Keep calm - wait, what?!

I have come across these posters for years now, and most recently on the blog called Made By Girl ... and I figured it had to have some sort of history. So I did what any good 21st century researcher would do and I looked it up on Wikipedia! In short, the poster was created by the British Government in 1939 at the beginning of World War II, tp raise the moral of the British public in case of an invasion. The poster was "rediscovered" in 2000, and since then, has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies. The designer of the poster is unknown. The poster was actually the third in a series of three, the first two being:

I feel like the "KEEP CALM" story continues to be quite relevant. Refreshing, nastalgic, but still a very powerful message today more than ever. What I found very interesting was that Bristish copywrites on written material expire after 50 years - so the crown and the content fell into public domain and this happy little couple that owned a tiny bookstore bought a box of crap from an auction, these posters were in it, and they were able to legally reprint - nearly 60 years later - and the rest is literally history! Now it is everywhere from coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc. and I wonder where the original creator is? Dang shame she didn't get credit! :)

I am really digging these variations, though! My fav is the "SHUT UP AND DANCE!"

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"Get excited and Make Things." I love that one. Love love that one. Almost as awesome as a poster up in my friend's house" Make Your Own Shit!"

Adorable Dresses

These adorable dresses are brought to you by ModCloth, an indie website that nourishes local designers. I picked a few out that I thought were so dainty and sweet. What do you like in a dress? Where do you like to buy your unique dresses?


"Be plain in dress; and sober in your diet; in short, my deary! kiss me and be quiet." - Mary Worley Montagu

I have always enjoyed a nautical theme, and I really like the back of this dress with the striped bit of fabric mixed among the sailboats.

"Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress." - Coco Chanel

I can't decide whether I like the front or the back of this dress more - I think it is just adorable!

Found on Dog Funk, this Roxy dress intrigued me because of the placement of the zipper in the back. I think it would be such an easy way to cinch the back to any dress in a very clean and cool manner. I think I might try to make something like this!

I know this grey dress below [Forever 21] is pretty plain jane, but I really like where they have attached the ties - right around the hips. Gives the dress nice clean lines, and I think this would be flattering to any shape.

laugh through the chaos...

Kelly Green + Dining Room Inspiration

While talking to my Mom on the phone the other day, she says "I think I am going to buy this tank for your sister, it's that super ugly green color that she likes." I had to laugh. I LOVE that color! I have actually been contemplating painting a few furniture pieces that ugly kelly green color... what do you think?

This piece was featured in this month's edition of Lonny Mag .. check it out! Hundreds of pages of design inspiration in a neat little online mag.

I love the use of the branches against the green backdrop. I think the stripes are a bit drab though... and the table is way too small for the chairs!

How amazing is this bed? Featured here, you might wake up one morning and decide you never want to see this color again.. but I love the base and size. Brown comforter = highly questionable though.

I love the subtle change in direction with the green tiles, it barely gets noticed yet creates great lines! This design compliments of Kelly Wearstler Designs.

Featured on Plush Palate, I just found the subtle bursts of color so attractive in this nursery. The striped ceiling, the green interior of the armoire, such a great idea to peek some color through. Playful, minimal, and incredibly childish - in a great way!

The birds are a little too life-like, the spider pillow a little odd, but the overall concept comes together quite nicely.

My current dining room table was a $40 find on craigslist, and looks exactly like this one. Last year I painted it black with this super-high gloss, including the chairs, and covered the chairs with a black, tan and white striped fabric from Ikea. I still love the table, but I'm so bored with it. I was thinking of alternating some white chairs in there.. or possibly painting the chairs red? I really like the look of black on black... seen on the chair below.

What a fun dining room! The elephant painting just brings this certain level of funk that takes the 80's print out of the chairs and ties it all together.

I just thought the fiberglass chairs were quite interesting... and for some reason I'm really drawn to the color of green with the brown table.

A miniature uncomfortable sofa brought to you by Anthropologie, I wish I could just buy this fabric. I love it! The couch looks like it needs to be seen and not heard ... looked at and not sat on!

G + Y

I've decided that I am going to start accumulating things that I absolutely love on this site. Right now my currrent obsession is grey (gray?) and yellow. Here are just a few pics of this color scheme done perfectly. I love!

I love the feel of this hand-written font with the modern-floral print. How cute is the inside of the envelope?

I imagine this invite has wonderful texture - coupled with the vintage sillhouettes, this is extremely well-done.

How adorable is this tandem-bicycle wedding invite?

The mixture of succulents and the boldness of the chevron pattern add the perfect mix of modern desert "cool" mixed with a slight vintagey - madmen-ish touch.

I haven't really seen whole fruit used in this capacity - mainly sliced citrus... but isn't this a great piece? For some reason, the pictures from this wedding have a slight futuristic out-of-this-world presence. Either way, cool as hell!

Ahoy El Capitan!

Meet Captain. He is a professional winker, lover and the original Catdog. He growls, fetches, and loves to play with other dogs! He truly is the most loving animal I have ever had in my life. Anyone who has decided they are terrified of cats they need to meet El Capitan!!!

2010 McDowell Mountain Music Festival

Another year has come and gone for our very special McDowell Mountain Music Festival here in Scottsdale. After a disgruntled venue change from WestWorld (which lead to no camping) many festivarians were saddened by the changes. After witnessing the MMMF in its new digs, I think everyone was more than pleased with the outcome. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals brought the house down on Sunday night - - as well as 23 year old Trombone Shorty. The musical talent exuding from this stage over the weekend just left me with a good feeling.

There were more kids than ever this year, and there is nothing better than watching children rock out to some homegrown tunes! Bless those parents that decided to enliven their kids with a little culture. The MMMF is just what Scottsdale needs. One of my favorite quotes: "Children, they learn to dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." These little boys just made my day!! The glue + glitter weren't even dry on their guitars - but they didn't care one bit!