London Is Burning: Usain Bolt Gets Silver for Pre-Race Vogue Routine

Image source SB Nation

The men’s 100-meter dash last week was a jaw-dropping feat of athletic prowess and Usain Bolt is undeniably the man. His stride is elegant and extraordinarily powerful and, as someone who sometimes declines to walk down the street for lunch when it’s too hot, the blood, sweat and tears that go into running that distance in under 10 seconds blows me away. To say it’s impressive doesn’t do it justice.

I loved watching those guys kill it on the track in their neon shoes, but by far my favorite moment of the XXX Olympiad (and there have been many, including the general silliness of men’s trampoline and the creepy gold-winning synchronized swimming duet routine from the Russian aqua ballerinas) was before the race, when we got to see swagged-out intros from the entire lineup of the fastest men on earth. Did somebody tell these guys they needed to come up with a badass mug for the camera on the fly? Because they did and it was beyond brilliant.

My analysis of this Paris is Burning-style pre-race routine: This was all-around a pretty impressive display, with mugs ranging from a cool and collected, but unfortunately very squinty, stare-down from a brightly goateed Asafa Powell to some milquetoast hype face and run-of-the-mill good sportsmanship from Justin Gatlin and Ryan Bailey of Team USA. Meh.

Who wins my prestigious award for most ridiculous pre-race hype? The same dudes who killed it on the track: the Jamaicans! But, sorry Mr. Bolt. Though your ridiculous, awesome record-spinning, gun-toting, running finger routine was memorable, your teammate Yohan Blake wins gold! As you can see from the embedded video, Yohan spends a very long few seconds below the camera frame before rising up like a Thriller-esque zombie, appearing to bark and finally flashing an absolutely lovely smile! Bravo, Yohan, bravo. That was really random. Thank you for my making my Olympics special. And thank god for GIFs, amIright?

Posted by Susannah

Not Available in America? What the (F).uk?!

I’d like to think of myself as a pretty savvy online shopper. Call me crazy, but when I’m on the hunt for something in particular, I’ve been known to scour the internet for weeks – an exhaustive search for the one I like best. (Hey, my mom always told me not to settle!)

So, in the spirit of the Olympics beginning today in London, I hereby share a few products I’ve come across online, only to be confronted with a “.co.uk” URL. It’s become clear to me that the Brits can design some really clever and unique stuff (aka “bits and bobs”). But, seriously? Not only do I have to deal with currency conversion, I have to get international shipping too? Bloody hell…

Glass Whale Fish Bowl
A couple years back I had the desire to set myself up with a fish tank. But not just ANY fish tank. It had to be a stylish conversation piece in-and-of-itself. Biorb has some sleek designs, but when I saw the Giona Aquarium with a lone orange goldfish swimming in the crystal clear belly of a wide-mouthed whale…well, that’s just smashing!

Image source Made in Design

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Waldo Pancake
I’m a sucker for dry, witty, sarcastic copywriting. So when I stumbled upon these understatedly-designed yet brilliantly-written Waldo Pancake products, I wanted the whole collection. Maybe I have a warped sense of humor (aka “humour”), but having a sugar tin in the cupboard that “might be salt” or showing up at a birthday party with a gift bag not-so-conspicuously stating that it “Might be empty.” is pretty friggin’ hilarious. And undoubtedly my college French professor would squeal with delight if I gave him that tray. So, please, Mr. Pancake…no apology necessary.

Image source Really Good

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iPhone 4 Wooden Case
Ever since I joined the iPhone revolution (I’m a graphic designer, so it’s a necessity to be a cult follower of all things Apple), I’ve had a hankering for a wooden phone case. This gem, with its “contrasting wood species,” is a rugged, manly and downright cool way to house the far superior breed of smartphones (bias much?). The only drawback is that it covers up the Apple logo on the back (which for me is the branding equivalent of a middle finger to Blackberry and Droid suckers users).

