The Design Block
If you're looking for the latest in advertising and marketing, design related technology and lifestyle tips, and art or design highlights then you're in the right place. Find all this and more with the Design Block blog.
Save dinner with this handy Kitchen First Aid Kit poster
Cooking dinner can be an intimidating task, whether you’re single and on your own. But it’s also an invaluable skill to have. And while cooking at home not only saves your wallet, but it can also make a difference in your waistline.
Infographic: What does your style of beer says about you?
As we head into Canada Day, with all the celebrations I thought that it would be a good time to talk about beer. Everyone has their own go-to brew. Whether yours is a light lager or a dark ale, your style of beer reveals more than…
The ultimate global hot dog style guide
A summer food staple, hot dogs are cheap, delicious and they can be dressed up or dressed down with little to no effort. And while America has its fair share of variations on the hot dog, there’s an entire world of hot dog style to consider.
Funny and honest food pyramid for different age groups
Everyone is aware that they should be eating a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In fact, we learned this in elementary school when we were taught the food pyramid.
Learn how to make BBQ bacon sushi
Does everything taste better with bacon? If you’re a meat lover who also happens to enjoy sushi, then you might want to take a look at this video. Created by food website COOK WITH ME.AT, it shows viewers how to make awesome-sounding BBQ Bacon Sushi.
Colourful geometric popsicles, almost too gorgeous to eat
Possibly too gorgeous to eat, these colourful geometric popsicles don’t relate to your average treat. Made to look like architectural design pieces, Berlin-based architect Manu Kumar and designer Stefan Gendl came up with the geometric popsicles in collaborated with Nuna.
NSFW: What would happen if Carlsberg did erotic drama
Your typical beer ad contains some form of sexual innuendo or another. But what happens if a beer company was able to blur the lines of alcohol advertising and take it to the next level? You’d get this erotic drama from Danish-brewer Carlsberg.
Enjoy a spaghetti and meatball burger for lunch
Spaghetti and meatballs happens to be a favourite dish for many, including food and fashion blogger Caitlin Lee of Public Lives Secret Recipes. Unfortunately, eating it can get a bit messy at times.
Give your breakfast a makeover with cereal cookies
Breakfast is widely known as the most essential meal of the day. A good breakfast fuels you up and gets you ready for the day. Unfortunately, we’re often in too big a rush to get a proper breakfast, wolfing down a bowl of cereal before rushing to work.
How to make alcohol-infused Oreo cookies
Are dunking Oreo cookies in milk no longer giving you a thrill? If that’s the case, try a new way to enjoy milk’s favourite cookie—with alcohol.
KFC unveils edible coffee cups
Instead of throwing paper cups in the trash, coffee drinkers can now help the environment by eating branded cookie cups. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, KFC is planning to serve up Seattle’s Best Coffee in edible coffee cups that let customers enjoy the warm beverage and eat…
For the stout lover: Guinness flavoured potato chips
Tired of the usual bar snacks like peanuts or pretzels? How about snacking on these potato chips flavoured with the familiar taste of Guinness the next time you go drinking?
Infographic: The world’s 25 weirdest drinking customs
No matter how many monuments you visit while traveling, or works of art you pander over, you’ll never understand the people and their culture until you drink with them. But, before you clink glasses with your new friends, you might want to take a minute…
The world’s most beautiful geometric designed chocolates
Japanese design firm Nendo was declared Maison & Objet’s Designer of the Year. And to celebrate, they were invited to design a lounge for visitors at the furniture and design show. For the show — along with designing the lounge — they decided to create a…
A beer to help you reach your creative peak
Can beer make you more creative? Research suggests that yes, if you get just drunk enough you can boost brainpower.
