Category: WOW

Two altruistic Arizona institutions—Catalina Springs Memory Care, a senior living facility, and Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), a shelter for dogs, cats, and other furry friends—have teamed up to hatch a purrfect plan: a program that pairs animal-loving residents of the memory care facility with shelter kittens in need of a little love.

Rebecca Hamilton, the health services director of Catalina Springs Memory Care, came up with the ingenious idea. In addition to working at the senior living facility, Hamilton also dedicates her time to voluntarily fostering felines, a meaningful task she thoroughly enjoys. Recognizing the happiness that caring for cats brings her, Hamilton realized that many memory care residents may also delight in bottle feeding, socializing, and, of course, cuddling needy newborns. Coupling two causes dear to her heart—caring for kittens and enriching the lives of senior citizens—Hamilton proposed the idea to PACC, who heartily hopped on board.

On October 14, two young kittens, Peaches and Turtle, were brought to Catalina Springs Memory Care to launch the program. At just 7 ounces each, the two babies were in desperate need of some TLC—and, to no one’s surprise, the residents were more than happy to shower them with affection. Now, one month later, Peaches and Turtle have reached healthy weights and are well on their way to adoptability—a feat that, according to PACC, would not have been possible without the elders’ efforts.

Fortunately, PACC and Catalina Springs Memory Center plan to proceed with the precious program, and both institutions are confident that the kittens will continue to receive unconditional love and top-notch care from the senior citizens. “To some, it may seem peculiar at first: Residents who are in need of around-the-clock care themselves, given the task to care for these young kittens,” Catalina Springs Memory Care Executive Director Sharon Mercer said in the program’s press release. “But there are skills, emotions, and needs that do not just leave a person with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. The desire to give love and receive love remains. The kittens have given us the opportunity to nurture this human condition that lies in each and every one of our residents.” 

You can learn more about fostering a four-legged friend through the ASPCA!

Pima Animal Care Center: Website | Facebook | Twitter 
Catalina Springs Memory Care: Website | Facebook | Twitter
via [Hello Giggles]

All images via Pima Animal Care.

An Australian boy named Campbell Remess is unlike ordinary kids his age. At the young age of nine, he decided to take an active role in brightening the lives of others. It began when he asked his parents if they could buy Christmas presents for kids in the hospital, but was told it would cost too much. Rather than abandon the idea, Remess chose to make the gifts himself. “I decided that I would make one present a day which is 365 a year and give them all away,” he recalled, naming the impressive endeavor Project 365.

That was over three years ago; and now 12 years old, Remess still going strong with his promise. Armed with a sewing machine and loads of faux fur, he has created over 800 stuffed animals, producing over 450 in 2016 alone! Each bear is adorably fluffy with large, sweet eyes and its own name. Once complete, the soft creatures find homes in the arms of people who could use a kind gesture and new pal.

Remess takes requests for bears, and occasionally sells his handiwork on eBay for charity. In addition, he also takes donations for fabric and notions through his website.

These are some of the recipients of Remess’ heartwarming gifts:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Pbu2ZANGk&w=750&h=422]

365 Project: Website | Facebook
via [Bored Panda]

Plein air painting is one of art history’s greatest traditions. Otherwise known as outdoor painting, the practice gained immense popularity in the mid-19th century and still continues today. Collaborative duo Hank Schmidt in der Beek and Fabian Schubert have carried on this artistic staple, but with their own humorous twist—since 2009, they’ve turned plein air painting into an unlikely self portrait.

The ongoing project is called Und im Sommer tu ich malen (roughly translated, it means And in the Summer I do Paint), and it features in der Beek in various locations across Europe—among places that undoubtedly inspired past painters. But rather than filling his canvas with the surrounding landscape, in der Beek simply records the pattern of his shirt or sweater. Schubert captures the self-centered sight, simultaneously showcasing the awe-inspiring scenery while chronicling one man’s attempt for life to imitate art. The results are conceptually amusing as well as beautiful, thanks to their grandiose natural settings.

Und im Sommer tu ich malen has appeared throughout the years in solo and group exhibitions, but now the photos are available together in a book of the same name that’s published by Edition Taube.

Fabian Schubert: Website
via [Colossal]

Bookbinding—an art form that stretches back thousands of years—creates stunning work to contain the written word. Whether it be the precious phrases of classic authors or our most intimate thoughts, putting pen to paper has never been more beautiful thanks to the work of bookbinders aLexLibris. With over 15 years experience, head bookbinder Alex creates an array of hand-crafted leather journals, cookbooks, and more that will make you want to pick up a quill pen. 

The range primarily focuses on books with Medieval and Renaissance flair. Embossed leather covers, delicate metalwork, and internal pages stained with coffee all help achieve the feeling that these books come from the distant past. We’re especially fond of the Anatomia series of journals, which take inspiration from Renaissance anatomy books. ”In ‘chained libraries’ books are were chained to lecterns or shelves to prevent theft. In that reasons, this book has a sturdy mounted chain on back cover plate,” the artisans write on their website. “Locking of the book is made with leather stripes, decorative metal ends and pegs embedded in edge of thick front cover plate. The clasps adorn the cover, placing intrigue when opening and discovering its beauty.”

