REVAMP Your Home. Your Life. You.
December 2013
$3.99
Stick to it
Editor-in-chief Brittany Watson
Pam Farmen
Contributors Skyler Blevins Jenn Meyer
Special Thanks Connie Batey Lucas Hanna Rebekah Hanna Bonnie Heisler Momma
Product of Ball State University’s cardinal copy center
Always & F rever
Art Director
This is a Ball State University magazine design class project, created Fall 2013 1
Contributors
Skyler Blevins Skyler currently lives in Muncie, Indiana as he continues with his schooling. He enjoys entertaining people, performing in front of an audience, and watching movies in his spare time. Skyler is very excited about the future. -Contributing funnyman and emotional supporter.
Jennifer Meyer Jenn currently lives in Muncie, Indiana as she continues with her schooling. She enjoys spending time with those who matter most to her. -Model and emotional supporter.
2 // Your Home. Your Life. You.
EDITORIAL CONTENT
This Issue: Contributors Editor’s Letter
Consume 6
Grilled Childhood grilled cheese gets a new look and a new taste
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Wake me Up Sweets Adding instant coffee to favorite baked goods give them a leg up on the competition. Closet
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Small space living Adding a touch of you own can add storage and make your space feel more homey despite its small size.
Comfort 10
Thrifting We all thrift, but why not inspire. Look what we found for less than 5 dollars.
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Master the cuff Confused by the new trend? Let us explain. Character
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Features
Importance of a laugh
Refresh Bright colors and old furniture become one
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Farm Fresh The best way to eat clean and what it brings to your life
Our favorite funny man clues us in on how he stays so positive.
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Letter from the Editor
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“Revamp aims to inspire those who are budget conscious to build upon inexpensive additions or items one already owns. Think extreme makeover, thrift shop edition.”
4 // Your Home. Your Life. You.
hen I first started this magazine I thought how wonderful it was to have so many possibilities. There wasn’t anyone who was going to tell me what I could and couldn’t use to fill the pages. Colors and fonts were going to be completely determined by me. Little did I know, having an infinite number of options with only a couple critiques was going to turn out to be much more difficult than I could have imagined. What I thought was going to be incredible, turned out to be one of the most indecisive few months of my life. Sure I had a topic. I wanted to create a magazine that was something I would be interested in reading – a magazine that put my beloved Pinterest into pages. Pages I could turn and feel between my fingers instead of a bunch of boxes on a tiny glared screen. We were warned. Previous students and even Pam told us the process is like having a baby. At first you’re excited, then you hate it, and by the end you don’t want to let it go. I didn’t realize how true that would soon be. The short life of this project has dictated my entire semester. A full schedule, extracurricular activities, a personal life and several friends who think I’ve dropped off the face of the earth. As REVAMP began to take shape my life began to fall apart. Classes were rough, my personal life was crumbling and all I wanted to do was sleep. I hated this magazine. It wasn’t good enough. I was capable of so much more, but I was exhausted. When everything I thought was going great fell apart I started to turn to this magazine on my brightly lit screen in the middle of the night. If I was going to spend a lot of time home alone, I was going to have time to invest. Several attempts and lots of late nights with a bottle of wine and my favorite Pandora station later we have arrived at this. It’s done. I didn’t know it was possible, but now that I’ve accomplished the most difficult project of my life I know that things will be ok. All of us designers learned a lot and with the friends I’ve acquired from this experience I know the other parts of my life will turn around too. It just takes time. Like this magazine, life is a process.
Organically Live Life
Consume
An easy lunch just got a whole new flavor. A grown up flavor.
