In West Philadelphia...

Today has been one of those days where I've had one foot out the door and into the weekend since the moment I woke up this morning.  It all started with me secretly wishing there would be a "snow day" at work today (it should be noted here that those happen with more frequency in outdoor construction jobs than say schools or other lines of work.. I mean, I'm not THAT delusional! :).  But alas, there was not a snow day and while I craftily managed to escape the bone-chilling temperatures outside with "office work," I still couldn't shake the feeling all day, that my weekend had already started (whomp whomp).  As a result of this GROSS misfortune, everything got turned upside down and I nearly forgot to post today! (How daft of me!)  So, in a matter of haste, I managed to scrounge together something quick to avoid sending you readers into the weekend editorially "unfed."  I would NEVER want to deprive you of your go-to source for news! ;)

I've included a video for the "meat" of this post, that I mined from the internets... BUT, I feel confident that after you watch it, you'll forgive any feelings of ill-will you may have had towards my negligence because, quite simply, it is the ULTIMATE dose of nostalgic 90's goodness. I was grinning like a goon the whole time I was watching it and then for a good 15 minutes after.  Plus, if you're reading this blog, you surely share the same fond memories for that Oh-So-Fresh Prince of Bel Air as I do.  I mean, how could you not???  And therefore, anything I post related to this gem of an after school tv program is bound to get your spirits (and loyalties) up.

So on that note, I'll bid you adieu and let the video speak for itself.. Bon appetit! (Literally speaking).

SHOP TALK

I just realized I never officially announced two new additions to the Keeley Kraft shop on the Keeley Kraft blog! I added these items about a month ago so maybe this isn't news to you if you're up on the happs here at KK... But in case you didn't know, Keeley Kraft has come out with two new wine glass styles:

ETCHED MONOGRAMMED GLASSES
(I originally made a typo when I first typed that out and I accidentally wrote "The Mojogram Glads" which sounds like an appropriate Freudian slip if you ask me... Meaning, that a set of these glasses are pretty much guaranteed to boost your mojo.  In fact, I might even offer a money back guarantee on that... Update on that to follow :).

The pictured monogram style is just one of many monogram options available.  Depending on how many letters you want in your monogram, the authorities that be at Keeley Kraft will send you several monogram options to choose from to have etched on your glasses.

The other new style is a bit of an offshoot from the Monogrammed Glasses but was basically created with the idea in mind that everyone in a group would have their own letter etched onto a glass, allowing each person to distinguish their glasses with their initial on it, from the others and avoid confusion (and the sharing of germs, ugh!) 

ETCHED LETTERED WINE GLASSES

So there you have it!  New goods in the shop - get 'em while they're hot!

Culinary Chronicles

I'm having canapes and libations with a dear friend of mine whom I've known since we were mere babes (wait scratch that, we're still babes! :).  Anyway, my friend is a phenomenal cook with has no doubt played a large role in honing her fearless and refined palate.  Lucky for the world, she has graciously chronicled some of her palate's most prominent adventures of her delightful food + travel blog, which you can read here.  Probably my favorite post from her blog was on a "Titonic Dinner Party" she threw in which everyone had to dress as if they were guests on the Titanic and indulged in a ship-like affair replete with the likes of "Gin and Titonics" and a "White Out" cake, meant to serve as an ode to the ominous iceberg (moment of silence).  

I will whet your palate with a teaser photo for this creative celebration:

... But you'll have to visit the source of this Nautical Themed Dinner Party for more deets from this epic event, here.  

Speaking of Nautical Theme Dinner Parties, I can think of the PERFECT accessory to complete your sea-inspired spread: Etched Nautical Wine Glasses!

(You had to know that was coming... :)

And with that said, I'm off to get my feast on at happy hour but y'all should seriously check out her blog Lauren Loves Food... You won't be disappointed, as my friend is one of the most well-traveled people I know and coupled with her curious culinary spirit, her blog basically makes her akin to a female version of Anthony Bourdain, in my opinion.

Your's truly also makes a guest appearance on the blog, so see if you can find me! Kind of like a game of "Where's Keeley Kraft?" :) 

Now Work It Out...

I've added "working out" to my daily regimen and I'm going to level with you, I don't know that it belongs there... It's just too much to swing in one day when you add the necessary shower afterwards, the transportation to and fro, and my least favorite part, the actual working out.  I'm sure what I'm most upset about deep down is how much it cuts into my self-prescribed daily dose of TV watching where I can just zoneee out...   But nonetheless, I'm going to give the whole exercise thing the old college try for at least a week or so (that's the goal anyhow). 

How does this affect you, you may be wondering?  Well... Another unfortunate side effect, is that this added segment of time squeezed into an already crowded day is basically sinking the boat and causing my thoughts to become awash with nonsense.  Therefore, as a precautionary measure, I'm just going to hit y'all with a barrage of photos and hope you're cool wit dat!  But: there is a theme before I go on my photo posting rant... All of these photos are of rooms designed by the incomprehensibly talented interior designer, Ashley Whittaker.  I often find myself pinning/saving all these really cool unique photos and come to find out that they are all by the same interior designer - Miss Whittaker.   Hopefully these will inspire you as they do me to try to find that perfect balance between zen and whim(sy)! (It almost rhymes... :).

                                          I go NUTS for nooks like this!

And, lastly... It must be noted that the following photo is my fave. 

Hard to believe those are all the same designer, right?  I love that she's making her mark through versatility and uniqueness within every space... The lady can work it... Work it out! .... ;(

"Fauxmica"

I cannot take credit for the title of this post even though I SO wish I could because it is just so damn clever... and fitting.  However, I decided to poach it from here for my own post, anyway (I know, I know, shame on me)! 

Ever since I read about said "Fauxmica" I've been obsessed, awestruck really, and have been dying to tell you all about it!   I hope you all are as excited about it as I am... Because what it really means is something fundamental.  We now have the tools to help the world become just a little bit prettier on the inside.  

I think I am so impressed by this stuff for two reasons: 1. The price (if I haven't mentioned it on here before, I am a Thrifty Ms.) and 2. the dramatic reversal of my snobbiness. 

So let's get on to talking about it already, shall we? 

I'm talking about Formica folks.  If you don't know what that is, I suggest you look up a picture online and suddenly memories from your childhood up until your present will come flooding back to you.  It is an unmistakeable countertop laminate material that makes no bones about being expensive... That is until NOW!  You see, I have a heavy disdain for Formica, it's right up there with linoleum (shudder).  Both materials have the ability to make me cringe first and then make me dreadfully sad because they ruin any room where they are placed.  They can take anything that ever had any potential of being beautiful and turn it into a space that has proverbially "let itself go."  BUT, it now appears that they must have tired of being the red-headed step child of countertops because they have now gotten their act together and have come out with this magical stuff called Formica 180fx.  Practically imperceptible, the Formica people have created laminates that mimic fancy countertop materials (read: Calacutta/Carrera marble, limestone, petrified wood, black fossilstone, slate sequoia, and many more, which you can see here).  Yes, it's true!  Champagne dreams on a beer budget?  NO PROBLEM!

I found this short little vid explaining it, to be quite interesting... Perhaps you will too!

The "Fauxmica" runs about $16 a square foot compared to the materials it impersonates which can range from $60-$200 a square foot.  It is essentially the cubic zirconia of the granite/marble industry...  Which means, if you're not in a place to blow your budget or stretch it on only one element of upgrading your kitchen/home, then Formica 180fx is the perfect answer to your woes.  

Still don't believe me that you can't tell the difference??  

So, what do you say now that you've had a better chance to "formiculate" your opinions??? :) Am I right or am I right that this stuff is miraculous?!