"Apply ice."

I am recovering from dental surgery today. This is my new friend:


Isn't it cute? It can be found on my face - and also online at the Gal Pal shop. I'm thinking of making a new cover for it with some left-over Cath Kidston fabric. When I'm better and can be upright for more than 30 minutes, that is. By-the-way, it took me longer to fill-out paperwork and get numb than to have the actual surgery. Amazing. I raise my ice pack to you, Dr Hess! He has mad skills - and is a Yankees fan. Bonus.

Here's to a peaceful weekend.   tIO x

PS: It's interesting how wonderful a hotdog smells when you cannot eat solid food and won't be able to for two more days. But don't cry for me, blogfriends; I drink milkshakes every other hour on the hour. Unfortunately, my DH has suggested that he might slip-one-in of the meat variety. And I am quite sure he's not joking. *wrinkles face in disgust*   xx

tIO Combo: Banner Day! meets Mid-week Music

As we close-out 2009, I decided to celebrate by combining the final 'Banner Day' and 'Mid-week Music' posts of the year: a special 'combo' post of banners famous, not-so-famous, and even infamous - ending with a musical celebration of our 'Banner'. Take a look (and listen):


The online newpaper, the Provincetown Banner, and its 'wicked local' information.

    
The Banner Art Collective "creates, collects, and distributes net.art and poetry within the limitations and context of web adverts".


The Star Spangled Banner Flag House, "home of Mary Pickersgill, maker of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key's famous poem that later became our national anthem".


Be "the Hulk", aka  "Bruce Banner". You know it's cool.


                                    
Ace Banner's "Unfurl Yourself" Program: Ace Banner has been "manufacturing custom fabric displays since 1916". The "Unfurl Yourself" program is the company's "way of giving back to a non-profit each year in the form of banners and other signage for their annual event". 


'Banner Cloud': the peak's flag (shown here on the Matterhorn, the best site for its formation)


What-to-do on/around  Banner Street, London EC1Y. And some know-before-you-go: EC1 history.




Rock on, lovelies! And I'll see you next year.  tIO x

Today's conundrum: Can you drink too much hot cocoa? Computer says "no".

Future conundrum: Is it right to want world peace and tougher sentencing for parole violators? Gracie-Lou thinks so.

Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon!

"Dear Diary..."

It will soon be a 'New Year' - which means it's time for a new diary. Perhaps given (or received) as a present? Regardless, here are some of my favorites to write down all of your appointments (and disappointments, if you're not an optimist):


1. 2.  3.
4.  5.
6.  7.
8.   9. 
10.11.


1.Liberty of London Turquoise Leather Slim Memo Diary, 2.Moleskine 12months Daily Planner, 3.Bird Applique Diary by tailormade on Etsy, 4.German Page-a-Day Calendar available at amazon.com, 5.Zenbelly Planner by zenbelly on Etsy, 6.Puzzle Calendar from V&A Museum Shop, 7.Keep Calm Spoof Printable by littlebrownpen on Etsy, 8.Neverending Adhesive-Tape Calendar at V&A Museum Shop, 9.Monet Pocket Diary, available at amazon.com, 10.Filofax Diary Refills, and 11.Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Diary


If you carry your diary electronically, as many of us do now, why not reminisce a bit and read one of these diaries this year? Perhaps on your Kindle.
a.b.
c.d.
e.


a.The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady, by Edith Holden, b.The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J.Jacobs, c.When Wanderers Cease to Roam by Vivian Swift, d.Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding, and e.Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith

Now time to get scheduling! But not too much; don't forget to be a Ferdinand every once in a while. (Better schedule that, too, right? *grins*)

Happy Christmas! And happiest of new diaries -and comfortable schedules- to you.  tIO x

My New BFF: Lonny!

I am giggling like a schoolgirl.

I just met Lonny, and I am smitten! (Thank you, Kelly - of the wonderful High Street Market - and Betsy, talented designer at "Manor Drive Sweatshop", for the introduction! X)

So, who is Lonny, you ask? Not who, lovelies; Lonny is a what. A jewel in the form of an online design magazine, conceived of and edited by Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline.

After a solid two hours of clicking through its 'pages',
here is a top-line summary of Issue #1:

Firstly: it's online - but I can print the pages I love (which means I'll be buying a lot more ink cartridges).

Secondly: the premiere issue includes Kate Townsend-Simpson, Eddie Ross, Ron Marvin, Carolina Irving, Grace Bonney, Laurent Girard and Leonora Mahle, and Deborah Needleman. Um... hello!

Thirdly: it's 195 pages! And the click-throughs! Oh, the click-throughs. To nearly every item and on every advert. (Yes, adverts - from online-only shops as well as traditional bricks-and-mortar outlets.)

Finally: it's thoughtfully produced and edited. And though it will require me to prop my laptop on the treadmill handles, I can manage. For now. Until it's released on Kindle (hint, hint).

As someone who has been lamenting the (un)timely passing of her favorite magazines - Blueprint, Domino, House&Garden, Southern Accents, to name a few, the business acumen and industry instincts behind Lonny just might have the moxie and savvy to recreate (and lead) the mag market in the 21st Century. And it's pretty!

So don't wait! Click through up there or here to the lovely Lonny - the fresh-faced, gorgeously-produced, web-based love note to design.

LYLAS, Lonny!


Today's conundrum: Why can't I choose exactly which 712 channels I want on my cable package? Isn't the technology available for that yet?

Future conundrum: Is it true that the more we try to be individuals, the more alike we become?

Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon!