February 10, 2012

little things link love: chocolate (and a farewell)

LOVE chocolate poster - Me gusta el chocolate by MandarinPrint - click image to view more

Pretty sure I’ve been a chocolate fan since the womb.

Who DOESN’T like chocolate? I mean, I know there are people who are allergic to it (bless their hearts), but is there anyone that really just can’t stand it? I’m not talking about white chocolate, either, which is neither good nor actually chocolate. Oooof… that smell.

The origin of cocoa dates back to 2,000 BC in the Amazon. The seeds of the cocoa tree, cacao (pronounced “kuh-KAH-o”), have been used in beverages, as fertility symbols and currency, and offered up to the gods. Early uses of cocoa did not include sugar, which was unknown to the region at that time. It was therefore common to include spices, especially chiles, as a means of adding flavor. It wasn’t until the 1500s that Spanish explorer Hernando Cortéz suggested adding sugar to the mix. This new-and-improved version was reserved for royalty and the elite, and kept a secret by Spain for almost 100 years. In 1615, Anne of Austria, the daughter of Philip III of Spain, gave a sip to her French husband, Louis XIII. From there, a world love affair was born.

Chocolate, these days, is big business. It’s one of the few industries that actually does well in a recession, one little splurge indulged in by many on a budget. On a trip to Belgium a couple years ago, we saw chocolate stores in Brussels that would rival any high-end department store in terms of ambience and displays. You would think those velvet-swathed, ribbon-embellished window features would be hiding some kind of diamond bauble in them, but no. The real gem is the chocolate.

If you are even mildly obsessed with this holiest-of-holy confections, check out these links:

  • AllChocolate.com - Probably the most solid site I’ve seen that is devoted to chocolate. From here, you can get a great background on its history and production, and learn about chocolate tastings. Just like wine and coffee, location and blending make a big difference. Find out how to interpret origins, percentages, milk contents, and more.
  • Become a chocolatier – As there are pastry chefs devoted to breads or sugar, there are those who dedicate their careers to the cacao bean. A good read if you think making chocolate might be your true calling.
  • Chocolatier, the game – Become a chocolatier with this downloadable game by sourcing your way around the globe and dealing with the competition. There’s even Chocolatier 2 and Chocolatier 3 to keep you going.
  • Chocolate factory tours – Most of us in the states are familiar with Hershey’s, but here are ten factory tours in the U.S. and around the world that take it to another level. Plan your vacation around it? But, of course.
  • Eco-friendly chocolate – As with most edible items these days, there is a growing focus on eco-friendly, sustainable practices in the chocolate world. Learn the basics about organic and fair trade, and read a list of eco-friendly production companies.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for that farewell, this is my last little things post on Scoutie Girl. I have loved exploring and sharing with you all the quirky topics that pique my interest, and enjoyed all of your sharing through the comments. If you follow Scoutie Girl regularly, you know that it’s important to take steps to shape the life and career you dream about. In my own molding efforts, I’m restructuring my path and must say goodbye to this column. I owe much gratitude to Tara for allowing me to come on board as a contributor, and to Carrie for keeping all of us writers on track.

If you liked little things, I invite you to follow along over at Dandyville, my curation of all things creative and swell. For more information, and to keep tabs on me and my other work, please visit tinajett.com.

Happy early Valentine’s Day, and much strength and bravery to you all in 2012 and beyond!

Tina

Filed Under: Link Love, little things, Read & Play Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
July 15, 2011

little things link love: snail mail

Postage by Virginia Kraljevic - click image to view more

Once upon a time, if you wanted to get in touch with someone, you sent a letter.

It’s no big secret that postal services are hurting. The advent of the internet and email gave us e-cards and online banking. Recessions gave us less money in our pockets for mailing and shipping. Environmental issues have us curbing the amount of paper we use. Technology is making us flat-out less personal with one another. We’re lucky if we even send out real Christmas cards anymore. Facebook, Twitter, and every other social media outlet has us convinced that we can still connect with our fellow man by just skimming our way through their life story.

