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From Yu Jordy Fu for London Fashion week. This installation is inspired by fashion as a feeling, a feeling that make you feel sexier and happier.

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Not going to lie, but the idea of being able to design your own fire extinguisher is pretty awesome. And maybe in this case, it's about the smaller things in life - it does beg the question, however, how much is too much design?

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Oh, my god. Created by Mischief for the Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championships, for the ever-relevant Vauxhall car brand. This year they've created a dazzling piece in the form of a Corsa-shaped working microphone. Too cool.

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It's time for our Friday favorites! This week is a strange but fun mix of inspirations; from shoes to film, to just the right chair, or maybe it's just all about the things that we don't understand. Enjoy checking them out!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT CHAIR. There’s nothing wrong about getting a little creative about extra seating, wanted company or unwanted company. And well, this ‘chair’ might not be the most comfortable, but it will mark a great spot for you to stack your magazines.
LA CASA DE BOTELLAS. La Casa de Botellas is a Palace designed of plastic bottle that is confined by a Santa Cruz Family. The house designed by the Alfredo Santa Cruz family in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina sets an example to utilize plastic bottles that could possibly have been trashed into bins. Almost every item of the house is made of thousands of PET plastic bottles, which is simple, accessible and creative at the same time. The pictures are unreal.
POGOISM? Admittedly, anything involving pogo sticks makes me a little skeptical and anything that suddenly says pogo sticks are a part of a new art form even more so – but watch the video, three guys, some paint, and well, their pogo sticks. Decide for yourself.
LET’S TALK LAYERS. Artist Andrea Myers’ work is incredibly bright and colorful. You’re not entirely sure of the shape – although, they are somewhat reminiscent of contour lines and contour maps – and while they seem to be made out of paint, it’s actually something more of a fabric. Check them out.

MUGSHOTS. Bored of your Facebook profile picture? Designer Anton Mircea has a playful twist on the “no picture” image. As Mircea says, “I believe we can enrich visual contexts that are supposed to be standardized or flattened into a template, even transform them into something popular although they were supposed to be the opposite – no profile pictures.” So suddenly have some strange desire to be the Terminator? You can download the photo here.

THE EXPLODING GIRL. There’s something magical about the right movie trailer, whether it be a huge blockbuster film or that small, coffee house film that is waiting to be discovered. The Exploding Girl is that such film, shot with that kind of romantic care and quietness. Written and directed by Bradley Rust Gray, he skillfully composes this delicate and honest portrait of a young woman at a crossroad. Watch the trailer here.
THINGS I DON’T UNDERSTAND. And definitely don’t want to talk about. Need break and a laugh? This blog is pretty self-explanatory – ever have that day, you know, that day, where you’re privy to certain things that happen and you just don’t get it. Then this is definitely a place for you. A favorite? “Things I don’t understand and definitely don’t want to talk about – I do not want to make you a mix tape and I want you to already know all the music that I already know.”

IT'S THE GREAT JJ LAMP! Itre’s The Great JJ lamp is designed by Centro Stile design studio and a take-off on Jac Jacobsen’s ever-popular architect lamp. This was first developed as enormous floor lamp - and is now being debuted as an equally over-scaled outdoor version. Which, let's be honest, is just fantastic!

MATHIEU LEHANNEUR. Designer Mathieu Lehanneur has created a gorgeous line of ceramic urns. The shapes of these 29.5 inch tall jars are physical manifestations of the demographic data of various countries. Each piece has 100 layers, and each layer represents 1 more year of age than the layer below it. It's really quite cool! Do take the time to explore the designer's site as well - his work is filled with extraordinary pieces.

IF ANYTHING, IT'S ABOUT THE SHOES. We've mentioned SHOELUST quite a bit on the PHI blog because, well, it's always about shoes. And more shoes. And shoes and shoes. Let's take this week's favorite with a little bit of mathematics - Tommy Ton + black + silver + (and it gets better, oh my) there's snakeskin = a pair of booties that are just kickass!

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How fantastic is this? The Book Cell, an octagonal building made entirely from books that was installed in the Modern Art Center in Lisboa. Slovakian artist Matej Kren built an octagonal framework, filled it with books and removed it, leaving a symmetrical, enclosed room of stacked literature.

