A little competition doesn't hurt

Well, there's gonna be a new player in town. That is Staples the American stationery store that will rock your world and ours.

It's the mecca of office supplies, think coloured foam core, pens galore, paper in a multitude of colours and letterpress card sets that are down and dirty cheap, but don't think tacky, it's so tre chic your friends will be thinking Kikki K?!

A little viral from Staples is making us yelp with delight - who doesn't like craft done BIG and so well. It's nice having a little competition to drive those prices down. So Officeworks get your game on, Staples is coming to town! We love, love, love it and so will you.

Interested in a family portrait?

We came across 'Pricasso' at a friends party...they were getting a family portrait from quite an interesting artist! He dips his quill into the paint…quite literally and adds a bit of background with his behind! Hilarious, and the results aren't too bad! This former Queensland builder has a new gig!!!

Check out www.pricasso.com

On ya bike!

As the resident blog keeper, I'd thought I would let you in on my lastest obsession... and purchase. Hey, that's what I do best apart from a little design at 31stHQ. It's been a long hunt for the perfect vintage bicycle.

The search was high and low, think ebay then Mitchell Rd Auction house, Melbourne gumtree, bikeshops until I found Papillionaire. Let's hummmmmm together.... they are such beautiful bikes and so affordable. It will be my new form of transfort to and from the office, and a perfect little mover for coffee sipping on a weekend with the odd macaron thrown in too!

I'm getting the Somer bike in the minty blue colour. Papillionaire won my love as the Somer bike was a little smaller than the vintage bikes that are around and not as heavy too. Being a bad, well let's be blunt terrible bike rider, smaller is best so those feet can be a back-up brake.

It's due in my hot little hand mid-feb, get in quick as you need to pre-order. I've been waiting avidly since September... not long now!

Web second: The design files daily

If you love having a little, well let's be honest... more like a good look through amazing designer homes, artist's workspaces or finding out more from Australia's hottest designers like Beci Orpin -  then the design files daily is something you need to take a look at. It's a daily source of peeking around (without feeling guilty about it).

The design files daily isn't like those blogs that just takes images from the net or is a mish-mash of stuff, it's stylish photography and interviews of really interesting people. Like this converted shipping container home formerly owned and renovated by illustrator Kat Macleoud and Michael Bellemo OR a walkthrough of reknowned Australian artist, David Bromley's workspace in Prahran, Melbourne, even interviews with Beci Orpin.

www.thedesignfiles.net/

Remember to add us to your RSS feed or sign up for our blog email updates on the right hand side, go on you know you want to!

 INSPIRATIONAL SHIPPIING CONTAINER HOUSE

DAVID BROMLEY'S STUDIO IN PRAHRAN 

ILLUSTRATOR BECI ORPIN

Lost & Found

Found: They make a great couple.  I think that's the male on the right.  Darlinghurst.

When: Thurs 13 Jan 2011

Mark this in your diary

For the past 2 years, agideas has been bookmarked in our design diary. It's the best design conference in Australia, sorry semi-permanent but you just don't compare.

The thing that sets agideas apart from the other design conferences or talks is that it attracts international speakers from a variety of disciplines. Don't think it's just designers or illustrators but lighting innovators, chefs or movie directors, even fashion speakers like missoni - one year thesatorialist even made a guest appearance!

It's four intense days, with inspirational speakers one after the other. If you're a student, designer, avid creative or just interested in hearing amazing speakers - we highly recommend you make the trip to Melbourne. Book early it usually sells out. It's a little pricey, but you get lunch provided on the opening day and a book to take home and reference.

Be assured you will walk away wanting to change the world by design.

The food channel: Smitten Kitchen

We're a little, well overly obsessed with, you know... food. Whilst we're working away we're dreaming of where the next company luncheon will be - whilst the smells of Fratelli Fresh linger into 31ST HQ.

It's an inevitable downhill battle for the ones watchin' their weight as part of a New Year's resolution... well it is Danks St, foodie heaven and hell.


Smitten Kitchen is a food channel worth tuning in to. Everyday food, shot beautifully. Not overly styled, just clever accessible combinations that make our hearts sink at the sheer look of them. These are our picks over the last few months and it's all there, recipes and step by step photos - too easy.

So, get cookin' and save some for us!

MOUTH WATERING APPLE CIDER DONUTS

 

INGENIOUS MANGO SLAW

HEARTY SPAGHETTI WITH CHICKPEAS - for the lone vegie in the office

BREAD LOVIN' GARLIC ROASTED OR ESCARGOT MUSHROOMS

Illustrator second

Jacky winter group is the bees nees of Australian illustrators. They know how to pick them, nurture them through professional briefs and creatively through their Lamington Drive gallery space. Our pick is We Buy Your Kids (WBYK), a duo from melbourne who have a flair for music covers and screenprinting posters.

We're dreaming up a job to use WBYK on here at 31sHQ, in the meantime who's your fav Australian illustrator?

Tapetastic Aakash Nihalani

W-O-W is all we have to say about aakash nihalani's tape work. It's deceptively simple yet so engaging. It makes us hum with sheer delight at 31sHQ, that the humble ol' gaffa can become the new graffiti. The works that interact with people or existing graffiti appeal to us the most as they are so damn clever. And did we mention it's environmentally friendly too?!

