theashleyclements:

I’M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW

I am very fond of these two men, and watching them play together / play off each other is a blast.

I had the pleasure of meeting Wil on a Star Trek cruise in the Bahamas some years back. Liked him instantly. (And his parents also. I sat in the surf with them off Little Stirrup Key for hours [without enough sunblock on] and acquired one of the most memorable sunburns of a lifetime, but wouldn’t have traded it for the conversation I had with them.)

Sir Patrick I was lucky enough to meet for the first time at a Trek convention in the UK, where I was slightly distracted at the time because I was busy falling in love. Nonetheless he was memorable then (and remains so) for going out of his way to say publicly that he supported the series’ writers in the middle of what was proving a very divisive and bitter writers’ strike.

Sweet guys, both; would love to meet again.

This is the letter that 7-year old Charlotte Benjamin wrote the LEGO company complaining there aren't enough female figure playsets, and the ones they do sell are predominately homemaker related. A valid argument. Plus her penmanship blows mine out of the water. You're gonna do things, Charlotte. Things a young me could only dream of, including, but not limited to, making the honor roll. You shatter that plastic ceiling and make us all proud. Thanks to rob, Bounty, QSI and my friend becca, who all wrote letters to companies when they were kids and got free loot. TREASURE?!

little-cyes-2:

North America’s current predicament.

photo: Kate Harmer/Hum Creative

BB pal Nick Harmer, bassist for Death Cab for Cutie, made a portrait of Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch out of Skittles. Why, Nick? "Because GO HAWKS!" More photos below.

Here's this week's unidentified bit of net.clever seeking reidentification: a photoshopped Gilligan's Island image with Justin Beiber as Gilligan and Toronto's crack-smoking, Bieber-defending mayor Rob Ford as the Skipper -- found in Steve Silberman's Twitter stream. Do you know who made it? Weigh in in the comments and I'll add attribution to the post.

Oh no she didn't! (Oh yes she did!)

It’s so much more fun to watch FOX when it’s someone else being blitzed & sacked! #SuperBowl

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 3, 2014

Please stop being so viral, madame (former) Secretary of State.

by Andrew Morrison | To celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, the Hotel Vancouver will be transforming its main floor lobby and lounge to the tune of $12 million. Construction begins this month and won’t be completed until the Autumn. With both the 900 West bar and Griffin’s eatery shuttered during this time, hotel guests will need to bend elbows somewhere, so they’re turning the long forgotten but once mighty 15th floor restaurant and bar known as The Roof into a pop-up.

You’ll be forgiven if you’ve never heard of the place. The 5,200 square foot space opened in 1939 and. It enjoyed a very long run as one of Vancouver’s most magnetic establishments. It was the “it” spot, the Chambar or Wildebeest of its day.

The CBC used it as a “happening” studio during service, and the one and only Dal Richards, aka “The King of Swing”, was the resident band leader from 1940 through to the mid-60′s.  It was where the city’s swish set went to see and be seen as they got their Saturday night drunks on.

Its popularity fizzled out after its last renovation in the 1970′s (yes, those are straws coming out of the pineapple in the photo above), and it’s been pretty a ghost restaurant since the 1990′s, opened only for the occasional private function. That a gem commanding such incredible views of the city exists high in our skies but not in our modern cultural landscape always seemed a crime to me ever since I first toured it four years ago, almost to the day. Here are my notes from way back when…

“ The pillars are crassly mirrored, the ceiling is hung with strange yellow and dark grey blocks, and the carpet can best be described as “crab blood blue”. There’s an odd, sunken bar on one side that could probably fit thirty bums, but it sports a bar top that only comes up to the guests’ knees. The kitchen is massive, and though in dire need of some TLC, it’s where the old bones of the hotel shine the brightest (many of the fittings looked to predate the Second World War). But it was the view that impressed the most. The north and south vistas were breathtaking…

