This post is part of a NOTCOT series on inspiring, independent design thinking, brought to you by Saab. At Saab, we believe in independent thinking. It’s in everything we do. Learn more here.
From surreal bent wood cocoons, to augmented reality projections on the screens outside the pod windows showing you real time views of the Eiffel Tower… even though you are UNDERGROUND… to a stunning living wall… the Six Senses Spa Paris is transformative on so many levels. Oh! And it even has its own secret elevator from the Westin, Place Vendome, for tose who wish to drop down to their subterranean oasis without stepping foot outside. The interior is designed by French architect Pierre David, integrating the elements of light, wood, stone and earth. The vertical garden that greets you as you enter from street level is created by landscape artist Patrick Blanc. The combination of greenery, gorgeous eco-centric design, and technology had me visually inspired as it was… combine one of the most diving massages, and it was hard to leave the cocooned underground haven… if only there were bird’s eye view looks at the Eiffel Tower projected BELOW your head when face down looking through the massage table hole… i kept being tempted to peek to stare at the projected views outside my pod window! See pictures of this Six Senses oasis on the next page!
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*NOTCOT in
tech - 03.21.11 -
This post is brought to you by Lowe’s, and is the brainchild of NOTCOT. Find inspiration and encouragement as you plan, begin and complete do-it-yourself projects at Lowe’s Home 101. 
Since Lowe’s gave us an excuse to dive deeper and explore the world of home makeovers, remods, etc ~ we decided to kick it off by exploring the designer side of power tools! Thing we want, things to come, things i can’t imagine life without! And these certainly aren’t your usual power drills, sanders, saws and more… and to spice things up, have you ever thought of using your power tool as a regular instrument in your kitchen? Or in your bar? Or how about just to sharpen loads of pencils? Gorgeous, fun power tools await on the next page!
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*NOTCOT in
food+drink - 03.20.11 -
Laser cut stacks of uncut money… into skull motifs… that is one QUICK way to grab my attention, and almost want to miss a flight to paris. Almost… thank goodness Linhchi was able to go check out the inaugural exhibition of the OH WOW Gallery, SCOTT CAMPBELL NOBLESSE OBLIGE. Scott Campbell has been much loved on NOTCOT over the years, from tattoo artist, to laser artist, to beautiful collaborations with laser cut leather for Louis Vuitton… and to my favorite, his work with laser cut stacks of uncut sheets of US currency. And this time there is even tattoo inspired art inside ostrich egg shells and burning images into stacks of money…Take a peek into the show and the lush green gallery on the next page!
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*NOTCOT in
design - 03.18.11 -
Get your weekly travel inspiration from NotVentures. To find out more about each destination, click on its individual image.
*NOTCOT in
playful - 03.17.11 -
While minibars are often used to numb/relax the mind ~ and some have stimulating energy boosters and/or “toys” for your pleasure now ~ i love the idea of adding some intellectual stimulation as well. In addition the The School of Life Daily Aphorism cards that Morgans Hotels leave on your pillow each night, they have also come up with the Minibar for the Mind, and what better place to test this than at the gorgeous Redwood Room at The Clift in San Francisco? Inviting a few friends to truly explore the “Conversation Starters” over martinis… before they even sat down, the Daily Aphorism cards got us talking ~ “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams & my personal favorite “Between two evils, I always pick the one I haven’t tried before.” - Mae West. Words to live by, no? Inside each set, you’ll find: CONVERSATION STARTERS: A box set of 250 cards featuring questions, quotations and provocations to start tongues wagging. COLLECTED THOUGHTS: A volume of the best columns written by The School of Life’s faculty and friends. READING PRESCRIPTIONS: Two tailor-made reading prescriptions housed in corked test tubes, designed to evoke moods of relaxation or seduction. DREAMS & FEARS NOTEBOOK with WRITER’S BLOCK PENCIL SET: A notebook to write down your dreams and fears, and inspirational pencils to get you going. I think The School of Life and Morgans are on to something here… the universal nature of forcing us to think differently, reassess our surroundings, push boundaries… while not always easy, are fun and freeing and make for passionate discussions, be it with friends or strangers!
So, while i have gone through all 250 cards, and the STACK of daily aphorisms, i tried to pick out my favorite thought provokers to get you going, and even then, i ended up with FAR too many to share in one post. So, on the next page… see pics of some of my favorites, as shot in the candle lit inspiration of the Redwood Room, while sipping a Mandarin Lemongrass Martini (deliciousness!)…
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*NOTCOT in
nature - 03.16.11 -
On more zoological inspiration… Justine went to explore the newly reopened Grant Museum of Zoology, and here’s what she has to share!
The Grant Museum of Zoology has always been one of my favorites. Tucked away on Gower Street (near Euston Square tube), the Grant Museum is open to the public on weekday afternoons. The eclectic zoological museum is part of University College London’s teaching collections and one of only a handful of university zoology museums.
I’d visited the museum before and was amazed by the hidden gem, packed full of spirit collections and skeletons. When they closed 8 months ago for refurbishment, I have to admit I was worried about what changes it would bring. I have a soft spot for the quirky, cluttered, Wunderkammer style it had embodied. So when I re-entered the newly refurbished museum today, I wasn’t sure what to expect; but as you can see from the photos, they’ve done a fabulous job of creating a great space that plays to the strengths of their weird and wonderful collection. Take a little tour through the fascinating collection and space on the next page!
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Whet your appetite with this sumptuous roundup from Tasteologie and Liqurious. To find out more about these delectable delights, click on their individual images.
*NOTCOT in
design - 03.15.11 -
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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Exploring Lowe’s the other day to pick up epoxy, rope, and do some power tool “research”… i came across this pack of pencils… with a DRILL BIT PENCIL SHARPENER! The C.H. Hanson Pro-Sharp™ Finishing Pencil Carpenter is apparently the “world’s first chuckable drill powered pencil sharpener” and “produces a fast, consistent pencil point every time”. And so far it has lived up to its name. Honestly, it’s falling quickly into the, “how have i not had this my whole life?” category… it’s so FUN. It makes me want to sharpen through the whole box… totally understand how that reviewer on Amazon went through 144 pencils in less than 15 minutes. Anyhow, it’s fascinating, so stupidly simple, and has given my drill a whole new usage… pencils don’t stand a chance. See more on the next page, as well as a video of it in action!
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What a week and what a roundup! Here are just a few of the great posts that have graced the pages of NOTCOT.org. To find out more about each post, click on its individual link.
*NOTCOT in
design - 03.14.11 -
New Lapolab Jumping Brains in a whole colorwheel of spectrums: Brain Hue. These 2” pearlized vinyls will be released monthly, starting today, March 14th! The series is limited to 20 collections! ! See the making of on the next page, and a peek at them too…
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So that plane i hopped on instead of checking out the 
I’ve always wanted one of 
London always has the best windows! And 
