Generally skeptical of the western appropriation of Indian traditions, we do find the occasional diamond in the rough. The self-billed "chai snobs" at Tipu's recently introduced Chai Now, a fully loaded chai latte that stacks up nicely to their already stellar selection. Building off of their successful Microground Instant Black Chai, Chai Now adds non-GMO soy powder and evaporated cane juice to the instant mix.

Tipu's uses high-quality, non-irradiated spices to produce powerfully flavorful chai mixes and concentrates. The caffeine content is noticeable, and the mix can easily replace a morning cup of coffee. ...

Design isn't always about showrooms and industry idols. Beautiful objects show up wherever there's ingenuity and an appreciation of aesthetics. High or low, you either get it or you don't. Of all the books on the always-relevant topic, "Pentagram Papers #32: No Waste" perhaps gets closest to the heart of what good design on a dime means. The monograph explores a Cuban world of objects on their second life as people repurpose materials to suit their needs, all from the perspective of an industry-leading design firm.

Pentagram has been producing the ...

The character of Rammellzee is one of the most compelling to emerge from the NYC street culture scene of the late 1970s and '80s. The Queens native began his career tagging the side of A train cars in his home borough and later moved into the budding hip-hop scene, where he emerged as an influential lyricist. Rammellzee's obsession with futurism and linguistics led him to establish the eponymous persona, at times referred to as "The Equation." A duo of upcoming exhibitions at the MoMA and The Suzanne ...

For their upcoming issue, The Thing Quarterly reached out to literary and cultural icon Dave Eggers of McSweeney's and 826 Valencia. The collaboration announced today that the next shipment of quarterly objects will contain an epistolary shower curtain with a message inscribed to the person showering. Partnering with couture Parisian shower curtain manufacturer Izola, The Thing and Eggers aim to liven quotidian demands with a bit of literary wit.

Building on the publication's history of imbuing common household items with a conceptual twist that adds an element of delight, the ...

Touching down in the peninsular town of Tulum in southern Mexico, a collaboration of creative European service-industry innovators have launched Papaya Playa Project, a temporary hotel concept born from the pop-up retail model. The collection of 99 beach cabanas maintains a certain level of comfort while retaining the look and feel of primitive, eco-friendly lodgings in a community setting. More of a camp than a hotel, the cabanas will stand for five months on a beachfront formerly owned by a set of luxury hotels that were abandoned in the financial crisis.

The project ...

On a recent trip to LA, we had the pleasure of grabbing a drink at ]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/778501/thurso.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/776339/new-york-now.php http://workflowfreelance.com/776339/new-york-now.php#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:49:56 +0000 Ami Kealoha http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=df78c7374b6959e58189426dbb446fc2 New work by some of the city's best and brightest… While we keep Cool Hunting's scope international, our location in the center of the universe often means only going so far as Brooklyn to find the latest nascent talent. Occasionally,]]> New work by some of the city's best and brightest

While we keep Cool Hunting's scope international, our location in the center of the universe often means only going so far as Brooklyn to find the latest nascent talent. Occasionally, we find work so exemplary that it reaffirms what makes us casually toss off such superlatives. The following—a painter, jeweler and writer—represent not just some of the city's finest, but those who we've watched refine and evolve their work over time. But to say they've arrived would discredit the already significant successes to their names; let's just say they're here.

Housed in the former residence of Madame Clicquot herself, Hotel du Marc is a place to stay unlike any other. As if the historic setting in Reims, France wasn't enough, Veuve Clicquot recently completed a head-to-toe renovation, updating the interiors and facade to create the kind of charming experience for which many hotels strive but few achieve.

The facade underwent extensive repairs—though WWI-era pockmarks left by mortar shells remain—and now sports a smart-looking new awning (made locally, along with other new features), but it's the decor, a mix of antique pieces, custom ...

