Daphna Simon Jewelry - 07.31.08

daphna-simon.jpgDaphna Simon’s Jewelery has a gorgeous, naturally inspired, yet edgy look and feel ~ and i love her use of the wood and her perched leopard, grizzly, and wolf on her rings.

.:notcot:. 31.07.08 14:45 .:wearable:.

Rocket World IWG Zipper Pulls + Airborne

rocketworld.jpgCleaning through Comic-con pics ~ as far as purchases go ~ these little guys were truly irresistible! the Rocket World Insurgent Wilderness Gruppo (aka I.W.G) crew in shrunken zipper pulls and airborne paratroopers! So here are some quick pics of the booth, the toys (i couldn’t help myself and had to open them up at lunch, so yes, that’s a fork in the pic - and a few so so pics from the hotel), and the packaging… adorably tiny boxes for all of these!


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.:notcot:. 31.07.08 14:23 .:playful:.

Sidekick Unboxing - 07.30.08

sidekick.jpgFun packages to come home to ~ the new Sidekick that just launched today! Now with customizable skins that you can design yourself with black, white, or pink plastic as the base. So on the next page i have a full unboxing for you, and close ups of some of the fun details… and then some REALLY close up (like 200x) views of the new keyboard as well, which is my favorite feature. Overall, i’m loving the new design, its sleek, nice and matte in the center, and the font and non-chicklet like keyboard keys are so nice to use… also check out what the phone looks like with and without the new skins…

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.:notcot:. 30.07.08 15:23 .:tech:.

Game Libratory at CRCA, UCSD

gamelib.jpgYes, Game Libratory = Library + Laboratory. And yes, games - meaning everything from those historical ancient emulated DOS PC games to low cost edu-tainment products to the latest PS3, XBOX 360, and Wii games… It’s really something that all our current libraries are missing, and there aren’t nearly enough (if any) great labs organizing the history of gaming as it flies by us - in such a way that people could someday check them out like microfiche and catch up on some games of the past that are no longer accessible other than to a few who snatch them up from ebay or at a garage sale! Also, imagine how much history there is in simply watching people play these various games, and seeing how the usability and interactions have evolved over time… and when you someday tell your kids, “back in my day, we used a JOYSTICK”… well you can drag them down to the Game Libratory to experience some historical gaming first hand.

So, when this brainchild of NOTCOT friends (from the pre-notcot the site even existing days), Daniel Rehn, Derek Lomas, and Jeremy Douglass, who hooked up with the Software Studies Initiative, Center for Research in Computing and the Arts (CRCA) at Calit2, UC San Diego, launched, it was literally just an idea that is quickly growing out of the tiny lounge space they received from CRCA. They have been accumulating some incredible collections from donors (and shopping on ebay) and contributing their own gaming resources… and students and researchers internationally have been eagerly joining in to explore previously unavailable research opportunities! So while the space is quickly filling up, and they’re hopefully expanding to a new home soon - i convinced Daniel to let me take a few shots of things that intrigued me, from their set up, to some of the many crazy gadgets i’d never seen before! So take a peek on the next page ~ and if you’re not sure what to do with all your games and systems, but don’t want to simply sell them off to anyone… the Game Libratory is a good home for them to take their place in gaming history!

p.s.
things to look forward to? How about across game comparisons of the ways characters die? Or comparisons of the evolution of button mashing across controllers? And don’t you think the future Game Libratory needs to have Toledano’s Video Game Faces mixed with gorgeous screenshots framed on their walls?


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.:notcot:. 30.07.08 13:31 .:tech:.

Absolut Los Angeles

absolutla.jpgBrowsing The Dieline just reminded me about the Absolut Los Angeles launch which happened a few days ago when we were in San Diego… (and remember the massive sponsorship Absolut gave the walk of fame? and the uproar?) and i must admit it’s kind of exciting to have my home city have an Absolut of its own. The flavor is Acai, Acerola, Pomegranate, and Blueberry - supposedly a nod to our city’s trendy, environmentally forward, and health conscious ideals… More screenshots from Absolut and recipes on the next page!


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Click this screenshot to view the full sized image (where the recipes become readable!)
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.:notcot:. 30.07.08 02:53 .:food+drink:.

Martini & Rossi Warhol Ads

warholmartini1.jpgMartinis + Pop Art? How could i resist a press release that starts with “After collaborating to create an Ad Campaign for their vermouths in the late 1950’s, MARTINI & ROSSI brings Warhol’s iconic artwork and style back to life with a modern twist. From canvases to cocktails, MARTINI & ROSSI has embarked on a new advertising and cocktail campaign - The MARTINI Factory - aimed at redefining vermouth and the art of the aperitif. The vermouth aperitif drinking occasion, hugely popular in Europe, has yet to take hold in the U.S. market where cocktails dominate popular culture. This new campaign offers consumers an array of innovative vermouth cocktails featuring contemporary ingredients. MARTINI & ROSSI will also unveil a collection of six innovative Warhol-inspired vermouth cocktails at an invitation-only MARTINI & ROSSI Warhol Factory party - being held in NYC on August 6th - what would have been Warhol’s 80th birthday.”

Take a look at the original 50’s and 60’s advertisements by Warhol on the next page, as well as some of the new Martini Factory Drinks! With playful names like the Factory Martini, Velvet Edie, Pop Art ‘Tini, Bohemian Cocktail, and more… this is certainly one of my favorite retro/present campaigns of the moment, and the merging of art + drink is such a perfect match.

Here are the 6 Martini & Rossi Factory Drinks (recipes on the next page!)
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Here are the original ads which ran in 1956-1963
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Here are the 6 Martini & Rossi Factory Drink Recipes! (in order from left to right)
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MARTINI & ROSSI Factory Martini
Picking up on the great ‘assembly line’ method of the Warhol factory, this cocktail can be made in stages by multiple mixologists.
- 3 parts MARTINI & ROSSI Extra Dry vermouth
- ½ lemon in wedges
- ½ part simple syrup
- 3-4 mint leaves
- Club soda, chilled
Muddle lemon wedges and mint leaves in the base of a shaker. Add MARTINI & ROSSI Extra Dry vermouth, simple syrup and ice. Shake well and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with remaining lemon twist.

MARTINI & ROSSI Warhol Manhattan
This cocktail takes a classic recipe and embellishes it with a striking dash of color and flavor.
- 1 part MARTINI & ROSSI Rosso vermouth
- 1 part DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL Blended Scotch whisky
- 3 cherries soaked in premium orange liqueur
Shake liquid ingredients with ice and strain into a martini cocktail glass or pour over ice in a rocks glass. Drop in cherries.

MARTINI & ROSSI Velvet Edie
This cocktail is quite inspired. It is named for two influences in Warhol’s life: Edie Sedgwick and the Velvet Underground.
- 3 parts MARTINI & ROSSI Bianco vermouth
- 1 part lemon juice
- ½ part simple syrup
- 2 raspberries
- 2 mint leaves
In base of martini shaker, gently muddle one raspberry and one mint leaf with simple syrup. Add remaining ingredients and ice. Shake well and strain over cracked ice in decorative stem less glass. Garnish with quarter slice of lemon, remaining berry and mint leaf.

MARTINI & ROSSI Pop Art ‘Tini
- 1.5 oz. Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth
- 2 oz. Cranberry juice
- .5 oz. Pineapple juice
- 1.5 oz. top with Martini & Rossi Prosecco
Fill mixing tin halfway with ice. Pour in M&R Dry Vermouth, Cranberry and Pineapple Juice. Shake with ice 8-10 times. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with M&R Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon and lime twisted together.

MARTINI & ROSSI Bohemian Cocktail
- 1.5 oz. Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth
- 2 oz. Orange Juice
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
- .25 oz. Grenadine
Fill mixing tin halfway with ice. Pour in M&R Rosso Vermouth, Orange Juice and Cranberry Juice. Pour Grenadine down the inside of the drink and let settle to the bottom of the martini glass. Garnish with an orange wheel cut in half and placed on top of ice.

MARTINI & ROSSI Celebrity Crush
- 12 each Fresh Rosemary Needles
- 6 each Fresh Raspberries
- .75 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1.5 oz. Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth
- 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
Muddle in a mixing glass: Rosemary, Raspberries and Simple Syrup. Fill halfway with ice and add: M&R Rosso Vermouth and Cranberry Juice. Shake with ice 8-10 times. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 fresh Raspberries speared by a Rosemary sprig.

.:notcot:. 30.07.08 01:44 .:food+drink:.

