28 Apr

The Top Ten Cities for Creative Minds

As creative people we have the desire and the urgency to expand our limits and search for places and things that inspire us. We want need to be somewhere that allows us the liberty to free our inner artists. It’s time to start living the life you’ve always wanted. Pack your bags kids! We’re taking you around the world.

1) Berlin, Germany.

If you’re looking for a place where you’re likely to succeed economically then you need to head to Berlin. It is an affordable place as employment opportunities are various and plentiful and it has a lower cost of living compared to most big cities. We could all use a little more cash flow and what better way to get paid than by doing something you love? Creative industries make up for an estimated 20% of Berlin’s gross domestic product. A city that pays to have creative industries allows you to have a higher standard of living.

2) San Francisco, United States.

Located in the bay area, San Francisco is the place to go if you’re a techy. It’s known to most as the technological hub, boasting companies like Google, Mozilla, Twitter, and Pinterest. It’s also a great place for start-ups. When you think of start-ups you think of San Francisco. If you’re ready to make your ideas go big and start your business, then it’s time you pack your rain jacket and move to SF.

3) Barcelona, Spain.

Who doesn’t want to move to Spain? Just the thought of it gets your creative ideas flowing. Barcelona is everything you need when it comes to location. Surrounded by the sea and mountains, it’s basically eternal bliss. Not only does it have location but it’s an amazing center for creativity. It is home to many great musicians and artists and a thriving fashion and industrial sector. Spain, known for its extremely cheap “rebajas,” or sales, allows all you fashionistas out there to stay within a tight budget while still trending the greatest and latest fashions.

4) Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Home to one of the tallest hotels in the entire world, Burj Al Arab, it is a location where great ideas can be made possible. It is known as the city with more money than it knows what to do with it, making it a great location if you are looking to expand your big ideas. If you’re ready to take your ideas to greater heights, get on a plane to Dubai.

5) Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo is the largest city in Japan as well as a thriving city of creativity. If you’re looking for an anime paradise, then you need to go to the Akihabara center in Tokyo. It is the center of gaming and anime culture in Japan. This is also a great location if you consider yourself a techy since it’s considered to be one of the greatest technological hubs in the world.

6) New York City, United States.

One of the most fast paced and competitive environments you could put yourself in. You really have to have a drive for success and competition to live in this city. It offers high rewards for great work, but it’s a challenge to keep up with the pace and to stand out in the crowd. In this city you’re one of many people who are trying to make a name for yourself. If you were born with that competitive drive and are looking to make a big name for yourself, this is the city for you!

7) Melbourne, Australia.

This is the city that exemplifies the ideal environment for your creative business to grow or to be a part of a successful team. This city has all sorts of juxtapositions such as its post-modern and Victorian design. If you are a social butterfly this is a great city for meeting new people.

8) London, England.

A perfect location for the arts, higher education, and fashion. Boasting an extremely diverse population, London is known as the cultural capital of the world. With an intelligent populace and various cultures calling London home, it is a great city to experience new and different arts and culture. A great location if you are easily inspired by rainy weather and fog.

9) Vienna, Austria.

Everything you could ask for in a new city. It has history, culture, economy, environment, and everything else you need to be inspired. It’s known as one of the most livable cities in the world, so you can’t really go wrong.

10) Prague, Czech Republic.

If you’re more of a historical buff or more appreciative of the classics then you need to Czech out Prague. See what I did there? This city has a myriad of theaters, museums, cinemas, galleries and numerous other historical exhibits. Prague is known for its famous cultural attractions that survived the destruction of 20^th century Europe, making it an excellent location for those of you that can’t get enough historical inspiration.

Photo via: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

18 Apr

Wes Anderson / Centered

This video captures the genius of Wes Anderson. We love it!

17 Apr

Great Minds: Julie Ann Art

Name: Julie Ann

Date: 3/16/14

Time: 7:02 PM

Location: Orange County, CA (on my couch)

Occupation: Paper goods business owner

1) Before you started this Q&A, what were you doing?

I just made my morning coffee in our Verismo machine. You know, the one from Starbucks? My fiancé got it for me for our 4 year anniversary (because apparently the “modern” 4 year gift is “appliances” – even though it was our dating anniversary and not our wedding anniversary but who cares?). You press a button and it fills your cup with delicious coffee. Technology is crazy.

2) Are you a morning or night person?

I am actually turning into quite the morning person! I definitely wasn’t always that way, but I recently have started waking up early naturally. Once I’m awake my brain just starts spinning with everything that is on my plate for the today and there’s just no going back to sleep. Of course this results in my falling asleep on the couch next to my fiance by 10PM like a loser.

3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 17, and find line 7, what does it say?

The nearest book to me, on our coffee table, is called “The Art of I Love You.” While it doesn’t have any text in it, it is an adorable collection of art about love. My dear friend gave it to me as part of my wedding shower gift.

4) Do you remember your dreams?

