Miseducated

Mise en Snap: Tales from the Crypt

12/24/2008

I recently had the fun of re-watching the 1973 movie edition of Tales from the Crypt. An absolute design gem in my opinion, you can find lovely mise-en-scenes in most old films (especially in Hitchock’s). Try watching some of your favorite old films for inspiration when designing anything. You’ll find as many tacky, funny goodies as you will absolutely sensational ones. Mind not the knives, terror-stricken faces and gore — as my grandmother LaVera once said, murder is necessary to tell a story.

All horror films should contain tea parties nestled within their gore!
Many Miseducated ladies are known to have fright fests
so why not get a little tea party motivation simultaneously?

I’m really digging the modular stereo with rainbow tuning.

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How to Travel Happy and Care Free

12/24/2008

Traveling is Doable- Even On a Budget!

Miseducated girls know that one of the best parts of life is getting out of your every day cycle and exploring what the world has to offer. Unfortunately, leaving your abode and venturing out into the unknown can be a little pricey. Never fear, though, there are plenty of ways you can cut down on the cost of traveling, whether your plans involve a simple (but awesome) road trip or venturing across national territories.

Pack your own food

Airplane food is mega expensive so it’s advised that you avoid it at all costs. Pack yourself enough for 1-2 meals and carry it onto the plane with you. You’ll use up food in your refrigerator (it will go bad anyway!) and save quite a bit of money. Also pack snacks (I promise you’ll get hungry later) for the plane ride and if you have room, enough for the duration of your vacation.

Eat breakfast at your hostel/hotel

Many hotels and hostels offer a free, continental breakfast. Take advantage of this! Don’t feel guilty taking a few rolls or fruits for the road – often times food is thrown out because hotels/hostels make more than what they need.

Don’t eat out for every meal

Don’t get me wrong – going out to eat is one of my all time favorite ways to spend money, but it can get very expensive. Buy your meals like a local would by going to the grocery store. This is especially great if you’re abroad. Many markets and grocery stores are set up different to your own and you’re sure to find some peculiar items!

Book at the right time

This goes for plane tickets and hotels. When booking, try your very best to avoid booking during peak season. That would be holidays, the summer and other random events (like the Super bowl, for instance). Not only will you save money, but you’re more likely to find yourself in overwhelmingly crowded tourist destinations. Also, many airlines offer drastically reduced ticket prices for last-minute bookings. This is because the airplane wants to fill their plane to full capacity.

Stay at a hostel (or with a friend!)

Don’t let the movie, “Hostel,” scare you. Hostels used to be more of a European thing, but they are quite popular all over the world, including the United States. Hostels are great because they are drastically cheaper (any where from $10-30 a night), you meet people from all over the world and they come in a variety of shapes and forms. There are upgraded hostels that are very similar to hotels, so if sleeping with 4-10 other people in the same room bothers you, keep that option in mind. Also, hostels provide lots of excursion activities. Check out hostels.com for hostel reviews and locations.

Avoid booking on weekends

If it’s possible for your schedule, book on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The most popular days to fly are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The most popular days to stay at a hotel are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You will notice quite a difference in the prices if you do this.

Go to free events

You can often find discounted days and times for various events you have in mind. For example, some museums offer free (or cheaper) admission on certain days that are normally slow. Also, visit parks and other landmarks that don’t require an entry fee. Ask your hotel/hostel attendant and locals for advice. Also do research online before you leave.

Shop around and spend wisely

Depending on where you vacation, you can find a lot of great deals. Avoid malls, where items are often mass produced and over priced. You can find some really unique keep sakes and trinkets (often hand made by artisans themselves) by going to street markets and vendors. If you’re vacationing in a big city that does not have markets like these, save money by window shopping just like you would at home!

If you’re driving…

The biggest way for you to save money is to cut the cost of gas prices. How do you do that? Make sure that your tires are in great shape. Have the rotated and fill them with air if necessary. Also, change your oil. The $30 you spend doing this could save you much much more in the end. Also, don’t forget to pack a lot of your own food. This is especially easy for you!

Exchange Rates

Use your debit card to get money out of ATM’s/pay for items if you are traveling abroad. Since the payment is electronic, you will get the best exchange rate. Also, it’s much safer to travel with a debit or credit card because if it’s stolen you can report it’s missing right away. When cash is gone, it’s gone. Also, I have found that travelers checks are often not accepted and are more of a hassle than anything.

Lastly, exchange money before you go abroad and never at the airport. It’s much more expensive at the airport and you’ll save money if you exchange elsewhere.

