01. No Early Birds

“Don´t get confused, NoEarlyBirds is not a newly discovered species. It is the name of a new Swedish furniture manufacturer and the result of a 10 year old dream of architect Per Söderberg and creative director Peter Simonsson to create a brand that reflects their personal believes regarding design and lifestyle.” (davidreport)

02. LWE’s Guide to the Unsound Festival NYC

“Having put together Eastern Europe’s top avante-garde music festival in Krakow, Unsound Festival founder Mat Schulz took on a new challenge: bringing his festival to NYC. From February 4th through the 14th, across venues and art spaces around the city, the Unsound Festival New York will offer a finely tailored selection of shows, screenings and discussions that are a refreshing respite from more populist dance music-related festivals. As one of Unsound’s proud media sponsors, we’re offering a run down of the festival with our favorites highlighted” #seeyouthere (lwe)

03. The Frick Residence by KRDB (above)

“The program requirements were for a 1600sf one-bedroom, two-bathroom house with an office and a 700sf studio on an infill lot in Barton Heights. The previous home was moved off the site, leaving a constricted buildable area located between a Diadora Cypress at the street and a magnificent Live Oak and swimming pool to the rear.” (contemporist)

04. Timor Calendar

“Back to a classic 20th century design desk calendar. Timor has been in production by Danese since 1967. A clever design combining great style and ease of use, the Timor is a great example of form & function associated with Mari’s concepts of modern design and is included in museum collections around the world. Available in your choice black or white.” (minimalissimo)

Good news for the hungry looking for a fresh take on cuisine. Japan’s Saji Magazine delivers their third issue. We covered their second issue as well. Miho, the magazine’s editor, has been splitting her time between Tokyo and Paris so often that all the context – recipes especially, are translated into both languages (and English).

But even more dynamic is the constant format variations that keep Saji’s read through as interesting as the last. Saji Issue 3’s oversized hard bound format works very well on your shelf or table. Find Saji Magazine at better retailers in Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam,  NYC, and beyond.

More looks from inside  Saji Magazine Issue 3 after the click.

Check these Dior Homme hi-top sneakers from their Spring 2010 collection. Originally seen on the Dio Homme runway, the hi-tops are available in creme or black with the expected front and rear laceups as well as easy access zip in fit. They have K.V.A. written all over them. Available now at Riccardi for 850$US.

More looks at the Dior Homme Hi-Top Sneakers after the click.

As many of you know, I rock a Breitling and will continue to do so until my budget allows me to procure another fine wrist device. Just in time for the big watch shows in Europe comes this refresh of the Colt model from Breitling. It is indeed a heavy faced watch measuring in with a 41.3mm casing. “Dials can be had in Volcano black, Air Force blue, Tungsten grey and Stratus silver. It comes on a rubber strap or the Professional bracelet in stainless steel.” (timezone)

More looks at the Breitling Colt GMT + Watch after the click.

WWD latest story proclaims that luxury brands are refocusing their offerings to pull from heritage roots (”Latin Roots” by Fugazi anyone?). “These days, Twitter enthusiast Louis Vuitton is far more likely to tweet about the 1896 launch of monogram canvas or the 1930 birth of its iconic Speedy handbag than which actress wore its clothes to a recent VIP event. It’s but one indicator that Europe’s big luxury players are moving heritage to the forefront of product and communication efforts as a way to reassure — and seduce — consumers spooked by recession.” It’s all cyclical anyways, isn’t it?

Read “Fashion Brands Focus on their Heritage” on WWD.

The proud outfitter of the U.S.A 2010 Winter Olympic team is also proud to deliver a new fragrance for the winter spectacle. “Red, White, and Blue” encompasses the scents of the cool winter. “A cooler variation of Polo Blue, this crisp tonic exudes pure strength, instant vibrancy and freshness.” Noted ingredients include: “Red apple,cucumber, clary sage, lavender tonic, creamy white woods and white musks.” The scent is available in two sizes ranging from 53$US to 70$US retail.

(via ACL)

Pioneering works of natural history illustration on view at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Interest in the natural world over the course of the 19th-century generated an enormous visual record produced by artists and naturalists alike. Fascination with detail forms a constant thread, even as debates raged over the best way to display, exhibit, and record “discoveries.” Feathers, Fins, and Fur: Natural History Illustration of the 19th-Century privileges the works of Alexander Wilson and John James Auduboun, and introduces a range of lesser known illustrators. Additionally, the exhibition draws from the institution’s library collection to explore preservation of natural artifact through print.

On view through May 23, 2010.

Above -  H. Patterson, Sebastes Marmoratus, 1856.

Another look at one of the options available from the  Clarks Desert Khan 2 Shoe. We first wrote about the shoe a while back but Zozo has re-stocked up on this sand with light crepe model. Think of it as a low top Desert Boot. Well made from Clarks and an instant classic. Wear it, get it dirty, and bring it to where it needs to be – well worn.

More looks at the sand/light crepe version of the Clarks Desert Khan 2 Shoe after the click.

We’re just going to come out and say it – we don’t get the obsession with handmade items. It’s nice to know, but – like the ‘made in the USA’ tag – it’s just become a badge of honour for folks who like to brag about how authentic they are. Having said that, we do rather like this Margiela cardigan. Not because it’s handmade, but because it’s good looking. As you’d expect from Margiela, the quality is high – as is the price. (Oki-Ni)