A Room Where The Sun DO Shine...

… As opposed to a room where the sun don’t shine?  Ya, you can take that as you will.. :).

So now that we’ve gotten that crude humor out of the way (every good article needs a touch of inappropriateness, don't you agree?) can I tell you something strange about myself?  I don’t really like natural light inside… It really freaked my mom out when I was growing up that I wanted to get blinds that would block out most of the sun from coming into my room and also wanted everything in my bedroom to be red (IN A CLASSY WAY!)..  Neither ever happened, and it was "blamed" on budget issues, but if you ask me, it sounds more like a convenient excuse than a real reason... The whole not liking light thing had my mom worried in that way that moms do though (needlessly) as I suspect she wondered if was into some kind of vampirish voodoo.

This would have been my dream room back then.  Not terrible by any means, right?

This obviously has ample light but.. will you look at that "window seat/hammock"?  #diversiontactics

I’m growing out of it slowly, and am moving away from my red-mania fetish in my decorating preferences although I am currently living in a bedroom situation that is completely devoid of natural light due to a headboard covering the only window in the room and I can't say I'm particularly unhappy about it.  Long story. For another time.

Anyway, I found this picture of a sunroom a few years ago and to this day, it has remained one of my favorite rooms in the entire world (among the ones I’ve seen, of course). 

Ok obviously minus the Hawaiian print accents from 1999.

In thinking about why I like this room so much, I will divulge probably the most ludicrous thing that has been said on this blog to date: It reminds me of "Spice World" (the Spice Girls original movie).. which still makes me happy? Is that scary? Scary Spice? Lolzz

Makes sense, right?

So, finding good photos for this post was hard (I feel like I say that a lot, sorry) but the reason being for this, is that the type of room I’m trying to show you eager readers is often described using several different qualifiers: A sunroom, a conservatory, or an atrium.  (I’ve decided not to open the door to greenhouses in this post as that would just be overwhelming).  I also tried to keep it mostly to residential examples, with a few worthy exceptions.

Halfway through my journey of gathering photos, however, I learned that there actually IS a difference between these names.  An article broke down the differences, of which I will "enlighten" (get it?) you to below: 

   

SUNROOM

• A term used more in the U.S. and Canada
• More of an extension of your living space, a sunroom is included in the house   architecture, has a roof, and is essentially like any other room except for the fact that it has a lot of windows
• A sunroom can be heated in colder seasons and cooled during warmer seasons, allowing it to be used year round
• Usually built along the side or in back of the house

CONSERVATORY

• A term used more in the U.K.
• Has a completely glass roof and glass walls, giving inhabitants a complete view of their surroundings.  It is suggested that a conservatory face South so it receives as much natural light as possible
• Can only be used during mild weather seasons due to lack of heating/cooling capabilities.  Conservatories are also easily prone to dirt and grime from the elements and hard to clean
• Typically surrounded by greenery

So there you have it!  Although, I decided, in spite of this information, to keep all of my findings in anyway and make this post just a breadbasket collection of all things sunroom, atrium, and conservatory.  Deal with it.  AND, I've decided to make a little quiz to further engage you/see if you're actually reading all of the nonsense that I write.  (The answers, as decided by me, will be given for each room below, characterized by an S or a C denoting whether the room is a Sunroom or Conservatory.. Because that wasn't self-explanatory at all.. :)

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX (look closely)

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE (this is actually a hotel that my mom stayed at in London - black and white to the max!)

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN (this seems like it would be a fun place to have a little ladies retreat while you sipped margs and gabbed - I would call dibs on the chair on the far right).

FIFTEEN (My favorite from The Tavern in Brentwood (in LA) designed by Jeffrey Alan Marks from Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo- I've eaten here. And so has Obama).

FIFTEEN (AGAIN)

And the answers are: 1. S; 2. C; 3. C; 4. S; 5. C; 6. S; 7. C; 8. S; 9. C; 10. C; 11. C; 12. C; 13. C, 14. C; 15. S

Now pat yourselves on the back, because I'm sure you're all in the top percentile and that little quiz was practically rocket science! 

“In a World” Is, In A Word, Fantastic.

This weekend I saw “In A World.”  It’s a movie, if you weren’t sure.  And it’s in theaters currently.  At least in my hood, it wasn’t playing in most theaters so I had to travel a bit far to see it but – totes worth it! 

It was written by, directed by, produced by and stars Lake Bell, who you no doubt recognize her face if not her name.  She plays the outspoken and/or party animal, comedic relief best friend in several of those superfluous rom coms (ie: What Happens In Vegas.. ya..) but also played Rachel, hot boy Bryan Greenberg’s on/off gf in “How To Make It In America,” of which I was a huge fan of.. but apparently I was somewhat alone in this fandom because it only ran for two seasons on HBO.. I think you can also watch select episodes of it on Virgin Atlantic flights (or could when it was still on the air), which says something I think.. Sadly, free TV says desperate to me…  Anyway, anyway… (I blame my incessant “tangenting” on a classic case of the Mondays, future apologies in advance).. I loved her [Lake Bell] in HTMIIA because she was a bit weird (which I could relate to) but also funny and working as a budding interior designer in the show… Snaps.

