Curated turns us onto this project:

Patrick Martinez (remember him from our contest) continues exploring themes of hopelessness and economic displacement in his recent street installation Come In We’re Closed. He says of the new work, “Many small independent mom and pop businesses have been closing up left and right all across the United States. All that is left behind is a cold empty vacant space. Martinez utilizes the space to engage the viewer or passer by on the street with a colorful visual dialog and touching on what people are going through financially during the current recession. Painting portraits of his own parents and placing the words ” trying to make a dollar out of 14 (16) cents.” over the paintings in bright saturated neon letters. Remixing typical Los Angeles neon signs and introducing the traditional painting element into the mix.”

See more over at Curated.

Contrary to popular belief, we’ve been liking Post Overalls. But we’ve stepped up our like of the brand this season, mainly because this season is a great one. This vest is one for the layering aficionados (aka 99.9999% of men) and it’d look great on top of a light knit and underneath a big coat. (Context)

Those on the lookout for a brogue could do a lot worse than this ‘Archie’ brogue from Grenson. The company have just opened their online shop and we’re pleased to report that it’s far better than some other online shoe stores. We’re looking at you, Church’s. This is great for the folks who like their shoes to give a bit of a boost – although it’d be smart to get a rubber sole insert to save you any impromptu James Brown tributes in the rain. (Grenson)

Do you know someone who loves a bit of blackwatch? Don’t want to spend too much on their Christmas gift? Well this should be right up your alley. It’s not H&M cheap but at £120 it’s not exactly RRL prices. The only downside is that the potential gift receiver is probably looking at this post too, so you’ll have to pretend you got the idea from elsewhere. (Number Six)

When Paul Smith drops those color bars, everything looks better. Take this chess board. “The Chessboard is hand made, and features the multi stripe leather trim around the base, the top of the board has a leather black and white check with red outline and white contrast stitching, the top is embossed with the Paul Smith signature, and the bottom is covered in purple suede.” Looks to be U.K. and Japan only. Anyone? (acquire)

More looks after the click.

Who doesn’t need a snowman kit? “For 340 years, this company has been warming up adventurers, first those under the English crown and then North Americans. Known and loved for its four lines of distinctive colors (blue, yellow, red and green), Hudson Bay is now crossing the Seine to arrive at colette: 100% wool blankets, a kettle, a Swiss army knife, a scarf, a mug by Geoff McFedtridge and the adorable kitfor dressing your snowman … Long live winter!” Colette has them.

Here’s a great gift idea for anyone interested in the development and evolution of map making. “Cartographies of Time is the first comprehensive history of graphic representations of time in Europe and the United States from 1450 to the present. Authors Daniel Rosenberg and Anthony Grafton have crafted a lively history featuring fanciful characters and unexpected twists and turns. From medieval manuscripts to websites, Cartographies of Time features a wide variety of timelines that in their own unique ways—curving, crossing, branching—defy conventional thinking about the form.” Fans of a proper user experience or information delivery will most likely nerd out on this one.

Available now from Amazon.

Some looks inside Cartographies of Time after the click.

The dark crepe sole on this n.d.c. mid-top “boat” shoe is great. The wallabee-esque profile works for almost all. “n.d.c boat ankle boots with square toe. Features soft olive green leather, laced eyelets, leather cord arch around the heel area, contrast color stitching details and crepe soles” Porvocacao has them.

More looks after the click.

Not our ordinary post but we think it is worth a mention. December 2010’s issue of Vogue Paris is guest edited by Tom Ford. Beyond his excellent work in designing your favorite fashions, Mr. Ford has an incredible eye for the details. Just watch his film. Here the pages are filled with touch. Preview the December 2010 issue of Vogue Paris here.

More looks inside after the click.

01. New York Punk & Underground Record Fair coming

“Just in time for Christmas, the New York Punk & Underground Record Fair will have their second outing of 2010 (the first was in May) on December 11th at Southpaw. Beginning at 10AM, $5 will get you in but be prepared to spend a lot more than that if you’re into Punk, New Wave, Hardcore, Indie, Metal, Power Pop or anything DIY and in-between. Full bar will be in-effect and DJs will be-a-plenty.” (bv)

02. Is This Really Boston’s Next Media Mogul?

“Then there’s the fact that he is obsessed with a website that, over the past several years, he’s built from nothing: Barstool Sports, a crudely designed, widely read (and highly readable) “sports/smut” site that can only be described as the bastard child of ESPN and Girls Gone Wild. ” (boston)

03. Take Delight In Russian Tundra Scenery (above)

“Autumn trip to picturesque Russian tundra abounding in scenic landscapes and rich in marvellous lakes and rivers.” (englishrussia)

04. In search of a Komodo dragon

“Between the years of 1954 and 1963, in what was his first major presenting job at the BBC, David Attenborough fronted Zoo Quest, a documentary series that saw him traipse around the globe in search of various animals; the objective being to bring them back to London Zoo where they would then be homed. Viewers quickly warmed to both Attenborough and the concept, and the show was a hit. Below: a letter from a frustrated Attenborough, written from Indonesia in May of 1956 to his boss at the BBC back in London, in which he describes the many obstacles currently faced by his production crew in their quest to film, and capture, a Komodo dragon.” (lettersofnote)