Things That Make You Say... No Way!

It's a stiletto shoe.  

No.  It's a Desk.

It's a stiletto shoe desk.  Welcome to today's text-webisode: "Things that make you say... No Way!" 


Miracles and Blessings!  Kiki here... Yes, way!  Our iCafe Woman Moderne divas and little divas are celebrating innovators,creative thinkers... Average Joans who like to think way out of the box.

I'm sure Benjamin Franklin's wife thought he was a little nuts with his penchant for lightening storms and his crazy talk about creating electricity. But we're not talking about history-changing inventions, we're shining a light on new spins on everyday products... things you see daily.  Check these out!

1. I know what you're thinking.  It's just a bag of coffee, a cappuccino and a neat display of Twinkies, Yodels and Ho-Hos.  

(Coffee and Hostess cakes - Cake Wrecks)


Look again.  They're cakes made by today's new breed of cake artists.  They're not your typical neighborhood bakers from back-in-the-day.  They're artists, sculptors and designers for those who love sweets. 

2. A Rubber band Chair... Really?   A bigger question is, will it hold me if I sit in it?

(Preston Moeller's Rubber band Chair)


We've all used rubber bands, but have you ever sat on a chair made of rubber bands?  You won't end up on the floor after sitting in one of Preston Moeller rubber band chairs, who designs fun, upcycled furniture.  Sixty-five thousand colorful rubber bands are bound by a wire frame.

As an industrial design student,  he created the 'rubber band chair' which earned him the $3,000 first prize in the Appalachian State University’s 6th Annual Chair Design Competition. 


3. Lark Silent Alarm and Sleep Sensor
Okay, this was designed just for me.

Now you can set an alarm that'll wake you up without disturbing your spouse.  (That's what I'm talking about!) Lark alarm clock and sleep sensor by Lark Technologies Inc. silently vibrates to wake only the person using it--not both people in bed.


The $129 sensor wirelessly connects to an iPhone via Bluetooth and slips into a wristband that's worn on your wrist while you sleep. The un-alarm device went on the market on June 14, you can purchase it Apple stores. 

Not only does it act as your alarm clock, a sensor on the Lark tracks sleep patterns and measures your quality of sleep.  It's soothing, gentle and unlike regular alarms, it doesn't jolt you into waking up and increase your adrenaline before your feet hit the floor.

What's really ingenious is that the Lark vibration is slightly different each day so you don't get used to it and start snoring through it.


4.  Is that a cozy for a street sign?

(Magda Sayek - Knitted Graffitti)

You've seen graffiti on walls, buses and on construction fences, a lot of it is not so warm and fuzzy.  Well, that has all change thanks to Magda Sayez the founder of the knit graffiti crew Knitta Please.  (also known as knitting guerrillas) Knitting is no longer just for grandmoms in rocking chairs.  That's now a thing of the past.

Today, Wall Street execs, Hollywood starlets, celebrutantes, fashionistas, the-girls-next-door and a Jersey girl or two are all  knitting.  Knit graffiti crews are turning ugly stop signs, meters, water spigots, steps and awnings into beautiful knit creations.

(Knitta Please - Utility Pole in NYC)

This year, Magda entered her knit art in ArtPrize, a festival held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where over 1,500 artists displayed their work in venues spread all over downtown Grand Rapids, and the public voted on the entries to determine the finalists and the prize-winners.  

(Seating 1 - Art Prize)

(Seating 1)


It’s Magda’s first year as an entrant. She teamed up with City Flats Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a new green space in downtown Grand Rapids that’s decked out with modern furnishings all designed and made in Michigan. 

Magda's entry Seating 1 quiets the old fashioned perceptions about the knitting craft and honors modern furniture design.  Okay, here are the stats.  The art piece stands 81 square feet and has 5,184 knitted squares -- yes, all by hand. Visitors to the Flats Hotel couldn't miss the giant wall installation, a feast for the eyes and hands.  A signature Knitta awning welcomed visitors before they stepped inside.

5. Now, back to Food Art... this is amazing.

Art Oreos

(Mixed Reality)

6. A Little Black Dress that's a Telephone?

(The Telegraph)


Yes, a little black dress that's also a cell phone.

