Sand Magnification

I never really thought about what sand would look like closeup. I assumed it was small chunks of smooth rock, shells and maybe glass. But, here are some exquisite closeups of what sand really looks like when magnified up to 250X. The shapes, colors and textures all vary. It's amazing and so beautiful to think this is what feels so good between our toes when we walk on the beach. I have a new respect for sand...I think I'm going to start collecting sand!

 

Source: Inspiration Green and My Amazing Earth

Can you read peoples emotions?

Have you ever watched the show "Lie to Me" with Tim Roth. Fabulous show. Check it out on netflix if you haven't. In a nut shell, it was about a doctor who would assist in solving crimes through reading peoples emotions and micro expressions. There is a lot of truth to what he did and here is a quiz to help you test out your emotion reading skills. Take the quiz here!

I got a 29/36. Not bad I suppose. Some were harder to tell than others. Now, if this would actually work in real life for me, that would be great. It's just, I really have to stare at someones face really hard to be able to read them and that is border line awkward and weird.

Life Lessons from Calvin and Hobbes

As I sit here on a Friday evening, still at work - don't feel sorry for me, I got in at 12:30pm :D I can't help but think about nothing, HAHA!  It's been a hectic week and I'm going up to see my family for the short/long weekend.  Fambam here I come!

I came across this great post and just felt the need to share it.  Enjoy!!

10 Life Lessons from Calvin & Hobbes

Here are my two favorite:

There’s Never Enough Time to Do All the Nothing You Want (aka Summer Will Always Go By Too Quickly) 

 The Most Important Things You Learn Aren’t From School 

Happy Friday All! :)

Billboard Gardens

Wouldn't it be lovely to drive through forests of beautiful, tall green trees, passing under arches of bent tree trunks flowing with beautiful flowers with a cool clean breeze wisping past you as you drive to work...or sit through traffic.  Sigh, distracted by my made up highway through the forest...traffic=no gardens, no fresh clean air, nada.  But, things can change (probably not that drastically), but a new project is under way to transform various billboards in Los Angeles to bamboo gardens.  I think this is AWESOOOOME!  Urban Air is on a path to transform urban billboards into what they call "an open space in the urban skyline", to bring urban sustainablity to cities around the world and add a fresh slap of nature to our crazy world.

So let's dream that some day there will be hanging gardens and fresh clean air for us to enjoy while we drive to work.

 

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Thank you HeLa

I wanted to take this chance to give a sincere thank you to Henrietta Lacks (and her family) for her cells (HeLa) that I have started working with in my lab.  I've used all sorts of other cell lines before, some cancerous, some not, but I've never used a cell line that was covered in such controversy and shame and derived from a patient without consent (and that was SO cancerous, practically nothing can harm them).  It is no wonder she died such a painful death...these cells are insane! They DON'T die! 

Henrietta Lacks, I wish there was more I could do for you and your family, but nonetheless, thank you for this opportunity! They will hopefully serve me well on my project. 

Check out this post I wrote a while back about her and the book ("The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot) that has been written about her life.

The elongated looking cells are the ones that have adhered to the dish and are growing.

Glass Gem Corn

Did you know there is such a thing as different colored corn.  I mean, yes, there is Indian corn, and yes that has different colors, but I mean beautiful translucent colors.  I've never seen corn that are pyhsically the color of gems.  Take a look at these beautiful pictures and the story of how the Glass Gem Corn came to be.  It's quite amazing to see corn in various colors, especially when we're accustomed to the plain ol' yellow corn that you can buy from your local grocery store, or frozen in the freezer aisle (my goldfish loves them though).  But, seriously, I would love to have some and see what they taste like!

Quote of the day

I have many worries (as do many) and some that are harder to deal with than others.  Here is to the strength to get through it all.

 

Happy Friday!

DIY Gift Wrap Savor

Here's a great idea I came across on pinterest (wish I could take credit).  Take a toilet paper roll, cut in half, and use it to keep gift wrapping paper rolls from un-rolling. You might want to use more than one toilet paper roll to get the whole length of the wrapping paper.  

 Another really great idea is to always keep a stash of cards at hand.  You never know when you may need one.  Here is a picture of my card box :)  I "collect" cute cards whenever I find them on sale, so I don't have to worry about rushing to the store to get a card (expensive and time consuming) before I go off to a birthday or shower.  This truly helps my procrastination ways.

