ThisNext Blog

Ghost chair, sounds pretty creepy huh?  Well it’s actually not creepy it all, it’s quite cool and quite popular on ThisNext.  This chair by Philippe Starck is great to add a splash of see-through design to your home or even your patio, as it’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use.  The ghost chair is resistant to scratches and is weather proof. 

Philippe Starck has reinvented the classis Louis XVI armchair by translating the lines and form of this old school chair into a single form of translucent molded poly carbonate.  The chair is fit to hold up someone as big as the king as this chair doesn’t have a single weak point.

Gee it’s no wonder so many ThisNexter’s love this chair.  Shall we count the ways?

 

 

How amazing are these chairs? So decadent looking with its classic shape but with that modern edge! I’ll take 6 of these, please!  

 

this is one of my favorite chairs  

 

Every man needs a throne and this one will make you the Sun King.  

 

I would love to have a whole boudoir done up in clear plastic. Chair, dressing table, the works. I would never lose my tweezers again!  

 

beautiful and sleek.  

 

Read the rest of the Ghost Chair recommendations here>>

Something’s missing… there are no djembe circles, no barking three-legged dogs, no Phish, no wafts of incense and grass, no patchouli, no wet zarape blankets… it’s just us.

All the hippies have funneled out of San Francisco and out to the playa. They almost swept me up in the rising tide of PLURness, but I just couldn’t sell myself out like that. I’m considering starting a Facebook group entitled: I almost went to Burning Man but my costume sucked. There’s no way in hell I’m showing up to the biggest freakfest in the world wearing Jamiroquai’s played-out fur hat. Expressing one’s creativity doesn’t happen by buying a costume - I need to be creative. The guy sleeping in my living room (aka couch hippie) left for Burning Man with the audacity to make the decision only a day beforehand. That guy is like school on Sunday, he’s got absolutely no class.

THEMES & RIDES
It is all about having a theme (or better yet, a camp). There are pancake makers, Industrial Goths, a roller disco, 9 million progressive house tents, a Victorian steam punk mansion, post-apocalyptic Mad Maxers, the yellow bike exchange, 2 mini golfs, an exploding fire arts show and a camp that skydives in…and these are just the ones rolling out of Berkley and Dolores Park. The freaks from Austin and Madison must REALLY be making some cool shit in order to pay the shipping and airline costs.

I’ll be damned if I’m gonna tell you what I’m doing next year (mostly because I haven’t decided). But if I had gone this year, I would’ve at least gotten myself a souped-up ride.

• The Pinel & Pinel Folding Bike fits in the trunk of any car or caravan leaving plenty of room for the 18 litres of water you’ll need to bring with you.
  
• The 2Cycle is a sturdy four-wheeled beauty and is a great way to traverse the long journey across the desert. Zem also carries a 4Cycle for those crazy swinging couples.
  
• The Family Cycle is my absolute favorite. One part golf cart and one part bike, this cruiser is equipped with a front wind and dust shield and has enough room in the trunk to carrie a couple of speakers. (You see where I’m going here)
• Another suggestion is the Conference Bike. While my only experience with this beast was moving at high speeds through traffic with my back to the road, I still maintain that this is a great bike. You’ll have to test drive a few different groups of conference members until you get the right mix of kooks and daredevils.
  

Face it, carrying your precious belongings around with you is a fact of life. It’s 2007, and it seems like we’re carrying around more junk now than ever before. You’ve got your computer, iPod, camera, books, magazines, PDA, cell phone, pens, notebooks, and anything else you can cram into it. Plus, if you’re a woman, don’t get me started on the second bag you’ll need for all that stuff. I thank my lucky stars every day that I don’t have to deal with bras, makeup, and stuff. Where would I put all of it?

 This is the UDG Producer Bag, and in case you’re wondering, the UDG stands for “Ultimate DJ Gear” … which I didn’t know when I got this bag. I’m not really much of a DJ, unless you count changing playlists on my iPod, but the bag promised to hold everything I could throw at it, and then some. But could it really? Would I look like the Ultimate DJ, or just a dork with a big backpack? I decided to load this thing up like I was the head papparazzo in search of exclusive Lindsay Lohan photos and put it to the test.

...continued: Baggin' it: The UDG Producer Bag

Name: Lauren Messiah aka Fashion Kitty
Position: ThisNext’s Community Manager
Favorite Tags: Fashion, Hello Kitty
Favorite List: Childhood Product Trauma

Q&A action:

TN: What do you do at ThisNext”
LM: I am ThisNext’s community manager, so I try my best to keep all of the members of ThisNext’s community happy. I am also the editor of this fabulous blog.

