December 30, 2009

Milk in a Bag = EcoMilk



When I was in the fourth grade Sea Road Elementary School, our lovely and ever so eco-friendly janitor went on a mission to change the world to be “more green.” Some might say he was a true visionary. Along with recycling bins, he brought us “milk in a bag.” No longer would we suffer through the complicated process of opening a cardboard carton: the bags were here. They were a combination of Capri Sun and Ziploc bags… and weird looking. “Milk in bag” was a lot less wasteful, easier to ship to schools and virtually indestructible. Our eco-janitor proved this by throwing a milk bag across the cafeteria as a demonstration. You can imagine the faces of a few hundred fourth graders when we discovered a new water balloon would be provided every day at lunch. Needless to say, the milk bags didn’t last very long at the elementary school. Or anywhere else for that matter.

But being eco-friendly is in now. Most of the commercials on TV talk about two things: Saving the Economy/money or saving the planet. Recycling has never been so trendy. Design is reflecting a cleaner, simplistic look and organic colors like brown are in again. Little fact: last time the color “Champagne” was the most popular car color was during the recession of the late 70’s. Look on the road now. You’ll see a lot more tan cars.

And back to my odd little story. I recently came across this European production company called Ecoclean (http://www.ecolean.com/) that has essentially redesigned “Milk in a bag” The design has been hugely popular in the design community and was give 4.28 stars out of 5 from Dieline.com. It’s not only eco-friendly, but also cost efficient. So will this come back in style and the efforts of my elementary school janitor not wasted? I’m not sure we’ll all be pouring milk from a bag on our morning cereal anytime soon, but it does make us think about the cost of production on our environment.  And new ways to design while being eco-friendly.




December 27, 2009

The embroidered pillow I made for my mom.


Here at our house, I like to make a few gifts. So this year, I got the design from Andrea Zuill's amazing blog, Bad Bird, and made this pillow. Part hand embroidery, part sewing machine magic. Removable seams for taking the pillow sham out for washing as well.

Some of my own original designed patterns will be coming up soon!! 

The Muddy Warrior Mask Mixture

My organic "mud" mask recipe:

I know it looks absolutely disgusting, but I promise it's amazing.  And easy. And you're welcome for yet another girly moment.

2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
3 tablespoons of baking powder
1 tablespoon of natural honey
1/2 tablespoon of sea salt.

Mix and now you have a face mask that makes your skin feel awesome. 

The film, Valentine's Day = Love Actually 2 with bad cameos.

Ughhhh... Why must Americans copy everything the British do well? Love Actually was pretty good, but this movie just looks like too many overpaid actors each with their own sub-par sub-plots. And let's throw in Taylor Swift AND Taylor Lautner because those two are so IN right now. Vampires are in too. Want to add a Vampire storyline in too?

To say how I feel about this movie from only the preview could accurately be described by the reaction of my most recent movie theater audience. This is a true story.

Scene:
Audience sitting patiently in the cramped movie theater. While chewing on popcorn and sipping on pop, the lights go dark and the preview begins.
Audience doesn't laugh at "funny" moments in preview.
After the narrator announces each of the names of around 100 or so semi-ok actors and a C+ actors... the audience sighs.
Obviously overwhelmed, the audience is annoyed by the over-casting and starts murmuring:
"Definitely a rental."
"Ugh... Jamie Fox was good in Ray. What happened here?"
"That's a lot of salaries."

I probably won't be seeing this Oscar winning piece.



December 25, 2009

And this was from the weird fortune cookie...

Merry Christmas,

  This was in my fortune cookie. Yes, we had Chinese on Christmas. Yes, we went to the movies. No, my mother is Catholic.

A Christmas Story Chinese Restaurant Scene

This Christmas, we went to the movies and had Chinese food. One of the top Christmas memories, besides shooting Champagne bottles at the weird neighbor's house.

December 22, 2009

Santa is a little creepy.


My mom keeps this picture up year round. I was probably 2 years old? And terrified. 

Happy Festivus to Mrs. Russo


Some hardcore Christmas fanatic put this in the local newspaper. I'm 1) amazed that someone spent the money to do this and 2) contemplating sending her a menorah.

a seattle agency's holiday card

Wexley's little white elephant gave me a picture of David Hasslehoff!

