Sodan Custom Designs Birthday Gift Review

My birthday was back in June, and about a week ago my Mother gave me a late birthday present!  She asked my cousin, who works with his wife and recently started making beautiful decorative lighted bottles, to make me a custom decorative bottle.  I have to say, these bottles are beautiful.  My mother wanted one made with a moon and stars etched and painted on.  The lights used to illuminate the bottle are white christmas lights, and the glass is blue, making it look like a starry night.

Not lighted

With Lights

These beautiful creations can be found at Sodan Custom Designs!  They have already made ones, as well as are able to do custom designs.

Daily Highlight: Dark Energy and the Virus

Daily Highlight: Dark Energy and the Virus

Credit: NASA

So, I often have moments where I am sitting just thinking about things, and while doing this I noticed something about the idea of dark energy and viruses.  Dark Energy is a hypothetical form of energy that is continuing to accelerate and expand the universe at faster and faster rates. *  It seems to grow larger the greater the amount of dark energy.  Now if you look at the universe in the organic way, you start to see the similarities between the way bacteria and viruses work. The more you have of a bacteria the faster it can grow, because there are simply more bacteria to produce and replicate itself.  After noticing this, I began entertaining the idea that perhaps dark energy is the equivalent to a virus or bacteria infecting the universe.  If we look at the universe is an organic being, than perhaps we will be able to understand concepts and theories, like dark energy, in greater detail.  What do you think?

How To Get Tough Stains Out of Fabric Purses

Recently, I was at the hospital and when they took my IV out as I was leaving, I started bleeding quite a bit without noticing.  As I was leaving someone stopped me and I noticed my beautiful Brighton purse was covered in blood.  I was devastated and thought that it was ruined.  I did some research and nothing very helpful or convincing came up while searching online.  The one product that has been the most helpful in the past with stains is Oxiclean. I decided to go to the store and see what different Oxiclean products there were.

After looking around, I found the closest thing to what I thought might work, although hope was almost gone for my purse.  I decided on Oxiclean Max Force.  The directions say to spray it on and let it sit for 5 minutes to 7 days, and not wanting to take any chances I decided on letting it sit for 7 days.  I also made sure to spray it every so often throughout the day for all 7 days.  Once the 7 days was up, I took some Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover powder and added it to a bowl of warm water.  I used about a tablespoon for an average cereal sized bowl.  After mixing the water and powder together I started scrubbing my purse in circular motions and after a few minutes the stain just started coming out quite quickly. After I had gotten pretty much all of the stain out I took a hair dryer and dried it until it was just slightly damp, as I was to tired to do it more, and let the rest dry overnight.  Now, my purse looks cleaner on the side with the blood stain than the side that was unaffected!  This is a great way to clean your purse or clean out stains!

What you need:

• Oxiclean Max Force
• Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover
• Warm Water

New Instep Jewelry!

Ellie and Eowyn, my sisters, helped make a name for what to call the foot jewelry and we decided on Instep Jewelry, so basically jewelry for your Instep.  The Instep is part of your foot, and where our jewelry decorates.  Enjoy!

Flower Power!

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop! 

EvenstarVS Etsy Shop

Daily Highlight: Different Dimensions and the Frequency of Energy

Daily Highlight: Different Dimensions and the Frequency of Energy

"Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics."

- Einstein, Credit HERE!

I saw this quote a few days ago and it got me thinking about alternate realities and how everything in our universe is energy at the basic level.  When we look at what makes up the smallest building blocks of life, we see energy, and all energy has a frequency.  If we change that frequency it is possible that our existence in this reality would cease, and we would be in an alternate dimension. I started thinking that if we were able to detect different energy frequencies from different dimension, we could theoretically influence our energy to a different frequency and transfer to another dimension. This quote also affirms the idea that we are all, on the basic level, part of the energy of the universe, and if it is possible to detect different energy frequencies, it may be possible to influence the energy in our own dimension to alter and potentially rewrite aspects of our universe.  Different dimensions open a world of wonder and possibility and I think they could be the key to understanding and obtaining a unifying theory of the universe. 

Started Making 3 Piece Sets!

Little Black Anklet

I started making 3 piece sets!  These include a footpiece/barefoot sandal, an anklet, and a toe ring!  They are priced at $15.00.  I think my picture taking is also slowly getting better!

I decided to call this one Little Black Anklet, inspired by the Little Black Dress idea.

EvenstarVS Etsy Shop

Selling Vintage 1960's Hat

I put this Smartwear Irving Saks from Roanoke, VA, wool hat up for sale on Etsy!  It is from the 1960's and comes with the original box and receipt!  In new condition.

Irving Saks, Roanoke VA Wool Hat

EvenstarVS Etsy Shop

July Ipsy Glam Bag Review!