Gourmet
Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
Grilled Cheese
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rom the plates of young children to those of gourmet chefs, grilled cheese sandwiches have found their way into the hearts of comfort food lovers everywhere. The three-ingredient concoction oozed its way into American diets during the Great Depression when lost-cost meals were a must, but today the elementary sandwich has been amped up to 5-star quality. From the addition of fruits, vegetables and cheeses other than Kraft singles the sandwich we once knew and loved keeps getting better. Pizza Grilled Ingredients: 2 slices of bread pepperoni pizza sauce mozzarella cheese 2 T margarine
Directions: Place 1T margarine in frying pan an melt, coating the bottom. Insert on piece of bread topped with mozzarella cheese pepperoni and pizza sauce Top with one more piece of cheese. When bottom is toasted to liking place second slice of bread on top. Lift sandwich out of pan, put other half of butter and flip sandwich over to toast other side. Enjoy!
Apple and Brie Grilled Ingredients: 2 slices of bread Gala apple Brie cheese 2T margarine
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Directions: Place 1T of margarine in frying pan and melt, coating the bottom of the pan. Insert one piece of bread topped with Brie and thinly sliced apple and then more Brie to ‘glue’ the sides together. When bottom is toasted to your liking top with the other slice of bread, lift from the pan, put other half of margarine in, flip sandwich over and finish toasting. Feel free to add honey or cinnamon to your liking.
Wake Me Up Sweets
As the weather gets cooler and our drinks get warmer it’s only natural for coffee and comfort provoking sweets to come together. Here we combine our favorite and dependable coffee with our reliable sweets: brownies and banana bread. Brownies Ingredients: box of your favorite brownie mix ingredients needed as indicated on box 1T instant coffee Directions: Take the required water amount needed to make boxed brownies and add 1 heaping tablespoon of instant coffee. Grounds dissolve best when water is hot. Continue making the brownies as the box directions state. If more of a coffee flavor is desired more instant crystals could be added. Coffee infused ice cream makes an excellent topping.
Banana Bread Bread Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated white sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3 ripe large bananas mashed well 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place oven rack to middle position. Butter and flour (or spray with a non stick vegetable/flour spray) the bottom and sides of a loaf pan. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Gently fold the wet ingredients (banana mixture) into the dry ingredients just until combined and the batter is thick and chunky. (The important thing is not to over mix the batter. You do not want it smooth. Over mixing the batter will yield tough, rubbery bread.) Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake until bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35-45 minutes.
Coffee Glaze Ingredients: 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tbsp instant coffee granules 1 tbsp hot water Directions: Mix instant coffee granules and hot water and wait for it to cool for a bit. In a bowl, put powdered sugar and add the coffee mixture. If it’s too thick, add small amount of water or milk until desired consistency. Glaze over the Banana bread.
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comfort
Small Space Solutions Little Room, Big Style Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
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hen living in a spall space, whether that’s a studio apartment, your childhood bedroom or a dorm at college, making it feel unique and your own is the best way to ignore the fact the average jail cell is comparable in size. From textures and colors there are many ways to open up a small area and make it a place you want to spend time. Storage and décor is all it takes and this month we show you a little of both.
Makeup Hangup Few things make a small space feel even more crowded than clutter. The average girl’s bathroom is full of it. Everywhere. On average, a girl’s bathroom holds around 50 products under the sink along with multiple bags and boxes of small pieces of makeup. All of these tubes, brushes and compacts are of different sizes shapes and weights and easily scatter everywhere. Materials: • Old Wooden Frame without glass • One sheet of metal cut to frame insert size • Gloss/Enamel Spray Paint (in any color you prefer) • Old pill bottles (for brush containers) • Spray glue or regular Elmer’s Glue • Magnets • Glue gun • One yard of thin fabric
Directions: 1.) Spray paint frame, medicine bottles and anything else you wish to have a specific color. Make sure to do this in a wellventilated area. 2.) While your frame, brush holders and anything else is drying, attach your fabric to the pre-cut metal sheet. Lay out your fabric with the back facing up. Cut off excess fabric, and lightly mist a layer of spray glue on top of the metal. 3.) Fold your fabric on the metal lengthwise first, then fold the other edges in. Remember to pull tight on each fold for a smooth, flat finish in the front.
