#Costa Rican Candle
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Costa rica map candle light - Costa Rican Souvenir - Tico Xmas Gift - Candle Gift - Vela - Custom Candle Packed with immersive aromas, these scented candles come in 9oz glass jars and are one size (2.8in × 3.5in) (7.1cm × 8.8cm). Made with 100% natural soy wax blend, each candle features a 100% cotton wick and a permanent adhesive label where your custom designs can come alive. .: Materials: 100% natural soy wax blend, 100% cotton wick and a glass jar .: One size: 2.8in × 3.5in (7.1cm × 8.9cm) .: Burning time: 50-60 hours .: Glossy permanent adhesive label .: Choose from five different aromatic scents .: Assembled in the USA from globally sourced parts .: NB! All scents have the same wax color the Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle. Introducing the Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle—the perfect combination of art, fragrance, and wanderlust. Handcrafted with care, this unique soy candle will transport you to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica from the comfort of your own home. The candle is carefully poured into a sleek and modern glass jar, which features a beautiful printed map of Costa Rica. Each detail on the map is meticulously rendered, showcasing the country's diverse landscapes, from its stunning coastline to its lush rainforests and towering volcanoes. This candle is not just a source of light and fragrance; it is also a work of art that adds a touch of wanderlust to your living space. Made with 100% natural soy wax, this candle offers a clean and long-lasting burn. Unlike paraffin wax candles, soy wax burns evenly and releases its fragrance gradually, allowing you to enjoy the scent without overpowering your senses. The use of soy wax also means that this candle is eco-friendly and non-toxic, ensuring your home remains a safe and healthy environment. The scent of the Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle is a delightful blend inspired by the natural wonders of the country. As you light the candle, you will be greeted by a refreshing burst of citrusy notes, reminiscent of the juicy lemons and limes found in Costa Rica's vibrant markets. These zesty top notes are complemented by the sweet and tropical aroma of freshly sliced pineapple, evoking memories of sipping refreshing fruit juices on the beach. As the candle continues to burn, the fragrance develops into a warm and earthy combination of sandalwood and cedarwood. These base notes bring a sense of grounding and tranquility, like taking a peaceful stroll through the ancient forests of Costa Rica. The scent is subtle yet persistent, allowing you to create a relaxing ambiance, whether you are enjoying a cozy night in or hosting a dinner party. The Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle is not just a delightful addition to your home decor; it also makes for a thoughtful and unique gift. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to surprise a loved one, this candle is sure to impress. The beautiful packaging, featuring the scenic map of Costa Rica, adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to any gift-giving moment. To ensure the highest quality, each candle is hand-poured in small batches by skilled artisans. The entire production process is done with love and attention to detail, resulting in a candle that is not only visually striking but also crafted to perfection. The Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle is a testament to our commitment to quality and our passion for capturing the essence of Costa Rica in a single product. Illuminate your home with the enchanting scent and visual beauty of the Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle. Immerse yourself in the magical landscapes of Costa Rica, where the warm sun kisses the emerald green forests and the sounds of nature lull you into a state of tranquility. Experience the essence of this tropical paradise with every flicker of the flame and every breath of its captivating fragrance. Indulge in the Costa Rica Map Scented Soy Candle and let your senses embark on an unforgettable journey to this breathtaking corner of the world.
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6, 11, 15 & 30? 💙💙💙
ty for the questions !!!!
6) hmmm so I actually don’t use candles (I’m clumsy and can be a bit forgetful sometimes, so it’s just better if I don’t), BUT my mom used to have some apple cinnamon scented ones that were really nice!! And whenever I’m at the mall and walk past the candle part of bath and bodyworks, I tend to gravitate towards either the autumnal/halloween ones or the super fruity/sweet ones, no in between
11) hmmmm comfort items? most recently the rain cloud care-bear plush I got on impulse a couple months ago. it’s very cuddly. other than that I’d say my Halloween mugs! I love drinking coffee out of them year round lol
15) sopa negra (black bean soup)!! a costa rican dish that’s just so yummy. I rarely have it, I need to find my grandma’s recipe for it again. other than that I’d also say pizza, you can never go wrong with pizza. any form of cheese with bread is amazing.
30) video games, either mobile or on a console! love reading and writing (ofc) and I love music. i played the clarinet for 6 years so I’m trying to pick that up again, but the cork on mine needs to be replaced so ☹️. I’ve also tried getting into crocheting bc my mom and grandma loved it and since passing have left me with at least 5 very full bins and like 10 bags of yarn.
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On that note, when I worked for a multinational company there was an internal blog post from a Colombian who shocked a room full of Costa Ricans by calling candles esperma.
I wonder how terminally online twitterites would react to the knowledge that in many parts of Colombia, it’s socially acceptable to use marica (f-ggot) to refer to friends, similarly aged family and acquaintances, sort of like “bro” or “mate” in the English-speaking world.
Personally I don’t use it, but most of my friends and even my sister do.
(In the right context is still a swear word, and a strong one at that)
Also fun fact: Colombians are considered as the most foul-mouthed in all of Spanish-speaking LatAm, but only when angry.
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jan 1
WOW, WHAT A NIGHT.
My dad drives me out to the strip because of my eye infection. I can’t see; thus, I cannot drive. Grace Alex shows up about 15 minutes after me.
The strip is EMPTY. Where are all the people??? It was almost 10pm at that point, so it’s not like we were too early. We walk around a bit to double check, but yeah--everything except The Mix is CLOSED. I even check Bonha/m Exchange and they’re closed too. A GAY NIGHT CLUB...CLOSED...ON NEW YEAR’S EVE.
Confused, Grace and I drive to Southtown and Blue Star. Things are happening there. The first cocktail bar is too dark for Grace. We go to Halyco/n for a coffee cocktail instead and by that time we’re just gonna drink to loosen up because Lily invited us to a party at someone’s house. We just needed to bring beer.
So we chat and drink our drinks. Then we head out to find a convenience store where we buy a pack of some sort of IPA that Grace likes and cheap-ass Merlot for me.
We roll up to the house party and knock, but no one notices. So. We walk in.
IT’S A 1920s COSTUME PARTY.
Now, this is a Southtown house so it’s this really lovely vintage Craftsman home that’s updated BEAUTIFULLY. It was a gorgeous home and it was lit by dozens of candles and everyone was dressed magically. People turn to look at us (dressed in street clothes) but don’t say a thing. We drop off the drinks on the kitchen counter and pop open some beers. Weaving through the house, we try to find Lily but she remains elusive. Outside they have a little firepit going and they’re cooking oysters and smoking cigars. A guy in white linen suit, a girl in a big fur coat, and a dude in a vest and suspenders immediately introduce themselves. They’re all varying levels of drunk and the girl is obviously not into the guys, but she seems cool.
We converse with them for a while, and dance for a little, before growing uncomfortable again at the fact that Lily is obviously NOT at this party and we stick out like a sore thumb. I get a text from Lily asking for our ETA to Travi/s Park...so she’d ALREADY LEFT.
Making our way back to the front of the house, I hear Grace repeatedly say some guy is cute, but I’m fucking blind. I don’t know who she’s talking about and I think we’re leaving so I wait for the perfect timing to...STEAL THE WINE. And then I book it with Grace at my heels. We make it outside where she immediately regrets following me out because of the cute mustache guy...but I just made a scene so we don’t go in again.
The beer is nasty and I dump it.
We text Lily and she says that two very nice homeless men named Josh and Chad are saving spot 29 for us when we’re ready. Uh.
Grace texts her friend Danya for her NYE party plans and she’s having an apartment party at her tech boyfriend’s (actually greencard husband but SHHHH (he’s from Nigeria and she’s Eduadorian/American)) super swanky place near The Pear/l, right on the river by The L/uxury (beer garden/Costa Rican food). BUT she says we gotta pick up 2 packs of beer for beer pong.
By this time it’s 11:30.
Grace and I have a history of accidentally missing the count down cause we’re stupid.
Driving with open containers, yikes!
So we go BACK to the convenience store, bemoaning that the 20s party was so fucking cool and goddamnit Lily. I buy $30 worth of beer. We head to the apartments, but by the time we arrive, it’s 5 minutes till midnight.
