WW186: CHARLES PHOENIX, STEPHANIE K CLARK and Schwarzenegger Baby

It's Wednesday! WONDERFUL Wednesday!
So here are the five things that I love this week, that I want YOU to love.

1.) I like to start with art…..(It appears I like to rhyme as well!) THESE are spectacular. I love love love them soooooooo much. Stephanie K. Clark is based in Salt Lake City and is SUPER TALENTED! Just look at these:

I love how beautiful the embroidery is on this.

I LOVE THE COLOURS.

I also love Stephanie's use of negative space…...

DO YOU LOVE THESE???????
Please show her some support……on her site.
Or check out her blog HERE!
OR give her a little 'like' on the Book of Face.

2.) Let's go to the Palace of Versailles!!!!! Why now? No special reason…..but it has some extra coolness right now as it gets a spectacular interior/exterior renovation. Artist Pierre Delve has created a great mural that hides the restoration until its completion in March 2015. The artistic undertaking sees the historic site team up with french luxury fashion house Dior once again, furthering their collaboration and creative exchange which dates back to 1947.

Look at ‘to all the glories of france’, isn't it beautiful? The huge trompe-l’oeil artwork mural goes across the chateau’s entire facade. There are also photographs of Dior’s past and current designs in a setting of stone and greenery and appear as a window, to which viewers can peer within the royal court onto the gardens.

NICE JOB!!!!!

Let's G-O!

3.) Retro Fabulous. You know I am addicted…..maybe not as addicted as Charles Phoenix.

"Charles is a performer, humorist, chef and author. In his live shows, videos, media appearances and books, the self-proclaimed “retro daddy” explores America’s classic and kitschy pop cultural past and present, and predicts retro-inspired future trends. Fans enjoy his unique spin and genuine reverence for all things Americana, trust his guide to attractions from coast to coast.

Charles has shared his vintage images and culinary creations on TV with Conan and Martha Stewart and is often heard on National Public Radio. Los Angeles Times says “Call him the King of Retro”, and LA WEEKLY anointed him “Kodachrome King”.

Exuding the joy of life and exuberant enthusiasm, He encourages people to “get in touch your inner Americana, embrace it, have a sense of humor about it, and proudly share it with the whole wide world.”

Now…..friends…..I want you to GO TO HIS SITE.

Sadly, I may never have a chance to see his big retro slide shows……

…..sigh……

BUT I can enjoy the spectacularly kitschy recipes from the Test Kitchen…..like this cake…..

OR THIS…which is older….but still so crazy and wonderful…...

and read his blog……like him on the Book of Face, and his tweets!!

4.) I don't drink a lot of soda…..unless it is with vodka….but I like this……,Dijangin has designed a product called ‘sodavalve’ to ease the process of opening and closing a bottle….I know it sounds crazy…….but just look at these:

Are these adorable? Mayvbe adorable isn't the word?? But I really like them!

Here is how they explain the function…..

"the simple act of twisting the cap of a bottle can be a difficult task. As you place your fingertips around its edge and feel each of the individual ridges embedded into its plastic surface, you twist and try to break the seal, hoping that the liquids won’t burst out from the top. If it doesn’t open, you annoyingly repeat the action with more force and aggression until your skin ends up being irritated and you have to ask a friend for help."

But wait, there's more………it also doubles as a cup.

This is from DesignBoom…..

5.) Bill Hader is wonderful. Conan is also fantastic…..I leave you with this….

Or go HERE for the WHOLE CLIP! (iPhone peeps!)

WW178: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, FORESTA LUMINA, and ORANGE IS THE NEW CONAN

Hey! Happy short work-week y'all!!
Here are the 5 things that I want you to enjoy this week…..because I enjoy them!
Welcome to 'Wonderful Wednesday'!

1.) It is close to lunch…..and I am blogging about a movie next…..so I give you this……perhaps instead of paying $12 on popcorn at the theatre…..you could make this…..as a bring along:

Caramel Pretzel Popcorn
INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups roughly chopped pretzels

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

2 cups mini marshmallows (4 ounces)

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

8 cups air popped popcorn

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup brown sugar

Last week I was reprimanded by a recipe I posted……so this week I need you to go to the original website for the how-to of this recipe. It may keep me from getting in trouble with a potential grumpy blogger who doesn't think adding links to their website - and Facebook page and Twitter is ENOUGH free advertisement…..

:-)

So go HERE for the recipe…..

