With more and more people becoming conscious of environmental issues, lot institutions and independent start-ups are taking into account of offering people with more Eco-friendly solutions. Take Desa Seni, for example, with recognition as one the ‘Best Eco Lodges’ they take us back to friendlier times when we are less indulgent on gadgets and provide us with an authentic Indonesian experience through the exploration of culture, art and organic farming.

With interior that is filled with antiques and wooden homes, this was a dream realization of Tom and Howard in recreating an original Indonesian village, with a basic objective of enhancing one’s wellness.

For those of you who love sales (and extraordinary clothes), come down to Alphaville today. This super brand is giving 30% off for its great range of clothing, which is taking ‘parrot’ as their theme for the Winter 2010 collection. Combining asymmetrical structures together with nicely flowing soft fabrics, there is no better place for great clothing, Alphaville got to be the one. Their ‘parrot’ printed jumper is so promising that it will definitely bring attention to you. Obviously, this sale is not something you will be able to resist.

7 July 2010 marks the day of the grand launching of the Hair Studio, Shunji Matsuo by Hisato. Shunji Matsuo is one of the top international hair stylists from Japan with an impressive resume that extends all the way to New York and South East Asia. Starting his early career by becoming a hairstylist for various Hollywood artists and has past experience in collaborating with top designers worldwide as Donna Karan, Versace, Christian Dior, and Comme des Garcons.

Shunji Matsuo’s philosophy is formed from the concept that beauty and the perfection of hair of each woman is something that is unique and different for each individual. Therefore, he believes a stylist is needed not only to give tips, but also to be able to offer a customized service based on the need and wants of each customer.

Shunji Matsuo by Hisato is a line that is brought to Indonesia by one of Shunji Matsuo’s top stylist that was once his apprentice for 8 years, Hisato Suzuki, carrying himself a case of international experiences. With the prime launching, Hisato introduces to us a new hair treatment technology from Japan. One being the LBI Supersonic Technology that applies supersonic vibration for both perming and rebonding that helps repair damaged hair.  The other technology is the Nano Steamer Technology that results in two effects that uses ion energy to softly penetrate to the hair and creates a natural form of bonding or perming.

Shunji Matsuo by Hisato
Dharmawangsa Square
The City Walk 2^nd floor

The Holga D Concept is a digital camera which appears more to be like an analog camera. For one, it discards the main function that you will find common in other digital cameras – the display screen. With a feature that accentuates that less is more, it comes with the Last-Generation full frame gold 1.5x crop sensor, with few control of the 2 speed shutter, 2 apertures and a very basic focusing boxing ring. With the limited control, this Holga D Concept might not be suitable for photographers seeking grand results, however it suits well in being a perfect toy camera. To attain the pictures will require no difficulty but by only downloading them, at least it takes us back to less narssitic times where people wait anxiously for the outcome no matter how ridiculous their face would look like.

For more technical detail, please visit Saikat Biswas.

As the previous infographics of the different type of coffee by Lokeshdhakar. The perfect pour serves as what they call as a citizen’s guide in becoming a coffee connoisseur. Featuring simple graphics and patterns that differentiate the ingredients, this infographics gives us more knowledge on the coffee choices as Eiskaffee or The Galao. This would ensure that it would not put any coffee rookie to shame, just incase their stuck at a coffee shop with a coffee fanatic.

Click here for a larger picture.

Embun Life Café is an eco-friendly café in Bali that responsibly develops and manages a sustainable environment, their organic waste from the kitchen are composted and used at the garden to enhance the soil and grow more vegetable, waste water are processed through constructed wetlands with the help of plants, microbes, sunlight and gravity.

Below is the philosophy behind their choice of becoming environmental-friendly:

Embun believes in harmony of nature and man. We respect the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems surrounding us. In order to keep this harmony, we built a building made of bamboo – one of the most sustainable materials on earth, so that it integrates with the environment and we can interact more with nature. We have also taken some aspect of Permaculture in to our garden design, and kept the original contour of the land, and absolutely no chemicals are used in our farming. Today, we see in Embun that birds chirping, butterflies and bees collecting honey and pollinating, and insects like ladybirds helping to control pests such as aphids from the plants. By growing herbs and vegetables in Embun, we want to change the way we approach nature and food.

For more information, please visit their website.

Refusing to upgrade its megapixels doesn’t necessary mean the new Panasonic’s Lumix LX5 is any less better. In reality, 10 megapixels is already a good deal to start with. Thus, by compensating the extra megapixels, the Panasonic Lumix LX5 has boost its performances in a low-light settings, while giving an extra kick of performances with the new 24mm Leica lens that has has an F2.0 and 3.8x optical zoom.

For more details read here.

The hustle and bustle of city life can at times be alarming to one’s personal well-being, that is why a secluded getaway is necessary to acquire a peaceful balance . That is where Bali Negara Project comes in. Overlooking a the Indian Ocean, lush palm forest, mountains lined with villas and areas of the national park, the Bali Negara Project is located near the top of a gentle hill in the beautiful peninsula Plancha. Located 90 km from Denpasar International Airport and far from the city, the Japanese initiators and developers offers  a thoughtful combination of architecture, landscape, lighting, interior, music, art to recreate elements of an Eco-Into the Wild concept.

We would like to say that it is more like an exhibition space where you can live in and experience everything good about Melbourne, rather than a hotel room. And to top it off, you can stay here for free. It is the collaborative work between Tourism Victoria and Lost & Found Hotel Room, located in the very city of Melbourne, on Little Collins Street to be exact. With furniture from Native Collection, pillow cases from Third Drawer Down, Aesop’s body lotion, and chocolates from Koko Black, you can really get the feeling of what it is like to be the true Melburnian, while reading Condiment and just relaxing in the hotel room. All you have to do is make a reservation here and hopefully you will be on of their lucky guests.

FX just opened a new spot. July 16 was the grand launching of Mazee, The Art & Fashion Store. Actually it is an ordinary department store but with an extraordinary concept. The interior is very unique. At the entrance, a huge red unused-container signed “Mazee” will welcome you. Then when you step inside, it feels like shopping at the outdoor instead of inside a mall. Every recycled-stuff is the decoration here, like barrels, gunny, or wooden boxes that are usually used as packaging. You can also find street signs heading to every store section, trespassing sign, streetlights, or graffiti walls.

It’s really a nice place to shop. Besides its cozy atmosphere, you can find any urban stylish items here, from fashion, food, home decoration, and gifts. Most of the tenants are new entrepreneurs who have a big passion in urban art and our filled with fresh ideas to share. They are Coco Black, Positively Pink, Benang by Unique Indonesia, Coloriot, Kandura, Roemah Linen and many more. Maybe you haven’t heard their names because most started from online shops.

Mazee knows well that hanging out is the best way to end your shopping spree. They have the right spot where you can have your dinner or just a friends’ chit chat accompanied with a slice of cake plus a cup of coffee. MeAsia and Munchies will satisfy your appetite.

The opening night was successful. Youngsters around Indonesia seems to quickly  be familiar with this new department store concept. Besides the good snacks from Munchies, well-done live performance from Soulvibe and Barry Likumahuwa, and tempting Rp 100.000,- voucher for every minimum Rp 500.000,- purchase, all of those stylish chic and edgy urban items are indeed worth to buy.