No it isn't a urinal (well not really)...according to the plaques on the wall it is "ART"...all are art...Kohler art..and part of "The Art of Inspiration, An Exhibition of Artworks Inspired by Kohler Products" now going on at the Time Warner Center...

NO NO NO..that isn't a giant toilet seat!....It is an interdimensional time portal! That giant, pink, ping pong paddle with the green fungus next to it...ahhhh....nope..didn't get the name of that one...but I DID get the name of the piéce de résistance to the far right...."Purist Hatbox Toilet."  I know I know...Kohler likes to push that their design is pure "art" ..but the display looks a wee bit more Metropolitan  Hardware than Met Museum...Still it is worth a looksee if you happen to be meandering by...if only for the wonder of Jim Felice's Waterless Urinal.

When I saw the whole wall of bags by "Angry Little Girls" when I visitied San Francisco on a recent trip...it was all I could do not to purchase the entire display. However, sanity and my budget prevailed and my darker humor walked away with this little beauty which has earned me a few stares when I forget I am carrying it about (Like TODAY). If you roll over the image you should see a close up of the design. I love the brands fresh style..absurdly innocent looking characters who speak in rather foul toungue (not firmly held in cheek)..and the really fabulous quality of the bag itself. The bag is fully lined and features many useful pockets that are zippered or have stretch elastic. It also boasts a truly fabulous side pocket which is just perfect for a cell phone or metro pass.

I suppose Angry Little Girls is not the brand for you if work in a daycare center, elementary school etc, or a law office...you get the drift...But they sure do have some fun stuff....and you can't work all the time ;-).

Fast Company's article on Drzach & Suchy's Shadow Cloud which they call "True Religion"  right about blew my mind. Make sure you watch the video all the way through so you can see them spin the "cloud" and watch the multiple shadows. This is design for another dimension. I won't say anything that the article doesn't say...you can give your own opinions..what I would like to rant about is the powers of 3d printing..WOW...

I WANT ONE....and for only 19K  I can have one too (yeah right)..but they are huge right?...actually... I did a little look around and the times they are a..changing...Dimension Printing has now introduced their Uprint model ...a desktop three dimensional printer with a MUCH smaller footprint and what they say is no hastle set up and operation...OKAY, OKAY...at $14,900 it is still a wee bit out of MY budget..but it is at least approaching the highway entrance ramp that will lead to the parking lot of the ball park of my budget :-) .

I went to one of my favorite stores in chinatown again..Kam Man on Canal Street...stocked with ailes and piles of goodies...some of which I cannot identifiy...some of which as a pescatarian...I CHOOSE NOT to identify....One of the joys of shopping in this store is the packaging design. My particular pleasure is to travel downstairs and look at the metal tins of tea. Each variety with its own special scene depicted on the face. My own favorite...ah...that is a secret...stay tuned...you will find out :-)

Kam Man has recently added an entire floor upstairs with cosmetics and gifts to and useless pretty things.....that you just have to buy...and then on the way out the door...pick up some of my favorite cookies...the little teensie weensie circles with the pastel pouf of sugar on top...they are just too pretty to eat!....until you try one..and then they are gone!...until your next trip.

Kam Man Food Products, Inc.

200 Canal St., New York, NY at Mulberry St. 212-571-0330