Dog Poo Bags - 07.28.08

poobags.jpgShit Happens. Dog Poo Bags by Junge Schactel, the design duo, Nina Dautzenberg and Andrea Gadesmann. How cute is their studio puppy, Cuno? And don’t these bags just make you wish extremely talented packaging, branding, graphic, experience designers made everything in your world? See more pics below ~ and i’m also totally in love with the branding of Junge Schactel with their pull strip, packaging opening branding that is on their flash, portfolios, and even physically on their business cards!


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.:notcot:. 28.07.08 23:49 .:playful:.

Ultimate Accessories: Esque

esque.jpgClick HereNOTCOT Note: This is the fifth in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

On ultimate accessories, one of the more interesting ways to bring some green into your home is definitely in the form of terrariums (especially over cut flowers!). And your terrariums can be filled with anything from cacti or venus fly traps to flowers or bonsai… one of my favorite designs which manage to be both minimal and somewhat traditional, yet so organic and fluid feeling is definitely the blown glass terrariums of Esque at A+R. As described on the site - “Esque Design in Portland: Justin Parker and Andi Kovel blow recycled glass into purposeful sculptures that are as elegant as they are otherworldly. Case in point: These crystal-clear balloon terrariums, which frame your favorite succulents, flowers or other life into a world of their own.”

.:notcot:. 28.07.08 23:18 .:home+decor:.

Polite in Public 2.0? - 07.27.08

party1.jpgSo i took a bit of an internet break the last few days (blame the Sands motel in Bird Rock ~ but the relaxation and beachiness was awesome)… so unlike most die-hard comic-con-ers, we just popped by for a few hours on thursday - then went to the zoo for a few hours, and then found ourselves at the G4 + StrangeCo party for the new “Wonder Women of America” book which featured a few hundred photographs of the cosplay women of comic-con 2007… and many were present! They also had Nerdcore performances, and the place was a madhouse! But what grabbed me that you’ll definitely want to see… the boys of Polite in Public, have come a long way since we last saw/talked to them. (Catch up here for their back story and to see the old set up.)

So what’s new with this young revolutionary photobooth company, Polite in Public? With their impressive hollywood and technical backgrounds - they have taken their glossy, gorgeous imagery filled with props and sets and real prints on the fly! - to a whole new level. Instead of laptops, screens, printers, and more set up on a desk, we were amazed by their new set up with one large sleek machine that took the pictures, processed them from original form to the glossified form, and had a nice interface for their photobooth attendants to quickly browse and print from. It seemed like a large simple UI, and i was dying to run up and poke it, if only they weren’t SO busy! Also, from only being a small 2-3 man operation, sounds like they are expanding quite a bit, since on the same night as the San Diego event, they were also doing events in SF, NY, and LA! I got a few pics of the crazy scene - and some video of their impressive automated photoshop like filtering on the fly to give you a feel for how incredible their process is - check it all out on the next page!

Here are some clips from the videos to show you what the picture started as, and what it transformed to in seconds…
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The whole set up - a prop box, backdrop/set, and the photographer and the magical machine which let people preview the shots instantly… and as soon as shots were done, print outs were handed out!
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The Slave Leias were unsurprisingly the most popular girls at the party, being posed with, chatting with G4 TV, and even being called to dance with MC Frontalot…
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More examples! See even more photos from the G4 + StrangeCo party here!
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There was also a large vertical lcd panel as you entered that had a running slideshow of the images of the night
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It got impossible to wander around downstairs so quickly…
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It was terribly difficult to see much of the performance from the inside…
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… but outside had an interesting view!
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Too funny to see the camera crew make han solo hit on the leias on camera…
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.:notcot:. 27.07.08 21:11 .:tech:.

NotCouture Strip Down/Cover Up Roundup

notcouture #2419 notcouture #2424 notcouture #2421 notcouture #2425 notcouture #2406 notcouture #2387 notcouture #2393 notcouture #2409 notcouture #2412 notcouture #2426

This week’s NotCouture roundup was mainly inspired by mirrormirror’s post about Acne launching a collection of men’s underwear, then noticing that some Fall items like jackets and hoodies were trickling in, and that was an amusing contrast. I went on a search for some cool underwear for the guys but either the selection is pretty limited (if that’s the case, I feel sorry for guys!) or I just don’t know where to look for it..? But it wasn’t hard to find pretty pieces for the girls from favorite labels like VPL and The Lake and Stars. So whether you’re stripping down or covering up, feel free to share what you’re wearing (or wish you were wearing)!

.:ShadeElaine:. 27.07.08 14:35 .:wearable:.

Modern Amusement/Women’s Autumn ‘08 Collection - 07.24.08

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Modern Amusement is finally coming out with a Women’s collection for Autumn ‘08, and I didn’t even have to see the lookbook to know that I’d be really into the clothes. I’ve liked Modern Amusement’s guys’ collection for awhile now. It’s one of those labels that is the epitome of SoCal for me… the perfect blend of casualness and sophistication (like say, 60/40 casual/sophisticated). I love the dark colors with pops of color and white, the sheer fabric, and all those pleats and pintucks! The women’s collection will be available in stores beginning August 15th and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. More looks after the jump!

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.:ShadeElaine:. 24.07.08 23:18 .:wearable:.

San Diego Comic-con 2008

sdcc08.jpgSo, for those of you who follow my twitter or facebook ~ you already know i ran away to San Diego. It’s been far too long since i’ve been back in these parts, and i’d forgotten how much i missed it! So, spent yesterday popping by all my old houses/apartments/neighborhoods/etc, getting a burrito, and hiding out in little italy. Anyhow, we just popped by comic-con today for a few hours, and it’s absolute insanity, massive crowds, yet everyone is so nice, and they keep things flowing so well. Also - SO giddy to see the toys i’ve been lusting after… in person! And super nice to meet up with a bunch of the comics and toy guys in person as well, of course. So here’s a mad roundup to show you some of my favorites, click the pic to see the full gallery of my images running around the convention floor… and now i think i’m off to the zoo.

.:notcot:. 24.07.08 16:21 .:playful:.

Prairie Vodka Sends the Prairie - 07.22.08

corn1.jpgPrairie Vodka wants you to “let the prairie in” ~ and they aren’t kidding around! When they sent a sample bottle over, i was literally overwhelmed with the prairie… in the form of a gorgeous intricately laser engraved wood box filled with their certified organic #2 yellow corn (which costs twice that of conventionally farmed corn) and straw… all protecting the deliciously smooth bottle of Prairie Vodka (it really is THAT delicious). If you recall, i highlighted the incredible nature/prairie meets city photography on their website previously… and their label and branding design is gorgeous, but now combining that with the deliciously smooth taste and mind-blowing packaging this is one sample that will be hard to beat… i’m smitten.

Oh, and lets not forget - Prairie Vodka’s got more behind it than just great vodka - it is actually the result of a “unique partnership between a 5th gen distilled spirits company and a co-op of over 900 Minnesota farmers who are stakeholders in the brand. The distillery has earned Oregon Tilth organic certification. Each batch is distilled as many times are necessary to yield the desired character and smoothness. In the spirit of self-reliance, the distillery converts leftover corncobs and other biomass to create biogas energy for powering the stills and returns distillers grains, a coproduct of distillation, to farms for reuse as feed. And because Prairie is crafted many thousands of miles closer than imported brands, far less petroleum is consumed to bring the vodka to market.” Oh, and it’s also certified kosher by The Orthodox Union. And did i mention the packaging was mind-blowing? See more pictures of the unboxing on the next page!


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.:notcot:. 22.07.08 20:19 .:food+drink:.

Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare

pratima1.jpgWhile dropping something off for Andy at A+R in venice, i popped next door to Vert, the “high end luxury retail store specializing in all natural, eco-friendly products” primarily focused on health and beauty. While there, i was drawn to the packaging of the Ayurvedic line, Pratima.

As they showed me each and every product, and explained the process of the products, i was as much intrigued by the experience of each product (from smells to textures) as the packaging and background. Completely natural, ingredients from india, the only spa/clinic in Soho, and Vert is the only one carrying the line outside of the Pratima Spa. The line is also surprisingly affordable. The facial cleansers start out in a sandy, powder which you mix with water. For moisture, you mix a few drops of the liposomes with a few drops of the essential oils and massage it into your skin. Additionally they also have masks, oils for various treatments, body oils, creams, and more. The Anti-Stress Aroma Oil is already doing wonders for my workaholic day! Take a look at the next page for more pics of the packaging and display, as well as some background on Dr. Pratima Raichur, and a peek at Vert!