"A glorious mess;" "manic and often overwhelming;" a "tumult of video, furniture, music, extreme makeup and insistent jabberwocky"—reading reviews of Lizzie Fitch and Ryan Trecartin's touring show "Any Ever" might make the printed page seem like an impossible format (if not totally antithetical) for showcasing their work. While there's nothing quite like watching the spastic films unfold as you sit in a room decorated with the excesses of suburban culture, through a feat of design, the new book manages to capture the essence of the emerging art ...

An answer to the ubiquitous "mushroom" outdoor heaters, Lava recently introduced their pyramid-shaped heaters to the States. The big advantage, other than its striking European-designed looks, is ambient heat that radiates from the sides for better 360-degree warming. To achieve this safely, borosilicate glass tube contains the propane-powered flame while a wire screen on the outside remains safe to touch.

Made from powder-coated steel (available in five colors) , the heaters will endure rain, snow and other inclement weather and are easy to use and assemble. An electronic ignition makes it a cinch to fire up ...

With an impressive two centuries in business, Warner/Chappell is celebrating the spirit of their enterprise by doing what they do best—spreading the beauty of music. But in this case, rather than act as a publisher of songs, they instead tasked ten visual artists to dream up interpretations of their favorite lyrics. The result is a collection of images which reflect the emotions of the original work while bringing it into a completely new context.

Warner/Chappell is donating its share of the income to charity, just another reason to purchase one ...

London-based Nails inc. has just released a new line of polish products that take advantage of classic technology by introducing a new tool into a manicurist's arsenal—a magnet. Their Magnetic Attraction series comes in three color options, each named for a London landmark and containing iron powder. Once applied, passing the magnetized cap over this mixture (a small lip keeps it in place without touching the wet polish) produces stunning 3D effects instantly on nails. For consistency, Nails, Inc. used a patterned magnet (hidden from view), which creates the shiny, zebra-like waves ...

Impressive new Spanish designer Dvelas held court last week during Valencia Disseny Week as they promoted nautical furniture upcycled from vintage sail cloth at the show for young designer's called Nude. The company's creations come with a tag explaining the material's source, from the manufacturer to the boat from which it was salvaged. Since it's made from real sailing material, the furniture is guaranteed to stand up to outdoor wear and is a perfect way to spruce up your beachside home.

Despite basing their company in landlocked Pamplona, the brand takes inspiration from sailing ...

A slightly more sober follow-up to last week's report on anthropomorphic design spied at Habitat Valencia, here we've surveyed the best in clever furniture solutions from Spain. The following spans ideas for minimalists who don't even want to own candleholders to those who never want to buy another bedframe, all tied together by their inventive take on common household needs.

Mentira Cadira's Doce, simple nesting cubes, incorporates elastic bands that make stashing magazines and remotes easy. By skipping the complications of a drawer or pocket, ...

Other than sunshine, Spain has an abundance of laughter. Blame it on the jam]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/762043/habitat-valencia-2011-part-one.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/761957/in-all-our-decadence-people-die.php http://workflowfreelance.com/761957/in-all-our-decadence-people-die.php#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:46:28 +0000 Ami Kealoha http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=fa00cde3bd0b945f2d14d19772bf3199 An NYC exhibit displays 3,000 works from English punk band Crass' seven-year reign… Though London's famed punk venue The Roxy is now a decidedly sober Speedo Swimwear outlet, in the late '70s and early '80s, the U.K. was in the]]> An NYC exhibit displays 3,000 works from English punk band Crass' seven-year reign

Though London's famed punk venue The Roxy is now a decidedly sober Speedo Swimwear outlet, in the late '70s and early '80s, the U.K. was in the midst of a royal cultural battle between the Thatcherite establishment and a new breed of shock-and-awe artists and musicians. At the forefront of the movement, the English band Crass' two-chord rant Banned from The Roxy was somewhat of an anthem for the times.

Preserved for posterity are 3,000 fanzines, flyers, posters, manuscripts and original works of art sent to ...

