Artist, Ian Millard recently teamed up with Japan’s Noise King to produce a print called ‘LV Cans‘.  Instantly folks should recognize the Vuitton monograms and Whole Food’s 365 Organic line of food products.  But some of us may correlate this with another famous pop art soup can piece.  ‘LV Cans‘ was produced using 10 hand-cut stencils and spray paint. For those curious behind the process can watch Ian’s video below.  With an edition of 15, the 30″ x 40″ prints retail for $188.  Patrons have a choice between a gold or silver version.

Image Source: OMG Posters! via NOISEKING

I’m sure by now we’ve all seen Olle Hemmendorff’s Air Max 90 ‘Hambuuurger‘ edition.  Coming from the same continent, twin brothers, Remigijus and Egidijus Praspaliauskashave have designed a series of shoes made entirely of bread.  They come in several shapes and sizes and even have custom cardboard boxes.  But the real question is, after the gimmick wears off, would you wear them or eat them?  Check out the gallery below for the entire collection of ‘bread shoes’.

Image Source: Toxel via dadada

Yoonsang Kim has a good idea going.  Create a hybrid utensil called the Chopork and serves as both chopstick and fork alike.  Should someone want to ease into chopstick use, this may be a great way to start.  And if they’re not comfortable with the chopstick mode, simply snap the two pieces back together and use it as a fork.  Taking a look at the image above,  I’m not sure if I would use either method for eating cheesecake.  My dessert eating rituals always include pairing up with a cup of tea and a spoon.

Image Source: Yanko Design

Very similar to papercraft, artist Kazuma Takahashi has taken every day packaging and recycled them into 3-d art.  See the below gallery for otherwise thrown away Xylitol gum boxes, Marlboro cartons and Kit Kat boxes morphed into package craft insects, robots and animals.

Image Source: Design Blog

Quite often my cousin shows me the latest Colorware skin for his previous phone, a Crackberry.  So when I first saw this open faced toaster, I was amused by the skin options for a toaster.  But more importantly, this is a bistro style open faced toaster that can support any shape or size bread.  Overall, this is a clean looking piece of kitchenware that I’d love to buy for someone other than myself.  And quite possibly a step up from my Jasper Morrison “Rowenta” toaster.  The Bodum Toaster is available here.

Image Source: Apartment Therapy Unplugged via Hammacher Schlemmer

On the norm, I don’t go hunting for spice racks or spice trays.  Well ok maybe just once when I was inspired to find one for vinyl toy display reasons.  But the Zervo’s Zero Gravity Spice Rack and Spice Stand not only look great in any dwelling, but is perfect for premium spacing.  The zero gravity factor comes in place courtesy of a magnetic base.  Overall, both are well designed and quite affordable at under $50 each.

Image Source: Yanko Design

Coca-Cola, as reported by Business Wire, has unveiled a new 90-calorie mini Coca-Cola can. “The Coca-Cola mini can innovation reinforces the Company’s support for healthy, active lifestyles”, a statement made by Sandy Douglas, President of Coca-Cola North America. Ranked as the most fittest city in the country, DC was selected along with NYC to be the first markets to try the 7.5-fluid ounce beverage. Being from the DC area, I will be one of the first consumers to have this!

“The package introduction comes in the wake of a recent global commitment from Coca-Cola to put calories front-of-package on nearly all its products. Coca-Cola also recently announced a new partnership with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, which advocates a common-sense approach to helping reduce obesity by 2015. A core objective of the group is to remind consumers that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is about balancing the calories consumed in a sensible diet with calories expended through physical activity” (Business Week).

I think Coca-Cola’s new product concept is great as it will reduce the amount of high fructose corn syrup delivered in an aluminum can.  I am also in favor of 90 calories over 140 calories (in a 12 oz. coke can).

Photo/Source: Business Week

Here is an interesting concept by designer Aissa Logerot that combines a pair of chopsticks with a ceramic spoon.  Detached the the partial spoon serves as a soy sauce dish.  And when combined, the Chopstick Plus One becomes a half wooden/half ceramic soup spoon.  In theory, the concept is very zen.  However, I’m sure many of us would still prefer the ambidexterous tradition of chopsticks and soup spoon.  I know I would probably find it troublesome to have to play switch in and out while trying to enjoy a luscious bowl of pho.

Image Source: Fubiz via aïssalogerot.com

Here is another brilliant concept that needs to roll straight into production.  New York design studio, ChappsMalina in conjuction with Fahrenheit 212 may have developed the solution to watered down iced espresso.  The Illy Cafe Rocca espresso ice machine produces ice cubed espresso.  The melting is inevitable.  However, you can have peace of mind knowing even if it melts, the flavor will remain the same.  Its rare that I drink coffee even once in a week, but as I’m writing this entry, I’m feeling the need to head out and buy a cup of Illy tomorrow.

Image Source: Yanko Design via ChappsMalina

Photo Source: LA Times

After reading the press release from Virgin America, I am excited to inform foodies and food lovers that the classic Vietnamese sandwich, Banh Mi, will be served on all Virgin U.S. flights. VA has updated their on flight services by introducing new fall seasonal menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My favorite part about this update is Banh Mi. The combination of flying on Virgin America, internet access via WiFi and being able to order a Banh Mi sandwhich is wonderful! The price point is not bad as well. From $7-$10, flyers will be able to order VA’s “Banh Mi flat iron beef sandwich”.

