Thanks to the release of Wicked, the color green (evoked by light which has a dominant wavelength of roughly 495–570 nm) is very much in style, which is fantastic for someone like me who has always adored most tints of the color family. To top it off, emerald green in particular has been one of my favorite hues, especially if the item is somehow faceted or sparkly. I have enjoyed seeing a plethora of items for sale right now which feature the verdant shade, because this is a color which rarely gets center stage. Of course, when the second act of Wicked is released next November, there will be another surge of green things popping up, which is absolutely fine with me.
Suddenly, the green designer leather handbags, clothing items, makeup, and even luggage that I have longed to be able to find are popping up everywhere. In perfect keeping with Wicked, that also means that pink has made a strong comeback, almost on the heels of the Barbie Movie craze which popularized the bubble gum hue. Since I absolutely abhor the color pink, this is a downside I must endure, especially because the rosy shades that are popping up are rather pastel and girly, and certainly nowhere on my list of preferred tones. Yet Glinda is known to say, “Pink goes good with green!”, and I know that if my mother were still alive, she would agree with Glinda’s assessment of the two shades beside each other.
I am sharing an article written by Claire Thornton of USA TODAY which details a fun story about a man who was instructed to hide his boat. Read on for the article, or click HERE to see the original post.
A California boat owner’s ingenuity is gaining attention after he commissioned a mural of his vessel to sidestep demands from officials while complying with city codes in his own “tongue-in-cheek” way.
Officials in Seaside, California, told Etienne Constable the boat parked in his driveway needed to be hidden from view or Constable could face a $100 fine. So, the homeowner erected a fence in the middle of his driveway, hiding the boat.
Sort of.
Because the fence showcases a hyper-realistic mural depicting the 19-foot Arima Sea Ranger, the view from the street hasn’t changed much. The “illusion,” as the mural’s artist describes it, lines up perfectly with elements of the real world, like shrubs, as well as the side of Constable’s home, which is just northeast of Monterrey.
“This struck me as the right way to go, and something that makes my house unique,” Constable told USA TODAY.
Next-door neighbor and longtime artist Hanif Yanni painted the mural − and Constable paid him far more than $100 to do so, the artist said.
City Hall officials, rather than feel defeated by Constable’s roundabout compliance, celebrated his idea.
“I applaud the constituent’s creative approach, which not only addresses compliance but also showcases a community-driven solution,” City Council member Alexis García-Arrazola told USA TODAY.
Artist relied on photos for hyper-realistic look
Yanni said he was motivated to paint the mural because he wanted to help Constable jump through a “bureaucratic hoop” while complying with the rules in a creative way. Now, he said, passersby will be able to view art that didn’t exist before, he said.
Yanni, 42, and Constable, 61, took photos of the boat sitting in the driveway and the artist sketched out an outline on the fence before he began painting.
“It’s kind of this illusion where you can see the boat, and what’s behind it is mixed with the mural,” he said, describing the final product, completed May 3.
In 2023, a Seaside code compliance specialist sent Constable a notice telling him he was in violation of a rule prohibiting residents from parking boats, RVs and trailers in public view − including vehicles parked on private property.
To avoid a fine, Constable needed to erect a screen or other covering shielding his boat from the street.
Such ordinances ensure large vehicles, which can be difficult to maintain, are hidden from sight to keep overall property values high, City Manager Nick Borges told USA TODAY. Sometimes, Borges said, vehicle owners don’t do a job good of cleaning up leaking oil and other sanitary problems tied to vehicles.
“There’s an importance to some of these codes, so that doesn’t occur,” Borges said.
At the time Constable received his notice about the boat, Borges said, the city was ramping up its code enforcement efforts after years of letting violations fall by the wayside. As a result, Constable was notified of his violation for the first time in July 2023 after having parked the boat in the same spot for around four years, Constable said.
It makes sense that Constable was frustrated, Borges said, because his boat has always appeared to be well-maintained. In the end, the mural was a fun solution, the city manager said.
“The only action to take at this point is a high-five to the owner,” Borges said.
Constable said he wanted to make a point about “ridiculous” city codes without getting into a legal battle with the mayor’s office.
“I did it to stick my thumb in your eye, but I did it in a way that’s nonoffensive, doesn’t hurt anybody, doesn’t take anything from anyone,” Constable said. “I feel like I hit the sweet spot, and got my point across.”
Constable got the boat four years ago, and often takes it out into Monterrey Bay and toward Santa Cruz and Big Sur, he said. He’s a fan of fishing, often hunting for halibut and rockfish, and when he can, salmon and tuna, he said.
