Latest news with #Altoids
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rockford's J.L. Clark: Reducing waste with reusable plastic packaging
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — J.L. Clark has been making plastic packaging in Rockford for major brands for more than 60 years. They're also known for metal products like the packaging for Altoids. Scott Novak is the company's Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. He gave us a tour of their plastics facility in Rockford. He said the manufacturing process begins with a massive silo outside the facility. It houses 200,000 pounds of resin. 'So the resin comes in from the rail car into the silo,' Novak said, 'and then it goes through overhead pipes into our injection molding press where it's heated and melted. And then we add coloring before it gets into the molding process.' The process to create one from start to finish seems to take less time than with metal products. 'The molding press has multiple cavities, and each cavity forms one part. The molten resin gets put into the tool. It's heated up. It's formed into the shape of the part, then it's cooled. The mold opens up, and then the parts drop out onto this conveyor,' he said. 'This is a caffeinated pouch package we developed for a major tobacco company. It has a dual sliding mechanism. In this, 20 pouches will fall out. It gives your daily dose of Caffeine. Each pouch is equivalent to one cup of coffee,' he said, while pointing to a new product they make. In all, he said they make roughly 20 different plastic packaging products for major brands. Each molding machine is able to make 168,000 plastic parts per day. Novak continues explaining the manufacturing process. 'They move along the conveyor where they're subject to airflow from fans as well as special cooling conveyors because it's very important that the parts are properly cooled so they don't warp, and we can minimize the shrinkage.' Novak says he is proud of the work that goes into making the product. 'I love it. It's great. I get to work on new projects like this, which is really exciting. We get to help our customers do new and improved things,' he said. Once molded, the parts are checked for quality. Rejected pieces are moved aside. Those rejected pieces are later recycled, reducing the company's carbon footprint. The good parts are then organized, boxed by an automated machine, and then stacked, ready for shipping. Novak says the process allows their brand partners to send the boxes back so they're reused in another effort to be environmentally conscious. He says it's all about innovation. 'I love coming up with different innovations,' he said. 'Because we do both metal and plastic packaging, you can do some really interesting things.' He says that an innovative approach is what's kept J.L. Clark going strong for more than 120 years in Rockford. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Altoids, K-Pop, and a Harry Potter wand: The strangest moments of Diddy jury selection
Wednesday was the third day of jury selection for the Sean Combs sex trafficking trial in Manhattan. Dozens of potential jurors were questioned about their ability to be impartial. The selection process includes moments of anguish and laughter for those summoned to the courtroom. There are moments of anguish. And a surprising amount of laughter. Throughout the week, a random assortment of New Yorkers filed in and out of a federal courtroom in Manhattan after receiving juror summonses for USA v Sean Combs. Each prospective juror — nearly 100 people, with doctors, school teachers, clerks, and retirees among them — was warned that the eight-week trial would involve evidence of alleged sexual trafficking and violence. They've all also been asked to describe any personal trauma that could trigger a bias against the rapper, who has maintained his innocence. "It takes a lot of healing," one woman told the judge of being nearly raped three years ago by a stranger in the Bronx. Despite these harrowing moments — and the potential life sentence hanging over the millionaire music mogul — there have also been many moments of levity during jury selection, which is expected to conclude Friday. Laughter has broken out in the otherwise somber courtroom more than a dozen times, including from Combs himself. Here are some of those lighter moments. A Tolkien gesture "I read through the people and places list, which is several pages long," US District Judge Arun Subramanian told the parties before the first 30 prospective jurors filed into his courtroom Monday. "I felt like I was reading an appendix from, like, 'The Lord of the Rings," cracked Subramanian, who is presiding over the trial. The judge was referencing a printed list of more than 200 names that was handed to each prospect. It includes every name that may be referenced during the trial, Kanye West and Kid Cudi among them. The list includes stumpers, such as "Mike Myers." Four people close to the trial — who were not allowed to comment by name — were unable to confirm if this was the actor of "Shrek" and Austin Powers fame. One thought it "probably" was, but could not describe the context. No Altoids for you During a break in jury selection Monday, Combs' jury selection consultant, Linda Moreno, was returning to her seat at the defense table directly in front of Combs' seat. Combs gestured at the little tin of