Glitter Ceiling

Have you ever heard of a glass ceiling?  They're terrible as a metaphor but pretty sweet in actuality...  Well, this is kind of the exact opposite - both literally and metaphorically.  Allow me to introduce: Devine Color Gold/Silver Dust.  A glitter dust that you can add to paint to create a shimmering, sparkly, glittery effect.  The idea is to add sparkle to your ceiling so it twinkles like the stars... Although you can add more than just a sprinkle for a twinkle and create a range of spectacular effects, all depending on your glitter dosage. Truthfully, this product can be used for more applications than just painting your ceiling but when I first heard about it, is was being marketed as such... which personally, being the feminist I am, I am all over.  Unlike a glass ceiling, the possibilities with this product are endless as the possibilities with glitter are always endless and additionally the sparkly ceiling channels a night sky and universe.  I know I'm going too far with this metaphor but I don't care.  That glass ceiling needs to broken through! :)

But back to the paint dust.   Pretty groovy right?  You can buy it HERE for about $11 a package (it comes in silver or gold colorways).  Add two packages per gallon for a soft, subtle shimmer or three or more packages per gallon for bold, brilliant sparkle! 

Um, just sayin'.  Here are some examples of what it looks like added to paint samples. 

GOLD

SILVER

I looked long and hard for photographs of it actually applied to walls, ceilings or objects but alas, could not find ANYTHING.. But hey, maybe that's better?  You create your own magic! 

Also, on an unrelated but also totally related note, this is also going in my sparkle room:

I don't think there's a better note to end on, on this hump day.  Do the humpty hump, come on and do the humpty hump!

A Fare Fair

I know it's a bit outdated to post about last weekend on a Tuesday when people are already gearing up for the coming weekend (Monday is so passé) but I'm going to try and sneak in under the wire here and maybe you can let this one slide...? Cool, thanks.  So, pretending that it's Monday and this post feels more relevant, I shall begin: I had a delightful weekend that by nightfall Sunday, I felt like I had lived 9 lives! Meow.  (Probably hence the need for a día de recovery).  The undisputed highlight, however, was the artisanal food fair I attended on Saturday that left me broke and stuffed and barely allowed me to get out of the parking lot (for both physical and financial reasons).  In spite of this, the event did not disappoint.  In fact, it was akin to a full-fledged blogger fantasy.  I even prepared for the event, like a legit "big girl" blogger would, by stating aloud to my friend that I was going to try to take photos... So proactive!  (Disclaimer: please forgive the random smattering of photos that are accompanying this post. I'm still learning here about what types of photos you peeps want to peep at). 

The affair was as if a craft fair and a farmer's market had a baby and their bundle of joy was little marketplace complete with samples => my heaven.  It also felt a lot like you were doing a live walk through of someone's Pinterest food board.  The only (probably obvious) problem though, that I failed to consider, was that all of the selected participating vendors had REALLY AMAZING samples and I left actually toting my complimentary tote bag and a my new vegetable leather wallet, completely void of them dolla bills that I came with.  But that didn't break my spirit one bit!  To the contrary, I was engaged in a blissful rumination about all of the gourmet meals I was going to have, and the fancy craft cocktails I was going to make and how sharp I was going to look in my vegetable leather garments.  And I still maintain that I will try in vain to make sure that the items I bought, do not live out their shelf life, on a shelf - such is my promise.  

So, here is a photo journey of the event and my three favorite purchases.  A figurative "bon appetit" to you as you navigate through!

Waiting in line about to go in... But first, let me take a #selfie

First things first, breakfast was in order.  I opted for ice cream.  Strawberry shortcake flavor, in PUSH POP FORM... Whaaaaat?!  A total throwback to those orange Flintstones push pops I used to love as a kid.  I was so excited that I totally forgot my blogger "mission" and didn't grab a card or figure out the name of the shop so that all you LA people could get push pops for yourselves.  Totes #bloggerfail.  Sorries!  But to further tout the product, this push pop had a lid! So I could just put the cap back on to prevent me from smearing my snack all over the other sample-grabbing vultures (myself included) at the other booths.  Genius!

Next we found our way to the alcoholic beverages booth... #priorities.  While we weren't allowed to try anything with alcohol in it, I did have a chance to sample different flavors of "bitters" (which I learned are the key to creating a "craft cocktail" (or should I say "kraft cocktail" as they add unique flavors to your drink without dumping sugaring artificial flavorings in there to enhance the complexity of the drink - on the contrary, bitters use aromatics to add an essence to a drink that changes the flavor as part of taste is through smell).  I finally settled on a "lavender" flavored bitters (yes, lavender!) that I taste-tested with soda water and may end up using to flavor my water as well!

Get your own HERE.

I also couldn't stay away from the salt table where the effervescent gentleman at the booth sold me instantly on a black truffle salt.  You salty dog, you! I plan to carry this little bottle of black truffle salt in my purse and apply it to practically anything that black truffle flavoring could enhance (ie: practically everything but not limited to eggs, mac and cheese, popcorn, potatoes, fries, etc. etc.).

Get your own HERE.

My most favorite find of the day (and maybe ever) just BARELY eeks in under the food umbrella as it's a wearable item but since it's made out of "veggie leather" I guess they said "we'll allow it."  And thaaaank goodness they did because it's the bomb diggity yo!

Meet the fanny pack's country cousin: my new badass carrying case holster!  No more trying to find a secret corner to stash my purse when I want to break it down on the dance floor - or any of the other 1,000,000 reasons that make purses annoying. No sir-ee! Now, I can keep my belongings close to my person for security and convenience and look cool as f**k while doing so!  The other thing about this item is that it's gender neutral.  Men can wear this item and exude the air of a weapon-packin' BAMF and in my feminine opinion, look damn sexy too.  It's the perfect way to be hands free and hot. SOLD.

