I love.

John Robshaw is serious about prints that I just happen to LOVE...I found his stuff at Evolve here in Missoula (blogged about this store the other day) and need to have a set up from this company. They do offer SOME organic cotton...not all, but some. It would be so much cooler if they used ALL organic...
However, I'll get off the soap box long enough to appreciate and perhaps order some of these goodie goodnesses.

http://evolveliving.com/

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is hosted in Missoula. Films were submitted from all over the world, and screened here in our historic Wilma Theater on Higgins Avenue.


http://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/home.html
http://thewilma.com/

I went last night and saw three films. The first two were interesting, but the third took my mind to another place. I love the documentary "SALT".

The photography made me cry happy intense sad tears. The Aussie made me cry. He was authentic and funny and on a journey. He was honest. He asks himself if this ride he takes into the middle of nowhere is worth it, and I found myself wanting to say out loud that it was.

http://www.saltdoco.com/movie-info/stills.htm#10
look at his stills from his quasi vision quest camping trip

I would like everyone in the world to see and appreciate Murray Fredericks:
http://www.saltdoco.com/biographies/Murray-Fredericks.htm

Next year I hope a documentary from Montana will be what moves me. I'm not saying that there wasn't one that was good- the other two I saw last night were indeed interesting, but not anything like Salt. Salt makes it abundantly clear that there is nothing more beautiful than right here, right now.

Evolve and Nolita

Nolita- the wall of denim and some fab lighting.

Inside those green boxes is Kai- oh so smelly and lovely. Indulge!

The stuffed animals are knitted in Kenya by a collective of women stitchers. What do you think their stitch n' bitch sessions are like?

bags and chandeliers in the same space ...bring it

Shopping in Missoula isn't for the high maintenance, Mall of America one-stop shopper. It's not all in one little neat package. But if you take the time to look and shop local, you'll find the goods.

One yummy stop is actually two stores sharing space: Nolita and Evolve- at 531 North Higgins Ave.

Nolita carries the high-end jeans, fabulous handbags, dresses and men's clothing anyone with a little style wants to see. They also feature local jewelry and sell Kai products. If you haven't smelled this stuff, please do, and then smear it all over yourself and make everyone around you happy. Really. If you're ever stuck on what to get a girl, get her some Kai.

Cosabella undies are sold here- so there's usually a few gals a day who stop in to get some. Apparently they're desirable because they're made in Italy, use high quality lace and are super soft. There's an addiction here for some people. Better than being a druggie. Maybe I should try some, just one, just....one.

Nolita will soon have an e-commerce site, so folks not lucky enough to visit Missoula in person will be able to take advantage of Nolita's treasures.

http://www.nolitaonline.com/

Evolve, I have to say, is where I would live if it were acceptable to live in a retail store. Robyn Woodhall, the owner and interior designer, is a friend of mine- so I can't honestly say this is unbiased, but anyone is welcome to go check this spot out and bust me if you think I'm full of B.S. Which I'm not.

Robyn represents the most organically beautiful collections of furniture and linens and home decor deliciousness. Just imagine having access to your favorite decorator's resources- this is what Evolve is. It rocks my world, and I'm sitting in the store looking out the front window on to Higgins Avenue as I type. Testing out living here. I love to people watch. It just feels good to be in this space. You can come and hire Robyn to plan or re-do your space, or you can come to buy the fittings of a truly fabulous home. From scent diffusers to gorgeous couches, giant pine cones, the most glorious linens...and the softest pillow case I've ever touched is on sale for little babies. When I was little I had this pillow called O.P. It came with me everywhere, and now I have pillow envy for whatever kiddos get these things. I left O.P. at Brigham's Ice Cream in Newton, MA one night....but that's another story....

Robyn works with individuals on their homes, and has also done a number of commercial projects like The Mustard Seed here in Missoula. She's also a regional resource for other decorators whose clients want in on her goods. I noticed a "Western Interiors" article posted in the store where Robyn was included in- Top 20 designers under 40...right on girl!

http://evolveliving.com/

also check out Robyn's interior design site:

http://www.towneinteriors.com/

Give these places a gander and let me know what you think. Make sure to say hi to Chelsea if you're at Nolita- she's a sweetie.

And we shall descend upon Missoula, Montana. Home of many greats.

Missoula, Montana. The Rockies, Glacier, Yellowstone, Charlie B's. It's all here. You can be on a ski hill in 30 minutes (22 if there isn't a slow poke on the road to the bowl). You can cross country ski at Lolo Pass in about an hour, and hit the hot springs or The Lumberjack on the way home. There's talk of Amtrak bringing passenger service to Missoula- THAT would be a hit and a huge boost to our very poor community. How can we be so poor and so rich at the same time? Well, I'll leave that up to you to figure out.

