'How Jeans Conquered the World'

I found a really fun and informative article on denim jeans. Did you know that they were 'first designed as workwear for laborers on the farms and mine of America's Western states in the late 19th Century'? Boy, have they come a long way!

Enjoy!

Read the story HERE


-Stephanie

To Eat or Not to Eat Meat

It began with an inspiring article on Veganism and ended with a craving.

Yes, I must admit the story about cows being frightened by the sounds of a slaughter house and trying to back up, but not having a choice but to continue on really broke my heart. That was it. I was done eating meat. How could we as living animals shut our minds off to the feelings of other animals? Well, if you were to ask my husband, he would tell you "Good for us! We found a way to mass produce food and took advantage." I heard that and thought 'that's a valid point.' It was obvious at that moment that I could be easily swayed.

It's part of who I am and love to be -- a person who can see all views. Not a promising quality for a vegetarian.

Throughout my two and 1/2 months as a vegetarian, I became quite the chef (or at least I like to think so). It started with a bland cauliflower soup (lesson learned: always cut the recipe when trying it for the first time). From there, I tried spinach and artichoke lasagna and black bean soup. It was just all lacking something.... something hearty and filling. It lacked meat!

It came to a point where my desperate feelings for cattle and chickens had faded. I do feel for them, but to be blunt, I just don't care enough. It's feels terrible to admit. I'm an omnivore.

Research also helped sway my decision. Vegans and Vegetarians have so many videos and blogs to back up their beliefs and at first it was difficult to find anybody rooting for meat. I spoke with a friend, who was 100% behind me when it came to my feelings for animals, but when I mentioned the belief that we were never meant to eat meat, she did a 180. I did more research and found information about human organs, teeth, etc. and how we are omnivores because of our capabilities to digest meat as well and fruits and veggies.

At the core of the debate, it doesn't matter who is right or wrong. We have the ability to choose, and that's wonderful because we are such thought-filled creatures and rarely prefer to rely on our natural instincts.

One good thing that has come from my short-lived vegetarianism is the amount of meat vs the amount of fruits and vegetables I now consume. Meat really doesn't have the same appeal to me any longer, but when my mother-in-law makes that delicious beef stew, or I come home to smell that my husband has breaded and baked some pork chops, I no longer have that awful internal struggle. Call me weak if you wish, but damn does it taste good!

-Julia

Giant knit sweaters and some platform shoes?

I was taking a break from my day to spend a few minutes to browse some of my favorite clothing websites for outfit inspirations. "Just a look day" my grandmother would always say...Alright, it was more like and hour online and I was searching for any good sale. Any excuse to buy more clothes. Any reason to convince myself that I just could not say N-O to such cheap clothing!

I may have an illness.

But I digress.

I was visiting one of my go-to websites, that shall remain nameless, and stumbled upon these beauties.

Go ahead. Take your time. Soak it in...

I'm almost speechless about some of these outfits. Almost.

At first I thought, "This is a joke, right?" But no, they are real and they are really for sale. Who in the world is looking online and saying OMG, just what I've been searching for. I need that giant vintage tea cup sweater. And look! It's on sale of only $149. I'm going to wear with my new platform shoes and not wash my hair for a week! 

That's right, $149. And the 'vintage' Missoni sweater is only a measly $299.99 (plus tax and shipping). But it's on sale! 

My second thought was, who on God's blessed earth would spend money on this junk?

My third thought was, when did I get to the age where I'm saying stuff like this? 

Some new fashion I can deal with and I'd even go as far to say that I like it. I won't wear it, but I like it. The day I see someone walking around with an uneven giant white smiley face T-shirt 'dress'... Well I just don't know what I'm going to do! Kids these days.

-Stephanie

Q & A with Stephanie Makosky

Refreshing photographer and passionate professor as well as fellow Two Birds blogger, Stephanie Makosky shares a glimpse into her life.

Q: Tell me something you love about yourself.

Stephanie: I like to think that I am willing to try almost anything {laughs}. I’m adventurous – like I can pack up and move tomorrow if that’s what I feel like doing. I’m not afraid to take a big leap.

Q: What are your current career goals?

Stephanie: I would like to develop a nice freelance career. I would also like to continue teaching. In the near future I hope to either become a full-time professor or continue in the journalism industry full-time.

Q: What are your favorite scenarios for taking photos?

