Archive for January, 2012
Any party at Liv in Miami seems to be the best one yet, so it only makes sense that the newest video from Headliner Marketing Group would have the most stars yet. The video surfaced recently featuring Dr. Dre performing one of his classics in the presence of Fabolous, Trey Songz, Neyo, Wiz Khalifah and Lil Wayne for DJ Stevie J’s birthday. Check the method.
Every tech site I follow, from Fast Company to Smart Planet to PSFK is gaga over the Little Printer. And there is no question, it is the cutest little bit of electronics since the Furby. The beautifully designed website describes it as “like having your own printing press, newspaper and a dog to fetch it for you, all in your front room.” It is all about design, which should make me so happy:
Graphic design is at the heart of everything Little Printer delivers, making the most of connectivity and print combined. Rendered in crisp black and white these tactile publications take visual cues from traditional halftone lithography and modern pixel art, whether they’re the latest international news or this week’s gossip from friends.
Over the course of my life (starting in college) I began to keep a list of the top 5 most impressive things girls have ever said to me. Weather it was a funny comment, a sexual comment, something I needed to hear exactly in that moment, or just an incredibly diesel statement, I just have always had that little list. The other day when a friend of mine brought back up the YouTube video “Sh*t Girls Say” we stumbled across the parody titled “Sh*t Girl’s DON’T Say” which may be even truer. Written by 1072 Productions, starring Sarah Walpert, and directed by Evan Padgett, this new YouTube hit just goes to show that even if a girl as as perfect as Ashley Logan (above)… In a relationship, there’s just certain things she probably won’t say.
BMW will launch a mid-range MPV aimed at larger families in 2015, to complete its ‘Project i’ series of upcoming electric vehicles. Although the first ‘i’ model — (the i3) — hasn’t even hit the roads yet, BMW executives are already planning to augment the range. Essentially, the proposed i5 is designed to compete with models such as the recently launched Toyota Prius V, an enlarged version of the hybrid bestseller which can seat up to seven passengers and offers plenty of cabin space. It could be built on the platform of the i3, an all-electric hatchback concept due in 2013 which features a 125kW motor, a top speed of 150 km/h and an optional range extender which uses gas to ensure the it doesn’t run out of juice. The model will be priced above €50,000, giving it a considerable premium compared to the Prius V, which starts at €23,000. Its second model, the i8, is a high-performance sportscar slated for release in 2014.
This image of awesome Power Rangers hoodies was floating around today, but it isn’t worth a damn unless you can actually get your hands on one. After a little digging I discovered that they probably originated from RangerBoard member Shoebasket who notes that he will take custom orders for $110 $85 a pop.
Möwe – Dream Paper Concept looks at the possibility of having intelligent paper that prints, auto cuts and folds 3-D paper projects. A lot of folks indulge in 3-D scale models and it is an interesting hobby. Mac takes the idea a step further by suggesting that what if we could control “where and how far to fold and also when to fold via Bluetooth or WiFi, it means you could move paper as you like without touching it. (It’s like embedding Javascript in paper)” Building models from Google 3D Warehouse would be child’s play even for the non-devout. Swag.
The official ‘Rack City’ remix dropped recently featuring T.I., Fabolous, and Young Jeezy, but Shady Records’ own Yelawolf hopped on a freestyle verse. Check the method out above.
Kate Moss has been revealed as the face of Mango’s Spring 2012 campaign, appearing in print and television campaigns captured by Terry Richardson. While the Barcelona-based retailer had opted for actresses including Scarlett Johansson and Penélope Cruz to front collections in recent years, Moss’s appointment marks a move further into the realm of high fashion for the brand. Kate Moss attended a photocall January 24 at Mango’s London flagship store in Oxford Street ahead of the collection launch.
A television commercial starring Moss called ‘Spy Game’ will also go live across 40 countries including the UK, France and Germany early March. The fashionista’s previous high street collaborations include modeling and designing her own fashion lines for British retailer Topshop. “Kate Moss was chosen as the image of Mango because she is a world-famous fashion icon, making her one of the most sought-after models in the fashion world.”
Bussa Buss is very well known for his quick-spitting abilities, but the track “Why Stop Now” (which you can listen to above) is a knock out of the park for the lyrical dynamo. But the video, currently in post-production might just be one for the ages. Check the behind the scenes footage below.
A United Kingdom-based company called Superlative Luxury has created an eco-friendly t-shirt priced at $400,000. The t-shirt is made of 100% organic cotton and the manufacturing process uses only renewable energy, such as wind and solar, reducing the carbon footprint by 90%. The t-shirt features a spherical pattern created from 16 one-carat diamonds; half of which are white diamonds and the other half are enhanced rare black diamonds. Due to the company’s preference for greener manufacturing, it takes them four weeks to make a shirt. The t-shirts come with a one-year warranty.
