Snuggles

Make it Monday! DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed!

DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed

The weekend may be over but don’t let Monday get you down. Lets get creative! Today on Make it Monday! Basil, and I, with the help of my brother in-law Jake, turned a super cute vintage suitcase into a new unique dog bed.

What you need!

  • Hard case suitcase. (I found this yellow Samsonite case at an antique store for $9!)
  • 4 short table legs. (The ones we used were actually banister toppers found at a hardware store. The leg came with hardware already included.)
  • 2 2×4 pieces of wood cut to size.
  • Hot glue gun or sewing machine. (My Sewing machine is currently out of order so I went the glue route and it worked just fine.)
  • 1 yard of fabric
  • 1 or 2 standard size pillows or square thick foam. (I used 1 pillow and a small old quilt for padding.)
  • Drill
  • Optional: Trim
DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed
I told him I wouldn’t photograph his face… I lied! Oops!

Okay so if you are anything like me you probably don’t have a clue how to build things using power tools. The extant of my knowledge is limited to hanging a picture straight on the wall and using an allen wrench to put together my “affordable Swedish crap.” This is where my brother in-law Jake came into the picture. He is a construction work and has every tool under the sun. For the first part of this project, the hard part, putting on the legs, I pretty much just handed him the pieces and said “help me!” In the following pictures if you see hairy forearms, they are not mine!

 

Part 1: The Hard Part! Attaching the legs!

DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog BedStep 1: Mark where you want to position the legs and drill holes.
Step 2: Attach the wood beams to the inside of the suitcase. These are going to act as the anchor for the legs. Make sure to position them over where you drilled the holes.
Step 3: Screw in the legs, with the already attached hardware, through the drilled holes and into the wood beams.

 

Part 2: The Fun Part!

DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog BedDIY Vintage Suitcase Dog BedStep 1: Find a cute fabric to match your case.
Step 2: Use fabric is cover your pillow/foam padding. Make a pillow case using your sewing machine or hot glue gun. FYI, they make fabric glue for your hot glue gun! It’s washable! (I’m not going to show you how to make a pillow case. Thats not fun. If you really don’t know, there is this magical thing called Google that will help you out.
Step 3: Attach your trim, if you so choose. I liked how it looked with the trim so I went for it. I used a chevon red burlap ribbon that I found at the craft store. I used my hot glue gun to glue it around the inside of the whole case.
Step 4: Insert padding and pillows!

Done!!

DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog BedDIY Vintage Suitcase Dog BedI put the adorable new bed in Basil’s new “dog cave” and he and our cats love it! The best part is now I have a dog bed that doesn’t look like a gross ugly dog bed!

Thanks to HGTV for the idea. If you want to see how they did it, its a little different, check it out here.

Let me know if you make this project. I would love to see your pictures!

Until next time friends! Xoxo

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

Right off the vine! Pumpkin Picking!

Yesterday we put on our boots and headed to our favorite pumpkin patch, The Nursery at Mount Si. With the clouds looming and the smell of rain in the air, we were pretty much playing with fire.

The rain managed to hold off (Seriously, we missed it by moments!) and we were able to pick out some great pumpkins. Check out our photos and if you are in or around the Seattle area check out The Nursery at Mount Si, worth the trip!

The Nursery at Mount SiNate and Abbey Myers. The Nursery at Mount SiThe Nursery at Mount Si The Nursery at Mount Si The Nursery at Mount Si Basil at the pumpkin patch. The Nursery at Mount SiBasil at the pumpkin patch. The Nursery at Mount SiAre you following us on Instagram? Head over there now and follow Basil and I for some adorable behind the scenes pictures of our daily life.

Also, there is only 4 more days to vote for Basil’s 2015 Halloween costume. Place your vote here!

What do you think Basil should be for Halloween?

Now its football time! Go Hawks!

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

Best Buds Forever! 

 Sometimes you just need a snuggle from a good friend. Happy Wednesday internet friends! Go find yourself a good friend to snuggle and remember, 2 days until the weekend!

Travel well, nap well, let’s be well!
-Abbey & Basil

The day of rest!

“Can’t Get out of bed!
SEND HELP or waffles 
Just send waffles!”
-Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation)

Happy Sunday! The sun is shining and the birds are chirping outside my window, and I have yet to get out of bed! Nate ventured off the the grocery store in search of waffle mix and Basil, Sebastian, Willow, and I are still snuggled up in the sheets. I foresee the rest of this beautiful day being filled with waffles, more Philly trip planning, and Doctor Who on Netflix.

Are you doing anything exciting today? Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend… We will! Xoxo

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

Black & White Sunday Funday!

This been a lazy Sunday morning. We woke up late and have been working on our Philadelphia trip itinerary. I love days like this and I think Basil does too!

Later we are headed out for a Boston terrier meet-up so Basil can we with his brethren. I’ll post those silly photos tonight. How has your weekend been? Do anything fun with your pets? Let me know!

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

A sorta snow day…

So last night and today the south and the east coast was hit with arctic temps and a mix of snow and ice. Although its been pretty cold here in North Carolina its nothing compared to what is happening in the Northeast. Places like Boston are getting hit super hard and have a ton of snow.

