All posts by AbandontheCube

ScoreBig.com gives users the opportunity to bid on different even tickets around their area.  Similar to Priceline.com in the early years (but not with plane tickets), users select the concert, theater play or sports event they would like to attend and then they bid for tickets below the ticket office price.  There is a bid meter which tells you the likelihood of your bid being accepted as well as details about the discount percentage other ScoreBig users have received on the same event.  There are no fees and you get an immediate answer regarding your bid.  My first bid was for three tickets to Disney’s Frozen on Ice.  My bid was not accepted, but a counter bid was sent and I had over a minute to decide if I would like to purchase at their countered rate – which I did.*

Even if they do not have the event you are looking for, you can request that it be added to the ScoreBig website.  I think it is a great platform to stay on top of local events you may like to attend and to pay less than face value for tickets.  I would use the service again as they also send email updates for different venues when they are offering major discounts (up to 60%) off.

These days we don’t really get to Abandon the Cube as much as we’d like, but this week we’re in sunny Atlantic Beach living the dream.

And by dream I literally do mean living a more vivid dream. I read once that people along the coasts dream more vividly and live life a bit more wildly. At the same time, more great thinkers, philosophers and dreamers have come from coastal cities than inlanders. I knew this before we arrived at the beach and I was looking forward to insane dreams with M.C Escher stairs with droopy Salvador Dali animals running up and down. Oddly enough, the sun has made me more tired so I haven’t been dreaming at all. On the other hand, I had an awesomely deep conversation about the pitfalls of the Machiavellian state vs Confucianism this morning, which was unlikely to happen back inland so there is that….

Dreaming

One thing I’ve always hated about the beach is how commercial it is. And it’s not just American beaches. I went to the beach in Turkmenistan a few years ago and there was a guy selling inflatable bananas, crocodiles and beach balls just like the guy on the coast here in sunny North Carolina. The only beach I’ve ever been to without capitalist swarming all over it was in Olympos, Turkey.

Olympos, Turkey

You had to hike through a jungle following a wall built in the Hellenistic period and the jump around a wall made during the Roman Empire to find this stunning blue lagoon full of hippie backpackers. It was paradise. If I found out tomorrow I had an incurable disease you’d find me the day after on the beach in Olympos looking out of crystal waters with ancient ruins behind me in the jungle. Truly awesome.

Atlantic Beach

And the beach here in North Carolina could be like that if it wasn’t so developed. My uncle has a place along one of the canals and across from his home is an uninhabited island jungle that looks amazingly fun to explore. I bet the pirates of old have buried treasure out there somewhere.

Pirates of North Carolina

I’m also reminded, while looking out at the ocean, how close the Nazi subs were to this very area, and how many ships met their doom at Nazi hands right off the coast here. As one historian put it, “It wasn’t the US Navy or Coast Guard that controlled the Atlantic coast in 1942, it was the Nazi U-boats.”

One U-boat captain told his son (who survived him through the war) that he was most amazed at how life continued on as normal in the US despite it’s being at war. People were on the beaches every day, boats went out on joy rides ride near the lurking subs (unbeknownst to them obviously) and at night the coast was lit up from all the bars, parties and general merriment. This may be one of the reasons Americans have a reputation abroad as always jovial, never serious.

U-Boats Prep for the Atlantic Campaign

Pretty stunning how much history there is right off the coast. (Not even counting the stuff in Kitty Hawk–the first flight of the Wright Brothers.)

Wright Brothers in NC

While the words “bachelor holiday” inspire a certain level of apprehension in parents, other halves, hotel and restaurant owners and flight attendants, getting away with your mates isn’t always a sordid, drunken affair filled with bright blue vomit, public urination and questionable sexual escapades.

However, there’s a wide range of things, some of which are listed below, that groups of male friends can go abroad to experience and do without their wives or girlfriends fearing the worse about what they might get up to. Every holiday needs the perfect soundtrack so that, when a certain song comes on the radio in twenty years, you’ll immediately flash back to the magical week you spent getting sunburned and drunk in Malia after your A-Levels. Here, then, are the songs that will soundtrack any lads’ holiday.

The island holiday: Get Lucky (Daft Punk)

There’s one tune every year that becomes the world’s unofficial “song of the summer”, leaking out of bars and clubs from Ibiza to Miami. It dominates the season (often being released in April or May so it can build a reputation before June-September), has an infectious beat and singalong lyrics and is usually crowned the biggest-selling single at the end of the year. We’ve had “Crazy In Love”, “Umbrella”, “I Gotta Feeling” and “Gangnam Style” in years gone by, but nobody yet knows what the 2014 song will be. With that in mind, we’re going to go with last year’s song of the summer, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, as the track of choice for your island holiday.

The football tour: Three Lions ’98 (Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds)

With the World Cup in Brazil just around the corner, what finer adventure could you have this summer than following and supporting the England team around the country? Not only will it be relatively cheap (because there’s no way that England are going to qualify from their group, and you can save money on flights at http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/flights/comparison), but you’ll get to experience the entirety of one of the most vibrant countries in the world, rather than just Rio or Sao Paulo. When you’re four hours into a baking hot minibus journey to the next game, there’s only one song you should be playing on the stereo: the immortal “Three Lions ’98” (it’s lyrically better than the ’96 version). Football’s coming home…but probably not this year.

The stag do: White Wedding (Billy Idol)

These days, more and more men are embarking on stag weekends, rather than stag nights, as the demand for extravagant celebration of the death of a man’s lothario lifestyle grows. Whether you’re travelling up and down canals on a barge or having a few days in Prague, Billy Idol’s sneering ode to matrimony, “White Wedding”, offers the perfect hard rock alternative to all of those disco classics and saccharine-sweet love ballads you’re going to be subjected to at the wedding itself. Try not to let it get into your brain, though – it won’t make a particularly good impression if your bride hears you humming it to yourself at the altar…

The ski trip: Surfing With The Alien (Joe Satriani)

Obviously you’ll be listening to music while you’re enjoying yourself après-ski, but many people like to listen to music played via their iPods or iPhones while they’re tearing down a mountain at fifty miles an hour. Unless you’re an experienced skier, it’s probably best to keep your hearing clear, but it can be hard to resist the driving tempo and spacey solos of Joe Satriani’s signature guitar instrumental, “Surfing With The Alien”. Just make sure you use your hands to guide yourself down the run and not to play air guitar – you don’t want to ski off the side of the slope!

The Vegas/Monte Carlo blowout: Luck Be A Lady (Frank Sinatra)

If you decide to push the boat out and hit the casinos of Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, then you’ll need all the luck you can get to ensure that you don’t have to declare bankruptcy when you get home. The best Sinatra version of “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys and Dolls, the quintessential musical ode to gambling, can be found on his album Duets II and features Chrissie Hynde as Lady Luck. With just the right amount of swing and style (as if Ol’ Blue Eyes would have had it any other way), this is the song to play to get you in the right frame of mind before you hit the casino floor.

Traveling: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers)

Finally, you might decide to travel around Europe or America or the Far East for a few weeks, and there’s only one song that you should be uploading to your iPod to pass the time spent on trains, buses and planes. It has unlimited re-play potential and a jaunty tune that no-one in the history of the world has ever got bored of. It’s also a one-hit wonder by two identical twins from Scotland who, presumably, have also never become bored of playing it instead of the hundreds of other songs that they’ve presumably written and recorded. Yes, it’s “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, and it’ll make you feel excited for the journey you’re embarking on and wistful when you think about your eventual homecoming.