Stephanie: It depends on what hat I’m wearing that day. If I’m doing a child portrait, it’s great when the kid cooperates and I get that priceless smile or personality. I love when parents say ‘that’s so him’ or ‘that’s so her.’ If I’m covering a major event, I love [taking in] the general feeling and energy of the event. I also love the rush of deadlines.  

Q: What inspires you? In what ways?

Stephanie:Gosh, there is so much that inspires me that it’s hard to nail down. My husband. It sounds weird, but he really does. He inspires me to be a good person and kind and patient as a human, as a person. Career wise, visually just life. I love to experience life, meet people, hear intelligent stories.

Q: Describe what life was like growing up.

Stephanie: I had an interesting child hood. It was a lot of fun! I’d say it was different than some because my brother and I were with our parents all the time. I grew up on a drag strip, in a garage, by the pool, camping… I lived through my parents. I had a Grandmother that doted on me in ways I can’t even begin to explain. I feel I had a really lucky childhood; one of those where I grew up on a street with a bunch of kids of different ages and in summer you’d go out and wouldn’t come home until your mom yelled your name down the block. 

Q: Is that why you’re so adventurous?

Stephanie: No… I think I’m just a huge dreamer; I’m always thinking of what’s next. Aside from my mother, I had two other very strong-willed influences growing up – my grandmothers. One who always told me to be something, and the other lost her husband when mom was 16. My mother was a force to be reckoned with at home. I think it stems from that.

Q: Describe your ideal date.

Stephanie: {laughs} I haven’t had that many to know. It would be my husband; we would probably get dressed-up because I never get to. We would go somewhere great to eat and would have great food and great conversation. And maybe a walk for ice cream after.

Q: What do you love about marriage?

Stephanie: I love just having someone there – a teammate and a constant. Matt and I are always laughing, even when stressed and sad. There’s always someone there to pick you up – a team member in life. We love to go out and be full of life and have fun. There’s always something to do.
--Dislike?

Stephanie: I’m a private person, and sometimes I like to be alone. Sometimes we’re so in each other’s way, like if I need to use the bathroom and he gets in before I do. It takes a lot of patience, a lot of give and take and I can be a little selfish.

Q: Tell me about your hobbies.

Stephanie: I just learned to read {laughs}. No, I love to read and I’ve been reading a lot lately. It’s great at the end of the day to pick up a book and read. I like to the think I’m the next coming when it comes to playing guitar – I play classics on the weekend. I collect antique cameras; I love to go antique shopping. Anything crafty. I have a new hobby every week. I have a buttload of stamps that I don’t need.

Q: Describe your favorite season and why

Stephanie: Summer, definitely. Spring going into summer. Everything smells so great outside, flowers are in bloom and it gets dark late. It’s still bright at eight and warm. I love camp fires, love being outside all day. I love the feeling of sun on my skin; I don’t bathe in it, but just that warm feeling. I don’t like bugs though.

Q: What issues do you think as Americans we ignore too often?

Stephanie: I think we ignore each other. We as humans ignore each other. We live in a society where we build our own little world around us and don’t have to worry about what’s happening outside our doors. Whether it’s an individual needing help or a bigger issue like healthcare, it’s just so easy to only worry about yourself and that’s something that needs to change.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Stephanie: I love Julie.

Q & A with Julie Shulde

Who needs a formal introduction. Wanna-be Janet Jackson backup dancer, avid writer and coffee shop junkie, Two Birds blogger, Julie, gives us a glimpse into her honest and passionate approach to life by answering 10.5 questions. 

Q: What book did you just finish?

Julie: I most recently finished The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It was a challenging read, which was fun. However, it was tough to keep interested in at all times. The plot was really good and very intricate. Every little detail fit in with the other detail and it was just amazing. 

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

Julie: When I was a preteen, I wanted to be one of Janet Jackson's backup dancers! Honestly! When I got a little older, I became interested in poetry and reading. I knew then it was something I wanted to do.

Q: What is your biggest fear about someday becoming a mom? 

Julie: My biggest fear is… stress. No regrets, just stress. What if I feel the need to be alone? I don't want to be selfish and need to be alone all of the time. I know there is a healthy amount of alone time, but I don't want to feel like I need it. 

Q: Where are some of your favorite places to be?

Julie: One is definitely a coffee shop-- usually a hometown, local business kind of coffee shop. I love the smell and the atmosphere of people being vibrant and relaxed at the same time. Another place is simply being outside-- hiking, being out in a field, going for a stroll. I like anything that has to do with nature. It puts me in my best mindset.