I absolutely adore spending a rainy afternoon in a local art gallery. I become swept into the emotions of each painting, each sculpture. I always end up leaving feeling refreshed and cathartic.
1. Banksy's Flower Girl. If you haven't watched "Exit Through the Giftshop," I have plans for you! This painter is incredibly mysterious.
2. Gwen Murphy, Shoe Fetish. My sister and I have always said that everyone is like a different shoe. I believe her to be very "Ked-like," while she maintains that I am a wedged sandal. These sculptures speak to that.
3. John Singer Sargeant. Mr And Mrs Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes, 1897. I like that this painting was forseeing women's liberty so early on. The facial expressions of the subjects are just so true.
4. Jacques-Louis David - The Death of Marat. One of the most famous of powerful paintings, this image captures the true sorrow involved in losing a loved one.
5. Sad by Antonio Mora Diez. There is no real way to describe how this image makes me feel. However, on too many levels, I can relate.
6. Andrew Wyeth, Christina's World. I could spend hours just engulfed in the beauty of his work. There is something so beautifully haunting about this painting.
7. Symbiosis by Marta Orlowska. It is so profoundly true- we work symbiotically with the creatures in our lives. We provide them with love and care while they bring us a level of joy and comfort we would not otherwise recognize.
8. Kevin Sloan, Consequences of Hypnosis. The realism combined with playfulness and whimsy really captures me. His work is incredible. I have spent hours indulging in his art.
9. Francois Schuitten, Comic Art. My heart sunk when I saw this. I wanted to scream, "Don't do it!" while helplessly waiting for what is next. This image shows the true characteristics of cats and dogs- the feline sits unphased while the dog panics.
The most influential contributors to your kitchen’s overall design are the cabinets. If your cabinets are old, dated, or just plain ugly, I have an easy solution for you!
Many people are apprehensive about taking on cabinet painting DIYs, but we are here to tell you that there is nothing to be intimidated by. Once you follow these simple steps, you will be amazed at how so little work could make such a big difference.
1. Empty and Remove Doors from All Cabinets. Once you have set up a “painting station” in your garage, back yard, etc., you are ready to lay the doors flat, and begin. It is important to have them flat to avoid drip marks.
2. Stay Organized. Put all knobs and other hardware in baggies and label them according to where they go in your kitchen. On the back side of your cabinets, label their location as well, in pencil. This will save you a lot of time when re-assembling, and it will keep them aligned perfectly.
3. Clean Your Cabinets. Take a spray bottle with some mild soap and warm water and wipe the surfaces to be painted. Removing dust and other residue will allow the paint to adhere better.
4. Sand Surfaces. If your cabinets are already painted or finished, it is important to sand them down to the wood so that you have a fresh surface to work with. It is important to sand because this can make or break the life of the new paint; you want it to last, right? There are many different types of sandpaper out there, so be sure to choose one that is right for your surface. Click here for a sandpaper guide.
5. Primer. Choose a primer that is made for the material you plan on painting. There are many different selections at your local home improvement store. Color is key, as well. If you are planning on painting your cabinets a darker color, you will want to prime them with dark primer. If you are planning on painting them a light color, white or light gray primer will work best. Now, take your brush and using long strokes, cover the cabinets with the primer. Remember that primer is only an adhesive, so it is okay if it doesn’t fully cover the surface, it may almost look transparent. Once you have applied the primer, let it dry.
6. Paint. Latex paints are recommended for kitchen cabinets. They are easiest to clean, and the color doesn’t fade over time. We would recommend an angled brush as well as a cabinet roller brush for painting. When painting the doors, it helps to elevate them from the surface you are working on, so you can get to the edges easier. When painting the cabinetry in your kitchen, be sure to tape off any surface you don’t want paint to get on. It is important to avoid dripping. Allow for all surface to dry completely before re-assembling. *Remember that it is not always necessary to paint the inside of your cabinets.
7. Re-assemble, and Enjoy! You will be amazed that you were able to complete this task in such a short amount of time, and make such a difference to your space. It isn’t always necessary to completely reface your kitchen cabinets, especially if your pre-existing ones are still in decent shape. Click the video below for a more visual tutorial.
When we go out to eat, we usually anticipate being comfortably seated in a warmly designed space filled with booths, chairs, and tables, while being served a meal we wouldn’t otherwise have the time or patience to cook for ourselves at home. It is not very often that going out to eat is a deeply memorable experience, but we can guarantee you that if you had your Filet Mignon at one of these restaurants, you would never forget it!
1. W’Duck Toilet Restuarant, Portugal. Who needs conventional chairs and napkins, when you can dine on a toilet and wipe your face with toilet paper? This little restaurant located in a small port town in Portugal, is a tourist attraction, to say the least. With a Mediterranean inspired menu, the food has received surprisingly good reviews!