I couldn’t resist pouring out a bit of the cleanser to show you the texture ~ it looks like superfine sand, and upon touch, is a very very fine powder.
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Dr. Pratima Raichur is a chemist, botanist, doctor of naturopathy, ayurvedic physician, and best-selling author - known for pioneering the modern field of Ayurvedic health and beauty care. Can’t help but be amazed that she began her education in the space at 13, as an apprentice to one of India’s foremost Ayurvedic physicians, Dr. Rele… worked as a researched in England, and has found the balance and correlation between modern science and Ayurvedic traditions. As for her greener side ~ when her spa moved to Soho in 2006, it became the first day spa in NY to be built in accordance with the guidelines of the US Green Building Council’s LEED committee.

If you’re on the westside ~ definitely drop by Vert ~ lovely ladies working there, and gorgeous space! (Also, if you end up there and are a NOTCOT reader, you won’t be able to resist popping into A+R too!)
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.:notcot:. 22.07.08 18:48 .:wearable:.

NOTCOT Roundup!

notcotorg #12047 notcotorg #12094 notcotorg #12101 notcotorg #12079 notcotorg #12024 notcotorg #12082 notcotorg #12087 notcotorg #12036 notcotorg #12097 notcotorg #12052 notcotorg #12102 notcotorg #12064 notcotorg #12119 notcotorg #12112 notcotorg #12022 notcotorg #12007 notcotorg #12069 notcotorg #12028 notcotorg #12000 notcotorg #12080 notcotorg #11993 notcotorg #11996 notcotorg #12068 notcotorg #12095 notcotorg #11978Click the images to find out more! Here’s a fun mid week roundup of some of the most popular posts on NOTCOT.org in the last week…

.:notcot:. 22.07.08 16:46 .:design:.

Ultimate Accessories: Geneva Sound Systems - 07.21.08

infinitigeneva.jpgClick HereNOTCOT Note: This is the fourth in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

When picking some of the “Ultimate Accessories” for these posts, Geneva Sound systems always pop to mind, maybe it’s because i’ve been so tempted, but between moving and traveling quite a bit, i’ve had trouble committing to the pricetag for these gorgeous (and awesome sound quality!) audio systems! Ok, let’s be honest, that glossy lacquered finish in the red, white, or black are far too appealing ~ and when on the floor stand, just perched so perfectly, who can ignore it in a room? Details not to miss: the cd slot, is just that - a slot in the top of the system. The hidden red LED display that shows your settings, etc from behind the speaker…. when you’re ipod isn’t docked, everything is hidden under a panel on the top. I’ve toyed with buying one of these for YEARS now… and now, to further tempt me, they debuted a prototype of the perfect black glossy tv stand/shelf with built in sound system… its gorgeous, more pics on the next page.

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I had some ICFF picture issues, and can’t seem to find mine of the Geneva Prototype and booth, but thank goodness Apartment Therapy had just what i wanted to show you!
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See more closeups at Apartment Therapy!

.:notcot:. 21.07.08 21:51 .:tech:.

Shih Chieh Huang’s Recycled Bots

robo1.jpgAnother find at at GLOW ~ was a collection of suspended robots under the pier, EX-SE-08, Shieh Chieh Huang. Made from plastic bags, plastic bottles of various sizes, computer fans, portable dvd players - all combined with circuit boards and what looked like many power adapters for the larger pieces… these robots were buzzing and breathing (well the bags looked like inhaling and exhaling oxygen bags that come down in airplane emergencies?) and spinning about - while filled with glowing lights, black lights, and uv glowing liquids… It was mesmerizing to say the least, especially when i wandered back in around 5am in a bit of a haze… i ended up taking more video of these creatures than pictures, so check out the video below for an overview of them in action, and a few more pics as well on the next page!

Here’s a video we shot at about 5am… and believe it or not, there were still lots of people wandering about!

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.:notcot:. 21.07.08 02:28 .:tech:.

Usman Haque’s Primal Source

primal1.jpgThe show stealer at GLOW yesterday was hands down, Usman Haque’s Primal Source. Ask anyone who went what the best thing they saw was and odds are they will say “that giant fountain projection thing”.

On so many levels, this was an incredible art installation ~ a GIANT screen of water that with rear projection, set up such that the dark night sky served as the perfect backdrop for the perfectly clear visualizations - but it’s not just about watching, the group interaction element was there too: a series of microphones against the fence encourage the audience to participate by screaming into them in order to directly alter the visualizations. It was the only piece that truly sucked everyone into it, and kept them there for ages. Kids of all ages were absolutely mesmerized. And yes, i admit, it was one of the first things i was drawn to, even from up at the park - and i went back multiple times in that 12 hour window… and there were ALWAYS crowds at the piece… even at 5am. See images of Usman Haque’s Primal Source from all angles on the next page ~ as well as a video to give you the full effect of how awesome this was to behold in person!


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This was built with Processing and Pure Data…. and you can see them setting it up before the sunset ~ see how HUGE it is relative to everything around?
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Here you can see the mics with funnels attached to capture all the screams and hollers -
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Looking from the ocean towards the glow of the city, it just looks like a giant screen of water…
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Yes, those tiny dots are PEOPLE! A massive crowd mesmerized by the Primal Source…
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A quick overview of some of the patterns seen…
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And this was too bizarre, i didn’t even notice the couple sucking face until i downloaded the pics…
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P.S.
Sad random note ~ when i went through the program for GLOW initially, this didn’t even show up as something worth checking out, because it had the least descriptive description ever!

“USMAN HAQUE: Primal Source - In keeping with much of Haque’s work, Primal Source will invite the public to participate in the making of the art, creating at once a spectacle to watch and a spectacle to join.”

.:notcot:. 21.07.08 01:01 .:tech:.

GLOW: Santa Monica - Overview - 07.20.08

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I think i’ve waited 25 years for GLOW to happen - i love my beach towns, and Santa Monica is where i grew up, and the first ocean and beach i ever touched… and FINALLY, the City of Santa Monica let go of all their many rules for 12 precious hours (and we went, from 7pm to about 6:30am) - with an incredible first GLOW festival - the pier, with its new crazy uberbright-LED ferris wheel, the whole park overlooking PCH, the neighboring restaurants and shops, the beach, the work out rings and ropes - all packed with people of all sorts and all ages all night long… enjoying various music, techno/eco-art installations, and ultimately just each others company, and how nice it was to have all of this come together so beautifully and so playfully in Santa Monica. So before i get into the specific installations i have to show you video of… here’s an overview post to give you a feel of what an incredibly nice 12 hours it was… highlights are definitely lying on the beach listening to pirate lullabies at 3am, the interactive projection on a HUGE water spray, the computer fan driven upcycled electronic organisms under the pier, and watching people from such varying walks of life coming together for this Santa Monica first. (Oh and for really odd things, in the midst of all of this, we even ended up at Google for drinks, since the bars were just maddness - which led to a finger rocket war through the cubicles.)

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And as for those precious rules we grew up with… well tonight - there were tons of dogs running around, balls/frisbees/everything flying around, no lifeguards in the towers, i’m pretty sure people were dressing/undressing in their tents, definitely people camping and sleeping all over the beach to experience sunrise, while cleaner than expected, some areas got quite littered with trash, drinks were flowing - even in glass bottles, drum circles were popping up, loud music that “caused the neighbors to complain” late into the night, art you had to loiter to experience under the pier, random goodies for sale, a few cars on the beach, and i think we definitely saw some rascal type scooter things on the bike path…. and this sign forbidding it all right in front of the whole thing! We also saw the glass house hotboxed right behind a no smoking permitted sign… what a crazy 12 hours of Santa Monica amusement it was!

Also… if you want more pics, threw a bunch in the gallery - and will clean up some video to show you how some of the best installations worked too!


.:notcot:. 20.07.08 20:32 .:travel:.

NotCouture T-Shirt Roundup

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Finding the perfect tshirt is right up there with the search for the perfect jeans. The fact that there’s so much out there makes it that much more difficult. So here are some that don’t sacrifice comfort for looks, and aren’t in your face with some tacky graphics. And if you’ve already found your perfect tshirt (feel free to share it with us on NotCouture!), then the last row is full of other random goodness from this week. I’m definitely loving the insane Shu Uemura x Viktor & Rolf eyelash collaboration that alizababy posted!

.:ShadeElaine:. 20.07.08 17:49 .::.

