Product Pick Of The Week:Sony Style Esprit Bravia LCD TV

Just a few weeks ago, I did a post on Two Eyes cool-looking customizable self-concealing HDTV.

What I didn't know then, and do now..is that last May, Sony introduced their self-concealing Bravia LCD TV in 32" to Europe*, calling it the Esprit Series. The greatest product difference between this and the Two Eyes self-concealing LCD HDTV is that Sony's "concealing" panel which they call a "grille" is actually a flat panel speaker system with a top loading CD/DVD, thereby making more than a self-concealing tv but a self-concealing home theater system.

*The Sony Tav L1 is available in the US and is marketed without the Esprit name and with fewer panel options

Sony unveiled the Esprit TAV-L1 theatre system in May 2006 to European markets, initially with a plain solid black front panel.


A sleek, beautiful home entertainment experience packed, wire-free, into a simple, clean-lined box. The L1 boasts a grille net, effectively a flat panel speaker that rises in front of the BRAVIA LCD TV, like a silk screen fencing off the horror of 24-hour news.

With a unique motorised front panel that hides the TV screen when you're in standby mode or listening to music and glides open for TV and DVD viewing.

The new Esprit line boasts a touch-sensitive speaker grill in front of the 32-inch BRAVIA HDTV that protects your precious LCD during audio mode. Touch the speaker grille and it glides down the pedestal to reveal the high-def flat panel.



A top-loading CD and DVD slot complements the 50 watts-per-channel 2.1 sound complete with a 100 watt sub.
The 32-inch model is said to soon be followed by a 40-inch model.

You now have the option to swap the Midnight black panel for one of their Limited Edition patterned panels or buy their special offer, TAVL1-3PAN, and get three additional panels in Mint green, Sunset orange and Sand cream, so you can personalize your living room to suit your mood.


Above: the Special offer edition (available here - europe only) that comes with three solid color swappable panels.

Above & below: Their limited edition panels patterned panels (see enlargements below):

Then they came out with more panels and called them the Prestige Collection (designed by Ligne Roset).

The Esprit's Prestige Collection has been created for discerning 'style tech' customers, who choose consumer electronics products for style and design integrity as well as superior technology and is only available from Sony Style and Sony Centres.

The ethos of the brand is 'beautiful simplicity', creating highly functional, fuss-free solutions, which will look good and work well in today's modern urban living environment.

Below are examples of some of Ligne Roset's panel designs for the Esprit Prestige collection






Above: Grille cover "Twiggy"

These wonderful looking 32" home theater systems can be found by clicking here.
or here.

Or , in the US, here.
and here.


And in regards to the 40" version, I have yet to see it on the market.

Specs for the 32" version are:

Screen size: 32"

Resolution: 1366 x 768

Integrated digital tuner

EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)

HD ready

FM tuner

3D Digital Comb Filter

1-Chip video processor

Audio features:

S-Master

Dolby® Digital, Dolby® Prologic II, DTS Digital Surround

S-FORCE Front Surround

Front power output: 50 W x 2

Sub woofer (RMS) power output: 100 W

1 Composite Video In

1 S Video In

2 SCART

1 HDMI

PC input

DVD-R/+R/+R DL/+RW/-RW/-RW(VR) playback

DivX

MP3 playback

Precision Cinema Progressive

Size (L x W x H ): approx. 1069 x 856 X 470 mm

Weight: approx. 58 kg

Buy the 32" Sony esprit here (for those in Europe).

A Little Something For Those More Traditional

If the idea of a motorized flat tv is just a little too sci-fi/futuristic for you or your home decor, Sony has just started offering their Bravia HDTVs with colored monitor frames (see pic below):



Buy them here.

Premium Vodka Distillers Drunk With Design

I can't help but notice how many new "Luxury" Vodkas are entering the market these days. Premium distilled award-winning Vodkas with stunning bottle designs to match.

Whether they contain actual gold flakes, like Shaw-Ross Importers "Gold Flake Vodka" or Swarovski Crystals like "Diva Vodka", clearly alcohol and luxury are becoming popular bedfellows.

In addition to being touted as having multiple distillation processes or having the least impurities, these companies have hired well-known designers to create gorgeous bottles and packaging..and in the case of U'luvka, glasses and ice buckets as well.

Below are a few of the newest Luxury Vodkas with stunning bottle designs for your perusal.. and possibly imbibing.

1) French Vodka Gold Flakes Supreme, a new ultra-premium vodka with a touch of gold launched across the US this month.


Above: Gold Flakes Supreme Vodka by Shaw-Ross Importers.

Shaw-Ross is to release the Ultra-premium French Vodka Gold Flakes Supreme – made with 24-carat consumable gold flakes – to certain vodka markets in the country.