To all my rap friends, Kid Cudi was in HTMIIA as an actor.  Not bad, KC.

So.. “In A World” is a sarcastic comedy + quirky love story about the voice over industry (if there is one).  According to the movie (but not necessarily supported by sources outside of the movie), the voice over community is “tight” and while there is money to be made in voice overs, the majority of the moola is earned by about five main voice overers and the rest of the rising VO stars are just trying to make ends meet.  Sad stuff. 

But really though, the humor style was perfect, in my opinion.  Just enough weird, ironic shenanigans and banter to justify my overpriced ticket, popcorn, Sour Patch Kids and D. Coke but also the right amount of realness and relatability (which is apparently not a word recognized by our dictionary, but I know you know what I mean, you know?) so that you leave the theater in a positive and productive mood.  I also left the cinema with a sore belly which I’m still trying to deduce if it was from the laughing - > ab workout or the popcorn + candy to the face action that happened in the audience by yours truly.  Still holding out for the former. 

The movie actually has a message too (don’t worry, this is not a spoiler alert).  A message that (I’m being completely serious here) is an important one in my opinion and personal to me.  It mostly applies to women - women that sound like girls (or “Beanie Babies,” as the movie puts it).  The message is that, while most women (and some men) don’t realize it, the strength and confidence (or lack thereof) that is portrayed in their voice and the way they say things, can have a direct effect on the way they are treated and if they are taken seriously.  This includes, but is not limited to, talking softly, making eye contact, mumbling, the tone, the pitch, the speed, the cadence and even inflections (ending statements with a question can make you seem unsure of yourself and won’t get you the respect you want or deserve).  Personal story/serious moment, I actually went to the speech coach for a few months when I was 18 and was enlightened to this concept.  I had a huge problem with trailing off, mumbling, and talking softly which was rooted in my lack of confidence in both myself and what I had to say.  I had to listen to myself reading news stories and other random filings that the coach had, on tape after learning this knowledge and let me tell you about having an uncomfortable moment.  I will never forget how sickened I was by my voice and the “message” I was sending without even realizing it!  Take note ladies and some gents, a few simple speech adjustments could change your life!  And I really do mean that!

 "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain" 

On a lighter note, Lake Bell does a phenom job in her role as the main character, who is trying to break into the voice-over world, in a world (industry) dominated primarily by men (see what I just did there :  ).  I really just love her as an actress/person too.  She brings a naturalness and vulnerability to her characters that, if anything, serves to enhance her beauty and presence.  She’s not trying to be anything she’s not and is not above making fun of herself but is also stellar at playing the ultimate “cool girl.”  Something I am still trying to master, quite unsuccessfully.  Above all, however, she is apparently super ridic-ly talented because she wrote, directed, produced and acted in this exceptional film!  I’m impressed beyond words.  Proper respect, gurl.

In conclusion, call me Roger Ebert and look out Rotten Tomatoes because I think I pretty much just nailed that review, if I do say so myself (while nursing a Sunday Funday hangover to boot!)  #killinit  But mostly, I hope this rave review prompts you to go see it. DO IT. Do it so you can say you did it BEFORE it was cool. 

A Finagling

You guys, I did it!  I freaking did it!! I managed to work around, reclassify and exchange my birthday gifts so that I could receive this: 

Get one too, here!

A month and a half after my birthday,  I finagled hard to get this and now it is on it's way!   Yes, I am the worst gift recipient ever.  And also p̶r̶o̶b̶a̶b̶l̶y̶  absolutely the biggest spoiled brat ever.  I have very specific ideas of what I want and wait until I find the perfect thing to cash in on my allocated gift reserves.  I know, it's a little messed up.  (Just to clarify I do the gift finagling thing with my immediate family members and they're used to it by now. They know what they're getting into before gift ideas start forming in their heads).  Here, take another gander at the soon-to-be newest addition to my most prized possessions:

Have you ever seen anything so spectacular?!

And if you were going to give a lecture about how this might fall under my picnic hoarding problem, I've found a loophole: if it's a gift, so I can't not accept!   

Unfortunately it's an "online only" thing so it won't be here in time for this weekend, when I plan to be beached on the beach for most of the time but I think it's going to be worth the wait! 

Oh, and I also worked out a little birthday exchange deal for this... It's  currently not in stock but I have "wishlisted" it (whatever that means).

Get "wishlisted" here.

Enough about me and what a lucky friggin duck I am!  Ya'll are lucky too because it's Friday and you know what that means people: it's the freakin' weekend and I'm about to have me some fun! (as should all of you!)

