At twenty-eight, I was older than most other students in beauty school when classes started. A few girls had just graduated high school, others had already worked in salons. And then there were a few like me, people looking for a different way to make a living. I’d tried being an actor in New York City for eight years, to no avail. I’d found myself stuck in the dream machine, feeding money to the shady industry that dangled vague promises of success in front of hopeful actors like a carrot. 

The first day, we received our kits, including two mannequin heads, a set of plastic rollers, cheap scissors, a comb, a brush, a jar of Queen Helene green gel and another pot of cholesterol. There was a smock with the school acronym LIBS, and a cutting cape—everything a beginner at beauty school might need. The teacher, Ms. Evalyn, said in her Staten Island accent: “If you finish this course, you’ll never be without five dollars in your pocket.” To this day, I’ve found this to be true. I finished the course. I earned my license. And I don’t think I’ve ever been without enough scratch to buy myself, or someone else, a cup of coffee. 

I didn’t feel it at the time—I suffered through getting lost in a haircut on the school’s salon floor and lumbered through a poodle perm—but taking the chance on beauty school not only changed the trajectory of my life, it also allowed me the space to be as uncomfortable and bad as I needed to be as I embarked on learning a skill I had no talent for and no earthly idea of how to even start. But it also presented the tools I needed to learn how to learn.

Every new step was a series of mini-journeys reliant on my willingness to listen, not only to my human teachers, but also the materials I was working with, who were the real teachers. And with each new challenge, I found myself a perpetual beginner again, caught in an endless loop of pushing forward and circling back. 

The benefits of the beginner’s mind are well documented. The absence of expectation is a boon to the human experience, and an open mind is key. But aside from all that, being a perpetual beginner has other benefits as well. A life of learning keeps things fresh. The connections between disparate ideas and skills become apparent. And when a hopeful beginning ends in abject failure, as it did when I earned my motorcycle license, despite driving a scooter into a ditch, one not only learns about the benefits of failure but that a whole new beginning lays in wait.

Some beginnings are simple. Learning to bake bread. Hiking the mountains in Maine. Reading a book in a genre you’ve never read before. Some are more complex. Adopting a pet. Learning to drive. Getting married. Starting a new profession. And other new beginnings are thrust upon us—the times in life when a person doesn’t choose the beginner’s path, the path chooses them. The new experience of having a child, for instance. Or ushering a loved one into death—the sort of new beginning that occurs when something else ends. What if the practice of beginning and of learning is also the practice of humility? What if living life as a perpetual beginner teaches us to weather the hardest beginnings with a little grace, a little kindness, and maybe, even within the pain of loss, a tiny, perhaps nearly invisible, glimmer of hope?

It might not seem logical but stepping into that first day of classes released a chain of events, beginnings, endings, and middles that forked like rivers or cracks in glass. It led me to work backstage on Broadway, a whole new world I explored for over fifteen years. Working in theater is one of the very few places where working on a different job every year is an asset instead of a liability. Every new show was a new beginning and required new ways of thinking, new strategies, new experiments, and new subtle and surprising teachers. I suspect this practice and profession of beginnings and endings led me to graduate school, which led me to write a book, which led me here, writing this article, another new beginning, for I’ve never written about being a perpetual beginner before. 

Ms. Evelyn knew the score as she led us through unpacking our kits, counting our rollers, and setting up our mannequin heads that first day. In my memory, she had a slightly mischievous quirk at the corner of her mouth as she watched us struggle to comb our mannequins’ knotted hair. None of us were good. All of us were beginners. This moment, she knew, would be the beginning of things we never saw coming. 

This New Year, dare to become a perpetual beginner. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. Learn a new skill, start a new hobby, pick back up the instrument you played in high school. You’ll become a better listener with a more open mind who isn’t afraid of failure. And with those evolutions, you live and see a brighter life. 

—Amy Neswald, author of I Know You Love Me, Too

Amy Neswald is a recipient of the New American Fiction prize with her debut novel-in-stories I Know You Love Me, Too. Prior to moving to rural Maine, she was a wigmaster for Broadway shows. She teaches at the UMaine, Farmington and continues working on her next novel and short film.

Over the past few months Disney has needed to pivot, releasing movies such as Artemis Fowl and Hamilton straight to Disney+ instead of theaters. Today, the new trailer for the upcoming film Disney’s The One and Only Ivan was debuted by the streaming service. The One and Only Ivan will stream exclusively on Disney+ on Aug. 14. 

