You Might Hate Fruitcake, But We Promise That This One’s Different

Beautiful human and artist extraordinaire Christine H. McConnell is at it again with a new project, and this time, it’s delicious.

McConnell (previously here and here) is known for being one of those talented people who can create anything from holiday decor to elaborate costume designs. The artist’s pieces involving food are among her most popular, and for her latest project, she decided to turn fruitcake into something that we can all get behind with a far more literal take on the treat.

Ah, fruit. While it’s certainly pretty, I’d much rather eat my weight in cake.

And she totally feels me, since all of the gorgeous fruit in this basket is actually filled with frosting-covered goodness.

What I’m telling you is that she’s a gift.

McConnell calls it the April Fools’ Fruit Basket, and I’m pretty sure that this is a prank to which anyone would gladly fall victim.

I would love to leave this out on my kitchen counter to fool people into thinking that I’m juicing.

(via Reddit)

I don’t know about you, but if dieting looked more like this, I’d be a health and fitness guru. To learn more about Christine H. McConnell’s work, be sure to check out her website. Follow her on Instagram for regular updates!

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/april-fools-fruit/

Your Heart Will Break When You See What Years Of Neglect Did To This Bird

When we think about mental illness, we don’t often consider the fact that thousands of animals are forced to deal with anxiety and depression every single day. These creatures experience emotions just as deeply and intensely as we do, so it only makes sense that they’d develop psychological issues after enduring years of abuse and neglect.

One such animal is a sweet little cockatoo that now goes by the name of Javi. Her previous owners called her Hobby, and they treated her as such. This bird was seen as little more than a plaything for most of her life, which actually caused her to develop anxiety issues.

This is probably what you think of when a cockatoo is mentioned…

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But these beauties, along with other birds, often resort to a practice called “over-preening” when they feel chronically anxious.

Now going by Javi, the beautiful bird came to the sanctuary as Hobby. Born in 1996, the feathered friend was most likely treated like her namesake, which in turn caused her a great deal of stress.

Because of her constant anxiety, she over-preened to a drastic level…

But thanks to Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary, Javi is finally enjoying her brand-new life!

According to one adorable Facebook post, “She’s doing awesome! She’s a rockstar.” She’s since cut back on over-preening, but as far as feather regrowth, only time will tell. Even if her feathers don’t grow back, she will still be able to lead a healthy, happy life with the right care. In the meantime, she’ll be busy taking nice baths and snacking on some of her new favorite foods!

Watch Javi show off her dance moves in the video below:

We have decided to change Hobby's name to Javi, (pronounced "Ha vee") since no living being should be someone's hobby. She is becoming more confident and loves to explore as long as I'm close by.If anyone would like to donate for Javi's care as well as the others here in our care you can do so at our website www.tallgrassparrot.org

Posted by Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary, Inc on Sunday, October 11, 2015

(via The Dodo)

It’s pretty obvious that this cockatoo is in great hands, and that she’s finally getting the love and attention she deserves. If you want to learn more about Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary and find out what you can do to help, check out their website. You can also follow them on Facebook to keep up with Javi’s progress and learn about the rest of their amazing rescue stories!

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/heartwarming-bird-rescue/

What This Man Can Do Will Give You A Whole New Perspective On Finger Painting

Finger painting is something that most of us leave behind as soon as we fine-tune our motor skills. After all, painting ponies and rainbows is way easier with brushes, and as we get older, making messes becomes less and less entertaining by the day.

But for one digital artist, finger painting is the name of the game. Using nothing but an iPad and his own two hands, he creates hyperrealistic paintings that rival anything created with a brush.

The level of detail that Spanish artist Jaime Sanjuan achieves is incredible by anyone’s standards, but hearing about his technique makes his work even more impressive.

After earning a degree in fine arts, Sanjuan became deeply interested in the role of new technology in the creative process. The only problem was that most of his training was fairly traditional.

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The sad reality was that his schooling ultimately drained his bank account and robbed him of his ability to create. “When I finished my studies,” he writes, “the crisis began.”

In a cruel twist of fate, dedicating his life to an arts education forced him to leave his creativity behind for years. “I had no job, and I didn’t have enough money to rent a studio or buy painting materials. Because of that, I stopped painting for 4 years.”

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And the more you look at his work, the more tragic that seems. After he was given an iPad, however, his entire perspective on art changed.