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The Warrior Way - Vogue US March 2010 with Daria Werbowy by David Sims, where Vogue pays a small homage to James Cameron's Avatar. Are we fans, yes or no? Without doubt, it's interesting to see how films such as Avatar, whether you're a fan or not, translates and trickles into the fashion medium. Check the full shoot out.

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Photographer Jan Banning's fascinating project "Bureaucratics" takes a fascinating look behind the scenes of government offices in various parts of the world, examining the different countries and cultural perspectives. Check it out.

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CuldeSac, a Spanish design agency, created the Welding Wood furniture series - it's quite cool. Check the Contemporist for more photos.

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Daizi Zheng's "Stereotype Packaging" takes the question of product design and how it ultimately affects our habits - particularly our eating habits.

Zheng says, "According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unhealthy diet is amongst one of the leading causes of the major non-communicable diseases. Can design encourage people to rethink their relationship with healthy food to gain a balanced diet? The series of food packaging were created from the observations on personal behaviors. Using the recognizable stereotyping packaging would make people feel more physically and physiologically connected with those daily objects. By giving the good food a little make over, it could contribute the availability of healthy food and encourages people to make a change for their everyday life."

It's a fascinating project - carrots as cigarettes, celery as french fries (oh, man fries!), and drugs. And it brings up that age old adage - you are what you eat.

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If someone asked me to describe The Donkey Show in a hundred words or less, I would simply say, "just go buy a ticket!" or somehow try to form a mathematical equation involving disco classics, Shakespeare, dancing and glitter - which, by the way, former college professors? You've been put on notice. This is how Shakespeare should be.

There's no real way to explain what the show is without just telling someone to go and see it. The Donkey Show, directed by Diane Paulus, tells the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the great 70s anthems. Some of these classics include “We are Family,” “I Love the Nightlife,” “Car Wash,” “Ring My Bell,” and “Last Dance.” It's the enchanted forest of Shakespeare’s classic comedy and it comes to life the glittered world of retro disco as the lovers escape from their real lives to experience a night of fantasy. From the moment of your arrival to the very last song, you and the rest of the crowd-goers are dancing, dancing, dancing. And I know what you're thinking - an interactive show means some sort of dinner theatre which is so not the case. If you're inclined to just watch, you can do just that. But the energy of the Donkey Show is both riveting and so visceral there's just no way you can stand still.

So every Friday and Saturday night, at the Oberon, you can head out and see the show. The pre-show (pre-dancing!) starts at 7:30 while the show itself starts at 8. The best news? The tour has been extended through the summer - you now have no excuse to not go and see it.

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Artist Margot B. Myers has just launched a new website showcasing her prints, using Intaglio plates printed through silk gauze, and more. Be sure to explore her installation pieces, all gorgeous and very romantic.

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Daniela Edburg's most famous work is an exhibit of highly stylized photos of women dead from consumption of sweets and snacks - including one such photo that will never let you look at Oreos the same way again. But her most recent show is comprised of eerie, dramatic knits and is full of depth, mystery, and nostalgia to the domestic arts. The show is on view at Kunsthaus Santa Fé through March 20, 2010.

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In this photo provided by Hasbro, Inc., Lombard Street is transformed into a Candyland game in San Francisco on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. (Credit.)

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While the next Project Runway is gearing up on the DVR, let's talk Friday Favorites! As always, here are a few things that inspire us. Do take the time to go and check them out.

RADIO, RADIO. While the larger picture is always important, sometimes have the right pieces takes all a long way. Matt Brown’s phenomenal laser cut radios are systems that use radio-frequency identification speakers and chips to provide people with a better connection to the artists they choose to listen to. These radios also double as great, colorful sculptures that definitely stand out in a room.

EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE. A lot of times searching for something to share on our Friday Favorites, leads us to some strange places. "Content and Container" is collection jewelry, fashion and tabletop inspirations that follow the wabi-sabi philosophy of Japan, a philosophy that centers on the idea of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".

WINTER WEDDING INSPIRATIONS. There is something about the fur, the feathers, the snow. It's just so fun! Most brides want to get married in the spring and summer but imagine walking down the aisle in this winter wonderland? Take these ice branches, a perfect backdrop for any winter wedding.

ALPHABET SOUP. How great are these? Hungarian artist Lajos Major uses photography for a cheeky play on the alphabet.

KEEP CALM. We’ve most definitely talked about ‘Keep Calm, Carry on’ here at the PHI blog, the old World War II slogan poster that has definitely become incredibly popular and of course, a sensational internet meme. Oscillator tracks the amusing evolution of the Keep Calm popularity.

