Jean Nouvel's Apartments

"Nothing has ever been built like it in NYC," says Jean Nouvel's publicist of a project that the French "star" architect has designed for along 19th Street and the West Side Highway.
Nouvel envisioned 1,700 distinct pieces of glass for the 23-story tower's façade and a seven-story protruding base, hereinafter dubbed the "loggia," in which apartments will include non-parallel terraces, some having trees of their own. Occupancy is slated for fall 2008.

Philippe's O-Ring

This is the new Philippe Starck watch for Fossil. It's called the O-Ring Digi. The number on the watch face indicates the hour, and the segments, indicating minutes, fills up around the dial as the hour progresses. The face is set within the band, and the center is completely empty. Yes you can see your skin throught it.

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My Flickr Account

I assume that there are "issues" between the Chinese government and the internet that's why some websites have been inaccessible here in China such blogspot sites (until now) and multiply.com. I have an account in multiply but I haven't been able to access it for the longest time so I decided to upload photos in flickr.com instead. Check out my pics:

www.flickr.com/photos/edward3ah/

I believe my multiply account is still accessible but I won't be adding anymore pics there.

www.edward3ah.multiply.com

Cheers!

Bob at Bar Rouge

Last saturday, I attended the performance of world-renowned dj, Bob Sinclair, who popularized tracks such as Love Generation and World Hold On. It was held at the very chic Bar Rouge. The place began to get packed by 12mn, and most of the crowd were non-chinese, as it always is in there. It was a memorable night, I would say, and I had such a wonderful time!

Bob doing what he does best

the crowd, just lovin' it

Stamp Ad

Sometimes, the best ideas are often the most simple ones.....

This fantastic ad to prevent drunk-driving is a case in point. Used by the Hotel Marriott in India for patrons of its popular nightclub Enigma, this stamp ad which lists the phone number of the local cab company proved to be so effective that the idea is now being taken up by the Mumbai police and is being adopted by other clubs.

I'd rather be stamped with this than those glow-in-the-dark ones.

Source: Billy T. (coolhunter.net)

Magazine Sun Tan

Ever pretended reading a magazine while laying down on a beach for a tan? Why not use a magazine with reflective pages to focus ultraviolet radiation onto your face? Brilliant huh?!

Source: Harold C. (coolhunter.net)

Papa John's Pizza

Pictured above is an ad created by Saatchi & Saatchi, Peru. This clever, yet simple idea in promoting Papa John's Pizza won gold at the recent Cannes International advertising awards. Cute!

Source: Billy T. (coolhunter.net)

The Maldives...My Dream Destination

This is the super-lux Huvafen Fushi. George Clooney, Kate Moss, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Alexander McQueen, Stefano Gabbana and John Galliano were are just a few guests who have indulged themselves in this little piece of heaven. Trendsetting Huvafen Fushi has been raising the benchmark since its first inception two years ago. Opening its doors to feature the world's first underwater spa, Huvafen Fushi has since earned its spot on the coveted Conde Nast Traveller MagazinesUK and US Hot List.

This discreetly luxurious and contemporary retreat is located on its own lagoon on a tiny island in North Male Atoll. Surround sound Bose indoor/outdoor music system, Plasma TV screens, Bang & Olufsen phones, iPod Nano with an incredible selection of music that had already been installed, a separate massive bath which overlooks the ocean, your own private plunge pool, oversized king size bed, Frette linen, designer furniture (including pieces by Frank Gehry) electronic curtains, waterfall shower, are just some of the perks in each room. A day at Huvafen Fushi starts off with a buffet breakfast in Celcius, luxe-but-laid-back dining on a white sand floored deck branching out over the lagoon. Next is snorkeling where you'll see the most amazing colored coral and sea life including sting rays.

Huvafen Fushi also has a bar called Umbar where one can sit back in comfortable lounge chairs and watch the sunset while listening to a band ala Cafe Del Mar. Salt restaurant offers fine dining at its best. The highest point in the Maldives is only four meters above sea level, so perhaps its not surprising that the Huvafen spa is underwater, something totally exclusive to this resort. It's like entering a glamorous fishbowl where you are the main attraction to the fishes.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH???

The latest W, and quite possibly the jewel in W's empire - is the newly opened W Retreat & Spa in Fesdu Island, Maldives. Critics and patrons have already seemed to agree that it's as close to paradise as you'll ever find on earth; a luxury playground whose physical beauty is almost overwhelming, where guests are totally indulged on every level.

The W experience begins even before you even arrive. The Male airport boasts a chic W operated transfer lounge, where guests are greeted with all the modern conveniences of a big city airport - drinks, food, magazines, plasma TV and internet. It's here that new arrivals are supplied with a W kit before boarding the seaplane to W's private island. From the moment of arrival its obvious that W is a master of branding. There were W golf buggies with W style number plates - lining the pier waiting to take guests to their villa. Even the luggage trolleys were shaped into a W.

