Perhaps the most intriguing (and portable) accessory in the Bentley was the glasses case. I’m hesitant to even call it a sunglass case, since the size definitely didn’t fit most of my sunglasses (and no they aren’t THAT huge!) ~ perhaps its most suited for smaller sun glasses and reading/driving glasses? But it has the same wood that covers the whole dash, complete with Bentley logo of course… and it snaps in perfectly to the cup holder in the center dash. When you raise the arm rests you can even open it in place, or take it with you to go. The interior of the case has matching leather to the seats (in this case Imperial Blue). Anyhow, take a peek at the close ups on the next page ~ as far as dashboards gone mobile, i am strangely drawn to having some of that beautiful woody root ball veneer outside of the car!
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Though almost TOO hot and sunny with santa anas and a heatwave passing through, it did look like quite the glorious LA weekend. And the perfect time to joy ride with the flaming orange 2012 Bentley Continental GT up the coast. So far i showed you some of my favorite little design details, and as promised, here’s a look at the exterior. The glowing orange in the bright sun definitely highlights the crisp lines beautifully… and something about that orange with the endless blue of the sky and ocean coupled with the green of Malibu Canyon made for the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photo shoot… between the glowing car and the serene view, it took the roar of the engine to snap me out of how gorgeously mesmerizing it was! But as soon as i heard that roar, i remembered instantly why i love driving… more to come on the mini roadtrip around LA, but first, take a peek at the 2012 Bentley Continental GT exterior shots on the next page!
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Thanks to American Express OPEN for sponsoring this post as part of the Big Break for Small Business program. Visit FaceBook.com to learn more about the Big Break contest. Enter your small business for a chance to win a trip to Facebook headquarters for a one-on-one business makeover and $20,000 to grow your business with social media. See Official Rules for complete details. 
It’s always strange to stop and think about NOTCOT as a business. Usually shiny objects, exciting inspiration, things to see and places to go get in the way ~ and my mind spins off towards some awesome distraction. But as a business, particularly as a super visual internet business, there are partners and products i can’t imagine getting here without! The evolution of all things NOTCOT has been so gradual ~ fueled by following passions and spontaneous experiments ~ i don’t know if there’s ONE thing that gave it a “big break” ~ but there are definitely major moments when you feel the shift ~ transitions from one level to the next! So perhaps the moment i had to start admitting NOTCOT was bigger than a fun project and i needed to start thinking about bringing on help was one of the biggest ones! When American Express OPEN reached out to sponsor content around what gave NOTCOT its “Big Break” ~ i couldn’t resist this excuse to share some of them with you, and also shout out a huge THANK YOU to them! So take a peek on the next page at what powers the world of NOTCOT (besides giddy passion and a continual hunt for inspiration)!
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*NOTCOT in
playful - 05.01.11 -
*NOTCOT in
tech - 04.30.11 -
An “Orange Flame” 2012 Bentley Contintental GT was dropped off for the weekend ~ and it is one seriously bright car. It is especially gorgeous in the stunning sunshine this weekend! If you recall, the Continental GT even inspired the shape of the case of the 007 Carte Blanche Limited Edition. Having peeked into the Bentley Factory via Ultimate Factories, it’s been fun to leisurely poke at all the tiny details… with Imperial Blue Leather and orange contrast stitching, logos hidden just about everywhere you may not have even imagined, fun knobs and compartments, there’s much to explore, and so many beautiful details as you dive deeper. SO! I thought i’d share my favorites with you ~ take a peek at the little design details tucked all around this new 2012 Bentley Contintental GT on the next page!
p.s.
The image above ~ i adore the way the windows create such a sleek opening when down…
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Cleaning through my cell phone ~ i was wandering through pics from the last few trips and came across one from Paris. Really wishing i paid more attention to which store this was that we wandered by ~ possibly in the Marais? The tile patterns are so cute, colorful, simple, detailed… see more on the next page…
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*NOTCOT in
design - 04.29.11 -
Just came across this absolutely stunning octopus print and skateboard design by ZSO (Sara Blake). Apparently it is a “charity piece for a skate deck art show happening in LA for Heal the Bay. I don’t know much about the other artists or even where it’s happening right now, but I was just happy to make a skateboard for something to help wildlife. Orginal drawing is pencil and ink. Board is a digital print on Moab Entrada rag bright with mixed media (acrylic, ink,pencil), and gel medium.” SO beautiful ~ see it fully and in sketch form on the next page!
