Make a triple trio of fabric-covered wall plaques to add spice and splash to a special space in your home. Just wrap three fabrics over artist's canvas squares and secure the fabric using a staple gun to make this quick, easy, and inexpensive textile display.
You can use any size for your wall art. Cut fabric 1-1/2 inches larger than your canvas on all sides.
Wrap excess fabric to the back of the canvas frame, pulling it taut and smooth. Staple to the frame beginning at the center of each side and moving to the corners. Miter the corners and secure with staples.
For a finish that's impervious to dust and moisture, brush two coats of decoupage medium onto the fabric surface.
Stone Photo Display
Tightly loop one end of the wire around a stone; then wrap the wire around itself to secure. Stand the remaining length of wire upright, twisting the top inch or so into a flattened spiral circle (as shown).
Camera Lamps
You will need:
an old camera
a lamp (go to a local good will or buy one at IKEA)
acrylic paint and a paintbrush
sticky tack (i used Pritt poster buddies)
tape
Use tape to create a pattern on your camera, pressing it firmly in place. Once you're happy with it go ahead and paint. I did three layers of paint on mine, waiting for the paint to dry in between each layer. When the paint is dry you can correct mistakes by lightly scratching them off with your nails. Optional: use a black permanant marker to correct damaged areas on the camera body.
You could superglue your camera to the lamp but i opted for sticky tack. Use them as lights for your nightstands.
Decorative Shoe Boxes
You need:
Schissors
gift wrap
glue or doublesided tape
Eyelet punch
eyelets
Elastic cord
buttons
sewing needle
colored thread
1. Start to wrap your shoebox with a beautiful giftwrap.
2. Make holes as shown in picture two and place the eyelets in the holes with the eyelet punch.
The Hoatzin is such a bizarre bird that it almost has to be seen to be believed. A prehistoric looking bird with a punk haircut, there is considerable debate about which birds are most closely related to the Hoatzin. Traditionally it has been placed in the Galliformes along with pheasants, turkeys, curassows, etc.. More recently it has been placed with the cuckoos and some gene sequencing carried out by JM Hughes and AJ Baker at the Royal Ontario Museum suggests that its closest relatives are the turacos of sub-Saharan Africa.Whatever its parentage, it is a pretty unique beast. It only eats leaves and is the only bird to have a gut like a cow where the cellulose from the leaves is broken down into sugars. This in turn requires a specially adapted skeleton and the weight of leaves it eats makes it fairly ungainly as it flies or clambers about the dense vegetation of its habitat. Adding to the interest is the fact that the nestlings have claws on their wings. When threatened, they fall out of the nest, which is usually over water, and when the danger is passed they use their wing-hooks to help them climb back into the nest. The Hoatzin is found in both the Amazon and the Orinoco basins of South America and is usually in fairly large groups.
The habitat of Hoatzins includes swamps, fresh water marshes, gallery forests, and the banks of rivers, lakes and streams.
Hoatzins do not begin breeding until after their first year of life. The breeding season of Hoatzin occurs during the same time as the rainy season of their territory. Hoatzins build their nests on branches over the water about 2 to 6 meter above the surface. They normally lay two to three eggs and the incubation period lasts 32 days. Both male and female brood the young, which typically remain in the nest for 2 to 3 weeks after they hatch.
Although they typically feed on less than twelve species of plants, they are capable of eating the leafs of more than fifty different species. The leafs of tropical legume plants are an example of a leaf that Hoatzins commonly feed on. Other foods that are sometimes included in the diet of Hoatzins include some flowers and fruits. Opisthocomus hoazin have developed a special system that allows them to feed on leafs. They have an enlarged crop in which symbiotic bacteria are stored and used to break down the cell walls of the leafs, allowing for them to be digested. This process is called foregut fermentation and O. hoazin are the only birds with this type of digestive system. The bacteria within the crop also act as a source of nutrients for Hoatzins by occasionally getting moved into their stomachs. The bacteria are introduced to young Hoatzins when an adult regurgitates a sticky substance containing large amounts of the bacteria and feeds it to the young.
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Hoatzins are found throughout the Amazon in northern and central South America . In Suriname confined to the banks of the Corantijn River.
