Body painting is an art form that is totally underappreciated. Thanks to the weekend that I binge-watched every episode of Skin Wars, I know how difficult it is to create an illusion using just makeup and paint. Even harder than painting an intricate design, making a body completely disappear into a background is one of the trickiest things for an artist to master. Add if you’re using yourself as the model, well, it’s nearly impossible. But talented body painter Mirjana Kika Milosevic has done all of that, and she’s taking the idea of your stomach being in knots to a whole new level. Check out each step of the amazing (but kind of creepy) transformation below. Read More: Body Marbling Is The Newest Body Art Trend, And You Have To See It In Action I would love to be able to paint like that! Let us know in the comments what you’d like to see this artist tackle next, and be sure to share her incredible illusion with your friends. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/stomach-in-knots/
Organic foods and beverage maker Clif Bar is launching what it claims is the first geo-location Twitter campaign. The company wants you to send a geo-tagged tweet to @CLIFMojoGo the next time you’re in a park, at the beach or on a trail. Once the company has verified you are indeed outdoors, it will send you instructions to claim a free trail mix bar. You’ll also be entered to win a Garmin GPS watch and other prizes. Twitter does allow advertisers to target users in 210 U.S. regions, but doesn’t allow them to target users in specific locations — for example, in parks or at the mall. Clif Bar’s strategy, though labor intensive — they’ll have to verify the location of the tweets manually — is a clever workaround. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/07/30/clif-bar-geo-targeted-twitter-campaign/
As the co-founder of Ning, Gina Bianchini was a pioneer in social networking. As the current founder and CEO of MightyBell, she is continuing to help people use social software in a way that connects them both online and off. Bianchini is passionate about developing tools that allow people to share their ideas and interests by forging unique online identities and connect in intimate setting both on the web and in the real world. It is those themes that draw her to her favorite TEDTalks. Below are five talks that intrigue Bianchini and notes on why she chose them. Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone? “I particularly enjoy this talk as [my company] Mightybell just happens to answer the problem presented!” Daphne Koller: What we’re learning from online education “I like this talk as it got me thinking that for huge online classes, people could benefit from a private space for the class to break into study group spaces. Additionally, she speaks about active learning and discusses that there is not active learning online, which I think can and should be changed.” Matt Cutts: Try something new for thirty days “I enjoyed this talk as is an example of a tool one can use to plan and then track your progress over 30 day challenges and allows you to do it with friends.” Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action “I am fond of this talk as it is focuses on how the ‘why’ of a company is more important than the ‘what’ and inspires people to take action to change lives and the world.” Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability “This particular talk was exciting to me as it gives people the opportunity to create a new social identity based upon their interests, passions, and goals, and to have an intimate community that supports one no matter what, no matter how vulnerable. It discusses how to help each member grow as everyone in the intimate community accepts him or herself and the other members, and celebrates the members’ identities shown through their interests, passions, and goals.” Image via Flickr, JD Lasica Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/11/22/gina-bianchini-ted/
In a match made in movie trailer heaven, Disney villain Maleficent stalks victims as Lana Del Rey’s haunting vocals play ominously in the background. A 90-second trailer for the new movie Maleficent debuted during the Grammy Awards Sunday night, offering an extended sneak peek at the film. The movie features Angelina Jolie as the titular horned character and serves as both a prequel and retelling of the classic story of Sleeping Beauty, where the villainess will finally get to share her side of the story. Del Rey croons the classic Disney song “Once Upon A Dream” — the same song that appeared in the original 1959 animated version of Sleeping Beauty. Her haunting voice sets the tone for the movie, which promises to be be much darker than the original. Jolie perfectly fits the part of Mistress of All Evil, cracking wry smiles and generally looking foreboding. The film hits theaters on May 30. BONUS: 10 Disney Plot Points That Make No Sense Disney Plots That Don’t Make Sense 1. Hercules 2. Mulan 3. Pocahontas 4. The Aristocats 5. Lilo & Stitch 6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame 7. Robin Hood 8. The Sword in the Stone 9. Dumbo 10. The Rescuers Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/01/27/maleficent-trailer/
In the medical world, there’s no shortage of weird, creepy diseases. One of the most misunderstood conditions is a disease by the name of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or simply EDS. EDS is a connective tissue disorder that’s passed down genetically. Those suffering from EDS experience a wide variety of symptoms, and they often go misdiagnosed for years. Some also experience hyperflexibility, meaning that they can easily bend and dislocate their joints. This makes it possible for them to escape from sticky situations…like being cuffed by the police. My joints hurt just watching this. (source: Taryn Eason) While it’s a great trick for parties, those with EDS who continually abuse their joints can expect to suffer serious long-term consequences. Don’t try this at home. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/handcuff-escape/