Good luck and happy adventures!

2 Comments

Introduce Yourself to the Miseducated Community

12/21/2008

Several members voiced opinion on ways of opening communication so we decided to give everyone a chance to introduce themselves as well as provide a little insight into their world which may be used in future swaps or features. To introduce yourself to the community simply reply with some fun information about yourself and open some dialogue!

All Miseducated guests and visitors are important to us and we want them to have a great, chill time! Just escape through the rainbow atmosphere of nonsense, whimsy, creativity and fun~ Take a break from work, grab some tea and incense and let’s enjoy life together.

Name

We might already know your name, but we’d love an introduction!

Random fact

Why not?

Three Hobbies

Or one. Or two. Or 27.

Feel free to leave a bit of info about why you’re here and how you happened to enjoy your stay if you’d like. Feel (more than) free to communicate with others here also because that’s the way the Miseducated community grows!

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Sew a Blythe Doll Skirt in Minutes

12/20/2008

It’s super easy to sew a simple felt skirt for your Blythe! This is an easy pattern to try, even if you’ve never sewn or embroidered before. Feel free to download a PDF of the printable pattern here.

You Need

1 piece of felt, approximately 6×4 inches
Embroidery floss in 2-3 colors
Small piece of velcro
Needle
Scissors

Step 1

Print and cut out the skirt pattern, use it to cut a piece of felt the same shape.

Step 2

Embroider a design. Even if you’ve never embroidered before, you can
easily make a pretty design with variations on just one simple stitch. Thread your needle, tie a knot in one end and pull the floss through from the backside. Put your needle back down through the felt again, there you have a Straight stitch! You can trace the flower design onto your skirt with fabric transfer paper, but you might find it easier to just stitch it up freehand. The flower is several Straight stitches in a circle, the center of the flower is Satin stitch, several Straight stitches side by side. For the
vine, make several small Straight stitches in a line, one after the other. This is called a Running stitch.

Step 3

Sew one side of the velcro to each end of the skirt, one on the front and one on the back. Dress up your dolly in your cute new creation!

14 Comments

Mise en Snap: SPUN Snaps from the 90s

12/19/2008

SPUN featured quite a few miseducatedly fashionable moments as well as lovely artistic shots nestled within it’s not-so-attractive, but strangely engrossing plot lines. Each snap(shot) seems to engulf the pleasure and pain aspect of drug addiction. It’s a movie about scoring and partaking in the use of, as well as the lifestyle surrounding, crystal meth. Probably not a good watch for the easily offended or sickened but a good watch for the strange movie lover like myself.

The dog was green to indicate he was sick but it otherwise acted like a normal, healthy dog with a miseducated hair treatment.

The Credits:

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Recipes for Berry Beauty Regimens

12/16/2008

Berries are a practical natural source for all sorts of things. For example, most are wonderful treats for your taste buds, many are used to create colors for natural fabric dying and they are also great to apply topically to your body and face!

And who could dismiss the fact that berries make things taste and smell oh-so-sweet! With that said, here are a few recipes that incorporate berries into the ingredient list. These are some of my favorite recipes to date!

Blueberry Honey Lipgloss

Mmm! What a delicious treat for your lips! I don’t know about you, but I’m up for some all-natural blueberry and honey flavored gloss any day! This recipe is great because the deep purple of the blueberries add a light pink tint to your lips and the honey adds softness. What you need:

8-12 fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. honey (try organic!)
1 capsule of Vitamin E (optional).

Once you’ve gathered your items, wash your blueberries and choose 8-12 average sized berries that look the healthiest! Next, combine the honey and oil in your microwave safe bowl. Make sure that it is mixed well. Extra virgin olive oil is very refined oil and great for your lips, but if you find the scent too strong you can trade it out for a vegetable oil of your taste.

After the honey and oil are mixed thoroughly, add your blueberries and heat in the microwave. Keep a close eye on the contents while they are heating. About ever 20-30 seconds, take the bowl out and stir. Continue to do this until the mixture begins to boil.

With a spoon, crush the berries.. The liquid portion of the mixture should turn to a pinkish color. Continue to mix until the berries are fully crushed. Remove what is left of your berries either by straining or by picking them out. Stir until everything is smooth and consistent.

You can store this fabulous gloss in an already-used lip gloss container or purchase a container at a craft store. Cool, huh?

