On fun surprises that arrived ~ little package came from Duncan Shotton a designer at Kinneir Dufort… inside the adorable little stamped box? Denzel! A prototype of the ambassador they designed for their Revive Concept Phone - that gets better with age. Take a peek at Denzel’s unboxing, a video of the concept in action, and more on the next page!

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Tags: bentley - cars - concepts - packaging - phone - prototype - technology - unboxing - video

Oh, Project Squadt (A collaborative effort between Ferg and ThreeZero, brought to you by Jamungo). Amazing creatures ~ beings? ~ with masks, and faces, and interchangeable eyes, and some bad ass weaponry. I’ve always wanted one… never quite made the lightning fast online limited edition sales… so when i stumbled upon some in the Toy Art Gallery Store, i couldn’t resist. And upon realizing they were right here in LA ~ popped over to the store to pick it up! While i still wish i could find one of the gas mask guys ~ for now i’m playing with Squadt NKD Jack + QPMNT PAC 1! Complete with bathrobe, various arms, tactical knife, tactical chest rig, sUMP, sMK23 with holster, and long sleeve shirt. They really are so photogenic too… see him in various set ups and unboxing on the next page!

p.s. how awesome are the dogs?

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Tags: gifts - shopping - squadt - toys - unboxing

Unboxing time! This time, it’s something i impulse bought off a NOTCOT.org post… I’m a long time Geneviève Gauckler fan, and we’ve had many a post about her work on NOTCOT, so when stephanie brought my attention to the new Domestic coat hooks, i couldn’t resist! And the new Sleek Identity store being based right in Venice, CA ~ meant they showed up lightning fast too! Of course a little digging over at the Domestic site led me to the other set of Gauckler Hooks - “Hang On To Yourself”… also tempting. But first things first ~ take a peek at the quality and details of these Potatoe creature hooks on the next page!

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Tags: art - gifts - home - shopping - unboxing

I was curious. I couldn’t resist. And my dad has fallen for the iPad. So how could i not upgrade him today? Luckily we unboxed and got it all set up together! It really is fantastically thin. and there’s still something kind of magical about playing with vidchatting on such a portable (yet nicely sized) screen. And i’ll admit, the magnetic case was a draw… interesting to see how it worked, though in real life, it doesn’t work as well as i’d hoped. While playing with it and using the ipad normally, it awkwardly came off a few times! Anyhow… the form factor is the most fascinating change… i couldn’t help stacking it with the original iPad and my beloved Macbook air as usual! For some reason in a black and white kind of mood today… go check out the close ups and unbox on the next page!

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Tags: apple - gifts - shopping - technology - unboxing

There is a beauty to twitter’s ability to connect you instantaneously with people/brands that fascinate you… it’s almost magical. It’s how i “met” Jawbone, who then introduced me to Four Seasons Los Angeles… which led to chats about the Jamboxes being available to their suite guests… which has led to me curled up in a big suite bed tonight having one of my first little vacations in Beverly Hills. (Silly as it feels to be a few minutes from home!)

Now, before i get to the Jawbone Jambox service at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, you first need to see the poolside unbox! Slightly out of order, i had so much fun playing with the in-room Jambox, i decided i needed to own one to bring home, and since you can buy them from the front desk, i had one sent up to the room! And being Jawbone, of course the packaging is physically, ecologically, and graphically gorgeous ~ so naturally an unbox was called for! The Jambox made quite a splash this holiday season, and it claims to be “simply the smallest, best sounding wireless speaker and speakerphone on the planet.” And while that sounds bold, it does in fact sound impressively awesome, and it’s ability to be shared with hotel guests proves just how easy it is to pair! But more on that later, for now ~ unbox! Click on to the next page…

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Tags: gifts - hotels - luxury - packaging - phone - shopping - speakers - technology - unboxing - USB

Sorry i went quite a few days here, internet has been a bit frustratingly spotty, and between all the snow and running around catching up with people, this week has been a little bit more working offline than on! BUT, this post is a fun unboxing of the new Jawbone Era in my Bowery Hotel room! As always, beyond their product design and engineering mastery, the packaging of all things Jawbone never ceases to amaze… this one practically unboxes itself and presents the new headset to you! I had to make a little video to show you just how fun it is! New in this latest bluetooth headset model, shake and tap controls ~ the latest in Noise Assassin technology ~ ability to listen to music/calls and more in HD ~ and more apps and updates to play with through MyTalk. Check out the video on the next page as well as more details!