8 // Your Home. Your Life. You.
4.) Heat up your hot glue gun. When it’s ready to go, glue a dot in the center of your magnet, then immediately attach it to the center back of the makeup and containers you want on the board. We used more heavy-duty magnets to ensure the makeup would stick, but the regular refrigerator variety works just as well. For more linear items, use two magnets for an even hold. 5.) If your frame feels completely dry to the touch, it’s ready to go. Secure your fabric-covered metal into the frame. Place your makeup on the board and play around with placement.
Put a frame on it Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
hough a big blank wall can make a place appear to be larger it doesn’t do anything for the ambiance of the room. The only thing worse than a tiny apartment is a tiny, cold, lifeless apartment. Here we give you our favorite frame arrangement. The arrangement can be used regardless of the size of the wall. The bigger the wall, the bigger the frames and vise-versa.
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Our Favorite Frame Shops - Goodwill or any thrift store - Hobby Lobby - Garage sales - Craft stores - Grandma’s house
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Closet
Thrifting Finds
More than your Grandma’s dress Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
Thrifty Tips - Know what you want and need. - Only buy it if you love it.
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e all thrift shop, it’s one of the things that draws us to this magazine. The idea of saving money, finding things that you couldn’t buy in a store and coming home with something that makes you feel like you won a mini-lottery keeps us going back for more. From Dior sweaters to Polo Ralph Lauren name brands are everywhere. Here we have two items that have hit the top of our list for fall and winter thrifting finds. Both were under 5 dollars. Both are perfect for layering. And both are going to be our go to pieces for the upcoming months.
- Keep an open mind. - If there is a doubt, don’t but it. - Shop often. - Don’t collect too much.
Brand: Christian Dior Price: $4 Where we found it: Premium discount outlet
- Be prepared, is it a cash only shop? - Don’t forget the little things ¬– like jewelry. - Question each item before purchasing. - It’s ok to walk out empty-handed.
Have Fun! 10 // Your Home. Your Life. You.
Brand: Polo Price: $3.50 Where we found it: Goodwill
Trending
Cuffs for all Shoe types Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
olling, cuffing, or folding one’s jeans has been around for decades, but in recent years this trend has hit a whole new level. From flats, booties, heels and more the way and height of one’s jeans should be taken to can be debated. One thing is for sure; make sure it looks like you did it on purpose. With these three tips you’re sure to look like you know what you’re doing.
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Flats While making the commute to work on casual Friday of running around with your sweetie on Saturday a pair of great flats is the most practical choice. From traditional black ballet flats of a pair of bright of patterned smoking slippers the right pair can make or break and outfit. The only thing better than a great pair of leopard print loafers? Leopard print loafers with jeans rolled just right.
Booties As the weather cools off and the frigid winter winds make there way in its only natural to cover up a little more. Booties provide all of the style with a little more protection from the elements. Booties can keep you dry and warm and with the right noshow socks you’ll have a extra layer.
Heels Heels, no matter how high or low, are forever a trend in women’s fashion. Whether it’s a day at the office, an evening out with the girls or a date with someone special, these are the shoes we love to hate.
THE DENIM: THE DENIM: When pairing a pair of jeans with flats, we Boyfriend jeans are the easier to roll suggest skinny. Jeggings might be pushing is a chic yet grungy way.
THE DENIM: No matter if they are the skinniest of the skinny jeans of more of a relaxed boyfriend cut, make them dark wash.
THE ROLL: The trickiest of the cuffed looks is the bootie. Here we suggest more of a rolled appearance than a clean, streamlined cuff. Make the roll thin and rounded.
THE ROLL: Depending on how chunky the heel we suggest 1-2 very small folds. Keeping the fold at an inch wide is the best way to rock the trend while not cutting off the leg. Heels are for height and elongating and keeping it that way is a must.
it, especially if you’re on your way to the office, but anything less than a relaxed fit or slim straight leg is likely to make this trend look sloppy.
