T-shirts a picaroon or pirate would be proud of...

Black Anchor Clothing is one of the new, small breed of independent businesses who have moved into our downtown area recently - a year next month, to be exact. The storefront is small - you might have missed it's presence across the street from the Uptown Glassworks, but full of attitude and creativity. Besides selling their own designs, Sarah and Matt Caldwell screen print even small runs of T-shirts or hoodies with your own design. The "I Heart Renton" T- shirt is made by them, Cedar River BBQ and Pacific Glass uses their services and while Sarah says that she and her partner as still "testing the water" here in Renton, be prepared to see a line of edgy baby and kid shirts coming from their workshop soon. Using Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirts (nice!), all the work is done on site and is made to last. Stop by while you are strollin through the area, or say "hey" to Sarah, who rides her sporty bike to get around downtown.
Black AnchorClothing.com
Black Anchor T-shirts & Printing 235 Main Ave.S. Renton,WA 98057 (206)250-0205 M-Fri 10-6 (closed btwn 3-4 pm)

Spotted at Feathered Nest (here) 914 South Third Street (425) 430-5411

A moment of blue sky

Where to get your lovelies...

Renton has more antique shops per capita than any place I have lived - and I take full advantage. Downtown Renton Antique Mall is one of my personal favs - my 1950's canary yellow dinette set that I bought when I moved back here began the love affair. Don't just think "antique", think vintage, think trendy, think thrifty - stock covers all angles here. The owner, Beverly, and No. 1 employee, Fred the cat, love visitors and furry friends are welcome (Fred enjoys dogs). Outside of the goodies that Beverly contributes herself (75% or so) , there are also 18 consignees that add to the shopping mix. Why buy new? After 17 years of serving the Downtown Renton crowd - they probably have it all or at least, seen it all.

Downtown Renton Antique Mall (425) 271-0511 Open Tues - Sat 11-5pm, Sun 12- 4 Closed Mondays

Stone Man is back and smiling

The sculpture erected at the Northeast corner of the US Bank parking lot had taken a tumble a month or so ago. The sculpter, while repairing the "stone man" last month said he thought someone may had inadvertantly backed into his art piece. I told him I thought he was taking the high road on that! It seems that since his "reinstallation", the stone man has acquired a face ....and he is smilin'

They say it'll snow again by Thursday...

So here is some music to warm your heart by - "IZ", you make me smile (RIP). Your legacy of love lives on..

The Rites of Spring

Then and Now .... the top photo, February 25 and the bottom photo, today. Spring can be such a fickle mistress. Maybe we need to ply her with chocolates...