Say Hello To My Little Friend

This morning I attended a talk at the Gensler building in Downtown Los Angeles by Seth Goldman, the co-founder of "Honest Tea."  The talk was part of a series called "The Live Talks Business Forums" that feature leading business executives and thought leaders and have included the likes of Malcolm Gladwell, John Mackey - CEO of Whole Foods, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Howard Schultz - CEO of Starbucks (which I also had the pleasure to attend), and many many more notable business "mavericks."  The talks are part of a breakfast-hour series in which the featured guest is interviewed or speaks and then the audience attendees can ask questions.  Each talk is an intimate affair with a limited amount of tickets sold, which I think adds an extra special quality to the event as you feel like you are getting to know the speaker on a personal level. 

The talk was fantastic and I definitely garnered a few nuggets of information that I've stored in my brain bank for them to bounce around and hopefully attach to some other idea flailing around in there to make me the next big thing!  But in the meantime, I want to talk about a disguised star of this event and that is the hosting location.  The Gensler building is home to the Gensler architecture, design and consulting firm's LA outfit and it is spectacular.  If you were wondering what inspired the office set in the movie "Her," I would venture to guess that it was this place.  The resemblance was UNCANNY, y'all. 

The building and their use of lighting and furniture and design is a marvel.  It gives a super creative vibe but also maintains the quiet focused feel that one might need in order to actually get work done.  The talk was in the middle of the first floor in the back but out in the open and there were even risers suggesting that the space is frequently used as a presentation space.  It really made me feel like I was in the future as prescribed by the movie "Her" which when I saw the film in theaters, the future as they portrayed it felt foreign and even a bit cold but inside this building their was a productive, inspiring warmth to it.  I'm sure I'm making no sense AT ALL but my point in all of this (yes, there is a point) is that this building seems to be part of a generation of "smart" buildings and appliances and multi-functional tools that take many factors into account and serve the needs of its user more efficiently, conveniently and effectively. 

WHICH, brings me to my next point.  If you're still reading this far along, congratulations because now I'm finally getting to the meat and potatoes of what I meant for this post to be about.  My "little friend" mentioned in the title is the future and possibly also my f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ new personal trainer. 

Now, no disrespect to human personal trainers or anything.. There is definitely something to be said about making a commitment to a real-live person that keeps you on your game and a little more accountable, but in case you don't suffer from this affliction called "lack of workout motivation" (not that I would know ANYTHING about that, of course ;), the future is stepping in and replacing a human in yet another instance.  Say hello to "MOOV."  A "smart" little gadget that talks to you... just like "Her."  See where I'm going with this?   Describes as a personal A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) coach. 

MOOV can offer coaching with swimming (it's waterproof), golf (you can attach it to your golf club to find out what you're doing wrong with your swing), yoga (it will guide you through your practice and offer tips on improving your form), running, boxing, strength training, cardio, etc.  It links to your phone and can track and record your progress and offer tips and scores, as well as talking to you through your headphones AND... allowing you to share your results with your friends to create a little HEALTHY (no pun intended) competition, if you know what I mean :).

It's available for pre-order now at 50% off, making it $59.95 (a steal when you think about the cost of personal trainers).

Watch the "vid" (in the future we will only speak in shortened words) below to find out more about MOOV's Moves:

So, what are you waiting for??  Get MOOVing before the pre-sale price goes up!

XOXO
 

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!