Jimmyjane Contour Ceramic Stones - 07.17.08

jjceram.jpgOn sex toys and massage tools that you can leave out, and people can easily assume they are sculptural play things - Jimmyjane has done it again with their new line of CONTOUR Ceramic Massage Stones. “Jimmyjane introduces CONTOUR Ceramic Massage Stones, offering a modern take on traditional hot stone massage. With smooth, polished surfaces, they glide over the skin, relieving tension as they go. CONTOUR Ceramic Massage Stones retain heat, and can be used at different temperatures for extra stimulation - warm them up to soothe or cool them down to refresh. Made from double-fired porcelain, they’re ergonomic, bio- compatible, durable and easy to clean. With every surface designed for massage, each CONTOUR offers limitless possibilities.” The designs are designed in house, and certainly have that distinctively minimalist style that is so Jimmyjane. For a mere $25 each, i’m extremely curious to get a pair to experiment with! See more close ups, and more information about the CONTOUR line (including some massage techniques) on the next page!


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“The CONTOUR M + AFTERGLOW SENSORY SET includes two massage favorites which are designed to collaborate. Used together, CONTOUR M and AFTERGLOW offer a complete sensory experience that includes illumination, scent, temperature and touch. Drizzle AFTERGLOW’s warm massage oil into the underside of CONTOUR M, and it warms the ceramic to the touch. Turn the stone over and let it glide across the body - the oil provides the perfect amount of slip for a luxuriant massage.”

The CONTOUR I + BEYOND SENSORY SET features another pleasurable pairing. Apply BEYOND EUPHORIC generously to the skin then let CONTOUR I reach deeper into the muscles. The lotion will nourish and hydrate everywhere the massage stone goes.”

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CONTOUR I Massage Techniques

CONTOUR I is designed for deep kneading massage, providing relief for tired fingers and thumbs, and helping with hard to reach places. Try these different techniques, then create your own. Go with what feels good.

* Single Node, Deep - Brace one round end of CONTOUR I in the palm your hand, and support the narrow stem with your thumb and fingers. This focuses the massage pressure on a very small area of the body, allowing deep stimulation of the muscle. This creates an effect that’s similar to using your thumbs to give a massage, but without the strain on your hands.
* Single Node, Shallow - Position CONTOUR I so that one round end is in the palm of your hand, and the narrow stem passes above your hand between your thumb and forefinger. This allows you to simultaneously use your hand and the smooth spherical end of the massage stone, combining the sensations from your fingertips with the stimulation from CONTOUR I.
* Dual Node - Lay CONTOUR I on the body, then roll it lengthwise along the muscle group. Both nodes will make contact with the skin, applying lighter pressure to both points in tandem. This works well for massaging the length of the back, bridging across the spine. This technique is low-friction, as the stone is rolling along the skin rather than sliding.
* Multi-Stone - CONTOUR Ceramic Massage Stones can also be used together - place CONTOUR M over CONTOUR I and roll across the skin for a zero-friction massage. Or use one CONTOUR I or one CONTOUR M in each hand to give a symmetrical massage and cover more of the body at once. You can also start a massage with CONTOUR I, then move to CONTOUR M, or vice versa.
* Temperature
- Heat CONTOUR I by submerging it in warm water. Warmth is relaxing and encourages circulation.
- Cool CONTOUR I in the refrigerator or by running under cold water. Cold is invigorating and refreshes the body.
* Lotion - To add to the experience, pair CONTOUR I with BEYOND Sensational Massage Lotions for a Warming, Cooling or Euphoric massage.
* Get Creative - CONTOUR Ceramic Massage Stones are made from hygienic, biocompatible, non-porous porcelain. They are designed for exploring the body, so enjoy their versatility. Of course, please use common sense.

.:notcot:. 17.07.08 18:22 .:playful:.

Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis

0717ltl1.jpgNOTCOT Note: Here’s another fun one from our resident architect, Anna (Sub-Studio)!

David Lewis of Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis was one of my studio professors back when I was studying architecture at Cornell and he was very influential in the way that I learned how to draw and present information. LTL has perfected the art of multi-media drawing, using computer models to generate the building forms and to create severe, impossible perspectives and sections, and then hand-drawing hyper-detailed drawings which are layered on top of the model. The meticulousness of the drawings is amazing and I love the texture that the pencil provides - the more intense and detailed a section of a drawing, the dirtier it is.

Besides great drawings, LTL also creates really beautiful built spaces that are focused on materials and construction methods. The same attention to detail in their drawings shows up in their built work. I’ve only chosen to include their restaurant work in this post (after the jump), but LTL also has a bunch of great large scale projects and competitions on their website. If you want to see more of their drawn work, you should definitely check out a recently published a book of their work, Opportunistic Architecture, or an older publication, Situation Normal, by P.A. Press.

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Xing restaurant, NYC. The seating area is wrapped in bamboo. The colorful light canopy which runs throughout the restaurant and becomes the wall and ceiling surface of the corredor is actually made of 10,000+ linear feet of stacked 1/4” colored acrylic.

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Tides restaurant, NYC. Bamboo is the primary material used in this restaurant, with the booths, seats, and tables all being made from different combinations of bamboo. 110,00 bamboo skewers were embedded into the ceiling to create a topographical landscape.

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Fluff Bakery, NYC. The walls are made of individually anchored 3/4” strips of felt and stained plywood. The desire was to create a kind of horizontal vertigo that works as a visual attractor from the street to the store.

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Ini Ani Coffee Shop, NYC. The walls are made of stacked cardboard. A plaster cast wall has the imprint of hundreds of coffee cups.

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Dash Dogs, NYC. I love the light strip that creates a vertical plane within the space.

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Fremont Hotel, San Francisco. From LTL’s website: “A speculative design for a fictional boutique hotel, the project takes as its premise the preponderance of time spent in hotel bathrooms (according to some studies, the location in which guests spend the vast majority of their waking hours). If hotel time is divided between bedroom and bathroom, what if the room were divided into the largest possible bed and the largest possible bath by splitting the room in half? Half the room becomes a continuous tiled surface which when filled with water serves as a large bathing pool, while the other half is rendered as a continuous “bed” surface of resilient foam for repose or sleeping. This initial distinction sets up a series of secondary oppositions - hard/soft, wet/dry, hygiene/relaxation.”

.:Sub-Studio:. 17.07.08 05:21 .:design:.

Adithread Nano-engraving for All Blacks - 07.16.08

adithread.jpgOn fascinating new uses for nanotech-engraving… Adidas has launched adiThread on their “This Is Not A Jersey” site - where supporters of the New Zealand All Blacks team can get closer than ever to the players, and literally come together to form the thread of the jerseys with their names! See stills from the video, and more from the campaign below. Even go add your name to the thread at adiThread!


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.:notcot:. 16.07.08 18:15 .:wearable:.

KRINK + Incase + Arkitip - 07.15.08

krinkmain.jpgIncase has done it again… waking me up to yet another giddiness inducing package. They always manage to put me in the best moods with their great packaging (from packaging of the product, to the silver penned notes to go with them!). I’m sure you’ve been seeing these new limited edition cases buzzing around the web all morning, but here’s an unboxing and some close up pics of my own. And for those just catching up…

Incase has teamed up once again with Arkitip Magazine, and this time they’ve pulled in one or my favorite artists, Craig Costello aka “KRINK” aka “KR”, the legendary creator of KRINK inks and markers and artist behind those awesome silver drippy mail boxes! So this new KRINK Sleeve is the first in the “Curate by Arkitip” series. First impression, was being smitten by the silver on black drippiness, so messy, yet so clean. Next thing to hit me… although it is an awesome art product, the quality is incredible, but then again what else would you expect from Incase? This would be such a fun case to carry into a formal meeting… if not just to see what the reactions are like! Anyhow, go see the many pics on the next page, as well as the video with behind the scenes on how this sleeve came to be.

p.s.
i know it sounds silly, but part of me is dying to spraypaint ‘NOTCOT’ on mine…


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Details? Premium form-fitting polyurethane construction, Original foil-stamped KRINK artistry, Poly-satin interior lining, Custom KRINK logo quilting, 3 mm cushioned interior, and Heavy-duty KRINK branded YKK zipper pulls

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It had to be screenshot ~ love how the opening page of Arktip opens with a flash overlay of silver drips dripping down on the page…
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Here’s the video behind the scenes, interviewing those involved on how it came to be…

More info and purchasing available at:
Arkitip
Incase
They come in 13” and 15”, and go for $79.95

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INCASE PARTNERS WITH ARKITIP TO CREATE ‘CURATED BY ARKITIP’
Collaborative Project Launches with Street Artist KR

LOS ANGELES - July 15, 2008 - Incase, makers of innovative bags and cases, has partnered with the unique art magazine Arkitip, to create Curated by Arkitip. The ongoing project aims to deliver artistically embellished Apple® based products to users who have an appreciation for the creative arts and technology. Artists are carefully chosen by Arkitip for dedication to their respective art forms and unique points of view.

