BarkYard Lawn Saving Kits

So remember when we posted last year about our dog-related lawn woes? Well, it turns out the bigger the dog, the bigger the problem 😳 While we sure do love Lady, our pretty green lawn definitely doesn't appreciate regular daily doses of nitrogen and salt containing pee.

Look - I made your lawn all pretty and polka-dotted!

Since we've already tried supplements and Dog Rocks with Paddy, we didn't even both giving it a go this time. I guess Google must be listening to our problems, because lately I've been served up a million ads for BarkYard - a DIY lawn saving/regrowing kit. Formulated for Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, or fescue lawns (which, based on our basic knowledge are grasses you'll find in climates that are cooler), there are two products: Good Boy and Bad Spot. Good Boy is packed full of nutrients and fertilizers to help support a lush lawn, while Bad Spot contains seed and everything you need to repair those bald spots.

From what we can tell it looks like you can apply both as needed. If you treat your lawn during the spring/summer/fall I'm not sure how that might impact the ability to grow new grass. That's a question for the experts 😂

A small kit that covers about 1,000 sq feet contains both Good Boy and Bad Spot and will set you back $67.99, with an additional discount if you do subscribe and save.

So - what do you think? What works for keeping your yard looking happy and healthy? BarkYard people, if you're out there and you see this - get in touch!

xoxo

Hunt These: Rae Dunn Dog Bowls & Canisters

Here are two of our favorite finds which go perfectly with our Pioneer Woman doggy cookie jar! 

If you're an avid TJ Maxx, HomeGoods or Marshalls shopper, you are probably no stranger to Rae Dunn and her line of iconic white ceramics decorated with large letter writing. While these items rarely last more than a day on the shelves before they are snatched up by "Dunnies," we have had good luck lately finding pieces from her pet line!

Here are tips for how to get your hands on some of these super coveted pieces:

• Head to your store right around opening time.  No joke, there is often a line outside of our stores at 9:30 and we have seen people sprinting to the Rae Dunn section. In good news, the pet themed stuff is normally with the pet accessories (including the pet mugs!), so make sure to hit that area up first!
• Check your local buy/sell/trade sites. Though things are often marked up there, it will give you an idea of what's hitting in your area and if you should be looking out for new things. 
• Swing by the clearance section! While Rae Dunn stuff is super hot right now, the pet things don't seem to be as popular and we've found some good pet bowls marked down.

In addition to cute "Dog Mom and Dad" mugs, we've also managed to find some really cute dishes and canisters for Paddington. And fear not - if you're a cat person, she also offers cat themed mugs and bowls.

Check out the TJMaxx website regularly as sometimes her products show up there, otherwise head to your local store's pet section to see if you can score some of these beauties. Are you a Rae Dunn fan?

Drooling Over the Miele C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum Cleaner

So, I bet you never expected to come to our blog and get a love story about a vacuum cleaner....

Our baby!

Guys, as bonkers as this sounds, one of the best gifts I've ever received was our Miele Polaris vacuum cleaner. It is worth every stinkin' cent that was spent on it. Not only has it survived the abuse of two cross-country moves, it still works just as well as the day we got it 5+ years ago. Light-weight and easy to use, it's also whisper quiet and doesn't scare the living daylights out of Paddington or the toddler.

In very exciting news, Miele is rolling out a pet focused vacuum cleaner - the Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum! They sent us a press release with all kinds of details about the fancy filter and cleaning radius which all sound fantastic (even though we don't exactly know what they mean).

Like all Miele products, they are on the more $$ side ($599), but long-term we would definitely recommend this investment. The filters/extra bags are also reasonably priced and on par with other less expensive vacuum cleaners on the market (thank goodness!).

Bottom line: if it works as well as our Polaris, and you need a new vacuum, you'd crazy not to consider upgrading.

The C1 Cat & Dog is available from local and online retailers - for more info visit www.mieleusa.com or hit them up on social media.

