TED: Ideas worth spreading

Whenever I need some inspiration, or want to learn something new, I turn to TED talks. TED is a nonprofit that is devoted to new ideas than began in 1984. It stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Twice a year, TED Conferences take place in Palm Springs and now annually in Edinburgh, Scotland. The conference in Palm Springs takes place over four days where 50 speakers use 18 minute time slots to lecture. TED Global is the summer conference which is more international with a wider array of speakers. 
TED talks is where the best talks and performances are available online, for free. Millions of people now have on-demand access to some of the world's most inspiring individuals. 
Tune in to TED if you want to watch short lectures from people such as Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Bill Clinton and Malcolm Gladwell. Just to name a few.


The website has over 1100 talks that are sorted into different categories. People can choose if they want to watching something persuasive, inspiring, courageous or funny. Some of the greatest minds on earth have come together to give 20 plus minute speeches that will inspire you, and possibly make you see the world in a different light. 


Visit the website here!


One video that I was first shown in University has now become my go to when I am in need of a pick me up. Tony Robbins is a self help author and motivational speaker who focuses on health and energy, overcoming fears and enhancing relationships. His talk on TED is titled "Why we do what we do". 
In the video, Tony speaks about how our emotions rules the world. Emotions drive us, they can help us through situations or they can hold us back. He talks about the science of achievement, which is steps to help us reach our goals, and the art of fulfillment, about appreciation and contribution. "Resourcefulness is what gets you to your goal, NOT resources." 
Most of the talk is about what shapes us as human beings. Our emotional and physical states, as well as how we view the world. He also mentions six basic needs, certainty, uncertainty, significance, connection & love, growth and contributing beyond ourselves. As human beings we all have certain needs, but what do you value most that shapes you? One thing he stresses is contribution. To go above your every day and do something good for the world and for someone else!
After I first heard him speak, a lot of what he said left me wondering about my values and helped me put some things into perspective. I invite you all to take 20 minutes out of your day to listen to what he has to say, and to hopefully take something out of it! As my classmates and I finish up our final few weeks of school, and with all the stress getting to our heads, I hope that this video can give you a little inspiration that things WILL all be okay. That the "secret to living is giving." 
I'll leave you with Tony's final words:
"So my invitation to you is this: explore your web, the web in your head -- the needs, the beliefs, the emotions that are controlling you, for two reasons: so there's more of you to give -- and achieve too, we all want to do it -- but I mean give, because that's what's going to fill you up. And secondly, so you can appreciate -- not just understand, that's intellectual, that's the mind -- but appreciate what's driving other people. It's the only way our world's going to change."


Watch Tony's video below!

Hollywood Hunger Games

I wanted to add another post in to go along with my earlier one about the books and upcoming movie The  Hunger Games. As I was scouring the internet and twitter Ryan Seacrest just tweeted this:

When I clicked on the link, it brought me to this page on the Ryan Seacrest website.
Thought this was quite amusing with a Celebrity Hunger Games where people can vote for who would come out as the single winner.


Try it!




Also found this when I was looking on Twitter as well, interesting article from Ragan's PR Daily News.


So many things are being related to The Hunger Games now! Apparently people are really anticipating this movie...I don't blame them!

Hunger Games Official Trailer

As an add in to my previous post (thanks Brad) here is the official first trailer for The Hunger Games movie. Get excited!!

Happy Hunger Games

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour"


For those of you who have read these books, or seen the trailer for the new movie, then I am sure you already know what this post is about to be about. That's correct. The Hunger Games.


The trilogy, by author Suzanne Collins, has become a world wide sensation comparable by popularity to the Twilight Saga and the legendary Harry Potter series.

A little background info about the books:
Set in the fictitious country of Panem in a post-apocalyptic world, the Capitol controls the other 12 districts that make up what used to be North America. Every year, two teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen from each district to compete the Hunger Games. A televised event plays throughout the country where all 24 players compete to the death until there is only one winner. The heroine of the novels, Katniss Everdeen, lives in the poorest district and volunteers to take her sisters place to compete in the 74th annual games.