Ipsy July Glam Bag Review

Today I received my first ipsy glam bag!  These are bags you subscribe to receive in the mail for $10.00 a month and you receive $35.00+ value in samples.  There are a variety of items you can receive, 21 this month I believe, and you receive items that are picked out based on a profile you fill out earlier.  My Glam Bag contained:

• Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray
• Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08
• Pop Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer
• Pixi Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm
• Bareminerals 5-in-1 BB Advance Performance Cream Eyeshadow 
• Pink Ipsy Pouch

The tanning oil I won't use, so won't be reviewing that.  I have to say my favorite item this month is the beach spray!  Now here is the review!

Soy Renewal Beach Spray

This stuff is amazing.  I decided to try it after getting out of the shower.  I blew dry my hair until it was just damp, and sprayed this all over.  I continued drying with a diffuser attached to my hair dryer, as that was what was recommended, until it was mostly dry.  The end result was wavy, beachy hair that truly looks like you just went to the beach.  It gives a sexy look, and smells very good.  If you are looking to get that beachy look this is the product for you!

Sunkissed Bronzer

Though I don't use a ton of bronzer, this one was nice and subtle. It gives your face a healthy glow and goes on nice and smooth.  Though not my favorite bronzer, this one will definitely be used.  If you are looking for a nice bronzer I would recommend this.

Brilliance Balm

This balm adds a nice pink hue to your lips, and is subtle.  It glides on smooth and is very easy to put on because of the pointed tip.  A pretty balm that great for summer occasions.

5-in-1 Cream Eyeshadow

This was a little dark at first, so if you have fair skin only use a little bit.  It adds a nice hue to your eyes and can be worn with eyeshadow over it.  It also brightens your eyes and has an SPF.  I personally would have gone a little lighter, but still a fun item.

And as for the bag, it is adorable!  I love the texture of it, and of course I love that it's pink! 

My glam bag!

Mr. Nobody Review

Last night, Andrew and I watched the movie Mr. Nobody and LOVED it.  A very artsy film, it delivers a compelling plot that has surprises at every turn.  The story follows the story of the last mortal on Earth. Humanity has progressed to the point where death from old age no longer exists. It is filmed in a way that makes you feel as if you are witnessing things in the same way real life plays out, making for a very real and natural watch.

Following the character, Mr. Nobody, the last mortal, you experience the decisions he makes and all their possible outcomes.  Mr. Nobody is able to know the outcomes of every decision he makes before he makes them, and is heartbroken when, as a young boy, he must choose between his mother and his father when they decide to get a divorce.  You see all of his futures for every outcome in every dimension, and the choices he faces.

This story deals with the idea of impossible decisions and how one would face them if the future was known. Mr.Nobody will leave you thinking long after the movie has ended, and makes you question your own existence.  One of the best movies I have watched in a long time, I give Mr. Nobody 5 stars!

Butterfly Lady....

I made another one!

Butterfly Lady Footpiece Anklet

EVenstar Etsy Shop

Some more foot Jewelry...

Made this one earlier today.

EvenstarVS Etsy Shop

More Jewelry....

I made two more pieces!

Treasure of the Tomb

Summer Ladybug

Later today I will be doing some more post, not jewelry related though.  I also am going to be working on being more consistent with the Daily Highlights, though illness has made it a little more difficult these past few days.

My goal for my etsy shop is to get about 10 items in it by the end of the week, so wish me luck!

And Another....

Yep, I made another footpiece!  This one is double stranded this time, and I think it is my favorite so far.  I also think the pictures are getting better.

I am almost out of small butterfly beads now!  I feel so crafty today. :P

Find this item for sale at: EvenstarVS Etsy Shop

The Next One....

I made another footpiece, as I am going to call them.  Like a head piece for your foot. :P  I am currently pricing the butterfly ones at $10.00 a piece.  I have no idea what international rates would be, so for now I am just shipping in the United States.  I may change that if there is any international interest.

On the way home from the craft store yesterday I thought of a lot of ideas for more, including an egyptian one I am looking forward to making.  Tomorrow Andrew and I are going back because I realized I don't have the proper type of box for storing beads, making them a little tedious to work with.  I really enjoy making them, though I need to work on my picture taking. :P

Find this at my: Etsy Shop

My Foot Jewelry Project

I decided to work on making some jewelry today.  I love foot jewelry so I thought I would make an anklet like piece, and even decided to start an Etsy shop. I am currently working on adding some more and have pink, green, and white beads with the silver butterfly beads for accents.  A ladybug one would be adorable as well, so I am sure I will be going out to get more supplies in the future.  Hope you all like the finished product!

Here is my Etsy shop - EvenstarVS

Daily Highlight: What did the early Universe look like?