Blue Mystique Orchids

Have you ever seen been blue orchids? I hadn't.  They are just beautiful.  The label says they are white phalaenopsis orchids that are given a touch of magic :) I like that...better than saying they're dyed, haha.

Tips for a Small Kitchen

I'm not going to lie, but the thing that caught my attention the most from this article was the yellow standing mixer :)  Sigh...what I would do for a standing mixer, most probably in red to match my red hand mixer.

But, in all seriousness, these are some really great tips for those with a really small space.  Luckily my kitchen has a lot of cabinets, much much more than my last condo.  But, because of this, the "Oh, this is so cute, I might be able to use this later" syndrome has hit me hard and I have collected more things than ever before and now have lost all that really great space.

Apartment Therapy

But something that I firmly believe in is white plates.  All my serving dishes and platters are white.  Even my fine china is a shade of white.  You can't go wrong with white and you can always dress it up with something else, flowered bowls or napkins or a colorful tablecloth.  You wouldn't be able to do that if you're dishes were colored or had a pattern.

As for appliances, well, I have a lot.  These are a few things that I absolutely can't live without and would recommend everyone to have, in order of importance (for me).  I use them all the time, the juicer much less often.

1.  Electric teapot and warming tray (totally saves on my gas bill and my time)
2.  Toaster (4 toast slots, not 2...trust me, it makes a difference)
3.  Rice Cooker (takes 15-20 minutes to cook 2 cups of rice)
4.  Hand Mixer (I have the 5 speed)
5.  Blender (the hubby uses this more than I do)
6.  Food Processor - Mini and 11 cup (I have both and the mini is perfect for quick chopping needs)
7.  Juicer (this is a great little juicer for small juicing needs)
8.  Waffle Maker (self-explanatory)

Not Surprised

I came across this article today and wanted to share.  I definitely do not agree with everything this article says, and some things I agree with just because of first hand experience.  It is also very disheartening to read how retailers and money moguls go about trying to cheat the consumers out of their money. That's all it comes down to anyways...money!

Read the article...it's interesting.  I've put my comments in highlight :)

6 Secrets Retailers Don't Want You to Know

By Naomi Mannino | Bankrate.com – Wed, Jul 11, 2012 3:00 AM EDT

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If you're like most consumers searching for the lowest prices when shopping, you need to know retailers have some tricks up their sleeve for fighting back against their own rising costs.

It's no secret prices keep rising. According to Consensus Economics, publisher of Consensus Forecasts USA, inflation and overall prices will rise a modest 2 percent in 2012, but income will not rise accordingly. Gas prices are expected to rise, and we can all personally attest to food price hikes. Even the U.S. Postal Service raised its rates in January, and it might do so again soon. Prices for branded goods in high demand such as Levi's jeans and Nike sneakers already rose 5 percent to 15 percent during 2011 and will rise another 5 percent to 10 percent before 2012 is over, according to retail analysts.

Be warned, say consumer experts and retail industry insiders alike, because the best price is not all you have to look out for when trying to get the most for your money.

1. Low prices don't go with high quality

Manufacturers for items from bedding to boots have been sweating price hikes in cotton, leather and other textiles. And, the costs of doing business in China, from sewing to shipping, have increased as well.

"It's a dirty little secret in the retail industry: To avoid retail price increases, retailers and manufacturers 'value-engineer' a product to reduce its cost by purposely taking the quality out of products to make that price point a reality for you, the consumer," says James Dion, president of Dionco, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm. "You will see this with smaller brands and private-label products at discount merchants and off-price retailers where the prices seem to actually get lower."

[Related: Things Your Thrift Store Owner Won't Tell You]

"Prices for popular name-brand footwear (think UGG and Nike) are still increasing 5 percent to 7 percent more this year with the quality and workmanship what you'd expect," says Mike Featherston, president and CEO of ICB International, a footwear development and resourcing company. "Not every manufacturer or retailer has cut corners, but be very careful at evaluating low-cost, no-name merchandise."