The novels have caused a huge frenzy among tweens and adults alike. The first novel entitled "The Hunger Games" has been made into a film adaptation that is being released on March 23.
For all things Hunger Games related, the website Mockingjay.net is the perfect source. With cast interviews, movie posters, quotes and more, this is a great website for fans to scour as the countdown begins. 


In the novels, all of the citizens of the Capitol have the most fantastic and bizarre fashion senses that have come to life in the movie. The radical outfits described have become inspiration for designers who are creating their own Hunger Games-esque styles.

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket

The Tumblr website Capitol Couture (launched by Lionsgate marketing) is for the fashionista who is looking for inspiration or wanting to view the creative outfits designers have come up with, like these Rodarte shoes.

The hair company Joico and stylist Cherry Petenbrink have created over 500 different colourful hairstyles for the characters to wear in the movie.

These books have caused quite a stir among (easy read) teen novel lovers, let's hope the movie is just as exciting!

Fashion Frenzy

To those who know me, and those who do not, they understand that I have an absolute love for fashion. Anything fashion related at all. I do not necessarily wear all fashion trends, or those killer shoes. But I do appreciate the beauty of fashion forward individuals and the remarkable clothing designers produce from thin air.

I do spend a chunk of my day scouring fashion websites and flipping through magazines every single chance I get. A lot of things that I find give me inspiration for putting an outfit together. Sometimes with existing clothing, or by going out to buy a few simple pieces that really add to my wardrobe. 

Like adding a pop of colour.

One website that I check on an (almost) daily basis is lookbook.nu : collective fashion consciousness.  It was founded in 2008 and is a user-generated gallery that showcases do-it-yourself fashion and photography from men and women all over the world. Trendsetters and amateur designers can connect to other fashion savvy people to inspire others with their creations. There are over 100 million page views in a month and over 725,000 registered members.

Anyone can sign up to make their own page, or just simply browse through the large selection of posts. They even have the ability to search by brands of clothing, category, material, gender, location and country for specific inspiration.

Here is an example of what people post

The website has also partnered up with many clothing brand companies, such as American Apparel and Lacoste, to hold contests for users as well. Because of the heavy traffic the website brings in, this is a great marketing and advertising ploy for companies to showcase their brands.

There is also an interview section where different users answer a series of questions for their viewers to get to know them. It’s great if someone has a specific person they love to follow and can also have their questions answered.

If you are in need of some inspiration for a dressy event, need to pair together certain colours or just need to kill time while browsing the internet then I recommend this website!

I know for the up coming spring season I will be creating my list of “must haves” and bookmarking my favourite looks!

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world” – Marilyn Monroe 

The year-long pinhole.

Back in high school when it came time to choose the Universities we were to apply to and we were told to figure out our future...I had not a single clue as to what I wanted. But after some thought, one singular thing stood out in my mind, my love for photography. I had taken every photography course that was offered to me, and I instantly fell in love with it.

Fast-forward six years into the future, and here I am today, with a University education under my belt and some pieces of paper to prove it. I followed my love for the arts and studied media and creative photography. 

I have used and own many professional digital and film cameras, but one of my most favourite is one that I built. Yes, built. It is called the pinhole camera.

A pinhole camera is a small lightproof box with a pin-sized hole, covered by a small flap of material for a shutter, in one side that allows light to filter through. On the opposite side of the hole emulsion photo paper is placed, that is where the image is captured.

This diagram shows how a pinhole camera works. The image is inverted when the flap is moved out of the way to uncover the pinhole. Just like how our eyes see the world upside down but our retinas turn it right side up.

These cameras can be made out of anything. I made min out of a gift box from the dollar store. The inside needed to be painted black and every single area covered to make sure no light leaked in. If it did, that would cause fogging on the paper.

