Go Home Paddy

Comics books used to be for kids. However, somewhere along the line someone decided that a real compelling story could be told via the comic book format and thus the graphic novel was born. There is something that is conveyed in the graphic novel, be it mood, or aesthetic, or feeling, that can't be written in the traditional fiction format. We've recently been turned onto a Boston artist and new friend of ours, John Walsh, who is seeking to publish what looks to be a story that is new to the graphic novel. "Go Home Paddy" is the tale of one Irish immigrant's aching struggle to succeed in a Bostonian society that fears and hates him, while all the while not forgetting where he has come from. "Heartbreaking, thought provoking and ultimately uplifting, this unique narrative incorporates historical details such as the Great Hunger, the rise of the Know-Nothings, Victorian prejudice and the Great Boston Fire of 1872. It is especially timely as it examines the role of immigration, race, and religion in American society." Although obviously Boston-centric, these are topics that should be important to all of us living in the "New World" as us ourselves or our ancestors were immigrants here, and is a tale that is unfolding every day all over the world. We like the near monochromatic style of the illustrations, and how John drew his protagonists in the Victorian simian stereotype of the Irish. John is trying to get this completed, and is looking for help through Kickstarter, and he is really close to getting what he needs. We're rooting for him to get a publisher for this so that we can have a hard copy for ourselves. Please go here to learn more, and to make your contribution to a great graphic novel with an important story to tell. More pics after the jump. 

Fiat 500 Abarth

What is Abarth you ask? It is the tuning arm of Fiat...similar to M for BMW and AMG for Mercedes. The new 500 is showing really strong over here in the colonies, and therefore it was only a matter of time before the people at Fiat (in true European fashion) quenched our thirst for more power. Sporting a Multi-Air Turbo 1.4 litre engine, beefed up suspension and brakes, and a mean-ass livery, this will make your daily commute just that much better. Another pic after the break.

The Professional Chef App - CIA

The Culinary Institute of America, herein referred to as the CIA, has had it's students use this seminal tome as a reference for years, and by industry standards it is the best go to cook book in the world, as it covers food from every continent and by most accounts will equip you to work in any professional kitchen. Now, in the vein of user friendliness and affordability, the CIA has turned this vast compendium, of all things, into an iPad app. At $50, it's not the cheapest tool in the drawer, but you'd be hard pressed to find one more useful. 36 chapters, 850 recipes, 100 videos, 175 diagrams and 750 photos of the finished product, and a far easier interface to navigate as well as being far more interactive making this much better to use and transport than the 1056 page print edition. There is an ingredients index that pretty much covers everything, and will go into so much detail as to guide you to standards of quality and seasonal availability. If you can't put a nice meal together with this, then there is no hope for you. Available through iTunes.

Happy Halloween

Maharam Agenda

This is the kind of book you want to own regardless of the content...beautifully bound, individually adorned, graphically exceptional. It is nice to say though that the content of this book is very much worth it.   A historical review of the Maharam brand and family documenting their start as a small company 110 years ago providing fabrics to Broadway through their evolution to the textile design giants they are today. This book is full of well-known collaborations with the design community such as Paul Smith, Bruce Mau and Nike to name a few as well as the famous re-editions of design classics. In collaboration with Lars Muller, Maharam Agenda features and embroidered cover available in 4 designs by Hella Jongerius. More pics after the jump.

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

From their forthcoming album "El Camino" out December 6th. The video just might be the best video ever made...ever! It's the rawk equivalent of MJ's "Thriller."

Levi's XX

Oldest pair of jeans in existence...and they are Levi's. They travel with a larger entourage than P. Diddy, or Puff Daddy, or P. Did, or Sean John, or Sean Combs, or.......

Hangman Lamp

Perhaps when Halloween actually comes and goes, we will stop posting morbid household or fashion accessories but until then......Quirky design studio enPieza! in Madrid gives us the Calgao. Strangely funny and sad all at the same time, this table lamp is a must have for those with a wicked sense of humour.

