After four years and many paper cuts (I would assume..) Wataru Ito, 25, of Tokyo University has finally finished constructing his Origami City– ‘Castle on the Ocean’ which is now currently being displayed at an exhibition in the artificial island of Umihotaru, near Tokyo, Japan. Ito, a second year Arts student at the Tokyo University for the Arts was bored prepping for his entrance exams (which he had failed three times) so, decided to construct this amazing city by folding hundreds of pages of craft paper and utilizing simply a knife and glue. The piece loosely resembles the El Temple de la Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, Spain. The design also features a central tower, surrounded by a cathedral, school, airport, theme park, factory and a moving train with glittering lights.

Last month, Toronto was graced with the grand opening of McEwan, a European style gourmet grocery store located in the heart of Shops at Don Mills. For those who aren’t familiar with McEwan, perhaps you’ve come to hear the names, Bymark, North 44 or One in the midst of conversations about Toronto’s fine dining establishments. Mark McEwan, Toronto celebrity chef, is the brainchild who has brought these three restaurants to life, and who has recently given patrons the opportunity to savour his creations right in the comfort of their own home. He understands today’s busy lifestyles and hopes that his store offers a gateway to great food without all the hassles and prep-time needed in the kitchen. McEwan, as Mark describes, is a ‘restaurant-style grocery store’. His inspiration–the European style grocers he’s come to know and love, often found in Paris or Milan. His mission is to bring those distinct elements which define European grocers into the North American landscape, and give customers an alternative to the supermarkets that are often found on this side of the globe.

Traditional writing with pen and paper has become a bit of a lost cause in the battle with technology, but those that know me well know that I prefer keeping my ideas and notes in a notebook rather than digitally. Personally I just like the freedom of writing anywhere I please, whether it’s between the lines or just crossing out mistakes and doodling. So it’s cool to know that one of my most respected English fashion designers Sir Paul Smith shares this same preference.

I’m personally a fan of gatherings and parties. So what better way to welcome or hesitate your guests as they arrive than with these unique and sometimes oddly humourous doormats.

For the iPhone fanatics,

available at Meninos

For the too nice to be mean folks,

as seen at Trend Hunter