We stood there for a while [my friend Owen Lightly and I], wondering what it must have once been like. It had been a quiet tour, done mostly by flashlight as our guide couldn’t find the switches, but we could nevertheless imagine the space filled with the dapper in the halcyon days of my grandmother, well before rock ‘n roll. If those walls could talk I would have pulled up a banquet chair (the horror!) and opened a bottle. I would have paid to listen…

And so it sits there, almost totally dormant, maybe whispering quietly to itself little reminders of where our food and restaurant scene once was between evenings filled with insurance salesmen trying to get laid at their annual staff party and playing host to the Bobs and Graces of this town celebrating their 75th wedding anniversaries.

I know we’re staring an economic apocalypse in the nostrils at the moment, but that won’t stop me from hoping the times will one day warrant its renovation and reincarnation. With so many new hotels popping up downtown (Voya, Moda, etc) and long-established ones revamping their food and beverage programs (Yew, Hawksworth, etc), you’d think the Hotel Vancouver would be keen on doing something better than Griffin’s, its tired old tourist trap on the main floor. Even when dark, empty and severely hamstrung by its ugly 70′s prom dress, “The Roof” offers far more personality, history, and romance.

Just imagine what a few million dollars could do in there…”

Indeed. It’s undergoing a complete overhaul as we speak. When it opens – within a week or two (don’t let the pictures fool you, they’re nearly done) – it will be with a completely new kitchen serving 100 dining room seats – complete with wing-backed chairs and cozy banquettes – and another 50 at the exquisitely odd sunken bar (it’s low to the ground so as to maximize guest sight lines). There’s also a grand piano; guests can anticipate live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Chef Cameron Ballendine is at the helm, and he’ll be plating predominately old school classics like prime rib with Yorkshire puddings, porterhouse steaks, creamed spinach, French onion soup, and much more. “We have menus for The Roof that go back to 1939, so we have lots of ideas,” Ballendine says.

The selfishly sad news is that once the main floor is done with its construction this Fall, this gem will revert to its special occasion status. I imagine that it will be reborn as one of the best and most sought after private party space in the city, but it’s just not the same if you can’t just take the elevator up for a Manhattan and a tune or three. One day… 

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

Chocolate Cupcakes with a graham cracker crust and toasted marshmallowy meringue frosting. Oh. my. gosh. These were super duper delicious! I’ve been so excited to make these S’mores Cupcakes for a while now but I didn’t have a kitchen torch to toast the tops. I don’t know why I haven’t bought one before, but I’m super excited that I got one for Christmas. Thanks Mom!

The recipe for these cupcakes is from Jennifer Shea’s new cookbook, Trophy Cupcakes and Parties! (pssst… I’m giving away a couple of signed books below) Trophy Cupcakes has several locations in Seattle. You should visit if you get a chance. Such cute shops and the prettiest cupcakes. I visited the shop in Bellevue a few years ago. Adorable!

But the first time I met Jennifer was back in 2008 when we were both on The Martha Stewart Show. What?!?

Yes. Still crazy to me. I was on to show Martha how to make my Cupcake Pops about six months after I started the blog (P.S. This past Saturday was National Cake Pops Day. YAY!) and Jennifer was on the show to make these same s’mores cupcakes … which I didn’t get a chance to try when I was on the show.

So, I thought they would be the perfect ones for me to make from her new book.

And boy am I glad I did. They are fantastic!

They start with a graham cracker crust for the cupcake. Awesomeness!

Place a teaspoon of the crust mixture in each baking cup.

And press with the bottom of a small glass.

Like so.

But that’s not all. They get chocolate, too.

Yep. Just sprinkle chopped chocolate on top of the crusts and bake for a few minutes to set first.

Cool and then… fill with the chocolate cupcake batter. YES!

But we can’t stop there. Before baking, sprinkle more graham cracker mixture and chopped chocolate on top. I like where this is going … oh and I’m messy!