Altoids she carried, as if to ask for a mint. Moreno began opening the tin. Then her eyes met those of two federal marshals who sat directly behind Combs. The marshals slowly shook their heads, "No," in unison, the tin remained shut, and Moreno took her seat again. Harry Potter and the purloined merch Each prospective juror is asked whether they or any significant person in their life has had any contact with law enforcement. On Monday, this question prompted a former parochial school teacher from the Bronx to admit to her juvenile shoplifting record. "Um, I was at Universal Studios," she began. "I think I was in Harry Potter World. So, they took me to the back and, um, they kind of, like, put me through all the process." She was 16, and a lawyer eventually got the case reduced to "just a fine," she told the judge with an embarrassed-sounding laugh. Many of the defense lawyers and prosecutors couldn't resist smiling. Combs, too, smiled. Then the judge broached the question on everyone's mind. "OK," he asked, as if eliciting a formal confession. "What did you take?" "A wand," she answered. As of Wednesday, the woman remained a contender for the jury. Juror No. 420 "I'm going to order you not to use marijuana during this trial," the judge told a prospective juror who works as a landlord in the Bronx — and who said he partakes nightly. "Are you going to be able to follow that instruction?" As smiles flickered through the courtroom, the judge probed further, asking, "Would that be hard for you?" "Yes," came the answer from the witness box. "It would be?" the judge pressed. "Yep." The prospective juror was excused from service. The 51-year-old K-Pop stan Prospective jurors were told to avoid media reports about Combs' case and inform the judge if they had heard anything about it. One 51-year-old nurse practitioner said she had. "I became aware because this is my second day, so you told us about the case," she told the judge. The room erupted in laughter. The woman later said that her media diet consisted almost exclusively of nurse practitioner trade publications. She also listens to rock and hip-hop, and appears to be a member of the BTS Army. "I'm actively watching the concert of the group called BTS, or Bangtan Boys," she said. The judge's pal Subramanian had the chance to bask in the praise of one prospective juror, an attorney who said he had personally known the judge for a decade. The prospective juror said the two had worked together on class-action cases. (Before becoming a federal judge in 2023, Subramanian was an attorney at Susman Godfrey, where he was involved in numerous antitrust cases.) "He is fair, he is gregarious, he is decent, and he's brilliant," he said, ladling plaudits upon the judge. "But we have not always agreed on everything." Subramanian ultimately dismissed him. The guy who skipped questions because he was tired after binge-watching 'Andor' The courtroom was enraptured by one prospective juror, a 64-year-old Black man who works as an X-Ray technician. He recounted past interactions with law enforcement, including the time he once "got into a scuffle" after a misunderstanding in a laundromat, and another occasion where a police officer accused him of failing to be helpful. Subramanian said the man appeared to have omitted details on his written questionnaire. Asked about it, the prospective juror said he was tired because he had sleep apnea and was up late binge-watching "Andor," the new "Star Wars" show on Disney+. "What are you going to do when you are selected as a juror and not be able to binge 'Andor?'" Subramanian asked. "It's finished, I'm finished with it," the prospective juror assured the judge. Subramanian moved him along to the next round. Diddy's jailer One of the last prospective jurors was on the stand for a short time after explaining where he worked. "I work at MDC Brooklyn," he said, referring to the federal jail where Combs is incarcerated. There was an awkward pause in the courtroom as everyone digested what he had just said. And then laughter. "Can we get longer visiting hours?" Agnifilo asked. "Are you in charge of that?" Subramanian asked the 20-something-year-old prospective juror, who was wearing a green hoodie. "Nope," the prospective juror answered. He was dismissed for cause. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Altoids, K-Pop, and a Harry Potter wand: The strangest moments of Diddy jury selection
There are moments of anguish. And a surprising amount of laughter. Throughout the week, a random assortment of New Yorkers filed in and out of a federal courtroom in Manhattan after receiving juror summonses for USA v Sean Combs. Each prospective juror — nearly 100 people, with doctors, school teachers, clerks, and retirees among them — was warned that the eight-week trial would involve evidence of alleged sexual trafficking and violence. They've all also been asked to describe any personal trauma that could trigger a bias against the rapper, who has maintained his innocence. "It takes a lot of healing," one woman told the judge of being nearly raped three years ago by a stranger in the Bronx. Despite these harrowing moments — and the potential life sentence hanging over the millionaire music mogul — there have also been many moments of levity during jury selection, which is expected to conclude Friday. Laughter has broken out in the otherwise somber courtroom more than