Get breakfast all day at the Cereal Killer Café
Do you enjoy having a comforting bowl of cereal with milk at any time of the day? The start-up scene provides us with an array of pop-up and niche shops and eateries that cater for all our wants. One that has recently captured many people’s imaginations is the Cereal…
You can now doodle on cookies with edible colour markers
When you’re a child, you’re parents tell you not to play with your food. Well, now you can draw on it instead. While I’ve previously posted about creating art on food and drink with the a spice pen, you can now let your imagination run wild…
Fancy cheeseburgers inspired by US cities
Did you know that there’s a Cheese and Burger Society? I sure didn’t. But it’s not a silver spoon society that sits around in smoking jackets, sniffing cheeseburgers. They’re all about promoting recipes to delicious cheeseburgers that represent the unique flavours of America.
Draw on your food with the world’s first Spice Pen
When it comes to creating beautiful foam sculptures on top of your milky caffeinated drinks, you now have some help. With this awesome spice pen, you can play and create with your food without getting scolded for it.
The Whisker Dam helps keep your moustache dry
As any moustached or bearded gentleman knows, both food and drink will eventually end up in their facial hair; especially when drinking a frothy beer. Well, now there’s a solution to avoid these annoyances: the Whisker Dam.
Enjoy an espresso or a coffee with the flip of a cup
For most, the need to brew a cup of coffee to start the morning is a given. However, when we need a quick jolt in the afternoon, some turn to a shot of espresso. If you don’t want to invest in separate mugs and cups for your…
Discover Cake in a Can by The Food Ministry
As Marie-Antoinette famously said, “let them eat cake!” The next time you have an intense craving for home-made cake, but dread the prep and clean-up, reach for a can instead. This brilliant Cake in a Can lets you enjoy a freshly baked cake, instantly.
How to make peppermint shot glasses
After teaching us how to make some awesome toasted marshmallow shot glasses, food blogger Cheri Alberts of The Watering Mouth is back. And this time she’s come up with another one of her great DIY food hacks: how to make your own peppermint shot glasses.
How to make toasted marshmallow shot glasses
If you want a change from all the cookie and milk shots that you down during the holiday season, here’s a quick and simple booze-filled recipe that you can try.
10 ways to spice up your hot chocolate
Winter weather is here and the best way to warm those cold toes and hands is a cup of hot cocoa. But what if you’re not in the mood for the traditional and are looking for something different?
Love bacon? How about a Bacon-Making Kit
Nothing beats that sizzling sound of bacon cooking first thing in the morning. And don’t listen to those studies that say processed meats causes cancer. Besides, what doesn’t these days? Just take everything in moderation.
Have you discovered the Oreo Churro yet?
Spanish doughnut, meet classic cookie. Two of America’s most beloved snack treats: Oreo cookies and Churros have now come together to become the Oreo Churro.
How coffee reflects your productivity at work
Could you start the day without your morning Double-Double? Is it out of habit or do we really believe that a morning coffee will increase our productivity at work?
Chocolate pencils for people who love art and chocolate
Acclaimed Japanese design studio Nendo has been credited for designing creations like chocolate paint and ice cream cakes that resemble villages. However, before these creative food ideas came another lesser known creation: chocolate pencils.
The ultimate guide to Halloween candy & wine pairings
This infographic shows you which candies will pair well with different types of wines.
PepsiCo launches old-fashioned artisanal Caleb’s Kola
PepsiCo has released a new, retro, artisanal cola product. Aimed at Millennial consumers, Caleb’s Kola is for those who have been gravitating towards products using pure and simple ingredients. Thus giving it an authentic and honest feeling.
Deep fried maple leaves in a sweet tempura batter
Fall is here and people in Japan are not only enjoying the picturesque autumn view, but they’re also enjoying maple leaves; deep frying them in a sweet tempura batter and eating them.
The most expensive hamburger on Earth: the Glamburger
Pretty much everyone who loves meat enjoys eating a mouth-watering hamburger; whether it’s off the grille or from their favourite restaurant. But how much are you willing to pay to have a burger? I’ve previously posted about world’s most expensive items before, including America’s most expensive hamburgers,…
Bizarre Japanese cookbook require the use of condoms
With all of the television shows and networks that revolve around food, you probably thought you’ve seen it all. Chances are you haven’t seen this Japanese cookbook. If you’re wondering what makes it so unique, well, it’s centred around condoms.
