the obsessive imagist | art, design, life: science

WHO KNEW?

File this in the 'huh, interesting!' category: a video demonstrating the way cranberries grow. I always wondered about this (usually only around Thanksgiving though, ha!).

Lots more cool videos for curious minds at 'The Kid Should See This' here.

SCIENCE!

The other day I read about the amazing Science Cheerleaders and knew I had to share their story with you. Made up of professional cheerleaders who are pursuing careers in science—in the fields of biology, neurology, engineering, math and more—these lovely ladies are out to encourage young women (particularly young cheerleaders!) to get excited about science. Awesome, right? Learn more about their fun, important work here.

And speaking of science . . .

. . . you may be wondering what these pretty little pouches have to do with the field? Well a percentage of all the proceeds from the Etsy store 'Little Bright Studio', which makes these sweet zippered bags, goes to support teachers in low-income schools teach students science. Love it! Check them all out here.

And then last week I saw this old episode of Ellen on tv with a hilarious segment with Steve Spangler. His motto is 'Make Science Fun' and with this demonstration I think he achieved that goal! He kind of reminds me about this show (and this one!) that I was obsessed with as a kid . . .

Check out more of his great work here.

Last but not least, I wanted to share this inspirational commercial for the new toy company GoldieBlox. Like a combination of Lincoln Logs and Legos, these building-based toys are designed to get kids excited about engineering. In the case of GoldieBlox, though, the toys are specifically created to put girls in the science mindset and let them know they can be anything they want to be. Pretty important message, no?

Thanks for listening to this break for science. Back to our regularly scheduled programming of art, culture and design tomorrow. :)

HAVE A LOVELY LATE SUMMER WEEKEND!

What are you guys up to this weekend? I am taking off for Connecticut tomorrow to help out with my Dad's 70th birthday party (recap and DIYs next week!). So I am leaving you with some links to distract you on Friday and tide you through the weekend.

Photo above is from this (mouth watering) article!

I have been in an old school music mode this week, rewatching some 90s music videos. Check out these blasts from the past (cartoon cat, teleportation, bagpipes)!

Secret book paintings (so cool!!).

Everything you need to know about the latest Apple announcements.

Why your mind . . . wanders.

New (cabin) on the block.

Turning back the (cellular) clock.

Can you imagine being stuck in traffic for nine days?!!

An invisible skyscraper (what about the birds?).

Mmmm, tastes . . . fuzzy.

Letters to Ms Magazine.

Best birthday present for this polar bear EVER.

Whoa! Your touch tone could have looked like this.

Wouldn't want to meet this guy on a leisurely afternoon swim.

Step away from the computer and s-t-r-e-t-c-h....

Ready for wedding season to be over? This may make you smile.

As a Patriots fan and wife of an HLS alum, I find this pretty darn funny.

Have a great weekend, everyone! See you back here next week.

PATRIOTIC PASTA

What a cool idea! The Australian advertising agency WHYBIN\TBWA created this smart campaign to promote the Sydney International Food Festival. It consists of popular foods from 17 different countries laid out to resemble their nation's flags. France is made with bleu cheese, brie and grapes; Greece consists of feta and olives; Japan has tuna sashimi and rice. The whole idea is simple yet well-executed—just as smart graphic design should be!

Check out more great examples here.

Still hankering for something to do over this long and potentially-rainy weekend? Here are some links to tide you over.

Four Steps to Better Photos.

I think these tips will prove useful for my trip next month.

Anthony Weiner needs more friends.

Thinking about heading up here this weekend.

This would be a lovely anniversary present.

Ununpentium—there's got to be a better name than that.

I am planning my Dad's 70th birthday party and these would be fun to have on hand!

What a useful (if nerdy) list.

I wish I had been able to see this.

Maybe this guy isn't such a dumbbell after all.

These are perfect for dinner parties, water cooler talk and networking.

This is one sophisticated first birthday party.

R.I.P. Gus.

"Trying to lift things" is this little man's only worry at college. No frat parties for him!

A cuter (but perhaps no less slobbery?) pope, ha!

I feel queasy just looking at this monstrosity.

In keeping with my post earlier this week, only clear skies from here on out.

Thanks, Miley, for degrading the foam finger.

Have a great weekend!

OTHERWORLDLY, SURREAL SHOTS

Did you read that NASA was able to successfully land another rover on Mars early this morning? Amazing, right? It's so cool to think that there is a one ton piece of super sophisticated machinery on Mars this very moment, taking dreamy, grainy test photos like these above. While the rover is also capable of taking extremely high quality, high resolution shots, I have totally fallen in love with these fish eye/pinhole-style shots as they seem to perfectly capture the surreality of being on another planet. I hope NASA keeps the photos coming!

Learn more about the progress of the rover, called Curiosity, here.

MARICOR/MARICAR

I just stumbled upon the work of graphic designers, illustrators and "makers of things" Maricor and Maricar Manalo. Based in Sydney, this dynamic duo has done work for everyone from Wired Magazine to Australian television networks. While my favorite is their kick-butt embroidery work, I would highly recommend checking out their other eye-catching creations on their gorgeous website here.

And as we head into the weekend, here are a couple things you should definitely put on your to do list:

+ check out this exhibition at the Whitney and this one at MoMA before they close this weekend
+ go see this movie, because I am totally obsessed with the books and have been collecting them for years
+ or, if you feel like staying home, watch this documentary (now online!) of the most creative couple in history (whose work, coincidentally, comprises another obsession of mine)
+ also, join me in drooling over these architectural wonders and adding them to the "dream home" inspiration file
+ ponder the wonders of the universe or the amazing advances of our technological age

Have a fabulous weekend, all! See you back here on Monday!

(Thanks to Dwell for the tip.)

ANTHROPOLOGIE WISHLIST

I have been browsing the Anthropologie website (as I am want to do when the seasons change and I looking to pick up something new), and have found a bunch of things to drool over.

First of all, I love the comfy "Airy Surplus Sweater". Wouldn't it be cute over a silky tank top and skinny jeans? I also love the bright orange/grey pairing of this sweet "Walk-A-Ways Dress" and the practical and adorable pairing of this zipper/toggle/hooded "First Frost Coat".

On the home front I love the idea of decorating with beakers, flasks and other scientific instruments (an idea I have been playing with since Blueprint featured it in their "desk organization" piece in 2007). Even better? They are pretty reasonably priced. Check the selection out here.