Tag Archives: Several Starry Nights

5 Health Trends to Add to Your Pantry Now

Health Trends

January is always the time to explore a healthier diet, evaluate your plans for the future, and reflect on the positive changes you have made already. I was making dinner the other night and couldn’t help notice a few new things in my pantry that were not in my pantry 6 months ago, but I seriously couldn’t live without ‘em now. I thought I’d share some of these health trends I believe are soo worth jumping on the bandwagon for. I threw in some fun articles and recipes for ya too!

1.  Coconut Oil

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But Why?

Coconut is great for your skin and hair. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil is a great substitute for butter in most recipes even rice krispie treats! You can make natural body scrubs with it or put it in your hair instead of conditioner. Many conditioners found in stores have been known to cause breakouts on the upper back. Coconut oil is not as heavy as conditioner and can help hair growth and lock in shine.

The Glitter Guide – 10 Ways To Add Coconut Oil To Your Beauty Routine

2. Turmeric

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BUt WHy?

Turmeric is an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, plus it’s affordable and you can cook almost anything with it! I like to add it stir-fry or my favorite tofu ramen dish. Target carries it organically so make sure to put it on your next shopping list!

Mind Body Green – 10 Easy Ways to Add Turmeric to Your Diet

3. Himalayan Salt

Himalayan Salt

But Why?

Himalayan Salt can be used to increase bone strength, reduce the signs of aging, cure middle ear infections naturally. You can also boil the salt with water, place it in a hot mug to breath in the steam to help fight a cold.

Himalayan Salt Plate

Himalayan Salt Plate from Sur la Table

4. Bragg’s Cider Vinegar

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But WHy?

Apple Cider Vinegar can help acne and unclog pores! It’s also a great immune booster during flu season. It can also be used to naturally cure headaches. I take this everyday just for health reasons, I’ve taken a liking to the taste. I’ve noticed it also gives me an energy boost in the afternoon without the jitters caused by coffee. You could also take it to lower cholesterol and it has been said to fight certain types of cancers. Definitely add this to the list!

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Delighted Momma – Sweetened Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (This is the exact recipe I use!)

5. Turbinado Sugar

Turbinado SugarBut…But Why??

My two weaknesses? Coffee and baking. So it’s no surprise that I like to use Turbinado sugar instead of white sugar. This way, I feel less guilty sweetening my coffee in the morning. However, there’s not much of a huge differences between regular and Turbinado sugar, but when it comes to calories, you’re better off with Turbinado. In all honesty, I like the flavor of it better anyway so why not use it?  I’m still experimenting baking with it and I haven’t quite mastered it yet, but when I do, I promise to blog about some good baking recipes with Turbinado sugar.

Serious Eats – Spice Hunting :: Turbinado Sugar

Happy Holidays

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Christmas is right around the corner. The weather is really throwing me off! It’s been so hard to listen to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas in my car when it’s not even snowing. Then I watched White Christmas the other night and it just wasn’t the same. Watching Elf with my little sister was a lot of fun though. I’m not exactly sure if it was appropriate for her age, but she loved it! She got to wear her monkey drinking hot cocoa pajamas while drinking hot cocoa out of my favorite London coffee mug.  Spending time with my family is my favorite part of the holidays, but seriously…where is the snow!?

I noticed this week was quite hectic for me. I finally dabbled in some Christmas shopping and caught up with my grandparents yesterday over chinese food. Before I knew it, it was Friday!!

I wanted to give everyone heads up that I’m taking a break from posting featured artists until January. I still have Part 2 of New York to share with you also! I’ll be taking this time to catch up with my friends and draft some awesome posts for 2013.

Have a wonderful holiday, good luck with all your Christmas shopping, have fun spending time with family & friends.  See you in 2013!

