Friday, February 29, 2008

Talky Blog With Ross & Sean



BLURB FROM ROSS BLOG - NBC.COM/ROSSBLOG:

Today I take YOU along for the ride meet up with my amazing long-time friend and realtor ("frealtor") Sean Yashar to look at a place that I kinda have my heart set on.

Enjoy (mints and my Katherine Hepburn impression galore)!


REAL ESTATE IS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-S

Talky Blog With Ross & Sean



BLURB FROM ROSS BLOG - NBC.COM/ROSSBLOG:

Today I take YOU along for the ride meet up with my amazing long-time friend and realtor ("frealtor") Sean Yashar to look at a place that I kinda have my heart set on.

Enjoy (mints and my Katherine Hepburn impression galore)!


REAL ESTATE IS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-S

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Sébastien Tellier: Sexuality


THE PERFECT SOUNDTRACK FOR A NITE DRIVE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE.

Frenchman Sebastien Tellier has just released his third studio album ‘Sexuality’ on February 25th 2008, which has been jointly produced with Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo (Daft Punk). This is Homen-Christo’s first full artist project outside of Daft Punk, and it's very, very good!

'Sexuality' is groundbreaking. The sounds are futuristic, yet nostalgic... To me it's like listening to the future, as if the future were in the past. Does that make sense?

-S
"=
SYI: Favorite Tracks: "Fingers of Steel", "Roche", "Divine", & "Look"

Sébastien Tellier: Sexuality


THE PERFECT SOUNDTRACK FOR A NITE DRIVE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE.

Frenchman Sebastien Tellier has just released his third studio album ‘Sexuality’ on February 25th 2008, which has been jointly produced with Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo (Daft Punk). This is Homen-Christo’s first full artist project outside of Daft Punk, and it's very, very good!

'Sexuality' is groundbreaking. The sounds are futuristic, yet nostalgic... To me it's like listening to the future, as if the future were in the past. Does that make sense?

-S
"=
SYI: Favorite Tracks: "Fingers of Steel", "Roche", "Divine", & "Look"

Friday, February 22, 2008

Future Prayer


There are two things I just don't like to delve in on SEANYASHAR.COM; religion & politics.

That said, check out the most awesome lighted prayer rug (or sajjadah) I've ever seen. By designer Soner Özenç, the designer uses light as an integral element in his imaginative creation. This modern piece that he calls Sajjadah 1426 (1426 is the year 2005 in the Islamic calendar), combines technology and the Muslim culture.

"Sajjadah 1426 is a piece of art and a great example of the electroluminescent phosphor printing technology. It is also quite practical. It assists the person who performs the divine service of prayers, called namaz, not just by creating an amazing atmosphere, but by actually finding the right direction to pray towards."

"With the help of an imbedded compass module, the lighted motifs of the rug turn brighter the closer the rug is turned toward the direction of Mecca. This modern sajjadah introduces a brand new experience in the daily performance of namaz."
(By Yagmur Uslu via The Cool Hunter).

-S

Future Prayer


There are two things I just don't like to delve in on SEANYASHAR.COM; religion & politics.

That said, check out the most awesome lighted prayer rug (or sajjadah) I've ever seen. By designer Soner Özenç, the designer uses light as an integral element in his imaginative creation. This modern piece that he calls Sajjadah 1426 (1426 is the year 2005 in the Islamic calendar), combines technology and the Muslim culture.

"Sajjadah 1426 is a piece of art and a great example of the electroluminescent phosphor printing technology. It is also quite practical. It assists the person who performs the divine service of prayers, called namaz, not just by creating an amazing atmosphere, but by actually finding the right direction to pray towards."

"With the help of an imbedded compass module, the lighted motifs of the rug turn brighter the closer the rug is turned toward the direction of Mecca. This modern sajjadah introduces a brand new experience in the daily performance of namaz."
(By Yagmur Uslu via The Cool Hunter).

