yummy

honey. Beautiful packaging from Ah&Oh Studio, Poland (ul. Kochanowskiego 19/8, 60-846 POZNAN POLAND E: hello@ahandoh.com). So simple and obvious, the gorgeous logo includes a smiling bees face and the hand calligraphed logo is soften and inviting.

Freelancers, who joined forces after finishing studies at the Academy of Fine Arts (Poznan), Magda Katek and Kamil Jerzkowshi built little Ah&Oh Studios in 2008. Located in Jazyce (somewhere very East) the two use an ultimate heart melting aim and apply it to all of their projects. Mainly dealing with graphic design, identity, branding and packaging, the team manage work that is incredibly beautiful but practical. And brief answering.

They have a blog which might need some check back (being under construction and all) but I'm excited to keep an eye open on these two.

Crushed Up

You know you've backed a winner when people the world over spend their spare time finding ways to reinvent or evolve your brand, product and packaging. Those crazy Coke obsessed kids manage to pull out amazing stops all of the time which is why I am so fascinated with the brand and post on it often.

Andrew Kim is the latest to develop beautiful new Coke casings. Taking up less space than the traditional buddy bottles that we've all seen, the packaging is designed to be stacked on top of each other via an indent in the bottom of the drink. The best part though? The packaging is designed to be collapsible - making it easier for recycling... which lets face it, is a very very good thing.

Sixth sense.

I remember the days where a signature scent defined who you are - NOT the celebrity endorsing them. I very clearly recall spending time in stores and boutiques finding a smell that worked well on my skin, and that I thought defined me as a person (eventually Narciso Rodriguez eau de parfum).

Thank GOD for traditionalists, who continue to develop raw scents that are authentic, contemporary and developed for those that really do give a shit about how they consume someone elses senses.

Created by Alessandro Gualtieri, the Nasomatto Project is "dedicated to people who have a strong interested in a distinguished choice". Blending unique fragrances to create strong statements, each blend has a name that defines exactly what the reaction to it should be. Topped off with insanely beautiful bottles that juxtapose the hard vs. soft of wood with glass that I love very very much.

** Duro - aims to enhance all the manifestations of male strength
** Narcotic Venus - the quest for the overwhelming addictive intensity of female sexual power
** Hindu Grass - breathe the believe in universal peace and love. The quest for warm affection of humanity
** Silver Musk - evokes superhero magnetism. The result of a quest for mercurial liquid love sensation
** Absinth - evokes degrees of hysteria. The result of a quest to stimulate irresponsible behaviour
** China White - reveals the treasure of a sentimental journey. The result of a quest to reveal the strength of fragility
** Black Afgano - evokes mysterious intrigue and an intense journey

Don't expect to see the notes included in each scent anywhere. Nasomatto leaves these undisclosed so that every scent experience is unique and interpreted by the wearer.

Beach sounds

Pump-Pump-Pump it up for summmer! God I love love this time of year. And nothing beats long days on the sand, laughing with friends, listening to sweet tunes that you know are going to sound even better after a case of Pure Blonde on Australia Day when the Triple J Hottest 100 is pumping through huge speakers, and you're sliding down sand-dune slip and slides... (I digress...)

Anyway - these peach little Fexio Solar Fm Radio's are the perfect summer addition for said sand-lie-in. Each one is paper thin, and tunes to a specific radio station. Sure you may not want to be listening to Fbi all day, but for convenience, nothing beats them.

(And for the markers in the group... AWESOME premium idea for your cool-kid brands... consider the logo ops on the box and backside of the radios. Rad.)

Coked Up

Environmentally friendly, clean skinned and totally minimal, loving this can design for Coca Cola (currently unaffiliated with the brand). Designed by Ryan Yoon & Harc Lee (Company: 7760, based in the US), they say...

"A convex logo substitutes colorfully sprayed can. Naked can help to reduce air and water pollution occurred in its coloring process. It also reduces energy and effort to separate toxic color paint from aluminum in recycling process. Huge amount of energy and paint required to manufacture colored cans will be saved. Instead of toxic paint, manufacturers process aluminum with a pressing machine that indicates brand identity on surface."

Love it.

Helvetica flavoured.

We tend to agree that chocolate is better for you with Helvetica. Designed by Ruiz+Company (Zamora 45, 5º 2º 08005 Barcelona. Spain. estudi@ruizcompany.com) for the Chocolat Factory, this packaging is neat-o.

The Chocolat Factory was always going to be rooted in cool - the company was set up by Belgium-born architect and interior designer, Michel Laline, who believes that chocolate should be all about design ethos. Case in point is The Vase - a large chocolate vase with chocolate sticks that can be displayed as a decorative item before being devoured. Check out the website for some awesome cool.