TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT.

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I have to admit it takes me a little while to think of catchy titles. I think that issue heads back to Freshman composition class (ugh, you don't even know!) where were told that for the rest of our university career and as English majors, titling things is MANDATORY. Just like that. Caps and all.

So to keep in vain with that tradition and to avoid countless of puns (also learned in that class, puns not avoiding puns), it's time for some design news and odds and ends:

The Guggenheim and YouTube are partnering to find the next and greatest in video art. How cool is that? Beginning Monday, anyone who as access to any sort of video equipment or a simple camera and a computer will be able to vie for a place in a video-art exhibition in October at all the Guggenheim Foundation's museums.

Be sure to definitely take a peek at Sam Songailo's art, which is heavily influenced by design, electronic music, technology, and futuristic aesthetics. Media Centre is Songailo's first major installation. The photos of the installation are tremendous.

And to round this out, a bit of an interesting blurb on bloggers. Ad Blogger Jumps the Fence is about Mathew Van Hoven, who was the head of a mediabistro blog called Agency Spy and how he's now been hired as the Communications director for Skinny, an NY-based agency. It's a cool read.

TWO HUNDRED FIFTY.

It's so strange that it's June and it's cooled down so considerably. But we hope that it doesn't stop you from having a marvelous weekend, whatever your plans may be! And happy Pride Weekend! But just before you do, check out some of our Friday Favorites:

JEAN SHIN. This week we talked about Jean Shin's cool use of rolodex cards in her installation Carte Blanche. Shin's work is back again with her piece Transplanted Ornament. It's a collaboration with architect Brian Ripel using decorative metal removed from security gates. It's a featured installation, self-supported and of free-form construction, that you can find at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch.

WHY THE MET REMAINS COOLER THAN YOU. The Met is displaying a career retrospective of Leon Levinstein, a photographer whose work in black and white photography went completely under the radar. (His contemporaries include the infamous Diane Arbus.) It's called Hipsters, Hustlers, and Handball Players: Leon Levinstein's New York Photographs, 1950-1980 that feature forty-five rarely-before-seen photos by Levinstein. The show runs until October 17, 2010.

IT'S PAPER, REALLY. Honestly, I keep saying that I can't be surprised anymore - but wow, artist Luise Valdes has built an entire apartment and car from pizza boxes, carboard, paper, and paint. There are moments where there are parts of it that look, at a glance, to be entirely too really. There are other moments where I can think of nothing but A-Ha's "Take on Me" video. But take a look at the photos, they're kind of cool.

ARIK LEVY'S LUMINESCENCE. We love anybody who gets creative with their lighting and there's something undoubtedly cool about the play on intensity and reflection. Levy maintains an impressive list of disciplines, but is best known for his furniture design for global companies, installations, and limited editions. Levy's Luminescence between Fire & Ice is being showcased at the Santa Monica Museum of Art until August 21st.

PAPER AIRPLANES. I have such funny memories about paper airplanes, including one that involved a pseudo experiment with Zoe in the backyard with a stopwatch. Check out this art installation by Dawn Ng. She uses hundred of paper airplanes to recreate and orchestrate an intense wave of emotion, having the planes physically burst into a massive space. It's incredible.

GRAFFITI RESEARCH. This is the perfect example of when worlds collide. The Creators Project has an interview with James Powderly, part of Graffiti Research Lab who developed Eyewriter - technology that allows paralyzed artists to "write" graffiti. There's a video at the site as well!

PAUL HAYES. Paul Hayes is an installation artist that we found on flickr that has some really incredible pieces. This installation is called Cultivated Momentum and you should definitely take the time to comb through the photos. It's incredible.

SHEPHERD'S PIE. Montreal-based designers Thien and My Ta Trung's series Pâté Chinois is concept based around the beloved - and oh my god, one of my favorite dishes - Shepherd's Pie. Says My, "We were in the mood for happy furniture, less rigor and more flexibility. A shelving unit that evolves according to our frame of mind, a chair that transforms itself each season, a sofa that can take endless configurations and looks. In short, furniture that grows and change with time!"

