*NOTCOT in tech - 05.29.07 -

Cow In A Box: Dissected

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Cow in a Box… how DO they get that moo in there? These have been around since my childhood, and are nearly extinct if nearly fruitless internet searches show that only one manufacturer seems to be left. So when i wandered into Stumasa today, i had to buy a few… and sacrificed one to be dissected and shared with you all… step by step walk through and video below! And no, discovering the simplicity of this old school toy’s innards does not make it any less fun, and its still much better than its technologically driven counterparts. And for under 5$, who wouldn’t want one on their desks.

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*NOTCOT in home+decor - 05.28.07 -

Reeves Design

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Reeves Design. In addition to the Louis Four Poster Bed, there’s a nice clean detailing to all pieces in the Reeves Design catalog ~ The mix of porcelain and teak is a beautiful combination. The Arthur chair was the second piece that grabbed me in the ICFF booth, it almost evokes a bathtub feel with those porcelain feet. “Arthur rediscovers caning to form a low slung lounge chair…classic cabriole legs… perforated oak frame… exposed rattan weave reminiscent of a strung tennis racket.” The Cadiz table has a slip cast white porcelain base with teak feet and a teak decking style top (reminiscent of teak deck/bathroom flooring). And finally, i love the way the Dovetail Shelving takes one of the “most respected joints in cabinet making” combined with white lacquered shelves and solid oak connectors, this piece is an incredible easily dis/re-assembled unit with no additional fixings.

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Reeves Louis Bed

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One of my favorite design discoveries of ICFF was John Reeves. Adorably sweet, and designs that have haunted me since i first saw the booth… (late in posting, because i’ve been slowing on hooking up the scanner, and most images were in the catalog). So here is the bed i want… if you’re going to go with a four poster… yet black lacquer, and still some perpendicular edges while still having that playful flourish on the inside - brilliant contemporary baroque look & feel.

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*NOTCOT in home+decor - 05.26.07 -

Twist Loofah/Sponge

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Twist. There are two points of interest here… 1. the product… loofah sponges! and “euro” sponges… that are trying to revolutionize and evolve the sponge world. At TWIST, they take special care to make sure 99.97% of all our waste is reused in production. And, our cellulose is sourced from renewable tree farms. 2. the branding and packaging… lets be honest here, that’s what really got this into my cart at Whole Foods…

So, regarding the product, they seem good enough, a sponge is a sponge, granted it does look a bit cooler and the loofah addition is interesting… but news to me is that you can dishwash it! But on to the branding and packaging… interesting aspect (beyond the playful graphic design and circular windows)… you can make it into a birdfeeder. Innovative idea (especially enticing for moms who want to let their kids have an activity to do while unpacking the groceries)… not so hot on the execution, the packaging is so thin that it’s not that sturdy, and i do wish the design made better use of the existing creases and the diecut windows… this bird feeder wouldn’t hold up well in a drizzle (how about some water proofed packing?) and isn’t quite strong enough to support the birds. And perhaps a small packet of bird feed would be fun too? and the design is much like our print+cut toys we often feature. But great concept, fun sponges.

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*NOTCOT in food+drink - 05.25.07 -

Reyka Vodka Review

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I think i’m sold on going green… especially when it comes to my vodka - Reyka Vodka is the world’s first green vodka- made from glacial water and distilled using sustainable and clean energy from geothermal heat, not to mention it’s the first vodka distilled and bottled in Iceland (land of puffins, volcanoes and a female president)… (showed you their brilliant ads and the bottle designs previously)… This time i’ve got a hands on review for you. Close ups of the gorgeous bottle, and a few fun little videos (still experimenting with my Canon TX1). I’m smitten by how deliciously clean and smooth this vodka is and it’s great straight as well as mixed (was delicious with orange and cranberry juice as well as with tonic)…

Here are some interesting tidbits on why else Reyka is incredible: Reyka (pronounced Ray kuh) is derived from the ancient Icelandic word for steam or smoke. The spirit sources naturally demineralized glacial water from the Grabrok Spring situated in a 4,000 year-old lava field. Reykas distillery is located in the smallvillage of Borgarnes in Western Iceland where atmospheric CO2 levels are actually falling. This is due in part to the towns remote location far from sources of industrial pollution. It retails for little over $20, but certainly tastes like it would have cost more.

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*NOTCOT in tech -

Wii Strap On’s Review

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Wii Strap Ons… there’s the Sports Pack” and the Combat Pack, and we’ve posted about them both (on com and .org)… well, its hard to tell what the quality, packaging, amusingly slightly altered logos (Wii or Wu?), materials, details, etc were like ~ so Jermacide bought them for our amusement… unboxing and close ups below.

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.24.07 -

Danish Crafts at ICFF

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This sheep was drawing in crowds of all ages… the Danish Crafts booth at ICFF had quite a number of pieces which were playful enough to engage everyone from 2 to 80… and that sheep! adorable. I didn’t quite make sense of the neckLAdle, but it seemed like a fun gift for the tastespotters in your life. The light plumbing was fun as well… explore more Danish Crafts and designers on their site.

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.23.07 -

Qubus at ICFF

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Czech Design Studio (& Store!) Qubus, had a great ICFF booth showcasing designs in glass and porcelain that change and twist your perceptions of the materials. Maxim Velcovsky founded Qubus design studio with fellow designer Jakub Berdych in 2002, and since then have been creating an incredible collection of pieces like the classic solo cups in glass (with stems!), doll head candle holders (the drips can be quite creepy), porcelain containers cast from coke bottles, and porcelain rainboots. Subversive. Playful. Poignant. Occasionally creepy? Always brilliant. I was mesmerized finally seeing their pieces all in person.

