Good Design For The Great Outdoors: Nest Caravans

This new stylish compact travel trailer is the brainchild of Robert Johans. After years of experience with both RV designing and camping, he was inspired to create the Nest caravan, a 17' long and 6'8" wide, 2000 lb. light-weight, easy to maneuver, monocoque chassis trailer.



EXTERIOR
The infusion-molded composite shells are modern and stylish and available in a two-tone of silver gelcoat top over white, or they can be custom painted to match your midsize SUV, truck or crossover.







Examples of custom paint options:




Johans outfitted the trailer with some of the most-respected and best-performing features from the RV industry: Jalousie windows by Hehr International, MaxxFan deluxe rooftop ventilator and fan, radial ties with 16" inch six spoke HiSpec wheels, Dexter's Tor-Flex suspension axle, Fulton HD hitchjack with dual casters and chrome GoRhino detachable step-bumpers.



Exterior options include a Coleman Mach 8 rooftop air conditioner and heat pump, solar charging kits by Zamp Solar, Flamma Awnings, swing-away Yakima reciever-mount bike rack, a marine-grade transom shower unit, and a back-up camera.

INTERIOR

above: interior with queen size bed, stainless steel sink and backsplash and cork flooring

above: interior with queen size bed, stow away chairs, 2 burner cooktop, 3.0 cu refrigerator and cork flooring



The interior makes a great use of space and offers comforts like a standard full size queen bed with a pillowtop memory foam mattress and quilted cover, 2 fold-away stowable bar chairs, mildew-resistant Hulliner wall coverings, a 3.0 cubic foot NovaCool DC powered refrigerator, stainless steel sink, brushed nickle shower and faucets, a 30 gallon freshwater tank, Thetford "curve' battery-powered flush porta-potty, Ramblewood 2 burner cooktop, OlympiaWave radiant space-heater, natural cork flooring, LED lighting, 120VAC, 12DVC and USB power connectors.




Interior options include integrated solar charging capabilities, Silverleaf Electronics environment monitoring systems with bluetooth, Alde compact 3010 hydronic central heating and hot water system, CD/DVD stereo sound system with iPod or laptop connectivity, convertible bed-to-table and bench lounge set up, bamboo flooring and ancillary batteries.



Built in Bend, Oregon, every Nest is made to order. Standard package pricing is $29,995 USD and deliveries begin in Spring 2014. Pre-order one now for 2014 delivery and get 20% off.

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Nest Caravans

Infiniti Q50s Get Fashion Makeovers by Thom Browne and Zac Posen To Be Sold On Gilt.com

Two of the hottest designers in the high-fashion world, Zac Posen (who some of you may know from his red carpet gowns and/or his role on Project Runway) and Thom Browne, The New York fashion designer and recipient of the 2013 CDFA Menswear Designer Of The Year award, have each designed a special 2014 Infiniti Q50. The specially outfitted (pardon the pun) cars will be available in December via the online luxury site Gilt.com (if you don't belong, click here for an invite code ) where the two buyers will also receive a $10,000 Gilt.com shopping credit, as well as a style consultation. The cars will be priced at $75,000 each.



The Zac Posen Infiniti Q50:











The Thom Browne Infiniti Q50:













the press release:
The Infiniti Q50 had a new look revealed in New York City, thanks to two of the hottest designers in the high-fashion world. The cars were unveiled to media at the Infiniti of Manhattan dealership located in the city's famed Hell's Kitchen area.

"I was totally blown away when I saw it; the ombré-effect that we created [with the exterior paint], and set out to create, really worked as an object. That emphasized the movement and the shape of the car, which is what was most important to me," said Zac Posen, fashion designer.

Posen dresses some of today's hottest celebrities. He and his contemporary, Thom Browne, each took a turn at outfitting the newest addition to the Infiniti lineup. These custom-tailored cars feature elements exclusive to each designer's aesthetics.

"In talking to Infiniti at the beginning and really learning their design philosophy, and that being very individual, very secure and confident in being an individual, that was how I approached this initially, and wanted to do something as conceptual as possible for making sure the customer saw something that was really unique and individual," said Browne.

The Thom Browne 2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior features a chrome finish. The vehicle is accented with his signature red, white and blue stripe throughout, from the seats to the floor mats, and stitching on the steering wheel. There's also Browne's hallmark sterling silver ring encircling the gear-shift handle.

With a more feminine flair, Posen's creation displays a unique paint application that evokes the back of a glamorous silk gown. The interior's inspiration?

"Then I opened the door and got into what I call the red-carpet interior. Working with very luxurious materials, the shagreen handle, the shagreen stick, it's all piped in leather that contrasts it. And playing with tonality of reds," said Posen.

Gilt.com joined with Infiniti to offer these luxury sports sedans; both brands say the partnership just made sense.

"Gilt and Infiniti have very similar customers. They are very fashion savvy, tech savvy, they like new things and we think this is a great partnership," said Kelly MacDonald, Infiniti Marketing.

The two buyers of these 2014 Infinitis will also receive a $10,000 Gilt.com shopping credit, as well as a style consultation.

"From here the cars are going to five events focused around Gilt City shopping events. We'll have Thom- and Zac-designed concept rooms to house their cars in five cities. So next week it goes to Dallas, then Chicago, then New York, Miami and L.A., from now until December. We have a chance to bring the cars to life so people can see them in person," said Clara Pang, business development, Gilt.

These Infiniti Q50 packages will be sold for $75,000 each on gilt.com in December with a portion of the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To learn more, visit here

images and info courtesy of Infiniti

Three Nice New TV Ads - For Cuervo, Cars and Carbs - Worth Noting.

It's been refreshing to come across this slew of nice tv spots in the past week. Given that 95% of commercials on the air are easily dismissed as forgettable, I thought I'd share this trio of well-produced, entertaining and engaging commercials for such common product categories as liquor, cars and food.

Advertising largely parody products that lack a distinguishing characteristic - booze, pizza and the vague history of a car manufacturer - it's not easy to do memorable advertising, yet these three have succeeded. All have a social media component as well.

Jose Cuervo Tequila


Keifer Sutherland has never been sexier as he encourages us to have a Cuervo and a story, but no regrets (albeit I know a lot of tequila stories that include regrets), in this new 60 second spot for Jose Cuervo Tequila by McCann Erickson New York:




The campaign includes TV, online and print advertising, and a social media effort inviting consumers to share their stories at #cuervostory.

Honda Branding Spot


Honda creates a worthy successor to their famous Cog Spot with "Hands" by Wieden + Kennedy, London. The 60 spot celebrates the curiosity of Honda engineers, which has led to some of the most successful Honda innovations over the past 65 years:




Discover the engineers notes, facts, insights and tales behind Honda's history in this embellished version shown here.

Dominos Pizza


And lastly Domino's newest spot and campaign by CP+B, Powered by Pizza, is a refreshing look at the common consumption of the convenient carb-laden pie by those burning the midnight-oil while celebrating innnovation:



Connecting with project and business owners who utilize Indiegogo, they will offer gift cards directly to individuals within the fundraising site who pledge support toward select projects reflecting great and innovative ideas.



In addition, the "Pizzavestors" program, where about 30 startup companies all throughout the U.S. were treated to a $500 Domino's Pizza gift card, will be an added part of the campaign – all in the spirit of fueling great ideas and encouraging organizations to keep up the good work. Share what you do when you're #poweredbypizza on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled mediocre advertising.