“This project is a natural extension of what I do with Arkitip,” comments Scott Snyder, Arkitip Art Director. “We are giving artists a medium where they can be creative and gain exposure at the same time. Curated by Arkitip allows me to continue to work with artists that I respect and admire.”

The Curated by Arkitip series launches with the KRINK Sleeve, a limited-edition collaborative effort between Incase, Arkitip and artist KR, creator of KRINK, a line of handmade inks and markers. KR’s products gained notoriety by their association with his work in the street, the studio and by his dripping ink aesthetics. Curated by Arkitip merges KR’s artistry with the Incase notebook sleeve, a signature piece within the Incase line, resulting in a refined version of the classic sleeve.

“The collaboration was born of mutual respect and a core belief in quality and innovation that applies to both design and art,” comments Damon Way, Incase Chief Brand Officer. “The sleeve, in effect, acts as a canvas or billboard for KR and other artists. KR’s design makes a bold statement on a very utilitarian object.”

KR adds “both Apple stores and Incase have been relatively conservative. I think this is a great opportunity to offer something a little more edgy to the market.”

The limited-edition KRINK Sleeve for MacBook and MacBook Pro 15” hits select Apple retail stores in mid-July. The sleeve will also be available at better boutiques, goincase.com and arkitip.com.

For more information, please visit goincase.com/CuratedbyArkitip.

Incase
Founded in 1997, Incase is a California-based bag and case brand that creates and delivers innovative, performance-based products with clean, contemporary design for the technology, music and street culture communities. Incase is committed to designing carrying solutions that merge seamlessly with the lifestyle and needs of today’s consumer. Incase: A better experience through good design.
goincase.com

Arkitip
Arkitip is a limited-edition, hand-numbered art book that regards excellence in production as principally important. The magazine publishes site-specific artworks at a modest price to make art available to collectors at all economic levels. The magazine’s founding principles are (1) support the arts, (2) promote freedom of expression, and (3) make art affordable and accessible. The editors also oversee a plethora of creative endeavors, including the publication of limited-edition artist’s prints, books and multiples: clothing, accessories and the occasional CD. In addition, they collaborate with artists, designers, shops and galleries around the world to produce exhibitions.
arkitip.com

KRINK
Craig Costello a.k.a. “KRINK” or “KR”, is one of the most visionary and inspirational street artists working today, and is also the creator of KRINK, a line of the finest quality handmade inks and markers, beloved by artists and vandals alike.
krink.com

.:notcot:. 15.07.08 15:14 .:tech:.

Ultimate Accessories: Eton FR1000 - 07.14.08

infinitieton.jpgClick HereNOTCOT Note: This is the third in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help keep the site free!

These days, you really need to be prepared for any and everything. And no reason why those do it all lifesavers can’t look gorgeous too. I’ve been drawn to the Eton FR1000 since CES, where it made my Top 10 Cravings List. You never know when you might need a Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather/2-Way GMRS Radio with Flashlight, Siren and Cell Phone Charger! Not only is it gorgeous… but check out some of the many features:
- 22 GMRS (General Mobile Radio System)/FRS (Family Radio System) channels
- 121 privacy codes (38 CTCSS / 83 DCS)
- AM/FM receiver
- VOX (Voice operated transmission)
- NOAA weather radio and NOAA weather alert
- Siren and Flashlight
- Can be powered from four different sources: Rechargeable Ni-MH battery, Dynamo crank alone, 4 “AA” batteries, AC Adapter (included)
- Cell-phone charging jack

For any camping trip, or just one in each car, this has definitely made my list of great gifts and emergency kits. I got my hands on one of the White Red Cross co-branded FR 1000s, so check out a full unboxing and up close shots of some of the details that show just how high the quality is! Also embedded the Eton product video for your viewing pleasure.


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Only problem i ran into was the hand crank wasn’t the most ergonomic - i tried a few different positions, and

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Click this chart to view all the buttons and features up close:
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Conclusion? Seeing as its not something i anticipate using daily… i think its perfect for keeping one in the car for unforeseen emergencies. While it may not do everything with the most ease ~ it does everything well enough, and is nice and compact.

Eton FR 1000 - retails at 200$
it’s $150 at Amazon (black, white/red cross)

.:notcot:. 14.07.08 17:23 .:tech:.

Liqurious: Molecular Mixology

liqurious #690 liqurious #689 liqurious #655 liqurious #666 liqurious #695 liqurious #691 liqurious #682 liqurious #683 liqurious #693 liqurious #694 liqurious #681 liqurious #183 liqurious #687 liqurious #684 liqurious #696 liqurious #697 liqurious #650 liqurious #685 liqurious #688 liqurious #703As with all our roundups, click the images to find out more! As you can see, this week these aren’t your usual drinks!

So for those of you asking “What is Molecular Mixology?” - Well, lets begin with Molecular Gastronomy, which Peter Barham says is “The application of scientific principles to the understanding and improvement of domestic and gastronomic food preparation.” and Harold McGee says is “The scientific study of deliciousness.”… Molecular Mixology = Art + Science +Drinks = unexpected multisensory experiences and experiments! Liquids take the forms of liquid filled spheres (as tiny as caviar, as large as tablespoons), cotton candy, gels, dusts, sorbets, foams, infusions and more. Your traditional martini can transform into a Martini Infused Cucumber or Martini Sorbet with Olive Caviar ~ as you can imagine, the forms and experiences drinks can take are now nearly endless!

This weekend on Liqurious i’ve been rounding up all that i can find, which ended up being articles, recipes, videos, etc ~ and the definite leader in the Molecular Mixology space (particularly online), Jamie Boudreau, , who blogs at Spirits & Cocktails, and is even moderating the seminar on the subject at this weeks’ Tales of the Cocktail.

So, see all Liqurious posts on Molecular Mixology here! And feel free to share others you find or write about! You can be certain that i’ll be experimenting with Molecular Mixology soon!

P.S.
One of the best resources i found for all of your Molecular Gastronomy questions, an incredible supplier list, and the most comprehensive book on ingredients/techniques/recipes… see Khymos.

Here’s a great video that Ami Kealoha and Seth Brau over at CoolHunting with the father of Molecular Gastronomy, Hervé This:

So this weekend, i may have gotten a wee bit obsessive on Molecular Mixology, and researched all i could on the subject ~ hunting for recipes, images, techniques ~ it is all a fascinating mix of science + art + drink, and the results are beautiful! The whole thing got triggered when i was chatting with a friend and her trouble finding a good molecular mixology place in SF (we hear Bourbon & Branch might do a few? do you have any suggestions? for SF/LA?)… and then we were surprised how little there was online as well.

.:notcot:. 14.07.08 01:59 .:food+drink:.

NotCouture Bright and Shiny Roundup - 07.13.08

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NotCouture user “smallsociety” posted the crazy sequin covered military hooded jacket in post #2319 and since then I’ve been thinking about how we incorporate bright and shiny things into our wardrobes. In this short NotCouture roundup (it’s short because, honestly, I’m enjoying being completely zombified by a different type of bright, shiny object in my living room.. my new tv) we’ve covered a few of the bases, from jewelry to over the top stuff like an LED lit dress and metallic slip-ons for guys!

.:ShadeElaine:. 13.07.08 14:50 .:wearable:.

GIVEAWAY! The Lost Ones - 07.12.08

lostones.jpgZune has been a great supporter of the arts with their Zune Arts initiative, and its been incredible to see all of the artists - illustration, 3d, animation, and now graphic artists they have been supporting! The latest project is The Lost Ones: “a graphic novel written by celebrated writer Steve Niles. For the Zune-commissioned novel, Niles was paired up with visual artists Dr. Revolt, Gary Panter, Kime Buzzelli and Morning Breath to take the reader on an epic journey through time and space. Each artist illustrated a different chapter of the novel.” On the next page you can check out a trailer video… i’ve also pulled some of my favorite pages from the novel, as well as the covers of the various chapters.

GIVEAWAY! There are two sets of a special collectors edition of the novel with a silk screened cover and poster waiting for two lucky readers ~ so leave a comment with your favorite on/offline comic and why you love it (by monday night PST) for a chance to win it!