Joel Richardson Mural

What do you do if your mural gets erased by the very city who commissioned it? Graffiti artist Joel Richardson's highly topical and politically powered work managed to ruffle local resident's feathers enough that the city of Toronto wiped away the art that they paid to have there in the first place. Recognizing the error of their ways, they re-engaged Richardson who graciously accepted and so a new mural has just been completed. A direct comment on free wheeling capitalism as he sees it, the art is populated with business figure clones, heavy religious overtones and is it just us or is that George W's face in there? More photos of his work after the jump.

DYE - Fantasy

We love this song...but we'll be honest. We're posting this one for the video. It starts out innocently enough, with a foursome of teenagers sneaking into a closed pool for an illicit swim. But that is also how horror movies start...and that is all we're going to tell you about this. Just in time for halloween. Warning...NSFW.

Cutler & Gross 1032 Sunglasses

Just because the warm months are done, that doesn't mean that you put the sunnies away for the season. Point in fact, the colder months, at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere, are the months you need sunglasses the most...as the sun, when it decides to peak out from behind the clouds, is low in the sky and therefore shining right in your eyes. Lucky for you, Cutler & Gross has released a new Autumn line for both men and women. We happened upon the 1032 and have decided we need a new pair. You can learn more and order them here. If you are local to Vancouver, you can find this line at Bruce Eyewear.

CXXVI Fleet Canvas Bag

The perfect tote for whatever it is that you need to carry round...whether it be groceries, gym shoes or all your money. Regardless of what it is, the coated bottom will be sure to keep the items dry in the event you place your bag down on the ground, particularly handy in these fall and winter months. We are especially fond of the war era graphics. You can get your hands on them here, and for only $38.

Skull Brooch

OK so we're obviously posting a lot about skulls recently but who can blame us with Halloween quickly approaching? This one comes in the cuter category and could be easily seen worn by the indie girl you have a crush on, someone much like Zooey Deschanel. Designed by a studio in Australia called Candy Stripe Cloud, they sell these along with other stylized & timely accessories.

Florence + the Machine - Shake It Out

Hot of the presses and from their impending sophomore album Ceremonials, "Shake It Out" is the latest single from Florence + the Machine. Hit the jump and see the limited vinyl single's album cover, shot by none other than Karl Lagerfeld himself. For the record, Ms. Welch is decked out head to toe in Chanel. Out October 31st.

Rocking Kitchen Scale

Based on the basic premise of the balance, or rather, the scale at your doctors office, the Rocking Kitchen Scale is obviously the most basic and therefore the best kitchen scale available. Basically, the desired weight is set by sliding the scale, and then all you do is simply pour into the bowl until the scale, or balance, begins to rise and the air bubble at the end of the scale tells you your there. You can get more info here.

Nest Learning Thermostat

Firstly...with design cred like the following, we really need say no more regarding the operation of this gadget. It just should be known by the next sentence that this product will work, and will work well and intuitively. It has been designed by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, the masterminds behind the design of the iPod and the subsequent iterations as well as the first three generations of the iPhone. We could and should stop there, but there is more to entice you. Over the first week of use, this thermostat will learn your habits, know when you are home or not, and adjusts itself according to your preference, meaning that eventually you won't have to touch it, it'll just know. To learn this, it monitors everything from temperature, ambient light level, humidity and motion to learn the overall routine of the family in the house. It even senses the impending touch of your hand. It learns what rooms are used and when, as well as your temperature preferences so that it never gets to warm or cool, and is never on in a room that is not being used or heat an empty house. To ensure it doesn't heat your home on a hot day, the wi-fi connectivity knows the daily whether and adjusts itself accordingly. You can even control it with your iPhone. According to Nest, over 12 months of use you can save yourself $173, meaning that roughly a year and a half of use and the device has actually paid for itself. Learn more here, and there's a great video after the jump.

