Things I Love #41

What a cool weekend it has been - mexican food with friends, two awesome dogs to play with, the Durban July and Wakaberry with Sam!  All that goodness makes it just a little bit harder to go into work tomorrow *sigh*  Anyway, after 3 weeks (I think) of no Things I Love, I have quite a collection of links/pictures/randomness to share with you today:

Today I had Wakaberry for the first time in months!!  They had peanut butter flavour and speckled eggs which is officially my new favourite combination.

How beautiful are these abandoned places?  Out of all of them I'd choose to explore Nara Dreamland in Japan (#30), the Maunsell Sea Forts in England (#14) and the fishing hut in Germany (#6).

The Decline and Fall of the English Major.  As an English major and now an English Honours student, I found this rather interesting.

22 Things Poncho the Pug is Better at than You.  Isn't he just the cutest?!?

Boston Shoes is an amazing project that asked anyway involved (running, responding or simply watching) in the Boston Marathon bombings to submit a photo of their shoes.

So did you know that there is a Russian Criminal Tattoo Archive?  Me neither!!  Check out some pics here.

The Militant Baker shared some of the most amazing writing advice I have ever read.  Seriously.

WTF, Evolution? is my new favourite Tumblr.  Funny and truly bizarre.

Okay, We Love Fine officially have the best leggings in the business!  Marvel, Sanrio and most importantly...ADVENTURE TIME.  

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Speaking of Adventure Time, I honestly want ALL of this Adventure Time art from Mondo...so beautiful!

These high speed photos of exploding lightbulbs filled with objects are super awesome.  And colourful.

This slide show of adorable dogs enjoying summer is exactly as promised...ADORABLE! 

I may not be British but this list of 30 Very British Problems kinda describes me life.  You can also find them on twitter. 

The Fiction show at the Modern Eden Gallery features portraits of literary characters that are breathtaking!  I'd love to be able to see this in real life...

The Little Free Library is possibly one of the best ideas I have seen in ages.  I'd love to be able to set one up somewhere some day!

These sci-fi author portraits by Megan Murphy are too cool.  Edgar Allan Poe is my favourite.

I may not be super sciencey but this 3D Printed Subatomic Particle Jewelry is gorgeous!

Honestly, I am kinda desperate for a local convention to appear so that I can dabble in cosplaying.  These Hipster Disney Princesses and Mermaid Avengers are not helping.

And finally, Poko the Cockatiel wants to sing you the Totoro theme:

Seen anything you love lately?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #38

Happy Sunday guys!  Today I am essay writing and reading so I hope that you are all doing something much more interesting.  In case you're not, here's what I loved this week:

Finn, Jake and Marceline finally arrived this week.  They are so super awesome and I am SO happy with them!  I'll do a proper post later in the week but here are some pics to tide you over:

I found this NY Times article about Gesture Writing super interesting and helpful.  Seems as though the concept will help with writer's block.

I really enjoyed Joss Whedon's 2013 Wesleyan commencement speech.  Specifically this line: "You have a responsibility to listen to the dissent in yourself."

So Biffy Clyro did a Q & A this week where they promised to answer the most popular questions put to them on Facebook.  One of those questions:  When are you coming to South Africa?  Answer:  End of this year or early next year.  My reaction:  unabashed giddiness!

Also in music news, Ray Toro from MCR unveiled a solo song in which he played and recorded everything himself.  Listen to it here.

I'd be lying if I told you that this painting of grown-up Calvin and Hobbes didn't leave me with a lump in my throat.

I LOVE the smell of rain.  Would I want to smell like rain?  I'm not too sure but for those of you who are, Blushie has Petrichor perfume oil.  There is also Fresh Cut Grass, Snowfall and Oncoming Storm.

How cool are these Adventure Time BFF Necklaces?  I want them all please and even though I love my friends, I'd probably keep both myself.

This Waning Chesire Art Print by Eric Fan is officially on my wishlist.

I went to I Heart Market yesterday for the first time in ages and came back with this awesome piggy planter and another skull necklace:

And while we're on the subject of offline things, I went to my first real roller derby practice on Thursday night and I didn't suck on skates!!  Yay!  Going back again this coming Thursday so I'll try snap some photos to show you guys.  In the meantime if you're interested in Durban Roller Derby, check out their Facebook page.

