COOL KIDS // WOOL AND THE GANG

Brrrr it's cold out there! While the rest of the world often see Australia as the sun drenched country, it's days like today that prove we are not immune to the kind of weather best suited to hibernating under the doona all day.

And that's why I thought today was appropriate to unleash the bundle of joy that is Wool and the Gang. Using only the finest Peruvian wool in a selection of yummy colours, New York based Wool and the Gang is bringing the forgotten art of knitting to a new generation with their cool DIY kits to create your own luscious knitwear, perfect for protecting us from the winter chill.

If you're worried winter will be over before you've dropped the last stitch on your own 'Snood Dog' then don't worry, you can let the professionals do the work and purchase from the 'ready to wear' collection. And for those of you looking to get your knit-on with others, knitting gang's are popping up all over the world, including right here in Sydney at The Standard Store, Surry Hills.

Even if I never actually get around to working some magic with the knitting needles, I need to get one of these kits just for the amazing packaging. xx

Image Source: Wool and the Gang, Head and Heels, The Coveted

LIVE THE LANGUAGE

I think I may have died and gone to heaven. Typography heaven to be exact.

These video campaigns for EF language schools have captured the spirit of cities like Paris, Barcelona, LA and Sydney with the magical marriage of playful cinematography overlayed with to-die-for typography from director Niklas Johansson and designer Albin Holmqvist.

Understandably the older cities in the series such as Paris get the best treatment with some amazingly romantic and deco-inspired fonts, however the young guns of Los Angeles and Sydney are just as culturally absorbing.

Even though i'm probably well passed student age now - these films really make me want to strap the backpack on and hit up Barcelona and beyond.

Check out all seven videos here to choose your favourite city.

WANDERLUST // ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB

There's something about the combination of palm trees, baron mountain ranges and a hazy sun that makes Palm Springs really appeal to me. I also have a weird love for 1960's style roadside motels, so it's not easy to see why I need to visit the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs.

According to Mr and Mrs Smith, this "hipster canyon commune" is a motel that died and went to hotel heaven. Originally a 1965 Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, the hotel was brought back to life by the Ace Hotels group in 2009 with a mix of mid-century decor, mojave desert inspired textiles, concrete, timber, canvas and leather to create a laid back oasis in the middle of the californian desert.

Like the other hotels in the Ace family, it's the little quirks like the retro caravan pool bar, lobby photo booth, communal outdoor fire places, vintage record players, bingo nights and vespa hire that make it ooze understated cool.

 

Image Source: Ace Hotel,  Wallpaper, Lane Dittoe and Jessica Claire