Is Mavea new to you? It was to me… looked a lot like Brita? Then i found out the story “Brita started in 1966 when Heinz Hankammer had the idea of optimizing normal tap water. He named the company after his daughter Brita. Its headquarters are in Taunusstein near Wiesbaden in Germany. In 1988,[6] The Clorox Company, based in Oakland, California, entered in a licensing-and-distribution agreement with the German company for North and South America. In 2000, Clorox acquired the sole rights to the brand in North America and Brita agreed to a noncompete clause until 2005. In 2008, Brita returned to the North American market under the brand Mavea.” (via Wikipedia) SO, Mavea pretty much IS Brita, anywhere except North America…
SO, that aside, when a Mavea Elemaris was sent over to me, i was intrigued what was the same, what was different… and the design and quality grabbed me instantly! Particularly this one feature… you can fill it without opening it! Due to a brilliant counter-weighted pod in the cap! Also the handle grip feels great, as well as the soft grip handle and non-slip base. I’m seeing it pop up around the supermarkets like Whole Foods lately, so even though the filters are a different shape from Brita, they are becoming almost as easily accessible. Water tastes great too… but the design details have won me over for this one! See more detailed pics on the next page!
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I love when beautifully packaged delicious liqueurs come with nicely illustrated stories around their necks… like the Art in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction SNAP ~ a ginger snap spirit, from the makers of ROOT. Previously i showed you ROOT as well as a sample of Snap in a glass jar we tasted… since the production bottles were not yet ready… This time you can see the finished product! Popping the cork on this bottle, it smells like gingerbread houses wafting out, perfect for this wintry holiday season… the mix of blackstrap molasses, cloves, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, rooibos tea and vanilla is just irresistible! Perfect for getting creative with cocktails playing with everything from apple cider to toasty fireside drinks. The story was so cute (and educational!) had to share the booklet details with you… lovely illustrations… check it all out on the next page!
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Sometimes that Christmas Spirit, comes in a bottle. Apparently for 2010, that was true. And the spirit came in the form of the Green Fairy. And it is delicious, and beautifully packaged, courtesy of Stranger & Stranger… it’s not enough that they make some of the most beautiful alcohol packaging around, every year for the last 12 years, they have also sent out a special Christmas Spirit, and i sip this year’s absinthe as i write this post. It’s delicious. Absinthe handmade in a single batch, not available for purchase… It is deliciously beautiful! When a bottle says “After one glass, you see things as you wish they were.” how can you resist? “Nectar, bitter-sweet - like the last kiss on the lips of a discarded mistress, is the secret charm of my existence; green as the moon’s light on a forest pool it glimmers in my glass; eagerly i quaff it, and, as i drink, i dream.” Marie Corelli, 1890.
See the close ups on the next page, and a very merry christmas to you!
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Merry Christmas! Not sure why i’m up at 4am on christmas… and yes, still playing with toys into the night. Kidrobot sent over a fun christmas surprise ~ The Burglars Dunny by Saner… and the flocked santa beard was so hilarious, i couldn’t help but mix and match the accessories instantly. Doesn’t this Rocketworld guy just look far more distinguished in mustache/beard while wielding his spork? Really, all he needs is a monocle now! And you should see the James Jarvis King Ken snow gorilla with the reindeer skull on a stick! Oh, and the actual Santa Barbaja character too… see it all on the next page!
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On new uses for the iPhone/iPad, or old iPhones… love the idea of adding it to your guitar/music gear as your latest super versatile Pedal! This just came in to NOTCOT.org submissions and was so cool it needed a featured post! New Signal Process BreakOut Pedal - “Boutique audio interface for the iPad and iPhone, handmade in Portland, OR by group of artist tech misfits obsessed with Alice Coltrane records and pranking friends.” Made from high quality hardware, it allows you music to be passed through the iPhone/iPad and right through and ready for your amp ~ “It literally breaks out of the iPhone’s headphone jack, so you can use all your favorite recording, signal processing and sampling apps. It’s mono design fits in perfectly with effects pedals and amplifiers. The internal circuitry solves all signal, feedback and detection issues you may have sending guitar and line signals in and out of the iPhone and iPad, and allows for a plethora of uses, on stage, in the field, and at home, with guitars, mics, amps, PAs, etc.” Awesome, right? See more pics of the ! New Signal Process BreakOut Pedal on the next page!
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This post is a sponsored series that takes a fun peek at the gorgeous details of modern life. The irresistible design details that enhance our lives… Gillette is the sponsor (Thanks, Gillette!)… but, as always, the post and ideas are 100% NOTCOT!
I had no idea a printer could be such a lustworthy design object ~ inside and out! HP sent over one of the new HP Envy100 e-All-in-One, and it’s kind of magical. Firstly, it looks like a sleek black box with some mirrored details, like the dots on the top… but really, it looks like a box, it doesn’t scream printer/scanner/networked object. In fact, at first glance, i didn’t even understand where the paper went IN or came out. Secondly, it comes wrapped in minimal packaging! The final layer being a reusable bag - that is subtly patterned, a pretty nice tote shape, and perfect for groceries. It’s even the world’s first PVC free printer. Thirdly, it is not only wirelessly networked, it can be printed to from ANYWHERE. Via email! Yes, emailing to print… is like faxing minus the phone line?
