Pretty things...

I am currently a little lost. My wonderful Macbook has gone in for repairs (the plug on the charger broke) and I don't know what to do with myself. With over two and a half years of faithful service I am hoping that this 'servicing' will extend it's life by a few more (I say servicing because they are also replacing the casing where it has cracked. Hopefully they will clean the inside too).

With the Mac absent, all my bookmarks and pictures and programs that get my emails for me and gets my blog posts for me to read are gone.

I also suddenly have the writing ability of a sulky 10 year old girl.

So I will resort to re-posting pretty pictures from around the internets. Behold...

From My Favorite And My Best:

I like the wall lamps and the dark paint in the alcove. Sophisticated and classy.

Pretty sofa. I like tufting. Maybe a little too much. *drool*

From Desire To Inspire:

This was meant to be an example of good television placement. Personally, I disagree, but that isn't the point. LOOK AT THE PRETTY SOFA AND CUSHIONS! I love the contrast of the grey and yellow.

That's all the pretty stuff I saw today. I saw some not pretty stuff too but whatever. I might make a post on it later.

I also saw this on Post Secret and it made me sad:

:(

"I'm Lost In The World."

Image by BenHeine from ToonPool

"I'm lost in the woods,
I'm out of my mind,
And if I Go,
To slow down some,
I'm lost in the woods,
I'm out of my mind,
If I'm going to still,
Slow down the time,
I'm lost in the woods,
I'm down on my line..."

I seem to have lost my happy place.

Perhaps I should go look for it?

Built-in Bondage Fun!

Raina Cox, over at If The Lampshade Fits, posted this gem today, and it got me thinking.

Image from If The Lampshade Fits, via Desipre to Inpsire, via The Nero Chronicals.

Initial thoughts were along the lines of "The noose is appropriate, the designer can hang themselves" but then I looked closer and thought some more.

I still don't find it aesthetically appealing, but the ideas present are rather intriguing. I like the art especially. The noose (I'll get back to this), the paintings and the photography. Abs and vagina, what more could you want on your walls?? I'm serious too, I have a growing collection of tasteful yet surprising (read: slightly pornographic) retro photos I'd love to have printed and framed.

I am in love with the idea of having something different, a little kinky if you will, about the decor of a room. It adds an element of surprise and that appeals to me.

Anyway, back to that noose... Such a great idea!! The artistic point is great, but better yet, you can use it to spice up your sex life! Kinky bondage is only a meter away! Now I don't think the designer should use the noose to kill him/herself, they are genius. Albeit blind genius'.

Runaway

I hate Kanye West but his 'film' really is worth watching. Naturally, it features him, promoting him in a positive light, but all it does is show how big his ego is.

This ideas in the movie are good but not clearly represented and the time line is disjointed and hard to follow. The songs are average.

I can't figure exactly why I like it, but something about it speaks to me. The ballet scene is quite... serene. I can't think of a better word.

Also, the set designer needs a medal:

That is the sort of space I want to have for my wedding (not that I'm getting married, but it's nice to plan it out). I love the contrast between the industrial hanger and the formal diners.

Also of note, all the dinner guests have dark skin, dressed in white. All the waiters/help have light skin. Interesting no? I wonder if there is a reference to the Obama administration in there??

Countdown to hell....

I have about a month to find a job before the shit hits the fan. All because of these people and their petty bureaucracy:

I am ONE point away from qualifying as a full time student.

I need to be a full time student in order to qualify for living costs and/or student allowance (living costs come from my student loan which I have to pay back but allowance is a benefit for students).

I don't have an issue with getting a job, I need one anyway, but now there is pressure to work a minimum of 16 hours per week (normally you can't if you are on Studylink because you can't earn over $200 p/w). Not difficult, but I need an employer who is willing to work around my class schedule. That, and finding a job with little experience (I have lots of kitchen experience (cooking/kitchen hand/food prep etc) but not keen for that again). There are plenty of jobs going but all require previous experience and no one is willing to give it.

Normally I would be fine because I would take 6 papers over the year but because I have change my degree I only need to do four core design papers, totaling 80 points. I threw in an extra paper to bring me up to 95 points, but now I am one short. I don't want to do extra papers because A) I am lazy and don't want to make extra effort, and B) I have to pay for them and at approx. $900 per paper, I am not to keen on wasting money, even if the loan is interest free.

Grrrrrr!! Stupid bureaucratic bullshit.

