"Greatest motivational poster ever"

I know that a lot of people on Apartment Therapy and other design blogs have already condemned the "keep calm and carry on poster as trite, overdone and and generally un-inspired.

That said, I love my keep calm poster. It's hanging in my bedroom, right across from the bed, where I can see it first thing in the morning. I guess I love the poster because it's like a perfect nutshell summary of my life's philosophy. I'm not saying it's a piece of design genius or anything like that. I just love the saying. I'd be a little happier if I could have it more or less like it is, but without the crown on top, as generally I don't hold with royalism. But hey, it wouldn't have the historical resonance if it didn't.

Anyway, I found a great article about the poster and its history. You might like to read it.

My sister's new puppy

My sister go herself a new puppy. This is Penny, who is a Jack Russel/Corgi mix. She's just about the cutest dog ever. And furthermore, she reminds me of Nipper, the RCA dog.

I hope to get to meet her soon. I love dogs. I wish I could have one, but living in a third story walk up condo without a fenced yard, or any kind of yard at all, it's just not a practical thing for me right now.

Someday, I'll write about and maybe post a picture of my late dog Sparky. I still miss Sparky and get sad thinking about him.

Let's get one thing straight....

I am not a hero.

This is a hero.

I'm just a chick on a bike.

But seriously, some guy called me a hero as I walked out of the post office today. "You're riding in this?" he asked. And I was like sure. And then he said I was a hero. But, like I said, I'm just a chick on a bike. It's an every day thing for me. Even though the weather was about 45F and it was raining, it was still just another errand for me. I had my lacrosse rain jacket and my rain pants. I was dry as a bone under them. Sure, I didn't like going out in the rain to the post office, but it had to get done today, so off I went.

Its actually a pretty constant thing, people commenting on my biking in all weather. It was the first time I was called a hero, but I'm often told I'm somehow tougher than the average girl, that I'm amazing, It bothers me, because I think that this kind of attitude might stop people from giving the car free or car light life a try. It's not as hard as people think it is. And calling me a hero for doing it really trivializes what a hero is.

Just a few things...

We had a great time in London. This picture is just outside of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was only about six or so blocks from where we stayed in Knightsbridge. Their collection of fashion and decorative arts is second to none. I could have stared for hours at their dress collections. I think it bored Mr. Campion a bit, so I had to cut my time there shorter than I would have liked. I hope I can go back sometime soon.


I'm trying not to forget about charity, even though times are tough and it's tempting to cut back. I just made a donation to little dresses for Africa. They look to be a great charity, run entirely by volunteers and they promise that 100% of their donations will go to help children with AIDS in Africa. The highest rates of infection in the world are in Africa and its the children that suffer most.


Also, a deadline is coming up soon for Afghans for Afghans, a charity that I've supported for some time. I've knit about fifty baby hats for them. Please, if you knit or crochet, consider making a hat or blanket for them. Make sure to read their guidelines carefully.






















I bought some fabric for throw pillows. I chose Amy Butler's Midwest Modern. I think it'll look great with my aqua colored sectional.

I've gotten rid of my leather purses. There's a lot of great cloth and vinyl bags out there. I haven't gotten rid of my pregan leather shoes yet, but it seemed right to phase leather out of my purses. Here's one great vegan bag.

So far this winter, like for the last eight winters, no weather had been able to keep me off my bike. I've braved 10 below and snow and even icy roads after an ice storm. The only weather that came close to scaring me was the ice storm. I still maintain that nothing is more fun than riding in a couple of inches of freshly fallen snow. I also feel a bit safer on the road because of this year's. Christmas present.

Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britian

There are simply not enough words in the English language to tell how great this video is. It's like it encapsulates everything about my musical tastes, sadly enough.

The reverse graffiti project

I love this. The artist works in reverse stencils with a power washer to create an image out of dirt. Bringing such beauty out of that which we believe to be ugly and foul, well, that's just powerful.

Fashion meme

I'm posting yet another meme from And-Old-Lace, who I know from over on LiveJournal. It just seemed like a lot of fun. One thing about me- I do love me some fashion. It's my current obsession and has been for a while.

A: What accessories do you wear everyday?
My watch. I've got a great fondness for watches of all types, but in particular I love my Invicta. It's a men's tank style chronograph, black face, silver case and trim, black band.

B: What is your beauty routine?

I wash my face with Cetaphil. Hair is conditioned most days with this all natural leave in conditioner, then thrown back in a headband most days, cause it's a funky length and growing back. I'm just not into the whole putting a face on thing.

C: What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased?

Sadly, a very boring and practical cuddledud type long underwear shirt for layering. Hey, I was cold.

D: Do you use a dresser, closet, or both?

I have a small closet, 3/4 of a huge dresser and a big rubbermaid tub down in the storage room. The curse of my life is inadequate storage.

E: What type of earrings are in your ears right now?

None. I never wear them.

F: What type of figure do you have (measurements)?
pear. 46-41-51, so, slightly pear shaped, with a thicker middle.

G: Do you wear glasses?
yes

H: What type of handbag do you carry?

I've got several that I rotate, different styles. My current favorite is a shoulder bag completely covered in glass beads. That sucker weighs like 10 pounds, before I put even a lip balm into it, but it's so cool.

I: What is your ideal style?

I love an eclectic look. Right now I'm rocking a seventies secretary/rocker chick kind of look.

J: What is your favorite brand of jeans?

None. i have yet to find a brand or style of jeans that can do for my figure what even a rather mediocre dress can do.

K: Do you wear knee-hi stockings?

I wouldn't say never. I do own a pair, but I haven't put them on in a good two years.

L: Do you *have* to wear matching lingerie?

No. I understand the impulse, but given my larger bra size (40DD), I have to go with the bra that is supportive rather than pretty and I just can't make myself wear plain beige panties to match.

M: Do you wear makeup?

Almost never. It makes me break out.

N: Do you wear nightgowns?

Jammies only kind of girl. I can't stand the way nightgowns ride up while I sleep.

O: What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day?

That depends if I'm heading out on bike or not. If I'm going on on bike, I generally look like this. If I'm heading out on foot, I'll wear my new dress coat


P: What is your favorite perfume?

Guerlain Mitsouko

Q: Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories?

I like them both, but I guess a little bit more of the quantity. I get bored with clothes fairly easily.

R: Do you wear rain boots?

Never found a pair that didn't look bad on my calves of might.

S: Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold?

Socks are more handy. I think I own a pair of slippers.

T: Do you have a set of travel luggage?

Does this imply a matching set? In this case, no. I've got a smaller size rolly suitcase. I travel with that and a large purse as carry on. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go.

U: What is your daily uniform?

Summer- dress, cardigan if the dress is sleeveless and I'm going to work, matching shoes.
Winter- dress, such sweater or underlayers as the cold requires, tights, boots.

V: If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? If not, how did you do your hair?

No. I hated the symbolism. I wore a fresh flower clip in my hair. Which I hated and still makes me cringe when I look at wedding pictures. I was going to just let it dry curly and my mom forced me to go to her hair dresser, who proceeded to blow dry, poof, shellack and generally ruin my hair.

W: Do you wear a watch?

Always. I collect them actually. I've got several and have my eye on a number more.

X: What item of clothing always makes you feel beautiful?

I'd rather be interesting than beautiful or pretty any day.

Y: What is your favorite type of yarn?

Koigu Painters palette premium merino

Z: Do you prefer zippers or buttons?

In theory, buttons, in practice, zippers.

What's your fashion style?