“With the help of this tool, I don’t need a studio,” he writes, “and I don’t need to buy materials to create my paintings.” One seemingly small gift gave Sanjuan his creative life back.

(via BoredPanda)

While one could easily argue that technology sits at the helm of many social and cultural shortcomings, there’s something to be said for what one device did for an artist who was down on his luck. As such, Jaime Sanjuan wants to impart a bit of wisdom unto fellow artists who are stuck in a rut: “If you have a tablet or a smartphone, you have an entire studio in your pocket.”

To see more of Sanjuan’s work, be sure to visit his website. For regular updates, check him out on Facebook.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/digital-finger-painting/

Seconds Into This Time-Lapse Video Of Our Galaxy, Something Fascinating Happens

It’s easy to forget how small we are as we navigate the hustle and bustle of daily life. In fact, the phenomenon often surpasses ignorance of our minuteness and morphs into inflated egoism, but the second we peel our eyes away from our phone screens and cast our downward gazes up into space, this smallness becomes all too apparent.

Over the past few weeks, our galaxy has been making waves with stories of new celestial bodies and planetary alignments, and as such, our ignorant bliss has been interrupted in the best way. But if that doesn’t make you feel small, check out this time-lapse footage. About 11 seconds in, the video is punctuated by something incredible.

Although it’s by no means an unfamiliar phenomenon, the Aurora Borealis never fails to drive home the fact that our little planet is part of something immense. In the grand scheme of things, we might be tiny blips on the radar — but the fact that we’re privy to so much beauty makes our position feel pretty extraordinary.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/time-lapse-aurora/

While The World Is Fixated On Red Cups, This Girl Creates Starbucks Art

If you don’t live under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the bizarre controversy that Starbucks is dealing with right now. Everyone seems to have an opinion about those red cups, but while Internet commenters are duking it out on social media, one awesome young artist is busy turning Starbucks cups into vibrant works of art.

Let Carrah Aldridge help you take a break from all of that tension so you can go back to loving your favorite coffee chain.

It all starts with some simple supplies. To create these pieces, Aldridge uses white gel pens, Sharpies, and brightly colored Copic markers.

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And of course, she collects those iconic Starbucks cups.

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Rather than cover up the Starbucks logo, she incorporates the ubiquitous mermaid into her designs.

I got the center all colored 😅💕

A photo posted by Carrah Aldridge (@creative_carrah) on May 2, 2015 at 2:45pm PDT

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This gorgeous blue creation is by far her most popular cup, and it now has almost 13,000 likes on Instagram!

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Even though some have more likes than others on social media, there’s no denying that the entire collection is absolutely stunning.

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The modest artist says that this black-and-white design isn’t “half bad,” but I think we all know how incredible it is. How cool would this look on a travel mug?

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And she doesn’t limit her creativity to one particular style. For this cup, she decided to pay homage to YouTuber Markiplier, who often creates characters of his own.

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It’s always cool to see how artists work. Luckily for us, Aldridge shares progress updates on Instagram. Amazing, isn’t it?

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As the battle wages on between those who like the plain red cups and those who don’t, Carrah Aldridge has one simple mission: to make Starbucks cups into something everyone can love.

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(via Bored Panda)

It’s nice to see something upbeat and positive floating around online for a change! Judging by her posts on social media, this young artist just wants to create beautiful work and spread a little bit of happiness to everyone who visits her page.

To see more of Aldridge’s work, be sure to follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/starbucks-cup-art/

15 Beauty Tips That Will Make Your Routine Easier, Faster, And Less Expensive

Makeup is the best, isn’t it? Unlike clothes, lipstick will never make you look as bloated as you feel, and eyeshadow will never remind you of the waking nightmare that is trying on jeans.

You know what isn’t the best? Spending an exorbitant amount of money on said makeup and not getting the results you want anyway. Luckily, the Internet — and my own expensive, expensive experiences — are here to help. These simple tips, tricks, and money-saving hacks will protect your face and your bank account from a world of hurt.

1. Use translucent powder to elongate your lashes.

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If you don’t have an extra $50 in your budget for some insane new mascara, grab a cotton swab and your favorite translucent setting powder. Dampen the cotton swab ever so slightly, pick up some powder with it, and dab it along the tips of your lashes. Apply mascara immediately after that. All you have left to do now is brag to no end.

