I JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE THE SWINE FLU!!!!!

the SWWWIIINNEEE flu. GROSS

A Tickle in my Nose!!

I found that the only solution is to sit at my desk with tissue stuffed up both nostrils. Unfortunately it means ever time someone walks by I have to do this...



Doesn't make for a very productive work day.

(dont mind my deathly pastey skin do to said cold.)

World's First Robot Teacher!!

Can you believe this?! Next thing you know we are all going to be watching Japanese robot game shows on youtube.

"Kudan Elementary School children touch a cheek of robot teacher Saya after a special class by Saya in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, May 7, 2009. Unlike more mechanical-looking robots like Honda Motor Co.'s Asimo, the robot teacher, developed by Tokyo University of Science professor Hiroshi Kobayashi, can express six basic emotions _ surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, sadness _ because its rubber skin is being pulled from the back with motors and wiring around the eyes and the mouth."

here is the article

The Office Is Following Me Home

So maybe I stole this picture from the hair salon last night. And maybe I felt a little tinge of jealousy when I read that Jim (John) is engaged. (I kinda like to think that he goes by Jim in real life. Heck, I pretend his IS Jim in real life.) ps that is frosting on their noses just in case you were wondering

The Office

Right now everyone in my office is sick and someone is listening to "you are the wind beneath my wings." oh boy. My boss isn't here yet so lets talk. Oh no, now it's the "my best friends wedding" sound track...

OK despite the fact that I was mostly disappointed with the office wedding (the end was great but the rest wasn't), I can't stop thinking about what you have all thought before... HOW GREAT JIM IS! Now I know what you are thinking, "come on tiff are you seriously posting about the Office? What's next, all caps, diet coke and babies?" But here me out!! This is serious! (ahh now someone is listening to "hero" by Creed. This is getting progressively worse).

So maybe I have a crush on Jim. Kind of like when I had a crush, not like a famous person crush, but like actual feelings for Dan Whitford of Cut Copy. Embarrassing. Its just that he is so talented and REALLY funny. You know, if you have ever been to one of his concerts, when he raises his hands and dances, you WILL follow. I convinced myself that we would be such good friends. Im still convinced. OK back to Jim,

I think I figured it out, I dont really have a crush on Jim but I have a crush on Jim having a crush on Pam. Few, that was important. I just love him, loving her. As much as I wanted them to get together, there was something so great about the whole unrequited love thing. Its like you want them to be together so bad, but the thing that makes it so great an entertaining is that they aren't. Now that they are married, (yes, I will continue to talk about them like they are real people that I am friends with) now what?

Why do people love unrequited love so much? I do, and I dont even know why. Why is the chase so exciting? TELL ME PLEASE, I need to know. Maybe its because people can relate, or that people want to feel that way about someone? I dunno, but I do know I started season one last night and I am hooked all over again.

(Im not even kidding that the little mermaid soundtrack is on now!)

Best Billboard 09

How do you advertise for an adult store without being gross and/or cliche? I always feel kind of embarrassed when I see these kinds of ads. The other day I was driving and saw this...



Very clever I think and appropriate for what it is - funny even. What do you think?

Look I am Loooooving

I am so drawn to this romantic look I have seen a lot of lately. So feminine.

Rita Saardi

Rodarte (I am a huge fan i wrote an article on the sisters awhile back...)

Sarah Seven

J mendel

Sublet

twig and honey

Movie You Should Go See

Remember The Devil Wears Prada? Here is the real Deal. I loved it.

The September Issue

The Noodle Slide: another GENIUS invention from the Japanese

Nikki just sent me the most amazint thing. Remember the marble maze you had as a kid. looked like this...

Well dont worry, now you can buy one for your noodles. Amazing. Check it out here.

Thanks Nikki

Healthy By Association?

The other day I read an article called "The Buddy System: How Medical Data Revealed Secret to Health and Happiness" in Wired Magazine. (Thanks to Josh for pulling my away from design and fashion blogs for 5 min. Not a normal occurrence). It was really, really interesting. Basically some scientists found extensive research done on a community of people in Framingham for heart studies but they took the info and dissected in terms of social networks. They were looking for clues into health and happiness to see if this was at all related to social networks. They found a HUGE correlation. You can read the full article here.

Check out these diagrams for what they found related obesity, smoking and happiness.

OBESITY (click to enlarge pics)
Each circle represents an individual.
Orange = obese person
Green = non-obese person
Brown = family connection
Dark green = friendship or marriage connection





"Obesity spread like a virus. Weight gain had a stunning infection rate. If one person became obese, the likelihood that his friend would follow suit increased by 171 percent. (This means that the network is far more predictive of obesity than the presence of genes associated with the condition."