As many of you know, traveling takes money. One way to make that money is at the table. Naturally, we don’t encourage unsafe gambling and all gambling is just that– a gamble with your money and time. That being said, we do know some travelers who funded amazing adventures with cards. So, below is some information on blackjack.

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If used properly, blackjack basic strategy can reduce the house edge and make it easier for you to win.

This minimum edge can be as low as half a percent but will only be achieved if you learn the basic strategy and apply it correctly. Learning basic strategy is now more popular than card counting as most players do not have the concentration, patience, and persistence needed to do this properly.

What is the basic strategy?

Based originally on the mathematics behind the game, this strategy has been refined and tested using computer simulations. There is a basic strategy chart but minor adjustments can be made depending on casino rules and for multiple and single-deck games.

The chart dictates how you should play the first two cards depending on the up card of the dealer. You will then need to learn how to make decisions after you take a hit. The best place to start is by translating the basic chart into simple English, explaining how you should play a hand when three or more cards are involved.

Hard hands

These are hands involving starting cards not containing an ace. Basic strategy says that you should always hit if you have an eight or less. If you find yourself with nine, double if your dealer has between three and six, otherwise hit. Ten – dealer has two to nine – double, otherwise hit. 11, dealer has two to ten – double but hit if dealer holds an ace. 12 – hit when dealer has three or two, stand if between four and six, otherwise hit. 13-16 – hit unless dealer has two to six. Always stand if you have between 17 and 21.

Soft hands

A soft hand is one containing an ace. If you hold an ace 2 or 3, double if dealer has five or six, otherwise hit. Ace 4 or 5 – dealer has four to six so double, otherwise hit. Ace 6 – stand if dealer has two, seven, or eight; double if dealer has three to six, otherwise hit. Always stand if you have ace eight or nine.

Pairs

Always split with a pair of eights or aces. Twos or threes – split if dealer has two to seven, otherwise hit. Fours – split if five or six, otherwise hit. Fives – double if two to nine, otherwise hit. Sixes – split if two to six, otherwise hit. Sevens – split if two to seven, otherwise hit. Nines – split if two to six, eight, or nine. Stand if seven, ten, or ace. Always stand with a pair of tens.

Card counting

If learning the basic strategy is not for you, card counting is still an option. The most common version of this is based on statistics that say that high cards, in particular tens and aces, are more beneficial to the player than the dealer, while low cards, particularly fours, fives and sixes, are better for the dealer.

A point score estimating a card’s value is assigned to every card that the counter sees and they then keep a tally of these. These values should reflect a card’s EOR, or Effect of Removal, indicating the impact on the advantage of the house.

The most basic scheme is known as a high-low system but there are more complicated versions that can increase accuracy, such as Wong Halves and Zen Count. There is a debate, however, about whether these complicated systems detract from a person’s ability to play. It may, therefore, be more profitable to play the simple version quickly than to play a more complex count slower.

Advanced strategies

There are many advanced techniques that studious gamblers will try, such as shuffle tracking and clump reading, but these are so labor-intensive and complicated that it may be more profitable to simply use a basic scheme and test yourself against the Full Tilt Casino house.

Only players with supreme intelligence and flawless attention to detail can even attempt these techniques in a traditional casino and, even then, some form of subversion is also usually needed, such as a calculation device or observation help. This is a huge risk when both of these are usually banned by the house and are actually illegal in many cases.

The following is a guest post by Anna Jones.

Broaden your horizons – and your mind

Further education isn’t just about lectures, seminars and books. An equally valuable part of your university experience is learning about culture, social integration and life itself.

Why you should consider studying overseas

The high price of tuition fees and the increasing cost of living in the UK has prompted many young people to look overseas for alternative options rather than studying at a university at home. With an increasingly complex global jobs market, graduates need to demonstrate other skills as well as a good degree. Studying overseas may equip young people with these additional assets. There are numerous universities across the world, including the RRIS-Israel study abroad programmes , ISP USA, CIEE Netherlands, and many more, where you can enjoy a totally novel life experience as well as completing your studies.

Explore the world through learning

When you read accounts of famous peoples’ college days, it’s usually not the subject matter of the lectures that’s recalled, it’s the friendships and the adventures that play the most important part of any narrative. If you choose to study abroad, you’ll be joining the 22,000 other students who are enjoying the experience of living and studying in a different country. The British Council suggests that personal development is as important as a professional qualification for future employers as well as your own aspirations.

Different cultural experiences will improve your mind

Whether you choose to study art history in Florence, or go to Israel to study psychology, you should discover as much about your chosen destination as possible. Some of the questions that you should be asking will concern language and accommodation costs as well as the curriculum. Do try to go on a language course as part of your preparations. You may think that if the course you chose is in English, you won’t have to bother, this is not the case, and you’ll be constantly frustrated at not being able to communicate fluently with others. A recent article in The Guardian, written by a blogger who had studied chemistry in Belgium, gives a useful account of the benefits of living and learning abroad. Cultural differences should always be embraced, suggests the blogger.

Experience a new country and discover the true meaning of education

It’s no use studying abroad if you miss out on the national culture and the fun. Culture can mean ancient cities, and archaeological sites, so even if you’re not keen on history, visit these places to try to understand the national passions of your fellow students. Alternatively, culture can mean films, bars and festivals, as well as conversation in the shops with some locals. You’ll want to enjoy your new experience, and that does include having fun.
Take the plunge – study abroad

In previous decades, and even centuries, overseas study was restricted to the wealthy. You’ll discover that contemporary degree courses vary greatly in cost, as do living expenses, but some will find their chosen course and the country much cheaper than the UK. The Independent has published some useful facts about universities all over the world. If you learn abroad you’ll not only improve your chances of getting a job, but you’ll also become a better-informed and insightful adult.

I’m happy to announce that I have begun selling my artwork. You can find paintings, custom hand-painted furniture and home decor by me at Fernweh Originals on Etsy.com, Facebook or browse originals and reconstructions at Melange in Winston Salem, NC.

Original artwork and headboard by Fernweh Originals

I want to thank all of you for being supportive of my art over time. It has been amazing hearing many of you encouraging me to list and sell my artwork. I want to thank my family– and Kristin and Heidi in particular– for their recent encouragement.

Gallery Showing:
I will be holding my first exhibit this summer. Please stay tuned for more information!

Lauren: Designer at Fernweh Originals

What’s Online?
My paintings and home decor are listed on Etsy.com, and include shipping costs. As friends and family, if you would like to buy a painting you can contact me directly and I can arrange to deliver it to you if you live on the East Coast (The D.C area to N.C).

Original artwork available on Etsy.

What’s in North Carolina?
Much of what I have for sale is presently in the Piedmont. You can find larger items (like refurbished furniture, chandeliers, home decor, etc.) at Melange off University Avenue in Winston Salem. You can also find items at Farrago, off Hanes Mall Drive. Contact me if you see an item you like and I’ll direct you to it’s location!

Custom, French-inspired piece. Available at Melange in W-S, NC.

Custom Artwork:
I will be creating commissioned, custom artwork in addition to the selection you can find online and in the Piedmont. To order a custom piece, please contact me directly with your ideas to receive a quote.

The Process:
You can find many of the items I’ve created for sale in my blog roll. I sometimes have before/after photos of furniture I refurbish, as well as art pieces that are on-going or over-sized. To find anything related to my art, search Fernweh Originals as a keyword on the ATC blog, or DIY.

Thank you all for your ongoing, loving support and for encouraging me to pursue my dreams!

Love,
Lauren

Abandon the Cube !!!

I found another dresser with a decent frame on Craigslist. Yes, I check out the listings every few days for cheap, sturdy furniture that I can refinish and hopefully sell. Here is the original photo posted to Craigslist.