Click here to play!

December 20, 2009

My wish list.

Besides world peace and the ability to fly...
 Here are a few of my favorite things (that will not be under my tree unless I buy them myself.)

I don't necessarily want this thousand dollar harmonica, but a harmonica would be nice in general. And red one piece long underwear is just essential for the holiday season anyways. I love plaid. And chia pets. And a vintage cat clock would go great with my 50's style bar stool.

December 15, 2009

My love for Eric Hutchinson

Two years ago, I got hooked on this great musician named Eric Hutchinson.

I saw him play at this bar in Atlanta two years ago and he was amazing. It was small, no one knew who he was back then and it was fantastic. It was so amazing and fantastic that I actually did something I never EVER do: I messaged a "famous" person.

Let me first say that the last time I tried to contact a famous person was in Mrs. Harvey's sixth grade class. We had an assignment to write to a famous person. While some kids wrote to the president and to Blossom, I wrote to Danny Devito to tell him that I still appreciated his acting ability regardless that he was in Twins.  DeVito never wrote back but some kid in my class got sneakers sent from Magic Johnson. (By the way, Click here to see the Blossom Intro in Spanish)

First let me say that I think its wicked lame when people try to contact an entertainer. Don't @Obama or @MeryllStreep.  They're busy.  But at the time, I wasn't really liking Atlanta (at all) and his music was what I listened to ALL the time. So I wrote him to say thanks for writing great music.

And he wrote back. Wrote a wicked nice message.

Not going to lie, it was pretty awesome. And further made me like this musician even more. Taking time for the fans? Pretty sweet. Now he's probably too big for that, but it was still great.


And I thought I would write about this today because on three separate radio stations and at three separate times, his song "Oh" played.

December 13, 2009

TABITHA

whenever I feel like I need to "go to the mattresses," I channel my inner Tabitha.

She's amazing. Wouldn't want to be on her bad side though.

December 11, 2009

JMU Flash Mob Rave Party at East Campus Library 2009 (HD)

Ahhh college. I love how JMU takes finals week and makes it into the best party ever. Only the dukes can do that.

December 10, 2009

Fabutext: Awesomely written technology

Message from Caroline:
9:12 pm Thurs. December 10:
Phyllis is Santa.

The decade according to 9 Year olds

My favorite is when the kids have no clue what an internet dial tone sounds like...


Watch here.

AWESOME.

December 7, 2009

What I do in the 20 minutes of free time I get a week...


I made a flyer for a local dj here... just because he's pretty good. And while the rest of Maine thinks that Kanye's Graduation album just came out, this guy actually plays some relevent stuff.

I love these illustrations... and they're from a cookbook.

You think Rachel Ray's books look like this? Probably not.

December 4, 2009

My bum finger.


Today at work, I sliced my finger with an exacto knife. It bled for 25 minutes. Nevermind the chipped nail polish please.

No worries- my hand still fit in my mitten so I was able to get all bundled up and go sing christmas carrolls for Prelude Weekend in Kennebunkport.

December 1, 2009

What's the difference between....Thoughts of the day.

Portland, Oregon vs. Portland, Maine....
the Snugglie vs. the Slanket
Cheerios vs. Weird organic stuff I stupidly bought in shape of O's
The apartment on the West End vs. The apartment on the East End


hmmm.

November 30, 2009

Logo Fun

This logo is brought it you by the letter E.

I love making logos.

November 25, 2009

The Day I was attacked by a turkey in Downtown Beantown


Once upon a time, I went to Boston. It was awesome.
Until a large turkey in the middle of the city attacked me.
And my blueberry muffin from Starbucks.
I took a picture,
As I ran across the street.
And Boston wasn't so awesome anymore.

(right before she charged!)


On a serious note, there are a ton of wild turkeys that have crossed into cities. And they aren't very nice. Not like the turkeys in my back yard here on the farm. Those ones are ok.

November 23, 2009

Birthday Freebies!! In an economic crisis.

