This is a series of “Gifts Outside the Box”. Different ideas for presents for everyone that you love in your life. The following is article two:

“Mom. Mommmy. Moooom. Mother. Karen. Mom!”

“What?”

“Hi.”

I have my very own Stewie, in the form of a white, four-legged furry creature. He’s a tad bit demanding. Those of you that have Terrorists – I mean Terriers – will understand. Charlie is a Westie wanna be. I say that only because his gene pool is quite shallow and he doesn’t quite make the mark – a typical puppy mill puppy. Charlie Brown (his middle name is Clearance – the people we adopted him from bought him on sale) is the most joyous and loving dog ever. If his exuberance could be cloned, I’d be rich. Charlie Brown (aka Charlie Daniels, Charles in Charge, Chuck, Chuckmeister, Charles Manson, Charlie Chaplin, Charlie Sheen – that’s when he’s a bad boy), has a little sister named Lucy. Yes, the connection is obvious. Lucy also has some aliases: Lulu Belle, “Ol Lucy Brown” (those of you old enough to know the song “Mack the Knife”), Lucy Lou and yes, the obvious one – Lucy van Pelt. She’s the good one. Smart as a whip (part mini Golden Doodle and part mini Australian Sheppard) and can run faster than any dog I’ve ever met.

So when Charlie asked me the other day when I was going to take them out for a special Christmas shopping spree, I realized I’d better get my act and gear and figure out where to take them. It ended up being a great day, and probably best if I just let Charlie and Lucy tell you about it.

Charlie: Mom, are we there yet?

Lucy: No, stupid. We just left. And leave mom alone, she’s trying to drive. And stop touching me or I’m going to tell on you.

Charlie: Mom, where are we going first? I’m hungry.

Lucy: You just don’t stop, do you? We just ate breakfast.

Charlie: Well at least I don’t barf up breakfast when we ride in the car.

Lucy: Shut up and stick your head out the window, loser. We are almost there.

Charlie: Almost where?

Lucy: You never do listen do you? Mom said we could stop at Lindy and Co. to get some homemade doggie treats.

Charlie: Oh, boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Lucy: I just read their website yesterday. What’s cool about them is that they are run by Daybreak Shelter and the kids from the shelter are the ones that actually make the treats. I can’t wait to meet Lindy. Oh goodie, here we are! And there’s Lindy! Hi Lindy! Oh, I think I have a dog crush. I always wanted golden hair. But look Lindy, I’m part Golden Retriever too.

Charlie: Lucy, quit babbling. You are making a fool of yourself. Hi Lindy, will you tell us about your place here – and your yummy biscuits?

Lindy: Well, I teamed up with the people from Daybreak, a non profit agency in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, who helps homeless youth.

I created “Lindy and Company” to open a pet treat bakery where pet parents can buy healthy, delicious homemade treats baked by homeless youth who are working to develop skills they need to get a good job. Lindy & Company was created specifically to help homeless youth gain work experience so that they are able to secure and maintain livable wage jobs, for without a job, they will never become self-sufficient.

As part of the programming, Daybreak requires residents to be employed as they work towards self-sufficiency. But many of the kids were having a hard time finding and keeping jobs because they lacked the “soft skills” most employers are looking as well as the work experience.

So, now they make these yummy doggie treats. And look at all these flavors!
Lucy: I will shake, dance with joy, play dead or sit for a very long time for a treat. Which trick do you want?

Charlie: And I can, um. Well, I can…I can dance too! Yes, I’ll dance. Please, please…can I have a Cheddar Chomper, oh please?

Lindy: Yes, you can try them all if you want…we have a sampler pack.

Lucy: Oh happy, happy, joy, joy!

Me: Ok, kids, we are here to buy presents, remember? So go ahead and pick a few things out. And let’s remind everyone again to go to the website to find out more about the amazing mission of Daybreak and more information about Lindy and Company. www.lindyandcompany.org.

See you next time! Woof!

Well, this is where part one of the day out with the doggies ends. The next segment will involve other local dog-friendly businesses…and the new dog park as well. So stay tuned for the next adventure of Christmas Shopping with Charlie Brown and Lucy!

View all of our “Gifts Outside The Box” articles here:

December 1^st is a perfect time to start a list of unique gift ideas. What’s different about these gifts, however, is that it will help your mind think out of the box – mainly because these presents can’t fit into a box. I’ll be updating this list quite frequently, and actually would love some ideas to add to it if you so desire. Just email me at the address listed below.