Bang & Olufsen Form 2 Headphones

We've always loved B&O, however we not embarrassed to say that we're in an income bracket that B&O doesn't really cater to. Their headphones however, albeit a little pricey for headphones, are something that we can actually afford, and definitely desire. In true B&O fashion, they look just as good if not better than they perform, which is saying something as B&O take the quality of their products far more seriously than most of their competitors. 25 years after their initial release and just in time for the holiday shopping season, Bang & Olufsen has breathed some new life into their over ear "Form 2" headphones, offering up new colourways in orange, red, yellow, white and of course the traditional black. We love the retro yet somehow modern look that is distinctly B&O. You can learn more and order yours here.

Adidas Run DMC Superstar 80's "My Adidas"

It's been 25 years since Run DMC cemented these shoes permanently in pop culture with their track "My Adidas." We've gone through many, many pairs since then including an official Run DMC Jam Master Jay pair (which we loved with all our hearts). To celebrate the anniversary, Adidas is releasing a hyper-limited commemorative pair of Superstar 80's. Made from premium leather, with 1986 and JMJ stitched into the heel, and giant gold chain lace locks, these are the kicks to end all kicks. They'll drop November 11th, but you better get in line if you have a hope of getting a pair. More pics after the jump.

Alfred Hitchcock - The Essentials Collection

There should be no explanation necessary as to why this is an essential on ones shelf. They don't call Hitchcock the master of suspense because his movies aren't riddled with suspense at near every turn. The collection features The Birds, Vertigo, North By Northwest, and of course Psycho. The likes of James Stewart, Carey Grant, Grace Kelley, Kim Novak and Eva Saint Marie round out the awesomeness nicely, giving Hitchcock the title when it comes to working with the most iconic stars. Available everywhere they sell wicked awesome DVD's and Blu-rays.

Sorel 1964 Premium Canvas

We have been experiencing a beautiful Fall but we're not stupid, we know its only a matter of time before the sun disappears, the rain comes on and we're trudging along in stormy weather. Luckily for us, there are many choices to avoid soaking feet starting with the classic Sorel 1964 Premium Canvas boot. Recently reinvented in heritage colours, completely seam sealed and waterproof, these boots marry Sorel's long history of craftsmanship and old-school styling. Our favourite element is the waxed canvas and the addition of colourful laces which if not your particular aesthetic, can be swapped out for more tone on tone choices. Available here.

What We Listened To Today...

"A Dedication," the beautiful closing track of Washed Out's album Within and Without. Definitely worth your attention.

Century "Monolith" iPhone 4 Case

Like we needed another reason to love our iPhone 4, but this ramps up it's basic use a notch. How about a case the doubles as an LCD projector, turning any wall into a large viewing surface. Great for those of us who travel and get tired of watching the Simpsons in Spanish. But wait...there's more. It also has a battery pack that adds substantial runtime to your phone. Currently only available in Japan so you better get yourself a proxy if you want one. Watch the video after the break if you'd like to see more.

The Passion of Joan of Arc

What have members of Portishead been doing in the last decade since they released their previous album? All sorts of things it turns out including member Adrian Utley restoring the 1928 cinematic phenomenon The Passion of Joan of Arc with Goldfrapp member Will Gregory. "Long regarded as a towering masterpiece of silent cinema, the film chronicles Joan's trial, imprisonment, torture and execution. The story is told using her own words from trial transcripts discovered in 1924 shortly before her canonization. Dreyer shot much of the film in close up, allowing the faces of the actors to tell the story through their expressions, inspiring many future generations of film makers including Sergio Leone. The original negative, was, for decades, feared lost in a fire until incredibly, in 1981, it was discovered in a cupboard in a Norwegian mental institution. This new print has been made available courtesy of Artificial Eye film distributors." The score is unsurprisingly fantastic, expressive, horrific and ethereal, what you would expect from these two musicians. It's an ideal pairing and a very good excuse to watch what would otherwise not be your usual Friday night viewing.

