And since i gushed so much about the Incase topo print being used throughout the press kit in a gorgeous gloss on matte... i just discovered their blog, which has the background and some wallpapers. "This unique pattern along with the integration of the Incase logo is a graphic component of the Incase identity representing the concept of travel. The Topo pattern also resembles an abstracted wood grain that compliments the Incase leaf logo." Also, i just noticed they already got their Arkitip #0044 HIGHMATH with the black viewmaster (see their pics)... mine should be here any day now!

Tags: art - maps - topography - wallpaper

Incase always has the best packaging experiences... as much as i love their products, opening the press packs they send always leave me giddy all day. Today they sent over these new Incase iPod Touch Slider Cases - in the starburst like colors of Summer Rose, Rummer Red, and Summer Orange - these were wrapped in tissue paper, tucked with giant paint chip like info cards in black Incase envelopes, which fit perfectly on some padding in the gift box... and on top of that was a card with their motto when you opened the box: "A better experience through good design." *swoon*. I love these guys... living up to a motto like that makes them a pleasure to interact with. The cases are great - they are incredibly thin but durable plastic - with my favorite soft touch rubberized coating! So take a peek at the unboxing pics and close ups on the next page... and keep an eye out for these to be available on their website! (Currently you can only find the black and white high gloss ipod touch slider cases)

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Tags: accessories - gifts - ipod - review - shopping - technology

Incase sent over a MacBook Pro Hardshell case in Plum a few weeks ago (i spaced, and the pics of this review got momentarily lost in the pending MT posts, apologies!) ~ if you recall, it was in that gorgeous press kit! So below you can check out pics of it in person (and how nicely my NOTCOT sticker subtly shows through!) as well as images and info from the catalog of this *coming soon* case. Currently only the Incase Hardshell cases for Macbooks are available on their site. Additionally there is a video walkthrough from Incase on how to properly put one on! See all the details below.

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Tags: apple - laptop - mac - technology

Incase: A better experience through good design. The UPS and FedEx guys always seem to make my day. Today it was the delivery of the Incase press kit that has my love of packaging design gushing. With a tagline like "a better experience through good design", you would think it would be hard to live up to... but apparently not, from the time i sliced the tape open on the box they continued to surprise me with impressively high quality new products for 2008, incredible attention to detail in the catalog/boxes/design, extremely efficient use of space, and ultimately the whole press kit experience was like a designer's babuska doll of surprises. So come unbox it with me in the photos after the jump! And more to come on the incredible macbook pro hardshell case soon...

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Tags: incase - iphone - ipod - laptop - mac - packaging

I always feel a little giddy when things that make me so happy end up collaborating so beautifully... Arkitip + Ryan McGinness + packaging from Incase??? #0048 looks so good! Watching these collaboration i couldn't help but wish that there were some McGinness Incase products launching as well! But i can make do with being excited that Incase is truly an amazing packaging company in so many ways... from reusable packaging like my favorite messenger bag, iphone cases, and more... to gorgeous packaging anytime they send things out... to the box on this latest issue of Arkitip. Even cuter than the contents, is the white glove video they made to show it off... check out more images and the video on the next page!

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Tags: arkitip - art - gifts - incase - magazines - shopping

Freshly launched today ~ Incase's latest incarnation of their classic iPhone Slider cases ~ Monochrome Slider Cases ~ this time with glossy tops and soft touch bottoms... while at first i wasn't sure if the color palette was for me (the colors do have fun names like celery green)... when they sent samples over, the PACKAGING just blew my mind. again. as usual. I don't know, those Incase guys are pretty much my favorite packaging folks out there these days. This time it is a clear/black matte plastic sleeve with a molded black cardboard tray that slips into it, but due to the molding won't slip all the way though... And the way the contours of the white plastic liner really highlight the case so nicely! Also, the super simple subtle little S stand is awesome ~ holding up your iphone for perfect desk viewing both horizontally and vertically. Anyhow, enough with the text ~ just go see the pics on the next page already!

