Gift #1 - Euthymol

A whole post just about toothpaste? Well sure, here we go! My friends & family seemingly know me pretty well as I got some real corkers this Christmas. So I thought I'd show you some of them over the next couple of weeks. As you guys will know I'm really into design and all things well made. Look what was under the tree, some Euthymol toothpaste! Everytime I see this I want to buy it, just for the old time packaging alone. I've heard quite a bit about this stuff, it was pretty popular in Scotland in the 50s/60s and the majority hated it's medicated taste. It actually smells really similar to the rootbeer I buy in America but it does taste pretty ropey. Let's just say it's not an everyday one, it burns the mouth something rotten. 

Have you guys seen any nicely packaged stuff of late or received any for Christmas?

If you're interested you can currently buy Euthymol in Boots, even if it's just for the packaging.

Original Euthymol ad

Merry Christmas to One & All!

My sentiments exactly Jack. 

I'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Hope you all get to spend some quality time with your loved ones, watch some classic festive films and eat & drink several bellyfuls of food and drink.

Hackett Competition Winners & 500th post

Thanks to everyone who entered the Hackett Competition. And the winners are.....

Jen of The Style Crusader

Mark of Magion & Lightfoot

Luke of Wanderlust Zine

Well done to you, check your Twitter and email or contact me and I'll get it send out to you. Whoever gets in touch soonest will get first dibs on the style them want. To everyone who didn't win, over the next couple of weeks I will be putting together the 3rd Buckets competition, so it'll all start over again!

Which style do you want guys?

This blog post is actually my 500th, which just seems totally mad to me. I've had so much fun since I started the blog early 2008. It's helped me improve my writing skills, discover new brands, build relationships and help me realise the sort of things I really love in life. It's been a pleasure being able to share these things with you, and I'm very humbled that you guys seem to like and share some of my passion too. The most rewarding part has been making friendships with people that without my blog I would have never been able to. Here's so 2012 being even better for us all.

I just want to say a massive thank you to all of you, I visit as many blogs as possible in my down time and I will keep doing so. Blogging is a massive part of our lives now, so lets celebrate it!

An Analog Christmas

I was doing some Christmas shopping with Hollie in Manchester yesterday and we were both surprised and quite excited to discover that a Lomography shop has opened on Oldam St. We popped in for a browse and it instantly took us back to our college days and when we first met, all those years ago. It was a lovely feeling just to wonder about, looking at all the advances, since I'd last been into the shop just off Caraby St. The shop itself is really well thought out and just puts you in a good mood, as you won't find anything boring insight. What I did notice was that they used negative space really well, when you lift a camera from its holder you are left with a blurb about the item in its place. Neat idea.

The store is so new that you can still smell the paint. Above is the wicked Christmas window display which they said took them ages to get just right. This has definitely spurred me on to whip my old analog out this Christmas.

Have you entered my Hackett giveaway yet? You still have a day left.

Inspiration - Penique Productions' Inflatables

There's nothing like a blast of colour to brighten up our gloomy December days. We're all familiar with balloons and we are with rooms too, so Penique Productions combined the two to create something which is pretty eye-catching. The idea behind the project was to take coloured inflatables and fill up spaces which other people have created, making a new environment altogether. By filling each space with a different coloured inflatable it lets the viewer see the room in a whole new way, creating new shapes and points of interest but also making each space seem very similar (even though one could be a flat in Nottingham and the other a church in Madrid) to one another.

The guys behind the project have been traveling around Europe to find interesting locations for their on-going project, and it seems the inflatables can be adapted to work anywhere. They have even done a room which housed a fashion show. It's quite hard to describe but when I saw these I thought of urban exploration. Not that they are very similar but seeing the spaces in totally different way to what they were built must be a really exhilarating experience.

Below are some shots of how the project looks from the outside -

For more information on this project and the group visit Penique Productions. All images from their site.

Have you entered my Hackett giveaway yet? You still have time if not.

Giveaway #2 - Hackett Competition - CLOSED

Here's round 2 of my lead-up to Christmas Giveaway. To coincide with the Sartorial Man 2011 competition I've teamed up with Hackett to give away 3 cracking ties from their latest collection. The Sartorial Man 2011 competition is being run through their Facebook page and is now in the final voting stage, with the top prize being a chance to win an outfit of your choice. Nice one.

