Producer/hitmaker extrordinaire, and all around stylish man, Diplo, along with DJ SWITCH, and Skerrit Bwoy are jamaican dancehall outfit, MAJOR LAZER. It may not be as accessible to enthusiasts of his work with MIA, or Santigold, but this video is easily on par with "BORN FREE," as best video of the year.
Really dig the graphic work of Geoff Allen at FUN Is OK. He helped FIANNA tattoo studio create a strong brand identity that fits well with the historic community of Portland, Maine.
Pleasant River Soap Company's packaging re-design, unveiled in November, uses recycled materials printed with soy inks and wind generated power. The small Windham, Maine business makes only the purest soaps without artificial fragrances, colors, preservatives, animal products or animal testing. Each bar is handmade, created in small batches using locally-sourced ingredients. They've developed some unique and delightful scents like, FENNEL POPPY, ALMOND LAVENDER, ORANGE CINNAMON, LIME ROSEMARY, BAY RUM, PATCHOULI and MAINE WOODS.
I've met a new favorite film, Good Morning, by the great Yasujiro Ozu. It is called the wildcard of his career, as it plays through the eyes of children rather than old men. (Most of his films revolve around the concept of mono no aware "sympathetic sadness" but this one is bouncy in its unending childhood.)
Watch for the modernist view of 1959 Japanese suburbs, leave with social commentary on small talk and questions about age vs. wisdom.
I hear Shigeto may make a stop in Portland soon. Fingers crossed. Yesterday, NPR put out this 'first listen'a compilation by Shigeto labelGhostly International, We'll Never Stop Living This Way. You may want first listen.