Image source Amazon.co.uk

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‘Tomato’ Ketchup Bottle
On a recent trip to London (the first of what I hope will be many), my friend and I crossed the London Bridge and strolled around the City area looking for a quick bite to eat. Despite being warned that burgers in London aren’t all that great, we decided on Gourmet Burger Kitchen (I may or may not have been swayed by their well-designed menu hanging out front). Sitting on every table, just begging for the fries to arrive, was this little cutie – a kitschy ketchup (aka “tomato sauce”) bottle (aka “squeezy”) in the shape of a tomato itself. Apparently inspired by “those seen in American diners,” I’ve yet to find an American site that actually sells them. Though, I’m happy to report I found some in brown, green, pink, yellow and white, too! Oh, and for the record, burgers on this side of the pond are definitely better. Sorry, chaps.

Image source Kleeneze

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Ceramic Bird Feeder
When it comes to product design, I tend to go for the more streamlined, minimal aesthetic. So, when I was searching online for a unique bird feeder for my mom a while back, I obviously got sidetracked by the ChapelWood Ceramic Seed Feeder with its glossy pastel egg shape and chic lucite perch. It quietly says “I love nature and refuse to have my peep-peeps eat out of a chintzy plastic tube from Petco.” Believe it or not, they’re relatively affordable and coordinate well with the Birdball Belle Feeder and Earnest Charles Feeder Bell (yep, both from the UK too). Shopping stateside? Check out the equally fab J Schatz Egg Bird Feeder Collection from New York. I’d say they’d all make for a super swanky backyard that your feathered (and non-feathered) friends would want to flock to.

Image source ChapelWood

Posted by Brian

And the Gold Medal Goes to….YouTube!

     Image Source WallpapersBlog.org

If the recent heat waves don’t already have you hot and bothered, then prepare for the temperature to be cranked up a couple degrees more – the countdown to the 2012 Summer Olympics has begun! In five short days, athletes from all over the world will be descending upon the Olympic Arena in London, taking off their tracksuits and stripping down to their skin tight, barely-there uniforms. So crank up your AC, fill those ice trays and get ready for the Olympics!

But wait… what about those of us who can’t park ourselves in front of our televisions, fans in hand, to drool over watch the men’s beach volleyball team, the men’s swim team, the men’s…ahem, I digress. Well my fellow workers of the world, no need to get your knickers in a twist because I have splendid news! (Cue movie voice-over voice) From the source that brought us Charlie Bit My Finger, Rebecca Black’s Friday and Christian the Lion, now YouTube brings to a computer screen/iPhone/Android/iPod (basically anything with internet) near you…The 2012 Summer Olympic Games!!

Yep, the 2012 Olympics will be streamed live on The International Olympic Committee’s YouTube channel in 64 countries world-wide.  NBC, aka the official broadcaster of the Olympics, is teaming up with YouTube to provide a constant stream of Olympic competition. This is the first year that every single Olympic game will be available to viewers, whether they are at the beach, outside drinking sangria or enjoying the summer from the comfort of their own work cubicle! So while some may be opening tabs at bars to watch the Olympics, others (myself included) will be opening up their own tabs and charging them straight to YouTube!

Posted by Katherine

Chanel Handbags, Shoes and Tattoos…Say What?!

If pearls and classic woven suits aren’t really your thing, maybe Chanel’s new temporary tattoos will make you a fan of this luxe brand.

On March 1^st (today!) “Les Trompe L’Oeil de Chanel Temporary Skin Art” will launch exclusively at Selfridges and you can bet that fashionistas and rockers alike will be hopping the first flight to London and stocking up. And if you can’t commit to a plane ticket, they’re also available at Chanel.com.

For $75, you can adorn yourself with an assortment of 55 different designs including the oh-so-recognizable double C’s, chains, pendants, birds, blossoms and pearls. Leave it to Chanel to make sporting temporary tattoos in everyday fashion surprisingly un-weird and somehow, completely trendy.

Who knew tattoos would be the latest accessory in the world of couture?

Posted by Alyssa