So I know this is a little late since the Oscars were on Sunday night but I couldn't resist. Usually I don't sit down and watch them but this year I was lured by all the promotions and there wasn't much on that night anyway. One of the first stars I saw was Nicole Kidman and her dress was awe inspiring. It just made such a big impact when she walked in. Way back when she was married to Tom Cruise I remember reading an article (it was either while they were married or after they divorced) and Nicole said that Tom Cruise never liked her in red. Well I strongly disagreed as I thought she looked amazing and boo to those people on ET (Entertainment Tonight) that said she looked like a tomato. Stephen Cojocaru on ET didn't like her dress but I didn't agree with his best dressed. Another show I watched picked this as their favourite. Now I didn't like her hair and thought it would have looked great with a wave or curly. On the other hand there were some unflattering dresses that night as well such as Jessica Biel. She looked miserable in another shot I saw that night and this dress just didn't fit right. Plus she should have worn her hair down for a softer look. So that's my take on the Oscars.
I've always loved this band and have seen them in concert many times at this huge festival called Creationfest that is during the summer. So the other day I was watching this show and they mentioned they were airing Switchfoot's new video so my ears perked up. Honestly I had no idea they had a new album and enjoyed their interview and video. The picture above is taken from their tour WEBSITEand if you want to learn more about the band, check out this LINK. All their albums are good but I also like and have "Beautiful Letdown." After seeing the new video and liking it here it is for your viewing:
A friend sent this to me and I thought it was amazing. There are some facts about the commercial before you view it that are interesting.
Read this before you look at the Video at the bottom.
There are no computer graphics or digital tricks in the film. Everything yousee really happened in real time exactly as you see it. The film took 606 takes. On the first 605 takes, something, usually very minor, didn't work.
They would then have to set the whole thing up again. The crew spent weeks shooting night and day. By the time it was over, they were ready to change professions. The film cost six million dollars and took three months tocomplete including full engineering of the sequence.
It is fast becoming the most downloaded advertisement in Internet history.Honda executives figure the ad will soon pay for itself simply in "freeviewings" (Honda isn't paying a dime to have you watch this commercial!). When the ad was pitched to senior executives, they signed off on it immediately without any hesitation - including the costs.
Everything you see in the film (aside from the walls, floor, ramp, and complete Honda Accord) is parts from two cars. The voiceover is GarrisonKeillor.
Oh. and about those funky windshield wipers. On the new Accords, the windshield wipers have water sensors and are designed to start doing their thing automatically as soon as they become wet. It looks a bit weird in the commercial.
Isn't that wild? I can't even fathom how they came up with the whole concept and put it all together. It's mind boggling. I'm sure this ad will increase sales.
To everyone reading this, Happy Valentines Day. I was trying to find a card that wasn't all romantic to wish everyone Happy Valentine's Day but they were all bad so I chose this one. It's crafty but hey you learn something. I know it's a day early but most of you probably won't read this until tomorrow.
Aren't these little buttons adorable? Well I was watching Martha yesterday and there was some boring stuff on but then they showed us these cool idea that I went nuts over. Now all I need to find is a button maker so if anyone knows where I can get one let me know. Yes, I know Martha sells one but I'd like to find something local. I have a few places in mind I'll check out. Now here are the instructions that go with it. They are also HERE.
Valentine Badges
These clever and cute badges are a great way to personalize a valentine for everyone in the class. Kids editorial director Jodi Levine recommends using thin paper such as wrapping paper, origami paper, or plain computer printout sheets. She used a badge maker to make the project quick and easy. You can find a similar version at toy shops or crafts store.
1. Create valentine messages on your computer or download our templates. Cut out the messages and follow the instructions provided with the badge maker.
2. To create gift cards pictured (at left), cut and fold a piece of sturdy paper stock or purchase precut cards (available at crafts stores). Punch two holes 1/2 inch apart. Slide back of pin into the holes of the card. Fasten pin. You can also attach the pin with a loop of tape.
3. Optional: Write additional message on the badge cards.
There is also another recipe I thought looked like pretty good. It's a heart shaped cake but a mini size like the heart shaped candies you used to eat as a kid with a saying on it. Martha had one that was already made that said "it's a good thing" and she was looking forward to eating it. The recipe can be found HERE.
Okay this link doesn't seem to be working so if you want the recipe go to this SITE then on the upper right you will see a search and recipe button, click on recipes, then type in: Mini heart-shaped cakes and it's the first one that pops up.
Some of these ideas may be too late for this year but you could always try them out next year.