Well, I'm going to dig in here for a post or two and share some of the great things about Missoula with you. I hope you'll one day be in town and enjoy them for yourselves. I love it here.

tape dispenser by Fred Nelson Fabrication

The first product I will share with you is going to make my life a lot easier. I LOVE that I went on ebay, typed in "commercial tape dispenser", and found a hand-made item by a guy in the US, and it was just practical. No fuss, not artsy fartsy but artful.

I got an email saying that it will ship once it has been forged. HECK YA

So, here it is. Or at least here's the page of FNFAB, the ebay seller.

http://myworld.ebay.com/fnfab/

I wonder if he knows about the F'N FAB aspect of his ebay name. I love him!

I am NOT crazy about his M16 hat rack though.

I think the electric guitar biz card holder is FUNNY- what guitar player that you know needs biz cards. Oh, I suppose it would be nice to give to that lover in your life who rips a little guitar every now and then - just to let him (or her, whatevs) know you think he's a rock star.

I am so excited about my tape dispenser. I don't know where I'm going to mount it, but I think it will go in my office where I am often packaging things to send away to start a new life elsewhere.

I love the fun in it.

Spokane is the man.

First post, let's talk about Spokane, Washington.

Top photo, I took it! In the pool area of Northern Quest.

Bottom photo- from Hotel Davenport's website.

I live in Missoula, Montana, and there aren't a lot of big cities in close proximity. When I have to get service on my hot ride, I take a road trip to Spokane and it once again proves that you can find good stuff wherever you are.

Sometimes referred to as "SpoCompton", (sorry, Compton) this is not by any means a dazzling city. But, there are some highlights. Always looking for more!

The Davenport is a WONDERFUL hotel. They have the old building and the new "tower". Both are way above average in these parts.

Good food, bar scenes (they were smart to put bars and food in both buildings) and great service.

http://www.thedavenporthotel.com/

Northern Quest Casino is a new venture. I have no idea how I should feel about casinos on Native American land...good or evil? Somewhere inbetween? I don't know yet, but am open to opinions. I will say that I watch Big Love, and when I decided to go give this place a shot, I thought somewhere in crazy mind that I was going to that casino.

I NEED TO GET OFF TV AND AM DROPPING OFF MY CABLE BOX TUESDAY (Monday is a holiday...)

http://www.northernquest.com/hotel.php

Ok, so I stayed here because I wanted to check out a new spot. I'm usually very loyal to Hotel Davenport because they love Daisy and let her sleep in their hotel! The rooms were awesome, bathrooms beautiful linens and comfy and all good. My room was 703 and the view is looking out the front side of the building at the surrounding area which is flat and ugly at the moment because they're still building the remainder of the site- but that wasn't a bother at all other than looking at it. I did see a big yellow machine go by while I was in the pool, but I didn't give a hoot! The pool area is very sweet. Whoever designed this place is awesome. I should probably find out. I did a quickie google search and it didn't turn anything up...would like to know.

Food was good, I recommend sitting in the lobby bar. The food is great and very reasonable for a hotel with such delightful decor and quality.

The casino is gross. Sad. Depressing. And I only lost $3. IF I had been there with someone who knew anything about gambling or how to play any of the live games, it could have been cool...it IS huge and Vegas like. The spa looked nice but I didn't even bother leaving my room because it was cozy and I really felt like I was on vacation. Next time I'll try a service there. I did work out in the gym and it was modern and clean with TVs and music. A lovely young stud came in and asked if I needed anything. I blushed.

Two other things about Spokane. Metro Furniture and Royal Fabric

Metro: http://experiencespokane.com/monroestbridgeantique/index.shtml

Royal: http://www.royaluph.com/ These guys and gals know their shit. They have pricey fabrics, but they also provide upholstery services and it was busy in there...nice to see.

I'm disappointed in the fact that there aren't more eco friendly choices in home decor fabrics, so if you know of any, please share. BUT don't try to pass anything off that isn't eco groovy like it is. I'll call you out on it. Then we can fight. :) Just kidding.

I'm doin' it.

There's a lot of good and bad, ying and yang, up and down, black, white and grey. Let's talk about it. We're going to talk style, design, animals, mountains, ocean, clothes, tape dispensers, good bad ugly, HAPPY, rough terrain, Montana, Cape Cod, NYC, LA, Mexico. And you're all going to love Daisy. yay

I'm not an authority on anything, just pretty arfing sure I'm right until I open my mind. I always reserve the right to change my mind.

I hate hate hate people who complain and then don't take action.

I'm already changing my mind about saying hate. It feels bad. But those people piss me off.

So, here I get to do a bit of squawking and sharing the things I love and don't love, and anyone is welcome to join in as long as you're not an a-hole. The world has enough of those.