 Named the M-Dress, this LBD lets wearers make and receive calls by slipping their sim card under the label, allowing them to keep their usual numbers. Gesture recognition software allows users to pick up a call by raising their hand to their ear and end a conversation by letting it fall to their side. 

The M-Dress, designed by the London-based fashion company CuteCircuit, rings when an incoming call is received and different ringtones can be assigned to different numbers.  But the dress can only call a limited number of pre-programmed contacts, according to Mashable, the technology website. This LBD is a form-fitting silk jersey that hit the market earlier this year.

7. Can't you see Princess Beatrice's sculptural hat in an art gallery.  I'd wear it!

(Princess Beatrice at Prince William's Wedding)

8. How many Lucy Ricardos can you fit in Jamestown, New York?  
Apparently, over 900.

(Guiness Record - Lucy Lookalikes)

Aug. 8 2011

(Reuters) - More than 900 red-lipsticked, redheaded women -- and men -- gathered near a "Vitameatavegamin" sign in the hometown of "I Love Lucy" star Lucille Ball to mark her 100th birthday on Saturday with a world record for most Lucy look-alikes.

Sporting upswept hairdos and blue and white polka dot dresses, the crowd of 915 Lucy Ricardos were set to establish the first Guinness world record in her honor. It was all part of the annual Lucy Fest in Jamestown, which drew fans from as far away as Australia.

The Perfect Little Black Dress: Now A Must-Have for Little Divas

I wonder if Coco Chanel had any clue when she designed the perfect little black dress in the 1920's that it would not only be a fashion staple in every woman's closet, but it would also make a regular appearance in our pre-teen and teen fashionista's wardrobe. 

 (Kidcuteture - Llbd Shop)

(Cachcach Kids)

 

You'll even find the crib set sporting little black dresses in their baby strollers.  What's good for Mommy is certainly good for Mommy's little fashion plate.

(Florence Eiseman - Llbd Shop)

 (Little Audrey Dress )



These days, our little divas are grabbing their Mommies by the hand... bypassing the pink and lilac and stopping in front of a black empire or knit baby doll dress.  And mommy likes the endless accessorizing possibilities.  She can add a pink belt or lilac scarf or Tiffany blue shrug and get another look or two.
 
(Below - Llum Toddler & Little Girls Bertoia Dresses - Llbd Shop)

You won't have to look far for a little black dress version of a colorful pink, red or purple dress.  Yes, better days have arrived!

  (Better Days by The Art of Judi Lynn - Like this art? Click on link to purchase as a canvas print, framed print, art print or a greeting card at very affordable prices.)

Can you say reversible?  Now you see it in a pattern and now you see it in black... inside out.  Voila!

(Llum Toddler & Girls Reversible Pinafore Dress - Llbd Shop)

(That's right pose for the cameras, little diva.)

"Teach a child to choose the right path and when he is older he will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6

 (By-the-Light - The Art of Judi Lynn)
 

Miracles and Blessings!  Kiki, here... I  know it's been a minute since our last text-webisode.  Fortunately, our iCafe Woman Moderne and iCafe Girl Moderne regulars only missed a few visits during the summer months.  

They're still coming up with great ideas that'll keep our iCafe Woman and Girl Moderne patrons informed, entertained, amused, as well as spiritually and physically fed in the months to come. 

New exciting clubs have formed already topping the list with the Lil Divas Perfect Little Black Dress Club, the brainchild of a feisty  six-year-old.

Feisty Six-Year-Old
I'm seven, Miss Kiki.

 (Primigi Kids)

 Kiki
Oh, I beg your pardon.  The Founder and co-President of our new Lil Divas Perfect Little Black Dress Club is seven-year-old Desiree Lake.  We're also expecting some very talented people to drop by iCafe Woman Moderne for a Latte.  Okay, we'll whet your appetite... a fine artist who paints in mix media, a television producer, a wedding planner, an interactive game designer, a pasty chef, an animation scriptwriter and a female auto mechanic and motorcyclist who educates women on caring for their cars in her classes, "Ladies, Start Your Engines."  And these are just for starters.  Our first guest is an innovative painter--

Desiree
(interrupting)
Miss Kiki, I thought I was gonna talk about the artist lady.

Kiki
You are, but I wanted to give our audience... (smiles) never-mind... you're absolutely right.  This text webisode is all about our little divas.  So without further delay, I'd like to  welcome you all to our iCafe Girl Moderne text-webisode where girls, tweens and teens hang out and be their best.  Your host for today's text-webisode is.... 

