WW200: AND THEN THERE WERE THREE....

WOW!
So there are 200 times that I have 'extolled the virtue' of other people's cool stuff!
I have complained again and again about the HOURS of work each post consumes.......THAT is why I kinda stopped doing this post........which is kinda sad. So I think to make it easier - and to encourage more frequent posting - I am gonna could choose 1-5 things - INSTEAD of always having 5 different things each week!
So in that spirit, there are THREE things that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this week!

1.) KEYWAY.......HOLY CRAP!!!!! These are incredible cases....I cannot pick which one is the best!

Here is what they say......

Keyway Designs was born out of passion for elegant design, skilled crafting, and artistic simplicity. We built a partnership and put our complementary skills in art, design, manufacturing, and engineering to work. Our interests were quickly drawn to the stunning design of the iPhone product line. While clean, elegant and simple, we view the smooth, flat back design of the iPhone 4 and 5 as the perfect canvas. Indeed, we could paste vinyl stickers on it, or wrap silicon shells around the phone but why not try something a little different? We decided on a material that allows the customer to express them-self in a unique way, while keeping their phone safe.

We began brainstorming and explored some of the possible materials that could be used to uphold the iPhone’s original elegance while improving on customization and durability. Due to the wide variety of available wood species, it seemed to be an obvious starting point. Wood also has the inherent ability to provide individuality due to the unique grain of each sample.

Keyway Designs was formed in early 2012 in Toronto, Ontario. We are proud to say that our manufacturing is done in-house. This allows us to maintain the high level of quality and accuracy that we demand. Our production goals for Keyway don't stop at iPhone accessories; we have big plans for our future, so be sure to keep an eye on us!

- The Keyway Team

I feel that I may NEEEEED the Jaws case.......

YOU need to go check them out HERE:

http://www.keywaydesigns.com

and like them on the Book of Faces.......https://www.facebook.com/KeywayDesigns

and their follow their tweets.......https://twitter.com/KeywayDesigns

...and on Instagram.....https://instagram.com/p/5xkRNmCc1V/?taken-by=keyway_designs

FANTASTIC STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2.) Hey nerds.....what about this office building in China that looks like a certain starship........

The building forms the headquarters of game developers netdragon. The 260 meter length office structure took four years to construct, with American TV station CBS sanctioning the rights for the Chinese company to model their office after the USS enterprise ncc-1701-e.

Check out this drones eye view:

CRAY!!!!!

3.) FINALLY - I give you (Thanks to Cindy for this one) WHINE ABOUT IT.

http://whineaboutit.tumblr.com/post/125351119836/this-week-on-whine-about-it-reasons-why-clothes

Not sure if that embedded video worked......if not... GO HERE!!!

You must love this!!
Simple idea....but so good - Matt Bellassai gets drunk at work, and rants about all the things that we are all thinking...okay....maybe not ALL us are thinking it.....but I surely am!!
See his videos each week HERE 
and follow him  @MattBellassai 

FABULOUS FRIDAY: CANOE, CAFE HABANA AND MEDITATION?

Here are 5 things I want you to LOVE this week!!!!!

1. Canoe at 233 Locke Street South, Hamilton:

A great shop on Locke Street in Hamilton! Nope.....this ain't your Grandma's Hammer anymore.....this great shop carries super products that are made from local peoples.......okay...they say it better:

Canoe is a lifestyle shop dedicated to offering a curated collection of unique quality goods from local makers and authentic brands for men, women and the home.

Our commitment and vision is quite simple. To constantly seek out the very best in unique, small batch, quality and authentically made goods. To only offer products that are crafted with care and made to last. To bring you goods that will enhance your life, not clutter it. To help our partners grow and to share their inspiring stories. To constantly learn and grow through this journey, have fun, work hard, and to always be on the lookout for new and amazing items we know you will love.  We're proud of what we've created here at Canoe and hope to share it with you soon!

Just look at that splendid store of STUNNING merch!!

 I love it......AND I am not just an admirer, I am also a part of things:

I am thrilled to announce that Canoe is now carrying my merch in their store!

The original paintings of Hamilton - the prints - and soon the postcards!
YAY!

So if you are in Hamilton - and I encourage you to check out the city - I am really enamoured by it right now - go to Locke St. and have a look-see at this store!

Canoe is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 - 7 and Sunday 12 - 5

Or see them on the web...

or facebook

or twitter

or instagram!

2. AFTER you get back from Hamilton.......make sure to head to Brooklyn NY! Why?? For Café Habana!!!!!!!

More specifically - you must go to the HABANA OUTPOST at 757 Fulton Street in Brooklyn
(The corner of Fulton & South Portland).....and here is why:

YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!!!!!!!!!!

PATIO! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

THEY DO MOVIES AT NIGHT TOO!!!!!

CHARMING INTERIOR TOO!

I really enjoyed my lunch at http://www.cafehabana.com/brooklyn !
Check it out!!!