My sister gave me a coupon for cute rain boots at Christmas time as I've been looking for a pair for cute ones for a long time. It was getting to the point that I was going to have to order them from the States but then I would have to pay duty, exchange etc. which would be a pain. Then about a week ago someone told me they had found some I might like. Last Thursday I got to the store and found many different styles and decided I wanted these ones but they were sold out in my size so they are on order. I can't wait until they come in and then I can splash around in the puddles like a kid. Too bad I didn't have these when we had the torrential downpour awhile back. Instead I wore these black ones above which work well but don't have the same impact as a colourful pair too. Have you ever watched kids splash around in puddles with such glee and have grins on their faces with thick mud on their boots. It's like they could care less about the mess or the cleanup instead it's all about the moment. Two years ago when I worked with a special needs girl I used to do lunch duty at our school 4 days a week. I remember the younger kids (Grades 1-3) used to love it when it rained as they would play in this big puddle (where there is normally a mound). It was so funny to watch them having so much fun doing something so simple and they didn't care if their tights got soaked or their coats got dirty. Of course I was the one nagging at them to get out of the puddles as they would bring mud into the school and wet the hallways. I'm sure their teachers just loved seeing them like this and dealing with all the mess.
Yesterday a family member had a birthday and we made a lovely fresh treat as they were craving fruit for their special day. So I captured a shot of the colourful treat. It was also fun
shopping for gifts for this occasion. All I had to do was go downtown and think about things on their list but really just by knowing them I didn't really need a list at all. I had a blast picking things out.
It seems like awhile since I've blogged so here goes. Clutter, clutter that is all I see around me sometimes, so last week we had a donation organization come and pick up a bunch of stuff we didn't need. Every since our leak in the basement (well long before that but the leak hastened the sudden springing to action) we realized we have way too much stuff. Believe it or not I had all my binders with every single course I took at university and boy there were a lot, also had papers from my first degree in California, plus high school papers (okay I kept some of those and some special university ones). So my sister sat with me going through this all when the leak happened on January 1st so it got put off. She called to have these people come by and pick up our stuff at the end of the month.
Needless to say I've been going down memory lane quite a bit lately. I like to keep things and so it is hard for me to part with anything that I think I may want someday. The thing is I keep watching all these organizational shows and there is this gnawing that I have to pair down what I have and become clutter free. I'm not there yet but I'm closer. There were a few bridesmaid dresses I had and also the dress from my high school prom and several from Junior/Senior banquets (that was big at our univesity). So here are some photos for you to look at, okay don't laugh now, some are dated and keep in mind they came out of a bag so are very creased but you get the idea.Now this dress I wore as a bridesmaid for one of my best friends in California. We were roommates at the time and it was three weeks after university ended for the year. The seamstress took measurements but I was so bored not doing a lot waiting for the wedding that I kept eating and had to go on Slim Fast to get into this number for the wedding. As you can see we all had matching shoes. This dress and the shoes got donated so this is my memory of it. Plus I have it all on tape (the wedding that is and me in the dress). The red dress was for another wedding I was in for a best friend. I was a bridesmaid in this one also and it was in Kentucky. We all flew to her hometown and helped her sew on pearls on the top bodice of her wedding outfit (it was made for her by a friend), we literally were gluing them on and some fell off the day of the wedding. This one also had matching shoes and got donated. The black and white one was for a junior/senior banquet I went to and it is a Gunne Sax. It has a crinoline under it and is so cute but sad to say it had a rust stain on it so it is no longer with us. At least I have this photo of it and some others somewhere. This is another Gunne Sax dress that I still love and kept this one for the future. If memory serves correct I wore this one my Freshman year to a Junior/Senior banquet and I was asked by a Junior so it was pretty exciting to say the least. It doesn't fit now but may someday and it was in good condition still so why not keep it? This is another fancy dress I wore to a banquet or party (can't remember exactly). It's the only strapless dress I have ever worn and I kept this one too. It has a big crinoline under it as well and I felt like a princess when I wore it. This is a really bad picture and it really looks great on. It's an off the shoulder dress that I made while in university. I remember staying with my friend in Arizona and her mom was a seamstress (my mom couldn't help although she sews as I was far away from home) and was helping me out here and there. The inside doesn't look professional but I was so proud wearing it to a fancy event. What I remember from that night is I was crazy about this guy and didn't get to go with him (can't remember why to be honest, probably because he didn't ask or some other reason). Anywho I went with this other guy who ignored me all night and I kept wishing I was with said someone. This one I kept as it has special meaning for me and I made it. Last but not least is my high school graduation dress that I wore. I helped my mom sew it but she helped me a lot. It too has a crinoline but isn't in the photo. I kept this dress as well. I remember this night so vividly as I was getting ready to move to Hawaii a few days later to be a missionary along with my family and was emotional about leaving all my friends. I bid everyone farewell for now.
So I know this is a little late since the Oscars were on Sunday
night but I couldn't resist. Usually I don't sit
(1).jpg)
