Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Don't you just love it when you absolutely, positively, 100% 
find EXACTLY what you are looking for?

Sometimes I have a vision in my head of what I want;
other times I figure I'll know it when I see it.  
Problem is, sometimes it takes a heckuva long time to "see" it!
 

I've been looking for some decorative plates for my kitchen 
for the last year and a half.
Regular trips to Home Goods, Pier 1 and other such shops yielded some 
"close-but-no-cigar" candidates. 

Before I left for the Amalfi Coast in Italy, a friend of mine told me that she got some great plates in Ravello, which is  world-renowned for ceramics.
I couldn't wait to get there and see what I could find.
As it turned out, we only had a brief three hours in Ravello, 
which wasn't nearly enough time to make a relaxed decision.
I was feeling pressured to come home with something, 
yet nothing was really hitting me.
I didn't want to settle.

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Other contenders, but they just didn't move me.
I almost missed the last shop -- 
Factory Pascal was down a little alley off the main piazza.

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
   The store was filled with so many beautiful things!
I zeroed right in on the plates that I had in my mind's eye.

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes  The colors were perfect, and the pattern was just what I wanted.
The only problem was, they didn't have dinner-sized plates in stock 
(insert forlorn-looking face here).
The proprietors told me they could make them for me, 
but for some reason, this sounded too complicated.
Maybe it was because my stomach was rumbling.
I walked out...darn! So close!

Over lunch, I couldn't stop thinking about those plates!
A calmer head prevailed after inhaling a mozzarella and proscuitto panini,
and I knew they were absolutely, positively, 100% EXACTLY what I was looking for.
 
Feeling fortified, Mr. Goo Shoes and I walked back to Pascal's, 
and now, it took me no time to say, "Let's do this!"
I wish I would have had more time to look around.
My wallet would have been a little lighter, for sure!
In hindsight, I should have taken the oil and vinegar cruets.
I just may have to email Pascal's, and have them shipped.

One month after placing the order, the dishes arrived on my doorstep.
Although it would have been nice to have them with me when I got home,
 it was even more special to experience this delayed-souvenir-gratification, 
when the trip itself already felt like a distant memory.
I held my breath as I checked to see that they weren't cracked or chipped. 
Nope, perfect!



They are signed on the back...I wish that part didn't have to be hidden!

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Speaking of souvenirs, remember the pitcher the waiter gave me in Naples?
It's sitting in my kitchen bookcase for now,
where I can see it, and be reminded of our trip every day. 

Decorative Plates For The Kitchen | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes  Here's a little peek at what I did with the plates. 

Pretty ceramic plates from Ravello, Italy | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #ravello #ceramics

 Stay tuned for the full plate reveal!
Now how's that for a cliffhanger?
Or maybe I should say...plate-hanger!

34 comments:

  1. I love those plants! They are so pretty and it's so nice they remind you of your trip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your selection. I can't wait to see your decor with them. What a beautiful memory brought to life everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, true Italian style! Love them! I have a water pitcher I bought in Italy in that style and I still treasure it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your plates and the pitcher are stunning! They will be perfect in your house and it's so neat that you actually bought them in a special place.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those are gorgeous. I can't wait for the reveal.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fabulous reminder of your trip!!! They are great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fabulous reminder of your trip!!! They are great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful plates and what a great reminder of your fabulous trip. So worth the wait. They are gorgeous and custom made just for you. Have a great day.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful plates - my grandmother migrated here from Italy and I have some wonderful plates from her hometown of Gubbio... there is nothing like the artistry in Italy... Looking forward to the full plate reveal!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Usually, it is other way around - I see it and absolutely know I want it.
    But, wow, what an amazing shop, you did yourself proud.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. It sounds like you made the most of your time in Ravello Amy! A panini and pretty plates...way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How pretty! Can you use them to serve food on too? I love that you had them made special for you. Sometimes it's best to walk away and think about something first. That way you don't have any doubts and it isn't an impulse buy. I've made some of those mistakes before and came to regret it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amy, they are beautiful! I love the green border, the shape of it and the color. Aren't you glad you waited for these instead of settling?

    I'll have to send you a picture of 2 Italian plates hanging in my kitchen. I found one of them years ago at GW and recently found another one, slightly different at GW too! I didn't even have to turn it over to know immediately that it was from Italy too. The colors are so pretty. I had always collected Spode but a few years ago fell in love with Italian dishes.

    It must have been like Christmas, opening the box when it came!
    Dewena

    ReplyDelete
  14. How gorgeous!! I love that pattern and the green is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I share your passion for ceramic plates and have yet to find any in Greece that match the colors and vibrancy of those of Italy. (I purchased poppy ceramics at Pier 1 and we will be hauling them to Greece in our suitcases -- should be able to entertain six using the same plates by mid-2017!! Great post but you've left me 'hanging'. . .

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your plates are beautiful and I love your design taste. So glad you found the perfect fit and that they arrived safely. Waiting for the reveal.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amy, I know what you mean about looking and looking for something when you know exactly what you're looking for. These plates are exquisite. As I read along, I was so glad you went back to the shop and made the purchase. These are so unique and you would be hard pressed to find something similar. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  18. They do look good Amy ... and so nice to see the pitcher in place on the shelf.

    Have a lovely weekend

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  19. They do look good Amy ... and so nice to see the pitcher in place on the shelf.

    Have a lovely weekend

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  20. They're just beautiful Amy - and they're " YOU " !
    And I still love that pitcher..........:)
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Amy,
    Wow I love the plates you ordered from the store in Italy! How pretty and beautiful they will look in your kitchen and while entertaining.
    Wishing you a wonderful and Happy Birthday!
    Have a nice weekend and enjoy!
    Julie xo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my God Amy! I was just THERE! Like six weeks ago! Yes, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Love very much! Mimi xxx

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great way to be reminded of Italy every time you enter your kitchen... I bet you're going to cook a lot of pasta now!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your plates and loved shopping in Pascal's on our trip to Ravello. Their ceramics are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your plates are lovely. And how very special that they were made just for you and are a reminder of your holiday in Italy. Splendid!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, these plates are totally gorgeous! Handmade just for you? Even better! Enjoy them! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great souvenir and you are correct, they are the perfect ones. Love the pitcher also.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Amy,
    Thanks for joining and sharing your pretty plates from Italy with us at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Happy Birthday too!
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  29. These are absolutely beautiful, Amy! What a great souvenir!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sometimes, most times, great things are worth waiting for! They're beautiful, very Amy, and best of all, they will be a constant reminder of your wonderful trip to Italy!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  31. These are SO pretty!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J! Please don't forget to enter the $25 Starbucks Giftcard Giveaway that ends tomorrow night!

    ReplyDelete

PRIVACY POLICY: I will never share your email information with others. I use your email to respond to your comments on my blog, or to interact socially with you.