Grace grabs her beer and I grab the wine, and we sprint to the river where it’s lit up by twinkle lights and a giant lit Santa. We try to pop open the wine with Grace’s pocket knife, but with 10 seconds we give and countdown with the swanky apartment people screaming from their balconies. We scream back and then head back to the car cause Danya coming down to take us in.
We follow Danya (whom I met this summer when I had dinner with Lily (and then Grace crashed it)) and she’s awesome. Love her. We meet her boyfriend, Valentine, who’s super chill and a total sweetheart. The rest of the party is a fancily dressed mix of a crowd. Some people are swimming in a pool on the balcony. Some people are smoking and taking in the view.
My wine gets opened and I drink a full red cup pretty quickly while we talk on the balcony. At one point, in the kitchen, a man introduces himself and we start talking, but Grace is visibly not into this guy, but I feel bad cause he’s alone and he’s obviously not hitting on either of us. All of sudden she exclaims, “Oh my god, we totally forgot to take that picture, you know, on the balcony...god, bye!” It was obvious, but I went along with it cause I didn’t want to be a shit. We did take pics with the view.
By 1pm, I’m nice and drunk. I’m reimbursed for the beer as we set up another game of beer pong. We all fucking suck though, but I get super competitive. We end up grabbing the party stragglers--a real random assortment of fantastic people--and play a big game of flip cup which after a couple of rounds, I bow out of rounds cause I’M WASTED and I become “judge” or whatever. I’m really flirty with the guy next to me who is sooo my type (tall, dark, reedy, and cute), but that’s when the apartment security comes up and tells us we need to clean our shit and shut the party down.
Everyone cleans up and Valentine is laughing his big laugh saying, “I bet you all did not think you’d have to clean when you came here.” But I’m such a happy drunk, that I dance as I clean, and it’s super fun, and everyone takes random pics (especially on someone’s phone they left behind). Lovely ending.
Danya offered to let us crash at her apartment earlier because I expected to stay at Lily’s, but by the end of the night I just drunkenly followed Grace to her car. We tried to figure out what to do with me (she didn’t want to drive “all the way to Austin” to drop me off (she ~apparently was sober enough to drive) because I live way out in the country, so it takes a hot minute to get home). My brother, miraculously, responds to my text about the house code, and when I ask if he can pick me up...says yes?!
Nick...being unselfish and so generous???
He says he’s leaving right away and he’ll get there (Grace’s parent’s house...cause her living situation is out-of-whack at the moment) in 30 minutes.
The perfect amount of time to smoke some of Grace’s dad’s weed.
She shows me how to roll a joint (yeah, I don’t know how to do any of that because either someone packs or rolls for me, or I buy edibles or pre-rolls), and we smoke outside. It’s good shit and makes me so, so . happy. Happier than even before. Giggly. We talk about love and shit.
Nick arrives and he’s still at that weird level mood. He never emotes more than just...chill calm. Which isn’t bad! It’s just...not what the first 21 years of my life with Nick felt like. Nick was crazy and just such a...boy. Obnoxious. Loud. Charming. Hilarious. Annoying. Wild. Silly. A total weirdo and my best friend. Sorry, sorry. I’m still angsty about this change cause I don’t understand it, but I’m grateful he went all the way into city to pick me up.
The whole way home I’m chatting and laughing breathlessly. Nick doesn’t seem annoyed even though I know perfectly well that I can get super obnoxious when stoned. Also, I learned two nights ago that I slur?
We get home. I eat some leftover chicken cold. I lie down for a minute, scrolling through instagram when I get a wave of dizziness. Calmly, I get up and go to the restroom with my phone where I chill by the toilet until I inevitably puke my guts out. Then I clean up, brush my teeth, and head to bed.
Great night overall. A+
New Year’s Resolutions: stay focused. get into grad school. stop feeling so angsty about vituem/oir and come what may. stop feeling angst about nick and his personality change that i wasn’t around to witness. stop feeling angst about how things ended with N. and be proud of the extraordinary person used to be my best friend and whom I still love. start working out. write. paint. travel. kiss new people. continue therapy and building self-confidence. be kind to myself every day.
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Damn Summer! back at it again with the awesome book playlists! I am still on vacation but I wanted to make sure that I got to share this amazing list of songs with you guys, ON RELEASE DAY!!! Psalm for Lost Girls was truly an amazing read and listening to the songs on this playlist is truly something special. Let me know if you guys decide to pick this one up!!!!
A Playlist for Lost Girls
I listen to a lot of music when I write. Sometimes, I use music to get in the right headspace before writing a new scene. Sometimes, I listen to the same song on repeat for hours. I have a playlist for every project, and even subplaylists for certain characters or subplots. (It’s a little nuts.) Some songs I listen to so much that they seep into the sentences of the story.
This Spotify playlist includes the main songs I used to get in the groove for A Psalm for Lost Girls.
[Fun fact: A Psalm for Lost Girls was not the original title. As I hunted around for a title that would stick, I wanted to evoke a song or prayer because the whole book had taken on a musical quality in my mind and, at the same time, felt like a prayer Callie might send to her sister. A psalm is both of those things—a prayer, often sung—so hurrah! Title: nailed.
1. Chica Difîcil by Aterciopelados
“I am a difficult girl/but I’m worth the trouble.” The vocalist, Andrea Echeverri, is my favorite 90s rock en español vocalist. Sometimes she is raw and angry; this tune is more salty, earthy, real. Both sides of her voice remind me of Callie da Costa, Psalm’s protagonist.
2. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Callie is stubborn. When she sets her mind to avenging her sister’s memory, she puts “both feet on the ground/… /and is not backing down.” Also, fire. I’m not going to give away spoilers, but those burning candles on the cover? Relevant.
3. O Gente de Minha Terra by Mariza
Fado is the traditional music of Portugal, and Mariza is its modern queen. Her songs express the not-quite-translatable feeling of saudade—something like bittersweet longing. This particular song swells up my heart like the fictional city of New Avon: “oh, people of my land/now I see/this sadness I carry/I received from you.”
4. Wonder by Natalie Merchant
You get it? “They say I must be one of the wonders/God’s own creation/And as far as they see they can offer/no explanation.” This is exactly what Tess da Costa feels once the word gets out that she hears a strange voice and her community decides it must be the voice of God.
5. Eres Tú by Carla Morrison
These lyrics get a little bit sexy—speaking to the romance that runs through Psalm—but also? if you pretend it’s about sisterly love, this could be Callie speaking to her dead sister, telling Tess how she carries her mind and in her veins, how wherever she goes, it’s you, always you.
6. 1977 by Ana Tijoux
Ignore the lyrics. This is the sound of Callie on a warpath, seeking justice for the abducted child, Ana Langone. The energy of this song also reminds me of Callie’s best friend Karen Pérez, my favorite character to write. Basically, it’s 100% kickass girl.
7. So Sorry by Feist
This song is a piercer, getting right to the core of regret. It’s Callie remembering her final days with Tess—so many things left unsaid and the last words she wishes she could erase.
8. Fado de Pessao by Ana Moura
In this one, there’s a boat, a voice, a figure of speech… and I don’t actually know what any of it means, but the emotion!!! This is the feeling of Callie walking the streets, dreaming of Tess. And when Ana Moura wears her hair curly, she’s the spitting image of Callie and Tess’s mom.
9. When You’re Gone by the Cranberries
I’m probably not supposed to admit that I still love the Cranberries—but I do, I do! Maybe it’s the Irish in me, but Dolores O'Riordan’s voice just… slays me. She does salty-sweet-longing-rage like no one else, and that is pretty much my favorite flavor.