LOVE LETTER. The amazing Love Letter Project is a series of murals collectively comprising a love letter to West Philadelphia by Stephen Powers. Powers collectively has more than fifty different murals in the area. The project is sponsored by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative. You can visit his site for a list of all his murals, complete with directions and photos that you can see them in person.

EYEGASMS. Another thing that we’ve talked about before is how strange and vast a site like tumblr can be, and the few cool gems that you can definitely stumble upon. Take this blog for example, where you can scroll through an array of incredible pieces – it’s all about the visual stimulation.

REEL LIGHT. Nottingham, England based designer Guy Brown, who is part of the British design collective FARM, has created the Reel Light, fashioned out of steel cable.

ROUGE COCO DU CHANEL. Last week, Vanessa Paradis launched her new Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick campaign. The Rouge Coco collection includes four color families with a total of thirty shades, ranging from deep scarlets to pale neutrals. Each lipstick retails for $30, with the entire collection launching on February 25. Paradis is no stranger to Chanel campaigns. The stunning French songstress became the face of the Coco fragrance way back in 1992. Check out the making of the campaign as well!

PUTTING YOUR MONEY WEAR. What Gary Harvey most certainly has is a strong aesthetic. Take his most infamous design, a newspaper gown fitted together from 30 copies of the Financial Times and cinched together with a fetching salmon-pink corset. It’s quite the sight to see.

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The 1880s was a time when most Europeans were denied access to the Japanese interior. An Italian photographer, Adolfo Farsari, however, managed to capture many images of Old Japan. These were then beautifully and realistically hand painted and serve as a remarkable record of a world long since disappeared. Check out some of these remarkable photos.

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Design-legend Tom Dixon's work at this new Seven Dials bar, restaurant and entertainment experience does not disappoint. It could just be a personal thing, a love of disco balls and diner-inspirations (mostly the disco balls, of course) but Circus is definitely an visual experience.

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The Guggenheim commissioned 200 artists, architects and designers to propose ideas for the Museum's central void. One of the proposals, from Danish practice JDS, consists of a giant trampoline net spiral down the rotunda space - which, come on now, giant trampoline. “Contemplating the void” will be on exhibit at the Museum from Feb 12th until Apr 28th.

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Amazing sculptures created with reclaimed materials by Japanese and Indiana native Sayaka Kajita Ganz. Absolutely stunning. Check them out!

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Genius. Complete and utter genius - thank you for making us laugh, Old Spice.

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There seems to be a resurgence in Alice in Wonderland's popularity, with Tim Burton's film coming out later this March, and there's been such a whimsical play in a variety of places. Take Printemps Paris, who invited nine artists to reinterpret fashion dress from Alice and the Mad Hatter costume in the windows of the Boulevard Haussmann in Paris.

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It's Sunday night and you've just watched one of the worst films you've seen in a long time, complete with blood, gore, guts, and a plot that instead of scaring you might make you cry yourself to sleep.

So what do you do?

Valentino The Last Emperor is the perfect remedy to that situation. It's a feature-length documentary on the designer, produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, the film follows Valentino and his inner circle throughout various events, including his famous anniversary show celebrating 45 years of his incredible career. There is 250 hours of footage with exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage.

The documentary is incredibly compelling and walks us into the world of the beloved designer and his entourage that is both dramatic and vibrant, warm and intimate. Of course, there are the clothes. The legions of gorgeous, to die for gowns that make you stop and watch wide-eyed with awe as Valentino declares that it's the dress or that it needs more sequins - either way, the dress comes out stunning.

But the most fascinating part about this documentary is how it explores the business side of fashion and design and how it evolves, as it touches on the Marzotto Group's purchase of the brand. At the heart of the film, however, is the relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. The entire film is a definitely must-watch.

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Trip Structural concept bag for Louis Vuitton, realized in leather and gold, from SAMAL Design. Samal calls his designs, "“New Retro-Futurism”, mix of retro design with futuristic and advanced elements. I think that the future of design is in our past experience and heritage covered with nowadays technologies. I'm a keeper of traditional creative approaches but with the very contemporary way of thinking and using of technology. If you share my vision and my way of thinking, do not hesitate to contact me." Amazing.

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Should you find yourself in a lot of snow, and with the sudden need for a ton of heat, try this design by dutch Evelien Stamhuis and her label Lienehuis. This campfire do-it-yourself-kit helps you to make a campfire in no time.