The love and labor given to each piece makes opening the journals a precious gift each time—transporting us to an imaginary library where, after blowing a layer of dust off the volume, we settle in to write our verses in solitude. ALexLibris currently sells their journals through its Etsy shop. Commissions are also welcome, allowing you to customize your perfect book.

The fully leather-bound book measures 8 x 10.6 inches with a thickness of 4 inches.

The interior pages of the journal are stained with coffee to give an authentic, aged look.

Detail of the cover of an Anatomia journal prior to the leather being toned.

This hand-carved, leather ribcage for the front cover was created with a specially prepared, thick leather. 

This 600-page journal is inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

The front cover portrait of Dracula has a vintage feel and is surrounded by embossed and gilded skulls for a full vampire effect.

aLexLibris: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Blog | Etsy
via [So Super Awesome]

All images via aLexLibris.

Ancient mosaics have a long history of helping bring clarity to the traditions and history of rich cultures. Beginning in Mesopotamia, the practice allowed powerful cultures to show their wealth and artistic skills. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Turkish archeologists have been uncovering incredible ancient mosaics—including a new find in the southeastern city of Şanlıurfa.

The 1,800-year-old mosaic immortalizes two men and two women, each laid out within individual squares and accompanied by Syriac inscriptions. A team of archeologists working on the historic Castle of Urfa discovered these portraits of the deceased. And while they aren’t the skeletons you may think of when it comes to commemorating the dead, these funerary portraits are a common floor motif. As a large funerary space, it is typical for a necropolis to contain imagery that artistically honors the dead. The team, which is working on a project to restore rock-cut tombs over 45 acres in the region, estimates that the mosaic dates to the first or second centuries CE.

Using muted colors and simple lines, the mosaic depicts the deceased buried in the necropolis. While little is known about who they are, the initial dating of the mosaic tells us that they would have lived anywhere from 132 BCE and 639 CE. It was a period when Şanlıurfa was known as Edessa—a kingdom of cultural significance. While scholars remain divided on the issue, Jewish and Muslim religious tradition suggests that Şanlıurfa, also known as Urfa, was the hometown of Abraham. The Kingdom of Edessa is also where Syriac dialect was developed, and Syriac literature flourished. As the language of ancient Syria and a dialect of Aramaic, Syriac was spoken across the Fertile Crescent. And if that weren’t enough, the area is also of great significance to Armenians, as the Armenian alphabet was thought to have been developed there.

After excavation work on the 80 additional tombs discovered in the area is completed, the sites will be open to the public—a move meant to stimulate tourism in the area.  

Detail of the mosaic.

Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Hyperallergic]

All images via Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality.

You wouldn’t realize it from the outside, but the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran is bursting at the seams with vibrant interior hues. Known as the Pink Mosque, its design earns the nickname with its overwhelming amount of rose-colored tiles, punctuated by many patterned stained glass windows. Together, they immerse the visitor in a dizzying array of artistry that’s present at every turn.

Although the 19th-century mosque never wavers in its breathtaking beauty, the morning is the best time to appreciate it. According to one photographer named Koach, it’s when the light beams through the windows and illuminates the tile in rainbows. “The sight of the morning sunlight shining through the colorful stained glass,” he explained, “then falling over the tightly woven Persian carpet, is so bewitching that it seems to be from another world.”

Above photo credit: Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji

Photo credit: kholmang

Photo credit: kholmang

Photo credit: Koach

Photo credit: Dave Wong

Photo credit: kholmang

Photo credit: Amin Abedini

Photo credit: Omid Jafarnezhad

Photo credit: Martin Yhlen

Photo credit: Martin Yhlen

Photo credit: Marco Antonini

via [Reddit]

By now, we are all accustomed to the chore of phone charging. Between energy-draining apps and gradually dwindling battery life, our phones are constantly traveling back-and-forth between our hands and our chargers. Smartwatches, however, are a bit different. Unlike a mobile phone, a smartwatch is wearable; plugging it in requires more of an effort, and some people—used to the low maintenance watches of yesteryear—may forget to charge it entirely. Matrix Industries, a forward-thinking start-up, has a solution to this problem: PowerWatch, a gadget that is powered by body heat.

Their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo explains: “Unlike today’s smartwatches which need to be recharged every day or two, the Matrix PowerWatch never needs to be removed from your wrist for charging.” The PowerWatch serves a range of purposes, from keeping track of calories burned, monitoring activity and fitness levels, and tracking sleep. It can be wirelessly synced with your phone through the Matrix iOS and Android apps. Composed of aircraft-grade aluminum and featuring military-grade nylon straps, the waterproof watch is also exceptionally durable.