TN: How long have you been working for ThisNext?
LM: I have been a member of ThisNext since August 26, 2006 but have been working for ThisNext since January 2007.

TN: Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
LM: When I am not working I am blogging the night away.  I have my own personal blog called Ask Fashion Kitty, where I lend my fashion advice to anyone who needs it.  When I do manage to pry myself away from the computer I am either shopping, working out at the S Factor studio, or burning some calories at Maha yoga.

TN: What is a favorite memory/ moment at ThisNext?
LM:  I would have to say listening to musician perform outside of our offices.  The music isn’t very easy on the ears but it is good for a laugh.

TN: Top product discovey?
LM: So many great discoveries, but I think my favorite for today is my Skull Candy headphones in hot pink.

...continued: TN Staff Interviews: Community Manager, Lauren Messiah

Fellas, this Tateossian Sexuality Cufflinks ($155) are not guranteed to get you lucky, but they should at least help you avoid those cheesy pick up lines you learned in 12^th grade, and pave way for an interesting conversation if ladies do happen to notice them. The cufflinks feature a dial that changes to phrases like: Desperate, Adulterous, Married, Divorced, Available, Swinger, Curious…..among others. Men though like the following phrases: FWB (friends with benefits), ONS (one night stand) and LC (less callers). (via)

On a lesser interesting note, remember the clothing line ‘Surgical Strike’ by a Dr. Romanelli, which used military style design. Yep, this seems to be the new trend because Oakley will be launching a collection of bags inspired by WWII, that feature: Classic Military styling, Soviet-Style graphic treatments, distressed faux leather, and cotton canvas. The collection dubbed ‘Oakley Red Shift’ has various bags to choose from. (via)

Personally if I was to buy (afford) a sports car, I would get a Lambo or a Ferrari. There is no way I would get a Porsche. I think Porsches are inferior to Lambos and Ferrari, and they should not be put in the same category. That was my stand before I laid eyes on the new Porsche Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1. Arriving in January 2008, the limited edition (only 777 will be produced) black on black is the best looking Porsche ever. It’s features will include: a triple racing stripe, black interior, 19 inch wheels, lower stance, and 295 hp. Also included is a ‘James Bond’ like briefcase, which contains a Porsche design’s flat six chronograph watch, a pocket knife, a pair of sunglasses, a pen, and a key ring (via)

The debut of the Jaguar C-XF concept at the Detroit Auto Show, inspired/paved way for the production of another Jaguar, the XF. This car might be jaguar’s last chance to prove it’s existence as a luxury brand. The XF has the same detailed bumper and cat eyes present in Jaguar’s line up, the back some will argue it looks like a BMW. New features include signature air vents, and the Drive selector (it raises when you want to select the drive, and disappears when not in use). The XF will be released in four models: a 2.7 liter V6 240hp at the entry level, (Europe only) all the way to a 4.2 liter V8 420hp, which jumps from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. (via)

ThisNexters love toasters.  They even love toasters that haven’t been created yet, like this transparent toaster.  It’s a wonderful idea … I mean you can SEE if your toast is being burnt. Amazing.  I am pretty sure that once it is an actual product  the 16 users that recommended it will be buying it.

No more shoving your toast in the deep dark slots of your toaster, while you’re half asleep and waiting for it to pop… more

This is too cool.  

Fancy schamsy toaster. Something I probably would get and never use. Clever idea. I’m very curious if it toasts well… more

 

i love the design and if you want to stop getting your toast to dark use this toaster.  

 

 Read more of the transparent toaster recommendations here>>

He’s the Australian jewelry designer who has us eyeing a fresh collection of men’s accessories made with stylish silver and wood designs.  From symbolic ebony cufflinks to eco-friendly necklaces,  Mark Armstrong shows us how to be a dreamer with Passion, Modernity, and Urbanity. 

When he’s not busy marketing and designing the esteemed John Ferdinand collection, you’ll find him sharing his eco chic picks on ThisNext.  Here’s what this up-and-coming Aussie designer has to say about the latest trends in sustainable jewelry, accessories, and his globally-inspired lifestyle:

TN: Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
MA: We’re launching funky new bracelets in Nappa leather, lizard and python. Preview them here.