Desiree
(grinning)
Me...  Desiree Lake... I'm seven and I love little black dresses.  My momny's a fashion designer for a lady who loves wearing little black dresses like me.  So I started this club with my friends who like wearing them too... and we wear them every time we meet at iCafe Girl Moderne.  There's ten of us, but only eight came today... Maya is 16, Naandi... 10, Brielle is 15, Sasha.... 12, Chyanne just turned 8, Marisol is 1l and Folu's from Nigeria... she's 9.  And we're all gonna model our little black dresses too.

 (Marc Jacobs - Gaela Robe)


Kiki
But before you give us our little black dress fashion show, don't you have a guest you'd like us to meet?

Desiree
I almost forgot... she's the art lady.

Kiki
She's an artist. What kind of artist?

Desiree
She's an absack artist... whatever that is.  I just know she's a really good painter cause she don't just paint pictures of cats, houses and flowers... BORING.  (She pretend yawns.)  Her pictures make you stare really hard and try to figure out what it is.  I like that a whole lot.  It's not boring at all.

She draws some trees too, but mostly stuff that makes you keep staring at it like you do when you're looking in that funny tube you gave me for my birthday, Miss Kiki.

Kiki
You mean a kaleidoscope?

Desiree
Yeah... yeah... like that.   I don't know what I'm looking at, but it's really cool. I can't stop looking.  She's right here, she'll tell you.

Kiki
Is there something you have to do first?


Desiree
Sorry, I've got to introduce her.  Oh, I remember.  (clears her throat) I'd like to welcome to the first taping of our Lil Divas Perfect Little black Dress Club... art lady Judi Lynn.  I like your art... my favorite ones are these.  That second one looks like somebody's sleeping on the floor.

(Fruits-of-our-Labor - The Art of Judi Lynn)

(She Sleeps - The Art of Judi Lynn)

Judi Lynn
Thank you for inviting me, Desiree.  I'm an abstract painter who works in acrylic and mix media. You have a great eye.  The first painting is called "Fruits of Our Labor," and the second one I titled, "She Sleeps."  It's an abstract of a sleeping woman.  You were right. 

Desiree
It's really cool!

Judi Lynn
Fruits of Our Labor is an acrylic and digital painting that shows the abstraction of an apple, which is the source of nutrition and the symbol of health, not only in our bodies but in our lives.  The apple represents knowledge.

Desiree
Wait a minute, this is my favorite one too.

Judi Lynn
That one is "Some Kind of Wonderful."

(Some Kind of Wonderful - The Art of Judi Lynn)

Desiree
I know.  I like it too.


Judi Lynn
(laughing)
It's called "Some Kind of Wonderful."  This piece started off as an acrylic painting on canvas, then... to make things interesting... I used digital tools that take the image beyond what the physical hand can do.  The final result is amazing for both the painter and the viewer.

Desiree
Why do you call your art ab-stract?

Judi Lynn
You look at a painting of a landscape and know what you're looking at.  But I could take that same landscape and change the shape of the trees, the color of the grass and use colors that are not common in landscapes and it becomes a different version of a landscape.  I'll do it this way to express a deeper meaning.  It's a landscape but painted in a different way.  

You said that some of my paintings remind you of a kaleidoscope.  Well, that's a great example because a kaleidoscope changes the way you see an image.  I hope my paintings stir different emotions in each person who sees it.

Desiree
Makes sense to me.  Why did you become a painter?

Judi Lynn
I've been making marks on blank surfaces since I could hold a pencil in my hot little hands. While the little girls in Kindergarten class played house, I grabbed brush and paint and entered my own world.  My education has always centered around art from elementary to my college days at Temple University's Tyler School of Art.  I've been painting professionally since 2006. 

I enjoy exploring techniques in acrylic textured painting. I'm also a bit of a computer nerd... playing with light and color also excites me.


Desiree
I like computers too, but how do you paint on a computer?

Judi Lynn
I use a digital tool called a stylus.  The stylus is my computer paint brush and I use an electronic tablet as my canvas.

Desiree
Your art feels really good too.  I touched it when nobody was looking.