Friday’s Featured Artist: Carisa Mitchell

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Chicago, IL

Disclaimer: I want to first apologize for my absence! I have not been a very consistent blogger the last few weeks, but I can explain. I was in NEW YORK CITY! Yup, what a field trip. I had such a fabulous time visiting museums, drinking at independent coffee shops, and talking art, music, and food with such a wonderful friend. So that’s my excuse and I feel like it’s a pretty legit one! All good things must come to an end, but the good news is I have a new artist to tell you about.

Carisa Mitchell (born in Arizona) is one of the best local photographers currently living and working in Chicago. She graduated with a BFA from University of Illinois at Chicago in 2009 with a minor in Gender and Women Studies. She also had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy during the Fall of 2007. Her photographs really portray ethereal emotion. They make you contemplate the people in your life and how they make you feel depending on your surroundings.

The best part is you can find her work displayed at the ARC gallery tonight (Friday, December 7th) during the opening reception for “National Exposure Revisited – A Juried, National Photo Exhibition” from 6-9pm. Danica Antich, a photographer who I featured a few weeks ago, will also be in the show. If you like what you see on this post, I encourage you to go visit the gallery tonight.

ARC GALLERY

2156 North Damen Avenue

773-252-2232

www.arcgallery.org

Project – (Living) Grandparents

Usually I post an artist reflection or a bio, but I wanted to focus on a specific project done by Carisa. I had the chance to view (Living) Grandparents in person while it was on display at neXt during Charlies. Her photographs make me want to rush down 7th avenue in St Charles and hug my grandmother. Her pieces really express the emotions connected with family. I believe it’s a fairly large challenge when an artist presents family members who are dear to them, but are unknown to the viewer. I found her work intriguing and thought-provoking.

Carisa’s thoughts on the project:

As a person who seeks out stories of others, it seemed fitting to find the stories of my grandparents. I thought their stories would be about their lives in the past. However, once I started to photograph their interior living space I found that the objects and the order of the things around them became just as interesting as their stories. (Living) Grandparents is a project that borders fine art photography and documentary. It is in itself a present day story of how two people, who happen to be my grandparents, live in their space. – Carisa Mitchell

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Contact Carisa Mitchell regarding availability of any of the pieces featured on this post. You can learn more about Carisa Mitchell through her website or email her at carisa.mitchell@gmail.com. Or what the hell, come see her work tonight at the ARC Gallery!

Metaphorical Brick

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Here’s an excerpt from a short story I’m currently working on. Sometimes I fall in love with a word, a sentence, or even a paragraph. I really found this paragraph close to my heart. I’m sure it needs some finishing touches, but I had a sudden urge to share it with you. Enjoy.

Metaphorical Brick, Shannon Callarman, 2012 (excerpt of a short story):

“No one ever told me what it would be like when a man looks at you like a woman instead of a young, naïve girl. I had gone years thinking that a certain ethereal emotion is spoiled – numb to feeling it ever again. Yet, just when I thought I had already experienced every good feeling that relates to romance – a higher level of ecstasy without the use of a white little pill or a shot of whiskey, it hit me. Romance is still alive and possible in my mid 20s. It was time to enjoy the pleasures of falling again. I knew at that moment, I had no choice but to place a double lock on my past, fears, and worries before I suddenly blink and miss it. After all, he was holding my metaphorical heavy brick in his arms. Soon enough he’d have to return it back to me, and I’d be forced to carry it on my tired shoulders once again.”

I’m Cheating on Chicago

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So I know it’s National Writing Month and everything, but I can not stay focused! Grrr, I wonder what it is?? Maybe it’s because my novel is based around Chicago & Art and all I can think about is NEW YORK CITY! How can I write about the Art Institute, pop-up galleries in Chicago, Nighthawks, University of Chicago, the Blue Line, and Millenium Park when I have Guggenheim, L.O.V.E, Keith Haring, and the Brooklyn Bridge of my mind??

