Major Update

After some real soul-searching and lots of design trials, it's official. The ladies are moving...

to Tumblr!

Make sure to update your RSS feeds with the new link: http://ladyfaces.tumblr.com/

Don't worry, all your favorite posts have been moved over to our new home. Get ready for lots more sass, humor, debates, cuteness, and ladies in your face.

House Cleaning

So last week was rough. You went to Google Reader, hoping to find the latest Lady Face posts, and what did you get? Nothing. The void. The swirling mass of darkness sending you deeper into depression and suffering! Oh the existential angst!

Sorry for the vacation, guys. I was moving and lacked internet, and then the works makes for unrelated blog busy-ness. But I am back with fun content to distract you from your workday!

First, some business. I got tired of the old layout so I updated to this new model. Thoughts?

Also, although I like the blogger, I've been toying with the idea of moving Lady Faces elsewhere--Wordpress (which I use for the work-blog) or Tumblr (the design of which I really like). So I'll leave it to you guys. Take the poll or post in comments and let me know what you think. Either way, this redhead will be providing you will lots of distracting news/videos/snark/pictures of adorable things.

What Does That Do For Your Facebook Relationship Status?

From imaginary sibling Felicia Day comes this hilarious (and catchy) song, "Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?"




Is it wrong to want a dress like that? For Halloween, guys.

Nature: Where the Scary Lives

This Onion article confirms* what I've been thinking all along: if you try to sleep outdoors, even just in your own backyard, you will not survive. Between the ghosts and the axe-murderers and the poisonous spiders, you might as well just shoot yourself and save the psycho killers the trouble.

"We now have definitive proof that most children who camp out in their yards will die a horrific death," said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services. "Whether it's a sudden wolf attack, an escaped mental patient, or just Old Man Greenly, who lost his hand in a gruesome mill accident and now seeks his bloody revenge, young boys and girls rarely live to see their parents or friends again."

It's why our ancestors invented indoors, people: so we wouldn't get killed by Old Man Greenly.

*What a fantastic day for "scientific" studies!

Be Prepared

Most scientific studies are pretty dry. Even the one that will detail the cure for AIDS or something will probably not be the kind of reading you want to take to the beach. It's part of being a researcher--your job is to inform, not to make the results all pretty.

Except this study from Canada is totally kick-ass. Researchers looked at what would happen if a zombie apocalypse actually occurred. The findings? Forget trying to study and ward off the zombies. What you need to do is get out your machete and start chopping zombies.

My favorite part: "In their scientific paper, the authors conclude that humanity's only hope is to 'hit them [the undead] hard and hit them often'."

And unlike many other studies, this one is totally useful! Swine flu is just a sign of things to come. Soon we'll be talking about a zombie epidemic.

When You Hear the Phrase "Orphaned Hedgehogs," You Know This Is Going to Be Cute

Oh geez, they could make a freakin' Disney movie about this: orphaned hedgehogs think the brush is their hedgehog mother.

"Workers say Mary, Mungo, Midge and Slappy get comfort from playing with the centre's cleaning brush and enjoy rubbing against it."

I know. I know.

Break Out the OED

CNN has put together a video of some people's least favorite common words/phrases.





First of all, the "sick" kid--did he time warp here from 1994? Who uses "that's sick" to mean "that's cool" anymore? Second, the "I know" guy--maybe your kids/other people actually do know what you're trying to explain and they want you to stop already.

My least favorite word? Pee. UGH. It sounds like you never grew up and learned how to talk like an adult.

What's your hatiest word?

When I'm a Parent, I'm Totally Going to Heckle

Yeah, that's what it felt like even when I was in the chorus.

Monday Morning Cute: the People Edition

Paul Rudd, you might be the cutest human being on the planet. Except* for Color Me Katie.

*In fact, are you two related?

As Addictive as Popping Bubble Wrap

It's Friday. Like you're actually doing work anyway.

I am totally sucked in. Forget the Word Jumble! I'm all about popping words.

(Blame bookshelves of doom for your lack of productivity now.)

Way More Important Than Health Care

Here's an issue everyone can agree on. Bipartisan television-watching!

Shameless Plug and the Scariness of Babies

Hey, guess what I wrote--this article!

Working at a children's hospital has made me terrified to have kids. So many things can go wrong with them! Their insides could fall apart at any minute! And you wouldn't know it until there was a bunch of organs on the floor!

Fortunately, the little girl in this article is doing fine and the outlook for the future is bright.

But seriously, kids (all you child blog-followers), take care of yourselves!

Some Like It Hot

Check out these previously unpublished pictures of Marilyn Monroe.




To all those young actresses who try to pose like Marilyn: give it up. You cannot be Marilyn.

Hi Honey, I'm Home

AMC has created one of the best marketing campaign's I've ever seen for the new season of Mad Men. Between teaming up with Banana Republic and holding their "Be on Mad Men" competition, it's a great way to get people interested and involved.

Now they show you how to make classic cocktails, like a Tom Collins or an old-fashioned or eight versions of the martini.