THE ROLL: We suggest a simple fold 2 inches in length. If your jeans aren’t yet just skimming the top of your anklebone fold once more. The goal is to be as neat and crisp as possible. Clean lines are key.
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Ball 12 jars are special to Muncie, Ind. and at Refresh, you can find them in different colors.
Refresh
Downtown Muncie shop buys furniture from auctions and garage sales, paints them bright colors and sells them to the public. Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
When Lucas Hanna and his wife Rebekah found a small furniture store for sale in December 2012 they thought they didn’t have much to loose and took on what would soon become one of downtown Muncie, Indiana’s hidden treasures. At the time, the owners were from out of town and the store was hardly open, but under new ownership that would soon change. From desks and chairs to antique items they feel fit the vibe of their store, Refresh is the place to go if you’re looking for a bright end table or colorful furniture piece to add to any room of your home. The store also carries some locally made soaps and candles, but doesn’t accept crafts from other outside parties. When Lucas grew tired of his life as a computer programmer he wanted something creative to do on the side. It was a change that just fell into he and his wife’s lap. They bought the store, had a clearance sale to get rid of the few things they didn’t want to continue to carry and then prepared the studio for it’s new opening which would happen just a month later. All of the furniture that can be purchased in the store starts off as abandoned odd-and-end pieces that are found on the side
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of the street or won at auctions from all over the area. The newly found or purchased pieces are then moved to one of the two upper levels of the building where they are stored until being cleaned up and given nothing short of a makeover. Bright colors at every end of the spectrum are options for the newly acquired wooden pieces. Not only does Refresh use a specific brand of paint to redo their pieces but the paint can also be purchased in store for those who want to try to try the revamp process on their own. Paint formulas range in various finishes giving a different look depending on one’s choice. The paint is a mixture of chalk and clay paint and it is also odorless. Refresh also offers workshops to teach the best methods to those beginner customers that may be interested. More information can be found on their Facebook page and their website. Connie Batey, who responded to a Facebook post and landed the job, does most all of the painting and runs the store on Thursday and Friday. Though she’s only been there for a few months she loves that she’s able to do lots of things. It’s not just retail and it’s not just crafting. “I like things with more detailed work to them,” said Connie. “You can do a little more to them and they turn out a little neater in the end.”
Located at 107 N. High St., Muncie, Refresh decorates the sidewalk too. 14
Desks with mix-and-match chairs are some of Refresh’s most popular items.
Baskets in an array of colors are available for purchase along with tables of all shapes and sizes.
Canvases, quotes, vases and other small antique finds can be found throughout the store and make tho homey vibe come to life.
Overall her favorite project was a giant green dresser with white handles. It sold within a week and she was a little sad because she wanted it for herself. “I actually met the lady who bought it so I’m glad it went to a good home,” said Connie. Besides seeing their favorite pieces disappear to their homes, it’s also challenging for Connie and Lucas to decide which piece of furniture should be painted which color. They know, from experience, that if you paint something a color that doesn’t easily fit into someone’s home, it’s going to sit in the store for a long time. Some people are scared of bright colors, so the smaller pieces like side tables get the special treatment while the more neutral tones are reserved for the largest of furniture. Refresh is also willing to do custom pieces for customers. Their current project was for a nursery. The pieces included a couple of dressers and a bookshelf. “I try to be mindful as to what I’ve heard customers say they would like to see available,” said Connie. Connie also makes button flowers. Larger pieces are made out of clay. The buttons were originally given to her by her Grandmother, which she had collected over her lifetime. These pieces are available to be purchased and are scattered throughout the store as decorations. Though the store is a small Muncie treasure, they see customers coming from all over the area. “I do see a lot of repeat customers,” said Connie. “It’s part of their weekly routine.” She also said a lot of customers find the store through the store’s posts on Facebook. “When people come in and find that perfect piece for their home,” said Connie. “It’s great that we can provide that for them.”
