Nouvelle Vague: Nugroove vol. 5

by m ss ng p eces

With bossa nova-kissed covers of vintage new wave, lilting French accents and sweetly soothing vocals, Nouvelle Vague's eponymous debut in 2004 was a global hit, providing the perfect soundtrack for romantic first dates. Currently touring with their equally charming and catchy second release, Wendy McNeill for a few games of bowling before catching their New York performance at Webster Hall. In the video you'll see their flirty live show, find out who's the best bowler in the group and learn what some of their songs are really about.

Converter

by Ami Kealoha

After successfully launching Deadly Squire, a line of housewares printed with original patterns, in 2005, husband-and-wife team Anna and Tim Harrington are now using the premise of their business to curate a multimedia group show. Based on the idea that patterns have the "unusual property of being simultaneously raw material and finished work," Converter, which opens at the Brooklyn Riviera Gallery this Thursday, 19 October 2006 and runs through 5 November 2006, features works by over 20 artists and designers who were asked to interpret Deadly Squire's patterns. The diverse cast of contributors and their equally eclectic works includes a modded television by happycorp's Doug Jaeger, a "journal entry" by psychedelic pop sculptor Ara Peterson, a dress by fashion designer H Fredrickson, a creepy image by photographer Dan Monick (all pictured Hive Mind Design and jewlery maker Camille Hempel.

Also keeping Deadly Squire busy, their Hayo Makamak show at Rare Device in Brooklyn takes its name from the derisive Chinook Indian phrase for "plenty to eat," and will offer a cornucopia of food and games accompanied by Deadly Squire plates, place cards, napkins and placemats, plus sewn drumsticks, pumpkins and other fall fare. The show runs from 1 November 2006 to 3 December 2006.

Converter
Opening reception: 19 October 2006, 7-9pm
Riviera Gallery
103 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211 map
tel. 01 718 559 5589

Sprayology

by Letizia Rossi

Spritzed under the tongue, Sprayology, a new oral supplement spray, promotes beauty and wellness from within by delivering vitamins and nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Bypassing the digestive tract, stomach and the standard metabolic process that interfere with tablets, liquids, and capsules, it's a more effective way to get your daily dose and the convienent slim design makes them perfect for on-the-go relief. Four product groups—rejuvenates, relieves, restores and rebuilds—include 25 different blends that use ancient homeopathics and supplements to target common ailments that face both men and women. A hangover preventer and cure, Party Relief ($20), includes activated charcoal for headache, dandelion plant for upset stomach and nausea and St. Mary's thistle for abuse of alcoholic beverages and hot peppers for sluggish and feeble digestion. Stress Less ($24), a product to temporarily relieve feelings of stress, nervousness, mood swings and irritability with passion flower to calm nerves, oats to ease nervousness, cinchona plant to reduce mood swings and valerian root to treat irritability. Other tonics range from a Daily Multi Vitamin ($24) to a sexual vitality elixir for men and women respectively called Man Power and Woman Power, which are both $32.

Refinery29: On Location in Barcelona

by Ami Kealoha

Paris and Milan may get all the Euro credit, but with gorgeous architecture from Gothic to Modernisme, scores of sleek furniture and interior design shops, and a mind-bending array of fashion boutiques, Barcelona is surely the sleeper style capital of the continent. Refinery29 paid a recent visit and compiled a list of the best of El Born.

RqueR
Talk about pride: Conxa Jufresa's shop stocks almost exclusively Spanish designers, many of them Catalan. Her handpicked roster includes new notables like Syvilla, Sita Murt, David Valls, Viviana Uribe, Madre Mia, Juan Pedro Lopez, and Victorio & Lucchino. If you're looking for local talent, this is the place to come.
Carrer del Rec 75
tel. +34 93 315 23 91

Mercado
Much more than your run-of-the-mill high-streetwear shop, Victor Zabrockis's boutique and gallery (pictured below left) carries an unparalleled selection of designer books, urban art, chic homewares and impossible-to-find-elsewhere T-shirts—all tied together with an Amazonian canoe centerpiece.
Plaza Comercial 3
tel. +34 93 268 86 31

Ague del Carmen
Started in 2000 by friends Rona Milián and Carmen Bautista, Agua del Carmen features lots of wools and wovens, '60s patterns, and retro-styled skirts in a sober palette of wine, moss, and peach. This is what Carol Brady might have worn if she hit the wacky-tobaccy. A nice play on eveningwear fills out the mostly-casual collection. (Pictured right.)
Carrer Bonaire 5
tel. +34 93 268 77 99

Iguapop Shop and Gallery This U-shaped whitebox space combines an up-to-the-minute urban art gallery on one side, and a streetwear shop on the other. The gallery is one of the focal points of BCN's bursting street-art scene; dig on the exhibition catalog—it would turn Deitch green. (Pictured below left.)
Carrer Comerç, 15
tel. +34 93 268 77 99

Petra
Duck into this deep-blue frontage and you will find a modded-up menu of neo-Basque fare. The gnocchi with crab sauce is sublime, and the unctuous pink gazpacho—with a ball of cucumber sorbet in the center—will drive you back for the rest of your stay.
Carrer Sombrerers 13
tel. +34 93 319 99 99

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Drop Dead Rug

by Ami Kealoha

Inspired by old crime TV, the Drop Dead Rug prototype by British designer Alex Carpenter was such a hit at the London Design Festival in 2005 that Alex will take it into production soon. Mimicking the shape "of an unfortunate soul which may have come to pass right there on your living room floor with their silhouette remaining as evidence," the throw will be a dark red felt with a light grey band running around the edge to depict the chalk line. Available in a selection of poses for about £150, Alex says he's currently considering incorporating the cause of death. To order, contact Alex through Udderstuff.