TN: Biggest response a product of yours has received from consumers?
MA: People are loving our Passion cufflinks in silver inlaid with ebony.  And our Devotion pendant in a medium size has people foaming at the mouth for more.

...continued: Who is Mark Armstrong?

I came across this interesting Ad Campaigns. The first one involves a Norwegian men’s underwear company, JBS. The creative and sexy Ad features women (eye candy) in men’s underwear. What’s the main reason for using women in a men’s underwear Ad campaign? You decide, but I agree with Notcot, it’s because men don’t like looking at other naked men. But on the flip-side some women buy underwear for their spouses/boyfriends or even their brothers ( can you imagine buying underwear for your brother, as his 18th Birthday gift, personally I would be embarrassed) and if that is the case, Ads featuring men would be an advantage. More photos here>>>

Also Kansas City based photographer, Lyndon Wade who has worked for renowned Ad agencies such as BBDO, and commanded the lens for Nitendo, Sonic, Vox Vodka…. Ad campaigns, Proves his craziness, creativity, and controversy with the following photos. [below] He has a unique ability of creating a complete story within a single image, or through a small series of images. He has shot (you know what I mean) Donald Trump, 50 cent, the stars of SUPERBAD, (Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) and recently Eminem.

Lyndon Wade website

Adidas has a new skateboard clothing line, and to promote this new venture, Adidas has been on tour in Sao Paula, Brazil this month with this Volkswagen bus/van. I know they have lots of room for merchandise, since the VW does not have an engine in the spacious hood, instead it’s located in the trunk. (Hey if you were born the other day, the VW am talking about is the old school one. Scooby Doo drives one, and it was very popular in the 60s, not the new VW Bug with the engine located in hood). The VW features customized interior, and prints inspired by skate legend, Mark Gonzales. (via)

With the popularity of snakeskin leather on the rise, Adidas has jumped in the band wagon so it can satisfy the demand for this snakeskin leather sneakers. They have unleashed two models: my favorite, the shell toe low, and the Pro model. The color scheme is unique and available in different shades, the sneakers looks like ‘gators shoes’ from a distance. I am not sure when the sneakers will be available to the masses, but keep checking in select Adidas retail dealers. [link] 

Liam Kyle Sullivan gets zany in drag as “Kelly” in YouTube meme “Shoes”

Three years ago on New Year’s Eve at Vancouver’s Lotus Lounge I helped a bewildered transvestite up after falling down a flight of stairs. “John Fluevog should be shot for making these things so fucking dangerous,” she said.  I stared down at the enormous and exquisite Blanca boot with carved antique leather embellishmentsand my days as a espadrille wearing hippie were over (At least for a year). I bought myself the same shoes in red.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
After dropping about $400 on the Fluevog’s, the same amount I paid for my first car, I began a downward spiral of transvestite shoe fanaticism. I’d pretend I was tying my shoe during Pride just to get a look at some huge purple stilettos. A waitress / gender illusionist at Asia SF was disgusted by me after seeing me peer down under the stall at some strappy sandals. It was a sickness. I figured that if certain shoes could make a size 13 man’s foot look like cinderella’s, my flat feet could actually be feminized.  

The next 3 shoes are all cute in their own way, the fact that they are DIY ensures that your trannie pizzazz comes shining through.

Steve Madden’s Sergant
Depending on the color, Steve Madden’s shoe-gasmic work-of-art is extremely versatile. In black it is a Mary Poppins meets Elvira sex boot. You can take it to the school house or smash it into a submissive’s face. The white Sergant is more of a raver meets hotel heiress look and is perfect for re-enacting the dance scene in Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion.

The Raquel
ShoesUSA.com has an amazing selection of slightly slutty heels and platforms. While the glass heel is always a nice touch, I prefer the Raquel. The aluminum stiletto adds a futuristic tone and the black leather straps remind me of something Milla Jovovich would wear to match her electrical tape outfit in the Fifth Element.

Papé Brasil Sandals
Patricia Gasparin’s Papé sandals sold in Brazil and online are extremely versatile. You can strap these up with jewels, leather or cloth and use the same sole for a variety of different looks and ties.

ThisNext blog readers, we want to know what ‘s your sign? Not because we want to take you home but because we want you to go home with a Chinese zodiac necklace from Mudan Boutique. 

You don’t have to buy us a drink or use a cheesy pick-up line to enter. Although I do love it when guys pull this one on me “Pardon me Miss, I seem to have lost my phone number, could I borrow yours?”  To enter simply leave your Chinese zodiac sign in the comments section.  The winners will be chosen at random to win a Mudan Boutique Chinese zodiac necklace in your sign. 

