Environmental Graffiti

Since 1983, colourful giant animals have been spotted around the world. Some seem to emerge right out of the water, while others hang in the balance like some kind of animal laundry between close-knit buildings. Still others stand guard atop historic landmarks and downtown balconies while top predators revert to their basest instincts in a bid for survival. Created using recycled plastic bottles by Cracking Art Group, these animals represent the art collective’s strong social and environmental ethic while bringing accessible contemporary art to the masses. The art group, which consists of six members from Italy, France and Belgium, derived their name from the term used to describe the transformation of petroleum to plastic, called ‘catalytic cracking’. All six artists use the medium of plastic to give rise to their own interpretation of “our contemporary problems and tensions.”

So Take A Seat . . . . . .

Choices - afterall isn't that what it is all about? This is one of those areas where there are more choices than uses possibly. Looking for something for the office, the deck. the conference room, the lobby or anyplace else for that matter . . . then you are in luck. Prices are better than they have been in a very long time and your options are endless. Between the addition of new woods and fibers, framing and recycled metals it is almost an ideal alignment for your needs. To temp you with reaching outside of your comfort zone, so to speak we picked some fun and useful and comfortable pieces. We will send you off to a couple of websites such as IMM Living or Artsytime and Neoterichome and Architonic.

Ideas . . . . Ideas . . . . .

What to get? The most relative question for the most relative of people . . . Dad . . . Father . . . . Pop . . . . Daddy . . . or maybe it's a first name because he's like a Father to someone. We are here to see if we can add to the confusion of possibilities circling in your head. If nothing more, maybe we can spark an idea. We captured options from the ridiculous, to the sublime, to well - see for yourself and read on!

For now, Inada’s Sogno sets their chair as the pinnacle of massage chair development with a highly refined program starting with an infrared scan to allocate your “Shiatsu” spots, which then mark the reference for one of 106 predefined massage routines. The chair almost covers your whole body fingertip-to-shoulder massage program. Now that's ridiculous. We WANT one.

The Brocantique antique foosball table is created from brightly polished art deco figures strung on silver rods framed with dark wood and tanned leather. The German craftsman of Brocantique refine old pieces that already surpassed their climax from a brand named Swinnen Automatique.

Next is the Wolf triple watch rotator that features one of Wolf Designs innovative patents. The patented rotation routine simulates an authentic daily use with sporadic rotations and preset sleep phases to prevent occurring intricacies of over-winded movements.

The first hands free cell phone ski and snowboard glove, the Swany g.cell gives your wrist a noticeable shake after detecting an incoming call and with a push on the back of the hand it literally allows you to talk to your hand. Nothing mentioned about a wrist protection but the phone will last for 12 hours on standby mode or 4 hours of talking-hand time.

Originally designed to master the damp, hilly terrain of British links courses, the Remote Controlled Caddie reaches up to 6 mph and provides optimal traction and stability when ascending hills or traversing the rough, gravel, or concrete. The pocket-sized remote control propels the device has a 150' range, while navigating the caddie. The 12-volt battery powers the caddie for up to 5 miles (up to 27 holes) on a single charge.

Auchentoshan Distillery premium 1965 Whisky: this premium drip has been resting almost a half century in American oak barrels at the lowland distillery warehouse near Glasgow. Check out all of the options at the Whiskey Exchange.

This leather case protects and recharges an iPhone, providing up to 13 hours of additional talk time. The case can recharge an iPhone up to 2 1/2 times before the case itself needs to be recharged.

Ooms Wooden USB Stick: the sticks are picked from the woods and are manually selected on their natural beauty, professionally handmade by Dutch company OOOMS.

The PRIE Tunewallet a smart and stylish nappa leather carrying case with room on one side for your iPod nano and on the other for business cards, your driver’s license, a credit card and cash...

Archos recently introduced a stunningly slender 9-inch device that’ll boost the ordinary day with mobile entertainment and deft finger exercises. The Archos 9 is an ultra compact tablet PC that runs a full Windows 7 OS

The new BOSS Green collection reveals two bright green impressions that are armed to impress and to differentiate even in contrast to the greenest golf courts. Breathable materials and an absolute water-resistance are a feature as a matter of course as also modern green-friendly arranged and forged spikes.

Another great on-the-go IPod charger is this little white adaptor for a mere $39.00 Available at: most Restoration Hardware Stores

Harrods’ (yes the English hallmark) luxury Krug Trunk is the perfect piece to impress anybody in sight. This well-crafted case is attractive and sturdy and very durable as its corners, hinges and handles are built to last which means they’re corrosion proofed to ensure that the case maintains its stately appearance. The Krug ensemble consists of a trunk with a classic vivid red colored calfskin interior, an ice bucket originally designed by Francois Bauchet, three bottles Krug Grande Cuvee champagne and to complete an exclusive picnic it comes with a removable trunk lid which does have dual functionality — it also can be used as a table. ONLY a mere $54,000 - Get two!

LEGO celebrates 50 years of revolutionizing Architecture. The new "LEGO© Group in collaboration with Architectural Artist Adam Reed Tucker of Brickstructures, Inc.™, Inc. is featuring some iconic structures in this series - this one being the Northwest's arguably most icon structure, The Space Needle.

This limited tough-as-nails Stanley Thermos will be there keeping you warm with a hot cup of coffee on those cold days of hunting and fishing. A forever faithful gadget for the gentleman. On sale right now at Restoration Hardware $29.49 (was $59.00).

Nordstroms - Guide to Mens Clothing: every prolific man has to realize it once, and has to admit that “dress for success” is not just a generic quotation, it’s proven truth. Designer Tom Julian details a myriad of illustrations enlightening the reader about insider jargon, pattern combinations, and how to create your own look. $19.95

Seattle Dog Show 2009

This past April Seattle held the annual Seattle Dog Show. It is rumored Seattle has more dogs than children, so we felt we should provide all of the animal lovers and more especially the dog lovers a look at some of the nicely coif-'furred' entrants this Spring.

This is a great event to attend and if you have a dog, are even considering getting a dog, or even need to educate yourself about particular breeds, this is a show you should jot down on your calendar. Recently in the news we have had so many negative images of these incredible friends of ours, we wanted to persuade everyone to see the positive in our "best friends."

You can also watch many of these amazing creatures do field trials and actually some of them, a newer event, dance with their owners. Pet supplies abound, and so does an entire floor of various breeds animal rescue groups.

We indulged ourselves with a couple of our favorite breeds - one of which is the Scottish Terrier. In honor of one of the best friends we knew, who recently passed away, we bring this glimpse into the well-groomed world of the show dog. Aggie this is for you and we hope you are enjoying it. Aggie was a loving Scottish Terrier owned by our company President, Marion Clifton.

Photographs by "Leave Your Mark Photography"

Journey Into Space

Sometimes ad campaigns rise above just the product level. This might be for a product thought of as French, however a good deal of Marc Jacobs' influence is present in this campaign celebrating mankind's amazing accomplishments. As their ad campaign states, "Some journeys change mankind forever."

• Sally Ride, first American woman in space
• Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11, first steps on the moon in 1969
• Jim Lovell, Apollo 13, commander

This is a great video to check out as well: http://www.louisvuittonjourneys.com/