Card-nivores

Ok I want to preface this post by stating that I do know that not all of the animals I'm about to spotlight are carnivores, but the title was just too alluring for me to consider that.  So now that I've clarified my comprehension of elementary level education, let's begin.  Yesterday, in my stumbles around the interwebs, I fell into this radical Etsy shop (quite the imagery, no?)  In truth, I was on half a search for desk top accessories and this could not have fit the agenda better.  And today I want to share it with YOU GUYS!

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen of the internet, may I present: TOYIDERMY.  Quite the befitting name if I do say so myself!  The shop owner, Kelly M., makes these unique and FUN toy-inspired items to serve as functional items.  These functional items (available in an assortment of custom colors) range from Business Card Holders, Place Card Holders, Pencil Holders and Wine Stoppers and more.

Have a looksee:

What the fox say?

Someone on Wall Street NEEDS to have this as their business card holder. 

Eight letters: A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

And there are many more where these came from.  Check out the other animals, colorways and items at the "TOYIDERMY: GETS ME EVERY TIME" Shop.  I will be purchasing at least one of the business card holders for myself (leaning toward the wildcat in gold) but really, how does one decide with all of these fantastical options?!

The biggest upshot to all of this however, is that animal rights activists can now participate in the joy of displaying animals within their home.  SCORE!

In the spirit of animal jokes, I say to you all: Happy Hump Day!

Friday (High) Five

It's Friday, and for that I say: High fives all around!  Looks like we made it through the week!  Well done.

In other news, it has been on and off rainy all day in these parts and the dreariness is hanging around like static (the worst).  It's got me feeling like I just want to cozy up in bed all day and read a book or finish House of Cards - Season 2.  But as a person of the working class - duty calls!

BUT (there's always a but), that doesn't mean I can't day dream at my desk about curling up in one of these exquisite beds that if I did have the luxury of slipping into, I fear I might never leave!  Here are 5 (for my Friday Five) to-die-for bedroom situations.  Eat your hearts out, readers!

Apparently, I am craving color on this oh-so-gray day.  Hmm.. iiiinteresting.

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y'ALL!

Surious Stuff.

I'm gettin' surious on here today, guys.  I hope you don't mind.

I'm sure any of you with a Facebook account, that you check on the regular, have had your News Feed littered with the Seth Rogen video of him addressing the Senate seeking more funding to go towards Alzheimer's awareness.  I too, jumped on the "Share" bandwagon and after I did so, realized that actually, I wasn't finished talking about it with just a mere share. 

A few years ago, I was on a plane and reading a book that I was about a quarter of the way through when I boarded.  Just before landing, I finished the book and I found myself sobbing quite uncontrollably.  Like bad.  Yes, it was embarrassing...  To say the least.  My cocktail napkin was in shreds as it proved insufficient to soak up the amassing tears, that showed no signs of stopping.  I was in the window seat and found myself in a quandary as to whether I should get up and expose myself or be that awkward person sniffling in the corner alone, that can't hide the fact that they are visibly upset... which is especially weird on a plane, when you've been on it for 4+ hours and it is 6 years ago when it's not like you would have just heard some upsetting news from someone "on the ground."  But alas, what did I expect reading a book about one of the saddest diseases befalling more and more people each year.  Miraculously, the woman sitting next to me put her hand on my shoulder during this "scene" and told me that she too had read the book and had the same reaction.  She also gave me another book for my flight back home which was such a sweet gesture that I felt I needed to mention it here.  Snaps for random acts of kindness.

The book, titled Still Alice, remains one of the most impactful and heart-wrenching I have ever read.  It is a novel that was written by Lisa Genova, who holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University.  It details the inception and rapid progression of a fifty year old woman's battle with early-onset Alzheimer's and the horrific and agonizing effects that plague her and her loved ones.  It was beyond depressing but in the way that you don't feel sorry for reading it. 

Seth Rogen's speech talks about his and his wife's experience with her mother, another victim of this ruthless disease.  Spoken in eloquent and still humorous way, he touches on how this disease can rob you of everything, even the most basic human functions and does so like a freight train on a mission to hell.  He also discusses the stigma that people and loved ones face in dealing with Alzheimer's and how awareness and understanding can help the cause and those suffering from it as a whole.  Through increased awareness comes more funding and a gentler space for people living with this illness to manage.  I watched the video today and once again, I had an onset of tears in a public place, but this time they were happy tears because this is an issue that I think is so important to know about, learn more about, try to prevent and help those hurting from it.  It can honestly happen to anyone and can wreak havoc through a person's life as they know it as well as those around them. 

And so, I urge everyone to read the book Ask Alice, to enhance their knowledge and understanding of how this disease strikes and as a result, want to be part of the conversation and solution towards eradicating this horrendous malady.  But first: watch this video if you haven't already!

Amen, Mr. Rogen.  Amen.

SNEAK ATTACK!