Here’s the Trailer:

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“The Lost Ones” chronicles the adventures of four friends — Duncan, Roxy, Rasheed and Cynthia — whose seemingly harmless day of extreme planet jumping turns into a mind-blowing, white-knuckle race for their lives to get back home. They find that home is no longer where they left it and the alien race, hell-bent on destroying them, isn’t getting any friendlier.

The graphic novel merges five distinct creative points of view to bring the story to life:

· Dr. Revolt, an original member of the historic New York City graffiti crew the Rolling Thunder Writers
· Gary Panter, an illustrator known for his surreal and raw style
· Kime Buzzelli, an emerging painter and fashion designer
· Morning Breath, a Brooklyn-based art and design duo blending a graffiti style reminiscent of early ’80s street art
· Steve Niles, celebrated author of “30 Days of Night”

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.:notcot:. 12.07.08 03:49 .:design:.

Makr Wallets - 07.11.08

0711makr1.jpgNOTCOT Note: Here’s a new post from Anna of Sub-Studio. I’d also like to say congrats to Jason Gregory on Makr, which he coincidentally emailed me about earlier last week ~ the leather line of simple wallets are stunning!

I saw these über-sexy wallets over at Kitsune Noir. Made by Makr, each wallet is laser-etched on leather. They are all limited edition, so you’d better click over there fast if you want one! The wallet patterns are minimal and functional, with little surprise details here and there (detail images after the jump).

The wallets from the One series (above) are super simple in shape and function - a single pocket card holder for cards and folded cash. Maximized for ergonomic comfort, the curves of the opening mimic the natural position of thumb and forefinger. See more on the next page, as well as the full press release and link to the line sheet.

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The Two Wallet - a symmetrical double pocket cardholder for cards and folded cash with a contrasting interior and exterior finish.

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The Angle Wallet. I love the side-etched logo on the hinge of the wallet.

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For the Flap Wallet, the logo is hidden behind a strap, keeping the focus on the leather.

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The Vertical Pocket with a snap closure.

PRESS RELEASE: MAKR LEATHER AND FABRIC RELEASES FIRST COMPLETE LINE OF CARRY GOODS

What started four years ago as an experimental art project of made-to-order items has developed into a proper brand and new presence in the luxury market. Makr Leather and Fabric is proud to announce the release of its first comprehensive collection of handcrafted products. This initial offering of carry goods includes wallets, cardholders and pouches. Expect in the coming months, a variety of bags, totes and camera cases.

Makr is a small carry goods company founded and run by designer Jason Gregory. The brand’s focus is on simple, elegant items to carry your life in. Makr is an appreciation of the simple, the durable and the timelessness of thoughtful design. A vision of the useful as artful—and the opportunity to apply that principle to the everyday. The idea is to continue rethinking and creating practical objects that provide relief from the typical and disposable.

All Makr products blend the tradition of handcraft with the contemporary. Leather is laser etched, yet hand sewn. And soft deerskin is paired with industrial wovens. Materials are carefully selected and every item is designed, patterned and cut in house. Pieces are produced in small quantities by an even smaller group of people, and all assembly is done by family-owned companies within the U.S.

You can view the full line sheet here
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.:Sub-Studio:. 11.07.08 12:34 .:wearable:.

New + Lustworthy from Belkin

newbelkin1.jpgIt’s noon on Friday, and this week has been so much design/dev/catch up ~ i somehow ended up staying up all night catching up on emails (i was a few hundred deep… now down to somewhere around 100! yay!), so about to crash, but wanted to first show you guys some exciting new fall launches coming from Belkin. I hope you don’t mind, but i’ll keep it brief, and give you lots of pics on the next page:

1. Fly Wire - this was one of the things i’ve been waiting for since CES, a super sleek simple way to mount a receiver to your flat panel TV, and have no wires showing when its wall mounted, while all your devices are connected elsewhere. Gorgeous design, awesome implementation!

2. Break Free - a great little magnetic break away jack for all our guitarists out there, or for those who trip on their cords!

3. Laptop Cool Strip - fun idea for getting your laptop some room to cool, while also having space to let cables not get crushed under the laptop.

See larger pics of all of these on the next page!


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.:notcot:. 11.07.08 04:23 .:tech:.

Indigo Farm Pops Up @ Fred Segal

indigo1.jpgIt’s felt like Friday every day this week! No idea why, perhaps its the weather, or how productive we’ve been suddenly… today’s been quiet because we’ve been busy playing with iphone apps, trying the rather hyped new Anisette Brasserie, finally seeing Wanted (LOVE it - but i’m a sucker for action), and checking out the launch of the new Indigo Farm Pop Up Shop at Fred Segal Man in Santa Monica.

Ok packaging fetish time: the denim in this beautiful 20 piece limited edition collection, and only 50 or 60 units per style, come in engraved wooden boxes. And to top those gorgeous boxes… “For the truly devoted collector, there are also three 3-piece sets of handmade denim luggage, each one including a steamer trunk lined in 100-year-old Asian woodblock printed poplin.” See the close ups of the black and white woodblock print on the next page, i was absolutely taken by these woody/denim steamer trunks.

Next thing i gushed over: the space! “Warhol Factory X Levi’s X Damien Hirst designer Adrian Nyman presents his second installation at Fred Segal Man in Santa Monica, a capsule collection with cult Hong Kong denim brand Indigo Farm, making its U.S. debut here exclusively from July 1st to August 14th.” What does this mean? Much like those steamer trunks, the whole room was denim or wood, from floor to ceiling. The walls were all denim or stacked with firewood, creating a fabulous multifaceted effect. And to add to the ambiance, there was the tattooed rocker of a banjo player, Elijah Trotsky, which was quite mesmerizing. So take a look on the next page to catch up on tonight’s scene…


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.:notcot:. 11.07.08 00:14 .:wearable:.

Diesel Sweeties Robot Sneak Peek! - 07.09.08

laserbots.jpg Not that you needed another reason to go to Comic-con, but i was just chatting with rstevens of Diesel Sweeties, and he gave me a sneak peek i just HAD to share with you… laser cutter + acrylic + Diesel Sweeties = an adorable robot take over? These are a peek at the first prototypes (don’t worry they will have eyes soon!)… and he also just published the best comic on dating + tetris… see the next page to find out just what the two have in common, as well as more robot pics, and screenshots of a noteworthy ad Zune ad for the new Lost Graphic Novel that i’m envious of! (It has the cutest, subtlest corner flash animation that when rolled over, flips back the page to show the comic!)


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.:notcot:. 09.07.08 19:05 .:design:.

Cointreau Pearls

cointreaumain.jpgMolecular Gastronomy is one of those things that mixes design, science, and food/drinks so nicely, i’ve been fascinated with the concept for ages… and as i learned more, Molecular Mixology has become even more of a fascination! So when i got a press release about Xavier Herit’s new take on the Cointreau Pearls, it launched me off on a research mission across the web, finding out more about the creation of Cointreau Pearls across the world, the special kit they produced just for bartenders, videos of it in action, and lots more images on the next page to catch you up on my finds! Above you are seeing a close up of Xavier’s Cointreau Pearls in which he infused strawberry, and he serves them alongside Margaritas, and also floating in glasses of champagne.

P.S. Now, if only i could get Cointreau to teach me how to do it! It’s so tempting to start up a crazy lab/bar and start experimenting with all of these new techniques… perhaps a future project for the newly named NOTLabs?

For background - here are some pics i found at the Cointreau news page - “Caviar of Cointreau” 04/17/08

Cointreau invents, surprises and tickles your taste buds with a bracing cocktail based on the arcane but delicious technology of molecular mixology…

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Taking inspiration from the work of Adrià Ferran, the legendary chef of the famous restaurant El Bulli and a master of molecular gastronomy, the research teams at Cointreau, always at the cutting edge of innovation in the bartending world, sought to develop a simple technical process for turning Cointreau into solid spheres. In order to do so, they contacted Fernando Castellon, an expert mixologist renowned among bartending professionals. After several months of research and hundreds of trials to fine-tune the best formula for turning Cointreau from a liquid to a solid state, Cointreau’s team managed to obtain perfect, delightfully iridescent pearls of Cointreau which burst into life in one’s mouth in a symphony of delicious flavours.

Named “Cointreau caviar”, the new product, which was first launched in Paris where it was presented to the greatest bartenders, took New York by storm, delighting the best barmen there. The next stop was London, Europe’s cocktail capital.

This whole post which has me exploring Cointreau Pearls all over the web started from an email i received with the following two pics from the introduction of these pearls to NY in feb 08.