….or just go check out http://www.tablespoon.com for more yummy recipes!

THERE IS LOTS OF GOOD STUFF THERE!!!

2.) Guardians of the Galaxy. FUN. Sure…….it is just like the the Avengers in formula….but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable!!!! Here is a clip (just in case you live under a rock):

(iPhoners click HERE!)
Here are MY top 5 reasons to see it…..(by letter - so we don't get confused!!)
A - MAZINGLY cool s*^t! You know I love a good gadget - and this movie is stuffed FULL of them….like these:

B - and-tastic! The soundtrack. You had me at "Hooked on  Feeling"……. seriously….if you LOVE the eighties………this movie is chopper block FULL of references and music from that time….

“Hooked on a Feeling” Performed by Blue Swede,  “Go All the Way” Performed by Raspberries

“Spirit in the Sky”* Performed by Norman Greenbaum, “Moonage Daydream” Performed by David Bowie
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” Performed by Elvin Bishop, “I’m Not in Love” Performed by 10cc
“I Want You Back” Performed by Jackson 5, “Come and Get Your Love” Performed by Redbone
“Cherry Bomb” Performed by The Runaways, “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” Performed by Rupert Holmes
“O-O-H Child” Performed by The Five Stairsteps, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel
C - OLOUR. Oh man, I am so glad we are not subjected to another "Nolan-esque" colour paletted movie full of grey and black……gimme a little purple ANYDAY!

D - ang funny! YES…. It has that whole 'Iron Man' comedy thing going for it!!!

E - ye Candy…….by way of rockin' interstellar bodies….oh…and the clothed cast were really good too!

F - or nerds only. ANYONE can enjoy this movie. Honestly it is just a big pile of FUN…..but for the truly deeply madly nerd-types, it is LAYERED in Easter Eggs and in-jokes!!!
OK….enough……moving on…..

3.) I was in Kensington Market this weekend….and went to Kid Icarus (as usual) I REALLY WANTED ONE OF THESE KEYCHAINS!!!!!!

I love these fantastic key tags from Greenwhich Letterpress! Choose from The Shining’s ‘Overlook Hotel’, Twin Peak’s ‘Great Northern’ and 90210′s ‘Peach Pit’

…oh and did I mention they are only $7!!!!!

COME ON!!!!

4.) I want to go to there!!!!!!‘Foresta Lumina‘!!!!!! Moment Factory has transformed the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook in Québec into an enchanted forest! Walk along a magical 2 km pathway winding through the trees. Along the way you will see characters drawn from the area’s myths and legends.

 COOL HUH? The marriage of colour and light and projection looks AH-MAH-ZING….

Check out this video:

Seriously…..LET'S GO!

www.momentfactory.com/fr
www.gorgedecoaticook.qc.ca/
www.forestalumina.com

5.)  HA!! Funny…..Conan…..(click here - iPhone peeps!)

WW156: WHERE COOL CAME FROM, SHE PLAYS HOCKEY and DANIEL ST-AMANT

Hey folks…….you know how this post works….each Wednesday I post an image of FIVE things that I LOVE…….

1.) I LOVE a good success story. As I wait patiently for mine (hee hee) I can't help but be THRILLED for Dave LeBlanc! You may know him from his columns at The Globe and Mail…..but his new project…..I REALLY FREAKING LOVE!!! "Where Cool Came From" is a super great web series that explores the nature of the "cool things" we know and love! Well….maybe not ALL of us….but if you like my work…..you're gonna LOVE:

Seriously…..it is so enjoyable!!!!! Don't believe me???? Check out this:

Where Cool Came From Video Preview from Where Cool Came From on Vimeo.

(or try this link)
Way to go Dave!!!!! I LOVE this web series!!!
You can give "Where Cool Came From" some love on Facebook too!

2.) THANKS CINDY FOR SENDING ME THIS ONE (She gets her knickers in a knot if I forget to thank her!) This is fantastic!!!! Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and singer Miche Braden bring you the most FANTASTIC remake of classic Guns N’ Roses!

http://www.openculture.com/2014/02/guns-n-roses-sweet-child-o-mine-retooled-as-1920s-new-orleans-jazz.html

3.) She Plays Hockey. Ok…I know what you are thinking……Normally I am NOT a sports person….let alone the hockey……BUT….in the spirit of Woman's empowerment……..I give you THIS:

She Plays Hockey is a website dedicated to providing products to girls and women who play hockey. The female game is growing every year and we have decided to say it loud and clear, whether you are a daughter, mother, sister or grandmother who plays or you’re a doctor, teacher, banker or stay-at-home mom – SHE PLAYS HOCKEY! And remember, you are never too old or inexperienced to start playing the game of hockey
SHE SHOOTS SHE SCORES!!!!! (Am I saying that right??)