Beautifully cupcakes. I actually think they’re great just like this.

But they wouldn’t be s’mores without the fluffy marshmallow frosting.

Swirl the meringue frosting on top of the cupcake with a star tip and then toast using a kitchen torch.

P.S. I love my kitchen torch. This was the first time I’ve used one, and now I want to toast everything. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get one. So fun!!!

But not as fun as biting into these babies. Yummmm!

Here’s the recipe … and check out Jennifer’s video on MarthaStewart.com too OR skip down below for the giveaway.

Here’s a little peek into the book.

It’s filled with recipes for cupcakes and crafty ideas to help you create charming parties. It’s basically super cute.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Trophy Cupcakes & Parties!

• To enter just leave a comment below and share the best thing you ate this weekend. Was it sweet? Was it Super Bowl snacks? Do tell.

• Deadline to enter is Wednesday, February 5th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Sorry! Time’s Up, Winner announced below.

• Two (2) winners will be selected at random and announced sometime Wednesday evening.

Good Luck guys!

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Okay – we have two winners. And I’m now super hungry for party food and appetizers!!!! Thanks for sharing all your best bites. Mine was actually these cupcakes. They are seriously so good. And… I’m still eating them. I have to stop.

Congratulations Katie B. and E. Nadler. Hope you enjoy the book and you should definitely make these.

*Amazon affiliate link.

Plans for the World Trade Center site’s Liberty Park have been pretty hush hush up until now, but AECOM recently revealed new renderings of the elevated space at a community board meeting. The images show a lush public plaza with views of the 9/11 Memorial as well as a 300-ft living wall that wraps around the side of the park.

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Post tags: "living wall", 911 memorial, aecom, Baltic ivy, battery park city, Dogwoods, Elevated Parks in New York, Financial DIstrict, Joseph E. Brown, Liberty Park, Liberty Street Park, lower Manhattan, mini garden, pan¬oramic viewpoints, Parkland, periwinkle, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, santiago calatrava, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Vehicle Security Center, winter creeper, world trade center, World Trade Center Park, World Trade Center Redesign, World Trade Center Vehicle Security Center, WTC Park, WTC Site, WTC Vehicle Security Center

Image via Shutterstock

If you own a pair of jeans that fit so snugly that they can be confused for colored cling-wrap, chances are they contain a hefty amount of spandex. For the past twenty-odd years, Americans have been adding the synthetic fiber to denim to obtain that figure-hugging look. Unfortunately for the makers of US currency, that means they can now no longer use the waste fabric from jeans to create dollar bills.

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Post tags: currency, denim, dollar bills, Fashion, jeans, skinny jeans, spandex, us currency

Today’s top of the line hybrids and electric cars feature expensive systems under the hood that place them out of reach for many buyers. But Elio Motors could change all that with their new P4 – the three-wheeled two-seater vehicle gets up to 84 mpg and only costs $6,800.

Read the rest of Elio Motors’ Two-Seater P4 Vehicle Gets 84 MPG and Only Costs $6,800

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Post tags: automotive, Automotive News, efficient car, Elio Motors, Elio Motors P4, green car, green transportation, mpg

The Kirkenes Snowhotel in Norway has found a way to attract animal-loving guests from around the world by launching the world’s first dog sled taxi to pick guests up from the nearby Kirkenes Airport. Tourists will be provided with a thermal suit and be given time to get to know their canine companions before embarking on a 45-minute ride through the snowy scenery.

Read the rest of Norwegian Hotel Launches World’s First Dog Sled Taxi Service

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Post tags: airport dogsled, alaskan huskies, arctic vacations, dog sled taxi, dog sledding, dogs, kirkenes, Kirkenes Snowhotel, norway, sled dogs

Scientists recently discovered that massive populations of starfish have been dying along the Western Coast of the United States due to a mysterious disease that causes them to tear themselves apart. The creatures’ arms begin to twist and then literally crawl away from their body, often causing their insides to spill out. According to a report by PBS News, most starfish die within 24 hours of contracting the disease, and scientists are unsure of how to help.

