Sushi Day

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

I was looking for some sushi recipes on the net today, and I came across this site:

http://sushiday.com/

I guess the site gets it's last name from the last name of its author, Ms. Allison Day. But that's just a guess. :) For someone who makes sushi in her free time, this is alot. She's got lot's of sushi recipes. It goes to show that you can put almost anything in between some rice and a nori wrapper.

I like that the site is filled with great photos of sushi. It has a relatively simple layout, but its the photos, the recipes, and the short stories that come before them that make Sushi Day interesting. You get to know a bit of the author or what she's up to lately within the post. But then, its still all about the sushi. :)

Zip-it Bags

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

i remember that for a time those zipper purses - the ones that were made entirely out of zippers sewn on together - and those bags with big zippers were a bit of a fad.

http://www.uzipit.co.uk/index.htm

i guess people in the UK are a bit late in bringing that idea to our shores. but nonetheless, its a great concept that i'd like to try and make myself sometime. i like their zippers, its not too big. and i like the concept of having a strand of zipper zip up into a bag. its pretty handy.

saw a stall of Zip-it Bags at MOA. i think it was the "le gym" bag that cost about P11,999. its a great concept, that also asks a great sum of money (its about a bit more that what i earn in a month! ouch!). i wonder how long that stall would last there...

Moleskine

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

another planner post... of sorts.
If you're feeling philosophical, narrative, or artistic, or if you simply have a bucket of great ideas that spills out every so often, maybe you'd like to try putting them on paper the way the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, or Ernest Hemingway did way back once upon a time.

http://www.moleskine.com/eng/_interni/storia/default.htm

the Moleskine notebook is also a great find i came across at Fully Booked.

when i was at the Fully Booked store at MOA, there was this guy who was nice enough to actually recommend the brand to me. i didn't catch his name though, but he carries a Moleskine reporter's notebook in his pocket - for the great ideas that just pop up wherever. it's a better choice over the bigger ones, because they're not so portable. it's leather bound, so it's protected against the elements - even in your back pocket.

http://www.moleskine.com/eng/_interni/catalogo/Cat_int/catalogo_notebooks.htm

although this is also a kind of notebook that i feel should have the best ideas - and best handwriting - in it. a simple ruled soft notebook costs P495.

this is sort of a planner post, because Moleskine also has a wide range of planners. they call them diaries.

http://www.moleskine.com/eng/_interni/catalogo/Cat_int/catalogo_diaries.htm

what i like about this is that they have a planner for you whether you like seeing your days in months, or weeks, in different formats too.

BTW,
if you're a sucker for school supplies like i am, (or if you like graphic novels) you'd love the basement of Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street. that's where they stash all their designer school supplies... notebooks at least.

Peter Pauper Compact Calendars

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

so, i've started the hunt for the perfect planner...

http://www.peterpauper.com/sub_cat.php?cPath=26_80

last weekend i came across these portable and very pretty planners at Fully Booked. although, they come at a very pretty price too: about P675.

but if you do like that chic stlye to a weekly planner you can bring with you in your bag, this could be a good option. its also a great gift to give a fashionista friend.

the planners are well made. if i remember, the cover is a laminated matte finish, complete with an elastic garter to keep the pages together. the pages are smooth to write on.

the thing about these planners, parang nakakapanghinayang sulatan... ang ganda kasi, parang madudumihan pag sinulatan ko na. :) heheh!

the link leads you to the Peter Pauper Press website. i did have some shots of the planners in my phone, but my memory card broke down before i could post.

