Paper in all it's glory

For all of you that couldn't brave the rain or cold, here's a look at the opening night of A4 by The Paper Convention.

Wowzas! If you have a chance to get down to the Paper Mill on Ash St, Sydney (get off at Wynyard station) you definitely should.

You'll see this utilitarian material used in a multitude of ways. Weave your way through the hanging paper, examine the precision cuts or just take in the cuteness of the papertole dogs.

It CLOSES Saturday, so don't MISS out!

The A4 Paper Convention Launches tonight!

We're going, are you? The launch party is tonight 31st May from 6pm to 10pm at the Paper Mill, smack bang in the middle of the city. We are so excited and ready to celebrate paper in all it's glory.

Here is the full programme.
Book your spot here.
Visit the Paper Convention site here.

Who'd have thought of Trunki?!

Let me paint the picture.
*Buzz*
Delivery.
Ooooo Ahhh.
Picture large box.
Adele? Again?

Again, because this goes on about 3 times a week. If you didn't know, Adele loves an online shop. She's an advocate for an online steal and is the BEST person for advice on what site's best for what. She's gotten killer deals on wine, clothes, kids stuff and all sorts really.

But, this came in the other week...

"What da heck is it?" I ask
Adele: "It's a Trunki!"
"Ahhhh what?"
Adele: "It's a kids suitcase for holidays that they can use then ride, Trunki!!!"
Mel: "My kids each have one, they're brilliant."

I thought what planet have I been living on, how could I not know about these things - why am I so out-of-the-loop... 
*ding*
I have NO kids - DER?!

BUT, the concept is brilliant, and Adele kindly demonstrated the Trunki in action. J'adore.

NOW, where's the adult version?
That's and idea worth exploring... The 31stsecond trunki.

Bookmarked Lately

There's a spark but does it shine?

AMP relaunched it new look this week, the "spark" logo along with a very long TVC.

Hmmm... We're not sure it's all that convincing. 
Yes, its well made.
Yes, it looks polished.
Yes, we like the typography (like NOT love).
Yes, we did stop and watch it - but of course we did, it was playing during Masterchef. Props, good timing for your rebrand launch.
Yes, we like the new logo. It's not too-banky and it lends the branding to be looser and not-too-uptight.

Here's where it all fell apart for us. 

• It was too bloody long. 
• It felt like the copywriter went to town, it went on-and-on-and-on. For us, it needs to be to-the-point and needn't be long winded. 
• Nice typography work BUT, it's ain't anything we've not seen before. 
• Yeah-yeah good tagline "own tomorrow" but are you gonna reduce your interest rates to be com-pet-it-tive? 
• We got that you built a shit-load of Aussie icons but what are you gonna do for the average-aussie? 
• The ad lost the connection that it could have had with potential new customers by focusing on the big-stuff. What about us regular folk? How are you going to make investing our money easier, more approachable with less fees?

Ultimately, do we go out and join AMP? There's no rush really.

My favourite things in May

Brrr, it's cold in here! It's officially turned and our favourite things revolve around keepin' the heat in whilst looking fabulous, of course. Here are our remedies for the chilly weather.

1. Phở at Phở Pasteur, George St near central station
(not pronounced Poh or foh, but FUR like furrrr coat)

If you've never had it, it's time to S.T.A.R.T. It's the national vietnamese dish and my superfood. Phở comes in from either chicken Phở gà or beef Phở bò. It will warm you from the inside out, nourish you with it's clean broth and fill you up with lovely rice noodles and meat! I swear by it, whilst all of you were downing cereal for breakfast - I was slurping Phở - jealous much?! And, I guarantee it tastes better in the morning.

I always order the Phở dac biet (beef special) and in the LARGE size $11 - hey, its only $1 extra than the small and it's happiness in a bowl.

2. The Double D
Boys, I didn't get implants in the last week.

But something else did increase in size and that's my bedding, I've busted out the Double Doona, my cushy remedy to the winter blues. 

WARNING: it does make it hard to get outta bed, don't blame me if you sleep. on. in.


3. Shortgrain

Sydney you've done it again, by making it bearable to brave to cold for some fan-freakin-tastic thai. Well actually Longrain, is giving us what we want. Freakin' fiery and tasty thai food with no wait and a cheeky bevvy to go with it.

*Picture lychees, mint, cucumber with a hint of vodka - hello winter warmer*.

Give me a good HAND

You won't hear us staying that too often.

It's been hard to find really good authentic hand written fonts lately. And, we've come to the conclusion...  that you've gotta have interesting handwriting first & foremost, then scan it in and use it. Any font - paid or free - well, looks like-a-font. There is NO way around it. You will never get the nuances like blotchy ink stains or letter form inconsistencies via an installed font, only a good hand will give you this.

Based on our www research slash inspiration, here is some of our fav hands.

Crazy for Kate

Not that Kate, but this Kate. Kate Spade that is! Let me tell you a little story...

Once upon a time, I only wore black.

It wasn't that long ago but I lurrrved it - it was so E.A.S.Y. And it meant that everything matched, no issues, no dramas, mornings were a cinch. Then I met my lovely gay friend who swayed me (although, I already love it) into the love of high end clothing, think Comme De Garcons, Vivienne Westwood (yes, I own a bag, 2 dresses and many a hankerchief plus some lovely stocking - how can you not love her?!), Ralph Lauren (note: pants do not last the fabric wears between the legs), need I say any more.  

BUT now, I love colour, appreciate it and colour-blocking is my new.found.obsession.

Bring forward, Kate Spade complete with motto Live Colourfully - ahhhh, yessss, woman you DO know your colour. Here are the things on my wishlist, and I do envy her way with bold graphics and contrasting colour - so effortless!

There's no I in TEAM

Absolutely, certainly and most importantly we are a big, old, young and middle-aged TEAM here at 31stHQ.

Whenever there's a chance to get down, dirty and bond like a bottle of clag glue, we pounce like ferocious-caged-tigers. Well, not exactly. We did leap happily off our computers as 5pm struck and headed down to the Grand National in Paddington.

How do we bond?

• Speeches utilising the brocollini as a microphone (it doesn't help sound by-the-way)
• Talk of length and girth of you.know.what.
• Lotsa man-love 
• With yummy pub food; linguine, chips, duck and STEAK!
• Red bull mixers at the end to top of many a glass of champayne or wine or beer
• Talk of the HANGOVER the next day - eeeek!

What a blast! We couldn't have asked for anything more, good food, great company mixed with talk of all sorts. A special thanks to the 3 musketeers, Rach, Vaughan and Adele for the great night. Look forward to the next one.

The musketeers Rach, Vaughan and Adele as you've never seen them before.