Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a fabulous week so far. But! I’m still very much looking forward to the weekend I’ve got a couple of nice, long runs planned, some good food to make and eat, and some quality time with my honey. What more could I ask for?

Lots to love around the webs these days. Here are some of my faves. Enjoy!

1. Smithsonian.com brought us the Best Science Visualizations of the Year:

(Image by Bryan William Jones, PhD via Smithsonian.com)

The images range from illustrations to stunning photography, like this extreme close-up of a mouse’s retina! Mind-blowing stuff. Click the link above to view them all!

2. The Grindstone reminded us why right-brained women shouldn’t shy away from working in tech.

They say:

Tech has a reputation as a left-brain field, but in reality it’s the perfect sector for creative, right-brain problem-solvers — including many women who would never think of themselves as tech-y.

Agreed! I consider myself definitely skewed right, but I’ve worked in tech on and off for ten years and I love it! Not only do my creative abilities allow me to often see various sides of an issue that straight-up left-brainers might not see, it’s been useful for me to learn to balance my own hemispheres.

3. Wondering what’s up with chemicals and cosmetics? (If you’re following my 52 Tips, I bet you are ) This infographic spells it out!

It’s a self-regulated industry that has some serious lack of qualms about using nasty ingredients. Be cautious, my friends, be cautious.

4. A $1.99 toy store gun transformed into this stunning steampunk beauty! From Elsa of Ahem, via CRAFT.

It is ALL about the Rub’n'Buff, baby!

5. Hee hee. This visual pangram makes me giggle. Via Copyranter.

A quick brown fox jumping over a lazy dog. Ha!

6. From Wired UK, via Boing Boing: a tongue piercing that steers a wheelchair!

They explain:

The output signals from the sensors are wirelessly transmitted to an iPod Touch or iPhone. Software installed on the Apple device works out the relative position of the magnet with respect to the array of sensors in real time and interprets the user’s commands. This information is then used to control the movements of a cursor on the computer screen or to substitute for the joystick function in a powered wheelchair.

Seriously amazing technology!

7. I’m in love with this room. Via Apartment Therapy.

That chandelier plus the cozy couch plus the table and layered rugs… oh, and the butter-yellow walls. Lurve it.

8. Taste and Tell had this awesome piña colada salad!

I’m dreaming of a Hawaiian vacay…………

9. LA in Bloom shared some faves from the Hadley Holliday exhibit at the Taylor de Cordoba gallery:

Gorgeous, eyeball-twisting work! Very inspiring.

10. Finally, for the parents, 6 tips for better Facebook parenting, via Mashable.

When shooting your child’s laptop isn’t an option! Just kidding. These are good tips for socially networking with your kiddos.

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: Special Valentine’s Edition

I’ll admit ~ I can be a fool for love. I’m also a fool for anything red or pink ~ or chocolate ~ and let’s not forget that I write (and read) romantic fiction! And while I can’t say doilies and red-cheeked Cupids are exactly my style, I do think it’s hard to go wrong with a day entirely devoted to LOVE in all shapes and forms.

So, in honor of next week’s V-Day, here are some supercute ~ or superdelicious ~ neat-o, maybe non-traditional, Valentine’s Day things I love from around the webs. Enjoy!

1. Raspberry White-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars via MyRecipes:

For the non-chocolate-eating loved ones in your life.

2. From GeekSugar: 50 Geeky Valentine’s Day Dates

Including: Make a pot of Earl Grey tea and watch a Star Trek marathon ~ which sounds like a normal day around here! Hahaha. It’s true. Especially now that you can Netflix all of the old Star Treks! All of ‘em! Oh, geeks. Yes, we are.

3. Super-great bike-themed Valentine e-cards from the San Francisco Bike Coalition:

4. Easy Melted Crayon Hearts from Martha Stewart Living:

Especially good if you have extra crayon nubs that you just know you can do something crafty with.

5. How to have a romantic Valentine’s Day alone, via The Frisky:

I personally would ditch the socks and do a pedicure instead, but to each her (or his, I suppose) own.

6. Awesome e-cards from someecards, always telling it like it is:

7. How to Make a Realistic Duct Tape Rose, via Instructables:

I think my honey might end up with black and silver roses. So Goth!

8. Via various craft blogs & Pinterest: Make a Deck of Cards Love Book

(from http://transcraftinental.blogspot.com)

(from http://papervinenz.blogspot.com/)

Beyond Valentine’s Day, I feel like this “book made with a deck of cards” has so many possibilities!

9. And don’t forget Rover and Fluffy! Valentine’s Day treats for your pets, via Etsy:

Not sure about Goldie and Tweetster, though…

10. Finally, I think this necklace says it all. Via Etsy (of course!):

I lurve youuuuuu! Have a fab-o weekend, y’all! <3

Are you a lover of love? A dreamer of dreams? Or a more practical, common-sense type?

Do you have any special Valentine’s Day plans?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy almost-Friday! It’s a big weekend around here ~ NO, not because of the Super Bowl. Our beloved 49ers did not make the cut. Big because on Sunday, I’ll be running my very first half marathon! I’m excited and only a little bit nervous, and I promise to post a post-race update

On other notes, I feel like there were some amazing blog posts, images, and news in the past week or so. Do you feel the same way? It was tough to pick just ten this week! Without further ado, here are the ones that made the cut. Enjoy!

1. From Smithsonian Magazine, gorgeous pictures from the Orchid Olympics:

2. The Beauty Department passed along some great tips for Blow-Drying Heavy Bangs.

One thing I always forget is their very first tip:

Always blow out your bangs while your hair is super wet.

D’oh! So that’s why my bangs frizz in weird ways some days. Click through the post for more excellent advice.

3. Via Dollar Store Crafts: Two-Ingredient Strawberry Fudge.

Seriously. It’s only two ingredients! And it’s pink! So easy and cute!

Did someone say Valentine’s Day??

4. Dolphins have learned to speak whale!

Via Boing Boing but posted all over the place. Okay, this is like a mermaid dream come true.

5. The Zhush displayed some beautiful ideas for decorating with stars.

6. The Subversive Copy Editor had some excellent tips for Responding to Electronic Editing.

Including what I personally think is a huge, vital, very valuable tip:

It’s best never to click Accept All Changes in Document, because that would render invisible your own new insertions and deletions, which your editor needs to see.

Click through for the rest. Writers AND editors, check it out!

7. Smitten Kitchen shared Buttermilk Roast Chicken.

Whoa. All-day chicken? Sounds like a Super Bowl party dream come true!

8. Confused by women’s clothing sizes? Slate explained why they will never make any sense.

What kills me is when I buy vintage clothes that are, like, ten full sizes larger than what I normally wear. Or how I can wear a full THREE SIZE DIFFERENCE between Old Navy and Ann Taylor. It’s so crazy!

9. Apartment Therapy showed off this stunning indoor swimming pool:

I am literally swooning with envy.

10. Finally, Real Simple had a quiz that might surprise you: What’s More Eco-Friendly?

Boo hoo! I did not do nearly as well as I thought I would. How good did YOU do?

Aaaaannnnd…. I’m out! Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

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

Got any fun plans for the weekend??