About Me

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Well, when I was a little girl I would spend hours flipping through the pages of a huge catalogue called "Quelle" that my father had brought from Germany. It had glossy pages full of beautiful pictures of lovely rooms, furniture and furnishing and was written in a language I could not decipher. But I think the pictures left an ever lasting impression on my mind and I grew up to be 'me' who drools not over food (or that too!) but good interior design, colors and photography. I also passionately love coffee, films, books, music, white gladioli, solitude, risotto, donuts, and my life (not exactly always in that order). I live in Bombay, India with my husband and little daughter and they both have changed my life in many beautiful ways.

Wednesday 5 September 2012

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

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"KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" has become my daily mantra nowadays. I say it in my head a thousand times through the day, as I carry on with the daily chores. Especially, when I need to change my daughter's clothes (apprehending the resistance), or just when I get her ready for her meals (dreading the cleaning up of mess she is gonna create with food in and around her high chair), or before giving her daily doses of not-so-tasty vitamins and iron supplements (yuck they taste), or when I see my 'desk for sanity' being ransacked by the tiny hands and before-during-after many more such other daily rituals. Not to mention the occasions when I need to chant the mantra to be able to deal with my husband's forgetfulness (that warrants a separate post, of course). 

When I first saw the poster "Keep Calm And Carry On" on an online 'house tour', I loved the positive message in it. Then I saw it again, and again and yet again adorning walls of kitchens, dining rooms, study rooms of different houses and then I realized its popularity. I decided to order one from one of the many online shops, I chanced upon the  fascinating history behind this poster art. 

What I learned is that it was originally created as one of the three morale boosting posters, by the Ministry of Information of the British Government, for propaganda during the World War II. The other two slogans being "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in peril" were issued publicly but the third one i.e., 'Keep Calm and Carry On' was to be issued only upon invasion of Britain by Germany.Thus, this one never saw the light of the day. 

Many years later, a bookseller retrieved it from under a heap of old books that he had bought in an auction. The copywriter for this British slogan remained unknown but what he created continues to gain popularity across the world. 

There are several online stores and websites selling merchandise with this message but I personally liked  
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this one and here is some of their cool stuff with the iconic message. 
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AND SOME FUNNY VARIATIONS, OF COURSE!
  
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SO, KEEP CALM AND READ ON MYIKATLOVE :)


7 comments:

  1. Interesting story. I never knew about it. Hope it was this slogan that kept them calm during the German air raids of London.

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    1. The slogan was never made public but I guess the idea did stem from the general British attitude during the times of trouble.

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  2. Yes Shrinidhi that's what I do :)

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  3. I didn't realize this was ur personal blog ....! Thought it was some friend's.... I love it! Started reading and I'm hooked! !! My phone is nearly dying!
    Loved every post... so personal so concise so practical :)
    Don't stop! Cuz now I'm gng to be checking regularly :)
    Alishka!

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    1. Hey Alishka....I am glad you liked my blog and it's so nice of you to let me know that you did...it feels so good when someone drops by my blog and leaves a few words for me...and I see that you too have a blog...I'm going to go n explore that now...and wow we both have so many common favorite blogs :)

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    2. Hey!!! I know that feeling and its great!!! Yup... most of the blogs are the same :) ha ha! Are u on pinterest? If not u should be its got some great links :) all the best with the blog and ur adorable baby girl :)

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