Ocean Oasis villas boast private plunge pools (or hop down the steps and dive into the turquoise lagoon if you'd prefer) and massive daybeds built for serious relaxation. Inside, the villas offer peep-through glass sections of flooring in the living rooms, being able to check out the marine life swimming below. Flipping a switch enables one to illuminate underwater lights for a night-time peek at the fauna. Stay connected while cast away witha 42" Samsung Plasma TV's, BOSE gadgets and High-Speed Internet Access. Then, drift off in the signature W king bed.

Even the names of some of the places have been carefully chosen.

WAVE - Water sports facility

AWAY - Spa which even has a hair salon but only for blow-drying.

DOWN UNDER - Snorkeling with gear provided

SWEAT - Fitness Center

Plus, the Whatever/Whenever Service. They will deliver whatever you want, whenever you want it, just dial whatever/whenever from your room.

Source: Billy T. (coolhunter.blogspot.com)

Tong Li Trip

Last Thursday, I went to Tong Li with a couple of friends. It's about an hour-drive away from Shanghai. It's a water-town, similar to Zhou Zhuang (see my old post), and it happens to be where some scenes of MI-3 were shot. For me, Tong Li is a much better place to visit compared to Zhou Zhuang since there are more interesting sites to see such as gardens and a sex museum. Check out some pics I took:

Love the last pic!!!

Lovin' LV

Check out Louis Vuitton's Autumn/Winter 2007-08 Collection:

Loving the green!


These 3 are very interesting pieces for me....only if I could wear them.
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The Color Purple

Check out Alber Elbaz's Autumn/Winter 2007-08 Collection for Lanvin:

Purple= Elegance
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JG's A/W '07-'08

Check out John Galliano's Autumn/Winter 2007-08 Collection:

Amazing or scary?
For me, it shouts F-I-E-R-C-E!!!
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Chengdu Trip

Last sunday, my boss and I flew over to Chengdu to visit a site-project. It's a city that's about a 2 1/2-hour flight away from Shanghai. Among the many city sights that caught my attention were:

a lady who's actually laying over tiles at the site

indoor bicycle parking area

a sign that got me confused

That night, we had dinner at a famous Sichuan restaurant. Imagine dining ala-hot-pot style, but this time, you're cooking everything via a wok filled with boiling cooking oil filled with only the spiciest ingredients you can think of.

I couldn't take the spice any longer just after a few minutes of eating so I pretended I was full already. The beer I was drinking wasn't much of a help. I'm glad it was over. Whew!

Trussardi Show

Check out how Trussardi showcased their 2007/08 Fall-Winter Collection in Milan:


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I Recommend.....

Over the past week, I have seen 2 movies that I highly recommend that you go watch. The first is "The Last Kiss". It stars Zach Braff of the TV series "Scrubs," and Rachel Bilson of "The OC." It's a story of making choices. I like the movie because it is nicely done, not "trying hard" and very realistic.

The other movie (well, more of a documentary) is "An Inconvenient Truth." It "stars" Al Gore, the supposed-to-be-US-president. It mainly talks about global warming. You would be shocked about the facts that were stated and would really make you want to take part in saving mother earth.......sigh!

Sunday R&R

Last sunday, I had brunch with 2 of my good friends from our volleyball group. We ate at Kabb located in Xintiandi. Aside from being a hangout for queers on a sunday, it's pretty much known also for their inexpensive prices and generous servings. After eating, we then went window-shopping at the mall nearby and I ended up buying (finally!) a portable heater and a vaccum cleaner. Then we kinda felt the heat inside the mall since we were wearing 5 layers of clothing so I decided to take them to Changle Lu, a street with a number of small boutiques where I would like to go to for shopping for clothes.

a view of Changle Lu

I believe a couple more shops have opened ever since my last visit to the area. I guess there's a rapid invasion of boutiques and theyr'e trying to take over the whole stretch of the road. I love it!

Later that afternoon, we decided to book ourselves for an hour and a half session of foot massage at 8pm. Two more friends joined us for the massage and for dinner. Yes, the session comes with dinner and you get to order as much as you want. Amazing right? It was a really good deal but then, in all honesty, it kinda felt unrelaxing to both eat and have a foot massage at the same time.

By the time we got out, it was almost 10pm. We then headed to the 2 famous dvd/cd shops just across. Take a look at the outside:



These shops are just directly in front of each other. Noticed anything on the second shop???

Apparently, the signage works!!! The other shop has nobody in it.
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Lancome Man

Lancome has named Clive Owen as their spokesperson for their new fragrance for men Hypnôse Homme and their new anti-aging skin care range Lancôme Men.

I still think he should have been the new James Bond.

M2M

Check out these ads:






All together now, they scream...............LUUUUUVLY!!!

Lower Please

This is why the japanese are one of the pioneers of fashion trends:



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Shoe Stores Reinvented

Check out these interiors:





Now if only all shoe stores look like these.....sigh!