8.31.2016

Unique, Geeky Goods from Calamityware

This post has been long in coming, but I promise this is something good.

As you know, I'm a sucker for geeky knickknacks and am always on the look-out for things that are fun and unique. I also love things that are subtle, that prompt a second look.

So when I saw Megan (the Nerdy Girlie) instagram her Things Could be Worse Calamityware mug, I was smitten! I love that it looks like classic porcelain, but if you take a good look at the design, you can spot dinosaurs, monsters, UFOs, and more!



You can imagine how excited I was when Calamityware contacted me and asked if I was interested in posting about their products. Spoiler, I said yes!

(Disclaimer: Calamityware sent me some items in exchange for a blog post about them.)


Earlier this summer, they sent me 2 things. The first is part of the product line that gave Calamityware their start: a porcelain plate featuring a monstrous surprise in its design.


This is Calamityware Plate 7: Tentacles. I love how from afar it looks like regular fine china, but up close, it is filled with awesome little details.


I mean look at those tentacles, that man running away across the bridge, the chill black cat. The border pattern is just gorgeous. And yes, these are actual dinner plates. You can eat off of them or display them.


Also, you may have noticed this is Plate 7, and that's because it's part of an entire series of plates featuring different calamities - pirates, volcanoes, giant robots, and plenty more. In fact, one of their newest plate designs features a plague of frogs. Ribbit.



The other item Calamityware sent me was something you might recall seeing if you follow me on Instagram. It's the BADbandana 3: Spirited Bones!

A photo posted by alice (@akangaru) on


The Sister instantly picked out this dancing skeleton print when I showed her the different styles of BADbandanas that Calamityware offers, and I have to say these bones are even more delightful in person and up close. Again, the design is so detailed and whimsical. I love that there are animal and monster skeletons enjoying the festivities too! It makes any outfit just a little more awesome.


The squares are large, and while the fabric is a little rough when it's brand new, a few washes softens it up nicely. The bandanas also come in packs of 3! So you can get 3 of the same design or a mixed design pack. And 3 bandanas means everyone in the family can have one to rock.



So, if you liked any of these items, check out Calamityware for more products with quirky, unique art. I think they even have a sea monster shower curtain on the way! Basically, when the time comes for me to shop for a nice set of dinner plates, I know where to look for ones with personality.


Hope you enjoyed this little feature on a small business putting silly and adorable art into the world!

Q4U: What do you think of these designs? Would you buy a set of calamitous dinner plates?

8.09.2016

Currently... (21)


"Currently..." updates will be every 2 weeks or so. Going to try to update on Tuesdays when Katy Upperman posts hers.

I found the Currently post at Kate Hart's blog, who got the idea from Amy Lukavics, who found it here. Please join in and link me in the comments if you do!


This is going to be a long one because I missed all of June and July!! Yikes!


LOVING

My girl gang. If you follow me on Instagram, you know it's been a whirlwind since the end of May. I've gone on a few adventures with my best gal pals - namely, New Orleans and Comic-Con!

  • NOLA - my first time in New Orleans and in the South. This was also a really spontaneous girls trip. We got caught in thundershowers, visited a gorgeous swamp and plantation, had my fortune told, ate our weight in delicious food, met up with one of my oldest blogging friends, and beignet every day.






  • SDCC 2016 - met up with so many friends at the con this year. Did 2 days of cosplay, one of which was a group one with my gals. Did the Hall H thing with relatively little drama, got donuts from Bryan Fuller while in land, and got a new wand (Newt Scamanader's!) for swag. OMG, and there were Hamilton coplayers!!


ConSquad the sequel

A photo posted by alice (@akangaru) on









Adventures at home - 4th of July fireworks! Outlander costume exhibit! Movies at the beach! Loki swimming!!

A video posted by Loki (@dogdaysofloki) on


READING
  • The Cursed Child (just finished) - I don't know how I feel about it being the next bit of HP canon, but I enjoyed it for what it was. Wish the plot hadn't been so grand because the quieter, character thematic parts of the play were probably what I liked best.
  • Jellicoe Road - I'm finally reading this!!
  • This Savage Song
  • Various Tarot Books

WATCHING
  • The Olympics!
  • Suicide Squad (recently) - I wanted this to be good so badly. Was I entertained? Sometimes, but honestly, I can't say because I left this movie feeling so much frustration that I can't honestly say my experience was good.
  • Mr. Robot - so good. Seeing their presence in SD was one of the highlights of this Comic-Con.
A photo posted by Catherine (@catherine) on

  • UnReal - the season finale was last night and OH. MY. GOD. I love this show. Seriously, if you haven't tried this show, do it.
  • The Night Of - we just started this, and it is so stressful. It's about a guy who may or may not have committed a crime & the workings of the justice system starting from the night of the crime.

LISTENING

The Black Tapes podcast - to give me another creepy/intriguing thing to listen to other than LORE, I started The Black Tapes podcast in June and basically binge-listening to the entire first season. I'm all caught up with Season 2, and I am so obsessed! It's like Serial + LORE + supernatural mystery.


ANTICIPATING
  • My birthday! Starting today, it is the last week of my 20s. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??!
  • 2017 when a bunch of my writer-Twitter friends are going to have books out!!

WISHING

Teleportation was real so I can hang out with people who don't live near me! This desire is worse now because I've been spoiled by being able to meet up with online friends pretty often recently thanks to mutual traveling and things like Comic Con.



THINKING ABOUT

How much has changed in just this last year - like Hamilton! It is such a huge deal now. They've won 11 Tonys. They just celebrated their 1-year anniversary of their debut on Broadway, and so many of the original main Broadway cast has departed the show. This all blows my mind because it has only been a little over a year since this thing came into my life and changed it.

A photo posted by alice (@akangaru) on


There have been some other life things happening personally and with friends and family too. I've been to spin class (who am I?), had my tarot read, built my first major costume prop (Rey's staff), and inadvertently cosplayed at SDCC.



MAKING ME HAPPY
  • Summer! Ice cream, sunshine, bright colors, and unicorn floaties.

A photo posted by alice (@threadedpages) on
  • Flight of the Conchords concert
  • Learning the tarot - basically, a psychic in New Orleans was convinced I have untapped spiritual powers. So I'm trying to unlock them. Wish me luck. ;)
  • Hammer + Sarah time!
  • Celebrating nerdy things in nerdy ways - like all of Comic Con and midnight book release parties for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

A photo posted by alice (@akangaru) on


What's up with you?