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Tags: accessories - gifts - iphone - packaging - reviews - shopping - technology - unboxing

TO WIN: Leave a comment ~ Tell us about your favorite shiny object! ENTER BY 12/7. WINNER: Peter in Salisbury, NC!

Yay! We're up to NOTCOT Holiday Giveaway #18 already, and i've been going nuts sitting on this one, dying to post it... so here it is! Incase sent over a special VIP Boxed set of Metallic iPhone 3G Slider Cases!!! (Actually they sent over 2, one for reviewing, and one for the winner, so don't fret, that winner's is still perfectly untouched!)

The packaging, is, as always, AMAZING. So fun to unbox, and the cases are just gorgeous. I've been drawn in further and further by the whole metallics trend the last few seasons, and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. I'm sure you've seen them on their site, but in person, the colors are better than i expected. Metallic finishes can be tough to photograph, so many times you end up finding them so different in person, but there are that perfect slightly matte just metallic enough without causing car accidents with the reflection, and easy to grip... and they look GORGEOUS on the iPhone ~ i stole dan's iPhone and kept switching cases and comparing them with nail polishes and outfits... Hardest part is really picking between the colors... so luckily Incase has made up a boxed set of four for one lucky winner: Silver, Gun Metal, Gold, and Copper. I tried to pick a favorite, but i just can't. So, to the winner, if you feel generous you can share with your friends, but i wouldn't blame you if you hoard them all for yourself and switch them with each mood/outfit/nail polish color... I even compared them to the Chanel Gold Fiction and Kaleidescope colors... see a full unboxing on the next page!

To win? Leave a comment about your favorite shiny object... (and no, if you don't leave a relevant comment, you're not in the running!)

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - giveaway - iphone - shopping

While in SF, between the madness i simply had to make time to stop by and visit the folks behind the incredible products and packaging of Incase! If you haven't noticed over the years, i'm a bit of an Incase junkie ~ their design aesthetic, product concepts and details, and their understated hyper-functional stunning packaging skills are just irresistible. The user experience of their products from the time you see an image of them, or spot it on the street or in a store... to the time it's in your hands being unboxed and being put to good use ~ is just so well thought out. No wonder their tagline is "A better experience through good design."

Well, i'm honored they let me take a peek into their SF studio space, and it was just as inspiring and minimalist as you'd imagine. Clean black and whites ~ turn tables, couches, and a bathroom waiting for your doodles.... wiped clean weekly, and re/decorated by everyone that visits... check out some of their boxes i had yet to see in person... and the patterns that magically transform into those bags we love... and perhaps most interesting, what inspires THEM! A fantastic mix of goodies discovered while shopping in japan interspersed with their products greet you in their gallery space... on to the pics on the next page!

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Tags: incase - san francisco - studio - travel

Flipping through the 2008 Incase catalog, these new Nylon Messenger Bags jumped out at me, and upon reading the details (see the catalog pages after the jump) i had to post it out of curiosity and intrigue. In two sizes (medium and large), both have a sleek yet textured look, weather resistant nylon and waterproofed lining, exterior weatherproof pocket and headphone port, topographic print lining, and i like how the edge goes up and around the clips... as well as a mysterious "plush faux-fur lining" (i wonder what that looks/feels like) to protect your goods. In the large model, there is even a removable notebook sleeve, removable hipsack (fanny pack?), interior bike pump tie down, and an "abrasion resistant skateboard attachment with molded skate bumpers". See more details and images after the jump!

It isn't easy finding a good subtle, rugged, stylish, black messenger bag. I've got quite the stash of them (from chrome to ordning & reda to random leather ones to timbuk2 to patagonia...), but it's been a while one has even really caught my attention.

