Micaela Lacy – Infographic Expo

Companion Planting [infographic]

October 30, 2014 Micaela Lacy

For those of you with a green thumb, or are beginner gardeners, you might find today’s infographic on the concept of “companion planting” rather interesting. I myself, don’t have a great track record with growing fruits and vegetables, but with today’s chart maybe now I will!

Just like us, plants are living creatures, and they get along better with some more than others. Being surrounded by those you can’t stand can be suffocating for humans, and even fatal for plants. Look at today’s chart to find the right combination of plants to put in your garden together. It’s a plant compatibility chart, if you will, so your plants can not only grow, but thrive.

This gardening cheat-sheet shows plants that grow well together, combinations that help control pests and bugs, combinations that are good for your garden in general, and plants that should never go near each other.

Some of these pairings seem picture-esque, like sunflowers and corn–or a recipe for a delicious meal, like tomatoes and basil. But some pairings just don’t sound right…like strawberries and broccoli.

Check out today’s graphic and don’t force a match that isn’t meant to be. It might result in a combination that’s not exactly pleasing to your senses or your garden. [Via]

Post tags: companion planting, Fruits, fruits and vegetables, garden, gardeners, gardening, gardens, green, green thumb, plant compatibility, plants, vegetables

50 Things Every Traveller Should Know [infographic]

February 6, 2014 Micaela Lacy

Have you been lusting over Pinterest pictures of Barcelona recently? Or dreaming of a chance meeting with the elves in Iceland? Maybe the undertaking of planning your backpacking trip across Europe has left you exhilarated, but at the same time, feeling a bit like a caricature of ‘the ignorant American’.

Have no fear! Today’s infographic shows us fifty things that will make us all more culturally aware of the countries we visit and better travelers in general. For starters, it’s not a bad idea to know the names of at least eight cathedrals or churches in Europe; also, know that Russians like their vodka straight — no mixers, please.

Be sure to know the difference in personal space in South and North America — South Americans like to get close when engaging in conversation, while North Americans may view this behavior as an invasion of personal space; wear clothes with lots of pockets when boarding a flight (if pockets are utilized correctly you could find yourself with an extra carry-on!); and go ahead and memorize your passport number — this can come in handy when you’re checking into your hotel, or renting a car, or when you’re filling out your customs form on the flight home and the exact location of your passport in your oversized/overstuffed bag escapes you.

Before you score a plane ticket, check out today’s infographic, and bask in your new-found knowledge of the world. [Via]

Post tags: africa, airports, Asia, countries, culture, customs, europe, flight, flights, International, international airports, plane, planes, travel, traveling, traveling tips, traveller, travels

Travel

The Complete History Of Coffee [infographic]

November 4, 2013 Micaela Lacy

Today’s infographic gives us a look at the history of America’s favorite pick-me-up: coffee. An estimated 1.6 billion cups of coffee are enjoyed around the world each day. This infographic shows a pleasantly structured historical timeline of the process of coffee making and some of the people involved.

Make no mistake about it, coffee is an art form to many. Some people take their coffee seriously and are constantly searching for ways to create the perfect cup. The best method I’m told is not the french press method–which I had grown quite fond of. The single-cup pour-over method is apparently the best way to go. A passionate coffee maker, barista, and local business owner recently enlightened me with this information, and also shared the secret of presoaking coffee grounds to achieve a “blooming effect.” If you pour hot water over your coffee grounds and let them soak for 30-45 seconds apparently gases are able to escape and the coffee is able to “bloom,” which results in a better tasting beverage.

I think it’s also worth noting that 54% of coffee drinkers say that coffee makes them feel more like themselves. But maybe they just like their caffeinated selves a little bit better. Either way, check out today’s infographic to learn more about your favorite cup of joe. [Via]

Post tags: barista, blooming, blooming effect, business of coffee, caffeine, coffee, coffee beans, coffee blooming, coffee grounds, coffee infographic, coffee shops, espresso, infographic, local coffee

Breakfast From Around the World [infographic]

October 12, 2013 Micaela Lacy

In honor of the final episode of Breaking Bad that aired this week, let’s give a shout out to breakfast–the most important meal of the day–and by far, Walt Jr.’s favorite.

