Make and Takes » Reviews

Custom Caricatures from an Amazing Artist

Marie — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:04:47 +0000

You’ve seen the fun caricature drawings people get at carnivals and festivals. I love them. They find the silliest features your face might have and bring it to life. Gabriel Olsen is one of those amazing illustrators and is a master at caricatures. He was kind enough to give me the two drawings below. I sent in a photo of my daughter and below is what I got back. I love it! Those cheeks!

Here’s one he did of my son. He really made his big brown eyes POP!

Gabriel’s blog showcases more of his art and illustrations. Anyone getting excited for LOST?!!

If you’d like to have your photo turned into a caricature, email: Gabriel {at} gabrielolson.com

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Let’s Talk About the Book, Hunger Games

Marie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:28:27 +0000

I just finished reading the book Hunger Games and Catching Fire (it’s sequel), and January is not even over yet, exceeding my New Year’s Resolution expectations! Now that I’m finished, I have a few thoughts. Then I want to hear what you think!

SPOILER ALERT – Read the books and come back!

I absolutely loved this book. I’m a bit of a Sci-Fi nerd, so this book was right up my alley. And yet, it’s not really a science fiction book. It’s set in the future, but it’s more about the characters and the will to survive.

I’ve broken Hunger Games into parts, comparing it to other similar books, all worth reading:

Ender’s Game: For the games. It’s kids fighting kids, although the games are only simulations in this book. Ender is a lot like Katniss: they always win, are really good at it, and know who the real enemy is! Ender’s Game is my all time favorite book, but Hunger Games is coming in a close second.

The Giver: For the timing. They’re both set in a time when people don’t really know any better. They let despicable things happen because they don’t think they have a choice. It’s just how things are for them and they live their lives. They’ve been told what to do and don’t resist. Their children are put into classes and people who don’t make the cut, die. That’s why I love both main characters, because they see things differently, wanting to make a difference. Although, I wish Katniss would have been a little more rebellious. I know she has her family to think about, but come on already! I am frustrated she let it go as far as she did.

Lord of the Flies: For the survival. There’s a jungle, there’s alliances, there’s killing. Yuck. I don’t love this part, but I do love to see how Katniss’s mind works, she’s very smart. And unlike Lord of the Flies, there’s no adults coming to the rescue. In Hunger Games, it’s the adults who are making it happen!

Twilight: For the love. There’s a bit of a Twilight love triangle going on! I think Peeta reminds me of Jacob, someone Katniss (Bella) loves but doesn’t love enough. She only sees him as a comfort. Where as Gale (Edward) is her real love, the one who understand and knows her best! Awwwwww. Are you team Peeta or team Gale?

What do you think about it? Please comment and let me know you’re thoughts, as I know some love it and some hate it. So let’s discuss!

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We’re Whrrling Down the Mountain

Marie — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:59:14 +0000

It’s Day 4 of my son’s StartNOW ski program, sponsored by Park City Mountain Resort. I’ve put together a fun Whrrl story, sharing what we’ve been enjoying with this program. So check it out and have fun whrrling down the mountain with us!

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It’s Cough and Cold Season

Marie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:59:07 +0000

If your household is anything like ours during the winter, then you’re in need of some Zarbees cough syrup too. Zarbees, a Make and Takes sponsor, has happily been soothing my kids coughs one spoonful at a time!

Zarbees is an all natural cough syrup that comes in a lemon or cherry flavor and contains your daily dose of Vitamin C. It’s made with a blend of dark honey, helping make it easier to swallow for any unwilling mouths!

My son doesn’t lick it off the spoon like my daughter does, it’s still just cough syrup to him. But it doesn’t burn as it goes down and helps sooth those dry scratchy throats. Zarbees has been a great “go to” this winter season.

*** For any Utah locals, Harmon’s Grocery Stores are running a 1 week long ad starting today, December 28-January 3rd, where anyone can print off an online coupon for $2 off a bottle of ZarBee’s. Coupons can be printed here: http://harmonslocal.com/ ***

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Snow Clothes, Renting Skis, & Riding the Lift

Marie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:46:54 +0000

As I’ve written in an introduction post here, Park City Mountain Resort is sponsoring my son through their new program StartNOW. He’s had his first lesson and well on his way to calling himself a skier! Below I’m sharing a few of the things we learned on our first day at ski school.

Snow Clothes: It gets pretty cold up on the mountain, especially riding the lift. I highly suggest a hoodie like this (aka balaclava). It’s perfect for keeping the wind off your cheeks and chin. And yes, those are red death skeleton heads that Dad chose, thanks Jordan!

Renting Skis: The staff at park city are awesome, especially the ski rental employees. They are quick and informative and even help you put on your boots! But you do have to walk up the stairs by yourself with your boots on. It takes a few times to get used to that.

Ski Instructor: His instructor was great. Very friendly and approachable. My son’s instructor told him that he knows if it’s cold when there’s ice on his mustache, and there was! There were just a few kids his age in his class, small enough that I felt like he was getting enough attention.

Riding the Lift: Their class talked all about going on a lift, how to get on, how not to move, how not to look back, how to get off. After his lesson we went with him on the lift and he knew just what to do: tips up, bar down, and face forward!