10. Siempre Me Quedará by Bebe
I don’t know. I just like this one. It’s got a soulful vibe with a bit of flamenco/gitano/don’t-eff-with-me flare. If you strip away the romantic bits, it’s a song about heartbreak and saying I’m still here, I won’t forget and I won’t give up. Which, well, when you meet Callie and Tess, you’ll understand…
A cultural note: You’ll notice quickly that a lot of these songs are in Spanish and Portuguese. That’s because I listen to a ton of music in both languages. But, to be clear: This playlist isn’t a match to the many cultures represented (directly and more subtly) in A Psalm for Lost Girls. (If I made a list like that, you’d definitely see some Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cape Verdean, Italian, and Lebanese representation—and, God, I love the music from those cultures too!) The songs here are more of an emotional match—like, the themes and energy I was feeling as I got into my protagonists’ skin.
To follow the tour, be sure to “keep reading”
Week One:
March 13 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Author Q&A
March 14 – Butter My Books – Guest Post
March 15 – Margie’s Must Reads – Spotlight
March 16 – Cynsations – Gust Post
March 17 – Ex Libris – 10 Favorite Moments from Psalm for Lost Girls
Week Two:
March 20 – Forest of Words and Pages – Like/Try/Why
March 21 – That Artsy Reader Girl – Debut Dish
March 22 – Twinning for Books – Review
March 23 – Mundie Moms – Review
March 24 – The Children’s Book Review – Guest Post
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A Shape Magazine Editor Shares Her Dreamy Wedding Photos
Shape magazine’s Fitness Director, Jaclyn Emerick and her hubs Scott graced our pages back in November with their Florida e-session, and today these two are back to unveil the wedding day that followed. Set at the Watercolor Inn and Resort, Christina Gillon Events helped capture that organic, earthy vibe Jaclyn wanted and everyone – including the couple’s French bulldog, Chandler – took part in the festivities. Watch the day unfold with images captured by Lauren Kinsey.
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Colors
Seasons
Spring
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Beach Resort
Styles
Casual Elegance
From the bride, Jaclyn… A mutual friend connected Scott and me, even though he was living in Los Angles and I was living in New York City. Our jobs took us to each other’s coast every couple of weeks, which was great but not quite enough. So three months later Scott made the decision to move to NYC. A year later we moved in together and a week later he proposed to me on a suspension bridge at dusk in the Costa Rican cloud forest.
Our relationship has always been about experiencing new things together, about exploring and adventuring and most importantly having fun. We wanted our wedding to feel that same way.
We had our wedding in Watercolor, Florida. My family moved there when I graduated college and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. Our ceremony was in a boathouse on a lily pad filled lake. Whenever we visit, we kayak or SUP on that lake, so it felt very authentic to us. And instead of hiding the boats and boards, I wanted people to see them so we had them out on the side deck. Our decor vibe was very rustic and earthy. We had fabric flowing from the ceilings and beautiful greens and flowers overflowing from overhead troughs. There were big candles lining the aisles and at the head of the room.
Local singer-songwriter, Chris Alvarado sang and played the guitar while guests entered. He sang an original song, Find Out Who We Are, while our families and we walked down the aisle (I wanted one full song rather than chopping up different songs for each “segment”). Scott and I both have a ton of close friends, but we are also both very close to our siblings, so instead of a traditional bridal party we decided to have my brother stand next to me and his sister and brother stand next to him. My brother walked our French bulldog pup, Chandler, down the aisle. She wore a flower collar and couldn’t get to the end fast enough. Our friend who introduced us performed our ceremony. People laughed more than they cried, which is exactly how we wanted it.
Our cocktail hour was a few feet away on a pool deck. (We didn’t want people to have to get in a car or walk far to get to each spot.) Chris continued to sing and play. We had lawn games (oversize Jenga, bags, ladder ball, and so on). It was so important to us that people had fun and like they didn’t always know what was coming next. We did our first dance outside (Chris sang Joshua Radin’s Lovely Tonight). Then we snuck away to the beach for sunset photos while our family and friends snacked and had cocktails.
Our reception was a few steps away and in the other, newer building on the lake called the Lake House. Guests entered to our big Motown band playing. Seating was up for grabs. It was a mix of long farm tables, high tops, and lounge spots with big couches and ottomans. Dinner was ready whenever. We wanted people to sit where they wanted, move when they wanted, and eat when and what they wanted, and to get out and dance when they wanted.
We had a lot of fun with our menu. We did five food stations and each station represented a city that had meant something to our relationship. For example, LA was tacos and Portland was mashed potatoes in an artisanal waffle cone with Pilsner gravy and toppings. In a way, none of the food actually went together, but it was so memorable to everyone because of the meaning behind it. We had a silly photo booth, a local artist made a big guest board for us out of reclaimed wood from a local beach walkover for family and friends to sign (it hangs in our bedroom now), the games remained outside for people to play when they stepped out to cool down.
My dad read a letter I wrote him when I was little. It was hysterical. Our cake looked like a beautiful tree, covered in flowers. The flower troughs were brought in and hung around the dance floor, there were candles and more draping and greens everywhere. Our band played all night (we extended the party to midnight). There were late night snacks (peanut butter, Nutella, and banana sandwiches, which is what we’d snack on after a late night out). The night ended with a ribbon tunnel. My brother pedaled Scott and me in a rickshaw across the street to the Inn.
There is something so special about having all of your most meaningful family and friends come together for one weekend to celebrate you. It’s something we’ll never forget. It all happened so fast but I am so thankful we have Lauren’s photos to be able to relive this night.
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Event Planning: Christina Gillon Events | Floral Design: Events by Nouveau Flowers | Cake: Confections On The Coast | Ceremony Venue: WaterColor Inn & Resort | Reception Venue: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Catering: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Makeup: Lanna Bloodworth | Hair: Deah Hollon | Calligraphy: Sarah Ingram | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Chris Alvarado | Photobooth: Facetime Photobooth | Rentals: The Big Day Event Rentals
© Style Me Pretty, 2017. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Real Wedding, real weddings, Shape magazine, Waterside, Wedding Planning Post categories: Nautical, Real Weddings, Romantic, The Blog
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Jurassic June Highlight: Relive your favourite Jurassic movie moments with these great recreations using Mattel toys!
Welcome back to another Jurassic June highlight – and today we will be looking at one of my favourite toy photographers. Instagram is a great platform for Jurassic toy photography – and I’ve had the pleasure of becoming friends with this person through it!
Jurassic Pics (jurassic_pics on Instagram) describes their account as “Life finds a way...with plastic. Classic Jurassic Park scenes reimagined using (mainly) Mattel’s Jurassic World line”. However, their scene recreations often go above and beyond – capturing perfectly in plastic our favourite moments from on-screen.
I wanted to sit down to hear more about how some of these shots are achieved. Let’s get straight into it.
Hey JP. Thanks for sitting down with me. Starting off light – how did you get into Jurassic Park?
Thanks for asking me to talk Tom. I was eight when the first Jurassic Park movie came out so was immediately hooked after seeing it at the cinema with my family. I had a fair few of the original Kenner line toys back then, but sold them all whilst growing up.
Do you have a favourite Jurassic film? Your feed tends to capture plenty of scenes from the original film!
Yeah, the original is my favourite (closely followed by The Lost World). The combination of practical effects and CGI is so evocative had has completely stood the test of time and the human characters are all so well developed. I do enjoy the Jurassic World movies (a good friend of mine is the guy in the yellow raincoat who gets chased by the T-Rex in Fallen Kingdom opening!), but the human characters and CGI dinosaurs just aren’t as engaging for me.
What was your reaction when you first saw the Mattel toy line?
I had no plans to buy any of the new toyline, I had a few figures from favourite movies on my bookshelves but that’s about it. But the Legacy Collection items really sparked nostalgia in me, and the quality of sculpts, articulation and variety of dinosaurs made me want to start collecting whilst re-living a childhood ambition to do a photographic recreation of the film/s using the action figures.
Do you have a favourite product from the line so far?
There are so many! But Extreme Chompin’ T-Rex is pretty much at the top of the list. It’s my favourite species of dinosaur and the combination of action features and great pose-ability made it a no-brainer, in fact it was the first Mattel item I bought.
What would be your dream addition to the line-up?
I’d love to see more Legacy Collection humans, especially Lex, Tim and Hammond - plus the Jungle Explorer tour car. They’d make for some great photos and then I wouldn’t have to force Ellie, Grant and other characters into scenes that they’re not part of in the movies!
