Hüttenpalast: Berlin's Caravan Hotel

One of the European cities I’ve always been keen to visit was Berlin. I’ve heard so many great things about the food (and beer), the people, the street culture, how things are like a perfect blend of old meets new and how it’s the one place you enter and just go “DUDE, THIS PLACE IS COOL.”

Or I could have just been reading these from people who are crazy patriotic about Berlin.

Anyhow, I stumbled across one of the cutest hotel concepts which just so happened to be in already-kewl Berlin.

The Hüttenpalast in Berlin is a new hotel concept, created by Silke Lorenzen and Sarah Vollmer. Situated in a former vacuum-cleaner factory are a cluster of renovated old campsite caravans.

Super cute, eh?

In case you’re thinking that this is all just some street art nonsense, they’re all available to stay in for the night. You can make all bookings and enquiries here.

Inception Chair

So, some Vivian Chu chick made a chair. Except it's not just a chair - it's more than that.

If your mind is not blown yet..

it is now.

TOO. MUCH. GOING. ON. Leonardo DiCaprio, get out of my head!

Arctic Monkeys: Suck It and See

I'm a huge Arctic Monkeys fan. And not that it matters but my favourite songs are at the extreme ends of the Arctic Monkeys spectrum – I Bet That You Look Good On the Dancefloor & Cornerstone.

I'm stoked for the official album released next week. Been listening to it online here and there. I really like Library Pictures, mostly because it reminds me of their less sappy stuff. Piledriver Waltz sounds really pretty too. Top two tracks in my opinion. The rest of the album seems just okay, it will take some getting use to. I do think Alexa Chung partially turned all that aggro that made them über amazing, it to mushy indie ....babyfood. Bleh.

That aside, you should still have a listen to their new album pre-launch here:

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See

(Sauce)

Madly In Love With: Tristan Perich

If you think that's just a fancy album cover, think again.

"Tristan Perich's 1-Bit Symphony is an electronic composition in five movements on a single microchip. Though housed in a CD jewel case, 1-Bit Symphony is not a recording in the traditional sense; it literally "performs" its music live when turned on. A complete electronic circuit—programmed by the artist and assembled by hand—plays the music through a headphone jack mounted into the case itself."

Tristan Perich: 1-Bit Symphony (Part 1: Overview) from Tristan Perich on Vimeo.

I honestly just love how people constantly find ways to push the envelop and change the way people experience the simplest of things.

You can buy a copy here.

Cup of Cocoa + Cup of Cake

We've all been there. That terrible moment when you're caught between a rock and a hardplace. Otherwise known as the age-long question - "Cocoa or Cupcake?"

A baking saint otherwise known as Ladybird has solved this problem, by coming up with amouth-watering cupcakes that look like delicious cups of hot chocolate! Complete with marshmallows on top! Here's how:

1. To make these cupcakes I first made a batch of vanilla cupcakes. Then, once cooled, I peeled off the cupcake papers.
2. I then smoothed white chocolate ganache over the sides, leaving the base and top uncovered.
3. Once the ganache had set (about 30 minutes), I attached a measured strip of white RTR fondant. The strip was wide enough to match the height of the cupcake and to give room to hold the cupcake icing to follow.
4. To attach the cup handle I lay the cupcake on their sides and attached a small strip of fondant with a little water.
5. Next I made the italian meringue icing (see below), which I coloured brown with brown food colouring.
6. I then carefully spooned the icing into the 'cups' and smoothed gently then topped with miniature marshmallows.

Now, I don't have a sweet tooth but even I want me some of those. SO CUTE OMG.

Breakfast Interrupted

Honest to the God of food, I've never seen breakfast (or food, even) look so beautiful, magical, inviting and just so perfect before.

BSS | Breakfast Interrupted from Bruton Stroube Studios on Vimeo.

Even as the pancakes were flying about and the berries were slicing the juice mid-air... FOOD IS SO BEAUTIFUL IT MAKES ME WANT TO CRY. And eat. It mostly makes me hungry.

While we're on the topic of breakfast, here's a video of a cup of coffee. Except it's not really coffee.. just brown yarn. Still a cute way to start your Monday morning though!

Coffee Time from wan-tzu on Vimeo.

Now go get a cup of coffee.

There once was a guy with a cat on his head..

..wait, what?

Yes. This is a guy with a cat on his head. Who walks around Union Square in Manhattan, New York City. The human's Charlie and the cat's Nicolas, if you wanted to know.

I don't know, it just seems so weird to me. The cat's name should be Charlie instead.

Team Rocket

I'm a crazy big fan of the Pokemon series and Team Rocket was an major part of it (especially in the cartoons). My friends Deborah and Roy used to do Team Rocket intro duets with me even. And when I saw these incredible real life Jesse and James pictures, I got so excited!

