You know that we have a knack for all things fine and precious. But right now, after seeing what has happened in Java, we need to take a break from consumerism and shopping therapy for a moment and think about how we can help. We like smaller organizations vs the big slow corporations because they tend to be much more effective. Our favorite one is Fortunate Blessings - they have most recently been included in American Express’ list of preferred charitable groups - and they are putting together a trauma team as we speak and if you feel that they are the right group, you can donate whatever you think is appropriate via PayPal right here. Just enter their email address: java at fortunateblessings dot org.

Thank you!

a Fortes Design comes right out of New York City. They started a few years back with clothing and now also moved into making a home collection, which partly consists of pillows and a baggage line. All designs come from hand drawn images, are silkscreened on canvas, which makes not two pieces alike. a Fortes Design products are perfect for the NYC lifestyle: functional, stylish and easy to wear. Head over to the next dealer and find your unique bag/pillow/shirt.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, hip home, Modern living, Tragically Hip

Square One is a new Vodka brand and claims itself as being the first Organic Vodka. Handcrafted from 100%-certified organically grown rye and produced with an unprecedented organic fermentation process. The resulting spirit is richer and smoother than any vodka on the market. The bottle is nicely designed and we all know that without that no new Vodka brand even stands a chance. If the taste is now even better…. I think we will have to taste it.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, hip home, Tragically Hip

This is a really exciting new project that we are reporting about here. The Munich based conceptstore Pool worked together with 13 designers to decorate the official Adidas worldcup soccer ball. The outcome is fantastic. Designers such as Alexander McQueen, Levi’s, Maharishi all participated in this very special project. All the soccer balls are being auctioned off at Ebay at the moment and the proceeds will go to the German AIDS department. Here we present you now after the jump some of the balls that have been created and if you want one of them, go here, and take part in the auction process.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, Tragically Hip

The guys from Mixko have come up with some fun gadgets around the soon to start soccer WorldCup. The nicest one that they created is this 1:18 whistle chair/sculpture, made entirely out of stainless steel. Other gadgets of the collection are t-shirts where the word goal is only written inside, so you only see it when you lift your t-shirt to celebrate. They also created ceramics, rugs and more gadgets. Overall a great collection of objects with much attention to detail. Visit Mixko for the entire range.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, furniture, hip home, Modern living, Tragically Hip

The slogan of Start Mobile rightly says, “Art for Everyone, Art for Everywere”. The concept of this California based company is just fantastic. Start Mobile is the first source for mobile phone content created by emerging artists. “Cell phone wallpaper has long been limited to banal graphics, contrived iconography, and blurry clip-art of models in bikinis,” according to Doffing. “With the launch of START MOBILE, we are bringing some absolutely amazing original artwork to a brand new medium.” On Start Mobile you will find thousands of original art pieces for your mobile device from hundreds of artists. The concept of refreshing art for your phone is entirely new and their portfolio is growing daily. Go and check out Start Mobile and what they have to offer to make your phone look less boring and more individual.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, Tragically Hip

Diana Lin has won the Koizumi Lightning Design competition at the Rochester Insitute of Technology with her lightning pillow. The idea is just great . She describes the project herself this way: “The inspiration of the design is the essences of sunlight. To me, sunlight represents warmth, happiness, joyfulness, playfulness, closeness and life. However, sometimes people take the sun for granted. People only miss the sunlight when it is scares. The concept is to create a light that captures the essences of sunlight into something that people can create a close relationship with.” The outcome is a great product which is really the perfect pillow one just feels like hugging, brings the sun right into your arms.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, hip home, Modern living, Tragically Hip

We just came across the new Incase Landmark Collection. In celebration of the new Apple Flagship Store in New York city, Incase has developed the new Landmark collection of laptop and iPod cases that will exclusively be sold at the Apple Store in NYC. The cases feature a subtle pattern of New York City icons, including the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Checkered Cabs, and the Statue of Liberty. The pieces have a real premium feeling to them and just look great.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, Tragically Hip

We just recently came across these new tiles by Moving Color. At first they look like regular bathroom tiles, but at the latest by the time you get into the shower and turn on the water, you will notice that these tiles actually change color. Different designs are possible and via heat coming from behind the tiles and the water, the tiles change color according to the pattern you bought it in. If you want a less boring bathroom and want to shock your guests, get theseMoving Color tiles.

Technorati Tags: architecture, Charles & Marie, hip home, Modern living, Tragically Hip

Here we have some very big news for you. Over the entire last year Apple and Nike were developing together and the outcome is an incredible product. All you need is an iPod Nano, a pair of Nike + sneakers and the new Nike+iPod Sports Kid. The Nike + sneakers have a cabin in the sole, in which you can insert a little sensor that comes with the Sports Kid. That sensor sends information about your running to the iPod. The iPod Nano records your running and you can listen at the same time to your music, that is always so motivating on the run. The great thing is, that you do-not carry around anything on top. The iPod you probably had anyway in your pocket when running. You can then share your information on Nikeplus.com. You can compare your last run to your previous ones and compete against other people. The world has been waiting for something like this. Incredible.

Technorati Tags: accessories, apple, Charles & Marie, Nike, Tragically Hip