My quarter lift crisis is rapidly approaching and since this is also an economic crisis, I've been checking out some nice freebies I thought I would share with you all. So far I've got a sundae at Friendlys. Yahtzee.

Click here to get free stuff for your Birthday.

November 22, 2009

Pac Man necklace!!! Ghosts included.



HUGE WANT. Birthday coming up folks. Found on ModCloth.

Extreme Sheep Herding with LED lights.

Showed this to my sister last year but for some reason, it keeps popping up on the radar. Hilarious. And great use of LEDs. I'm pretty sure this is exactly what they are intended for.

Snow White + Kanye = happily ever after

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first movie I ever saw. And this is just awesome.

November 21, 2009

50 ways to Help

FINALLY finished this little stop motion thing. Love the website 50waystohelp.com so thought I would put this thing together.

November 20, 2009

Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa.

I think we all just died a little inside....
Oh and p.s.
Bob, can I have my wig back? Thanks

November 18, 2009

10 seconds of Random Teenage Mutant Ninja Tony.

My pet turtle in action.

Dedicated to Lauren.

November 17, 2009

Mod Cloth Copies Movember

Movember is, according to their website: "An annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues - specifically prostate and testicular cancer." Great organization and they have done a great job with the branding. Nice look and definitely fantastic idea to bring awareness.

And Modcloth.com, one of my favorite places to online window shop, is also having their own Movember...

Both completely unrelated to the other... I'm assuming.  

So I guess I should say Happy Movember balls and all.






November 16, 2009

From the Blog: Stuff white people like


#122 Moleskine Notebooks


This blog makes me giggle out loud: "Since all white people consider themselves to be “creative,” they are constantly in need of products and accessories that will allow them to capture their thoughts."

But to clarify, my sketchbook is not and never will be a Moleskine. I make my own sketchbooks thanks to a class I took down in ATL. Its easier than it looks and I made books for all my family member last year for Christmas. Creativity is an overused word... so how about resourceful?


November 15, 2009

some pages from my sketch pad...

I keep a visual journal of sorts with designs, ideas, list of things that creep me out (BABIES WITH PIERCED EARS). And here are a few pages..






My homage to Dadaism.

Wish I had a date on this one...

November 14, 2009

KINDER EGG IN THE US


KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG KINDER EGG!!!
FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES!!! Kinder Eggs are illegal to sell in the United States because of the small toy inside of an edible, delicious chocolate egg. The store that sells them has connections to the old country and I GOT one!!!


UPDATE: On the day of this blog post, The Lolapaloozashow got 17 hits from Germany. That's 17 more than usual. So I'm assuming other people (in Germany) are looking up about Kindereggs. Because they're amazing. 

Greendrinks


Greendrinks is an amazing.. thing? Every month, its hosted at a local bar and you can go, drink, meet people, whatever. Beer is cheap/free. Make a donation, which goes to a charity sponsored that month. Its great. And great beer. NOT natty light. My co-workers and I were recently featured on the Portland Press Herald for our drinking abilities.

November 10, 2009

"WOW" moment of the day

"Since don't ask, don't tell was introduced, the military has discharged more than 13,000 lesbians, gays and bisexuals, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. A 2005 government report found that about 800 of them had skills deemed "critical," such as engineering and linguistics, and that it cost the military about $200 million to recruit and train their replacements."

click here to read more at cnn.com

November 5, 2009

Found this little GEM when I was shopping for boots online today...


Ew.

Happy Guy Fawkes Day.


If you can't find time to watch the History Channel... Click here.


I found my internet soul mate.

If someone makes curtains out of floppy disks, I have made props for them.

October 31, 2009

October 2, 2009

The People of Wal-Mart.


I can't even tell you how entertaining this website is... especially after living in the south for the past six years where Wal-Mart is literally the new piazza. Click here to see the People of Wal-Mart.

September 23, 2009

Apple Ad from 1994

The People Coming to My Ideal Dinner Party

Captain of the Titanic
Lucille Ball
John Lennon
FDR
Leo Da Vinci
James Madison
Salvador Dali
Frida Kahlo


On the menu: Wine. And more Wine.

September 17, 2009

Just Because.