Picture yourself at work. Its 3pm and you have been working non-stop since 8am. At this point you are exhausted, hungry, and need a snack. Taking all this into consideration, it comes as no surprise that most individuals will reach for a snack that gives them a quick sugar rush or a jolt of caffeine. While this solution seems to work it is very short lived and can set you up for a crash. Choosing healthy foods that are rich in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and other nutrients will give you that energy boost but unlike sugar and caffeine it will contribute to overall good health. I have created a list of 10 healthy snacks that will rev your engine and keep your motor running. Some of these items are go anywhere snacks and others are smart choices for a lunchtime meal that will power you through the afternoon and keep you satisfied until dinner.
1) Almonds
These nuts are wonderful. They include monounsaturated fats that provide essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s) which help create an alert mental state. Almonds are also great sources of fiber, bone building calcium, and many other important nutrients that the human body requires in order to work properly and have sufficient amounts of energy. Just 1 oz.of almonds (roughly 20) contains more than 40 percent of your Daily Value of vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports the immune system by neutralizing free radicals. Along with sustaining your energy levels, almonds can also help you loose weight. "Incorporating limited portions of almonds -- an energy-dense food -- into a behavioral weight-loss program still resulted in significant weight reduction," the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study.
2) Peanut Butter Peanut butter is high in calories and each bite packs a bunch of nutrition. It contains both protein and healthy monosaturated fats, which will give you the energy pick-me-up that you are looking for. Additionally, peanut butter has other nutrients including vitamin B3, tryptophan, and manganese.
The monounsaturated fat in peanut butter has been linked with a decrease in the risk of heart disease. Also, peanuts contain fiber, and a diet high in fiber will reduce bad (LDL)cholesterol levels. Peanut butter also contains vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with lower levels of heart disease.
Peanut butter is a great source of iron, which helps to maintain good circulation. Other minerals in peanut butter include calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium.
The protein and fiber in peanut butter are both beneficial for blood sugar control. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or you are at risk of diabetes, including peanut butter in your diet may be beneficial because it will stabilize your blood sugar levels.
Peanut butter contains resveratrol , an antioxidant that has been linked with lower levels of heart disease and cancer. Some studies suggest that resveratrol may reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
3) Greek Yogurt
Yogurt is full of calcium, phosphorus, protein, tryptophan, molybdenum, and zinc. It's also a great source of vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). Thanks to its liquid-like state, the nutrients in yogurt are assimilated quickly and easily during digestion, which means you get an immediate boost of energy. Yogurt's high protein content means that energy also has staying power. Yogurt also supplies the brain with tyrosine, an amino acid that boosts blood levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, resulting in a mood and mental boost. In a number of studies, tyrosine has also been effective at fighting fatigue.
4) Pistachios
Pistachios are a source of two of the B vitamins essential for human health: thiamin or vitamin B1 and vitamin B6, according to ELook.org. A 1-oz. portion of dry-roasted pistachios provides 0.24 mg of vitamin B1, or 15 percent of the recommended daily value, and 0.36 mg of vitamin B6, or 17 percent of the DV. Vitamin B1 promotes a healthy nervous system and, in conjunction with other B-vitamins, helps releases energy from the foods you eat. Vitamin B6 is essential for protein metabolism, making red blood cells and is used to break down glycogen, or stored energy in the liver and muscles, into glucose or energy your cells can use as well as keeping your blood sugar levels steady. Vitamin B6 also plays a role in manufacturing brain chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin and dopamine.
Pistachios provide a healthy dose of the major mineral phosphorus, as well as the trace minerals manganese and copper. A 1-oz. serving of dry roasted pistachios provides 135.8 mg of phosphorus or 13 percent of the DV; 0.36 mg of manganese or 17 percent of the DV; and 0.37 mg of copper or 18 percent of the DV. Phosphorus is necessary for maintaining strong bones and teeth, is part of your cellular genetic material or DNA and is needed for growth and development. Manganese helps form bone and plays a role in energy metabolism. Copper works with iron, another trace mineral to form hemoglobin, aids in the synthesis of collagen and participates in energy metabolism.
A 1-oz. serving of dry roasted pistachios provides 6 g of protein. Protein is a macronutrient, or one needed in larger quantities. The building blocks of protein, amino acids, are important for building cells and body tissues; as well as manufacturing hormones, some enzymes and all antibodies -- necessary for optimum immune system function according to the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Like many nuts, pistachios are high in fat, providing 12.8 g per 1-oz. serving but just over half of the fat is in the form of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, the same type of fat found in avocados. According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats help maintain your body's cells; can help reduce bad or "LDL" cholesterol levels; and may lower your risk of heart disease and stroke when consumed in moderation and as part of an overall healthy diet.