Packaging second

Here at 31ST:SECOND HQ (31ST HQ) we are mad about packaging. From food to beauty to drinks - it inspires our work daily. Our favourite packaging blog - dieline - the original and the best, gets our tick here at 31sHQ. It's a source of daily inspiration, this channel is definitely worth adding to your RSS feed.

Jay Jays Beat It!

Jay Jay's have developed a very cool way of showcasing their new range. I can't do it justice with words so check out http://danceoff.jayjays.com.au/

Create don't hate,

Adele

Look what's Popped Up!

 

There's something cool about a pop-up even as an adult! This is the amazing work of Johann Volkmer who creates paper pop-up books, one of the purest forms of creativity dating back hundreds of years.

With love from Bali

Hi all, just thought I would give a quick rundown on Bali eating establishments. By far the best food and decor is Kudeta followed very closely by Sarong. Last night we enjoyed the Living Room although felt we had over indulged just a wee bit! Cafe Bali is great for lunch with a variety of cuisines to choose from. Kuni's has fabulous Japanese and La Luciolla's Italian is second to none with a beautiful outlook over the beach and a superb sunset! That about wraps it up but feel free to call for the full lowdown. With love from Bali, Adele

OK. We want one…

MINI unveiled their Scooter E Concept at the Paris Motorshow this week and we want one!

It’s electric (recharged from a household power socket), CO2-free, features an integrated Smartphone ignition key which provides sat-nav, entertainment & even tells you where other MINI E Concept riders are riding.

Keep an eye out for us in your carpark with one soon.

Finger Cooking? Love it

Check out this very funny TVC from a Fast Food company in the US. Click here to view. 

Definitely Worth the Watch

Creative Evolution at its best. I will let the advert do the talking. Very cute. Enjoy, Adele

Click here to view

Lucky Dog - no not the dog food

Worth the 2 minutes 30 seconds of your life? Definitely an epic - but mostly in the production sense. Yes, those kiwi's are a clever bunch even if I do say so myself. Enjoy, Adele 
Click here to view an epic TVC!

By Invitation Only

Sorry, I'm not inviting you to a cool event but instead telling you about a great design book that I picked up last week from Published Art called "By Invitation Only". Surprisingly, it's entirely about invitations!

One of the designs was made from Blu-tack with the details stamped into it. A British property developer invited a bunch of their creative agencies to display (using Blu-tack) and discuss their latest work. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at that Show and Tell!

The actual design book itself is pretty amazing. It came completely sealed where you had to tear the right spine off to open the book. They've used some interesting printing techniques on the cover as well.

Check it out when you're in our office next.

Rach

Lost & Found

Found: Sleep mode...Bondi Beach

When: 3.27pm Friday 1st October 2010

Her Royal Flyness

Check out my 2 new handbags! Can you tell I have a thing for red!

My friend Lani designs and hand makes these really cool custom made bags using anything form seat belts to beautiful fabrics. I have a portfolio bag on order too (can't wait!).

If you're anything like me and you love your shoes and handbags, check out Her Royal Flyness or follow her on twitter.

Rach

Apple iPad

I celebrated my 36th birthday last weekend and was extremely spoilt by my husband. On Monday night he arrived home with the much anticipated Apple iPad. I love it. Well I would love it if I could get my husband off it. Take 5 and check it out at http://www.apple.com/au/ipad/

I will keep you posted on the latest and greatest from the iPad - if I can get my hands on it. Cheers, Adele

Lost & Found

Ever noticed how (thanks to Rudd emergency stimulus package) there's gazillions of not so old TV's just thrown out & lying around streets, parks & back alleys these days?

We've found a new home for them on 'stuff that switches us on'.

--

Found: Checking out the view from number 90's wheelie bin in Surry Hills

When: 11.13am Saturday 25th September 2010

Google new

Check out the amazing new website from Google that demonstrates their new products and updated features of existing products. I am in love with Google and I love their promo video - click here to view.

http:/www.google.com/newproducts/

It really needs to be viewed via Chrome which you can download for FREE.

The Thousands City Guide iPhone app

If you already love the TwoThousand website, then you'll love this app! My husband and I are heading to Melbourne in a few weeks so I'm sure it'll come in handy (literally). To be able to select a bar, restaurant, shop, cafe etc in the palm of our hands is awesome.

Using The Thousands City Guide iPhone app is easier than refreshing your browser: choose your city, select your cultural pursuit and simply browse reviews. And remember, they only feature the good stuff.

It also has a 'Near Me' function which pulls up all content close enough to hit with a stick, while the 'Must See' lists feature the best hangouts and happenings chosen by the editors in each city. There are also hookups to email and Twitter if you're the kind of person who likes those things.

If you've ever been in desperate search of a bar on a Friday night, if you've been lost one suburb over, or wanted to live like a local (not a tourist), then the Thousands City Guide iPhone app is for you, and for the people who ask to borrow your phone.

Go Doggies Go!

Welcome to our new blog!

Like most people, in the last few years, we have emersed ourselves in the social web world via Facebook, Blogs, Twitter etc. It can be hard to keep up with the constant conversation but its a hell of a ride! Mind you, who really needs to know when someone tweets that they've been to the bathroom! And yes, I did actually get one of those.

Everyday we come across interesting stuff that we'd love to share and what better way via our new blog. Sign up and feel free to share.

Rach

TwoThousand – The best cultural guide for things to do in Sydney

TwoThousand is a weekly snapshot of Sydney's subculture - a Sydney guide to film, music, design, books, art, goods and links for people who realise that the best things in life are often hard to find. Click here to check it out.