Swag the Dog: Retro Wares

Give your most loyal partner some swinging swag this spring.

Wear: Funky. Chic. Slick. Dogma London's spiffy retro series of collars are a new attitude. Dogma London has over 200 fresh designs and styles including martingale, buckle and tag collars. Plus cool matching leashes too.

It's not about just a collar and and leash, it's about a personality. Is your pup a Rebel or into Camo? Maybe your pup yearns to be One-of-a-Kind?

Retro series favorites:

Sprocket / Have a Nice Day

Nuclear Winter / Hound Dog


Saturday Night Fever


Fast Freddy in Saturday Night Fever

Decorate: For Mod Art for mod dogs be sure to check out Mod-Dog's fine art prints.

Shop by breed - from Airedale Terriers to Yorkies and everything in between like Boxers, Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Whippets.

Pssss...don't miss the Mod-Dog Blog for mod-dog resources like green pets, health+wellness, shopping+style, travel and more!

Play: Tired of tripping over your pups' toys?

The cool and clever Fast Freddy has re-purposed a Chartreuse Retro Bullet Planter as a hip toy chest. Good dog.

Retrospective: Jena Ardell's Fine Art Photography

If you've ever clicked your heels together and wished you resided in a more retro decade then you've come to the right place.

Jena Ardell's retro fine art photography transports you back to a time that is reminiscent of a 70's dreamy Santa Monica beach day or a 60s Vegas wanderlust moment.

As soon as I spied her stylized Kit Cat clock photo I was sold.

Jena Ardell's KitCat / Retro Republik's KitCat

Here's a few of our favorite moments...pssst check out Jena Ardell's Etsy Shop and Blog.

Ace in the ho-tel

In the words of Liz Lemon, "I want to go to there."

Where's there, you ask? In this case we want to go to ALL 4 swanky locales of the ACE HOTEL: New York (opening soon), Palm Springs (now open), Portland and Seattle.

In New York the mini-bars aren't so mini - full size (and stocked) retro Smeg refridgerators and vintage woodcrate with snacks from local shops.

Some rooms even feature Music Hall turntables with hand-picked vinyl for guest enjoyment.

The rooms of the Palm Springs Ace have a bohemian-campy feel with the warm glow of the desert sun and the simple draped fabric. Many of the rooms open to private outdoors patios with fireplaces.

In Portland the 79-room historic property stands between old downtown and the revitalized Pearl district. This Portland hotel lobby wouldn't be complete without a Jorg & Olif bicycle ready for a spin.

Plus the hotel room numbers boast retro metal signage...too cool.

Within walking distance to the famous Pike Place Market, the Seattle Ace is full of stylish comfort. Clean white rooms, low platform beds, large windows and high ceilings have us ready to jump on a plane.

And a big "merci beaucoup" to Retro Republik follower Lindsay in Hermosa Beach, CA that tipped us off to ACE HOTEL.

Mommy Dearest

"C'mon, click the button. i dare you" is truly a double-dog dare from the spunky Scary Mommy Creations. Scary Mommy designs retro cool buttons for all you bloggers out there.

Here's a few of Retro Republik's favorites:

I'm pretty cool

A little bit of attitude

I don't cook or clean


Rated G


Please comment

Ink, Post & Paperwink

This Santa Barbaran is officially obsessed with a new blog I discovered today, via Sunset magazine, called Ink & Post.

Ink & Post is the creative outlet and personal aesthetic of local Santa Barbara blogger Katie Chambers.

Ink & Post covers: design, ephemera, fashion, home, interiors, music, paper, photography, print, Santa Barbara, shops, travel and type.

By the way if you're asking yourself like I did, 'What is ephemera?'

This should help...

From Wikipedia: Ephemera is transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek, meaning things lasting no more than a day. Some collectible ephemera are advertising trade cards, airsickness bags, bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, letters, pamphlets, postcards, posters, prospectuses, stock certificates, tickets and zines.

Ironically Ms. Chambers' and Retro Republik share a favorite ephemera...STAMPS!

******

To keep this ink and post theme going thought I'd indulge in a throwback to a bygone era and share my recent Design*Sponge find, Paperwink.

Paperwink's award-winning stationer duo Darcey + Tara have wowed us with their retro inspired custom wooden address stamps.

Had a hard time deciding between Airmail, Telegram and Vintage Typewriter:

In the end the bright and simple Vintage Typewriter won me over:

Click here to check out Paperwink's full section of rubber stamps, note cards, labels and calling cards.

We got blogged

We got blogged by Ribsy a handsome and surly whippet that has an eye for style.

Check out the posting: Fast Freddy Finds