Poison Ivy

This right here is Allie Dupont, aka Allie Cat, aka Poison Ivy (i.e. above). I met her working in Over-The-Rhine at A Tavola Trattoria alongside Romer. We had our fun at A Tavola, but our days of smelling like stale pizza have come to an end.  

Since leaving the restaurant, I luckily don't have to miss Allie's face too much. Still working across the street from one another, some days Allie stops in the shop before work to say hello and helps me drool over the new clothes in stock. She's a breath of fresh air when she walks in! With the cutest laugh and a comforting soul, you just feel good when you're around this girl. 

Do not be fooled by her sweet demeanor... Allie is a tough chick; not just for herself, but for those around her. She had stuck up for me in a tremendous way and may have even changed my life for the better, forever because of that. She stands up for what she knows to be good and just—even if that means things getting a little messy.

​There's a good lesson in that; things aren't always going to be pretty when you state your beliefs in a matter. There will be disagreements (ten times out of ten). Others get offended, angry, treat you differently, or maybe decide they don't like you altogether because of what you stand for. But to make everyone happy, to make everyone like us, to keep the "peace," does that mean we keep quiet? Even if we know a situation is wrong? I don't believe that's how it should be, and neither does Allie. She was a friend that spoke when I lacked the ability, despite any repercussions involved. While standing firm isn't always easy, it's something you never regret. Thanks for being that friend for me, Allie. 

I don't know about you, but I am truly mesmerized by these photos of Miss Dupont.They are some of my favorites I've ever taken of a human. She is a lover of all things green and living, so I wanted to capture her in her element. Allie took me to her favorite greenhouse in Cincinnati: A.J. Rahn Greenhouses. It's a magical little spot. We giggled as the greenhouse kitty followed us around, Allie educated me on just about every plant in sight, and we took some new ones home with us. Although I ended up torturously killing the plants I purchased at a later date, (no green thumb, here), it was a great day together.

The piece holding the rose is a hand-molded ceramic design made by Allie from her DAAP days. She's a woman of many talents! She gifted one to me and some friends. I love that it can sit in my room as a reminder of her and hold my favorite kind of flower, too. Handmade gifts are the best kind of gifts.