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Tags: bag - fashion - incase - laptop - messenger - technology

Does this laptop sleeve not scream NotCouture to you? I was so excited when i saw it! Incase teamed up with Honeyee and japanese uniform experiment.... to create this beautifully simple monochromatic uniform experiment sleeve... and you regulars definitely know how we love our safety pins over at NotCouture ~ especially clean vectorized ones! Honestly, i only wish they took it a little too far and made the zipper pulls safety pins with the majority of it dipped in clear rubber, so it looked like you had safety pin pulls! Or at least safety pin graphic on the pull? Also... love that it is lined with the awesome feeling, yet distracting named "faux fur" ~ which really feels far better than it sounds. Take a look at more pics on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - gifts - incase - laptop - shopping

Ok, NOTCOT has taken over my brain at the moment, and between the moving/unpacking i've taken to taking pics of the random things around i have been meaning to share. So here's the VW GTI fuzzy black poster i spoke of in the last post. It is so sweet, i LOVE that rabbit image, not to mention its a great shade of red with the flocked black poster... Couldn't resist and took a few extras incase anyone else couldn't live without one too. But you must admit - its a fun one!

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Incase 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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Tags: accessories - art - incase - laptop - streetart - technology

TO WIN: Leave a comment ~ with where you would go if you could jet set anywhere! ENTER BY 12/15. WINNER: Rabbit in NC!

NOTCOT Holiday Giveaway #27 ~ and it's a big one! Wejetset is ready to hook one reader up with the ultimate travel upgrade, and their founder Taj knows my tastes far too well, since he picked so many NOTCOT faves in this bundle... From the incredibly sleek, can't be missed, minimal Hideo Wakamatsu Wave (Red) Carry-on, to one of my favorite laptop sleeves, Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve, to the Baxter Travel Kit from our favorite men's line, to the adorably understated Field Notes to doodle during your trip, and even STPL Socks, so that during the security line, even your socks are looking good! Clearly Wejetset does not mess around when outfitting you for your next jetsetting adventure... here's one way to go home for the holidays in style (and pampered comfort!)

So here's what you can win in this instant travel makeover of a bundle (over $500 of goods!)
+ Hideo Wave (Red)
+ Baxter Travel Kit
+ Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve
+ Field Notes (3 pack)
+ STPL Socks (Grey & White - 2 pairs)

So are you ready? For a chance to win this, leave a comment about where you would go if you could jet set anywhere tomorrow! I know we could all use a vacation right about now!!!

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Tags: accessories - bag - beauty - fashion - gifts - giveaway - health - laptop - shopping - travel

For every girl who took pride in being able to spiral a football, punch "like a boy", or any other cliche moment where "You're not bad for a girl" escaped someone's lips - this one's for you. Wear it with pride, and then feel free to punch out anyone who dares to comment that you really aren't bad for a girl. So check out and support the line by Karen Jane over in the UK. NOT BAD FOR A GIRL. (incase you haven't noticed i am loving their graphics today) via HighSnobiety.

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Incase Nylon Messenger Bag may be THE perfect messenger bag, their designers have figured out every tiny detail! I've gone through so many messenger bags (from Chrome, Timbuk2, Ordning & Reda, Tumi, a leather old J.Crew, Jack Spade, and more...) ~ but i'm totally impressed with how sleek, lightweight, and detailed this new Incase Nylon Messenger Bag is. As a 5'4" girl, it actually holds my 15" mcp and a lot of other stuff without making me look like a turtle (which is the case with my huge chrome one!) ~ the shoulder strap is sooo nicely cushioned, and brilliant detail to have the padded handle on the bag double as a key ring (good spare key stash?) ~ lots of pockets of varying depths and openings all around ~ and the biggest mystery to me when i first read about this... "plush faux fur" ~ turns out its a velvety soft lush black material to keep your iphone and laptop from being scratched! Nice that the stabilizer strap is completely detachable as well, and its a nice touch to have the large velcro pocket on the front, and that the clips on the main flap are sewn flat (not sure why that matters, but just a detail i really liked - aesthetically sleeker?). Anyhow, enough rambling from me, i took a bunch of pictures of the details for you to get a feel for it yourself on the next page!