In a heavily wooded country like Sweden, it comes as no surprise when one comes across a hotel deep in the forest. However, the Treehotel is something beyond the ordinary. Located in Harads, a village in the northern part of the country with only 600 inhabitants, the hotel has made the forested region a touristic attraction. Designed by some of Scandinavia’s leading architects such as Martin Videgård and Bolle Tham as well as Mårten & Gustav Cyrén, the hotel promises to reconnect its guests with nature. The hotel, which first opened in July 2010, consists of five tree-rooms and the owners Britta and Kent Lindvall, expect to build a total of 24 tree-rooms by the end of 2012. All of the rooms harmoniously blend into the natural environment with the aim of making a minimal ecological footprint. Each room is located four to six meters above the ground and they all share the magnificent views of the surrounding natural environment. The rooms themselves vary in size from 15-30m2.
The Mirrorcube includes a queen size bed designed by Martin Videgård and Bolle Tham and blends into the forest surroundings due to the mirrored walls, which reflect the surroundings. Guests can enter the room through the 12-meter long bridge. The Cabin designed by Mårten & Gustav Cyrén features a double bed that accommodates up to two people with a terrace that overlooks the Lule river valley. A long horizontal bridge takes the guests to the room and its structure will permit for additional bridges to be built once more rooms are constructed. The Bird’s nest room is a four-bed room with the look of a real bird nest. Designed by Inredningsgruppen, guests can access the room via an electric ladder that extends from beneath. The room offers the opportunity for guests to experience life as bird surrounded by the trees. Once the Bird nest was completed the idea to create a room that is “out of place”, was born and thus Inredningsgruppen designed the UFO, a room casted in durable composite materials which is also the biggest room that the Treehotel has. Finally, The Blue Cone has the distinct character of a traditional wooden house painted in red and accommodates up to four people.
Now that Red Cafe released his mixtape ‘Hells Kitchen’ the ShakeDown boss leaks a video for his rendition of Meek Mill’s ‘House Party’ which features cameos by Fabolous, Waka Flocka and a gang of white girls. Check the method below.
More than half of clients who specified a Rolls-Royce Ghost in 2011 turned to bespoke personalization. The service, which includes anything from the application of unique paint colours, coach lines and tread plates to whole vehicle designs featuring champagne sets, humidors and picnic cabinets, helped drive Rolls-Royce to record sales last year. In total, 56% of Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase models sold around the world featured bespoke design in 2011. The move to highly personalized Rolls-Royce Ghost models follows an increase in sales of bespoke Phantom family cars last year.
More than eight in every ten Rolls-Royce Phantom models passed through the hands of the team’s designers and skilled craftspeople, before being delivered to a client. In August 2011 Rolls-Royce announced an expansion of its bespoke operation to meet growing demand, doubling the number of bespoke experts working at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood by the end of the year. The company is also about to expand its manufacturing facility, partly due to the increase in demand for bespoke cars. Work will begin next month.
Its been out in the open for quite some time now that Bow Wow was part of the YMCMB crew, but when it came to crazy collaborations, or award winning videos, Bow Weezy wasn’t really in the mix. But with his newest release featuring ‘6 Foot 7’s Cory Gunz, and Jae Millz, its proof to any doubter that he’s not only part of the Young Money crew, but that plays as part of the team quite well. Check the out ‘Do It To The Fullest’ produced by Cardiac.
Unique and eye-catching, Bright Woods’ collection of illuminated chairs and coffee tables are sure to capture your attention with their engaging glow. I discovered this dope collection of furniture at Milan Design Week, and we’re enamored with the unique aesthetic that’s equal parts alien nation and woodland tranquility. These radiant pieces, made from wood and natural resin strips, were designed by Giancarlo Zema for the Avanzini Group and are currently on display at the Design in Nature exhibition in the Triennale Design Museum as part of the Milan Furniture Fair.
Blu is a modern musical instrument that draws inspiration from the keyboard, re-imagining keys in a modular and flexible way. Much in the same way a child learns to build structures from toy blocks, they can learn to understand tonality and song composition simply by changing the position of the modular keys around the central unit to control pitch and timing of the notes. Its smart, colorful user interface makes learning music an exciting and memorable experience.
The Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo has been named as the number one Luxury Hotel in the World in the Traveler’s Choice 2012 Awards by TripAdvisor. The awards are based on reviews and opinions provided by travelers and were introduced 10 years ago. The categories for 2012 have been expanded to include top-25 lists for 30 countries and regions, as well as an international competition for the best properties to visit. 3,943 hotels were recognized by TripAdvisor, with the other categories including awards for best service, best bargain, best relaxation and spa and trendiest hotel.
The judging was a result of more than 60 million comments from visitors, taking into account the quality of service, price and standard of guest rooms. The Shangri-La, close to Tokyo Station in the heart of the metropolis, took the top spot in the category for the 25 top luxury hotels in the world. The Hotel Imperial Vienna took the second place on the list and the Hotel Palacio de la Magdalena in Soto del Barco in Spain in third. La Casa del Rector, in Almagro, Spain, was rated fourth-best luxury hotel in the world, with The Grand Del Mar in San Diego, California rounding out the top five places.