This might be weird and after I say it, you may be all like "Uh Keeley, that's ridiculous."  Or you might be right there with me.  Either way, I'm going to make my case for my opinion nonetheless.  Do you feel like whenever you put on sneakers, you gain more energy?  Every time I lace up a pair of "tennis shoes," I feel instantly transformed.  I suddenly want to boogie down, engage in some "kung faux fighting" or just generally JUMP AROUND.  Obviously "tennies" are not practical for every application but they are slowing becoming more socially acceptable for an increasing number of scenarios.

But most importantly, there is something about sneakers that is unquestionably - COOL.  Once you've got your sneaks on, tied up in whatever bow/knot style fits you best, it's like you've got an armor on.  An armor that molds perfectly to your feet and allows you to deflect anything you might otherwise give a sh*t about... which is obviously the definition of being cool (Cool (ko͞ol/): not giving even one sh*t).  Additionally, you're not ever going to be held back by your sneaker and wind up looking like a chump, like you could with a flip flop, a heel or a chunky heel.  Just TRY and flat tire my sneaker... You can't, cuz I'm too fast. 

Anyway, I think I think I'm getting off track here (haha, semi-pun).  We'll move on.

So what prompted this "sneak attack," you might be wondering?  Well because I got a brand new pair of kicks myself today, that's why!  And, I have been bouncing all over the place ever since slipping them on my feet and am just BURSTING to talk about them... and others of their nature.

Here's some photos of some ladies rocking the sneaks who are easily TOO LEGIT TO QUIT!

And for your viewing pleasure, a little round up of some fresh-to-death kicks:

1  | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

Get 'em while they're HAUTE!

Ace Is The Place

Last night I engaged in a "proper" happy hour at the brand spankin' new ACE Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.  If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you are no doubt aware, that as far as I'm concerned, the Ace Hotel brand can do no wrong.  (See my posts about two of their other locations here and here).  There had been speculative rumors going around for the past year and half, or so, that an Ace Hotel would be opening in downtown Los Angeles, which was of particular interest to me as my parents own a loft there, my office is there and my sister lives there (see photos of her downtown Los Angeles loft), but I dismissed said rumors as too-good-to-be-true pretty much up until the point that they opened their doors - literally right across the street from my office (and also next door to my parents' building).  And then, at that moment, I had to comprehend the fact that my fantasy and reality had become one - T.R.I.P.P.Y.

So anyway, yesterday afternoon, the stars aligned for me to experience this gem in true après work fashion.  My cousin was in town visiting and my sister made things happen so that we scored a primo spot on the roof just as the sun was setting and we were sipping 'champs (and PBR tall boys) amidst insane views.  One might say it was, idyllically ideal.  My official ruling is: the Downtown LA Ace does not disappoint! 

HAWTIES!

Now, since we were talking about Happy Hour after all, in terms of the edible kind of refreshments, there is a lacking, if you're actually hungry.  To rectify this situation, however, I was told by our server, that I could go downtown stairs to the adjacent best-little-taco-stand-north-of-the-border, "Taco's Mexico" (where my dad has been know to satisfy a case of the drunk munchies - yes, that actually happened) and bring 'em back up to enjoy, in true B.Y.O.Food. fashion.  A better solution or the BEST solution to "hangry" situation?  Now, if you are just in the mood for something light (and perhaps also nostalgic), you can access their selection of throwback snacks (read: Bugles, Red Vines, Peanut M&M's) from your rooftop seat, as those items actually are on the Ace rooftop menu.  Random sidenote, I know, but I felt it best you know your options going in, so you can plan accordingly... you're welcome.

In other non-consumption news about this PL-ACE, the whole vibe is on-point.  The hotel is housed in the old United Artist building and was restored just enough to nail the purpose without losing its remarkable original features.  To give you some quick history, the building was initially built in 1927 and was the tallest building in the city for one year after its completion.  It was designed by the renown theater architect at the time, C. Howard Crane, who was commissioned by the "United Artists" (a group of united artists, formed with the intention of controlling their own interests rather than depending upon the powerful commercial studios).  The United Artists Corporation was founded by Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and DW Griffith.  The theater, a classic movie palace, deemed "the final word in theatre construction" by Motion Picture News in 1927, was the first of many constructed by United Artists and served as the first major premier house located in Los Angeles rather than in New York City.  The theater was built in a Spanish Gothic-stlye and is lavished with ornate details meant to mimic the Segovia Cathedral in Segovia, Spain.   

I mean, how cool is cool?!

The theater, in my humble opinion, can be described in no other way than: OUT OF CONTROL.  See for yo'self:

There is a restaurant on the ground level which is superb (I speak from experience).  And the rooms are true-to-form Ace style - unique, casual, cool but cozy, and with a pinch of hipster (just the right amount ;). The pool sits on the roof separated by a classically trendy bar from the lounge area where I mentioned earlier.  Please feel free to peruse more photos of the hotel below:

Quite simply, it is the ULTIMATE addition to this area of downtown and I could not be more excited to welcome it to the neighborhood - which I will do by patronizing the sh*t out of it, obvi!  I highly recommend you do the same if you are in or around the downtown Los Angeles area at any point.

And with that said, enjoy your weekends, ya party animals!