Author: Laura Rex

  • Costume by Request – always YES!

    Costume by Request – always YES!

    My kiddo was invited to a friend’s birthday party, it was a costume party, and that was a very important part of the invitation, so naturally we took it very seriously. Before I could even ask if she knew what she wanted to be she screamed out
    “I AM GOING TO BE A MAGIC KITTY CAT WITH WINGS AND A WAND. AND PINK. okay mom, that’s what I am going to be”
    After some further discussions on details, there was a plan.

    SKETCH pix coming soon*

    I was raised to DIY. I actually love making costumes (in theory). I hate making them halfway through the process, but I cannot explain how much I love seeing how PROUD she is when she puts it on in the end.

    I tried to throw some photos together of the pieces. On Party day, she didn’t wear the sweatshirt cardigan “because it didn’t have a zipper”, so that is back on the adjustment pile.
    The tail got beat, so it needs some reinforcements. She’s obsessed with the wings, so we will be exploring more shapes and materials there this spring/summer.
    And of course her favorite part of it was the pink disco ball wand (better photos coming soon). She asked for paw covers which I made out of socks and felt, but really they were just fingerless gloves with a heart patch.

    Now I just need to practice making stuff for her without needing her to try it on, she refuses most of the time, and I get it… this time around we learned she DOES NOT and WILL NOT wear rough/itchy tulle anything. More to come soon. Now taking questions.

  • The What If Project (an overview)

    The What If Project (an overview)

    CHECK OUT SOME OF THE CAMPAIGN ASPECTS BELOW:

    Welcome to the world of WHAT IF…

    Hi there, my name is Laura Rex and I am trying to buy and restore Cedar Terrace, a 60s Motel Resort in the crossroads of the Catskills, aka Cairo, NY. Welcome to [What If].

    You could call it a social experiment, or a community project. The property was built circa 1956, it’s been sitting for a bit, but it is the most magical little bit of history. I fell in love with the property and the town of Cairo, NY. Through research, I fell in love with the Errante Family, owners from the 1950s-2000s – who originally hailed from Ridgewood Queens, maybe we could have been neighbors!On the logistical side of things – follow along at rexmakescoolshit.wordpress.com – I am updating it daily, and the entire project is meant to be transparent. I am selling everything I have, as well as offering up services to raise the funds.


    The GoFundMe Campaign

    The initial GoFundMe campaign is to get things going, there are a lot of moving pieces. I am selling my stuff and my services. The goal here is to raise awareness and capital to secure the property.

    Shop The Store

    I’m not here to beg, so I’ve whipped up some cool stuff for you to snag! Dive into unique services from my 20-years of adventures, or grab some snazzy merchandise—all to fuel this project’s fire!

    Kickstarter Campaign

    Explore the packages Septeber 1st*. Once the property is secured we will launch our Kickstarter campaign. The goal here is to raise awareness, and fund a large chunk of the initial renovations. We are also exploring NYS grants and incentives.

    Trade or Donate

    Once upon a time people used to trade and barter their skills and services. We are working rapidly to put together the comprehensive list of what will be needed across all phases of the project. If you already have an idea, send it our way, let’s collab.

    Need More Info?

    If the project has piqued your interest, and you would like to explore the details, the numbers, or partner in a different way, shoot us an email at whatifmotel @ gmail.com or drop us a line on the contact page.

    What If It’s A Bummer?

    BAH HUMBUG — But if you were wondering what will happen to the $ if we can’t lock in Cedar Terrace property?

    A) look for a different location in Cairo, NY

    OR

    B) Donate all proceeds to the Cairo Development Foundation

  • Bob’s Burgers for Swag By FOX | #imadethis (circa 2016)

    Bob’s Burgers for Swag By FOX | #imadethis (circa 2016)

    Back in 2016, I was making 90% of the content that was being put out by the Swag By Fox consumer merch brand. I begged my roommate at the time to get in the non-heated community pool at our complex in Van Nuys. It might have been spring? Thank you Shane for helping me make one of my ALL time favorite little bits EVER.

  • Collage Confetti Cuts Part 1 #imadethis

    Collage Confetti Cuts Part 1 #imadethis

    I like watercolor. I like patterns. I like to process and sort. confetti became a side quest hobby during covid. These were from some of my favorites.