4.) I really enjoyed this work at TAP this year! Daniel St-Amant's work at first glance is very attractive wildlife studies…..truthfully that is not normally the kind of work that really gets to me….BUT there are so many great things happening in these paintings!!!

I don't wanna ruin this for you…..but you should GO TO HIS WEBSITE and see how he creates these works. It is super cool……..yes…they are painted very well - but I love the flip of the middle finger to big oil…………(the phone number for an offending company is on each piece!!!!)

Here's his artist statement:

In an era of mass consumption, poverty, pollution and war, it's difficult to avoid being alarmed by the abundance of negativity and hopelessness that surrounds us.
My work explores some of these issues, specifically our destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. As our population grows, so does our consumption as a species with increasing pressure to meet quotas and profits. Humans are driving deeper and deeper into the wilderness. My latest paintings discuss this pressure we are putting on the natural environment and the adaptation that the animal kingdom is forced to undergo.
Using modern surfaces such as major road ways to emphasize our global footprint, I have managed to capture the density within our city life. Laying my canvas on the road I capture physical traces of climate affecting technologies “tire tracks” to which I use as a landscape for my animal compositions.

GREAT JOB DAN!!!!!!!!
You can also follow him on the Twitter…and on the Facebook!

5.) This is for my crazy cat ladies……you're welcome Cindy….see all these cats…….then hit the link and see 19 more……...

http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-wet-cats/

WW128:WILLY WONKA, RANSACK THE UNIVERSE and CRAP SOUVENIRS

Hello all!
It's time for a little Wonderful Wednesday!
HUZZAH!
Here are the 5 things I love this week - that I want you to love too!!

1.) This is a project that I like a lot If there is one thing I cannot stand in this world, it is having NO COMPASSION. If there are 2 things I cannot stand, they are no compassion AND BAD SIGNAGE! This project called "Signs for the Homeless" is really neato! Boston-based artists Kenji Nakayama and Christopher Hope interviewed and photographed a number of homeless people on the streets of Boston, replacing their beat-up hand-drawn signs with brand new hand-painted ones. Each interviewed person was also given a small donation in exchange for their old sign. Nakayama and Hope have documented the project on their Tumblr blog hoping to raise awareness about the current state of poverty and encourage others to follow suit offering a helping hand.

See more about this project HERE
[via Design Taxi]

2.) Ransack the Universe. If you are in Toronto, looking for vintage and vintage themed bric-a-brac.....you must go check out Bloor west village!

Lots of great finds!!! You will not regret going!!! Here are a few things that caught my eye!!!

They also have a BLOG to check out!!

3.) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory THE MUSICAL! Come on. We knew it would happen eventually! This kinda looks like fun.....at least eye candy:

ROALD DAHL's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka comes to life in a brand new West End musical directed by Sam Mendes!!!

Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Hairspray; Smash), a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet), set and costume designs by Mark Thompson (Mamma Mia!; One Man, Two Guvnors) and choreography by Peter Darling (Billy Elliot The Musical; Matilda The Musical).

A chocolate garden, an army of squirrels and the curiously peculiar Oompa-Loompas must be believed to be seen in this spectacular new musical that is choc-full of fantastical treats to dazzle your senses.
ANOTHER reason to take a trip to the UK!!!

4.) I can't decide if I hate this....or love it........BUT.....back in 1983, Andy Warhol produced more than 40 works of art inspired by Perrier. To celebrate these works, Perrier has collaborated with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to create Perrier by Warhol–a limited-edition series of Perrier packaging based on Warhol’s original works.......they are super attractive.......

And so ends this week's corporate sales job.........

5.) So.....you're looking to waste VAST amounts of time??? Let me recommend Crap Souveniers.com!

You'll find all sorts of treasures that you NEVER wanted to see/own. Here are some examples:

yes....actual crap!!!

Just pull his woodpecker.....go on.....

Smell like a hunk-a-hunk-a burnin love.

No comment - you're welcome!

WHAT THE WHA????

Nothing Nanny loves more than her slots.....except cheap mugs!!!

(Thanks Cindy)