Competition - 

As you know I like to keep things simple, so I'm giving you all 3 chances of winning here. Each tie is 100% silk and is made with a high level of finish and nice details, like the contracting slip on the back. So you can choose from turquoise and white gingham, blue and white horizontal stripe or natural and white stripe. As always I've tried to team up with brands with offer products which will be great gifts for Christmas as well as a nice treat for yourself. So guys and girls get entering!

So if you fancy one of 3 Hackett ties just comment on this post saying that you want it. That's it, no nonsense, just a comment.

I'll keep the competition open for a week (ends next 20th Dec) and I will pick the 3 winners at random on the day. Who ever gets in touch first can have first choice on which one they want. This one will be open worldwide, so for the people who missed out last time here is your chance. I'm going to try do one more competition before Christmas. The next one is a proper good treat and will suitable for all. Best of luck.

- NOW CLOSED

Blown Away

What a weird week. Normal proceedings have totally been put on hold as the weather took a turn for the worse. Anyone in the UK will know what I'm talking about. Up to 90mph winds became the norm for each day and the whole island got every other weather condition (other than the hot stuff) you can think of thrown at us.

So because of this I couldn't take the photos I had planned, outside was a no-go and I did try inside but it was just too gloomy. The competition I had planned for this week will hopefully go ahead next week now, because of this. As soon as we're due a bit of clear weather I'll be grabbing my slr as quick as poss.

It's been a slow news week overall, other than I've taken on another part time job as a class room assistant at the university I went to. I'll be helping out in the first year class with a few bits and bobs, sporadic hours but it keeps me creative. So that's 3 part time jobs now, still not equalling a full time wage but you have to start somewhere!

Above are a couple of images I haven't posted before which are reminding me how much more I prefer Autumn to Winter. The North Pier, the oldest in Blackpool, built 1863 and my square face Muji watch worn with bottle green jumper and wool jacket. Have a lovely weekend.

Presents for Outdoors Folk

Victorinox army knife

Yellowstone Map Bandana

Old Time Sling Shot

Huberd's Shoe Oil

Piccalilli coloured wooly hat

Brooks Saddle in turquoise 

But of course, usually it's the indoors people that want them. The bike saddle alone is enough to make me want to buy a bike, just to be able to use it. I reckon any of these would make some cracking gifts, even if you like them just because of the packaging, design or colours used.

You guys know the score by now right? I'm totally obsessed with design. If you bought me a cool pencil for Christmas I'd be happy, because it means you've put some thought into it. I'm putting much more effort into my gifts this years, so I've started early. How are you guys getting on with your Christmas shopping?

All the products above can be found at the aptly named Present.

Advertising - NTF Vast's Driving Ads

I think these ads by NTF Vast really do hit a nerve. Created for the Swedish National Society for Road Safety, they struck a chord with me, on another level to maybe what they may usually do. I've been learning to drive for about a month now and I've had my head stuck in the highway code in between some freelance design work.

This campaign reaches out using modern technology mixed with hard hitting data, to inform the audience just how dangerous being on the phone while driving is. I don't usually go down the serious route on here but with Christmas coming things like this couldn't be more important. Drive safely people.

Also, stay turned for my second Christmas run-up giveaway this week.

Week in Detail #3

In TKmaxx it's a proper giftfest, I just look for the fun stuff though.  I'd really like one of those nutcrackers, we used to have quite a few when I was a kid.

Tuesday at work. Wearing - Topman cord trousers, Uniqlo green socks, Ebay'ed brogues, £7.50

Wednesday trip to the tailors. Wearing - Vintage suit trousers, Tabio polka dot socks, brogues

Since Steve from Style Salvage has been posting loads of British factories I now seem to be obsessed with looking at where everything is made. I picked up this tweed suit in a charity shop for £2 and I finally got round to wearing it this week.

Powerful hardware tool or metal dogs face?

How many fire exit signs do we need till it sinks in?

I helped out on a photo shoot at an independent hardware store on Thursday, it was a very charming place but so so cold. I amused myself by wondering around the machinery and wood sections. The situation required comfort so the New Balance 410s stepped in.

Post from Romania, bit different.

Thanks to everyone who entered the Murdock London candle competition. The winner is.....

Harriet from Where is Harriet? 

Well done to you, check your Twitter or contact me and I'll get it send out to you. To everyone else, I'll be launching another Christmas lead-up giveaway next week (and hopefully the week after too), so keep tuned for that post. Oh also, I've just noticed I'm quite nearly to my 500 post, cripes!