Sprayology

Spritzed under the tongue, Sprayology, a new oral supplement spray, promotes beauty and wellness from within by delivering vitamins and nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Bypassing the digestive tract, stomach and the standard metabolic process that interfere with tablets, liquids, and capsules, it's a more effective way to get your daily dose and the convienent slim design makes them perfect for on-the-go relief. Four product groups—rejuvenates, relieves, restores and rebuilds—include 25 different blends that use ancient homeopathics and supplements to target common ailments that face both men and women. A hangover preventer and cure, Party Relief ($20), includes activated charcoal for headache, dandelion plant for upset stomach and nausea and St. Mary's thistle for abuse of alcoholic beverages and hot peppers for sluggish and feeble digestion. Stress Less ($24), a product to temporarily relieve feelings of stress, nervousness, mood swings and irritability with passion flower to calm nerves, oats to ease nervousness, cinchona plant to reduce mood swings and valerian root to treat irritability. Other tonics range from a Daily Multi Vitamin ($24) to a sexual vitality elixir for men and women respectively called Man Power and Woman Power, which are both $32.

Added: October 2006

Drop Dead Rug

Inspired by old crime TV, the Drop Dead Rug prototype by British designer Alex Carpenter was such a hit at the London Design Festival in 2005 that Alex will take it into production soon. Mimicking the shape "of an unfortunate soul which may have come to pass right there on your living room floor with their silhouette remaining as evidence," the throw will be a dark red felt with a light grey band running around the edge to depict the chalk line. Available in a selection of poses for about £150, Alex says he's currently considering incorporating the cause of death. To order, contact Alex through Udderstuff.

Added: October 2006

BLT Ring

The BLT ring was created as a collaboration between jewelry designer Carrie Weston and The Grateful Palate the pork connoisseurs behind the Bacon of the Month Club we featured in our gift guide. A version inmulticolored 14k Gold for $750. See an image of the gold ring modeled on a hand after the jump.

Added: October 2006

Hut Up Flowerpot

Hut Up Berlin creates one of a kind raw wool creations using traditional felting and blocking methods. The Hut Up Flowerpot is wool container created to fit around a flowerpot, lending a soft feel with an organic stone-like shape. Perfect for creating an ethereal Science of Sleep-influenced cuddly rock garden, the Hut Up Flowerpot is available in three color combinations: chartreuse outside with olive inside, brown outside with red inside, and light grey outside with brown inside. Available from Rose and Radish for $67.

Added: October 2006

Lonely Heart: The Art of Tara McPherson

Tara McPherson, 30, the Brooklyn-based artist known for her slightly surreal, melancholy-tinged work, is celebrating the recent release of her first book Lonely Heart: The Art of Tara McPherson with a book signing at KidRobot in New York City on Thursday, 12 July 2006. The 112-page book is lush with full color illustrations, paintings and the acclaimed rock posters she's made for the likes of Duran Duran, The Shins, and The Fall. In addition to select works from the young artist's impressive oeuvre, the collection includes toys that Tara's customized for Kidrobot and others, and gives a glimpse into her process with sketches and transparent overlays (pictured). If you can't make it to the event, Lonely Heart is available from Amazon. Check out the flyer after the jump.

Lonely Heart Book Signing
Thursday, 12 July 2006, 6-8pm
KidRobot NY
126 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. 01 212 966 6688

Added: October 2006

Edison Lamp

The ghost-like Edison Lamp from Anthropologie is at once a conversation piece and completely unobtrusive. Made in France entirely from hand blown glass, the unusual use of transparent material is reminiscent of a Hurricane lamp, with a handsome balance of sensual curves and the strong lines of the cylindrical "shade." The result is a light suitable for a desk or end table that nearly disappears in a room—a perfect solution for spaces that are already too cluttered with objects or competing patterns and colors. Compatible with nearly any interior design scheme, the Edison Lamp will inspire you to "rediscover light." Available from Anthropologie for $798.

Added: October 2006

V-Moda Earphones

Designed for bass-lovers and featuring several colors designed to mix and match with the new iPod nanos, V-Moda Remix earphones are a solidly built alternative to standard earbuds. Though slightly turn-of-this-century flashy, the Remix M-class are audiophile-quality earphones made from pure polished alloy metal that produce vibrant, precise bass levels. Also from V-Moda the Bass Fréq earphones (pictured) are specifically designed to let you experience the deep bass of a night club sound system and feature noise-canceling technology without adding bulk. The Bass Fréq are available in eight candy colors and adjust to three different sizes to ensure comfort. Both the Bass Fréq and the Remix M-class earphones feature the Modawrap cable manager, which is a handy way to end the constant battle with tangled earphone cords. Both models retail for $50 online from V-Moda or Amazon.