a dozen times, including from Combs himself. Here are some of those lighter moments. A Tolkien gesture "I read through the people and places list, which is several pages long," US District Judge Arun Subramanian told the parties before the first 30 prospective jurors filed into his courtroom Monday. "I felt like I was reading an appendix from, like, 'The Lord of the Rings, cracked Subramanian, who is presiding over the trial. The judge was referencing a printed list of more than 200 names that was handed to each prospect. It includes every name that may be referenced during the trial, Kanye West and Kid Cudi among them. The list includes stumpers, such as "Mike Myers." Four people close to the trial — who were not allowed to comment by name — were unable to confirm if this was the actor of Shrek and Austin Powers fame. One thought it "probably" was, but could not describe the context. No Altoids for you During a break in jury selection Monday, Combs' jury selection consultant, Linda Moreno, was returning to her seat at the defense table directly in front of Combs' seat. Combs gestured at the little tin of Altoids she carried, as if to ask for a mint. Moreno began opening the tin. Then her eyes met those of two federal marshals who sat directly behind Combs. The marshals slowly shook their heads, "No," in unison, the tin remained shut, and Moreno took her seat again. Harry Potter and the purloined merch Each prospective juror is asked whether they or any significant person in their life has had any contact with law enforcement. On Monday, this question prompted a former parochial school teacher from the Bronx to admit to her juvenile shoplifting record. "Um, I was at Universal Studios," she began. "I think I was in Harry Potter World. So, they took me to the back and, um, they kind of, like, put me through all the process." She was 16, and a lawyer eventually got the case reduced to "just a fine," she told the judge with an embarrassed-sounding laugh. Many of the defense lawyers and prosecutors couldn't resist smiling. Combs, too, smiled. Then the judge broached the question on everyone's mind. "OK," he asked, as if eliciting a formal confession. "What did you take?" "A wand," she answered. As of Wednesday, the woman remained a contender for the jury. Juror No. 420 "I'm going to order you not to use marijuana during this trial," the judge told a prospective juror who works as a landlord in the Bronx — and who said he partakes nightly. "Are you going to be able to follow that instruction?" As smiles flickered through the courtroom, the judge probed further, asking, "Would that be hard for you?" Yes," came the answer from the witness box. "It would be?" the judge pressed. "Yep." The prospective juror was excused from service. The 51-year-old K-Pop stan Prospective jurors were told to avoid media reports about Combs' case and inform the judge if they had heard anything about it. One 51-year-old nurse practitioner said she had. "I became aware because this is my second day, so you told us about the case," she told the judge. The room erupted in laughter. The woman later said that her media diet consisted almost exclusively of nurse practitioner trade publications. She also listens to rock and hip-hop, and appears to be a member of the BTS Army. "I'm actively watching the concert of the group called BTS, or Bangtan Boys," she said. The judge's pal Subramanian had the chance to bask in the praise of one prospective juror, an attorney who said he had personally known the judge for a decade. The prospective juror said the two had worked together on class-action cases. (Before becoming a federal judge in 2023, Subramanian was an attorney at Susman Godfrey, where he was involved in numerous antitrust cases.) "He is fair, he is gregarious, he is decent, and he's brilliant," he said, ladling plaudits upon the judge. "But we have not always agreed on everything." Subramanian ultimately dismissed him. The guy who skipped questions because he was tired after binge-watching 'Andor' The courtroom was enraptured by one prospective juror, a 64-year-old Black man who works as an X-Ray technician. He recounted past interactions with law enforcement, including the time he once "got into a scuffle" after a misunderstanding in a laundromat, and another occasion where a police officer accused him of failing to be helpful. Subramanian said the man appeared to have omitted details on his written questionnaire. Asked about it, the prospective juror said he was tired because he had sleep apnea and was up late binge-watching "Andor," the new "Star Wars" show on Disney+. "What are you going to do when you are selected as a juror and not be able to binge 'Andor?'" Subramanian asked. "It's finished, I'm finished with it," the prospective juror assured the judge. Subramanian moved him along to the next round. Diddy's jailer One of the last prospective jurors was on the stand for a short time after explaining where he worked. "I work at MDC Brooklyn," he said, referring to the federal jail where Combs is incarcerated. There was an awkward pause in the courtroom as everyone digested what he had just said. And then laughter. "Can we get longer visiting hours?" Agnifilo asked. "Are you in charge of that?" Subramanian asked the 20-something-year-old prospective juror, who was wearing a green hoodie. "Nope," the prospective juror answered. He was dismissed for cause.