SCALENE, RIGHT? To be honest, I have no fond memories of geometry in high school. Creepy teacher. Math in general. You name it. But this locket from Garnett is gorgeous - the scalene locket is a break from the traditional locket, hanging from a silver chain and you can wear it open or put anything inside the glass frame. For once, the scalene triangle doesn't make me shudder with horror.

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TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN.

My witty story has suddenly been x-ed by the news of a Planet of the Apes prequel. I just don't know what else to say. HOWEVER. It's time for this week's Friday Favorites. And this week's featured photo is a special piece and an exceptionally cool showcasing that there's no age or limit to one's creativity. Check out the cake made by Zoe Sweeney, daughter of Partner Nilda Martin - it's her first real cake design.

NOW IN DESIGN NEWS. Bill Moggridge, the new director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, is introducing his series called, "Bill's Design Talks" in which he will moderate discussion among designers and museum professionals on chosen tops. The series starts next week, Thursday, May 27th, and will feature a discussion with Michael Bierut, a partner at Pentagram, and one of Pentagram's designers, Yve Ludwig, about their design of the catalogue for the museum's 2010 National Design Triennial, "Why Design Now?"

THEN IT'S ABOUT SENSIBLE DESIGN. These days, it's about being conscious about design and everything green. To raise awareness about energy conservation, German company RWE has a really cool visual campaign, making the waste of energy a physical visible sight. Check the photos out.

TIP OVER. The Tip Over table was designed for G. Borgonovo for Porada and it really goes beyond the idea of the conventional, square table. It has the capability to serve as both a wall mirror and a table, that opens any sort of space for you. It's just a cool way of keep the feeling of a room or area without changing the entire feel.

ART APOCALYPSE. It's an interesting and scary thought, what life would be like without art in our lives. Ad firm Scholz & Friends tackle this question for the German Federation of Craftsmen and their tv spot - it's pretty bleak, far warning, but take a look at the video.

MARKET SEARCHING. PHI favorite Coco + Kelley has a really great entry on hunting through flea markets, etsy, and all things vintage. There are some gorgeous photos highlighting some incredible finds especially a favorite of yours truly - vintage records.

WHAT TO DO WITH THAT TOOTHPICK. I have these wonderful memories of my grandfather and his quirks, like the toothpick he always had after dinner. But I never really imagined putting toothpicks, design, and ... architectural replicas? Take a look at these pictures. Promise you, it'll make you sit back and examine the kind of patience you think you have.

APOTHEKE NEW YORK. Inspired by the history of apothecary in Europe and the artistic influence of absinthe dens in 19th Paris, Apotheke is all about the drama. A cocktail isn't just a cocktail. Check out their website, where you can view pictures of their really, really cool space.

DIFFERENT STROKES. Paol Volpi is an avant-garde jeweler, based in Rome, who transforms an unusual array of materials including industrial and automotive oil filters into gorgeous, fluid, and wearable pieces. It's incredible. All her pieces are both delicate and demure, unexpected given the nature of her materials.

ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX.

It's a six hour train ride from home to the city that included a bunch of odd, almost Lifetime-esque events that only seem to occur when I'm traveling. So old high school classmates aside, oversleeping, and a funny taste in my coffee, I've managed to put together a few links that you should check out.

THE PARTY NOVEL. A brand new blog, but blogging at its finest; there's a little bit of personal style, a little bit of adventure, and a really great example of what to do when you want to start a blog. Check it out.

Don't forget to head over to the NYTimes website to go and listen to the streaming of The National's High Violet. I'm about to remind you nine other times too. Remember. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

THINK ANIMAL PLANET. BUT AWESOME? Photographers Will and Matthew Burrard-Lucas are responsible for a series of really incredible shots, close ups of animals in Africa. BettleCam, kind of like Wall-E, shutter buggy that the brothers rigged in order to get some of these outstanding wildlife shots. Take a look.

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ONE HUNDRED SIXTY.

Um. We interrupt your regular blog postings for a total, utter GEEK moment. Had to hold off, seeing as it's LOST night and all and talking about it makes everybody's, including mine, head spin. These cards, however, are from a series of LOST themed tarot cards by artist Alex Griending. A cool keepsake, and maybe even a neat party trick.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY.

