It’s a compact car invasion. Last week we discussed the auto-collaboration between Hermes & Smart. This week we have another tag team production. Italy’s famed brands Fiat and Diesel combine forces to create the Fiat 500. Using the automative branding of Fiat and the high style fashions of Diesel, the two worked to create “an Urban Survival Vehicle – a car capable of easily moving through city traffic and at the same time express the personality of a young and original score.” We’re happy with the outcome. We like the smooth lines, minimal appeal and attention to detail. We’ll take one as soon as it lands in the US. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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There’s no denying our affinity for small cars at wejetset – especially the MINI & the Smart Car. They’re great on gas, you can move easily between lanes and speed through traffic, you can always find a parking spot and it takes no time to hand wash. Over the past few years, it’s been amazing to see the growing appreciation for small cars by the car industry, multi-talented designers and car buyers alike.

One of the latest collaborations that has us especially excited is the partnership between Hermes and the Smart Car. The elegant & refined design aesthetic of Hermes beautifully complements the minimalist Smart Car. It will be released in ten limited edition colors with matching interior trim, including Hermes orange, baby blue, pink and graphite. The interior features subtle touches such as leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift cover, storage pockets, portfolio pouches and a custom umbrella storage. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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We’ve been in love with OpenTable since the day we found it. The online restaurant reservation company made the jump and is now available on the iPhone. Now you can virtually make reservations through your iPhone in any US and international city. Rather than calling or relying on systems where your reservation is faxed to a restaurant awaiting confirmation, OpenTable is able to tap into the restaurant’s computerized reservation system for a seamless process. It also only shows nearby restaurants based on the iPhone’s location abilities. And, don’t forget the discounts – the more you book your reservations with OpenTable, the more points you earn, which then translates into a discounted bill off your next meal. No hassle, no confusion, no fuss. Check it out. It’s available on iTunes in the App Store. Click Read More for additional information.

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A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to stay at Chicago’s James Hotel. Set in close proximity to shops and restaurants, it’s perfect for people visiting the city for the first time. One step outside and you’re within walking distance of many sightseeing options.

At the James the rooms are elegantly styled, there’s free wi-fi and fantastic room service. But beyond the clean design and a great selection of modern art, our favorite aspect of the hotel was the service. Although the place is completely outfitted in cool, the staff was nice, approachable and seamlessly handled every request thrown their way. We definitely recommend staying there next time you visit Chicago. Click Read More for additional information and photos of the hotel.

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Benches are one of our favorite fixtures in urban landscapes. Recently, Droog completed a 100 Meter bench for the Space to Take Place installation in IJburg, Amsterdam. Per request of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Droog developed an exclusive business gift that serves as a collective piece of property for all that donated and is a beautiful piece of public art.

The project was creatively directed by Claudia Linder and placed on the waterfront of IJburg. Its placement is related to the innovative character of the area. Linder states, “The location is known for outstanding Dutch architecture and the expansion- and population density issues of public housing. It is also a symbol for the Dutch struggle against the water and for the engineers tradition of land reclamation.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Artist, Takashi Murakami made a big splash when he hit LA and Brooklyn this year. Now he’s taking over an entire museum in Frankfurt. Once known as the MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, the Frankfurt museum will be dubbed Murakami Museum from now until January 4, 2009 (when the exhibit concludes).

As the museum states, “MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt/Main presents the most comprehensive retrospective to date of the works of Takashi Murakami. In May 2008, Time Magazine cited Murakami as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. As with the case of the major Sturtevant exhibition in 2004, the entire museum will be devoted to showcasing Murakami’s oeuvre. For the duration of the exhibition, only works by this artist will be on view, with the MMK transforming itself, as the title suggests, into a © MURAKAMI Museum.” Check it out if you’re in Frankfurt. Click Read More for additional information.

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Museums make for great travel fare, but this particular museum is not your average academic destination. With 10 years of careful planning and a budget of $500 million, Renzo Piano and his team of ninja-like architects have constructed one of the greenest museums on the planet. The recent opening of the California Academy of Science (CAS) has demonstrated how careful craftsmanship and environmental consciousness can merge to create an exciting place for learning.

Located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, CAS houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest. It’s recognized as one of the world’s preeminent natural history museums and is an international leader in scientific research about the natural world.* As lead architect, Renzo Piano, describes, “I try to get at the fundamental emotion of a site. The roof design is like lifting up a piece of the park and putting a building under it. This museum has always worked on three levels – displaying the collection, educating the public, researching the science. The spirit of this new building is to announce and enforce this complexity of function.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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