107 N. High St. Muncie, Indiana 47305 Hours: Wed: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Thu - Fri: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sun: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Phone Number: (765) 228-2084
Multiple old soda bottles used as vases decorate nearly every display throughout the store. 17
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Dishes and table settings are available for purchase and are seen throughout the store.
Some pieces are repurposed such as this board with knobs where you can hang your coat.
Bright colored furniture, quirky clocks and paint is all available at Refresh.
Vintage and antique jewelry found at auctions are sold along places to keep and store such pieces.
Reuse
Appleas nad tomatos are just two types of produce that can be purchased organic.
Farm Fresh
The benefits of eating clean organic foods are more than just personal health benefits. It goes back to the ground the food came from, .
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n a day and age where preservatives and fast food rule our diets many people are starting to think about what it means to buy local and organic foods. Eating clean is a type of dieting people are trying around the globe. There are questions as to if these foods really are that beneficial and if the higher prices reflect the quality of such goods. With stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s popping up around the country it appears the idea of “clean eating” or at least trying to, is something on the minds of many people around the country.
Photos and Story By Brittany Watson
Decode the Stickers If there are only four numbers in the PLU (price lookup code), this means that the produce was grown If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8,” this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9,” this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified.
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According to a recent study, a person’s average meal travels approximately 1,500 miles to get from where is was raised and grown to them before consumption. By the time the store, the transportation and the growing costs are handled it is likely that the individual who raised said meal on a farm isn’t getting a large cut of the money and there’s also a large chance your food is not fresh. If one was to buy locally raised and grown goods, they not only receive a fresh healthy meal, but they also support the local economy. Buying local is considered buying products that come from within a 100-mile radius of one’s home, something many people have easier access to than they think. Though buying local and organic foods can seem intimidating there are many ways our markets are making it easier. From sections of produce from local farms to package labels and stickers there are more and more ways to know where you purchases are coming from. Stickers found on many fruits and vegetables have price lookup codes (PLU codes) that correspond with the way in which it was grown. When foods are grown in conventional ways using typical fertilizing methods many chemicals are released not only into the actual food item, but also the soil, the water, and the air. Though a majority of runoff and other pollution is released during the growing and production process, transportation is also a contaminant. With food traveling, on average 1,500 miles, large amounts of fossil fuels are burnt and released into the air. Studies show that this is a large contributor to the weakening of the ozone, ice caps melting, and the oceans levels rising. All problems for our future generations and the environment needed to support our agricultural needs in the years to come. Buying local is known to provide a new experience to the customers and the farmers. There is the possibility of having a face-to-face conversation. There is a chance to have a real relationship and understanding of each other, the work that goes in to the purchased product and what it feels like to be on each side of the producer-consumer relationship. A study published by the Environmental Working Group published in 2011 stated that there is a “Dirty Dozen.” These are the twelve foods that are found to have the most pesticide chemicals present at the time of consumption. Though it is recommended to buy these items in a way so you know they were grown organically one must remember that eating these 12 fruits and vegetables grown in a conventional way is better than not eating them at all. Along with the “Dirty Dozen,” the study found that there is a “Clean 15.” This list includes the 15 fruits and vegetables that were found to have the least amount of pesticides on them at the time of consumption. It is estimated that individuals can reduce their exposure to the harmful chemicals by nearly 80 percent if they try to buy more of the “clean 15.” Though the Environmental Protection Agency has been putting a ban on toxic pesticides over the past few years there was some residue of them found on different produce items. These chemicals can be even more harmful to young children, pregnant mothers and the elderly.
