For anyone that loves triangles, facets, and popping colors ~ there’s Vertty. I wrote about their super fun towels back in 2014… and now they even have backpacks and bikinis! And the fun folks at Vertty just sent over one of their Vertty Backpacks to play with!

While i must admit, i haven’t been much of a backpack person since high school, the faceted nature and unusual mix of materials on this bag had me intrigued. I’m also a sucker for multipurpose bags with unique features - like the bottom zip flap to shake the sand out! Growing up by the beach in LA, and going to school practically on the beach in San Diego, my cars are never without a beach blanket/towel and flip flops! That also means more often than not, sand can be found in the car, garage, and most likely some of my totes too. (I bet this might actually work out pretty well for parents as a kid bag too - all those snack crumbs could find their way right out of the bottom!) Also eye catching - the COLORS! The fun faceted dust bag and lining pop beautifully. You can’t peek in your bag and not smile as you hunt for things! Here’s how Vertty describes it: “With its structured design and adaptive functionalities, the Vertty backpack is an inviting bridge between the carefully planned urban spirit with the demanding and impulsive thrill-seeking aspect of adventure.” Ready to take a peek at it up close? To the next page!

--> to more images

The folks at Antsy Labs launched their Fidget Cube Kickstarter back in August 2016, and it was one of the highest funded projects yet, raising nearly 6.5 million dollars! As expected, hiccups come up along the way with manufacturing, and the Dec 2016 delivery slid a little, and it just arrived (in March! Not too bad?) though it was definitely a project that spurred MANY knock offs… in fact, i didn’t even realize that there were people like this one: 24-year-old made $345,000 in 2 months by beating Kickstarters to market and it is even sadder (but eye opening! especially for designers… ) to see stories like this first hand account of finding knock off Fidget Cubes all over China, not long after the campaign ended! Perhaps the hardest thing to stomach, is how many of these “fake” fidget cubes have flooded the global and online market. You can find them all over instagram, amazon, and in lots of you tube video reviews even… but the saddest, is when you read about people who actually like the MUCH cheaper knock offs BETTER (like 3-5x the price.)

Needless to say, the Fidget Cube has been a fascinating case study to follow - and it was definitely exciting to finally get ours in person! First thing i realized? It does FEEL nice in your hand, and i’m pretty sure Shawn might disappear mine quickly… it’s INSANELY annoying as a by stander if i anxiously click, spin, roll, etc while working… and really not that quiet.

Ready for an unboxing? To the next page…

--> to more images

The Art of Play Curiosity Box 2016 is a magical and wondrous thing that promises “unique & clever amusements” - just what you need to help kick off your 2017! Especially the 3D Card Star of laser cut magicalness designed by mathematician George W. Hart (father of one of my favorite youtubers - Vi Hart)! There’s nothing like a good puzzle to get me out of a funk - though of course all the good ones drive you a bit more mad and frustrated to make solving them THAT much more satisfying. Also the Curiosity Box has delectable dark chocolate - that is ALSO a puzzle (though one that doesn’t last long.) Oh and the spring! So elegant, so pretty… then i handed it to Shawn and he solved it in seconds - reminding me the puzzle is basically a problem he’d accidentally run into when working on cars…

2016 was a funny kind of year, and while 2017 is full of uncertainty thus far - i’m feeling hopeful. And silly, fun amusements like these definitely help - so thank you, Art of Play for the surprise box of hopeful happiness! Ready to dive into the unboxing and details? To the next page!

--> to more images

Meet The Brushies! I never thought baby toothbrushes would be something i’d be fascinated enough to feature, but the best thing about NOTCOT is probably the constant surprises! So when my email had the cutest picture of a board book and 4 finger puppet toothbrushes, i was intrigued. “Designed by two doctor moms” - a dentist and family psychologist - The Brushies aim to bring some fun into the fight against tooth decay which is apparently the #1 childhood disease. Their “world’s first finger puppet toothbrushes” are made of BPA and phthalate-free, non-toxic, food-grade silicone in the shape of adorable pigs, trexs, whales, and monkeys… and these characters are featured in their fun, playfully illustrated board book that is part of their initial Brushies Limited Edition Gift Set. The little silicone bristles are incredibly soft, and supposedly they are good on kids 4 weeks to 4 years old. Take a look at the unboxing, details, and a peek inside the cute board book on the next page.