So those are the three things that blew my mind first. It’s surprisingly stylish and un-printer like… unexpectedly green from unboxing to materials… and they’ve made great use of the wireless connection! Now the last thing i expected to find useful… the APPS. With its 3.45” highres capacitive touchscreen (basically, its like a smart phone built into it)… you can browse and download apps… without touching a computer, someone who’s lost and needs directions home can browse google maps, and print out two sided page of directions. Surprisingly easily. Coloring pages - paper toy designs - recipes… just like that! Even movie tickets… though it does feel weird feeding my credit card number into my PRINTER. You can even play Sudoku on it… i guess good for office while you’re waiting for it to print/scan? But you have to see the pics on the next page… and what’s inside it… as well as FINLEY! My CubeeCraft i couldn’t help making after printing him out to get some action pics for this post. A printer that distracts me with toys to build… devious!
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On going full circle ~ the toy movement has come back around to stunning luxurious porcelain figurines… French company, Art & Toy, has just started selling the new figures by K. Olin Tribu, who has worked with the finest porcelain sculpture modeler, great artists and designers to manufacture limited edition toys in Limoges porcelain. The beautiful Potamus Anarchy figures in black and red editions is a collaboration between Frank Kozik & K.Olin Tribu. There’s something so awesome about seeing the signature angsty cigarette wielding creatures of Kozik cast in porcelain… anarchy gone fine art? And in such beautiful packaging as well! See lots of detail pics on the next page…
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This is the first of three gift guides for those on the GO! This content series is brought to you by Intel AppUp℠. Find free and paid apps for your lifestyle. Get started.
Traveling constantly and for different reasons result in SO many different packing techniques and needs… well this time we’re looking at Business Travelers. Non stop, constantly hopping on and off phone calls, netbooking on the go, in and out of airport lounges and cars/taxis and hotels… never even knowing what city you’re flying to or departing from… it’s a stressful, fast paced life of madness to say the least! So what would you gift them (or yourself if you are one?) to help ease that crazy? See some of my picks on the next page!
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Just in - Joya the NYC based fragrance and home ambiance innovator - Baxter of California, the premium men’s grooming line since 1965 - Reed Space, the NYC pioneer in the concept for a “lifestyle boutique” of Jeff Staple, have all joined forces to create “LAPSANG NOIR”. And these candles are pretty big ~ named HALF KILO and FULL KILO.
The most exciting part? I’ve always wondered how they fill candles! Yet have never looked into it deeper… so love the “making of” pics of these gorgeous candles as the wicks are held straight and the hand in the glove with the squirting mechanism perfectly fills each and every one… See the full process on the next page!
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First reaction to byAMT’s Clé USB - the packaging is adorable! And i couldn’t help but thinking ~ this would be an awesome press kit! (I have little mounds of the usual branded USB key press kits in a pile… it’s fun when someone does something cool!) There’s something about the adorable 3D printed key that feels like it would unlock exciting secrets ~ a digital secret garden of sorts? Alissia even mentioned she’s going to start 3D printing logos right into them as well, which would be lovely to customize for gifts, giveaways, press kits, wedding pics, etc? A box of collectoins of keys holding memories would be so cute! Check out more pics of the unboxing on the next page!
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I’m notorious for carrying my beloved 5D mkII relatively unprotected in just about any purse that will fit it… So long as the stitching seems like it can take the weight. And when placed carefully in my messenger bag with laptop and a ton of other gear… well, maybe there are some flip flops buffering the bottom in that hand carry. And i’ve said for years now that i should get some foam and sew up a perfect little insert/sleeve for it! That being said, i’m always on the look out for a sleek solution that doesn’t add more bulk than necessary. And i just stumbled across Ona’s the Roma tonight, and i must admit i’m quite intrigued. Need to go do some measuring to see how it will do with my set up… but it’s looking pretty good!
Here’s what they say: “Let the Roma camera insert transform your favorite non-camera bag into a protective space for your gear. While the Roma won’t replace your carry-it-all camera bag, its the perfect solution for light trips and shoots where only your camera and a lens are needed. But that’s not all. The Roma also has five exterior pockets that’ll help keep your stuff organized. A camera insert that’s also a bag organizer; quite the twofer if we do say so ourselves. Handcrafted with premium Waxwear. Leather side handles for easy removal from your bag.” Dimensions: 10.5”L X 7”H X 4”D. See more pics on the next page!
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Amazing. I’m literally in complete awe as i write this post, under the glow of the Kraken Lamp, while sipping some Kraken Rum on ice. There’s just something too awesome about great things feeding and inspiring each other ~ in this case Kraken Rum coupled with incredible design studio, Dead As We Know It, and launching quite possibly the coolest product line yet! The product line is lustworthy on its own… but still noteworthy, when’s the last time a Rum inspired you to redecorate? Rum inspired housewares, art work, and wearables? Even handkerchiefs for the dandiest fellow on your gift list… Take a peek at some of my favorites from the new Kraken Rum Store on the next page… and i can’t wait to see what else the Kraken will inspire in all of us!
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Just discovered these 
Ice balls are definitely a huge 2010 trend! Down to the last week of 2010! From 
Too beautiful not to share ~ 
On fun collaborations, last week Kiehl’s and Jeff Koons teamed up to launch the annual 
On beautiful holiday editions, 
On fun birthday surprises, this gorgeous gift box of 
