Transformer Car, More Than Meets The Eye

This BMW Venture concept car from designer Chris Hammersly looks like a toy but features a simple push-button interface that takes it from compact city commuter car to speed-loving hot rod.
Via Gajitz

Photos of Postwar Housing in the Paris Suburbs

 Design Observer has an excellent article on the public housing estates of suburban Paris, the part of that city that most of us never see.

Click here to see the slideshow of photographs by Professor of Architecture Kenny Cupers.

Causes Of Death: 1900 vs. 2010

This chart from the New England Journal of Medicine compares causes of death in 1900 and 2010. Chronic conditions rather than infectious diseases are killing us now. One thing that hasn't changed? Human mortality is still 100% overall.
Click here for a detailed interactive infographic.

Link via Neatorama

Dan Cretu Plays With His Food

I'm glad Dan Cretu's mum never told him it was impolite to play with his food because I love the little creations he fashions out of everyday objects.

Via Junkculture

Coolness Of Not Caring

CoolnessGraphed always makes me laugh.

59 Cents Campaign

We at the 59 Cents Campaign find the Canadian Government's decision to cut portions of refugee healthcare by means of the Ministerial Order of Hon. Jason Kenney, published April 25, 2012 to be unacceptable.

We believe that if Canadians stop to consider the effect which these changes will have on the most vulnerable portion of our global society, that our country's annual savings of 59 cents per person to keep the Federal Interim Health Program open for refugees will be seen as insignificant.

The changes are set to take effect June 30, 2012, therefore, we have put together the 59 cent campaign in which we are asking all Canadians to place 59 cents in an envelope and send it to the Prime Minister's office to let him know that we will not stand for these cuts.

In 2011 Canada was proudly a place of hope and healing to 25,000 refugees; this is a fact in which we take pride and wish to take pride in for generations to come.

Paintings That Look Good Enough To Eat

Luigi Benedicenti's “extreme realism” paintings of decadent desserts look mouthwateringly delicious.

More at Flavorwire 

Mantry for the Modern Man

Mantry is a monthly delivery that stocks a modern man's pantry with curated items from around the world to "fit his style". Everything from Norwegian Reindeer Jerky to Oaxacan Hot Chocolate, I'm told.
My advice to modern dude: Toss the crate the stuff comes in before she sees it and you might be able to pull it off.

Via Notcot

Mayoress/Sausage

Jill Makinson-Sanders, 61, wore the novelty costume to support the campaign to win protected status for the Lincolnshire banger when the Olympic flame came to Louth, Lincs., on Wednesday.
Instead of wearing her traditional mayoral chain and robes to greet the torch at 7am, the councillor dressed up an 8ft-tall pink sausage costume. 

Photo: NTI

Some of her constituents were not amused.
Read more at TheTelegraph

“Daisy’s Lullaby” - Inspired by "The Great Gatsby"

 “These eggs are scrambled / You’re full of lies. / Oh, these love triangles / Under T.J.’s eyes.”

Great stuff! More Great Gatsby themed viddys at BOOK RIOT

Who Would Americans Prefer to Stand With?

Nations with some type of universal health care system.    Nations attempting to obtain universal health care.    Health care coverage provided by the United States war funding.    Nations with no universal health care.

Wikipedia

Isabelle de Borchgrave's Beautiful Paper Dresses

Multitalented Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave uses sheets of ordinary pattern paper to create elaborate dresses that look like they are made out of luxury fabrics. Each dress, complete with accessories takes from 4 to 8 weeks to complete.




Artist's site
Via Oddity Central 

Post-storm sky produces unusual bubble cloud formation

A cloud formation called a mammatus appeared in the skies above Regina and area following a thunderstorm Tuesday night.
 CBC News

I'm Sorry

I can't apologize enough is new to me. The blog consists of drawings by San Francisco based artist David Fullarton combined with the text of imagined apologies. It's good, check it out.

Via Metafilter

Oreo Supports Gay Rights on Facebook

On Monday, the Kraft Foods brand posted a status update with a rainbow-hued version of its cookie with the caption “Proudly support love!” and “June 25/Pride.” The update got a big response from the brand’s 26 million fans.

Read more here 

JFK and Jackie in a photobooth, c.1953

I'd never seen these photos. They look like they're in love, don't they?

Retronaut

Brand Your Spouse With Anti-Cheating Wedding Ring.

A wedding band on which the words "I'm Married" are embossed in reverse on the interior of the ring, leaving a legible impression on your finger when the band is removed.

My advice? If you feel your intended might need one of these don't get married.

Link Via If It's Hip, It's Here

My Garden Today

I'm waiting for the phlox and lilies to add some colour. Right now the lavender is having to carry the show.

Doctor and Med Student Confront Minister Joe Oliver On Cuts To Health Care For Refugees

This government's changes to health benefits for refugees are a disgrace. Dr. Keefer and Ms Kamal are my heroes.



Issue: http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/the-issue.html
Health for All: http://health4all.ca/
Location: Toronto General Hospital
Date: 22 June 2012
Event: Press conference by Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver
Doctor: Chris Keefer
Medical Student: Faria Kamal

Dogs in Art

Moira McLaughlin's beautiful video tribute to 5,000 years of dog-centric artwork.