--> to more images

Bucky got dressed up as a Campana Brothers Banquet (Stuffed Animal) Chair. It’s basically the perfect easy costume for the dog with FAR too many toys and a harness. It could also be a Katamari! We joked that next year, you could make them velcro-able and just have him run around and grow the costume/katamari ball… a few more silly pictures on the next page!

--> to more images

Far too excited about my new toy… Citroen HY Van! These amazingly iconic (and super utilitarian) vans have been a fixation of ours for years now… and when Shawn and i were grabbing lunch and wandering Abbot Kinney, we checked out the Rapha Pop Up, and while their full sized H Van wasn’t there, this amazing little 1:24 scale toy one was! So I had to get it. In a fantastic matte grey - complete with sliding panel door and a back that pops open - it’s going to be tough to stare at the scale model without wanting a full sized one even more! Take a peek at the awesome details on the next page.

p.s. We’ve also done lots of research and have SO many ideas on importing one to the states, doing an engine conversion, and making it into a really fun shop, adventure mobile, experience on wheels and more… Interested? Want to make our dream come true? Let’s chat!

--> to more images

There’s nothing more delightful than a thoughtfully designed surprise. Especially when you don’t even remotely expect it! Any dog owner (or friend of a dog) knows that squeakers don’t get to stay in toys long, and have likely experienced collecting up MANY clear plastic circular squeakers. Well Bucky just received an adorable camping themed duck and moose, and when it came time to get the squeaker from him (aka 5 minutes after he got the toys)… it was a red heart! These Petco Leaps & Bounds Camper Collection literally have heart! And they don’t even seem to advertise it on the product descriptions or labels. I love that they tucked a secret surprise into the toys where you least expect it.

Yay for delightful design! Designing physical objects that transcend their basic purpose and change the experience for the happier! They remind me of the red construction paper heart inside the Whole Foods Talking Pineapple Armadillo!

See more details on the next page!

--> to more images

On this whole “Adult Coloring Books” trend - it’s flying around the internet that IKEA now has coloring pages too! And the designs even look like they are set up for two people sitting across from each other to work on in simultaneously! Kids can share! Not fight? Or adults can do it over coffee on a little cafe table? The pages are cute, fun, filled with their usual line drawings - but i’m bummed they don’t have any with their usual instruction manual assembly characters! Though… all their manuals are black and white… and ready for coloring. So aren’t those all just coloring books too?

Side note - anyone else tired of the “Adult Coloring Book” phrase? They are all just coloring books! And coloring is for all ages! Unless there’s a XXX theme… it’s probably ok for kids of all ages!

Check out the IKEA coloring pages on the next page - and download your own here.

--> to more images

Surprise from Nextbit just arrived! An adorable BLACK SHEEP! When you hear Nextbit, you probably think of the Nextbit Robin - that rockstar kickstarter of a phone that’s all about smart, magically efficient use of the cloud - and it’s coming really really soon to all the backers and buyers! While i could easily delve into all the fun details of the phone… that’s not what we’re here about. In addition to the Robin, Nextbit also turned its cloud logo into an ADORABLE SHEEP MASCOT… then had our friend, Andrew Bell turn him into a vinyl toy! In fact, if you couldn’t afford or didn’t want the phone, but wanted a sheep toy - that was even an option on their kickstarter. Take a peek at some of the fun, playful branding and an unboxing of this adorable sheep on the next page.