I really like the tiered look, the two sections and the cute cut-out by the legs. Not a bad shape and I think the clean lines will make this a nice canvas for something a bit more wacky and fun than I normally do. I want to treat this basically like a canvas of wood that happens to have drawers instead of a dresser to paint on. It is going to need some new hardware, and it looks like the second-to-last drawer has a chunk missing that I’ll have to replace, but all in all not bad for $30 bucks! I pick it up tomorrow so we’ll see if it was a good buy.

TOMORROW HAS ARRIVED:

The lady I bought it from was moving to NYC and had to part with her dresser. It was smaller than I thought, but better construction than anticipated. I took it home with the help of a rented Zippy Shell and primed the base. It looks a bit French with the white primer and the base cut. I think I’ll play that up a bit and go with a vintage French-inspired look that pays homage to their national drink: wine.

Next, I plan on trying something entirely new. I plan on trying to stencil in more design using a Martha Stewart stencil and some joint compound. Sounds risky! But if this doesn’t work I can easily sand the ol’ girl down and try again. I think a bit of flare will add to the elaborate cut along the base and give it a more overall French feel. I hope my French buddies out there aren’t rolling their eyes. Sorry if this is the equivalent to painting cowboy hats and hamburgers all over a dresser in France and calling it American.

Believe it or not I found some awesome Oops! paint at Home Depot (I love that they do that!) and it was about the exact color I was looking for anyways (ivory). Bought a liter for under $2 instead of the anticipated $14. Sweet. Then I scrapped the whole idea with the joint compound and texture and instead painted the French label right on the ivory paint. It didn’t look quite finished…. so I did the top and tiers in black to pull in some contrast. I can’t speak French, but I think this is some kind of a vintage perfume label. I just loved the lines.

Alas, the white was too stark and I was always planning on an antique finish, so here that is below!

The light is catching the protective layer of poly I put over the antiquing, but it isn’t all shiny when indoors. That is just a super bright, sunny North Carolina morning.

Finally, a close up of the label and antiquing. Now, to slap on some hardware and call it good!

Okay, the hardware is on. I went with an aged, antique brass look with simple knobs for the top two drawers and pulls for the remainder. I was originally hoping to have simple black knobs but it looked too Gothic, so I dated it even more with brass. Here are the final photos!

Total cost for this project: Dresser $30; paint and paint supplies (stencil and compound) $14; hardware: $32=$76.00. Asking price: $310.

You can find this dresser for sale at Melange, in Winston-Salem, NC. See my other items on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

Well I crapped out and didn’t take a BEFORE photo because it was too embarrassing. But below is a picture from a few months ago when I was building this burlap headboard. It smelled and I had to get rid of it. Also, it was made of cardboard and was a bad idea. So was that bedspread. Barf. Anyways, here was the before:

I will make this quick and show you what my room looks like now. Imagine the before as a condor pooping from on high and that ball of poo splattering all over four walls. That was my room. Here it is now:

I think the feng shui is much better now with the bed against the far wall and longer (not grey) curtains. I also think this bedspread is more my style and a lot more fun. Anyways, I made the headboard from a piece of butcher-block. I made the painting of the Buddha Buds, and I sourced the curtains and bedspread from the interwebs. I made the lamps from burlap left over from my wedding, and behind the door is a wardrobe I’m refinishing now.

Here (above) is a close up of the headboard in the event you are too lazy to click on the link above. It was my first foray into metalwork.

Below is a picture of the lamp, again, for the lazies out there. I simply cut out burlap to fit OVER the old shade, then I used a stencil to cut designs in the old shade under the burlap so when it is on, designs are projected onto the walls. Yup, it’s pretty neat.

And below is a picture of my cat admiring the Buddha while the frame dries.

This (below) is a close up of the Buddha face. I poured a ton of paint on the canvas then tried to move it around using speakers. Since the art is about music and tranquility, I thought this would be a neat way to make the music come to life. It worked in some places, and added a cool story to the image. Wherever you see the neon green and magenta swirling, that was music leaving a permanent impression.

Finally below is a picture of the wardrobe I’m working on. This is a before photo, I haven’t done anything to it yet. We’ll see what happens to the poor sucker. But, in the background you can see the other burlap lamp I made, and a Picaso replica I painted a few years ago. So, this room is almost entirely made by me. Makes me happy. I do plan on stenciling the curtains at some point with the same peacock blue you kinda see in the foreground of the image below. Maybe just a suzani line across the bottom or sides. Still debating on that one.

You can find this buddha painting for sale on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

This is my first desk remodel and I have to say, it went alright!

I bought this crappy desk off of Craigslist and didn’t take a photo of it before I got to work. However, I did find a very similar one again on Craigslist and have a photo of that which will have to suffice as my “before” photo.

I started by filling in verner cracks, something I spend a good deal of time doing these days, it seems. Then, I took off all the hardware and spray painted them with a hammered steel metal paint. They look great now, the old bronze look was too dated for the plan I have for this desk.

Next I primed the sucker really well. It had a lot of imperfections so a thick coat of primer worked to add bulk and fill in some of the cracks. If this is what you’re priming for, try tilting your furniture piece and priming one side at a time. The top side will allow the primer to kind of settle and level on it’s own and erase brush strokes. Takes a few days to prime one thing but it really does work well.

Next I painted the desk a bright green. I’ve been wanting to try a green piece for a while so this is what I settled on. I love it.

I slapped the hardware back on after a few coats of protective finish and here you have it, a sexy desk remodel.

Oh, and for a little chic surprise, I did some damask designs on the drawers. Mommy has a like.

Hope you like it, and sorry there was no real tutorial here. This was just something I was doing for fun.

Total cost for this project: Desk $40; paint: $18= $58. For sale at Melange in Winston Salem: $148.00.

You can find this desk for sale at Melange, in Winston-Salem, NC. See my other items on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

Well, I’ve been at it again! This time I took a perfectly good butcher block table from the in-laws and refinished it. Before you get all judgy-face let me explain that it had a yellowish polyurethane on it. And if you’re an avid reader of my DIY section you know I loath the yellow poly look. So, while I loved the table, I hated the yellow.

So, I sanded off the poly and sanded down the legs. The top was maple, the sides were something else and had a slightly pink tint. You can see this in one of the images below where the top is white-ish and the legs are yellow-pink. This presented a bit of a problem when it came to selecting a stain that would apply evenly to both the legs and the top. Before I get to that, let me walk you through the abuse and reincarnation this poor table went through. It’s exhausting, mind-numbing and frustrating.

1. February 22, 2014: Sanded table top using belt sander (photo above)
2. February 24, 2014: Applied Bombay Mahogany stain. Didn’t wipe it off afterwards.
3. March 8, 2014: Sanded off horrible staining job using circular sander. Took forever.
4. March 14, 2014: Applied Jacobean stain (Miniwax) and wiped it off this time. Yup, learning by trial and error is tedious stuff. (See second image below.)
5. March 18, 2014: Applied another coat of Jacobean and wiped it off. Look okay, but there are some marks on the top from the original belt sanding from late February.
6. Late March, 2014: Husband unhappy with the belt sander marks. Sanded down the whole thing. Starting over. Sanded down the legs as well. (see first image below.)
7. Early April, 2014: My husband applied Bombay Mahogany to the legs and top.
8. Mid April, 2014: Husband doesn’t like the mahogany. It didn’t go on cleanly because it was a poly-stain mix and dried too fast.
9. Late April, 2014: Sanded down the table again. Starting over.
10. Later April, 2014: Applied Jacobean in two coats, wiping between coats.
11. Daily, early May, 2014: Applied a coat of poly protection each day, sanded with 320 between coats.
12. May 9, 2014 (today): Got so sick of seeing the table in my work area that I painted the legs black and applied a final coat of poly to the top. I’M DONE WITH THIS TABLE!!!!