Another benefit of this green nut is that it is a source of dietary fiber, providing 3.2 g per 1-oz. serving and meeting over 12 percent of your daily requirement. The cholesterol-lowering benefits of pistachios appear to be due, at least in part, to their dietary fiber and monounsaturated fat content. According to a research study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in April 2007, 15 individuals with mildly elevated blood cholesterol levels, who ate a diet consisting of 15 percent of calories from pistachio nuts, or 2 to 3 oz., over a four-week period favorably improved blood cholesterol levels.
5) Air popped popcorn
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans, half of the grains you consume daily, or at least 3 oz., should be in the form of whole grains for optimum health. Whole grains are rich in carbohydrates; popcorn provides 6 g per cup. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy. In fact, the nervous system can use only glucose, broken down from carbohydrates, as fuel. Some of the benefits of including whole grains in the diet are that they improve overall diet quality and are rich in many nutrients. Whole grains are less processed than refined grains. The whole corn kernel includes the endosperm, germ and the pericarp, or hull, versus a whole grain kernel, which contains the endosperm, germ and bran.
Popcorn is a fiber-rich food. Two types of dietary fibers, essential for human health, are found in plant foods: soluble and insoluble. Each type of fiber offers slightly different health benefits. On average, men need 38 g daily and women require 25 g daily, ideally 2/3 of which should be in the form of insoluble fiber, according to MayoClinic.com. Most of the dietary fiber in popcorn is in the form of insoluble fiber, or "roughage." Dietary fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, promotes a healthy digestive system by increasing the size and weight of your stool, and softening it, which eases or prevents constipation. A fiber-rich diet may also lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids and diverticulosis, which is characterized by the formation of small pouches in your colon. These pouches can become inflamed and swollen, causing a painful and possibly dangerous condition known as diverticulitis.
6)Bananas Because they are composed mostly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, bananas are a foolproof energy food. Top them with peanut or almond butter for a well-rounded snack, or slice one into your morning cereal for an extra boost that will keep you going until lunchtime.
7) Kale The beneficial effects of cruciferous vegetables like kales over cancer have been known for a long time. The vegetable is very effective in reducing the risk of lung, breast, bladder, colon and ovarian cancer. Indole-3-carbinol, a phytonutrient present in cruciferous vegetables like kales, helps to reduce the secretion of apolipoproteinB-100 (a cholesterol transporter) by the liver cells. This transporter is the prime carrier of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) to tissues and increased levels of this cholesterol lead to plaque formation in the blood vessels. Thus, by lowering the secretion of the transporter, the vegetable helps to prevent a number of ailments related to the cardio-vascular system. There is a direct connection between vitamin A, lung inflammation and emphysema. Studies have proved that a particular carcinogen present in cigarette smoke, benzo(a)pyrene, causes vitamin A deficiency in the body. Thus, to counteract this effect; the daily diet of a person should have high contents of vitamin A.
Research has also indicated that intake of vitamin C rich foods such as kales acts against inflammatory polyarthritis, a type of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) that involves two or more joints.
The high fiber content in kales helps to reduce high cholesterol levels and thus helps to prevent atherosclerosis. It is estimated that a single cup of kale supplies around 10.4% of the daily fiber requirement.
Apart from this, kale also helps to maintain the normal blood sugar level and hence, is very advantageous for people suffering from diabetes.
Kale contains high calcium content. Calcium is vital for the development and maintenance of healthy bones. A cup of kale provides approximately 9.4% of the daily calcium requirement.
The vegetable is also a very good source of the trace element, manganese. This mineral takes part in a number of chemical processes in the body and helps in the production of energy from carbohydrates and proteins. Also, it is involved in the synthesis of certain fatty acids that are essential for the proper functioning of a healthy nervous system.
Manganese is a critical component of an antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is exclusively found inside the body mitochondria. Here, it provides defence against the harmful effects of certain free radicals that are produced during the process of energy production.
The presence of certain organosulfur phytonutrients in kale helps to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer in humans like bladder cancer and colon cancer and helps in the general strengthening of the immune system of the body.