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Check out some incredible installations done by French artist Baptiste Debombourg. Amazing!

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Xs and Os from all of us at PHI!

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Want. How cool is this piece? It's comprised of 42 found cassettes. when wall hung, and back-lit, the cassettes come alive and create a graphic pop art piece. Check it out.

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It took a lot of willpower to not get incredibly festive with a Valentine's Day-themed Friday favorites. Treating yourself to chocolate is a much better plan. This week's ten favorite things have a little bit of everything for you to enjoy - check them out!

SLASH. Running until April 4th, Slash is the third installment of NYC's Museum of Art and Design (MAD)'s Materials and Process series. As the cheif curator, David Revere McFadden explains, “Slash showcases artists whose works surprise for their complexity and content, and not just for their technical virtuosity." It's a complete and daring visual experience. Visit the museum site for more information.

THE SLIDING APARTMENT. Think your living space is small? Architect Gary Chang has lived in the same 32 sq meter apartment since he was fourteen. He has since then renovated the space four times and has transformed into into what he calls his "domestic transformer" - the apartment can be easily changed through the use of sliding wall units that fold away furniture and, and it boasts over 20 different configurations.

THE VENTRICLE VASE. I didn't say I wouldn't anything Heart Day related in our Top Ten - the Ventricle Vase for those of you who are fans of all things literal. The glass heart is created by Eva Milinkovic of Tsunami Glassworks. It's a gorgeous piece, inspired by emotions and their many colors, all shaped in a heart. It's available in three sizes for all sorts of grand gestures.

HOTEL CINEMATHEQUE. Design Hotels has joined forces with The Auteurs and has created this very cool marriage of cinema and luxury. And let's be honest, there's nothing like having the right kind of film for a late movie night in your hotel.

THE GAGA DOLLAR. Unless you've been living under a really heavy rock or have super powers that allow you to filter our news of your choosing, you know that Lady Gaga has been everywhere - and everywhere is no longer big enough for her too. But artist Craig Gleason has now made into the dollar bill portrait (or has unleashed the federal government's inner fan) - either way it's kind of ingenious and a charming laugh, and for purchase.

MY HOUSE NIGHTCLUB BY DODD MITCHELL DESIGN. This LA club reinterprets the classic house party by feeling and functioning like you've entered someone's private home. Says designer Dodd Mitchell, "I have always enjoyed the comfort of a house party that just doesn’t exist in your typical nightclub, so with My House I set out to create an environment I would personally relish, and bring that vision to the nightlife space."

IHEARTMYART. A tumblr blog that features a variety of pieces, showcasing an incredible array of talent and names. This is a great place to take the time and sit down for a few minutes. Check out Fiona Shaw's installation work - a favorite? Definitely her My Discomfort Is Evident But I Am Unsure Of The Cause (Prelude To An Unfinished Narrative), 2010.

PET PEEVE TAGS. These are an absolute favorite. Brittany Harriman has developed a series of "Pet Peeve Tags" that address issues such as slow walking, back washing (gross!), and the ever-presistant failure of washing one's hands. They are hand printed and in such a way that the offender can understand and perhaps even appreciate.

LAURA MARLING, I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN. In 2008, Laura Marling made her mark with her debut. Her soulful voice and her incredible lyrics lend themselves to some of the the most incredible songs (do, do, do give My Manic & I a listen) - and in March, she'll be releasing her new album I Speak Because I Can. In anticipation for that release, a video for the album single Devil's Spoke is now available.

A PLACE IN THE SUN. For those of us who are sick of the cold and the endless amounts of snow, snow, snow, the ELLE March 2010 editorial is stunningly perfect. There are gorgeous beaches and backdrops and lots of colors, warm and vibrant (the red dress is an absolute favorite). Do check it out.

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Artist Tim Hawkinson is known for altering everyday materials and creating works that touch on the broad issues about the intersection of human consciousness, nature and technology. With Möbius Ship, he employed a mix of found objects and common household materials— twist ties, craft wood, staples, and packing material—which he transformed into a complex and awe-inspiring sculpture.

Like the methods of ship-in-a-bottle hobbyists, Hawkinson created a detailed model ship that twists in upon itself. The title is a play on Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick, which famously relates the tale of a ship captain’s all-consuming obsession with the elusive white whale. The ambitious structure of Hawkinson’s sculpture offers an uncanny visual metaphor for Melville’s epic tale, which is sometimes considered the Great American novel. (Source.)