So, after all of that here is the final product. You can see a few circular sander marks on the top. Screw it, they are staying! This was a tough first staining project for us and it took three months to get it to this point. I like it, and it looks better than I anticipated from the start of this long-lasting project. Anyways, here are a few photos! First photo is without a spray protection on the legs. The second photo I lightly (320 paper) sanded the top coat of poly and applied a protection spray to the legs. Looking sexy, table!

I like how the legs kind of bring out the darker legs on my blue suede chairs and blue booth. Yes, I have a booth in my house. I’m that cool.

This table has been SOLD. See my other items on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

I found this dresser on CL and thought, what the hell… I know nothing about refinishing furniture, let’s give it a try. Both Alanis Morissette and I are fully in favor of biting off more than one can chew.

Here are the before pictures. Please puke along with me as we peruse the following horrifying pictures of this antique dresser gone foul. To be fair, I got them off a college kid who was about as friendly as they come. $40.

Don’t wipe the vomit from your mouth just yet… more pics to follow! If you’re able to see the potential in the piece note the wavy top drawer and the thick frame. Very cool. Very promising lines.

Ok, you can wipe off the upchuck. I’ll stop posting petrifying photos of the BEFORE disaster that was this dresser. Now for the step-by-step and finally (gasp) the reveal! Don’t skip ahead, you’ll ruin the dragging out of this surprise!

First I used Elmer’s WoodFiller on the crap verneer cracks. It worked okay, but it sands a little too easily so you have to be careful and use a light sandpaper. I used 220. FYI these pics below are of PRE-SANDING phase.

and another to show more filler…

Next I sanded down the Elmer’s WoodFiller (as mentioned above for the students paying attention) and kinda did a once over with 220 to help the primer adhere. Here is where I will reiterate the fallback to this product (sorry, Mr. Elmer). It doesn’t really sand evenly because it isn’t as strong as, say, the body filler other posts suggest you use. So, I had to do another round of filling and sanding to get the shape and coverage I wanted. This added a long time to the overall project clock because with deep cracks in the verneer I was waiting five hours between application and sanding. That’s a long time to Forrest Gump myself on a log and wait.

Yup. Next I primed the sucker. Bye bye wood color, hello primer mess. This is always when a doubting Thomas walks in and says something like, “eh. barf. I liked it better before.” This is good because you can make them eat their words later when they realize it was only primer and the best is yet to come. Although honestly it already looks better with primer on…. I used Giddeon primer, I wasn’t impressed with it because it looked thin. I applied two coats then lightly sanded with 220 to remove any brush lines. I’ll be looking for a better furniture primer for future projects.

The best has come! Paint! This is everyone’s favorite part. I love watching ugly be hidden by pretty, don’t you? Anyways, I went with red because I feel like, for furniture, it is just a stunning color and you can play around with Asian accents (or colonial, French, etc) for drawer pulls and the like. I was playing with the idea of a bright yellow but then realized that fad (only present in my mind) would fade and I’d be left with a canary dresser. Here is a hint of the color. I put on two coats of light paint (cherry red) so that nothing would run. I used spray paint, which is easier than a brush and doesn’t leave any strokes. If you are going to apply a high gloss later, I recommend the spray method as the gloss will bring out tiny imperfections and lines.

Finally I applied a ton of lacquer. This is mostly to protect it from my toddler, dog, cats, birds and mice. If I lived a different (bachelorette) life where I didn’t have to be terrified of little sticky fingers and dirty paws scratching my furniture creations I wouldn’t have applied so much protection. I’ll take the sticky mess and paws any day! But, if you don’t have that concern I’d say a less shiny protection would suffice.

Drumroll! Here is the before and after picture of my antique dresser refinishing!

ABOVE: Here is the classic “before and after” shot. Me thinks the red looks fantastic. Sadly, my phone photography skills at night are lacking.

ABOVE: The front looks super sleek.

ABOVE: This is probably how Tarantino would photograph his furniture (at night, with odd lighting and no real explanation).

ABOVE: You can’t really tell what this is in the dark. I’m thinking I’ll get more photos loaded in daylight.

ABOVE: Finally, a good shot of the knobs. I got each unique knob attached and love the look it lends. Up close it doesn’t look childish, it looks eclectic and adorable. Very Alice in Wonderland meets Marco Polo.

ABOVE: Another close up of my knobs.

Well, there you have it! My dresser remake. Most of the time was spent fixing the cracked verner and sanding. Actually painting and putting on finishing touches accounted for a fraction of the time but all of the fun.

I am playing with the idea of adding a black antique glaze to this to kinda give it a pop, tone down the red and add to the Marco Polo side (while taking away a bit of the Alice in Wonderland feel). Thoughts?

Ok, I did add it. Here is a sneak peak!

To date, the total cost for this project is: Dresser: $40; paint: $14; Knobs: $32= $86 + spray sheer coat protector (+8)= $94

You can find this dresser for sale at Melange, in Winston-Salem, NC. See my other items on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

To continue the theme of upcycling and creating, here is my tutorial (aka, my creation journal, for the granola crunchers out there) on how I made a headboard out of a piece of wood I bought for $9 at the ReStore.

First off, if you live under a rock and don’t know what the ReStore is, it’s the Habitat for Humanity store that sells stuff like furniture, random doors, chunks of wood, knobs, etc. Stuff you need to make a house or stock a house. And it’s awesome. The Winston Salem ReStore is pretty rad, and just moved to a new facility off University Parkway.

Okay, moving on. Here is a picture of the piece of wood pre-evolutionary metamorphosis at the hands of yours truly. It was dirty, messy, had some water damage, etc. I bought four, 9-foot by 16 inch wide boards from the ReStore and sanded them down. I selected the nicest for this project, and eventually plan to make a footboard and side rails out of the rest of this wood.

Here is a picture after I cut it to 7 feet, sanded down the imperfections and sides, and stained it with a lovely, sultry dark stain. I used Miniwax because I like that they don’t have polyurethane in the stain. Makes it go on smooth and silky, like butter, and wipe off easily for second and third coats. This stain color is called ________. I put on two coats because I was really happy with how this stain was bringing out such beautiful grain and more seemed to enhance the awesomeness.

Next I waited a few dozen hours and applied my first coat of Miniwax interior polyurethane. Normally I’d be against this move but I recently refinished a table and this brand of poly isn’t as shiny and obnoxious and color-changing as others. No, Miniwax isn’t paying me to say this (though if any Miniwax executives are reading this– know that I wouldn’t turn down free cash! ha ha).

For some reason between coats of poly you are meant to sand it down with 220 sandpaper and then reapply. No idea why, but like many a non-chemist I just so what chemical bottles demand. So, I sanded it down lightly and reapplied….. about four times. The last application I used a foam brush to decrease the chances that there would be any texture from the brush bristles. Yes, it’s gotten this pedantic.

Finally, I got to what I consider the fun part! This is where I took some metal packing strips and then screwed them to the back of the headboard (see image below) and then nailed them down with some textured upholstery nails on the front. I’m going for an old world industrial look here. Call me a nerd, but I feel like looks that don’t really go well together actually go well together, like how opposites attract. So, we have metal and nails from the industrial, processed, warehouse style fused with a rugged, rough chunk of wood stained to Middle Earth proportions. Clearly, I don’t know any interior decorating verbiage. Work with me here.

