Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Weekly Rant: HGTV Design Star Season 6



WOW... I've been MIA for a while now! I've been a busy, busy bee at work and around the home (we had some damages to the new house in the last storm), and I also took a little vacation (much needed, I might add)! SO... it's time to get caught up... Starting with a long overdue Weekly Rant!

As I’ve said before, I’m a total HGTV junkie. I love it! However, I was extremely disappointed with last season’s Design Star. Granted, I did pick the winner- Emily Henderson- out in the first episode, even though she totally bombed the first challenge, so I was happy with the end result of the season. But the challenges and the judges really made me angry. Ok… I pardon Candice Olsen from my wrath… Candice is a talented designer with lots of valuable insight. I could stand Genevieve in about half of the episodes, although her terrible mullet was difficult to get past. Vern, on the other hand, gets the majority of my wrath on this one. He was heartless and cold in his commentary, he was unrealistic in his expectations, and he allowed the largest of mistakes to pass, while exaggerating the importance of mistakes that were rather miniscule in the overall design scheme. He also praised mediocre design elements that any amateur designer could accomplish as if they were enormous design feats! I felt that all three of the judges (although Candace was not present for many of the episodes so stand-in judges took part) made extremely terrible decisions in their choices of who to send home, and who to keep. I vented my frustrations on Facebook, but I had not started my blog at the time. Well now I have….

So my next few Weekly Rants are going to center around THIS season of Design Star. So far this season, 5 episodes have aired… so this week I’ll be summarizing my overall opinion of the season thus far. Next week I will really start to discuss the design! Let me start with this… from the first episode, I decided on Kellie and Karl as my two favorites. Kellie actually totally surprised me. As a designer from Edmond Oklahoma, I really expected the worst from her. As you know, I also live in Oklahoma and HATE the majority of the design in the area. It is ridiculously difficult to find modern pieces. It’s even difficult to find decent vintage pieces that aren’t extremely overpriced (I've been trying to find cheap used pieces to update with little luck so far). And yet I love Kellie’s designs! Surprise! I actually work in Edmond, and I keep hoping I’ll run into her one of these days!(By the way, you can visit the website for Kellie's design studio, Modern Whimsy, by clicking this link: ) Both Kellie and Karl are still in the running, and have been chosen as “top designers” by the judges on several occasions, so I actually applaud the judges on their decisions as far as these two designers are concerned. HOWEVER, and this is a big HOWEVER, the judges have allowed the worst of the worst to remain in the competition for far too long… again.
[caption id="attachment_358" align="aligncenter" width="220" caption="Kellie Clements (photo courtesy of Modern Whimsy Interiors)"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_359" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Karl Sponholtz (Photo courtesy of Karl Sponholtz Design Blog)"][/caption]

Now let me throw two names out there: Doug Hines and Cathy Hobbs. Both have displayed mediocre design talent at best, but that is not where their biggest flaw lies. Both Doug and Cathy have huge issues getting along with EVERYONE! Both argue over small details. Both argue over big details in favor of the poor choice. Both refuse to let anyone else get a single word in, let alone a full opinion or design input. And as we know, these design challenges are TEAM oriented. But rather than placing the blame on these two designers for their incredibly poor design choices, the judges consistently place blame on their partners for not pushing their design choices more. I see where the judges are coming from. As I said, these challenges are team oriented. However, when you have to blame every single designer that is paired with one of these two for not getting along with their partner, you would think the judges would catch on to the fact that the issue lies with the CONSTANT in each situation. And the constant has always been either Doug or Cathy.
[caption id="attachment_362" align="aligncenter" width="160" caption="Doug Hines (Photo courtesy of HGTV)"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_363" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Cathy Hobbs (Photo courtesy of powerpop.com)"][/caption]

Doug was eliminated during the third episode of the season (finally), but Cathy still remains in the competition, despite the fact that she has failed to bring anything to the table. Not to mention that hosting your own television show demands that you are likable. Doug and Kathy are not only unlikable, but their mere presence on the television screen is reminiscent of nails on a chalkboard for the viewers. They are downright intolerable! Granted, Cathy does have experience in front of a camera, and can put on a good show (even winning this week’s camera challenge), but a design show is not solely about looking into the camera and speaking eloquently. The audience wants to get to know the designer, and once you get to know Cathy, you wish you didn’t know Cathy! Oh, and there is also the little bit about actually designing a space people want to see- Not going to happen when this one gets her way!

And what really drives me insane? Not only is Cathy still competing, but despite her poor design choices (of which the judges have expressed negative feedback on numerous occasions) and her inability to communicate and compromise with any other contestant, Cathy has also consistently remained in the “safe” group, never falling in with the judges choice of “bottom two” designers. Take a peek at the Design Star Blog on HGTV’s website… want to know what you will find? Comment after comment from viewers expressing their absolute disapproval of Cathy as the next Design Star. If only the judges weren't so blind! And, once again, praise to Candice on her Design Star episode recaps (also found on the Design Star Blog). She expresses her true feelings, even when they don’t align with those of the other judges on set. It’s about time someone pointed out Vern’s ridiculous commentary and poor taste (although Candice is not quite as blunt as I would be).

