Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! And happy sum-sum-summertime to youuuu! Why are you inside looking at the Interwebs instead of picnicking, sailing, or napping in a hammock? Oh, right. You’re probably at work, procrastinating.

Well, procrastinate away today. I’ve got some fab-o links for you to peruse, read, and get inspired by. Check ‘em out! Then get outside for some fresh air and sunshine! Promise??

1. Cheap chic ruined us, via Salon

An interview with the author of a new book,  Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, in which she discusses the massive environmental and emotional disaster that is the result of literally tons of cheap clothing sold in the U.S. It’s a very thought-provoking subject, one that’s close to my heart. In 2010, I went a year without buying clothes and learned a lot about my own consumption habits, while vowing never to buy cheap, crappy, ill-fitting, emotionally draining clothes again. So far, so good. You can read all about my year without buying clothes here. But click the link above to check out the Salon interview, too! It might get you thinking about doing something similar.

2. Olympic Cyclist Evelyn Stevens talks about her journey from Wall Street to London, via Outside Magazine

Such an exciting and inspiring story! Stevens only started racing in 2008, and didn’t even quit her Wall Street job until 2009. And now, this summer, she’s an Olympic cyclist! It boggles the mind and inspires the quads, I tell ya.

3. Decorate with octopi! Via CasaSugar

Octopus is the new owl. Trust me on this.

4. An Olympic logo a day

Brilliant, creative, and adorable ideas.

5. Make a hula hoop chandelier, via Dollar Store Crafts

File this under: Why Didn’t I Think of That?!

6. Stressed and online? Visit Calm.com for 2 minutes of relaxation. Via Mashable

Got two minutes? CTFO, baby. (chill the f out, natch )

7. An updated list of lesser-known editing symbols, via Janet Reid

For professional use only. Be sure to click the link above to see them all.

8. Sci-fi film posters re-imagined as pulp fiction book covers, by Timothy Anderson (via Boing Boing)

Swoon-worthy!

9. Iconic ’70s skateboarder Cindy Whitehead, via Tomboy Style

The definition of rad. Click for more killer images.

10. Finally, What it’s like to live without money, via SavvySugar

An introduction to Heidemarie Schwermer, the subject of a new film called “Living Without Money.” A native German, Schwermer house-sits, travels, and does odd jobs while successfully living sin dinero (errr, I mean, ohne Geld). She’s no spring chicken, nor is she a dumpster-diving hipster. Read through and re-think your life. Dare ya not to.

Well, friends, that’s all for now Have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! Been up to anything fun this week? I’ve been enjoying the gorgeous San Francisco weather while getting ready for Saturday’s Mermaid Triathlon; feeling crafty; and taking a few steps away from the computer to focus on old-school, analog media like books and such. That said, I’ve found some super-cool links to share with you today. Sit back and enjoy the ride

1. How to build great contractor relationships, via Mashable

“Don’t become the client you hate,” and “Communicate openly from the start,” are two great pieces of advice for anyone hiring a contractor or freelancer. But they’re also great tips FOR contractors! Whether you’re hiring or the one being hired, take a minute to review these nuggets of wisdom.

2. Camel Thorn Trees in Namibia, via National Geographic

Erm… yes, that’s a photograph, not a painting. WOW!

Photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic

3. Make this crocheted seed bead bracelet, via Cut Out and Craft (via CRAFT)

A relatively simple project, cheap, cute, and summery. Perfect!

4. Three things to do today to build your self-confidence, via The Positivity Blog

Stepping outside your comfort zone is one of those tips that always sounds better in theory than in practice, doesn’t it? But I can attest to a very recent, personal experience of stepping outside my comfort zone to establish some new habits in a certain relationship…and whoa, what a difference it has made in my own confidence in dealing with this person AND in THEIR response/reaction to me! Get dirty, feel the muck, don’t be scared to be uncomfortable. You’ll grow from it!