Ready for More: We’ve still got bounce-back passes to use, all 4 of them, and my son can’t wait. Can you tell?!

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Park City Mountain Resort’s StartNOW: Ski Program for Utah Locals

Marie — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:56:33 +0000

Utah is one of the BEST Ski destinations on earth. And happily, I live here! I’m teaming up with Park City Mountain Resort for a winter wonderland campaign. They’ve just introduced a new program called StartNOW, an opportunity for Utah locals to start skiing NOW!

Here’s how the program works, all for just $25:

You must be a Utah resident
You must be a first time skier or rider
Ages 6 and up
Afternoon ski or snowboard lesson and lift access (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
Ski or Snowboard equipment rental
Bounce back option: 4 more times for $25 each, including all day lift ticket, equipment rental, and a 2 hour lesson.

Park City Mountain Resort is sponsoring my little 6 year old guy to go through the StartNOW program. He’s over the moon at the opportunity to start skiing. I’ll be sharing our experience with him in the coming weeks, showing how it works and how he improves. They say it takes a person 5 times at doing something to let it stick, so we’ll be showing if it’s true!

Really, this is the best deal around. If you’ve never been on the slopes before, this is the year to go for it. We’re too close to these beautiful Utah mountains and need to take advantage of its recreational capabilities. And this program is all too affordable to pass up. Check the StartNOW website for more details and scheduling.

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Photo Gifts for the Holidays

Marie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:45:41 +0000

I just wanted to share some holiday deals from Shutterfly, great for gift ideas and last minute holiday cards:

Holiday/Christmas Photo Cards: Currently 20% off
Photo Books: Buy one, Get each additional book 50% off
Photo Calendars: Buy one, Get each additional calendar 20% off
Photo Gifts: Up to 20% off
Photo Prints and Enlargements: 200 prints for $20

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Fondue Goodness at The Melting Pot

Marie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:37:31 +0000

Along with our Grand America spa day, a few bloggers were treated to dinner by The Melting Pot. I’ve always wanted to go there for dinner and try out their fondue goodness. And I have to say it was heaven!

We started with cheese fondue, then dipped and cooked our meat and lobster in Coq au Vin, followed by dessert. Oh the dessert! It was chocolate fondue paradise. But the best part was that we didn’t feel rushed to leave. We dipped, chatted, and dipped some more for 4 hours, yes, 4 hours. Our server was great and didn’t shoo us out the door. No one was cleaning out our table while we were still eating! It would definitely be money well spent for the whole dining experience. Can you see how happy I am about the night?!

(above photos courtesy of Petit Elefant)

And right now for the Holidays, The Melting Pot in Salt Lake City, UT is offering an amazing dining deal. Guests who purchase $100 in Gift Cards get a Holiday Gift of four $25 cards that may be used quarterly throughout 2010. But you must come in to the restaurant for purchase, call 521-MELT or email tj@utahmeltingpot.com. (They have extended Holiday hours!)

To see more of our night, here’s the Whrrl story of our time at Melting Pot! Happy Holidays!

Spa Day at the Grand America Hotel

Marie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:37:18 +0000

Last week I received an invitation from Salt Lake City’s Grand America to come spend a night in their 5 star hotel and enjoy a spa day on them. I was also joined by a few fun Utah blogger friends, Jyl, Carina, Janet, and Allison. What more could a girl ask for? Facials, food, friends, and fun!

Our room was amazing! It came complete with kitchen, and washer and dryer! Need chocolates on your pillow, they’ve got ‘em. Want a jetted tub, it’s here! And throughout the hotel for December, the Grand America is featuring a few Holiday events like: Teddy Bear Town, Angel Tree, Tea Time with the girls, and their first annual Grand Gingerbread Village.

For dinner we ate at the Garden Cafe and our service was fabulous. Buffet, campfire shrimp, flat iron steak, duck fat fries, corn casserole, and my favorite were the doughnuts for dessert, could have eaten the whole basket!

Good thing we did Yoga in the morning with Carrie to help me feel a little better about the doughnut basket later that night!

And just for you fabulous readers, here’s a discount code for your next stay at the Grand America. Follow this link for and exclusive room rate of $100 off! Or mention “Social Media” at the Grand Spa and get 20% off your spa treatment. Hopefully this will help you enjoy a fabulous spa getaway without breaking the bank. Cheers!

(Images courtesy of Petit Elefant)

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Brushing Up On Your Art and Design Skills

Marie — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:41:17 +0000

You may not need skills for learning nunchucks, bow hunting, or computer hacking like Napoleon Dynamite, but you may need these art and design skills taught at The Art Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 5-7th.

The Art Weekend is a weekend set out to help you learn and grow in what you already love to do. It’s brought to you by the talented hosts, Nicole from A Little Sussy and Alma and Mike from Loveland Misc. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to take better photos, photoshop your photos, or illustrate your own photos, then you’ll want to make sure you’re there. There’s also classes on flower arranging, starting an etsy shop, book binding, paper cutting (or the correct and fancy name Scherenschnitte), and many more. Each class is ala carte, so you can just take one or two, whatever fits your time frame and needs.

Click here to learn more and click here to sign up. Make sure you don’t miss out on this chance to learn some great skills from the best.

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