Hasta La Ideas

Another big batch of recognition is set to be placed upon artist Ai Weiwei this week. Following Art Review‘s listing of the artist as their top pick in their Power 100 ranking, the artist, who earlier this year served a three-month detainment at the hands of Chinese government officials for whom Weiwei continues to be a thorn in the side of, will be named on Thursday WSJ‘s Innovator of the Year in the art category. It’s the first year of the Innovator’s issue for the Wall Street Journal‘s magazine counterpart, with a dinner honoring the winners this Thursday evening at the MoMA, with the issue in print following this Saturday. However, despite Weiwei’s recent ever-presence, he’s still under house arrest in his native China, so it’s been planned that fellow artist Marina Abramovic will accept the honor on his behalf. At the event, the artist will join the ranks of designer Katie Grand, winning for the fashion category, Bjarke Ingels for architecture, and Chipotle founder Steve Ells for food.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

NFL quarterbacks and Army Rangers wear “wrist coaches” to keep track of things like “Blue 42 Twist Right” and the full names of people you’re supposed to shoot on sight. But what about us civilians? You could argue that we don’t need such devices; since it’s not 4th down in your office and no one’s shooting at you, you can take the time to dig a smartphone out of your pocket and mash buttons until you get the information you’re seeking.

Still, French designer Doriane Favre has come up with the Montre Post-It, a wristwatch-shaped sticky meant to give you a quick reminder:

Beats writing on the back of your hand, and if you want a little extra space on the subway, leave one on and write REMEMBER TO TAKE ANTI-PSYCHOTIC MEDS on it in red Sharpie.

via gadgetlab

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Style-driven footwear for rainy days and winter weather

The key to staying warm and dry through the wetter, colder months starts with well-designed footwear. Luckily, the world of wellies has expanded beyond the basic rubber model to encompass a wide range of style-focused boots still durable enough for a solid trek through the elements. Weather the stormy season with one of our favorite styles.

Givenchy

Made in Italy, Givenchy’s solid rubber rain boots are a waterproof take on the classic riding boot. The simple black lace-ups pack enough style for wear even when the sun is shining. The Rider Rainboots sell from Ssense for $295.

Burberry

For a rain boot with some edge, look to Burberry’s Mid Buckle boot. The synthetic uppers closely mock real leather, giving the boots a sophisticated mien without sacrificing function. The rain boots sell from Zappos Couture for $250.

Sorel

The classic duck boot gets freshened up with a bright pop of purple on its rubber base. Face rainy days and cold temperatures with the cheery, effectively transitional lace-up, which features the same durable all-over waterproof construction and Thinsulate insulation. The Women’s Chayanne Lace Boot sells for $115 at Sorel online.

Woman by Common Projects

Another take on the traditional duck boot explores a more sophisticated look without sacrificing the essential elements that make the style a winter standard. Woman by Common Projects has produced a beautiful navy-on-brown lace-up style that looks elegant and tough all at once and, most importantly, manages to keep feet warm and dry in superior style. The boots go for $570 at La Garconne.

Sperry

A leader among boat shoes, Sperry knows a thing or two about waterproofing. Keeping with their nautical approach, the Pelican Tall Boot Lug features classic blue and white stripes on the outside and a micro-fleece lining for added warmth. The Sperry boots sell online for $70.

Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk

Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen is revered in Scandinavia for making high-quality, hand-assembled boots from natural rubber. She’s brought her activity-driven tall lace-up boots stateside, and each pair features a cotton fleece lining, heat insulating interiors and non-skid rubber soles. The Hornbæk boots sell from Need Supply for $199.

Loeffler Randall

Minimalists will delight in LR’s latest rain boot—the slip-on bootie looks just as sleek as the dress shoe it replaces on a wet commute, with a slip of a wedge heel to keep hemlines safe. The rain slip-ons are available at Loeffler Randall online for $150.

Seavees for Madewell

The California brand collaborated with Madewell on fashion-infused replicas of the boots worn by San Francisco naval yard workers. The mid-height lace-ups come with molded soles and a light fleece lining to keep feet warm and comfortable while traipsing around in the rain.The Off Shore Mid Rain Boots are available online only for $115 a pair.

Joules

Combining soft, mid-weight insulation with a low-rise bootie silhouette, the Wellibob Welly does its duty as a highly functional, wearable shoe-boot. For the days when some splash protection is needed, but you can’t commit your outfit to an all-terrain knee-high, the Wellibob, with a shiny eggplant finish, pulls on nicely. The wellies sell through Joules for £32.95.

Rachel Comey

The designer has amassed a devoted following for her shoes, which she seems to ace whether they’re summer sandals or winter boots. As the elements intensify, Comey’s Baxter Boot offers the brand’s signature understated aesthetic with a solid foundation of a hearty winter-ready insulated lace-up. Priced at just $196—significantly lower than the designer’s typical range around the $500 mark—the boots have sold fast and are already hard to come by. Gargyle is taking pre-orders on larger sizes, as well as names for a waiting list on any returns, while Creatures of Comfort has a few pairs left.

See by Chloe

Glossy navy blue rubber is accented by deep gold laces and a subtle side pocket in these See by Chloe rain boots. Finished with a sturdy rubber sole and a plaid lining, the boots have just the right touch of college prep for walking to class or to the office on rainy autumn days. They sell from Otte for $215.

Tretorn

Created for Tretorn’s 120th anniversary, the Sofiero 120 År PVC-free natural rubber rain boots are a warm solution to cold rainy days with a micro-fleece lining, sock liner and insole. The red laces at top keep water from coming in while adding to the femininity of the sturdy hiking-style boot. Sofiero 120 År sell from Tretorn for $85.

Customizable audio artwork hides hi-fi speakers in a conventional picture frame

Hiding a high-fidelity speaker system within a traditional wooden picture frame, the aFrame appeals both visually and acoustically. The Brooklyn-based innovator of home audio installation, aWall, custom designs and produces each individual aFrame with a digital amp, Bluetooth reciever, two 6.5″ speakers and two silk tweeters. We recently got a chance to check out this “audio artwork” in person and can vouch for its superior sound quality and craftsmanship.

With dimensions starting at 16″ x 20,” the frames and their internal speakers can be built up to several feet in width, depending on the size of the artwork (customers can customize their own paintings or photographs to fill the frame). The company prefers to work with dense hardwoods like maple, but the aFrame can be outfitted with any type of timber—even reclaimed barn wood.

The customizable options, from the artwork to frame stain and finish, allow the customer to work with a blank canvas of sorts. Besides the subtle aesthetics, the aFrame has Bluetooth capabilities and can network with existing home stereos, making it a practical piece for the living room, the office or any place where a typical stereo system may seem out of place.

A standard aFrame—overall size 18″ x 22″—goes for $695, with an image of your choice (you can print your own or choose from their selection) and a 1″ solid maple frame. Visit aWall online to learn more about this unconventional concept in home audio, designed and produced by hand.