Sometimes. Sometimes I’ll remember them first thing when I wake up, and then forget them later on. Other times, something will happen mid-day and it will remind me of a dream I had the night before, that I wouldn’t have remembered otherwise.

5) If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

I would get those orcas out of damn Sea World. Have you seen Blackfish? It infuriates me. I am such an animal lover. When I was younger orcas were my favorite animal and I wanted to be a marine biologist (until I realized how much science that requires – science hurts my art brain). It seriously breaks my heart thinking of those amazing creatures treated so poorly.

6) Do you like to dance?

I took a lot of dance classes growing up and I always enjoyed them but I think a lot of the enjoyment came from having specific steps to follow. These days, if I’m out dancing with friends at a bar, I don’t really know what I’m doing. I mean, I definitely have rhythm, but I wouldn’t ever call myself a “good dancer” so when dancing I prefer to be surrounded by people, rather than alone on the dance floor with everyone around looking at that dick on the dance floor that has no flow.

7) What did your last text message say?

My last text message says “sounds good!” I live an exciting life.

8) If you could have lunch with one famous person, who would it be and why?

Tough question. Rihanna popped into my head. I don’t know why she was the first person to come to mind. I guess because she’s a badass. The thing I really love about Rihanna is her “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. I really respect her ability to be true to herself and not worry about what others think. This is something I am working on myself and I’m sure she’d have some inspiration to throw my way. And plus, she’s a blast I’m sure.

9) What are you currently obsessed with?

Green tea lemonade (2 pumps sweetener). It is just so damn refreshing. I am from Michigan, so these California “winters” are just weird to me. I still don’t understand why I am wearing flip flops and sweating in March. But on these hot days, iced green tea lemonade has become a serious craving when I’m in need of a pick-me-up.

10) 3 things you’d like to do before you die?

1.) Get my second tattoo

2.) Go to Bali

3.) Own a store

11) Have you ever been in love?

I have loved a lot, but being in real true love? Twice. My take on love is that your ability to love changes as you change. My first serious boyfriend was throughout high school and did I love him the best way I knew how? Yes. But do I think of him when someone asks me if I’ve ever been in love? No. To me, being in real, true love sticks in your heart forever. I feel lucky to have been able to experience that sort of love twice in my life.

12) If given a yacht, what would you name it and why?

Big Bertha. Man, I loved that Big Bertha game as a kid. You know, the arcade game where you through all those plastic balls into Big Bertha’s mouth to make her bigger? Kind of fucked up if you think about it now. And why I would name my yacht that….no idea.

13) Who do you admire the most and why?

My Granny! She is so amazing and it’s like the older I get, the more I realize that. She is such a strong woman who has created a special, close-knit family that I am so thankful for. She got married at 18, had my mom at 19, and went through college while having three young kids. Thinking of how far she has come inspires me to be good like her.

14) If handed 100,000 dollars what would you blow it on?

Since you used the term “blow it” I’m going to put my business goals and practical side in the back of my mind (for once). I would likely rent a private jet and take a trip with my fiancé. We’d go all over…Thailand, Barbados, Fiji….staying in various huts and houses with indoor hammocks and balconies with hot tubs. Yeah, let’s do that.

15) What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sound asleep, dreaming. Actually last night I had a frisky dream about……Chandler Bing. I mean, seriously? Of all people to dream about my subconscious chooses Chandler?

16) What did you want to be when you grew up?

The animal lover in me wanted to be a veterinarian or marine biologist. Pretty sure become a teacher was a consideration as well, since my granny, gramps, mom, uncle, aunt and cousin were ALL teachers. But it wasn’t until I started college when I realized I had to seriously figure out what I wanted to do. I had enjoyed photography classes throughout high school so I ended up getting my college degree in Photojournalism.

17) What would you tell your 13 year-old self?

13 year old me….I was in middle school and boy crazy. My best friend and I would always go to the mall, not to shop for clothes, but to shop for guys (Seriously how do you get a guy’s phone numbers at the mall? I wouldn’t have a clue how to do that now but it was our favorite pastime back then). And you know what? I wouldn’t change it. I would just let myself be the crazy 13 year old I was because well, I turned out ok after all.

All Photos by Julie Ann

For more information about Julie Ann check out:

www.julieannart.com

01 Apr

Well Boxed

Great times this weekend at the Well Boxed event. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support Bloggers Giving Back and our troops overseas. We are so grateful for all the time and creativity that all of you put into this event, we truly could not have done this without you.

Click here for more photos.

28 Mar

Lady Gaga’s G.U.Y. Video Decoded

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out Lady Gaga’s new music video for the track G.U.Y. (Girl Under You) off her most recent album ARTPOP. At first watch, it seems like a bombastic montage of pop culture references, each more bizarre than the last throughout the nearly twelve minute video. However, I was completely blown away after reading a recent Buzzfeed article that decoded the imagery as if it were a dissertation on the subject. Greek mythology, Gandhi, Legos…these seemingly unrelated things actually come together to form a unique narrative, directed by Lady Gaga herself.