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So much gorgeous travel inspiration at NotVentures this week! Where will you be heading? Underwater in the Galapagos? A scenic drive through Colorado? Or perhaps something a bit more extreme? To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.
On fun toys that just arrived… i think i’m in love ~ some things just flood your brain with ideas and it’s the best high. So tiny. So simple. Yet does SO MUCH. With a massive dslr and decent mobile pics these days ~ it’s hard to figure out what else is a car/purse worthy photography gadget. Well, i can think of a million ideas of where to stick, hang, clasp, dunk, strap, swing, launch it… this teeny tiny GoPro HD Hero Camera has infinite mount options, waterproof housing is a default, windproof audio, wide angle views, 1080p HD, super low-light sensitivity, interval photo modes, an awesome sounding battery life ~ and so much more. AND - with the LCD BacPac, i can check the pics on the go… So before the fun begins ~ wanted to share the unbox, because on top of all the features packed into the stealthy little cam… it’s well packaged and designed too! Take a peek on the next page…
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Spy novels + fun cars + limited edition books = gorgeous book design from 007 and Bentley for the latest James Bond book, Carte Blache. There is a die-cut bullet hole that pierces each book - inside each copy you find a single polished bullet with a distinct number. (I wonder if any other secret information is hidden in or on the bullet!)
As for the design - “The Special Edition is designed by Brett Boydell. In his ten years at Bentley, Brett has been involved in the interior design of the Bentley Azure, Brooklands and, most recently, the Continental Supersports. He also manages the Bentley Branded Goods studio, where all Bentley-associated products are created.” Additionally, the book is in a metal box shaped into outline of the new Continental GT. The look of this sleek abstracted sculpture reminds me a lot of the Infiniti Essence and Mercedes Rising Car sculptures. Take a peek at the sketches and renders of the 007 and Bentley Carte Blanche Special Edition on the next page.
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*NOTCOT in
wearable - 04.28.11 -
A roundup of fashion fun from NotCouture. This week’s picks include gorgeous red ballerina flats, porcupine quill necklaces and the anatomy of a classic trench coat. To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.
*NOTCOT in
design - 04.27.11 -
*NOTCOT in
playful - 04.26.11 -
Seed Pills! It seems like such a natural fit ~ everyone should be prescribed some seed pills to do their part and add a little more green to our world! Another project we encountered as part of the Selfridges’ GROW Concept Store and Guerilla Gardening Windows - Vanessa Harden’s seed pills. In addition to these clear pill capsules filled with seeds (which are purchasable in store), she has designed a series of “Subversive Gardener” concepts to do everything from launch the seeds from an umbrella’s top (as seen in her window display) or a bag to drill holes into the ground or a camera to launch seeds… as well as a “Horticulturalist Series” with seeds shooting out of a gun, or a walking stick… and more! Gel capsules with tiny seeds - melting down dispersed throughout the world, the idea of prescribing more green is just what some of us need! Take a peek on the next page…
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What a week we’ve had at NOTCOT.org. This week’s roundup includes Star Wars in Iconoscope, nunchucking Easter bunnies and painting with fire. To find out more about each post, click on its individual image.
On fun surprises while in London ~ Le Pégase d’Hermès Silk Twill Scarf designed by Christian Renonciat! With an architectural/blueprint look and inspirations from Da Vinci (backwards handwriting and all) ~ Hermès gives us a design to build a pegasus and some wings for yourself. Pretty enough to treat like art, i’m currently researching framing options, but until then wanted to share some of the pretty details with you! Unbox/closeups on the next page!
On fun surprises that arrived ~ little package came from 
Seriously, did you just think of the 
