new retail trend?

this is a really cool new concept for a mobile phone company, and a trend i see many other retailers adopting in the near future.

giff gaff is based in the uk and call themselves the "first people powered mobile network."  basically you order a sim card from giff gaff, pop in into any unlocked mobile phone and away you go.  you get rewards for recruiting new members to the network, and for participating in giff gaff's marketing promotions... ultimately building up a new community that i imagine giff gaff are hoping will have the same following as other social media sites like facebook and twitter in the future.

whether this takes off is basically just a matter of time, and how many people they can get involved in the site.  it would need a lot of promotion and encouraging the right kind of people to join the network in the beginning.  people who are heavily involved in social media and the blogging world would be a good primary target to spread the word.  here is an overview of the process.

The forums have a good number of posts so hopefully it will be a good concept.  i could see other online retailers taking up this, asos immediately springs to mind as they have a good community following...  i love the idea of getting you online followers to do your promotional work, let the people who love you spread the word.

bringing us one step closer to fluency!

i love this new app for the iPhone. Simply find the phrase you want to say, select the language and hold the phone in front of your mouth. the phrase is then read out load making it look like you speak any language!

can you guess the logo?

i was discussing last week about how certain logos are recognisable without any colour whatsoever.  once a brand becomes so mainstream that anyone could recognise it's logo...  as i'm hoping you did with the coca cola logo above.  there is even a guess the logo game that just proves how little of a logo you actually need to see in order to recognize it. 

the brands we see every day become imprinted in our minds.

eco-trend - colourless coke can

that's why i was so excitied to see this concept from ryan hoon and harc lee featured on lovely package.  they took the approach of creating a coca cola drinks can with no paint on the can.  the logo and details are instead embossed onto the bare metal.  this can be easily done during the actual production process of the can and would be so much more beneficial for the environment.  the aluminium could be recycled more easily without having to remove the paint during the melting process.

i'm sure this is something we would all like to see on the supermarket shelves in the near future.

weekend finds

a summary of all the exciting trends i have spotted over the weekend...

enjoy!

collette on the rue st honore - via trendpulse

vegas elopement save the dates - via oh so beautiful paper

dining room storage solution - via lake jane

sustainabiliy in fashion exhibition - via how blog

jim beam's red stag bottle label - via uncrate

holiday goodie bag by blue pool road - via black eiffel

edge painted cards by czar press - via oh so beautiful paper

red alexander mcqueen rocker clutch - via not couture

festive fonts by the font bureau - via now blog

pixelized mary janes by united nude - via the office stylist

christmas... already

i really need to get organized!

cheesecake brownie swirls

my next attempt at baking was cheesecake brownie swirls.

this is the result...

mixed and ready to go into the oven

looks cooked to me... now to cool and cut into squares

 the finished article!

the brownies were really lovely and moist but so heavy.  you only need a small piece.  i was hoping the cheesecake would have a touch more flavour to it, i may try a different cream cheese next time and maybe add a touch more vanilla.  i was happy with my first attempt though!

lest we forget

today marks remembrance day.  we should all take the time today to remember those who have fought so bravely for us and to support those who fight for us today.

anna sui fit flop

 

i need these. they are perfection, and they keep you fit too!

you can find them at net a porter for $195

baking update

so... i've finally baked something successfully. one of my early new years resolutions is to become a better cook and after many failed attempts i finally made parkin and bonfire toffee that actually tasted, well, alright!

my next attempt is going to be cheesecake brownies (recipe here)...

hang tight for an update!

monday niceties

a snippet of beautiful things i came across over the weekend.




beautiful packaging for elle macpherson intimates via lovely package




a stunning way to showcase your latest book purchase found at framed object

i love this table setting found on 100 layer cake

more fantastic brooches found on bleubird vintage

stunning goldfish tights from bitching and junkfood




this stunning interior decor found on lake jane

amazing packaging seen at jamie olivers store in london recipease found at hallmark snipets

beautiful handwritten typography photographed on brick lane by hallmark snipets

this elegant moleskine desk calendar found on greedy girl

stylish in fleece?

i can’t believe it’s november already, which means we’ve been living in canada almost a year now, and have nearly come full circle season-wise.  it is really starting to feel cold now, although we have still been having some beautiful fall days... (note how easily i slipped ‘fall’ into that sentence.. ahem, i mean autumn!)  the brisk autumn days we are having at the minute remind me a lot of england in december.  there’s a certain fresh air smell in autumn, when you breathe in and the air feels clean and cold – that only i seem to understand, everyone else thinks i’m a little strange!

the weather forecasters are predicting our first snowfall this weekend, i actually saw someone putting their snow plow onto the front of their truck yesterday which made me want to run home and hide under the duvet for the next 6 months!

i swear my fashion sense takes a plummet at this time of year.  whenever i dress up to go out i end up being really cold.  i’m still refusing to wear gloves yet although everyone else around me has succumbed already.  i just think i wouldn’t be wearing gloves at this time of year in england.  i can’t get my head to fully accept that i live in a colder climate and i should in fact dress accordingly.  It seems like 2 seconds ago that I packed away the Ugg boots for the summer and here we are again, best friends for another 5 months!

so yep, at the minute i’m resorting to walking to work in a padded gilet.  something i would never have worn at home unless i was on a hike, but it’s so cold in the mornings that i just want to bundle up and get to work as soon as i can...

so while i sit here trying to warm up my mouse hand (which is perpetually freezing, how does that happen?) i’m going to dream of all the nice winter clothes i would wear if
1.    i had a car to get me to work so i don’t have to wear 3,000 layers to work
2.    i could actually get up that 30 minutes earlier in the morning to make myself look presentable
3.    oh yeah, i had the money to buy all this stuff.

enjoy, and let me know how you stay fashionable in the cold weather...

this english gal is still learning!

i really want a body con dress like this for the winter months - although the bare legs may be a bit much in this climate

this is a perfect casual look for winter and looks so warm an cozy

this is how i would like to roll into work during the winter months.  warm but still stylish and professional.

how cute is this idea?

a fendi purse that you can hand embroider!  it comes with diagrams to create your very own bag and is reminiscent of the fendi bag that came out a few years ago with markers so you could create your very own custom graffiti bag.  i'm not overly fond of the design of the bag itself but i love the idea.