I first mentioned Arthur’s Circus a few months ago here but lately I’m loving them even more because they keep stocking both of their stores with such goodness. I have to pass it on to you because I know lots of you have a thing for rare vintage toys for your collections and a few of you are big on Japanese tableware for kids. I think their Shinzi Katoh stuff (below) is darling. I want to eat dinner like this just once.
It’s almost like this amazingly stylish family in Australia opened their little ones toy chest to reveal the vintage and rare contents inside. Wait, that’s exactly what this is, an extremely cool family with exquisite taste.
This shop will bring out the little kid in you, and since it’s organized so well and the photos are just great, it’s inspiring just to just browse. Everything is so colorful and fun — very retro-ish!
This pillow is the last of ‘em, get yours here.Most of the items shown above are available in Arthur’s Circus online shop
More over in their Etsy store.
Blog
Natalie Jeffcot Photography (store owner)
(images from arthur’s circus)
March 19th, 2008 at 1:59 am
next time i go to melbourne -im going to go and have a little look at them- singing and skipping love jo.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:00 am
super cute, but what’s up with the sudden proliferation of the phrase “keep calm and carry on”. And always with a crown… am I missing a pop culture reference?
March 19th, 2008 at 3:33 am
farrah,
to answer your question, it appears to be a fad but the history behind it has to do with WWII. I think it is quite popular now since so many (at least here in America) are upset about the war in Iraq and it almost applies to each of us – we are told by our president in a sense to keep remain calm and go about our life while so much death and destruction continues to take place without our control. I think beyond political associations we may make to this phrase, it also is a good remind to just take life one day at a time and to keep calm, this to will pass, carry on as usual and things will be alright.
This is only my opinion though.
For a bit of history about the Keep Calm and Carry On poster, read this:
http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/pages/history
March 19th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Ok, now I’m really ready to have grandchildren! Good stuff!
Hugs, KJ
March 19th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Hurrah! A little stiff upper lip has crossed the pond!
And who doesn’t love japanese kid-stuff…
March 19th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
love it, especially the keep calm and carry on pillow.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Hello,
I found out today that the originators of the keep calm print was this company http://www.keep-calm.com/
all this time I thought it was Sfbaygrl…..hmm thats odd. I always think people should make sure they state if they are the designer/creator or not, so things are not misunderstood. Just my 2 cents. : )
P.S. btw, did you receive the email about the discount?
Thanks Holly…
March 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
jennifer,
that is actually incorrect. it is a reproduction, but these folks are reproducing it too. if you’d been reading my blog for awhile you’ll know that barter books in the UK found the old poster first and are selling it as well, but it is a public domain image, which means no one owns the copyright. that’s why you see many people reproducing it (including these folks) in many forms, as holly has shown here today. i have always stated in my previous posts that it is a WWII reproduction – I am simply offering it in new colors. so sorry if you were offended. i meant to mislead no one. i just thought you should know i did not take the idea from the keep-calm.com folks, and often refer people to their site when they seek one of the lovely other colors they sell, like navy, or white. just wanted to clarify. thanks!
March 19th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hi Victoria,
I wasn’t offended, I ‘thought’ you were the first to reproduce this print and I didn’t see any info on that in your Etsy store. I should’ve been more clear, I was wondering who the first person to reproduce it as a print in various colors was.
I read many blogs mostly related to interior design, lifestyle and environmental issues/products with lots of variety, so that is where I spend most of my time. Thanks for clearing it up. :)
Jen Ramos
’100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
March 20th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I like the little snack tray with the cup and spoon. I think kids love things with little spots for different things. I know I always wanted one when I was little.
Cute stuff.
March 20th, 2008 at 1:44 am
looks like such a great store – i need to get myself down to Melbourne soon…cant wait to check out ‘Meet Me at Mikes’ too http://www.flickr.com/photos/meetmeatmikes/sets/72157603852623990/
March 20th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
love the kids’ plate sets – so cute! any ideas as to where to find more japanese plate sets for children – preferably plastic? i’ve been looking for some for my little girl, with no luck.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
likearadio — try http://www.threepotatofourshop.com
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
Hi Holly, thankyou so much for the mention on your blog. I only realized yesterday, after taking a little break from blog reading and then wondering why we had so many visitors to our online shop on Wednesday. In regards to the keep calm and carry on paraphenalia this side of the equator, we sell the mug and tea towels by Lark and I made a few into cushions.
Happy Easter.