I’ll leave you with that… until next week when I plan to continue my Design Star commentary. Cross your fingers that Kathy gets sent home! Maybe next week I won’t need to rant!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Weekly Rant: Fox News Hypocrisy

I have been pretty busy lately, and thus, it has been a little while now since I last posted anything on my blog. But lately I have truly felt Jon Stewart's frustration with the idiocy and ignorance of the words and opinions that are portrayed on the Fox News Network. I'm sure many others share this frustration as well. It wouldn't be such an issue if Fox News personalities simply stated their views and opinions of politics, world news, etc., and held strong with one consistent message or opinion to their viewers. The frustration comes from the fact that these so-called "news" personalities only spit out their STRONG opinions and create a media uproar when it suits their own agendas to validate their beliefs to the public. I do not delude myself in thinking that Jon Stewart's Daily Show is an objective portrayal of current events in society. I am fully aware that The Daily Show is strictly a satirical news program that tends to support liberal views. However, Stewart does not claim that The Daily Show is an unbiased and objective news program, but instead refers to his program as "fake news". And Stewart does not advocate certain actions or beliefs when dealing with liberals, while protesting the exact same actions or beliefs when dealing with conservatives. Stewart maintains clear messages. And, as I stated earlier, I am extremely frustrated with the inconsistencies in the messages of nearly all Fox News personalities. How blatantly hypocritical can one person be? Let alone many. I believe in freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, but I cannot believe that viewers of the Fox News Network actually buy into these lies and inconsistencies. It makes me sad to think that Americans have not come further than this. Can we not, at least, identify what out values are, and stand strong behind them? Values and ideals were not meant to be changed just because the background settings have changed.
Jon Stewart does a much better job of pointing out these ridiculous inconsistencies than I ever could... so, having said that, I will leave you with several video clips to support this week's Rant.

Clips from The Daily Show, May 11, 2011: Probably the best clips to highlight my point.





Clip from The O'Reilly Factor:
Stewart/O'Reilly Battle

More Daily Show Clips:



Candy for your Walls

a href="http://livingsmallisbeautiful.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/news-brooklyn-flavorismo.jpg">In general, I wouldn't go for most wallpapers. But some wallpaper today does not look like your grandmother's wallpaper, and I have been finding myself gravitating towards modern wallpaper prints more and more. I'm a big fan of large scale, bold prints when it comes to wallpaper. And they can be hard to find.  But when it comes to the majority of wallpaper, I still find most of it too busy; too much for the eye. However, I recently discovered Flavor Paper. Their busy designs are so interesting and so colorful and out of the ordinary, that they are actually appealing. I'm super impressed. And they can also create custom wallpaper. It really is eye candy for your walls. Flavor paper: Mmmm... Tasty!

 Here are some samples for you to enjoy:

This one is called Feroz. It's a chaotic jungle theme, and can be purchased in a variety of colors. This one is Yellow Fury.  Same pattern is also shown in full scale (color: Jungle Fever).

This is Power Plant... get it? Look closely. Amidst the vines and the flowers, you might just find a light bulb, or a plug. Power Plant. Also available in several colors, this one is called Electric Company.

Kashmiri... in Sante Fe (left) and Raspberry Sorbet (right).

KABLOOM! This one is definitely an explosion of color and pattern... usually not my style, and probably won't fit really well in my house... but, for some reason, I love it! The title of this color scheme fits perfectly as well: Fruit Punch.


This one is Sakura, shown here in Deep Ellum Blues (close up) and Cherry Blossom (scale image). I'm a huge fan of Cherry Blossoms so, naturally, I really like this one.

I love this one... but I love the name even more. Flower Pedal! Obviously I'm a fan of cheesy word play. Shown in Tahiti.

Below are a few more samples of Flavor Paper wallpaper:


So go check out the rest! Visit the Flavor Paper Website!

Bungalow 5

I recently discovered the incredible furniture and accessories available from the New York based company, Bungalow 5. The furniture is unique; many pieces have the lines of beautiful antique furniture, with the colors and finishes found in modern design. Most pieces are available in a variety of colors (many are available in very vibrant colors as well) so the items truly speak to each individual buyer.

We have been decorating our living room with vibrant greens, peacock blues, and bright oranges (mostly in the accessories). Most of our furniture is more neutral. But we have been looking at adding one or two furniture pieces that tie in with our brighter color scheme. While I wouldn't put all of these pieces into one room... Bungalow 5 offers many furniture pieces that are available in the colors we are looking for (as seen below).



We have also been decorating our bedroom with chocolate browns and very pale blueish grays. In contrast with the bright colors in our living room, we wanted our bedroom to be soothing and calming. Bungalow 5 offers plenty of pieces that fit in with our bedroom theme as well.