Credit: Wikipedia

As with all science, there is still much we do not know and what we do know is always changing and adapting to new information, but our picture of the early universe is amazing.  In the very beginning, some sort of gigantic expansion that traveled faster than the speed of light created our universe, the Big Bang. What was left was a mass of superheated gas and galactic dust.  Once the universe cooled some is when things really start to get going.

One idea is that in the beginning there were super massive structures that formed.  These structures would have been light years across, eventually seeding the way for galaxies once these super massive structures exploded.  I often wonder if perhaps those same structures were what also created the super massive black holes that can be found at the center of almost every galaxy.  It has been thought that super massive black holes are various smaller black holes that combined during the time when stars were much more massive, but not as massive as the super massive structures, and exploding in supernova constantly.  This created many smaller black holes that are believed to have combined together to make super massive black holes. Recently, some have thought that super massive black holes may actually be related to those super massive structures.

You can even see the earliest galaxies in the Hubble deep field picture that look like giant structures. I can not help but wonder if perhaps those are actually just massive structures and not galaxies. One lies over 13 billion light years away, at the very beginning of when the universe was cool enough to start creating stars, planets, and the other amazing structures in our universe.  Because they are so far away, our current technology can only see them as blobs of light, making it impossible to see more than the most basic form.

I often think that those super massive structures are actually the seeds of the galaxies.  Once they burn out, they explode all that matter outward, leaving a super massive black hole at the center, and over time all that exploded gas and dust came together to make stars and planets. That is how I believe the early universe may have looked.

Orange is the New Black Review

My husband Andrew and I recently started watching the Netflix original series, Orange is the New Black. We had heard that it was good, and I have to say it is now one of my favorite shows.  It is definitely an adult show, as much of the content is very explicit.  Orange is the New Black follows a woman who got caught up in an international drug ring and gets sent to jail after being caught.  As it develops the show broadens and you come to know the many insane characters that inhabit the prison.

The show also brings to light the many issues that face our prison systems today. Though the fact remains that they are criminals, there are a variety of reasons why people go to prison, and much of our justice system is flawed, sending many to jail who may not deserve it.  As with much of the government, the prison systems are often handled in very ineffective ways and thought I am sure the show over dramatises situations as most, if not all, shows do, it does draw attention to the flaws in our system.

Orange is the New Black also has a lot of humor at the same times as having highly dramatic moments. Many times it keeps you on the edge of your seat with tension as you watch the many situations play out, and as the the different characters develop you come to love as well as hate each one with special conviction. There are characters who are truly detestable and evil, but with every character on the show the situation goes deeper than originally thought, and though you may not feel sympathy, you do begin to reflect and understand their train of thoughts.  At the same time, there are many characters you do love, each with their own wacky personalities.

Though Orange is the New Black is an adult show, I highly recommend it.  With its crazy situation and quirky characters this show will leave you wanting more.  With Netflix losing more and more of its good content its clear that the way they will survive as a company in the long term is by producing more amazing original series, like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.

Review: Age of X - Gameboard of the Gods

Credit: Here! 

Also click there to find out more about Richelle Mead and her many books.

One of my favorite authors is Richelle Mead, who is also the best selling author of the Vampire Academy book series. Mead writes a lot of young adult books, but also has a range of more adult books, like her Age of X series. I finished the first book in this series, Gameboard of the Gods, a while back and loved it.  The story takes place in a future world where technology has advanced quite a bit in computing and genetic science, and everyone in the country of RUNA, the Republic of United North America, is tracked and monitored by an implanted chip.

In RUNA, the story follows the characters Justin March and Mea Koskinen.  These two characters are thrust together to find the individual responsible for the recent string of criminal acts that seem almost supernatural.  With their world completely rejecting religion and all things supernatural, Justin is the only one with the experience to capture the criminal. He soon finds himself wrapped in a battle between Gods as they try fill the vacuum of religion in RUNA, and claim their place as the "top God".  He also soon finds out that one such God is especially interested in him, and can no longer ignore the world of Gods.

This series has a lot of interesting factors, especially when you find out which God is interested in Justin, though those who know a bit about religious studies may be able to determine who this is much earlier on by the many religious symbols and characters placed throughout the story .  Mead does an amazing job, as in many of her other books, incorporating many different mythological and religious symbolisms that are important to those religions, really making for an educated read.  I recently started the second book, The Immortal Crown and love everything about this series so far.

Mead does many other books, but I have to say the Age of X series has a really modern feel and seems like something that could happen in the not too distant future.  In most of her books, if not all, she invokes thought and reflection on the troubles that plague our societies today and bring to attention the many ways technology and our continuing rejection of religion could affect our society as a whole.  I recommend this for anyone looking for a book that will leave you thinking about it long after the book is over.