If you happen to go to Times Square right now, you'll find a giant LEGO X-Wing Fighter.  How awesome?!?

These Handmade Holster Bags kind of make me think of Han Solo.  Not sure if I'd ever actually use one though...

Check out Takahiro Komuro's super cool sculptures.  Lost at E Minor calls them "elegantly unsettling."  I don't really agree but I do like that phrase..

How cool are these before photos of famous pin-up posters?  

I also love these pictures of Heavily Tattooed Ladies from a Bygone Era by Ramon Maiden.

Fighting Spirits is a very awesome animation by Gene Kim featuring cyborg ballerinas:

Fighting Spirits from Gene Kim on Vimeo.

And lastly, here are some weird hybrid animals...I like the Killer Whale/Penguin combo and the Pug/Bird combo the most.

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #31

Things I have learnt this week:  I am a terrible procrastinator.  If anyone has a magical cure for this I'd love for you to send it my way.  Also, I need to be a bit more organised.  Having a blog schedule is a great idea but I do still have to write the posts.  Anyway, moving along, here are the things I found while procrastinating on the internet this week:

Diana from Our City Lights has the most awesome, pink Hello Kitty kitchen.  If I wasn't allergic to being in the kitchen, I would want mine to be as awesome as this.

Iron Fist have started making nail stickers!!!  And the best part is that they follow the designs they use on their shoes and other accessories.  Even though I could buy them all, I particularly want the Zombie Stompers, American Nightmare and Siesta Skull ones.

Speaking of things I want, I pretty much want all of the nerdy earrings on this list.  All of them.

Also, you can preorder the first issue of the True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys!  There is a variant cover by Gabriel Ba which is equally cool.  After the break up of MCR, my excitement for this comic has increased x 1000.

Mandy from Chocolate and Cream Cake shared this link to a 1987 Nes Great Gastby game and it is too cool.  Also, if you don't already follow her Nerd News on a Thursday you should go and check it out immediately.

Haruki Murakami's new novel was released on Friday.  Its called Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage and I can't wait for a translated version to appear.

Humans of New York Captures Punk's Enduring Influence.  A friend posted this link on Facebook last week and it's pretty cool.

Look at this Adventure Time cake!!!  Seriously starting to wonder if I should change my 30th birthday party them from Star Wars to something more general so I can include my other obsessions...

Storm-Tossed Memories is a collection of photos found after Hurricane Sandy.

And on a lighter note, Found Photos collect random pictures found on file sharing sites.  Pretty interesting what some people choose to share...

This is a pretty interesting article about covering your tattoos.  I am planning a much more visible tattoo this time round so this is a topic I've been thinking about a lot.

It's getting colder in this part of the world and I am desperately searching for interesting tights.  In the meantime, I want everything on this site!  Especially the stars, the polka dots and the stripes.  I love the stripes...

Apparently making your dog wear tights is a new fad in China?  I just think it looks weird...

Why Dogs Rule Literature but Cats Run the Web.  I loved this...

I love these Light Socks.  I would hang them EVERYWHERE!!

Floating Letters Made of Hair and Other Unusual Items.  Type with a difference...

Ida Frosk recreates famous art works as breakfast. Honestly though, I think they are too pretty to eat!

Have you seen anything you love online this week? Feel free to share in the comments:)

Things I Love #26

This week has been quiet mostly.  Not having a car really puts a damper on things...no sushi, no lunchtime excursions and relying on lifts to get everywhere.  Hopefully we'll get the car back this week and things can return to normal.  In other news, after a long morning at the varsity yesterday, I am officially a registered student again.  My student card photo is awful but the fact that it says Postgrad kind of makes up for it.  My mom and dad are awesome for coming to fetch me at a ridiculous time and then sitting around waiting for me to finish..thanks guys.  Now on to other things I love...

Is personal technology the new rock n roll?  I don't think so but this was still an interesting read.

Funko Pop have a new range that combines Domo with DC characters - Batman, Flash, Green Lantern and Superman.  How awesome?  My favourite is Domo Flash:

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Have any of you watched Air Jaws?  Its the one where the sharks attack the seals by diving out of the water.  Well, the other day, a Fur Seal got his revenge!  Photographers caught the seal eating 5 Blue Sharks off Cape Point.  Not for the faint-hearted.