3. TWO of my favourite things come together as iHome presents......the Soundflask Bluetooth Speakers!

It's a portable wireless speaker that is shaped like a pocket liquor flask! OMG!
Look at these designs:

You need it? I NEED IT! For all my summa time fun!

See more at http://www.ihomeaudio.com

4. WOW. These are a-freaking-mazing.........

Talamaska is from Russia - and is super talented!! Check out this website to see the SPECTACULAR WORK! Look at this stunning paper art:

SO AH-MAH-ZING!!!!!
Again.........http://serpant.wix.com/adam#!alice-in-wonderland/c17hh

5. THIS IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.....but this clip made me laugh and laugh and laugh...thanks to http://jasonheadley.com for FINALLY giving me a meditation I can really get behind!

(CLICK HERE FOR LINK)

WW161: VALEK ROLLING PINS, TOBY ATTICUS FRALEY AND KEERMEET

Hey guys! Here are 5 things that I think are fantastic this week!!!!

1.) Hey Aimée, Cousin Penny, and all you baking type people…….I found this for you! I HATE to bake…but maybe if I had THIS….I would:

Engraved rolling pins to cheer up your cookies…your cakes, pasta, sugar frosting to cover the cake and even dumplings! (the one above is DOGGIES) Thanks to Valek Rolling Pins:

OMG! Burgers, fries and shakes!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

HERE IS WHERE YOU BUY IT!
Thanks Etsy!

2.) HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS………Toby Atticus Fraley from Pittsburg takes vintage thermoses, picnic coolers, and various found thingies…..and then TRANSFORMS them into robots.

"The Secret Life of Robots", is on view at SPACE gallery in Pittsburgh through April 27, 2014! In his latest installation….he made dozens of robots in domestic vignettes….

"Robots assembled from pieces of Americana illustrate mundane everyday rituals, acts of daring, and precious milestones. These scenes of great joy and crushing sadness cover the beginning to the end of a typical robot’s lifespan, celebrating and revering the beauty in the everyday.”
Am I right nerds??? FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!
SEE MORE HERE!!!!!!!

3.) ok……here is ANOTHER food related thing…..but I had to share how DEEEELICIOUS this sounds…..thanks to The Girl Who Ate Everything!

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 (8 ounce) packages Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls
¼ cup melted butter
2 cups seasoned Panko crumbs

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil lightly with cooking spray. In a medium bowl add the cream cheese, pesto, green onions, and chicken. Stir until combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
Unroll the crescent dough. Take two triangles and press them together to form a rectangle.
Spoon about ½ cup of the chicken mixture in the center of the rectangle and bring the corners of the crescent dough together, pinching to seal.
Place the Panko crumbs on a plate. Dip each chicken pillow in the melted butter (or brush it on using a pastry brush) and roll it in the Panko crumbs.
Place the chicken pillows seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken pillows have turned golden brown.

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/11/pesto-chicken-pillows.html#vST4v0u7HDQhd7jT.99…and then invite me over for dinner……would ya????

4.) Musically…….I have to admit I have been a bit stuck on this……

or this:

Thank you muppets!!!

5.) This is kinda for the cat ladies……but mostly for the Batman lovers….…..it did amuse me!!!

GO HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO IF IT DOESNT PLAY!

WW156: WHERE COOL CAME FROM, SHE PLAYS HOCKEY and DANIEL ST-AMANT

Hey folks…….you know how this post works….each Wednesday I post an image of FIVE things that I LOVE…….

1.) I LOVE a good success story. As I wait patiently for mine (hee hee) I can't help but be THRILLED for Dave LeBlanc! You may know him from his columns at The Globe and Mail…..but his new project…..I REALLY FREAKING LOVE!!! "Where Cool Came From" is a super great web series that explores the nature of the "cool things" we know and love! Well….maybe not ALL of us….but if you like my work…..you're gonna LOVE:

Seriously…..it is so enjoyable!!!!! Don't believe me???? Check out this:

Where Cool Came From Video Preview from Where Cool Came From on Vimeo.

(or try this link)
Way to go Dave!!!!! I LOVE this web series!!!
You can give "Where Cool Came From" some love on Facebook too!

2.) THANKS CINDY FOR SENDING ME THIS ONE (She gets her knickers in a knot if I forget to thank her!) This is fantastic!!!! Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and singer Miche Braden bring you the most FANTASTIC remake of classic Guns N’ Roses!

http://www.openculture.com/2014/02/guns-n-roses-sweet-child-o-mine-retooled-as-1920s-new-orleans-jazz.html

3.) She Plays Hockey. Ok…I know what you are thinking……Normally I am NOT a sports person….let alone the hockey……BUT….in the spirit of Woman's empowerment……..I give you THIS:

She Plays Hockey is a website dedicated to providing products to girls and women who play hockey. The female game is growing every year and we have decided to say it loud and clear, whether you are a daughter, mother, sister or grandmother who plays or you’re a doctor, teacher, banker or stay-at-home mom – SHE PLAYS HOCKEY! And remember, you are never too old or inexperienced to start playing the game of hockey
SHE SHOOTS SHE SCORES!!!!! (Am I saying that right??)