Jesse and James are brought to life by deviantART user Malro-Doll. She does the most wonderful job of bringing anime and cartoon characters to life through dress-up and photography. 

You simply can't dismiss this as plain ol' cosplay, the amount of heart and skill put into this is just freaking mind blowing, especially to a Pokénerd like me. 

JIMMY KIMMEL X BOYZ II MEN

Last night marked the much anticipated finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Farewell, Oprah! We will miss watching your weight fluctuate from episode to episode, and screaming as you unveil your favourite things.

This tribute song by Jimmy Kimmel and Boyz II Men is most apt.

OSTRICH Pillow Thing

I'm personally always finding new ways to incorporate sleep into my work hours, unfortunately that never ever happens due to work interfering with much needed nap time. Therefore, I like things that simulate a restful environment around my workspace, eg. today I found a pillow that unzips into a blanket and immediately claimed ownership of it.

The next item I want is designer Kawamura Ganjavian's OSTRICH brilliant sack pillow head gear device thingy, which was crafted for much needed work time nappage. The OSTRICH is a concept piece designed to mimic its namesake's mythical act of burying its head in sand, only Ganjavian replaced the sand with pillowy softness~.

"OSTRICH offers a micro environment in which to take a warm and comfortable power nap at ease. It is neither a pillow nor a cushion, nor a bed, nor a garment, but a bit of each at the same time. Its soothing cave-like interior shelters and isolates our head and hands (mind, senses and body) for a few minutes, without needing to leave our desk."

I love this. It's pretty much the ultimate capsule hotel! The only problem with it is that in a real sleep scenario I might get woken up by the need to breathe (easy). God damn respiratory system.

(Source)

Become Someone Else

Wouldn't it be nice if, for just one day, you could Become Someone Else?

The 2011 Rapture

So May 21st came and went, and there was no rapture. #myraptureplaylist was trending on twitter with people listing down songs they would like to rapture to. I thought I was clever for picking an album by The Rapture. #survivalsunday is now trending. In all honesty, the real survival test was getting through all this fucking bullshit. 

Listen up crazy Christians, the only plausible apocalyptic scenarios are Zombie, Alien and Godzilla. And maybe the rise of the Mutant Fire Ants (fire ants are fucking scary). THAT'S ALL. There's no rapture. If you do perish in an unexplainable fiery abyss, it's probably because God is mad at you for making your own judgement day judgement calls and para-phrasing from his best seller, the Bible.  

One positive little nugget we can take away from this is the possibility of using the rapture as a test to weed out the stupid people from the smart people. Get the human race back on the "Survival of the Fittest" track. We've steered away from it with the evolution of Science, Medicine and Feelings. People who believe in the rapture should have their ovaries and sperm sacks tied. Stupid needs to die out.

But really, after all that rambling, there's really nothing to take away from this except that you should listen to The Rapture. Their music is amazing.

(Image source: The Oatmeal)

Rob Jones

I knew a Rob Jones who used to go to Notre Dame in Indiana, but I don't think illustrator Rob Jones is the same dude (ND Rob Jones drank Redbull in clubs.... alcohol-free Redbull). We weren't good friends or anything, but familiar names are nice.

Anyway this Rob Jones artist fellow from England is pretty damn talented. To me, his work evokes a sense of chaos and whimsy..... I'm sure these aren't the right descriptions but I'm no art critic, I'm just loving his work, k? K.

Check it.

John Barrowman

Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical performer, and aka the fabulous John Barrowman is to be honored by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) with a Doctor of Drama at the academy's graduation ceremony in July.

Congratulations Dr. John Barrowman!

MICHAEL BOLTON X JACK SPARROW

The Lonely Island have done it again, only this time with a killer Michael Bolton collaboration. Ever since Disney's Hercules movie, we've all been closet Michael Bolton fans. And even if you're not, this musical spectacular would probably change that. 

If you haven't seen/heard/visualised this, "How is Michael Bolton relevent in 2011?" is a question you should keep to yourself. 

Enjoy.

Michael Bolton as Captain Jack Sparrow

For more Michael Bolton, click read more.

Haute Cuisine on the Subway

Amidst stairwells, turnstiles, platforms and trains, this really has to be one of the most inspired dining concepts I've ever seen. Collaborative team, “a razor, a shiny knife” brought together a group of unassuming "patrons" for an epic 6-course haute cuisine Sunday luncheon served aboard NYC’s L train.

Check out the New York Times article for a full documentation of the dining experience.

(Source & Image)

Yvette looking awkward

I'm not the biggest fan of getting my picture taken. With a face only my mother loves, I've grown to be terribly camera shy. But since Rosemary has shared her own personal event pictures, I thought I should share something cool that happened on Friday.