With spring here (or, well, it's supposed to be here) it's only natural that our love of all things green and gardens comes out to play. Check this out - 15 Awesome Secret Indoor Gardens.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY.

We apologize for the late Friday Favorites. It takes a little bit of a beautiful day and a little bit of technological troubles for a tiny delay. So we at PHI would love to wish you and yours a Happy Easter! Enjoy this week's favorite things.

IT'S A SHARPIE TRANSFORMATION. Tell your mom that they're not just for your underwear and camping labels anymore. Rodarte, in their S/S 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection, used the markers to accent their models with hand-drawn body art and tattoos. If it's hip, it's here has some great photos of the process - definitely check them out.

75 YEARS OF FILM. Despite my on-going, personal love-hate relationship with FOX and their film and television releases, they are doing a really cool thing for their seventy-fifth anniversary. You can go and claim one of their limited edition posters which feature a range of their classic films. It's pretty cool promotion, that's for sure.

GRAF BY SUCCESSFUL LIVING. From Diesel with Foscarini, this lamp focuses on a narrative using humorous and iconic images on the shade. You are able to see perspectives from a pilot's cockpit or even a dj deck. There are the classsic floral theme as well; but there is something to the black and white, to the style that it definitely envokes.

FORMSPRING. The internet! The internet! It's a vast and confusing place that really should be made into a Disney movie. But every once in awhile, excluding the cool things that one learns to look for, you do find the occasional surprise. FORMSPRING is like a giant, global Q&A that anybody can sign up for and anybody can share with their friends. This is the part, of course, where you're thinking, "oh, okay, right - " but you can actually search for people, be it your favorite actor or magazine or what have you. Think internet coffee date.

THE T SHELF. By J1studio - the name is an abbreviation for Triangle shelf, a unique shelving system that can be setup around your furniture or hang solo against the wall. It's interesting play on lines and just a really neat way to reorganize and organize your things.

THE YEAR OF ALICE. It's safe to say that one of this year's biggest themes - in all mediums - is Alice in Wonderland. Sometimes it's been of larger scale, say film and the window installations of some of our favorite stores. And sometimes it's been of the smaller scale, like these really fun Salt & Pepper shakers from Imm Living, a design group you most definitely should check out.

5 IN 1 DRESS. The tencel jersey dress can be worn in five different ways; like sleeveless with the sleeves tired in the front or the back waist. It's a great color and perfect for the changing weather for sure.

LIGHT IT UP. These are great. There's no other way around it. The ottomans light up, bringing the light from the ground up and creating this really great, really soft glow. They're perfect for an event or a great evening wedding. Check them out!

THE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL PALACE. Designer Tokujin Yoshioka's latest project in lighting is a spherical illuminated mass of cut crystal. It's modeled after a star and the design itself is driven by using the emotive medium of cut crystal. It's really gorgeous.

MICHAEL BUBLE BEING ... stalked by a Velociraptor. Or, you know, where's Waldo with a dinosaur. Sometimes the internet is good for a lot of laughs. Upon searching for things for our Friday Favorites, sometimes I meet hits and I meet misses. First this was going to be a miss and then I decided to look through it, ultimately finding myself laughing and amused. And while something like FORMSPRING is ultimately useful, this is so not. But know this: it's exactly what it says.

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ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR.

This year it seems the phrase, "the weather beat up my umbrella" since pretty applicable, especially these days. But this umbrella, oddly enough, is completely made out of cork. Cork is actually very water-resistant so it’ll keep you dry and happy. Who knew?

ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN.

This week's Friday Favorites seem to be an eclectic version with magic and mystery and the odd, odd school memory with a little bit of the warmer weather thrown in for good measure.

HUFF PUFF AND PLEAT. Confession. While pleats bring memories of Catholic school uniforms and that cardboard feeling, they are great. The Polish Design MOWO has created the Bufa chair too - inspired by tailoring detail, the puff and the pleat, the chair takes the challenge of finding a furniture pattern and a way to replace traditional upholstery. Check it out.