5. Homemade organic ice cream in only 10 minutes, via Whole Lifestyle Nutrition

No need for a fancy ice cream maker when you’ve got two freezer baggies! Sum-sum-summertime deliciousness: homemade, easy, and cheap

6. ArtAround app maps public and street art in San Francisco and D.C., via 7×7

San Francisco and D.C. both have some amazing, eye-popping street art and public art, but it can be hard to know exactly where it’s all located. Worry no more! The ArtAround app for iPhone and Android maps the location of murals, public art, and must-see street art in the two cities.

7. Laurie Anderson’s commencement speech for the School of Visual Arts at Radio City Music Hall

“No one will ever ask you to do the thing you really want to do… do not wait for this to happen. It will never happen. Things will happen to you, but this will never happen. So just think of what you would like to do—what you dream of doing—and just start doing it.”

8. Tips to surf like Kelly Slater, via Outside Magazine

Good luck!

9. You or someone you know might be a “brogrammer”

Take this quiz to find out for sure!

10. Finally, MTV News from 1993 reports on San Francisco’s emerging technopagan cyberculture

Andy Frith, Terence McKenna, Genesis P. Orridge, The Shaman, and more… oontz, oontz, oontz.

Well, friends, hope you enjoyed ‘em Have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! Been busy as a bumblebee over here but that doesn’t mean I have nothing to share. For YOU? My wonderful readers? I share love… and the following links, which may or may not suit your Thursday needs, wishes, or desires, but nevertheless are here for you to click and peruse at your leisure.

Away we go!

1. What they don’t tell you at graduation, via the Wall Street Journal

Commencement speeches are meant to be inspiring. But this? Is the real deal. Read it and get yourself back in the game of life.

2. The Playboy Club Bunny Manual, via The Selvedge Yard

A scanned (and scannable!) copy of the original manual from way back when, including info on Bunny Council Meetings and how to avoid getting demerits. Worth a retro read

3. Magnetic implants to attach your iPod to your arm? Why not? Via Geekologie

Also handy for keeping track of tiny screws, nails, and jewelry-making materials!

4. Stainless steel + natural = my ideal office space, via Apartment Therapy

5. Entangled Publishing call for submissions with a holiday theme

Got a romantic short story or novella with a holiday theme? Check out Entangled’s requirements, then get your stuff out there!

6. Three times you should use a comma, via The Write Practice

Much easier to remember than when not to use a comma. Next up: apostrophes (not actually sure about that, but it should be).

7. Mind-controlled robot arms show promise, via Nature

THIS, my friends, is the dream of the future. Watch it and weep for joy (or from fear, depending on your outlook)!

8. Power postures can make you feel more powerful, via Wired

Power postures are more than just standing up straight. They’re positions that make you feel BIG. Stretch out. Take up some space. Open your lungs. Breathe deeply. Shove your way into that interview and show ‘em who’s boss! (er… take that last bit lightly, please).

9. How to walk on the sidewalk like a reasonable human being, via SFist

Walk on the right. Pass on the left.

WHY DOES THIS EVEN HAVE TO BE A DISCUSSION?

10. Finally, ten crucial proofreading tips, via Working Writers

Gah, even we professionals need a reminder now and then. Great words of wisdom, especially that part about taking breaks. Also: buddy checks are crucial for some materials. It’s always nice to have someone else find the errors you missed! HAHA. Well, it’s humbling, anyway

That’s all for now Have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?

Photo-A-Day April 26: Black & White

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday!

How’s your week been?

Feeling good?

Eating your veggies and getting enough sleep?

Feeling like you just want to skip the small talk and head right into link love? Sometimes, it’s just the right thing to do.

With no further ado…….

1. From Retrospace, a fun gallery of Parties I Wasn’t At:

via Retrospace

Back in the days of film cameras (do you know what those are? ), a real treat was finding an undeveloped roll of film and discovering someone else’s photos. That happened to us in Mexico once, and the pics we developed included some pretty funny (but not very sexy) bathing suit pin-up shots of what looked like someone’s mom or grandma. “Funny” not because we were laughing at her ~ heck, I think whatever it takes to keep things spicy at any age, go for it! ~ but because she was so awkwardly posed, contorted between boulders and balancing on the balcony, that I wonder how much Mexican tequila had fueled the photo shoot! Ah… those were the days.

