Illustrious Thursdays : 30 SHOTS and STOP

One of the first things Kunal and I did together was go to a bar ! And we hit it off instantly because we decided to play STOP ! Yes, each round was decided with one of us going through the list with our finger and the other one said STOP. And wherever it did stop, we stopped and shot ;) I am not telling how many... but we sure did enjoy our evening. So, I am hoping that Kunal takes a note of this post and shakes up a thing or two and live it up !! 

It always comes in handy at parties to know how to do cocktails or shots, while we already reviewed these great Cocktail infographic posters here is another cool poster designed by Donald Bullach. This time it’s for shots! Enjoy the 30 shots recipes you can now make for your next party! and drink responsibly 

More work form Donald at www.behance.net/donbull via www.visual.ly

Love Your Pet Day !

It's LOVE YOUR PET DAY TODAY ...  I have always wanted a DOG... and I cannot remember one occassion where I have made it clear a Million times over to everybody... I want a Labrador... You know that I have a “thing” for well-designed pet products.  I think that the chew toys and dog beds of yesteryear have made strides in innovative and stylish design, and some may say, have become pieces of artwork in their own right. (Most probably won’t say that, but I do!)

As one who appreciates great pet product design, I thought I would round up a gift guide of some of what I consider to be the best in the pet world.  There is SO much (too much) great design out there these days, so I hope this little roundup inspires you to seek out even more.  I think it is always an extra special gift when you can find something beautiful and functional all in one, and I know that any of the pet lovers, pet owners and pets on your list would appreciate these items (I even included a couple things for the fish-lovers in your life)!  Happy Bow/Meow-lidays! 

1. Scratching post and cove, $65 | 2. Ikat dog bed, $39-$50 | 3. Fringed dog bed, $100 |4. Mountain fish bowl, $170 | 5. Igloo bed, $227 |  6. Milk carton house

1. Rope Ball Toy, $9 | 2. Catnip fish, $6 | 3. Squirrel cat toy, $20.50 | 4. Push Pin Toy, $10 | 5. Puppy Biscuit Block Toy, $8

See the full guide after the jump…

1. Diamond geo bowl, $54-$102 | 2. Fish and meow bowl, $22.50 | 3. Clear Dog Bowl | 4. Dipper bowl, $16-$20  | 5. Metal stand bowls, $34

1. Red pattern leash, $26 | 2. Metallic silver leash, $145 | 3. Yellow stick leash, $18 | 4. Contrast color leash, $32 | 5. Rope dog leash, $30

1. Tartan fleece carrier, $290 | 2. Prep school dog duffel, $100 | 3. Willow cat carrier, $47 | 4. Brown + black leather carrier, $140

1. Tan leather collar, $36 | 2. Voyage brown leather collar, $90-$95 | 3. Dachshund bandana, $24 | 4. Blue leather cat collar, $41 |  5. Dress shirt collar, $20 | 6. Cranberry striped collar, $68

1. Pop art kitty poster, $30 | 2. Fish bowl, $98 |  | 3. Cat loafers, $595 | 4. Boston Terrier scarf, $144 | 5. Cat lamp shade, $56 | 6. Pink cat sweater, $135 | 7. Bulldog sweatshirt, $36 | 8. Dog book ends, $21.99

Illustrious Thursday : How to be a Music Buff for dummies

From their recent Music Issue, enjoy this series from guardian.co.uk’s own music editor, Tim Jonze, “How To Be A Music Buff”, of particular use this week as tomorrow I'm flying off to go to Ragasthan. If you are a music dummy it means I am going to a Raga Festival in Rajasthan. Ofcourse its been all planned for over a month now. My friend Aakash was the one to come up with the plan. Ofcourse Ami being a music buff agreed to go with it. I on the other hand was a little skeptical. More updates on that when I get back... but until then, here is a Dummies Guide to Becoming a Music Buff

Illustrations by Joe McKendry

VALENTINES FROM THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The New York Public Library’s collection was the work of Helen Adams Masten, a children’s librarian for 33 years, from the 1920s until her retirement in 1961. She had a personal passion for Valentines. Her collection numbers into the hundreds, and she donated it all to the New York Public Library for the benefit of future researchers. The collection includes Victorian cards, handmade Valentines, pop-up cards and even Valentines that Helen received from her young readers in the children’s room.

The New York Public Library’s collection was the work of Helen Adams Masten, a children’s librarian for 33 years, from the 1920s until her retirement in 1961. She had a personal passion for Valentines. Her collection numbers into the hundreds, and she donated it all to the New York Public Library for the benefit of future researchers. The collection includes Victorian cards, handmade Valentines, pop-up cards and even Valentines that Helen received from her young readers in the children’s room.

See more Valentines from the New York Public Library after the jump . . .