-S

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

PROPERTUNITY: Cahuenga Peak


If you're like me, you were under the impression that the land around the famous HOLLYWOOD sign was owned by the city of Los Angeles. You must have also thought that the land was placed under the city's historic preservation overlay zone - aka - HPOZ. Guess what? It's not, and we were wrong. In fact, the area described as "the last private, undeveloped promontory ridge in Los Angeles" is for SALE!

Known formally as "CAHUENGA PEAK", the residentially zoned land located near the Hollywood sign was once owned by Howard Hughes. As the story goes, Hughes purchased the property in 1940 for his love interest Ginger Rogers. Upon her refusal, he kept it for himself, and it remained in his estate for many decades thereafter. In a 1991 television interview, Rogers mentioned Hughes' house plans as a reason she never married the eccentric tycoon.

"I knew what he wanted from me. He wanted to take me and lock me up in a hilltop house and never let me see anyone," Rogers said.

"That's exactly what he did to [actress] Jean Peters. He locked her up. I could tell how resentful he was of anyone coming close to us in conversation."

Hidden away for 70 years, a group of investors working through a partnership called Fox River Land Co., purchased Cahuenga Peak from Howard Hughes Properties Ltd. in 2002 for $1,675,000, according to Los Angeles County property records.

Today, the 138-acre property is zoned for five luxury homes, and sits atop the 1,820-foot Cahuenga Peak.

ASKING PRICE: $22,000,000!

*Personally, I don't know how I feel about the possible sale of Cahuenga Peak. On the one hand, any development will ruin the city's most famous postcard. It just goes to show you that nothing's sacred in L.A. real estate. Yet on the other hand, I find it humorously ironic. You see, the Hollywood sign was originally constructed as a huge advertisement. It was meant to stimulate development for the Hollywood Land subdivision. So in a sense, the sign worked!

I don't know what to think, but what I can say is that whoever ends up with the property will have the most stunning view of L.A.

I hope I get invited to that party!

-S

PROPERTUNITY: Cahuenga Peak


If you're like me, you were under the impression that the land around the famous HOLLYWOOD sign was owned by the city of Los Angeles. You must have also thought that the land was placed under the city's historic preservation overlay zone - aka - HPOZ. Guess what? It's not, and we were wrong. In fact, the area described as "the last private, undeveloped promontory ridge in Los Angeles" is for SALE!

Known formally as "CAHUENGA PEAK", the residentially zoned land located near the Hollywood sign was once owned by Howard Hughes. As the story goes, Hughes purchased the property in 1940 for his love interest Ginger Rogers. Upon her refusal, he kept it for himself, and it remained in his estate for many decades thereafter. In a 1991 television interview, Rogers mentioned Hughes' house plans as a reason she never married the eccentric tycoon.

"I knew what he wanted from me. He wanted to take me and lock me up in a hilltop house and never let me see anyone," Rogers said.

"That's exactly what he did to [actress] Jean Peters. He locked her up. I could tell how resentful he was of anyone coming close to us in conversation."

Hidden away for 70 years, a group of investors working through a partnership called Fox River Land Co., purchased Cahuenga Peak from Howard Hughes Properties Ltd. in 2002 for $1,675,000, according to Los Angeles County property records.

Today, the 138-acre property is zoned for five luxury homes, and sits atop the 1,820-foot Cahuenga Peak.

ASKING PRICE: $22,000,000!

*Personally, I don't know how I feel about the possible sale of Cahuenga Peak. On the one hand, any development will ruin the city's most famous postcard. It just goes to show you that nothing's sacred in L.A. real estate. Yet on the other hand, I find it humorously ironic. You see, the Hollywood sign was originally constructed as a huge advertisement. It was meant to stimulate development for the Hollywood Land subdivision. So in a sense, the sign worked!

I don't know what to think, but what I can say is that whoever ends up with the property will have the most stunning view of L.A.

I hope I get invited to that party!

-S

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

So Right It's Whang!


My dear friend & favorite client of all time, Ross "The Intern", has just finished taping an interview with none other than Suzanne Whang!

As the host of our favorite show, HOUSE HUNTERS on HGTV, I just had to post this interview for you guys to see.