WE'RE ALL TALL. The German artist Hans Hemmert, famous for his work with balloons, threw quite the party ... all his guests were the same height thanks to shoe extenders. Eliminating all chances of awkward party talk, the gathering is lent an infographic nature by the shoes. Each pair was made from blue foam, the person's real height is read in the visual uniformity of the sole instead of at the head—like a walking bar graph. Very cool.

THE LIQUID LAMP. From designer Kouichi Okamoto, the liquid lamp comes in two colors, red and white, and looks like paint suspended in mid-spill. Available in wall or table versions.

NY-Z, A FILM BY DANNY CLINCH. ABSOLUT Vodka presents NY-Z, a new fifteen minute documentary featuring Jay-Z. Last September, the artist sold out Madison Square Garden for his "Answer the Call" concert, featuring a range of guest performers including the always incredible Mary J Blige. It was an event that marked the nine year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on lower Manhattan. The documentary covers the event and backstage interviews and footage with Jay-Z - all intimate and very epic. It's Jay-Z, after all.

THE UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE. If you think of a Dr. Seuss rhyme when looking at these photos, you're absolutely right to. Or a wacky b movie. Needless to say, the upside down house is something you should go and see.

SUNBREAK. As part of The Clare Oliver Challenge for Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, this simple ambient from CHE, Melbourne idea urged beach goers to take a break from the sun. It's such a great idea.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC. There's Dr. Seuss and then there are things that absolutely belong to Wonderland. Cut & Paste is a collaboration between Kiki Van Eijk and Secondome director Claudia Pignatale. The project is all about the personality and emotion found within an object. This special collection for Secondome will have it’s world premiere in Rome. These pieces are remarkable and fun. A favorite? The clock without a doubt.

DUCK DUCK. DuckDuck calls themselves "a collective of creatives" and are based out of Lynchburg,VA. They offer beautiful - and I mean beautiful - visual representations of people, ideas, and products through a variety of mediums including photography, film, and motion graphics. Some of their clients include Levi Strauss, BMI, and VITA Fashion. Check their site and blog out.

THE KAFTAN. Colors and more colors, this season it's about the kaftan - Hermes, Antik Batik - perfect for the warm weather and fantastically dramatic.

BELOW THE CLOUDS. A Friday Favorite's list wouldn't be complete without another lighting mention. From 5.5 Designers, this fire kit lamp looks like something that walked out of Super Mario Brothers.

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ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN.

An amusing metaphor for computer issues of the week. Obsessive Consumption's Kate Bingaman Burt draws the 500 worst passwords - ie shaved. Really?

ONE HUNDRED TWELVE.

Occasionally, I'll walk through these memories of being a child and doing those classic childhood things. Playing with the other neighborhood kids. Fireworks on the Fourth of July. Catching fireflies. Sure, we were really never allowed to bring them inside the house - and amusingly enough, we weren't quick enough to catch them either. But this clock jar is definitely a reminder of that time (and the fun, few times we took school trips to the orchards in the fall) - but designer Oren Hetzroni definitely has a few, fantastic pieces everyone should check out.

TWO HUNDRED TEN.

File this under 'cool things for an impossibly dreary Monday afternoon' - old skateboards recycled into things like notebooks, clocks, etc by ANITSYSTEM. Unfortunately the site is in Japanese, but there is an array of very cool stuff that you should check out.

ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE.

simplynoise.com is ... well, it's interesting. It's playable white noise - which supposedly does the following:

• Aid Sleep
• Enhance Privacy
• Block Distractions
• Mask Tinnitus
• Configure Audio Equipment
• Soothe Migraines

Definitely check it out - anything for sleep, I say, especially with Daylight Savings coming up.


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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN.

Somehow the weatherman seems to be convinced that we've got our own snowapocalypse waiting in the wings - except, you know, the sun is shinning. This is definitely a point for another day, of course. But just before you head out to enjoy the day, check out some of our favorite things.