The gold vodka is bottled in France and quadruple-distilled. "The shimmering flakes of edible gold that glitter magically in Gold Flakes Supreme's crafted quality bottle bring to life all of gold's most desirable associations and expectations," the company notes. The retail price of the flaked vodka is estimated at €60 (£40) per bottle.

Shaw Ross is currently updating their web site to better serve you. If you have any questions, please email TatianaColumbus@Shaw-Ross.com.

2).What vodka is worthy of the Trump name?



After an exhaustive worldwide search, Drinks Americas is proud to announce the launch of the world's finest vodka: Trump Super Premium Vodka.



Quintuple-distilled in Holland by renowned Dutch master distiller Jacques de Lat, Trump Super Premium Vodka is the culmination of our search for the distiller and the vodka that will demand the same respect and inspire the same awe as the international legacy and brand of Donald Trump himself.



Trump Super Premium Vodka is bottled in a unique, sexy, and luxurious Bruni Glass design, with labels and outer decorations by world famous New York designer and artist Milton Glaser.

The Premium Vodka category is where the very best of fashionable spirits brands compete. By the summer of '06, I fully expect the most called for cocktail in America to be the "T&T" or the "Trump and Tonic." We are very excited that Drinks Americas will be leading this initiative and look for great success."

The beverage, Trump 24K Super Premium Vodka, is marketed though a partnership between Drinks Americas and business icon Donald Trump and is currently sold in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

As part of the Russian launch of the product, an expected 45,000 consumers in Moscow will be able to view the 24-carat Trump gold bottle and sample the award-winning spirit on November 22nd. Trump 24K Super Premium Vodka has been available on the market since earlier this year, when 1,000 cases of the drink were pre-sold to distributors for holders of luxury accounts and premium clubs.

Recently Trump had added flavored Vodkas to their line:


A separate version of the beverage, without the luxury gold label, has been sold in the US since last autumn and up to five new flavors of the product are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Marketed under the catchphrase "Success Distilled", the vodka is made in Holland.
Buy it here.

3)Diva Premium Vodka


Diva Vodka seems to be the brainchild of ten people (the Diva Divas) and in addition to creating this 'gem' of a bottle, they make many custom (bespoke) versions as well. Their site is filled with quotes and information. The Diva Divas certainly seem like a fun group of people!

The Baltic Vodka is triple distilled and filtered through a fine sand of crushed gems and diamonds.

In every bottle you’ll find semi-precious or precious stones, including diamonds, which means the prices range from $ 70.00 up to $ 1,060,000.00 a bottle.

Some even come with matching jewelry (see rings below next to bottles):



You can get the Vodka with swarovski crystals in any color variation or, even better, with REAL GEMS. Below is an example of DIVA Black Gold which has two nuggets of solid gold in it.



The above, Diva Black Gold, is available for purchase from Selfridges.

for other falvors and/or custom orders, see their site for all the options, ordering and details.

4). Oval Vodka



Oval calls their product "structured" vodka. Their purification process and bottle design are related to the chemistry used in their patented filtering process.



The Tetrahedral -Shaped Bottle was designed by Lucy D. Design Studios and is based on the form of the vodka and its molecules.


Above: the vodka molecule and a bottle to match

The Bottle was a Cannes Design award winner this year, 2007.



Buy it here.

5) U'luvka Vodka



In addition to being yet another premium vodka with a beautifully designed bottle, Uluvka has a beautifully designed website filled with entertaining copy and information.

Another award winning multiple-distilled Vodka, U'luvka also sells stunning vodka gift accessories, glasses and buckets.




Their site is one any designer should see, even if you're a teetotaler.


Above: just some of U'Luvka's stunning package design by Aloof Design


Visit their site.
Or just buy the vodka here.

6) ABNormal Vodka by Arteska.




Many of you design-watchers will recognize this bottle as receiving praise for being the first neckless Vodka bottle. Initially named Vertikal Vodka, I believe they have now renamed it ABNormal. Which is probably why you couldn't find it on the shelves.

ARTESKA International Company is introducing revolutionary innovations into the technology of vodka production, especially in the process of distillation. Its vodka is produced from the best quality wheat grown in the famous wheat fields of Vojvodina.

The quality of every bottle of ABnormal vodka is guaranteed due to the control of the complete production process; every drop of vodka is filtered for more than eighty hours through ten tons of special active coal. As the result of this process, crystal clear vodka with neutral smell and taste is produced, quality highly appreciated and highlighted by the devotees of this beverage.



ABnormal vodka is the first in the world bottle without the neck. Design of the bottle for ABNORMAL Vodka received get the "GRAND PRIZE - best packaging design" in Cannes 2005.

ABnormal vodka is now launched, finding the way to consumers hearts; recognized as excellent cocktail base, providing the inspiration for creative barmen.

