What Are You Now?! Astrology Signs are Changing.

January 14th, 2011 by Ashley

There has been a recent uproar in the news that astrology signs are not actually what we believe them to be. As a non-astrology believer, I still find the change fascinating. According to syracuse.com, Western astrology need not fear, because it is based on equinoxes, so we inevitably remain what we have always considered ourselves to be. But is it the right way?

Astrology began 3,000 years ago; however, gradual changes in the Earth’s alignment have possibly changed zodiac signs, according to NBC. Apparently, scientists have known about this change since 500 B.C.

In addition to the shift in the calendar, a thirteenth sign has also been added to the new table: Ophiuchus, for those born after 2009.

For your despair/benefit/amusement, here is the new Zodiac chart:

Capricorn: January 20 to February 16
Aquarius: February 16 to March 11
Pisces: March 11 to April 18
Aries: April 18 to May 13
Taurus: May 13 to June 21
Gemini: June 21 to July 20
Cancer: July 20 to August 10
Leo: August 10 to September 16
Virgo: September 16 to October 30
Libra: October 30 to November 23
Scorpio: November 23 to November 29
Ophiuchus: November 29 to December 17
Sagittarius: December 17 to January 20

The potential questions to ask yourself are: what will you consider yourself to be; what calendar will you choose to adhere to, if any? Perhaps the use of one of our calendars will help you to determine. Do we fulfill our astrological signs, or do they fulfill us? How interesting would it be to track, in detail, your life for a year in a planner or journal (because they have ample space) and then try to relate yourself to the astrological signs assigned to your date of birth?

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Holiday Treats with a Twist

December 17th, 2010 by Ashley

During the holiday shopping craze (seeing as we only have 7 more days of shopping left), we must not forget about the food. Sure, there is no rush on turkeys, but chocolate chips are sure to be flying off of the shelves. And, who does not love to indulge in goodies with their loves ones during the holiday season?! With this in mind, quite frankly I am tired of the old traditional treats. But, I still love the flavors of the season. Oh, the dilemma. Hence, my challenge to myself was to come up with a solution, and pumpkin pie brownies were my answer:

Pumpkin, being one of my favorite foods, needed a new twist in my kitchen this season. I always make your standard pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bread and pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin pie.. frankly, I was bored with my options. What better way to spruce up my favorite holiday food with ooey gooey chocolatey goodness?! This dessert is a layer of pumpkin chocolate brownie (which is quite good on its own) and a thin layer of pumpkin pie on top. Have fun with this one! (it’s impressive and super easy to make). P.S. they are vegan!!!!

PUMPKIN PIE BROWNIES

Brownie Layer

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted
  • 1/2 of a 15 oz. can of pumpkin, or 7.5 oz pureed pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Pumpkin Pie Layer

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 of a 15 oz can of pumpkin or 7.5 oz pureed pumpkin
  •  2 tbsp cornstrach
  • 1/2 cup vanilla or plain almond milk (or soy)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • pinch of allspice (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 inch springform pan (or a 8 or 9 inch square pan, or even a pie tin will work too, but be sure to line with parchement paper for easy removal later)

For the brownie layer:

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. I use a medium sized pot filled about half way with water and a large metal bowl for my “double boiler.” You want to make sure the water does not come in contact with the bowl, only the steam. Heat the water on med-high – do not boil. Place the chocolate chips in the metal bowl and place the bowl over the hot water. Watch carefully and be sure not to burn the chocolate. It will be done when there are no chunks of chocolate left.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, oil and vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Pour in the melted chocolate and stir until just incorporated. Do not overmix!

For the pumpkin pie layer:

Place all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.

For the assembly:

 Pour the brownie batter into the pan. Use a spatula to evenly spread out the brownie layer. Gently pour the pumpkin pie layer over the top of the brownie batter (note: the pumpkin layer will be quite liquidy). Bake for approx. 40 minutes or until the pumpkin layer looks relatively set (jiggly is ok, runny is not). Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes. Transfer to the fridge and let chill for 1 1/2 hours. Enjoy!!

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Holiday Stress Getting You Down?

December 10th, 2010 by Ashley

It is that time of year again, where people are busy busy busy. I know I sometimes lose sight of what this time of year should feel like and signify. For me, on a Friday afternoon, I just want some fun and family.  Simply put, I am going to have an Elf-ishly good time using the program elf yourself with photos of my family and I. Yes, it is exactly how it sounds – you can place your photo along with photos of others, on elf bodies. On top of that, the bodies sign and dance. Oh yes, it gets even better, you can send your personalized elf video to your friends and family for their amusement.

