Onam Wishes in Malayalam

Converse Shoes and Lids

Converse has always been a brand connected to youth and casual styling. But I should say that it is one of the most comfortable shoes that go well with dinner parties to summer trips. It's like old wines - the more you keep it, the more tasteful it looks. The unique star just embodies you as the casual star of the party scene.

But for 2015, Converse reinvented their traditional style into much of class and upscale. The new trim added to the existing models not only make is more colourful but also add some life to the old soul. My favourite of this season is the NAVY BLUE Leather trim below. Grab one with free shipping while it last.

CONS Star Player Leather

COLOR: Nighttime navy

SKU: 149772C

Grateful Glass

When art merges with a purpose the whole idea is so compelling to me. I mean what better way to enjoy and appreciate creativity in everyday life. Grateful Glass is one such idea to carry your closest ones with you always even after their death. 

Grateful Glass was born when a glass and chemical artist, Matthew Olian, was commissioned to design something for a husband who wanted to remember his wife. A customer had cremated ashes of his beloved one and was looking for a unique way to preserve that. I've seen people using Urns to store the ashes, but pendant and glass rocks are definitely a novell way to bring the presence of the died ones into life.

Port Richmond in Pennsylvania was a dying art region nobody noticed. Anyways lately authorities opened the door for Grateful Glass and few other young art companies to set shop at a historical spot where once famous Atlas Caskets thrived. Hope these companies can revive the culture and art again for the next generation to enjoy.

When I heard about this venture, I wished for a moment, if I had known this guy before I could've had my mom with me all my life. That thought just galvanized me for a moment that I could see her through the glasses looking back at me. It's definitely a connection I lost forever. 

Ray Remote

Sure enough, Apple triggered lots of design cues. Ray is another cute example how devices captured Apples' design theme and how remote controls are getting disrupted in big way. It's good to see how consumers are ultimately getting the treatment from cable providers. Consumers are finally able to choose what they prefer to see regardless what the channels offer. I definitely would like to see a Pay-as-you-go service where we need to pay only for the service we choose, I mean at show level from channels

Antique Phones - Modern Functionality

1893 Reproduction

Antique phones with Caller-ID

NEST Protect

A google company now, NeST continues to market innovative products. This smoke sensor can sense both smoke and carbon monoxide. But what makes it more beautiful is that it can even read your gestures. Say for eg: while cooking you just strayed your attention and all of sudden you burnt some food. Most cases smoke alarm would go off and you are running around to open the windows and doors and then take a wet towel to swing and make that damn thing shut. 

Now if you are aware of this accident, you can wave your hands and NeST shuts off and you can take care of your business now calmly. Don't you think it's a wonderful solution ?? Also with googles' your home strategy all gadgets can be connected and communicate to each other while you are away and can be controlled from anywhere through a mobile device. Home Sweet Home !!

The Song of the Golden Dragon

AirRex - Mini CountryMan

I'm a huge fan of brand Mini because of its unique old world design & reliability. Its such a small brand which was only present in Europe where small cars are still a fashion. In Americas we still use big gas guzzling cars and Mini is out of comparison and that too when its generally a 2 door coupe.

Little that I knew Mini transformed in a big way after the BMW's acquisition of Mini. The first Mini model with 5 door / 5 seater, Countryman hit the market in 2011 and the response was pretty nice. Mini is again becoming a style statement, but this time along with utilities like a good boot space. Countryman also is the first Mini to come up with ALL4 all wheel drive feature which Americans are fond of. I still feel the interior of the Mini can be little more serious than just being comical.

Mini Countryman became a big news when legendary Pro-drive Design firm decided to prepare a Countryman based on the WRC specifications. It was a total surprise when I knew Mini once won WRC !!. Once a car competes in WRC that means the car is solid in many aspects. Eg: Mitsubishi Evolution, Subaru WRX, Citroen DS3, Peugeot, Skoda, Ford Fiesta etc etc and all these cars had very solid sales in the past which shows the reliability. These days Mini is available in India and that shows how far the brand is accepted and reliable (Indian roads are good testing facilities). Pro-Drive came up with the following design for WRC 2011, cuteee ..

But I truly believe the popularity of a car reach its heights when local technicians / mechanics work on a model to customize it for their customers. Because generally people spend money on things they like a lot and want to make them better. Here's a classic example of that, a company called AirRex from Taiwan developed a product specifically for Mini Countryman and the feature allows the driver to lift / drop the car couple of inches based on the requirements. One of the defects people reported when Countryman was released, is the body roll of the car compared to old Minis' because this car is taller and wider. Of-course you can get a JCW package ( John Cooper Works ) with sport struts, but that's not just enough when you are hitting 120 miles and taking a hairpin. Here's a beautiful video of AirRex on the play

Pro-Drive Test Version

Daniel Sordo - WRC driver tests the car in Germany

SMEG = Beauty

I sometimes wonder how British have the aesthetics & design for products which nobody else in the world finds interesting. Like the cabs in London & red double decker buses history is stuck in the British design for years and they are amazingly beautiful.

SMEG is a kitchen appliances company which inspired me a lot when I think about product design. They are classics in that arena. Talk about boring subjects like refrigerators, dish washers and hob & chimney, this company draws attention of all human races. 

I first noticed their hob with copper plated tips; they are just the cutest it can get.  Visited their site and here I’m, instant fan of all of them. See it for yourself here SMEG

Portraits to decorate