During the 1960s and 70s, thousands of monuments commemorating the Second World War called ‘Spomeniks’ were built throughout the former Yugoslavia; striking monumental sculptures, with an angular geometry echoing the shapes of flowers, crystals, and macro-views of viruses or DNA. In the 1980s the Spomeniks still attracted millions of visitors from the Eastern bloc; today they are largely neglected and unknown, their symbolism lost and unwanted. Antwerp-based photographer Jan Kempenaers traveled the Balkans photographing these eerie objects, presented in the book Spomenik as a powerful typological series. The beauty and mystery of the isolated, crumbling Spomeniks informs Kempenaer’s inquiry into memory, found beauty, and whether former monuments can function as pure sculpture.
Bacardi Limited is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding in February by hosting parties throughout the year in exclusive locations across the globe. The company will also introduce a very special, limited edition Bacardi rum – Ron Bacardi de Maestros de Ron, Vintage, MMXII (2012). A blend of the finest rums laid to rest in oak barrels over the last 20 years and finished in 60-year old Cognac barrels, the vintage blend is presented in a hand-blown 500ml crystal decanter housed in a leather case and retails for US$2,000. Only 400 decanters are available for purchase at select international airports and premium retail establishments around the world.
In an interview with XXL, Tyga discussed how the collaboration with Nas came about and what we can expect from his song featuring Nicki Minaj:
“Yeah man, I sent Nas a song like six months ago and I never heard back from him but out of the blue, he called me like, ‘Yo, you doing your thing. I want to be a part of what you doing, I like everything you doing. Keep working hard. I sent him the ‘Kings and Queens’ that night and he did it the next day. I was like, that shit is crazy. Nas always talks that shit. The song, man, [his bars] added the cherry on top. It’s a real classic song. People are gonna like it. I wanna think of a dope video. The storyline of the song, the whole King and Queens [theme], it’s motivational.”
On ‘Muthafucka Up’ featuring Nicki Minaj:
“The song for Nicki is called ‘Muthafucka Up”. I don’t know what they gonna call it on the radio. Maybe they might call it ‘Up.’ That one is one of them going in type songs. Like how Wayne had ‘A Milli.’ One of those Young Money records that people love. We got a crazy visual for that one, too. I don’t wanna give it away. I’ve been doing a lot of features for everyone.”
British automaker Aston Martin has released a line of luxury office furniture designed to make your office as stylish as your supercar. Designed by Mirko Tattarini and Emanuele Canova, and manufactured by Formitalia, the chaise longue and sofa are finished in carbon fiber, steel, wood and leather.
When it comes to digital art, people have many different opinions as what qualifies. Oswald is a digital artist with a unique style. His technique involves a combination of photo manipulation and digital painting techniques and the results are often stunning. No matter what you call his style, it’s awesome. Check the method.
Timeless.
Amalgamate 1.0
Under Her Skin
The Bonsai Tree
Dexteria
Amalgamate 2.0
Crocodile
Trophy Wife
Gold
Amalgamate 3.0
Soul Searching
For those who have no idea what the hell ‘Batman Live’ is, its an all new theater production of Batman, that features a new story with all his classic villians. Will be worth your $200 for a ticket? Only time will tell, but what I heard yesterday is that the Dark Knight will be cruising the boards in a very plush ride. Indeed the Batmobile of Broadway (or more accurately of ‘Manchester’, from July onwards) is designed by the very man who designed the McLaren F1 road car and the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, on top of a number of F1 racing cars, Professor Gordon Murray. The same man that independently designed the Rocket, an ultra-lightweight, open cockpit roadster powered by a 1-litre motorcycle engine, which has an appearance similar to that of a 60’s era Grand Prix car.
Batman Live will tour arenas for the first time ever across the UK and Europe, beginning in summer 2011, and arriving in North America in August 2012. Opening in Manchester on 19 July 2011 and visiting Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast.
Sure, it’s a middle class problem but ever get annoyed by having to change the time on your watch when you enter a new country? It might not be an issue that afflicts those of us who don’t go travelling that often but this ingenious watch is still perfect for those who wish that they did. The “All Around the World” watch boasts eight hour hands, which resemble landmarks in major cities. For example, if you’re in New York then you’d use the Statue of Liberty as your hour marker. Minutes are always marked by a pigeon. You know, because they’re a given in every city.
Here’s the full list of cities and landmarks:
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Salt Lake Temple, Utah
Sears Tower, Chicago
Statue of Liberty, New York
Big Ben, London
The Eiffel Tower, Paris
Istambul’s minarets
Red Square, Moscow
There are only 100 watches and each costs £150. You can find out more info, including where to buy here.
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