Displaying 1 - 10 of 41 entries.

Getting the Betty Page Look

  • Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:33 am

There are those who are into retro as a matter of interest, and those who go totally into the retro world as a matter of passion.  For the ones who start off as casual admirers of Betty Page, interest often does turn to passion, as this enigmatic pin-up girl tends to attract a lot of fans from all over the map.  Her popularity was never very stunningly high during her own time, but it has consistently risen with every new generation who discovers the shiny appeal of hot rod and pin-up culture.  There are some who dedicate their time to saving for new cooper tires, and there are those who look to Betty Page for beauty tips, and both are securely in the grip of a passionate obsession with a time that has already past.

Whether or not the already past is from an actual past, or an imagined place of nostalgia, it may not matter so much, because the look is so appealing today.  Adopting the perfect look, whether it’s for one’s face, or for one’s car, both have a shine that speaks to a certain kind of studied street smarts coupled with a bursting optimism, that serve as a wonderful balm for a confusing world of multiple expectations.  For many retro fans, just watching others enter into the culture fully is sufficiently satisfying.  Watching hot rod videos, or guides to Betty Page make up are enough to make the days seem worth it.  For others, however, entering into the world is necessary.

There are a number of resources for learning how to get the Betty Page look, just as there are excellent sites, like hotrodhanks.com, for taking care of the ride.

They all have their own quirks and methods, but for Betty Page, there are some general rules.  Black hair is a must, and bangs are the center of her look.  For the lighter haired fans, there really is no way around dyeing the hair.  She also has perfect skin, with a natural golden glow, and although there is nothing like the real thing, there are plenty of makeup techniques to help things along.  Think heavy on foundation, and add some bronze highlights, and it’s definitely going in the right direction.  Natural warm tones will help lift the eyes and make them look a little larger, and more open, and a generous application of old school black mascara will make them really pop.  Her eyebrows were not afraid to be eyebrows, so some dark brown pencil to fill these out will add the perfect retro touch.  The real eye-catcher, however, is the shock of red on the lips.  Then and now, this is one of the laws of nature.  Red is a color that attracts, and the gorgeous part is that it is also entirely retro, and entirely Betty.

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The Living Room as Studio

  • Posted on September 11, 2011 at 12:46 am

It’s absolutely not a necessity that one has to be an artist by nature to cultivate a keen eye for design in the home, but it doesn’t exactly hurt things, either.  The advantages are perhaps readily apparent, although there are likely some drawbacks as well.  If you happen to be James Turrell, it would probably be a bit of a heavy burden, with expectations that would be entirely too high.  The blinds would have to be absolutely magnificent, well-chosen, and so precisely perfect for the room that they would be simultaneously unnoticeable and also the very first thing that stands out.

Fortunately, most people don’t have to deal with the burden of being a famous and successful artist, and can be relatively free in their selections for perfect interiors.  Setting out to reconstruct the look of a room is sometimes a bit frustrating, but mostly fun.  Considering the room from the vantage point of an artist, or simply pretending to be an artist, can indeed induce some radical and subtle ideas that can truly make a room rise to another level of beauty altogether.  Even making the conscious decision to infuse a space with a graceful sensibility can begin to set things in motion that will ultimately shine.

Windows can define a space, and this can be a very good thing or a very bad thing, depending on a combination of given conditions as well as creative adjustments.  It would be nice to consider how an artist like Turrell might find inspiration in the simple and everyday movements of the earth, as if there were no effort required.  With a perfectly-placed window, where the play of light can enter the room with a kind of precision, there is no effort, but that is rarely the case.

A balance of good judgment and an experimental spirit can make the possibilities in any space come to life, and this is nowhere more true than in window treatments.  Vintage or contemporary styles can radically alter the immediate effect.  Knowing a little bit about the subtleties can bring it all together in remarkable ways.  Honeycomb shades, for example, have a way of refracting light that can transform certain kinds of afternoon light from the beautiful to the absolutely sublime.  Experimenting with shades, in terms of style, color, and even angle, can lead to some remarkable interior views.

At the end of the day, of course, it’s really not about impressing guests or appearing to be one of the great artistic minds of your generation.  It’s about how you feel about where you are.  Paying attention to what you see where you are, however, can make the end of the day a moment of utter beauty.

Image: James Turrell, “Skyspace, Piz Uter”, (inside) – 2005, – Switzerland, Graubuenden, Zuoz, near to Hotel Castell; Author: Kamahele, 2009-10

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Understanding Points When Buying A Home

  • Posted on August 2, 2011 at 9:33 pm

Buying a home can be a stressful time.  In fact its often the biggest financial transaction that any of us will be involved in.  The terms associated with getting a loan can add to the stress levels if you don’t understand them.  That is why its worthwhile getting acquainted with the various terms.