  • Main Street Ads: Spring 2026

    Main Street Ads: Spring 2026

    My new window install is going in this week, and then I am getting to work on the new ad spots being offered in my window on Main Street in Cairo. Looking forward to connecting with more of the local business owners here and chase some new sparky projects.

    Looking for info on the window ads, get started here

  • The Magic Screen

    In January I felt the need to update my office window in town. I no longer am using the space as an office for a whole list of reasons, but I have a fabulous window on Main Street here in town. I had measured the center window and the 2 side panels. Stared at it, and suddenly decided a cardboard etch-a-sketch would become the installation.

    I am the worst at capturing the process. I just want to DO the thing….

    this was the window at night

    i put up a little bulletin board on the side with my logo and a brief history of the magic screen:


    The Etch A Sketch, invented by French electrician André Cassagnes in the late 1950s as L’Écran Magique, became a global phenomenon after the Ohio Art Company launched it in the U.S. in 1960, using TV ads to popularize the toy that creates drawings by displacing aluminum powder on a screen with knobs controlling a stylus, offering endless creative fun with a shake to erase. It’s an iconic toy, selling millions and earning a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame, evolving from its glass-screen origins to more child-safe versions.


  • Sounds

    These are the sounds, songs, jams, bops, tunes, that have created moments and left an impression.

    Current Mood:

  • The Idea Graveyard – A Concept

    Welcome to The Idea Graveyard, the place where thoughts and ideas may not live up to their full potential, some get laid to rest. Some are forgotten, and some deserve a second chance.

    What’s in your Idea Graveyard? Why did the idea die? Was it loss of interest? Fear? Doubt? Would you raise it from the dead?

    Tell me about an idea from your graveyard, or let me know if you got sparks from one of mine. I am always looking to connect and collaborate. I’d love to hear from you.

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Manifesto

    Manifesto

    Manifesto: a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer. Subject to change at any time.

    What is my manifesto? My beliefs? My values?
    What do I identify with now? How will it change? How will it stay the same?


    i like to do cool shit.
    i like to do new shit.
    i have no filter.
    i believe in magic.
    i am here to share what I know.
    i am not here to tell you what you know, or what you should know.
    i love to learn.
    i ask a lot of questions.
    nothing is permanent.
    i have big feelings.
    words matter, and context is important.
    transparency is key.
    i hate small talk.
    i am awkward.
    i am awesome.
    i love connecting people.
    there is no such thing as the “right way” to do ANYTHING
    i believe that creativity has the power to change everything.
    i hate being interrupted. but I interrupt a lot.
    curated chaos and collecting things.


    What would you add to your manifesto?

  • Tell Her I Hate Scary Movies…

    Tell Her I Hate Scary Movies…

    The below is an email I sent in response to someone who was part of a team dynamic I was getting to know. I was brought in because of my previous work. Edited for privacy.


    Here’s my take — FUCK NO. She can take her satisfaction and eat it. 

    As far as answering her questions, I could ask the same thing except I don’t have to. I will not spend more than 20 minutes addressing this situation past this email. 

    After that point, I will move along and do my thing, and do what I am good at (noted below). If she wants to play difficult, she picked the wrong person to do it with. 

    She knows how to do keywords – that’s cool. SEO, PPC, and Advertising are successful when the brand, the messaging, the platform and the target are aligned. Right now, based on what I have seen and heard — they are not. So let’s get on with it…

    holy toxic hellhole. this is a fucking startup, and calling bullshit is an important part of my skillset.

    i don’t perform, and I am not a robot. I am a person, and clearly I am here to remind everyone that your product is also for humans.

    yes

    duh it’s a start-up in the fundraising and product development stage…

    all of the above, why is this even a question? Higher level strategy is the fucking top, it dictates the email, the social, the ads, etc. I don’t care how many fucking keywords you put in a website, if it doesn’t connect to the right investor or the user, or command some type of attention it’s wasted money. also impressions are trash.

    none from her. I will need information, and open communication from all parties involved if anyone expects me to stay on the project, let alone for free. ‘Founder X’ has been an absolute pleasure to interact with, and has provided me with plenty to dig into. 

    no, not at this point in time.

    As previously mentioned She can take her blessing & satisfaction and eat it. 

    Cheers! 

    Me.

