are your thoughts on contrasting grout?  Do you prefer subway or mosaic tile or do you have a love for both?

Diggin’ It

Hey.  We made it through another week.  Go us.

It’s hard to write a blog post while watching Jeopardy.  Just thought I’d throw that out there.

Here are our favorites from the week.  Enjoy!

• 1. The Beetlejuice House on Hooked on Houses: I’ve always been obsessed with the house from Beetlejuice.  I have no idea why but I’ve always loved it.  It’s quirky farmhouse perfection.  This post over at Hooked on Houses shows the house in it’s country and mod states.  I have an appreciation for both.  Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.
• 2. 9 Weeks of Healthy Habits with Paisley Print Shoes: Those lovely ladies over at Paisley Print Shoes are at it again.  Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, they are encouraging us all to pick a healthy habit to work on.  The “challenge” will take place on the next 9 Mondays (the number of Mondays between now and Christmas…eek!).  Who can’t use a little extra motivation to be healthier human being?
• 3. Samsung Galaxy SIII Flip Cover: Fellow Android users probably know that there is a shortage of great phone covers for Android phones.  Apple wins again.  Things may be changing.  I’m loving the idea of this flip cover.  I’m adding it to the ol’ Christmas list.  I wonder if it helps prevent me from dropping my phone every 2 seconds.

1. iitala Krouvi Beer Mugs from Crate and Barrel:  Nate is liking these unique mugs from Crate and Barrel.  What guy can’t use more beer mugs?  And now he knows the wonders of the Crate and Barrel catalog…but he won’t admit it.

2. Sam Adams Octoberfest:  Nate tells me those mugs would be perfect for drinking his favorite beer.  Such a dude post.

Ike is debating what he should be for Halloween.  Nate thinks he should be a dog. (He’s not a fan of dogs in costume.) What fun is that?  Ike is thinking either:  1. Astronaut  2. Sherif or 3.  Maybe Nate would compromise on a Dapper Dog costume?

What’s your favorite house from a movie?  Beer?  Dog costume?  Do share.