Read the rest of Horrifying Disease Causes Thousands of Starfish to Pull Themselves Apart

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Post tags: mysterious starfish disease, Pisaster ochraceus, plague decimates starfish populations along the West Coast, Pycnopodia helianthoides, sea star wasting syndrome, starfish disembowel themselves, starfish tear off their own arms, sunflower sea star disease

by rockstarcode

Riding a bicycle represents freedom and fun, so why not bring those feelings into your home? Industrial Kid designed a series of contemporary desk lamps that celebrate our love for cycling through the creative reuse of spare bicycle parts. Powered by an LED “bicycle light,” each lamp is made up of a flat handlebar, brake levers, grips, Bowden cable housing, and stem. The customizable lamps are available in 10 different colors, from kiwi lime to chocolate brown. To get a bicycle desk lamp of your own, head over to Industrial Kid’s Indiegogo campaign where they’re available for an early bird price of $99.

+ Industrial Kid Indiegogo Campaign

The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

Note: Turn your volume down before playing the videos. This is the helmet-cam footage from 25-year old James Lee, a skydiver who accidentally got struck by another skydiver and knocked unconscious during freefall. Thankfully, a couple of the other jumpers noticed and came to his rescue by pulling his chute. After it was deployed, he regained consciousness and managed to land safely. Wow, could you imagine waking up IN THE AIR? That's terrifying. Right up there with waking up chained underwater or in a coffin. Keep going for two videos, the first a shorter, edited version. The second a full-length version.

Is that the State of the Union, or is Biden just happy to see someone?

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This is a news report about Park Seo-yeon, a South Korean woman who banks $9,000 (US) a month eating in front of her webcam up to 3 hours a day. Wow, nice gig if you can get it. Followers gift her virtual balloons, which can be redeemed for cash. Park says, "People enjoy the vicarious pleasure with my online show when they can't eat that much, or don't want to eat food at night, or are on a diet." Yeah, I don't think that's it -- I think this is masturbating related. Although the narrator claims, "Some say it makes eating alone feel less awkward." Honestly, I'm not sure which I find sadder. Keep going for the news report.

This is a video of internet prankster Rémi Gaillard dressed as a giant pigeon and fake crapping on some dude's car right after he pulls out of the carwash. I'm surprised the guy didn't shoot him -- I'm assuming he just didn't have a gun. I would have at least waited till Rémi had to climb down, then pressure-washed his ass off and forced him to eat one of those pine tree air fresheners. Hit the jump for the prank, which almost certainly would have ended in a murder if attempted around here.

This is Van Cleef & Arpels' $245,000 *coughing up tuna salad on rye* Complication Poétique Midnight Planétarium, a watch with a 369-piece movement that displays our solar system's visible planets moving around the watch's face in real-time. The shooting star also tells regular time in hours and minutes, making it equally useful timepiece for humans and immortal wizards.

So while Mercury will make a lap around the watch's face in just 88 days, Venus will require 224, and Earth of course does it in exactly a year. Saturn, on the other hand, the farthest planet from the sun included on this piece, won't make it back to its starting position for a whopping 29 and a half years.

Wow, it actually would be pretty cool to own the watch for the 29 and a half years it takes to see Saturn make a full rotation. But even cooler than that? Having $245,000 to spend on a watch in the first place. My life isn't even worth that much. If I died today do you know what the life insurance company would give my family? A bill. Keep going for a couple more shots.

We’ve seen some really cute photos of rats taken by Jessica Florence (HERE) and Ellen van Deelen (HERE). But can you ever have too many cute photos of rats? Mm, probably. I don’t think we’re at that point yet, so here’s a collection of photos taken by the rodent whisperers (Jessica and Ellen). The pics [...]
Visit IncredibleThings.com for the full post.