Jumping into what we are all here for now – Toy Photography. What camera do you shoot on?
I get asked this question a lot, and I always feel embarrassed to say that I shoot all of them on my ancient iPhone 5s (which is long overdue for an upgrade!). Mainly as i always seem to be selecting from my shoots and editing on the move so it’s the most convenient way of maintaining my feed.
You use a mixture of both physical sets and backdrops to achieve your photographs. How do you decide between physical props or a backdrop for a given photo?
Oh, that’s a great question, and one I haven’t really rationalized before. Since I’m based in the UK my options for outdoor shooting to achieve the bright sunlit Costa Rican island look are limited! So sometimes I use a printed background and shoot indoors because it is so grey outside. But I think generally I use backdrops for scenes in the movies that are shot on soundstage and am aiming to shoot more exterior scenes outside now summer is kicking in.
How do you build your physical sets – what kind of materials do you use?
I generally keep things very simple, using a lot of papers, cards and plastics from art suppliers and then combine these with scale foliage and more textured items from model shop. printed elements - either lifted from film screen caps or found online - are a great way of adding a whole level of detail and texture in the quickest possible time. It’s surprising what impressions you can create through a camera lens.
Some of the sets – like the recent JP ones – look quite large in scale. Do you build these for a shot and then dismantle them, or do you have somewhere you store them?
All my sets are hilariously basic and are instantly able to be dismantled. Backdrops or sections of walls are masking-taped onto books standing upright for stability and then I use whatever I have at hand in my studio to hang things from or lean against so they appear in shot accurately. It’s all separate tool kit items that I keep loose and re-positionable for different shots. The most elaborate shot so far that had the most making time spent on it was the ceiling chase from the JP control room, cutting tis strips of silver card to create the grid of the ceiling.
What would be your biggest tip for someone wanting to add more practical effects to their photographs?
I’d say that always viewing and re-viewing your sets through your lens or screen stop you from over-engineering things, as so often I’ve discovered that simpler is more effective. That and I think combining fabricated elements with more organic ones - or varying the textures within a single shot - can make things feel more dense and realistic, it’s all about finding the best way to highlight the figures and their poses as that’s where the action is.
Lighting is a big element of your photos. Do you use any special techniques to achieve lighting effects, or is it trial and error?
It’s all trial and error, whatever emulates the look of the film shot and as simple as possible! My lighting is either just my two desk lamps or natural light from my studio window. Occasionally I’ve used candles, Claire’s flare in my ‘Open paddock nine’ shot was highlighted with a candle and the flickering light on the T-Rex made for some nice variation in shots to choose from. I’m a big fan of using shadows or shining light through and off things to get fun textured effects or blending 2D and 3D elements.
Have you got any special plans for photographs to mark Jurassic June?
My hope is that I can get back into doing some more outdoor shoots in the summer weather. I’ve had a whole herd of Gallimimus figures waiting all winter to do the Jurassic Park sequence, and ever since getting the Parasaurolophus I’ve wanted to do the round up from The Lost World. I’ve also found a brilliant toy boat to re-create the Spinosaurus river attack from Jurassic Park 3 which I get a lot of requests for.
This is going to be a hard one – what’s your favourite picture you’ve got so far and why?
Hmm that is tricky, as so often shots that are very complicated don’t turn out as accurate as I’d like and by contrast others that are super-simple to create look much better than I’d anticipated. I think my ‘When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth’ shot is a highlight of my feed so far and was the first of my photos to get more than 3,000 likes. It was a relatively simple set up - though getting the background printed at a big size cost a bit - bit it took several different runs of poses and camera angles to get the right composition of the T-Rex. And I’d devised these very complicated means to make the banner look like it was free-falling but none of them worked, so in the end a bit of improvisation with a chunk of foam and tape did the trick.
Lastly – what can people look forward to next?
A lot of shots from The Lost World using the green Legacy T-Rex and Tiger-striped Raptors, as I’ve had plans to do set ups from it for a while but needed to source a few specific set items - like long grass! I’ve also recently started collecting the classic Jurassic Park lego items - and am very excited about the mysterious big set coming soon - so I might branch out into some fun Lego recreations too. The support and enthusiasm from followers so far has been incredible, so I look forward to sharing even more nostalgia and dina-infested fun.
Thanks so much for sitting down with us, Jurassic Pics! Make sure you go and follow this account on Instagram from your dose of your Jurassic Park nostalgia fix!
Written by: Tom Fishenden
#article#jurassic pics#tom jurassic#tom fishenden#jurassic park toy photography#toy photography#jurassic june
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A Studio Loft Which Is A Home And Art Gallery
Located on a quiet street that is parallel to a busy boulevard in Alsancak, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of Izmir, Turkey, stands an unusual interior conversion. Originally the brief called for the ground and upper floor of this building (which is part of a five story block of flats) to be made into a dedicated photo studio only. During the course of the design process, the client and architect teams Zaas, and Yerce, reimagined the space and agreed that this could go beyond being just a studio. The end result is a unique place that encompasses a home, a professional photo studio, and a public art gallery.
Located right at the back of the first floor, there lies a private living area. A ceiling tv mount allows a flat screen television to be suspended in front of the window glass, which has a view out onto the quiet street.
A double workspace also resides inside the living room, with the desk pushed up against an internal glass wall, looking out. A trio of floating wall shelves hold some books and pictures.
An unusual feature wall lines the opposite side of the living room, behind a run of white base units. Ambient lighting glows from behind the cabinets to illuminate the installation.
The residential first floor is reached via a floating staircase design from the photographic studio and gallery space. Each step is a metal 3D parallelogram frame, mounted individually to the studio wall to form the ascent to the mezzanine platform. The modern handrail design is lit by LED strip lights.
Just beneath the lip of the mezzanine, a guest reception desk is situated by a small storage wall with a bright yellow niche. A black accent chair rocks in the centre of the studio space on the ground floor, offering a spot to relax between photo shoots.
A small side table, beside the black and wood lounge chair, provides a spot to put down a mug of coffee during work breaks – or even to burn a relaxing candle on. The chair and its partner are positioned toward the view of the peaceful street, seen through huge black framed glass doors.
A grey gallery wall jags around the opposite side of the studio to the staircase. Perimeter lighting beams along its upper and lower edge. A work table is set up behind the guest reception desk, in front of a kitchenette and the door to the gallery’s bathroom.
Just beyond the landing at the top of the floating staircase, there is a relaxation area with a flickering modern fireplace and two comfortable contemporary armchairs. At design stage, the question was raised as to how a simple department could be transformed into a multifunctional area where different functions and settings for life could coexist. Solutions were sought to establish permeability within these functions, to create free flow between use and life.
The first floor landing joins with industrial style platform, which is a walkway to a home library area. Because one of the main objectives of the remodel was to maximise creative space for a photo studio, the mezzanine and first floor are designed to serve as extra space for photographic shoots if desired. The functions of working, living, exhibiting all intertwined under the roof of a photographic studio come together to fashion a ‘loft’ kind of lifestyle.
A chunky stone hearth underlines the modern fireplace in the relaxation area. The hearth is dressed with a grouping of clear decorative vases that catch the light from the flames.
Moving past the fireplace, large windows line the wall of a kitchen dining area, in which an island that combines both cooking and dining functions is centric.
A shining chrome cooker hood crowns the kitchen island with dining extension. A stainless steel sink is located in the middle of the island’s wooden worktop.
Sliding doors open the kitchen up to a terrace, which runs the length of the kitchen diner and relaxation space.
A jungle of plants line the long terrace.
Just off the mezzanine, a modern home office setup resides in its own private room.
The private bathroom is accessed via the bedroom.
Guest cloakroom facilities, on the gallery floor, have an edgy industrial vibe.
Bifold glass doors open up the entire front of the building. Visitors of busy exhibition openings can overflow out to the street foyer, on a wide sidewalk that belongs to the city and the department.
When an exhibition can flow freely between interior space and the street, potential visitors of the exhibition may pass by and peruse without filter. The area becomes a social platform where people can mingle in the comfort of the open air street, instead of being boxed inside the covered gallery.