Anyways, this last step was super time consuming and required math. This may be the first time since high school that I had to do real math. Guess my teacher was right, at some point you’d need it and be glad you knew it. Although when I was in school we didn’t have the internet so…. I guess he didn’t know you could always BS your way through anything using this handy tool. Below you’ll see how I spaced out the lines for the upholstery nails.

Here is a pictures of the final product (just the headboard design). I did this detail work on both sides, about 7 inches in from both sides. Looks bad ass.

If I do decide to go back and make a foot board you’ll be the first to know. I already bought adorable little legs to be the support structure for the foot board and found a 12 foot cedar board for the side rails, so we’ll see if they join my pile of legs, wheels and arms (all wooden, I assure you) growing in the wood shop or actually get adhered to this project. Time will tell.

To date, the total cost for this project is $32 for the wood. $14 for stain, and poly. $2 for upholstery nails= $48

This headboard has been SOLD. See my other items on Etsy at Fernweh Originals or visit my Facebook Page, Fernweh Originals.

I must be in the DIY mood because I have about nine big projects going on around the place. I just finished upcycling a perfectly good dresser. Read about that here. And I’m upcycling a desk and table as well. I got a great deal from the ReStore on 8 foot boards so there is a pile of that in the carport, and I have been building my own art frames, so I have molding all over the den. My yard is starting to look like a traditional North Carolina junk heap of well-intended projects in various states of ill completion. So, with all that going on why not toss on one more project? A themed Cake Boss-style cake!

Today’s project was a fancy cake for my cousins’ birthday. Wolf and Max are young teenage boys who are throwing a Duck Dynasty-themed birthday party. So, after getting on the interwebs I discovered Duck Dynasty to be four bearded men in headbands who make whistles. Odd premise for a business but apparently it is quite successful.  I decided to make a rolled camouflage fondant with a duck on top. Apparently one character is fond of repetition and says, “happy, happy, happy” quite a bit in a mostly ironic way. So, the top will say that with “birthday” on the side.

I made my own fondant out of marshmallows, confectioners sugar and water. It was easier than I imagined and rolled on well. I dyed it with typical food dye and put it in the fridge overnight to harden or cool or whatever happens to marshmallow molecules when chilled.

Next I rolled out little bits and made a camo pattern and kind of pushed the chucks into place and pinched them together. Other tutorials miss this pivotal step. You can’t just roll like this because the chunks will separate. Pinch it all together before you roll. Yeah, it looks like a bunch of cat puke and poop, but it will look better when it’s done!

Then I found a curtain rod, washed it and rolled the fondant onto that because it was wider than my rolling pin. This is when my husband walked in and asked why I was decorating a curtain rod.

Finally, I rolled it on top of the cake and cut off the excess with a pizza cutter. Very clean lines this way and easier than a knife, which can cause the fondant to tear. You can see that I left a bit of extra. Later I decided this looked silly and cut it off but originally I was thinking of textured the whole thing like fabric and making it drape. Then I realized the cake was for boys, and that was a lot of effort for lads who wouldn’t really care past the first glance.

Here you can see the finished product. I cut out some letters with a little jello mold set and hand piped some lettering on top. I also made a duck out of rice crispy treats and rolled fondant. After I was done my husband said it looked like a platypus. Oh well. There were not many mallards walking about when I was molding it. I also piped on some texture around the base. It didn’t really need it because the cut was clean but I figured why not? And I had extra icing.

So there you have it, I made a cake, made my own fondant and made a fondant duck. Suck it Buddy from Cake Boss, my cake is pretty damn good for a noob!

Well, like many Americans with time on their hands I’ve gotten into the upcycle trend of taking crap and making it treasure. It’s a fun past-time and I am enjoying feeling a bit green and hippie while producing hipster furniture. Naturally, like all hipster wannabes, I’m blogging about my masculine foray into woodwork.

Here is a before and after shot of a $20 old sewing table I refinished (ahem, upcycled) into a Chinese end table. The original singer sewing machine is still in it’s red belly, mocking me for my total lack of understanding of the realm of sewing. I had planned to rip it out and put in a bar (something I am very familiar with) but I couldn’t be arsed in the end to remove what little history remained in this piece.

Below are some photos of the next hipster project I undertook. I had an old three-drawer dresser loitering about in my guest bedroom, looking pathetic and scratched a bit to hell. So, I did what any hipster would do and primed it white. Here is the photographic evidence.

And then some photographic evidence of the priming project. Naturally, I took the photo with my smartphone. Anyways, here is the same dresser, primed and ready for paint!

The next phase is to spend about a week on Pinterest eyeballing other hipster’s projects and to (hopefully) pick a look I love and then try to copy it and claim credit for the concept. I’ll upload more photos of my upcycle project as it progresses.

This novice needs an overpriced locally-produced, organically handcrafted, fair-trade brew to consume while searching for the perfect paint color for my hipster dresser. Be back soon with pictures of the final project

_______(MUCH LATER)________

Okay ladies and gents, I know you have all been eagerly awaiting a picture of the final project. Here it is! It went peacock blue with a black antique glaze finished with a lacquer to give it some shine (and protect it from my birds, cat, dog and toddler).

Merry Christmas, Cube Abandoners!
We hope the year ahead is as stunning, rich, and full as the year behind us soon will be. With warm moments spent with friends and family, and a life that fills full and happy.

2013 was a transition year for ATC. We traveled quite a bit in the USA, our motherland, but only traveled abroad twice, to our northern and southern neighbors. 2013 saw our first trip to Cancun, Mexico, and stunning winter visit to Niagara Falls, Canada. You can find a whole album of trip pics from Cancun in the gallery!

Inside the USA we traveled from Michigan to the east coast, then straight across the nation stopping in Nashville (go country music!) to Memphis (where we met soul singer Al Green) to the Presidential Library in Arkansas, to Oklahoma (where the world’s largest McDonald’s is) and on to Colorado (where the Garden of the Gods was a big attraction) to Utah, Idaho and then Oregon (go ducks!) and on to Washington state, where we were saturated in a light but constant drizzle.

After a few weeks in Washington we did the trip in reverse along the northern route, hitting the long stretch across Montana and the fun sites of South Dakota (Rushmore, Wall Drug and Corn Palace) and then on to visit family in Minnesota, Illinois and then out to the coast again. A full circular tour of the motherland, and a wonderful one.

Michael and Lauren also got married this year in the southern USA. Thank you to all our lovely friends and family who traveled from around the planet to be in, and attend our nuptials. It means the world to us that you came from around the blue planet to be at our humble event.

Now we’re in North Carolina, situated in the Piedmont area between the mountains and the ocean. You’ll find us outside with our daughter or inside, writing this blog and gazing at maps as we plan future adventures.

With the new year dawning, we have some exciting plans for travel within the USA. This massive country has so much to offer, so many amazing national parks, sites and of course splattered across the USA there is one of the largest of everything imaginable, from frying pans to balls of twine…and we want to see them all.

We hope your holidays are full of joy and fun!
Merry Christmas, from Abandon the Cube!

ATC has joined the digital age (well, I guess we were kinda there already but now we’re even more digital) and we’ve loaded our first edited Youtube video. Rocked it!

ATC Does Turkmenistan!

-or-

 

Let us know what you think! This is the first one of many and they will get better as we learn to edit and snazz up the video content.

Enjoy!

Staying fit and active is an essential factor to healthy living. The only thing is, running on a treadmill or pounding the cross trainer isn’t fun for those of us who aren’t gym bunnies and it isn’t an appealing option while you’re travelling. So, if you’re looking for inspiration to make fitness fun, look no further.