Now, having the mural be a public, artistic part of the neighborhood “is something I’m very proud of,” he said.
I find it ironic that one of my friends from junior high (that’s middle school for you younger folks) has been in the habit of attending Burning Man every year and creating a photo album for each event, since Burning Man is known for its emphasis on impermanence and the transient nature of art and experiences. It’s a place where participants celebrate the idea that everything is temporary, just like the “burning” of the iconic effigy. A man is burned in effigy (The Man) at every Burning Man to symbolize destruction and rebirth. Photography, on the other hand, freezes moments in time, preserving them indefinitely. Isn’t the whole point that time doesn’t matter, that everything is ephemeral? Photos cement things down. By taking photos, you may inadvertently go against the core philosophy of Burning Man, which encourages living in the moment and embracing the ephemeral nature of life.
I also think that by having a means by which you can capture images and videos at Burning Man, you are allowing yourself to be distracted from the Burning Man experience, and cannot fully immerse yourself in the unique environment of Burning Man. Instead of being present and engaging with the art installations, interactive experiences, and the vibrant community, individuals behind the camera may become preoccupied with capturing the perfect shot. This detachment from the experience may dilute the intended impact of the event.
I also have an issue with photography serving as an invasion of the privacy of attendees. Since Burning Man emphasizes a culture of consent and respect for one another, and also since many attendees express themselves through radical self-expression, some may be reluctant to be photographed without their consent. Taking photos without asking for permission can infringe on the principles of consent and respect that are fundamental to the Burning Man community.
Then there are the people who are always striving to create perfect shots so that they can be shared on social media. At Burning Man, this pressure may lead to a competitive atmosphere where participants strive to document the most visually stunning aspects of the event. This can detract from the authenticity of the experience, as people may prioritize getting the “perfect” shot over genuine connection and self-expression. I think it’s also important to remember that photographs can only capture a limited perspective of what is happening at an event as multifaceted as Burning Man. They can’t fully convey the sights, sounds, and emotions that are part of the experience. Relying on photos to remember the event may leave you with an incomplete representation of what you truly encountered and felt, though my friend has always insisted that her albums have enabled her to encapsulate her memories of each event thoroughly.
In conclusion, while some individuals find value in documenting their Burning Man experiences through photography, there is a valid argument that taking photos at such events may be counter to the event’s core principles of impermanence, full engagement, consent, and respect. By prioritizing the experience over capturing it, one can better align with the spirit of Burning Man and fully immerse oneself in the magic of the event.
Back in early July, I attended a music festival with a few friends. We noticed that there were numerous vendors with booths set up along the entry corridor, so we decided to take a look at what was being sold. At one point, we found a booth which sold accessories like body chains and sunglasses, and zoomed in on one particular pair of shades. My friend tried them on and absolutely loved them, so she asked the vendor how much they cost. They were $100, and though my friend hesitated over the lofty price, I could tell she was thinking about purchasing them, despite the fact that she couldn’t afford them.
I have to admit that I also liked the glasses, so much so that I took a picture of them for reference (see image above). I then told my friend that we should keep walking, and once we were out of earshot of the salesperson, I informed her that all of the styles of sunglasses at the booth, sans embellishment, were available through Amazon. I also stated that we could probably duplicate the look for a fraction of the price, and that it would be foolish for my friend to purchase the cool spectacles from the booth we had just visited.
A couple of days after the event, I decided to look on Amazon to see if I could find the glasses, and also figured that I could look for the aqua fabric, the rhinestones, and cool eyeglass chains. By some stretch of luck and a willingness to search for appropriate accessories, I quickly found everything I needed, and ordered them. Once the materials arrived, I printed out the image of the shades we both loved, and set up my workstation so that I could make two pairs of duplicates. Despite the fact that I did a fair amount of cursing while figuring out the sizing of the fabric segments and also while gluing the rhinestones, I was able to complete the project.
The reference photo with the two finished pairs of sunglasses
The best part of the project was that I made each pair for $32.77 ($38.76 after I added cases), and had a nice creative challenge. The next time I saw my friend, I asked her if she remembered those glasses from the event we had attended, then handed her one of the pairs. She was speechless. I then told her that I hadn’t purchased the glasses from the vendor, but that I had made them, along with a second pair which I kept for myself. She was truly blown away, especially after I told her how much I had spent on materials.