Ivan is a 400 pound silverback gorilla that has grown up in the circus. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. 

"The One and Only Ivan"

The heartwarming adventure is based on Katherine Applegate’s Newbery Award winning book. It comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI. 

The film stars Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan; Angelina Jolie as the voice of Stella; Danny DeVito as the voice of Bob the dog; Helen Mirren as the voice of Snickers the poodle; Brooklynn Prince as the voice of Ruby; Ramon Rodriquez as the mall employee George; Ariana Greenblatt as George’s daughter Julia; Chaka Khan as the voice of Henrietta the chicken; Mike White as the voice of Frankie the seal; Ron Funches as the voice of Murphy the rabbit; Phillipa Soo as the voice of Thelma the parrot; and Bryan Cranston as Mack, the mall’s owner.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Disney+

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When it comes to glam, you need look no further than celebrity baby showers! Nothing like a little disposable income to turn your aunt’s baby shower into an exclusive fête not to be missed. Despite most of these parties being out of our financial reach, they are still majorly fun to look out—and maybe inspire you with some ideas for your own shower.

Keep scrolling to see some over-the-top celebrity baby showers to see what we mean.

Joanna Gaines

The Fixer Upper mom of five had a book-themed baby shower thrown by friends and we are thoroughly jealous. Giant balloons and oversized books were the centerpiece of this down to earth mother’s celebration.

 

Jessica Simpson

Baby number three’s shower was all girly, with tons of florals and lace. The singer and actress also may have revealed her choice of name and we are in love.

 

Khloé Kardashian

Khloé’s pink-themed baby shower for True was almost too much to take in. The pink florals, balloons, elephants topiaries, and circular dining setup was definitely celeb-worthy.

 

Nicky Hilton

When it comes to fabulous, look no further than Nicky Hilton Rotchschild’s shower. For her second baby, the heiress’ winter soiree was over to the top shiny, decadent and everything we’d expect from a Hilton-Rothschild.

 

Tia Mowry-Hardrict

Twin sister Tia held a gorgeous, Bohemian affair to celebrate their first baby girl. The co-ed shower had glowing lights, rustic decor and a beautiful muted color palette.

 

Beyoncé

Dubbed “The Carter Push Party,” Bey’s baby shower for their twins was a sight to behold. The singer was in full African-themed regalia, including an eye popping piece of belly artwork.

 

Kylie Jenner

While the world didn’t find out Kylie Jenner was even pregnant until baby Stormi was born, that doesn’t mean she didn’t party in style at her baby shower. The Kardashian sis celebrated in silk at her own pajama party.

 

Candace Swanepoel

Model Candace Swanepoel celebrate her first son Anacã with an adorably sweet animal-themed party. Simple greenery and stuffed animals kept the party festive, but with all eyes on mama.

 

Blake Lively

Blake’s autumn-themed baby shower proves the weather has nothing on a mama-to-be. The actress enjoyed candied apples, a gorgeous outdoor venue with onesies strung up as a garland and of course, that amazing cake.

 

Serena Williams

We can always count on tennis superstar Serena Williams to keep it real. The 50’s-themed baby shower meant tons of celeb friends like Eva Longoria and Kelly Rowland were spied rocking their best poodle skirt look and celebrating baby Olympia.

––Karly Wood

 

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Maybe it’s her newfound obsession with all things soccer-related or the fact that she watches far too many sports shows with her papa, but my daughter has found a new expression. Now, whenever anyone does something that’s not to her liking, she’ll furrow her brow, scrunch the rest of her face up into a grimace and point her finger, yelling “No! You are not in the game!”

She did this to me just this past week. She was dressed, on her tablet in the living room. We were late for school and it was freezing outside. I handed her the pink puffy jacket she’s been wearing all winter long and some cute gray boots that would match her kitty cat sweater perfectly.

She calmly put down the tablet and surveyed the accessories I’d chosen. Then, it happened. She threw the boots across the room and marched her jacket back over to the hook beside the door. “No, mama!” she exclaimed, “These are the wrong boots and I’m not wearing this jacket anymore. You are not in the game!”

She then proceeded to throw herself into a heap on the hardwood floor, sobbing over the unfairness of it all.

I sat down beside her and gathered her into my lap. Her hair was sticking to her cheeks from the tears and her once-angry face had turned into the saddest thing I’d seen all month. After several minutes of trying to translate her wails, I finally realized why she was so upset. She didn’t feel special in her gray boots and she wanted to wear her fancy red jacket so her teachers would think she “looked great.”

