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Paula Votteler is Turning Plastic Waste Into Magical Handbags

By
Elizabeth N
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We live in an era where fast fashion is all around us, but that’s not stopping independent designers from putting a sustainable twist on the way we dress. Paula Votteler is one of the most talented eco-friendly designers that you’ll ever come across, and her bags are made of plastic waste and other discarded materials.

Fashion design has been a part of Votteler’s life from a very young age. She was just five when her mother taught her how to crochet, and she went on to master many other forms of textile art. She attended sewing classes later in life and learned how to do embroidery on her own.

Despite her endless love for fashion design, Votteler decided to get a degree in packaging technology. She wasn’t brave enough to pursue her true passion but discovered a new one during her college years and became interested in the topic of sustainability and recycling.

While looking for a creative outlet to turn to during the pandemic, Votteler came up with a fun way to merge her two passions into one. She started designing clothing, handbags, and other accessories using plastic waste, fabric, beads, shells, and other discarded materials and eventually found joy in giving these overlooked objects a new life.

Cat Lovers Can’t Get Enough of Salt Inkso’s Creative Tattoos

By
Kate B
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Cat lovers often come up with creative ways to express their love for their pets, and Salt Inkso’s clients are doing it through the power of tattoos. This ink artist from Shanghai became a huge sensation on Instagram thanks to her unique tattoos, depicting cats inside shopping bags.

Salt Inkso is crafting some of the most amazing cat tattoos you’ll ever see from her tattoo and piercing shop Inkso in Shanghai, China. She’s the co-founder of this studio, which houses some of Shanghai’s best masters of this craft, in addition to offering a professional environment for talented tattoo artists from all around the world.

Salt is definitely Inkso’s biggest star, and she attracted the attention of over 40,000 people from all around the world thanks to the power of social media. Her tattoos blew up on Instagram after she started working on her signature “cats in bags” tattoos that depict cats living their best lives inside net shopping bags.

The transparent design of these bags is what makes Salt’s tattoos so interesting. They give us a look at everything that’s going on inside, showing cats as they’re trying to break free. They’re often surrounded by all sorts of everyday objects, presumably as a way of capturing the wide range of interests of people who commissioned these tattoos from Salt in the first place.

2025 Met Gala: Chairs, Theme, & Other Details Revealed

By
Nikoleta P
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There’s always a lot of buzz surrounding the Met Gala, and we finally know what the next edition of the fashion biggest nights will be all about. The Costume Institute announced the theme of their upcoming spring exhibition and announced the impressive lineup of co-chairs joining Anna Wintour this time around.

Exhibition Theme

“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” has been chosen as the theme of the Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition. It draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, and it will explore the Black dandy and the importance of fashion in the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.

Date & Location

Met Gala will return to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2025. After its grand opening, the Costume Institute’s exhibit “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will be open to the public from May 10 to October 26, 2025.

Co-Chairs

Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will be joined by a historic roster of co-chairmen at this year’s Met Gala. Musician and Louis Vuitton’s menswear creative director Pharrell Williams, rapper A$AP Rocky, F1 icon Lewis Hamilton, and Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo will also serve as co-chairs, while NBA legend LeBron James will join them as an honorary co-chair.

3 Sydney Opera House Doppelgängers You Should Know About

By
Elizabeth N
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The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the entire world, but what if we told you there are several buildings that look just like it? Architectural marvels that look like doppelgängers of Australia’s timeless symbols are scattered all around the world, and these three have to be seen to be believed.

Lotus Temple (New Delhi, India)

Lotus Temple is one of the most splendid buildings that New Delhi has in store, and it deserves all the attention coming its way. Designed by the architect Fariborz Sahba, this house of worship owes its lotus-like look to its 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals”, arranged in clusters of three to form the building’s distinct shape.

Auditorio de Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain)

Designed by the famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, Auditorio de Tenerife is one of the timeless symbols of the Canary Islands. It earned Santa Cruz the nickname “Sydney of the Atlantic” due to its similarity to the Opera House, but its curved and sculpted concrete shell of the roof sets it apart.

SEC Armadillo (Glasgow, Scotland)

Another building that happens to be the dead ringer for the Sydney Opera House, SEC Armadillo is a part of the Scottish Event Campus complex. Designed by architects Foster and Partners, this building was originally named the Clyde Auditorium, and its design is inspired by River Clyde’s shipbuilding heritage, but the locals embraced the name SEC Armadillo due to its similarity to this animal.

