I’ve quoted from Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, to give you some sad, but also exciting, news.

We are working on a series of new communication projects, of which I can’t tell you about yet, that have led us to suspend Duck Side, at least for now.
This is a time when a lot of energy is needed, and people have been telling me, “we need you”. So, I can’t really say if or when I’ll be coming back to work on our blog. I hope that this “freezer” period will not go on for too long. I’d like to take a moment to review what we’ve accomplished up to now.

For the past two years, Duck Side has been a window, which has always been open and always let in fresh air, onto us and our world. We have shared a fantastic journey. We have stayed in formation with out overdoing it. I am truly proud to have been a part of it along with many of my colleagues who have found a voice through the blog.

Prior to this wonderful adventure, my passion for writing was decidedly latent.
However, as the days went by, the words did come to me easily and spontaneously. I’ve discovered firsthand that communication enriches both those who write and those who read.
Being the “spokesperson” for a company of the caliber of Mandarina Duck has been a great honor. It has allowed me to learn that the Web is not just a cold virtual dimension made up of keystrokes and numbers but a true opportunity to dialogue and to share news, suggestions, thoughts and emotions.

It is made up of lovely people who have helped me everyday in my personal electronic battle, even against my own capricious computer (I can’t tell you how many times it has crashed!).

When I see corporate blogs on Google, I can say that ours is up there with the best of them. While, I don’t know much about algorithms, I think that that is a good thing. Our efforts have helped to put Italian business on the Web and I hope that many other companies will follow. Behind the websites are good ideas, real people and human warmth.

People like you, whom I give a big “thank you” to for your patience, respect, participation, advice and praise, all of which has made us a better company.

Goodbye for now!

Rossana aka “Ducky”

Technorati Tags: migrations, Mandarina Duck

I spent Christmas Day in Porretta with my family having lunch and opening presents. Despite all my subliminal suggestions on the blog (which I doubt my family had read a word of), I received many useful presents: an espresso machine, a water vacuum cleaner and a pre-paid Ikea card.

This holiday was the first time I appreciated how relaxing the mountains of Porretta really are. I spent my time reading and catching up with old friends. And, thanks to the magic of Facebook, I met up with a childhood friend that I hadn’t seen in ten years.

And New Year’s Eve? Well, since my friends and I couldn’t find a nice country house to rent, we just had a wonderful toast to the new year sitting on the boxes piled up in my old living room!

What a great beginning!

“Trendy, Sexy et incoscient” by Pascale Navarri is perfect for those friends of yours who are always worried about their look. With such a treatise on fashion psychology handy, everything is easier. From “child-like adult” clothes to “autosexy-visuel” shoes (I think I need a guide here), at least they’ll know what to exclude! 

Looking for the perfect for New Year’s Eve look? Here’s a pocketbook solution: “One Hundred” by Nina Garcia is a bible of the top 100 must-have pieces that a woman should have in her closet! It will certainly cut down on shopping time and help you to choose those timeless pieces.

Items by Andy Warhol, Le Corbusier and Coco Chanel would certainly make excellent gifts but maybe just a tad exclusive. Of course on paper they are more affordable! ”Twentieth-Century Fashion: The Complete Sourcebook” by John Peacock is a very special gift that will be appreciated by your friends who are fond of arts, fashion and design.

Futuristic skyscrapers or buildings like the Centre Georges Pompidou may be difficult to wrap unless they come in a special edition! “Piano - Renzo Piano Building Workshop 1966 – 2005” by Philip Jodidio is all about the fascinating career of Italy’s most famous architect.  

And the final phase: sequins, crocheted doilies, newspapers, satin ribbons and a lot of imagination all make for perfectly personalized packaging. Your presents are now ready to go under the tree!

Merry Christmas!

Apart from the usual safe purchases I do every year at the Mandarina shop (it’s a pity I can no longer take advantage of a 10% discount for my first online purchase!), I think I’ll try the traditional method of real shopping. It will certainly help relieve the stress of my moving!

Well, before I go shopping, I’ll get ideas for my list on the Web, perhaps by using a personal shopping website. That should shorten my shopping time.

My (hopefully well focused) shopping list:

For friends who are super-anxious or in crisis? A self-shaping chair by Droog Design. It could take my place in helping them to vent.

I’ve found a cute, feathered hair band, which could be cool for a New Year’s Eve party or as a message to a charming friend. At least she won’t have to get dressed up like a Christmas tree…

Operation gifts for sweet-toothed friends: edible manga cars! For ultra-macrobiotic friends: a bathroom-scale-proof gift of low-cal, plush pastries! And they won’t have to stress out over the ingredients.

And for mum? As she’s a real “Emilian” woman, all saucepans and recipes, I’ve found a set of fine bone china dishes. Now, don’t tell her!

I’ll be initiating my friends’ children to technology, obviously in small steps, starting with colorful plush iPods, which should keep them away from mine for awhile. Although, they actually don’t look like they’ll last for very long!

Perfect gifts for fans of old movies and TV series like my brother: original memorabilia such as Robin’s costume or Darth Vader’s mask.  I’m keeping my eye on the auctions.

A low-cost, impressive choice: The Cards for everybody! You can choose a background and then create any images or words you want by just popping out the discs.

And last but not least, I want a vintage record player so I can listen to the old records I’ve found in my cellar.

Technorati Tags: mandarina duck, Christmas, gifts, manga, Star Wars, shopping

Now is the moment for that perennial question “a la Hamlet”: nativity scene or Christmas tree? Or both perhaps?