Buzz Feed
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
29 Products From Etsy That Are Gonna Stay On Your Mind Until You Make Them Yours
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. The little voice in your head is going to keep saying "buy them, buy them" until you finally do, so you might as well silence it now and treat yourself. 1. A pair of suede Mary Janes that are the ULTIMATE spring shoes. These babies combine the seasonality of your favorite clogs with a faux fur lining perfect for those unpredictable spring days when it's sunny outside but a tad chilly. You can rock them with socks or bare feet and wear them inside and out. Basically, you need these. They're made with real leather and a flexible EVA foam sole. If you'd like to change the color, material, or sole or add some details, DM the seller. If you'd like orthotic soles, you must purchase them separately from the shop for $25.20 when you purchase your shoes. Gor Shoes is based in Ukraine and sells casual and comfortable footwear! Get it from Gor Shoes for $171 (available in women's sizes 36–41). 2. A water dispenser leveler you simply clip or screw onto your fridge's water dispenser to put an end to the issue that is the annoying angle of the water spout making it impossible to fully fill a glass of water. Packard 3D Designs / Etsy Packard 3D Designs is Maryland-based and run by mechanical engineer Austin Packard. Promising reviews: "Game changer for our fridge. We had to adjust our shelves a bit, but it was way worth it to have this thing fit!" — Alex McGee "This has made getting water from my refrigerator much easier for my grandkids and me." — Susan Get it from Packard 3D Designs for $25 (available in two colors). 3. A tin of tangerine-flavored Sour Drops inspired by the beloved Altoid Sours you've been mourning the loss of since 2010. Time to wake your tastebuds up from the 15-year sour slumber and tantalize them all over again. Nature = healing. Sour Drops is based in LA and was started to recreate the fan-fave Altoid Sours. Tangerine not your fave flavor? They sell plenty of other options such as sour blue raspberry, sour mango, sour hard cherry, sour watermelon, and sour apple! Promising review: "These are so super reminiscent of what I used to have from my childhood! A super sour bite at the start before a nice citrusy flavor! 10/10 recommend!" — sydny fink 4. And on the topic of Altoids — an organizer insert designed to fit into an empty Altoids Small container. Rather than throwing away those lil' tins, you can recycle them into something functional, like an organizer for pills, sewing supplies, and other tiny trinkets! Bridge Designed is based in Pittsburgh and sells super smart lil' organizational products! Promising review:"These inserts are so handy!! I decorated a small Altoids tin out of boredom at the beginning of lockdown and have been using it as a pill tin ever since…just had pills rolling around until I found these little inserts! Colors are fun, and now my handbag doesn't rattle." — Janet P. Get it from Bridge Design for $3.57 (available in seven colors and nine styles). 5. A sun catcher sticker you simply place on a window of your choosing (feel free to buy several for numerous windows) and watch as it refracts some gorg 🌈 into the room. Plus, you deserve a daily reminder that you're made of magic, you magical human you. Peachy Keen by Design Co. / Etsy Peachy Keen by Design Co. is a Colorado-based small business established in 2020 that specializes in art prints, stickers, and other designs. Promising review: "Absolutely gorgeous! Vibrant colors! Exactly what I wanted and then some!" — Kristen Killebrew Get it from Peachy Keen by Design Co. on Etsy for $11. 6. A lemon-printed grocery list notepad because groceries these days are expensive — $10 for a dozen eggs?! Avocado shortages?! — so it's more important than ever to make sure you have a plan laid out before your weekly grocery runs. Sticking to your grocery list and staying within budget at the store means more money for lil' treats for yourself. It's basic math! Daisy & Decor / Etsy Daisy & Decor sells beautiful and super helpful items to help make life feel more organized like kitchen recipe journals, notepads, cosmetic bags, and more! Promising review:"This is the second time I've ordered this item. Love the look of the lemons and it makes it very easy to write my grocery list." — Bernadette Elwood Get it from Daisy & Decor for $14. 