Sea Bags: Pet Collection

If there's anything we can't have enough of, it's a good tote! Since plastic bags were/are no-go in California, we got into the habit of always having a reusable bag with us. Though we love the inexpensive ones from TJ's, there is something to be said for a reusable bag that is built to last AND stylish. While they are on the pricey side (OK, they're super $$), we are slightly obsessed everything the company Sea Bags makes. Their company takes recycled sails and turns them into highly functional, easy to clean bags that can take a serious beating. We particularly love how easy they are to clean - you can literally hose them down, let them dry, and they are as good as new!*

While checking out their site for a new summer beach bag, we spied an entire collection designed for pet lovers! Check out these super cute bags and placemats (seriously, such a good idea for pets!). They also offer collars and leashes, but these products caught our attention the most:

(Clockwise from Upper Left) Bucket Bag ($45), Chocolate Lab Tote ($150-$210), Paw Print Placemat (Small $15, Large $25), Paw Wristlet ($30)

Though on the pricier side, in our experience Sea Bags have definitely been worth the investment. In addition to these cute paw print adorned items, you can also create your own custom bag ( or choose from their seasonal designs. 

*Disclaimer... they may recommend a different cleaning process than the one we use hah...

Bissell SpotBot Pet Review

This review really should be entitled, "My Best Friend is a Carpet Cleaning Robot."

First off, I want to be clear - we were NOT compensated for this post. We spent our own cold hard cash on this purchase, and its was worth every cent.

Even the best-trained, most-housebroken dog, will have the occasional indoor accident. And trust us, the only sadder thing than your dog having a stomach bug is cleaning up the symptoms...

One of our neighbors recommended the Bissell SpotBot Pet to us earlier this summer when we were on the hunt to find something to help keep our carpet clean. While we used to be hardcore fans of Nature's Miracle, we found it was leaving some weird residue on our carpet (blame our building for installing super cheap flooring, sigh). Neighbors, who have a puppy, swore by their SpotBot, and since we had a 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon we picked one up earlier this summer.

Our magic duo! 

It has been a godsend. Not only has it removed older "surprise" stains we've discovered, but it works amazingly well on fresh stains. We use a combination of the Pet Stain & Odor and OxyClean formulas in our cleaner, and it has lifted everything out of our carpets 100% of the time. In addition to getting out the yucky, it also removes dirty and all kinds of other gross things you can't see -- case in point, check out the nasty water that will be left over. We vacuum religiously and the water is still an awful dark color. Ewwww...

Featuring a combination of brushes that deep clean into the fibers of your carpet, the SpotBot Pet also has a hose attachment you can use for hard to reach places or extra scrubbing. We have yet to try it out, but it's on our list of Fall Cleaning activities. 

Super compact and light enough to easily haul around apartment, once I get started cleaning the carpets I can't stop... It's also worked wonders on non-pet related stains (hello carpet, meet coffee...).

Doing a quick search, it looks like Jet.com is currently offering this model at a super good price ($107). BB&B also tends to regularly have coupons, which also can be used towards the purchase of this product.

What do you use to keep your carpets looking clean?

Hipster Dogs Rejoice!

Urban Outfitters is now the purveyor of a good number of products for the stylish, yet laid back, canine. While checking out their site, we recently stumbled upon a rather eclectic, and expensive, selection of products for the discerning dog. Though we haven't shopped at Urban Outfitters since our university years, we are definitely excited to see them branch out and curious to see whether they'll continue to expand their offerings.




Does your dog need a tent? Well, you're in luck! Urban Outfitters actually has several dog tent designs for you to choose from. While they will set you back almost two Benjamins - these American-made, handcrafted tents, come in a variety of fabrics, including denim.

Growler Goods Saguaro Dog Tent ($178)

Any camping inclined canine is going to need a coat - fortunately, Urban Outfitters also carries Billy Wolf jackets. Waterproof on one side, these reversible coats are available in several lumberjack friendly patterns. We're particularly partial to the Elliot which definitely screams "Americana."