I am an adult that likes kid's stuff and that's okay.  Loved this article on The Mary Sue!!

Check out these awesome Tattoo Wood Carvings by Bryn Perott.  I love the two arms the most.

Also from The Mary Sue, I Know That Feel Bro - pop culture icons that feel each other's pain.

The Upside of Distraction proves that sometime distraction is a good thing.  Nice to hear when you're like me and battle to focus for too long.

We went to watch the very awesome Van Coke Kartel on Friday night.  It was a fun, fun night.

Daily Dishonesty is an awesome project by a hungry graphic designer.  These beautifully illustrated lies  are one's we're all guilty of.  Originally seen on the Happiness Is blog...one of my favourites.

The Daily Otter provides you with a daily dose of otter cuteness.  From the makers of the Daily Bunny.

I am coveting this shirt from the Orphan's Arms.  So nice.

These melting tights are the best.  I've seen a few DIY's online which I am thinking of trying.  I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of DIY's and tights, here is an awesome DIY for Batgirl Tights.

Death Star Lollipops...could there be anything more perfect.  I wish they'd survive the trip out here.

The new Internet Explorer marketing campaign is excellent.  Check it out here.

Luke Jerram makes glass replica's of harmful viruses and bacteria.  Pretty creepy.

Itswhatiminto has an awesome look at the Homeward Bound show which takes place alongside the Cape Town Tattoo Convention (South Ink Xposure).  Maybe next year I can be there in person...that would be nice.

Speaking of the tattoo convention, here is a  little video from the Mail & Guardian:

2 Months To Go!!!

Only 2 more months to Rise Against guys!!  Since my last RAMFest post, As I Lay Dying have cancelled their appearance because of a schedule clash.  I was keen to see them but my deal-breaker band is Rise Against so I am not too bummed.  I am patiently awaiting the announcement of the replacement band and I have my fingers crossed for something cool!  Anyway, the other international band playing RAMFest this year is Bring Me The Horizon.  I can't claim to know too much about this band except for the fact that they are British, super heavy and the singer, Oliver Sykes, has some AMAZING tattoos!  My favourite track so far is Anthem, off their third album There is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It.  There is a Heaven, Lets Keep It a Secret.

The band have a new album called Sempiternal due to be released early this year.  You can listen to the first track Shadow Moses here.

Anchors!!

It’s really hard to pay attention to your work when your mind is occupied with seemingly more interesting things.  I don’t know about anyone else but there are days where focussing on my day job is exceptionally hard.  It’s a battle from the time I walk in the door at 8 am until I leave again at 4:30 pm.  It’s not that my job is boring, it’s just that my mind always finds something more exciting to think about.  Yesterday it was how early can I eat my lunch, finding a home for a pair of feathered angel wings and how glad I am that I found my degree.  Today I have been preoccupied with how to celebrate my birthday, the next I Heart Market and, more specifically, tattoos!  I mentioned a little while ago that I have been looking forward to a new tattoo.  I have been coveting an anchor tattoo for the longest time now.  Since some time in 2010 to be precise.   Anyway, I am *this close* to going to see an artist and I thought I would share some of my inspiration in the meantime.

I have toyed with the idea of adding some kind of text but really, I am not too sure what would be meaningful enough.  Aside from the usual anchor metaphors about staying grounded etc, there is nothing that really jumps out at me.  I thought about adding Hold Fast to it but although I like the words and the sentiment, I am worried that it would just be words for the sake of words.  Any suggestions?  I also looked at some of my favourite quotes from books but alas!  None of those really fit either.  I guess it shall be an anchor on its own then.  With lots of colour.  And a rose.

Sources: Kim-Anh Nguyen (Image 3)/ I have lost the sources of the others so if anyone recognizes any of these please let me know so I can credit properly.  Thanks:)

Things I Love #15

I can't believe that we are heading into the last week of August.  Next week Saturday will officially be Spring here in Durban but considering the fact that it was 40 degrees outside yesterday and we spent this morning on the beach, you'd think it was here already!  Which brings me to the first item on the list:

Spending the morning on the beach.  We only live about 3 km's from the main beach in Durban but we never seem to get there.  This morning we up early(ish) and we decided to make the most of it!  