At 3 and a half, she’s already acutely aware of what other people think of her. On one hand, it’s an impressive demonstration of self-awareness at such a young age, but on the other, it’s a shame that she can’t just wear what’s comfortable without giving public perception a second thought. Wasn’t it just yesterday that she was rocking her baby mullet and poodle shirt through the store, not giving a second thought to the marker stains on her leggings?

I gave in and let her wear some other shoes and a different coat. When I picked her up from preschool the first thing she said to me was, “Mama! My teachers loved my red coat! Everyone gave me a big hug!”

I reminded her that her teachers loved her, not necessarily her coat and that she could be wearing a paper sack and we’d all feel the same way. I want so desperately to shield her from any negative feedback about her appearance, probably because I’ve been on the receiving end of such criticism myself and my mama tribe is full of other women still shouldering insecurities from their childhood.

One friend refuses to wear leggings because she’s afraid of exposing the shape of her thighs. Another struggled with crooked teeth her entire life and after researching the cost of clear aligners decided she couldn’t afford it and needed metal braces instead. Now, she rarely comes out with us anymore and likely won’t until they come off next year. One of my best girlfriends is so embarrassed by her freckles that she covers them in thick layers of foundation every morning before leaving the house and turned down a pool party invite a few years ago for fear of her makeup being washed off.

Then, there’s me. I was mocked severely in the sixth and eighth grades for my stutter. Both times, I was in the cafeteria around all of my friends when the incident occurred. It took me years of speech therapy and a pricey in-ear device to overcome my speech impediment, and I still won’t order through a drive-through or use a drive-up bank teller for fear of stammering in public.

Along the way, all of us encountered some form of opposition when it came to our looks. And while we love to tell ourselves (and teach our children) that “Sticks and stones might break my bones but words will never hurt me,” we know that to be incredibly untrue. Some of the most painful wounds I carry aren’t physical scars but emotional ones inflicted by immature peers, many of whom apologized to me years later after adolescence gave way to adulthood.

My daughter isn’t even 4 yet, and before she picks out her boots she’s wondering if her teachers and friends will think they’re pretty. As her mama, this reveals to me it’s time to tap into a very important aspect of parenthood: constructive confidence building.

This doesn’t mean that I’ll tell her she’s perfect or stunning all the time. I won’t coddle her into thinking that she can do no wrong and that everyone will always love her choice of haircut, her clothes, her hobbies or her interests. I can’t put her in a bubble and protect her from lunchroom bullies, broken hearts or words that spill out from a soul who feels unloved.

What I can do, as her mother and constant champion, is to remind her who she is and whose she is. I can hold her in my arms and whisper affirmations that speak to her spirit and her beautiful mind. I can remind her that her heart is the purest I know and that I’d walk a million miles across hot coals to look into her round, blue eyes.

I can do my part to build up within her a fortitude so strong that it can withstand all of life’s jests, letdowns and disappointments. It won’t happen overnight, and she’ll probably still second-guess her choice of footwear well into her 30s, but the really big stuff? Hopefully, I can help her figure that out long before then, so when the time comes to conjure up that certainty, she won’t have to think twice.

She’ll already know her worth.
Featured Photo Courtesy: Eye for Ebody/Unsplash

Hi, y'all! I'm Courtney. I'm a mama of two, married to my high-school sweetheart and making a life in the little town I grew up in. I'm a writer by trade, but a mama by heart. I love chocolate and I love family. Let's navigate this crazy, messy, blessed journey together! 

The 1950’s were all about good, old-fashioned American fun. It was poodle skirts, lettered jackets and meeting up at the neighborhood ice cream parlors. Half a century later, these chill meet-up spots are thankfully still aplenty and open to make your sweet tooth’s whipped cream dreams come true. Get ready for a spoonful of nostalgia as your flip through the coolest spots for serving up retro root beer floats and vintage vanilla sundaes in America.

Fenton’s Creamery – Oakland, Ca

Not many businesses get to celebrate their 119th birthday. Fenton's Ice Cream Shop in Oakland, California is one of them and generations of customers have the memories to prove it. This East Bay favorite is the perfect mix of history and innovation. Still making ice cream from hand, while continuing to come up with innovative flavors that get the stamp of approval from mini palates of today.

Insider Scoop: Pint-sized ice cream buffs will love the Arctic Tour, a 30 minute lesson on the history of ice cream and how it’s made. Click here for more information on the tours.