M83 - Midnight City

You've actually heard some of the work of M83's Anthony Gonzalez on our site before, as he scored the Red Bull film "The Art of Flight" to which we've given so much love to. We've been big fans for some time (see album "Saturdays=Youth"), and are happy that we are finally getting our hands on some new material. M83 is constantly getting comparisons to 80's new wave, and we'd be liars if we said that a comparison isn't somewhat warranted, but we also think that M83 are much more than a timely and trendy throwback group. They have talent in spades, and have a real knack with melody, on display nicely in the above track "Midnight City." There latest album, 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming,' was dropped on Tuesday and is available in stores and online.


http://ilovem83.com/

Icon of Style - Adrien Brody

This week's Icon of Style is for a friend of ours who loves Adrien Brody and thinks he is as stylish as they come and we tend to agree. Not to say he hasn't had his share of misses but open sailor shirts and all-leather suits aside, Mr. Brody has a suave way about him that can be best seen through his recognizable style. His choices are always unique and a bit odd but he pulls it all off with an ease that is both sexy and quirky much like the characters he portrays in his many movies. As a spokesman for Ermenegildo Zegna its no surprise he is seen quite often in well fitting suits, often three pieces. In more casual attire, he often favours a fedora, loosely buttoned shirts and a patterned neck kerchief which is hard to carry off but he manages it with his usual charm. Scruffy and a bit mad-cap but completely an individual and that is always stylish.

Lytro

Let us start this post by saying this...this is freakin' amazing. So amazing, we're still trying to wrap our heads around it. The above is a digital camera...but it is no ordinary digital camera. What makes the Lytro special (aside from it's obvious difference in form and physical use) is that it the Lytro captures the entire light field when it takes a picture, which is every point of light travelling in every direction in every point in space. This means that you don't have to worry about focus and the shutter lag associated with it. With the Lytro, you actually focus after the image has been taken. Freakin' amazing!!! You can see what we mean and experiment with some Lytro photos here. This means that you literally need to know nothing about focal points, f stops, shutter speeds or composition to take amazing photographs. Blasphemy to photo purists we're sure, but you can't stop progress. Lytro is currently taking pre-orders, and the camera will ship early 2012. However, they will only ship to US addresses, but we're sure this will only be temporary. Also, one catch here, you need a Mac to import and edit the photos. The flagship Lytro (16gb) will capture 750 photos, and will only run you $499. It is only available in red, but you can get a 8gb model in either blue or grey. More info available at Lytro. More pics after the jump.

Skull Place Card Holder

So obviously we can't kick this Halloween trend in our posts lately and we couldn't help but suggest one more addition to your burgeoning skull collection. Maybe you're thinking of throwing a holiday party and are picking up the finishing touches and of course what does one desperately need in this situation? What would your friends mercilessly tease you for forgetting? Well place card holders have to fit into that category. Actually outside of staged magazine-ready dinner settings, we don't ever see the need for these but we would make the exception for skull place card holders. The name of your guests can be slid in the crack of the skull while you prepare for a night of both manners and hopefully a little seasonally appropriate debauchery. You can find them here.

Dome Bones

Halloween is around the corner which has us discovering the spooky side of design and as usual indulging in our love of skulls and skeletons. A friend sent us this lovely example of a re-vamped large dome chair by Voila! A bold metallic silver screen print has a more stereotypical skeleton graphic literally enveloping the back while a subtler light gray print showcases a ghostly skeleton complete with a quirky attached brain on the inside. This is a chair that needs no seasonal holiday in which to be the centre of your living room, that is if you are brave enough.

London Boulevard

It's been a while since we've seen a proper english gangster flick...the last being "RocknRolla", an underrated gangster classic in our opinion. We're happy to see that we can now look forward to one, and one from the mind that wrote "The Departed" no less. It appears from the trailer that it has all the ear marks of the genre we've come to love so much; the reluctant hero who's bullied about but finds his bollocks in the end, the beautiful but unrelated to the underworld love interest, and the aging gangland patriarch full of quips and wisdom. It stars Colin Farrell, who in the past has made some real stinkers but has redeemed himself as of late (see "In Bruge") and we have always loved his propensity for violence, on and off screen. It was quietly released in 2010 across the pond, and will have an equally quiet release this fall in the Americas.