The annual vintage car show at Goodwood is so much more than that. With races, air shows, thousands dressed in period costumes and even a working '50s-era supermarket, the event provides a playground for those in love with bygone ways of life. As the guest of ]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/761154/goodwood-revival-2011.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/758445/palo-santo-wood.php http://workflowfreelance.com/758445/palo-santo-wood.php#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:25:33 +0000 Ami Kealoha http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=3e175985a599dcc8a39bd485ac2af5bb Soothing scents from the Amazon's most fragrant stick… Also known as "holy wood," Palo Santo wood sticks have been used for centuries by indigenous Amazonians hoping to ward off evil spirits. As we recently discovered, they also lend a more]]> Soothing scents from the Amazon's most fragrant stick

Also known as "holy wood," Palo Santo wood sticks have been used for centuries by indigenous Amazonians hoping to ward off evil spirits. As we recently discovered, they also lend a more practical service by freshening up your house with the slightly sweet smell they emit when lit. Unlike traditional incense sticks, the little logs burn slowly allowing them to be used many times. The soothing scent is also harnessed for homeopathy, helping with colds, asthma, arthritis and other ailments.

Special permits are required to harvest the wood, leading to strict laws ...

Since its inception in 1987, Australian skincare line Aesop has gone to great lengths to ensure quality. Everything from manufacturing to distribution, including of course their all-natural, socially-conscious products, is the result of a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach. When it comes to opening retail locations, the brand focuses on meshing seamlessly into its surroundings, drawing on elements from the locale to incorporate them into the space. In the case of their 40th standalone location, which opened 7 September 2011 in the Nolita neighborhood of New York ...

Think branded interdisciplinary content is a recent phenomenon? In 1966 a unique project was hatched when conceptual artists and Bell Labs engineers collaborated on a series of live installations inside a National Guard Armory in New York City. One of those, "Open Score" by Robert Rauschenberg, pitted artists—including minimalist painter Frank Stella—against each other in a live game of tennis with rackets wired to switch the stage lights on and off and produce an aural musical score. Their movements were projected on large screens by ...

Having tried a few different iPhone cases, I was skeptical that any could offer protection without majorly detracting from the sleek form of the phone itself—much less one designed by a camping gear brand. But after shattering my second iPhone, it was time to get serious. The minimalist design of Snow Peak's cover seemed to fit the bill.

Made from a single piece of titanium, it adds negligible weight and bulk, while incorporating a clip-in lanyard. The ability to hang your phone around your neck might seem like a nerd-level accessory (I'm also guilty ...

Exhilaration, satisfaction, safety, a sense of control—these are the expected feelings associated with driving a luxury automobile. But being surprised by a car is rare. It's more rare still when you're somewhat familiar with the maker, like we were when we had the chance to test out Audi's 2012 A6 recently.

This newest version of their midsize sedan features all of the brand's latest innovations in design and technology (i.e. updated versions of everything that made us fans of their cars in the first place), in addition to ...

Earlier this year in Los Angeles, I had the chance to sit down with surfer Carissa Moore, 18, fresh on the heels of her win at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Australia. Since going on to also claim her first ASP World Champion title—the youngest to ever do so—at the Roxy Pro Biarritz last month, there's perhaps no surfer who's done more to advance the cause of women's surfing than this Hawaii native.

Her dedication and skills (she's been at it since age four and started competing professionally ...

I don't have kids, but spraying Little Green's detangler on my hair brought back childhood memories of mom pulling a hairbrush through my tangles as I ran out the door to school. Having also spent hours combing my baby sister's long, ultra-fine hair (we called it "turning straw into gold"), the leave-in product is perfect for wrangling any unruly mop when time is at a premium.

Fortified with ingredients that moisturize, strengthen and protect (aloe, silk proteins, vitamins B5 and E, etc.), the formula helps with sun damage as ...

Solitary Arts' first and most popular skateboard to date, Big Red, is now available for a very limited time as a standalone deck. The board, inspired by a thrift store find in San Francisco years ago, mimics the plastic banana board cruisers of the '70s, but with a contemporary feel. Made with seven-ply maple and updated with a slight concave and an upturned nose, the board hits eight inches at its widest for the perfect cruiser style while still being totally skateable.

