I don’t know what it is, but I’ve been supporting a couple of Vermont’s small businesses and just realized it. I ordered the above Ursa Major’s Natural Face Wash the other day. I can’t wait to try it out, plus that packaging by PTARMAK is perdy.


Today I came across this awesome Farmstead Goat Milk Caramels by Big Picture Farm, knowing I’d have someone who would love them, I grabbed some. They sell it at my local cheese shop, but I have a feeling they won’t be there after the holiday rush.

Plus you can get to know the goats…

Has anyone ever had Grady’s Cold Brew coffee before? It’s a News Orleans style iced coffee made in Brooklyn, I believe in neighboring Greenpoint. I’ve only had “News Orleans style” coffee once at Blue Bottle Coffee and it was by far the strongest iced coffee I’d had ever had. Made me jittery all day. Almost too strong that it turned me off, maybe I’m just a bitch. Stumptown also jumped on the trend, and started selling iced coffee bottles in certain areas. I’m not sure how I would feel to drink an iced/chilled coffee which was brew a few days earlier (far fresher then anything from Dunkin Donuts), or out of a glass bottle (as beautifully designed it is). Grady’s is sold at Urban Rustic on McCarren in Williamsburg and The Brooklyn Kitchen.


Top image courtesy of GQ. Second image from their own site.

Great ongoing beer series by Dave Murray. Favorite has to be the PBR above.

Lovells Pure Lager rebranding work by Landor Associates, Sydney has the classic beer look the typical beer consumer expects. What they then do is put plenty of humor and creativity into packaging, but not an overdose like the rest of the new brewers do today. Their clever advertisements and silly strange icons like Space Invader and a fish hook makes you ask who are these guys?

Less is more? These examples of name-brand products from around the world get a small taste of minimalism. Though these aren’t really being revamped, for the most part they could really be beneficial in a market filled with products with special promotions and gimmicks all over their labels.

One of my favorites is the Red Bull cans. I have always thought they could do without the slanted line. I see I’m not the only one. I’d be happy to see either the second or third examples.


When you have a clear plastic container like Nutella does, why not show me more of the actual product.


This is another one of my favorites. I have never used Mr. Muscle, but the products bottle color is so awesome why cover it with a corny illustration?


Yet another minimal piece I prefer over the original or semi-minimal example. I especially like how the logo fits on the bottle compared to the first two. Clean, straight forward, and a bit high-end, yet it’s still good old tonic water.

Thanks to Ajmilane’s Tumblr (who is always nice enough to ‘like’ some of my posts here) for this find. Make sure to check out Ajmilane as well as A2591.com