Added: October 2006

Yack Fou Tees

Perhaps a play on the French Connection's "fcuk" line, Yack Fou is a playful Berlin label making tees and hoodies imprinted with their deceptive-looking name. Printed on 100% cotton, they're definitely eye-catching. Some of the designs even stand on their own without the gimmicky name, like the lego design (pictured), which also happens to look a lot like the album art on Beck's latest release, The Information. Tees start at €30 from Yack Fou.

Added: October 2006

Onkyo D-TK10s

Based on the way acoustic vibrations resonate through the body of an instrument to create rich sound, Onkyo
recently released these specially engineered D-TK10 speakers that take advantage of the entire speaker cabinet—rather than the traditional use of only the woofers and tweeters. Produced in partnership with renowned Japanese guitar maker Takamine
, the gorgeously handmade rosewood-and-mahogany set measures under nine inches tall, making them shelf-friendly, as well as good for small spaces in general. Over two years in the making, like most of Onkyo’s superior equipment, quality and innovation doesn’t come cheap ($2,000), nor in this case easily; they only make 50 per month and purchases are limited to one per household. They’re available directly from Onkyo
.

Added: October 2006

Lego Ice Cube Tray

The amazing Okamoto Studio that we had at our recent Lego Ice Cube Tray makes ice cubes with the classic Lego brick shape. Whether you are building a scale model of the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden or simply building the perfect cocktail the Lego Ice Cube Tray is available online for $7.99.

Added: October 2006

Communicating with Pattern: Circles and Dots

Circles and Dots proclaims, "the world is rounder than you think." Packed with amazing images of circular shapes in nature, art and design, as well as facts and historical context, it's as much about inspiration as it is a practical desk reference. The work of freelance brand consultant Mark Hampshire and Keith Stephenson of Absolute Zero Degrees (whose clever wallpaper and children's tableware designs we love), the anthology of round shapes also explores the way that circles can represent inclusion, while dots can signify rebellion, illustrated by examples from political propaganda and street signs.

The edition is one of the first in Rotovision's new series of books, Communicating with Pattern, which pays homage to the most basic and essential design elements in all their incarnations. Each volume is a unique look at how we communicate with a single pattern and the complete set hopes to be a "bible of pattern" for designers of all walks of life. The series currently includes a book on Stripes (also by Mark and Keith), with books on Squares, Checks, and Grids to follow. You can find both Rotovision.

Added: October 2006

The Spirit of The Beehive

A film of near indescribable weight and richness, The Spirit of the Beehive is the latest essential DVD release from The Criterion Collection. The narrative is deceptively simple: in a small provincial Spanish village in the 1940s, a traveling cinema leaves a small child haunted by the memory of Frankenstein’s monster. While engrossing and endearing as an ode to the power of youthful imagination, it’s also a complex political allegory about life under Franco’s regime. The film’s stunning aesthetics are unparalleled and the new hi-def transfer on this set really lets Luis Cuadrado’s cinematography shine. It's worthwhile purchase if only to show off the dynamic colors on your 16:9 set. Pick it up at Amazon.

by Michael Talbott

Added: October 2006

The Black Panthers

On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of The Black Panther Party for Self Defense, Aperture will release The Black Panthers, a collection of Stephen Shames' never before published photographs of one the most controversial organizations of the Civil Rights movement. From 1967 to 1973 Stephen captured both the enigmatic public face of the Panthers and also the intimate private moments of the group that former FBI head J. Edgar Hoover once described as the country's greatest threat to internal security. The striking photographs illustrate how the political agenda and community service of the Panthers was tied to their aesthetic sense. The image created by the slick leather jackets and berets that were their uniforms was intrinsic to their 10 point plan. As Black Panther's founder Bobby Seale explains in the preface "I understood that good visuals—the graphics in our posters and newspapers and the use of photographs like Stephen Shames' were part of how we could successfully communicate the imagination of people." The Black Panthers includes essays by Bobby Seale and Charles E. Jones. Pre-order from Amazon.