Ok, so, time to get started. The first outside the box gift idea is très magnifique! Just like the Jelly of the Month club from “Christmas Vacation”, this is the gift that will keep on giving. (PLUS there is a special Dayton Most Metro discount for our reader – see details at the end of the article)

Blush Boudoir truly is just the coolest place around. Set in the oldest home/building in Dayton, Blush is the place that women go to get pictures taken so their men drool over the final results. I know, sounds risqué and intimidating, doesn’t it? The risqué part is wonderful. The intimidating part not so much. Trust me, I was a little leery myself, so I went to talk to owner Tracy Malott in person.

First of all, Tracy is a model worthy photographer who has an eye for – and a gift with – the camera. Not only does the camera love her from the picture end, but it also loves her from the lens end as well. Let me just tell you that the minute you walk into Blush, you will feel à l’aise (translation: at ease. I loved it there so much I can’t stop speaking French. And I don’t even know French.)

Tracy greeted me at the door with a hug and a chocolate covered candy cane. Ok, really? What’s not to love? She is so dang sweet (and has the most luscious eye-lashes) that I fell into immediate girly admiration.

Tracy started out as a wedding photographer, and changed over to boudoir when she realized that she really had a gift for it. Let me share our conversation…

KK: So, Tracy – why did you switch from shooting weddings to taking pics of women in scantily clad clothing?

TM: Honestly? I realized I could truly change lives. This entire experience has the ability to make every woman that comes here feel confident and sexy.

KK: Well, just walking in here and seeing all the beds, the claw shaped bathtub with the crystal chandelier above it and all the romantic surroundings, I was ready to just jump in and get started! But that’s not how it works, is it? Because truly, I’d be a little hesitant. I mean, these women are baring more than just skin, aren’t they?

TM: Yes! In the end, this isn’t about pictures. It is about making all the women feel beautiful. It’s about helping them see themselves the way their partners and spouses see them – sexy and pretty.

KK: I love it. How wonderful. I’ll bet you get a lot of thank you notes from the guys. So, what is a typical session like?

TM: Well, first off, I kind of hang out with them and make them comfortable. I offer them a glass of wine…

KK: Or three? I think I’d need three…

TM: You’d be surprised. Because once we start talking, going over ideas and outfits, the women start getting relaxed. And then we do the make-up and hair. That alone is enough to make anyone feel special. My make-up artist, Michelle Richardson, is amazing. The women are always delighted when they look in the mirror. And while all of this is going on, we just engage in girl talk. It’s a fun time! By the time the hair and makeup girls leave, and it’s just the two of us, they aren’t so nervous. I coach them through it every step of the way. We laugh, drink wine, and the time just flies.

KK: This isn’t just about photos, is it? There’s something magical going on. I mean some of these pictures rival the calendars in a mechanics garage (and I say that with awe). But not all of these women – in fact most of them – are not the typical “model type” women, are they?

TM: No, in fact far from it. This isn’t about that. I’ve had so many women struggling with weight issues, breast cancer, age, and more – and these pictures truly changed the way they thought about themselves. Not to mention it enriched their relationships.

KK: So they come in nervous and a little wary – and leave as…

TM: Leave as friends. And self-confident women.

KK: If you weren’t doing this (which I know it’s your passion and calling), what would you be doing?

TM: I’d love to mentor other photographers, and teach them to do what I do.

Ok, so here is my opinion. You can’t teach someone compassion, zest for life, patience and love – and that is what Tracy at Blush Boudoir exudes. My booking will be after the first of the year. I tried to tell her that I’d like to wait until I lost 20 pounds and she laughed. “All the more reason to do it now”, she said. “You’d be surprised at the final outcome – you will love the pictures and how you look in them – I promise!”

I’m convinced, and I hope you are too. There are several packages and pictures on her website. This is an amazing gift that will benefit all. So, guys if you are reading this, I highly suggest buying a package for your woman. It will make her feel like the sexy and loving woman you know her to be. And girls – make your man go gaga by surprising him with loving, sexy and incredible photographs of the woman he loves best.

It’s out of the box – and outta the ballpark – a true homerun gift. Check out www.BlushBoudoir.com or the Blush Boudoir Facebook Page for portfolio pictures and package information. And while you are there, read the testimonials. They tell the trust story. Trust me on this one. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

If you have special and unique gift ideas you’d like to see focused here, please email Karen at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Dayton Most Metro / Blush Boudoir Discount

Blush Boudoir is offering a $50 Discount off of any Simply Blush, Ooh La La or Premiere Package booked by December 31, 2012 to our readers – just email Tracy at [email protected] and mention this article!