The grammatical inaccuracy is all forgiven in the message of this drinks coaster. We’re all feeling a little sleepy this morning after last night’s fun and games of the closing ceremony, so I say treat yourself to some biscuits along side your morning coffee (or tea). It’s what the athletes would want you to do.
No Noodles- a short stop motion film by Montreal-based animation student, Tyler Nicolson on Vimeo, music by Chris Adriaanse.
A perfect start to a grey and blowy Monday morning, this short stop motion animation is the perfect antidote in a little compact bundle of 2 minutes 14 seconds. Charming and simply-made, this story is centred on a tabletop place-setting in shades of white and cream. However, the colour palette doesn’t remain thus. All the fun is made out of brightly-coloured plasticine and much fun there is to be had. It all starts when the first colourful character bursts out of the noodles and into the story. And from there they don’t stop coming; twisting and turning, forward spins and extravagant dives. Animals (existing and non-existing), sea creatures and reptiles in an array of colours pop leaping out from in amongst the noodles before disappearing back into the deep bowl filled with slippery strands. A simple idea (as they always are) executed superbly well to a very nice finish. This isn’t polished and airbrushed, this is art in a puritan state. It’s an animation suitable for all; big and small, high-tech or simple and it won’t fail to please. Magic and mesmerising, sit back and enjoy.
You can well imagine my unbridled joy when The Icecreamists book came through my letterbox, and the joy continued when I opened it up to reveal sublime photography (Anders Schonnemann) and superb styling (Rachel Jukes). A job with excellent enjoyment factors; exciting ingredients, adventurous nature of both author and subject, the potential for lovely props and the little perk of trying all the flavours (subtle hint there to both The Icecreamists and Octopus Publishing in case a second book is in the pipeline). Who wouldn’t want to work on it? But I digress, for this blog post isn’t an opportunity to do my props stylist pitch but to tell you all about the gloriousness of a book full of tantalising recipes. My ice-cream maker has sat unloved and unused on my shelf for over a year due to being unable to find a recipe that I knew I could trust that ticked all my boxes. Then this came along containing more than I could possibly cope with (without going into recipe-choice meltdown). I started with the simple looking ‘Mint Condition’ recipe. With a straight forward list of 5 ingredients (that included After Eights. They’re not just for Christmas, you know) Mint Condition made for an appealingly easy starting point. Delicious and devoured hours later by me and my very pregnant friend, Mimi. Simply written with easy to follow instructions, there’s definitely a recipe in there for everyone, even if not all of them are to everyone’s taste. Next one on the list? Hmmm, not sure, either ‘Completely Peanuts’ or ‘A Chocwork Orange’ or ‘Vanilla Monologues’ or ‘Nuts About Chocland yard’ or ‘Espresso Yourself’…
Product details:
The Icecreamists by Matt O’Connor
Ice Cream Duo, Model number: ICE40BCU, RRP £100, Cuisinart
Pink ‘n’ Mix ice-cream bowls, Code: PK-BOWLS, £6.95, Talking Tables
Images with thanks to Octopus Publishing/ Mitchell Beazley
I’ve become a little transfixed with lilac since brain-storming a test shoot with photographer Iwan Essery. We’re doing a shoot playing with colour in time for a certain small event coming up in the next few weeks. I’m going to be trying girly on for fit. I’m thinking of ribbons, doilies, cake, sugar and all things sweet in dirty muted pastels. It’ll be fun and a nice change from my usual clean cut graphic approach. The pictures I will be sure to share with you in time. I thought that if I do a whole post dedicated to the colour that it might help free me of my obsession. It might. I’ve very much looking forward to this shoot and have been preparing for it during the last few weekends. Any of you following me on twitter may well be able to put together the clues of included products but it shouldn’t spoil it too much. It’ll be an exploration of colour and texture whilst trying to push the boundaries of expected and normal themes. A little turned-about and spruced-up patriotic games and celebrations. Of which I am keen. I’m almost tempted to dye my hair too…
Images taken with thanks, from We Heart It
If I was a water filter I would definitely be this one. Discuss. How’s that for a light-hearted bit of existentialism? Before you all stop reading and switch to something more fun and fluffy-natured, I promise that is the end of the philosophical dabbling. These little beauties are from a sublime Danish company called Stelton who make a number of seriously sleek and beautiful homeware products often designed by big names such as Paul Smith and Arne Jacobsen. The ABS Plast is designed by Erik Magnussen and is fresh for 2012. It comes in three colours (all of which are featured here; aqua, azur and smoke) and the best news about it is that they fit with Brita’s water filters. A design bargain at only £34.95, start the year with the best looking water jug around.
For those of you lucky enough to be attending the new homewares and interiors accessories trade event, Home, you’ll be able to check them out for real as Stelton are one of the exhibitors. At Earls Court in London, from the 15th to the 17th of January, 2012.
1.) La Cerise sur la Gateau’s Moustache cushion cover, £52, Selfridges 2.) brass Muse bottle opener, £98, Jonathan Adler 3.) Skull and Cross Buns’ Moustache stamps, £5.50 for a pair, Not On The High Street 4.) Mini and Maximus’ ‘One Must Dash’ print, £35, exclusive to Bodie and Fou 5.) Moustache Grower’s Guide, £5.99, Heal’s 6.) Golden Moustache tumblers, £17.95 each, Lifestyle Bazaar 7.) Moustache flavour saver clips, £8, Oliver Bonas 8.) Mr Chocolat Moustaches, £4.99 each, Selfridges 9.) I heart Moustaches moleskin notebook, £4, Finest Imaginary
Please donate to Movember Uk who are raising money for prostrate and testicular cancer initiatives.
These little pretties are made by a Swiss company called Kuhn Rikon and are part of their new collection called Colori. They have a fantastic array of knives, knives for all manner of jobs, jobs that you didn’t even know deserved their own knife. In all colours, all shapes and all sizes. These little non-stick paring knives come with their own sheath and are a snip at RRP £5.95 each. Call 01902 458410 for your nearest stockist.
images taken from we heart it
For those who know me well, know that I’m a little bit obsessed with all things Spanish. I love the country and its people. The culture is rich and heavy, thick with passion & history and with a complex political past. I’m in love with it for better or for worse. I spent a month in Barcelona immediately after graduating and came across this super shop selling chocolate bars in boldly designed wrappers. A) it’s chocolate. Chocolate’s always gonna be a winner in my book and, B.) they’re beautiful and you’ll want them all regardless of flavour. The shop is Xocoa and here are some of their packet designs.
Images taken from the Xocoa website
The website also states some very important facts about chocolate.
To celebrate the beginning of National Chocolate Week, I bring you the super fun and splendid Mr Choco-Late moustaches! Made by Chocolat Factory and Designed by Ruiz & Company (yet more Spanish talent to hit our shores) and available from Selfridges, £4.99 each. They’re the perfect thing for making the working day go faster, entertaining your colleagues and then as an afternoon snack. Who could ask for more?