Rad screen ...

Until the recent meteoric rise of the cold brew concept, the average consumer was resigned to hot-brewed coffee that had been chilled—condensing all the bitter acids and oils that come from heated preparation. Now that grassroots cafes are cold brewing and price-points of high end models aren't too prohibitive for at-home adventurers, most have access to the delicious black nectar. For those who don't have the time or patience for the slow cold drip, Grady's Cold Brew, a Brooklyn coffee-brewer, recently came out with their delicious cold ...

Tossing a frisbee around makes a great way to stay fit and have fun in warmer months, but to keep yourself challenged (and stylish), more and more brands are offering products to inspire the potential Olympian in all of us. With local events like NYC's community-based Recess (pictured below left), Susan Sarandon introducing her Ping-Pong franchise SPiN across the U.S. and intramural sports leagues on the rise, now's the time to pick up a new sport.

The beauty of bocce is that you don't need a ...

ByKenyan's Kenyan Lewis has more than an exceptional eye for antiques. Together with his partner Grace Kelsey, the two live and breathe the Americana lifestyle—from their beautifully rustic home and interior design projects to prop styling and selection of collector's items discerningly sourced from around the U.S. For those looking for a dose of their style, you no longer have to be a ByKenyan client to achieve it. An assortment of these one-off rare finds now sell online from Gargyle, along with a forthcoming video series featuring the ...

The mortar and pestle is one of the most ancient utensils in the contemporary chef's arsenal, and ]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/727300/aroma-mortar-and-pestle.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/726501/ettore-sottsass-enamels.php http://workflowfreelance.com/726501/ettore-sottsass-enamels.php#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:16:48 +0000 Ami Kealoha http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=cdfb440120e425c10d7deaef5d7298d9 The Vitra Design Museum Gallery opens with a show of the Memphis Design founder's definitive early work… The Vitra Design Museum (a must-see destination for design nerds), recently opened a new gallery space for small exhibitions. The inaugural show, curated]]> The Vitra Design Museum Gallery opens with a show of the Memphis Design founder's definitive early work

The Vitra Design Museum (a must-see destination for design nerds), recently opened a new gallery space for small exhibitions. The inaugural show, curated by Fulvio and Napoleone Ferrari, features the lesser-known enamel designs of Ettore Sottsass. Created early in his post-war career, the designer began experimenting with geometric forms and color. He explored the complex process of enameling, and used the glasslike material to illuminate metals like copper with pure, vivid hues.

Accompanied by sketches, the exhibit complements the larger exhibition currently on ...

The story is annoyingly familiar. You're in the market for a well-fitting, simple t-shirt but paying designer prices for a cotton basic seems ridiculous. Celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar had been turning to Fruit of the Loom's boy's shirts or ribbed tanks in larger sizes since high school as a solution, so she decided to make a good thing better.

Introducing her eye for fashion to Fruit of the Loom's classics, Fremar designed an exclusive collection of tops—a tee, standard tank and ...

As fans of the big speaker sound engineered into Audyssey's compact Audio Dock, the launch of their new Lower East Side Media Speaker is even more tech-enhanced music to our ears. The LES produces precision sound with low bass, warm mids and clear highs using the same type of digital acoustics that the brand uses when they design sound for IMAX theaters and Jaguars.

To take advantage of all the "Smart" electronics inside, the speakers include an optical input that plugs directly into Apple TV, giving you the freedom of AirPlay-enabled ...

Where other sedans in its class swaddle their passengers in cloud-like comfort down to pillowy handling, Audi's A7 stands out for its adrenaline-revving performance and similarly bold design. First stepping into the car, the well-apportioned interior (and lack of a rear middle seat) immediately signals that this car is not for the child-toting but is a less versatile vehicle geared toward someone (or a couple) who wants to make a style statement.

Audi put a real emphasis on the design of the 2012 model (including sponsorship of our ...