Killspencer Utility Backpack

We posted about Killspencer before. We love their aesthetic and we love their materials. We are happy to post about them again and their newly released Utility Backpack. We're showing it here in black leather, but we like the idea of the Korean War era canvas that is also available. You can learn more and order here. More pics after the jump.

Lucky Peach # 2

If you didn't get your hands on the inaugural issue of Lucky Peach, we really and truly feel bad for you. What you missed was something that was as close to perfection in food journalism (if you can call it that) that has ever been reached. But do not fret. McSweeney's is working diligently on the soon to be released issue # 2 of the quarterly, and if you're fast...and we mean fast, as they flew off shelves on the first go 'round, you can get your hands on the second issue starting November 15th. It promises to be, yet again, something truly special. If you're worried about not making it to the book store in time, you could always save yourself the trouble and the time and simply order a subscription here.

Silhouette by Light-Light

The future is now! We are getting ever closer to the event dubbed the singularity...whereas technology gains consciousness. Ray Kurzweil (look him up) says it's 20 years away...but we think we're closer to 5, and we have the proof. How else is the lamp defying logic (and physics for that matter) if we weren't encroaching on some sort of technological event, or "singularity?" Oh...wait. It's just electro magnets. Our bad, but pretty cool eh? You can learn more here.

Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

What can you say about a LA hardcore band that decided to dabble with an alter-ego side project that plays mariachi music replete with horns, accordions and 5 string guitars, that wasn't said in the previous 34 words in this sentence. We love this song, and the great visuals that accompany it. And before you accuse these guys of being camp, or disrespectful to the genre, you are wrong. They love this music, and are the first to admit that they are tourists in this musical realm. They're making their way up the West Coast this and next week, hitting up San Diego, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, and then getting the opening slot on the Foo Fighters Canadian dates starting in Vancouver on the 25th. Their latest, "Mariachi El Bronx II," is available at fine music purveyors everywhere.

BETA 5

Yes we know that we are following yesterday's food post with another but trust us, this is not solely about tasty morsels. Truth being told we went to this local chocolate shop with one thing in mind and that was to see the fabulous packaging in person. It was just a happy coincidence that the chocolates at BETA 5 were as post worthy as the branding that lured us in the first place. Tucked in an unassuming neighbourhood, this well presented candy kitchen is the love of a well trained chef who makes it his personal goal to produce classic yet minimalist chocolates with the ingredients being able to be traced back to their harvest.  As we mentioned, the branding and packaging drove us in and we were not surprised to hear that locals Glasfurd & Walker  helped create the identity and print design. Timeless, minimalist and true to the combination of craftsmanship and science, we are not ashamed to say we will be hoarding these paper products for some time. Now for a great combination of tastes, buy the limited Trick or Treat packages or simply try the salted butter caramels. More pics after the jump.

Zip! Sofa

Sometimes a good sofa is hard to find and sometimes when you are investing that kind of money, making a decision can be surprisingly hard. The Zip! sofa tries to make it a little easier on you by giving you some interesting fabric options that still make this clean lined piece pretty contemporary and elegant. You can find it here. More pics after the break.

Ulla

We are very lucky living where we do for a number of reasons one of which is the excellent variety and quality of restaurants available to us. Sometimes in Vancouver you can get a bit snobby about it all and forget that there are amazing venues outside of the downtown core and one of those has to be Ulla in Victoria on Vancouver Island. Located in the oldest Chinatown in Canada second only to San Fransisco, this small and fairly new restaurant provided us a night of culinary delight that involves some great food that we could never forget. Starting with crispy semolina polenta cubes which we couldn't stop ordering, an interlude of halibut cheeks but really nothing compared to the short rib steak which we can say with no hint of a lie was the best we have ever had. On top of all this, the owner was lovely and gracious and the space itself warm and inviting. What more can we say, go and eat at Ulla. 

