BLOG: THE FILM BEFORE THE FILM

A smart, informative and quite frankly fascinating documentary put together by two students in Motion Design from Germany, Nora Thoes and Damian Perez, this is a lovely short film introducing the film before the film. The opening title sequence is an art form in its own right and this brief history provides an elegant insight to the culture of movie headers. Pour yourself a coffee, get a notebook out and have a watch.

MAG: A.P.C. x NIKE SUMMER 2013 COLLECTION PREVIEW

From: Freshness

Working with Nike Sportswear once more, A.P.C. will be delivering more limited footwear for the upcoming summer season. I loved the deep blue Air Max 1 from their debut collection, and again, it's the Air Maxims that I'm drawn to. Yet to own a pair of the classic low sneakers, these solid white or black options with tan soles look perfect. Understated and minimal is how I like it and with premium materials put together by these two reliable firms, all I need now is a release date. Looks good huh?

MAG: SKETCHBOOKS BY MAKR

From: Makr

Floridian accessories brand Makr – renowned for beautiful staple pieces made of natural materials spanning bags, wallets, cases, keyholders, even stools – have unveiled their latest project, the sketchbook. In six mature colour options, the Made in USA sketchbook is Smyth sewn with a soft-touch water-resistant cover. Weighing in at 70lb, it offers 176 pages of blank canvas in a size just under A5. Personally I can't see anything wrong with it all, it may just be the perfect sketchbook (or so it's priced, available now for pre-order at $38) – have a read of what they've had to say themselves. Shipping starts in May.

"Following Makr’s vision, we aimed to create a beautiful and functional sketchbook: with a durable, water resistant cover, interior conducive to sketching/writing and an elastic closure designed to hold a writing utensil, it is intended to fit into your daily life. Though it was a long road, we are pleased to be able to offer this product. It is extremely personal to us as Makr’s beginnings were on paper. We hope this product will take you somewhere."

MAG: DAUGHTER GET LUCKY DAFT PUNK COVER

London trio Daughter did a Live Lounge for Huw Stephens (who I bumped into at the British Library a couple weeks back, jokes) on BBC Radio 1 yesterday, and as well a couple of their own tracks from the superb debut album "If You Leave", they ended with the customary mystery cover and chose Daft Punk's new one. And isn't it amazing?

Make what you will of the original with Pharrell Williams (personally I'm a fan) but Daughter's distinct sound is beautifully infusing and it's a great match with this track "Get Lucky". They said on the show that the song's been on constant repeat since it came out and what a twist they've given it. I've bought tickets to see the band live in October and this just excites me all the more.

SP: 001 – MUSIC A-Z

It's been exactly one year since I started this Blog. And today I'd like to introduce some new content that I have called Specials. It's really just a range of independent features that I want to share. I have some early ideas but I think it could include essays, illustrations and stuff like that. We'll see where it goes.

So here is the first piece, an A-Z of my favourite artists. I'm a huge lover for music and it's never easy to describe to someone what my style is. I've therefore put together this comprehensive list, though by no means full. I'm sure I've forgotten some names and of course there are tons more in my library. However the artists here do represent my taste well, all of whom I would be pouncing on for any new music or live shows – and the highlighted names are my very favourites. Like if this was a concert lineup, I would pay ridiculous moneys to be at the front row.

I more than encourage you to suggest some names you think should really be there. (I couldn't think of any artists for H, I, Y or Z...) As always please don't hesitate to contact me, I like a chat.

DIARY: PRINTED PAGES SPRING 2013 ISSUE PURCHASE

I'd seen this on my feeds a few weeks ago, a new quarterly publication by It's Nice That called "Printed Pages". Another reason to adore print stuffs, it looks like a great set of unique features including interviews with illustrators, graphic designers and a musician, as well as the man behind Apartamento magazine – one of my favourites as you know – all packed into a beautifully made 84-page document. (Many of the spreads I had actually pinned onto my Fine Print board on Pinterest already without knowing!)

I was walking by a bookstore near Old Street the other day and saw the bright red cover on one of the shelves so I've been lucky to pick up a copy, looks a grand read.

BLOG: IRON MAN 3 IN IMAX 3D DAY ONE

From: Marvel

Yes, Iron Man 3 is out in cinemas now I can tell you that I have seen it.

In fact, I was one of the first to do so, having watched the midnight screening on Wednesday night. A bunch of us went down to the Cineworld IMAX in Enfield amongst some of the keenest fans on the outskirts of London. It was actually a combo pack type thing, meaning the film was first preceded by the sort-of prequel, Avengers Assemble – six hours of immense Marvel action in IMAX 3D, oh how we were buzzing.

Anyway, Iron Man 3. I've been looking forward to this a lot, the third (and possibly final) act for one of my favourite superhero series, along side The Dark Knight trilogy of course. And I have to say it was epic. Like I cannot stress how good it was – I can't remember when I last felt so amazed leaving the cinema, perhaps not since Inception. But I genuinely thought that it was an amazing movie, so good I'd go see it again right now. We already know of and love Tony Stark, but this film takes it so much further. The story, the emotions, the tech, the humour (true hilarity) and the action, it was all so on point and this was such a well done movie, simply a must watch.

There's an interview by Robert Downey Jr. out there where he says something like: "We wanted to make the best possible Act Three that we could, and we have." Let me just confirm that he's fucking right.