Practicing "selfie culture."  (This is actually my FIRST published solo selfie ever! #bigmoment)

Here is the company that sells them. 

I loved ALL of their stuff and bought more than just my holster at their booth but some of those purchases are for gifts and thus, are not going to be revealed on here :).  But check them out for sure HERE.

Outside of the fair they had a little food truck area (for those that were still hungry?).  How adorbs is that mini portable airstream bar on wheel?!?!

(Tryna' be convert about the subject of the photo - the trailer).

So, that concludes my "krafty" weekend adventure recap.  Now I'm hungry.

XOXO

Winos And Rhinos

In the spirit of Throwback Thursday, I'm going to throw today's post back to another post, which can be found HERE.  And then, I'm going to build on that post by making just one more plug on here for my mama's business retreat for women and then I will "retreat" from the topic.  But for any of you on-the-fencers, now is the time to HOP ON OVER to the other side.  We await you with welcome arms.  For those of you that missed my first post about the "Women Wine and the Wildebeest" women in business safari retreat that my mom is hosting next weekend (May 2 - 4, 2014) in Sonoma, CA... Allow me to regale you!

Sorry boys, the retreat is for women only but perhaps a woman in your life may be searching for this very thing, so you should listen up too!  The event is a three day, two night intensive experience meant to help women in various stages of their personal career journey or entrepreneurial venture.  During the course of the event, there will be wine tasting, a true African style safari, archery, bonfires and s'mores, glamping, hiking, circling and a ton of business and personal growth workshops and speakers, all centered around taking your career and life path to the next level. 

Besides embarking on a weekend of fantastic fun with amazing, dynamic and enterprising women, attendees will:

LEARN how to take smart risks without compromising your business
LEARN how to tell the difference between fear and intuition
LEARN how to get your team in sync and work for a common cause
LEARN how to communicate your message to your customers
LEARN the most powerful tool in branding and how to use it effectively
LEARN how to get your customers attention in the right way
LEARN how to overcome fear to achieve your ultimate success
LEARN how creativity can be the key to productivity
LEARN how you can get financial success with just one ritual a day 
LEARN how to increase your profits with one simple action
LEARN how to make sales happen everyday in your business
LEARN how to eliminate stress 
LEARN how to target your goals effectively and accomplish them now
LEARN what others know that can help you succeed in business
LEARN what your greatest asset is and how it can help you build your business

ADDITIONALLY, a portion of proceeds from the profits of sale of this retreat will go towards the care and feeding of animals at the Safari Camp. I will also be making a donation to ASK, http://www.askenya.org, a non-profit group enriching the lives of Maasai children through education while respecting their customs, traditions and way of life. 

There are only a FEW spots left.. So hurry up if you or anyone you know has an inkling to get in on the commotion!  Like, why not make a step towards changing your life?? #duh

To read my original post on what the retreat is all about in further detail, click HERE.  And to sign up and learn more, visit the event's website HERE.

Happy Thursday!

J.A.- RULE(S)

Ummm... Has anyone noticed that Jonathan Adler is kind of killing it lately??  I mean, I get that that is a bit of an "oxymoronic" statement as the Jonathan Adler (J.A.) name has always been synonymous with "killing it" but as of late, some of his pieces are straight up slaying me... Particularly in the lucite and brass department.  He seems to have come out with a line of lucite and brass pieces that perfectly depict what I have been searching for endlessly with little to no avail.  Albeit, the price is still signature J.A. and reflects the amazing-ness, of course but... WOW, I am lusting nonetheless.   Please, have a look for yourself:

Jacques Bench

Jacques Lucite Etagere

Lucite Brass Cocktail Coffee Table

Brass Lucite Bar Cart

Lucite Mirror

Lucite Two-Tier Side Table

Is this stuff not so yummy you could lick it?  I kind of, can't really, get over it.  It's a slight departure from his usual whimsy and I'm digging it!  ... Still fun but with a side of sophistication and class that is versatile enough to fit within any style of space. #nailedit

Some of his other pieces are pretty major too:

Kensington Sofa

Mongolian Lamb Bench

Marble Brass Dining Table

Turner Cabinet

Bacharach Swivel Chair

Toklas Dresser

Ingmar Chair

A little more classically J.A. but still achieving that vintage look without the um... vintage w̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶e̶a̶r̶  heritage.  And as per usual, his home accessories are zee best!

Uncle Sam Finger Corkscrew

Charade Studded Vase

Mr. and Mrs. Place Card Holders

Puzzle Table Lamp

I-Scream Vase

Brass Bird Candy Bowl

Red and Turquoise Backgammon Set

Shoe Bottle Opener

Coasters

Tortoise Table Lamp

Rock on witcha bad self, J.A!  And that goes for the rest of you's too!

PINT-SIZED PERFORMERS

I went to YouTube today with the intention of just popping in to look something up quickly and ended up getting suckered in through their home page videos. #getsmeeverytime. What initially caught my eye was a video of this little boy on Ellen claiming to be her boyfriend and it ended up leading me on an hour long foray of watching segments of when Ellen hosts adorable child guests... and then has them on the show again.. and again.  I suppose the upshot is that I should just start recording Ellen on my DVR so that I can watch the episodes at an appropriate time and not when I have a mound of work to knock out??  I shall ponder the idea... In the meantime, here's the best of what I found - three scrumptious little tykes that are gonna be HUGE someday! :) 

THE IMPETUS

A NEW DANCING SENSATION!

AND THE LIL' RAPPING LEGEND HERSELF

Just a little Friday treat for you guys... and to let you know that I'm still alive ;).

Enjoy your weekends!  I hope they are filled with singing, dancing, rapping or ALL OF THE ABOVE - - - EXPRESS YO-SELVES!