7. A personalized Real Housewives wine tumbler so you can finally live out your dreams of seeing your hometown have its very own franchise — even if it's just in the form of this cup. We'll manifest it being on Bravo as you sip your favorite vino. KC Cups / Etsy KC Cups is woman-owned, based in Kansas, and sells personalized engraved tumblers. Promising review:"I got these cuties for two of my friends who bought houses in late 2020 with their cities personalized on them. Basically no one is as obsessed with Housewives as I am, but lots of our group chats entail rehashing the latest eps (except RHOC bc, let's face it, it's awful). So when my colleague Heather Braga put this tumbler in her gifts for Bravo fans, I couldn't wait to order them. They've both received them and LOVE them. One friend cried! But a good cry." — Elizabeth Lilly, BuzzFeed editor Get it from KC Cups for $39.99 (available in eight colors/styles). 8. A hummingbird feeder with a super cool design: It prevents sugar water from getting on the outside of the feeder (hummingbirds can be messy which helps keep away bees and wasps! Just stake it in your potted plants outside. Is there anything more joy-inducing than looking out your window and seeing happy hummingbirds in your yard? Copper Hummingbird / Etsy Copper Hummingbird is based is Tuscon, Arizona and sells this genius hummingbird feeder! Promising review:"Great little feeder! We put it in a pot of colorful flowers and had hummingbirds within a day! Great quality. Fast shipper." — Yvonne Wold 9. A pair of bubble and wand earrings that may just transport you back to the glory days of spending hours outside trying to blow a bigger bubble than the last — without the soapy mess, of course. If you're looking to boost your ego and fish for some compliments on a given day, these are your ticket! Cosmic Drip Creation is woman-owned and based in Dallas, Texas. They sell a lovely mix of colorful and iridescent accessories such as belts, earrings, and necklaces. 10. A blind date with a book perfect for anyone who wants to read more in 2025 but can't seem to get out of a reading slump. All you have to do is pick a genre (or pick the "any" option if you can't choose), and you'll receive a brand new book, a double-sided highlighter, a bookmark, annotating tabs, and bookish/cute stickers! Cute Book Corner sells all sorts of blind dates with a book, including bundles (if your friends/family want to join in on the fun) and holiday-themed options, too! Promising review: "I ordered three blind dates with a book for my friends and I. It'll be their first time experiencing the fun! We can't wait to open them and see the surprises we each picked." — Amy King Get it from Cute Book Corner for $29.89 (available in 12 genres or an "any" option). 11. And if you already have a stacked TBR you're trying to make your way through, then get yourself this super cool book tracker bookmark. Once you finish a read, write the title down, and use the mark to ensure you don't lose track of the pages in your future reads! LeWillowbean / Etsy LeWillowbean is based in Canada and sells crafted bookmarks and book journals! Promising review: "love it! A good way to start out the year keeping track of the books I've read. Gifting one to my sister who also is an avid reader and another friend. A unique way to remember the books I have read!" — susanbaust1 Get it from LeWillowbean for $6.03+ (available in three styles, three sizes, and multi-packs). 12. A quarter-shaped keychain because your Aldi trips shouldn't have to boil down to remembering to bring a quarter or trying to transform yourself into a human shopping cart (aka balancing a week's worth of items throughout the store). Etch This Out / Etsy Etch This Out is based in Irvine, California and sells personalized gifts. Promising review: "I can never seem to keep a quarter on me. This works out great. Fits the carts perfectly and it won't be easy to break (like another one I had)." — Jill B. Get it from Etch This Out for $11.99 (available in five colors and four shapes). 13. An espresso martini candle that looks good enough to drink and will shock your friends/family in the funniest way when they see you lighting what they thought was a gorgeous cocktail creation. Candle Lume is based in Toronto, Canada, and sells custom candles with 25 different scents and colors. Promising review: "It smelled amazing the moment I opened it. It looked just like an espresso martini. The person I gifted it to loved it too." —Lisseth Castro Get it from Candle Lume for $24.74. 