Online: Fenton’s Creamery

Photo courtesy of Fenton’s Creamery

Do you have a favorite old-fashioned style ice cream spot? Share with us in a Comment below!

— Aimee Della Bitta

Maybe seeing where their food comes from will get your kids to eat veggies. Maybe? From peppers to parsnips and rhubarb to raspberries, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes are what summer is all about for many Oregon families. Whether your farm of choice is seasonal or year-round, read on for some farm fresh choices hand-picked just for you, and who knows? Maybe your kids will finally chow down on their veggies.

photo: Amy Love / Love Farm Organics LLC

Love Farm Organics
This farm is now operating under its first female farmer, Amy Love, a 5th generation farmer in the Love family. With CSA share options in different quantities, you can be sure your family is getting exactly what you wish for. The full-share and half-share options feed 5-6 people and 2-3 people respectively, while the Love-Lettuce-Share and Love-Berry-Share options are available for the salad lovers and berry lovers among us. Pickups happen at 10 different locations in the area and the season is approximately 24 weeks long. Prices start at just $85 for the berry share and go up to $975 for the full share.

46125 NW Hillside Rd.
Forest Grove
503-515-9939
Online: lovefarmorganics.com

Sun Gold Farm
Sun Gold Farm is a family business that changed directions 20 years ago when they decided to transform from a conventional grain and dairy farm to a fruit and vegetable farm. Their goal to feed the community healthy, safe food has led them to offer produce at a wide variety of locations in the area, as well as an online farm store in which members can purchase a variety of additional items. Delivery days and locations vary throughout the week. Prices start at $25/week for a full share (18 weeks from June-October), or $32.25/week for a half share. Thanksgiving shares are also available for $40.

6995 NW Evers Rd.
Forest Grove
503-357-3851
Online: sungoldfarm.com

photo: Pumpkin Ridge Gardens

Pumpkin Ridge Gardens
For those looking for a year-round offering, this farm really delivers! You’ll receive four seasons of fresh vegetables (and recipes to go with them) delivered to your doorstep. They also offer farm parties, so you can take your family to the source to meet the farmers and see where the produce comes from. Delivery happens on Tuesdays or Fridays, 52 weeks out of the year, and prices start at $990/year for a half share or $1560/year for a full share.

31067 NW Pumpkin Ridge Dr.
North Plains
503-647-5023
Online: pumpkinridgegardens.com

Winter Green Farm
With 24 years of experience offering CSA boxes to Oregonians, Winter Green has strong community values at heart. As one of the first farms to accept SNAP benefits, they figured out how to enable low-income families to participate in a CSA share. Their produce is not only organic, but biodynamic as well (following nature’s rhythms, planting astrologically, and treating the whole farm as a living organism), following Rudolf Steiner’s method introduced in the 1920’s. Delivery locations are in NE, SE, and SW and a late season option is available through Thanksgiving by picking up at one of three farmer’s markets. Prices start at $555 for 19 weeks and $200 to add 5 weeks in the late season.

89762 Poodle Creek Rd.
Noti
541-935-1920
Online: wintergreenfarm.com

photo: Gathering Together Farm

Gathering Together Farm
This sustainable family farm has a lot of gears turning each day. In addition to the growing of plentiful goods for farmers’ markets and CSA boxes, they provide food for local businesses and have an on-site grocery store and restaurant. Their CSA boxes have a beautiful variety of veggies and fruits with two salad options (playfully named “Salad Lovers” and “Salad Addicts”) for an additional fee. Boxes are picked up at your choice of a wide variety of farmers’ markets throughout the week, and subscriptions start at $550 for the summer season, with a monthly payment option.

25159 Grange Hall Rd.
Philomath
541-929-4273
Online: gatheringtogetherfarm.com

Working Hands Farm
This community-focused farm is all about the full “farm-ily” experience. They offer members a chance visit the farm for a CSA member potluck, volunteer opportunities, a pumpkin day, and other events. In addition to offering a weekly and bi-weekly CSA share, Working Hands also gives members opportunities to purchase eggs and meat, and hosts an exclusive members’ website with recipes and more. Their season is 28 weeks long and CSA pick-up happens at their farm in Hillsboro.

7705 SW River Rd.
503-628-0287
Online: workinghandsfarm.com

Where does your family get fresh, local produce? Let us know in the Comments below!