8) Salmon
Salmon's nutritional benefits have been much touted for good reason. Fresh or canned, salmon delivers two powerful healing nutrients: protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Protein does more than rebuild muscles; it also repairs bones, ligaments, and tendons. We tend to forget that healing really means building new cells, and your body needs protein to make those new cells.
9) Oatmeal
Benefits of Oatmeal: Source of nutrients that can provide proven health benefits, including benefits on blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose metabolism, satiety, and gastrointestinal health. Oatmeal in any form is a good way to meet part of the recommendation to eat three servings of whole grains each day. (Glycemic Index Number = 49 for old fashioned oatmeal vs. 66 for quick oats.)
10) Hummus
Chickpeas are legumes that are also called garbanzo beans. Beans such as chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber, which can help you keep cholesterol levels low and promote better heart health. Fiber-rich chickpeas also help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels, making hummus a particularly diabetes-friendly snack as well. The high fiber in chickpeas also helps promote a healthier
Chickpeas also boast a variety of other nutrients, vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. They're a good source of folic acid, which is particularly important for women of childbearing age to help prevent the risk of birth defects in babies. Chickpeas also contain manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron and are rich in protein, says Everynutrient.com.
You don't have to fly across the world to find an island paradise because we have one right in our backyard...
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Santa Catalina Island is one of those places most Californians know about, but many have never been. Just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, it’s so close, yet so far. Not being able to jump in the car and go may simply stop many from going. Yet, not being able to jump in the car and go is one of many reasons that makes the place most simply call Catalina worth a visit.
Things to do in Catalina
Visit the Airport
The majority of folks set sail to Catalina Island on board Catalina Express. Boats depart daily from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, taking about an hour to reach the island. Helicopters flights are another option. Private planes come and go at Catalina’s small Airport-In-The Sky. The airport is worth a visit, even if you don’t have the luxury of arriving by air.
A vast majority of the rugged island, 88% to be exact, is protected and preserved by the Catalina Island Conservancy. What’s left pretty much comprises Catalina’s one city, Avalon and the unincorporated town of Two Harbors. Catalina Express boats dock both places and both are worth visiting, but lively Avalon wins the popularity contest hands down.
History Catalina is the destination it is today thanks to famed chewing gum maker William Wrigley Jr. He bought 99% of Catalina Island in 1919 with a vision of protecting the island, while at the same time creating a vacation resort.
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Rent a Golf Cart Avalon is Catalina’s big and only city with a permanent population of about four thousand that swells when summer heats up. Only 800 cars are allowed on the island, resulting in an auto waiting list of 20-plus years and a golf cart boom. Even visitors can rent golf carts by the hour. The waterfront has the feel of the Mediterranean, lined with shops and restaurants, and home to the distinctively colored Green Pleasure Pier.
Go to the Casino Along with the impressive scenery comes an impressive history. A couple years after buying the island, Wrigley brought his Chicago Cubs there for spring training, starting a tradition that continued for 30 years. In 1928 construction began on his waterfront landmark casino. There’s no gambling here. Casino means gathering place in Italian and that’s exactly what the building is designed to be.
Picture Credit: Bing.com
See a Movie in an Incredible Theater Make time for the Behind the Scenes Casino tour. Downstairs the 1000-plus seat Avalon Theater is all about Hollywood glamour. Art deco murals, a 1929 pipe organ and ceilings adorned with 22-karat gold leaf stars. It was the first theater designed for talking films (engineers studied it to design another famous theater you may have heard of: Radio City Music Hall) and still shows first-run movies. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, there’s an hour-long organ concert before the movie begins. A carbon arc projector installed in 1939 still gets put into use for special events. Going to a movie here is more than just going to a movie.
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Dance lessons anyone? Directly above the theater is the world’s largest circular dance floor. Simply said, it’s stunning. Generations have danced on the original hardwood floor and recently a few basketball games took a twirl too. Intrigued? Take the tour to find out why.
Picture Credit: Bing.com
Daytrippers can head over in the morning and return at the end of the day, but while heading back, you’ll wish you stayed. The Pavilion Hotel is steps from the beach, with a nice breakfast and a daily wine and cheese tasting. You can include many of the tours offered on the island in your hotel package or purchase tickets separately at the hotel front desk.
I celebrated my 33rd birthday this weekend.I have no idea what 33 holds for me but no matter what lies ahead in the great unknown I am sure of one thing, at 33 I don't want to stop being thankful. With that being said, I am going to share with you 33 things that I am thankful for on my Birthday.