Judi Lynn
(laughing)
I'm glad.  I like my artwork touched.  I want it to feel good  inside and out.  My life's purpose is to touch lives and use my art to help make them better.  My paintings tend to appeal to your sense of touch and are often spiritually inspired. I'm moved by rich color and earthy tones.

Kiki
Where can we purchase your art?


Judi Lynn
I'm glad you asked.  You can purchase my art as a canvas print, framed print, art print and greeting card at affordable prices at an online art gallery:  The Art of Judi Lynn  
http://theartofjudilynn.artistwebsites.com/

Desiree
What's earthy toes?

Judi Lynn 
(smiling) Earthy tones are colors that come from nature such as, leaves, tree barks, the ground, rocks, a sunset, clouds... you get the idea.

Desiree
Creepy crawlers and flowers too?


Judi Lynn
Well, yes... colors can come from them too... the brown from a grasshopper, the black from a spider or the red from a rose.


Desiree
Yuck!   I hate spiders.   Can you put your art on a tee-shirt or a little black dress?

Judi Lynn
Sure you can... and I don't like spiders either.  You can have one of my prints silk-screened on your tee or lbd.


Desiree
Thanks for wearing your perfect little black dress today. 

Judi Lynn
A perfect little black dress is like a blank canvas, you add paint and create one look and add a little more paint, and create another look a moment later.   I also love yours and your Barbie's.


Desiree
Thanks.

Judi Lynn
I can't wait to see your fashion show.

Desiree
Naandi and Maya... come on out!  Ten-year-old Naandi is wearing the fancy lbd you can wear to a wedding or church... and Maya's wearing one in a junior size that you can wear to school if you don't have to wear a school uniform.  The rest of the girls will be wearing a fancy one and one for every day too.

 

(3 Little Dot )

(CashCash Kids )

(Ses Petites Mains Girls Greta Dress - Llbd Shop)

(Primigi Kids)

(Claesen's Toddler & Girl Tee Dress - Llbd Shop)

Find the perfect little black dress for the little girl in your life at:
Little-Little Black Dress Shop.





Do You Have a Daughter Who's Crazy About Wearing Little Black Dresses?  We'd like to hear from you or her?  Drop us a comment.

Stop Dreading that Swimsuit!

We're almost saying goodbye to July! Are you still fretting over your ill-fitting swimsuit?  Is it cramping your style?  Are you glad you invested in a cover-up?  Well, that's not good.  Help has arrived!  You'll love the 2011 Nautica swimwear and the retro inspsired swimwear and plus size retro swimwear.

 

(flickr.com)

Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound--who can discover it?  Ecclesiastes 7:24

Ask most women what their least favorite thing to shop for is... many will say the dreaded swimsuit.  Even if you're in the best shape of your life, you'll still probably find something wrong with that swimsuit fit.  Even if you have over 30 pounds to lose, you can still have a pleasant swimsuit shopping and wearing experience. No, I'm not on mind-altering meds.

 

Miracles and Blessings... happy end of July... Kiki here, and we're having a blast this summer here at your favorite virtual women's cafe, iCafe Woman Moderne.  We hope this fun-in-the-sun text webisode will help you throw away your dread of shopping and help you find the right swimsuit (if you haven't already) that'll fit you, your summer lifestyle and personality.   

Are you hiding out in a tee-shirt or cover-up?  If so, get back online or visit your favorite shop after you read this text-webisode.  And if you shop now, you'll get a nice savings.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that swimsuit you bought in February is now half or 30% off.

You don't have to be a size four or a surfer girl.  Great if you are, but it's still great if you're not.  Embrace the womanly curves you have and tend to hide, or enhance what you don't have and give yourself more womanly curves. 

We have our iCafe Woman Moderne Divas here to help you get there.  We have sizes 2 to 22 represented here at our annual swimsuit fashion show.  What's different this year is that we're featuring the new retro swimsuits that flatter both the athletic small and the curvalicious.  All sizes are beautiful, you just have to own what you have.  So enjoy your fun in the sun with these retro-inspired swimwear before the leaves change... you'll thank us later.