Last year right around Christmas, I taught my dear friend Karla how to make origami cranes, and though she struggled at first, she began to get the hang of making them. She thought they were pretty neat, and asked if they were ever made for a specific purpose, so I told her about the tradition of making one thousand cranes and stringing them up to hang for a number of different occasions, including making a wish for an ill person’s recovery, the birth of a child, wedding blessings, or to grant good luck within a home. Senbazuru (a thousand cranes) is the Japanese way to make a wish and bless it so that it might come true.
Emma Taggert offers an explanation of how the origami crane emerged in Japanese culture:
“The tradition of the Japanese orizuru (ori– “folded,” tsuru “crane”), or paper crane, began in feudal Japan (1185–1603 CE), when people gifted each other the paper figures as symbols of honor and loyalty. However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the art of the origami crane was officially recorded. Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (“Secret to Folding One-thousand Cranes”), published in Japan in 1797, is the first known book on origami. It features the earliest known instructions on how to make origami cranes, along with countless examples of different kinds.”
Since I grew up making origami cranes, I can quite literally make them with my eyes closed, but I understand that for someone who is unfamiliar with origami, making that first crane can be a challenge. Here is a video tutorial for those of you who want to learn how to make one:
For those of you who already know how to make origami cranes, you might want to challenge yourself with renzuru, a form of origami in which multiple forms are made from a single piece of paper:
Getting back to my friend Karla, she amazed me in July when she gifted me with a thousand cranes for my birthday. I wasted no time in gettting a dowel and hooks for the cranes so that I could display them in my living room. Once they were hung, I realize I had chosen a great spot because during the day, the cranes catch the sunlight, and in the evening, the uplights which I have behind my sofa impart a lovely glow on them.
I simply cannot get over how dazzling this makeup look turned out for UK based makeup artist Holly Murray, who was inspired by Doja Cat’s look which she donned at Schiaparelli’s Couture Spring-Summer 2023 show. While I am not a fan of the rather frightening effect of Doja Cat’s red body paint and 30,000 Swarovski crystals, I absolutely adore how Holly’s rendition turned out. She spent 27 hours affixing 13,000 Swarovski crystals on her face, head, neck, and decollette. It truly is breathtaking.
If you like following premiere makeup artists, be sure to follow @hollymurraymakeup on TikTok!
Several months ago, I read a book entitled The Emperor of Scent by Chandler Burr, which mainly explores the life and work of scientist Luca Turin. Luca Turin has made an indelible mark on the world of scent theory because he believes in a different concept of how we smell, and backs up his belief with hard science. What I did not expect while reading this book was that I learned how deeply immersed Turin is in the world of fine fragrance, to such an extent that he wrote a well respected perfume guide.
As I continued to read The Emperor of Scent, I became intensely curious about several fragrances which have been touted the world’s best scents. Turin’s description of Chamade by Guerlain captured me so intensely that I blind purchased two tiny vintage bottles of the extrait, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed, because the fragrance is sublime.
“Une note de départ verte et anodine donne le coup d’ envoi à un miracle qui se produit sur plusiers heures, voire plusiers jours. A green and somewhat nondescript top note launches a miracle that happens over several hours, even several days. As soon as the initial fog dissipates, a splendid form appears, all of one piece, smooth and seamless, a strong white note, powdery and sculptural, that strengthens without losing complexity until complete evaporation. Typically Guerlain in its flattering and tender character, Chamade is nevertheless a haughty perfume, pure and distant and miles away from the slightly catty chic of Jicky and Shalimar. Its tenacity is prodigious, and one would believe it conceived to be smelled two days later. Put it on at least two hours before asking it to have its effect.
A masterpiece of elegance and poetry. One of the greatest perfumes of all time.”
How could I pass up an opportunity to obtain Chamade after reading Turin’s description?
I became obsessed with finding other vintage fragrances, such as Diorissimo (Dior) and L’Interdit (Givenchy), and also found other lovely scents which are currently being produced. However, I always try to get the vintage versions, because the newer iterations are never exactly the same as the originals. I also try to get the extrait or the eau de parfum instead of the EDT because of the staying power of perfume formulations.
I ended up finding a vintage bottle of Diorissimo EDP, which is a gorgeous expression of lily-of-the-valley, but sadly, it doesn’t last on my skin. I kept a bottle of the original L’Interdit (1957) which my mother had in her collection, and I have noted a difference between the vintage version and the bottle which I recently purchased. Nevertheless, the modern take on L’Interdit is absolutely lovely when mixed with my body chemistry.