Tasked with creating an installation to spark dialogue at Design Miami this year as part of the W Hotel's "Conversation Pieces," Asif Khan took the anti-architecture route, using helium, soap and water to make a mini-cloud cover indoors. Khan explains it as "an architectural experiment into what’s the simplest way to create a shaded space where conversations can happen.”

Check out the above video to see it in action and learn more from the young designer.

Hibernation might be a bear thing, but getting serious shut-eye is key to not just more pleasant and productive days but longterm health benefits too. While I've tried a few gadgets designed to help you sleep, nothing quite beats the simplicity of a good mattress and sleep mask. One I found recently called Lights Out does just as its name implies. Made from contoured foam covered in a smooth satin fabric, the mask molds around your eyes to block out nearly all light—even in an unfortunately bright bedroom or ...

Inspired by the Sun Ra film of the same name, Space is the Place is a rad little zine coming out of Brooklyn. We first fell for it when it was one of the few indie publications we chose to feature in our pop-up shop with Gap last fall. The work of illustrator (also a friend of CH) Keren Richter and graphic designer Andrew Janik, the mini mag includes some of the best contemporary graphic artists in the field.

Featuring the work of nearly 25 hand-picked international artists, the work is united by underlying tones of "psychedelia, fluorescent jarring colors and patterns, drug inspired fantasy, and celestial iconography."

If you're lucky enough to be in NYC tomorrow, swing on down to La Caverna in LES for Space is the Place's "Magazine Launch Party/Rave" featuring DJs, video projections, and even an open bar. The first 50 people there also get a complimentary copy of the zine and some other fun party favors. Make sure to RSVP!

What happens when an architect turns vintner? In the case of Spanish architect Alfredo Arribas, the move spawned not just one winery but two—both infused with artistry from the wine itself down to illustrated labels, and of course the beautifully modern buildings housing them too. Based in the emerging wine-making regions of Priorat and the neighboring Montsant, Arribas' project has been quietly breathing new life into the region starting in 2001 when he established Portal del Priorat.

After restoring the neglected terraced plots called closters, they were planted with clones of traditional grapes (Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah), as well as a few experimental varieties, which are all grown organically. Methods include densely planting the vines according the soil's composition (mostly slate) and the topography The resulting wines bear witness to their creator's ingenuity, winning praise from oenophiles for their lightness while still rich with complex flavor notes.

When I had the privilege of tasting some of the wines with Arribas himself (thanks to the design organization Red) recently at one fo Barcelona's newest wine bars Monvinic, he explained that the taste of his wines is no accident but (of course) by design. His concept loosely revolves around adding what can only be described as the Arribas twist to reinvent both traditional winemaking but perceptions of Spanish wine.

Negre De Negres accomplishes the feat most dramatically with a blend of grapes that results in a mix of minerals, herbs and fruits, balanced by a freshness as well as a dense warmth on the palate. The inspiration for it, Arribas explained, was the experience of drinking young Greek wines but wanting to add something a little more complex to the profile. Somni, on the other hand, is more robust with oaks and tannins following a lightness that comes from black fruits.

While the wines from Portal del Priorat are all reds, more recently Arribas introduced Tossos, a red and a white wine resulting from expanding into the neighboring land of Montsant. Those along with an olive oil suggests there might be much more to look forward to from the burgeoning label.

Besides eliminating clutter, one of our favorite upshots of the post-CD era is the micro-movement of creative USB stick design. We've seen Doc Martens, surfboards and Red Stripe bottles among other adorable forms for the little devices, so it's somewhat surprising that more bands haven't paired sound and vision like Junk Science and Scott Thorough recently did by releasing their new album Phoenix Down on a mini-hard drive.

Loaded with the tracks, as well as instrumentals, a cappella versions and a bonus folder of remixes and more, the limited-edition flash drive is a soft-rubber pixelated feather—a fitting mix of nature and digital for their 8-bit-heavy sound and lyrics like "the future's pixelated." Preview songs You Could Have That (feat. Homeboy Sandman), Pixelated and Steel Will (feat. Cavalier) (Pre Remix) to get a sense of the offerings.

