catnipp.

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this week has been insane. it started with trapping stray cats (and large insects) in dc and is ending with pretty much the same thing. throw in copious amounts of work in between, and voila! you've got the life bridget speiser (and the other catnipp cogs) in a nutshell. catnipp = cat neighborhood partnership program, and it promotes the (tnr) trap/neuter/return of stray cats living in dc.

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jon loving on a stray cat in florence (on our honeymoon.)

i named him charlie.

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stray and feral cats are the product of human neglect and abandonment. there are THOUSANDS of stray cats in washington dc alone. some are feral street cats; others are abandoned pets. here are a few things you can do to lend a hand:

1. educate yourself. bridget, catnipp program director, created this amazing video.

2. volunteer with your local shelter or rescue.

3. foster homeless animals that would otherwise be euthanized.

4. donate. funds are largely lacking in today's economy. the smallest amount can make a HUGE difference. for instance, a one time donation of $45 sterilizes one cat!

5. donate old towels, newspapers, blankets, toys, litter, food, etc. to your local rescue.

5. adopt! animals are seriously the best. once you adopt, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them!

for more info, please contact: the washington humane society, catnipp, or homeward trails animals rescue.

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groom garb.

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jon, here. "what to wear" is not something that often goes through my mind. i grab, i put on, i leave. i was tempted, in fact, to have amber pick out my suit for the wedding, but then i remembered that the shirt from our engagement shoot didn't fit me after we washed it...jon + urban-outfitters-slim doesn't exist. there's so much more out there than tuxes, fellas, so please please consider your options before you walk into men's warehouse. rule #1 is to buy, not rent. a tux can run $250-300, and you can get a sick outfit for that, or less, and wear it again whenever you're feeling like looking awesome. for our wedding, i chose to go the vest + pants route, but i really didn't capitalize on the potential the outfit had. enter: my shoulda-woulda-coulda of groom garb.

1. uo big w wayfarer reader, $14.  2. beads in the belfy personalized cuff links, $78.  3. steampunk supply vintage pocket watch, $36.  4. uo chambray tie, $19.  5. jcrew point-collar white dress shirt, $65. 6. jcrew italian wool pinstripe suit vest, $125.  7. jcrew italian wool pinstripe ludlow suit pant, $175.  8. uo solid pink sock, 3 for $20.  9. bed stu quarter oxford, $78.

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do the cake walk.

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in light of today's GORGEOUS and autumn-like weather, i've decided to celebrate this glorious season with all things cozy...starting with APPLE CIDER POUND CAKE from ashley and stephen over at the (never home) maker.

adapted from richard simmons' lime pound cake, this nearly vegan cake (only non-vegan ingredient = greek yogurt) is way healthier than your average pound cake. (click on the pics to find their recipe.)

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and now, some comfy, cozy closet inspiration:

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magpie's cakes.

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you've personalized every corner of your wedding -- why settle for a generic cake? maggie labaugh (chef and owner of magpie's cake) creates edible art. following her career as a classical ballet dancer, maggie trained at the french pastry school, interned with charlie trotter's, and was mentored by executive pastry chef, della gossett. if you haven't figured it out yet, maggie labaugh's kind of a big deal. and let us not forget -- she's LOCAL! now go get your cake on.

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i'm in LOVE with these mini-cakes...

omg COOKIES.

nomnomnomnom.
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tuesday tunage.

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so it's tuesday, and you're feeling like this:
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angry rugger.

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i'm right there with you. but never fear! i've made a mixalicious mix just for YOU.

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bust a move.
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only the coolest thing i've seen...EVER.

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cassette tapes? check. gift card? check. awesome? CHECK. meet heavy metal and prepare to have your mind blown.

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pink floyd not your cup of tea? a. you're crazy. b. it's ok...they've got a ton of other options, including:

YES.

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