You know how some people have good china and save it for only very special occasions? I am not
one of those people. (Actually I probably need a 12 step tableware
program, since I am about 2 dishes and an antique butter knife away from needing an intervention) It's all part of living a beautiful life. So...
Wanna see the pupper's water bowl? (I can't believe I hadn't shared this with you sooner)
What?
You thought it was a compote, or a salad bowl?
Oh. Now that you mention it, I guess it could be. But I was looking for a new water bowl for the boys, and, for the most part, they are just so..small, and when I do find a larger bowl, they are often so Gawd awful unattractive and expensive (Hellooooo, suddenly single budget here, folks) and, well, they never seem to go with my kitchen decor. (and you know that I am all about the details) Then...I stumbled upon this...beauty. Toile, no less. Stunning, and just the right size. (Oh, and I loved the lifted off the floor pedestal effect, too. Those dog dish tableware designers think of everything.)
Where? Of course, TJ Maxx, baby. I got it last summer for only $9.99 and worth. every. penny.
Life is too short to not use the good stuff, people, even for the pups.
What lucky dogs!
Definitely use the good stuff. No good keeping it packed away in a cupboard never to be used.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | March 31, 2008 at 02:20 AM
Hi Tracey,
I was wondering, "why does she have that bowl on the floor?", so when I kept reading I had to laugh out loud! You are right, it is a beautiful bowl and they are very deserving for all of the love they give and company that they are to you. Hope that you have a wonderful day.
Sonja
Posted by: Sonja | March 31, 2008 at 05:07 AM
Pets take care of us so we should take care of them. My cats eat their "crunchies out of ablue willow bowl or their alternative pottery dish. I think they appreciate the "good" dishes!
Janet
Posted by: Janet | March 31, 2008 at 05:12 AM
Tracey, I so agree that there should be no "too good to use" dishes in any home. When I found myself "suddenly single" after 20 years, I actually got rid of my "everyday" dishes and only used the good stuff. I would rather my kid inherit 7 place settings with a chip or two that were enjoyed than 8 pristine place settings that all saw a china cabinet except on "special" occasions. I say today is special!
I can't wait to hear about the next chapter of your life. I wish only rainbows and sunshine for you!
Posted by: Patsy | March 31, 2008 at 05:15 AM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some toile! Beautiful dish. I am heading to town tomorrow and TJ Maxx is on the list. Hope I find something good. Have a good week.
Posted by: Melanie | March 31, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Pretty lucky dogs I'd say :)
Blessings,
Sher
Posted by: Sher's Creative Expressions | March 31, 2008 at 06:21 AM
I can't stand the look of those dog dishes that you buy in the stores so my dogs get to use old butter crocks for their dishes.
Posted by: Debbie | March 31, 2008 at 06:40 AM
That is absolutely perfect! Whay not have pet bowls that are attractive? Great idea! :-) Rosie
Posted by: Rosie's Whimsy | March 31, 2008 at 07:10 AM
What a great idea! I hate your dog bowls and want to find something a little nicer. Thanks for the inspiriation!
Jen R
Posted by: Sanctuary arts | March 31, 2008 at 07:19 AM
That is beautiful! If your furry friend is like mine, they deserve such finery.
I love the twelve step comment. I call it dish love and yes... I need it, too.
What a beautiful place you give us to visit. Thank you.
Posted by: Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks&Me | March 31, 2008 at 07:41 AM
I understand your 'attention to detail' perfectly. For my precious wee feline boy (actually an old man feline and rather Archie Bunker like) I use attractive butter-yellow cereal bowls. They go better with my walls and floor, yellow and white respectively. :o) We're in the same league there, chickie.
Posted by: jane | March 31, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Hi Tracey, I just bought some beautiful gifts at TJ ... right in that price range.
Lucky boys!
Posted by: sandy | March 31, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Dang! I'm suddenly thinking that I need to read Alexandra's book - this is fabulous!
Many Blessings,
M.
