Hello Sandwich, Hello Japan

Ever wanted to go to Japan to experience the weird and wacky, cute and kitsch? Well, believe it or not, I've been 3 times - yep - big 3! And I'm going to Osaka next week! Thursday to be exact.

Don't worry too much. It's a short 4 days of food eating, fixie searching and relaxation - amid a little shopping at my fav Comme de Garcons. Lucky for me the trip is a cheapy. Only $438 return, courtesy of Jetstar with the hotel paid for on points - how lucky am I?!

I've been doing my research and if you haven't heard of hello sandwich, start reading it now! Former Vogue Living art director Ebony Bizys has been obsessed with Japanese culture for longer than she can say "Hai", blogged about it for years before making the big move to live in Tokyo last year. It's fascinating to see such a vibrant city through her eyes, and also see the amazing journey she's living day-to-day. If you are thinking of going on a holiday to Japan, buy Ebony's tokyo zine here to find out the hot spots to eat and visit - rather than all the touristy things. Also her craft tutorials videos are so cute to watch and so easy to make too.

Definitely bookmark it. It will make you want to take a quick trip there (it's so affordable, go on, do it!)

To shake or not to shake?

Recently, on a trip to NYC we discovered the Shake Weight in a pharmacy. It made us stop and pick it up. It wasn't the packaging, it was more of a who-would-even-think-of-this type of moment. And more so, would you really actually go ahead and make it?!

It was intriguing. We laughed it off, then discovered the commercial. A must watch! 



This comment on Youtube make us laugh even harder... They should really advertise the cooling cream that squirts out after the workout, its very refreshing.

Hmmmmmmm... Okay, the ad made us laugh uncontrollably. And yes, we watched it over and over just for kicks. We are kind of shocked over the idea - a 6 minute workout?! But considering it has sold millions in the United States...

Should be really be laughing? Or is it a case of great marketing?
You be the judge.

Retail second: Cool Hunting

Inspiration can come from anywhere, walking down the street, the world wide web, day dreaming whilst on a lunch break from 31stHQ. Lately our inspiration has come whilst we are shopping; shop windows, fitouts, interesting displays and colours - what is it that makes us stop and go in?

It got us thinking and there's a few similarities between how these shop windows look aesthetically and function and what we do on a day-to-day basis for our clients.

When we design; 

We are part organisers moving images and words around so it's easy to read and beautifully presented. 

We are part interior designers, matching colours and altering pictures, so it seems harmonious or so it contrasts or so it's eye-catching. 

We are part filler-inners, adding quotes, break-out areas, suggesting imagery or illustrations, so that everything makes sense and flows.

It's part and parcel of life as a designer at 31stsecond. It seems these 3 things are also what happens in a retail store, its creating a brand in a set space whereas we often create a brand within a set page size or brochure. Funny how all things in life are connected?!

Well, Coolhunting is dedicated to shops and other things at the moment it's keeping us inspired, well since we can't spend any money even though we still want to S.H.O.P! 

A few of our favourite things...

Trawling around the world wide web means that we are constantly shopping, well just world wide window shopping really... here's hope to keeping the credit card under the ice!

1. Greenhouse by Joost
Wowzas! Can this pop up restaurant stay forever? An initiative by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Joost. Think food, vertical greenery, a mural by David Bromley and amay-zing food by chef Matt Stone from the permanent Greenhouse in Perth. It's bound to get over 1000 visitors a day and lucky for us Sydney-siders it open till midnight everyday of the week. All-together-now... YAY!!!

TOP IMAGE FROM THE DESIGN FILES

2. Wally One
Meet Wally from woolly pocket. He's your step into an indoor or outdoor vertical garden. We've been overly obssessed about vertical gardens for so long. Wally's your man, so easy to install, so easy to water, so easy to sit back and watch your garden grow!

3. Materriashop's Recycling Frame
Sometimes it's the simplest things that make us think, "Why didn't we think of that?". This is one of them, a wire frame that makes those shopping bags turn into an instant recycling bin or trash bin. Stylish and functional - just the way we like it. We're putting this one on our Christmas list for 2011 (it's not too early to start people!).

The Daily Drop Cap

Self motivation may be the main factor in us designers getting a little creatively anxious about client briefs that come in sometimes. It's genius that this smart cookie from New York City, Miss Jessica Hische be recognised for a genious idea 'Daily Drop Cap' which is also a showcase for her design skills along will her illustration and typography talent.

The 'Daily Drop Cap' is where a letter is drawn every day, a way to explore typographic forms mixed with illustration and a clever eye for detail.

Our hats are off to you Miss Hische, because you inspire us to keep ourselves creatively satisfied at 31stHQ. We are already thinking of ideas for projects to keep us busy whilst getting that self motivation into check.

The food channel: Raspberri Cupcakes

It's love at first sight.

This blog makes our hearts, eyes, mouths and stomachs a little weak. As concept people, we adore the clever, simple and witty cooking of sweets over at Raspberri Cupcakes. 

The piggy macarons had us with an oink, the mini paddlepops made us run out and have one immediately, while the giant iced vovo cake for Australia day just topped it off for us, who doesn't adore a kitch iced vovo! How clever is this lady?!

It's Donna Hay meets Martha Stewart. This takes deserts to the next level but not too far, it still feels achievable and accessible. Just the way we like it. Take it, we go out for those deserts we just can't make at home. I think I'll be trying those heart macarons come V Day.