You can check out more awesome designs by visiting the Bungalow 5 website: www.bungalow5.com

Weekly Rant: Seal Slaughter

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am passionate about animal rights and saving the diversity of wildlife on this planet. It is difficult to explain the anguish and despondency I feel when I hear about the pain and suffering that humans inflict on animals. Some people believe animals don't have souls. Some believe animals cannot reason. People use these beliefs to justify their cruel behavior towards animals. But "the question is not 'can they reason?' nor 'can they talk?', but rather 'can they suffer?'." (Jeremy Bentham) And the answer is yes. Because of this, I am strongly opposed to the Canadian Seal Hunt (among many other things). Besides, "what is the good of reason and intelligence when all you do is use it to harm others?" (Peter Hammarstedt).



The following is an excerpt from Peter Hammarstedt's essay "Defending Whales and Seals". This essay (among many other essays from extraordinary people) can be found in Ingrid E. Newkirk's book "One Can Make a Difference":



The Canadian seal slaughter that I witnessed still gives me nightmares. People call it a 'hunt' but I have yet to meet a single hunter who would call bashing baby seals over the head with clubs, 'hunting'. I was there in 2005. The ice was absolutely surreal, heavenly, like a world made of broken fragments of mirrors that sparkle in the light, that reflect the colors of the rising and setting sun. It is a wonderland where mother seals come to have their babies, to leave them to bask in the sun, feeling that they are totally safe, being miles and miles away from man. Not realizing that the boats will come, that human greed will catch up with them and reduce them to a bloody pulp.

Humans don't belong there at all. We must go there to confront the seal killers, to film what they do, to report their indefensible acts of unspeakable cruelty to the world, to witness their despicable acts that violate the International Seal Protection Act. We see an entire world of white turn to red as the seals' blood runs across the ice. There are suddenly carcasses everywhere as babies are killed with the blunt or sharp ends of the Hak-a-piks, and stomped, kicked more than once, sometimes six times or so with the sealers' cleated boots.

During the Hunt, I found myself running from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They're there on the ice to protect seal killers, not seals. I had video evidence and I didn't want them to seize it. But they tackled me and knocked me to my stomach. I lay there, practicing passive resistance, my arms held behind my back. As I turned my head, there, just two or three meters away, was a pup. I was so close to her, and her eyes and my eyes were linked. I do believe she knew the difference, she knew I was not a sealer. As long as I lay there, she was safe.


More information about the Canadian Seal Hunts:
"Since 2003 over 1.7 million seals have been butchered. Seals are normally clubbed to death. If still alive, once a seal is clubbed it is skinned alive. Organizations that photograph, or film the hunt without government permission risk imprisonment in what is a huge propaganda and censorship campaign. In Canada the sealers are protected by the 'Seal Protection Regulations' if you see a sealer club a seal pup and you don’t have a permit to witness the slaughter you can be arrested, jailed and fined up to $100,000 or sent to jail for a year."

'Please visit Canadian Seal Hunt (www.canadiansealhunt.com) to learn about how companies like Costco sell seal oil capsules. Also learn about these companies who manufacture products from dead baby seals: Prada, Pajar, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Birger Christensen, Versace, and Vogue Furriers. Also learn about why you should boycott these sea food restaurants Red Lobster, & Long John's Silvers.'

Although I do not always agree with Peta's methods, I do agree with their fundamental ideals with regards to the treatment of animals. Posted below is an online "flyer" from Peta urging public outcry against the seal hunt. I would urge each of you to do so as well. Contact public officials. Sign online petitions. Help to end the brutality.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Living Small is MOVING!

Living Small is moving to a new location on the web!

I hope you'll visit me at the NEW home of Living Small!

See you there...

Monday, January 31, 2011

Support Spay Day!

What is Spay Day????
"Spay Day is an annual event of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International to inspire people to save animals' lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats. Spay Day officially takes place on the last Tuesday of February—but events will be running all through the month! The 17th annual Spay Day is Feb. 22, 2011." - HumaneSociety.org
How can you support Spay Day??? Vote for your favorite contestant, and donate $1 (or more!). Every dollar donated constitutes a vote for your favorite entered animal! Each dollar is donated to either a participating "Spay Day" organization designated by the entrant, or split between all participating organizations. It's a great cause! I entered my three babies... why not enter yours as well??? Then invite your friends and family to vote for your beloved companion! Or... you could vote for one (or all three) of my crazy little kids (see links below)! GO SPAY DAY!!!




Thursday, January 20, 2011

Jonathan Gill Photography

The book "Small is Beautiful" inspired the name of my blog. I firmly believe that, as human beings, it is our responsibility to preserve this planet for our children, and our children's children. Kindness, generosity, wildlife, nature, astronomy, animals, Buddhist Philosophy, environmentalism- these are the things that inspire me. I find my inspiration depicted in Jonathan Gill's photography.

Companions





Wildlife





Scenery
















Alternate Transportation





Spiritual Inspiration