2. Fix lipstick mistakes with concealer.

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One second, you’re applying your favorite matte lipstick, and the next, you’re wondering why you didn’t learn to color inside the lines years ago. We’ve all been there. To cover up a little bit of rogue lipstick without completely starting over and cursing the day you were born, put concealer that matches your skin tone on a precision brush, trace around your lip line, and act like it never happened.

3. Bring thin hair to life with some lemon and aloe.

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Add a bit of lemon juice and aloe vera to your regular shampoo, wash hair, condition, style, and sashay around all day with your newfound volume.

4. Use activated charcoal to whiten teeth.

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It’s easy to find activated charcoal in caplet form, so buy a bottle and bust a caplet open when your teeth need a little pick-me-up. With a toothbrush that you don’t really care about, pick up some of the activated charcoal and brush away. I wouldn’t recommend doing this for any extended period of time, but doing it once a day for a few days in a row should be enough to make a difference! Follow up with a rinse or a regular brushing session so you don’t look like a black-toothed crazy person.

5. Stop spending $20 on lip scrub and make your own.

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Lip scrub is perhaps the biggest waste of money that the beauty industry has to offer. To prep your pout for lipstick, add some sugar, salt, or even baking soda to a teaspoon of honey, mix, and rub on lips as you would with any other scrub. It might not smell like cotton candy or anything, but it will do the job.

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6. Give any lipstick a matte finish with translucent powder and a tissue.

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Don’t be like me and buy your favorite shades of lipstick in every finish under the sun. Just don’t. A great way to give your favorite glossy lipstick a matte finish is to lay a tissue over your lips, pick up some translucent setting powder with a fluffy brush, and dust it onto your lips through the tissue.

7. Grow your lashes naturally with a few simple ingredients.

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If your lashes need a little help in the volume department, this concoction should help. Mix a few drops of castor oil, vitamin E oil, and aloe gel together to create a natural lash serum that you can apply to the base of your lashes every night before bed. A great way to store it is to thoroughly clean an empty nail polish bottle and brush so that you can apply the serum that way. Keeping it in a little tub and using a thin eyeliner brush works, too!

8. Sick of patchy, sparse brows? Use henna to fill them in.

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If there’s one part of the beauty routine that gets old real quick, it’s filling in brows. If you want to avoid having to do that every day without committing to eyebrow tattoos, grab a henna kit in the color that best suits your brows. Follow the instructions on the box, distribute the ink evenly throughout the brow, let it set, and rinse away. You could also do this with hair dye, but because henna is meant to be used on skin, the ingredients aren’t nearly as harsh.

9. Let coconut oil save you tons of money on makeup remover.

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Shelling out cash on makeup remover every few weeks is a drag, so opt for some coconut oil instead. Scoop out a tiny amount, warm it up in your hands to liquify it, and pick it up with a tissue or cotton pad. The coconut oil will break down stubborn eye makeup and liquid lipsticks that won’t seem to budge. One jar should last you a few months, so you’ll save money, and you’ll avoid putting more chemicals on your face.

10. Clean makeup brushes with baby shampoo.

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Have you ever walked around Ulta and wondered why you apparently have to refinance your house to afford brush cleaner? Same. Just use baby shampoo instead. It’s cheap, it’s gentle, and it lasts way longer.

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11. Kick it old school when applying shimmery eyeshadow.

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You’ve spent a small fortune on amazing makeup brushes, but you can’t seem to pick up enough pigment when using shimmery eyeshadow. The solution? Relive seventh grade and use your finger. It might seem like a weird thing to do as a fully grown human being, but you’ll get way more color payoff if you ditch the brush.

12. Get two foundations for the price of one by adding facial oil to the mix.

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Our skin has different needs depending on the season, but buying a bunch of different foundations to accommodate those needs is never fun. If you have a matte foundation that you love to use in the summer, but it’s typically too drying to use in the winter, add one or two drops of your favorite facial oil before you apply it! It’ll add a little extra moisture without changing the pigmentation. If you want to go for sheer coverage, add a few more drops to make your foundation behave like a BB cream.

13. Pump up the power of your lash curler with a little heat.

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Eyelash curlers might look like torture devices, but they usually get the job done. If you’re still not getting enough oomph out of your eyelash curler, heat it up for a few seconds with your hairdryer. Don’t go crazy, though. A little bit of warmth goes a long way.

14. Do your under-eye bags have zero chill? Calm them down with some chamomile tea.

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Concealer is great and all, but if you really want to take care of dark circles and bags, run some chamomile tea bags under cold water and let them hang out on your under-eye luggage for a few minutes.