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Tags: bag - gifts - incase - messenger - shopping

Old news, but awesome to finally see the pic Thanks RUGenius... and incase you missed the story...

June 7, 2005—Bulging with bags containing 51 tropical fish, an alleged smuggler's custom-designed apron—originally hidden by a skirt—was uncovered Friday at Australia's Melbourne International Airport. After the unnamed 43-year-old Australian arrived from Singapore, "customs officers became suspicious after hearing 'flipping' noises coming from the vicinity of her waist," the Australian Customs Service said in a statement released today.

Crazy what people will do for money, no?

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News of this magical new battery doubling sleek iPhone case has been circulating, but only tonight (or i guess now its 4am... so morning?) did i really sit down and go through the press release and high res images ~ Not surprising, it's Incase, so it's gorgeous... and it's available in 2 days! (Nov 28!) Actually what brought the Power Slider up was talking to dan about his super early flight to Pennsylvania this morning, and how there is the possibility there will be no internet (*gasp*) and hopefully some cell reception where he's going... and how badly he wished he has the Incase Power Slider to magically double the battery life on the go!

So upon further inspection, the Power Slider deserved a full post ~ have you looked closely at it? like REALLY closely? To notice the mac inspired details like "A five-light LED battery status indicator gauges battery life and also denotes sync mode and charging." Or the subtle single leaf logo on the front bottom left? How about the deepness of the camera hole on the back? And it has my favorite matte black soft-touch coating! Also love that its converted the charging to a more standard mini-USB, much more friendly when roaming in random non-iPhone friend cars without your own charger! I am curious how the 0.86" thickness feels in my hand relative to a normal iphone... So anyhow, check out the super closeups on the next page, i think this is definitely making the list of good gifting options for the holidays...

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Tags: accessories - gifts - iphone - phone - shopping - technology

Wow it's hot in Socal these days... unbearably so. I couldn't imagine getting through it without my trusty Vornado my mom got me back in the beginning of uni. So as i sit here melting less thanks to my infinitly variable speed tall Vornado... i browsed their website for the first time ever, and found this beauty!

So incase you didn't know either, apparently the Vornados i know are a result of the "new improved Vornado company" of 1989, which inherited a history of fans dating back to the 40's and 50's in Whichita, Kansas... That new limited edition version combining the Vornado tech of today and the aesthetic of yesterday is gorgeous. (Also check out the History of Fans and the Green Vintage model)

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Not only being my definition for "design" versus art... We-Make-Money-Not-Art is the site of all sites. It is the biggest inspiration i had through my year of Interaction design Masters, and the singular site that turned me on to reading blogs in the first place (no offense other sites i still love to read). This post should have come a long time ago, but feelin' nostalgic tonight... Regine has seriously the best collection/archive of interactive/tech projects out there i have found anywhere (and i have spent quite some time doing a TON of research in the field). If she printed an annual each year, i might have to subscribe, just b/c it would be a great reference to have for anyone in the industry.

So just incase (and i'm sure there are very few) there are readers who don't read We-Make-Money-Not-Art daily. Get to it.

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Elizabethtown shook my world the other night, was in quite a mood, and with a friend got bored and went to see that flick, unknowing that it begins with such a tragic $1 billion failure by a product designer working for 8 years on one shoe for an Oregon "shoe company" (can we say Nike)... but that aside...

I was excited to recieve an email from Michael diTullo who is a footwear designer for the Brand Jordan division of Nike... Take a look at this new Air Jordan DJ Bag (incase he and you did not know, i have somewhat of an inexplicable obsession for bags)... which he and fellow designer Alan Strak designed for the "Rare Air" line. The bag holds an impressive 45 records as well as a laptop, and has pockets specially designed for needle boxes, headphones, and ipods. Brilliant. Their attention to details is also a major turn on, including the elephant print and micro perf leathers, custom brushed metal hardware, and vintage Jordan logos. Look for this bag in April for $180.

