Looking For Astronauts - Apply Here

So cool!!!

OPM Job announcement today for Astronauts.

Work for NASA at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Train for missions to the International Space Station, on two new commercial spacecraft, and for the Orion  deep-space exploration vehicle.

To go where no man or woman has gone before...

Dreams do come true!;-)

(Source Photo: here with attribution to Paul Hudson)

Looking For Astronauts - Apply Here

Emphasis On The Eyes

Really liked this picture that my daughter, Rebecca, showed me in Vogue Paris.

The lady has this amazing tattoo around her eyes.

The way the lines come out and around, flowing from the ends of her eyes, is so awesome.

The dark and exotic swirling emphasis around the blue eyes makes her look deep, mysterious, and undeniably sexy.

Mike Tyson and his facial tattoo has nothing on this model.

Also, reminds me of when Rebecca, as a kid, asked me joking around, "What does Y-E-S spell?"

Okay, how easy is that, "YES."

Then she said "What does E-Y-E-S spell?"

And not thinking, I fall for it and blurt out E-YES.

Man, you don't know how to spell EYES--stupid, stupid, stupid! ;-)

(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)

Emphasis On The Eyes

Who's Getting The Attention Now?

I took this photo of this couple online in Starbucks this morning. 

It was very hard not to notice this guy's sneakers and socks (on the left). 

Hot pink sneakers with matching Homer Simpson pink socks. 

I thought to myself that you've got to be pretty bold to go out and wear that. 

It's funny how people love attention, and often it seems like they will say, wear, and act any which way they have to in order to get it. 

Maybe (good) attention is like currency:

- It's valuable when your noticed (you become instantaneously cool, one to follow, maybe gets into the school or job you always wanted, oh and don't forget all the likes on Facebook or the paparazzi).

- It feels good to have some (who wants to be ignored or looked down on? Positive attention is like an addictive drug to many people).

- You can trade attention with others (they give you some and you give them some--it's like rubbing each others backs, but in this case it's your egos instead). 

- Perhaps, you can even save some up in the (memory) bank (where people remember what a great gal or guy you are). 

Think about what do you do to get attention and is it something you are proud of or are you acting a little mischievous, naughty, and outlandish to get it? 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Who's Getting The Attention Now?

Dress It Up With Your Blanket?

I took this photo in Starbucks in Washington, D.C.

This woman is waiting in line for coffee wrapped in a sheik light blue blanket covered with Minions and the UK flag. 

Apparently, this is a new fashion trend that is catching on--as I saw a second young women in the street "wearing" a blanket (not a coat) and walking with what looked like her boyfriend. 

This fashion statement is a little weird in light of the homeless people around town that frequent the street when it gets cold wrapped in these horrible dirty wool grey blankets.

But the blankets these young women are wearing are not shawls, sweaters, coats, and are far from grungy, but rather they are sort of colorful and playful.  

The blankets give the impression of course, as someone still in their PJs, just getting in or out of bed or just casually lounging around because they can.  

Depending on how you look at it--cool, relaxed, and fun or lazy and time to turn yourself over and go back to sleep.  

You never know what sparks the next fashion craze--it could be like SpongeBob says, I want my blankie! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dress It Up With Your Blanket?

Love My Lava Lamp

We couldn't resist getting this lava lamp.

Only $26 at Spencer's.

My wife says, "This is special!"

We had one of these years ago when we first got married. 

Not sure what happened to it over the years--maybe it felt dated and got tossed at some point.

Now it just feels so good to turn it on and see the colorful lava bubbling up and down.

1970's--don't care, love it. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Love My Lava Lamp

Trumpet Chandeliers

I took this photo at Pike & Rose in Rockville. 

These are Trumpet Chandeliers.  

Inside the Bell of the Trumpet are the light bulbs. 

It looks beautiful with the blue ceiling and the accent lights along the side. 

Believe it or not, this is the walkway between the garage and iPic theatre. 

Nicely done even without the trumpet music. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Trumpet Chandeliers

Bell-Bottom Style

This is dedicated to my wife who loves bell-bottom pants. 

And truly there is something about bell-bottoms that just yells cool and sexy. 

The hour glass shape of the pants is timeless. 

The flair gives you flair. 

The white stringy bottom gives contrast with the blue jeans. 

Whoever wears these, you're the automatic hit of the party.

Basically, your the Sonny and Cher on the 21st century, and presumably you can dance like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bell-Bottom Style

Print Me Some Clothing

How cool is this?

You print you own clothes on a home 3-D Printer. 

This is not science fiction, but reality.

Israeli fashion designer, Danit Peleg, is creating some beautiful clothing by printing them!

The printed clothes is intricate, fashionable, and sexy. 

Choose your outfit. 

Pick your design.

Download it. 

And start printing--day or evening wear. 

See how it looks on the runway models.

And just imagine that you can be printing and wearing it too. ;-)

Print Me Some Clothing

Hey, Lady On The Shirt

This was just a really cool shirt that I saw.

It's has an image of a lady standing out front with what looks like a volcano in the background. 

The volcano is shooting up its hothead steam, and looks like it's blowing the cloud on the left sideways, off-kilter. 

What's nice about the lady on the shirt is that it's not just drawn on, but has materials sewn in to make it 3-D.

The black and pink fabric for the dress, the green and red beads for the shirt, the pink and silver over the black patches for the sunglasses, and the yellow for the hat. 

Also, like the way she's standing all confident wth her hands on her hips and her elbows out--like "Hey, that volcano is nothing (compared to me)!"

The shirt is so simple, yet very smart. 

