Urban Cowboys

Its Barbecue Cookoff weekend here in Houston, which is the start of the annual Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo.  Having never attended a rodeo before living in Houston my gracious friends have educated me on Rockies jeans, mutton-busting, calf scrambles, and all things Rodeo. To get in the spirit of Go Texan Day, I am reviewing Geoff Winningham's urban cowboy-esque images from the 70's.

Here is to a month of honky-tonk in America's fourth largest city.

Are you checking me out?

You bet I am you fantastic little barcode!  Sure I have downloaded several barcode fonts but these are beyond fantastic!  In my next life when I am a product designer this will adorn my packaging {which will be minimal and eco}.

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"Colors"-April Smith and the Great Picture Show

I am obsessed with this tune on our new Paste sampler.... and I love April Smith's tutu's.  Their new album was released yesterday...I am definitely going to pick up a copy.



Sending much love to all my family over seas {kiss, kiss}.

"Fugitive"-David Gray

David Gray's voice always stops me dead in my tracks.  In college I would listen to White Ladder ad nauseam (official apology to my roommate Lee).  I love the mood and atmosphere that  Will Barras' illustrations create in this video for "Fugitive".  

David: if you could sing me through everyday then I promise I will take Fugitive's don't hide from life message to heart!

Stenciled wit

Street art: love it or hate it?  I love these images from  Banksy's 2008 trip to New Orleans. Not sure what rock I have been hiding under, but I am only now becoming acquainted with Banksy's extremely popular and controversial street art.  Personally, I think that witty images like these should stay.

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"Mingle in the street"

Hearts...shoes...enormous crowds...a neutral ground bachelorette party...trees with bling...drum majors in training...batons...pom-pom booties...Who Dats...and Gris Gris, are all what you get when you mingle in the streets. Here are some additional photos from this weekend in New Orleans.

C'mon take me to the Mardi Gras
Where the people sing and play
Where the dancing is elite
And there's music in the street
Both night and day

Hurry take me to the Mardi Gras
In the city of my dreams
You can legalize your lows
You can wear your summer clothes
In the New Orleans

And I will lay my burden down
Rest my head upon that shore
And when I wear that starry crown
I won't be wanting anymore

Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras
Let the music wash your soul
You can mingle in the street
You can jingle to the beat of Jelly Roll
Tumba, tumba, tumba, Mardi Gras

Tumba, tumba, tumba, day

Mm------------

"Take me to the Mardi Gras" -Paul Simon

Marching Madness

For me, Mardi Gras equals marching bands, and I am obsessed with the kids who light-up the parade route with their sounds and dance moves.  I think I drove my friends crazy as I darted away from conversations just to catch a glimpse of these little darlings.  They are so proud of their craft, just look at that face!

I will post more photos later...just love this one so much thought he deserved his own post!

Love is like Clockwork

February is the month of love, whether you believe in St. Valentine or Hallmark.  Here are some wearable hearts from the collection "Clockwork Love" by Frank Tjepkema shown during Object Rotterdam 2010.  I love the intricate layering of clock movements to create these textures and emotions.....What is your heart mood: Golden Wings, Exposed, or Burning?

Images via Wallpaper Magazine

I am definitely feeling Golden Wings!

Throw me somethin' mister!

We are headed to New Orleans for Weekend Gras and we would love to meet up with you, leave a comment and let me know where you will be!  

{Neutral Ground Side and Sidewalk Side images via fleurtygirl.net}

Stay warm littlest birds...

If I Were A Bird

If I were a bird, I'd sing a song
And fly about the whole day long
And when the night comes, go to rest,
Up in my cozy little nest.

by Jackie Silberg

Houstonist Photo of the Day by schemacoma.