Facebook and God

Another rant. The soapbox is really getting a work out this week.

What the fuck is up with people pushing their love for God on to others via Facebook (or any other medium*)??

I DON'T CARE IF YOU THINK HE MADE THE SUN SHINE OUT OF YOUR ASS.

This is a little rude, I admit, but I'm sick to death of 'I love Jesus', 'God is my savior' and 'I'm so blessed God is in my life' etc.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a complete prick. Everyone is entitled to worship the God/Lord/Savior of their choosing (religion is free after all), but constantly posting it on your Facebook status just offends me. I don't worship your God, and I don't want to read Bible quotes. Your God tells me I should die and burn in your version of Hell. It makes me want to un-friend you, which is a little sad because, for the most part, I like being friends with you, sans Jesus.

I have a lot of friends from different cultures and religions, and I find it somewhat inconsiderate that a few people find it OK to push Jesus on to everyone. The Muslims or Hindus I am friends with are not singing the praises of Allah or Shiva publicly, they keep it private.

Religion is a personal choice, please respect the choices of others and keep your religious beliefs to yourselves and off my fucking news feed. I promise to keep my views on religion to myself too (mostly).




Small disclaimer:
I don't hate religion nor the few people the above rant applies to, I just hate how people always push it in other people's faces.
The image is cut from various posts on my news feed. I removed the names and dates for privacy. I am not a total asshole. 
I love my friends, regardless of their never ceasing, God loving, status updates.

*When I say any other medium above, this does not include blogs. An author of a blog is entitled to write whatever he or she wants, I don't have to read it.

My life's ambition....

Is to have a black Amex.

Invite only. So. Much. Prestige.

Just thought I'd share my dreams and ambitions with the world...

I need to go find some wealthy, gay businessman to marry.

Soapbox time

This is were I get back on my soap box and have a rant....

So after much drama involving many calls to my internet provider and Chorus (the phone line people), I finally have working internet.

Normally I would be thrilled, and I am. Or was.

I just can't get over how SLOOOOW my internet connection is. Seriously, it is barely faster than dial-up (I have a ADSL2 connection so should get max of 24mb/s). Realistically, I only expect a connection speed of 3-4Mb/s, downloading something at 300kb/s or somewhere around that. But 64kb/s is a little pathetic. My parents get faster, and they live out in the Wop Wops (lol, the Boondocks). I live in the CBD of our capital city and it took over 15 minutes to download a 40MB file (Yes, it was legal).

I find it sad that some third world countries have better internet than us.

Yes, I know I should be happy that I have internet and be grateful I am so fortunate blah blah blah, but I am paying near $100 a month for something that is barely usable!

Dildo with your coffee?

Roaming around the net as I do, came across this interesting shot at Sketch42.....

What the hell is the silver thing on the table? It looks distinctly like a dildo to me.

Interesting thing to have on display no?

Come sit on my cun.... couch

I just saw these posted over at My Favorite and My Best.

I can't stop laughing.

To channel a close friend, they look like Va-jay-jay.

Hehehe.... they need one of those tacky hand chairs to finger to sofa. Oh, I'm so mature.

Expensive, pretty things that you can DIY

As someone without a life, I spent a lot of time browsing design blogs, looking at pretty stuff that I know, for the most part, I can't have (The harsh reality of being a student I guess).

Every now and again I see things that I can have.... If I get around to making them.

A surprising amount of stuff, particularly lamps, can be DIYed.

This lamp for example, the Moooi Dear Ingo Hanging Lamp from The Modern Shop,  (Image from DesireToInspire) would be fairly simple, and considering the US$3995 price tag, a hell of a lot cheaper.

Take 8 or 10 (or more if you wish) of these lamps from Warehouse Stationary for NZ$69.95 (or US$50. The Warehouse had base-less ones for NZ$30 but I can't find them):

Or this one from IKEA for US$29.99 if you want something a little different:

Simply remove the bases (they'll be bolted) and secure to a steel ring. Some hardware stores will have suitable hoops, or visit a scrap yard and pick up an old steel drum.

Cut the cords and wire into a block joiner

 

(looks like this thing)

And voila! A lamp that would cost less than US$400 and about a day to source materials and assemble.

Other simple and amazing DIY projects could include:

This one, a lamp by Lindsey Adelman, actually has instructions to you can make it. HERE, HERE and HERE. (3 different styles. All amazing)

 

 This elegant pendant would be incredibly simple, just get basic lamp fittings, cut your wire to the same lengths and hang. Image is from DesireToInspire.