The clever design configuration has resulted in the ultimate balance between separation and mingling of functions. The result is a fun space that can be open to the public, yet still offer the necessary privacy where it is needed.
Perspective drawing of the ground floor gallery space and first floor home interior. This section does not include the first floor private home office, which would be found just off the side of the mezzanine.
Front elevation showing bifold glass doors that open onto the public street foyer.
Ground floor plan.
First floor plan (complete with private office).
vimeo
Recommended Reading: 40 Incredible Lofts That Push Boundaries
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0 notes
Text
A Studio Loft Which Is A Home And Art Gallery
Located on a quiet street that is parallel to a busy boulevard in Alsancak, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of Izmir, Turkey, stands an unusual interior conversion. Originally the brief called for the ground and upper floor of this building (which is part of a five story block of flats) to be made into a dedicated photo studio only. During the course of the design process, the client and architect teams Zaas, and Yerce, reimagined the space and agreed that this could go beyond being just a studio. The end result is a unique place that encompasses a home, a professional photo studio, and a public art gallery.
Located right at the back of the first floor, there lies a private living area. A ceiling tv mount allows a flat screen television to be suspended in front of the window glass, which has a view out onto the quiet street.
A double workspace also resides inside the living room, with the desk pushed up against an internal glass wall, looking out. A trio of floating wall shelves hold some books and pictures.
An unusual feature wall lines the opposite side of the living room, behind a run of white base units. Ambient lighting glows from behind the cabinets to illuminate the installation.
The residential first floor is reached via a floating staircase design from the photographic studio and gallery space. Each step is a metal 3D parallelogram frame, mounted individually to the studio wall to form the ascent to the mezzanine platform. The modern handrail design is lit by LED strip lights.
Just beneath the lip of the mezzanine, a guest reception desk is situated by a small storage wall with a bright yellow niche. A black accent chair rocks in the centre of the studio space on the ground floor, offering a spot to relax between photo shoots.
A small side table, beside the black and wood lounge chair, provides a spot to put down a mug of coffee during work breaks – or even to burn a relaxing candle on. The chair and its partner are positioned toward the view of the peaceful street, seen through huge black framed glass doors.
A grey gallery wall jags around the opposite side of the studio to the staircase. Perimeter lighting beams along its upper and lower edge. A work table is set up behind the guest reception desk, in front of a kitchenette and the door to the gallery’s bathroom.
Just beyond the landing at the top of the floating staircase, there is a relaxation area with a flickering modern fireplace and two comfortable contemporary armchairs. At design stage, the question was raised as to how a simple department could be transformed into a multifunctional area where different functions and settings for life could coexist. Solutions were sought to establish permeability within these functions, to create free flow between use and life.
The first floor landing joins with industrial style platform, which is a walkway to a home library area. Because one of the main objectives of the remodel was to maximise creative space for a photo studio, the mezzanine and first floor are designed to serve as extra space for photographic shoots if desired. The functions of working, living, exhibiting all intertwined under the roof of a photographic studio come together to fashion a ‘loft’ kind of lifestyle.
A chunky stone hearth underlines the modern fireplace in the relaxation area. The hearth is dressed with a grouping of clear decorative vases that catch the light from the flames.
Moving past the fireplace, large windows line the wall of a kitchen dining area, in which an island that combines both cooking and dining functions is centric.
A shining chrome cooker hood crowns the kitchen island with dining extension. A stainless steel sink is located in the middle of the island’s wooden worktop.
Sliding doors open the kitchen up to a terrace, which runs the length of the kitchen diner and relaxation space.
A jungle of plants line the long terrace.
Just off the mezzanine, a modern home office setup resides in its own private room.
The private bathroom is accessed via the bedroom.
Guest cloakroom facilities, on the gallery floor, have an edgy industrial vibe.
Bifold glass doors open up the entire front of the building. Visitors of busy exhibition openings can overflow out to the street foyer, on a wide sidewalk that belongs to the city and the department.
When an exhibition can flow freely between interior space and the street, potential visitors of the exhibition may pass by and peruse without filter. The area becomes a social platform where people can mingle in the comfort of the open air street, instead of being boxed inside the covered gallery.
The clever design configuration has resulted in the ultimate balance between separation and mingling of functions. The result is a fun space that can be open to the public, yet still offer the necessary privacy where it is needed.
Perspective drawing of the ground floor gallery space and first floor home interior. This section does not include the first floor private home office, which would be found just off the side of the mezzanine.
Front elevation showing bifold glass doors that open onto the public street foyer.
Ground floor plan.
First floor plan (complete with private office).
vimeo
Recommended Reading: 40 Incredible Lofts That Push Boundaries
Related Posts:
Inside the Mind of an Architect
5 Studio Apartments that Use Space Splendidly
Basketball Court Converted to Fantastic Home
Stunning Costa Rican House With A Spectacular Coastal View
5 Beautiful Studio Apartments
An Engineer's Incredible High-Tech Dream Home
0 notes
Text
A Studio Loft Which Is A Home And Art Gallery
Located on a quiet street that is parallel to a busy boulevard in Alsancak, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of Izmir, Turkey, stands an unusual interior conversion. Originally the brief called for the ground and upper floor of this building (which is part of a five story block of flats) to be made into a dedicated photo studio only. During the course of the design process, the client and architect teams Zaas, and Yerce, reimagined the space and agreed that this could go beyond being just a studio. The end result is a unique place that encompasses a home, a professional photo studio, and a public art gallery.
Located right at the back of the first floor, there lies a private living area. A ceiling tv mount allows a flat screen television to be suspended in front of the window glass, which has a view out onto the quiet street.
A double workspace also resides inside the living room, with the desk pushed up against an internal glass wall, looking out. A trio of floating wall shelves hold some books and pictures.
An unusual feature wall lines the opposite side of the living room, behind a run of white base units. Ambient lighting glows from behind the cabinets to illuminate the installation.
The residential first floor is reached via a floating staircase design from the photographic studio and gallery space. Each step is a metal 3D parallelogram frame, mounted individually to the studio wall to form the ascent to the mezzanine platform. The modern handrail design is lit by LED strip lights.
Just beneath the lip of the mezzanine, a guest reception desk is situated by a small storage wall with a bright yellow niche. A black accent chair rocks in the centre of the studio space on the ground floor, offering a spot to relax between photo shoots.
A small side table, beside the black and wood lounge chair, provides a spot to put down a mug of coffee during work breaks – or even to burn a relaxing candle on. The chair and its partner are positioned toward the view of the peaceful street, seen through huge black framed glass doors.
A grey gallery wall jags around the opposite side of the studio to the staircase. Perimeter lighting beams along its upper and lower edge. A work table is set up behind the guest reception desk, in front of a kitchenette and the door to the gallery’s bathroom.
Just beyond the landing at the top of the floating staircase, there is a relaxation area with a flickering modern fireplace and two comfortable contemporary armchairs. At design stage, the question was raised as to how a simple department could be transformed into a multifunctional area where different functions and settings for life could coexist. Solutions were sought to establish permeability within these functions, to create free flow between use and life.
The first floor landing joins with industrial style platform, which is a walkway to a home library area. Because one of the main objectives of the remodel was to maximise creative space for a photo studio, the mezzanine and first floor are designed to serve as extra space for photographic shoots if desired. The functions of working, living, exhibiting all intertwined under the roof of a photographic studio come together to fashion a ‘loft’ kind of lifestyle.
A chunky stone hearth underlines the modern fireplace in the relaxation area. The hearth is dressed with a grouping of clear decorative vases that catch the light from the flames.
Moving past the fireplace, large windows line the wall of a kitchen dining area, in which an island that combines both cooking and dining functions is centric.
A shining chrome cooker hood crowns the kitchen island with dining extension. A stainless steel sink is located in the middle of the island’s wooden worktop.
Sliding doors open the kitchen up to a terrace, which runs the length of the kitchen diner and relaxation space.
A jungle of plants line the long terrace.
Just off the mezzanine, a modern home office setup resides in its own private room.
The private bathroom is accessed via the bedroom.