4.) I really enjoyed this work at TAP this year! Daniel St-Amant's work at first glance is very attractive wildlife studies…..truthfully that is not normally the kind of work that really gets to me….BUT there are so many great things happening in these paintings!!!

I don't wanna ruin this for you…..but you should GO TO HIS WEBSITE and see how he creates these works. It is super cool……..yes…they are painted very well - but I love the flip of the middle finger to big oil…………(the phone number for an offending company is on each piece!!!!)

Here's his artist statement:

In an era of mass consumption, poverty, pollution and war, it's difficult to avoid being alarmed by the abundance of negativity and hopelessness that surrounds us.
My work explores some of these issues, specifically our destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. As our population grows, so does our consumption as a species with increasing pressure to meet quotas and profits. Humans are driving deeper and deeper into the wilderness. My latest paintings discuss this pressure we are putting on the natural environment and the adaptation that the animal kingdom is forced to undergo.
Using modern surfaces such as major road ways to emphasize our global footprint, I have managed to capture the density within our city life. Laying my canvas on the road I capture physical traces of climate affecting technologies “tire tracks” to which I use as a landscape for my animal compositions.

GREAT JOB DAN!!!!!!!!
You can also follow him on the Twitter…and on the Facebook!

5.) This is for my crazy cat ladies……you're welcome Cindy….see all these cats…….then hit the link and see 19 more……...

http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-wet-cats/

WW133: OOBJECT, THE GREAT LEGO PHONE and BUTTERCUP CHICKENBROTH

Hey folks! Let's gedder dunn! Here are the 5 things that I want you to LOOOOOOVE this week!!!!

1.) OH MY GAWD. I soooooooo need this:

LEGO has collaborated with belkin to introduce the ' builder case', a fully customizable iPhone 5 accessory that can be personalized with LEGO bricks. designed with a co-molded hard plastic back for scratch-resistance and a semi-flexible outer frame for shock-absorption, the easy-to-grip case also protects the buttons on the sides while keeping the ports and speakers fully exposed. the 'builder case' can now be purchased at belkin's online shop for $39.99!!!!!!!!

COME ON!!!!!!
This is a super great time waster for adults!

(thanks Design Boom)

2.) This is creepy...and cool! it makes me want to go to these places to see these houses! Ben Marcin's "Last House Standing" is a photo project documenting the forgotten solo row houses scattered around Baltimore, Philly and New Jersey. Standing alone, in some of the worst neighborhoods, these nineteenth century structures were once attached to similar row houses that made up entire city blocks. Time and major demographic changes have resulted in the decay and demolition of many such blocks of row houses.

"My interest in these solitary buildings is not only in their ghostly beauty but in their odd placement in the urban landscape. Often three stories high, they were clearly not designed to stand alone like this. Many details that might not be noticed in a homogenous row of twenty attached row houses become apparent when everything else has been torn down."

Very cool!!!

Check out more from Ben HERE.

(via www.featureshoot.com)

3.) Ok....so thanks to DEB, I am wasting a LOT of time on:

Thats's OOBJECT. It has daily lists of stuff. Weird and wonderful stuff. I encourage you to go and waste some time there!!! The firest thing I enjoyed was a grouping of 12 unusual cameras, posted by David Galbraith

Isn't that enough to make you want to waste your time here?????
GO!!
(not yet - finish my post - THEN go)

4.) ok.....now I am not sure about this one yet.....but I wanted to share......ROCKY: The Musical. Yup. You heard me!!!

Here is what the creaters are promoting:

In 1976, an unknown actor wrote and starred in an independent movie about a struggling but indomitable Philadelphia boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to go the distance.

An underdog story both on-screen and off, Sylvester Stallone'sRocky went on to win the Academy Award® for Best Picture and touch the hearts of millions. Now, that iconic film has inspired an innovative new stage production, brought to extraordinary life by afive-time Tony Award®-winning creative team, including director Alex Timbers (Peter and the Starcatcher), book writerThomas Meehan (The Producers) and songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime).

What they've done with Rocky pushes the limits of the ordinary theatrical experience, bringing the audience into the heat of the action. Both an adrenaline-infused spectacle and a surprising tale of blossoming romance between two lonely outsiders, Rocky is a visceral and heart-stopping new production for everyone brave enough to follow their dream.

I have to admit, I am curious.....I generally enjoy Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's musicals.....still.....this isn't an endorsement......just a bit of curiosity!!!!

5.) Ok....you LOVE the TV series "Sherlock"....and you loved him in "Star Trek 2".......and now you are gonna love the Benedict Cumberbatch Name Generator........very amusing!