So, If you are feeling bogged down with stress, remember to laugh and make time for fun and family, whether direct of indirect. It is nice to know that someone out there is thinking of you, and these videos are little reminders of that. If you are feeling overwhelmed with all that is going on around you, try to get organized and make sure to make time for fun. Some of our organizational planners and calendars may just be the perfect item for you to spoil yourself with this holiday year, or a special woman as busy as you.

Oh, and did I forget to mention, you can even ELF your pet?!

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Pin-Ups Say Cheese

September 28th, 2010 by admin

Four years ago, France started a revolution (no, not that one).  The traditional cheese association of France (Association Fromages de Terrroirs) wanted to boost raw cheese consumption because it was coming in second to over-processed supermarket cheese.

So they brought in the big guns – not the military, not the French equivalent of Sterling Cooper Draper Price, not a renowned cheese artisan. They brought in…

Fromgirl Pin Ups
Ooh la la. Saucy calendar girls posing with the biggest blocks of brie anyone has ever seen – it’s so hot you’ll wonder why the cheese doesn’t melt.

And it worked.  Traditional cheese consumption has perked up.  Hooray! Now if we could only do the same thing for brussel sprouts and green beans.

The pin ups  are named after the cheese they pose with – Roxane Cantale, Adele Pont L’eveque, Juliette Comte, Geraldine Gruyere, and Barbara Munster. Despite all the cheesiness, the calendars are tastefully done, visually stunning, and loads of fromgirl fun. We can’t wait until their 2011 calendar is released.

According to Rueters, the calendar “strives to smash the unflattering stereotype of the frumpy French farm wife.” Done and done. These aren’t even pin up models – they’re regular girls who just like cheese.

If you prefer pin ups sans cheese, check out our Pin Up Girls Calendar by Gil Elvgren.  And if you want to take a look at another calendar making waves, peruse our post on Morman calendars.

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8 Things I Learned in Photography Class

September 24th, 2010 by admin

I took my first (and only) photography in high school. I thought it would be glamorous to always have a camera slung around my neck, snapping artsy shots and then developing them in my home dark room (which did not exist), entering them into local contests, publishing them in journals, etc. I do not think I was the only 17-year-old to have had this dream.

Needless to say, years later I am not glamorous nor artsy, and I still do not have a dark room or art studio at my disposal. However, I did take away a few photography tips that have stuck with me over time. Turns out they do create beautiful images.

8 Steps to Picture-Perfect Pictures

1. Always have your camera. Bringing your camera to special events and momentous occasions is a given. But it’s those of us who always have a camera, even if it’s just a dinky point-and-shoot, that capture those every-day candid moments that are truly sensational.

girl with camera

Step 1: Always bring your camera

2. It’s all about the light, baby. Light can make or break any picture. Sometimes it’s the way a shot is lit that will catch your eye in the first place, but other times you need to tease it out of a shot. If you see a place you’d like to photograph, stick around until the light is just right, or come back later.
Note: Good light does not necessarily mean bright sun. Overcast days can make for beautiful portraits.

Portrait on overcast day

Step 2: Find the light that works

3. Find a pretty pattern. Simple objects can be made striking when there are enough to make a repetitive pattern.

Racks of bracelets

Step 3: Lots of anything can be beautiful

4. Try a new point of view. The photographers you know and love are famous because they can think outside of the box. They know how to make even the most mundane item look interesting. They create intrigue simply by choosing a perspective that you wouldn’t have thought of.

aerial point of view

Step 4: Try a new point of view

5. Flip your camera to vertical. Unless it’s taking a picture of a tall person, point-and-shoot novices (like most of us) are accustomed to keeping our images horizontal. It just seems more natural.

Something as simple as turning your camera up on its end can create a picture fit for a pro.

Mountain village

Step 5: Try the shot vertical

6. Don’t put everything in the middle. It’s a rookie mistake – centering the subject of your photograph. Sometimes this can be a perfectly decent approach, but variety is the spice of life. Shift your focus so that the main action lies off center and you’ll look that photography pro you’ve always wanted to be.

Rabbit in snow

Step 6: Even the subject slightly off center is enough to create an interesting picture

7. Keep it simple, stupid. A too-busy background will detract from the beauty of your shot. Sometimes the busy background is part of the intrigue, but on occasion try picking something plain and stark so that the focus is honed in right where it’s supposed to be.

girl in coffee shop

Step 7: A plain background will bring the focus to your subject

8. Catch ‘em off guard. Candid shots are always – ALWAYS – more special than posed ones. There’s a time and a place for everything, but chances are it is the pictures where no one is looking at the camera that are the best.

group of friends laughing

Step 8: Candid shots are the most natural - and therefore the most special

These are the eight tips I swear by. What are yours? Comment below!

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