I also found other fragrances during my recent foray into the world of scent, and stumbled upon the lovely floral Mon Guerlain (Guerlain), and the intense Sublime (Jean Patou). I revisited Byblos (Byblos) which I had kept from my mom’s collection, as well as J’Adore (Dior). Another fragrance which I absolutely love is a brand new offering from Givenchy called Irrestistible Fresh, which is a beautiful light fruity/floral.
The one mistake I made was in blind purchasing Joy (Jean Patou) based on the fact that it is the most expensive fragrance in the world. When I received the bottle in the mail, I spritzed some on my pulse points, and immediately became concerned because I could smell an imminent funk from the mixture. In addition, it was heady stuff, very grandma-esque, and just not my style. I waited for a half hour for the fragrance to meld with my body, and all I could think of was how much I wanted to jump in the shower to wash it off! The clincher for me was when my kitten approached me, took one whiff, and made swipes with his paw on the sofa as if to cover the results of a recent potty session. I took another sniff, and realized that Joy had turned into something that smelled like cat urine on me, thanks to the civet which is part of the base of the legendary scent. I returned it immediately.
Now I am just experimenting with the various fragrances I have in my collection, and will switch up my scent depending on my mood, the weather, or what I plan to do later that day. And though Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Eau So Fresh is still my go to daily fragrance, I am truly enjoying the variety which the new additions to my fragrance collection are providing.
It seems like lots of ladies are opting to have their nails professionally done these days, and there are now an assortment of different nail shapes which one can choose. The six most popular nail shapes are shown in the above image, with Oval, Round, and Squoval nail shapes best suited for imparting the most natural look. You ca even create an optical illusion with your nail shape, so that if you have narrow, long fingers and want them to look more substantial, you can opt for the Squoval (or even Square, which has sharper angles) silhouette. Those with short or wide fingers who are willing to have a bit of length to their nails will find the Oval shape more flattering and slimming.
Depending on how long your nails are, and whether you have natural or acrylic nails, you could adopt any nail shape and make them look elegant, especially if your nails are professionally shaped. An example is the Square nail shape featured in the image below. You can see that the model’s fingers are long and slender, so she can carry the more severe square shape and have nails which look feminine and pretty.
I used to have Ballerina shaped nails for a number of years, and I just got tired of the shape, so I switched to Almond. Ballerina, or Coffin, shaped nails, have side edges which are tapered, so the shape can have a nice slenderizing effect on small, short fingers. However, partially due to the fact that I had a horrible nail technician whose work would chip, peel, lift and break constantly, I had to go to her for frequent repairs. I found that the sharp edges of the coffin shape would crack and chip off, despite being very careful with them. So unless you are getting your nails done by a skilled nail technician, I would opt against this shape, based on my previous experience.
@nailsbysab
Almond Nail Shape:
I finally changed to the Almond nail shape back in November, after my previous nail technician disappeared without a trace. I can honestly say that the Almond shape is fantastic, versatile, strong, feminine and flattering to my small hands. My only regret is having waited as long as I did to change to this shape, but I never trusted my previous nail technician to do a skillful job with a new nail shape. You can see in the image below how flattering the Almond nail shape is for a woman’s hands.
I honestly have never seen anyone sport the Stiletto nail shape except celebrities and 19 year old strippers. The Stiletto shape is very severe, with nails which come to a very sharp point, so I can’t imagine someone getting Stiletto nails unless that person had a team of assistants who did everything, presumably possibly even performing wiping duty during a celebrity’s bathroom visits (I presume a bidet would be a good investment for someone who has stiletto nails). To be honest, I wouldn’t even want to try Stiletto nails, even for a few minutes, because they are incredibly impractical and ridiculous.
Source: Nail Art Designs 2020
Mountain Peak Nail Shape:
There is a variation of Stiletto called Mountain Peak, which is a shorter version, featuring a sharp point at the tip of the nail. While it is far less treacherous than the Stiletto shape, it still evokes a feeling of vampires and haunted castles. Simply by virtue of the sharp, pointed edge of Mountain Peak, it also lacks the versatility and practicality of other, more moderate nail shapes. However, I think it could work for some women as long as leggings and tights aren’t essential elements to their wardrobe, or they don’t care if they rip into every delicate fabric they touch. I can’t imagine this shape working with nitrile gloves, which are an essential part of my life as a physician.
This website is the brainchild of Matthew Inman, who created the card game Exploding Kittens. The comics and blog articles are sometimes bizarre, usually very perceptive, often hilarious, and always brilliant. One of my favorite blog articles is the one entitled, Autocorrect hates you:
dr. stacey naito's blog 