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Let's talk about the impossibly cool right now. The Disco Chair! Yes, the Disco Chair. By KIWI&POM, and commissioned by Wallpaper* Magazine. It's constructed from 200 linear metres of Electroluminescent wire, the chair transforms into an epically fantastic neon rainbow when powered. There's also a pulse setting enables the chair to flash on and off, which then creates an instant disco installation. Impossibly cool, right?

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One of the things that is a sure fire way of acknowledging you're sick with a bad, bad cold, is the amount of BRAVO television you end up consuming for the time that you're home.

Kell on Earth is the latest of BRAVO's endeavors to break into the fashion side of reality television - after all, how many episodes of The Real Housewives can you take? Kelly Cutrone is not Rachel Zoe (thank god) and no longer an avenue for those Hills girls to pretend they have a real job (thank god). We finally know her as the business woman who runs her own high-profile fashion PR company, People's Revolution, and gets things done.

So what makes her show different? In sea of Project Runway clones, the seven billionth season of shows like Top Chef (which I love), Top Design (which there needs to be more of), Kell on Earth seems to have the package that everyone else is missing. You see the glitz, the glam, the shine of innovation and imagination that is a fashion show and a designer's vision. But what you also see is the behind-the-scenes, the people that make that vision possible, and literally kill themselves in putting it together.

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The tragic news of Alexander McQueen's death has hit us today. McQueen, 40, was such a powerhouse in the fashion world pushing innovation in all of his designs.

He was known for his dramatic statement pieces, of course, and impeccable tailoring, as well as a master a mixing fashion with design, technology, and performance at all of his shows. It was always about the entire package - the clothes and how the clothes would transform and walk right in front of the audience. His imagination, endless and always evolving, always pushed his work to new and daring heights, showing his passion for it. Without a doubt, McQueen transformed the way we all looked at fashion.

We lost one of the great ones today, a man who not only made incredible collections but who understood fashion, understood design in a way that was unique and daring and utterly fearless.

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"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
Oscar Wilde.

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Confession. I cannot pack nor do I have that strange ability to stick that motto 'a place for everything and everything in its place' - Mike Johansson, on the other hand, has mastered and transformed that phrase into these incredible installations. Check them out.

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Today marks the release of the new Massive Attack album, Heligoland. Check out a video clip from their new single Splitting the Atom, just proof that the band continues to remain brilliantly innovative.

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So. Tacky or ingenuous?

It's a fashion must-have for any woman looking to indulge her inner couch potato.

A pair of pants designed to look like jeans - but feel like pajamas - is now on sale.

Aptly named PajamaJeans, these ... pants ... are made of a mixture of cotton and spandex with a gray jersey lining to provide a snug and relaxed fix, complete with pockets and rivets that supposedly give the illusion of trendy denim. Which, let's be honest here, if you're going to buy pajamas, buy pajamas, and if you're going to buy a pair of jeans, go and spend your pajamajeans money on an actual, fantastic pair of denim.

But the creators behind this new clothing concept are apparently hoping to capitalize on the success of jeggings - the garment that's part jeans, part leggings.

The Daily News hit the streets with a pair to gauge people's reactions to this new clothing hybrid. And some fashion forward folks were delighted. (Read More.)

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The light installation project Chemical Balance uses only prescription bottles, mirror and fluorescent lights. The project is by Jean Shin from Korea. Thousands of empty prescription bottles were collected from an array of pharmacies, nursing homes, and personal medicine cabinets. Like the stalactites and stalagmites, you see in caves, the constructions hang down from above and grow upwards from the floor below.

The installation, without a doubt, speaks to our culture’s over-consumption of prescription drugs and our dependency on the system. As Design Year Book says, "The piece acts like a group portrait, mapping our society’s chemical intake. The illuminated structures radiate with an intense orange glow, suggesting that issues of health reach far beyond the physical."

Check out more pictures at the source.

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Trying out this whole 'staring at a photo of the beach and hoping to feel warm' isn't working out - the giveaway is without a doubt, is the nine blankets that are piling up on the couch. But there are a bunch of coming soons in the works. Right now, we've joined the ranks of millions on Facebook. We'd love for you to stop by!