I agree with this to some extent.  I have noticed that items you buy from Wal-Mart or K-Mart or sometimes even Target, just don't last the test of time.  I have also noticed how certain things I've bought from TJMaxx have rusted over time (such as my super cute red colander).  Now, I do think some of these stores are just CHEAP!  But in general discount stores such as Marshalls,  TJMaxx and even ROSS are where I find some of my best deals.  Some people won't even step foot into these stores, but you know what, you're loss, my gain.  I have found some of the most beautiful things at these stores (even ROSS) that would shock some people.  

I think one of the problems today is that retailers just make cheap products and sell them at low costs, just to force you to have to buy it again the following year.  But, I don't agree with the fact that all expensive things are high quality.  Perfect example is walking through Nordstrom and looking at their clothing.  I can get the same quality and material at another store for much less that will last the same amount of time (a week!).  I have a few items of clothing that I paid a lot for and they tore and shrunk after wearing them once.  This has nothing to do with the price I paid for it or where I bought it, but more so to do with the fact that retailers are able to get away with using cheaper fabric (such as this horrible trend where almost EVERYTHING is made of stretchy jersey material).

Handbags are another story.  I do agree that if you want a good sturdy handbag, you need to fork over the money.  My only problem with this is that I get tired of my purses.  And so, paying $500 for a Gucci that I will probably have forever just doesn't suit me.  But, I am starting to think about forking over some good mulla for a good black tote bag.  I'm considering it.  

2. Retailers take advantage of focus on price

Consumers often set a price in their mind to pay for an item, says James Dion, president of Dionco, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm.

"If your eye is on the lowest price when shopping for footwear, apparel or household goods, you can make serious spending mistakes this year," Dion says. "You will overlook smaller packages, (fewer) items in a set and inferior goods that simply won't last or wear as well."

It's a trend that can be tracked, according to Britt Beemer, who found similar results in his 2011 Consumer Track Back-To-School Shopping Survey.

"We found that a troubling 56 percent of people don't notice how an item is made and base their decision solely on price," Beemer says.

"It's very dangerous to be set on a price alone when shopping. Items of high quality may cost more than you dreamed, but you have to remember that one great, high-quality item replaces many mediocre items," says Vicky Oliver, author of "The Millionaire's Handbook."

Well, can't help it when you're living on a budget.  What are people to do???

3. Outlet stores are no bargain

You might think outlet stores and off-price shopping is the way to get the better goods for a cheaper price. "But manufacturers and retailers have figured out it's actually cheaper to just make lower-quality merchandise specifically for these stores (think outlet malls, Marshall's and Ross), and that's 90 percent of what you'll find there," says Vicky Oliver, author of "The Millionaire's Handbook."

"That Coach handbag at the outlet is not the same one sold in a department store," Oliver says. "It's a completely different caliber of an item. Its full-price cousin is sturdier, has superior stitching and softer leather. The outlet merchandise is less costly, but lower in quality, too. And if it is the real thing, the only reason it's there is because people with money didn't like it enough to buy it."

[Related: 10 Ways to Get Yard Sale Deals]

Oliver suggests spending time in the upscale department stores to train your eye and hand in the look and feel of the higher-quality designer items. "Try them on, and notice the drape and superior fit. Examine seams, pockets and buttons in the light so you can recognize high-quality versus low-quality when you are shopping on a budget," she says.

I have mixed feelings about this.  I have bought some great items at outlet stores that have lasted longer than things I bought elsewhere.  But the fact comes down to this:  it is no longer about name brands.  You can have clothes or handbags, or really anything from anywhere that just doesn't last.  Quality and craftsmanship no longer exists.  If they can make it look good for much less...that's what they will do.  They don't care if it doesn't hold up in the wash, or whether they pre-shrink the material before they use it.  I can't tell you how many times I've washed something in cold water and it has shrunk.  There is no excuse for this.  People should be able to buy nice things that last, period.

"That Coach handbag at the outlet is not the same one sold in a department store," Oliver says. "It's a completely different caliber of an item. Its full-price cousin is sturdier, has superior stitching and softer leather. The outlet merchandise is less costly, but lower in quality, too. And if it is the real thing, the only reason it's there is because people with money didn't like it enough to buy it."