Vertikal Vodka (now renamed as ABNormal Vodka) from Serbia received a lot of attention as well as design awards, with their 'Neckless" bottle design by Nonobject.





7)  Bong Spirits "Bong Vodka"

Bong Spirits has a Holland Vodka Called Bong Vodka. The Bottle design, below,obviously emulating a bong.



Bong Spirit Vodka has been created by a group of partners in the nightclub, art and entertainment industry. They combined their ideas and resources to craft one of the most notable and interesting spirit brands on the market!



Above: the six bottle designs sold at beverage warehouse in Los Angeles



A limited number are available in 5 artist designs - 1 plain hand painted bottle and 4 designed by renowned artists -each individually numbered bottle represents a little slice of history.

Artist Jimi Beach developed the concept of the Bong Spirit brand. It is certainly a well-designed marketing strategy that not only redefines the spirit world, but also the art community. Bottles of Bong Vodka have a distinct shape, are made with fine glass, and topped with a chrome overcap. While the original design is a marvel of its own, a collector series of bottles featuring the art of several up and coming artists is also available and are randomly packed with the unadorned bottles in each case that is distributed.

Their website is presently under design but you can contact them for info here.
Or buy Bong Vodka here.

8) Kauffman Vodkas

Kauffman Vodkas has non-vintage, vintage and special vintage Vodkas.

Their Non-vintage premium vodkas come in Hard Vodka, Soft Vodka, Lemon and Grapefruit, Pepper and Carraway flavors as well as a beautiful bottle.



 
Above: Soft Vodka

The taste is soft, inherent to a honey-based vodka, with barely perceptible hint of Cornelian cherry. The aroma is delicate, with ginseng and pea tones: the recipe includes ginseng tincture. Natural honey guarantees the long-term storage of the vodka and makes it taste soft and deep.

They also created Vintage Vodkas.
The innovative approach to producing the only vintage vodka in the world involves using natural ingredients from a particular year, producing spirit and vodka itself at the same distillery at the same time and in limited quantity and monitoring every stage of the process.

 
 

In 2003 Kauffman Luxury Vintage 2003 was issued. It is a very gentle vodka which matches the same quality as Luxury Vintage 2002 and has a harmonious taste and light aroma of fresh bread and spices.

Kauffman's Luxury Vintage is made from the highest quality wheat of one single harvest only in the years when the finest wheat grains are identified. To guarantee high quality and retain continuity of style Kauffman Luxury is bottled only once per vintage (25.000 bottles) with each bottle carrying a limited edition number. The blend of Kauffman Luxury contains the infusion of dried wheaten crusts that is thoroughly filtered before being added to the other components of Vodka Kauffman Luxury such as rectified ethylic spirit ‘Luxe’, softened water and sugar.

Tasting notes: It is an incredibly elegant, soft, subtle and delicate drink with feint perceptible scent of roasted rye bread crust and a light pleasant taste of mint.




 
In 2003 Dr. Mark Kauffman launched his second range of vodka - Kauffman Special Selected Vintage 2003 (0.7 L). It matches the same high technological requirements as Luxury vodka. The difference is that 5000 cases of Kauffman Special Selected are produced annually.

Just as Kauffman Luxury Special Selected Vintage is also made from the highest quality wheat of one single harvest only in the years when the finest wheat grains are identified and bottled only once per vintage (5000 cases). Special Selected Vintage contains feint infusion honey, natural extracts of schizandra, and finest high strength spirit and purest water.

Tasting notes: The taste is soft, inherent to a honey-based vodka, with barely perceptible hints of anise and licorice.

In addition to those, they had two special blends; the Christmas blend and The Inaugural Blend (shown below):



the above Bottle was issued in limited edition on the occasion of the Russian President's Inauguration in May 2004. The bottle is truly inspirational and decorated by the 24-carat gold sputtering.

The taste is soft and elegant, inherent to a honey-based vodka, marked by a barely perceptible scent of roasted rye bread crust.

Click here to find Kauffman Vodka.

9) Heavy Water Vodka

Made in Sweden at the Bloomberg estate near Källby, on the shore of Northern Europe’s largest lake, Heavy Water Vodka has the unique taste of Sweden in every sip.



After searching for years to discover the perfect vodka formula, which required them to travel the world, spend countless hours of intense research developing formulas and subsequent arduous hours of sampling, they finally found the vodka they were searching for in

Hey, we know, it’s a rough job, but someone had to do it! Heavy Water Vodka derives its’ name from the rare isotope, D20, which scientists call “heavy water.” For every 6,000 parts of water, there is only one part that is heavy water. According to Jared Brown, “Heavy Water Vodka was designed by discerning drinkers for discerning drinkers.”