One of the concepts that I had trouble understanding when getting a mortgage loan was the points system.  I kept hearing the realtor and then the mortgage broker talking about points.  The problem was I was not getting the point!!

Mortgage lenders such as banks and other financial institutions may discuss with you loan amounts, down payments, loan interest rates and points.  The loan amount is the total amount you will be borrowing.  The down payment is the amount of cash you will have to pay before securing the loan.  The interest rate is the percentage that will be added to the loan amount that you pay.  So what is a point?

A point can be described as a fee that equals one percent of the loan amount.  It is not unusual for a lender to charge zero, 1, 2, 3 or 4 points.

Points usually take two forms and can be either discount points or origination points.

Discount points represent prepaid interest on the mortgage loan. This can lower your interest rate.  Therefore the more points that you pay then the lower interest rate you pay.  Discount points are tax deductible.

Origination points consist of fees that are charged by the lender and cover the cost of making the loan.  It can be tax deductible if it is used to get the mortgage and not to pay closing costs such as inspections and notary costs.

The amount of points that you decide upon depends on how much money you will be using as your down deposit and circumstances such as how long you expect to own the property. If you plan to own it for an extended period it may be in your favor to use them to reduce the interest rate. However you may want to go with zero points if you need to reduce your closing costs.

You can quickly figure out your mortgage costs by using a mortgage payment calculator.  It makes the financial side of things easy.

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How Much Money Can You Save on Blinds?

  • Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:00 am

It has been three years since the economy tanked and many people are just now beginning to recover. They are no longer in danger of losing their home or their job, but they know that the economy still has a long way to go. They aren’t willing to go back to their thoughtless spending habits of the past. If you are one of those people, then you don’t just ask where can you buy what you need, you ask how much money can you save when buying it.

Most companies have learned the value of helping their customers save money. This applies to companies like next day blinds, which offers custom window treatments. You can save money with them by using next day blinds coupons which are available online.

You can also buy ready made blinds and install them yourself. This will save you the cost of installation, which can be hundreds of dollars.

Another way to save money is to hunt down a coupon for blinds . As referenced above, it could be a coupon for a company that does custom installation or it could be a coupon for the cost of the actual blinds. Like coupons, discount codes can be used on online purchases and rebates will return some of your money to you after the fact.

Figuring out how much you can actually save on blinds will depend on the size of your project. A self-installation project of blinds that you bought on sale or with a coupon may save you a few dollars while a installation coupon or rebate can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on larger, custom projects.

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Judges Were Usually Lawyers

  • Posted on June 2, 2011 at 12:00 am

Looking back to pioneer times or the popular depictions of the Old West, judges were selected based upon the amount of respect the people of a town had for their opinion and common sense. In some cases, the judge may have studied law, either at school or simply by reading law books and specific cases. They did not have to be lawyers and in some communities those with law degrees were not necessarily trusted to have good judgement and a sitting judge who maintained a law office was a rarity.

Over time this has changed. Today most judges have spent time arguing cases. They almost all have a law degree and did time clerking for judges and then practicing law themselves. Smaller towns will have judges who practiced general law, familiar with all types of cases. In larger jurisdictions, specialization is the norm, with separate judges hearing criminal and civil cases or even handling only traffic or family law.

That specialization is also reflected in law firms. Anyone who walks into a los angeles law office will find that they have a team of lawyers who each focus on a different aspect of law. This allows the firm to cover all the bases. There are some firms that are experts in only one area of law. Some offices will proudly recognize those lawyers in their practice who move on to become judges.

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Good Safes

  • Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:00 am

No one wants to buy shoddy merchandise. You may not be able to afford the best, most expensive, top of the line model of something, but the odds are that you want to get the best model of something that you can afford. It’s also possible that when it comes to protecting your home or your family you are willing to pay more than you can afford. You just want to know that you are getting value for your money and not being swindled.

Good safes are actually fairly easy to come by. Not only are their many reputable dealers and manufacturers offering high quality safes to the public, but it is also possible to purchase used safes that are in excellent condition. These safes have already proven that they can do their job and, unless very poorly designed, do not experience any decrease in effectiveness over time. A solid safe is still going to be a solid safe after five, ten, or even twenty years of use. At most, the new owner may want to install a newer lock, but the construction of the safe itself should be good.