Adam Cohen - What Other Guy

Just for contexts sake we'll tell you that he's the great Leonard's son. There...we said it, and now you'll understand why this track has something about it that is hauntingly familiar. Adam is forging his own way in the music world, and like any offspring of a legend, the comparisons are inevitable. We'll be honest, it is what gave us pause and caused us to listen. That being said, we are glad we did. The album is beautiful, and we're certain that this will be a great success for him. Have a listen to the song above, and then head to you favourite music purveyor to check his album "Like A Man." If they don't have it, demand it.

Sugar Cube Skulls - Dembones

No explanation should be needed here. Skulls are cool. You can get them here.

Warby Parker - Yes...we're posting them again!

We can't get enough of these guys, their wares, and the spirit behind their company/charitable organization. Whenever the topic of glasses or sunglasses comes up, we do our very best to extol the virtues of putting the other brands aside, save yourself some money, and do something charitable while you're at it. Watch this video, and see who's life you may be bettering by ordering yourself a new pair of glasses or shades. You can order yourself the five pair home try on kit here, and it's absolutely free.

Your Next Vacation - Bhutan

If you're anything like us, you like to explore some of the roads less travelled when on vacation (this is a PC and wordy way of saying we hate crowds). That being said, getting off the beaten track is getting increasingly difficult in a world that is seemingly getting more and more well travelled. If you want to go somewhere where there has not been a great deal of westerners before you, or you simply want bragging rights among your friends, may we suggest Bhutan. What is a Bhutan you ask? Well...the Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled neatly in the Himalayas between India and China, has been a country closed to outsiders for almost ever, and recently, has decided to change that. Their beloved King, Jigme Singe, decided that for the betterment of the country he would abdicate his throne for his forward thinking eldest son, and turn the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, which held it's first general election in 2008. All this was surprisingly done against the populaces wishes, as they loved their king dearly...but the decision to modernize and join the world was made. Now you can go to Bhutan (visa required of course) and enjoy a country that looks more like a Shaolin monk kung-fu movie set than an actual, functioning place. What sold us, besides the miles and miles of unspoiled Himalayan wilderness and a population of less than 700,00...how about a capital city (Thimpu) that has so little traffic it only needs one traffic light. As far as places to stay, hit the jump for some pics of the Amankora in Thimpu. It pretty much looks like the best place to stay...ever!

The Impossible Cool

It may be impossible, but one should, at the very least, try. That is, to emulate the style of the icons that this impossibly cool (pun intended) site posts classic images of. Icons like Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe, Miles Davis, and of course, Keith Richards (see above). The photos are fantastic, and you could spend a good chunk of your time reviewing the many that have already been posted, and if you're like us, wait with baited breath for the next one.


http://theimpossiblecool.tumblr.com/

Best Made Co.

We had a hard time deciding what of the many, many super-mega awesome products that the Best Made Co. has available. We settled on the "Stay Sharp" Horn Whiskey Tumblers...but that was a tortured decision as we liked the "Measure Twice, Cut Once" Brass Ruler, the old school cloth extension cords, the classic seaman rope and brass fitting dog lead, the Japanese Higo knife and the runner up to the whiskey tumblers, the "Seamless and Steadfast" steel camp cups. Suffice to say that this company has many things that are to be desired, and quite original we might add. You can see all their glory here. As an addendum, the whiskey tumblers are on back order, so be patient.

