If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

Pearls That Purr: Mikimoto X Hello Kitty Collection

Mikimoto is known to have the finest pearls in the world. What is known as a "Mikimoto Pearl" has been selected from only Akoya pearls of the finest quality, determined by the beauty of the pearl's luster, form, size and color.

The Japanese company has teamed up with Sanrio to bring us a small collection of Hello Kitty inspired pearl pieces. A multi-strand necklace, a pair of earrings, a bangle bracelet and a a single strand of pearls with diamond bow, available in various lengths.

The collection launched first in Paris in January 2014, then in Japan.

Necklace & Earrings set are sold together for a base price of ¥ 27,700,000 ($264,618.37 USD) and the cost with tax ¥ 29,085,000 (or $277,840.10 USD)

The necklace is made of multiple strands of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.

The Earrings with french backs are made of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.

The Bangle with pearl bow sells for a base price of ¥ 55,000 (or $525 USD), with tax Tax ¥ 57,750 (or $552 USD)

Lastly, the single strand of pearls with diamond bow is available in choker length (40cm), Matinee length (60cm), Opera length (80cm) and Rope length (120 cm). Prices upon request.

Information and images courtesy of Mikimoto.
dedicated website http://hellokitty.mikimoto.com

A Driveable Truck Made Of Ice Makes For One Cool Product Demo.

Here's a product demonstration that will leave you cold... -49°C to be accurate. Canadian automotive parts retailer and manufacturer, Canadian Tire, constructed a completely drivable truck made of ice on the frame of a Chevrolet 2500HD to test the limitations of their MotoMaster Eliminator AGM battery. The truck was then used in a Canadian television commercial (shown at the end of this post).

They froze this battery to -49°C (-52° Farneheit) , then used it to start up the ice truck built out of more than 11,000 lbs of ice.

The project had numerous challenges. To put 14,000 pounds of ice on a regular truck frame, it had to be welded rigid because if it moves even a fraction of an inch it will crack the ice. And while your ice cubes at home may have a white center because of the air trapped inside, they had to remove all that air so the blocks were crystal clear.

The Canadian Tire Ice Truck even has an ice engraved vanity plate:

And an ice sculpted rear view mirror with an Ice Pine Tree Air Freshener hanging from it:

And ice sculpted side-view mirrors:

More pics:

The television commercial that aired in Canada:

And a look Behind The Scenes:

The tools that went into constructing the Canadian Tire Ice Truck:

Once it was all said and done, the ice truck had to be melted, which required a blow torch:

And here's an artsy time-lapse video (in reverse) of the ice truck....
Melt Video of the Canadian Tire Ice Truck (Extended):

Learn about the car batteries here

information courtesy of Canadian Tire;

Poetic TV Ads For Visa and Apple Borrow From Dead Legends.

Two new spots, both of whom quote deceased legends in their copy - Visa quoting Amelia Earhart and Apple double quoting (from the movie "Dead Poet's Society" in which there is a quote from Walt Whitman) - have recently broken on American television. Beautiful and inspiring cinematography accompany the goose-bump inducing copy in both spots.

Visa Olympics "Flying"
This lovely and inspiring spot is the first major work from BBDO since the agency, which lost Visa as a client in 2005, won back the lead creative duties from TBWA Chiat/Day in September, 2012.

The commercial celebrates Sarah Hendrickson and the Olympic debut of Women's Ski Jumping with the words of a great woman who loved to fly.

The social media segment will use the hashtag #everywhere; a sample post for the Visa Facebook page, referring to the Hendrickson spot, reads: "That's her #everywhere. Imagine yours." They further encourage you to "Get inspired with more athlete content at visa.tumblr.com."

Apple, iPad Air "Your Verse"
With a voiceover by Robin Williams taken directly from the movie "Dead Poet's Society", this one and a half minute spot from TBWA\Media Arts Lab combines the features and use of the iPad with stunning imagery and ends with "The powerful play goes on, but you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" asks the campaign.

They then encourage you to share your own "verse" at http://www.apple.com/your-verse/

Inspiring Little Girls Beyond Disney Princesses - The NOT Just A Girl Series by Jaime Moore.

Wedding and lifestyle photographer Jaime Moore had been searching everywhere for some new creative inspiration for her daughter Emma's 5th birthday photos. When researching she noticed the prevalence of girls dressing as pretty Disney Princesses and no matter where she looked, 95% of the 'ideas' and 'how-to's' featured more of the same. Despite loving Disney Princesses herself (who doesn't?), after giving it much thought Jaime really wanted to use REAL women as inspiration for her daughter.

This beautifully constructed suspended chair, the Solo Cello, was designed by Felix Guyon for Les Ateliers Guyon.

The geometric seven sided silhouette has a leather seat and steel frame and suspends from the ceiling with steel cables.

The Solo Cello chairs can be found in the lobby of the hip boutique hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, The ALT hotel:

Inquiries about the chair can be made by contacting Les Ateliers Guyon via telephone at 514.802.1236 or via e-mail here

Chair images courtesy of Les Ateliers Guyon via Behance.
ALT Hotel lobby photos courtesy of Tyylit and Yelp User Ben B.

DESIGN and FABRICATION: Les Ateliers Guyon / ACIER: Soudure Richer / CUIR: Maylissa François

Modern, Minimalist Picornell House With Dramatic Swimming Pool by John Pawson.

The Picornell House in Mallorca, Spain by architect John Pawson, which began design in 2006, was just recently completed. The house appears as a modern and minimalist looking single storey structure from the street view, but has a second floor on the sea-facing side and a stunning pool that projects out into the garden.

Brothers Netta and Avner Shalgi set out to create a simple, handmade, durable, eco-friendly wooden toy that would combine nostalgia and creativity - and they have succeeded. Now using kickstarter for funding, My Wooden Horse is a beautifully designed functional pull or push toy for children that is also a keepsake in an era when toys lose their shelf life in a matter of years.

I am loving this new collection of t-shirts, art prints and pillows by Christopher Lee Sauvé. The black and white graphic illustrations depict fashion, music, celebrities and other pop culture icons donning Disney "Mouse Ears."

This week the LEGO Group announced a new partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products to produce a construction set and licensed LEGO® minifigures inspired by the iconic television series, THE SIMPSONS. In addition, FOX is scheduled to air a special LEGO episode of THE SIMPSONS in May 2014 featuring Springfield and its cast of characters in LEGO form.

I really wanted to title this post "Wine That Comes With Cheese," but the truth is (regardless of my personal opinion) people love this trilogy of books by E. L. James and the powers of character Christian Grey continue to seduce the public. The popular paperbacks have now inspired a collection of wines - a savvy marketing move by Random House.

above: Owl made of white, orange and maroon chrysanthemums with trumpet flowers for the eyes and a dried leaf for beak

Malaysian artist and architect Hong Yi (aka Red) whose wonderful portrait made of socks and coffee stain portrait for Nespresso I have already shared with you, has this sweet series of birds made from flower petals, herbs, dried leaves and twigs.

I'm not a morbid person, despite having written about modern casket options before. No one really likes to talk about preparing for death, yet it's a realistic inevitability. That said, casket shopping is not unlike any other furniture purchase. You want one that is comfortable, reflects your design and philosophical sensibilities and is well-made without having to, well... sell your soul.