The CardSharp, Cutting Edge Design (literally) and Beautiful Packaging.

The CardSharp 2 from Iain Sinclair is a cool little functional utility knife that is beautifully incorporated into its package design.




Just three ingenious folding operations metamorphosize the card into an elegant pocket utility tool.




Measuring the size of a credit card, the lightweight, ultra thin Card Sharp 2 has stainless steel surgical blade that measures just under 3" long and is both waterproof and rust-proof.



Updated features (from the original Card Sharp) include a stiffer, non-slip armor rubber coated body and unique safety lock (cannot accidentally open when in a pocket or drawer and is child proof).

For only £15 GBP ($25 USD), the Card Sharp2 makes a great and handy gift or stocking stuffer, especially with the option to customize the blade (as shown below):







Only $25 Buy it here.

Noble Handcrafted Tonics. Syrups And Vinegars That Taste As Good As They Look.

I was seduced by the packaging of these beautiful maple syrups and vinegar tonics distributed by Seattle-based Mikuni Wild Harvest when I spotted them on GiltTaste.com so I researched them a little further.



According to an article by Janet McCracken for Bon Appetit, the Vancouver based tonics, have been popping up on the menus of chic restaurants and are favored by chefs like Thomas Keller and Mario Batali for their specialty produce.




The Noble Handcrafted Tonics, of which there are five thus far (rumor has it they will be introducing a molasses) are beautifully packaged in attractive glass bottles with cork stoppers, melted wax and labels reminiscent of Knob Creek Whisky.




The elegant package design was created by Graphic Designer and Wedding photographer Heather Nguyen of Vancouver.


Noble Tonic 01 -Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup


NOBLE didn't choose just any bourbon to create the subtly spiked edge of Tonic 01. Tuthilltown Spirits is New York's first whiskey distillery since prohibition, distilling some of America's most prized spirits. Their handmade bourbons, produced with locally sourced grain and fruit farmed less than 10 miles away, contain no added flavor or color and are not chill or carbon filtered. Tonic 01, originally sourced from heritage sugar shacks in the ancient maple orchards of Quebec, has a hint of raw bourbon flavor thanks to 6 to 9 months spent in New York State's Tuthilltown Distillery's charred American oak barrels.

Bon Appetit says "Like we said, this is made for candied bacon. I would not say no to some corn johnny cakes with this, either." $20


Noble Tonic 02 - Tahitian Vanilla Bean & Egyptian Chamomile Blossom Matured Maple Syrup


To harness the unmistakable flavor of Tahitian Vanilla and the buttery, apple aroma of Egyptian Chamomile Blossom, the artisans behind NOBLE's Tonic No. 02 infuse maple syrup with the blossoms and vanilla beans. We absolutely love the floral aromas in this maple syrup with toasty corn bread, or as a substitute for brown sugar in cinnamon buns.

Bon Appetit says "This syrup is more delicate, and in order to taste the chamomile and vanilla, I would eat this on some plain greek yogurt or a simple waffle." $20


Noble Tonic 03 - Maple Matured Sherry Bourbon Oak Vinegar


This vinegar's truly unique flavor is developed while aging in bourbon oak barrels at Tuthilltown Distillery in New York State. For 6 to 9 months, NOBLE ages genuine Spanish sherry vinegar in bourbon barrels, received only one day after the bourbon has been drained.

Bon Appetit says "If you mix this with a terrific olive oil, it becomes a dressing for a Spanish salad of greens, marcona almonds, and manchego." $18


Noble Tonic 04 -Pharaoh's Heirloom Lemon Matured White Wine Vinegar


Tonic 04 is a 5-year barrel aged, white wine vinegar infused with organic, heirloom Egyptian lemon peel. The bright, sweet and citrusy flavors are balanced by woody, spicy flavors from NOBLE's barrel aging process at Tuthilltown Distillery in New York State.