We woke up this morning with a thick layer of ice covering everything but little to no snow. This was probably a huge hassle for those who have to commute but for us work-from-homers it was a little be of a disappointment. We want snow! Fluffy beautiful snow! Enjoy these photos of our afternoon walk while I silently sing “Let it snow” to myself…

Cold Boston terrier requires a sweater, coat, and boots to stay warm!
Cold Boston terrier requires a sweater, coat, and boots to stay warm!
Smiling Basil loves snow
Warm Boston terrier in the wild!
A sorta winter wonderland!
A sorta winter wonderland!

 

Bonus!!!! Jack the golden retriever for added cuteness!

Jack the giant golden retriever!
Jack the giant golden retriever!
Giant dog does tricks for treats!
Giant dog does tricks for treats!!

Stay warm my friends. Do you guys have any snow? Does your pets enjoy it? Let us know!

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

Basil loves Santa!

Santa Photo 2014The 2nd year of getting to see Santa Max at the Carolina Place mall and Basil did great! I even love the silly side eye he seems to be giving everyone in this photo!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season! Around here we are getting ready for our next adventure. Tomorrow we leave for the great state of Texas! I’ll be posting from the road with lots of photos and even more fun!

Make sure to be following us on Instagram for even more photos I don’t post on the blog.

Travel well, nap well, live well!
-Abbey & Basil

Super Snuggle Bros.

Sometimes I walk into my living room and everything is normal. Sometimes I walk into my living room and its cuteness overload! Sebastian decided he wanted to snuggle with his brother and Basil was not complaining! They were even so comfortable they let me move the arm chair they were cuddled on, to get better lighting, of course. I’m so glad I was able to capture this moment on camera. I think this gives me an amazing Halloween 2014 costume idea. Yes… Yes… Everything is coming together!

Super Snuggle Bros.Super Snuggle Bros.Brotherly love at its finest! The black & whites return!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Happy 12th Birthday Willow!!!

Hello Basil’s Travels fan and a very happy Tuesday to you! Today we are celebrating our resident fat cat, Willow’s 12th birthday! Nate, Basil, Sebastian, and I can’t believe she has hit the big one two! She is the best cat and we are so lucky she has decided that we are her family. So, in honor of Willow FC please enjoy some of my favorite photos from over the years.

Happy 12th Birthday Willow! Here is to 12 more!Happy Birthday WillowIMG_3239 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA SAM_1689 Hipster Willow Fat Cat Willow Sitting Willow SAM_1132 IMG_3044 IMG_3033 DSCF4101

Hope you like cat photos! Tomorrow we will be back to your regular scheduled Boston Terrier programing!

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

Arf! Arf! Arf! Three cheers for Arf!

Hello all! Its #travelTuesday and today its all about Arf… Animals are Fun! We were introduced to Arf when we stayed at the amazing hip Aloft in downtown Asheville. Once we checked into our room an Arf package was delivered. We have stayed at more than a few pet friendly hotels so I expected a little goodie bag with a milk bone and some poopy bags. What we got was beyond my expectation. Aloft ARF Downtown Asheville

Basil was given everything he may need to make his stay just as comfortable as ours. The hotel staff set up a large comfortable and stylish (style is very important to Basil!) dog bed. As well as his own food and water dishes. We also received a goodie bag but what was inside for far from a generic milk bone. Inside I found multiple treats from the local Three Dog Bakery, a few of their poopy bags, and a brand new Kong SqueakAir tennis ball toy.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Basil loves ARF Aloft Downtown Asheville

Well, once Basil “inspected” the entire room and decided that these accommodations will “do” he positioned himself on the Arf bed for a very much needed Boston terrier power nap. As you can see from the photos, he very much enjoyed it. 

While this nap was happening Nate & I went and checked out the hotel. We found ourselves on the roof top pool deck. After a quick dip and a little sun bathing we headed back to our room to find Basil fully rested and ready for more of what Asheville has to offer.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We spent the rest of the evening exploring this very dog friendly city and making new friends. That night when we decided to retire back to the Aloft, Basil found his way back into that dog bed and promptly fell asleep.Basil loves ARF Aloft Asheville Downtown

Once the sun rose above the horizon and peaked through our windows the next morning we took Basil back to the roof top deck to find a well kept, fully in fenced dog run. Complete with faux fire hydrants and clean astro turf. I was unsure as to what Basil would do in this situation because every time we are somewhere with turf Basil refuses to use it. I think in his mind its carpet and he is a good dog and doesn’t potty on carpet! Well, I don’t know if it was how the dog run was set up or if it was Nate & I encouraging him to “do his business” he quickly found the right spot and business was done.

The rest of our time at the Aloft Downtown Asheville was spent relaxing around the hotel. Basil was welcome everywhere we went and he was treated just like one of the family. Arf is a great policy and because of it we will for sure be back to Aloft Downtown Asheville as well as other Aloft hotels. Make sure to check out their website at http://www.alofthotels.com for locations.

I’ll be post more about our long weekend in Asheville in additional posts for make sure to check back daily.

Travel well, nap well, live well!

-Abbey & Basil

 

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