—Marianne Walters

 

Mini pirates, train lovers, princesses, and dinosaur fans love love love their parties, but it’s sometimes daunting to make those Pinterest boards come to life–especially when it comes time for the all-important birthday cake. But, lucky for you we’ve rounded up some of the best homemade birthday cake builders in the DMV so that the amazing My Little Pony rainbow fondant cake can really shine at your party.

Photo: P.S. Cakes via Facebook

P.S. Cakes
Kiddos can get a super special treat when parents order their birthday cake from P.S. Cakes. The lucky birthday gal (or guy) can even help decorate it if they want! Sarah Savarie, baker extraordinaire, not only bakes and decorates amazing feats of culinary pleasure, but she’ll let your little one in on the fun! Between writing their name in fondant, making decorations and putting it all together, your birthday gal will have major bragging rights to a super tasty and uber creative cake.

Online: facebook.com/pages/PS-Cakes

Photo: Del Ray Cakery via Facebook

Del Ray Cakery
Rebecca Underly knows the diplomatic hurtles it can take to satisfy even the pickiest birthday kid when it comes to his big day. After all, she used to be the pastry chef at Blair House (that’s the President’s guest house, FYI) so compromise might be her middle name. That means your best birthday pal can have his cake and eat it too, even if he’s not a guest of the Prez. Whether it’s a dozen purple and green cake pops, a layer cake piled high with sprinkles, or a construction site for your best digger. Bonus? She can also do cupcakes and cookies if you just want finger food goodies.

Online: delraycakery.com

Photo: Just Ask Mo Custom Cakes via Facebook 

Just Ask Mo
One word describes cakes by Just Ask Mo–fun and delicious and awesome. Okay, that’s more than one word, but we can’t help ourselves! These birthday cakes are as moist as they are beautiful. With renditions of flowers, princesses, dump trucks, power rangers, balloons and more, your creation is sure to dazzle the birthday kid and his friends.  Not only will the kiddos be begging for a second slice, the parents just might, too…

Online: justaskmo.com

Photo: Alexandria Cake Pop Company

Alexandria Cake Pop Company
Cake Pops are all the rage right now and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon. But if you’ve ever tried to make your own, you know the struggle it is to get just the right amount of batter and have it stay on a stick. That’s why we love Alexandria Cake Pop Company. They use a perfect combo of yummy frosting to tasty cake, ensuring that little ones (and big ones!) chow down on delicious, incredibly decadent pops. And because the “cake” comes on a stick, it’s super convenient and just the right size for mini-celebrants.

Online: alexandriacakepops.com

Photo: Esquire Confections via Facebook

Esquire Confections LLC
Parents looking for the home in homemade with their birthday cake flair should ring Esquire Confections LLC, stat. Lawyer turned baker, Amanda Abraham designs confectionary treasures that look like your homemade cake had a baby with the Cake Boss. Meaning, they’re super cute and delightfully delicious. Whether your princess wants a Frozen-inspired triple decker fondant castle or you’re just out for a sweet Minnie Mouse smash cake, Esquire Confections LLC has you covered.

Online: esquireconfections.webs.com

Photo: Julie Bakes

Julie Bakes
If you’re looking for a cake with pizazz then Julie Bakes is the place that can make all your birthday wishes come true. Whether it’s a chocolatey cake that looks like a candy bar, a poodle skirt, or even a guitar shaped masterpiece, Julie’s birthday cakes are guaranteed to be the biggest hit at your little ones party–besides the birthday boy of course!

Online: juliebakes.com

Photo: Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes via Facebook

Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes
For the sophisticated set, Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes are the perfect recipe of moist tasty cake and wicked flavor combinations. Her birthday cake is a colorful confetti cake, but there are also choices like Banana French Toast (banana cake topped with cinnamon chips and maple syrup), Pina Colada Hawaiian Delight (a tropical coconut pineapple infused cake) and Pink Lemonade. So whether your kiddo likes plain ole’ birthday cake, or likes to live on the wild side Kim’s Cakes can bake up anything their little heart desires–including a Peanut Butter & Jelly cake. Yum.

Online: facebook.com/kimscakesandcupcakes

Do you have a favorite home baker for your kid’s birthday cake needs? Dish in the Comments section below.

–Hilary Riedemann

Before digital cameras were the norm, you’d sit for your school portraits after primping your hair with a disposable plastic comb and desperately hope that you didn’t blink when the flashbulbs went off. Three weeks later when the teacher handed out those big white envelopes you’d either sigh in relief or shrink away in embarrassment. Scroll down to remember fondly some of your best (or maybe worst) school pictures.