Billy Wolf Camp Dog Coat ($70)

Henri Bendel Dog for Fall 2014

While we're no longer just a quick cab ride away from one of our favorite NYC shops, that doesn't mean we can't window show Henri Bendel online. It's been a while since they've updated their canine line, but it looks like they've made a few additions for fall. Check it out:

Fall showers got you down? Brighten up a rainy day with these adorable City Slicker Packable Rain Coat that packs away into a convenient little zipped pouch. Love the polka dots and stripes! With a zippable little pouch on the back when it's opened up, this coat is functional and fashionable. Too bad it doesn't ever rain here in California…

Perfect for making each meal a fancy affair, this ceramic dog-bone shaped bowl can also double as a treat dish/container. 

And why not ensure that all of your pooch's accessories match by picking up the Sleeping in Stripes dog bed. Featuring Henri Bendel's iconic stripes on one side (and dark brown fabric on the other), it's the right size for a small to medium pup. 

PB Teen Divine Canine Catch-Alls

Pottery Barn Teen is one of those secret sites that we like to occasionally peruse for home storage ideas/knick-knacks. While some of the décor is more suited to teens (duh), we sometimes stumble upon great finds like these "Divine Canine Catch-Alls."

At $38 apiece, the won't break the bank, but are clearly perfect for dog lovers who are looking for a cute way to store change, jewelry, etc. Though there is no Morkie option, we are partial to all three!

Available online and possibly in stores. 

Holiday Gift Idea: @PotteryBarn's Doggy Storage Chests

Well, this is at the top of our holiday list. 

So far, we're loving Pottery Barn's dog-focused additions to their line of home goods, and these bone-shaped storage chests are just the bee's knees! If you're doing the apartment living thing like us, odds are you have one main space that is your family-living-dinning-study-room, that also doubles as your dog's main hangout. These adorable wicker baskets make it easy to store your dog's stuff in a way that is attractive and won't detract from your decor.

While the price tag may keep you from picking them up "just because," we're thinking of filling them with dog treats/toys and giving them as gifts to our favorite four-legged friends this holiday season. Fill the chest with goodies and tissue paper, tie it with a bow, and voila!

Available in small ($69) and large ($99) sizes from Pottery Barn's website.

 

Summer Cottages

Summer always gets us daydreaming about the day when we'll leave the concrete jungle behind... we can't wait to have a backyard so that Paddy can have her own little Victorian cottage.

We spotted this adorable shingled number over at One Kings Lane. Sadly, the sale is now over, but you can still purchase this cozy little abode directly from Home Bazaar.

For the Pooch who is "Le-Tired"

There is something about warm weather that just makes us want to lounge around...

Catching up on real-life post-wedding has also been exhausting... which is why when we spied this adorable doggy chaise in our inbox, we KNEW we had to share it with you.

Featuring more technology than the bed we sleep on, this bed utilizes the SNOOzZzONE™ Pet Comfort System to allow your pet to rest in absolute comfort.

Specs include (and we kid you not...) :
·       Self-Warming Thermal Reflective Layer – Reflective technology helps preserve your pet’s temperature by reflecting the warmth his or her body generates.
·       Gel Core Comfort Layer – The gel-core science provides your pet with superior pressure distribution for a more comfortable and cooler sleep.
·       Memory Foam Comfort Layer – Memory foam conforms to your pet’s body position to provide ultimate support when snoozing. Perfect for pets with orthopedic needs.
·       Allergen, Microbe, Dust Mite Protective Liner – The cushion liner protects your pet and his or her bed from water penetration, mold, dust mites, bed bugs, allergens and microbes.

Also fabulous-- storage beneath the main cushion!

Available in three colors from Wag.com for $109.

Best in Show Dishtowel

Doing the dishes doesn't have to be a chore with this adorable "Best in Show Dishtowel" from Anthropologie.

Machine-washable and made of cotton, it's the perfect new kitchen addition to kick off the new year.

$22 at Anthropologie.com.

More Dogs For Decking the Hall!

Just in case you didn't get enough super-early holiday goodness, here are some more canine cuties for your Christmas tree from Paper Source!

1. Paper-mache Dachshund ($15.95)
2. Dalmation ($13.95)
3. Paper-mache Pug ($15.95)
4. Dog with Red Ribbon ($7.95)

Ceramic Terrier Lamp

It's very rare that we get that excited about a light fixture-- but this Ceramic Terrier Lamp really takes the cake!

