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.