For people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, checking insulin levels is just part of everyday life. And it can be seriously stressful. But what if there was a way to keep track of your health without the use of expensive devices and testing strips? Well researchers at Harvard and MIT have come up with a monitoring system that mimics body art. These color-changing tattoos can monitor not only diabetes, but other conditions as well. With the combined efforts of the two universities, researchers have developed a biosensing tattoo using DermalAbyss ink that changes color in response to things like blood sugar levels. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces DermalAbyss ink is also able to keep track of pH levels, as well as sodium and glucose in your bloodstream. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces Too much glucose in your system, for example, results in the tattoo turning brown, while too much sodium will turn the body art green. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces <div class="llcust" data-lltype="media" id="ll_59448febcc12d" data-source=" And if you’re experiencing a change in your body’s pH levels, your tattoo will change to shades of purple or pink. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces <div class="llcust" data-lltype="media" id="ll_59448febcc333" data-source=" The ink is so sensitive, in fact, that it monitors your interstitial fluids down to the lining of the cells. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces <div class="llcust" data-lltype="media" id="ll_59448febcc519" data-source=" The ink has only been tested on pig skin and human trials are pending. Vimeo / fluidinterfaces <div class="llcust" data-lltype="video" id="ll_59448febcc73e" data-source=" Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/sugar-level-tattoos/
Foxes known for getting stuck in all kinds of weird places, and the young fox in the video below is no different. He was exploring the space in the office roof when he fell down. After his tumble, he ended up stuck in a wall behind a coffee machine. The workers in the office noticed their coffee machine wasn’t working, but they had no clue what the real reason for what was. They never expected to find an itty bitty fox in the wall. But when they spotted the little guy, they called Simon from Wildlife Aid Foundation who came and saved the day. (Source: Wildlife Aid) Simon has such a calming voice. No wonder the fox was so docile. Read more: http://viralnova.com/fox-coffee-machine/
Jessica Alba is a mom, an investor, actress and yes, a Windows Phone 8 user. Alba joins singer Gwen Stefani in a celeb-laden pitch for Windows Phone 8. The ads present the celebs as busy multitaskers who use the devices to organize their lives. Alba, for instance, uses her phone to get recipes for breakfast and schedule events for her daughters. Stefani uses Office on hers to keep track of new lyrics and to Skype her family from the road. The ads, breaking Wednesday night to support the launch of the Nokia Lumia 920, will be followed by others featuring Andy Samberg and Cam Newton. Microsoft isn’t the only mobile player to tap celebs to promote its devices. Samsung has employed LeBron James and James Franco to pitch the Galaxy Note II and the Galaxy 10.1, respectively, in very similar day-in-the-life ads. Perhaps its working. Samsung’s smarthphones are far outselling Apple’s iPhones these days even though Apple has itself used Martin Scorcese, John Malkovich and Zooey Deschanel, among others, to promote the iPhone. Bonus Gallery: Lumia 920 Low-Light Photos Nokia Lumia 920 Low-Light Photos Great in Low Light All of the photos in this gallery were taken using the automatic settings in the Lumia 920 at night. Palm Tree Details in this palm tree look great, with virtually no blur, even though the photo was taken at night. Street Sign Subway Station Often dark in photographs, the subway station in San Francisco looks clear and well lit in this photo. Pineapples This fruit was located at an outside market at night with minimal lighting. Avocado Tomatoes Limes Lemons Streetscape The Lumia 920 seemed to have trouble with this shot, losing the details in the trees while brightening the photo at bit overall. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/11/14/jessica-alba-gwen-stefani-windows-phone-8-ads/
Ever since Taylor Swift hit the scene, it’s never been easier to break up with someone. Just hit the play button on any of her recent tracks and your significant other will know that you are never ever getting back together. Not only does she kiss and tell, but she sings it from the rooftop if you do her wrong. But can the ultimate breakup gal help you start your own love story? This fan put Swift’s lyrics to the test and found that in real life, baby doesn’t just say yes and you don’t belong together. And if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again — just like this charmingly awkward guy. And if you still can’t find romance, you and Taylor can share teardrops over her guitar. Viral Photo Gallery 7 Fake Hurricane Sandy Photos You’re Sharing on Social Media Fake Hurricane Sandy photos flew around Twitter and Facebook on Monday, as users shared jaw-dropping images. Unfortunately, the race to post the most striking pics has most folks skipping the all-important fact check. We’ve gathered up five “Hurricane Sandy” photographs that have spread on the social web, but weren’t actually taken during the massive storm. Obama and Romney Are Your New Dress Up Dolls Still not sure who to vote for? Or maybe you’re dead-set on a candidate, and simply waiting for Election Day next week. Regardless of who you’re voting for on Nov. 6, both of these presidential candidates could use some change — of outfits, that is. The websites Change4Obama and Change4Romney will keep voters entertained until the election. Both sites, created by social discovery site SocialPlex, allow users to dress up Barack Obama or Mitt Romney as various characters. You can mix and match features like hair, eyes, nose and outfits. Your Favorite Logos Reimagined for the Zombie Apocalypse [PICS] There seems to be a craze for reimagining top logos and since this is Halloween, why not rethink them for a zombie apocalypse, right? Assuming that event were to come to pass, here’s what your neighborhood Starbucks and the gas station down the street might look like, as envisioned by artist Ben Fellowes. For more of these horrifying logos, check out his site. New York City Subway Needs a ‘System Restore’ [PIC] Yes, crashed Windows OS, we know the New York City subway system was unable to restart after Hurricane Sandy. And, yes, we would love to run a system restore. After Sandy ravaged the East Coast Monday evening, the subway system in New York City was left crippled. Not immune to inclement weather, the Windows-based display above the 77th Street subway stop seemed to have hit a snag as well. ‘The Walking Dead’ Gets ‘Dear Photograph’ Treatment [PICS] Dear Photograph, a popular nostalgia blog showcasing photos within photos, gave its visitors a terrifying surprise Wednesday: The Walking Dead-inspired posts. Dear Photograph creator Taylor Jones told Mashable he teamed up with FOX International Channels on the Halloween Day images, which folks at The […]