Heavy Water Vodka is made from Scandinavian-grown winter wheat that is fermented and blended with deep artisan well water. It is distilled through a continuous still and filtered, with the actual number of times that it is distilled, as well as the formula, a closely guarded secret, however the result is a product that is rich, balanced and smooth with definite herbal and spicy notes of fennel, toasted almonds and orange.

Heavy Water Vodka made its debut in October 2005, and has already received five international medals.



Even the bottle of Heavy Water Vodka is unique, with its squat shape made by a prestigious French glassmaker with a metal rod inside which bears the name Heavy Water Vodka. The Italian-made, flavor-neutral rod is a playful addition to Heavy Water Vodka with a nod to the fuel rods that are immersed in heavy water to generate energy from plutonium.

Described by Tastings as "Clear. Neutral sweet cream, anise cookie, nougat, and powdered sugar aromas. A velvety entry leads to a supple, oily medium-to-full-bodied palate with balanced, powdered sugar, fresh sweet cream, and spicy anise flavors. Finishes with a long clean cream and spice fade. Lush and delicious."

Recipient of the International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
Buy it here.
Other vodkas (some premium, some not) with interesting bottles worth noting are:
Liquid ice Organic Grain Vodka in a bottle that looks like it's trapped in an ice cube (US only),
Vodka 666(in the devil-shaped bottle),
Scotland's Brilliant Vodka bottle in the five-sided faceted black or clear bottle,
Roberto Cavalli's Vodka with the snake-wrapped frosted bottle,
Red Army Vodka in the bomb shaped bottle,
Gotham Vodka in the porcelain deco skyscraper decanter
Jean Marc XO Vodka in handblown glass bottle
Ultimat in colored glass decanters


Vodka fan? check these out:

•25 Unusual Premium Vodkas From Ed Hardy Vodka To Bacon-Flavored Vodka.

•Can Imbibing Save The Planet? 10 New Green Vodkas

•Funnyman Dan Aykroyd's Crystal Head Vodka is No Joke.

•Belvedere Vodka Goes "Street" With The Launch of IX

•Fridays' Fun Finds On Saturday: Vodka, Fire, Champagne & Lips

Fur + Embroidery + Dance + Dog = Puppoose

Take a talented girl with a rock hard body and a love for dance, dogs and crochet and what do you get? The Puppoose, of course.



Shannon Beach is a professional dancer, aerialist and the designer and creator of the "Puppoose". A SAG /AFTRA member with an impressive resumé and an equally cute dog, she has created this fun(ny) crocheted dog carrier now available for $60.00- $80.00 in various designs and colors.



THE PUPPOOSE.
The Puppoose is the most ergonomically designed, natural way to carry your pet. The luxuriously lightweight, soft fabric makes using this carrier a breeze. The Puppoose fits any small dog and any person. Its crocheted design has 4 holes at the base for the pets limbs, 4 adjustable straps to adjust the length, a neck cushion for your comfort and safety strap to ensure your pets security. Its hands-free convenience allows more quality time together!




Made of cotton and acrylic, the Puppoose is machine washable and you simply lay it flat to dry.




The designer, Shannon Beach and her "spokesdog" (below):

COLORS:

Pink, Blue, Brown & Black, The custom fabric is made of 45% cotton/55% acrylic. Machine washable, lay flat to dry

SIZES:
XSmall: 2-4lbs
Small: 5-8 lbs
Medium: 9-15 lbs
Large: 16-22 lbs

RETAIL PRICE: $60.00
RETAILERS: Please call 818-505-8829 for wholesale information

About this unusual designer (from the 'about' section on her site):

SHANNON BEACH, DESIGNER & CEO
Often on the road as a professional dancer for superstars such as Cher, P!NK and others, Shannon appreciates her down time and puts her mind at ease by crocheting. The meditative process allows her to slip into a world of relaxation and deep concentration, focusing on everything and at the same time, nothing at all. She describes this space as being "in the flow". A state of concentrated attention in which ordinary worries are forgotten and intrustions fail to register. She explains this feeling as being absolutely blissful and decided to make it her own by naming the company Feel the Flo.

Shannon has appointed her Shih Tzu, Ted D. to be the official "spokesdog" behind the first product, the PUPPOOSE. Its fashionable functionality compliments the pair as they cruise the streets of Los Angeles and New York City, spreading the joy of this unique product. This guerilla marketing tactic has gained an adoring fan base allowing people to easily see how the PUPPOOSE would enhance their lives.

This is the first of many innovative ideas to build the Feel the Flo brand. Shannon is dedicated and smart and most importantly patient. She exudes positive energy and creativity which motivates herself and others, building strong solid relationships along the way. In an ever changing and increasingly competitive world, she believes a clear focus and perseverence will allow her dreams to come true!


the Feel The Flo website