Tatt Book

When it comes to writing copy on the products we feature, sometimes the perfect description has already been prepared for us. It then seems arrogant for us to attempt an improvement. This is the publishers description for Tatt Book: "Featuring some of the most important contemporary tattoo artists who are making cutting-edge graphics, typography, and customized artistic masterpieces. Tatt Book: Visionaries of Tattoo is a unique collection of the designs of the most creative contemporary tattoo artists from around the world. These contemporary tattooists are, first and foremost, artists creating tattoo designs inked on the human body as well as works for galleries and personal collections. Curated by the renowned artist JK5 and including work from over twenty distinguished artists, such as Stephanie Tamez, Mike Giant, and Scott Harrison, Tatt Book explores the intricate customized body art and also the artwork these “inking” geniuses do outside the tattoo studio. This will be an indispensable reference catalogue for type forms, illustration, fine art, and design in a time where tattoos are a mark of personal creativity and individuality." Nuff said...available at book stores everywhere.

Q Magazine - U2 "Achtung Baby" Issue

On October 31st, yet another seminal album from our youth will be re-released, remastered and having us re-living our glory days....but only for a few minutes 'cause we're older now and that sort of behaviour wouldn't be dignified. Q Magazine is recognizing the re-release of "Achtung Baby" with an issue featuring the band and discussions on the album, but the best part is that the magazine has put together a tribute album that is coming with the magazine. Featuring the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Patti Smith, Depeche Mode and more offering their interpretation of 1992's most famous songs. We give you the one we we're looking forward to the most, Jack White covering "Love is Blindness." Jacks soulful wail is the perfect compliment to the songs sentiment, being desperate and longing. Definitely not U2's version (it is Jacks interpretation after all) but very, very good in its own right. Unfortunately, the version of the mag with the CD is only going to be available in the UK, but we're sure those specialty magazine shops in the colonies will have it. If not, it'll most likely be available online everywhere hours from release.

Wheelmen & Co. - Blacksmith Tool Case

This would be our second posting of a Wheelmen & Co. product, the first being the exquisite leather beer cozy...truly a thing of beauty. Wheelmen & Co. have lots of wonderful things available on their website, from bags to belts and things in between, but it's their latest product that has us lusting, and sending hint like emails to friends and family informing them that Christmas is coming. The Blacksmith Tool Case is just that, a beautiful hand made in the good ol' USA, leather tool case that neatly mounts to the bars on your choice of bike. Of course, if tools aren't your thing you can store your wallet and keys, maybe a pack of gum, or even a knife...or whatever else you need for your daily commute or shopping trip. They're available here starting today...and while you're there get yourself an awesome Mr. Wheelman T.

Ryan Adams - Wasted Time (Iron Maiden Cover)

This needs no explanation as to why it's awesome. Ryans Adam's new album "Ashes and Fire" drops today. Unfortunately this track's not on the album, but we assure you it's all just as good.

Gavin Worth

Gavin Worth is an artist, designer, sculptor, painter, fabricator and teacher. Needless to say, his is hyper creative. So much so, that he dabbles in mediums that are outside the standard oil paints and canvas. We were drawn to the simple yet dramatic works he does using wire. The sculpture above is titled "Morning Pose," and we instantly fell in love with his new interpretation of a nude sketch. Having thoroughly explored his website, we think he deserves your attention too, and to entice you further we have included some additional pics after the jump where he uses corrugated cardboard to create depth, and cuts of paper make a portrait. You can see and learn more here.

Aether Apparel Pop-Up Shop

Just like a new business savours and saves the memory of its first dollar, we have the same sentiment for our first twitter follower. It was a big deal for us, in that a company that we respect so much decided that they would ignore our zero follower count, and step into the fray and support a fledgling blog. It meant the world to us. We therefore keep fairly close tabs on the Aether crew, and we are loving their latest endeavour. Being without a bricks and mortar store front, and being an online enterprise, we were happy to see them open a pop-up store in an retro-fitted Airstream trailer, in Los Angeles. We can't put our finger on it, but somehow the Airstream and Aether go together like peas and carrots. They are open seven days a week from 11am to 7pm at 8207 3rd Street. We're keeping our fingers crossed, that since the shop is mobile, they'll make the trip up north to where fine technical outdoor apparel is practically a uniform for fall and winter. More pics after the jump...and you can peruse the new fall line, and get yourself some here.