Aperture will be hosting a panel discussion and book signing with Stephen Shames and Bobby Seale for the release of the book on on 12 October 2006 in Oakland, California (where the Panthers were founded) that will also kick-off an exhibition of the photographs. Another event's scheduled for 18 October 2006 in New York City. Details are available from Aperture.

The Black Panthers
Opening reception: Thursday, 12 October 2006 6pm
Exhibition: 12 October 2006 — Monday, 13 November 2006
Asian Resource Gallery
310 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607 map

Wednesday, 18 October 2006
The Great Hall at Cooper Union
7 East 7th Street
New York, NY map

Added: September 2006

iTank iPod cases

Designed to transport iPods on all your extreme adventures—whether snowboarding, skateboarding, rock climbing or merely braving the subway—YoTank iPod cases are machined from solid aluminum, thoroughly protecting iPods from dents and scratches. Ideal for people whose lifestyles mean they can't always be gentle with their gadgets, they're also a good way to protect iPods from harsh environments—we sourced them as a solution for security issues at an upcoming event. Featuring a screen protector made from machined lexan, the virtually unbreakable YoTanks come with a hex wrench for attaching and removing the front plate and an attachable carabiner. Currently offering the iTank Video ($75), the iTank Nano ($45) and ZenTank Vision:M ($75) for Creative's player, YoTank plans to expand into cases for cell phones and other electronics.

Added: September 2006

Barking Irons Shines

Borrowing the term "shines" from a 19th century slang term used by thieves for jewelry or precious items, our friends at Barking Irons recently introduced their first line of jewelry. Like their history-obsessed tees, the accessories—cast from 19th-century souvenir spoons from old New York—draw on the rich mythology of the locale. The pendants ($315), which are replicas of the bowl of the spoon, and rings ($295), made from the handles, are 100% sterling silver and come in two finishes: an oxidized matte black and an antiqued dirty silver finish. Barking Irons Shines are available online, as well as a number of specialty boutiques. More images here.

Added: September 2006

Kidrobot Apparel

We got a chance to preview the new Kidrobot apparel line last week at their New York offices. The line launches September 28th featuring unique collaborations with famous pop artists and graffiti writers, including TILT and Frank Kozik and draws inspiration from many of Kidrobot’s most popular characters including DUNNY and Smokin’ Rabbit. The line will include colorful track jackets, hoodies, knits, tees and accessories for men and women.

The 80/20 Cotton/Polyester blend brushed hoodies are soft and comfortable with waist ribbing and a slim silhouette. My favorite feature is a pocket designed to hold an mp3 player on the inside with a slot to thread your earphones through. Each item is limited with the edition number embroidered on the piece. A weather-proof jacket, laptop messenger bag and wallet should be released in time for the holiday season.

All products will be available this fall exclusively at Kidrobot stores and select retailers including Barney’s New York. Some designs will also be available online.

Added: September 2006

The Ecopod E1

An appliance that cleans up recycling and makes it easy to be green has arrived. The Ecopad E1 works similarly to a trash compactor and can hold up to 60 crushed containers. By replacing ad-hoc recycling methods the Ecopod E1 makes recycling more efficient at home, in the office and in schools.

The Ecopod E1 is a self-contained unit with storage capacity for bottles, newspapers, plastic bags and other recyclables. Once the container is compacted using the foot-activated lever it is stowed in a bin and ready for curbside disposal. As added incentive, filled pods are redeemable at certain recycling centers for up to $5 depending on the state.

The Ecopod was designed in partnership with BMW Designworks USA, and is available online from Ecopod in black or white for $328, and starting in December 2006 also at Williams-Sonoma.

By Maya Melenchuk

Added: September 2006

John Austin: Prank University

John Austin is a 27 year old toy designer and self-proclaimed master in the tradition of the college prank. So much so that he's written a book called Prank University: The Ultimate Guide to College's Greatest Tradition to share his favorite tricks.

The site and book are well designed and feature great illustrations of the pranks, which are ranked by difficulty and have step-by-step instructions for optimal results.

Hey Ami, have fun in London at the Design Festival. We're not bitter that you drew the lucky straw. Really. We'll take good care of your desk while you're gone…

Prank University is available at the book's site and from Amazon.

via Core77

Added: September 2006

Ear Drops

Like the iDiamond Earphones we featured in May, Ear Drops add personality to the standard-issue white earbud. Available in three bejeweled models—heart-shaped, round with pearls and the traditional in-ear bud shape—they come in either black or white and with a variety of rhinestone colors. Like the charming copy reads, " As stylish accessories and dresses, don't you want to have fashionable headphones? …The beautiful rhinestones shine casually beside your ears which make your music life glamorous." In other words, starting at just $31, you can get a pair to match every outfit.