Strawberry Cream Rouge

I’m totally obsessed with this recipe! Not only are DIY blush recipes hard to come by, but this one looks fabulous, moisturizes your face and is super easy to make. You’ll be shocked into happiness with this baby! Before you begin, gather these items:

2-4 strawberries (you’ll want 1/2 cup chopped)
1/4 cup of beet powder
1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

First, select 2-4 strawberries that look the healthiest! Wash them and cut off any blemishes. Gently dry them off and chop into small pieces. You should have 1/2cups worth. Next, combine the strawberries with the beet powder and olive oil in a blender. Blend on medium until everything is smooth and consistent.

You can store this creamy blush in an already-used container or you may purchase one from a craft store. To apply, dab a small amount on the apples of your cheek and blend in. You’ll be a glowing, strawberry-lovin’ diva!

So Berry Bright Mask

The scents from this face mask will leave your mouth watering. Feel free to drink a glass of champagne with this recipe! Here’s the ingredient list:

1/2 cup almonds
1/2 medium sized cucumber
3 strawberries
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. plain yogurt

Combine all the ingredients into a blender and blend on medium setting for 2-3 minutes. Depending on your blender you may need to blend a bit longer. Make sure that the mixture relatively smooth and consistent (the almonds will make it a bit rough, though).

Cleanse your face with your normal face wash and pat dry. Apply this mixture to your face and let it set for 10-15 minutes (or until it is dry). Once you’re ready to rinse, do so with warm water. Splash cool water on your face to tighten pores and then gently pat dry. Take a look in the mirror – that’s one berry fabulous chic!

2 Comments

Rainbow Gelatin Cake Recipe

12/15/2008

Creamy, delicious color topped with color upon color, reach the moon if you must! This cake is absolute fantasy land in a kitchen. If you take the rainbow challenge, please show us how it goes! The only thing better than eating rainbows is gazing upon them~

Feel free to print this for your recipe book/box and keep it close by for celebrations of the colorful sort.

5 Comments

Miseducated Competition Sponsored by RE-MENT

12/12/2008

Grand Prize Winner

“I don’t have space for a dollhouse, so I can set up the “Studio” on the kitchen table and play for an afternoon, dreaming up new combinations, mix and match items, and take notes for my eventual future dream dollhouse. I am NOT too old to play with dolls!”

Runner Up

“I live in a small apartment and my bedroom has become my studio to work on my design. My favorite furniture (my teak dresser) is now used to store sugar creatures and my bed (covered in plastic) is used for air brushing. I like getting the quiet, relaxing bedroom vibe while working although I would not say no to a large, spacious studio where I can make more mess.”

The Contest

This contest is sponsored by Miseducated and RE-MENT Japan, featuring prizes from their new series ‘Flirty Pink.’ This series does not go on sale until December 15, the winner will receive a ‘Flirty Pink’ limited edition blind box of rare archived products hand selected by the RE-MENT company. This contest is only open to registered members.

To enter
1. Send 2-3 photos of your own miseducated space that you enjoy imagining in. What special space makes you smile? Radiates your personality? Strays from conventional mores into a new kind of room?
2. 1-3 sentences about why this room is miseducated (strays from conventional mores and speaks especially to you).
3. 1-3 sentences about why you like RE-MENT and RE-MENT’s miniature series (include your favorite series if possible).
4. Your Name, Age, Location and URL (if any).
5. Email to: miseducatedlife@gmail.com

All entries must be received before December 15th. Winners will be announced December 20th (date restrictions are due to the release Japan, this is a Japan only release). The grand prize winner will receive a limited blind box from RE-MENT of the new ‘Flirty Pink’ series. Runner up will receive a random selection of a RE-MENT blind box series and limited edition postcards.

RE-MENT also has official Flirty Pink cell phone wallpapers free for fans.

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Take the Pledge to Buy Handmade

12/08/2008

To learn a new recipe or diy project, just explore around the DIY pages of Miseducated and within the links section above for some of our favorites!

I’m sure many of you crafty girls have your own shops so please post your shops and urls here! If you have your own idea for a project you’d love to share, simply email us at miseducatedlife@gmail.com as always! We love to hear from you.

Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Learn more and take the pledge at http://www.buyhandmade.org

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A Little Apartment in South Korea Tour

12/07/2008

Miseducated loves to see inside the walls of cozy apartment. How is it decorated? What unique features does it have? A person’s home says so much about them, that’s why Miseducated girls come from unique little nooks all over the world.

Now, let’s go on an official tour of Wendy Gould’s apartment in South Korea.

Want to give a tour of your home or your favorite place? Contact Miseducated and we’ll take a look and let you know if we’re interested in featuring your spot!

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