3 WordPress Plugins Every Site Should Have

By
Alisa G
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WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet and one of its greatest strengths is its extensibility through plugins. Choosing the right plugins is an easy (and often free) way to enhance your site’s functionality, security, and performance. Here are three essential plugins that every WordPress site should consider.

Yoast SEO

Yoast SEO is a powerful tool for optimizing your website for search engines. It provides real-time page analysis, helping you improve your content’s readability and SEO-friendliness. With Yoast, you can optimize your content for specific keywords, generate XML sitemaps, and edit meta tags and titles. The plugin also offers a content readability analysis, giving you feedback on how readable the pages are. 

Wordfence Security

This comprehensive security plugin is a firewall that shields your site from malicious traffic. It also includes malware scanning and removal capabilities, keeping your site clean and secure. With Wordfence, you can monitor live traffic to your site, implement two-factor authentication for added login security, and block suspicious IP addresses. 

WP Rocket

WP Rocket is a caching plugin that can significantly improve your website’s loading times. It implements page caching, storing static versions of your pages to serve them faster to visitors. WP Rocket also enables browser caching, allowing returning visitors to load your site even quicker.

3 Web Browsers To Consider Instead of Chrome

By
Elizabeth N
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Tired of Chrome? While Google Chrome is a popular choice for many due to its speed and extensive library of extensions, it’s not the only option out there. If you’re looking for a change, here are three web browsers that offer unique benefits and might just enhance your browsing experience.

DuckDuckGo 

Known primarily for its search engine that emphasizes privacy, DuckDuckGo also offers a browser that keeps your online activities confidential. DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches or your site visits and blocks trackers from third parties. If privacy is one of your top priorities, this is an excellent choice.

Arc

Arc is designed for modern web users who multitask extensively. It features a unique interface that allows you to manage tabs and apps more efficiently, turning your browser into a workspace. Arc positions itself as a customizable browser that feels like a second desktop. It has tools for grouping tabs and a focus on reducing clutter.

Firefox 

A long-standing contender in the browser space, Firefox focuses on user privacy and customizable features. It offers robust privacy tools and flexible customization options. It’s a great alternative for those who want to tailor their internet experience without compromising on speed or security.

Secrets to Creating Successful Branded Merch

By
Amanda B
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Creating successful branded merchandise is more than just slapping a logo on a t-shirt or a mug. It’s about crafting items that resonate with your audience, enhance your brand identity, and generate excitement. We’ve gathered some insider tips on creating merchandise that enhances your brand’s visibility and forms lasting connections with your customers.

Understand Your Audience

Before designing your merch, it’s crucial to understand who your customers are and what they value. This knowledge helps tailor your products to fit their preferences, lifestyles, and needs. The more aligned your merch is with their interests, the more likely they are to wear or use it proudly.

Make It Unique and Memorable

To stand out, your merch needs to be distinctive and memorable. Consider custom designs that creatively incorporate your logo or brand colors. Think beyond the standard fare of pens and notebooks. Instead, offer items that are practical yet stylish, such as eco-friendly water bottles, tech gadgets, or uniquely designed apparel. 

Leverage Limited Editions

Lastly, creating limited edition items can generate buzz and a sense of urgency among your audience. These exclusive releases can be tied to special events, milestones, or collaborations. Limited editions often become collectibles, enhancing the perceived value of your merch and encouraging quick purchases.

Our Favorite Architecture Magazines for Endless Inspiration

By
Alisa G
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Got a thing for stunning spaces and innovative designs? Well, you’re in good company! We’ve rounded up our favorite architecture magazines that are perfect for anyone looking to dive into the world of design. These picks will keep your inspiration tank full and your design dreams vivid.

Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest (AD) is perhaps the most well-known architecture magazine out there. Known for its stunning photography and in-depth tours of spectacular homes around the world, AD covers a wide range of topics from interior design to landscaping. It’s a great source for anyone looking to find aesthetic inspiration or the latest luxury trends in the world of architecture.

Dezeen

Dezeen is a modern and forward-thinking publication that offers an online magazine and print edition. It is revered for its contemporary approach and focus on the future of design. Dezeen features innovative projects and the latest advancements in sustainable and urban design, making it a favorite among forward-thinking professionals.

Dwell

Dwell magazine is perfect for those who love modern architecture and design. It specifically focuses on functional and comfortable spaces that encourage a good quality of life. In Dwell, you’ll often find homes that are not only architecturally significant but also accessible, promoting ideas that you can apply in everyday living environments.

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