I’m quite tempted by eco-trees, which could be made from tin cans, paper boxes, electric wires, forks, etc. (everything recycled!). Unfortunately, I can’t decorate my home this year because I have to move out at the end of December. So instead, I’m boxing up my entire life!

While surfing the web, I came across the latest, coolest trend: ice sculptures. From Bruges to Graz and even to Livigno,  artists are sculpturing blocks of ice, which gives me a great idea: a nativity scene in ice!

I’d have to keep it on my balcony since that’s the only space big enough and so it wouldn’t melt (of course)! And I wouldn’t have to worry about getting rid of it right after Epiphany. It would just melt away when the warm weather comes!

Technorati Tags: advent, Christmas, ice, Bruges, Graz, art in ice, nativity, tree

Viktor & Rolf have virtualized Shalom Harlow and created a completely online catwalk. Many clones of the top model were used to present their Spring-Summer 09 collection. Perhaps it’s a conscious decision due to the economic crisis. They’ve certainly reduced their number of models. Certainly, one of world’s top-paid models couldn’t have come cheap!

Prada has just launched their new Fallen Shadow eyewear collection with a short online film. The star is a virtual woman all dressed up in black lace (a bit funereal).

Fashion is now riding on the wave of new technology in order to open its exclusive doors to everyone! Top models from the 1990s are still very recognizable, especially to former 90s teenagers, who now have a lot more money at their disposal.
It’s no coincidence that “evergreen” models such as Eva, Naomi and Linda are showing up in fashion magazines along with luxury brands.
If this trend of online catwalks catches on, it’ll put an end to all those desperate attempts at getting invitations to fashion show! And then, maybe I can finally attend the shows of Milan Fashion Week (from home, of course)!

Lego  has broken the Guinness World Record for the tallest building block tower, which has been constructed by children and adults in Vienna. Modern Peter Pans will now have much to dabble in!

Some suggestions for your letter to Santa Claus: interpretations of famous art masterpieces, street art, iPod tools, MP3 players, construction jewelry, designer radiators, photos by professionals, clothes from Castelbajac’s Spring Summer 09 collection.

Apart from the famous couple of Brad and Angelina,  I’ll give you a great idea for your Nativity Scene: the holy family built entirely out of Lego!
Just think, we used to call it “child’s play”!

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Technorati Tags: Lego, Guinnes, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Santa Claus, constructions, Castelbajac

Of course, it wouldn’t be enough. Now, I’m not suggesting that we go back to old-fashioned wood-burning stoves but to start living better, we only need to take a few eco-actions:

1. Drink tap water: use the now famous Brita “water pitcher” with replaceable filters for fast and easy drinking water!

2. Generate energy: if you have no place for solar panels, then try the “Energy Tree” created by Beghelli that uses both solar and geothermal energy. The yard of my apartment building needs a new look and in summertime the temperature reaches 50°C there. So, I’ll definitely propose this at our next tenant meeting!

3. Turn off lights: my dad is obsessed with this. Perhaps I’ll give him an “Easy-off”. It’s a device that can be connected to any appliance allowing you to turn-off stand-by lights with one click.

4. Illuminate and save: these new LED lights are long-lasting and energy-saving. Unfortunately, they are not as bright as incandescent bulbs.

5. Reduce waste: use this new apartment composter to reduce organic waste volume by 80% and produce a (not bad-smelling) liquid, which can be used as compost. Unfortunately, this Electrolux product is expensive! Well, the standard composter is still a valid alternative; just keep it away from your nose!

6. Buy intelligent appliances: AAA all the way. Always choose energy-saving dishwashers and washing machines with automatic load-size recognition.

7. Re-use plastics: thanks to new bulk product dispensers in supermarkets, you can now re-use containers resulting in less plastic to recycle.

8.Use recycled paper: get rid of your prejudices. It’s not true that recycled paper is more expensive. It can be re-used up to six times, although it would start to turn yellow. Just remember that trees are not unlimited!

9. Cycle more: let’s use our bicycles to get around (foldable ones are better) and not just to reduce CO2 emissions!

I hope that you “do the right thing” about saving energy!

Technorati Tags: ecology, recycle, LED, waste, Electrolux, Ikea

The year 2008 has just flown by so fast. Perhaps it is because life has been so intense and the cold has only just arrived that I only realized now I need to find a new calendar for 2009.

There are types for all tastes and many alternatives to the usual cult ‘pin-up’ ones. There are funky design calendars, cube or ring shaped ones, humorous or travel ones, calendars by amateur or child photographers, and even ones for charities.

Just remember to get yours before it’s too late!

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Technorati Tags: calendars, year, 2009, design

What’s really incredible is that it’s now used as a beauty treatment thanks to its slimming, draining and anti-stress properties.
You are wrapped with warm chocolate and pampered. Who could resist? Well, I have my doubts about its slimming properties because I don’t see how I could stop my tongue from satisfying my passion for chocolate!

Well, I think I have a solution: choco-design.
If chocolate bars are lamps, carpets, chairs or iPhone holders, then, of course, there are no counter-indications! And no risk of exceeding calorie counts or dirtying ourselves with melted chocolate!
The only problem is to control excessive watering mouth.

Ok, I’ll confess: I prefer things that are more substantial! A chocolate praline (there are even personalized ones) or a gourmet chocolate event.

And if that’s not enough, you could vent your passion by learning the art of chocolate making!  

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Technorati Tags: chocolate, design, iPod, pralines