See a list of the art and artists here.

Dog Art Today

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How Do Your Cameras Grow?

I love these photographs by Brazilian artist Andre Feliciano who creates gardens out of colorful miniature cameras. I wonder if they'd require less maintenance than my garden.
Via Colossal

It's Morphin' Time Again!

I'm way too old to have dug these teens with attitude but some of you may want to dress up and save the world from Rita Repulsa. For you  I present these Power Rangers Dresses, yours at Amazon for just $33.95.

Stick A Pin In The Axis, c.1941

I wonder how many people returned this Hitler pin cushion after the 10 day trial.

Link via Retronaut

Not Being Available For The Eggs

Wish You Were Hear is an adorable blog that posts vintage postcards and the message written on the back.

Dear Clarabelle &Albert:
Hope Albert is home and getting along OK.
So sorry that in our haste in leaving we forgot to tell you people and the Brown’s that we were going away, thereby not being available for the eggs.
Will contact you when we get home. – Herb, Gertie & the boys.

Via Blort

The Art Of Packing From Louis Vuitton

I'm hoping I'll be able to use these tips before too long.



Via The Presurfer

Elegant Hand Painted Satin Twitter Footwear

I rarely tweet but when I do I wear hand painted satin Twitter shoes, created by Etsy member norakaren - in my dreams.

Thanks for pointing me to this Link Bruce.

857 Desks on the National Mall

Can lining 857 student desks up on the National Mall in Washington D.C. get  presidential candidates to make education central to their campaigns? That was the goal of an attention-getting art installation put in place on Tuesday and Wednesday this week by the College Board as part of the kickoff of their nonpartisan "Don't Forget Ed!" campaign. According to their calculations, the desks represent the number of students who drop out of school every hour of every school day. 

Read more at GOOD

Dearborn Heights workers rescue baby raccoon from sewer grate

A Department of Public Works crew in Dearborn, Michigan swung into action when they found this critter stuck in a sewer grate. They lathered him up with vegetable oil and dish soap to free the little guy and then took him back to the DPW yard for a shower.

Read more at Detroit Free Press
Found on my friend Candice's Facebook page.

Wearelucky.

I read several posts over the past few days about a millionaire who was giving away gifts of £1,000 to total strangers in London. Here is the  The Story behind those acts of generosity.

Thanks Bruce!

Laser-Cut Nori

This series of laser-cut seaweed was created by I&S BBDO for the umino seaweed shop to boost nori sales that had dropped off after the catastrophic 2011 Japan tsunami.

There are five designs: 'sakura' ('cherry blossoms'), 'mizutama' ('water drops'),'asanoha' ('hemp'), 'kikkou' ('turtle shell'), and 'kumikkou' ('tortoise shell').
Each design is based on an element of japanese history or symbology, meant to bring beauty, good fortune, growth, happiness, and longevity.

Seen at designboom

The World's Largest Chocolate Sculpture

To celebrate 30 years in business Qzina Specialty Foods  has created a chocolate Mayan temple weighing a gut busting 18,239 pounds.

The chocolate pyramid will be displayed at the Qzina Institute of Chocolate & Pastry, located in Irvine, California, and will be available to view beginning June 4, 2012. Qzina plans to destroy the chocolate sculpture on December 21, 2012 when the Mayan calendar comes to an end. The method for destruction is yet to be determined.

Via

Plan Of Work For A Small Servantless House

This is how I maintain my domestic goddess status.

I Love Charts
Via

Are you supposed to be normal?

In 1967 Harold Pinter received this letter from a woman who could not comprehend the meaning of his play The Birthday Party.

Dear Sir,
I would be obliged if you would kindly explain to me the meaning of your play, The Birthday Party. These are the points which I do not understand:

1. Who are the two men?
2. Where did Stanley come from?
3. Were they all supposed to be normal?

You will appreciate that without the answers to my questions, I cannot fully understand your play.
Yours faithfully,

See Pinter's clever reply at Letters of Note

31 Insanely Easy And Clever DIY Projects

There are some really cool ideas here - even for a jaded DIYer like me.

Use a Window Shutter as a Mail Holder

Use Bookends as Floating Bookshelves

Ombre Nails with a Sponge

More good stuff at Buzzfeed

Happy Solstice!

The year's longest day arrives early in 2012 because this is a leap year. It's time to eat drink and be merry. Rock the solstice with your pagan and/or wiccan buddies because, despite the 30+ degree temps, winter is on its way!

The summer solstice has long been recognized and often celebrated by many cultures around the world.
The ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramids so that the sun, when viewed from the Sphinx, sets precisely between two of the Pyramids on the summer solstice.
The Inca of South America celebrated the corresponding winter solstice with a ceremony called Inti Raymi, which included food offerings and sacrifices of animals, and maybe even people.
Recently, archaeologists discovered the remains of an astronomical observatory in a long-buried Maya city in Guatemala in which the buildings were designed to align with the sun during the solstices. During such times, the city's populace gathered at the observatory to watch as their king appeared to command the heavens.
And perhaps most famously, Stonehenge in the United Kingdom has been associated with the winter and summer solstices for about 5,000 years.

Go to this link for more