Hilariously profane cookbook wants you to eat like you give a fuck
These days it’s hard to eat healthy; especially with food like galaxy donuts and the secret menus at restaurants. But if you’re the type of person who’s looking for inspiration to start eating delicious and healthy food, this cookbook is for you.
Starbucks tests Dark Barrel Latte that tastes like Guinness
Starbucks coffee is known for offering seasonal drinks like Unicorn Frappuccinos and Pumpkin Spice lattes. But for the first time, Starbucks patrons will be able to warm up with a beer-flavoured coffee: the Dark Barrel Latte.
This ice cream looks and tastes like a baked sweet potato
The Japanese are certainly known for their odd eating habits, like deep-fried maple leaves. But did you know that yakiimo—also known as a baked sweet potato—is enjoyed by people of all ages in Japan?
Have the munchies? Try a marijuana-laced gourmet pizza
The latest food trend to come out of Los Angeles are pizza pies that’ll get you high. The idea may sound half-baked, but Stoned Oven Gourmet Pizza is a start-up by entrepreneur Henry Mark producing pizzas laced with marijuana.
The Champagne popsicle: A fizzy frozen luxury treat
If your standard Mr. Freeze Jumbo Popsicles aren’t doing it for you anymore, enter the world of luxury popsicles. POPS is a champagne popsicle that makes it easy to cool off with a fizzy, indulgent treat.
Bacon is part of every item on this restaurant’s menu
Did you know that the average North American consumes nearly 18 pounds of bacon each year? Canadians love bacon so much that 43% would choose it over sex. Few meats, let alone foods, inspire as much fervour and excitement. In fact, there are so many…
The world’s most expensive hot dog
There’s a lot of expensive food out there like, cupcakes, hamburgers, and even potato chips. But when you think of a hot dog, you probably don’t think of extravagance.
How to make a bacon-infused, Bloody Mary popsicle
Why should kids have all the fun? Well, they can keep their Creamsicles. I previously featured how to make deep fried Tequila shots. Now, Perry Santanachote from Thrillist has come up with bacon-infused, Bloody Mary popsicles.
A crazy recipe on how to make deep fried tequila shots
Creative chef Amy Erickson from Oh Bite It has come up with a crazy recipe that teaches you how to make deep fried tequila shots. Making this sinful snack involves making an angel food cake, cutting it up into small cubes, and soaking them in the golden…
Find out how people consume meat around the world
Where’s the beef? With all the BBQs flaming this summer, if you consume meat then you’re probably thinking of a nice juicy burger or steak right now. Lets face it, the world loves meat. And I know that there are plenty of vegetarians and vegans out…
The world’s most expensive cupcake costs $900US
I’ve previously featured the most expensive doughnut – which costs a whopping $1825CDN. Keeping with pastries, Lisa Sanguedolce, owner of Le Dolci bakery, has created the most expensive cupcake; beating the previous record holding $764CDN cupcake with her $982CDN creation.
Ice cream that changes colour as you lick it
When you think of physicists, you probably think of people who want to better our understanding of the universe. And while some may be working on string theory or quantum mechanics, Manuel Linares used his talents to create an ice cream that changes colour as…
Infographic: 8 key sandwich personalities
Who doesn’t love a good sandwich every now and then? The team from Great British Chefs have put together an infographic pointing out eight key sandwich personalities from Warburtons’ data collected from thousands of women.
20 movie snacks from around the world
If your idea of movie theatre munchies consists of extra-buttery popcorn, enough soda to fill an oil drum, and a candy bar or two, then you may not believe these bizarre movie snacks enjoyed around the world.
3D printed laser cut pasta typography
The possibilities with 3D printing technology are endless – like the 3D printed dress that becomes transparent the more you share online. So, creating an edible typeface laser cut from pasta seemed inevitable.
A gas mask is needed to prepare the world’s spiciest drumstick sauce
Atomic Kick Ass Sauce is hot; and not give me a glass of milk hot. The world’s spiciest drumstick sauce is so hot that Bindi Restaurant chef and creator, Muhammad Karim, has to put on a gas mask to prevent himself from passing out while preparing…