Tuesday, March 19, 2024 09:33

?>

Archive for July, 2013

linked: don’t give a damn

Monday, July 29th, 2013

I kind of love Martha Stewart. Yeah, people think she’s a bitch or an overachiever or whatever. However, I like that she does things her way, and just asks that everyone around her do things the way she wants them done. Let’s just say, I can relate. This article examines her success with this method. I think I love her more now, and I am glad that someone notices and appreciates her climb to the top.

I am a sucker for anything that is old-timey, twisted, and well designed. If someone buys me this amazing Ouija board boozahol, you will be my bff.

On the subject of twisted, Joshua Hoffine creates some genius demented photography. He often uses his children as subjects, and plays with themes of terror. Beautiful and haunting. (Please note: His site has sound. If you are viewing in a quiet place, there is a mute, or use headphones.)

One more twisted thing! This might ruin some of your childhood favorites, but it’s amazing!

Another love of mine is transforming unusual spaces into living spaces. My dream is to one day turn a storefront or pub or church into my home. This woman took a public restroom and made it a stunning home!! Raising the bar, that one.

No matter how old I get, I still get terrible breakouts. I am bookmarking this bad boy in hopes to help my skin-picking self to leave one of these bad boys alone, and properly heal it!

This piece from The Oatmeal is a wonderful expression of why running is awesome. It’s not for everyone, but for me it works.

Finally, a weekly dose of ADORABLE! These fuzzy-wuzzy animals will surely warm your heart, and get you through the week ahead!

Happy Monday, Friends! Have an amazing week!!
xoxox

sunday squirrel: hydrate!

Sunday, July 28th, 2013

I don’t know why, but I’ve had a hard time staying hydrated lately. I drink a bunch of water, and still feel thirsty. Maybe I’m still catching up from those crazy hot days we had. Either way, this guy captures the way I feel right now.

drinking fountain

Stay hydrated friends!!

fabulous friday: building a good foundation

Friday, July 26th, 2013

No matter how fabulous one may be, wouldn’t you agree that it is never possible to be too fabulous? I mean, until the moment she passed, I get the feeling that Elizabeth Taylor wasn’t content to rest on her laurels. She had looks. She had talent. She had money. However, she still went all out to be even more amazing and rocking with every breath she took. While you might think her fabulousness was innate, and locked to those stunning violet eyes and incredible bone structure, it was so much more than that. She worked wonder deep into her very being and millions adored her for it. You might think that you could never live up to that level of incredible, but you would be wrong.

Even if you aren’t looking to be adored by the many and have paparazzi following your every move, you have it in you to be fabulous. Not just okay. Not just above average. Deep down, knock out, drag out, all out fab-u-lous. Much like knowledge, there is always more fabulous to be had. In fact, a couple of years ago I realized this. That New Year’s Eve, I made just one resolution. To be more fabulous. I have made that same resolution every year, and unlike all the years past where at least one resolution would fall to the wayside and twelve months would pass and I would whine and moan about being a failure, and every year I have succeeded. The best part about it is that every day, around every corner, I find a little more. Things to do, to try, to share. Things that make life a little better and me a little better. I’ve been wanting to spread the fab to everyone, everywhere, but have been intimidated with where to start. Thus, it keeps getting pushed off. Then, I had an epiphany! Start with the foundation.

Every good structure has a good foundation. A building can be stunning. Ornate decor, sparkling trim, all the bells and whistles. However, if it is built without a proper foundation, all that beauty and wonder will crumble. A basic building on a strong foundation will last a lifetime or more, and bells and whistles can always come after. Your wardrobe is a lot like this. You can spend your life’s savings on a couture gown or tuxedo, worthy of an award show red carpet. However, if you are wearing ill fitting undergarments, that garment will will look sad. Even though no one can see them (with a few exceptions, ahem), you know they’re there. You know the elastic of your panties is about to give. You can feel that errant underwire stabbing your underarm. You might hope that the logo of that band you liked in high school doesn’t show through your shirt too much. You might even be mentally crossing your fingers all the fibers hold until you can get to the safety of your home.