My pic was snapped at an Audi Fashion Festival event by blogger Viona Wang..... mostly because I had cool shoes on. Anyway, I didn't know how to pose and I look incredibly pasty.
Enjoy.

(Sauce)

Russian Facebook Roulette

Welcome to Russian Facebook Roulette - the first ever social media game where you can lose your virtual life.

Russian Facebook Roulette from Ilya Malyanov on Vimeo.

Now 7 days in Russia sounds fab, but would you risk a permanent deletion of your Facebook profile just for a holiday? #firstworldproblems

GOOGLE X MARTHA GRAHAM

Today's Google Doodle is by far one of the coolest this year has seen.

A certain talented Ryan Woodward created a dance animation of the iconic Google logo in commemoration of Martha Graham's 117th birthday.

Google.com to see it in action before it's too late!

Cute pickup lines

I can't remember where this is from, but it's from a site which collects and compiles submissions of drawings or scribbles left around by strangers.

I saved this because it was my fav. <3

Radiohead - Knives Out

#sgelections: I can't even..

Now, this is hardly a srs biznez blog by any stretch.

But a politicial milestone just happened in our home country, Singapore. The most exciting, high-profile and hard fought General Elections ever. I think I can speak for my peers when I say this is the most patriotic we've felt in our lives. Us younglings were more vocal than ever, with plenty of quality Opposition candidates helping to be our alternative voice the past 9 days.

To everyone who voted the incumbent in, shut your damn mouth at - high cost of living, rising transportation costs, sky high public housing, policies that benefit Singapore Inc and not Singaporeans, a government that draws the highest fucking politicians' pay in the whole world and reawards themselves ever so often while leaving the rest of us behind, and most of all arrogant and rude leaders. You voted them in.

When I think about how a party gets only 60% votes but 93% of parliament seats, all I have to say is..

That is all. Next semi-serious post in 4 years!

For Sale: Home Alone House

An iconic Hollywood prop — the Georgian red-brick in Winnetka featured in the John Hughes blockbuster Home Alone — has been placed on the market by its owners, John and Cynthia Abendshien. The couple hopes to net at least $2.4 million for the 4,250-square-foot, 14-room “residential masterpiece.”

A quick google search for the house comes up with tons of photos of people doing the Best Aftershave Reaction Face Ever in front of the house.

Just not as good as the original gangster though

Anyway, I WOULD SO BUY IT. Though me not staying anywhere remotely near Chicago makes it slightly inconvenient.

Pokemon: The Musical?

Ever wondered what Pokemon would be like if it were a musical exploring the true story of the life and times of Ash Ketchum and friends, instead of a regular children's cartoon?

Well, TheOnlineMusical just made your wildest dreams just come true.

Some may say that it's just song, dance and monsters. But really - it’s a story about hopes, dreams, and puberty.

Madly In Love With: President Obama

At the recent White House Correpondent's Dinner, I found out that Barack Obama is part president, part stand up comic.

Five Favourite Bits:

• Hulk Hogan theme song entrance. Plus great video.

• His birth video being a clip from The Lion King. I just about died. Especially when he said, "I want to make sure to the Fox News table - that was a joke. That was not my eral birth video. That was a children's cartoon. Call Disney if you don't believe me, they have the original long form version."

• "Others say that I'm arrogant, but I've found a really great self-help tool for this. My poll numbers."

• "I even let down my key core constituency: movie stars. Just the other day, Matt Damon–I love Matt Damon, love the guy–Matt Damon said he was disappointed in my performance. Well Matt, I just saw the Adjustment Bureau so right back at you buddy."

• "But no one is happier, no one is prouder, to put this birth certificate matter to rest than The Donald. And that's becase he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. Like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happene din Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?!"
  

Definitely my favourite president, ever. And I'm not even American!

Clinique's "Find Your Perfect Match" Workshop

Thanks to my lovely friend Renee (from www.beautyfool.net) I got to attend Clinique's "Find Your Perfect Match" Workshop at Paragon last Friday!


Renee [aka Nicky ;)] co-hosted the event and introduced us to all different types of foundation! I was even "demonstrated on" in front of everyone and got to try Clinique's new foundation -  you can "shave" the foundation into fresh powder right before you apply it - it's a pretty cool concept if you ask me...

It was great to catch up with an old friend :)

Renee and I @ Paragon

Renee, Me and 3 other lovely beautyfool.net readers i met :)

Renee with her HUGE mic- she really is a superstar!

Renee and her co-host explaining the different types of foundation! - I knew NOTHING about foundation before this workshop - so thanks to all!!

Goodie bag from Clinique! (including famous amos cookies!) score! :D

Thanks for the lovely evening Renee and all the lovely people from Clinique! xx