Centralia, a spooky ghost town

Centralia, Pennsylvania.
It all started in 1962 with a fire...

"... started by five members of the volunteer fire company when they were hired by the town council to clean up the landfill... The landfill was located in an abandoned strip mine pit and as the firemen had in the past, they set the dump on fire, let it burn for a time, and then extinguished the fire, or so they thought." (source)

They fought the (underground) fire for twenty years. It just kept on burning (it still burns today). With carbon monoxide levels continually rising and risks such as the ground suddenly sinking (in 1981 a 12-year old boy fell into such a sinkhole but was saved), the inhabitants started to leave in the 1980s.

It's now an abandoned ghost town, apart from the 9 or so inhabitants who refuse to leave. It's hard to find because it's been taken off the map and does not officially exist (the US Postal Service has revoked Centralia's zip code.). But it's real. It's a town where streets lead to nowhere. Streets that have no names, nor houses because they have now either been burnt down or demolished.

But wait... was this town allowed to die for a reason? If it doesn't exist, it can't have mineral rights. And it's sitting on some rich coal deposits... That's what some people believe. 

Is Centralia haunted? There have been no known related deaths. But many visitors have talked about the 'strange feeling' that they get when they're there. There are two stories that you can read about here. These people heard a voice out of nowhere... and footsteps in an abandoned house. To believe or not to believe? Sony thinks so... they developed Silent Hill - a popular video game (Playstation) and film - which was inspired by Centralia.

I think... I sort of believe (I want to!) that it's haunted... at least enough that I will stay away from the place. But many go there for that reason! Would you want to visit a ghost town like Centralia? (click for map!)

Happy Halloween! 

Durand, Durand

There's a new girl in town: the beautiful Alma Durand - fresh out of France - just returned from a grand shopping spree with her booker, Head of New Faces at Elite London, Martina Kobesova (right), and is now out making us proud, hitting up castings all around town.

Elite London signs Matvey Lykov

And in friggin' awesome news of the week, Matvey Lykov has just signed with Elite London! Based in Paris and New York, Matvey - who's originally from St Petersburg - launched his career three years ago and shot the Jil Sander campaign for spring/summer 2008 (the legendary marble print collection) as one of his first jobs. It catapulted him into top boy stardom. Today, Matvey's one of the most recognisable and sought-after faces in the industry - this season alone he graces the H&M Divided and Wooyoungmi campaigns - and now a part of the ever-expanding Elite London men's board. Welcome on board, Matvey!

Party at 10

The other night we went to the launch of 10 Magazine and 10 Men's 'industry issues' celebrating the most important people in fashion. The surroundings of Il Bottaccio in Knightsbridge framed a swish setting for the super exclusive party, which saw 10 founder and all-round fabulous person Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou pose with balloons (the old BlackBerry unfortunately didn't react quick enough to get a picture) and 10 editors Antony Miles and Natalie Dembinska mingle with distinguished guests including Sam Ranger, Tim Blanks, the teams from A.I, Relative MO, Starworks, and Village Press and many more. (Above: photographers Nick Dory and Billy Ballard with Elite London's James Powell.)

www.10magazine.com

Challenge 37 - Black and White (or sepia) and new challenge rules!!

Welcome back to Wags 'n Whiskers!!

Before we get to last week's winners and this week's challenge, we have some new challenges rules that we are happy to announce!!

We are so excited to announce that

we have now opened up the challenges to ALL stamps!!

It is no longer a requirement to use a Wags 'n Whiskers image on your card. But there will be a separate prize if you DO use a WnW image!

Starting this week, one random participant will win a

Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber stamp of their choice.

And any entry using a Wags 'n Whiskers image on their card will be entered into a drawing for a free WnW Digital stamp of your choice!!

Therefore, anyone who uses a Wags 'n Whiskers image will be entered into both prizes of a rubber stamp and a digital stamp!!

The only requirements are that you link directly to your challenge project - not to the main page of your blog. You must have a new project (no back linking). And you must link your card to the challenge post.

If you do not have a blog, you can still enter the challenges by uploading your cards to an open gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers.

Ok, the winner of last week's challenge is:

Congratulations, Crafty Math Chick!!

Please contact me at stampandcreate@bellsouth.net with your mailing address and choice of free WnW rubber stamp!!

Here is her wonderful card using Ansley's Surprise...

This week's challenge may just be a "Challenge" for a few of you. I know it was for many of the DT. But it really is a lot of fun so we hope you give it a try.

Angelique is hosting this week's challenge and her challenge is:

Black and White (or Sepia) toned cards!!

Our main thought is for the image to appear to be a black and white photo. However, if you really have a hard time creating a black and white image, you can color your image as normal and just add the black and white elements for the rest of the card (like a few of the DT did below).

Here are the FANTASTIC DT samples starting with our guest from last week's Challenge...

Cathy (Guest)

Angelique (Challenge Host)

Lacey

Tracy

Sharon

Vicky

Karen

Michele

Carolina

Chris

Barbara

Jeanette (she also created a "clear card")

Now it's your turn!! We can't wait to see your take on this week's challenge!!

If you use a WnW image and would like to be a guest for the next challenge, please add "DT" next to your name (yes, you must use a WnW image to be considered to be a guest).

Heidi Klum Superhero 2010 Halloween Costume

Heidi Klum's 2010 Halloween costume for her All Hallows’ Eve celebration is "robotic superhero". Victoria’s Secret Angel wings designer, Martin Izquierdo, designed Heidi Klum's skin-tight, red-and-purple armor.


Source: People.com

Kate Moss Last Topshop Collection

Kate Moss' latest Topshop collection will be her last. The 14th and final collection of Kate Moss for Topshop includes capes, feathered bolero, pansy-printed dress and black dobby dress.







Photo Source" InStyle.com

Banana Republic Spring 2011 Collection

Last Tuesday, Banana Republic revealed its Spring 2011 collection. The said collection includes white dresses, safari-inspired pieces as well as rain forest prints. Statement necklaces and hats were also some of highlights of Banana Republic Spring 2011 collection.



Photo Source: Style.com

BLEACHED BOYS

New season means image overhaul, and even Elite's finest aren't getting away from the clutches of the bookers, who are living out their unrequited hair dreams on the unsuspecting models. In the chair today is James Ross, who sent us this cheery snap from the Vernon Francois salon where his chestnut locks are being bleached within an inch of their life. And our favourite Russian can look forward to the same next week... watch this space for updated polas of the boys showing off their new shock locks.

Kate Middleton style

Kate Middleton seems so nice and down-to-earth... and I really like her style. She looks elegant in dresses and hats, and stunning in evening gowns. Her casual look - often jeans and boots - is simple but stylish. Nothing too fashionable... but she always looks good. Which is how a Princess-in-waiting should dress, no?

Here she is with William. I used to think he was cute - when he was what, 10 years old or something - but now I don't find him all that attractive. But what do looks matter when he's a Prince, right? 

Because they will get married, I just know it! I hope so! 

Princess Kate... Queen Kate... can you imagine?! Would you want that (kind of life)? 

All via Google Images, Last via.