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In a household plagued by colds, and with five minutes until SNL, sometimes the only thing to watch is toddlers & tiaras - but at the point, you know it's time change the channel and suffer through those five minutes. Or have a few things to read:

In keeping with the strange and bizarre, LOSTCITY has seemed to combine a love of crime shows and pillows and has come up with the blood spatter pillow - we kid you not. It takes a minute to process the whole idea and maybe it's kind of a quirk for that CSI fan in you. Perhaps, it might just grow on you.

It's really Frank Chimero's blog that you should take the time to read, where he has a few words to say about Apple's iPad like, "As a user of technology, I think it makes sense to continue the analogy of referencing physical objects. I think a malleable interface allows us to do this easier, but even more so the multi-touch technology. Now, when you see a button, you can actually push it with your finger, just like a real button." (Read more.)

To round things up - MAMA'S A ROLLING STONE, a favorite fashion blog of ours, has photos from Sasha Pivovarova in an editorial for February's Interview magazine. Gorgeous colors. Incredible pieces from the spring collections, including Prada’s crystal chandelier shoes, Miu Miu platforms, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton and more. This editorial was shot in an all-white room with brightly colored, graffiti-covered furniture. Check it out!

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I know. So you're thinking, eleven grand? But the 1960s-esque, Sputnik-style chandelier actually has a neat history behind it: near death-experiences, a grand foreshadowing Nadia Swarovski's work - read more. It's really something quite incredible.

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New in the odd advertisement news (and for sheer entertainment value, of course) is rhe Heinz ketchup condiment packet redesign. From trom Heinz Ketchup press release, "…A true packaging breakthrough, the Heinz Dip & Squeeze dual-function package gives ketchup lovers two ways to enjoy Heinz Ketchup: either peel back the lid for easy dipping, or tear off the tip to squeeze onto favorite foods…The new Heinz Dip & Squeeze product marks the first ketchup packet makeover for the foodservice industry in 42 years. In the past, on-the-go eaters have struggled to open multiple ketchup packets while worrying about making a mess…”

But the real redesign news is Hasbro has unveiled its design of the new 75th anniversary edition of Monopoly, set to hit stores in fall of 2010. "Monopoly: Revolution Edition" is slick and round instead of dull and square, with debit cards and an ATM instead of paper money and a banker, clear plastic representations of the classic tokens (bye-bye, little boot!), and clips of popular songs (like Rihanna’s "Umbrella," Daniel Powter’s "Bad Day," and Beyonce's "Crazy in Love") that play after certain actions." Funny? Or just too much?

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This weekend, just because it's ungodly cold and the feeling in your toes is non-existent, doesn't mean you can't go and enjoy a little something. Pancakes, for example. Everybody loves pancakes. But for now, we want you to enjoy our Friday favorites, full of some of the things we find fantastically inspiring. Stay warm!

LOST BOOKS. There is television and then there’s LOST – and there’s not enough time in the day to talk about LOST. What needs to be said is this: for its last and final season, which premiered Tuesday, there are heads already spinning and mass discussions of “what happened?!” (LOST can and might be an entire full and separate entry later, once the heads do stop spinning – if ever) and if anything, theories and spoilers are too much of an addiction. Instead, we bring you a list of the books that are read through out the show – a cool, if not mind-blowing list for the book nerd in you that brings a whole different level to speculation.

LUXIRARE. Taking on food and fashion, luxiarare offers a gorgeous way of marrying the two together on her blog. From the latest to her favorites to her own stunning (chain jacket, oh my god!) creations, each of these images is perfectly selected to burn into your brain the moment you stumble onto them.

IDEAS ON LEGS. The brainchild of Bill Hess, an artist, product designer, engineer, and teacher, this recycled glass topiary installation was a project that he did for the 2009 NEXT Art Fair as part of Art Chicago – and just a really cool way of putting to us your leftover beer bottles! Watch the video, at the source, to see how it all came together.

SOMEECARDS. When we talk guilty pleasures, someecards is definitely one of those guilty pleasures. For cheeky, if not sharp, e-cards (and assorted store items, mind you) someecards is that perfect place to find a card for that special someone should you be miles and miles away from them, possibly in another country and with terrible cell service – mostly it’s for a great laugh.

FISS. This is a really great group of lighting objects by designer Rui Alves with a nice combination of bright colors and the pure beauty of wood; fully function and could very well add a cool twist to any space.