Lego birds by Thomas Poulsom.  I think these are really great and if you agree, you can support him here and hopefully, Lego will make them into an official set!

The Power of Being an Introvert in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  Interesting article.

Ever wondered what Pokemon would look like if Tim Burton created them?  Click here to find out.

This Sharky Floating Tea Egg is amazing.  Definitely earned a spot on my wishlist!

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These Dough Portraits by Soren Dahlgaard are weirdly amusing.

I'd love to be able to visit this Confessions exhibition by Candy Chang.  Luckily there is an equally intriguing exhibition at the KZNSA called You and Me.  Local artist Skullboy has collected stories of people's first times and converted them into artworks.  You can check out the tumblr devoted to the project here.

These vintage photos of tattooed woman are amazing.  It must have taken real guts to be that tattooed in that day and age.  I can't help but admire them!

The Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab creates scents inspired by Labyrinth, Neil Gaiman and Hellboy.  Sounds pretty awesome to me.

After hearing my brother raving about Infamous, I have finally started playing it myself.  I have to admit that his hype was totally justified.  

American photographer Camille Seaman takes the most stunning pictures of dying icebergs and dramatic clouds.  I don't know about you but pictures like this leave me slightly in awe of nature.

I am pretty much in love with these Star Wars talking plushies...so cute!  Out of all of them, I would choose Chewy.

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Have you heard of Dog Shaming?  Before you get tense though, it's just some guilty looking pups posing with signs confessing their sins.  Having had some naughty dogs of my own, I am very familiar with some of those faces...and their crimes.

Aurora Jungle Juice is a cocktail that glows pink and aquamarine under a black light.  Kind of like the Aurora Borealis.

The Daily Bunny has the cutest slow motion bunny flop you ever did see.

My copy of The Bell Jar has finally arrived and I can't wait to start reading it.  Just as soon as I finish reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay (finally)!

Another thing on my wishlist?  These super cool Adventure Time Mimobot flash drives.  Pity there isn't a Marceline one though...

And lastly, I had a prawn sushi salad for lunch on friday.  It was amazing!

Seen anything you love?  Feel free to share:)

Things I Love #11

Happy July everyone!  It's hard to believe we are over half way through this year already.  It's madness I tell you!  Anyway, let's get started with Things I Love #11:

Its been a weekend for sweet things.  I had an amazing lemon meringue cupcake at my friend's 30th birthday party yesterday (left) and then today I had a red velvet waffle with berries and fresh cream (right)!  Amazing!!

Danielle from Sometimes Sweet did a great post on tattoo inspired art work.  While I love all the artists on the list, Liz Clements really stood out for me.  I'd absolutely love to own one (or ten) of her prints, especially Love Sick.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly tempted to wear a perfume that makes me smell like books.  It's called Paper Passion and the packaging is designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

Something I have discovered while playing on Pinterest is a site called Bookshelf Porn.  Tons and tons of pictures of bookshelves...its glorious!

And while we are on the subject of books, these drunk texts from your favourite authors made me laugh.

Totoro is finished!  I'll do a proper post on him during the week but isn't he cute?

Anna Karenina is being made into a movie!  I can't believe that I only found this out now but I am so excited.  That means three of my favourite books (The Great Gatsby and The Hobbit being the other two) will be movies soon.

100 Things to do instead of procrastinating on the Internet.  This article from Gala Darling is great!  I love the internet but everyone needs a break occasionally!

Amazing winged jewelry by Dukno Yoon.  This stuff is amazing although I suspect it wouldn't last more than 10 minutes on my clumsy hands:(

Speaking of jewelry, have you guys seen the awesomeness that is Sea of Bees?  I am officially coveting at least 90% of the shop.  Especially the Cameo Deer Necklace.

I've always been a big fan of Freddie Mercury and Queen but did you guys know that Freddie Mercury was also an artist?  Check out his drawings here.

What if Star Wars characters were out of work?  Click here to find out (also includes a random picture of Spiderman).

I loooooove this Pikachu Pinafore!

Cross Stitch is something I used to be able to do many, many years ago.  These Pixel People patterns make me want to start again.

The Sky Punch weather phenomenon is easily one of the creepiest and coolest things I have ever seen in the sky.

And lastly, we got our Save the Date for my friend Collette's wedding which I am so looking forward to!  Yay!