Best ideas of the week

So what that today is not a working day? The best ideas of the week cannot wait to be shared. Let's get down to business.

I thought that it only me with that eternal problem: where to rest your dirty knife. Shall I put it on the edge of my plate or over a napkin? The issue is solved with a knife that can stand on it's own feet. 

Really, I have no idea of how the technology behind that mug works. What happens is that while you pour  your coffee, the little doll starts to open her eyes to face a new day. How cute is that?

Until today, my dream closet used to have a huge vanity table. Now, it has a vanity table decorated with those lights. Whimsical...

So you spend your entire year thinking that life would be better if only you were in Paris? Maybe this wallpaper with images from the city can help with your blues. 

Who said that bookcases have to be dusty and boring? While the cleaning responsibilities are all yours, this polar bear helps with the cool element. 

Because, you know, our messages may change from day to day. Right?

A wicked though... to carry that bag while passing through the insufferable security on the airports. I'll send you a postcard from Guantanamo.  

I know, this beach trolley is as ugly as hell. Let's agree that it's practical, though...

A cute and simple way to enhance the look of loose wires. I need to confess that behind my working station, I'd need as many leaves a Botanical Garden. If you are more organised...

That's simply the best idea of the month. I believe the idea behind that ice cream lock is to prevent strangers to dig into your ice cream. If you're a uncontrolled night raider, though, it might be good to ask someone to change the code.


Best ideas of last week

Floor

We've already talked about how the sneakers are back on trend since fashion took a turn towards a sporty approach (here). I'm not talking about the way you dress to go for a run, or to the gym. That sports trend can be observed even in casual, street fashion. Pay attention and you'll notice: we no longer cringe at the sight of a smart outfit topped with a colourful pair of tennis shoes.

Well, the shoemakers were very quick to take notice of that and even quicker to create options for all sorts of crowds. Nike, eying the hype around Rio de Janeiro, ready (or not) to host the next World Cup and Olympic Games, came up with a collection inspired by the city's beaches. Converse, a favourite brand of a different crowd, debuted it's latest models on their NYC store under the slogan "Shoes keep it clean. Sneakers get dirty." They do, but yet they are practical, long lasting and now, very cool.

Nike Beaches Collection

Converse

Youngster Vibe

Ten years ago, it was hard to find a pair of sunglasses that weren't covering your whole face, in the Jackie O. and Bono Vox style. Five years later, Ray Ban relaunched it's classic Wayfarer, which quickly was catapulted to the "world fever" category. We're still this far ahead but a great change in coming our way.

The sunglasses we will be buying in a year or two are lighter, with transparent frames or with thinner lines. It's nothing to surprise us: he minimalism that has been going on in fashion has finally arrived to our faces. Ray Ban itself, not one to bet lightly on trends, came up the a new model called Youngster. It's basically a Wayfarer with thinner and lighter frames, which can be made of the usual materials or have a rubbered finish to look more sporty.

David Bowie is...

Victoria and Albert Museum, in London, just opened its latest exhibition. "David Bowie is", like the name says, is a tribute to the British singer. Photographs and costumes worn by the performer are displayed, in order to show us how he came across the title of "Rock'n Roll Chameleon".

The expo explores the way David Jones reinvented himself as David Bowie and challenged the social behaviour of his time with his androgynous image. After him, it became acceptable, and even cool, to look sexually ambiguous. 

Ziggy Stardust, his most emblematic persona, is still a source of inspiration for artists of all genres. Where did you think Lagy Gaga got the whole "thunderbolt in the face" idea?

During the Thin White Duke phase, Bowie showed us his more mature and elegant side. 

Young Bowie, adult Bowie. Always breaking the rules. 

How could I end this post without talking about Bowie's mismatched eyes? Because you know, if someone has two different colours in their eyes, they're way ahead of you in the cool department. 

Modern carpentry

Did you know that one the fastest growing trends in our world today is the DIY? Well, blame it on the recent financial crisis or on our desire to express our individuality, people have been very eager to create their objects with their own hands. Without commercial pressures to please a larger crowd, the results of this kind of work are very original and, in same cases, pure genius.

 The creator of this coffee table aligned his need f new piece of furniture with the stale bread leftovers from his kitchen. Who would imagine that with a little bit of varnish, such a conceptual object could come to life? I bet it's a hit on his parties...

