My scientific client, Pratt & Whitney, makers of engines for aircraft and numerous other purposes, often uses diagrams and charts to explain concepts. And I'm not talking about diagrams of equipment; I mean conceptual diagrams. One of their standard diagrams is called an “Iceberg Chart.” The meaning of this may be apparent, that much of what is important in a project, approach or undertaking lies beneath the surface. And the information and needs that are below the visible surface must be taken into account for a full, productive, even safe picture and a successful outcome.

Like many business tools, the point may seem simple and obvious but the real meaning is deep and useful. I have recently been confronted anew with the startlingly obvious and important fact that much of what is important about people, both good and bad, lies hidden beneath the surface. If we don't pay attention to our own interiors and to those of others, we are walking through a world that is only a small percentage of what is actually there. Not to mention, we will be constantly confused because the real action and motivation lies beneath. So take a dive with me and uncover some real juicy stuff. 

I'd like to keep the mojito part and lose the mosquito part — no surprise there. I'd heard of mojitos before — they're strong — but hadn't really sampled them. The best ones I've had so far are pineapple mojito concoctions made at the expensive bar at the Soho Grand Hotel, where the NY chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) meets for our local briefings. At $14 a pop, they better be good — and they are!

Strong and flavorful, biting and soothing both. Yum.

Whether it be food, money, sex, power, control or some other pursuit with big draw, we all struggle with the right mixture of hanging on and letting go, giving in and resisting, taking and receiving. This wrestling is more and less profound depending on the topic and risks involved. And people play mind games with themselves about these things on a regular basis.

Contemporary realistic painting, “Candy Curls” by Will Cotton

Philosophers like Sokrates and Plato were grappling with these concepts among others; the challenge is intrinsic to man and womankind. I've always been intrigued with what makes a happy life. What is that perfect balance of things that combine to bring real satisfaction. And as one becomes smarter, one's tastes, goals, wishes and challenges presumably also become more refined.

Enough suffices or enough is sufficient is a phrase that comes to mind. I heard this first in college and it captured my attention as the simplest response to these questions. I believe this simple phrase eloquently sums up these big struggles and challenges and is the key to much happiness. Discipline and order are the paths to a bigger satisfaction than indulgence and immersion. It can be a very hard lesson but can bring the satisfaction of the ages once embraced.

The book pictured at left is currently being made into a DVD by my friend, Jacqueline Gordon and a newly formed company called Little Symphonies, Inc. headed by Lisa Cohen. The DVD voiceover is by Angela Lansbury, with a combination jazz/classical music track by noted musicians. I happen to own a copy of this book in my collection of children's books, which I unwittingly compiled over the past approximately 10 years of graphic design work, being captivated by the color, creativity and imagination in the best children's books. This type of picture book seems to be an ideal framework to allow imagination to run wild while keeping concepts spare and simple in humorous and inventive ways. The field is blazingly inspirational to a designer and lover of words cleverly paired with artwork.  

At $1,000, this couch costs about a quarter of what most good-looking and functional modern couches weight in at. There are many great looking sculptural couches out there but they are very expensive. Other nice sleeper couches can be found but they are also pricey and tend to come only in blacks and greys, besides looking very much alike.

Henry's is the right mixture of formal and informal, always pretty but fine for a casual pop-in. I went there for the first time in over a year for a business dinner tonight and it brought back warm memories and was as satisfying as ever. Henry's possesses that magic mixture that most restaurants would kill for, just the right combination of elegance and informality that make it a staple for the neighborhood. And in a neighborhood like New York's Upper West Side, where establishments come and go like subway stops, it's a small miracle to stay successful for nine years, as they have.