When you get home from work today, loosen your tie, put on some music, make yourself a drink.

Sometimes I Feel Like This

You're going out in the world, little bear!

Going Through My Bookshelf

Over at NPR, author Lesley Blume has developed a "classic list of must-read children's books." While I applaud all of her choices (The Witches! From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler!), I have to add a few of my own:

• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: Okay, I may love Anne because she's a redheaded bookworm, but her feistiness, awkwardness, and imagination will warm your heart. And just try not to cry at something involving Matthew. Just try.
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh: Because Harriet isn't exactly a nice little girl. She's curious and a little bitchy, but she's eighty times cooler than anyone else in her class. I bet she grew up to do something really kick-ass.
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle: Her most well-known, and possibly her most endearing. Between Meg, Calvin, and Charles-Wallace, you know the universe is worth saving.
• The Giver by Lois Lowry: Oh geez, I freak out about this book. Best freakin' book ever. It's one of the most thoughtful, moving portrayals of a dystopian society ever written. Period.
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton: More than forty years later and Ponyboy's thoughts and struggles are still relevant. Stay gold, Pony.
• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi: Charlotte Doyle puts the kick in kick-ass. A thrilling tale set on the high seas. What more could you want?

I could keep going, but instead I'll leave it to you. Post your favorite childhood reads in the comments!

All of These Should Be on the Cover of Madeleine L'Engle Books

The Royal Observatory in the UK recently released their shortlist for the first ever Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Which means we all win.

Naturally, a few favorites:

Forget Mood Rings

It's like Willy Wonka meets 70s jewelry--heat-sensitive wallpaper!


Click through to see more of Shi Yuan's art/inventions.

I would just stand next to the wall and make flowers all day. (Actually, that makes me sound a little Yellow Wallpaper-esque.)

How Cozy Is This?

I would say today's a day I want to cuddle under the covers with a puppy, but that would be every day.

Step one: get a puppy.
Step two: get job that involves staying under covers.

That's reasonable, right?

Call Me Gnome, Not G-Nom-Ee.

I don't even know what to say about this: the Australian Gnome Convention.

Okay, so they volunteer and do environmental stuff. And rescue gnomes. And where hats that make them look like David.

My favorite parts of their website:

• "The Gnome Rescue: 1500 gnomes rescued from a fate worse than death."
• "Nazi Gnome reprieved! (ahem, it's a joke - right?) read the story..."

The website's a little overwhelming, but then so are gnomes.

Very Crafty

Whenever someone says something a little silly or outrageous, I like to say, "That's what my grandmother stitched on a sampler." Some Whedon fans are taking that seriously.

And more power to them! Why get your wisdom from grandma's samplers when you could get sampler messages from the likes of Buffy and Firefly? Click through to check out more.

This is yet another reason why I need to get to Comic-Con one of these days. There are more people like me out there.

Holiday by the Sea

It's like a beach out of a picture book.

Why Should I Worry? Why Should I Care?

Tuesday's challenge: try to get your office to sing along.





I freakin' loved this as a kid.

Tut Tut, It Looks Like Rain

I love art using everyday objects. So a whole collection of umbrella installations really makes my day. Here are just a few of my favorite images:

123Sleep!

We've all been there.

Who's Betting He Used the "Horny" Line at Some Point During the Evening?

The other costumes listed here are pretty ridiculous, but is it wrong that I think the narwhal costume is actually a good idea?

Of course, I think he could have gone a lot further with that. Narwhals aren't tan! They're dark gray! Better luck next time, Narwhal Boy.

But seriously, I would like to dress up as a ridiculous animal for Halloween at some point.

Sharks Have Fins; Pale Teen Stars Have Hair Poof

I hear Jimmy Fallon was the original choice for Edward Cullen.





Hopefully more to come...

(Jimmy Fallon, I never thought I would like you on Late Night. So far you have done a fantastic job changing my mind. Keep it up!)

Because Your Fiance Was a Dwarf?

For all of us who are sick of seeing cutesy status updates, here comes STFU, Marrieds. Because, seriously, no one wants to see your relationship plastered all over their Facebook feed every day.

Although it does give us glorious images like this one.

I don't know why you'd create a group about your engagement being canceled (send out a mass email, maybe), but what I really don't understand is the accompanying picture. Yeah, that's Willow. (Click through for a closer look.)

Post your suggestions as to why she chose Willow in the comments!

It Seems Like Years Since It's Been Here

A little sunshine for your Monday morning:

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. One of the loveliest songs ever.

Even Better Than a Massive Pillow Fight

What do you do when you manufacture and sell mattresses? Create the world's longest mattress domino chain, of course!





Coolest bed company ever!

Get Your Daily Dose of Potassium

Harry Belafonte and the Muppets? Oh heck yeah!





(Although even a Muppet spider doesn't thrill me.)

Honest to Blog

I was at Urban Outfitters the other day and I heard this group of emo/hipster/whatever kids fawning over a burger phone.

"Oh my gosh!" they cried. "It's like a hamburger! But it's a phone! That is so funny!"

Um, excuse me?