2. The Mommypotamus shared 18 Ways to Help a New Mom:

Whether or not you’re a mom yourself, you probably know at least one woman who’s pregnant or new to motherhood… and if you’re young and bright-eyed, just wait! There will come a time when it seems like everyone you know is having babies and you’ll want to know what you can do to help.

Mommypotamus lays out some excellent advice for ways you can help out those friends who are in the early stages of mothering. Around here, my friends and I usually use Care Calendar, which helps the friends and the new mom/parents to know who’s coming by, when, and with what (casserole, salad, paper towels, etc.).

But other tips, like straightening up the house, running errands, and not overstaying your welcome are fantastic advice!

3. How to Design Your Life ~ an interview with web designer & author Mike Monteiro, via Gizmodo:

San Francisco guy Monteiro is one of those designers who is not only brilliant with concept and execution but in putting it all into words. In this Q&A, he talks about his book, Design is a Job, by explaining that:

[I]f you’re going to earn a living practicing your craft you have to get comfortable with the business side of things, and this is terribly underserved in design programs… the book isn’t about any particular method or system, it’s about getting you comfortable in your own skin. There’s a lot about being confident and honest and communicating directly, which is obviously good to do in all aspects of your life.

He’s also one of those guys that calls bullshit on the starving artist stereotype by reminding us that if we want anyone to take our work seriously, we need to start by taking it seriously ourselves… and that includes NOT working for free!

He talks about “design,” but his concepts and philosophy are translatable to any art: writing, music, whatever. I agree with everything he says and recommend checking him out for some inspiration and a kick in the pants!

4. The Children Medieval Band cover Rammstein (via Boing Boing):

Yes!

Those kids are rad

5. Salon reviewed the new book, “Swim: Why We Love the Water”:

Written by “20/20″ correspondent Lynn Sherr, this book explores our fascination with pools, the ocean, and swimming as well as with our evolutionary connection to being immersed.

As someone who believes she was a mermaid in a past life and uses that as an excuse for taking salt baths 4 times a week, I’m curious to hear a more scientific explanation I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s in my TBR pile! If you’ve read it already, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

6. Seven Common Problems Solved by Owning Less, via Becoming Minimalist:

How often to we fill emotional space with “things” that aren’t nearly as fulfilling as experiences?

How clear-headed and relaxed do you feel after spring cleaning, de-cluttering, giving away possessions, or visiting the beach/mountains/forest in their simplicity?

You need less than you think you do. Owning less has been a lifestyle change of mine and my partner’s for the last five or so years. The less we strive to “have,” the more we experience a depth and richness with what we do have. Less junk, more quality. Fewer things, more time, energy, health. Less “stuffed,” more full.

7. The Fit Cookie shared Grain-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Yum! What a good lookin’ cookie!

I want to try these but I don’t have all the ingredients and am staying away from sugar… may have to trial-and-error some substitutions… cacao nibs in place of chocolate chips, perhaps?

8. You Are Not So Smart schooled us on ego depletion and decision fatigue:

It’s a very long post but hugely interesting!

Ever wondered why your willpower weakens over time? Ever wondered why sometimes you just feel zapped and don’t care about the results of the decisions you make?

Good tips include: Take breaks. Make sure you’re properly fueled. Plan ahead to stave off poor decisions.

But there’s more to it than that. Bookmark the article if you need to come back, but check this one out. It’s worth your time!

9. Make these laced high heels, via Craft:

via Craftzine

HAWT!

Got my eyes open now for some thrift store heels I can lace up…

10. Finally, Sharing a Coke, via Logo Design Love:

via Logo Design Love

By Ogilvy & Mather China, seen in Shanghai.

Now that, my friends, is good design.

That’s all for now ~ have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?