We’re all familiar with sites that buy up products in mass quantities and then dump them us for drastically discounted prices– some examples that I like: Steep And Cheap (for skiing) and Woot (for techie stuff I’ll never buy). Whisky Militia is a brand new one– just launched today– that caters to the skater sub-culture (errr not so sub-culture anymore I guess). Every night at midnight, they’ll reset both the featured product and the clock. I like how they list the total quantity for sale, sellout rate, and estimated sellout time– that way I know how much time I have to beg my mom to buy me that new deck!
The Springy Bed (A.K.A. the neighbor pisser offer) is a bed that I would certainly love to ‘test.’ Besides the obvious benefits of having bed that contacts the floor with four car suspension springs, these beauts are designed handsomely and are eco-friendly– hand made from recycled materials (car suspension included). Described as a “contemporary, comfortable bed for the conscious consumer” by our friends at Up To You in Toronto, they’re also limited edition: hand signed and numbered by the maker– I wonder who “the maker” is? Any help with that one Dimitra? These puppies are available for special order from Up To You– no word on a price tag, decibel levels, or weight/people limit.
A.M.P. Street has been around since 2002, but many of us haven’t heard of the label because it’s from Bangkok– they create street art, tattoo designs, clothing, accessories, and prints. All of their t-shirts are hand screen printed, appear to be soft and well-cut, and employ some great “Bangkok character” in the designs. My favorite item of theirs, though, has to be the Jack Wallet. Besides the amazing canvas layout of “here’s Johnnys” from Kubrick’s The Shining on the exterior, the inside is made of genuine leather and appears to be fully functional for all those Bahts you have laying around. Sidenote: the sketchbooks are also worth a gander. A.M.P.’s new website converts currency as well, so you don’t have to be wondering “just how much is this shirt going to cost me?”
Branko Lukic, an industrial designer and author, has given us yet another reason to drink with his clean bottle design for the new Vertikal Vodka. Through the intentional use of simple lines and a wide mouth screw top (they say it’s the “World’s First Neckless Bottle”), Lukis designed the bottle while keeping in mind a life beyond it’s original purpose. He recommends using it as a vase, but I can think of plenty of other uses for something so pretty. No word yet on whether the actual contents of the bottle live up to the high standards of the outside– and no word on release dates or pricing (although we know it’s going to be released by V Vodka)– so if anyone’s managed to give Vertikal a taste test, let us know what you thought.
Thisss is LIIIISSSSAAAAA!!! Many of you know her by now, but if you need refreshing– Lisa Donovan (a.k.a. Lisa Nova) is the uber talented YouTube queen that was responsible for the infamous spoof of Diddy’s futile YouTube channel purchase idea. Her expert short vids even got her scooped up a few months ago by Mad TV for a handful of episodes– word is, she’s been in two episodes so far, and her fans are anxiously awaiting two more episodes at the end of April and beginning of May. In the meantime, we can get our Lisa fix on YouTube. Her latest– and in my opinion her best so far– is a re-enactment of the Movie 300, which although many of us enjoyed, presents a copious amount of content prone to satirical re-creations (as seen here). Well played Nova!
Motivational Posters: The only two words in the English language that, when used together, capture the horror of both office cubicles and principals’ office’s. I know they must serve some deep-rooted need in order to sell the way they have, but all I ever felt “motivated” to do with them was to set them on fire. The sad news is that these classics are still sold from the pages of magazines (mostly those “located in the seat-pocket in front of you”), but the very happy news is that their days may be numbered. Right Brain Terrain, producer of the world’s first alternative motivational poster (you’ve seen em here before), is about to begin distribution of their beautifully designed “AMP’s” that are “not intended to inspire one to get off the couch and run a marathon” but do serve as creatively inspiring “subtle reminders of our imperfect nature or of our personal victories.” And they are subtle; the art direction of these posters leaves plenty of room for personal interpretation and leaves out all of the claustrophobic effects of the “other” motivational posters. Other perks of the AMP’s include their beauty, their un-cheesy-ness, and their, um, motivational qualities.
Branko Lukic, an industrial designer and author, has given us yet another reason to drink with his clean bottle design for the new Vertikal Vodka. Through the intentional use of simple lines and a wide mouth screw top (they say it’s the “World’s First Neckless Bottle”), Lukis designed the bottle while keeping in mind a life beyond it’s original purpose. He recommends using it as a vase, but I can think of plenty of other uses for something so pretty. No word yet on whether the actual contents of the bottle live up to the high standards of the outside– and no word on release dates or pricing (although we know it’s going to be released by 