Today’s infographic explores more than just bacon and eggs. It gives us a look at dining tables of breakfast eaters from around the world. Australians apparently prefer a brown spread called Vegemite on their toast in the morning; the Japanese enjoy soy beans on rice; the Moroccans like lamb stew; and Argentineans frequently sip Yerba Mate–a delicious, highly caffeinated tea.

And I couldn’t profess my love for breakfast properly without acknowledging a Texas favorite, the all-mighty and powerful breakfast taco. My personal favorite: potato, egg, cheese, and nopalitos (prickly pear!).

We’ve also probably all heard that in order to start your day right you need to eat a healthy breakfast. And according to today’s infographic, eating breakfast everyday makes you less likely to develop diabetes, and may even decrease your chances of becoming obese. Kids who eat breakfast also score 17.5% higher on math tests!

And let’s not forget that winter is approaching. I think eating a hot breakfast when the weather gets chilly is particularly satisfying. For me, a bowl of oatmeal or miso soup is the best way to wake up.

Go ahead, dig into today’s delicious infographic, and have a great rest of your day! [Via]

Post tags: bacon, bacon and eggs, breakfast, breakfast foods, Breaking Bad, coffee, cuisine, Diet, eggs, Flynn, food, health, last episode of breaking bad, tea, travel, Walt Jr.

Food & Wine

Help Wanted: Bridging the Gap in Today’s Skill Lacking Economy [infographic]

October 10, 2013 Micaela Lacy

Jobs and careers are constantly on the minds of millions of Americans. We may be hungry for success, but do we have the right training and skills to actually achieve success? Today’s infographic discusses the growing “Skills Gap” in the American workforce.

A skills gap is defined (by The American Society for Training and Development) as “a significant gap between an organization’s current capabilities and the skills it needs to achieve its goals.” This means that employers and employees are not exactly on the same page when work needs to be done efficiently.

Why does this gap exist, you ask? The top reasons for the skills gap, according to today’s infographic, includes “skills of the workforce that don’t match company strategy, goals, markets, or business models; a lack of bench strength in the company’s leadership ranks; and less of an investment in training/a lack of support for employee learning and development in training/lack of support for employee learning and development.”

We spend thousands of dollars on college educations, yet we still aren’t given the right tools to be successful at our jobs? As a recent college graduate, this idea is quite terrifying. And this statement is equally unsettling: “Worldwide, young people are three times more likely than their parents to be out of work.”

How exactly we go about closing this skills gap, I can’t be sure of. But, I can say that mutual respect for employers and employees goes a long way when doing a job. Employers have to want to invest time and energy into helping their employees, and employees have to be willing to listen, be open to their employer’s wishes, and work hard. Caring about the work you do, who you work for, and who you work with, makes a huge difference in the quality of work that ends up being achieved at the end of the day. [Via]

Post tags: American workforce, business, business infographic, career, careers, college, college degree, college degrees, employee, employees, employer, employers, Employment, help wanted, infographic, job, jobs, skills gap, work, workforce

The Life And Times Of Bill Murray [infographic]

September 25, 2013 Micaela Lacy

Oh, Bill Murray. What’s not to love about this man?

I don’t think any other actor has ever brought charm and charisma to the big screen quite like Bill Murray. Lost in Translation has always been my go-to movie when I’m feeling melancholy and a little lost. And everything he ever did for Wes Anderson has been beyond brilliant. The man has been in 64 films in over 5 decades and continues to win audiences over to this day. Apparently, he even made it out to my hometown during SXSW in 2010, and found himself at a local bar serving people tequila shots, no matter what they asked for. Bill, could you be any more awesome?

The whole “Bill Murray Party Crashing Tour” may have been a hoax, but there may be some truth in the tale of old Bill sneaking up behind people, covering their eyes, saying, “Guess who,” waiting for them to turn around, and replying “No one will ever believe you.” (At least we can hope it’s true!)

And now for some great lines from a Lost in Translation scene:

Charlotte: I just don’t know what I’m supposed to be.
Bob: You’ll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.

[Via]

Post tags: actor, Bill Murray, Bill Murray Party Crashing Tour, Comedian, Entertainment, film, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Star, Wes Anderson

Entertainment