Canada

Eco-Friendlies » Chop-Chop!

Geoffrey Lilge Walnut Culina Tray

The kitchen is such a happy place in our house: full of anticipation, tempting aromas and (mostly) great results – thanks to head chef YZ. I’ve always had quite the weak spot for kitchen supplies but, with my klutzy husband breaking most of the japanese glassware and ceramic treasures of my past life, I realize that my attention should now turn to accessories of a less breakable nature. Already a big fan of beautiful wood objects, cutting boards are a great culinary object to focus on.

Continue reading...

Beatbox » Gravité!

I’m just loving Gravité, a visually breathtaking spin on beatboxing by Renaud Hallée (with the help of DP Simon Allard & PA Laurent-Dominic Chantal-Fortin). Ping pong balls, cutlery, glow sticks and sparklers — just goes to show that pretty much anything can be transformed into music!! Remember when you were a kid smashing the bejeezus out of the kitchen pots? Well, this seems to be the grownup rendition of that… Be sure to check out Renaud’s other music-in-motion video Sonar as well!

Continue reading...

T-Shirt Tuesdays » X (Collective) Marks the Spot!

X Collective's The Eagle Has Landed Tee by Ana Benaroya

X Collective's The Eagle Has Landed Tee by Ana Benaroya

X Collective, another lovely artist tee outfit, has a well-curated selection of pen & ink-ish illustrations by some top-notch creative minds. The site’s shop currently features work by Yokoland, Ana Benaroya, Blake E Marquis, Mike Perry, Incu Presents, Jim Stoten, Jeremyville, Jim Datz, Rinzen, and Luke Ramsey. These duds are made in limited edition bunches, hand numbered, and shipped gratis anywhere in the world! And for any creatives reading this, they’re always looking for talent…

Continue reading...

Geekology » Top Ten Flash Drives

Bronon MahjongDiskImm Living Memory Key

Mimobot Urban Treeson Flash DriveImm Studio East 2GB USB Drive

I know what you’re going to say: 200 bucks for a dinky flash drive is preposterous. But, the boxus, sandalwood, amobna and pteroceltis tatarinowii wood drives by Bronon are slicker than any overpriced it-brand accessory…

Continue reading...

Found @ Etsy » Aid for Haiti

Shutterbug » I See London, I See France…

Daryl Banks Crinoline Flowers #2

Daryl Banks’ Crinoline Flowers #2

A little bit Wicked Witch, a smidgen Alice in Wonderland, and buckets of kink! This series by Toronto photographer Daryl Banks, gracefully called Crinoline Flowers, is a cheerful explosion of undies, fishnets and stilettos. The limited edition prints are available through Eckhart Gallery in Amsterdam for €495 – €1785. But hey, wouldn’t a foursome of these look stellar in your gargantuan walk-in closet?

Continue reading...

Welcome Home » Top Ten Mobiles

Stephen H. Kawai's Flock of Rocks Escaping (2000)

Stephen H. Kawai's Flock of Rocks Escaping Mobile (2000)

Mobiles are much more than a temporary distraction for babies. Case in point: the form itself was created by artist extraordinaire Alexander Calder back in the 1930’s and none other than Duchamp is credited for knighting the hangings with their current moniker…

Continue reading...

Found @ Etsy » Top Ten Cold-Weather Caps

Etsy Cold-Weather Caps

Winter is in full-swing here in New York: with two snow days so far and plenty of biting winds. So, instead of griping about having to trudge to the bodega for a pint of milk, grab this frosty opportunity and expand your cold-weather accessory collection! I adore busting out my winter hats, and add a few more trophies to the stockpile each year. What’s more, I’m one of those lucky people who’s coiff reacts rather well to hat hair… Etsy, queen of crafty commerce, is an endless trove of caps, cloches, balacavas and berets…

Continue reading...

Found @ Etsy » ZukZuk Alors!

Zuk Zuk Magic Blossom Bears Print on Etsy

Magic Blossom Bears archival print

Toronto-based New Zealander Helen Acraman clearly has a soft spot for bears (ditto here). These tender pen & ink illustrations have the textural quality of aboriginal art: meticulous tick marks and simple geometrics create fur, feathers, and the like, mixed with a very Nordic-folk-ish approach to color…

Continue reading...

Fashion Scout » Krane Man & Bag

Krane FW09

Seriously slick menswear found at Toronto design house Krane! Both Krane Man & Bag is crawling with amazingly crafted, rugged-looking pieces perfect to buy for the guy in your life (& then “borrow” back at the soonest occasion)…

Continue reading...

Beatbox » Little Miss Moffatt

Eeek! Fun fun fun video from Canadian electro-folk singer / songwriter Ariane Moffatt! This amazing celebration of wacky caricatures was realized and animated by Baillat Cardell & Fils, another très talented team hailing from Québec. There’s a high-res version of the video at Ariane’s site plus all the regular details: discography, show dates, etc. I must say, she’s got some catchy little jazzy Franco-tunes…

Continue reading...