15. If your lips are naturally pigmented and they screw with your lipstick shades, grab some concealer.

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Listen. I love a good vampy lipstick, but what I don’t love is the fact that my lips are naturally very pigmented and turn even my lightest, most natural shades into something Morticia would love. If you’re in the same boat, all you have to do is pat some concealer onto your lips before you apply lipstick and liner. The ones that come in little tubs are typically too thick for this purpose, so stick to lighter formulas.

The only thing better than putting on some makeup and generally killing it is taking a few shortcuts along the way. While it’s easy to go into Sephora and deplete your future child’s college fund with reckless abandon, there are great ways to achieve the looks you want without going into crippling debt.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/simple-beauty-tips/

What This Barista Creates Will Make You Want To Hold Off On Drinking That Coffee

Latte art is nothing new to the barista scene, and if you love frequenting boutique coffee shops in your city, you’ve probably watched as your favorite coffee connoisseur elevated your latte with a flick of the wrist.

While swans and hearts are impressive when you consider the medium, Melannie Aquino‘s take on the trend isn’t your average approach to latte art. After watching a friend draw intricate designs on cups of hot chocolate one day, Aquino decided to give it a go. Her first attempts were a little shaky, but after four years of hard work replete with countless trials and subsequent errors, she developed a style that’s as adorable as it is impressive.

In five minutes or less, the San Francisco-based creator turns simple lattes into works of art that are too pretty to drink without a twinge of guilt.

“I begin by pouring milk into a shot of espresso,” she explained to BoredPanda. “I use a spoon to manipulate the foam into the shape of what I want to draw.”

In her words, “You need a marriage of the perfect espresso and microfoam in order to get the right contrast and bring out the little details.”

She does intricate line work with chocolate and uses contrasting colors and textures in her favor.

The resulting pieces are beautiful, whimsical, and totally delicious.

“The reactions on customers’ faces are the most rewarding parts of my job,” she writes. “A lot of people become regulars and it pushes me to do different designs and to do better.”

As you can imagine, her unique approach to the craft has successfully set her apart from the rest, and it’s garnered quite a bit of attention online.

She sketches and paints from time to time, but as she explained to Mashable, “I don’t really have aspirations in pursuing art outside the realm of latte art.” That being said, she does have a coffee table book in the works that will bring her creations in front of an even larger audience.

For a little glimpse into her process, check out the videos below!

Still can’t get enough? Be sure to follow Melannie Aquino on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates!

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/latte-art/

These Bizarre Atlases Beautifully Map Out The World’s Darkness

When it comes to tracking down engaging reading material, atlases typically don’t make the cut.

Designed with functionality in mind, these works are more likely to familiarize you with the topography of Yellowstone National Park than they are to stir up deeply unsettling feelings about the world around you — until now, that is.

Olivier Le Carrer’s “Atlas of Cursed Places” and Aude de Tocqueville’s “Atlas of Lost Cities” — both published by Hachette Book Group — effectively turn the form on its head. By rejecting the conventions of the typical atlas, they provide readers with glimpses into some of the darkest places on Earth. Those insights are at once practical and chilling.

Le Carrer’s “Atlas of Cursed Places” — a New York Times best seller — takes readers on guided tours through cities around the world that are marred with the scars of devastation and chaos.

The author focuses on plagued locations that fall into one or more of these three categories: those with ties to a mystical order, those that are rendered uninhabitable by human interference, and those that are hotbeds of paranormal activity.

Vintage maps make the page-turning experience as beautiful as it is haunting.

From villages that are buried by sand each year to homes with histories that are almost too horrific to imagine, this atlas is filled to the brim with oft-forgotten locales.

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The book forces us to confront the corners of the Earth that make us uncomfortable — the ones that we’d much rather send back into the recesses of our minds.

But it’s that exact feeling that sends it flying off the shelves. We’re fascinated by darkness, and this atlas serves as a vehicle that deftly steers us straight into the abyss.

And its new sister, Aude de Tocqueville’s “Atlas of Lost Cities,” taps into that flair for obscurity from an equally engaging angle.

From the doomed city of Pompeii to the tourist town of Epecuen that was swallowed by raging waters, the author leaves no stone unturned as she explores the rise and fall of ill-fated territories all over the world.

By highlighting the mortality of these cities, Aude de Tocqueville gives us an opportunity to consider the course of human history from an intriguing new vantage point — one that factors in the Earth’s role in dismantling what mankind worked so hard to create.