I will leave you this gem of a jam.  #tbf (Throwback Friday?)

XOXO, KK

A "Toasty" Spread

The Keeley Kraft Facebook page analytics tell me that my "Lettuce Talk About Salad" post was my best performing post yet among my FB "fans," which tells me, that you all must like the recipe posts or you all really like puns.  Based on this data, I've decided to give the people what they want by adding a simple but delicious snack, meal, appetizer, however-you-want-to-use-it dish to your recipe repertoires, if you choose to accept it.   And I'm pretty sure y'all are probably growing a bit weary of the regurgitation/inundation of pretty picture posts that there have been as of late.  So today, I'm here to spice things up. LITERALLY!  Meet: Avocado Toast.  Avocado Toast, meet everyone.

This may not be a new recipe for many of you but since I tell pretty much everyone I know about this phenomenon and more often than not, they are unfamiliar, I thought I'd throw it out there and see how well this post performs :).   Yes, your actions are being watched very carefully by me (jk, kinda).

On a diet, I usually eat one piece of toast and save half of the avocado for another meal of: avocado toast... but when I say F' it (which is most of the time), I use the whole avocado, splitting it between two pieces of toast.  (Question: Is there any more comforting smell than freshly toasted toast? Answer: No)  

Oh yeah, party in your mouth! 

So how do you create this masterpiece?  I'll tell you. 

1. Toast your bread.  (I like to use a grainy toast, usually a seven grain toast, but I get that people can be finicky about their toast preferences, so do what makes you feel good!) 

2. Slice and pit your ripe avocado and scoop out the contents of a half onto your piece of toast.   

3.  Mash that shit.  (Some other sources suggest otherwise but I say: NO). 

4. Squeeze some fresh lemon into the mix (if you want to use packaged lemon juice, be my guest but obviously I only use the freshest ingredients and am therefore going to recommend fresh-off-the-vine). 

5.  Drizzle some olive oil in there.

6.  Spread it all around.

7.  Add red pepper flakes (like the ones that go on pizza).

8.  Devour and thank me later. 

We're over the hump ya'll.. Smooth sailing from here on out! 

For The Love Of The Game Room

Do you know what I realized when I was researching for this post?  That I am really picky when it comes to game rooms!  Who knew?  I actually spoke aloud the following question during my search:  "Is a girly game room too much to ask?"  Apparently, yes.

I was initially inspired to write this post based on the following photo, from Urban Grace Interiors …

Mmm Hmm. Delightful!  But now, after going through all of my go-to’s for photos and coming up short in finding a few game rooms that appealed to me, I can now officially attest to the rarity of softer, feminine-incorporated game rooms. 

I guess I just feel like the heavy oak, man cave style game room is SO OVERDONE and the futuristic modern game room is kind of cold and arcade-like (and maybe also for kids?).. Which is not the feeling I want in my home... BUT I do realize that is a probably just a specific taste thing and any guys reading this post right now are probably feeling adamantly opposed to the words that are on their screen right now.  But here you go men, fair warning foreshadowing. 

Not bad, per se, just a bit masculine and dare I say it, uninspired..?

Sorry, but no.

I should probably also mention here that I covered my parent’s pool table (the green felt-y part) with gold glitter as a mere middle schooler.  Why would I do such a thing, you ask?!  Allow me to explain.  One day, as a youth, I was walking past our pool table and had a bottle of gold glitter sparkles in my hand that I was going to put away in the craft closet (really trying to paint the picture here) and all of a sudden, I got a wild hair to just unleash them all over the pool table. Yes. I am a weirdo. 

My dad, however, thought I was more than just weird… He was FURIOUS!  Let. Me. Tell. You.  But, even though he’ll never admit it, I think it’s kind of grown on him after all of these years and he’s developed a fondness for the eccentricity...  Or maybe it just reminds him that he had two daughters and no sons and what a crazy ride that's been for him - which I like to imagine him thinking about in a sweet "dad" kind of way.   And, if you ask me, the pool table needed a little more character and pizzazz and now, it looks FAAHHBULOUS! 

The only downside to the glitter is that the balls roll a little slower than normal and you can’t escape a game without being covered head to toe in gold sparkles.  But is that the worst thing, really?

(Surprisingly, there where no pictures online of what this looks like in person.. And I have no way of getting you a photo of the actual glitter induced table at this point in time.. So, use your imaginations!) 

But anyway, those of you still in this with me, are in luck because I have scoured my resources and reserves and have managed to scrounge up a few stunning game room situations that aren’t your typical take:

Not a room but I don't care.. That table is to die for!  You're welcome Evian for the free advertising.

Ok, also not a room but such an awesome patio scene.  Apparently this is at the Chateau Marmont.. Shocking!

And my personal fave.  How cute/unnecessary are those little spectator zebras?

Ok kids, there ya go.  Now let the games begin!