Also check out much of their line at Thorsten Van Elten.

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Cork Lounge Chair

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The simplicity of both booth and chair made this one of my favorite finds at ICFF ~ The Cork Lounge Chair by Nick Tretiak. The lounge chair has a special form of “cork lamination that was developed to embrace the textual qualities of cork in a thin, strong, and flexible material.”

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*NOTCOT in playful -

Maker Faire Bay Area 2007

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Make magazine is putting on the Maker Faire twice this year, and it just passed through the Bay Area on May 19-20 (it will be in Austin Oct. 20 & 21). The Maker Faire is “A two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful folks who like to tinker and love to make things.” A friend of mine went to check it out this past Sunday and I asked her to take some pics for us (thanks, gigglebliss!). She shared a bunch of pics with me and this super cute “T@B” camper/trailer caught my eye. A Bay Area company called Hardtent rents out these little guys for when you wanna go camping and don’t wanna go in a big RV but don’t wanna totally rough it with just a tent either. The interior is so cute, with a dining area that turns into a larger-than-queen-sized bed, and there’s even an awning so you can chill outside in the shade. Check out more images of the trailer and the Maker Faire after the jump!

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*NOTCOT in design -

Droog Starter Box

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DESIGNER STARTER BOX! Brilliant idea… why do we not have more of these, and what better way to get those friends and strangers who clearly lack some design in their lives up and going? This is an ideal set for college send offs, housewarmings, or just as a not so subtle hint?

This Starters Box by Droog is only 99 Euro, and will get someone started with their Do Frame Tape, Bowls plus, Salad Sunrise oil & vinegar set, Straps (to hold up anything and everything on your walls), Dishmop, Sucker (ultimate suction coat racks?), Sticky Lamp (brilliant!), and the Human Touch Catalog.

I want one. And i’d love to have 50 to distribute to people in need? What if we made our own sets… like the designer kitchen starter set. or 10”x10”x5” designer details for your bathroom (where everything you need is in a box that size). or a simplification through consumption set, where ironically we’d provide you with things to replace more complicated/unnecessary objects as well as a trashbag, etc to have the others disposed of or sent over in return. Ok, maybe i’m still buzzing a bit too fast in my head, but more gift sets like this Droog box have a lot of potential?

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*NOTCOT in food+drink - 05.22.07 -

Lucky Beer in NY

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GET LUCKY! Lucky Drink Co. ads now all over NY ~ i’m testing out working from JFK while waiting to board… also, LOVE the Canon TX1, some great videos from the petra mrzyk & jean-françois moriceau View to Kill show to put up when i get back…

If lucky beer seems familiar… maybe its from .org #711 - wow, that was a long time ago…

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*NOTCOT in home+decor - 05.21.07 -

Gino the Dog

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CCA Students + Yves Behar + Gaia & Gino + Dogs + 6 month studio period = an unbeatable match… and this Gino the Dog collection of luxury canine accessories. There is Chew, a leg cover resembling a tree branch by Jennifer Yoko Olson. Twins are the matching food and water bowls by Richie Tanaka. Wild is the porcelain food and water bowl set by Brandon Warren. See below for images of the products up close, as well as the CCA and the Gaia & Gino booths at ICFF.

And for more from Yves Behar on Education, Barbarpapas, the OLPC, the leaf lamp, and more… check out his talk on New Yorker Magazine that Kristopher sent over. Topic i like the best? The importance of integrating high quality design and products to children at a young age, he feels that this helps people crave it more as they age. So, thanks mom!

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

AfterGlow HDPE Chair

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AfterGlow - it’s exactly what it sounds like… Adirondack, ottoman, armless double that GLOWS… and made of 100% post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), a number two recycled plastic. Apparently the recycled content is primarily recycled milk jugs. Designed by Douglas Homer for Loll Designs.

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*NOTCOT in tech -

Canon TX1

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Introducing my latest tech impulse buy - welcome the Canon TX1 to my pile of purse gadgets. Still in NY for Design Week, but to be honest i’ve been completely spent mentally and physically… so today has been incessant posting and enjoying the hotel room, with a minor excursion - where on the way back i stopped by the legendary B&H which happens to be across the street. I’ve never been! And i was amazed and horrified with the crammed amount of technology and lines… it was like disneyland, with a line for EVERYTHING (to check in my bag, to talk to the digicam guys, then to pay, then to pick up the products, then to pick up my bag…) it felt like a super dense overly efficient fry’s like technowonderland. And i’ve been quietly stalking and hoping to find a Canon TX1, which were supposed to be out this month, but no one has them! Even amazon is saying 1-3 weeks before shipping. So imagine my surprise when the guy behind the counter tells me he hasn’t seen them yet, but will check. And they have 3! The clerk next to him says he just checked this morning and there are none… but NOW there are three. So i couldn’t resist. (and yes, even the most serious of the B&H clerks were ready to drool over this incredible little piece of tech)

I don’t think you understand till you play with this hybrid digital camera/video TX1… its about the size of the tiny elph cameras. It is 7.1 mgp for stills with 10x OPTICAL ZOOM… and it shoots HD video. and its new physical UI is a pleasure to use, and the automatic lens cap is brilliant. And rotating lcd (so no more purse scratches for me). Not to mention image stabilization, and up to ISO 1600. Now - if only i had managed to get this a few days ago, my purse would have been much lighter (been shooting with the Digital Rebel) - and there might have been some videos… well, there’s still part of tomorrow left!

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