It’s Nice That turns us onto our latest venture into voyeur-dom, From The Desk Of. As the name suggests, it takes a look at creative folks and their workspaces, mixing in interviews with a peek at where they work. We’ve included a few of our favourite spaces after the leap. (From the desk of)

Curated has a three part Q&A with Alison Kayman:

“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is the first feature-length film about internationally renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. With ambitious installations, including the much discussed Sunflower Seeds at Tate Modern, Weiwei’s star in the art world is equaled only by his stature as a political activist. Alison Klayman’s film examines the complexity of Weiwei as an artist and social activist, detailing preparation for major exhibitions as well as clashes with Chinese government.”

Read part one (parts 2&3 are yet to be released) over at Curated.

We first interviewed Albam back in August of 2009 and at that time, it was still a relatively small company, although they had struck a chord with a wide audience. Fast forward two years and they’re seen as the frontrunners of a trend, have three stores and local manufacture has become a buzz topic. So how have things changed for them? We interviewed James Shaw, getting him on video this time, and found out how things have changed and what’s next.

Click here to see the video.

Too early? Probably. We can dream though. And please only wear these by the pool, short shorts in town are a blight on humanity. (Liberty)

It doesn’t take a genius to notice that there’s a helluva lot of patterned shirts out in menswear this season. And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. Heck, if you bought some plain, hard wearing oxfords last year, chances are it’s probably still holding up pretty well – so why buy the same thing twice? As we’ve been preaching for a while, variety is the spice of wardrobes. (Garbstore)

After all these floral and camo prints, a polka dot shirt actually looks pretty calm. Some might say (and some might disagree) that polka dots are closer to checks and stripes than floral and camo in the sliding pattern barometer. Which would mean that before you know it, regular blokes will be wearing it to show off their undying masculinity like they did with the pink shirt. So get your polka dot wearing done now before it’s too late. (Goodhood)

We’re starting to feel like unofficial high top ambassadors these days with our constant coverage of them. This time it’s a Rick Owens pair that we can find no fault with. Aside from the price obviously. But hey, it’s not like rent has to be paid, is it? (Farfetch)

01. A short visit – General Tom Thumb calls on the Queen

“On the 20th of February 1844, an advertisement appeared in The Times announcing the appearance of General Tom Thumb at the Princess’s Theatre in Oxford Street. He, his family and his mentor and manager, Phineas T. Barnum had left New York a month earlier aboard the “Yorkshire” bound for Liverpool, and after a short season there had proceeded to London where Thumb appeared for several days at the Princess’s theatre. Barnum saw the short engagement as a way of “advertising” his youthful protégé.” (Victorian History).

02. Baconalia: Denny’s Does Bacon 7 Ways

“Last week, Denny’s unveiled Baconalia—a 10-week celebration of everyone’s favorite pork product. During those weeks, seven new limited-time offer menu items will feature bacon in ways both expected and unexpected: from a BLT and a bacon-packed breakfast plate to slightly wackier items like Bacon Flapjacks and Maple Bacon Ice Cream.” (Serious Eats).

03. 21 Before-Their-Time Mashup Records

“It’s been called “bastard pop” and “bootleg remixes,” but since it’s been appropriated to describe any kind of combination of media, the most common term we have for it is “mashup.” Originally, it was used to describe unauthorized mixes where the vocal track from one song is laid over the instrumental track of another (or more than one) song to create a new tune.” (Flavor Wire).

04. E-40: Supply and Demand

“Being in the rap game for more than two decades would leave some satisfied. Not E-40, though. The Ambassador of the Bay consistently builds upon his legacy, most recently with the releases of Revenue Retrievin’: Overtime Shift and Revenue Retrievin’: Graveyard Shift. Both 20-track discs dropped yesterday (March 29) and reiterate that 40 is still a force to be reckoned with in hip-hop. Forty Fonzarelli speaks with XXLMag.com about his new album, working on a joint album with Too $hort and Lil B.” (XXL).

05. Nightclubbing

“I never visited the Warehouse, the Chicago club where legendary Frankie Knuckles was DJ (and where the moniker “House Music” was born), but I was lucky enough to dance all night at the Power Plant, the club he opened there in the early 1980s. Later, during a visit to NYC in the summer of 1983 (before I moved here in 1987), my friends took me out for a delirious pilgrimage to hear the mighty sounds of Larry Levan at Paradise Garage. This former garage at 84 King Street was a place of few words. Dance was the message. Waitresses, postal clerks, trannies, and bankers all moved with an eloquence absent from ordinary life and transformed that dance floor into a music-fueled perpetual state of grace.” (MOMA).

TOPMAN lands in Brooklyn via the Alter shops. Luckily, they have chosen some of the stronger pieces from the TOPMAN lineup. This basic Fair Isle cardigan is an example of a well priced sweater to keep you chill-free this Spring. The shawl collar and zip-up front make it easy.