Fred and Friends!!! :)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This is something I absolutely love!! :)

http://www.worldwidefred.com/home.htm

I've found their products scattered all over the web: on notcot, i think some on thinkgeek, and on some blogs. too bad i can't find any of them in the stores here.

they're pretty expensive though, being designer items and all. but they're just so clever and functional that its worth it.

i'm a school supplies person, so you'd guess that i'd like the paperclips - drip clips, iconoclasps, and the talk bubble. i also like the kill time activity book. the equal measure beaker is gonna be useful in my kitchen, and the here hook on my wall, near the you are here mat. :) i also liked all the ice cube makers - cool jazz- .. i mean ice makers, 'coz they're not just cubes at all.

how obvious is it that i want to get my hands on them? :)

here are the other things that caught my eye: (i want some of these too of course)

delete fly swatter
foot in the door
manhole mats
barcode mat
tea lights
holy toast
romeo and julienne chopping board
to do tatoo
luckey bottle opener
inanimate stickers
jesus look at the time
xposed
beer belly belt
revenge
pick your nose disposable cups
tooth picks
S&P salt and pepper shaker
good chemistry salt and pepper shaker
sweet tooth
ouch toothpick holder

love! love! love!
It's also actually very inspiring to see products like these. It gives you a cue to think out of the box. Enjoy!

Maria of Stickers and Donuts features an interview with Yasmin of A Print A Day

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

She grew up in Manila. She used to work for Lisa Frank. She posts a print a day and awesome downloads on weekends. That's enough to get me drooling.

http://stickersanddonuts.com/2008/09/02/print-a-day-intro-interview-part-i-of-iii/

Maria of Stickers and Donuts got the chance to interview Yasmin, the genius behind A Print A Day blog, which she shares with all of us in this tree-part feature.

I find the interview very inspiring. How many times did I say "wow!" while reading it? Alot. LIke Maria said, the coolness doesn't stop coming. :)

Check out Yasmin S.' blog: http://aprintaday.blogspot.com/ to get your dose of print inspiration for the day. This is definitely a fab find! :)

School Supplies

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

I'm a sucker for school supplies. I can spend hours in a National Bookstore just checking out the office and school supplies section.

I used to get really excited at he start of the school year because we'd be shopping for supplies, which was the perfect opportunity to get my paws on a batch colored envelopes (instead of those plain brown ones, although i love brown paper), black blu tack, craft scissors, blue binder rings, wooden peg clamps, and purple staple wires to name a few.

That's why i got pretty exited to read this article by Tricia, the new columnist for Stickers and Donuts. This debut post of hers is a must read for those who love school supplies like me.

http://stickersanddonuts.com/tag/school-supplies/

I especially liked her feature on pens, and I couldn't help but notice the cute prints on the pencil cases she reviewed. I like the tofu cubes, they're happy.

Although, I doubt that I'd find most of the stuff she featured in stores here. Like Jung, I'm not into online shopping. Too bad. This article makes me want to write a local version. Pilot Pen anyone?

VOTE! Care! and Give a Damn!

Last Friday I went on a night out with some random friends. It was a good night out, something I haven't had for a while. :)

Sometime in the night, I remember the group talking about the USC Elections and the Plebiscite to amend the USC Constitution. Then they looked at me and gave me a teasing stare, "Naku, Admin 'yan. Sa admin 'yan nagtatrabaho," and pretended to talk among themselves. :)

Hindi ako nakpikon, and I know it was a joke. :) But I'd like to share with everyone concerned what I told my companions last Friday: BY ALL MEANS, DO VOTE!

I remember being an apathetic student. It didnt matter to me then that I was.

Working for the administration, though, has made me see that there are different aspects to the problems that we face in UPLB. It is not so much the portrayal of "students versus the administration".

Now that I know more about the issues, it feels dumb to not have known about what's going on in the University as a student. So, don't be like me.

If its anything that the adminstration would like to say, its: CARE! Care about your University. And, VOTE on September 10 and 11!

That's it. Oh! and sa mga kasama ko last Friday, Thanks for the company! :)

Design Your Life 2009 Planner

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

I get to hear it alot often again lately, "Haay, magpapasko na...". It's already September, one third of the year has already passed and before we know it, the next day we way up to will be the first day of 2009. So, how early is September to get your own Design Your Life Planner 2009?

http://cnsdesigns.multiply.com/

I came across this while Multiply-hopping last Saturday.

