diff --git a/src/Plots.jl b/src/Plots.jl
index d2fefc3a..838d328e 100644
--- a/src/Plots.jl
+++ b/src/Plots.jl
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ include("plot.jl")
 include("series.jl")
 include("layouts.jl")
 include("subplots.jl")
-# include("recipes.jl")
+include("recipes.jl")
 include("animation.jl")
 include("output.jl")
 include("examples.jl")
diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index 943ef8b3..4b7e125d 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -814,9 +814,9 @@ slice_arg(v, idx) = v
 # given an argument key (k), we want to extract the argument value for this index.
 # matrices are sliced by column, otherwise we
 # if nothing is set (or container is empty), return the default or the existing value.
-function slice_arg!(d_in::KW, d_out::KW, k::Symbol, default_value, idx::Int = 1; new_key::Symbol = k, remove_pair::Bool = true)
-    v = get(d_in, k, get(d_out, new_key, default_value))
-    d_out[new_key] = if haskey(d_in, k) && typeof(v) <: AMat && !isempty(v)
+function slice_arg!(d_in::KW, d_out::KW, k::Symbol, default_value, idx::Int, remove_pair::Bool)
+    v = get(d_in, k, get(d_out, k, default_value))
+    d_out[k] = if haskey(d_in, k) && typeof(v) <: AMat && !isempty(v)
         slice_arg(v, idx)
     else
         v
@@ -824,6 +824,7 @@ function slice_arg!(d_in::KW, d_out::KW, k::Symbol, default_value, idx::Int = 1;
     if remove_pair
         delete!(d_in, k)
     end
+    return
 end
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -844,12 +845,13 @@ end
 function color_or_nothing!(d::KW, k::Symbol)
     v = d[k]
     d[k] = if v == nothing || v == false
-        plot_color(RGBA(0,0,0,0))
+        RGBA{Float64}(0,0,0,0)
     elseif v != :match
         plot_color(v)
     else
         v
     end
+    return
 end
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -938,7 +940,7 @@ Base.get(series::Series, k::Symbol, v) = get(series.d, k, v)
 # update attr from an input dictionary
 function _update_plot_args(plt::Plot, d_in::KW)
     for (k,v) in _plot_defaults
-        slice_arg!(d_in, plt.attr, k, v)
+        slice_arg!(d_in, plt.attr, k, v, 1, true)
     end
 
     # handle colors
@@ -949,20 +951,12 @@ function _update_plot_args(plt::Plot, d_in::KW)
     end
     plt.attr[:background_color] = bg
     plt.attr[:foreground_color] = plot_color(fg)
-    # color_or_match!(plt.attr, :background_color_outside, bg)
     color_or_nothing!(plt.attr, :background_color_outside)
 end
 
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-# update a subplots args and axes
-function _update_subplot_args(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, subplot_index::Integer; remove_pair = true)
-    anns = pop!(sp.attr, :annotations, [])
-
-    # grab those args which apply to this subplot
-    for (k,v) in _subplot_defaults
-        slice_arg!(d_in, sp.attr, k, v, subplot_index, remove_pair = remove_pair)
-    end
-
+function _update_subplot_periphery(sp::Subplot, anns::AVec)
     # extend annotations
     sp.attr[:annotations] = vcat(anns, sp[:annotations])
 
@@ -972,9 +966,11 @@ function _update_subplot_args(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, subplot_index::I
     if sp.attr[:colorbar] == :legend
         sp.attr[:colorbar] = sp.attr[:legend]
     end
+    return
+end
 
+function _update_subplot_colors(sp::Subplot)
     # background colors
-    # bg = color_or_match!(sp.attr, :background_color_subplot, plt.attr[:background_color])
     color_or_nothing!(sp.attr, :background_color_subplot)
     bg = plot_color(sp[:background_color_subplot])
     sp.attr[:color_palette] = get_color_palette(sp.attr[:color_palette], bg, 30)
@@ -986,60 +982,87 @@ function _update_subplot_args(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, subplot_index::I
     color_or_nothing!(sp.attr, :foreground_color_legend)
     color_or_nothing!(sp.attr, :foreground_color_grid)
     color_or_nothing!(sp.attr, :foreground_color_title)
+    return
+end
 