Here we have “DANIEL head bartender Xavier Herit was one of the mixologists introduced to the Cointreau Caviar program and he has taken the tools of the molecular kit to create his own unique interpretation of the process. The result, which debuted on DANIEL’s cocktail menu June 18th, 2008, is the delicious ‘Strawberry & Pearls’ cocktail, a Strawberry Margarita served with strawberry-infused Cointreau Caviar Pearls - a truly unique Cointreau experience.”

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Strawberry & Pearls Recipe
Courtesy of Xavier Herit, head bartender at DANIEL

Makes 1 Margarita
1oz Cointreau
2oz premium tequila
½ oz fresh lime juice
2 fresh strawberries
1 tsp brown sugar
Strawberry-infused Cointreau Caviar pearls

Inside a shaker top, muddle two strawberries, brown sugar, and fresh lime juice together. Add the Cointreau and the tequila.

Shake all the ingredients together with ice and strain into a Riedel malt glass.

Place Cointreau & Strawberry pearls in a small china cup. Serve with a spoon.
Pearls should be enjoyed as a gustative experience while drinking the cocktail.

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Here they are floating about in champagne…

Next i found these images at Zimbio showing the Cointreau Launch’Cointreau Caviar’ in London! Here is the “Cocktail futurist Fernando Castellon in Millbank Tower’s Altitude studio on April 28, 2008 in London, England. Cointreau’s global brand ambasador Richard Lambert has created a technique turning Cointreau from a liquid into a solid, in the form of iridescent pearls of Cointreau ‘cavier’ containg 24-carot gold flakes.”

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NYMag also has a piece on the introduction of these pearls to NY ~ as does the NYTimes!
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And perhaps one of the most exciting of all was finding this Photoset on Flickr by Donbert of Cointreau Spherification which actually shows the kit itself!
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Here is a video i found on youtube of the launch as well!

.:notcot:. 09.07.08 15:22 .:food+drink:.

Adam Haynes

0709haynes1.jpgNOTCOT Note: I was up till 6am working on the sites, squashing bugs and adding new secret features with dan, and working with linhchi getting new navigation bars (see up top!) across all the sites, and giving in to the “notEmpire” as people have been jokingly calling us for some time now! Also, added NotLabs, for all those miscellaneous side projects! SO, i’m super thrilled that Anna of the fabulous Sub-Studio had my back and prepared this great post for you!

I saw Adam Haynes’ work over at Evasèe recently and love it - love the color palette, the graphic/comic book style illustration, the fantastic industrial subject matter…everything! Adam is based in Bend, OR and has freelanced for a number of impressive clients - Nike, Adidas, Transworld…His website is still somewhat under construction, but you can find a fair bit of his work online. See more of his work on the next page!

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.:Sub-Studio:. 09.07.08 12:54 .:design:.

David Doubilet’s Nudibranchs - 07.08.08

nudibranch.jpgNudibranchs ~ i’ve been obsessed with these gorgeous creatures since my first dives as a kid in south east asia. David Doubilet ~ i grew up on his breath taking photography. Combine them ~ and video ~ and National Geographic… and i’ve been swooning over this Nudibranch feature on the National Geographic website for days now. So looking beyond the subject matter for a moment, from a photographic/design perspective… what really struck me about this series of photos, was the process! Seldom do you see these beautiful (tiny) little slug like creatures pop off so vibrantly on a perfectly white background… they look more like supermodels in a photo studio… so watching the video blew my mind to see that David Doubilet and his team actually went diving with a portable studio that they brought TO the nudibranches, shooting them where they found them, and only moving them when they weren’t doing any complicated nudibranch activities (mating, feeding, etc). See the full gallery here, and see some of my favorites as well as the set up they used on the next page!


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.:notcot:. 08.07.08 12:35 .:nature:.

Liqurious - thoughts? - 07.07.08

liqurious.jpgSo as some of you know, i’ve been quietly playing with Liqurious for the last 2-3 weeks. And i’m terrible at keeping my new projects under wraps when i get excited, so although i’m still not considering unofficially launched ~ i couldn’t resist posting a roundup of it, and share the header we had so much fun designing! When we were playing with the whole TasteSpotting thing, i realized how beautiful mixology and the art of cocktails are, and seeing as i can never resist posting about great advertising and packaging from the drinks industry on NOTCOT anyhow, it seemed natural to move in that direction. Liqurious is basically the new NOTCOT space for beautiful drinks, drink related products, drink experiences, new product launches, packaging/drink reviews, and i don’t even know what else yet… so here’s your sneak peek to come help me decide what direction to take it. What would you like to see? What’s missing? What sites should i be reading? And most of all, if you come across a great article, product, post, etc, please feel free to help out by submitting it here or just click the dripping green “add next image” drop. (Oh, and FYI, your logins from any of our sites will work on Liqurious as well!)

Love to hear your thoughts ~ take a peek on the next page at the roundup of 25 to give you a quick overview of some of the great content over there…


As usual ~ click the pics below to jump over to their Liqurious posts!

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.:notcot:. 07.07.08 14:58 .:food+drink:.

Ultimate Accessories: Jawbone

newjawbone1.jpgClick HereNOTCOT Note: This is the second in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help keep the site free!

The *new* Jawbone, the adorable “half the size of its predecessor” bluetooth headset with the same powerful noise assassin technology, and yves behar design… is taking LA by storm even more this week than ever before. We’ve written about this beauty before, but since as of July 1st, all Californians must legally use some kind of handsfree while driving - these have been flying off the shelves, and we gave in and updated the NOTCOT team with them as well. So far, they work incredibly as promised, and still have that incredible packaging and awesome design details in the whole opening experience… so see a full unboxing gallery on the next page!

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I love the way the Jawbone’s float in their museum ready display boxes…

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The charger is a nice compact wall charger to plug the USB into ~ and it has a magnetic connection to the Jawbone.

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Regardless of ear size ~ there are various ear bud sizes as well as loops ~ and loops with and without leather… and it works great with out ANY loop even!

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.:notcot:. 07.07.08 12:00 .:tech:.

Anzevino and Florence Colour Change - 07.06.08

AZFN.jpgSince the American Apparel Thermachromatic Tees post last week ~ we also noticed the LA Times Image article today picking up the comeback of hypercolor as a new “trend” (as seen on .org #11727)~ and so out of curiosity i had to go find the Anzevino and Florence tees, tanks, dresses, and scarves mentioned! While i’m still a bit mixed on how to feel about these, its fascinating none the less, and a scarf could be fun to play with! The photography on the Anzevino and Florence Colour Change collection is pretty much as creepy seeming as the American Apparel ones, strangely enough - however, it is awesome that theirs don’t go between color/white, but color to color! And the cuts look far more fun and playful than the American Apparel selection… See more pics on the next page ~ and shop for them on the AZFN site.


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.:notcot:. 06.07.08 20:51 .:wearable:.

NotCouture Summertime Blues Roundup

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It’s that time again… NotCouture roundup! Click the pics to find out more!

Hope you all had a great 4th of July! And now the work week approaches which is reason enough to give anyone the summertime blues. Here are some items to help you express your inner blueness, and one crazy silver crab bracelet that’s just too awesome not to share!

.:ShadeElaine:. 06.07.08 10:51 .:wearable:.

4th of July, Laguna Beach - 07.05.08

fireworks1.jpgHappy 4th of July ~ sorry posting went quiet, i popped down to Laguna Beach yesterday to see some old friends ~ and relaxing out at the beach house was perfect. BBQ, beers, and ironically playing rockband next to a wall of Rickenbackers, while watching all the beach goers frolic down below. So here are a few fun fireworks shots (some looking a bit more apocalyptic than festive!) to share!


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My favorite detail in the exquisite house ~ the guitar neck door handles!
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.:notcot:. 05.07.08 12:20 .:me:.

Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo Zipper Pulls - 07.03.08

zipperrocket.jpgOn the #1 thing i’m looking forward to at Comi-con (is it silly if i day trip to SD just for these?) ~ Rocket World’s Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo ~ super armed yet oh so adorable creatures in the tiniest form yet! As blindbox zipper pulls and parachuters! The Zipper Pull Series will be about 1” tall, and including the original three I.W.G. members, there will also be human skulls, for a total of 17 colorways, two of which will be mystery chase figures! The Airborne Series of parachuters will be about 1.5” tall with high quality parachutes, and a total 15 colorways between the three characters, including TWO mystery chase figures! Anyhow, these are just a peek at what is to come at sdcc this year! More pictures on the next page, as well as pics of the making of…


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Here are some pics of the zipper pulls and parachuters in the making…
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.:notcot:. 03.07.08 18:58 .:design:.