Here are our favorite options for staying active and enjoying yourself at the same time:

Bouldering

Climbing walls have increased in popularity recently, even popping up in gyms as more and more people are discovering the benefits of climbing for building strength and staying fit. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that involves some tactical thinking as well as careful planning, making it a work out for your brain as much as your body.

It’s safest (and most convenient) to do this indoors as you don’t need to invest in so much equipment. And, you can take part whatever the weather.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquene/4137504741/

Snowboarding

You don’t need to live near the mountains to enjoy snowboarding as there are plenty of dry slopes to practice on. Although, these can be a little rough, quite literally, it you fall. That’s no deterrent though as there are lots of indoor facilities these days that provide snow covered slopes and, once you’ve honed your snowboarding skills, you can use it as the perfect excuse to get away for winter holidays!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18percentgrey/3345699782/

Hula Hooping

We all remember it from childhood; the classic hula hoop was always a fun, if not a frustrating activity. For adults though, spinning a special weighted hoop is a great way to tone up! It works your core muscles and is ideal for toning your abs, glutes (to give you a firm bum) and thighs! It’s also highly addictive as you try to perfect your technique to keep your hula hoop spinning for as long as possible.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/suprememoocow/5053874762/

Kitesurfing

This water sport is something everyone must try at least once. It’s constantly growing in popularity, which reflects just how incredible an experience it is.

A lot like surfing but even better, kitesurfing adds wind power into the mix, meaning you can fly high above the waves and soar across the sea as you cling to a huge kite. You’ll find kitesurfing improves your strength, balance, agility and reaction times. Not only that, it provides a huge adrenaline rush as you whizz across the waves.

There are lots of places where you can try this sport but one of the best by far is Morocco.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erase/3044679142/

The weather here is perfect with constant winds, sun, and blue waters. Check out the Explora Morocco website to find out more about kitesurfing in Essaouira, on the North West coast of Morocco.

Doga

Everyone knows about yoga, but few people have tried Doga. It’s a trend which started, like so many off-the-wall crazes, in the US when health-conscious dog owners asked for a way of combining their favorite exercise with spending quality time with their pets.

Now Doga is growing in popularity in the UK too. Doga is said by practitioners to create a better bond between owners and their pets, while offering their dogs the same health benefits yoga provides to people.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1000photosofnewyorkcity/5588487454/

It certainly gives the exercise position the downward dog a whole new meaning.

Whichever activity you opt for, if you find exercise boring, you won’t carry on with your workout routine. By searching for a sport, hobby or activity which you enjoy, you’ll get fitter and healthier without it feeling like a chore.

Well… I went to my first ever gun show last weekend in Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA. As part of the south, the gun laws are more lax than in other states (NC recently legalized carrying guns in public parks, for example). At the same time, you need a permit to buy a handgun (not a rifle though) and you need to take a class before being granted a conceal and carry permit. So, there is some control but it seems more like red tape than actually controlling anything. Anyways, I was excited to see what it was all about. (Please excuse the photos, I took them with my phone.)

For starters, the paranoia over the second amendment being revoked seems entirely unfounded. There were two groups of people at the gun show: 2nd amendment buffs (of which there were around 1.5k) and protestors (of which there were about 7). I don’t think many folks out there want a total repeal of the second amendment (the right to bear arms, fyi) but after seeing some of the SAMs (surface-to-air missiles) at the gun show I may agree with a minimization of what people can buy on the open market. And here’s why:

1) Without more comprehensive background checks how can we ensure that the people owning these ridiculously powerful and advanced weapons are sane enough to use them responsibly? What does a responsible person do with a SAM? It is in all of our best interest not to have lunatics with rocket propelled missiles, SAMS or even heavy caliber machine guns. I wouldn’t want to encounter an angry mentally challenged person with a box cutter– let alone an arsenal of crazy shit only useful in an actual all-out war. These weapons are not designed to protect your home, your rights or your possessions–they are designed for wars of attrition.

That being said, I think that if the background check process were cleaner, more efficient and had more defined criteria I may be more prone to consider the options. As it stands now, we’re looking at a criminal history report were felonies prohibit some rights. What about all the other signs of instability? I’m open to hearing ideas on how to make a fair background check process but not open to the idea of allowing anyone who wants one to have an arsenal of military-grade equipment in their basement. Case and point: at the gun show in WS, NC I was accosted by a man of questionable mental status who clearly did not understand normal social boundaries. He grabbed both of my arms and stood inches from my body and proceeded to ask if I was married, to whom, and if I’d consider a divorce. The man was obviously not all there. What was he doing at a gun show? I’d be scared to meet this kind of man in the parking lot alone if he were armed and I wasn’t. I don’t think the solution is an ever-escalating arms race between the sane and the deranged wherein I’d be safe in that same parking lot if I were also armed, quick to draw and had a high enough caliber weapon to ensure I was safe. That just seems silly.

I think one point in that defense is sufficient. Moving on…

I was impressed, to some degree, by the amount of expertise on the ground. I met one young man (under 30) who was offering detailed information on a replica revolver from 1880. He was fascinated and grew more animated as he talked. He knew when I walked up I couldn’t afford the revolver but just wanted to share in his excitement about that piece of history. I really enjoyed that, and the other antique or replica items on site. Some of these people are real patriots with a deep sense of history, and I admire that greatly. That, to me, was worth the ridiculous $9 admission fee.

Outside the show there were a few protestors (see crappy cell-phone image below as photos were discouraged at the show). I admire the protestors and their belief that standing out in the sun for hours on end with signs will have an impact. They are preaching to the wrong crowd, but at least they are preaching. I loved the dichotomy of the gun show folks vs the protestors and how peacefully it was all transacted.

All in all, I probably won’t be a gun show attendee in the long run, but it was quite an experience. My favorite part of the day was when a man with a rifle that looked like something out of CounterStrike came up to me to tell me I didn’t have the right to take photos. Ha! The second is strong with that one, but other freedoms–not so much.

When one Abandons the Cube one has little money. Still, with a bit of creativity you can do wonders. I was reading a few blogs and came across a lovely idea to make a headboard out of cardboard. Stop! Don’t click away, it’s true! You can do it and not have it look like a piece of trash. This blog post, in particular, had a lot of neat ideas. I went a different route ultimately, but this was a nice bit of incentive. Thanks Michelle!

I started out by cutting the shape I wanted out of a giant piece of cardboard. We had recently purchased a crib for our infant and the box was perfect and in good condition. I used a basket to draw the rounded parts on the cardboard and then used the old adage of measuring twice and cutting once. This headboard is seven feet across and four feet high in the center. The two winged edged are three feet high.

After cutting out the shape I wanted, I used all the Styrofoam padding the crib had been wrapped in. I laid out the large sheets and then cut them to fit the cardboard shape. I used packing tape to secure them to the cardboard. I used a knife to cute the shapes to the exact dimensions of the cardboard. Much easier than scissors. After this, I used the foam wrapping that came with the crib to wrap around my frame to give it more shape and erase some uneven edges. I taped this all in place.

At this point, I had fully intended to make the headboard come all the way to the bottom of the piece I had cut out. But, I ran out of Styrofoam and foam wrap so I cut a clean line along the bottom.

I got married recently and had a burlap and lace vineyard wedding. I still had strips of 7 foot long burlap from the table runners so I grabbed these and decided to do a woven pattern of burlap across the padding. I thought this would be a nice, neutral color for our bedroom. Weaving isn’t easy, but the strips were not clean cut and I didn’t think trying to line them up would look nice so it was the only real option. Plus, I already had it on hand and it was free.