Pre-order Phoenix Down from Modern Shark, and if you're in NYC on 27 May 2011, catch them live at Mercury Lounge.

Wanting to combine the finest quality chocolate with "fruit in its purest form," MarieBelle founder Maribel turned to freeze-dried fruit specialists Van Drunen Farms for her new Chocolate and Fruit Bars. The crispy organic bits mixed into MarieBelle's single-origin Colombian dark chocolate add a surprising texture not unlike puffed rice, but with a vibrant flavor kick and the nutritional value of fruit resulting from the freeze drying process.

The technique means that the bar's intense flavors comes directly from the fruit inside, eliminating the need for additives, preservatives or artificial flavorings "to show people that by using the best quality ingredients you can make something simple but so flavorful and rich!"

While the banana bar has the most pleasing crunch, the blueberry and strawberry were quickly nibbled up by our tasters too. Other flavors include mango and apricot, and each sells online, at the MarieBelle store in NYC's SoHo neighborhood and at select Whole Foods for around $7 a bar.

Today kicks off the 99% Conference, an event focused on how to make great ideas a reality that we cofounded along with Behance three years ago. We're anticipating a great year full of speakers, events, workshops, Cool Hunting Video premieres, and more.

If you can't be here, follow the action on Cool Hunting's twitter feed, the official 99 Percent feed or catch it all at the #99conf.

With everyone from big brands like Nike to upstarts like Outlier stepping into clothe the growing legions of bike commuters, Levi's recent sneak peek of their debut line designed for cycling seemed like a no-brainer direction for the label. Drawing on their workwear heritage, the new series incorporates cutting-edge technical functionality, puts "craftsmanship, quality and durability" at the forefront of outfitting today's worker, and integrates feedback from urban cyclists who already wear Levi's—all of which made us eager to check out the duds first-hand.

Office-wide, the Trucker Jacket ($128), based on a 1967 design, elicited the most oohs-and-ahs for its long cut with a slight drop tail that, despite pockets (including one for an iPod) and flaps, manages to look streamlined on both men and women. Front pockets are angled for easy access, extra fabric in the underarm adds mobility, and a lip on the cuff partially covers hands while riding.

Like all the pieces in the line, the jacket features antimicrobial odor-protection and reflective accents for visibility. Another key detail across the collection is what's been dubbed Nanosphere Technology, an application developed in partnership with Swiss fabric brand Schoeller Technologies that makes materials resist water and dirt, as well as offer more protection and longer lifespans.

For bottoms, Levi's built a loop into the waistband of the 511 Skinny Commuter pants (available in elasticized denim or khaki, $78 each) for toting u-locks without cumbersome racks or shoving them down your pants. Roll up the cuff, and reflective tape on the inner seam provides increased safety at night, while a reinforced crotch saves you from regular trips to the tailor.

Look out for these and few other pant lengths in Levi's and Urban Outfitters retail locations this summer.

Photos by Gregory Stefano

Even the most informed food trend followers may not know that quinoa's status among current superfoods was decades in the making. The story of how Quinoa made it from its native land to North America goes back to two intrepid gentlemen who wanted to grow the Andean crop stateside. In 1987 John McCamant and Ernie New first attempted to grow Quinoa in Colorado's San Luis Valley. After adapting the grain to the local climate, White Mountain Farm became the premiere source for Quinoa in the United States.

Certified organically grown since the first crop, White Mountain Quinoa offers all the well-documented nutritional benefits of the magic crop (extremely high in protein, it contains calcium, phospherous, iron, vitamin E, as well as a full suite of amino acids), but can also deliver peace of mind for the consumer. Since the soaring popularity of Quinoa has put major stress on the Bolivian market, elevated costs have essentially priced out local communities from consuming it. All the Quinoa from White Mountain Farm is grown in Colorado, without impacting the native diets of Peruvian and Bolivian populations.

White Mountain Farm Quinoa can be ordered online starting at $5 per one-pound bag, and each one comes with easy-to-follow Quinoa recipes.