When people think about the commitment it would take to form a completely organic lifestyle they often think of the cost. Though living a completely organic lifestyle can be expensive, especially if you are feeding a larger family, the idea of following these lists can aid in helping the costs. If you can’t afford to buy organic food, purchasing more of the clean 15 in comparison to the dirty dozen still keeps you safe from larger amounts of chemicals. Along with shopping for the “clean 15” one should compare prices of organic produce form store to store. It is likely that natural food stores are more likely to have less expensive items than larger chain stores. Another option is finding a local organic farmer and purchasing directly from them. Farmer’s markets are great places to find and make such connections. Another way to another way to eliminate a large percentage of pesticide contaminants is to wash and peal fruits and vegetables. This will reduce, not eliminate, your overall intake due to the higher concentration of chemicals being found on the outer most layer. While looking for these cleaner produce items it’s also a good idea to shop the outside of your local grocery store. It’s likely that the most natural, unprocessed foods are found in the perimeter while boxed, canned, highly processed and preserved foods are found within the aisles. When in a rush grab something that’s only been somewhat processed. If the most natural state is not going to be the first choice, a lightly processed version is next best. For example, if you can’t eat an apple, applesauce is going to be your healthier choice compared to an apple toaster strudel. You can structure your diet for proper nutrition, to help manage diseases, avoid illness, lose weight, remove toxins and feel better mentally and physically. There are different classifications for organic food to be sorted into – 100 percent organic, organic, made with organic, and less than 70 percent organic. The qualifications for each are regulated by the national Organics Program, which is overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture. This is not the same as the Food and Drug Administration. The guidelines in classifying something as organic depend on the ingredients, the contact with non-organic substances and possible modifications that can take place. Other factors that determine classification are product production, handling and certification standards. All of these requirements lead to strict packaging and labeling standards. According to a survey from the Organic Trade Association, 87 percent of U.S. families are now purchasing organic foods, and 42 percent of people are more trusting in the organic labels and packaging than they once were. Overall, there are many ways and reasons for someone to choose the local organic lifestyle, and that person has to realize it doesn’t have to involve and entire shopping cart full of these products. There’s more to eating clean than leaves and twigs, and just one or two products eachtime you go grocery shopping is all it takes – Baby steps.
“If your grandma woundn’t recognize it, you probably shouldn’t eat it.” -Bonnie Heisler 12 Most Contaminated Peaches Apples Sweet Bell Peppers Celery Nectarines Strawberries Cherries Pears Grapes (Imported) Spinach Lettuce Potatoes
15 Least contaminated Asparagus Avocado Cabbage Cantaloupe Sweet Corn Eggplant Grapefruit Kiwi Mango Mushrooms Onions Papaya Pineapple Sweet Peas (Frozen) Sweet Potatoes
ChaRcter
Skyler
Blevins
From his improv comedy group to a continuously growing collection of photos of lost gloves, funny guy Skyler Blevins found a way to enjoy life one laugh at a time By Brittany Watson
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fter 10 minutes spent with our resident funnyman Skyler Blevins, it’s easy to tell he was meant to perform. His sense of humor is infectious and there’s little to no limit on what he’s willing to do to make someone he cares about laugh. “There is no feeling like the feeling you get when entertaining an audience,” says Blevins. Bringing joy into peoples lives is a goal Skyler has everyday. From performing with Ball State University’s ABSO improv group to his vlog channel and quirky Facebook posts, it’s made clear that making others happy is a very fulfilling hobby of his. “Why is it important to laugh? Well – statistically speaking it makes you live longer. Other than that, it is what makes life a lot more enjoyable,” says Blevins. Skyler loves when he makes someone laugh and then proceed to tell him he made their day. He says it’s a feeling everyone should experience. “Entertaining people,” says Blevins, “I actually believe that it is my purpose in life.”
Follow Him: @InspectorSkyler
The Importance of a Laugh - Women laugh more often than men - Raises heart rate - Improves respiration - Boosts immune system - Laughter is contagious
http://www.bestmasterofscienceinnursing.com/laughter/
24 // Your Home. Your Life. You.
Some people are so poor all they have is money. -Patrick Meagher