So, I took the strips and put them atop the frame and kind of wove them together. Once I had created a mat I used hot glue to tack the bottom and left side to the frame. When it was set I went to the right side and pulled the strips tight, tacking them down.

The hardest part was the uneven top. This would require a lot of pulling and tacking, waiting and pulling some more. Once I got the top secured I thought the weave looked pretty nice. It still needed some embellishments. I stenciled on a few black shapes.

On a side note, a few days ago I made a burlap lamp shade and then a burlap lamp base out of more of the leftover burlap from the wedding. To make the larger lamp shade I took the old one and used a stencil to cut flour de lune shapes using an exacto-knife out of the crusty lampshade fabric. Then I pulled burlap tight over the whole frame and used hot glue to tack it into place, pulling as I went around the edges. I trimmed it with velvet ribbon. When the light is on, the shapes appear and add a nice elegant touch. I used hammered spray paint to cover the once gold stand and kind of update it. You can see the lamp on the left in the image above.

To make the smaller lamp stand (see the images above, lamp on the right) I found a frame at Goodwill and used hot glue to tack the burlap in place. I used the same velvet black ribbon to bunch in the center, giving it an elegant look. I had the old lampshade in the attic already.

These lamps were put in the bedroom to kind of pull it all together into a burlap room. Too much? Not enough? If the walls were a different color I think it would look nicer. Also, the wall isn’t big enough to support the headboard (doh!) so the whole setup is off to one side.

At any rate I didn’t spend much to make this stuff. We had the old lamp and burlap on hand, all the cardboard and padding were here, the tape was already here. The only thing I purchased was the hammered spray paint, the smaller lamp frame and the exacto-knife. I simply scrounged around with a bit of creativity and pulled it into a headboard and two lamps—and a whole new bedroom look. Thoughts? If it sucks, be honest!

If you like to keep up with what’s going on, you’ll have heard a lot of people discussing the so-called Trickle-Down Effect. Although there’s pretty much nothing out there to back it up, this theory has been a big thing in conservative economics since the early 80s. It basically states that where plenty of people get rich, sooner or later there will be more for the not-so-rich. Or, in blunt speak: Cheer the people who skim the most, because they make your life possible by buying plenty of stuff.

Although this kind of thing’s influence on the poor man’s wallet is often disputed, one thing’s for sure: Where the rich flock, the level of quality available for money will soon rise. After all, they won’t just go for anything. So it’s actually not all that surprising that land based casinos have more to offer than just gambling, like better quality food and accommodation than a motel or a burger joint, not to mention a website.
You need us to convince you, you’re saying?

The Golden Steer is famous among other things because the Rat Pack were regulars. Visitors less accustomed to Sin City’s endless bling will find it a relaxingly modest place. They’re especially known for their beef – this is your place to go if you’re after prime rib, New York and fillet steaks. On the menu you’ll also find generous portions of escargots de Bourgogne, Pommes de Terre Lyonnaise and oysters Rockefeller. And as you’re in Las Vegas, the cocktails come in generously-sized glasses as well.

Certified to be green and sustainable is what the B&B Ristorante can claim to be. You may not believe it, but this restaurant is in Las Vegas, where “sustainable” isn’t really the first adjective that comes to mind. Chefs Jason Neve, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich cook up an Italian menu that can easily keep up with the best Italian restaurants of New York. If you’re into the foodie scene, you’ll know of course that Batali runs one of those, too – the Babbo. The main difference’s just that it’s a damn sight simpler to get a table in Las Vegas than in the Big Apple.

Our next stop is actually part of a casino resort: The China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino. If you’ve ever thought about getting a taste of huitlacoche, this is the safe environment you’re looking for. The chef demonstrates great skill combining traditional Chinese and Mexican cuisine. Chef José Andrés’ personal show stage, this place probably has the best take-out you’ve had in your life.

Saipin Chutima and her husband Bill took over the Lotus of Siam late in 1999. They turned a hardly known tiny Thai restaurant in one of Vegas’ best places to eat. They got a favorable review in Gourmet Magazine that catapulted them to fame. One of the reasons for this is the fact that the couple hail from the North of Thailand, not the South, where most of what we’d typically recognize as Thai cooking is from. The Chutimas’ cooking is an interesting journey into centuries of family cooking, with the guests getting to enjoy recipes that have been in the family for generations.

The last spot we’ll have a look at here is the Comme ça, a carefully set up French-style bistro. All things French are to be had here: Moules Frites, steak Tartare, duck Confit, you name it. Combine this with the view of Vegas’ own version of Paris, and this really makes for something. Although one of the more modest venues in Vegas, no doubt, this is a nice place to go for a (still pretty sizable!) snack.

That’s right folks, we’ve tied the knot. After seven years of traveling around the globe together we finally took the real, ultimate plunge into an unknown and scary realm.

After so many trials and journeys the wedding itself didn’t seem to propose too many problems, at least in the planning phase. Lauren did the planning. Mike did the booze runs to keep her fueled. Thus it was that a wedding for 90 was planned that included 17 wedding party members. We had guests that came from China, the U.K, Italy, and the far corners of these lovely United States including Oregon, California, Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Michigan and many, many more. Needless to say the spreadsheet for incoming flights was long.

The wedding itself was beautiful. We rented a vineyard in North Carolina but were rained out of our lovely site. It was more than rain, it was a monsoon! The rivers spewed over their banks and into the ceremony site. Lovely guests and family members grabbed chairs and bibles and ran for the hills. We moved the ceremony to the reception hall, which was a covered barn atop a hill. A wiser wedding planner would have always had the ceremony up hill. Alas, live and learn!  The improvised ceremony went smoothly with many readings, and a lovely song by a good friend. There were speeches following, and dancing, cake cutting and bouquet tosses. There was much wine consumed and quite a few bottles of whiskey. By the end of the evening my sister and her husband had decorated our cabin for us, and our car (as evidenced by the photo!). The wedding was over!

Today we leave on our honeymoon. Five days in the Bahamas. This isn’t our normal style of travel so we thought it would be appropriate for a special occasion. Lauren’s first idea was a backpacking trip through Norway, which she scaled back to a backpacking trip in the Andes. Which Mike scaled back to a 5-day cruise to the Bahamas. First couple’s spat? Unlikely as they are both happy to just be going somewhere new and exciting. Here we come, Freeport!

With the wedding over, do we feel different? Nope! We’re glad we got to see all our lovely friends and family, but when it comes down to it we’ve been together so long that the next day was just that– a next day! That’s the thing about relationships. They grow and morph, but there really isn’t one big thing that will change another person completely. Mike still sleeps in and is always late. Lauren still over-plans and is always impatient. Vo

Our lovely and talented photographer compiled a video photo compilation of the wedding which we’re happy to share with you now. Wedding Video. And now, our ship awaits. Adieu!

That’s right, we just spent eight days in Cancun. While I did originally think that Cancun would be a ghost town in summer (100-degree weather and high humidity) it was packed. Cancun was lovely and temperate and exactly the tropical vacation I was hoping it would be.

This was my first time to the Caribbean (not associated with a cruise ship, anyway) and I was impressed with every aspect of the pre-fab vaca. We stayed at the RIU palace las Americas on the hotel strip. One interesting factoid about the Cancun hotel strip is that in the 70’s there was nothing out there. It was a bit too swampy to build on.  A local told us that some Las Vegas investor came down, saw the land and had the idea to buy it, develop it for plumbing, wiring, etc and then sell plots to high-end hotels. I guess this guy is a multi-millionare now for having the vision.  Anyways, it was neat to imagine it untouched. The RIU Palace where we stayed was out on a point and, after walking much of the beach from end-to-end, we found it had about the nicest swimming area and a stunning outcrop of rocks where exotic, tropical fish liked to linger. I’d recommend the RIU. It was all-inclusive for 180 a person per day, which made it expensive for us but worth it because restaurants in the area are about USD30 a person per meal. The front-desk staff are horrible but everyone else on staff were fantastic.