Pictured above: the Sidekick from T-Mobile

These mini keyboards are cute to look at and do work much better than the previous generation of cell phone for typing purposes, although using them as a phone can be awkward in some cases and they are necessarily heavier than the last wave of cell phone designs. I'm surprised the cameras aren't better, given the current superb state of digital photography; I assume this is because of marketing. My favorite part of this trend is hearing people say QWERTY keyboard who would never have known the phrase before. I first learned about the QWERTY keyboard when I plunged into graphic design and found its roots very interesting. Since I love to touch type, it's amazing to me that it's considered a difficult setup and far from the best choice that could have been made. Like many things we grow to love for its/their faults, however, the QWERTY keyboard appears here to stay and it's nice to see such an entrenched piece of history forging forward hand in hand with the latest technology.

Jamie Cassavoy is one of my favorite jewelry designers and she takes her primary cues from her garden. She says, “I try to replicate the strong, yet ethereal nature of the flowers growing in my garden. I strive to find nature's perfection in its imperfection.” Besides being beautiful, Jamie's jewelry evokes a strong mood, endowing it with an atmosphere of lush maiden-like grace. Many of her pieces are exceptionally light, something about which I care, as I won't wear earrings that pull down earlobes. She comes up with constantly inspired imagery, much like nature herself.

The bar scene doesn't feel like New York, though, as most reviews note. It's got a Miami feeling and design, with palm trees wafting. The place was packed when I was there for an event last Thursday and the bartenders and waitresses kept up with the crowd. It was another perfect night in terms of weather and we had a fantastic time. Downstairs one flight in the “Penthouse Lounge,” you can catch a retro funky purple bar that looks a little airport-y to me, although still fun and cool, besides being vast.  

Available through the Artful Home online, this sculptural seating is handmade of cherry wood and chrome-painted steel. There are some other beautiful stool designs at this source too.

Clever, colorful, original, cute and fun, check out the videos on Daily Monster for your daily dose of imaginative make believe critterhood. 

Extremely popular in Britain, the series deftly portrays a family cast with constantly entering and existing characters. Unique in its mixture of comedy and serial intrigue, the setting is almost an additional character. Central to the plotline is the fact that Archie McDonald has become the new laird (lord) of Glenbogle Castle. The laird system is a holdover from hundreds of years ago that lives on in parts of Scotland. These huge castles are impractical in today's world, costing a fortune to maintain and requiring constant upkeep. The laird and his family are an important part of village life, being the landowner of many surrounding homes and a sort of royalty. This series makes you feel part of the family. You come to understand the draw of Glenbogle, whose real life counterpart is alive and struggling in Scotland. A very enjoyable and satisfyingly long series. The father, Hector, played brilliantly by Richard Briers, is my favorite character. He is so great, it's hard to know what to attribute to the writing and what to the actor; he makes throw-away lines masterful.

Wine Cellar Sorbet is available in six flavors and I sampled a few. They were all good but my favorite was the Riesling. The sorbet doesn't contain enough wine to get you tipsy. An original idea for a party. Best part of the deal? The black cat logo, I'd say.

Two gorgeous purple bags: L to R: Marc Jacobs, B. Makowsky

Purple is a great color in that it goes with every other color. I often use purple in websites because it goes with both red and green, whereas most, if not all other colors do not (except black, grey, white and tan, which are not vibrant). I'm really glad to see purple showing up in luxurious accessories this fall. The shade makes a big difference too. These are rich and deep but still vibrant, not too dark eggplant or too sweet lollipop looking. Look for more great shoes, boots and bags in this luscious shade coming to your wardrobe possibilities soon. 

Above: The Brooklyn Bridge in 1899 and circa today

The Brooklyn Bridge is one that people walk across more than many. For New Yorkers who don't know Brooklyn well, a stroll across the bridge might be a good way to get acquainted with the borough. This bridge plays an integral role in the life of its neighborhood. It is a presence and character, not just a means of transport. It has personality besides good looks. Hail to the engineering and design that goes into such a monumental feat as building a bridge. If our mental bridges can be as sturdy and elegant as the Brooklyn Bridge, they will no doubt serve to link precarious gaps between difficult concepts and constructs that deserve easy access to each other's benefits, as do the worthy next door boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.