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It’s that time of year!

Deemed “the scariest haunted house in Niagara Falls,” the Nightmare Fears Factory is a festive and frightening way to get into the holiday spirit.

Located in Canada’s Clifton Hill Tourist District, the Nightmare Fears Factory is a walk-through house of horrors. Shrouded in darkness and featuring spine-tingling spooks, the haunted house attracts brave souls from all over the world, scaring them silly and snapping secret—and hilarious—photos to prove it.

The perfectly-timed pictures capture raw expressions of sheer terror; with wide eyes and mouths agape, guests huddle, flinch, and scream. Some grab at each other’s clothing while others use their friends as human shields. Whether shrieking or scared stiff, each unnerved visitor unknowingly poses for a perfect photo-op that screams “Halloween!”—and, if they’re not too traumatized, he or she can even purchase it as a side-splitting souvenir.

Nightmares Fear Factory: Website | Facebook | Flickr 

All images via Nightmares Fear Factory. 

Artist Chooo-San creates mind-bending illusions on the body to transform ordinary people in incredible ways—all without digital manipulation. Using acrylic paints and a realistic approach, the Japanese creative fashions her subjects into cyborgs, animal/human hybrids, and dolls that are coming apart at the seams. Each is awe-inspiring in its attention to detail and intriguingly surreal as the skin is seemingly stretched and molded.

Chooo-San’s analog creations are a response to the overuse of technology in artwork. “I guess I was a little sick of everyone making pictures with their computers,” she told Daily Mail, “and wanted to see how far I can go without those technologies such as Photoshop.”

Since beginning this type of painting in 2012, we’ve watched Chooo-San’s illusions grow even more refined and sophisticated. Check out the pieces that first made us fall in love, here.

Chooo-San: Website
via [Design You Trust]

Based in New York and sent from heaven, ice cream company Tipsy Scoop creates intoxicatingly-tasty treats.

Specializing in alcohol-infused ice cream, Tipsy Scoop “blends the magic of an artisanal, hand-crafted ice cream with the mastery of a perfectly-mixed cocktail.” The frozen goodies come in pints, quarts, cakes, and even cookie sandwiches. Ice cream flavors range from the classics—think chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip—to the trendy—like pumpkin pie, plum and hibiscus, salted caramel, and cake batter. The alcoholic additions span spirits, wine, beer, and cocktails. The result? Yummy concoctions that offer an adult spin on childhood favorites. 

Melissa Tavss, the mastermind behind the brand, was inspired by her family’s rich history in ice cream. She comes from a long line of ice cream makers, and her great grandpa was even elected President of the Ice Cream Alliance of Great Britain. Through Tipsy Scoop, Tavss hopes to honor tradition with her own modern— and boozy—twist.

Above image credit: @treatyoself_nyc

Tipsy Scoop: Website | Instagram | Twitter 
via [22 Words]

All images via Tipsy Scoop.

In a world of social media sharing, professional photo shoots are becoming increasingly popular and prevalent. Though once reserved for picture-perfect wedding albums and baby scrapbooks, polished and skillfully-shot photographs now mark every milestone imaginable, spanning engagements, baby-gender-reveals, and—thanks to puppy-loving photographer Amy Rients—even expectant dogs!

Rients always had an interest in breeding LeeRoy, her golden retriever. When her matchmaking dog groomer—who also happens to be her best friend—met Chanel, another golden, she knew they would make perfect canine companions. The two dogs were introduced to one another and, recently, Chanel has given birth to a healthy litter of puppies.

Toward the end of Chanel’s pregnancy, Rients decided to celebrate the new pups’ upcoming arrival with something a little bit different: a maternity shoot.  In the comical series of photos, the parents-to-be happily frolic outside. Chanel dons a flower crown (it wouldn’t be a contemporary photo shoot without one!) and LeeRoy wears his finest blue bandana as they pose behind a chalkboard countdown that reads: “9 Days Until Puppies.” 

Now all we need is the inevitably adorable follow-up shoot! 

Rients Photography: Facebook | Twitter
via [Mashable]

All images via Rients Photography. 

As wildly apparent in her enchanting and elaborate designs, sculptor Ellen Jewett believes that “there is no such thing as too much detailing.” Known for her surreal sculptures, the Canadian artist combines flora, fauna, and fantasy to craft fanciful composites of creatures.

With an eclectic background that spans anthropological studies, stop motion animation, medical illustration, and even the care of exotic animals, Jewett draws inspiration from a myriad of sources. Her art is molded by each of her talents, and her realistic-yet-unreal maquette-like models showcase her keen anatomical and anthropological understanding of animals.

Each captivating chimera is intricately handcrafted “down to the finest filigree” and scrupulously painted by the artist. Jewett uses only natural materials in her work, underscoring the unconventional feel of her creations and nurturing her connection to nature. 

Jewett’s curious collection of one-of-a-kind pieces is available on her Etsy shop, where you can find a piece straight out of your wildest dreams. 

Ellen Jewett: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Etsy | DeviantArt 

All Images via Ellen Jewett. 

A painter’s palette is the slab on which the artist’s materials sit. It’s a necessary tool in the creative process that often goes overlooked, overshadowed by the paint, the brush, and even the canvas. Artist Dina Brodsky has joined forces with curator Trek Lexington to turn the focus back on the palette in a group exhibit titled Point of Origin.

As co-curators of the show, Brodsky and Lexington have called upon over 50 artists from around the world to not only use their palette as a tool, but treat it as the work of art itself. “One way to get a glimpse into the artist’s mind, as well as into their practice is the painter’s palette,” the exhibit states. “It is both practical and intimate, acquiring layers of paint as well as memories, reflecting intent and execution, storing the ghosts of paintings that have long since left the studio.  The palette is the point of origin from which ideas become realized and paint is transformed into a reflection of the human experience. Whatever shape or form the surface or substrate takes, it all begins when brush meets palette.”