Wow...the arrogance of some people.   Now, I've heard this before about the Coach handbags, and I really don't know if it's true or not.  I have seen NO difference between the ones in the store and those at the outlet.  But I do know, some outlet bags are made specifically for outlet stores and are stamped inside accordingly.  But you know what, WHO CARES!  It's a bag!  And, even if it wasn't made for the outlet store and it's there because, "...people with money didn't like it enough to buy it." then WOOHOO for you, you get a great bag that YOU LIKE, with a great price.  Why does our style have to be dictated by those with money anyways.

4. All bedding and bath items are not the same

"Consumers think any towel or sheet is as good as any other, and that's a costly mistake," explains James Dion, president of Dionco, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm. Two bedding and bath suppliers, who preferred to remain anonymous, gave the following advice for examining bedding and bath merchandise.

Towels: The standard bath sheet size is 35 by 60 inches, but bath sheets in stores today may be sized 30 by 54 and cost the same or less than their larger counterparts. Compare towels by size and feel first, then on price for comparable items.

Bedding: Pure-spun microfiber polyester is the cost-cutting bedding textile retailers from Wal-Mart to Bed Bath & Beyond turned to in 2011. A recent price check found that pure cotton 250 to 300 thread-count sheets cost double the same size microfiber. The thinner microfiber splits easily and does not breathe like cotton. Pure cotton thread counts now range from 100 to 1,000, with the lowest feeling like burlap. The main difference between the 600-count and 1,000-count is the exorbitant price. If the label doesn't specify, it is likely a cotton-polyester blend. And bedding sets may contain fewer items than you remember.

I TOTALLY agree with this.  Pay the money for good towels and good sheets and they will last you a lifetime.  If that means you're going to fork over $200 bucks for some nice sheets and towels, you're going to have them forever.  I got my sheets and towels from bed bath and beyond (wedding gifts) and they were NOT cheap.  They are amazing and after 4 years, they're going strong.  However, the sheets that I bought from TJMaxx because I loved the color and were reasonable (400 count)...not so great!  If you want something that lasts in this category, pay the money and get good quality.  Don't be fooled by the price or brand name.  Read the labels!    

5. The latest trends will cost you more

"If you examine hot new trends such as colored skinny jeans, faux leather outerwear, handbags and apparel ... with zippers instead of buttons or laces or less fabric, you will see that these are all ways a manufacturer can cut costs," says Andrea Woroch, savings expert for Kinoli Inc., creator of CouponSherpa.com. "These small changes per item really add up to a lot of cost savings for the retailers. Plus, they are promoted to you as the hot, new thing and priced higher to boot."

Apparel suppliers say it's cheaper to dye a pair of jeans one solid color than it is to acid wash or treat denim many times to achieve a desired denim wash, and they use less fabric in a thinner grade of cotton to manufacture skinny jeans and most "jeggings," or leggings that resemble skin-tight jeans. Zippers are faster and cheaper to sew in than buttons and lace, and they can take the place of more expensive fabric or leather, too.

"Most low-priced, low-quality nonbranded or private-label clothing today will simply fall apart faster than its branded counterparts," says James Dion, president of Dionco, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm.

My mom has always told me to buy clothing that has a classic look.  Something that doesn't mold into the trends of the season.  That way, not only do you save money, but you don't have to keep changing your wardrobe to fit the changing styles of the year.  Also, I've noticed in the last year, that more and more clothing are see-through.  Don't tell me this is the new sexy trend.  This is how they've fooled people.  Have everything visible...cause it's the style.  No, I'm sorry, you're style is dictated by retailers cheapness.  It is so hard to find a nice dress, anywhere that doesn't require you to wear a slip or even a shirt underneath it.  Dresses, tunics, skirts are supposed to have an inner lining.  You're bra is NOT supposed to be visible.  What happened to have some dignity and class? This is not just a hijabi issue...I know non-hijabi's that have a problem with this.  It comes down to them spending less time and money to make an item (hence less fabric) and therefore, forcing people to accept it, without question.

6. Beware of 'designer exclusives'

So what about brands such as Simply Vera, the Vera Wang brand sold only at Kohl's, or Jason Wu for Target? If you think it's the same designer merchandise sold at Bloomingdale's for four times more, then you need a reality check. "You're buying into the brand name, but you need to understand it's not the same," says Vicky Oliver, author of "The Millionaire's Handbook." "These designer 'exclusives,' as stores call them, are nothing more than cheaply made merchandise using that designer's name.