    P.S. As a Chief of anything, this is petty AF. Girl needs to do her research. The passive aggressive digs are sad. I am not here to prove myself. Her immediate need to defend and deflect is just screaming red flags at me. I will build a temp site myself at this point, a brand guide is future shit. The waitlist WILL be better, and people will TRUST your brand and product.


    I am not meant for the land of corporate. that’s ok. all of this made me realize that I don’t do what I do for the credit, I’ve spent most of my career having other’s claim my work, sitting back waiting for someone to notice. But I’m not here for that these days. I noticed. I am the problem FINDER, gap filler, and solutions expert. I want to be in and out before I get bored. Those who have taken my advice have succeeded. I like to shake shit up, force people out of their comfort zones, and call it how I see it.

    END RANT. for now.

  • Creature Counts – WIP – Updated Nov 13 2025

    Creature Counts – WIP – Updated Nov 13 2025

    I want to add a “critter counter” or “creature counts” to the site this season, but in the meantime I have been meeting lots of new animals, bugs, birds, etc. since we arrived to upstate new york, (more on that in an upcoming post).

    Recently though I encountered a Masked Hunter Nymph (Reduvius Personatus) a type fo assassin bug according to the google lens search. [image coming shortly].

    They earned their nickname “dustbug” because they cover themselves in dust, lint & debris. It looked like a crawling dust spider when I first saw it.

    Anyway — i will be sharing the bugs & things we meet here with info, photos, etc. Additionally there will be an entire section for flowers. Historically these categories were referred to as Flora & Fauna.


    Heading into October in the Catskill Mountains we are seeing all the bears, we have a returning deer family of 3 that come to visit twice a day. The house we moved into in August was previously inhabited by chipmunks.


    November 2025

    The update was triggered by reviewing and updating a to do list when I noticed this post still talked about the house we were moving out of — LOL. We are in the process of moving again, and hopefully for the last time. The house we had moved into in August was not “previously inhabited by chipmunks as I mentioned above, it was INHABITED by chipmunks, mice, maybe a rat or two, barn swallows, and a lot of bugs. [read the full story in parts starting here].

    This house has crow visitors, cardinals, and lots of neighbors with dogs and cats from what I can see. It sits on 24 acres, and as winter comes I look forward to seeing it bare, and having the glorious opportunity to watch it come to life this Spring.

  • The Age of My Darkness

    The Age of My Darkness

    The age of my darkness is coming to an end — perhaps not forever but at least for now. The days are getting shorter, and the air is getting crisper. The birds are calling, and the trees gently whisper. The forest is a place to rest. I have found a place I can feel my best.

  • WORD SHIT: Persistent

    Persistent

    [pərˈsistənt] adjective

    continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.


  • WORD SHIT: Stubborn

    Stubborn

    [ˈstəbərn] adjective

    having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so.


    Thoughts to come….

  • Unsolicited Advice: Natural Peanut Butter Packaging is WRONG

    First of all: shout out to Paul Brown, the guy who invented a tiny little valve that changed how stuff comes out of things back in 1991, I was like 3 years old at that point. Yet the ketchup people didn’t start using it until 2002. WHAT? Not to mention the guy made millions. But moving on….

    I am hoping that this message finds the people who work for the companies who make natural peanut butter. While I understand it is also generally stored in glass jars — that is a YOU problem to figure out. Call me when you are ready for product testers, but please look into this. We have rinsed and tested it ourselves, and it’s AWESOME.

    The oil sits on the top when stored in the cabinet. You can shake it up before use so it mixes well, and then squeeze it on whatever you want.

    For anyone who bought one of these peanut butter jar accessories, I am sorry for you. It would still create a mess in my kitchen, and I don’t want another kitchen “tool”. This one even got a write-up in the New York Times.

    Sincerely someone who appreciates convenience, but is also worried about the future.

  • WORD SHIT: Audacity

    Audacity

    [ôˈdasədē,äˈdasədē] noun

    1.a willingness to take bold risks.

    2.rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence.


  • WORD SHIT: Cautious

    Cautious

    [ˈkôSHəs] adjective

    (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

    (of an action) characterized by the desire to avoid potential problems.


  • WORD SHIT: Comply

    Comply

    [kəmˈplī/] verb

    (of a person or group) act in accordance with a wish or command.


    See also: Compliance