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Tags: gifts - phone - shopping - technology - unboxing

André Balazs Properties have always had gorgeously unique light bulbs… Chateau Marmont has a playful Pan (god of fertility, unbridled male sexuality and carnal desire to name a few) in a bulb… The Mercer has its signature M… it’s about time that The Standard Hotel’s had theirs as well! Announced last night, and literally flying off their digital and physical shelves, the KAWS Light Bulb Set for the Standard are a limited, but non-numbered edition of 1,000 sets that contain 3 bulbs each, of one bulb in each color: red, purple and green. While a few blocks away, i popped over to check out the new display of them in The Standard New York Shop window… as well as unboxing them and playing with them up close! The glow just draws you in, and the X’s are so signature KAWS. Ready to take a peek at it all up close? See the many pics on the next page!

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Tags: art - gifts - lighting - shopping - standard - unboxing

Wow. On fun packages that arrived this weekend… i’m currently fascinated by the Dyson Digital Slim DC 35 Multi Floor… it’s a cordless vacuum, it embodies my favorite parts of all of things Dyson, and is an evolved version of my most used cleaning tool, the old DC 16 hand held. It’s like a smaller version, with more sucking power (dual power modes even!), has a removable battery, an extension tube, and a ball jointed, motorized head with carbon fiber bristles like the full vacuums. I won’t deny i’m more of a fan of the matte metallic blue accent vs the old glossy yellow as well. Ready to see the unboxing and details up close? Take a peek at the next page… there’s also a comparison shot of it to the old DC 16.

P.s. This is definitely replacing my poor old DC 16, and seems to be doing a pretty good job on carpet with the motorized head as well… so perhaps it will take over my other vacuum as well…

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Tags: dyson - gifts - shopping - technology - unboxing

On fun surprises today, received a lovely Penhaligon’s London Hatbox filled with goodies. Love their holiday packaging that was covered fun woodland creature inspired designs… and to take it further, check out the Penhaligon’s Olfactory Owl they had running around London! A pretty dapper looking owl, no? Peek at the unhatboxing as well as more Owl pics on the next page!

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Tags: animals - gifts - nature - packaging - perfume - shopping - unboxing

We first looked at Urbanears a while back when their stunning color themed ads started circulating… then, their CES booth was hard to resist. Well now, in the same beautifully colorful, minimalist design… i couldn’t resist showing you the origami like unboxing experience and product details. So much attention to detail, and clean playful designs! It literally unfolds and presents itself to you. Love the matte boxes, and the soft touch details… the extra connectors… and the built in microphones mean you never need to miss a call! Take a peek at the unboxing of their Tanto and Plattan models on the next page!

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Tags: CES - gifts - headphones - packaging - shopping - technology - unboxing

Luceplan HOPE light by Francisco Gomez Paz - i fell madly in love with the Hope light in Milan last year. And what better icon to celebrate 5 years of NOTCOT (embarking on our 6th this year!) and an end to 2010 with?

I didn’t expect it to be fully built upon arrival, but i hadn’t given much thought to HOW the lamp is assembled either. The process and packaging is amazing. SO well thought out. Down to the white gloves with grippy bits so you don’t scratch/dirty the lenses… well protected lenses you can clip together only one way, and bend ever so gently. The way it mounts to the ceiling fixture, with another anchor to distribute the weight. The way you can adjust the height easily even after installing… They even include special clothes to clean the lenses with… So thoughtful, love the process as much as the light! Anyhow, i could gush on, but it makes far more sense in pictures. And now, my living room is filled with Hope, and i can’t stop grinning every time i get lost staring at/into it. See it all on the next page!

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Tags: furniture - gifts - home - lighting - shopping - unboxing

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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Tags: drinks - gifts - liqurious - packaging - typography - unboxing

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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Tags: gifts - print - shopping - technology - unboxing

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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Tags: gifts - reviews - shopping - technology - unboxing - USB

Here’s a look at the adorable packaging of Fearless Chocolates ~ to be fair, the elephant logo and the actual bite taken out of the chocolate when you unwrap it have won me over. Cute graphic details too! See all the packaging details on the next page ~ including a gold badge/sticker thing!

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Tags: food - gifts - packaging - shopping - unboxing

Surprise holiday gift arrivals: Jimmyjane’s Little Afterglow Sampler - a beautiful box set of 6 playful minis (that are not so mini!) of their Afterglow massage oil candles. They smell absolutely divine, and come in the prettiest little porcelain containers with perfect pouring spouts. On a side note, does anyone else ever wonder how fun it would be if Jimmyjane went into dinnerware? or vases and votives? It really is so tempting to use these porcelain dishes for dressing on the side or sauces… honey perhaps? Their designs are so subtle yet edgy, and the porcelain is so delicately beautiful in the modern shapes! Ok but back to the unboxing at hand, “this collection provides six enticing scents that explore the essential elements of attraction - WIT, CHARM and KINK. Included Scents: Cucumber Water, Grapefruit, Pink Lotus, Dark Vanilla, Bourbon, Truffle + Gardenia.” And best of all ~ as a gift to encourage experimenting, it even comes with a Experience Guide to help lead you through some of their favorite scent combinations to get you started! Take a peek at all the little design details on the next page!