That's the way most things should be. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Hey, Lady On The Shirt

The Merkava IV With Anti-Missile System

I came across this video and photo online of the Israeli Mekava IV Tank with the Trophy Anti-Missile System. 

This tank looks so cool--a little fortress on treads. 

And with the Trophy system it can track and take out incoming missiles with a shotgun like blast. 

For a small country like Israel in the middle of a pretty bad and dangerous neighborhood--this is a necessity. 

Great for defending the Holy Land! ;-)

(Source Photo: here with attribution to Michael Shvadron)

The Merkava IV With Anti-Missile System

Fun Summer Fashion

Sharing this "fashion" photo that I took in Washington, D.C. this week. 

This Summer dress is colorful, happy, and cool. 

It makes a bold statement with an almost tie-dye like design and flowing colors almost wrapping the woman in the brilliant spiraling motif. 

While it is casual, it is also relatively modest through it floor length.

In a fairly busy city, this dress was a stand out and IMHO was a Summer fashion yes. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Fun Summer Fashion

Eye On Jacket

I took this photo of a women's jacket with a big blue eye on on the back. 

Thought this design was truly eye-catching!

Wonder how many women out there would actually wear something like this.

Is this alluring or freakish?

Got to love fashion, especially when it pushes the bounds and makes us take a second look or think about how cool is that.  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Eye On Jacket

Try That On!

So we took my daughter to the Free People boutique store at the Mall. 

That brand has such a cool clothing style (although a little pricey)--everything is sort of hippyish, natural, eloquent, cool grunge, and feminine with lace, beads, frills, ruffles, and more. 

As we went through the store, we noticed the amazing fitting rooms with heavy tapestry-type curtains and these beautiful flowers hanging plentifully from the ceiling--ushering you to try out their clothes. 

My daughter ended up getting a nice bag there, but the clothing also looks amazing and fits perfectly with her fashion sense. 

It was interesting for me to learn that Free People was started by the same couple in the 1970's that founded Urban Outfitters. 

Two retail success stories--but Free People is not only the cooler name, but the better clothing line. 

Be Free People!  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Try That On!

Different, Better Than Mad Max

Love this photo of the Orange Porsche epecially at this cool angle.

Ok, this is not a Mad Max black muscle car.

More like a Fast and Furious action racing vehicle. 

When I saw this car in front of the new Pike and Rose in North Bethesda (gorgeous by the way), I thought this is becoming more like Miami than typical Washington, D.C. 

Aside from the cars, the upscale dining, shopping, and iPic movie theatre (with luxurious reclining plush chairs and alcoholic drinks) has brought this area to a whole new level. 

Mad Max eat your heart out or perhaps those of your post-apocalyptic adversaries. ;-)

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Different, Better Than Mad Max

The Geometric Desk

Thought this desk was really nice. 

Professional, clean, hardwood, and very polished!

Not overly large, but I  liked the geometry of this thing, which made up for it.

The square draws on one side and the inverted cone on the other--very cool.

Great design, and seemingly good quality for home or office. 

Made in America? That would be especially nice (let's bring the manufacturing home!)  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Geometric Desk

Best Animated Shoes

These are some very cool shoes--different!

My daughter found these on Youtube 

They are made by this unboring shoe company in the U.K. called Irregular Choice.

Walking on the back of a dragon cannot be a bad thing. 

Stepping alternatively on the bride and groom--maybe an interesting perspective on the ins and outs of marriage. 

They also have a neat pair of Panda shoes. 

Check these out, I think you'll look cool and really like it. ;-)

Best Animated Shoes

Orange Spiral, Going Up

What an absolutely gorgeous staircase.

A modern spiral with vivid orange and white. 

When I look at this, it's almost as if the staircase is in motion, like a spinning drill bit. 

The person sitting to the right of the stairs seems like they will be swept away or crushed in the next spin of the stairs.

Next to the big windows, the incoming light hits the stairs and creates shadows that give it even more life. 

Excellent job by GW University in their new Science and Engineering building. 

You'd expect to see something like this in the Museum of Modern Art...it's awesome! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Orange Spiral, Going Up

Teen Lounge Chair

I took this photo of a cool teen lounge chair. 

Stretch out and relax or study on this oversized lounger. 

The fabric is emblazoned with:

- PEACE
- FREEDOM
- LOVE 
- FLIRT
- BEAST
- ROCK
- POWER
- EGO
- SHINE

I think this would look pretty good in a kids room.

How about you?

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Teen Lounge Chair

Design Is Cool

I took this photo of this Design logo on the side of a bag this guy was carrying. 

It is from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in NYC (and if I am ever back in town there, I'd like to go there).

I like this logo a lot...everything from DE*SIGN to all the descriptions of design and why it's so important to us.

- "Design is art people use." (Design is artisitic and creative)

- "Design is communication." (A picture is worth a thousand words)

- "Design is the stuff around us." (It's practical and functional)

- "Design is a verb." (Design is something we do from coming up with the concept to creating the end product)

- "Design is systems." (Design is how we format and package and is integral to making the content easy to use and come alive)

- "Design is a way of thinking." (Design is big-picture thinking that connects the dots)

- "Design is problem-solving." (Design uses visualization to understand and think through process and problems). 

A good designer is invaluable and design is absolutely cool. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Design Is Cool

Very Blue Boots

The kids hit the shoe store on the weekend.

Shoes and bags are always favorites.

Anyway, one tried on these cool blue boots. 

The other one took the photo. 

Yes, hip and stylish--alhough didn't actually buy them--maybe just a little too much blue (almost like a blueberry)!

What's next in the fashion world? ;-)

(Source Photo: The Blumenthals)

Very Blue Boots