I’m totally slacking, but I have a very legit reason. Hopefully when I come back I’ll be a little bit more inspired, but until then I’ll continue marking up my NYC lonely planet book and watching Once the Musical clips on YouTube. Don’t judge…

Here’s a little preview of this Friday’s Featured artist, plus a little spark of inspiration for my novel:

IAN DINGMAN 

Ian Dingman – Streets of Your Town

 


Fashion is Art :: Robert Kalloch’s Designs in 1938′s Holiday

The clip Hepburn is wearing was actually custom designed by Paul Flato. It was his first big break into the Hollywood industry.

I don’t care what anyone says, Fashion is art. I wish I would have taken a class about the history of Fashion when I was still in college. Maybe in the future I will, but in the meantime, I’ll continue to watch my favorite classic films and critique the fashion myself. Last weekend, I spent my Saturday night with my grandma. We ordered carry out and watched 1938′s Holiday starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. Other than the dramatic acting and Cary Grant’s wonderful sense of humor, we both got on the discussion about fashion. The costumes were designed by Robert Kalloch who also designed for The Awful Truth and His Girl Friday.

Cary Grant & Doris Nolan. What a funky hat and you can’t forget the pearls! 

The Party Scene. I love how Doris Nolan’s dress shimmered as she walked. It is extremely stunning. The top almost looks like a big bow. 

Isn’t it funny how some of these designs are coming back in fashion? The white blouse that Hepburn is wearing is something you can easily find in H&M. Lets not get on discussion about Grant’s bow tie…

The clip Hepburn is wearing was actually custom designed by Paul Flato. It was his first big break into the Hollywood industry.

 

 

 

Friday’s Featured Artist: Danica Antich

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Geneva, IL

Danica Antich is a young and driven art teacher at Geneva High School. Danica is a MA 2012 graduate from Boston University, specializing in Infrared Photography.

Over the last few months, I’ve gotten to know Danica and the type of professional she is. She’s not your average teacher, that I can assure you. With dedication and perseverance, she works hard to motivate her talented students to become better artists each and every day.

Currently, Danica is preparing for two upcoming shows in Chicago: The SAE Institute starting November 16th, 2012 (Click the event banner below) and the ARC gallery. I will do my best to keep you posted on both exhibitions!!

Portfolio

Check out her work from the “Chicago in a Different Light” and “At the Abbey” collections:

Unreachable Island

Rustic Stairway

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Danica’s Bio/Statement

“Things are not what they seem; there is an underbelly, a current of dissolved assimilation. ‘Reaching paradox’ is a collection of photographs that tap into the untrained eye of what is going on beyond the realm of our sense of sight.  In our city, what we think we see is not what is there at all. Everything is a distortion, a fabricated reality. These photographs are not computer generated; they are captured with a barren camera aperture. They serve as a witness to the tribulation behind the lens.”

Danica Antich is a Chicago based photographer/educator who received her MA in Art Education from Boston University in 2012 and her BFA in Art Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003. Throughout her brief, but exciting career she has taught beginning and advanced level photography at Geneva Community High School. In addition to teaching, Antich likes to keep herself busy by taking many photographs and exhibiting in galleries throughout the Chicago area.

Antich’s love for photography began during her years as a student in high school. What began as a simple curiosity and need to fulfill an elective credit had developed into a life-long passion. It has always been her goal to capture on film the beauty of natural and man-made environments.  She uses a variety of cameras and techniques to achieve her artistic vision. Presently, she is very interested in infrared photography. Capturing light that is not seen with the human eye fascinates Antich. The “Chicago In a Different Light” series explores the magic of infrared photography and the beauty of the Chicago area. From a south-bound view of Lake Shore Drive to Colonel Fabyan’s majestic japanese garden in Geneva,IL; all images were taken with her trusted Olympus digital slr which was equipped with an infrared filter.

You can learn more about Danica Antich through her website or email her at dantich1@yahoo.com for information on availability & pricing for original artwork.

Friday’s Featured Artist: Greta Bell’s r/evolving circus

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Batavia, IL

Today’s Friday’s Featured Artist is a very very special one. Not only am I introducing you to one of my favorite local artists, Greta Bell, I’m also featuring her GIANT community art project that was successfully funded through Kickstarter!