 

This red number might be a little trickier. Get some metal or sturdy plastic pipe from a model shop or hardware store (if you get metal pipe, please earth it. We don't want any electrocutions), cut to desired lengths and join. Glue light fittings in place (or screw if you bought suitable pipe), and paint in the colour of your choice. Image is from DesireToInspire.

 

A headboard is another simple, cheap project. Upholstered headboards, particularly square ones, take little time or experience. Look HERE, HERE or HERE (this one is recommended) for instructions. Also a Google search will be helpful.

No. 5 is the cheapest and easiest of all. Paint is a great to revitalize a tired, old piece of furniture, or add sparkle to a thrift store find. I love the simple elegance of this dresser (I can't remember where I found the image).


If you have tried to DIY something, or seen a great DIY tut, please link me.

The world is moving on...

I feel sad. The world is moving on (by the world, I mean just the internet) and leaving me behind.

After living in the dark ages for so long, checking the blog roll almost gave me a heart attack.

 'If The Lampshade Fits', a favorite blog of mine, is apparently lost and cannot be found.

I'll check again tomorrow before I start mourning.


On a happier note, I should have working internet in the Hole by Friday. Super exciting!



The image is from Google. I took a screen capture but I couldn't upload it.

Pretty things

Browsing the interwebs, I saw this over at Little Green Notebook:

 

 

Its so tacky and yuck and I LOVE it.

I'm a sucker for anything shiny and sparkly.

Jenny found it at Home Depot. We don't have a Home Depot here in NZ, but if there was I would stalk the hell out of it..... and stand there staring at it's sparklyness (no, that isn't a word).

Oh...

Also on DesireToInsipre.net, this.... mind boggling image:

I think I just threw up a little.

If this is the future of interior design, God help us all.

Toilet rolls on the walls?

Browsing through the always wonderful DesireToInspire.net today..... saw this:

Does anyone else think those white.... things look like toilet paper rolls? I think they are tiles or porcelain somethings, but personally, not keen on making a feature in my bathroom out of something that closely resembles sanitary paper products. (I just noticed the man in the mirror. No. Just no.)

Also wasn't too keen on this bathroom either:

The tile is too busy, and the red self unit is too bold and doesn't seem to tie in with anything else (granted, I can't see what else is in the bathroom).
Also, the lights next the mirror also don't correspond to any other visible design themes.

Apparently these were some of the BEST bathrooms of 2010. Oh dear.

Things you learn. Part Two.

Note: This was written yesterday morning, I just got access to internet to post it. And yes, I am happy to post incriminating posts and photos.

Once again, hindsight is a beautiful thing (so is blogging whilst intoxicated by the way).

1. Texting is fine. Calling on the other hand is not. Which leads straight to number 2.
2. DON'T CALL PEOPLE! Especially your best friend to tell her that her boyfriend is a total douche and that she deserves better, even if it IS true.
3. Don't listen to friends who tell you to top your cellphone using your credit card (prepay is more popular than plans in NZ) when you are both intoxicated.
4. Don't spend $10 of credit calling your friend to say something you could say in a text message.
5. Don't drink 2 bottles of wine (well, over a bottle of wine, plus one bottle of bubbly) . See photo.

One day I will learn (Shut up, I'm 20 and a university student. You did this too when you were my age and you know it). Though I did eat dinner this time, and DID NOT try weed (or whatever you want to call it).

The back story for this post is that it is New Years Eve (I'll post this in the morning, when I have internet. It is currently 2am), and a friend came over for dinner with wine, which we drunk then went and got more. Plus a bottle of cheap champagne ('cos I am easy like that (take that any way you like :P )).

End of story, we go see what is happening in town, come home, open said bottle of bubbly, I drink it, call bestie (who I was texting at the time), tell her that her BF is a dick/douche/wanker/prick/asshole/scum of the earth (take your pick, I used all of them. She agreed with me too but that's a long story) and that she deserves better.

Anyway, I am now sitting here while friend (wine friend, not bestie) has gone to sleep in flat-mates bed, listening to Beethoven and Beyonce (nice mix btw).

Anyway, Happy New Year people.

(Side note: my champagne flute has a crack in it. It didn't before when I put it in the dishwasher a few hours ago. Bugger.)