Bon Appetit says "I really like the idea of vinegary beverages, like kombucha or Pok Pok's new drinking vinegar, Som, and this is so good that I would mix it with soda water and drink it like that. The lemon flavor is complex and spicy, and brings a unique brightness to the flavor." $20


Noble Tonic 05 - XO Aged Balsamic Vinegar


"XO" signifies refinement and age in the world of Cognac. This extraordinary vinegar is no different. Tonic 05 is a sweet, syrupy refined finishing vinegar. After aging for 3-4 months in New York State's Tuthilltown Distillery's Single Grain Bourbon barrels, the lids are removed and replaced with cheesecloth to allow for evaporation. This unique air aging process concentrates and enhances flavors of bourbon and vanilla.

Bon Appetit says "This splurge is on par with any good balsamic. We like to keep it simple, drizzled over asparagus or vanilla ice cream." $95

Buy them here or at GiltTaste.com if you are a member. If you are not, feel free to use my personal invite link.

photos courtesy of Gilt.com, Mikuni and Heather Nguyen

Clever and Cool Curling Container for Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream by Cedric Ragot.

To celebrate its 50 year anniversary, Häagen-Dazs ice cream brand invited several artists to imagine exclusive objects celebrating the tasting ritual of a Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

The 28'18" Moment (28 minute, 18 second) designed by Cedric Ragot, is a take off on the ice sport of Curling. The name is a result of the average time it takes to eat an entire pint of Häagen-Dazs, according to Ragot, although I'm pretty sure I could do it in half that time.



The curling tub contains a tub of ice cream, an Ice Twist, a spoon imagined as a "tool of tasting", along with a DVD of the movie, 28 minutes and 18 seconds by Thomas Lélu with music by SomethingALaMode.


above: the design protoypes by Cedric Ragot

above: the Ice Twist Spoon

In addition to being a design item that was unveiled at the Salon du Design in Milan last April, the Curling is also isotherm, portable and durable. Perfect for summer picnics, its rotational molding design offers all the necessary features to be faithful to Cédric Ragot's first drawing: respect of the handle's oblong shape, no molded screw for a secure closure. The Curling needed 6 months of technical development and two months for the design of the mold.



The unique commemorative package design is available throughout France only in a limited edition of 250 pieces, but you can pre-order it online at Colette.

While researching for this post, I came across this totally fun Curling ice cube tray:

You can buy the curling cube tray here.

Introducing VOD-K, Caramel & Truffle Flavored Premium Vodka From Paris.

VOD-K, the subtle combination of pure grain vodka, caramel and black truffles is a new premium vodka from Paris-based Fryd Food & Drink produced and bottled in Cognac in the Charente, the birthplace of expertise and tradition in quality spirits and liqueurs.



An exceptional vodka, VOD-K differs from its sister premium pure grain through the subtle aroma of truffles and caramel it releases every sip. This exclusive alliance gives contrasting notes, leaving the palate an impression of strength and softness.



Fryd Food & Drink tapped agency QSLD Paris to brand the new premium vodka. The agency worked on the name research, the graphic identity and the package design.

Frydlender Lawrence is a lover of terroir and flavors forgotten. A true epicurean, he has always advocated a return to the earth and the real. After more than 20 years in the world of cosmetics and traveling the world, he created Fryd Food & Drink. As a nod to the founder, VOD-K is nestled in a crystal bottle much like a vial of perfume. Composed mainly of crystal glass, it features a thick base which supports pattern etched glass that results in a brushed metal nose with a plastic insert designed much like perfume.




"I wanted to reconsider, premiumize and modernize the distillery sample bottle. The bottle of Vod-k is cylinder-shaped heavy and weighted to underline its premium character. This character is highlightened by the mat finishing of its Brown anodized metal cap. The bottom of the bottle is truffle shaped. The concept of Vod-k has been thought from the beginning to the end to create a consistent universe. Vod-k is a modern interpretation of the « demijohn ». Unique by its shape and its graphic design, Vod-k is also a decorative object. Thought to be exhibited, no detail has been left to chance." Denis Boudard of QSLD says.



The name « vod-k » is phonetical and looks like an sms word. A universal name, easy to remember, to understand and pronounce all over the world.



Specializing in truffle based fine foods, Fryd Food & Drink has previously trusted QSLD Paris with the design and graphic identity of their own logotype and QSLD worked on the graphic and volume design of many of their products (e.g.Olive oil, truffle flavoured salt and pasta).