Cleanup Soap

Inspirational lecture from Hideaki Matsui of Cleanup Soap at the Japan-C event, Product Placement A personal, behind-the-scenes look at how things get made.

The issue of landmines throughout the world is an overwhelming problem. The idea behind Cleanup is to raise funds to aid in the removal and to raise awareness of this situation. Cleanup sells soap that is shaped like a landmine. Yes that's right, a landmine. A quote from the website below for the reason why.

" Since people use soap everyday, this product will serve as a constant reminder of the travesty of the landmine crisis. As people use the soap, they help clean the world of landmines. The soap diminishes and finally disappears with use; this is a metaphor to show that if people participate in this campaign, they will contribute to cleansing the earth of the landmines."

Brilliant! The whole aspect of this campaign is well thought out. From the product, informative packaging to the end results. To find out more about the product, landmine issues and how to help visit the cleanupsoap website.

PET pets at Guchifritos Art Gallery

While exploring the city with the UD team, we ventured into the Essex Street Market and stopped into the Guchifritos Art Gallery, where the work of artist Miwa Koizumi immediately caught our attention. The work, plastic water bottles artfully cut, melted and reconfigured into realistic looking jellyfish seemed to float in mid air in the small corner of the contemporary art gallery. This project is called PET pets where the former PET stands for (polyethylene terephthalate) the type of recyclable plastic the water bottles are made out of. The artist, Koizumi, writes on her website, "I love the idea of using liquid containers to make water animals. Contained/containing, trash/not-trash, like the jellyfish or anemone: living/non-living."

These days trash is not just treasure but art and these jellyfish bring out the true beauty of the plastic water bottle. If you haven't been to the Essex Street Market check it out the next time you're in the Lower East Side. 

POM Wonderful - New Bottle, New Look

POMx Iced Coffee was just introduced as the latest beverage from the makers of POM Wonderful, "The Pomegranate People." This new drink is decked out in a swirling full bottle graphic rap. Its bulbous shape and short stature has a resemblance to it's cousin, the mini POM Wonderful bottle. POM's original packaging utilizes the shape of the pomegranate in its design, allowing them to stand out among more traditionally shaped bottles. The new POMx Iced Coffee continues this innovation with eye-popping graphics that call to mind the feeling of caffienation.   

P.S.- Yes there are antioxidants from pomegranates in the iced coffee.

Check out all the new POM Wonderful Tea beverages. 

The original POM Wonderful and all the new combination flavors.

POM Wonderful also comes in pill form. Check out this site: pompills.com. 

Rabbit Yaki-Manju

Minamoto Kitchoan is selling rabbit shapped Yaki-Manju, a sweet pastry filled with bean paste. This is sold in celebration of the first Autumn full moon on August 15 also known as "Juugoya." In Japan rabbits have been associated with this lunar event.

To celebrate I purchased a box. The package design has beautiful art on the exterior with 12 tasty treats held in a hexagon tray. Almost too cute to eat. After one bite all I could say was, "Sujoi!"
They where delicious.

Green Machine

Saw this wonderful product at the Japan C show at the Felissimo Design House. This is the Green Capsule from Boford. Great design when the packaging is part of the product.

Pacifica Soy Candles

I was walking down the aisle of one of my favorite grocery stores and saw these Pacifica Soy Candles. I needed to stop, take a picture and pick one up. I smelled the packaging and it smelled so sweet and relaxing. Pacifica Soy Candles are made with a mix of natural soy and wax, which helps to hold and then release the fragrance while burning slowing. The packaging's graphic quality is strong, colorful and exciting; just like the product inside.