Greta Bell is based out of Batavia and knows a thing or two about establishing a great art community. Her personality is full of energy and life that illuminates through her artwork.

I first was introduced to Greta’s work when I took a visit to Water Street Studios a few years back. My best friend and I were hooked when we came across her paintings of brick buildings and various local spots. When I got home, I looked her up right away online – it’s safe to say I fell in love with her work overnight.

A few months after that, I started volunteering for the neXt and was so delighted when she submitted work to be in the Cedar Avenue show, Fall. I finally met her personally at the opening reception. Despite the fact that she’s already a well-established artist, I truly believe her career is just starting. She has soo much to look forward to and I look forward to seeing her grow.

 r/evolving circus by Greta Bell

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Greta recently came up with a brilliant idea to create a pop-up gallery that moves! Greta gathers stories from people in the community then transforms them into paintings. The paintings will then be hung on a bicycle-powered carousel. How cool is that?? I could explain more, but I encourage you to check out her website and her Kickstarter page for updates regarding the project! Below is a small explanation about the project…

Taken from Greta Bell’s Website:

Most recently I have created “r/evolving circus” which can be imagined best if you think of it as -Citizen artist. It is a pop up gallery with paintings created from stories of all people I meet using a collapsible carousel to display and delight. The carousel was built by James G Jenkins of Geneva, Il.

Currently under a major retrofit to make it smaller and bike pedaled. Once this construction is completed I will pedal to a destination and pop up my work. The gathered audience then sends me their favorite objects and a story or poem describing why this object is meaningful to them. I then select and paint them on canvas scrolls, r/evovling circus continues to evolve and carry with it the magic of wonder inside of us all.

 

Friday’s Featured Artist: Shavana Smiley

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Arizona → Chicago, IL

Shavana Smiley is an extremely wonderful young artist from Arizona. She is currently studying at the School of Art Institute of Chicago. I had the pleasure of meeting her when she dropped off some paintings for the neXt gallery. Mikey, who is the star of these paintings was a real fish. She told me Mikey had past away and these paintings are an honor to him. Shavana’s paintings demonstrate how important a pet can be, even if it’s a tiny little fish.

Shavana’s Bio

I use all what I know to reveal myself and make sensations rise in viewers. As part of my vision, I like to cross contexts, putting together startlingly different elements. Sometimes when I create a piece of work that includes a being I try to make it seem like the creature is the artist. I let the subject of the art reveal its own soul.

Each of my creations represents how I see the world looks through my eyes. I feel as though I can create another dimension. I can change anything and everything with my fingertips. My art reveals to others who I am, what I feel, and how I think. 

I think it would be preposterous to assume me as an artist, though, I see myself more as a soul who looks to the canvas a way to reflect her own soul.

Mikey III – $300

Mikey II – $235

Mikey IV – $300

All of these pieces are for sale and you can learn more about Shavana through her website or email her at shavanasmiley@gmail.com.

Piccadilly Line

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As Ryann sat on the crowded Piccadilly line towards Heathrow Airport, passing Earls Court, Hamersmith, and Hatton Cross, she fell deep into her thoughts. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly, trying to bury her anxiety, but it was no use. She thought about the last 5 years and how she managed to be the victim of her own life.

She was only 19 when she left Oak Park, Illinois to live a delusional life in London.

In 2007, there was an accident that occurred 10 miles from downtown Oak Park that took over Chicago’s morning news. The accident had left Ryann in a traumatic state full of guilt and confusion. Over the years, she had tried so hard to brainwash herself into thinking it had never happened. It was no use, the streets of Oak Park screamed his name and every person she knew reminded her of what happened:

“Don’t you feel guilty that you lived and he survived?”

“I can’t believe you practically killed him, Ryann B.”

“If you weren’t cheating on him, he wouldn’t have been so hostile.”

5 years ago, she was on the same train line heading towards London. This time she was retracing her steps back to reality.

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