-    # for k in (:left_margin, :top_margin, :right_margin, :bottom_margin)
-    #     if sp.attr[k] == :match
-    #         sp.attr[k] = sp.attr[:margin]
-    #     end
-    # end
+function _update_axis(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, letter::Symbol, subplot_index::Int)
+    # get (maybe initialize) the axis
+    axis = get_axis(sp, letter)
+
+    _update_axis(axis, d_in, letter, subplot_index)
+
+    # convert a bool into auto or nothing
+    if isa(axis[:ticks], Bool)
+        axis[:ticks] = axis[:ticks] ? :auto : nothing
+    end
+
+    _update_axis_colors(axis)
+    _update_axis_links(plt, axis, letter)
+    return
+end
+
+function _update_axis(axis::Axis, d_in::KW, letter::Symbol, subplot_index::Int)
+    # grab magic args (for example `xaxis = (:flip, :log)`)
+    args = wraptuple(get(d_in, Symbol(letter, :axis), ()))
+
+    # build the KW of arguments from the letter version (i.e. xticks --> ticks)
+    kw = KW()
+    for (k,v) in _axis_defaults
+        # first get the args without the letter: `tickfont = font(10)`
+        # note: we don't pop because we want this to apply to all axes! (delete after all have finished)
+        if haskey(d_in, k)
+            kw[k] = slice_arg(d_in[k], subplot_index)
+        end
+
+        # then get those args that were passed with a leading letter: `xlabel = "X"`
+        lk = Symbol(letter, k)
+        if haskey(d_in, lk)
+            kw[k] = slice_arg(d_in[lk], subplot_index)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # update the axis
+    update!(axis, args...; kw...)
+    return
+end
+
+function _update_axis_colors(axis::Axis)
+    # # update the axis colors
+    color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_axis)
+    color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_border)
+    color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_guide)
+    color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_text)
+    return
+end
+
+function _update_axis_links(plt::Plot, axis::Axis, letter::Symbol)
+    # handle linking here.  if we're passed a list of
+    # other subplots to link to, link them together
+    link = axis[:link]
+    if !isempty(link)
+        for other_sp in link
+            other_sp = get_subplot(plt, other_sp)
+            link_axes!(axis, get_axis(other_sp, letter))
+        end
+        axis.d[:link] = []
+    end
+    return
+end
+
+# update a subplots args and axes
+function _update_subplot_args(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, subplot_index::Int, remove_pair::Bool)
+    anns = pop!(sp.attr, :annotations, [])
+
+    # grab those args which apply to this subplot
+    for (k,v) in _subplot_defaults
+        slice_arg!(d_in, sp.attr, k, v, subplot_index, remove_pair)
+    end
+
+    _update_subplot_periphery(sp, anns)
+    _update_subplot_colors(sp)
 
     for letter in (:x, :y, :z)
-        # get (maybe initialize) the axis
-        axis = get_axis(sp, letter)
-
-        # grab magic args (for example `xaxis = (:flip, :log)`)
-        args = wraptuple(get(d_in, Symbol(letter, :axis), ()))
-
-        # build the KW of arguments from the letter version (i.e. xticks --> ticks)
-        kw = KW()
-        for (k,v) in _axis_defaults
-            # first get the args without the letter: `tickfont = font(10)`
-            # note: we don't pop because we want this to apply to all axes! (delete after all have finished)
-            if haskey(d_in, k)
-                kw[k] = slice_arg(d_in[k], subplot_index)
-            end
-
-            # then get those args that were passed with a leading letter: `xlabel = "X"`
-            lk = Symbol(letter, k)
-            if haskey(d_in, lk)
-                kw[k] = slice_arg(d_in[lk], subplot_index)
-            end
-        end
-
-        # update the axis
-        update!(axis, args...; kw...)
-
-        # convert a bool into auto or nothing
-        if isa(axis[:ticks], Bool)
-            axis[:ticks] = axis[:ticks] ? :auto : nothing
-        end
-
-        # # update the axis colors
-        color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_axis)
-        color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_border)
-        color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_guide)
-        color_or_nothing!(axis.d, :foreground_color_text)
-
-        # handle linking here.  if we're passed a list of
-        # other subplots to link to, link them together
-        link = axis[:link]
-        if !isempty(link)
-            for other_sp in link
-                other_sp = get_subplot(plt, other_sp)
-                link_axes!(axis, get_axis(other_sp, letter))
-            end
-            axis.d[:link] = []
-        end
+        _update_axis(plt, sp, d_in, letter, subplot_index)
     end
 end
 
@@ -1071,7 +1094,7 @@ function _add_defaults!(d::KW, plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, commandIndex::Int)
 