When ReadyMade magazine recently hosted a DIY project contest, there was an overwhelming response. Enter the ReadyMade 100 Project Manual, a do-it-themselves response to making a book containing their favorite 100 reader submissions. This ingenious manual is chock full of DIY ideas both big and small to get you moving (and making) soon after reading.

Once the decision was made, ReadyMade's editor Andrew Wagner approached NYC's McNally Jackson bookstore to collaborate on the project of projects with their beautiful print-on-demand Espresso Book Machine. The boutique printing press allows for each book to be made-to-order, preventing excess printing while keeping the process both economical and sustainable. By keeping printing costs down, the book sells for just $10, further proving a benefit to both the potential reader and publisher.

With the new Espresso Book Machine, McNally Jackson aims to give the power of publishing back to the author. The EBM is capable of printing library quality paperbacks in a matter of minutes. This invaluable resource can print anything in the public domain, as well as any book the publisher has granted access to, thus expanding McNally Jackson's in store inventory to over four million potential titles. Plus allowing everyone and anyone to publish a single to hundreds of copies of their own novel or memoir.

With a fine supply of DIY projects from food to furniture, ReadyMade 100 Project Manual has something to inspire the creative side within each and every one of us. So turn off your computer and pick up a hammer. Well, first purchase the book here, then go make something.

Scandinavian label Leifsdottir channels today's "modern woman" with a mix of avant-garde cuts, gorgeously art-inspired patterns, a bold use of color and an approach to femininity that's equal parts confident and seductive. So, when asked to participate in a video project documenting a day in the life of their shoes, I was happy to pick up the camera.

Apparently my fellow cinematographers (among them Susanna Lau of Style Bubble and Tales of Endearment), had a similar idea, and (while my pedicure scenes must be on the cutting-room floor) the resulting video is a montage of feet making their way through their day, shot from the point of view of the wearer. Shoes fall in love, make a dinner table appearance and, in my case, play with some of NYC's more charming sidewalks.

In addition to the video, Leifsdottir also asked me to style an outfit to go with the shoes. I opted to keep it simple with the sassy Tuxedo Jumpsuit, which nicely offsets the girly bows of the Ulrika sandals with its playful take on a masculine classic. You can win the shoes (though the style may vary) and one-piece by submitting your email in the below form. (See contest rules here.)

The bright spot in any rain-filled day is actually keeping dry. Below are four accessories we recently put to the test that will keep you from getting soaked without resorting to a yellow slicker, all through the rainy season.

Built By Wendy's Two-Tone Canvas Tote is a roomy universal carryall for guys and girls alike. Made from Sunbrella fabric, the durable bag is stain- and sun-resistant and water wicks right off its surface. Leather corner protectors and a zippered top add details appropriate for toting laptops and other essentials anywhere from a business meeting to the park. An interior zippered pocket and pouch for mobile phones make for a great bag, rain or shine. Pick it up for $158 from Built By Wendy.

Originally designed by Annika Rimala in the 1960s, Marimekko's Papajo print umbrella still adds a modern twist to any ensemble when Mother Nature makes an umbrella your best accessory. The automatic umbrella sells in black or red colorways from Marimekko stores for $50.

The fourth collection Jil Sander designed for Uniqlo includes a jacket made from a thinner-than-thin nylon that packs down to nothing, and is cut with just enough feminine flair to keep you feeling flirty even when the weather is gnarly. While the brand only vouches that it's water resistant, rain beaded right off in a recent downpour, and elastic at every edge, as well as a storm-flap covering the front zipper, adds extra protection. The jacket comes in four colors (I went for brilliant blue) and sells online and at Uniqlo stores for $70.

Loeffler Randall's waterproof lace-up booties go from day to night without the look of a farmhand, like common Wellie styles. Lined with jersey cotton, the boots are also super comfortable, but Loeffler Randall's trademark 33mm wedge gives a secret lift. Available in black or army green, the rain booties sell online for $165.

