themunchkym:

mia-the-wonder-slut:

cakeandrevolution:

pubhealth:

Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

For 75 years, Finland’s expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It’s like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.

It’s a tradition that dates back to the 1930s and it’s designed to give all children in Finland, no matter what background they’re from, an equal start in life.

The maternity package - a gift from the government - is available to all expectant mothers.

It contains bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products for the baby, as well as nappies, bedding and a small mattress.

With the mattress in the bottom, the box becomes a baby’s first bed. Many children, from all social backgrounds, have their first naps within the safety of the box’s four cardboard walls.

Mothers have a choice between taking the box, or a cash grant, currently set at 140 euros, but 95% opt for the box as it’s worth much more.

The tradition dates back to 1938. To begin with, the scheme was only available to families on low incomes, but that changed in 1949.

(From BBC)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

Socialism at work.

I would rather my tax money pay for this than drone missiles.

Finland is awesome.

codenamerogue:

Background paintings created by Paul Lasaine for The Prince of Egypt (1998).  According to the artist, all of the paintings seen in the film are traditional (i.e. not digital).

deermary:

Red tailed black cockatoo females (Calyptorhynchus banksii) of Austrailia

Masamune Shirow

lilmadhatterlu:

policecodeforzombieontheloose:

fandom-fanboyism:

courtneybeth:

Oh my fucking GOD THIS IS PERFECT

IT’S PERFECT BECAUSE WHO WOULD WANT TO STEAL A BOOK FROM SOMEONE IN THE STREET

DO WANT

cires i want this

vernacular-manslaughter:

octospider:

Gwendoline Christie is the actress for Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones. She stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and took swordfighting, horseriding, and stagefighting lessons for her part, as well as gaining 14 pounds of muscle, to accurately portray Brienne. (x)

She was also terrified of cutting her hair because she’d spent her life believing it was one of the only things that would make people see her as feminine despite her height. In an interview with TV Guide she said:

I struggled for a long time with [cutting] my hair, but then I’m grateful for the opportunity to realize that femininity doesn’t have to come from hair or any of those traditional female archetypes of appearance, So, that’s been exciting actually. I can’t speak with any kind of authority whatsoever because I’m just an actor and I only have my opinions, but I do think it’s really refreshing to have a woman depicted on a mainstream TV show that doesn’t obey typical aesthetics of females and the way they have been portrayed in the past. And I’m really excited to be portraying one of those women. And I hope that her popularity signals a greater expansion of people’s views about men and women and that gender types can be more flexible.

photomelissa:

Unfortunately, they didn’t fit in my suitcase.
Have a great weekend!

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

magicalnaturetour:

Photographer Sam Lim :)