     # add default values to our dictionary, being careful not to delete what we just added!
     for (k,v) in _series_defaults
-        slice_arg!(d, d, k, v, commandIndex, remove_pair = false)
+        slice_arg!(d, d, k, v, commandIndex, false)
     end
 
     # this is how many series belong to this subplot
diff --git a/src/axes.jl b/src/axes.jl
index f00704fa..39d01420 100644
--- a/src/axes.jl
+++ b/src/axes.jl
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ function get_axis(sp::Subplot, letter::Symbol)
         sp.attr[axissym]
     else
         sp.attr[axissym] = Axis(sp, letter)
-    end
+    end::Axis
 end
 
 function process_axis_arg!(d::KW, arg, letter = "")
diff --git a/src/plot.jl b/src/plot.jl
index 03e94be7..84f32b14 100644
--- a/src/plot.jl
+++ b/src/plot.jl
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ When you pass in matrices, it splits by columns.  See the documentation for more
 
 # this creates a new plot with args/kw and sets it to be the current plot
 function plot(args...; kw...)
-    info("started to plot")
     d = KW(kw)
     preprocessArgs!(d)
 
@@ -108,7 +107,7 @@ function plot(plt1::Plot, plts_tail::Plot...; kw...)
 
     # first apply any args for the subplots
     for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
-        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, idx, remove_pair = false)
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, idx, false)
     end
 
     # do we need to link any axes together?
@@ -152,16 +151,13 @@ end
 
 # getting ready to add the series... last update to subplot from anything
 # that might have been added during series recipes
-function _prepare_subplot(plt::Plot, d::KW)
-    st = d[:seriestype]
-    sp = d[:subplot]
+function _prepare_subplot{T}(plt::Plot{T}, d::KW)
+    st::Symbol = d[:seriestype]
+    sp::Subplot{T} = d[:subplot]
     sp_idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
-    _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, sp_idx)
+    _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, sp_idx, true)
 
-    # do we want to override the series type?
-    if !is3d(st) && d[:z] != nothing && (size(d[:x]) == size(d[:y]) == size(d[:z]))
-        st = d[:seriestype] = (st == :scatter ? :scatter3d : :path3d)
-    end
+    st = _override_seriestype_check(d, st)
 
     # change to a 3d projection for this subplot?
     if is3d(st)
@@ -173,7 +169,19 @@ function _prepare_subplot(plt::Plot, d::KW)
         _initialize_subplot(plt, sp)
         sp.attr[:init] = true
     end
-    sp::Subplot
+    sp
+end
+
+function _override_seriestype_check(d::KW, st::Symbol)
+    # do we want to override the series type?
+    if !is3d(st)
+        z = d[:z]
+        if !isa(z, Void) && (size(d[:x]) == size(d[:y]) == size(z))
+            st = (st == :scatter ? :scatter3d : :path3d)
+            d[:seriestype] = st
+        end
+    end
+    st
 end
 
 function _prepare_annotations(sp::Subplot, d::KW)
@@ -244,7 +252,7 @@ function _process_seriesrecipe(plt::Plot, d::KW)
 end
 
 function command_idx(kw_list::AVec{KW}, kw::KW)
-    kw[:series_plotindex] - kw_list[1][:series_plotindex] + 1
+    Int(kw[:series_plotindex]) - Int(kw_list[1][:series_plotindex]) + 1
 end
 
 function _expand_seriestype_array(d::KW, args)
@@ -406,7 +414,7 @@ end
 # to generate a list of RecipeData objects (data + attributes).
 # If we applied a "plot recipe" without error, then add the returned datalist's KWs,
 # otherwise we just add the original KW.
-function _process_plotrecipe(kw::KW, kw_list::Vector{KW}, still_to_process::Vector{KW})
+function _process_plotrecipe(plt::Plot, kw::KW, kw_list::Vector{KW}, still_to_process::Vector{KW})
     if !isa(get(kw, :seriestype, nothing), Symbol)
         # seriestype was never set, or it's not a Symbol, so it can't be a plot recipe
         push!(kw_list, kw)
@@ -511,7 +519,7 @@ function _subplot_setup(plt::Plot, d::KW, kw_list::Vector{KW})
     # override subplot/axis args.  `sp_attrs` take precendence
     for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
         attr = merge(d, get(sp_attrs, sp, KW()))
-        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, attr, idx, remove_pair = false)
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, attr, idx, false)
     end
 
