Better World for Whom?

I love #BetterWorldBooks, but wasn't thrilled to see a wine guide (!) listed in my search for top-rated, teen books on sale.  Note: Retail Me Not often has discount codes for this great seller. 

Rising Sun MD Fun Coincidence

Funny coincidence story. Just headed North East for vacation, leaving at the crack of dawn. Came around a corner and was blinded by the rising sun just above the treeline. Reaching for the car's sun visor, I caught this signage: North East Rising Sun. Made me smile! Would have been better to capture this in the same frame, I know, but safety first.

Text Stop is the New Rest Stop

Somewhere near Albany, NY, I spotted these signs. I'm used to seeing "no texting" or "no handheld phones" in states south, but I'd never seen state-sponsored, designated text areas on a roadside. Apparently it has been in place since 2013. Great idea - just wish folks wouldn't use it!

IKEA - Brilliant Details

Big IKEA fan. Love the detail on this catalog, especially when they have plentiful access to tape measures and pencils throughout their stores.

Escape First, Tweet Later

Caught this sign beside the fire extinguisher in a Washington, D.C.-area (corporate building) stairwell:

Assume this is in response to "zoned" fire drills that often evacuate parts of a corporate campus and not others. Folks tend to ignore the bells & alarms over time.

"Short is killing it right now."

Vitamin Water. I've praised this brand before for great copy and brand execution. This purchase was a great reminder of how well they do it.

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"so, yeah, this bottle is shorter than normal. but shorter is better. want proof? what's better, a short or long call with your parents? a short or long download time? and who doesn't want to be on a short list? that's right, short is killing it right now."

And a thumbs up to this flavor: acai-blueberry-pomegranate ... sweet, but not too sweet. Guess it's short on sugar too.

Castle Golf | Your Experience Begins in the Parking Lot

Readers know I love attention to details, so I was very pleased to spot this parking lot "extra" ... with the lines turned into swords in the lot of Castle Golf. This beautifully landscaped mini-golf center in Ft. Myers, FL has done a great job with the place. Wasn't happy about paying for a lost ball, but a later hole-in-one almost made up for it.

Yiddish Proverb

Always love details and some wine markers do it right (see my previous Smoking Loon post)! This cork from Bogle says, "Over a bottle of wine many a friend is found." 

If you like the humor, check out some of the many sites that apparently have lots more where that came from, including: Yiddish Wit and Kehillat Israel Synagogue. This old vine Zin was enjoyed at Rice & Noodles, an excellent restaurant in Lancaster, PA. Check out the tofu spring rolls - delicious!

Apple does it again

Apple does branding well. Really well (I'd quit my job today for a chance to work on that account!). This time, I caught window displays showcasing the latest iPhone and iPad models. Look carefully, and you'll see how the live video "plays" in the static poster it's mounted on. So simple, so perfect.

Sprinkles Cupcake ATM

How great is this? Just outside Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, there's an ATM where you can buy Sprinkles cupcakes. Preferences aside, the kitsch factor is high and this is pretty great. The employees fill it throughout the day and again before they leave. Not sure if it beats Waffle House for a "scattered and smothered" but it might be closer to that Buckhead bar you're leaving in the wee hours.  

High on The High Line

Readers of this blog may have figured out I have a strong affinity for NYC. A not-so-recent haunt that's top on my list is The High Line. Maybe it's peering into multi-million dollar apartments (hey, they chose not to hang curtains), people watching, enjoying the seasonal plantings, catching a pop-up art sale ... or maybe it's seeing the city from another vantage point. The ads don't hurt. And they're best when localized, and capture the essence of the city. 

Yes, this is an ad for Manhattan Mini Storage, not what I expected for such a fun approach to an otherwise boring topic. Looks like the approach got some Adweek press too!

Grammar Greatness

In a word, love! This hilarious bracket from Grammarly made me laugh, a lot.If made up words don't bother you, just ignore this post. You won't get the humor, irregardless (wink) of what you think. Guess I should have used their text checker!

Two Peas in The Pod (Hotel)

Typically the back of a hotel room door is pretty boring -- you see a black & white (usually stained!) floor map, rates, etc. The Pod Hotel in NYC takes it a step further, with both the regulation info and entertaining instructions on how to use the space in your room ... including the bed. You have to love a brand that knows who it is.

Truth in Advertising - 0% Off

After about 6 months, this was corrected, but it sat at a prominent intersection in Tyson's Corner, VA (like this) apparently as an advertising vehicle for an adjacent furniture store. 

Only in Washington, D.C. (or maybe NYC) would you see this kind of a Classified ad. Pictured above -- in the Fairfax County Times (VA), an ad for a home schooling instructor. Here's how it starts, "Educate, tutor and discipline an infant ... oversee his recreation ... guide behavior in scientific methods. And it goes on! Prospective candidates also need to know Mandarin and CPR. Love it.

What a lovely way to make a political statement. OK, it's not subtle, but it's really well done Mr. Emanuel. A simple sticker -- applied to a plain glass bottle -- and served when "tap water" is selected at a hip restaurant (City Winery). Is this all over the city? Brilliant.

Truth in Advertising - Real Estate Rental

Saw this sign in Northern Virginia near the new Vienna, VA firehouse. It reads, "Great Rental For Sale - Full of Mold - Cash Only ... " Not a strong selling point in my book, but truthful.

Don't Jump! ... in an elevator.

Spotted in the Sunsphere elevator in Knoxville, TN, the sign reads, "If you jump, this elevator will stop." This happens enough to warrant a sign? Apparently yes (is there that little to do in Knoxville?). I looked it up and there are a number of reported incidents on the subject. This one explains more if you're interested.

Unusual Pizza Toppings

These menu toppings caught my eye at Rocco's, a pizza joint in McLean, VA. The menu boasts "every possible topping we could think of" which includes Lizard Legs, Tired Toothbrush Bristles and Sauteed Worms. Wish the food was as good as the menu was clever. Even my kids complained ... about pizza!

Sweet 2012 Promotion From Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen, a salad place concentrated in the Northeast, had a great window at their Georgetown location, "Next Year I Will" which has the hashtag #sweet2012 underneath.

What will YOU do next year? How will you answer that question? Resolve to tweet it!