Guest cloakroom facilities, on the gallery floor, have an edgy industrial vibe.
Bifold glass doors open up the entire front of the building. Visitors of busy exhibition openings can overflow out to the street foyer, on a wide sidewalk that belongs to the city and the department.
When an exhibition can flow freely between interior space and the street, potential visitors of the exhibition may pass by and peruse without filter. The area becomes a social platform where people can mingle in the comfort of the open air street, instead of being boxed inside the covered gallery.
The clever design configuration has resulted in the ultimate balance between separation and mingling of functions. The result is a fun space that can be open to the public, yet still offer the necessary privacy where it is needed.
Perspective drawing of the ground floor gallery space and first floor home interior. This section does not include the first floor private home office, which would be found just off the side of the mezzanine.
Front elevation showing bifold glass doors that open onto the public street foyer.
Ground floor plan.
First floor plan (complete with private office).
vimeo
Recommended Reading: 40 Incredible Lofts That Push Boundaries
Related Posts:
Inside the Mind of an Architect
5 Studio Apartments that Use Space Splendidly
Basketball Court Converted to Fantastic Home
Stunning Costa Rican House With A Spectacular Coastal View
5 Beautiful Studio Apartments
An Engineer's Incredible High-Tech Dream Home
from Interior Design Ideas http://www.home-designing.com/a-studio-loft-which-is-a-home-and-art-gallery
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In Costa Rica, Nature Comes First
Costa Rica Travel – TURRIALBA, Costa Rica — It was 6:01 a.m. when we heard them barking, an insistent “huh-huh-huh-huh” floating through the rain forest canopy and over Pacuare Lodge.
“Howler monkeys,” said Steve, squinting at his watch. Then a toucan weighed in, two long, raspy “screeches” close to our deck, in the Rio Pacuare Forest Reserve, in eastern Costa Rica’s Barbilla National Park.
Up in a flash, we grabbed the binoculars and dashed outside, where a chorus of honks, chirps and whistles ushered in the dawn.
“Shhhh!” Steve said, hopefully, peering over the railing into the underbrush. “Listen! Was that a growl?”
Wildlife on parade is a predictable event at most Costa Rican eco-lodges. Coatis, capuchin monkeys, birds and butterflies lead off, followed by sloths, bacillus lizards (Jesus lizards because they “walk” on water) and green frogs, with howler monkeys, tapirs, armadillos and tarantulas at the rear. But big cats, ocelots and pumas? Once in a green moon.
“Jaguars? Maybe, but don’t count on it,” said travel planner Alison Carey, three months earlier when she called to talk about our trip. A Latin America specialist with Scott Dunn Personal Journeys, Carey and her colleagues research and book custom, personalized adventures for individual travelers.
We’d been to Costa Rica before, but just briefly, on a cruise ship stopover. This time would be different, we agreed. Hence the call to Scott Dunn Personal Journeys, a leader in the growing trend toward custom travel.
“You’ll like Pacuare Lodge,” said Carey. “It’s on the river, an easy, four-mile raft ride downstream,” she said. “It’s known for wildlife, and wild cats, too, though they’re rarely seen. It’s isolated, but that’s part of the appeal. You know what they say: Costa Rica is one of Central America’s safest countries.”
Was it? Sporadic upheavals have plagued Central America for decades, from corrupt governments and armed insurrections to civil wars and more recently, drug trafficking. What makes Costa Rica different?
Then our itinerary arrived in the mail, a spiral-bound notebook listing dates, places and our contacts at each, with blank space for notes. The last three nights would be on our own, joining well-heeled friends for a reunion at Villa Manzu, a palatial mansion on the Papagayo Peninsula.
But the question lingered.
“Is it true? Is Costa Rica Central America’s safest country?” I asked Abel, the Scott Dunn driver who picked us up at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, in San Jose, the capital.
“We think so,” he said, heading for the Finca Rosa Blanca hotel, north of the city. “It’s because we have no military,” he continued. “The money pays instead for schools, high school and college, and for health care and doctors. And it’s all free,” he said.
“Of course, there are always people who don’t want to work and are tempted to steal. But most people here have jobs,” he added as we reached the hotel, a restored, 14-suite Spanish Colonial house and coffee plantation, with a pool and a popular open-air restaurant.
On time for the day’s coffee plantation tour, we thought we’d learn about coffee. But the two-hour uphill walk with naturalist Manolo Munoz was as much about sustainable farming as it was about a good cup of joe.
Guiding us among the coffee trees, planted in volcanic soil between banana and poro trees in a mixed-species forest, Munoz explained that “trees add important minerals” to the soil. “A mix of sun and shade grows better ‘cherries’ (coffee beans) than the big commercial farms do,” he said.
That evening, as the sun slipped between the palm fronds and Miguel, the hotel waiter, came around with menus, I decided to see what he’d say. “Uh, Miguel, why do people say Costa Rica is Central America’s safest country?”
“Because we don’t have an army,” he said. “After the civil war, in 1949, the government decided that paying for education, hospitals, culture and parks was more important than guns and soldiers.”
Local police handle regional crime and a national government-supported 70-man team of “commandos,” a trained “security and intervention” group, is available for extreme emergencies. But beyond that, no army.
In Costa Rica, we learned, education, health and the environment are more than a campaign promise. They are the framework for a peaceful future.
No wildlife conversation lasted more than 10 minutes before the topic turned to Costa Rica’s many species, and how they have adapted to the country’s 12 climate zones, each at a different altitude, from sea level to the summit of frosty, 12,533-foot Cerro Chirripo Volcano.
Rafting through the Pacuare River’s narrow gorge, to Pacuare Lodge on the river bank, we could see the difference between the trees along the river gorge and those on the mountain side above, where the howler monkeys live.
Alone in the forest, Pacuare Lodge is both self-sustaining (electricity is limited to several hours daily), rustic and luxurious. Candles light the upstairs bar and hall, and the dining room downstairs and adjoining deck, where all meals are served. Most of the bungalows have some screened walls, bringing the outside in. The first group were built along the river; the luxury suites climb the hill, each a five-star treehouse.
Our days were busy with discovery hikes, wildlife prowls and trips to the nearby indigenous village, with an occasional plunge pool dip and nap in our hammock. Leisurely dinners with like-minded guests made the rain forest silence that much more serene.
A startling contrast, indeed, to our next destination, Nayara Springs Resort, on a highway near Avenal Volcano National Park, in central Costa Rica. Greeted by a uniformed bell boy, we thought we’d made a wrong turn.
But this popular vacation village and honeymoon retreat only masquerades as a hotel. In fact, it offers urban sophistication in a rain forest setting. With its sumptuous suites — and swimming pools, shaded patios, bars and pubs, a spa and gym, restaurants and shops — connected by a maze of heavily landscaped serpentine paths, each is hidden from the next. A five minute walk beneath the trees — with resident birds and 30-odd sloths overhead — was a stroll in the woods.
As our Scott Dunn-planned trip ended, we said goodbye to our driver, Andreas, who delivered us to Villa Manzu. And there was the mansion, overlooking the ocean, a modern, sandy-colored stone building flanked by grassy lawns and trees, pools and patios.
Art and artifacts lined the corridors and walls. The kitchen-plus-barstools adjoined the living and dining rooms; the theater, two bars, party room and eight luxurious bedrooms with bath completed the luxury. A path to the cliff-side barbecue circle faced the sunset.
With a staff of 12, including butler and three chefs, this luxurious hideaway, on five acres, guarantees privacy for those who can afford it: celebrities, tech-company millionaires, movie moguls, industry titans and sports greats. For us, being there was dumb luck.
“Make yourself at home,” said our hostess, with a warm hug. “Take in the scenery,” or join us in the pool; it’s heated. “Meet our butler, Luis Morera, who makes the most marvelous cocktails.”
Sit at the kitchen counter and “talk ingredients,” with the chefs, or “ask about wine-pairings.” Borrow a kayak or fishing gear and “walk down to the beach.” Take a car, to visit the Beach Club or play golf. “Villa Manzu has guest privileges.” Arrive by yacht and tie up in the harbor. Or fly: “The driver will meet you at the airport.”