1. “That funny face you’re making is NOT going to work, mister.”

Photo credit: mmmmpudding via imgur

2. Just add poodle shirt and disco lights and — blammo! — you have an instant party. 

Photo credit: blamdin via reddit

3. Something stinks in suburbia. 

Photo credit: cuttymoefreebush via reddit

4. The classic I-know-something-you-don’t face. 

Photo credit: melbel15 via reddit

5. “What do I want to be when I grow up?” <<Whips out wallet photo>> “What do you think I want to be when I grow up?” 

Photo credit: bojoke via reddit

6. Just add lasagna. 

Photo credit: NightsPlutonianShores via imgur

7. Results after thrift shopping with Macklemore. 

Photo credit: BubblegumRhino via imgur

8. Guess what’s on his mind. 

Photo sourced via reddit

9. “Oh, wait … you mean today ISN’T pajama day?”

Photo credit: KillerKenyan via reddit

10. Future hipster.

Photo sourced via reddit

11. Found: Origin of “Hey, girl, hey!” 

Photo credit: iChangeMyUsernameDaily via imgur

12. Proof your kids sleep in school. 

Photo credit: Enesex via reddit

13. Good morning, bright eyes!

 Got any funny back to school photos to share? Send them to christal@tinybeans.go-vip.net! with “Picture Day Funnies” in the subject line!

— Christal Yuen

If your kiddos are begging for a furry new friend, there’s no better place to visit than LA’s largest humane pet adoption and retail center. Adopt & Shop, the newly opened store in Culver City, is ready to help, whether you’re looking to adopt, restock your treat and toy supply, or just starting to research which kind of animal is the perfect fit for your family.

Adopting a Forever Friend
When you see your kids playing with a sweet puppy, all you want to do is take that ball of fur home to keep the smile on their face.  But if it’s the first adoption for your family, you might need a little guidance.  Adopt & Shop offers an unprecedented level of care and support to families before they adopt, and keeps helping the whole family (including the newest member) after they’ve brought their new dog or cat home. Their trained staff helps every family find the best match, especially those with young tots. Their adoption counselors take time to learn about each family’s lifestyle, then matches the right pet to the right home. This helps to ensure that the pet’s transition is as smooth as possible and families know exactly what to expect.

Manny – About 10 years old; Black Poodle Mix

Adoption fees start at $100 and every animal is current on their vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. After the adoption, the Adopt & Shop staff makes regular follow-up calls to families to provide support or answer any questions they may have. Also, families are welcome to pop by the store any time to get more information about caring for their new pet.
Ashley – 1 year old; Domestic Short Hair

Other Fab In-Store Services for Pets
In addition to offering knowledgeable guidance and advice during the adoption process, Adopt & Shop is the only nonprofit pet store in California that also offers retail products and a full suite of services including daycare at Adopt & Shop Playtime, grooming at Adopt & Shop Untangled and dog training classes through Adopt & Shop Academy.  It’s one stop shopping (and learning and care) for busy families, and for that, we give them a three bark salute.

Sebastian – 3 years old; Chihuahua / Beagle Mix

Doing Good Does More Good
You’re not just saving the pet you adopt.  Proceeds from retail sales are donated to programs that improve the well-being of animals everywhere. For instance, Adopt & Shop’s Kitten Foster Project rescues hundreds of kittens each year from shelters, and then places them in foster homes until they’re ready for adoption. (They’re expecting to save the lives of 1,000 kittens this year alone.) Every dog groomed at Adopt & Shop helps to support a grooming session for an adoptable animal as well. Every retail product purchased supports the care and feeding of another adoptable dog or cat.

Even if you’ve already got a house full of critters with tails, simply shopping at Adopt & Shop will help other animals in need find the home they’ve been dreaming of.  Plus, mingling with a minx of a manx will put a smile on your little ones face while you’re picking up your weekly kittly litter!

Hillary – 7 months; Domestic Short Hair

Adopt & Shop
4235 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City
Phone: 310-93-FOUND
Online: adoptandshop.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.– 9 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Pets featured in this article were available for adoption through Adopt & Shop at the time of this writing. Please contact Adopt & Shop directly for their most current availability or to inquire about adopting any of their other incredible animals.

Had a great adoption experience? We’d love to hear!

– Jennifer O’Brien

Photo Credit: Adopt & Shop