While fans of Argentina's national team still clearly outnumbered U.S. supporters at the exhibition match held at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey last Saturday, the sold-out event and tie game were proof that soccer continues to gain momentum stateside (or at least that seeing a living legend like Messi play is pretty exciting). Doing their part to grow the sport's presence, Nike launched their new "inspired by supporters" kit for the U.S. Men's National Team at the friendly, introducing a red version due to popular demand and with it "Indivisible," which may be the world's first Twitter-sourced motto.

"The people's jersey," as it's been dubbed, called for submissions earlier this month by asking fans to tweet their ideas for a slogan with the hashtag "#RedAllOver" during a five-day period. Narrowing it down from thousands of entries, Nike chose the winning slogan based on several tweets that suggested indivisible.

A limited run of the Indivisible kits are available at Niketown in NYC for $90. If the handsome blue sash is enough for you, the jersey without the slogan sells online from Nike for $70.

From tutus for Black Swan to fine fabrics for furniture maker Knoll, Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters often lend their design talents to those seeking their virtuosic ability to cut and paste style references. Their Cylinder Belt Bag for Opening Ceremony, from the first collection in their collaborative line, sees the L.A.-based duo turn a new corner with a sturdy handbag crafted from vintage leather belts.

The upcycled purse extends Rodarte's latest spring collection for their eponymous label, which drew on their Northern California roots. With Redwoods and and the '70s in mind, the bag—along with other items like a "Tom Petty" hat and leather lace-up shorts—shows how even with a simple concept, they rework a style to keep it cutting-edge.

Made in Japan, the purse features a buckle closure and adjustable strap, comes in black or brown leather, and sells for $750 from Opening Ceremony or Barneys (black only).

Those in L.A. can check out Rodarte's fashion-forward perspective in person at the MoCA exhibit "States of Matter,," on view through 5 June 2011.

Technology and craft are common buzzwords these days, but the recent collaboration between Fendi and architecture duo Aranda/Lasch explores the duality with an unusual concept. Dubbed "Modern Primitives," the project started with Aranda/Lasch's sculptural installations based on a crystal structure and its "forbidden symmetries", which debuted at the 2010 Venice Biennale before landing stateside at Design Miami last December.

The sculptures, the result of the architects' obsession with the way the modular shape "programs" the faceted patterns, may look futuristic and high-tech but were dictated by the organic formations of the crystals. Defining the project, this tension between order and looseness sets the stage for an interplay between high and low (the pieces are coated with a truck bed liner called Line-X), as well as craftsmanship and the digital world. In addition to lining one of Fendi's Peeakaboo bags in Japanese medicinal Washi fabric woven with a design based on the crystals, there's an iPad app to simulate how the crystals grow.

In Modern Primitives' latest incarnation, "Fatto a Mano for the Future," Fendi brought the craft side to life in a live demonstration. Using the tetrahedrons and leathers from the Spring collection, Roman craftspeople worked alongside Aranda/Lasch at an event yesterday in their Fifth Avenue Store to meticulously hand-stitch covers.

From there, the exhibit will travel to other store locations before becoming part of the Fendi Foundation.

Photos by Gregory Stefano

Since bringing a roll of Mentos' new fruit-flavored candies back from Switzerland earlier this month, I've been searching online and in local NYC stores for them constantly. Luckily, it looks as if I don't have to resort to ordering a box from Amazon as we found them in a deli today and scooped up a few for an official Cool Hunting tasting.

Packaged in order for fun and easy flavor identification (we like how even the foil keeps up the colorful code), standout flavors tend toward the less-common choices, with pineapple being the clear winner and raspberry a close second. As a whole, while these still have an artificial tang, the flavor profiles hint at a more "natural" direction, with watermelon drawing as much praise as criticism for the distinctly summery hints of green rind.

A closer look at the ingredients reveals that the natural taste isn't just lipservice either. Rather than the usual numbers and letters, Mentos lists turmeric, beta-carotene and beetroot, among others, as colors used. Free of high fructose corn syrup too, all we can say is take warning Skittles.

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