Banh mi flat iron beef sandwich: A traditional street-vended Vietnamese sandwich made of grilled Asian marinated sliced flat iron steak with shaved cucumber, green leaf lettuce, baby frisée, fresh sprigs of cilantro and topped with a Vietnamese slaw of julienne carrots, daikon radish and red onion. Asian ginger dressing served on the side.

Photo Source: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Catching on to Banh Mi fever yet? If not, I highly suggest that you hit up the nearest Banh Mi spot in your town and get a little taste of the Vietnamese cuisine served on French baguette.

Directed by Daisuke Izumi is an entertaining short clip of some friends doing the impossible with fully cooked Nissin Cup Noodles.  These dudes have mastered the art of flinging food across the air without spilling, dropping or wasting any of it.  Watch as cups of Nissin slide down rails, get thrown out of windows, flung from an r/c racer and propelled from a fishing pole.  Quite entertaining stuff.

via TOKYOMANGO

Gabriele Meldaikyte’s One Hand Kitchen concept is mindful to those disabled and can only use one hand.  Just from a quick glance, you can see how well thought out this workstation is.  Everything from peeling, cutting, buttering, temporary disposal and overall prep work is covered.  Due to the its versatile design, this workstation can be used by lefties or righties with ease.  And with its movable platforms, any shape food item can be accomodated.

Image Source: Yanko Design

Here’s an interesting concept that’ll pique the interest of papercraft and origami fanatics.  Designed by Nathalia Ponomareva’s are tea bags capable of expanding into origami birds and other shapes when immersed into water.  The figured tea bags may serve no real fuction.  But they are aesthetically pleasing.  I’d have to say if these ever ended up in the shelf of a retailer near me, I’d buy a box or two in earl grey, oolong or white tea.

Image Source: packaging | UQAM | Sylvain Allard

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When it comes to cupcakes, my palate is quite simple.  A moist spongy cake with some sort of whipped cream will reel me in.  That is unless someone knew how to make a creme de cassis mousse cupcake.  Please contact me if you know how to make this.  But by way of garnishing, fondant (or fondit) has always fascinated me.  The above Totoro inspired cupcake created by Dagmar of A cat in the kitchen is simply a delight to look at.  The actual cake base sounds quite delectable with apples and maple syrup.  Should these Totoro cupcakes be accessible in DC Metroland, I would buy them in a heartbeat.  Simply because I’m such a sucker for anything Studio Ghibli.  On a relevant note, A cat in the kitchen included a recipe, but baking isn’t my forte.

Image Source: alafista.com via Shibuya Japan via A cat in the kitchen

Its hard to accept anything at KFC as a healthy alternative.  However, with zero bun apparent, the “Double Down” sandwich is for the carb conscious.  KFC recently launched the double fried chicken patty which houses bacon, two types of cheeses and a sauce sandwich in select areas including Rhode Island and Nebraska.  Eventhough KFC boast it as a breadless sandwich, we know all that sodium isn’t good for us.  But we still want it.  At least I wanna a nibble.  Let’s see if the Double Down makes it into the daily rotation statewide.  Til then, check out the Youtube clip.

via Food Geekery

Joongho Choi’s “Moving Kitchen” would be my ideal essential kitchen ‘must have’ should I find myself in premium or a makeshift spacing.  It features a dining table that doubles as workspace, storage and wheels for easy quarterly feng shui-ing.  The resin finish is also a nice touch.  The only issue I would see is the increased cooking times since there is only one available range.  Regardless, this is an effortlessly cool design.

Image Source: Yanko Design via Joongho Choi Design

This past Saturday I was treated to fine dining at Michel Richard’s Citronelle and one of the memorable appetizers was the Eggs Symphony.  Aside from the eggs being prepared in four different ways, what I loved most was how the shells were cut with such precision.  I was so amused by the incision of the egg shells which leads to this post.  The below gallery depicts various artist around the world applying their personal touch on egg shells.  It’s simply amazing how such a delicate object like egg shells can serve as a canvas for fine art.

Image Source: Toxel

Above is the music video to Alva Noto’s single, U_08-1 from his 2008 Unitxt album.  Prior to this clip, I personally haven’t heard of Alva Noto nor his glitch electronica.  But the video and music goes well hand in hand as actor, Kyusaku Shimada is seen struggling to get a bottle of Saori tea from the vending machine.  Instead, it plays with his emotions and offers him up a short light show before sending him off with the beverage.  Overall, its a short and fun visual treat.

Source: Pink Tentacle

Nagoya’s FuA-Men restaurant is causing quite a stir with their automated cooks.  Two assembly line robot arms share the duties of preparing no less than 80 bowls of “perfect” ramen each day.  The two robotic arms will definitely attract visitors, but I’m wondering if they’re limited to preparing only one type of ramen noodle soup.  After viewing the clip, I wasn’t sure how it would be able to handle different orders or special needs and omissions.   Anyway, check out the clip.  I’m excited to see in this lifetime, we’re coming close to living like the Jetsons.

Source: alafista.com via gizmodo