Project for Awesome 2010

It's December 17th! That means is time for the Project for Awesome! Set up by Hank and John Green of the Vlogbrothers, it is a project to basically have everyone make a video about a charity that they love and and want to support; and raise awareness to others about their said charity. All of the videos with the same thumbnail for Project for Awesome are promoted by the Vlogbrothers and other Nerdfighters, prompting watchers to hit that Like button, add the video to their Favorites playlist, and spam the comments section. The goal is to trick the YouTube algorithms into thinking that these videos have gone viral, and have them featured on the front page of YouTube. Then, whoever happens to go to YouTube will see all of these videos with the same thumbnail and click on them and watch them, not even knowing that it is for charity!


I chose to talk about an organization called Embrace. Embrace creates portable infant warmer for babies in rural areas that are born prematurely and do not have access to an expensive incubator that could save their little lives. These miniature sleeping bags are made of special phase change material that can be heated without electricity and maintain a constant temperature over four hours, keeping tiny babies warm. For the full scoop, go watch my video Project for Awesome 2010: Embrace.

Farmers Market Find

Sundays in Belmar means Farmers Market (which I usually forget about!) and tons of local vendors with incredibly fresh, delicious produce. I dropped my sister off at work and decided to wander around for a while. I discovered these gorgeous hats made in Madagascar from raffia and a company called Cake Bubbles where I sampled an amazing dark chocolate and organic raspberry cake bubble.

My score of the trip were these beautifully ripe and juicy Rainier cherries. The summer sun had them warmed just a bit so I popped them in the fridge when I got home and they were chilled and refreshing later on that evening. I plan on hitting up the Market every Sunday until the end of summer. Hope to see you there!

Obession Weekend: Day 2, YouTube

VlogBrothers, meekakitty, livelavalive, communitychannel, brittanilouisetaylor, ChateauOfADoubt, RhettandLink, TheBlueOfficeChair, charlieissocollike, TheToriaShow, ElectricFaerieDust, iJustine, ShaneDawson, mugglesam, sxephil, nerimon

So, even I as write this, I am fully and completely distracted by YouTube. I keep switching back and forth between windows to check out videos. No, not Internet follies like David After Dentist or clips of cats looking adorable, but exceptional and brilliant vloggers. YouTube has shifted to create an online community sharing opinions, ideas, art, and experiences through video. It's amazing the popularity that some have gained all in the name of doing what they love.

Of course I'm watching people like Shane Dawson and iJustine but it's their secondary channels that I love. Unscripted they can be wild or insightful, and it's like having a conversation with a close friend. You learn more about someone that you haven't actually met. Sounds stalkerish... kinda. Anyways, I am completely in love with the lesser know vloggers making their way onto the scene. Some of my favorites include ChateauOfADoubt, ElectricFaerieDust, and TheBlueOfficeChair. My ultimate favorite, the reason I am now so YouTube obsessed is solely because of the VlogBrothers, John and Hank Green. Recently, they organized VidCon, an awesome event for YouTubers and fans to gather and mingle. According to everyone who attended it was life changingly amazing! Definitely planning to be part of the party next year (hopefully!). And so with each new video that fills my subscription box, my love of YouTube is ever expanding.

Obsession Weekend: Day 1, TV Shows

Hello hello again internets. I haven't blogged in quite a while so I thought I'd kick things off with a week of lusts that have taken over my mind! We'll call it Obsession Week. How odd that all the good shows during the summer are on the weekends. Funny. Let's start with Saturday night and BBC America. Doctor Who is in full swing with Matt Smith starring as the eleventh reincarnation of the Doctor. Joining him on his journeys through time and space is companion Amy Pond played by feisty Karen Gillan. I am completely enthralled with the action, the science fiction aspects, and the adorable doctor. It happens that I stumbled upon the season premiere by accident and decided to stayed tuned, interested mostly by the hype I had heard of Doctor Who from British vloggers. I honestly think it's Matt Smith's hair that has me hooked. The "devil may care" locks paired with the tweedy professor in bowtie look really suits him.

New Doctor Who Trailer featuring the Doctor and Amy! - BBC One

Holiday Gift Guide

For the foodie in your life-- I suggest things that they'll love using in the kitchen, such as 1. The Baker's Assortment from Penzkeys Spices ($28.89), 2. Digital Food Scale ($29.99), 3. Silpat (prices range per size and style), and 4. Global 18cm Santoku knife. I know all of these are on my wish list!

i've been sick....

and away from my little blog here for too long! and i realize that my last post was killer long, and not particularly relevent to anything, i was just feeling somewhat nostalgic. anyways.....

i've been contemplating what i'm doing in life. like whether or not a degree in baking and pastry arts was a smart choice, or if it's my choice of school that is putting me off. i did enjoy making a Juno themed wedding cake (more pictures of it on my Flickr) but i guess i just don't know.

the long weekend

well, the long weekend was kind of a bust. we were supposed to have a big birthday bash for me on saturday night but it went belly up. and as soon as it did, all my friends found alternative plans. so it was kind of a sad and lonely three days.

the highlight though, was getting to try a brand new restaurant, mark & isabella. with italian-american fare, they've only been open for a week or so, but i was very impressed. the interior was beautiful, with huge blown up photos of faces and people. the bar was gorgeous and had old movies playing (one of my weaknesses) so the atmosphere was cozy but still upscale. my mom and i started out with an organic salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, lovely! i went for chicken parmesan- three fantastically crispy cutlets with arugula. mom had crispy polenta with homemade meatballs which was so yummy. the servings were pretty good sized so we had to save ourselves for dessert; vanilla gelato with a crisp bisotti and i indulged in warm chocolate bread pudding with coffee mascarpone! it was heaven, not to mention huge.... i took it home and had the rest for breakfast.

i've always loved the oven, another restaurant under the same owner in Belmar, so i had been dying for this classy sit down restaurant since i had heard about it almost a year before! try it, you might like it.

h.

i hate the feeling of vicks vaporub

hate it. but i am sick, hence, covered in the stuff. i think it's really gross. but just the texture- that sticky feeling as i have to rub it on my chest, or in my nostrils. but it is truely a lovely thing once it's all absorbed. and i hate chest congestion, and sinus pressure, and this choking, gasping, can't breathe feeling.

happy january

well, another year has rolled around, and like clock work i'm starting to feel under the weather. i blame it on having a january birthday.