14. A versatile linen dress bound to become your new favorite wardrobe piece all spring/summer long. It's perfect for weddings, walks along the beach, and rooftop bar drinks after work. My apologies to all of your other dresses that will never see the light of day once this perfect item arrives. LelaSilk / Etsy LelaSilk is woman-owned, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and sells beautiful handmade clothing! Promising review:"Absolutely gorgeous! Fits so well, and there are different buttons sewn into the dress to help adjust the size. I'm in love with this dress. I'd wear it every day if I could." — Laura B Get it from LelaSilk for $106.50+ (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL or custom sizing and various colors). 15. A jelly frog soap that is so darn squishable, you'll forget that be used to wash your hands. Honestly, you may wanna keep a "normal" soap on the side, because no way are you gonna wanna do anything but admire this sweet bb next to your sink. Oh, and did I mention it smells like MINT CHOCOLATE?!!!! Frolic Creations / Etsy Frolic Creations is based in Orlando and sells handcrafted soaps and candles! Promising review: "To the seller and creator of this item, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I may sound silly when I say this, but it's the truth: Froggy soap has boosted my serotonin SO MUCH. Ever since I've bought my froggy soap, I can definitely see a change in my mood. Not only has it been a serotonin booster for me, but it has also been a bonding experience. Everyone in my family knows about the beloved frog, and we plan on getting the set of 12 miniature ones so we can all have our own little froggies!!" — Maddison Liddick Get it from Frolic Creations for $16.99 (also available in a mini size). 16. A butter stick holder for spreading butter onto a pan, a slice of toast, or wherever else your heart desires. Goodbye, greasy fingers, shaking the skillet around in an attempt to distribute butter evenly, and trying (and failing) miserably to spread it on your bread with nothing but a knife and a dream. The Magnetack/Etsy The Magnetack is based in Miami and sells magnetic pushpin photo and poster holders. Promising review:"Absolutely perfect. It holds a whole stick of butter, and the butter stays in place, unlike with some of the other products on the market that are supposed to serve the same purpose." — Michelle 17. A dice set filled with mood-boosting activity ideas to give you some fun and/or relaxation to look forward to even after the most tiresome of days. In times like these, we can ALL use some inspo for activities that help us stop the doomscrolling or start being more present. Two Tumbleweeds is woman-owned and based in Tempe, Arizona. They sell products to keep mealtime fun. They offer notepads and calendars for planning weekly menus and grocery lists, foodie dice, and mixology dice — because trying out new cocktails is important! Promising review:"I am looking forward to finding better things to do than watching videos on my phone. Thanks for making these to help decompress and unplug." — Merrylegs Get it from Two Tumbleweeds for $19.95. 18. A couch bar to hold your yummy drinks and snacks as you snuggle up for a night of movie marathons or watch an entire season of your favorite show. There are even slots to hold your phone, remote, glasses, napkins, and anything else you might want nearby! Inexterior / Etsy Inexterior is based in Germany and sells an array of useful and unique home goods! Promising review:"Super happy with this snack tray! My daughter absolutely loved stocking this up and munching on her goodies while watching a movie! Thank you!" — Oliverandgeorgie Get it from Inexterior for $42.58+ (available in three colors and with or without personalization). 19. A eucalyptus and lavender shower/bath pouch that not only smells great, but will help make your bathroom feel like a luscious lil' spa. Plus, these pouches can help provide some potential relief from colds, congestion, and stress. Ahhh, how nice. 20. A crocheted mushroom crossbody bag you should opt to wear on days you feel like receiving a million compliments and answering the question "Where did you get that" several thousand times. Introverts, you have been warned. Kitten Art Crotchet/Etsy Kitten Art Crochet is woman-owned and sells an adorable selection of crocheted gifts and pet accessories. Promising review: "It was so nice my daughter loved it. I would recommend it for anyone. And it was a little bit bigger than I thought witch was really nice." — Orlando Get it from Kitten Art Crochet for $19.50 (available in nine styles). 