Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Ace Hotel, M13's residence of choice on our frequent visits to Seattle and Portland, is gearing up for the opening of its New York hotel this winter. Sketches of some of the rooms just hit the internet.
"Ace Hotel New York is improvisational, a mix of styles, historical periods and objects that come together in layers. The hotel's design takes its cues from the vibrancy of street life, the honesty of materials and the potential of invention. It is about soul, latent in the old architecture and re-introduced through the new design."
Via Selectism.
Ace New York.
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
posted by M13 on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday Reviews - Moleskine NotebooksTuesday, August 26, 2008
It feels like pretty much everyone has a Moleskine at this point...hard to believe they only launched in 1998. How does a notebook brand go from zero to ubiquity in ten years? They're definitely great products... super well designed...with the elastic closure, bookmark ribbon, and expandable pocket on inside back cover. But the real story is Moleskine marketing.
The thing you usually hear about Moleskines is that they were used by famous writers and artists like Hemingway and Picasso. This is a half truth...the Moleskine design is based on those notebooks, but the brand is new. Misleading or not, that backstory authenticates the brand and is a major part of its allure. Then there's the product extensions like the City Notebooks, which work as visitor guide/travel journals for major cities around the world... and the Detour project, where they exhibit artists' work in notebooks. Finally there's the the Milan-based company's Italian heritage, which never hurts (are they Made in Italy? Not sure...).
So yeah, Moleskine.... great products, even better marketing.
Moleskine home.
Detour artist projects.
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
Tuesday Reviews - Moleskine Notebooks
posted by M13 on Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Vancouverism architecture exhibition, LondonThursday, August 14, 2008
UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, designed by Arthur Erickson.
"Vancouverism is characterized by tall, but widely separated, slender towers interspersed with low-rise buildings, public spaces, small parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and facades to minimize the impact of a high density population."
- The New York Times, December 28, 2005
Link.
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
Vancouverism architecture exhibition, London
posted by M13 on Thursday, August 14, 2008
Chinese Olympic success shines light on TCM
China's Qin Kai and Wang Feng compete during men's 3m synchronized diving final. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
From the UK, the Sun reports that China's Olympic success is helping popularize traditional Chinese medicine in the West.
"The Beijing Olympics is showcasing just what the human body can achieve when pushed to its absolute limits.
So it's fitting that Chinese foods, drinks and martial arts once unheard of in the West are now helping thousands of us ward off disease and live longer."
Link.
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
Chinese Olympic success shines light on TCM
posted by M13 on Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday Reviews - Converse "Chuck Taylor" All StarsTuesday, August 12, 2008
This is the first of another regular M13 blog feature, Tuesday Reviews, where we offer totally subjective, biased, one-sided looks at various consumable items. Food, books, music, magazines, gear, tech toys and whatever else strikes our fancy. Enjoy!
Before they became a countercultural icon, footwear's symbolic answer to the leather jacket, Converse Chuck Taylors were for several decades the high performance shoe of choice for hoopsters. Originally released in 1917, the All Star gained widespread popularity when a young fan, Chuck Taylor, came on board and suggested various improvements, including the ankle patch for better support (!), which by 1923 bore his signature.
With a design that hasn't observably changed in over 80 years, the main appeal of Chucks today lies in their classic authenticity. When you wear Chucks, you're saying "I don't care about fashion or trends," which, of course, is nonsense. No matter, any fashion statement that involves original, gimmick-free products is OK by us.
Fun facts!
- Chucks are now produced by Nike, which purchased the bankrupt brand in 2003.
- A few famous wearers of Chucks in history: Jackson Pollack, John Belushi, JFK, Kurt Cobain.
*Info for this post was ripped from Buying In by Rob Walker, Consumed columnist for New York Times Magazine and Murketing blogger. An excellent book by a great thinker on consumer culture. Pick it up!
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
Tuesday Reviews - Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Stars
posted by M13 on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Lunchbox Thursdays - Erewhon Natural Foods, LAThursday, August 7, 2008
We're always on the run, visiting groceries, selling juice, grabbing quick lunches from their delis. We're basically deli connoisseurs at this point. Lunchbox Thursdays is a new M13 blog feature that puts that wisdom to use. Here's where we shine a light on the fine establishments that carry Functional Juice and the fresh treats they offer.
Erewhon Natural Foods is West Hollywood's go-to spot for organic, probiotic and raw fare. The name is taken from the Utopian novel of the same name written by Samuel Butler in the 1800s about a land where people are held responsible for their own health.
This place is the Copenhagen of raw food. They have the largest selection of raw food that I've seen. If that's your scene then definitely check it out if not try it anyway it tastes good.
Attention all Pescetarians this place has better salmon salad than the ocean. Well worth the spendy price!
If you're not into salmon then just head down to have a chat with the kind and charismatic Natalie - LA's biggest Functional Juice fan!
Pure healthy goodness at the Erewhon deli. Run, don't walk, this place is the spot!
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
Lunchbox Thursdays - Erewhon Natural Foods, LA
posted by M13 on Thursday, August 07, 2008
M13 Assistance & Vanilla SmoothieTuesday, August 5, 2008
The good folks at our local coffee shop, Bean Around the World cafe in Gastown, created a simple and delicious summer smoothie featuring M13 Assistance, the vitalizing Functional Juice, and vanilla, which adds a delectable, aromatic hint of sweetness to the program. Here's the recipe.
1 bottle M13 Assistance
1 cup ice
2-3 tsp vanilla syrup or extract
Put ingredients into blender, blend em. Pour concoction into cup, consume. Face the demands of your day, feel great.
© 2007, M13
www.M13.ca
M13 Assistance & Vanilla Smoothie
posted by M13 on Tuesday, August 05, 2008