SMOKING

Orange =Smoker*
Green = Nonsmoker
Burnt Orange = Friendship/marital connection
Brown = Familial connection





"When smokers quit, their friends were 36 percent more likely to follow suit."

HAPPINESS




"Each happy friend increased an individuals probability of being happy by 9 percent. An extra $5,000 in income raised it only 2 percent."

It's funny to me that people can get scientific with something like happiness but I guess there is a science to everything. And I really like it. I read another study that revealed how gratitude and service actually release chemicals in your brain that make you happy! Crazy!! (Thanks Oprah)

Quick, pull out your overalls, everything is in style!!!

Lets play a little game. Guess which pictures are "now" or "then"

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.


see bottom of post for answers.

Have you noticed that in the last decade the fashion world hasn't done a whole lot that is new? At least what has predominately stuck out to me is that EVERYTHING is vintage inspired. And its not like designers are drawing from a specific era - every era is in! I can't think of one decade that I haven't seen represented in the fashion world lately, except for the 00's.

Don't get me wrong, I am the first one to dote over fashions from yesteryear but one of the things I really appreciate about vintage style is how each decade is so distinctive and original. I don't think this really exist anymore. I mean, its easy to spot a 70's pattern, a 60's dress or a 20's hairstyle, but what about a 00's outfit? I love vintage and vintage inspired everything just as much as the next girl (boy) but I kind of wish our generation had something new and distinctive. You can diss the 80's and 90's (which I do openly) but even they had their own thing. It just seems a little odd that with all of the talent and technology out there we would be so focused on style of the past. Am I missing something? Am I the only ones who thinks about this? In defense of vintage, it it nearly impossible to find quality or uniqueness like you find in vintage, but this again is odd to me, why is it?

In closing I would like to say I still plan on spending a ridiculous amount of time souring thrift stores, flea markets and estate sales looking for one of a kind gems to make my heart happy. Though I'm the first to say I'd like to see something new, I also know there is nothing quite like the perfect vintage find for a perfect thrift store price.

answer key

1.then 2.now 3.then 4.now 5.now

Good Morning Hair

we've never really seen eye to eye...

Caitlin Gets Crafty

Many of you probably know Caitlin Milson Gilman . She is a friend of mine from BYU who now lives in Oregon with her husband Dan. First of all, I have such a huge crush on them. They are both individually amazing and basically an all around mind blowing couple. One of a kind gems. Caitlin is super talented and travels the world studying architecture but finds time to do crafty projects. Like these amazing silkscreen prints of the temple.
My mom has been looking for religious art for the house, but wanted somthing that was more artistic and different. Caitlin felt the same way and so she made her own. she sells them on her etsy site. total bargin at $20 for a set of three 6.5" x 9.5" prints!!

Cake Club

for the last few weeks I have been taking a cake decorating class. As you can see I was an all-star student. 

Check out that certificate. 

So maybe I made a cake for myself with my name on it and ate it. 

This one is kind of ugly but I am proud of those roses. 

next adventure: sewing class. sew far sew good. and with that comment, its time for me to put myself to bed. 

ohhh one more thing, speaking of projects, if there is anyone out there who is wondering, I haven't forgotten about my book "to my younger self." Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far. If you know anything about publishing let me know. I have also been working on Nikki's wedding. I am going to do weddings on the side and so far I am loving it! I have so many ideas I cant wait to do. Now I just need more people to get married and hire me. I am also working on a little vintage and accessories online shop that I am really excited about which is still in the very beginning stages but I post it when im finished  

AND THE WINNER IS...

LUKE!!! 

His winning entry:

"In Chinese, the word 'tanning' is composed of 2 characters. One represents danger. The other, opportunity."

Thank you so much to everyone, it was so hard to choose. I wanted to highlight a few honorable mentions from Alison and Aubrey, respectively. so good.

"Is that a tan in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?"

"YES. WE TAN"

(luke, dont forget to send me your address)

World's Tannest Man Competition and Giveaway!!!

A while back Josh and I saw the most leathery tan old guy we had ever seem. We made some kind of joke that he would win for world's tannest man. We went home to do a little research on the subject and to our complete shock and dismay, there was no such things as a world's tannest man competition! So a couple of weekends ago Josh and I held the first ever annual World's Tannest Man Competition at Venice beach. It was kind of the most amazing experience ever. 

Before the big day we made T-shirts with the tannest guy ever on the front and different phrases about tanning including,  I'd rather be tanning", "be the tan you wish to see in the world", "one small step for man, one giant leap for tankind" and "tan like no one is watching". We made signs and fliers and I even got a tanning salon to sponsor the event and give us free tanning passes!!