The group that created this table took Lego's motto that anything can be built with Lego to heart. The end result was artsy and professional and the glass covering added functionality to the creation. Think about it... who said we can'y create our own chairs, tables and stools in the same way?

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you don't need to limit yourself to objects. These guys were able to build a whole kitchen wall using only Lego pieces. 

If you wish to read more posts about design:

Walls with texture

Sharing a snack

Best ideas of the week

If you though that today would be the "Best Ideas of the Week" day just because it's Friday, well, you got it right! Let's see what's going on inside those creative minds around the world.

The concept of a working suitcase it's taken to an extreme here. You can move this wheeled trunk all over the house and shut it once you're done with the day's job. 

A fun solution for sports' fans to keep their bottles. 

Underwater soccer? It will certainly keep your fish entertained.

Just to remind us of the global warming, those ice cube makers create animals like penguins and whales in order to give us a real picture of what's happening at the Poles. 

Camping diners don't need to be terrible. Just take your professional kit with you. 

Mixing technology and rusticity is the latest trend. How about this I Pod Docking Station shaped like a log?

To much butter? To little butter? How about a dispenser to always give you the perfect amount?

If you have a nerd living inside your heart, feed him with Marvel figures' cookies. 

Last week best ideas

Colourful and Brazilian

Brazil is starting to get interested in makeup, that's a fact. Some national brands have been sprouting during the last months, in order to compete with the foreign products that are now having an easier time to penetrate the local market. Two questions arise in my mind regarding that trend. Are those lines apt to solve the problems of the Brazilian skin? Still, are they following the international beauty trends?

Yesterday, I got to know the new makeup line created by Phebo and I can say that the answer to both those questions is a big, fat YES. All the products were created with the help of makeup artist Mauro Brettas, someone who truly knows what the Brazilians need and are looking for. The colour range, for example, ranges from pale to very dark, covering all the tones in between.

When the issue is sustainable living, Phebo is not falling behind with the international trends. All the products, besides not being tested on animals, are free from animal products in their formulas (except from bees' wax, which won't kill the poor bees anyway).

The lipstick pencil is an innovation that NARS and Clinique came up with. The Phebo version resembles the Clinique's Chubby Sticks. Although the colours look vibrant on the package, they leave a subtle wash or colour with a light gloss. Perfect for wearing on a daily basis.

The blushes can adapt for all skin colours. The peachy one is great for fair skins, the more earthy tone to the darker hues and the pinks can suit everyone. 

Now, the skin range is something to behold. There are many colours of foundation and concealer to choose from. The darkest and more stubborn under eye circles will be eradicated with the help of the correctors palette (those colours you wear under the concealer to even out the skin tone). There is even a foundation and concealer duo, where an adaptable colour foundation stays at he bottom and a concealer of the exact same shade sits on the top. Perfect for carrying in your bag. 

The eyeshadows range from matte to sparkling and the tones are around the neutral shades. Beautiful golds, coppers, moss greens, sandy colours, browns and even a jet black one for the bold girls.

Now, you must be wondering where to get it. You can find the products on the Granado and Phebo stores, in the concept store Dona Coisa or buy it online on Phebo website. 

Top of the world

The humain being is tireless in it's search for challenges.  Some choose to run for miles, others like to swim in freezing waters or to sail angry seas. Then, there's the crowd that I truly will never understand: those who climb treacherous high mountains just to have a little a view from the top and come down.

Well, if you're not such a fan of this sort of adventure, fret not. Now we are able to take a look at those praised scenes without leaving the comforts of our chair. Google Street View is giving us a helping hand. Now, not only they show us pictures of our own roofs but also images of the world's tallest peaks. Take a look at the images and try to feel inspired to book your next trip, or not...

Tibetan Monastery at the Everest

Aconcagua

Kilimanjaro

Ebrus

Where is it from?

A woman cannot live on grunge and minimalism alone, right? We know that the 90's are back in fashion but, even so, it's interesting to observe that a trend that was born way back, in the 70's, is still very much alive today and making it's appearance on the coolest outfits around: the ethnic/ boho look.

I truly believe that, more than a phasing hype, that globe throttling feel is more of a lifestyle choice. Think about it: every piece has a story to tell, a memory of a place or an experience. It's interesting, however, to notice that a growing number of people is joining that boho crowd. It this a sign of the globalised world? Let's watch how this trend develop. I'm pretty certain that we'll still going to talk much about it. Meanwhile, how about trying on those clothes you bought during an exotic trip and never had the courage to wear back home?