1) I am thankful for my marriage to my husband, my other half whom I could never imagine life without.I love you Paul!
2) I am thankful for my relationship with my parents.You are amazing examples of love and strength and have sculpted me into the woman I am today.I treasure you!
3) I am thankful for my friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin and who have made my life more colorful and imprinted on my life in ways they will never know. You’re the best!
4) I am thankful for my job.Not only do I love working for such a wonderful organization like Children's Hospital Los Angeles but my coworkers are amazing as well and always willing to lend a hand to the new hire :).Thank you!
5)I am thankful for my in-laws who have shown me the utmost love and respect. I am proud to be a Kaiser. Thank you Lynn and Dick.
6) I am thankful for my brother who is always there when I need him. Love you Jeff.
7) I am thankful for Fridays.I get to work from home and skip the 1hr-2hr commute for a day.
8) All my friends’ children who I love as my own and who fill my life with joy.
9) My blog readers-Thank you for humoring me.
10) I am thankful for all the opportunities to improve myself, for the wisdom and knowledge.
11) I am thankful for all the fun I have.
12)I am thankful for all the wonderful things in my life and for everything I have.
13) I am thankful for alarm clocks and coffee.You get me to work on time every day.
14) I am thankful for clean water
15) I am thankful for the food I never lack
16)I am thankful for all the hard times I have been through because they helped to mold me into the woman I am today.
17)I am thankful for music which has a way of moving my soul, changing my mood, and motivating me.
18)I am thankful for modern technology which makes my life so much easier and so much more fun.
19) I am thankful for the sense of sight for letting me see all the colors in life.
20)I am thankful for the sense of smell for letting me enjoy all the flowers, fresh food, and wonderful scents that this world has to offer.
21)I am thankful for my lungs so I can breathe life.
22)I am thankful for tears which help me to express my deepest emotions.
23)I am thankful for sunrise and sunset, a beautiful way to start and end each day.
24)I am thankful for laughter for serenading my life.
25)I am thankful for rainbows and what they represent. Sometimes it's a rough storm but if you hold out and don't give up hope, something beautiful will come out of it.
26) I am thankful for pain for helping become stronger.
27)I am thankful for fears so I know my opportunities for growth.
28)I am thankful for things that make me blush.
29)I am thankful for all the creativity in this world.
30)I am thankful for cameras which allow me to see things I otherwise would never be able to.
31)I am thankful for long walks to reboot.
32) I am thankful for being thankful
33)Last but not least I am thankful for life.
Happy Birthday to me and to all of you celebrating your birthdays this month and next.Happy Birthday!!!!!!
James Gandolfini – who famously played Tony Soprano on HBO’s “The Sopranos” — died earlier today in Italy … TMZ has learned.Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51. Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily — and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.
Everyone knows James Gandolfini as Anthoni Saprano. Much of the HBO drama's success hinged upon James Gandolfini's performance, as he convincingly portrayed a mafia don like we'd never seen before. Tony was truly a gangster of the post-modern era. He had to balance taking his kids to soccer games and going to therapy sessions -- all the while, running New Jersey's biggest mob family.
Here is a little history of his personal life:
Gandolfini maintained ties with his Park Ridge hometown by supporting its The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. He appeared at its annual October banquet and often brought other Sopranos cast members to help draw larger crowds. He resided in New York City, and owned a lot on the Lake Manitoba Narrows. In 2009 Gandolfini purchased a home in the hills of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, U.S.
On August 30, 2008, after two years of dating, Gandolfini married former model Deborah Lin, who was forty years old at the time, in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. Their daughter Liliana Ruth Gandolfini was born in Los Angeles, California, U.S. in October 2012. Gandolfini was also father to a teenage son named Michael, who is a child from the actor's former marriage to Marcy Wudarski, from whom he divorced in December 2002.
Gandolfini's sister Johanna Antonacci is the manager of the Family Division of the New Jersey Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey. A fan of motorcycles, Gandolfini owned a Harley-Davidson and a Vespa scooter. On May 4, 2006, he was riding the Vespa in New York City traffic when it was hit by a taxi cab, resulting in knee surgery which postponed for three months the filming of the final Sopranos episodes.
He was by far one of the best television actors of our time.RIP you will be missed.