I would like you to know that you deserve better! You deserve quality undergarments that are solid and fit you and are attractive! I know so many people (yes, people! Men are just as guilty of wearing any old thing, and it can be just as troubling!) who don’t think it’s worth it to spend very much time or money on their underpinnings. This is for any number of reasons. Some think it’s silly or wasteful to spend much on something they think no one will ever see. Some have fallen into a rut, and just buy the same old thing year after year even if their bodies, wallets, lifestyles have changed. Some would rather put all their pennies and minutes into their outer garments. However, like those aforementioned buildings, the most important investment you can make in your wardrobe is what goes against your skin and under those other garments. You can spend less on your other garments and they will look like a million bucks with the proper foundation!!

For example, the other day I put on a pair of pink and white panties. They were striped cotton with pink lace trim. I purchased them on a trip, because my last load of laundry didn’t dry when I was packing and I was short on undies. Since it was an emergency situation, I was hoping to not spend a bunch. However, the sale gods were not in my favor. I got a few pairs that were super cute, but more than I wanted to spend on emergency underpants. But, they are now in my drawer. When I put them on the other day, I was actually excited. I wasn’t thinking about whether they would be too tight or matronly or ugly. I was thinking about how cute they were, and that made me think about how cute my butt would look despite the fact that I am not a model. Then, I grabbed a pink bra. While not a set, they matched nicely. I felt like I could actually be proud of my undergarments! I still had to put on my work uniform, which isn’t something I would choose to wear. However, what I was wearing underneath was all me! And it was cute! It made me realize that I shouldn’t be hanging on to underthings that are a chore to put on. I am a firm believer in wearing the right undergarment for the job, but somehow I let that slip away in my everyday life and was only trotting it out on special occasions. I realized that feeling awesome isn’t something that should be put aside for a special event. It isn’t something that needs to be done for anyone else. Just be fabulous because you deserve it!

So, let’s get started on the road to fabulousness.

Clean out your underwear drawer or drawers. Go through each and every piece. Toss anything that is not in top condition. This means anything that is threadbare, has holes, is discolored or stained. Toss. It. If you were in an accident and a gorgeous EMT had to see you in it, would you be embarrassed? If the answer is yes, toss it. Is the elastic about to give way if you breathe too hard? I think you know what to do. In the case of bras, if underwires are poking through, hooks are about to give way, straps are broken, elastic is disintegrating, any or all of the above, it is time to send it to a better place. If the bra doesn’t fit properly, is uncomfortable, or looks like Madonna wore it on her Blonde Ambition tour, toss it. (Unless it is the actual bra she wore on the Blonde Ambition tour. That you are allowed to keep. Or send to me. Whichever.) For undershirts, if the underarms are a different color than the rest of the shirt (that means if it is a white shirt, and the underarms are any shade on the color wheel that is not white or a black shirt with purple or orange or blue underarms), there are holes or errant stains, or you would be embarrassed to be seen wearing it as an actual shirt…say it with me…toss it. Underpants—I am hoping you can tell what to keep and toss by now. However, lets go through it, just in case. If there are any stains, toss. Holes, toss. If any portion digs in (meaning if you wind up with muffin top, or look like you have an extra butt crack running horizontally, or they dig into your thighs making them look like sausage links), toss. If they itch or ride up, toss. Anything that falls into the category with swimsuit pieces that you would wear only if there were a laundry apocalypse and it was the only thing to protect your delicate skin from sandpaper pants–TOSS.