Featuring a fringed black lamp shade, it's the ultimate in kitschy-cool.

Available exclusively from Urban Outfitters online for $64.

Doggy Decorations

While we'd argue that the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is still a little ways off, you wouldn't think so from all of the holiday marketing that's going on already. Though we're not quite ready to bust out the egg nog, we are counting down the days until it's time to deck the hall.

Here are our favorite ornament picks for trimming your tree this holiday season:

1. Sitting Yorkie ($44.50 at Frontgate)
2. Set of 4 Tweed Dogs ($31.95 at Crate and Barrel)
3. Blown Glass Bone ($40 at Agatha and Louise) 
4. Big-Eyed Beagle ($13.95 at Papersource)
5. Terrier Woody Wagon Friends Ornament ($39 at Fetchdog)
6. Running Gingerbread Dog ($2.99 at Amazon.com)
7. Balloon Dog ($10 at Urban Outfitters)
8. Westie Puppy ($39 at Nordstrom)
   

Ladurée Goes to the Dogs (in a good way!)

Lucky for us NYC-based Barkistas, we don't have to go far to indulge in Ladurée's world-famous macaroons. Earlier this fall, the Parisian pastry shop opened it's first-ever location in the city. In addition to their tasty treats, Ladurée is well known for their luxe packaging, which occasionally features adorable pups and other cute creatures.  For the holidays, they've rolled out a set of amazing accessories and housewares featuring this medley of characters.

One of our favorites? This adorable keychain featuring a very chic looking Frenchie:

We also love these travel-sized candles which come in a variety of scents:

While we're not sure of availability (we've been avoiding the new NYC location for the sake of our waist-lines..), if you're swinging by Paris any time soon...

These Flowers Are A-DOG-Able

Last week we got two very special birthday surprises:

That's right-- these two adorable pups crafted from flowers showed up on our doorstep! On the left, we have the Witchy-Pooch and on the right, the a-DOG-able for Fall. Made out of white carnations and surrounded by fall foliage and flowers, they're both pretty sizeable as you can see below.

We were really pleased with the quality too-- five days later and our flowers are still looking fresh and lovely!

Want one of your own? Head over to 1-800-Flowers to order yours.

NOse Offense = No More Unwanted Smells!

We've been loving the gorgeous fall weather in NYC! Sunshine, a cool breeze-- what else could a gal and her pup ask for? While it's been very pleasant during the day, it's been getting a little chilly at night, and with the windows closed, we've been noticing some new scents... Ah eau de dog bed...

Though we're diligent about cleaning Paddy's dog beds on a regular basis (please note the plural: dog BEDS), sometimes before we have guests over we like to spruce things up. That being said, we try to avoid scented air freshening products since the smell can be overwhelming. Let's be honest, if they're that way for us-- can't imagine how intense it must be for Paddy's sensitive nose. A lot of spray/air-freshening products can also contain a slew of not-so pet-friendly chemicals. BOO.

Luckily, the dad and daughter team behind NOse Offense have developed an amazing scent-free solution that actually neutralizes odors instead of just covering them up. (And they're based in NYC, yay!)

Approved for use on water safe fabrics including curtains, carpets, clothing and blankets, it can also be used in litter boxes, cages, carriers, pet living and sleeping areas, as well as on hard surfaces, such as wood or plastic. Spray once or twice in the air or identify the source to spray directly onto/into the affected area. Made from safe, non-toxic, organic and biodegradable ingredients, it is also 100% free of enzymes, alcohols, phenol & phenol derivatives, phosphates, phthalates and of course fragrance.

After taking out the trash we also gave the can a quick little spritz and were amazed about quickly it neutralized any leftover odors!

For more information and to pick up your own bottle, visit their website (32 oz. retails for $14.99).

The Bone Bowl

There is something really adorable about the idea of a dog eating out of a bone shaped bowl. These cute and colorful bowls avoid being kitsch-y with their smooth design and stainless steel removeable bowls. Featuring non-slip rubber feet, they're sized for small to medium sized dogs.

Designed in the UK, they're now available in time for the holidays in the US for $29.95.