Scroll down to see just a taste of the wonderful palette paintings submitted to this comprehensive exhibition. To see it all for yourself in person, Point of Origin will be opening tomorrow night (Thursday, October 13) and will remain on display at The Lodge Gallery in New York through November 13, 2016.

Above palette painting by Kieran Ingram

Palette painting by Amber Lia-Kloppel

Palette painting by Christian Fagerlund

Palette painting by Beth Sistrunk

Palette painting by Joshua Henderson

Palette painting by Benjamin Craig

Palette painting by Cory Morgenstein

Palette painting by Alonsa Guevara

Palette painting by Dina Brodsky

Palette painting by Dina Brodsky

Palette painting by John Wellington

Palette painting by Kim Power

Palette painting by Tun Myaing

Palette painting by Tun Myaing

Palette painting by Per Elof Nilsson Ricklund

Palette painting by Liz Adams Jones

Palette painting by James Adelman

Palette painting by Denis Sarazhin

Palette painting by Denis Sarazhin

The Lodge Gallery: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Point of Origin: Instagram
Dina Brodsky: Website | Instagram | Etsy
Trek Lexington: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Dina Brodsky and Trek Lexington / The Lodge Gallery.

When a natural disaster strikes, it’s hard to know what to do next. Evacuees must search for temporary homes that are both safe and affordable, while concerned citizens who are not directly affected want to find ways to help out their neighbors. Luckily, Airbnb has an answer. In early last week’s anticipation for Hurricane Matthew—which has now horribly battered the southeastern coast of the US—the site reactivated their Disaster Response Program, which allows in-land users located in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas to list their homes and rooms at a cost of $0 to those fleeing the storm. 

Airbnb’s Disaster Response Program was first launched in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy hit New York, and it was completely inspired by the generous community who wanted to help others in the way they knew best—by opening up a warm and loving home to those in need. The program’s goal is “to make it easier for community members all over the world to provide emergency accommodations in times of crisis.” Since then, thousands of hosts have offered their homes free of cost after such tragedies as the Louisiana flooding, the Paris attacks, and Italy’s most recent devastating earthquake.

According to the website, “During an emergency, Airbnb may email local hosts with information about how to help and how to offer their extra space to affected community members. These hosts are still covered by the Host Guarantee, and Airbnb’s fees are waived.” Currently, homes are listed for those in the Florida and Georgia coasts, as well as people in the midst of the North Carolina floods. The free discount only applies when used between specific dates, which depend on the storm’s path in each location. 

Both those in need of a place to stay and those who can offer their place for free can visit Airbnb’s Disaster Response page for more information.

Above photo: Severe flooding in Rocky Mount, N.C. near the Tar River Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 (Thomas Babb)

Florida’s Affected Areas

Image via Google Maps

Check-in by October 12, 2016

Image via Airbnb

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Georgia’s Affected Areas

Image via Google Maps

Check-in by October 13, 2016

Image via Airbnb

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North Carolina’s Affected Areas

Image via Google Maps

Check-in by October 16, 2016

Image via Airbnb

Airbnb: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
via [Huffington Post]

This winter, why curl up in any old blanket when you can stay extra warm and toasty in an oversized one you can make yourself? Los Angeles-based blogger and expert knitter Laura Birek has created an easy-to-follow tutorial explaining how to make a chunky knit blanket that will keep you cozy no matter the weather.

With just bulky yarn, two PVC pipes (tubes that measure 1.5 inches across work best), and always-handy duct tape, you can craft Birek’s signature “Giganto-Blanket” from the comfort of your own home. Taping two ends of the PVC pipes instantly transforms them into a pair totally functional—albeit giant—knitting needles, which can then be used as normal. The process is straightforward and simple—as long as, of course, you know how to knit!

Once completed, each warm and fuzzy blanket will feel right at home at the foot of your bed, as a throw on the couch, or, as Birek prefers, when cuddled by a cat! To see more of Birek’s cozy collection (cute cat included), check out her knit-centric site. 

Above image credit: Ohhio

Image credit: Ohhio

Laura Birek: Website | Blog | Youtube | Etsy

via [Bored Panda]

All images via Nocturnal Knit unless otherwise stated. .

Meet the adorably inseparable duo of Nora the dog and baby Archie. Mother Elizabeth Spence (aka @wellettas) dedicates her Instagram to photographing the adventures that the two go on, from window to window and room to room. Though you wouldn’t know it from these photos, Spence told The Dodo that Nora, the 8-year-old English pointer, “came from an abusive background and is afraid of almost everything.” She adds that the adopted dog gravitates to only one family member in particular—11-month-old Archie. “She absolutely adores him!”

Nora and Archie do almost everything by each other’s side. The baby provides a sense of comfort, safety, and security for the traumatized dog. Spence explains, “If Archie is having a bath, Nora is lying on the bath mat waiting for him to get out. If I’m nursing him she wants up on my lap, too. If he’s going through my cupboards throwing all the dishes on the floor, she’ll be there cheering him on.”

Spence describes her son as an “extremely laid-back, happy, good-natured baby” which naturally draws Nora—as well as the family’s other rescued animals—to him. Together, Archie and Nora dress up as superheroes, play with balls and blocks in the family den, and snuggle for their daily afternoon nap. Though she started in an unhappy place, Nora has learned that some fears in our world can be overcome with a great friend by your side.

Check out all of the duo’s adorable photos on Instagram.

Elizabeth Spence: Instagram
via [The Dodo]

All images via Elizabeth Spence (@wellettas).