Red or White?

You Read It Here First picks up innovations, ideas, things that make up the Zeitgeist -  it listens in to how people feel and think.

It isn't in any way political, but occasionally zooms into something that could be touching on that area.

Remembrance Day is coming up. And therefore it may be worth pointing out that there is an alternative to wearing a red poppy - WEAR A WHITE POPPY!

The white poppy stands for Peace - it doesn't dishonour people who gave their lives for others to live in freedom. It just points out that there is another way tp resolve conflicts - one that doesn't necessarily require people to pay with their lives in the first place.

There's an interesting Wikipedia article if you'd like to know a bit more about it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_poppy_%28symbol%29

and here is the White Poppy website itself, if you're interested :

http://www.ppu.org.uk/whitepoppy/index.html


I leave it to you - red, white, or none at all!

Watching a Film Whilst....

This is soooo not me, I probably shouldn't write about it. But then again, "You Read It Here First" is committed to bringing you interesting new stuff from all over the world, from manufacturers, lifestyle gurus, geographers and psychologists, foodies and art buffs, literature lovers and techies....you name it!

And so here it is! We all know how much Brits love their hot tubs - well... now they've gone one step further: Now you can watch films whilst sitting in a hot tub. Oh yes, you can!

So if you  like nothing better than sharing a small space with plenty of strangers whilst paddling away (with your feet) in fizzy hot water, cocktail in hand, eyes straight onto the screen... then sign up for one of the Hot Tub Cinema locations springing up all over London!

Just don't expect to meet me there :)

It's All About Iceland

Naah.. not what you're thinking: We've heard it all before, that Nineties resort of clubbers who'd board a cheap flight from Newcastle, and club the night away in the freezing fog of Rejkjavik.

This time it's really cool, or even cold! Scandinavian product purity meets Scandinavian design meets Scandinavian exotism. And it's Icelandic drinks that have become very trendy indeed.

It started with those exclusive (and very expensive) Icelandic mineral waters where one was never quite sure whether they came out of a volcanic hot spring, or an icicle. In any case they came beautifully packaged. Then classy Icelandic vodka cleaned up in all sorts of interesting European bars.

And finally, Icelandic whisky seems to be marching in the same direction, merging purity in flavour (I have to rely on hearsay as I'm not a whisky drinker) and stunningly clean design.

So, let's drink to Iceland!

Instant Nostalgia - The Vintage Fruit

Have you noticed how they're suddenly everywhere.... Quinces?

I bought one, having been persuaded by "the wonderful scent" thing. It's pleasant enough but nothing to set the house on fire, so to speak. Not very noticeable, certainly not like having a nice scented candle.

Wrecking one's brain one may remember quince jelly, and that funny thing you're meant to eat with cheese but somehow always forget (Membrillo?) But now, all of a sudden there's cannon of lamb with a (sic!) quince sauce, quince puree, quince shavings with parsnip greens....

Cydonia oblonga

Why is that? Nobody in their right mind would bother with it given its rather dubious effort/reward ratio... were it not for their super-charged vintage appeal. Cameron cutting your dole money? German government pledging to sort out the debt of every EU country single-handedly? But here you are, with a fetching frilly apron on, wooden spoon in hand, stirring around in a big pot, making quince jelly.

So comforting, fragrant, out of this world, nothing can rumple the idyllic nostalgia of quinces! Or as they say in Germany:   

                                                                      Die Heile Welt

How To Wear Your Iphone (Trendily)

I saw it first this summer in Stockholm - people wearing things round their necks, not necklaces but pouches. And those people weren't American tourists either- you know the sort, the ones who are so terrified of their belongings being stolen that they wear their backpacks back to front.... as front pack so to speak!
A charming look!

No, those neck pouches hung around male model look-alikes and trendy girls. And they contained... as I could observe - mobile phones.

Of course I had to get one too (from COS, in white hole-punched leather). There is a photo of me standing outside a house in Gamla Stan wearing it, but I posted it on Facebook and Facebook doesn't want to let go of it, so I'm posting just a simple specimen in a nice colour.

In Sweden, they call them "mobilväska" - in German, rather unattractively "Brustbeutel". But hey, what the hell. They're back with a vengeance! And yes, I love mine!

The Suitcase That Follows You Around

Well, I like the idea of this:

The end of dragging a suitcase around behind you! Hands free  - this suitcase FOLLOWS YOU!

Bluetooth technology links up with your mobile device, and the suitcase follows the signal bearer, i.e. you.

It's called The Hop - and from now on we can all go hands-free. Airport shopping has never been easier!

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/the-suitcase-that-follows-you-around-the-airport/story-e6frfq80-1226487461825

You can read about it by clicking the link above. There is also a youtube video, but I think we can visualise it ourselves!

So clever : The People's Supermarket

I just love this idea of a London supermarket which aims to connect people with urban lifestyles and the farming community who produce sustainable organic produce!

/http://www.thepeoplessupermarket.org/home/about-us/

In this truly innovative supermarket concept you'll even get a discount - provided you put in the hours and work for them 4 hours per month.

AND it's in the wonderful London Lambs Conduit Street - an absolute gem and a must-visit if you haven't been! London as it was.......or maybe how it will be again!

http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/lambs_conduit_street_7d0.html/