     # do we need to link any axes together?
@@ -543,7 +551,7 @@ function _plot!(plt::Plot, d::KW, args::Tuple)
     kw_list = KW[]
     while !isempty(still_to_process)
         next_kw = shift!(still_to_process)
-        _process_plotrecipe(next_kw, kw_list, still_to_process)
+        _process_plotrecipe(plt, next_kw, kw_list, still_to_process)
     end
 
     # --------------------------------
@@ -560,11 +568,11 @@ function _plot!(plt::Plot, d::KW, args::Tuple)
     # --------------------------------
     
     for kw in kw_list
-        sp = kw[:subplot]
-        idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
+        sp::Subplot = kw[:subplot]
+        # idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
 
         # # we update subplot args in case something like the color palatte is part of the recipe
-        # _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, kw, idx)
+        # _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, kw, idx, true)
 
         # set default values, select from attribute cycles, and generally set the final attributes
         _add_defaults!(kw, plt, sp, command_idx(kw_list,kw))
@@ -584,7 +592,7 @@ function _plot!(plt::Plot, d::KW, args::Tuple)
 
     # do we want to force display?
     if plt[:show]
-        gui()
+        gui(plt)
     end
 
     plt
diff --git a/src/recipes.jl b/src/recipes.jl
index 01220490..07623d8d 100644
--- a/src/recipes.jl
+++ b/src/recipes.jl
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
 
 
-# TODO: there should be a distinction between an object that will manage a full plot, vs a component of a plot.
-# the PlotRecipe as currently implemented is more of a "custom component"
-# a recipe should fully describe the plotting command(s) and call them, likewise for updating.
-#   actually... maybe those should explicitly derive from AbstractPlot???
-
 
 """
 You can easily define your own plotting recipes with convenience methods:
@@ -106,60 +101,51 @@ num_series(x) = 1
 RecipesBase.apply_recipe{T}(d::KW, ::Type{T}, plt::Plot) = throw(MethodError("Unmatched plot recipe: $T"))
 
 
-# # TODO: remove when StatPlots is ready
-# if is_installed("DataFrames")
-#     @eval begin
-#         import DataFrames
+# TODO: remove when StatPlots is ready
+if is_installed("DataFrames")
+    @eval begin
+        import DataFrames
 
-#         # if it's one symbol, set the guide and return the column
-#         function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, sym::Symbol)
-#             get!(d, Symbol(letter * "guide"), string(sym))
-#             collect(df[sym])
-#         end
+        # if it's one symbol, set the guide and return the column
+        function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, sym::Symbol)
+            get!(d, Symbol(letter * "guide"), string(sym))
+            collect(df[sym])
+        end
 
-#         # if it's an array of symbols, set the labels and return a Vector{Any} of columns
-#         function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, syms::AbstractArray{Symbol})
-#             get!(d, :label, reshape(syms, 1, length(syms)))
-#             Any[collect(df[s]) for s in syms]
-#         end
+        # if it's an array of symbols, set the labels and return a Vector{Any} of columns
+        function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, syms::AbstractArray{Symbol})
+            get!(d, :label, reshape(syms, 1, length(syms)))
+            Any[collect(df[s]) for s in syms]
+        end
 
-#         # for anything else, no-op
-#         function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, anything)
-#             anything
-#         end
+        # for anything else, no-op
+        function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, anything)
+            anything
+        end
 
-#         # handle grouping by DataFrame column
-#         function extractGroupArgs(group::Symbol, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
-#             extractGroupArgs(collect(df[group]))
-#         end
+        # handle grouping by DataFrame column
+        function extractGroupArgs(group::Symbol, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+            extractGroupArgs(collect(df[group]))
+        end
 
-#         # if a DataFrame is the first arg, lets swap symbols out for columns
-#         @recipe function f(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
-#             # if any of these attributes are symbols, swap out for the df column
-#             for k in (:fillrange, :line_z, :marker_z, :markersize, :ribbon, :weights, :xerror, :yerror)
-#                 if haskey(d, k) && isa(d[k], Symbol)
-#                     d[k] = collect(df[d[k]])
-#                 end
-#             end
+        # if a DataFrame is the first arg, lets swap symbols out for columns
+        @recipe function f(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+            # if any of these attributes are symbols, swap out for the df column
+            for k in (:fillrange, :line_z, :marker_z, :markersize, :ribbon, :weights, :xerror, :yerror)
+                if haskey(d, k) && isa(d[k], Symbol)
+                    d[k] = collect(df[d[k]])
+                end
+            end
 