--> to more images

Driving across country from LA to Nashville, we had to stop at the epic Bass Pro Pyramid (Bass Pro moved into the Memphis Pyramid downtown) - and it is truly a disney style adventure inside… giant outdoor store with hotel (where rooms have screened in porches with rocking chairs), aquarium, ponds, nature dioramas, waterfowling heritage center, a fish themed bowling alley, restaurant, shooting ranges, an elevator to the top of the pyramid and more. And during holiday time, it was even more over the top. But what was most surprising (beyond seeing it all in person) - was the TOYS. I had no idea that they had so many toys… from their own brand… representing all types of outdoor activities (for adventure boys and “girlz”) from camping and kayaking, to fishing and hunting, 4x4 and rafting, motocross and more! They even have a “Sporting Dog Vet Set”! Also adorable ride-on ATVs for toddlers… which as far as how you ride them goes, it looks a lot more realistic than the mini Mercedes and Porsche ones! Take a peek at what grabbed my attention on the next page.

--> to more images

Wow. What’s black, white, luxurious, and ridiculous? Luxury Googley (Googly?) Eyes for the holidays! Marc by Marc Jacobs has a LOT of googly eyes going on for their Disney Collection - still not quite sure how it relates to Disney (they say it’s Alice In Wonderland inspired)… is it the scene with the flowers? From hoodies to wallets to iphone cases… and of course larger ones for bag charms. So absurd it’s amusing… though you could probably buy MANY plastic/crafty googly eyes and some super glue for the same price as most of these items, it’s interesting to see them glammed up. See the collection on the next page!

--> to more images

Fun packaging still makes me happy and totally brings out the little kid in me. My dad just got back from one of his Singapore trips and just dropped off these adorable ANA Samsonite Amenity Kits. Apparently Samsonite is the new Rimowa when it comes to first class amenity kits that look like mini suitcases. (See more on Rimowa Amenity Kits here.) In fact ANA used to have Rimowa ones until they switched. The new ones are minis of the Samsonite Cosmolite luggage line (which i think i might actually have the carry on of stashed away somewhere…) Inside the kit are all the usuals - eye mask, toothbrush/paste, ear plugs, and a large set of Shiseido Ginza Skincare. Take a peek at all the details on the next page.

--> to more images

Currently for NOTlabs… i’m also researching SWINGS!!! I love swings - remember my skateboard swing from 2010? I suppose i shouldn’t be surprised how many i’ve accumulated and watched over the last 10 years on NOTCOT.org, but still - WOW! Swing inspiration overload? Nah… can’t get enough swings! From classic simple swings, to light up swings, to interactive (lights! music! and more…) swings… to crazy materials, locations, and shapes… my favorite 60 from NOTCOT.org are on the next page for us to refer to while brainstorming. I’m sure more will be found/added along the way as well… go check it out and feel free to jump in and share more ideas with us.

--> to more images

On fun things that recently arrived - the Grids & Guides Notebook in Red has been growing on me. While i’m still a blank, white paper kind of person… the variety of 8 grids are mesmerizingly fun, make for great backgrounds for pictures, and definitely make it hard not to doodle from point to point - even on the cloth cover! There are also dividing pages filled with information from conversion tables and knots, to time zones, perspectives, and beyond! See inside and more details on the next page.

--> to more images

Cards Against Humanity “A Party Game For Horrible People” has become a fascinating cultural phenomena to watch spread and grow. And when you dive in beyond the simplicity of their black and white cards, the folks behind it definitely seem like a intelligent, cheeky bunch that i can’t help admiring. From their business model, to their holiday surprises, and events to their designs… and now Blackbox? I’m endlessly fascinated. [Hey, CAH team - if you’re reading this - let’s chat!]

Anyhow - Dan, co-founder and head of all tech here at NOTCOT has been filling up his CAH Bigger Blacker Box with every holiday pack, expansion, etc… so when the Design & Science Packs came out, I had to see what was inside… Shawn thought (hoped?) that the Design Pack would be filled with design words and phrases. Nope. Design Pack is “contains 30 fully-illustrated cards by some of the best graphic designers in the world, including Milton Glaser (I <3 NY), Susan Kare (the Apple Macintosh), Erik Spiekermann (MetaDesign), and legendary printmakers including Jay Ryan, Yann Legendre, Olly Moss, Mike Mitchell, and Sonnenzimmer.” Basically illustrating NSFW cards (You’ve been warned! Not that you didn’t already expect that!) Science is also a super fun one to mix into the normal deck. So head on to the next page to check out what is inside the packs!

--> to more images