BLOG: HARD GRAFT IPHONE 5 BACK UP CASE AND COVER

From: Hard Graft

New in at Hard Graft, an Apple accessories brand that have heralded the wool-leather combination to great excellence, have unveiled another killer product. It's a leather bumper case for the iPhone 5 that comes with a wool felt cover, a really perfect item for protection and style. They've also sold the cover as an impromptu stand, which looks very neat. Of course made with the highest level of quality and craftsmanship that have made them so successful, it's things like this that make me want to upgrade my iPhone. Priced at a very reasonable and inexpensive £60, I'd say it's a no brainer.

DIARY: VICTATE POP-UP STORE WITH NYLC SUPPLY

Last weekend, Victate were invited to participate in a pop-up store organised by NYLC Supply. In a lovely space on Rivington Street, Shoreditch, we had a great time. Thanks to those that came, we enjoyed getting to speak with some interesting people and loyal customers. It was also probably the first time we've had the opportunity to show off some upcoming sample pieces that we're very excited about, and again it was nice for you guys to see the items up close in hand too.

These photographs are by no means official, just taken on my iPhone, but shows a little of what it was like. I reckon we'll have some proper shots up somewhere online soon!

MAG: OF MONSTERS AND MEN LIVE AT FUSE VEVO HOUSE

Icelandic group, Of Monsters And Men, who have made one of my favourite albums (ever), have been amongst the stand-out sets at Coachella this year – the best kind of festival music for me hands down. Here, at the Fuse VEVO House, they've recorded a live performance of the single "Mountain Sound". It's not exactly an acoustic version, considering their music is very much acoustic already, but let's call it a stripped down rendition, and it's expectedly very good. Oh and if anyone can tell me what on earth the drummer is doing, I'd appreciate it.

Coachella continues with the second weekend tonight and selected sets will again be viewable via the live YouTube streams. Definitely not to miss if you haven't caught the action yet, it's a great service.

MAG: LANA DEL REY NEW VIDEO SUMMER WINE

This is Lana Del Rey's new video, dropped in the last hour or so, for her version of Lee Hazlewood's "Summer Wine". The video is just beautiful, as she returns to her favoured homemade vintage style, and she looks stunning in every shot. That's her singer boyfriend, frontman of Cassidy (who I would kill to be right now) looking all loved up together. Urgh.

DIARY: DINNER AT DUCK AND WAFFLE

To celebrate my friend James' birthday, a group of us went to the fine restaurant that is Duck & Waffle in Bishopsgate. I was just expecting an expensive meal with good company, but it turns out that meal is not to be messed with.

Yes, it was expensive (we paid over £50 each) but it was quite simply amongst the best food I have ever eaten. And don't get me wrong, I do think that's a big statement. But the food was truly outstanding and I would have thought the same even without all the wine. I ordered a G&T cocktail at the bar as we waited for our table, its yuzu twist so on point, setting up what was to be an unforgettable evening of culinary delight. My main dish (who's name became the identity of the entire restaurant) was just exquisite. The combination of the fresh warm waffle, generous fried duck egg with the yolk perfect, served of course with the slow-roasted duck and a mustard maple syrup was so killer I couldn't stop grinning. The flavour and texture of the duck's superb balance of meat, fat and skin was extraordinary and nothing like anything I've tasted before. The phrase "melt in your mouth" was probably invented to describe this very dish.

Yeah that was an epic dinner. The restaurant's located on the 40th floor of Heron Tower, the lift ride in itself a great source of entertainment as we soar over the London skyline. And if you are acrophobic, I can guarantee that what you find at the top will be worth the ride. Man, happy birthday James.

BLOG: POLIÇA NEW SINGLE TIFF FEAT. JUSTIN VERNON

This band just made some sharp impact on me. With the news of their latest single featuring Justin Vernon, I've spent the last hour checking them out. And when I check something out, I'm like a fucking detective, especially when I'm so drawn.

A group formed in 2011, Minnesota, their debut material showcases gorgeous sounds of rich tone, rhythm and synths that I've grown to love so much in recent months. I instantly bought the first album "Give You The Ghost" on CD just now and I'm already excited for the second which is starting to build up as we speak, in preparation for a release later this year. But as mentioned (and embedded) above, they've collaborated with none other than Justin Vernon for the new track, who although may have called time on the Bon Iver project, is showing more musical extroversion than ever (what with his newly formed blues-infused group The Shouting Matches, whose debut album of their own came out only today).

Working with such talents speaks volumes alone, but the music is truly something amazing. It's not often I so quickly get this rush of excitement upon first listens. I watched their Coachella set too and they really are a quality artist, bursting with fresh ideas. You too can watch it, this the clip for their performance of "Amongster", track number one off the LP.

MAG: IRON MAN 3 TECHNOLOGY FEATURETTE

An exclusive featurette for Gizmodo called "Advancing The Tech", this promo gives an insight into Tony Stark's obsession for improving the Iron Man suits and it unveils some 42 working versions, and that's only at "the beginning of the movie". The film looks ridiculously entertaining and to hear Robert Downey Jr. state that this is the best possible Act III installment, I'm buzzing to watch this.

And watch this I shall, on none other than IMAX 3D, for one of the world's first showings at midnight next Thursday – oh and if that's not cool enough, the screening will be preceded by Avengers Assemble as well! How epic is that, a boy's dream.