-#             # return a list of new arguments
-#             tuple(Any[handle_dfs(df, d, (i==1 ? "x" : i==2 ? "y" : "z"), arg) for (i,arg) in enumerate(args)]...)
-#         end
-#     end
-# end
+            # return a list of new arguments
+            tuple(Any[handle_dfs(df, d, (i==1 ? "x" : i==2 ? "y" : "z"), arg) for (i,arg) in enumerate(args)]...)
+        end
+    end
+end
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-# """
-# `apply_series_recipe` should take a processed series KW dict and break it up
-# into component parts.  For example, a box plot is made up of `shape` for the
-# boxes, `path` for the lines, and `scatter` for the outliers.
-#
-# Returns a Vector{KW}.
-# """
-# apply_series_recipe(d::KW, st) = KW[d]
-
 
 # for seriestype `line`, need to sort by x values
 @recipe function f(::Type{Val{:line}}, x, y, z)
@@ -174,21 +160,6 @@ RecipesBase.apply_recipe{T}(d::KW, ::Type{T}, plt::Plot) = throw(MethodError("Un
 end
 @deps line path
 
-# @recipe function f(::Type{Val{:sticks}}, x, y, z)
-#     nx = length(x)
-#     n = 3nx
-#     newx, newy = zeros(n), zeros(n)
-#     for i=1:nx
-#         rng = 3i-2:3i
-#         newx[rng] = x[i]
-#         newy[rng] = [0., y[i], 0.]
-#     end
-#     x := newx
-#     y := newy
-#     seriestype := :path
-#     ()
-# end
-# @deps sticks path
 
 function hvline_limits(axis::Axis)
     vmin, vmax = axis_limits(axis)
@@ -898,53 +869,6 @@ end
 @deps quiver shape path
 
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# function rotate(x::Real, y::Real, θ::Real; center = (0,0))
-#   cx = x - center[1]
-#   cy = y - center[2]
-#   xrot = cx * cos(θ) - cy * sin(θ)
-#   yrot = cy * cos(θ) + cx * sin(θ)
-#   xrot + center[1], yrot + center[2]
-# end
-#
-# # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# type EllipseRecipe <: PlotRecipe
-#   w::Float64
-#   h::Float64
-#   x::Float64
-#   y::Float64
-#   θ::Float64
-# end
-# EllipseRecipe(w,h,x,y) = EllipseRecipe(w,h,x,y,0)
-#
-# # return x,y coords of a rotated ellipse, centered at the origin
-# function rotatedEllipse(w, h, x, y, θ, rotθ)
-#   # # coord before rotation
-#   xpre = w * cos(θ)
-#   ypre = h * sin(θ)
-#
-#   # rotate and translate
-#   r = rotate(xpre, ypre, rotθ)
-#   x + r[1], y + r[2]
-# end
-#
-# function getRecipeXY(ep::EllipseRecipe)
-#   x, y = unzip([rotatedEllipse(ep.w, ep.h, ep.x, ep.y, u, ep.θ) for u in linspace(0,2π,100)])
-#   top = rotate(0, ep.h, ep.θ)
-#   right = rotate(ep.w, 0, ep.θ)
-#   linex = Float64[top[1], 0, right[1]] + ep.x
-#   liney = Float64[top[2], 0, right[2]] + ep.y
-#   Any[x, linex], Any[y, liney]
-# end
-#
-# function getRecipeArgs(ep::EllipseRecipe)
-#   [(:line, (3, [:dot :solid], [:red :blue], :path))]
-# end
-
 # -------------------------------------------------
 
 # TODO: move OHLC to PlotRecipes finance.jl
diff --git a/src/subplots.jl b/src/subplots.jl
index 6e41bbf5..cd253a69 100644
--- a/src/subplots.jl
+++ b/src/subplots.jl
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ get_subplot(plt::Plot, i::Integer) = plt.subplots[i]
 get_subplot(plt::Plot, k) = plt.spmap[k]
 get_subplot(series::Series) = series.d[:subplot]
 
-get_subplot_index(plt::Plot, idx::Integer) = idx
+get_subplot_index(plt::Plot, idx::Integer) = Int(idx)
 get_subplot_index(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot) = findfirst(_ -> _ === sp, plt.subplots)
 
 series_list(sp::Subplot) = filter(series -> series.d[:subplot] === sp, sp.plt.series_list)