"They don't feel, look or fit the same as the real thing," she says. "Unless you have disposable income to spend on this stuff, you'd do better to save up your money and invest in just one classic, beautifully fitting piece of the real thing. Even the high-end department stores have sales and coupons, so get on the email lists and befriend the sales associate to find out (about) sales -- and spend your money then."

Don't settle for less in your shopping bag: Read labels and open loose products to check sizes. Evaluate fabric, fit and workmanship carefully to make sure you're getting the best your budget allows.

I'm disappointed to know this, but not surprised.  My dad has always told me, if you are going to spend the money, get the best.  Now, he may not agree that this extends to clothing and handbags :D but it definitely can.  Now, this doesn't mean I'm going to pay $1000 bucks and get that Bottega Vendetta bag I really want or $300 bucks and get that beautiful dress from Nordstrom.  No, not in my budget and I'm saving up money for other things.  But, all things in moderation!

This article sends the wrong message to people.  I haven't read Vicky Oliver's book, but maybe this is something I should pick up and read.  Just be smart about what you're buying.  If you can spend a bit more to get something that lasts longer, then by all means do, but make sure you use it more than once.  Don't be fooled by the high price tag and fancy brand name too, they aren't always going to be better than the bargain deal.

Invisible Bike Helmet

My husband has been talking about getting a bike for a while now.  He works about 10 minutes away from our home, so it would be much more efficient and green to ride a bike to work, but more so, great exercise.  I told him I think it's a great idea, and I'm totally for it.  BUT...if he gets a bike, he has to get a helmet.  Well, his immediate answer was, "I don't need a helmet."  Typical, I know.  And so, a debate ensued, where I said yes you do, and he said no I don't, and it went on for about 10 minutes.  We got no where, but either way, I'm going to make him wear one, whether he likes it or not.

Two swedish students have come up with a great idea, an invisible bicycle helmet.  And the idea belongs to two women :) Props to these two young women for their marvelous idea.  I hope it succeeds and makes it way to us as soon as possible.

Watch the video, it's amazing.  I figured out pretty early on in the video what it was, but not how it works?  What about you?




I'm just wondering, what happens if the sensors don't work?  

Pink Dolphin

I knew there was a reason why they had a pink dolphin at the Atlanta Aquarium gift shop :)

This little guy is named pinky, and he's an albino Bottlenose Dolphin, as confirmed by his red eyes.  His skin doesn't generate the melanin needed to give his skin the necessary pigment and so he looks pink.

 Telegraph

The Amazon River has pink dolphins that aren't albino.  Their skin is naturally pink and they are smaller in length than sea dolphins, but have longer snouts.

Pink River Dolphins  

Isn't this amazing? 

Stephen Wiltshire

Have you ever heard of Stephen Wiltshire?  He is an amazing artist who can draw any cityscape, skyline, or scene from heart.  He is also autistic, which makes his talent even more amazing.

"In May 2005 Stephen was invited to Tokyo, to complete his biggest ever panoramic drawing of this vibrant city, well known for its modern architecture. 

...One of Stephen's extraordinary abilities is to memorise landscapes up to the highest detail. During this flight he had a thorough look at the view of the Japanese capital from the helicopter, including thousands of buildings, towers, highways, cars, buses, even down to intricate details of trees and windows...Up on the roof above the 54th floor, an amazing scene burst upon his view. Stephen had another look at areas which he had not seen from the helicopter, and after a short while he was ready to start his masterpiece. After a short discussion he was ready to start the 10 meters long panoramic artwork. From this moment Stephen had only his exceptional memory to recall and draw the full landscape building by building.

Throughout the 7 days Stephen sketched from morning to evening. He seemed to be so fascinated that only his 6 o'clock beep from his watch could stop him for the day...

Day after day the 360 degrees view was slowly emerging and gradually built up to the most amazing drawing of Tokyo drawing ever produced."

