Thursday, January 19, 2017
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Intrude
When I first viewed art exhibit Intrude by artist Amanda Parer I thought 'aw how cute, bunnies!'
Who doesn't love bunnies, right? Then I read about the artist, Amanda was born in Sydney, Australia. I've never had the pleasure of visiting Australia but hear its a wonderful country with unique species and landscape.
Amanda's work is not to show how cute bunnies are but depict them large scale over running our space. Rabbits are not native to Australia but have thrived there and these fluffy cute critters are actually endangering some species native to Australia, habitat and food competition.
The art exhibit makes you feel small in comparison and the nylon sculptures are so large you have to maneuver around them. Just a glimpse of what's occurring in our world when we release or place an animal or plant where nature did not intend.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Ad Campaigns: past & present
About 200 years of advertising in America, from the first ad newspaper ad placed 1704 in Boston News-letter of an estate for sale, over 100 later a voluntary council in 1942 to promote war efforts and the ever popular 'cola wars'. American advertisors have brought creativity, fun, and customers to evey product imaginable.
Now you are reading this and thinking, uh-huh yeah we watch tv and look at ads, your point?
I was sent an email with the subject, old ads you don't see anymore and for good reason. Looking at some of these ads from a range of decades (20's to 50's) I realized they speak volumes about our past. Take a look at the ad below:
Did the public think cigarettes were bad for them when this ad was run, cigarettes were the norm. A lot of unhealthy attitudes, ads with clear racist messages, sexist comments or products that were outright dangerous weren't given a second thought. If they did bother people it wasn't the majority.
So in this enlightened age, 2016 I began to wonder how do we compare to the past and where are we still failing? Will the future generations be shocked by some of our current ads. I certainly hope so, because it means as a society we will evolve and be more than what we are now.
I was happy to get those old ads, to remind me complacency sets in when we fail to question the status quo.
Some information on advertising dates used from link below:
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Two Tier Topiary DIY
My first two tier rose topiarys. A friend wanted them for her twins first birthday, she decided on an Alice in Wonderland theme (very cute) so these decor had to be special. Luckily she let me know what she was looking for so here's what I did and what I'll do different next time.
Materials:
•Two 6" floracraft white styrofoam balls
•Two 4" floracraft white styrofoam balls
•Two terra cotta flower pots
•Two green flat styrofoam discs
•Moss by ashland deco moss
•Two semi straight thin sticks from a local park (I used Clorox towelettes to disinfect/ clean the sticks)
•Glue gun and glue sticks
•6 rose bunches (about ten flowers on each)
What I did:
•Pulled each flower head from the plastic stems and used the glue gun to stickand secure into the ball. I tried to glue them in a continuous line around the middle of the ball.
•After the 1st line of flowers I put them around the top half of the ball. Using the leaves on the bottom portion.
•I filled in open spots with moss and buds or leaves.
•Put the green flat disc in the flower pot and put the stick through the middle. Make sure all is straight: disc, ball, stick before gluing.
•Fit the other small stick into bottom of 4" styrofoam ball then in top of first ball, remember to glue!
•Add moss over the disc in the flower pot.
•To make it more authentic I added pieces of thin sticks into different spots.
•Since you're making two make sure they match! Doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.
Here's the process in pictures:
What I'd do differently:
•Maybe try to find bulk rose heads on amazon, they seemed to be a better bargain. Or I may try the Dollar Tree store, again to get more flowers.
•I'd definitely buy different moss. This moss was pretty but very difficult to glue. i burned my fingers too much trying to wedge it between flowers and glue. It's better for filling into the flower pot or a basin. Next time I'll go for a moss mat. They also sell moss balls but they are expensive and I'm uncertain how well the flowers would adhere to it.
•Next time I will buy a pack of styrofoam balls instead of individual. I bought mine from Michaels and they didn't have the packs in the size I wanted. Better stores for me to buy them are Walmart, Joanns, or again Amazon.
•Finally next time I'll have someone check to see if both heights match before the glue dries 😛
Thanks for reading and if you try these out let me know how it goes or if you have any tips!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
It Came From Outer Space
What does the science community have against Pluto? It's one of my favorite planets, apart from Earth of course, it's the wall flower of our solar system. Yet again the science community is beginning to think it's not the ninth planet. There's a new one they just discovered...maybe. See link to cnn article:
Now if there really is a newly discovered planet I think that's wonderful. Planet 9 as they are calling it not to be confused with the movie, could be a new wonderland to explore with new possibilities.
I suppose scientists were just trying to be accurate when they categorized Pluto as a dwarf planet but that doesn't mean there's nothing to be learned from it. Hope they find something out soon about Planet 9.
To Vote or Not to Vote
I have a bone to pick with those running for the nomination of their parties for the upcoming presidential election. Enough with the rhetoric! Both Republican and Democratic party candidates facts are so skewed they only provided tidbits of truth to the American public.
This two party system we've built is failing to deliver. Their goals and vision for the country are so far from each other there is no room for compromise. How did the direction of this country become so divergent? Is it the fault of lobbyists, big business on Wall Street or banks? No. Is it the fault of immigrants, environmental activists or liberal lobbyists? No. The fault lies in all of us for buying into this political malay. We are so drawn to the reality tv culture we don't want to look for a conscientious candidate. Is there even one to be found anymore.
While it's simple for me to point out all the faults in our system, I don't have any solution. The fact is even the best candidate won't get votes if they tell the whole truth. Truth isn't pretty. Cutting taxes, not sending our soldiers to dangerous parts of the world, solution for everything and anything that bothers the average joe in the U.S. This is what people want because we hope things can be better. It's not that we are dumb or out of touch, it's that we are optimistic. Maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Online Personal Stylist
I've tried online makeup/hair product sites like ipsy, birchbox loved, loved them both. When it comes to clothes I just saw something intriguing 'Stitchfix', an online stylist site. I haven't tried it, extras aren't in my budget right now.
Seems like you answer a few questions online pay $20 and the stylist sends you a few pieces within your budget. Color me interested, sounds cool. If you like the stuff buy what you like, return what you don't. But I've been burned before by online retailers, (aka twice) some things seem too good to be true, is this one of them? I think I'll need to check out some reviews. I love the idea and definitely want to try it in the future.
If like me you can't commit to a monthly fee then maybe try Rent the Runway, that service offers rental of designer duds. Perfect if you have small closet space and can't afford a designer dress you can get that designer dress for a few days. I haven't had the chance to try it but a style savvy friend of mine has and swears by it. Plus she always looks amazing so I'm dying to try it out.
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