The Ultimate Pumpkins!

Martha Stewart (the American answer to Jane Asher) has come up with (in my opinion) the best pumpkins this year. I've seen so many designs around, including lots following the star wars theme and scary predator pumpkin, but these amazing lace style pumpkins are the ones that stood out. It's not too late - get your carving equipment out! Happy Halloween everyone!!

Head Hoods For Your Head (and Body)

A US company called head hoods have just released a set of bright new hoodies, including the Mexican wrestler. That's right - you can recreate your favourite scenes from Nacho Libre with your friends. Hours of fun! Also available are hoodies featuring the faces of Barack Obama and King Kong.

Wild Boar, Wild Boar!

The Real Boar Company produce some amazing looking salami from wild boar. The boar are ethically farmed in a pesticide free 20 acre woodland site in the Cotswolds where they forage for their natural food. The nicely designed gift boxes contain 375g of meat, and range in price from £15.50 to £19.50. Smaller vacuum packs are available. For more information, have a look at the web site.

Japan From The Water

I love these photographs taken by Japanese artist Asako Narahashi. The series contains unusual photos of the coastline of Japan - unusual because all the images were taken with Asako half standing, or floating in water. The images are currently on show until November 6th 2008 at Galerie Priska Pasquer in Cologne, Germany.

Bee Hive Art

Artist Hilary Berseth from Pennsylvania has been getting our buzzy little honey making friends to help him create some impressive sculptures. Hilary creates a base, and then the honeybees do the rest of the work. There are more details about how it all works on the New York Times web site, along with some pictures of the build up over a period of time. You can see more of Hilary's work on the Eleven Rivington gallery web site, or in person if you get chance to visit New York.

Tilly And The Wall - Oh!

So, excitingly my copy of the latest Tilly and the Wall album (called 'O') arrived today! I've now listened to it three times, and I have to say that I think it is worth every penny. I'd heard snippets of the new tracks, and I was worried that they had gone a bit too rock but... overall the album is nicely balanced with traditional Tilly sounds and some new stuff to keep us interested! Hoorah! I think 'Beat Control' has received some well deserved radio airplay here in the UK, but I also really like 'Pot Kettle Black' - I have no idea how I will sleep tonight with that song going round in my head! You should definitely buy it, and it's a snip at £6.98 from Amazon. I've included the amazing 80's style new rave video for Beat Control below.

Street Furniture Napkins

I think these napkins by US based design team Lovegrove & Repucci are ace. In fact, I think I might be obsessed with line drawings, but where's the harm in that. Even better news is that they cost $6.95 each! The plate (called New York Delft) is also from their collection featuring New York Graffiti. Very street! Even better news is that they ship worldwide.

Tigers? I Forgot My Trunks

I went to Bognor Regis today on the train, and this article in today's Metro caught my eye as we were hurtling down the tracks. There's something a little 'Siegfried & Roy' about the whole thing, but I like it. The 1 year old tiger cubs have been hand raised at the Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species near Miami, and are naturalised to having their trainers swim with them. It's not the kind of thing you see every day!

Pylon Pin & Thread Art At Tent

During September I visited Tent London as part of London Design Week 2008. There was some amazing stuff there, and although I was ultimately trying to find things to sell, I was impressed by something in particular. Debbie Smyth was selected as one of the most promising graduates of 2008 to display at the show. She created the installation Pins and Threads which uses pins and black cotton across several canvasses to depict scenes of electricity pylons. It really was beautiful, and must have taken quite a while to complete. Debbie doesn't seem to have a web site at the moment, but if that changes I will post a link to it here.

June's Jams

I love jam. It lasts forever, and in our house we have loads for when we run out of everything else. If only June shipped to the UK! Ah well...

House Bunny Not Funny

I went to see House Bunny at the cinema last weekend. Sadly it's one of only a handful of films I've managed to watch at the cinema this year as I've been so busy! I think Anna Faris is a great comedy actress so I was looking forward to watching it.

The verdict... Not good. Seriously, save your cash and watch it when it's on TV. Anna has been sold a duffer. On paper it sounds alright - it was written by the Legally Blonde team, and has a fairly good cast. For me, there is just too much obvious humour. Ah well, back to Just Friends it is then!

Burton Goes Old School

I have to admit that I haven't been into Burton since being a spotty teen with a lack of style in the 90's, but I think I've found a good reason to go back. The company have raided the archives and pulled out a collection of slim fitting suits for a new Heritage range, inspired by those produced during the 40's, 50's and 60's. Pictured is the the grey Heritage Sharkskin Suit Jacket priced at £90, with the matching trousers costing £40. Very dapper!

Horse Lamp! Recreate the Derby in your own Front Room!

Now this really is incredible! It's going to set you back £2866, but in my opinion is worth every penny! A full size horse lamp from the design house Moooi is what you get for your money - the shade is included, but you will have to buy your own bulb (and saddle)!

You might even be able to see the TV between his legs! Also available in silver for a whopping £25000. Available from nest.co.uk

Genius!

Shhh! Whispertown2000, Pretty Sounds

I'm obsessed with a band from LA, California called Whispertown2000 and I needed to share this! Most of their current work sounds like a late night jam session and I love it! I especially like 'On The Move' which sounds a bit like it's sung over a Casio keyboard demo from the early 90's. Their new album is due out this month, but in the meantime you can enjoy some of their older work. Have a look at their last.fm profile for a taster.

Paint Table Looks Amazing, Messy

I came across this amazing table by french designer John Nouanesing a few weeks ago now, and I've not been able to get the thought of it out of my head. It's called 'Paint or Die but Love Me' and I think it's an amazing concept! It reminds me of all those early DIY disasters I had. This guy seems to have so many things up his sleeves - check out his catalogue for more kinds of crazy.

Welcome!

So...

I thought that the first post on my blog should really explain a bit more about me. Let's be honest - you don't want to spend time reading something you are destined to hate, and there are so many blogs out there!

What makes me different? I'm a boy. Really a man that refers himself as a boy. That doesn't make me different, I'm sure. I love design and aesthetics in all walks of life. I walk down the street pointing at all the pretty things that I see to whoever is with me. I'm nearly married. I'm obsessive about getting things right. It's all in the detail. I love hyphens - I will overuse them! I think Burt Reynold is a genius. I try to be funny. I'm from 'the north', but I now live in Oxford, England.

What do I intend my blog to be about? Well... Everything and anything really. The latest lovely things I've seen. Designs and designers that take my fancy. Technology, but not too geeky. Life. Music. Art. Food. All the things in between.

I'll try to post regularly - I don't want this to be end up in the blog graveyard! Comments, Questions and Feedback of any kind are always welcome.