Posted by: Melissa | March 31, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Oh, that is so sweet!! I do the same thing with our kitties. Their normal diet is dry kibble which gets served in our white stoneware cereal bowls (that we don't use anymore), but they get their little servings of canned "treat" food in adorable cut glass/crystal bowls that I found at a church yard sale for 25 cents each! Now they feel just like the beautiful kitty on the Fancy Feast commercial! Your toile doggy bowl is just gorgeous! Lucky dogs to have you :)
Posted by: Donna | March 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Of course your doggies deserve nice things! And since you have to see it everyday, you deserve for it to be beautiful. And it is. Love that bowl! I can never find dog dishes that I like. But I have to ask, do they ever knock it over?
Posted by: Mrs. B | March 31, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Brilliant! I love the picture of your golden retriever sitting in your backyard in your house listing. Makes your house all the more welcoming.
Posted by: Cyndi | March 31, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Love it!
Posted by: pam | March 31, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Beautiful doggie bowl, Tracey! Your message about the not too good to use is so right on point! Still lol about your 12 step dishware program. Same "problem" here....sign me up!
Posted by: tatteredtreasures | March 31, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Using treasured pieces for something other than their intended purpose ~ liberating! Glad to have stumbled across your beautiful blog. You inspire.
Posted by: diXymiss | March 31, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Tracy, This is cupcake week on Martha Stewart's website. She announced a contest for photos of fancy dancy cupcakes. I think you should enter! ??? I think I shouldn't! haha... Gayla
Posted by: Gayla | March 31, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Doggone! I love that bowl! Probably too late to get my own:>)
Posted by: Kathleen Grace | March 31, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I'm totally with you on not saving things "for best"... the bowl is lovely!
Victoria x
Posted by: Victoria | March 31, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I found your sweet blog recently. I sure wish I was in the market for a cottage in Reno. If I was, I would insist that you leave the dog bowl with the house. :) Selling can be emotional, but you sound like you have your chin up. I pray that God will send the right buyer at the right time, and that He will give you the faith to trust Him to iron out the wrinkles. Somewhere out there is a new cottage just waiting for some toille...
Posted by: Dove | March 31, 2008 at 04:03 PM
How I love your style! I'm a girl that uses everything I own, too. Why have it, if I can't use it? (A sentiment that causes my mother to shudder!)
My Golden Retriever has a couple of hefty crockery bowls for her dishes, but if I come across a footed lovely like yours, she may take a refined step up!
~Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | March 31, 2008 at 04:32 PM
OMG, Tracey! Brilliant!!! Dang . . . why didn't I think of that??? Guess what my next purchase is going to be?
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you for such great, innovative, inspiring ideas!
Carla in Delaware
Posted by: Carla | March 31, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Pet bowls are an important part of our decor! I've had an old glass pedestal compote that my babies have used for several years.
Posted by: carold | March 31, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Alexandra Stoddard ( I have ALL her books) and TJ Maxx- two of my favorite things!:-) Lori
Posted by: Lori | March 31, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I love it!! Why should a pet bowl be ugly?
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | March 31, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I never would have thought it...love it!
Posted by: Fina | March 31, 2008 at 08:03 PM
I'm ready to chunk those ugly plastic things our Westie uses now. It just never occurred to me to use something pretty!
Posted by: lindenhaus | March 31, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Wow, I wonder how many other things most of us just assume have to be ugly.
cat box - really large casserole dishes? Big wicker tray with a traditional cat box inside? Actually, I have seen furniture with a cat box inside.
toilet plunger - hm.
Can't think of more. But you do have the best doggy dish ever.
Posted by: Debbie | April 01, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I was made aware of this blog because we had the same idea about a water or feeding bowl for our animals.In case you go for a look on my blog you should see that I used a very nice porcelain terrine to put the kibbles for my cats in!!!! It was so funny to hear that two people from diffirent continets had the same idea of letting their pets eat out or beautiful bowls.
Must say you have a very beautiful blog.
Best regards from Belgium,
Nicky
Posted by: Nicky | April 16, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Oh Tracey. I LOVE your dog water bowl. LOVE IT!! I must run up to TJM immediately to see if I can find something as beautiful.
Posted by: Nancy | June 22, 2008 at 06:25 AM
lovin this. thinkin my golden needs a new water bowl!
Sarah
Vintage Lily
www.vintagelily.typepad.com
Posted by: Sarah Keith | November 05, 2008 at 11:42 AM