Didn't these kids see Juno? Weren't they the target audience?

He Gave Us a Great Day Off

We'll miss you, John.

They're So Cool Before They Get Married

Sarah Haskins takes on the stupid husbands from all those home product commercials.





Sarah, if you want to hang out sometime, just let me know. I'll laugh like a hyena at every joke you make.

Mad About Voting For Will

If you've been to Banana Republic recently, you've probably seen their recent promotion, teaming up with Mad Men. Best thing they've done in years, in my opinion. They're also running a contest (with AMC) to offer a walk-on role on the show.

This is where you come in.

No, not to try to get on yourself. To help out the very coolest, sweetest, most talented person you can imagine. My friend Will Gatlin is one of the top contenders, and he needs our support if he's going to go all the way. Please vote for him! If he gets the part, it could not happen to a nicer, more adorable person.

Go, Will Gatlin, go!

You Must Be This Tall

Another fun summer day via Lady Faces--amusement park ideal.

Ye Olde Bromance

This should be on a cover of Beowulf.

Can I Have the Definition?

I love the OED. So when Sam Winston used the OED to make art, he definitely won me over.

Plus, he focuses on text and print in his art in general. I freaking love that stuff.

Roam Around the World

Is this what happened to globes when Google Maps was invented? I wonder which ones have the Soviet Union.

Slowest Birthday Party Ever

Happy birthday, Turtle! Try not to party too hard.

If Zuckerman Had Loved Wilbur to Begin With

His nose is all crinkly!

I bet this is how Wilbur looked when he was born.

In Paris, the Windows Have Flowers

Andrew Sullivan's "The View From Your Window" feature is a vacation for everyone hwo

Never Thought I'd Be on a Boat!

It's a great, big, watery road! I think they should teach kids this song instead of that "in 1492..." one.

The New Fortune Cookie

On the inside of my blackberry carton:

In life there are no punishments or rewards, only consequences.*

Why are the blackberries trying to Dumbledore me? If I wanted sage advice, I wouldn't ask for it it before I had breakfast.

*Actually, what the carton said was "In life they are no punishments or rewards only consequences." Why doesn't the world realize it needs me to edit things?

Old (Testament) School

Juno meets the Bible in Hipster Job:






So...Naked Abraham Lincoln is an angel? What about Clothed Abraham Lincoln?

Cutest Garden Ever

This picture makes me so happy! Puppies and elephants are meant to be friends.

Now Is the Winter of Our Discontent

I would love to see a version of Richard III staring King Evil Ferret.

Where You Should Be Today

Because I'll be in an office all day instead of at the beach, here's some awesome ocean photography.

Han Danced First?

Anyone want to go to Disney World with me?





I've never loved those costumed actors more.

Currently the Front-Runner For Coolest Bookshelf

Oh my gosh, I want a tree bookshelf! Although it does seem a little unkosher--keeping your paper books in a fake tree.

Still--it just looks so cool!

They Shoot Horse-Poisoners, Don't They?

Who would intentionally poison a horse? And not just one, a bunch of horses. Even the pregnant mares! WTF?

Ranch owner Debbie Tomin says they discovered the sick horses on Thursday morning, along with "a feed mix of sliced apples and carrots, which disguised the bitter oleander." So it wasn't just someone walking up to the horses with a bunch of flowers. This was intentional, and they meant to really mess with the horses.

Considering these were show horses and not just your average ponies, I'm guessing it was a competitor. Because otherwise, someone was just targeting horses, and that's messed up. What did ponies every do to you?

Hang onto Your Lifevests

I haven't read Moby-Dick yet, but I do love anything with giant sea creatures.

Also, who in their right mind would hunt whales? "Here, take this spear and go out in the row boat and kill the enormous frickin' whale." How did anyone sign up for that?

Your Fate Hurtles Down at You

When I started to see book trailers around the internet, I wasn't sure what to think. I love trailers in general, but do I need one for literature? If they're anything like the new trailer for Jim Shepard's "Your Fate Hurtles Down at You" by Electric Literature, then the answer is yes.

Electric Literature presents Jim Shepard's "Your Fate Hurtles Down at You" (trailer) from Editors Electric Literature on Vimeo.

I went to a Jim Shepard reading once. I'm not a huge fan of fiction readings, since my mind tends to wander and I lose track of the narrative, but Shepard was the best reader ever. His story was engaging, and his Q&A session was the funniest thing I've ever heard in a bookstore. Plus, when he signed books, he was really cool.

It's All in Exchange For the Ridiculously Expensive Gift

If you're in your twenties, there's a good chance you were a guest at a wedding this summer. It seems like everyday, someone else updates their Facebook relationship status to be "engaged." This can mean a fun time dancing with your friends at a wedding, but sometimes brides and grooms can make serious mistakes that make you consider asking for your present back. Here are a few wedding faux pas to avoid--I wholeheartedly agree to all listed.

One thing I'd add--don't force your guests to participate in lame group dances. The shame of doing the Chicken Dance is only matched by the shame of finding yourself in a Girls Gone Wild video.