We decided muscle beach would be the perfect place for the event. We got there and set up shop right in the middle of the mix. As I stood on the boardwalk with all of the street performers in between the all gold man and the world's largest bikini parade, I thought, "somehow I always knew I would end up here". 

  (Sign up sheet)

(our first customer)

(The Bikini Parade. Our competition)

We made a mini documentary of the event. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it is kind of amazing (mostly because Josh did the whole thing). 

Untitled from Tiffany Migdat on Vimeo.

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY!!!!

To celebrate this event I am giving away a custom World's Tannest Man T-Shirt! To enter just leave a comment with the best tanning phrase you can think of. The winner will receive a t-shirt their with their phrase on the front.  

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Lately I have been a little down about the world. It seems like things are pretty bad out there with the economy and all. Maybe it's because I was right in the mix for such a long time looking for a job. It's hard for me not to get down when I constantly hear about how so many people are struggling and all of the bad things going on in the world. It's hard for me not to internalize it. I need a little inspiration every now and then.

So a few good things happened - first, Josh recommended this book called Three Cups of Tea about this guy who is a mountain climber who goes out to climb the second tallest peak in the world called K2 in Pakistan. He gets lost and ends up in this poor village where the people are so kind to him he ends up dedicating his life to building a school for them and for other villages who have nothing. It is really good so far and really inspiring. I like that it talks about all his struggles along the way and that he is just a regular guy who, kind of by mistake, ends up on this amazing journey.

Then the other day at school, I saw this guy approaching me. My first thought was, "oh, please don't come talk to me." But then he came closer and held out a piece of paper with the name of a building and class number on it. I realized he couldn't speak. I didn't know where the building was so I just sadly said sorry and good luck. He started to walk away and then I called him back because I thought my teacher could probably help him. I started calling and he didn't turn around. He couldn't hear either! So I tapped him on the shoulder and took him into the classroom where there just happened to be someone who knew sign language and helped him find his way. I was shocked and so inspired. This guy is so brave. He is def and dumb and still goes out to college to educated himself and find his way all alone! Amazing!

Life Goals

One time I was talking to Meredith and she told me how her dad had a goal to never hike the Y. I liked the idea of having a goal to not do something. So I came up with the goal to never own a blackberry. I hated the idea of my office coming home with me at night and people being able to email me and expect a respose instantaniously. Shouldn't you get paid to ALWAYS be on call? plus I dont want an on call job. I also don't want to have the internet at my fingertips every second. Call me crazy but i'd like to take a walk and sit on a bench with just me, the bench and some trees. The blackberry slogan is "more time for life." That is such a lie!! People with blackberrys are always on them. Isn't that why they call them crackberrys? Texting is bad enough. I feel like personal interaction is totally dying. So this week I failed my goal. I got a new job and have reluctantly started my new life as a computer carrying, blackberry owner. Well, I guess my company technically own it so maybe I didn't completely fail my goal? So after all my ranting, I actually kinda like my new phone. I guess likability was never really the issue though, it was the adictive quality that comes along with it. I'll try not to get hooked. Wish me luck.

All The Videos Work Now!!

please see below :)

Birthday Vide-Yo

Usually I don't like to do all-the-things-I-did-that-day posts but this one is so good, I have to share.

Josh surprised me with so many great things this year for my birthday! He is the greatest! If he were single I would set you up with him, he's that great. So he came in the morning and played this great video he had made for me with clips from lots of great friends - so nice. I couldn't help but think what cleaver friends I have. Thank you so much to everyone who sent in videos - It made for the best birthday surprise of all time!! A special thanks to Eric Cottrell, Nikki Ricks, Syd and Shea, Tommy Clements, Meridith and Eric Boam, Malorie Hall, Cassidy Baker, Sarah and Patrick Larsen, John Garlock, Erin Davis, Darien Carroll, Amber Wright, Jamie Class, Heather Heaton, The Baker family, Rebecca Gholdston, Candice, mom, dad, mikey and Bobby (see last post for his)

tiff's bday video part1 from Tiffany Migdat on Vimeo.

tiff's bday video part2 from Tiffany Migdat on Vimeo.

tiff's bday video part3 from Tiffany Migdat on Vimeo.

tiff's bday video part4 from Tiffany Migdat on Vimeo.

Then we went snorkeling in San Diego.



Even with a wetsuit in the middle of summer I only last 15 min. which was actually perfect because we had to head over to the theater for Wicked! It was so great. Even though I was kind of a musical theater geek in high school, I usually don't even like musicals - this one is so good though. I know i'm preaching to the choir here but just saying.



All of that planning made Josh a little sleepy. Huge thank you to Josh and all of you for the best birthday.