Watch the video and then read Buzzfeed’s exceptional breakdown of the video here.

Mind.Blown.

20 Mar

Can’t Make it to Coachella? Try Brokechella

For those of us that didn’t feel like slapping down $500 for Coachella tickets this year, we are in luck. Brokechella returns to Los Angeles for the fourth year in a row. While you won’t see headliners like OutKast or Arcade Fire, you will get to watch some talented musicians along with the other Coachella-y perks like food and art installations.

The one-day event kicks off in Downtown LA on April 19. For more information about the bands at Brokechella, visit www.Brokechella.com.

06 Mar

#WELLBOXED

MARCH IS HERE!

We are so excited to announce the March Bloggers Giving Back event! Ready for this?….

This month, we will be putting together care packages for soldiers living overseas who do not receive mail or packages from their friends and family back home. This is a great way to let our soldiers know that we are thinking of them, and that we are so grateful for all the work they do.

Join us! We would love to have you! All you have to do is RSVP here. Admission includes wine, pizza, a box, craft supplies to decorate your box, a few small supplies to get your box started (please bring some of your own items as well), and the cost to ship your box overseas. Tickets are limited, so please be sure to RSVP ASAP!

Date & Time: March 29th, 1pm

Location: Great Over Good

Can’t make it? Don’t worry, this event is worldwide! We want everyone to get in on the fun! All you have to do is put your own care package together, at home, or out with friends, and send it out to a soldier on March 29th. Make sure you take a photo of your box and hashtag it #WELLBOXED. We can not wait to see all the boxes! Please visit AnySoldier.com for more information on what to include in your box.

Do you live in Arizona? There is an event going on there too! Please contact Kai for all the details.

Want to be a sponsor? We would love to partner up with you! As a sponsors you will be promoted at the event and in blog posts written by the hosts and some of our guests. This is a great way to get phenomenal exposure for your business and give back. Contact us at info@greatovergood.com for more information.

Want more? Head over to The Nectar Collective and see how you can help our pal Melyssa give back. Also, check out this great box Jessica made. Bravo Jess! Bravo!

See you at the event! Or via #WELLBOXED

25 Feb

Calling All Interior Designers…Create Your Dream Hotel in NY

The online design publication PSFK has teamed up with real-estate crowdsourcing company Prodigy Networks to give budding decorators and technologists the chance to design a dream hotel for the modern business traveler.

Created to inspire dialogue about building more dynamic and interactive spaces for on-the-go executives, the competition will look for design ideas related to collaborative spaces, private spaces and digital services. The winning design will be implemented at 17John, the very first “Cotel” i.e. “collaborative hotel” located in the Financial District of Manhattan, NY. $50,000 worth of prizes will also be up for the taking.

If you feel like you are up for the challenge, click here. The contest runs until April 21.

19 Feb

10 Guidelines for Pinterest Marketing

10 Guidelines for Using Pinterest for Your Business

By now, you may have heard something about Pinterest becoming a rapidly growing social media site. With Pinterest’s web traffic growing by 65% from 2012 to 2013 and its international traffic soaring over 125% from 2013 to 2014, it comes as no surprise that it has become a leader in social media. What you may not have heard is how businesses have utilized Pinterest to better market their brand and gain new clientele and customers. It may sound odd to you initially since Facebook and LinkedIn have dominated market branding and B2B/B2C marketing in recent years. But Pinterest is eclipsing them as the leader in the rapidly growing business-marketing sphere of social media. The big question, then is, why? Why and how is Pinterest so rapidly eclipsing the other social media-marketing giants? Read more

14 Jan

Scents Swoon Audiences at LA Hammer Museum

This past weekend the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles re-staged a century-old ‘scent concert,’ designed to take audiences on an olfactory journey.

Titled, “A Trip to Japan in 16 Minutes: Revisited,” the show was organized by The Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO), an organization founded in 2012 devoted to creative experimentation with a focus on scent.

According to the Hammer museum’s website, the origins of the show are rooted all the way back to New York in the year 1902:

“In 1902 the German Japanese poet, artist, and critic Sadakichi Hartmann, also known as the ‘king of bohemians,’ led a much-anticipated scent concert at the New York Theatre. Promising to suspend space and time, the concert was designed to offer an olfactory voyage from New York to Japan such that the ‘nose [was] guaranteed arrival in Yokohama.’ After many production delays, the concert was slotted as the penultimate act on a popular Sunday burlesque music and comedy series. The act was doomed to fail in a room filled with tobacco smoke and boisterous crowds. The artist bowed mid-performance amid catcalls and jeers and left the stage, never to revisit the project.”

The IAO picked up where Hartmann left off, hence the “revisited” part of the title. In case you missed the show (as did I, unfortunately), reviews have been positive, including this one from LA Weekly.

I personally would love to have more scents incorporated into concerts – we can all agree that the Red Bull and menthol variety at music festivals can get a little stale. Here’s to more ‘scent concerts’ in 2014.

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