Wall to Wall By Converse in Manchester

On my normal Monday walk to work I was stopped dead in my tracks when I was faced with this huge piece of street art, which covers one side of a 5-floor building. I did a bit of research and it turns out the painting was created by street artist Faunagraphic, for Converse's Wall to Wall project. The idea behind Wall to Wall is to merge some of the top street artists with walls in Europe's most popular cities. Wall to Wall has already ventured to Antwerp, Lyon, Ghent, Barcelona and Naples. Bringing art to the streets, on a large scale.

So now you can see it for yourselves, before it's gone. If you live close get yourself down to the Northern Quarter in Manchester. I won't tell you the specific location though, cos that would spoil the fun wouldn't it?

Advertising - Amtrak Wi-Fi Ads

I really liked these Amtrak adverts promoting their onboard wi-fi, for their trains. It's something that is usually promoted in a mundane way or not at all, but how important is wi-fi these days? You may as well show it off in a creative and most importantly engaging way. It's a super simple idea and what I really like is that they have clearly been inspired by old Art Deco travel advertising and have mixing it with modern technology. Each ad in the series uses a quality which is associated with the destination, I wouldn't mind doing one of these for the Blackpool Tower!

I might make this advertising thing a bit of a Sunday feature actually, it's quite a nice way to start off the week. Image source

Remember I'm running a short competition to win a Murdock London fancy pants candle, click here to enter.

Murdock London Travels North & Competition

Northern News Alert! Barbers and Gent's Grooming specialists Murdock London are venturing up to the north of England. Murdock's products were exclusively sold from their super cool stores (and some concessions) dotted around London but now the stylish chaps of the north can get a look in. Their kit is being sold through John Lewis stores in Liverpool, Cheadle (Greater Manchester), Newcastle and not strictly the north but Nottingham as well.

As I'm based up north (Blackpool to be exact) they sent me a couple of their most popular products to test drive. The Avalon British cologne and candle to be more precise. I have the say the cologne is like no other aftershave I've really ever used, it's fresh, citrusy and smells like you've just been given a wet shave from a guy in a white vest and braces. I've worn it tones already and had quite a few compliments.

As with anything for me the packaging and presentation matters a great deal. It's simple stuff really, nice traditionally shaped bottle and charming label. Lets just say the guys on the Young Apprentice could learn a lot from this!

Competition - 

As for the candle I'm going to let one of you guys have it. I'm not one for candles but it smells just as good as the cologne (and me). You can find out a few more deets about it here but just of the top of my head, "Notes of Sicilian bergamot, Calabrian lemons and hand picked lavender from the fields of Haute Provence, whisk you away to cocktail hour on the Grand Tour, with a fresh modern twist"....comes to mind! 

I reckon this would be a pretty wicked gift for any chaps but for women too, as it's not overly manly. Or you can just have it for yourself? So if you fancy a free Christmas gift or a treat for yourself 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 and will pick the winner at random on the day. This one is only open to people in the UK though, sorry. I'm going to try do a couple of competitions in the run up to Christmas so you guys will have some good stuff to give to your loved ones or keep for yourselves! So check back for more soon, I'll be keeping them unisex too. Best of luck.

Inspiration - Bernhard Lang's Aerial Views

With all the different types of media we're exposed to each day it's progressively taking more and more to properly grab my attention. I'm not saying I don't find a lot of inspiring things, of course I do but sometimes it takes something coming from a slightly different angle or perspective to stop me in my tracks. Bernhard Lang's Aerial Views project made me turn my music off and demanded my full attention.

I love it when this happens, it's basically my brain's way of saying "you should check this out, you'll really like it". The German born photography, Bernhard Land has spent the last couple of years traveling the world to find perfect locations to capture these really unique aerial images. I came across his work via the Coggles Sunday email where the top images was shown, quickly I found his Behance profile and then onto his own website. I was truly blown away by his work, there's a playful, surreal and slightly animated (reminded me of a stop motion project about the seaside, really can't remember who it's by though sadly) feel to them.

I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did. This is only a small selection of his Aerial Views, just go to his website and Behance profile to see a whole load more. Images all belong to the man himself.

Also I just wanted to say how happy I am to have reached 400 followers and a massive thank you to all you guys. I'm glad you enjoy reading what I have to say and post about, it means a lot to me.

Cos Stone Cold Said So

I stopped these in the Harvey Nics pop-up food market at The Trafford Centre last night. There's tones of fun stuff in there, loads of creative, eye-catching, bizarrely named and well packaged stuff going on. Very tempting and tasty sounding though. Not sure how long the market is open for but it's worth a visit if you're in into locally produced and well packaged bits and bobs.

Now, don't make me open a can of whoop ass.

Clean Everything

It's getting towards that time of year again when I'm starting the think about Christmas gifts for the friends and fam. I've already bought a couple of small things and I know if I leave it too late I'll end up stressing myself out and just asking people what they would like, which we all know is no fun. Call this a "gifts ideas" post if you will. I freaking love wallets, it's one of those items that I head for first when I go in a shop. Partly because they're usually attainable in terms of price and the other is that I use a wallet every single day of the year. So for me a decent wallet makes the perfect present for a chap. 

Clean Everything are a new brand to me, and they're starting off with some big guns. Above is their minimalist vegetable-tanned leather wallet, hand-cut from one single piece of premium leather. I like the fact it doesn't have any stitching on the outer and is held together with a single large gold button, plus the name is pretty cool too. Numbers are limited to 199 pieces and coming in at £43 it seems really to val for something handmade. Visit Clean Everything for more deets.

I thought I'd take the opportunity to show you my wallet collection

From top to bottom:

- Calvin Klein card/coin holder. Bought this on a whim in an outlet. The zip totally broke after a week, it was only cheap but it's a pile of crap. It now holds business cards.