The Villa sleeps 20-plus adults and/or children. Because this is your house, everything’s included: Meals, wine, cocktails, snacks, sports equipment, fishing gear, a car, guides, and as always, Costa Rican hospitality.
Anne Z. Cooke writes about travel and its effect on global warming. Contact her at [email protected]; or Twitter at@anneontheroad.
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Welcome to the jungle.
Man, I feel alive.
Today we went on the SUPER ADVENTURE HIKE that I mentioned yesterday. It did encompassed a pretty super amount of adventure.
We got up early & fuelled ourselves with coffee & eggs & avocado & bananas & boarded the minibus to the start of the hiking trail. We started the day with a trek up to the highest point of the jungle; trekking the actual volcano is prohibited because it’s protected land also due to the activity of the volcano it’s actually kinda dangerous. We traversed the slippery climb through the tropical rainforest, bordering a beautiful lagoon (more on that later); peeping banana spiders & leafcutter ant colonies & chicadas (or ‘chicarras’ in Spanish) along the way. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable & taught us quite a lot about the different roles occupied by different ants within the colony, the purpose for all their relentless leaf-carrying (not, it turns out, to eat themselves; but to feed fungus within their nests which they then feed on). The strongest ants cut & carry the leaves back & forth, the smaller ants simply clean the nest & protect the eggs from rain; the bigger, army ants protect the colony from predators & the queen simply sits inside all day every day birthing eggs like a giant reproductive vessel - not quite as regal as her title or our preconceptions would suggest but there you have the sucky reality of being female, even in the ant world I guess.
The trek to the top of the jungle was hard work & took about 2 hours. Being a rainforest it was very wet & slippery & a tough uphill climb. However the scenery was lush, so many different plants & vines, literally like The Jungle Book or an episode of Planet Earth, except we were actually there witnessing it with our own eyes. At the top, we sat atop volcanic rocks & took in the breathtaking view: the Arenal Volcano in all its glory, the miles & miles of greenery & mountains & the Arenal Lake far below.
From there, we trekked back down to the lagoon for lunch & a swim. There’s a rope wing into the lagoon which wa ssuper fun to swing into the water from. At some points the lagoon is 40 metres deep, but thankfully nothing dangerous lives in there, just fish. I also braved a jump from a high-up tree branch. I’m slowly but surely conquering my fear of heights (& deep open water).
From there we crossed over to the Chato Volcano for the next portion of hiking (via a rare sighting of the nocturnal & exquisitely beautiful red-eyed tree frog, some howler monkeys in the trees & a whole gang of white-nosed coatis). This hike was a little easier, mostly flat & rocky. We trekked our way to the point where you can see both volcanoes within the vista & were also treated to the clouds parting briefly & presenting, as if from behind theatrical curtains, the peak of the Arenal Volcano for the first time. Both volcanoes look very different: Arenal is dark, sandy & rocky; Chato is flat & so densely covered in rainforest that you can barely tell it’s a volcano at all.
From there we trekked on to the Chato Waterfall, this time past flocks of parrots & ‘oro pendula’ (gold pendulum) birds, so named because of their colour & the way they bob back & forth. They build nests that hang from the end of tree branches like little sacks to keep them safe from predators.
The waterfall was spectacular. This was ur second swimming spot of the day & was a real treat. As soon as we descended the steps down to its base we could feel the spray on our faces. It’s 60 metres tall, & crashes down with immense force. We went for a dip but had to be very careful, the current generated from the waterfall is pretty ferocious. We clung to the rocks round the edge & made it behind the fall. The water was cold & so refreshing - I felt so alive, & at one with nature, it was a very humbling feeling.
After that was our last stop - a trip to the natural hot springs, essentially a series of interconnecting pools heated by the volcano, reaching up to 38 degrees! Steam rose from the water in such an eerie way. It felt amazing to sit in though, so warm, like being in bathtub, surrounded by trees. We slathered our faces in volcanic mud & drank Costa Rican moonshine made from sugar cane until it grew dark & we clambered out, guided by torches & candles. We emerged feeling like we had been reborn.
.............................................................................................................................
Something else happened today that I didn’t want to include in my retelling of the day’s activities, for fear that it would overshadow all the aforementioned incredible experiences, which I’m trying really hard not to let it do. However this is a thing that happened which bears writing about, partly for the purposes of honesty & partly because I’m hoping it will prove cathartic.
Today I came scarily close to losing my life. It happened in the hot springs; the pools are connected by naturally flowing water, with an incredibly strong current. As this is an entirely natural feature the terrain beneath the water is very rocky. Roxy & I were clambering from one pool down into another; I lost my footing & got swept away by the water, over the edge into another pool where I was completely stuck, between some rocks, under the water unable to move because the current was too strong. Three people had to haul me out.
The whole event took maybe a minute, slightly less. But it was pure panic. What made it all the more traumatic was the fact that I lost my most treasured childhood friend in an incredibly similar way, 12 years ago. All I could think was that I had almost lost myself in the exact same way - she too had been travelling, having the time of her life, when she died. The person that tried to save her died also.
All I could think was how incredibly frightened she must have been, that her last moments would have been filled with abject terror & a feeling of completely helplessness, a loss of control. I rarely talk about this because I don’t want to think of her having gone through this; I want to remember her, alive, happy, the incredible & unique person who saved me during secondary school misery. This incident just hit so close to home, made it all so real. Anything can happen, you can be a strong swimmer, you can be fit & able & sober & in not very deep water. It doesn’t fucking matter. I don’t know what else to say. I had a very real reminder of my own mortality today, how it can only take a second for everything to change. Maybe it sounds like I’m being melodramatic - it was over so quickly, & I am fine, I am alive after all. But I was so fucking scared. I was so fucking shaken. Adi is such a big inspiration for my desire to come travelling, I really felt like I owed it to her to have an adventure as she didn’t get to finish hers. She was such a fearless person I want to be more like that, I always looked up to & admired her spirit for adventure. Christ, I miss her. I think about her every day, I always will. This was a horrible experience that reminded me all to viscerally about things I have tried my hardest for the last decade to push far out of my mind.
My first reaction when I got home was to message the people I love the most & tell them so. This is perhaps the greatest gift Adi could have possibly given me - to remind me constantly to make sure the people I love know that I love them. You never know when you won’t be able to tell them again. This incident just reminded me of that. I’m sorry you weren’t as lucky as I was today Adi. I wish you had been, every single day. As long as I am alive you will always be a part of me; and I am. I am alive.
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Got my hair done, got a $2 pizza at walmart because it was about to expire, also bought some anti-itch cream and some antibiotic ointment for this Costa Rican battle wound and once I light a candle, this evening of relaxation will begin!
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A Shape Magazine Editor Shares Her Dreamy Wedding Photos
Shape magazine’s Fitness Director, Jaclyn Emerick and her hubs Scott graced our pages back in November with their Florida e-session, and today these two are back to unveil the wedding day that followed. Set at the Watercolor Inn and Resort, Christina Gillon Events helped capture that organic, earthy vibe Jaclyn wanted and everyone – including the couple’s French bulldog, Chandler – took part in the festivities. Watch the day unfold with images captured by Lauren Kinsey.
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Colors
Seasons
Spring
Settings
Beach Resort
Styles
Casual Elegance
From the bride, Jaclyn… A mutual friend connected Scott and me, even though he was living in Los Angles and I was living in New York City. Our jobs took us to each other’s coast every couple of weeks, which was great but not quite enough. So three months later Scott made the decision to move to NYC. A year later we moved in together and a week later he proposed to me on a suspension bridge at dusk in the Costa Rican cloud forest.
Our relationship has always been about experiencing new things together, about exploring and adventuring and most importantly having fun. We wanted our wedding to feel that same way.
We had our wedding in Watercolor, Florida. My family moved there when I graduated college and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. Our ceremony was in a boathouse on a lily pad filled lake. Whenever we visit, we kayak or SUP on that lake, so it felt very authentic to us. And instead of hiding the boats and boards, I wanted people to see them so we had them out on the side deck. Our decor vibe was very rustic and earthy. We had fabric flowing from the ceilings and beautiful greens and flowers overflowing from overhead troughs. There were big candles lining the aisles and at the head of the room.