After three days at the all-inclusive we rented a condo for the remaining 5 days in downtown Cancun. The condo was 70USD a day and slept ten people (we only had four). This is what I’d do in the future as it was cheap and closer to cheap food and real Cancun.

From the condo we headed out to see chichen itza, a Myan city-center worshiping the snake, whom they saw as the go-between for the underworld (where we all came from) and earth (where we temporarily live). The tower itself is a fantastic display of human engineering and had a lot of neat features, like the number of steps equaled stuff on their calendar, etc. When we arrived it started to thunder and soon lightening appeared over the tower. This hit home the idea of how many people were sacrificed there.

We also went to one of the famous sink holes. Reportedly, they would throw people into these as sacrifices as well. The snake (and all life) issued from these holes so it made sense to toss in sacrifices to please the origin of life. Anyways, we swam in them and it was hard not imagine hundreds of bodies trapped 150-feet down just reaching up at your toes.

We also stopped at a replica Mayan village (read: tourist trap). This was one of those annoying things tour groups do and is one of the main reasons I always avoid tours. This time we decided to go with a tour only because the roads were reportedly unsafe to drive on. They were fine. Next time, we’ll drive!

Now that you have the overview of our trip, I’ll post more in-depth blogs about each day!

The Ultimate USA Multi-Center Vacation
It’s no wonder that the USA lends itself well to multi-center vacations. The sheer vastness of the country means that it’s impossible to explore it if you don’t take advantage of multi-stop trips, so that you don’t have to confine yourself to one resort. A visit to San Francisco, for example, is all well and good but what about the rest of California? Then, of course, there’s the east coast – when do you get to explore that?

With reputable providers such as Trailfinders, you can guarantee that there’ll be a multi-centre holiday in the USA that will suit your dreams perfectly and if there isn’t, you can ask to create a tailormade trip that does. Take a look at some of these examples of ultimate US vacations and be inspired by the ideas that they hold.

Twin-Center: New York & Florida
Both situated on the east coast of America, with a 3 hour connection flight, you won’t have to worry too much about jetlag and long haul journeys. Start in the cosmopolitan city of New York, where you can explore the bustling centre. Feast your eyes on Times Square, head to the top of the Empire State Building or enjoy a boat ride around Liberty Island to see the magnificent statue herself, before enjoying a classic Broadway show.

From here, hop on one of the connecting flights that can take you directly into Orlando, Tampa or Miami depending on what you want the second half of your family to be focussed on. Does a relaxing beach break tickle your fancy? If so, Miami could be perfect for you. Fancy some thrills and an adrenaline rush? Then Orlando and its multitude of theme parks would be ideal.

Twin Center: Hawaii & Las Vegas
Perfect for honeymooners and couples who want to experience the bright lights of Sin City and the relaxation and pristine beauty of Hawaii in one vacation. Have a flutter in one of the outrageous casinos or see one of the notorious shows, before heading over to the luxurious islands of Hawaii, where you can relax to your heart’s content.

Multi-Center: Route 66
Fly into Chicago before picking up your hire car for a trip on Route 66 – the most famous interstate in America. Otherwise known as the Mother Road, a drive along Route 66 will take you through various cities and past numerous attractions that will contribute to the ultimate All-American road trip.

Highlights include St Louis, Oklahoma City, the Petrified Forest National Park, the Grand Canyon and Santa Monica before arriving at your destination – Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Explore Downtown, Hollywood and Beverley Hills before heading back to the UK having experienced a truly unforgettable USA vacation.

The possibilities are endless and multi-center breaks are a perfect way of seeing more of the USA than you would normally. With so much to see, they’re a real feasible option that won’t break the bank, either.

The summer season is a superb time to consider a visit to Edinburgh, with so many events and activities scheduled for the summer months. Book with Travelodge and you can enjoy affordable accommodation in the centre of the city meaning that you won’t be too far from the action and your bank won’t be crippled.

You may have caught some of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the television in previous years, or you may have been lucky enough to see it in person at some point in your life. If either of these is true, you’ll know just how incredible an event it really is and an absolute must-see if you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh in the near future.

Since its official inception in 1950, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has gone from strength to strength. From its humble beginnings, providing entertainment for 6000 spectators to what the event is today – a total sell-out, with over 217,000 people catching the performances at some point or other. With the majestic Edinburgh Castle dominating the background, the Tattoo is held on the esplanade in front of the castle, where temporary Grandstands are constructed so that spectators can enjoy the show in comfort.

Having been a sell-out for the last decade at least, the Military Tattoo is a pinnacle part of the calendar – not just for Scottish nationals but for visitors from the rest of the UK and beyond. During August, the Tattoo is performed every weekday evening and twice on Saturdays – regardless of the weather. If you are lucky enough to secure tickets for the second Saturday night performance, you will also be treated to fireworks and a pyrotechnic display. This year, which celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland, the Tattoo is run between the 2nd and 24th August, giving you plenty of dates to play with.

As part of the event, you can enjoy music and performances by military bands and tribes from all over the world, which leaves spectators emotional and brimming with pride. The Tattoo is run for charity, with money going towards military charities every year as well as providing valuable funding for the Edinburgh economy.

If you want to see something completely unique and memorable this year, the Military Tattoo could be the perfect thing for you. Make sure you stay until the end, when the pageantry ends with the sound of the lone piper, high in the castle ramparts, plays his lament. It’s often considered to be the most spectacular show in the world and while watching it broadcast on TV is immense, nothing will compare to actually being there.

Prices range from £26 to £60 and can be booked online here. Prices vary, depending on the date you choose and where you wish to be seated. Book accommodation with Travelodge as soon as possible to avoid disappointment because as you can expect, hotels will sell out fast. Look forward to this remarkable event that you will never forget.

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Turkey is a superb holiday destination for its position alone. Being the most southerly country in Europe, this beautiful place benefits from blazing hot summers and warm winters. The azure blue waters of the Mediterranean mean that Turkey has some of the best beaches too.

Turkey Holidays with Thomas Cook offer a fantastic collection of all-inclusive packages. A family holiday in the sun has never been so affordable and so easy to book – go online at www.thomascook.com to find great deals on a wide selection of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking for a relaxing beach break or a jam-packed adventure holiday, then Turkey is the place for you. But don’t be mistaken by thinking that Turkey is just about flash hotels and sandy beaches; there are many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

Thomas Cook offers package holidays to many of Turkey’s fascinating towns including: Antalya, a fast growing city with lots to see and do. Children will love the Beach Park, Dolphin land and Aqua land and there are many historical sights, the harbour and old town to explore. For a more peaceful retreat, Beldibi is a quaint little village where you can kick back and relax on a hassle free holiday and take in the authentic village life. Belek is the centre of Turkey’s tourism industry with its impressive 4 and 5 star hotels and fascinating landmarks. The ancient Aspendos amphitheatre holds 20,000 people and is over 2,000 years old. It still holds fantastic open-air concerts today. Visit the beautiful Kurşunlu Waterfall, part of the Aksu River which is set amidst a pine forest – a place of great beauty where nature is at its best with over 100 species of birds.These are just a few of the fantastic resorts to discover with a Thomas Cook package holiday to Turkey, so book your holiday with ease and let one of the UK’s favourite tour operators do the rest.

*Sponsored post.