Edwin Ushiro First Solo Show

ushiro1.jpgToday is truly a beautiful, possibly cliche, Los Angeles beachy summer’s day ~ and as i wandered the few blocks to pick things up for the party tomorrow… it was great to see the whole town (yes, Pacific Palisades, totally feels like a town!) out and about, setting up chairs on the sidewalk for tomorrow’s parade, kids running around in packs and swinging in their yards, tons of dogs and strollers being walked… and then i checked my email and saw the preview for Edwin Ushiro’s first solo show, “While Tides Guide You Back Home” ~ which so perfectly captures that glowingly carefree summer day moment, and his use of textures is just breathtaking!

While Tides Guide You Back Home”, will be opening at the Project:Gallery in Culver City on July 12th, and they were nice enough to let me share the show preview ~ so on the next page you can see some of my favorites! (If you’re looking to purchase, act FAST, i hear many are sold or on hold already!)

A bit of background on Edwin Ushiro: “Aloha. My name is Edwin Ushiro. Transplanted from Maui to California, I attended the Art Center College of Design and attained a BFA in Illustration with Honors. Since then, I have been working in the amazing world of entertainment as a Cinematographer, Production Designer, Visual Consultant, Art Director, Storyboard Artist, and Concept Designer.” This should come as no surprise once you see his works! Also, check out some of his corporate work on his site as well - beautiful! I can’t wait to see what else he produces.


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.:notcot:. 03.07.08 17:53 .:design:.

Prairie Vodka Site

prarie1.jpgI was just introduced to Prairie Vodka this morning via email, and although i have yet to try this supposed organic goodness, i’m absolutely smitten with the photography, website, and branding! It’s gorgeous! So they really run with the Prairie meets the City theme ~ and have these breathtaking images of a woman on her NY patio with the city behind and the wolves at her side… and then the gentleman in his plush red chair at the fireplace with his bison… and then the subtle details and styling of the logo and site… *swoon*… and then you must see the actual bottle design as well, so sleek and simple. Even the transitions… to have the wolf walk up, and breathe on the screen till it gets foggy and fades into the next page… little silly, but an interesting approach! Is it any wonder that Prairie recently received a gold medal at the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirit Awards, as well as “Best Overall Design” and “Best Package of Show”? See more screenshots and imagery on the next page… and read more on Prairie Vodka at their site.

P.S. i’m so distracted by the prettiness of the visuals, that i’m saving discussing the organic and kosher aspects of it and the unique partnership between Phillips Distilling Company and a co-op of over 900 Minnesota farmers who are stakeholders in the brand - for a product review to come!


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.:notcot:. 03.07.08 13:37 .:food+drink:.

Lotte van Laatum

0703laatum1.jpgNOTCOT Note: Here’s the latest discovery from Anna (Sub-Studio) ~ these cheese/cutting boards would be SO perfect for fourth of july picnics and bbqs!

I saw Lotte van Laatum’s work on Bloesem recently and fell in love with it. Lotte is a designer and recent graduate from the Design Academy Eindhoven. In her graduate program she specialized in the social-cultural and ecological aspects of design, an interest you can see permeate through her design collection. Much of her work references other cultures, and even employs craftsmen from those cultures, such as her Bloei! sofa, Tulipa vases (after the jump), and the Made in Peru cushions. Lotte’s Dutch Wood project attempts to create awareness about the sustainable use of local resources by keying the shape of each cutting board back to the geographical region it was harvested from. The cutting boards come from the regions of Veluwe, Noordoostpolder and Salland, and are made of three different types of wood - beech, ash and maple.

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I love the Watt’s New lamp (I’m a sucker for pretty bulbs). The shape of the bulb influenced the shape of the shade. Lotte’s New Nature mirror catalogs a selection of plants that are new to the Netherlands since 2004.

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The Treecabinet is made from an elm tree from Kloosterzande that was cut down due to elm disease in 1999. I really like the imperfection of the drawer, which maintains the original shape of the plank of wood.

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The Tulipa vases bridge Dutch and Turkish design. Tulips were originally brought to the Netherlands from Turkey back in the 1600s. The tulip is currently the national symbol of both Turkey and the Netherlands. The shapes of the Tulipa vases are derived from traditional Dutch tulip vases and are imprinted with traditional Turkish tulip patterns. The vases only hold a very small number of tulips - a reference to 1637, when tulips were at their peak in cost in the Netherlands - one tulip bulb could go for as much as 10,000 guilders, which is how much a coach house on the canals in Amsterdam cost.

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The Kaguya-hime chair references a traditional Japanese weaving technique, only enlarged and turned into a 2-D surface.

.:Sub-Studio:. 03.07.08 12:10 .:design:.

Random Roundup - 07.02.08

notcotorg #11652 notcotorg #11651 notcotorg #11650 notcotorg #11644 notcotorg #11641 notcotorg #11642 notcotorg #11643 notcotorg #11618 notcotorg #11581 notcotorg #11598 notcotorg #11557 notcotorg #11474 notcotorg #11570 notcotorg #11571 notcotorg #11599You know the drill ~ click the images to find out more! I’m kind of kicking into SUPERearly long weekend mode ~ yay for 4th of July coming up on Friday (seriously, is it just me, or doesn’t today just feel like a Friday?)… and as a result, i’m consuming info and images like no other, yet i can’t seem to focus enough to sit down, photoshop, make proper posts, or respond to emails well… SO, that naturally leads to much .org-ing ~ so here is a selection of my personal post obsessions the last few days!

.:notcot:. 02.07.08 14:03 .:me:.

Thermochromatic T-Shirts - 07.01.08

aatherma.jpgAmerican Apparel Thermochromatic Sheer Jersey T-Shirt!!! I know this is going to sound pretty silly, but first i went over to American Apparel because i was in disbelief that they are making Oxford Shirts… and quickly got distracted by the idea of heat-colorchanging/mood shirts! At which point, Linhchi quickly caught me up that they were bringing the 80s/90s back - and somehow i totally missed that trend as a little kid… but i want one! To play with? Work out in?

And then we hit up Wikipedia - so, catch up on Hypercolor: “Hypercolor was a line of clothing, mainly T-shirts and shorts, that changed color with heat. They were manufactured by Generra (now a division of Public Clothing Company) and marketed in the United States as Generra Hypercolor or Generra Hypergrafix and outside the US as Global Hypercolor. They contained a thermochromic (temperature sensitive) pigment made by Matsui Shikiso Chemical of Japan, that changed between two colors-one when cold, one when warm. The shirts were produced with several color change choices from the late 1980s until the early 1990s. Unfortunately the effect could easily be permanently damaged, particularly when the clothing was placed in a hotter than recommended wash.” and on vaguer research, read about Thermochromism (think mood ring tech)…

OH - and see the video of the AA girl microwaving the shirt to white, then wearing it into the freezer!

.:notcot:. 01.07.08 17:58 .:wearable:.

Kim Jenkin’s Bird Sticks

birdies.jpgHow beautiful are these “hand-foiled plant labels” that design*sponge received from The Modern Gardener? They are the most darling popsicle sticks i’ve ever seen! Handmade by London artist, Kim Jenkins, they come in 10 packs for 5 pounds a pack.

.:notcot:. 01.07.08 13:08 .:home+decor:.

Tumi Goes Polycarbonate

tumipoly.jpgJust noticed over at Acquire that Tumi has given in and joined the polycarbonate suitcase trend ~ which i’ve definitely been quite obsessed with the last few years - there’s just something about that sleek lightweight glossy polycarbonate i can’t resist in black and silver - so far i’ve indulged in a carry-on Hideo Wakamatsu and Zero Halliburton check in… and i’ve lusted after Rimowa and also even checked out the Samsonite Black Label X-Lite Collection… And now to add to the list is the Tumi T-Tech Polycarbonate collection - noteworthy details (see close ups on next page) are the twisted zipper locks and the foot brake.


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.:notcot:. 01.07.08 11:04 .:travel:.

Exclusive: Mimobot Star Wars 3

sidious.jpg The rumors (and guesses) have been flying around about Mimoco launching their 3rd series of Star Wars Mimobots, and we’re excited to have the exclusive to show you the first of this new series! So, here is Darth Sidious! How crazy are his hands? With all the lightning shooting out? Reminders of the rest of the series so far on the next page…


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.:notcot:. 01.07.08 09:00 .:tech:.

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