Local singer-songwriter, Chris Alvarado sang and played the guitar while guests entered. He sang an original song, Find Out Who We Are, while our families and we walked down the aisle (I wanted one full song rather than chopping up different songs for each “segment”). Scott and I both have a ton of close friends, but we are also both very close to our siblings, so instead of a traditional bridal party we decided to have my brother stand next to me and his sister and brother stand next to him. My brother walked our French bulldog pup, Chandler, down the aisle. She wore a flower collar and couldn’t get to the end fast enough. Our friend who introduced us performed our ceremony. People laughed more than they cried, which is exactly how we wanted it.
Our cocktail hour was a few feet away on a pool deck. (We didn’t want people to have to get in a car or walk far to get to each spot.) Chris continued to sing and play. We had lawn games (oversize Jenga, bags, ladder ball, and so on). It was so important to us that people had fun and like they didn’t always know what was coming next. We did our first dance outside (Chris sang Joshua Radin’s Lovely Tonight). Then we snuck away to the beach for sunset photos while our family and friends snacked and had cocktails.
Our reception was a few steps away and in the other, newer building on the lake called the Lake House. Guests entered to our big Motown band playing. Seating was up for grabs. It was a mix of long farm tables, high tops, and lounge spots with big couches and ottomans. Dinner was ready whenever. We wanted people to sit where they wanted, move when they wanted, and eat when and what they wanted, and to get out and dance when they wanted.
We had a lot of fun with our menu. We did five food stations and each station represented a city that had meant something to our relationship. For example, LA was tacos and Portland was mashed potatoes in an artisanal waffle cone with Pilsner gravy and toppings. In a way, none of the food actually went together, but it was so memorable to everyone because of the meaning behind it. We had a silly photo booth, a local artist made a big guest board for us out of reclaimed wood from a local beach walkover for family and friends to sign (it hangs in our bedroom now), the games remained outside for people to play when they stepped out to cool down.
My dad read a letter I wrote him when I was little. It was hysterical. Our cake looked like a beautiful tree, covered in flowers. The flower troughs were brought in and hung around the dance floor, there were candles and more draping and greens everywhere. Our band played all night (we extended the party to midnight). There were late night snacks (peanut butter, Nutella, and banana sandwiches, which is what we’d snack on after a late night out). The night ended with a ribbon tunnel. My brother pedaled Scott and me in a rickshaw across the street to the Inn.
There is something so special about having all of your most meaningful family and friends come together for one weekend to celebrate you. It’s something we’ll never forget. It all happened so fast but I am so thankful we have Lauren’s photos to be able to relive this night.
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Event Planning: Christina Gillon Events | Floral Design: Events by Nouveau Flowers | Cake: Confections On The Coast | Ceremony Venue: WaterColor Inn & Resort | Reception Venue: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Catering: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Makeup: test | Hair: Deah Hollon | Calligraphy: Sarah Ingram | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Chris Alvarado | Photobooth: Facetime Photobooth | Rentals: The Big Day Event Rentals
© Style Me Pretty, 2017. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Real Wedding, real weddings, Shape magazine, Waterside, Wedding Planning Post categories: Nautical, Real Weddings, Romantic, The Blog
A Shape Magazine Editor Shares Her Dreamy Wedding Photos published first on their blog to my feed
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A Shape Magazine Editor Shares Her Dreamy Wedding Photos
Shape magazine’s Fitness Director, Jaclyn Emerick and her hubs Scott graced our pages back in November with their Florida e-session, and today these two are back to unveil the wedding day that followed. Set at the Watercolor Inn and Resort, Christina Gillon Events helped capture that organic, earthy vibe Jaclyn wanted and everyone – including the couple’s French bulldog, Chandler – took part in the festivities. Watch the day unfold with images captured by Lauren Kinsey.
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Beach Resort
Styles
Casual Elegance
From the bride, Jaclyn… A mutual friend connected Scott and me, even though he was living in Los Angles and I was living in New York City. Our jobs took us to each other’s coast every couple of weeks, which was great but not quite enough. So three months later Scott made the decision to move to NYC. A year later we moved in together and a week later he proposed to me on a suspension bridge at dusk in the Costa Rican cloud forest.
Our relationship has always been about experiencing new things together, about exploring and adventuring and most importantly having fun. We wanted our wedding to feel that same way.
We had our wedding in Watercolor, Florida. My family moved there when I graduated college and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. Our ceremony was in a boathouse on a lily pad filled lake. Whenever we visit, we kayak or SUP on that lake, so it felt very authentic to us. And instead of hiding the boats and boards, I wanted people to see them so we had them out on the side deck. Our decor vibe was very rustic and earthy. We had fabric flowing from the ceilings and beautiful greens and flowers overflowing from overhead troughs. There were big candles lining the aisles and at the head of the room.
Local singer-songwriter, Chris Alvarado sang and played the guitar while guests entered. He sang an original song, Find Out Who We Are, while our families and we walked down the aisle (I wanted one full song rather than chopping up different songs for each “segment”). Scott and I both have a ton of close friends, but we are also both very close to our siblings, so instead of a traditional bridal party we decided to have my brother stand next to me and his sister and brother stand next to him. My brother walked our French bulldog pup, Chandler, down the aisle. She wore a flower collar and couldn’t get to the end fast enough. Our friend who introduced us performed our ceremony. People laughed more than they cried, which is exactly how we wanted it.
Our cocktail hour was a few feet away on a pool deck. (We didn’t want people to have to get in a car or walk far to get to each spot.) Chris continued to sing and play. We had lawn games (oversize Jenga, bags, ladder ball, and so on). It was so important to us that people had fun and like they didn’t always know what was coming next. We did our first dance outside (Chris sang Joshua Radin’s Lovely Tonight). Then we snuck away to the beach for sunset photos while our family and friends snacked and had cocktails.
Our reception was a few steps away and in the other, newer building on the lake called the Lake House. Guests entered to our big Motown band playing. Seating was up for grabs. It was a mix of long farm tables, high tops, and lounge spots with big couches and ottomans. Dinner was ready whenever. We wanted people to sit where they wanted, move when they wanted, and eat when and what they wanted, and to get out and dance when they wanted.
We had a lot of fun with our menu. We did five food stations and each station represented a city that had meant something to our relationship. For example, LA was tacos and Portland was mashed potatoes in an artisanal waffle cone with Pilsner gravy and toppings. In a way, none of the food actually went together, but it was so memorable to everyone because of the meaning behind it. We had a silly photo booth, a local artist made a big guest board for us out of reclaimed wood from a local beach walkover for family and friends to sign (it hangs in our bedroom now), the games remained outside for people to play when they stepped out to cool down.
My dad read a letter I wrote him when I was little. It was hysterical. Our cake looked like a beautiful tree, covered in flowers. The flower troughs were brought in and hung around the dance floor, there were candles and more draping and greens everywhere. Our band played all night (we extended the party to midnight). There were late night snacks (peanut butter, Nutella, and banana sandwiches, which is what we’d snack on after a late night out). The night ended with a ribbon tunnel. My brother pedaled Scott and me in a rickshaw across the street to the Inn.
There is something so special about having all of your most meaningful family and friends come together for one weekend to celebrate you. It’s something we’ll never forget. It all happened so fast but I am so thankful we have Lauren’s photos to be able to relive this night.
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Event Planning: Christina Gillon Events | Floral Design: Events by Nouveau Flowers | Cake: Confections On The Coast | Ceremony Venue: WaterColor Inn & Resort | Reception Venue: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Catering: The Lakehouse at Watercolor Inn and Resort | Makeup: Lanna Bloodworth | Hair: Deah Hollon | Calligraphy: Sarah Ingram | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Chris Alvarado | Photobooth: Facetime Photobooth | Rentals: The Big Day Event Rentals
© Style Me Pretty, 2017. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Real Wedding, real weddings, Shape magazine, Waterside, Wedding Planning Post categories: Nautical, Real Weddings, Romantic, The Blog
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