Pass the Eye

Today's Covet: Almodovar Espresso Cup for Illy

Two of my biggest obsessions (coffee and Spanish director Pedro Almodovar) come together with this Warhol-esque espresso cup designed by Almodovar for espresso maker Illy.

Entitled Los Abrazos Rotos (broken embraces), it's the first in a series that will be released this fall.

Illy isn't my favorite espresso brand (not even close, actually); however, I give them full props for their masterful marketing strategy that's featured creative (and marketing) geniuses like Jeff Koons and now Almodovar.

The cup is $60 (!) and available here.

Today's Covet: Phaidon Colour Art Library

The packaging gods at Phaidon have worked their magic again with this beautiful set of art surveys ($389, via auto).

This was probably inspired by the success of their Wallpaper travel guides -- brilliantly packaged, amazingly curated primers to a host of international cities. (The Rome installment was my go-to guide when I was there, helping me pick everything from my hotel to dining spots.)

Nice to see Phaidon giving Taschen and Assouline a run for their money. I do wish, however, that their stationary section was a bit more robust.

And, also: Why don't they offer the complete set on their own site? Well, thanks goodness the folks at auto are on the ball.