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Tags: candles - gifts - packaging - shopping - unboxing

Lelo INSIGNIA ~ the Swedish brand’s latest line of luxurious pleasure objects launched this week, marked with the triple loop infinity symbol! Taking the pleasure out of the bedroom, they even include a beautiful INSIGNIA Brooch in each gift box, which can easily be worn in plain view, as if part of a secret society, where anyone who responds or reacts to it, you’ll know they too… love… pleasure… and beautiful objects? The symbol also houses the three buttons on each of the objects in the collection (Alia, Isla, and Soraya) and each has a void through the shiny metallic core that you can slip your fingers through to easily grasp them. All are waterproof, powerful, and discreetly quiet, and come in a gift box that looks topographically inspired when the object is removed. See a close up of the design details as i unbox the Soraya on the next page, as well as a peek at the Alia and Isla.

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Tags: gifts - shopping - technology - toys - unboxing

Ok ~ still waiting for files to transfer, so currently tethered to my desktop while the macbook air and macbook pro do their thing beside me… one is so tiny, the other now seems SO HUGE. So how about taking a peek at the actual Macbook Air unboxing? It’s lovely how streamlined the packaging is getting these days ~ this one could probably be slipped right into a shirt box! Also its ridiculous seeing the ipad stacked over 11” macbook air over the 15” macbook pro… honestly the iPad looks like its losing this war. Especially if the air can handle photoshop at least decently (my previous netbooks never quite managed this well enough to become a primary travel machine). And shaving a few pounds of my hand carry is something my back would LOVE. Also it opens up a whole new world of purse/carry on options… also lovely that the TSA is saying ok to not having to remove the 11” Air to go through security! I can’t even remember the last time i had the luxury of only having to remove my shoes and toiletries! As for why i had to try one out for myself ~ opening up a bunch of safari windows and loading up as many tabs as i could find for each simultaneously working wonderfully in the apple store convinced me… Keep in mind: air = .67 x 11.8 x 7.56 = 2.3 lbs vs ipad = .5 x 9.56 x 7.47 = 1.6 lbs oh and the mac book pro is just so much heavier and bigger, it’s no comparison. SO! Ready to see inside the box? And the size comparisons? To the next page!

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Tags: apple - gifts - laptop - shopping - technology - unboxing

Far too much excitement today ~ there’s the NotVentures launch for starters! Then Mr. FedEx showed up with a Mac Book Air 11”! And while i giddily have to sit back and wait for it to take over my MBP for a few hours parasitically sucking data ~ i’m way too amused by the adorableness of the USB restore key… and the packaging of it! Have you see this thing up close? Held it? It’s kind of awesome. And reminds you how silly it is that other USB keys are any bigger… you can see it above next to my SD/USB cards i always have in my wallet/cameras/etc. There’s really little need for it to be any bigger, other than to make a toy out of it or something? Though i suppose it’s cute they evened out all 4 contacts ~ instead of the rocker fist of my SD/USB one… Anyhow! Before showing you a proper unbox, i found myself taking too many pics of the key… so here’s an unbox of that! See the many pics on the next page…

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Tags: apple - gifts - shopping - technology - unboxing - USB

Dyson DC-26 Multi floor It’s the tiny vacuum… the one you’ve seen the ads for that fits on an A4 piece of paper! All the sucking power of a full sized… in a mini! Well, the rolling part that you drag along the floor anyhow. First impressions? AWESOME! and SO CUTE! It really does feel a bit like the chihuahua of vacuums though ~ especially as i pull it along while vacuuming… it’s just that tiny! And half the time while using it, i found myself just picking it up in one hand, while i was vacuuming and holding the extension/handle with my other! At those moments, i wish it had backpack straps, so i could just vacuum like a Ghostbuster. (Really, it’s that awesome and i’m that tempted to just put some straps on it!) There are also amazing faces that pop out of this vacuum while i was taking pics… doesn’t it look slightly evil up there? Very Marvin the Martian or Clamps from Futurama… On fun details to note ~ it has anti-static carbon fiber brushes! And like the other Dyson vacs, it has fully articulating heads, so you can easily slip it under the bed, desk, etc when cleaning, but it weighs in at a mere 12 pounds. Take a peek on the next page for a full unboxing ~ as well as a comparison of it to the dustbusting handheld DC-31!