Letters still exist. Letters say you care. A good chunk of the younger population out there has probably never even received an honest-to-goodness letter from someone. Sure, they take time out of our supposed busy schedules, but remember how it felt when you opened a letter knowing someone was thinking about YOU? And ONLY you? While you still have the chance, pick up a pen and a piece of paper. Sit down and write a letter to someone. SEND IT. No email, tweet, or status post will mean as much to a person as the time they know you took to focus on just them. They can hold your letter in their hand… see the emotion in your writing… have a little piece of you arrive at their door. A little piece of happiness.

Don’t we all still want that?

Here are some small ways you can keep the nostalgia alive and your mailbox happy:

  • Leafcutter Designs — Teeny, tiny, personalized mail that you can actually send to someone for everyday correspondence or special occasions. This is what you get with the World’s Smallest Post Service, or WSPS for short. Each letter comes with a tiny magnifying glass so your eyes don’t go all buggy trying to make out the message. Bonus: WSPS is just one of many creative ideas spawned from the noggin of Lea Richmond at Leafcutter Designs.
  • Postcrossing— The idea of a pen pal is fading right along with snail mail, but you can still make a connection abroad with the handwritten word. Postcrossing allows you to send and receive postcards to and from countries around the world with their automated address list. I joined a little while ago and was excited to send my first cards off to Russia, Finland, China, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. Bonus: Take your communication further by participating in forums or opt in to receive  mail directly.
  • Telegram Stop— When telegrams were a main method of communication, punctuation cost extra when composing your message. The word “stop” was inserted at the end of a sentence instead. Revive this classic piece of history with Telegram Stop. Based in Australia, Telegram Stop sends an authentic-looking message, complete with stops, to anywhere in the world. Bonus: One rate covers anywhere on the globe!
  • Postcarden— If you live inside the European Union, you have the good fortune of being able to send someone there a PostCarden. As a recipient, you can get one of five postcard-styled boxes that open up in 3-D form, allowing you to plant the enclosed seeds and grow your own miniature garden. Bonus: You can eat it, too. The greenery. Not the paper, crazy.
  • bARTer Sauce— Brought to you by Rosalie Gale of Unanimous Craft and Ugly Baby Shower Art, bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects with a story behind them that you provide… real or not. Sign up now and you could be a foster home for goods like a house hat, transvestite robot, or a paint-by-number sailing ship!
  • The Post Culture— A celebration of the art of snail mail. “Lovers of fine paper, good penmanship, beautiful stamp design, and the hint of perfume on an envelope from another time and place.” Follow along on Twitter (@PostCulture) and postculture.posterous.com

Beside bills, what kind of snail mail do you still send?

 

Filed Under: Link Love, little things Tagged With: , , , , , , , 19 Comments
July 8, 2011

little things link love: garden gnomes

Garden Gnome by PhenomeGNOME - click image to view more

Garden gnomes first originated in mid-19th century Germany, based on tales of gnomes that would help out in the gardens at night.

They were called Gartenzwerg, which literally translates to “garden dwarf.” Their popularity skyrocketed very quickly and continues today. Most of us are familiar with the Roaming Gnome mascot for the Travelocity website (whose adventures you can follow on Twitter), or the act of stealing gnomes and sending photographs of them around the world back to their owner. The movie Amélie featured this activity, which was spawned by the Parisian group Front for the Liberation of Garden Gnomes—le Front pour la Libération des Nains de Jardin (FLNJ).

Typically made of clay, but now produced in a variety of mediums, the standard bearded, pointy-hat gnome is the most sought-after. Other poses and types can be found to suit your fancy, though, from raunchy to presidential to zombie.

Gnome love stretches far and wide. Here are some other ways people have shown their affection – and in some cases, distrust – for the wee ones.