 Genevieve 35 - a paralegal at an entertainment law firm loves the new retro swimsuit that hugs her curvy body in a flattering way.  No longer does she go in the water with a tee over her swimsuit.  Thanks, Esther Williams for giving women to teens swimsuits all sizes can feel oh-so glamorous wearing
(Mod Cloth)

Daria 42 - this food blogger and web copywriter has a secret beach blanket bingo side.  Move over Gidget and Moon Doggie, Daria's commanding her own beach blanket fun.  Her prized collection of Gidget and Elvis Presley movies are best enjoyed on rainy days.  She's thrilled with this daisy-patterned two-piece. (Mod Cloth)

 At Last! Vctoria's Secret has gone retro- inspired in its swimsuit collection for you divas snorkeling in the South Pacific, jumping waves on the Alantic shores or chilling at one of our country's mountain lakes.  You'll feel and look fantastic in the vintage retro swimwear.

(Mod Cloth)

Austin  22 - Hair Stylist

When most twenty-somethings can't wait to slip into a teeny bikini, Austin, the drummer of her own beat, prefers the sophistication of this Victoria's Secret aqua halter one-piece.

Fabulous at 50, Lorene just celebrated her 50th birthday in style with this head-turning bikini, (why not?) This Zumba, Rebounder and Hula Hoop Dance class instructor celebrated her milestone with a Victoria's Secret BioFit bikini in Antigua.

 (shuttle)

 (coconut vendor)

Victoria's Secret Biofit Bikini

What's great about this swimsuit is that it custom fits your cup size from A to D.  If you're an A, you get the full padding, B cup... lightly padded... C ... for shaping and D cup with contouring.  But it doesn't stop there.  Uh-uhn... like Burger King, you can have it your way... wear it as a halter, strapless, V-neck, classic and cross-back.

For Sarah 48, a self-employed electrician and avid surfer, there's nothing worse than losing your bikini top on a stoked wave.  This Fisherman's net tankini by Nautica gives her the freedom to surf, kite board and snorkel to her heart's content.  And the fishnet material adds interest to a safe color.

 Daria also likes this size 14 Nautica striped, high neckline tankini for swimming and hanging around poolside.  You can even wear the top with a pair of white shorts and nobody would be the wiser.

No worries, we haven't forgotten you divas who want to add more curves.  Nurse Annie, 25, likes the movement and curves of this Nautica retro-inspired halter-back bandeau bikini. 

Teens... you're in this mix too.  Afterall, iCafe Woman Moderne is an inter-generational virtual cafe.  This smocked bikini by Roxy with amazing cup support and boning at the sides is not going anywhere once you put it on.  I heard that sigh of relieve, Mamas.  It also comes with skinny halter straps adding another secure dimension.  

Sixteen-year-old Carmen snatched this bikini up with the quickness.  The yarn dye stripe has enough wow factor for our creative cartoonist.

 Leah, 18, a dancer, and soon-to-be freshman at the Rhode Island School of Design was drawn to this Roxy Fire Dancer swim suit like fish to water.  It's fun, playful, has the support and makes a summer statement.  It checks off all of her design requirements. 

 We would be wrong if we didn't mention some of the swimsuit don'ts provided by Glamour.com 

SWIMSUIT NO-NOs

1. I beg you... please don't wear heels with your bikini, unless you want to look like you're taking a break from dancing in a Chris Brown music video. 

2. Don't wear a swimsuit top that's too small.  A belly flop in the pool and it's coming off.  You don't want your girls making an appearance in the cyber-underworld.

3. Don't wear a lure-him-in swim suit that could pass for lingerie. You may lure in something you don't want.  

4.  Finally, a Do... This is the transition look you want from beach to beach side restaurant.  A stylish swim suit under a full-length cover up, sunglasses, bottled water to stay hydrated and safe this summer season.

Our iCafe Woman/Girl Moderne Divas picked these swim suits as most suited for many shapes and sizes from Overstock.com.

Ray Women's Retro 1-piece Color Block

Jantzen Teal Ruched One Piece

 Jantzen's Women's Pleated Tankini Top - You can wear this with boxers, hip huggers, low rider, skirt...etc. depending on the fit and comfort.

Ray Women's Retro 2-Piece Bikini with Button Trim Side

I know what you're thinking. "But I'm a size 16, I can't wear this two-piece."  Yes you can. It gives you enough coverage on the bottom and support on the top. Also, because it sits low on the hips, the suit elongates a thicker middle.  Whereas some one-pieces make the middle appear thicker and wider.


Color blocked and mock tankinis also flatter many figures.


Cowabunga!