Top Spring 2013 Fashion Trends Straight from the Runway
BCBG Max Azria This S&M-influenced look as being inspired by famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton's iconic black-and-white photography, which always played on eroticism. Lubov Azria even referenced the photog in the show notes, citing him as the key inspiration of their collection. WHY? I love Helmut Newton and his photography was amazing but this dress is....not.
BCBG Max Azria This high-contrast look featured a leather harness and black lace detail is pretty but....
Jason Wu Although he's gotten a reputation as being the maker of all things "ladylike," Wu noted that a Paris-based retrospective of Newton's career was his key influencer. Here, Carolyn Murphy — who once posed for Newton walked in the opening look, a leather sheath dress .
Charlotte Ronson The designer admits that water has been her key inspiration in designing her current collection. In a palette of sea blues and greens and sandy beach nudes, this peplum almost looks like the waves of the ocean.
Tommy Hilfiger
It's never a surprise when Tommy Hilfiger goes all-American, so the red and blue stripes over a white pant suit, weren't too shocking to the system. What was? The fact that the stripes weren't just the ho-hum straight line: They were made of polka dots...wow
Oscar de la Renta Forget pinstripe: According to Oscar, this chic black-and-white striped suit is the new pattern du jour for modern-day workwear. I like it.
Cushnie et Ochs Much like the scalpel-cut-out collection that Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs produced for Fall 2012, this runway featured a similar style: two precise, ab-centric strips cut from a form-fitting teal dress
Diane von Furstenberg I can't take my eyes off the cutout neckline of this white sheath dress or the new google glasses...want...
Jill Stuart Looking for a chic take on tartan? Here, in all its cut-up glory, the end result if plaid could only be made with a pair of scissors.
Jason Wu In true Wu fashion, the designer takes something ultra-sexy — an entirely sheer blouse, save for one white panel down the center — and makes it prim, proper, and ultra-feminine.
Which one do you like/hate the best/worse? Leave your comments below
Deer are mammals that belong to the family Cervidae and are members of the order Artiodactyle, which means that they have hoofs with an even number of toes. There are many species in the deer family, including various types of deer, moose, elk (wapiti), caribou, and reindeer. Some deer species are social, but others are solitary.The biggest living member of the deer family is the moose (weighing about 800 kg); the smallest is the Andean Pudu (weighing about 10 kg).
Credit: Bing.com
Credit: Bing.com
The earliest deer appeared during the late Oligocene Epoch, roughly 35 million years ago. The "Irish elk" Megaloceros was a large, prehistoric deer that had antlers that were 11 feet (3.3 m) wide.
Deer can be found around the world. They are native to all continents except for Australia and Antarctica. There are about 100 types of deer, including the whitetail deer, reindeer, elk, moose, mule deer, blacktail deer and caribou.
Male deer are called bucks, bulls, stags or harts. Female deer are called does, cows or hinds. Young deer are called fawns or calfs.
Deer can adapt well to just about any habitat. They prefer to live in "edge" habitats. Edges are human-made or natural habitat breaks, for instance from woods to croplands. They will use the woodlands for cover and shelter and the open land to graze in. In northern latitudes, deer may live in different areas in the summer and winter months. These areas can be as far as 30 miles apart.
Deer are the only animals that have antlers. They are the fastest growing living tissue on earth. Antlers are usually only found on males. In some species, like caribou, you will also find them on females. Moose have the largest antlers. Antlers grow from spring until fall. While growing, antlers are covered with a soft tissue known as velvet. This tissue contains a network of nerves and blood vessels and is very sensitive. In the fall, the velvet is shed and the antlers harden. In the winter, the antlers are shed. Antlers should not be confused with horns. Horns are never shed and continue to grow throughout the animal's life. If they are broken, they won't grow back.
Deer have a great sense of hearing. They have a lot of muscles attached to their ears which allow them to turn their ears in any direction, without moving their heads. They can hear higher frequencies of sound than humans.
The brown coat of the deer provides great camouflage in the woodlands. By standing still, they can go undetected by a passing predator. Fawns have a reddish-brown color covered with white spots, which help camouflage them and disappear when they are 3-4 months old. In the fall, deer will shed their summer coat and receive a much thicker winter coat.
Deer have their eyes on the sides of their head, giving them a 310 degree view. This wide view does make it hard for deer to focus on a single point. Deer have a good night vision, which is useful in the early morning and near dusk.
