Duncan Shotton has taken my breathe away - again. Remember the adorable little Revive: Denzel i shot on the bentley last year? Well a magical package just arrived from Tokyo! Duncan (while at the Fab Cafe - the tokyo cafe with a laser cutter we had on NOTCOT.org #46688) designed and laser cut the most incredible magnetic camera shaped gift box (a one of a kind) for NOTCOT containing his Cloud Key Holder… and even the details in the corrugated cardboard box exterior and the structure keeping the camera well protected are all laser cut. Stunning attention to detail housing a fun magnetic key holder! You have to see all the details on the next page!

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This week’s roundup from Tasteologie and Liqurious includes homemade Kahlua, Crispy Berbere Chicken, Bonfire Toffee and more. To find out more about each delectable post, click on its individual image.

Here’s the latest from our London based editor, Justine Aw.

Today I popped down to Worship Street to visit The Digital Dissection Dining Room, “a virtual reality future laboratory” created in a Shoreditch showroom for just 12 hours. The project is the latest from Something & Son (the team behind FARM:shop) and Inition (who we met at the 3D printshow) and will act as the venue for tonight’s Lush Prize Awards, which brings together scientists, researchers and campaigners to celebrate research into developments to reduce the need for animal testing. More photos of this fascinating project on the next page!

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This week’s roundup from NOTCOT.org includes the art of ironing, topography in wood, individually popped kernels of popcorn, and more. To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.

Wishing i were in Chicago for this stunning “Souls Gone Mad” Sculptures and Photographs by Mark Landwehr and Sven Waschk [Coarse] at Rotofugi Gallery - running November 3-December 2, 2012. The body of work looks absolutely mind blowing… and the owls are too cute! You can get the full exhibit listing here, and check out Vinyl Pulse for a peek inside the show. On the next page, see some of my favorites from the show!

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Oakley does lots of customs - from sunglasses and googles, cases, watches, and even backpacks! One of the latest customizations are their classic frogskin sunglasses - I love how subtly you can customize them with a tiny etching on the lens (like where you normally see polarized or a brand name). Oakley offered me a pair to try out their customizer so here’s a peek at the NOTCOT Oakley Custom Frogskins - I went with a polished clear frame, black iridium polarized lens, and NOTCOT etched in the lens… so easy and pretty fast, take a peek at the details on the next page!

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Phew* what a few days it has been! On Tuesday, we added a new addition to our NOTCOT family - Bucky (short for Buckminster, naturally) the 8 week old black labrador retriever puppy! (My first puppy!) This awesome little guy is a ball of non stop energy, and we’ve been lucky that he’s magically house broken, sleeping through the night, and great with other people, dogs, machines and more… but it also means he learns crazy fast, can get sneaky, and can’t get enough play time sprinting throughout the house and yard when not sleeping or eating! It has also become clear that this little guy is going to get HUGE! And since Shawn has a big, older, 120 pound lab back home in TN - i’ve been getting caught up on what toys will and will not stand up to the hardcore, persistent chewing of a lab in full force…

So we’re starting Bucky off right - and trying to find the most fun, chew-proof toys that will last (besides the usuals we already have at home that he’s loving - tennis balls, hockey sticks, etc) - and aren’t too hard on the eyes (it’s been mind numbing seeing how much terrible stuff there is out there - both in aesthetics and quality!)… On the next page you can see some of the things we’ve bought, as well as some i’m curious about…

P.S. Do you have a dog? What are his/her favorite toys that have been exciting and lasted well?

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This week’s roundup from NotVentures includes Christmas in New York, martial arts in China and sunrise in the Aeolian islands. To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.

Here’s the latest from our London based editor, Justine Aw.

Today I popped by the launch event of an exciting new project, Assemble and Join a community micro-manufacturing workshop on Lower Marsh in the heart of London. I heard about the project from Chris Jarratt (who you may remember from his amazing slingshots), one of the founders of the project alongside Tom Tobia and GD/hta who are working in collaboration with Lambeth Council.

I love the idea of community design and manufacturing and bringing making to the people! Housed in a former cafe, A&J is a manufacturing centre community hub, a place for everyone from schoolchildren to market traders to research, design and build together and create structures to make this gem of an independent high street even more unique. Take a look inside on the next page…

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This week’s roundup from Tasteologie and Liqurious includes Wild Beach Plum Cordial, leek bread pudding, Vichyssoise soup and more! To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.

Here’s the latest from our London based editor, Justine Aw.

Tonight we enjoyed the Silver Room Supper Club dining experience from Pedro Solorzano and executive head chef David Rood of Mayfair’s Hush. The dining experience consists of a new line of ‘spirit-based dishes coupled with daring cocktails’. This evening was all about rum, with a trio of dishes designed to complement rum-based cocktails.

The new menus will be available on Tuesdays starting next week and include evenings based on calvados, rum, gin, vodka and whisky! See more pictures on the next page!

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This week’s roundup from NOTCOT.org includes cake decoration street art, architecture for dogs and sea-life inspired combs. To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.

On fun discoveries over at Designercon today - there are some fun cards from The Birds & The Beasts. I love this Telekinesis Congrats card - and the adorable die cut I’m Sorry card on the next page. Apparently - “The Birds and the Beasts is a collaborative effort between illustrator/designer/toy collector Christopher Lee and writer /impulse baker/blog junkie Kristine Songco. When we’re not busy making cartoons (Kristine), drawing monsters (Chris), playing with our dog (both), or cleaning up Kristine’s messes (Chris [duh]), we make cards for all you lovely people!” Take a peek at my favorites on the next page!

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Incase just launched their new EO Travel Collection of carry-ons and it’s gorgeously functional! They aren’t kidding when they say it was designed for the “evolving traveler who relies on personal technology for business, pleasure and inspiration. Each EO Travel bag combines smart organization and dependable protection to make the travel experience easier, safer and more efficient.” I’m forever on my quest to perfect my carry-on packing and optimaize getting through security with each technology upgrade in my usual arsenal… the thoughtfulness of the details in the bags is enticing. I’ve been dying for an international sized polycarb roller that allows an easy unzip section to go through the scanner without needing to take the laptop out! (Also love that the hard shell roller expands!) And the duffel has an easy access, outside padded pocket ready for your 15” mbp.

Not having seen them in person yet, my two picks are definitely the hard shell roller and duffel. The flat polycarb of the hard shell seems to scream out for customization (so if you end up in the situation where everyone has one too…) you can easily sticker bomb it… or perhaps laser engrave on it? So many possibilities. Also love that the duffel is simple enough on the outside, you don’t scream “There’s a laptop in here” while traveling… Take a peek at the details and videos on the next page!

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This week’s roundup from Tasteologie and Liqurious includes Japanese Takoyaki, bones made from meringue and the Weeping Woman cocktail. To find out more about each delectable post, click on its individual image.