Construction is what determines a good safe from a bad one. Walls and doors should be sturdy and hinges should be hidden. There should be no gaps or seams that could used by thieves or through which fire or water could enter the safe. The lock needs to be sturdy and rated to resist easy safe cracking techniques. More modern safes may incorporate biometric locks or electronic keys rather than combinations. The best safes are going to be virtually theft and fire proof, but most businesses and families will be able to find a good, solid safe to protect their valuables.

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University of Nevada Las Vegas

  • Posted on May 10, 2011 at 6:00 am

The University of Nevada Las Vegas is just one of the points of pride for this city, as well as the state. It is a doctoral degree offering academic institution that remains at a relatively modest size of approximately 28,000 students. This allows for a stronger community orientation and the instructors have a solid educational relationship with the student body. In addition to the quality academic offerings, it has around 220 different programs and the school is well known for its strong community atmosphere and positive college life orientation it provides. In addition, the university continues to contribute to Southern Nevada’s growth and prosperity.

In addition to all of the highly respected academic programs, the school also has some impressive sports teams. There are varsity level teams in 17 different sports and the teams are typically referred to as Boy Rebels or Lady Rebels. Being close to the main strip in Vegas is just one of the cultural attractions near the university, and there is a great deal more to do on the strip than gamble or play poker. And of course one of the obvious benefits of having a child or friend attend UNLV is the great city you get to stay in while visiting them. In addition to all of the great entertainment options and casinos, the Las Vegas deals include fun theme parks and great recreational activity options. Send your kid to school and you’ll end up visiting them more often than they return home. They can study, you can have the fun.

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The Importance of Travel Insurance

  • Posted on April 16, 2011 at 12:00 am

Travel insurance seems like an optional expense. After all, when you are purchasing a plane ticket or cruise , the cost of insurance is presented as an additional add on and is not required by airlines or cruise lines in order to board. You won’t have to show proof of insurance when you go through customs at your destination, just show your passport and other required documents. If you think of travel insurance as a option that can be skipped over, then you’re making a serious mistake.

Foreign travel is a risky endeavor. There are any number of problems that could strike, delaying or derailing your trip. You could have luggage lost or stolen and you could even find yourself injured or sick without the funds needed to access medical care. Try to imagine what you would do if any of those scenarios came true. You may or may not be able to find medical professionals or other officials who speak sufficient English to help you with your problems and even if they could, if you don’t have adequate financial resources, you’ll still be stuck.

Travel insurance is designed to assist you in a variety of situations. By carefully researching Bajaj Allianz travel insurance and other options, you can find the insurance package that will cover your belongings as well as your financial and physical well being no matter what country or countries you plan to visit.

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Tricking Out a Truck

  • Posted on March 31, 2011 at 12:00 am

For truck owners who want their vehicle to be a reflection of their personality and style, keeping the factory issued (read: boring) color, equipping it with the most basic discount tires , and relying on bumper stickers in order to make a personal statement just doesn’t cut it. They will need to learn how to trick out their truck the way that low rider owners, drag racers, and others have been doing for decades.

A common starting place for those who want to turn their ride into a something that stands out wherever it goes is the truck wheels . While some consideration needs to be given to the performance of tires, rims can be customized with different colors, materials, and designs. For real flash, look for wheels that include flashing lights or other visual effect.

The grill is the first thing people notice when viewing a truck from the front. These come in different sizes and can made a truck look intimidating or simply stylish. The paint job should be customized, not just in color, but with designs, striping, or custom decals. Accessories such as fancy headlights, cab lights, and rails can also be used to turn a truck into a sight to behold.

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The Equinox and Solar Power Affects

  • Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:00 am

It is one of the few energy mysteries that relies on common sense more than anything. While for the average person, understanding how coal and petroleum are used to create energy can lead to some baffling puzzles, solar power is somewhat reasonable. At least by comparison. Because although it, too, has its own complexities, the central idea is one that translates rather directly for the logical mind. California solar installers are in the right location, for instance, because of the splendid weather in the state that makes it peculiarly suited to an ample supply of solar power all throughout the year.

But the complex nature of solar cells, and solar technologies that make it all possible, do enter into the realm of the mysterious. There are, of course, some constants that remain logical, however. The cells do most of their work, and make storage of energy possible, at the high points of the day. While Spring, then, is typically the beginning of the sunnier times in most of the country, on the west coast it’s characterized by sunny days, much as it is the rest of the year. There are more subtle variations in energy output from the sun, of course, because there are sunnier times, and rainy seasons. Likewise, the summer equinox may not feel that much different than other days of the year, but the extra moments when the sun can be out does have a way of making a difference, not just in human moods, but in the way solar cells respond as well.

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