21. A Baja Blast keychain that's made with real liquid and mini ice cubes, so you'll never be without your emotional support fast food beverage again. While you obvs cannot drink this, it'll keep you good company until the next time you can get your butt to Taco Bell for a cup of the real thing. Cutler's Creation is woman-owned and sells drink-themed keychains and earrings. Promising review: "So cute! I got matching ones for me and my bestie. It even has fake ice that floats around in the cup. I got the smaller of the two sizes." — Paige 22. A wall-mounted propagation arch for the prettiest piece of wall decor possibly ever. If you're ready for all of your houseguests to ask you to send them the link to this Etsy product listing so they can copy your impeccable decor choices, then hit that "add to cart" button now. Walsh Made is run by husband and wife team Justin and Chelsey Walsh in Bismarck, North Dakota. They sell beautiful, handmade home decor. Promising review:"Love these!! I got four different colors, and they all look exactly like the pictures. Super easy to install. Would recommend!!" — wigleya Get a set of two from Walsh Made for $21.36 (available in larger pack sizes and 18 colors). 23. A microwave dinner wall sculpture that looks so good you might be tempted to pull it off your wall at some point and pop it in the microwave. While that is not recommended, you should stock up on some of the actual frozen meals you used to eat as a kid to enjoy while admiring your newest piece of home decor. Bogus Bites is based in Reading, Pennsylvania and sells a buncha delicious-looking, nostalgia-inducing pieces of home decor designed by owner, Chelsea. Promising review:"After buying the retro TV dinner, this was the perfect new addition! This was my favorite Kid's Cuisine growing up and I'm soooo obsessed with it — the quality is amazing, it looks so realistic, and it shipped quickly and safely. Love it!" — Annamae Sax Get it from Bogus Bites for $94.99 (available in two tray colors). 24. A deck of cocktail cards — each card features a classic cocktail recipe. Next time you find yourself stuck in a rut about which drink to craft, simply pick a card, channel your inner bartender, and enjoy! Cartesian Cards / Etsy Cartesian Cards is based in London, United Kingdom and sells this deck of cocktail cards as well as cocktail greeting cards. Get it from Cartesian Cards for $18.63. 25. A worry wart that might just help you feel less alone during your next late-night spiral. You know, the times when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly you're lying up in bed because your brain can't stop thinking about the world being a dumpster fire or overanalyzing every social interaction from the past week?! This lil' buddy gets it, and he's here for you. ❤️ Blobhouse / Etsy Blobhouse is based in Portland, Oregon, and is run by artist Gesine Kratzner. Promising review: "My little worry wart is so so cute! I just love Wilfred — he is sitting on my desk under my lamp, gazing at me with his buggy little eyes. He makes me smile whenever I look his way :)" — JoyceAlice Get it from Blobhouse for $9.50+ (available in seven styles). 26. An incredibly, extremely, superbly, wonderfully VERY important hat because loving cheese is a personality trait (and a top-notch one at that), so it's a necessity that everyone around you knows you have great taste. We won't tell them you have a pocket/purse full of dairy-relief tablets on you at all times if you don't. Where's U Get That Hat? / Etsy Where's U Get That Hat? is based in New York and sells a brilliant assortment of hats. Get it from Where's U Get That Hat? for $20.21 (available in 14 hat colors and 11 letter colors). 27. An adorable squiggle shelf that does an important double-duty job of being unique wall decor and additional storage space. Plants, books, and all of your random trinkets will look fabulous here. If you're someone who usually sticks with neutral colors but you're looking to switch things up, the light color options are perfect for introducing subtle new hues. Shop Curious is based in Honolulu. Accurately self-described as a "funky, feel-good wall shelf shop," shop owner Candyce hand-makes colorful and fun decor for the home. Note that this item is made to order, so it'll take some time to ship because the shop owner is busy creating their magic. ✨ Promising review:"This shelf is so cute and definitely worth the wait for it to be made. Instantly adds more character to a space. I love it!" — Lily Lemond Get it from Shop Curious on Etsy for $37 (available in seven colors). 28. A custom location coordinate ring so you can mark a special place (your home address, the venue where you got married, the shelter where you adopted your fur bb, etc.) and wear it at all times. Not to mention, this would also make a great go-to special gift for a loved one! Caitlyn Minimalist / Etsy Caitlyn Minimalist is Asian woman-owned, based in Los Angeles, and sells gorgeous jewelry. Promising review:"This ring is perfection! I am beyond happy with my purchase. Makes a perfect addition to my ring stack. This ring is special and stylish. Pretty sure I will be adding more sentimental latitude and longitude rings in the future." — Morgan Sticht Get it from Caitlyn Minimalist for $20.30+ (available in three finishes, various and a double-sided option). 