The interview is every HH fan dream come true!
Ross asks Miz Whang all the hard-ball questions, and you really get a sense of the REAL Suzanne.

On a side note, it's been my long-time secret fantasy to be a Realtor on House Hunters, so hopefully Ross can make that happen! How awesome would that be!!!!

*MOST IMPORTANTLY, don't forget to check out www.nbc.com/rossblog ... I'm telling you, Ross is the inspiration behind my blog, and he's got wonderful content to share with you! I can promise that you'll have lotsa' fun on Ross's blog:

www.nbc.com/rossblog

Thanks Ross,

-S

SYI: Suzanne introduced OPRAH to THE SECRET. True story! Check out Ross's blog for more details.

So Right It's Whang!


My dear friend & favorite client of all time, Ross "The Intern", has just finished taping an interview with none other than Suzanne Whang!

As the host of our favorite show, HOUSE HUNTERS on HGTV, I just had to post this interview for you guys to see.

The interview is every HH fan dream come true!
Ross asks Miz Whang all the hard-ball questions, and you really get a sense of the REAL Suzanne.

On a side note, it's been my long-time secret fantasy to be a Realtor on House Hunters, so hopefully Ross can make that happen! How awesome would that be!!!!

*MOST IMPORTANTLY, don't forget to check out www.nbc.com/rossblog ... I'm telling you, Ross is the inspiration behind my blog, and he's got wonderful content to share with you! I can promise that you'll have lotsa' fun on Ross's blog:

www.nbc.com/rossblog

Thanks Ross,

-S

SYI: Suzanne introduced OPRAH to THE SECRET. True story! Check out Ross's blog for more details.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Book As Art






Ever since the days of Book Fairs at my grade school, I've been interested in the design of book covers. Even today, cover art has a decisive factor in my purchase and reading of a book. Cover art can be one of the most clever forms of graphic design, and it always aims to impress.

With that said, I recently stumbled upon an awesome website called Covers.

Covers is dedicated to the appreciation of book cover design. The blog is updated and maintained by Fwis, a design firm based out of Brooklyn, NY and Portland, OR. The Fwis designers review a recent book by its cover each week, and comments are open to the public. The site is interesting and pretty inspirational. There's also a link on the fwis website to read book reviews on any book that visually entices you to learn more.

Check them out @ www.covers.fwis.com

-S

Book As Art






Ever since the days of Book Fairs at my grade school, I've been interested in the design of book covers. Even today, cover art has a decisive factor in my purchase and reading of a book. Cover art can be one of the most clever forms of graphic design, and it always aims to impress.

With that said, I recently stumbled upon an awesome website called Covers.

Covers is dedicated to the appreciation of book cover design. The blog is updated and maintained by Fwis, a design firm based out of Brooklyn, NY and Portland, OR. The Fwis designers review a recent book by its cover each week, and comments are open to the public. The site is interesting and pretty inspirational. There's also a link on the fwis website to read book reviews on any book that visually entices you to learn more.

Check them out @ www.covers.fwis.com

-S

Friday, February 15, 2008

"Revelation" By Karim Rashid



Superstar designer Karim Rashid has designed a collection of five spirit bottles for Bombay Sapphire in conjunction with jewellers Garrard and crystal brand Baccarat.

Called "Revelation", the bottles are made of hand-cut crystal and decorated with sapphires and diamonds. They cost $200,000 each.

Reflecting the global popularity of Bombay Sapphire, the limited edition Revelation bottles will be launched at five major international airport locations – starting with London Heathrow airport on March 27th, to coincide with the opening of the new terminal five and subsequently New York, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. One Revelation bottle will be exhibited at each of the five international airports for two to three months before being securely transported to its new owner anywhere in the world.

Profits from Revelation will benefit the travel retail industry’s chosen charity, The Smile Train, which provides life-enhancing cleft surgery to children in poor countries.

"Revelation" By Karim Rashid



Superstar designer Karim Rashid has designed a collection of five spirit bottles for Bombay Sapphire in conjunction with jewellers Garrard and crystal brand Baccarat.