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Tags: dyson - gifts - home - shopping - technology - unboxing

First in my series of posts about my adventures with smart TVs ~ sponsored by the fun folks at Intel’s smart TVs! As usual ~ content and pics and all that fun is all me and they are supporting me to do it!

Google TV unboxing time! …with the Logitech Revue that literally disappears into my media center! As you saw earlier, amazon managed to get the Logitech TV Cam to me before the box itself, so you’ve already seen that unboxed. The Logitech Revue showed up the day after, so here’s the unbox/setup and first impressions… in usual Logitech fashion, the hardware is sleek, simple and feels great. So check out the unbox on the next page ~ as well as a peek at KidRobot’s new Simpson’s Mini Series 2…

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Tags: gifts - Logitech - shopping - technology - television - unboxing

First impression. Wow. I mean, i’ve heard ABOUT the Ultimate Ears Customs for some time now, but being custom, no one elses will ever really fit you perfectly… so you can’t know how incredible they can sound, until you try your own. And wow. They sound and feel amazing! Freshly arrived today are a set of Ultimate Ears 18 Pro Custom In-Ear Monitors, which i got molded for back at NAMM (but was bad and had trouble deciding colors/prints/etc ~ as you can see, i went with the smoke!) From the goo they stuck in my ears, out came these perfect fitting molds hand made right here in socal! I’ve never loved the feel of ear plugs or headphones very much, but i barely notice these after wearing them for a while… and they sound incredible. While i can’t exactly SHOW you how they sound, i can show you the thoughtful packaging and what you receive when your customs arrive… take a peek at the unbox on the next page!

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Tags: audio - gifts - headphones - Logitech - packaging - shopping - technology - Ultimate Ears - unboxing

On design details to lust after, Logitech always manages to deliver ~ while mildly frustrating that my Logitech TV Cam arrived today ~ but my Logitech Revue/GoogleTV isn’t coming until tomorrow… it’s still such a pretty object, i’ll share the unbox first! It beautifully mounts even on the thinnest of TVs and sturdy enough, no need to worry about it leaping off in an earthquake. Armed with a Carl Zeiss wide angle lens with 5x digital zoom and two digital, directional microphones, it promises to take “HD video calls” to a whole new level. Since there’s no Revue to play with today, tried it out with ichat ~ and it works! Nice auto focus, wide angle, and

p.s. on silly design details ~ i love that the blue stripes seen in the website pics aren’t lit up when its off! It’s sleek and black and disappears right into tv…

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Tags: camera - gifts - Logitech - shopping - television - unboxing

On such a dreary rainy LA day ~ a surprise package of cozy throw pillows and tea cups came from the kind folks at ClickforArt! Perfect to curl up with on the couch while sipping a cup of tea. Mmmm… curled up and posting, their new pillows and tea cups from Kozyndan are beautifully made ~ the pillows are printed on luscious super soft faux suede, and the tea cups somehow make a cup of tea even more uplifting (especially with the little bunny splash inside the bottom of the cup!) ~ both are even more impressive in person than in pictures ~ but here are a few close ups on the next page none the less!

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Tags: art - drinks - gifts - home - shopping - unboxing

On fun new toys this long weekend ~ playing with the Pentax Optio W90 as a life-proofed backup camera to my big dslr. It’s cold proof to 14 degrees, showckproof to 4 ft, mud+sand+dustproof, waterproof to 20 ft, and heat tolerant to 104 degrees! Basically meaning it’s hopefully kidproof, adventureproof, cookingproof, poolproof, petproof, and more! And it even has a “microscope mode” which is basically a super close macro mode… so you can shoot from 1cm away from the lens. It can also shoot 720p HD video! (But no zooming while shooting, thought you can zoom before you start shooting) Hard to believe this is Pentax’s 11th generation of these everything-proofed cameras ~ i had one of the 2nd gen models back in the day ~ perfect for fishing/shallow water adventures! Honestly, i can’t wait to try this one out as my primary kitchen camera i dont have to worry about when getting messy! Perfect for my latest food project (Eep! Shhhh, more to come on that SOON!) Take a peek at closeups on the next page ~ as well as a few test photos of the super macro microscope mode, experiments in the shower, and some video tests at LAX while i was waiting to pick someone up…

p.s. It’s pretty cheap on Amazon relative to list price! I impulse bought it friday, and had it show up saturday!

p.p.s. i wish the design could be sleeker ~ and that i could peel off all the text on the front ~ but the rugged grippiness is awesome.

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Tags: camera - gifts - outdoors - reviews - shopping - technology - unboxing