Find out your sign>> 

ThisNext talks the Brent Comber Alder Cube today.  These funky, fabulous cubes have caused quite a stir on ThisNext with 14 recommendations.   The question is … what the heck are they? Let’s find out by reading a few recommendations.

Fun beautiful blocks for any office/home/coffee table. Plus, they’re freaking wood, son!

The woodiness has a certain inexplicable allure.

sustainable furniture using smaller unused portions not typically used for lumber

 

a dream piece  

 

These wood tables have such an amazing visual texture. A great bushel of nature to accent your modern household.  

 

I love them, discovering some months ago. It’s a very cool,

 

Read all of the recommendations here>> 

Online community based tees company, Threadless, has teamed up with decals designers at Bilk (surface graphics company) for a new line of wall graphics based on some of Threadless’ favorite tees. Each month, the team at Bilk posts some of Threadless all time favorite original tees, and the viewers/fans/members of the Threadless community get to choose which ones should be featured on a new set of wall graphics. Currently, Bilk already has9 sets of Threadless-inspired decals.($50-$60) and each wall decal is available in various color options.

What makes Threadless a unique company, is the concept behind it. Started in 2000 by SkinnyCorb, designers submit ideas which are evaluated by over 500,000 people in the Threadless community. Each submission eventually receives a final score based on popularity. T-shirt designs are then selected from a pool of the most popular, and designers with winning popular designs, which are eventually printed on original Threadless tees, receive a payment of $2,500 in cash and gift certificates. Since 2000, over 900 designs have been chosen for print from more than 130,000 submissions. Eh! The Odds here are almost the same as those of winning the PowerBall!  [via]

Let’s be honest…. I hate winter… Even though I was born and raised in NYC, I can’t stand the freezing temperatures come winter time. Anything under 75 degrees and I’m shaking like a hairless chiwawa in a socialite’s Louis Vuitton handbag. When I shop for a down coat that’s cute and will keep me warm as the temperatures drop, I’m usually at a loss. However, the Andrew Marc ‘Roadster’ down jacket is too cute to pass up.

It’s a zip front with a cute orange placket, which is a hidden treat against the all white quilted exterior. With a double fur trim…. yes double fur… unbelievably soft rabbit fur trims the neck and plus raccoon fur trims the removable hood. That way if any of your friends are anti-fur see you in the street, you can whip off the hood and tell them you’ve just got a hairy neck!  Saving you from long ‘why you shouldn’t wear fur’ speeches.

The interior of the jacket is my all time favorite… is it silver lining (which is metallic chic for the season) it screams,  you’ve got a happening party on the inside of your coat and it’s also got a drawstring cinch waist… which means you don’t have to walk around all winter shaped like a puffy square. There’s also two zip pockets, two patch pockets, and a cell phone pocket…. and god knows with ipods, iphones, cell phones, Blackberrys, and everything else we need to tote around, pockets can come in handy. So in order to avoid being a puffy square that shivers violently like a chiwawa…. try this coat for some hot white style.  

After a successful run as a marketing consultant on Wall Street, it was time for Miss Meghan to pursue her life-long obsession with shoes.  Now we know her as America’s Shoe Expert, a shoe therapist and doyenne, the fashion authority of all things shoe. From her hit television show Shoe Therapy ™ on the Home Shopping Network, to her podcast series Shoe are You?™ on iTunes, thousands of women across the globe pour out their shoe stories to learn key tips and strategies on finding the latest shoes. When Miss Meghan isn’t dispensing celebrity shoe secrets and teaching us how to walk in stilettos, she can be found rounding up the latest finds on ThisNext. We caught up with this ‘sole therapist’ for the latest trends in the shoe department:

TN:  Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
MM:  Well, I can say that there is a very hot ankle boot we’ll be featuring on the debut of my new show on Home Shopping Network on the 20th (8 pm). It is a patent bootie with a suede cuff that has this super sexy slit up the front. Is very eighties but with a cool modern heel. I looove it! And keep tuning in to my show Shoe Therapy on HSN because we are going to be bringing people some really hot shoes this Fall and Winter and a lot of hilarious surprises.

TN:  Biggest response a blog post of yours has received from consumers?
MM:  We got a lot of response from my Shoe are You? podcast with Jason and Randy Sklar — they have a huuuge following and the podcast was so hilarious, I practically stopped interviewing because I was just laughing so hard. You can check it out here or on iTunes.