Called "Revelation", the bottles are made of hand-cut crystal and decorated with sapphires and diamonds. They cost $200,000 each.

Reflecting the global popularity of Bombay Sapphire, the limited edition Revelation bottles will be launched at five major international airport locations – starting with London Heathrow airport on March 27th, to coincide with the opening of the new terminal five and subsequently New York, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. One Revelation bottle will be exhibited at each of the five international airports for two to three months before being securely transported to its new owner anywhere in the world.

Profits from Revelation will benefit the travel retail industry’s chosen charity, The Smile Train, which provides life-enhancing cleft surgery to children in poor countries.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

FIAT 500: My Next Car







2008 Fiat 500

Just in time for $3 gas, Fiat dreams of an American comeback.

Retro is still cool, according to Fiat, which has already tapped into its past for a new badge and created a fashionable range of merchandise featuring its logo style from the 1920s.

The latest Fiat 500—cinquecento in Italian—is also about reestablishing Fiat's Italian pride. Five years ago, Fiat was in dire straits and seemed certain to fall into the arms of General Motors under an agreement made in 2000. Sergio Marchionne, a Canadian-Italian businessman, was appointed CEO of Fiat in 2004 and given the freedom to do whatever it took to turn the company around. His first action was to negotiate a divorce settlement with GM, which ended up costing the General $2 billion. A jubilant and now cash-rich Fiat put ads in newspapers throughout Italy proclaiming, "Fiat is Italian again."

Small cars are Fiat's specialty, and a range of new ones—starting with its cheapest model, the Panda, and following with the Grande Punto—has improved Fiat's sales. Following the success of the modern-day Volkswagen New Beetle and Mini Cooper, Fiat presented the Trepiuno concept at the 2004 Geneva auto show. The concept borrowed the design of the 1950 Nuova Fiat 500 but was built on a modern Panda platform. Three years later, and 50 years to the day after the first appearance of the iconic original, a party that involved the whole city of Turin welcomed the debut of the '08 500. -BY RAY HUTTON

FIAT 500: My Next Car







2008 Fiat 500

Just in time for $3 gas, Fiat dreams of an American comeback.

Retro is still cool, according to Fiat, which has already tapped into its past for a new badge and created a fashionable range of merchandise featuring its logo style from the 1920s.

The latest Fiat 500—cinquecento in Italian—is also about reestablishing Fiat's Italian pride. Five years ago, Fiat was in dire straits and seemed certain to fall into the arms of General Motors under an agreement made in 2000. Sergio Marchionne, a Canadian-Italian businessman, was appointed CEO of Fiat in 2004 and given the freedom to do whatever it took to turn the company around. His first action was to negotiate a divorce settlement with GM, which ended up costing the General $2 billion. A jubilant and now cash-rich Fiat put ads in newspapers throughout Italy proclaiming, "Fiat is Italian again."

Small cars are Fiat's specialty, and a range of new ones—starting with its cheapest model, the Panda, and following with the Grande Punto—has improved Fiat's sales. Following the success of the modern-day Volkswagen New Beetle and Mini Cooper, Fiat presented the Trepiuno concept at the 2004 Geneva auto show. The concept borrowed the design of the 1950 Nuova Fiat 500 but was built on a modern Panda platform. Three years later, and 50 years to the day after the first appearance of the iconic original, a party that involved the whole city of Turin welcomed the debut of the '08 500. -BY RAY HUTTON

Monday, February 11, 2008

Manned Cloud: Cruise Airship





Living in the sky, watching the Earth from above. Rediscovering the marvel of traveling, experiencing contemplation. Exploring the world without trace.

Manned Cloud is a flying hotel proposed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud & French national aerospace research body ONERA.

This 40 passenger airship will take a 3-day cruise in 170 km/h which permits man to explore the world without a trace: to re-experience travelling, timelessness and enhance the consciousness of the beauty of the world - and to experience spectacular and exotic places without being intrusive or exploitative.

This may all seem very experimental and weird, but the simple fact is that this is what travel will look like in the future.

