RANDOM THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY . . .

Just some things I have come across recently that make me smile and are sure to brighten your mood too . . . .




High top sneakers shaped like dinosaurs with a fabulous kickstarter video to boot. (MIND. BLOWN.)

A hose attachment that lets you fill and tie 100 water balloons in one minute. (Instant summer fun!)

This amazing illustration (Supermannnnn!) by Phil Jones.

Speaking of masked men, Strongbad is back! (And there goes my afternoon!)

And, last but not least, Jordan (from Oh Happy Day) started an amazing new company selling these colorful string lights. (#wishlisted!)

What makes you (randomly) happy? Anything I missed?

INTERNET ADS EXPLAINED, BEAUTIFULLY

I am totally in love with this animation, created collaboratively by Will Samuel and Dominic Owen, that teaches kids about the way advertising works on the internet. The graphics are fabulous and the voiceover is quite funny. Brilliant, right? Now can they do an animated video about HTML to show people it's not an STD?!

(thanks to swiss-miss for the tip)

HAPPY WEEKEND!

What are you up to this weekend? I am attending a Friendsgiving with all my favorite college friends on Saturday and then having a holiday spectacular day with my hubby on Sunday. What's a holiday spectacular, you say? It's basically an epic day of holiday shopping, sightseeing and snacks that we do every December. In my mind it's almost as exciting as Christmas itself! 

We also got our tree this week (above), so decorating it is on the top of our list this weekend (that and sending out Christmas cards, photos of those to come!). What are you up to? Anything festive?

If you are laying low and looking for some fun distractions, check out these fun things:

This video parody is too funny.

I want to put these on every holiday package I wrap this year.

Football players are stylin' and profilin' these days.

Slobbery stop motion.

Texting + exes + crazy song lyrics = awesomely awkward.

A beautiful (and interactive) graphic about the art world.

I just signed up for this class; so excited!

Clampersand. Love it!

How to recognize the work of famous painters; I don't necessarily agree with these tricks but they are funny!

Because English.

Pretty gift list; I'll take one of everything, please.

Keep the grammar police at bay; check out these helpful and clear tips.

What a nice print; perfect for a city girl.

Before you speak THINK!

These videos are making me drool.

Happy weekend, friends!

STOP PIPA & SOPA

I usually don't like to get into politics on the O.I., but since the new PIPA and SOPA legislation being brought before Congress so directly affects the blog world (by regulating the internet), I thought I would make an exception. Today my only goal in posting is to support the 'black out' effort to protest this retrograde lawmaking, encourage you to learn more about the issue and sign the petition here.


Let's keep our internet free!


(Image of Google's homepage in protest, learn more here)