Daniel Lubetzky

Check out these amazingly creative plastic bags from Europe.  They are so great that it’s hard to imagine the contents are more exciting than the bag.

Check out some of these great pieces created by artists who were given wire and household objects instead of canvases!

Body: A friend of my wife’s is getting married and I loooved the way she is going about her wedding celebration that I am sharing some of her FAQs b/c they are funny, creative and totally romantic in their refreshing approach:

FAQ

WHEN’S THE BIG DAY?

[On X date]. Come to see if this happens.

WHERE’S THIS SHINDIG GONNA GO DOWN?

In Manhattan at [an environmentally conscious community event place]

AM I INVITED? HOW COME I DIDN’T GET AN INVITATION IN THE MAIL?

If you or someone in your family got an email from us directing you to this page,it means you are invited. We are not sending out paper invitations for several reasons, which we will chalk up to saving the environment (and not convenience, laziness or anything of the sort). So check your email inbox and RSVP by X, by clicking on the RSVP above. Both the website and the e-card were created by our friend, [XX], so make sure he gets an extra taco at the wedding.

DO I GET A PLUS ONE?

If you have to ask. . .then yes. Been dating someone for a few months? Sure, that’s cool. Looking to impress someone you met the week before? Bring them to the Observation Deck at Empire State Building. That’ll impress ‘em.

BOA OR FEDORA, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Dress is casual chic. It’s June in New York, so it could be hot. The wedding is outside and under a tent. Guayabera’s are encouraged for men. For women, dress colorfully and comfortably. If you’re bringing a toddler, dress him/her up in something extra cute so the entire wedding can comment on it the whole night.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

We’ll be serving tacos, corn on the cob and various other foods. There will be vegetarian options and no pork.

AT WHICH TABLE AM I? PLEASE DON’T SAY TABLE #13.

We’ll have tables for our senior guests, and those who need to rest their feet, but most folks will be standing and/or dancing.

YES, BUT, WILL DRINKS BE SERVED?

Yes. We’ll have wine and beer and even a margarita machine. Feel free to bring your own flask if you like, you drunkard. We will also have non-alcoholic drinks and coffee.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM?

By all means, please do. Don’t let us stop you. The venue will have restrooms.

HOW BIG IS YOUR CAKE?

Not that big. In the spirit of a community wedding, we ask guests who are local residents to bring a dessert of their choice to share with others.

WHERE ARE YOU REGISTERED?

We live in a small one bedroom apartment in Manhattan. As much as we would appreciate your gifts, we just don’t have the space for them. Rather, we ask you to please make a donation to [ORG hosting them], who has graciously provided the beautiful venue for the wedding. Those of you have recently gotten married, know how huge that is. Those of you who have gotten married in New York, know how even more huge that is.

XXXX inspires New Yorkers to become environmentally responsible city dwellers through a variety of unique programs XXXX. We have enjoyed the space as neighbors and passers by on our weekly Sunday bike rides to our hockey games and are very excited to get married here.

WHAT IF I STILL WANT TO SEND YOU A GIFT?

Thanks, but no thanks.Buy us a beer somewhere down the line.

REALLY?

Yes, really. Drop it. DONATE.

I USUALLY STAY AT YOUR APARTMENT WHEN I VISIT NEW YORK. OK TO CRASH WITH YOU?

No.

FINE, BE THAT WAY. ANY SPOTS YOU RECOMMEND?

Your old college roommate who said "I’m moving to New York!" on graduation day and you haven’t seen since. Or your aunt who lives in Queens who you’ve been meaning to visit for years.

MY COLLEGE ROOMMATE HAS FOUR KIDS AND LIVES IN WICHITA. MY AUNT AND I, WELL, WE HAD A FALLING OUT. ANYTHING ELSE?

xxx

The Jane Hotel (thejanenyc.com) is a great place for single occupancy (meaning very small), just $99/night and right next to the Highline Park in Chelsea. And you’ll have fellow guests joining you for brunch at Cafe Gitane in the lobby.

Hotels aren’t the only way to go though. You can also look up www.airbnb.com, or www.vrbo.com where you can book vacation rentals when people go out of town. We’ve seen a studio apt in Times Square on the site for $168/night or a private room in an apartment for $89/night. Feel free to ask us about neighborhoods.

Also look Hotels.com targetting areas such as Midtown, Chelsea, and Times Square.

And, there are likely a ton of apartment swaps on Craigslist. Williamsburg in Brooklyn may have some deals, and that is just one subway stop from the wedding venue. Also, orbitz.com, kayak.com and other travel sites might have some good deals.

ONE LAST TRY ON THE GIFTS. YOU SURE I CAN’T GET YOU AN OVERSIZED "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE" PICTURE FRAME?

Yes. We’re fine, thanks. Please consider making a donation instead. We would be forever thankful for your contribution to making this wedding happen, and supporting an organization that means a lot to us

These insults are witty and clever. If you have to insult someone, at least do it in a witty and clever way…

When Insults Had Class

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:
She said, "If you were my husband I’d give you poison."
He said, "If you were my wife, I’d drink it."

A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy." – Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." – Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." – William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it." – Moses Hadas

"I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." – Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.." – Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…. if you have one." – George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second…. if there is one." – Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here." – Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." – John Bright

"I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial." – Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others." – Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." – Paul Keating

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." – Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." – Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" – Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." – Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.." – Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts.. . for support rather than illumination. " – Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh’s ear for music." – Billy Wilder

"I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it." – Groucho Marx

My brother shared this hilarious video, which while mocking the obsession of people with Apple products, actually highlights the power of brands.

Apple does actually have a lot of technological reasons for its success. But its brand indeed transcends much of the functional strengths to the iconic sphere and status symbol.

Then again, there is another side to this debate which says the iPhone really IS better:

Check out this awesome video, courtesy of my friend Amir Kfir:

Judd Apatow recently produced a hysterical, “unapproved” PSA about AJWS (American Jewish World Service), conveying the organization’s tremendous scope beyond traditional Jewish causes.  More importantly it will be sure to give you a good laugh! Check it out here:

Check out some of these incredibly creative bus ads that were sent to me by a friend!

By Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

Walkers Crisps is making a splash both with an environmentally favorable plan, as well as a humorous ad announcing the chance to vote for a new flavor.  (See both the article and video clip below.)  According to an article in The Grocer, the UK executives are looking at the potential of making the crisp packets out of potato skins to enhance the biodegradability of the bags, as well as minimize waste.  We admire their plans to be KIND to consumers’ taste buds and the world!

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Check out this hysterical Cadbury Commercial that is a great example of creative, funny, and subsequently effective, advertising.