Whew. You already feel better, don’t you. Now, take stock of your drawers. Yes, those drawers, and the ones you just cleaned out. Where are you? Is there anything in there? If there is, it should only be things that make you feel good to wear. Things that will make your clothes look extra amazing. It makes me sad to think someone is wearing swim bottoms as underpants. Don’t let yourself get to that point. You are too fabulous to let that happen! What you are wearing under your clothes really does affect your attitude. If you are wearing threadbare, mismatched, discolored underthings, you will wind up with a little less spring in your step. However, if you are wearing underthings that are in great condition, that are comfortable and feel good against your skin, and that fit properly, it gives you an extra shot of confidence. You may not be aware of it, but subconsciously you brain will think about how amazing you look and feel. If you are wearing coordinated pieces, you get that confidence boost, squared! Plus, if everything fits correctly and is designed to go with what you are wearing over it, you will look fantastic! Just wearing the right undergarments can make you look more fit and your clothes more flattering! Often, what you think are body flaws aren’t even there! They’re created by sad undergarments. Has your mind been blown yet???

Now, think about these things when you are stocking your drawers of drawers. Don’t just buy some undies because they are on sale or marked down and how bad could they be for 99 cents. Buy things you love, and that love you back. Take care of them. Launder items when you are down to 25% of what you own left clean. Follow the instructions on the tag. You will never wind up wearing a swimsuit for non-beachy moments. You will be that much more fabulous. Trust.

I would love it if you gave this a try. Even if you aren’t ready to go on a tossing spree, pick out your favorite things from your drawers and wear them over the weekend. Think about how it feels, and how you feel. Do you feel fancy? Do you feel happy? Attractive? Comfortable? Let me know in the comments! If you have already found the joys of a good foundation, let me know! I am really excited to go on this fabulous journey with all of you, and will continue to cook up ways to bring the fab to your life.

linked: sharknado

Monday, July 22nd, 2013

When I was a kid, I had a slight obsession with Lady/Princess Diana. I had paper dolls, I would beg my mom to purchase any magazine that had a spread including her, and as an adult I mourned when she passed. So, of course, I found these royal baby pictures super fascinating.

I’ve missed all the Sharknado excitement, on account of not having cable. When I heard about it, all I could think was logic. Like, how could the sharks still attack when they weren’t in water? How would they survive? However, The Fug Girls came to the rescue with one of their recaps. It was as good as seeing it, and I thank them for saving me from being tempted to watch things like this.

At work, I do a lot of looking at paint swatches. I am constantly amazed at what they name some of the colors (favorites include: Kitten Whiskers, Soft Chinchilla, and Newborn Baby). So, this list of bottom shelf nail polish colors made me smile.

I think these illustrations of Disney Princesses (well, and a fairy) are lovely. Some aren’t so different from what was in the film, and ARIEL WOULD NEVER HAVE WORN A WEDDING DRESS. SHE TURNS INTO SEA FOAM. NO I WILL NOT GET OVER IT. However, I kind of love some of them and maybe I want to make myself the Maleficent dress.

I am so over this whole trend of avoiding gluten. I get that Celiac is a real thing, but less than one percent of the population has it. Even fewer have a gluten intolerance. So what’s with everyone acting like crazy people about it? It just might be in their heads.

As someone who thinks it’s 100% okay to be ugly, and it shouldn’t matter and it’s subjective, I thought this piece was lovely. I also love how all the comments prove the point.

Finally, brace yourselves. This kitten, who is put in adorable costumes to keep her feeding tube in, is painfully cute.

squirrely sunday:i will survive

Sunday, July 21st, 2013

A friend shared this with me, as a suggestion for future squirrel taxidermy. I think the biggest problem would be finding such a fluffy guy!

gloria gaynor squirrel

linked: D-Town represent

Monday, July 15th, 2013

So, I grew up in the Detroit metro. While it isn’t the place for me to live, I still enjoy visiting family, and I get excited when people appreciate all the good it has going for it. This post on Apartment Therapy and the comments following highlight some must-sees for tourists, and perhaps those who live there and take the area for granted. (Also, I believe the D-town nickname is outdated. I hear the kids are calling it “The D” now. I just can’t keep up.)

On to my current locale, The Twin Cities. If you know anything about The Cities, you know Prince hails from these parts and is one of the points of pride around here. I’ve long adored him, so I just had to read about what is in his fridge. I don’t know what I expected, but it was full of surprises!

