simple & smart

bike helmets that match your style pedal for pedal. by yakkay. available on finnish design shop.

game changer

less is indeed more. puma + yves = brill

practical need

practical note pads from the clever people at knock knock. i feel like i'm always looking for something like this every time i go on a trip and when i try to responsibly plan menus.

Sweet Air Sweets

Karina from el beso is also associated with Buenos Aires Pastry who makes these lovely things. The creations are innovative combinations of sweet, savory, salty - with such distinct color combinations. Que linda...

Calling Card Elegance

Modern Flower Calling Card by Le Papier Studio

About Time

It's often the simplest things that are overlooked by design innovation. Katrina Allen and her team in Australia have concepted a discreet line of femme hygiene products that successfully addresses the monthly challenge of clean and secure tamponage transport. Products are available in a practical mix pack and they also offer a liner that is black - as opposed to the ubiquitous bleached white. I thought, why is it that they are white anyway? How clever indeed. Thank you smart people from De jour.

Magazine Splurge

Visionaire: 55 Surprise from PressWhore on Vimeo.
Earlier today I put up a post for my Hermes wishes.
Here's a video of the latest Visionaire issue - one giant popup book.
The magazine is glitteringly expensive, but what a spectacular spread!

Scents from Far West Texas: Marfa Brand Soap

My smart, beautiful and creative friend, Ginger has a line of great smelling (and feeling) natural soaps. If you're not able to make it to Marfa, they will soon be available at Spartan in Austin. 

One of the best parts of the line is the finishing. The logo and packaging -  a simple wrapping of gauze with a rubber stamped logo. It feels perfectly analog and communicates a handmade quality, rich in love and creativity.

Headgear Style

Wow. These spectacular helmets from Les Ateliers Ruby make me miss my scootie! Designed by Parisian Jerome Coste who saw the need for stylish and effective head protection after suffering six head injuries himself. 

These helmets meet all the requirements for motorcycle crash helmets and are designed with ultra-luxurious materials and style. The detailing, colors, motifs, high-quality finishing and unexpected touches make this a top choice for head protection. 

bon voyage detail inside helmet

What's more, Coste and his team collaborate with artists and stores to promote and diversify their line's offerings and market. These blue ones are available at Colette. 

Sense and Sophistication: (*hopefully) coming to an airline near you

I think a great way to combat the distasteful tasks of modern air travel would be to up the design and sophistication quotient on the entire in-flight experience. I remember collecting soaps and playing cards from my early flights as a wee traveller. Where did all of those charming bits of airline loot & booty run off to?

I found these exquisite El Al Israel Airlines playing cards on grain edit. Created by Israeli artist and designer Jean David.

Look at the interesting face card designs; the joker is a riot and the deck design itself is so amazing.

French Organic Body

I found these while shopping for hand cream (I'm so dry here from the radiator heating!). I think that the packaging is fantastic and the art on the bottles is simple and on-point. A nice treat to welcome in the sunny weather; smell fantastic and feel good with these scrumptious products from Patyka. 

On a project with the Hotel San José we put together a lovely room service bento box with select food goodies and spa items. I think a room service box with all kinds of yummy body products is a delightful departure from overpriced m&m's and mini liquor bottles. 

Greatest Suitcase

The Dallas Roller from Bree is the greatest suitcase I've owned. I bought it from client Currie Person at Spartan in Austin. It's felted which gives it a great all-weather functionality. When I pack for a trip I say, "I can't believe I fit all that in there..."

Quality Packaging

When I was in Paris last month visiting friends and attending Masion et Object, I did a lot of grocery shopping. Visiting groceries and fresh markets is one of my most favorite travel activities.

On one shopping jaunt, I found these yogurts from St. Malo. I was drawn to the logo and the packaging: various kinds of yogurt, same logo, different colorways for each; waxed carton tub (vs. plastic!) and foil tops.

At my local market here in Heidelberg, I found another packaging treasure: Yogurt la Fermiére. These yogurts are in ceramic pots with a lovely logo imprint. 

The ceramic pots are made by Cermer. I love to see this kind of quality in product presentation.

Four out of Five Senses Agree

Seems like there could be unlimited uses for this new creation from PolyIFF®. It is a type of plastic that has the ability to hold a scent for a very long time. Possible also to use in paint or other design element or component as it can have any color, opacity, density or flexibility. IFF also offers a professional "nose" service to help create a special fragrance that specifically suits your purpose.