They say that you're in charge of your life, but this planner takes it to a new level by allowing you to take control of your planner too. They've done the layout in bright and happy colors and fun designs. I like the feature where you can put your own photos into the planner and the one where you have pockets for your loose papers---> I've got lots of those.

The designers of the planner are Christine and Sheryl. I like the way they've designed their site, especially their logo. :) They've also designed an all-occasion gift box. Check out that smart idea too by clicking the link to their site.

The Design Your Life Planner looks like a pretty life-book to have for the next year. Although I'm gonna watch out for more planners to come out as the year ends before I actually take my pick. ;)

PS. I have a feeling I've seen the 2008 planner before also in a Powerbooks store.... I wonder if this is it...

PrinTees

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

Found this page while I was hopping through Multiply the other day.

http://printees.multiply.com/

I just love the welcome message on her site. It reads: "Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it." Very inspiring! :)

Her shirts are made to order, so they always have stock... and you could have custom-made statements done too! I especially love the "Meow!" tee, its absolutely adorable! I'm a cat person, by the way. I also like the inspiring message on one of her bags: "GOD is a disk jockey, LIFE is a dance floor, LOVE is the rhythm, YOU are the music." I'm also thinking of getting the "Heart Halves" couple shirts for us, it reminds me of that sun henna tattoo we had one good febfair ago.

Must save! must save up more! :D

Another noticeable feature on her page is the section for "Bad Trip Buyers". I like this part. I agree in saying businesses, especially small and medium ones like these, shouldn't take bad trip buyers sitting down, 'coz they're really bad trip for business. :)

Coolhunter Hunts Down Some Creative Packaging Ideas

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

While scouting for more creative packaging ideas, I came across this powerful packaging design collection that you've just got to check out. :)

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/design/The-Power-of-The-Box---Powerful-Packaging-Design/

I have to say, I find the Caramel Corn packs absolutely adorable, and I'm liking the tin or aluminum cans as material too.

I'VE GOT YOU BOOKMARKED!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

The day I discovered NOTCOT... was the day I discovered myself.

Ok, that may sound too deep and poetic for site praise. But it very much describes my road to discovering absolutely great fab finds on the web!

This is definitely the internet age, and I find myself actually surfing the web now more than I used to. There is just so much to see that I can't really keep up! And I'm not just talking NOTCOT here.

There are dozens of cool sites that gather features on awesome finds for everyone else's pleasure. There are individual sites of photographers, designers, organizations, products, businesses all over the web. Even here on Multiply there are profiles that are worth a visit or two.

I used to be a really crafty person. Seeing these great things on the web, make me want to get my "workshop" going again. I suddenly want to learn more about designing, and I've revived my dream of putting up a business someday. And it feels damn good! :)

I like being inspired, and I want to be inspired.

So, from now on I'll be keeping tabs on the things that motivate me right here on Multiply, so I can share it with all of you great people. :) Do feel free to comment and give your two cents worth on the things I post or share any fab finds you may know of. I'd love that.

Before I begin, let's get the stars right. I love stars, by the way ;).

* If it makes my list it's a star already.
And the more giddy I am about it, the more stars it gets...
**
***
****
***** Five stars is a slot in my Wish List.

I hope I'm able to maintain this. :) Wish me luck, and I apologize for any future backlogs. My page is titled "postdated" for a reason.

An Article About Agressive Packaing in the NYTimes

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

I'm a sucker for creative packaging. Usually,something in the store that catches my eye, usually catches my wallet too - if its affordable of course - , even if it isn't something i need at all. I also find myself clicking links to products with good packaging in NOTCOT.

Lately though, I've also had a need to do some research on packaging and creative packaging. I came across this article in the New York Times about how product packaging these days changes more often now than before.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/10/business/10package.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

The article presents some pretty cool ideas that I'm looking forward to see in sodas, beer, soap, and tissue in the near future. But it also gives us something to think about as we shop in the stores.