  • Free the Gnomes — This American group follows the same cause as the original FLNJ here on the U.S. homefront.
  • Garden Gnome Carnage — In this fantastic, 80s-style online video game, you are responsible for defending Christmas and chimney attacks. According to the site, “It’s pretty much impossible to describe this game. Here’s a quote from one player: ‘At first I was wtf. But then I was wtf.‘” It takes a minute or so to load on the screen, but is cheesily addictive. Hitting the pause button will show game hints and tips scrolling across the screen.
  • World’s Largest Concrete Gnome — If you find yourself near Iowa State University, you can visit Reiman Gardens for this behemoth. He’s 15 feet tall and close to 3,500 pounds.

What do you love (or hate) about gnomes?

Filed Under: Link Love, little things Tagged With: , , , 12 Comments
July 1, 2011

little things link love: let your flag fly

United Nations Headquarters by Joao Araujo Pinto - click image to view more

vexillology [vek-suh-lol-uh-jee] (n.) — the study of flags

Today is Canada Day, the fourth is U.S. Independence Day, and there’s bunting everywhere you turn on Etsy. Flags fly for countries, letters, directions, teams, schools, and just about anything else people want to wave proudly about. When I was younger, I used to love things that had a gazillion country flags on them. Going to EPCOT at Disney World for the first time, my most favorite souvenir was a collection of flag pins sold at every gift shop in the World Showcase. I couldn’t get enough of all the colors, shapes, and configurations.

Beginning as a method for communication on the battlefield, flags have evolved into a design element. You’ll see various banners in art, fashion, furniture, and even food. Here’s a round-up of vexillological varieties:

  • Flags of the World — FOTW.net has just about everything you’d want to know about just about every flag out there, and some you didn’t even know existed. Brush up on the history behind your favorite banner.
  • Paint your favorite flag on your furniture — You likely have seen the dresser painted with the Union Jack that popped up all over the interwebs last year. At the risk of being deported, I have to go with the Jack for best looking flag when it comes to design infusion. It’s the symmetry. But I do love scones… Anyway! Here’s a little info on how that dresser was created, which you can use to paint your own.
  • International code flag prints — The nautical world has its own fascinating array of flags for communication. Beck Williamson, of bexpert on Etsy, makes some really great prints for each one, available in a modern or more traditional style.
  • Pirate flags — Plank-walking more your style? There’s more than one skull and crossbones on the decks, you know. See the different Jolly Rogers used by different pirates and learn why red added a little flair.

What’s your favorite flag?

Filed Under: Link Love, little things Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments
June 24, 2011

little things link love: summertime

Here Comes the Sun by MursBlanc - click image to view more

This past Tuesday, June 21st, was the official first day of summer in the northern hemisphere.

It’s when we get the longest stretch of sunshine we’ll see all year. Traditionally, of course, it means that school is out, family vacations hit their stride, general kicking-back takes place, and about 30 pounds of winter wear is shed. Here are some other suggestions on how you can celebrate the season:

  • Summer concerts– It’s also summer concert season, where you can see many a band perform in the open air. Metrowize.com lists the biggies.
  • Midsummer Night’s Dream– Take in the classic Shakespeare tale by reading the story, seeing a live performance by your local theatre troupe, or watching one of the film adaptations. Amazon.com offers it as a free e-book for Kindle. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the Kindle program and any book on your PC, iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Blackberry, or android device.
  • Decorate with flowers – Flowers are a very popular symbol of Midsummer and many are in full bloom. Snag a bunch for an arrangement in your home and bring some of that sun indoors. Check out this list of summer flowers to learn more.
  • Summer fruit – Indulge in the yumtastic sweet fruits that you can only get during this time. Berries, watermelons, and peaches are just waiting for you to bake them, pair them with ice cream, or do a little canning. My favorite online recipe haunt (for the rare occasions I actually produce something edible in this house) is Smitten Kitchen.  She’s got an entire category just for summer recipes.
  • Jump-start your eco-friendliness – Put that sun to good use! Look into installing solar panels and solar lights, plant shade trees, start a compost bin, and put your clothes out on a line to dry in the fresh, warm air. Earth911.org has 9 ways to get your house in summer mode, including a link to tell you how to make a solar oven.

What do you look forward to most about summer?

 

Filed Under: Link Love, little things Tagged With: , , , , , , , 4 Comments