2. O’Noir Restaurant. Montreal, Canada. Hence it’s name, what you see in this establishment is, well, black. Their theme is about dining in complete darkness so to enjoy the flavors of the food. This is the perfect place to have a blind date!
Image Source: Travel Spotcoolstuff, Online.
3. Mountain Bahenec Wellness Hotel, Czech Republic. It is definitely best to consider who you are going to attend this outing with. Hanging out in close proximity to your fellow diners in tubs full of beer-infused bath water, while enjoying a top-of-the-line beer should be a relaxing time, indeed! Did we mention you have your own tap?
Image Source: The Wonderous, Online.
4. Disaster Cafe. Lloret de Mar, Spain. Though one of our greatest fears is an earthquake, the diners at this restaurant actually pay to experience one while they enjoy their meal. And not just a small one, either. Every diner experiences a (simulated) 7.8 level quake at some point while dining on a variety of different culinary cuisine. A word of advice: don’t wear your nicest attire; it is said that many drinks are spilled here.
Image Source: Republica Blog, Online.
6. Hajime Restaurant. Bangkok, Thailand. The menu of this restaurant specializing in Japanese delicacies, has a twist. Your meal will be brought to you by robots. That’s right, robots! The owner, Lapassarad Thanaphant invested over a million dollars making her dream a reality. As if being served by robots wasn’t enough, they dance for your entertainment as well!
7. ‘S Baggers. Nurnberg, Germany. This restaurant is definitely innovative, to say the least. Diners are instructed to order their meals on touch screen computers provided at their table. Once prepared, they are send down a roller-coaster type device from the kitchen above to your table top!
We typically put some thought into gift buying, pondering what the receiver may hope for, anticipating the look on their face as they open their presents from us. But, ironically, we don’t put a whole lot of thought into wrapping these special offerings.
Here are 7 Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts. Your receiver will relish in delight as you hand them a beautifully packaged endowment!
1. Old Photos On Paper. This is a simple statement that will be meaningful to the recipient. All you need is some old photos and a printer. Perfect for small gifts!
2. Brown Paper Bag. There is something so timelessly classic about wrapping a gift in brown paper. It gives you a clean palette to work with, and you can add many decorative touches of your choice!
3. Hamburger Wrap. Okay, so this one is a little over the top. But, I had to post it.There are suppliers of sesame seed bun and burger print paper! I’ll bet you could do this with regular paper in similar patterns. This is perfect for the occasion when you have to wrap a lot of gifts. You might as well make it funny!
4. Crayon and Paper. This is the perfect way to wrap a gift for the creative person in your life. All you need is some plain white paper, and a basic set of crayons!
5. Heart Cut-Out. This is such a clever idea! All you need is to wrap your gift twice- the outside layer with half-hearts cut and folded outwards. I’d recommend using a utility knife as opposed to scissors.
6. Word Search. Print out a word search of your choice online, with the keywords you would like to circle on your gift, according to the occasion. Use festive markers to circle, and viola! Your own creative touch.
7. Newspaper. Look through your old newspapers for a fun and interesting article, and use that as the theme of your wrapping paper. Since newspaper is a fairly neutral palette, you can add some touches of whimsy with ribbon, fresh pine, or decor of your choice!
Just like most people, I jot down my New Years Resolutions on New Year’s Day. However, I have found that for me personally, I tend to have a delayed start when it comes to moving forward with them. So, why, you ask, am I bringing this up? Because yesterday, my friends, is when I started mine. Just under two weeks late! It just took a little inspiration, is all.
This past Saturday, I decided to take a “me” day. I allowed myself to sleep in, watch old movies, and embrace the sheer invention of stretch-waisted pants. Taking a day like this can be challenging for me; I adore my job, so to step away from it for a few hours is a pursuit in itself. I read Kafka, ordered take-out, and gave myself a mud-mask facial.
Just like that, I made up my mind. I want the “future me” to be grateful for a fit, healthy body. I am going to get in shape this year, and nothing can stop me! On Sunday afternoon, I laced up those running shoes that have been forgotten in the back of my closet, and hit the pavement.
It’s amazing how different your surroundings look when you allow yourself to be present. I live in the small waterfront town of Des Moines, Washington, on the outskirts of Seattle. It is a quaint little town with family-owned shops and restaurants overlooking a breathtaking view of the Puget Sound. While jogging the boardwalk, my total lack of being in shape was distracted by the rustic old houses, scenic beachfront, and crisp oceanic air. Rather than feeling like it was a chore, I embraced the moment and actually enjoyed it! Instead of feeling exhausted, I was inspired to make this a way of life.
It amazes me that such a simple quote could have inspired me in such a way. There was just a profoundness to it that got me off of the sofa and out into the fresh air! The great motivation of this small quote brought me inspiration to look at other quotes, this time, by my favorite fashion icons.