SO YOU WANT A BOOMERANG CHAIR. The thing about the internet is that it makes you an eternal skeptic and when you read a link that says 'boomerang chair, you're faced with two decisions: a) ignore it because there's a 99.9% chance that it may be the campiest thing you've ever seen or b) don't ignore it and face that percentage come hell or high water. But the Neutra Boomerang Chair is quite cool both in design and style, coming in both dark and light woold. It's modern, sure, but it feels like classic beach chair in a way - do check it out.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. If this doesn't make you a Spike Jonze fan, we don't know what else will. There's something ultimately magical about your childhood coming to life - and in such a big way as well. It's about the colors and that feeling, that pulsing feeling of curiosity and insight at the big bad world that still exists for us as adults even though we sometimes forget. There's such color in this film and heart and if you didn't see it in October, here's a chance for you now. The DVD came out on the second.

GUESS THAT BREAKFAST. An interesting new series by German photographer Oliver Schwarzwald that looks at typical breakfasts around the world. The photographs are incredible. Check it out.

THE PERFECT SANDWICH. The problem with spending too much time on a food blog and really it's not a problem but ultimately it does make you hungrier than you want to be - but you do stumble onto things that you love and then want, not necessarily to make but to appear out of nowhere like magic. Take the Pain Surprise, which is hollowed out bread made into little sandwiches of different flavors and then stuffed back in. No particular order, of course, so that it's a complete surprise which is great and scary, depending on where you are, when thinking about it.

FRANK CHIMERO HAS A BLOG. And I can't help but fall madly in love with it more and more every day. Chimero muses on all things thought and design, creativity and business and even Kanye West. A favorite post? 8 Ways to End the Internet which includes this point, "Dancing Baby and Hamster Dance make another go at it in light of the recent success of other come-back tours." It still makes me laugh.

YOUNG ME, NOW ME. In a culture where aging is both a fear and fascination, this photography blog is a warmer response to that sensibility and ultimately really endearing. Two photos, the same people, different times - from mothers and sons then to mothers and sons now, you as the viewer really get to face how much people really don't change. And these photos are really great. And makes you want to hug your family.

HEY HEY JIMI. From the March 2010 issue of Vogue Spain, comes this really wonderful editorial from photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Of course, Hendrix was the seventies and the aesthetics from the time range from leather and feathers and colors. But the tribute in itself is very romantic and gorgeous without a doubt, and there a few really incredible pieces that you definitely want to get your hands on.

A PORTABLE DESK FOR YOU AND ME. From Swedish Headoffice Design, secretaire is a foldable and portable workspace made in wood. The keyword here is portable and it's quite the accessory - check it out.

VIKTOR & ROLF PRE-FALL 2010. Although I'm sure most of us are ready for spring to come, for the colors and the prints, we're certainly excited about Viktor & Rolf's pre-fall collection. Each piece is phenomenal, of course, and while I'm also sure that many of you are going "black, really?", the construction to each piece is phenomenal.

DID YOU KNOW: THE DAFFODIL EDITION. The one thing about spring that we all are excited about is flowers. Spring means fresh flowers and if there's something that I really enjoy, it's putting fresh flowers everywhere - thanks mom. Design Sponge has a phenomenal entry on daffodils and the various types. It's an interesting read, check it out.

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ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE.

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.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE.

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.)

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT.

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?

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE.

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

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX.

When fashion and design meet - the Calvin Klein + Los Angeles Nomadic Division event. A gorgeous collaboration between art and fashion, Jean Shin created “Pattern Folds” commissioned by Calvin Klein, and first unveiled in Seoul. Shin is known for her ability to create installation which transform castoff materials. More photos at the source.

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR.

With a strange day, weather-wise - and nobody likes it when you're wrong, weatherpeople, here are a few great links that might entertain you before or after your commute home!

FOOD DYE BY COREY HOLMS. An array of gorgeous, gorgeous art made out of food coloring by artist Corey Holms.

WISDOM BITS. A really cool website that offers lyrics from a bunch of different artists, from U2 to James Brown and the Kinks and of course, Madonna. Think fortune cookie lyrics and you'll see what we mean.

LETTERS TO DEAD PEOPLE. This is the perfect place, perfect place for wasting a bunch of minutes and a place that makes you laugh. For instance, there's Dear Kafka, CHEER UP and a personal favorite, Dear Plato, YOU ARE WRONG.

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