GREGOIRE ALEXANDRE. You may recognize some of the French photographer Gregoire Alexandre’s work from advertisements such as this one from Absolut Vodka. His vibrant photography takes theatrical elements into dynamic composition to make incredible photos.

SPLINTER WORKS DIME KITCHEN. UK-based designers Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington taking inspiration from the spinning coin – it has ten blades that shuffle right back to reveal a stone surface that holds all of your appliances and accessories which help you cook. Open or closed, the cabinet looks like a sculpture or piece of art!

THE LOOPS BENCH. From American designer Aaron Asedo, who had this to say about his creation, “Loops was designed to fill a void in today’s market – knock down furniture that appears to be a one-off piece of art. Inspired by bungee jumping, Loops was ergonomically tested to provide form and function with an aesthetic made from 2/8 rubber cordstock, 1/2 in PETG plastic and maple wood. The piece was created to fit inside a UPS shipping box.”

THE TITANIC LAMP. While it does look simple and plain in design, the fact that it's "sinking" right into the table like the famous ship did into the sea so many years ago is just ingenious. The lamp is made of lacquered wood with a cotton and steel shade, and it does turn on to provide light so it appears more like a normal lamp that just happens to be sinking. Available in white only from Viable London.

PEARL JAM, JUST BREATHE. After this week, we’re letting the song and video speaking for itself. Beautiful song, brilliant band. Enjoy.

(Photo.)

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX.

So this season's Project Runway seems to be getting its act together - let's be honest, last season's was just one, big hot mess. (Recap: they were in LA, the designers were lackluster, and people were struggling to come to terms with the channel change - when we think Lifetime, we think of Rob Lowe's post-West Wing career. But this is a sidebar.)

The strangest thing about this season, despite the strong talent, is that there's no real standout in the bunch. I know, I know. It's early. It's too soon. But if we think of previous seasons, minus the messes, you can pick out memorable characters - sometimes for their talent, other times for the drama, but that's a whole different kind of post on television. This season, not so much.

If you watched tonight's episode, think of this peanut gallery comment of as a food for thought. Is the show still about design? Ultimately, sure. You think show premise, you know it's all about constructing with a crazy time limit which ends up with someone doing the walk of shame up into the workroom. But has Project Runway lost it spark? Are we excited? It has definitely spawned an entire subculture and set a template for future BRAVO endeavors like this year's Launch My Line (which, wow no) and while I do enjoy a marathon of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, is it time for the design reality show to reinvent itself?

Food for thought.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE.

It speaks for itself. Lady Gaga. Elton John. Watch.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUR.

Currently jealous of NYLON and the fact that Alexander Wang send them his 2010 Spring Collection lookbook. Gorgeous shots. Cool, cool clothes. Check it out!

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE.

Wednesday, actually, was much more of a maniac Monday - but we're back today and today we're going to talk about artist New York-based Naoko Ito - who transformed a tree branch into art by sawing it into small pieces, putting them in jars, then stacking the jars into the original shape of the branch.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO.

A great woman once said, "a mirror completely opens a space." And what wise advice it was. There's no key to finding a great mirror - sometimes, it's just the one that stands out in sea of misguided objects at Target, or the odd frame at a small shop down the street. It's the right mirror, though, in the right room that really changes a space. Like these Monster Mirrors, a fun, cheeky way to either open a room or add to a particular space. Monster Mirrors are wooden framed mirrors and the idea is that when one looks in the mirror, they become the monster's next meal.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE.

Check out this quirky collaboration between between Sean John and Brooklyn artist Aakash Nihalani. View all the photos.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY.

Of course, many assume China is the biggest violator of air pollution. And while the country has it's obvious problems, they've also passed the world's major countries to become the leader in making clean energy. Over the weekend, the NY Times had this to say:

"Multinational corporations are responding to the rapid growth of China’s market by building big, state-of-the-art factories in China. Vestas of Denmark has just erected the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturing complex here in northeastern China, and transferred the technology to build the latest electronic controls and generators.

“You have to move fast with the market,” said Jens Tommerup, the president of Vestas China. “Nobody has ever seen such fast development in a wind market.”

Renewable energy industries here are adding jobs rapidly, reaching 1.12 million in 2008 and climbing by 100,000 a year, according to the government-backed Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association.

Yet renewable energy may be doing more for China’s economy than for the environment. Total power generation in China is on track to pass the United States in 2012 — and most of the added capacity will still be from coal."

Check out the rest of this article.