Deer have small teeth in the front of the bottom jaw, which they use for tearing and breaking apart food. They have no teeth in the front of the top jaw. Instead they have a hard palate, which is used in much the same way as teeth. In the back of the mouth deer have molars, canines and incisors, which are used for chewing.
Deer have an excellent sense of smell, which allows them to detect predators from a long distance away. Deer lick their nose to keep it moist, which helps odor particles stick to it, improving their sense of smell. The nose also plays a role in communication. Deer produce scents with glands located on their head, legs and hooves. These scents provide information to other deer about their gender, social status, physical condition and whether an area is safe.
Deer usually stay in the same area called a home range. These areas are shared by related females who form matriarchies and that exclude adult males.
The breeding season for deer occurs between October and January. This period is called the "rut". During the "rut" the necks of the male deer will swell to more than double their normal diameter and their antlers will have lost their velvet. This will prepare them for fights with other buck to determine dominance and breeding rights. They will crash antlers, but usually don't get hurt. During this period, males are very nervous and constantly active, which can cause them to wander into places where you would normally not find them, like residential areas. Gestation is about 200 days and in the spring the female will give birth to one to three fawns.
Fawns are protected by a lack of scent. Enemies cannot smell them. Fawns are able to stand and walk shortly after birth. The mother keeps them hidden in bushes and checks up on them about 6 times a day to feed them. Young deer stay with their mothers for 1-2 years.
When deer feel threatened, they will raise their tail to warn other deer.
Bucks mark their territory by making scrapes on the land with their hooves and by removing bark from trees with their antlers, called a "buck rub".
Deer are herbivores. They eat grass, leaves, stems, shoots, berries, herbs, acorns, mushrooms, wild fruit and agriculture crops like corn and soy beans.
Deer are ruminants (cud chewers) and have a four-chambered stomach. Other ruminants include cattle, goats and antelope. Deer start eating in the morning. They hardly chew their food which goes into the first stomach. While they rest, the food will move to the second stomach and form little balls. Now the food is brought back to the mouth and chewed. This chewed food goes into the third and fourth stomachs.
In the winter months, when less food is available, deer will become less active. By slowing down, they can get by eating only about one third of the food they normally eat. They will also hang out in the woods more to escape the cold winds.
Deer are born with four baby teeth and develop baby incisors and premolars in their first months. Their adult teeth come in and replace the baby teeth when they are about 18 months old. You can guess the age of deer by looking at the type of teeth they have and by how worn these teeth are. Each year, molars loose about one millimeter of height.The life expectancy of deer is 20 years.
The many faces of the Deer:
The Caribou
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The Caribou is a medium-sized member of the deer family that is closely related to the reindeer. The genus and species of the Caribou are Rangifer tarandus.This deer is found in Canadian tundra, forests, and mountains. Many subspecies of caribou migrate in huge herds across the tundra, traveling over 800 miles (1290 km) each year. Caribou have a life span of about 15 years in the wild.Anatomy: The Caribou is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall at the shoulder and is about 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Unlike most other types of deer, both bulls (males) and cows (females) have antlers. The antlers are shed each year and regrow. The Caribou have very wide hooves and a broad muzzle.Behavior: The Caribou is an herbivore (a plant-eater) who spends most of the day eating grass, leaves, and other plant material.
The Elk:
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The elk, also called the red deer or wapiti (meaning "white rump" in the Shawnee language), is a large, hoofed, noisy, and social member of the deer family.Elk are found in open mountain forests and valleys in western North America. They have a life span of about 8 to 12 years in the wild.Anatomy: The elk is up to about 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) tall at the shoulder. They weigh from 325 to 1,100 pounds (147-500 kg). Males are much larger than females. Only bulls (males) have branching antlers (which are shed and re-grow each year) and a shaggy mane. The largest elk antlers are about 4 ft (1.2 m) long. Elk have hoofed, two-toed feet, long legs, thick brown fur, and a large body.Behavior: The elk is an herbivore (a plant-eater) and a spend a lot of time browsing. Elk eat grasses, shrubs, tree leaves, and herbs. Elk are ruminants (they store partly-chewed food, and later regurgitate it and thoroughly chew it).Predators: The grizzly bear, mountain lion, coyote, and man are the main predators of the elk.Classification: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Artiodactyla, Suborder Ruminantia, Family Cervidae (deer, elk, moose, etc.), Subfamily Cervinae (elk, fallow deer, etc.), Genus Cervus, Species C. elaphus.