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Little slow on the new money, i guess we've moved from quarters to special nickels? I flinched as i ran to the meter pumping it with coins before running off... and for a split second i noticed the shininess of a nickel and a boat on the back... I guess i was in too much of a hurry, but as i ran off i realized that the boat just didnt seem right.

So here's what it was, and as i researched it on the web to see if i was nuts, the first link said it could be worth 20$ (assuming it was the S-type proof).

Incase any of you missed out too... last year started the Westward Journey Nickel Series, two a year for 2004 and 2005, and depictions of Monticello and Thomas Jefferson return to the nickel in 2006.. And this year's two are pretty sweet and the first time in 67 years a new likeness of Jefferson. And the spring one has a BISON on it! So i'm on the lookout for that one now that i'm in the know. More images following...

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Wow. The Keyport sure is growing up quickly. Remember the Keyport renders i showed you back in April? Well time flies, and now you're looking at actual images of real Limited Edition Keyports (granted they reserve the right to make some slight mods in the next week or so)... For those that need a refresher ~ the Keyport Slide is the "world's first universal keyfob"... basically they are saying that you can have all your keys in one... from your house, car, office, locks, and even RFIDs. This first set is Limited Edition, and only 5000 will be made worldwide - available in silver, black, pink, and blue. It goes on sale early next week exclusively from the ‘reserve list.’ They will be sending out 1000 emails per hour to everyone in the world that has reserved the product on key-port.com since April.

So how is this all going to work? After ordering, you receive a Kit which includes a box for 6 keys. You send the 6 keys you want in the unit in the FedEx envelope provided and they do the rest. Scared? Well they have apparently worked out a "guaranteed secure delivery method with FedEx" so your keys and address are never on/in the same package. You can even opt to pick up the final order at your local FedEx depot to further ensure your security.

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Tags: gifts - shopping - technology

FREE WIFI PHONE! Did that get your attention? Just incase you haven't filled out the survey, or told your other friends to do it yet, thought it was about time to give you another reason to! This week we will be picking a winner for Untangled Life's generous giveaway of the Netgear Wifi Skype phone.

In case you've been hiding in a hole lately, this is no ordinary skype phone... it doesn't need a computer! just a wifi connection you can start calling up everyone you know around the world... the epitome of wirelessness - and just the perfect gift from the boys of Untangled Life ~ since this device is a great example of how their store will help you and your loved ones (or ones who annoy you with cries for tech help) get untangled. (More on why i love these guys below...)

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I stopped everything when i saw Swiss Miss' post on Andrew Zuckerman's latest book Creature. And then i clicked through to his site to see more page previews, only to find an incredibly gorgeous site... a peek inside the upcoming book... AND two amazing videos! The kind of amazing videos that you can watch 10 times over, and still need to see them again (screenshots below). Basically the photography of these animals on that clean white space is just breathtaking, and seeing video of him shooting it as well as the book being printed is just the ultimate tease. The book can be pre-ordered at Amazon, and is printed by Chronicle Books. *Swoon*

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Tags: books - gifts - shopping - video

How could anyone make one more charity silicon bracelet? After LiveStrong everyone had been jumping on the bracelet bandwagon, but this one is for the Humane Society, and Urban Decay has been very animal conscious with their products from the beginning. So this one's for them.

We don’t do animal testing, and we never have. A lot of you buy our makeup for that very reason. Thanks to Sandy Lerner, an animal activist who co-founded the brand, every single Urban Decay product proudly sports our cruelty-free motto: “We don’t do animal testing. How could anyone?” 100% of Urban Decay’s profits from this bracelet will be donated to our friends at The Humane Society of the United States, with a minimum donation of $25,000. We believe in their work, and encourage you to check them out! --- URBAN DECAY

But seriously, where do all of these go? You know people must be buying loads of them for their various organizations, but how many people do you really see wearing them anymore? Given the indestructable (relatively) nature of the bracelets, i think we need to find some new uses for them... slip a few around a water bottle to make it slip-resistant? keychains? cable ties? let me know what you think of... to get your creative juices flowing a visual repository of random bands follows.

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