Also on the subject of The Cities, Travel and Leisure just talked about America’s snobbiest cities. Yup, we’re in there! Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul! Usually everyone forgets about Saint Paul, or just pretends it’s part of Minneapolis, so I’m really surprised they didn’t make Minneapolis number one, just for that fact. Needless to say, I agree with Minneapolis being snobby (or passive-aggressive, if you prefer), but Saint Paul is just too unassuming to be snobby!

I thought this list of ways to tell if you’re dating a designer was spot-on. Except for the iPad part. I will never own iAnything. I don’t care if that makes me a bad designer. (Bad as in naughty.) But seriously, once you notice bad kerning, it’s everywhere!!!

Along the lines of my design obsessions, I enjoy scrapbooking. Mostly because I like the archiving and papercrafting. I have an aversion to stickers, and paper doily explosions, however. This item on scrapbooking really represents what is good and hip about the pastime.

Also within my design obsession, these freshly painted houses get my all a-tingle with design happiness!

On a pop-culture note, Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger tied the knot. The sk8tr grl wore a black dress, of course. I just really hope some truly awful music comes out of this union. Otherwise, why did they do it???

Finally, I love that this teacher wore the same thing for 40 years worth of yearbook portraits. I’m impressed by his commitment, and that the clothing held up that long!

squirrely sunday: robb stark progress

Sunday, July 14th, 2013

So, I am finally getting around to sharing the progress on my squirrel taxidermy project. I decided that this will wind up as Robb Stark. I posed it so that it’s hands would be resting on a staff or something. However, a friend gave me the idea to make it a SWORD. Genius. I’m doing it. I first toyed around with the idea of purchasing a miniature sword, probably a letter opener designed to look like a sword. However, I remembered the lovely product Apoxie, and have decided that I will purchase some to sculpt the accessories for my Game of Thrones taxidermy projects. For Robb Stark, a crown and a sword. In the meantime, I have cleaned him up, and he is that much closer to Starkdom.

Robb Stark, right side

Robb Stark, right side

Robb Stark, left side

Robb Stark, left side

I know he’s not perfect, but considering the shape he was in when I started, I think he looks pretty good. He was hit by a car, and his head was squished. I was pleased that I could reshape it some. There are some bald spots from the accident, but once the crown goes on they shouldn’t be so noticeable. I don’t know what it says that the following is now a perfectly normal conversation around here:

“Hey, don’t use the toothbrush on my nightstand.”
“Umm, okay. Why?”
“Oh, because I used it to brush the squirrel.”

linked: sparkle unicorn

Monday, July 1st, 2013

Happy Monday, Friends! I know many of you have a short week of work with the holiday ahead, but here are some links to get you through what is in between.

First up is this delightful girls’ soccer team. They were allowed to choose any name they wanted. I think Chris Kluwe would certainly approve!

It’s not much of a secret that I’ve long been a fan of Marilyn Manson’s. I stumbled upon this little piece on Gala Darling’s blog, and it brought a smile to my face. I suspect it will do the same for you, whether or not you’re a fan.

I’d always been told that if I was sitting in my car for a minute or less, to leave my car running. This infographic turned my world upside down!

I thought this prank makeover was hilarious. I appreciate caring enough about your friends to go through great lengths for a laugh.

I am kind of coveting these signature necklaces. I can think of so many possibilities!

I thought this article on buying happiness was refreshing. I am much more about experiences over possessions, and it’s kind of cool to know that might make my life more enriched.

Along those lines, I have been working on having less things. It’s encouraging to read about how having things doesn’t equal success or happiness. I posted about this guy’s killer convertible apartment in the past, and he continues to inspire!

On the other hand, I can’t help but think it would be incredible to own Coco Chanel’s home. Swoon.

I found this reflection, from a young man who dressed in women’s clothes for three days as part of a project, insightful and thought-provoking. A skirt or a dress should not cause such a commotion. I can’t understand why so many choose to be hostile over something that makes someone else happy.

Finally, we are in the middle of Mercury Retrograde. If you’ve been wondering why things seem a little wonky, there you go. Gala Darling offers some ways to survive and thrive.