- Topman Premium leather dogtooth zip wallet. I've used this solid for 2 years and it's still in brilliant nic. 100% leather and only cost me £7 so it's probably one of my best buys to date. Features a nice red and white candy stripe inside.

- Comme des Garcons leather bright blue zip wallet. I won this in a competition last summer. Works pretty similar to the Topman wallet although it's more delicate and it's a finer leather. Still great though, I use this one for more fancy times. Fits in the back pocket perfectly and has a bit of wow factor, but I do wish it had a proper lining.

- Marks & Spencer's tan leather wallet. I've had this one for about 5 years now and it's been a right treat for £22. Has a million or so compartments/zips/spaces and the leather has worn really nicely. Used this solid for a few years but the only objection is that it doesn't fit in your back pocket so well. I mean it does, but you're not going to have a lot of fun sitting down on it.

Hollie, Nero's card & business cards come everywhere with me.

Has this helped with Christmas present ideas at all?

Blackpool's Comedy Carpet

 Blackpool's Comedy Carpet covers a 1880 square-feet of the promenade and immortilises around 1000 comedian's and writer's famous catchphrases and quotes.

The project has been 4 years in the making and was artist Gordan Young's vision to create something totally unique for Blackpool, with its rich entertainment history. The permeant installation is made up of 160,000 individually cut letters made from granite and concreate. It's a stroke of genius and has such high impact in real life. Above mages from here

I decided to take advantage of the lovely weather today and take some snaps, see if you recognise any of the quotes -

Around the outside of the carpet is a list of who features, Pilkington even gets in on the act!

 One of my favourite quotes here, by the late Bob Monkhouse.

 The Comedy Carpet is located on Central promenade, directly opposite Blackpool Tower, if you look carefully you can see people on the newly unveiled glass walkway. The whole thing money well spent in my eyes. Blackpool isn't an arty town so when we do get something really special like this we should really treasure it.

 If you spin 180 degrees you are now presented with amazing views out to the Irish Sea, the whole area has recently been regenerated and is now open plan, which makes for some amazing views.

This really has been the first time in a long time that I'm proud of my hometown. If you guys are ever in the North West of England I urge you to come check it out, you will be there for hours trying to spot some comedy gold.

Inspiration: Max de Esteban's Proposition One

Evening all. This is technically a re-blog but I came across these x-rays by photographer Max de Esteban over on Selectism this afternoon. They got me pretty excited and my first instinct was, "I have to blog about this". He used an x-ray technique to create them, using various types of electronics as the subject. The idea behind the series is, "the consequences of today’s accelerated embracement of new technologies and formats in the art practice". I can appreciate the meaning behind these and it got me thinking just how quick the turnover is on the newest gadget, which then quickly becomes old hat. I tend to hang onto old electronics, probably because I hoard these things like many of us do but also because of a memory it might evoke or just as simple as it being someone's interesting design decision.

It also made me want to whack out my film camera, which I know I neglect. Is this ringing any bells, which products do you tend to neglect?

If you happen to be in New York Max Esteban's Proposition One is currently exhibiting at the Klompching Gallery until 9th December. Images from his site.

In other news, I still haven't decided on the trainers but I will hopefully be trying a few of them on soon, thanks for all your opinions.

Trainer Issues - Sports vs Casual

Sports - Nike Air Vengeance Vintage. Reissue of the purple and pink nylon/suede upper with vintage treatment soles, 1985 running trainer. It's a case of so ugly I love them, mad as a box of snakes these ones.

New Balance 420. Cira 1980s classic running trainer. In royal blue, grey and white nylon/suede mix. I can't fault New Balance for comfort, design and general understated coolness. 

Nike Elite Vintage Size? Exclusive. Red and navy nylon/suede upper and original waffle soles straight from the year of 1976. Look pretty slick and streamline. Takes me back to the days of my first job in a sports shop when I was 16.

Casual - Adidas Originals Gazelle Indoor. Modern update of the late 1960s indoor classic. Featuring half translucent sole in forest green, white and gum. The classic terrance trainer gone uber-mod. I was given a similar pair about 7 year ago for they bought the wrong size! Doy.

Converse Star Player. Natty alternative to the classic. Mixe the Allstar with the Onestar and this is your outcome, with suede upper, extra padding and premium trims. My favourite comes in navy, ecru and grey. Slick as Rick but not too different from my usual sneaks.

Nike Blazer Low Vintage. The trendy option, minus the high top upper. Again a suede upper in copper, white and vintage treatment soles. I had a similar grey pair when I was about 15, the got totally trashed from playing football but they lasted like no other. Maybe a bit too "cool" for me? The colour is pretty appealing to me though.

So I'm trying to make the decision on a new pair of trainers, and I want you guys to help me. I'm trying to make up my mind - Sports vs. Casual. I have a handful of trainers already, a mixture of both styles, I wear them for the gym and on an every day basis. Currently my favs are a pair of blue and orange nylon New Balance 410 which I wear to the gym every week and occasionally out & about. Comfort is key but I like a bit of a nostalgia too so I don't want anything too trendy. I turned to one of my favorite trainer store on the high street Size for a bit of inspiration. If you're in the market for  a new pair of trainers you can't go far wrong with Size.co.uk, have you checked their selection out lately? The pages seems to scroll on for ever! 

Here's where you can help. I like a good ol' nostalgic design and splashes of colour, comfort is always important and I don't mind a bit of the ugly factor. Which ones do you like (or hate too, I really don't mind) and why? Also which ones can you see me in? I'll be really interested to hear your opinions on this one.

Images from Size.