Manned Cloud amenities will include a restaurant, a library, a fitness suite and a spa. There will also be a sun deck on top of the double helium-filled envelopes.

Very cool!

-S

Manned Cloud: Cruise Airship





Living in the sky, watching the Earth from above. Rediscovering the marvel of traveling, experiencing contemplation. Exploring the world without trace.

Manned Cloud is a flying hotel proposed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud & French national aerospace research body ONERA.

This 40 passenger airship will take a 3-day cruise in 170 km/h which permits man to explore the world without a trace: to re-experience travelling, timelessness and enhance the consciousness of the beauty of the world - and to experience spectacular and exotic places without being intrusive or exploitative.

This may all seem very experimental and weird, but the simple fact is that this is what travel will look like in the future.

Manned Cloud amenities will include a restaurant, a library, a fitness suite and a spa. There will also be a sun deck on top of the double helium-filled envelopes.

Very cool!

-S

Introducing: PARRA




An underground star in his hometown of Amsterdam, where fans scour the streets to tear down his posters, Parra's work is treasured by a new generation of design fanatics.

A natural self taught Typographer and Graphic Artist, Parra grew up living with his artist father. Surrounded by colour, oil paint, wood, & Rubenesque paintings he immersed himself in early nineties music and street culture, developing the unique style he's know for today.

Taking a handfull of selected commercial design jobs every year, Parra prefers to make the bulk of his output flyers, posters & identities for friends & admirers, making his work available for everyone to use, keep or discard as they wish.

His first solo gallery show, "Jobs I did for friends for under £100" took place at London's Kemistry Gallery in March 2005 and sold out in three days. Hugely prolific, Parra also designs his own streetwear label, Rockwell clothing, launched in 2000 and stocked in London, Tokyo, Berlin and New York. -www.productofgod.com

-S

Introducing: PARRA




An underground star in his hometown of Amsterdam, where fans scour the streets to tear down his posters, Parra's work is treasured by a new generation of design fanatics.

A natural self taught Typographer and Graphic Artist, Parra grew up living with his artist father. Surrounded by colour, oil paint, wood, & Rubenesque paintings he immersed himself in early nineties music and street culture, developing the unique style he's know for today.

Taking a handfull of selected commercial design jobs every year, Parra prefers to make the bulk of his output flyers, posters & identities for friends & admirers, making his work available for everyone to use, keep or discard as they wish.

His first solo gallery show, "Jobs I did for friends for under £100" took place at London's Kemistry Gallery in March 2005 and sold out in three days. Hugely prolific, Parra also designs his own streetwear label, Rockwell clothing, launched in 2000 and stocked in London, Tokyo, Berlin and New York. -www.productofgod.com

-S

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Eames Meets Iams


Merge your minimalist aesthetic and your love of furry creatures with high-end pet homes.

The "Architectura" dog house is "inspired by the work of frank lloyd wright. Slatted walls on two sides provide excellent ventilation and a fun place for pets to hide, but still see what's going on around them."

Available in s/m/l with larger sizes finished for outdoors.

Check out www.pre-fab-pets.com

-S

Eames Meets Iams


Merge your minimalist aesthetic and your love of furry creatures with high-end pet homes.

The "Architectura" dog house is "inspired by the work of frank lloyd wright. Slatted walls on two sides provide excellent ventilation and a fun place for pets to hide, but still see what's going on around them."

Available in s/m/l with larger sizes finished for outdoors.

Check out www.pre-fab-pets.com

-S

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Alexander McQueen Hearts Keith Harring




I was thrilled to see the latest McQ collection by Alexander McQueen. The collection is not explicit, but at glance it's an homage to Keith Harring in powerful yet subtle ways.

Haring's bold lines and active figures carry poignant messages of vitality and unity, and bring something so iconic to the McQ collection.

Specifically, The iconic "squiggles" of Harring's art are used as the prints for many pieces of the collection.

Harring's legacy made an impact on late 20th century art, and it's moving to see his influence in a vision for the future.

-S