When the image is first exposed onto the paper, it is in a negative form. The longer the exposure, or the “shutter” flap is left open, more detail is captured in the image. I then had to quickly close the flap, bring the camera into the darkroom and process it with chemicals, the negative form appeared. I would then place a new piece of photo paper down, place the negative face down onto it, and shine light from an exposure machine onto my papers. And voila! A positive is created.

I dug up through my giant box of school things I have saved, and I was surprised to find my old pinhole camera and some examples I had taken back in the day.

The main reason for all of this pinhole talk is to inform about an amazing experiment that photographer Michael Chrisman performed. His pinhole camera was aimed at the Toronto skyline…for an entire year!

The Toronto Star covered the story of the breathtaking photograph Michael produced. He left the camera there from Jan. 1, 2011 until Dec 31, 2011. He had tried a few times before, but the cameras were stolen or moved, so this go round he hid it. 

After seeing what he has done with this simple sort of camera, I am very tempted to try it out myself and see what I might produce. You don’t have to be a professional or an expert to make one of these yourself; I encourage everyone to give it a shot!

To Pin or not to Pin??

Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn, Flickr, Youtube, Friendster, Goodreads...on and on the list goes...and now, Pinterest?
Here is another item to add to the every growing list of popular social media sites that have taken over modern society. The newest addiction is a website titled Pinterest. This website has exploded from around 1 million users back in August 2011, to over 4 million and counting users today.
Many of you are probably asking, Pin-what?? Have no fear future user, I will guide you through the depths that is...the pinboard.

Pinterest is a online "pinboard" where users are able to upload images and links to things that they find interesting or inspiring. These items that people post then become Pins. The account that you set up is your own personal pinboard. You can follow other accounts that have captured your interest, and repin things you particularly loved as well. There are endless possibilities for people to post, in particular categories or themes.
But in order to become a pinned, you have to request an invite or be invited by a user, seems almost like a social media club!


Pinning Things
This quite simple. It barely took me anytime to figure out how the site worked, and since then I have become absolutely addicted! Just add it to my list of distractions and procrastinating aids.

At the top there is a button entitled "Add". Simply click that, and this icon will pop up. Next, simply choose what you would like to do. If you click "Add a Pin" you can then enter a URL for an image or video. Or you can create your own board that others can follow. There is a simple drop down help section that will answer any question and guide new users through simple steps! How awesome.





Fairly simple to use! People have even set up accounts for other users to purchase items. Artists use it to showcase their work and cooks even delve out new mouth watering recipes.
There is also an iPhone app that has already been created for this website. When you are out and about, snap a photograph of something with your phone and instantly pin it to your board. The site is also linked with Twitter and Facebook, allowing you to network even farther.


This is a great tool for building your own brand by linking posts with others. Ill comments and any negativity is looked down upon with this site, it is more meant to inspire and connect people on a different kind of social media level.

Here is what my Pinterest looks like...so far! I have just recently started using it, and I have found myself loving every moment I spend on this website. I encourage you all to give it a go, I will gladly invite you to become the newest member!

Here's to the beginning.

Hello all, welcome to my blog!


My name is Amanda, and I have created this blog to showcase to the rest of the virtual world things that I find fascinating and intriguing. What sort of awesome tidbits you may be asking? And why should you really care what I think? Well, you don't really have to, but I think you should give it a shot. 
But if you are someone who wants to find new addicting websites to spend countless hours on, if you want to find an awesome band to add to your music playlist, or maybe a good book to curl up with one rainy afternoon? Then look no further! 


I will be reviewing items that I believe to be enthralling to you readers. They might be items that make you stop and think. Or new things to add to your list of distractions to get you through the day. 
This blog is going to be filled with amazing things that I love.  I have many passions and interests in life, and I would like to share those with others. I venture to discover creative material that people have unleashed upon the world through print, music and visual aesthetics. As often as I can in my life, I enjoy surrounding myself with beautiful things. And through this gateway, I hope to bring those items to my readers attention. So that they too can relish in the beauty the world as to offer.


I will be updating my blog as much as I can, already have a list of ideas waiting to be brought to life on these pages. Won't keep you waiting too long!


Thanks!