The team behind PowerWatch has created the gadget as a way to test their thermoelectric generator technology. Put simply, a thermoelectric generator is a device that converts heat into energy. In order to do so, the generator must maintain two temperatures: high heat and low heat. For this reason, a watch’s face is a perfect candidate: the side that makes contact with your skin remains warm, while its surface remains cool. Ultimately, this seemingly simple difference in temperature is what powers and runs the watch. And, when it isn’t on your wrist—and, thus, isn’t generating any energy—the watch goes to sleep. Due to an internal battery, however, the date and time won’t be affected, and everything will be exactly as it was when you left it.

The PowerWatch is undeniably a product of the future—and, from a company with a name like Matrix Industries, we wouldn’t expect anything less!

For a contribution of $170, you can a pre-order a watch through Indiegogo. Matrix Industries hopes to ship the product by July 2017.

Matrix Industries: Facebook | Twitter
via [Indiegogo, Gizmodo]

All images via Indiegogo.

Many of us spend most of our time indoors, so it’s important to cultivate a space that’s a healthy one. A simple—and beautiful—way to do this is through houseplants; they add some green to your home while being an effective way to purify the air.

NASA hardly seems like the organization that would give us insight into these types of plants, but in the late 1980s, the US government agency collaborated with the Associated Contractors of America (ALCA) to come up with a list of the most beneficial flora for your home. Their informative Clean Air study found that some plants, more than others, could naturally filter harmful chemicals and help mitigate the effects they have on humans.

So, what are the best air-cleaning plants? The Florist’s Mum and Peace Lily took the top spot. According to the study, they are both effective at removing amounts of benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia from the air. NASA recommends having at least one plant per 100 square feet of space, which offers the perfect excuse to fill your home with English Ivy, Flamingo Lily, and the popular Varigated Snake Plant. While you’re at it, buy some fun planters for them, too!

Love the Garden created a helpful infographic that will tell you which house plants are best and what chemicals they filter:

With some help from these plants, your air can be cleaner and healthier:

via [Lifehacker, Freshome]

Safety doesn’t often go hand-in-hand with stylish and sleek; however, Manhattan couple Sujene Kong and Christian Von Heifner want to make safety trendy and fashionable with FEND, a collapsible bike helmet geared towards the urban commuter. FEND folds down to one-third of its original size for effortless convenience and space efficiency. According to their Kickstarter, just “fold, stash, and store in your bag until you need it again!”

The idea was first conceived when Kong and Heifner were riding their bikes to brunch and Heifner was hit by a car. Although helmets are a public safety guideline, the accident was a wake-up call for the couple—they realized most people don’t sport helmets because they are often bulky, hot, and difficult to carry around.

Kong and Heifner have over 20 years of product development and design experience combined, in both industrial design and retail merchandising. By putting their heads together, the two rapidly came up with the idea of FEND, something they “would actually want to wear.”

The basis of the design is rooted in style as well as safety. FEND exceeds both US and European bicycle safety standards and includes an impact-resistant ribbed shell. Its joint system enables the helmet to fold down, and when it needs to be worn, it can simply be opened and clicked into place. Available in two sizes, FEND also includes adjustable chin straps that keep it securely in place on the wearer’s head.

The crowdfunding for FEND was launched in early October with plans for the first products to arrive in Spring of 2017. To learn more about FEND and pre-order your own trendy, foldable bike helmet, visit their website.

FEND: Website | Kickstarter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 
via [Laughing Squid]

All images via FEND.

Missouri-based photographer Alex Bolen has a knack for capturing precious moments. From charming family photos to stunning maternity shoots, the “sparkle that everyone carries with them in their own unique way” is always the focus of her photos. As the owner of Shutter Darling Photography, she carries out a range of poignant and meaningful projects, including a recent session dedicated to mothers and their “rainbow babies.”

A rainbow baby is a child born to a woman who has previously suffered infant or pregnancy loss. Much like a rainbow after a storm, the bundles of joy represent hope and light in a time of grief and darkness. As a mother, Bolen has deep sympathy and compassion for mothers who have experienced such tragedy. “Early this year, I had my daughter Haven, and my whole pregnancy was filled with happiness ― but mainly fear,” Bolen shared with The Huffington Post. “I was a part of many online soon-to-be mom groups, where women were posting about miscarrying or suffering the loss of their babies after birth. I was petrified. As I grew into this local mom community it became apparent how magical this ‘rainbow baby’ term really is!”

Inspired by their tragic stories and unwavering strength, Bolen decided to commission a group of mothers (including mothers-to-be) of rainbow babies for a very special shoot. She shared her idea in a Facebook post and, though numerous women showed interest in participating, the first six volunteers were selected as her models.

During the touching session, Bolen shot individual portraits of the mothers with their children as well as a now-viral group photo. In the striking shot, the mothers—each clad in a gown of a different color—stand before multi-colored smoke bombs as they clutch their rainbow babies (and baby bumps). Though a tribute to lost loved ones, the image conveys each mother’s enduring optimism and undying love—a message Bolen is particularly proud of. “With all this darkness and hate going on in the world, we truly needed a little lifting up,” she said. “The rainbow term has brought together thousands across the globe and I feel pretty darn blessed to be part of that.”

Shutter Darling Photography: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [The Huffington Post] 

All images via Shutter Darling Photography.