Added: September 2006

Frog Dissection Kit from Jack Spade

The clever lads at Jack Spade have obviously been reminiscing about middle school science class days gone by. One of their newest products includes this Frog Dissection Kit, complete with all the tools you need to dissect the vacuum-sealed formaldehyde treated frog, a tray and a guide to help you identify your handiwork.

Available in-store only from Jack Spade's New York store, +1 212 625 1820.

Added: September 2006

Griffin iKaraoke

Though likely already in the works before the mini-scandal back in April prompted by Apple's corporate form letter reply to a Northern California 3rd-grader who suggested a karaoke feature for iPods, Griffin's upcoming iKaraoke accessory should at least be validating for the young correspondent. Due out this coming Winter, the new microphone-based device plugs directly into iPod's universal dock, transmitting instrumentals and backup vocals (minus lead vocals) to your stereo using an in-line connection or an FM transmitter. With a switch to toggle lead vocals off and on and three levels of reverb—now all you'll need are lyrics.

Added: September 2006

Yoshitomo Nara Glassware for Cerealart

Made by Cerealart, the Philadelphia producer of contemporary art multiples, these new drinking glasses feature designs by renowned Japanese artist, Yoshitomo Nara. Known for his "kawaii" or cute style that adopts the look of animated cartoons, the tumblers are made in Japan and—like his other pastel, sad-eyed characters—are sure to find fans among adults and kids alike. Available from Cerealart in three different sizes, each features a different colored dress in blue, green, or red and are priced between $18-24.

Also on Cool Hunting: Yoshitomo Nara

Added: September 2006

Jeff Zimmerman: Soft Explosion

Inspired by Harold Edgerton's famous "Milk-Drop Coronet" image Jeff Zimmerman's Soft Explosion collection for Steuben Glass evokes the random beauty of natural phenomena. Zimmerman's coveted sculptures employ the techniques of advanced glassmaking and the defining properties of glass itself to create narratives of the explosive patterns that occur in nature that he calls "soft explosions." The artist's first work in lead crystal, the collection is comprised of six designs including bowls that describe splashing water (perhaps the most literal rendering of Edgerton's work), vases that evoke growing trees, sprouting seeds and a limited-edition monumental centerpiece of fallen forms that appear to redirect a path in the forest. Starting at $1,900, Soft Explosion will be available in October online or by calling 1-800-steuben.

Added: September 2006

Seven Samurai: The Criterion Collection

Known for impeccable production values and extensive supplements, the Criterion Collection’s new reissue of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece Seven Samurai is a case-in-point example of what makes an essential addition to any DVD collection. With its epic narrative and spectacular swordplay, the film is both a staple of any film school education and a favorite of the Tarantino-generation alike.

Possibly their most in-depth release in the collection so far, this three-disc set contains not only a beautifully restored version of the 207-minute film, but enough scholarly commentaries, additional documentaries, and lengthy essays to leave you prepared to teach a course on the film. Best of all, the exquisitely designed packging by Neil Kellerhouse makes this a smart-looking addition to any living room. Pick it up from Amazon.

by Michael Talbott

Added: September 2006

Lomography Sidekick Bag

With Lomo's reintroduction of their popular Sidekick camera bag today, the quest for the perfect unisex photo bag may in fact be over. Available in two sizes and two color variations, charcoal with purple lining or khaki with blue lining, the updated model is a slightly slimmer version of the all-time classic, done in natural and timeless cotton canvas. Both bags are comprised of two separate components that can be worn together or separately, a large rear bag—big enough for large books or a 15-inch laptop—and a small camera case that holds two Lomo LC-A-sized cameras. More diminutive, the Sidekick "Lite" also features a two-in-one modular design. Its main bag is a bit more compact, but still large enough for a book and your choice daily necessities, while the camera case holds one Lomo LC-A-sized camera and a cell phone or equivalent electro-gadget. Both bags feature an adjustable webbed canvas strap to keep it securely over your shoulders while leaning over a railing to get that perfect shot. Pick up the Lite ($50) and the large Sidekick ($65) from the Lomo Shop.

by Letizia Rossi

Added: August 2006