The Moose:
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The moose, the largest member of the deer family (family Cervidae), is a large animal with long legs and distinctive antlers. The front legs are longer than the rear legs.Moose are taller than horses and can measure up to 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall at the shoulder. Adult females (called cows) grow to be up to 800 pounds (360 kg); adult males (called bulls) are from 900 to 1,400 pounds (410 - 620 kg). The largest moose are found in Alaska, where specimens up to 1,400 pounds (520 kg) have been found.Moose vary in color from almost black to very light brown. During the winter they turn a grayish color, helping to camouflage them in the snow-covered landscape. The long legs of the moose are lighter in color than the body. Moose antlers grow to be up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long or more. Each year, the old antlers are shed; new antlers emerge the following spring.Emerging antlers are tan to brown velvet. As they mature and the velvet peels off, the underlying antler is white. The moose rubs the antlers against tree bark to speed up the peeling process, and the antlers turn tan to brown. Moose have very good senses of hearing and smell but not very good eyesight. The Moose's long legs allow it to run at a very fast gallop. Moose are also very good swimmers. Moose are mostly solitary animals. The only strong bond is between a mother and her young.Moose live in cool-climate forests near water (lakes, ponds, rivers, or swampy land). Moose are found in North America (Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States) and also in northern Europe (in Siberia, Sweden, Norway, and the Baltic region).Moose eat grass, leaves, and aquatic weeds. In the winter, they eat mostly twigs and conifer leaves. The grizzly bear and man are the main predators of the moose. Mating is aided by deep calls and powerful scents. The gestation period of the moose is about 8 months after a fall mating. One to three calves are born at a time during the spring or summer. The calves are weaned at five months of age but remain with the mother for one to two years, until new new calves are born. Moose reach maturity at two years of age. Until recently, moose populations were decreasing and were threatened with extinction because of over-hunting and habitat destruction. Moose are now recovering somewhat.Classification: Kingdom Animalia :(the animals). Phylum: Chordata .Subphylum: Vertebrata (animals with backbones). Class Mammalia: (warm-blooded animals with hair and mammary glands). Order Artiodactyla :(even-toed or even-hoofed animals). Family: Cervidae (deer). Genus: Alces .Species: alces.
The Reindeer:
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The reindeer (also called the caribou) is a medium-sized member of the deer family. The genus and species of the reindeer are Rangifer tarandus. Reindeer are strong runners and very good swimmers. This deer is found in Arctic tundra, forests, and mountains in Russia, Northern China, Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia. Some reindeer migrate in huge herds from the coastal Arctic to the tundra. Reindeer have a life span of about 10 years in the wild. Domesticated Reindeer: Reindeer were domesticated in northern Eurasia roughly 2,000 years ago. Today, reindeer are herded by many European and Asian Arctic people.Anatomy: The reindeer is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall at the shoulder and is about 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Unlike most other types of deer, both bulls (males) and cows (females) have antlers. The antlers are shed each year and regrow. Reindeer have very wide hooves, a broad muzzle, and thick brown fur. The thick fur traps air, which insulates the reindeer from the cold and helps the reindeer float in water. Behavior: The reindeer is an herbivore (a plant-eater) who spends most of the day eating. During the winter, reindeer eat lichens and moss; in warmer months, they also eat leaves and herbs.
The White-Tailed Deer:
The White-Tailed Deer is a long-legged, fast-moving mammal. The genus and species of the White-Tailed Deer are Odocoileus virginianus. This deer is found over most of North and Central America and northern parts of South America. It lives in deciduous forests, conifer forests, rainforests, grasslands, farm land, marshes, and even deserts. It has a life span of about 9 to 12 years. Anatomy: White-Tailed Deer are about 3 to 3 1/2 feet (0.9 to 1 m) tall at shoulder. Bucks (males) weight up to 400 pounds (180 kg), does (females) weigh up to 200 pounds (90 kg). Fawns (babies) are usually born in May or June. Only bucks have antlers, which are branched; the antlers are shed each year, and later regrow.Behavior: Deer are shy herbivores (plant-eaters) who spend most of the day eating leaves, grass, bark, acorns, and other plant material. Does often travel in small herds with their fawns.