...continued: Who is Miss Meghan?

Enhancing dining experience is this KABOOST chair base, which grips chair legs into place so your child can sit at the table with you, without the use of a booster seat. The Kaboost is quick and easy to use, no assembly required, it snaps-on a chair in seconds , holds up to 300lbs, stays attached even when chair is moved, the wider base improves the stability of the chair, the non-slip rubberized feet won’t scratch floors, and with its adjustable spring system, Kaboost fit on most 4 legged chairs (round or square legs) (via)

Furniture that grows with your child? Yes! Ilo is a furniture line for children and teenagers. It’s modular composition, and the ability it has to grow with the child is what makes it a top contender in the kiddie land. The Ilo collection features a signature quarter-circle-shaped corner piece which connects the end walls, and also guarantees the optical recognition of Ilo. The physical growth of Ilo is assured by the convertibility and extendibility of the parts, while mental growth involves additional elements, and themes which can be used to change the room according to the age of the child. [Designer: Carmela Niederhauser & Nadine Grau] via.

A Pinstripe suit, when worn right is stylish and trendy. Now a Pinstripe wallet, that’s a different story, But Paul Frank’s Capone Pinstripe Wallet looks unique and amazing. Despite the normal features like: Card slots, an ID slot with a clear window, and the main billfold pocket, The PF wallet has exterior slit pockets for quick access to those movie/concert tickets, or debit/credit cards for that last call at the bar. ($46)

To complete your ‘Mafioso look,’ I came across this Dolce & Gabbana long peat woolen coat. This garment will upgrade your status from  lieutenant to boss, or atleast help you get a part in Showtime’s crime Drama, Sopranos. (maybe another season is in the works) Anyway the coat is double breasted, and can dressed up or down with a nice pair of jeans. ($855).

Sometimes a watch separates the ‘now’ from the ‘has been,’ and also a man’s look is not complete without a watch. Even though you can’t tell time, wear a watch but use your cell phone to check time, it easier to read. Dior’s new Chiffre Rouge A06 Automatic, will give you that complete look. It features a steel and black rubber casing, a 42 hour power reserve, super luminova minute and hour hands, a 50m H₂0 resistance, and a Red mineral case back ($2,395)  

Acquire    

Recently I went on a mini weekend vacation to Washington, DC and while the city isn’t my usual style as I’m a true NY girl at heart and shoe sole… it was a nice break from the city. Since I’m not one to ride the bus as I can’t deal with sitting on a bus for more than an hour, I coughed up the cash and took Amtrak. While I love the bigger reclining seats, the chance to put my feet up on empty seats (or full seats depending on how rude I want to be for the ride), and the sleep I can achieve as the train lulls me through the night.

One thing I did notice is when you recline your seat back; your head is in a slightly awkward position. Same goes for airplanes and well buses, if you can deal with sitting on those things. That night as I hobbled off the train due to my awkwardly positioned neck, I jumped online to seek out a neck pillow as cute as me… and I found the Minnie Neck Pillow, it can be tucked away when you don’t want anyone to know that you use a neck pillow. And it’s astatically pleasing to the eye in a black and white floral print; it goes with just about everything.

How could we have a TN Talks column without the Wicked Weasel?  The Wicked Weasel is a very small piece of swimwear but it also happens to be one of the most clicked on products on our site. I can’t say that a Wicked Weasel is part of my summer wardrobe but it does have a “tiny” piece of my heart. They really don’t provide any coverage, if you know what I mean.  Let’s try to find out why these bikinis are so darn popular on ThisNext, shall we?

The yellow wicked weasel bikinis remind me of the scene from a James Bond movie, when Halle Berry walked in from the ocean with a gear belt around her swimsuit. I thought it was so sexy, I think I went out and bought a tool belt, just to wear around the house. I don’t think it achieved the same response from neighbors though.

OK, so, these guys make the smallest bikinis- believe me, the Aussies have the Brazilians all beat on this. This is one of the larger styles. Don’t be fooled- it is so tiny I could put it in my wallet, and I am unlikely to wear it in public in the US. The price is good, shipping’s fast, and the bikini is very hot. Will satisfy the minimalist in anyone! I ordered it of course in black. Yes, you need to be in really good shape to wear this.  

 

To see all of the Wicked Weasels on ThisNext click here>>