29. A "one tripper" shopping bag that can replace up to FOUR shopping bags and is sturdy/stretchy enough to handle your heaviest drinks, sauce jars, and other grocery items. Let's face it: The numerous trips from your car to the front door are ANNOYING! Me Mother Earth is based in Las Vegas and sells eco-friendly products. Promising review:"Great, huge bag! This was exactly what I was looking for! I live in a walkable neighborhood and needed a large bag that is sturdy but packs small so that I am more likely to bring it with me. I also appreciate that the bags come in different colors!" — Ennierda Get it from Me Mother Earth for $11.99 (available in three colors).
New York Times
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Secret Mall Apartment' and the Blurred Line Between Life and Art
What is art? Everyone has a different definition, not just at this moment in history but across eras. Art is a pretty picture. Art is what's in a museum. Art is what makes us human. Art is something to sell, or buy, or make, or make fun of. Art is everything, or nothing at all. Defining art isn't the stated aim of 'Secret Mall Apartment' (in theaters), Jeremy Workman's new documentary about artists who in 2003 managed to create and live undetected for four years in an apartment nestled in a shopping mall in Providence, R.I. That sounds bizarre because it is. Inspired by a commercial for the mall, Providence Place, in which a mother claims she wishes she could live there because it would make shopping so convenient, the artists found an empty, secluded space away from the retail corridors and planned a kind of performance art happening: They'd live there for a week, documenting it, subtly poking fun at developers' obsessions with so-called underutilized spaces. It seems like a practical joke, but the context was deadly serious, as Workman shows by structuring the film akin to a spiderweb. At the center is the mall apartment itself and the reasons the artists ended up staying several years. This story is built out with interviews with the participants — many of whom had never revealed their involvement — and with footage they shot on the tiny digital cameras we used to tote around back in the mid-aughts, small enough to fit in an Altoids tin. Sprawling from this central story — full of funny anecdotes about almost getting caught and their solutions to problems like an undetectable wall — is a sober set of concerns. Chief among them is the way that city officials and developers were addressing urban decay in Providence, and how the centerpiece of their solution was meant to be the mall. Workman makes ample use of news video to demonstrate how locals talked about the project at the time, including working-class residents who noted that the planned shops and the positioning of the mall entrance away from the less affluent part of the city signaled that it wasn't meant for them at all. He also enlists a crew to construct a full-scale model of the apartment so that the original dwellers can experience it again. But can an apartment be art? Yes, the movie suggests — if you understand art to be fused with life, a way of existing rather than just something you make and sell. Art can disrupt the ruling logic of whatever world we're living in. The de facto head of the project was Michael Townsend, who had taught many of the participants in a summer program at the Rhode Island School of Design and had imbued them with a sense that, as they put it, the lines between art and life were very porous and that aesthetics could be a good unto itself. To make something that nobody could own, that nobody could put in a museum, but that could perform its own small resistance against an economy that thrummed along on the rails of commerce, of buying and buying and buying: That was the good. Eventually the apartment was discovered, although Townsend was the only person linked to it (and remains banned from Providence Place). But 'Secret Mall Apartment' makes a compelling case that the project reverberates through the lives of the artists, and maybe even the city, to this day. Art doesn't have to be in a museum to be valuable; it doesn't have to be own-able, repeatable or even make sense to everyone. If it changes a few lives, then it's changed the world.