“Atlas of Lost Cities” goes on sale today, so be sure to pick up a copy for yourself on Amazon. If you’re fascinated by the world’s untold stories, it’s a purchase you certainly won’t regret.

You can also pick up Olivier Le Carrer’s “Atlas of Cursed Places” here. To learn more about what Hachette Book Group has to offer, be sure to visit their website and follow them on Facebook.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/creepy-atlases/

19 People Who Need To Leave Pinterest Behind Forever

There are plenty of F-words associated with recreating Pinterest projects.

Aside from the one we all start screaming when we screw up yet another batch of cupcakes, these come to mind: fun and failure. If you’re anything like me, your attempts at cranking out holiday-themed sweets and adorable scrapbooking feats often take a sharp left into crazy town before all is said and done.

These 20 people need to close that Pinterest window and back away slowly.

1. Ah, Samoas. They are the undisputed champions of Girl Scout cookies.

Just kidding. Dispute away.

2. This balloon bowl is a Pinterest classic.

And it should be left to the professionals.

3. What better way to start the day than with some adorable bunny pancakes?

Based on this abysmal failure, literally any other way would be better.

4. Everyone loves a good antique piece…

…unless it looks like this.

5. Pinterest crafters know that all bets are off when cupcakes are involved.

I would like to present this tragedy as evidence.

6. Holiday crafts and recipes run amok on everyone’s boards when Halloween and Christmas roll around.

And they almost always end up looking like these miserable, marshmallow-laden nightmares.

7. This snowman lollipop idea was so cute…

…until it wasn’t.

8. I need one of these next Halloween!

No one needs one of these at any point whatsoever.

9. Packing hacks are sometimes lifesavers.

And sometimes, they turn your apartment into what appears to be the scene of a horrific crime.

10. Bouquets of roses are always nice, but bundles of cupcakes are far superior.

Or you could give your special someone a bouquet of bleeding human hearts! That’s probably symbolic or whatever.

11. Okay, are these not the cutest little appetizers you’ve ever seen?

They’re at least cuter than these tiny atrocities.

12. Forget Christmas lights. Glittery snow orbs are way cooler.

If you can’t get the shape down, you could always make replicas of pig bladders like this crafter evidently decided to do because life is horrible and nothing works.

13. Here we have autumnal rainbow realness.

And here we have a visual representation of labor pains, probably.

14. Me on Saturday night.

Me on Sunday morning.

15. People with cake-decorating skills on this level baffle me.

People with cake-decorating skills on this level don’t confuse me at all.

16. If you want to wow your guests with cupcakes that look like they came out of a French bakery, give these a go.

If you want to burn your whole house down, leave them in for 13 hours longer than suggested.

17. Slay that lowlight game, girl!

Make a hair appointment as soon as humanly possible, girl!

18. This looks like it should be in a museum.

This looks like it should go straight back to Hell, where it belongs.

19. On a scale of one to adorable, these are pretty adorable.

On a scale of one to “you should have at least some artistic skill before trying this project,” well…you know.

Sadly, most of us fail miserably when it comes to nailing these recipes and crafts. What was your worst Pinterest screwup of all time?

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/epic-pinterest-fails/

You Can’t See The Weirdest Thing About This Bizarre Hair Until The Lights Are Off

As someone who tries (and usually fails) to keep up with the latest hair and makeup trends, I know how tirelessly cosmetics companies work to consistently up the ante. While crazy-colored hair was once reserved for Lady Gaga and mall goths, beauty gurus the world over adopted the trend last year, channelling their inner mermaids into shades of teal, purple, and cobalt blue.

But one mall-goth staple just released a line of dyes that does something incredible when the lights go out. Far beyond fuchsia strands and crimson locks, these high-voltage pigments by Manic Panic take wacky colors to an entirely new level.

These colors are intense when the lights are on, but they’re nothing out of the ordinary at this point.

When the lights go down, however, they transform into something rave-worthy.

As highlights and lowlights do for standard styles, different values of glowing pigment add dimension to these neon looks.

Some leave it to stylists, but others harness their inner rave girls at home.

In any case, the outcome is a beauty trend that’s out of this world.

(via My Modern Met)

I can’t imagine having anything but solid black hair, so I give these people major props for taking their experimentation to such a vibrant extreme. It’s safe to say that this trend is best left to the bravest beauty mavens among us.

Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/neon-glowing-hair/