Manhattan Skyline

Aerial view of River Thames

St Pauls Cathedral and River Thames at night

London Gallery

  

To be able to draw with such exquisite detail, all from memory is an amazing talent.  His drawings are for sale, although a bit out of my price range.   Maybe someday I'll get to visit his gallery and see the drawings in person, and maybe pick up a piece while I'm there ;)

Lights Out

The electric company is doing some "electrical upgrade work" in our neighborhood, whatever that means, and because of this, we lost power from 10pm to 6am last night.  This is the first night of four apparently.  The power outage didn't bother us too much, but this is finals week for summer classes, so I don't know what those students that have classes are doing.  This is a campus wide outage mind you.

I would like to point out that as part of our lease agreement, we are NOT allowed to use candles or lanterns.  I would like to know what they expect us to do when they voluntarily cut our power?  But, as if that means anything to me...I brought out our candles.

Berenstain Bears and The Messy Room

One of my all time favorite series of books when I was small was the Berenstain Bears.  My favorite book from that series was (guess??) The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room.  I think I might even still have it somewhere and if I don't, I'm getting it (mom??).

I can't tell you how many times I flipped through the pages of that book.  How many times I stared at the pictures and in my own head tried to organize their room.  Where would I put the peg board? Where would I put the toy chest?  The best part of the book was the final product, when they had put everything away and their closet was filled with color coded and labeled boxes.  It sounds insane, but I enjoyed that book so much.  I always remember how and what they did to organize things and I think subconsciously really learned from that.

Now, I always thought I was the only weirdo who loved that book and just wholeheartedly embraced every page.  Funny thing, I'm not.

Check out this post: 8 Truth About Home Organization I learned from the Berenstain Bears.

The best part of this article and my moto in life:  if you're going to organize something, make it look good...why not?  This is where my new OXO storage containers fit in.  I spent way too much on them, but every time I see them in my pantry, I smile :) I still need one more :D

4. Make it pretty. 
I'm not gonna lie — my very favorite part of this book was the lovely, pastel-colored boxes that seemed to nest perfectly into the cubs' closet. Years later, I still get a trace of that same satisfaction when I go to Ikea or the Container Store and see all their beautiful storage solutions. Sometimes I feel it when I look at my own closet. You probably like pretty things, too, or you wouldn't be reading a design site. So go the extra mile, maybe spend a little extra money to make your storage systems lovely to look at. Cleaning up will be that much more satisfying.

Look at those organized boxes! 

There is a little person inside me smiling big right now :)

My week in review

Here are a few snippets from my week.  My parents are visiting this weekend, so I've been busy getting things ready for their arrival (not like I really have to get anything ready) they stay at a hotel because my place is soooo small, but nonetheless I get really excited every time they come.

My cool blue shoes (from H&M).

 Iftar (breaking the fast) at my in-laws in their backyard.  Always nice to eat outside.

 Patch of beautiful flowers on the sidewalk.

 I usually don't walk around campus much to get to my classes.  I usually try to park in the most convenient spot that isn't too far away from my class, haha (usually it's because I'm running late from work).  But today, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and beautiful "park" in the center of campus and get some fresh air.  

  A small patch of dew on a spider web outside my apartment.  

I have been cogitating on possibly/maybe getting a new phone.  I've been toying with the idea for a few years now (avoiding it really) but I just can't seem to bring myself to get one.  My brother-in-law reminded me again that I am eligible for a new phone (I think this was like the 5th time he's told me), but I can't decide what I want and I am NOT willing to pay a lot for it either.  I have a long list of very good reasons why I don't want a smartphone and then I have a small handfull of reasons I do, one being how much I would benefit from taking and uploading pictures with a new phone.  I'm also torn between the idea of an iphone or an android.  The problem with an iphone on the verizon phone plan (which is what I have) is that it isn't 4G, whereas the android phones are.  I do however like the organization/layout and feel of the iphone, as the androids are much bigger (I don't want a mini tablet for a phone).  So my reasons go on and on.  Some tell me to wait for the iphone 5 (but I'm not going to pay $300 for a new phone) and some tell me not to.  So, either way...I'm still fancy phoneless and so, my blog pictures (if taken with my phone) are not that great.  But what can I do :D  

If Fruit was Human

What if you looked like a kiwi or a banana?  What if you had hips as big as a watermelon?  This is a nice depiction/reminder to appreciate our inner beauty and sweetness and not focus so much on our exterior.  Not that it doesn't matter, but sometimes you can't change how you were born.  Embrace it! Love it! Appreciate it!