Cuore Human Heart Glass Carafe

We posted something similar to this a while ago, but we really like this more literal interpretation. Two glass carafes, when put side by side, make an entire human heart. It's a really interesting and excellent way to have both white and red wine on the table. You can learn more here.

Gerhard Richter - Panorama

In what could only be described as perfect timing, a new beautiful art book for Gerhard Richter titled "Panorama" has just been released to coincide with his show at the Tate Modern in London. (Sidebar; if you've never been to the Tate Modern, it is totally worth the trip. It is one of our favourite places.) The book is full of lush layouts of Mr. Richter's work; from art, to photography, and glass pieces. Our favourites are his trademark photorealistic blur pieces, where Richter uses a photo of his subject and creates a painting, applying a technique that blurs the image. Available at finer book stores everywhere.

Lilitu by Tara McPherson

At first glance, we thought this was a picture of an ex-girlfriend, only to later realize that it was actually a sculpture of a succubus...easy mistake to make. Part of Kidrobot's newish line Kidrobot Black, this is release number 5 in the line. Forging pieces that feature primarily black materials with minimal secondary highlights, Kidrobot Black frees the artist of the complications derived from color. These limitations compel artists to surpass the norms of material and form, and push past the line between consumer product and art, as well as between object and design. You can learn more here, and prepare yourself to order. It is currently in the "coming soon" stage.

Icon of Style - Sophia Loren

Those eyes, those lips, that cleavage, Sophia Loren has influenced how everyone defines and interprets beauty from Guess ads to modern day replicas like Sofia Vergara. Her fashion has cycled through the decades including looks such as sexy peasant, sexy ingenue, sexy hipster, sexy Oscar winner and sexy older lady. Known for her voluminous hair, cinched waists, body hugging silhouettes, bold splashes of red and that ever present heaving chest, Sophia Loren has created an iconic look that has far outlasted many of her contemporaries. Elegant, glamorous and still embodying the Italian temptress persona Ms. Loren says it best; "Where youthful beauty is unconscious, mature beauty is knowing and sophisticated." More pics after the break.

Siri - iPhone 4S

If you were disappointed yesterday when Apple failed to unveil the iPhone 5, you were not alone. That being said, watch the above video. If this isn't good enough to hold you over until the 5 arrives, then there's no pleasing you anyways.

The Great American Pin-Up - Taschen

They sell it better than we ever could, so we'll let Taschen speak for themselves. "Pictures from an age when eroticism was still innocent. They've been exciting generations of men, on calendars and covers, as centrefolds or even on playing cards: pin-ups. What started as an exercise in oils was soon taken up in various media - pin-up mascots graced the fuselages of American fighters, and became an essential feature of the male world of garages and barracks. And the age of political correctness hasn't ended their appeal. This book tells the tale of a genre as utterly American as the paintings of Edward Hopper, describing its origins and development in detail and showcasing the most important artists. With over 500 illustrations, The Great American Pin-Up is a comprehensive studies of the genre."

Bye Steve...we'll miss you.

Steve Jobs. 1955 - 2011. May he rest in peace.


Nobody had a bigger impact on the aesthetic of computers and their peripherals. He knew that we all longed for something beautiful, and gave it to the masses in spades. In fact, we are coming to you via a Macbook Pro, while watching a movie on our Apple TV, listening to music on our iPod, and making calls on our iPhone. He was a vanguard like no one else, and he will be sorely missed.

Kenneth Nilson Lighting

It was hard choosing just one product to feature from lighting and furniture designer Kenneth Nilson since all of what he produces is unique and interesting.  In the end we did select the Cast Bulb Chandelier since it feels in keeping with the rest of our posts from today. Old fashioned in a way, simple, industrial and yet completely contemporary. One incandescent light bulb surrounded by five solid Lucite bulbs or LED light sources. This is still a prototype but soon no doubt to be in full production.

Radiohead - TKOL RMX 1234567

If you loves Radiohead, and specifically their last album "King of Limbs," and didn't think that KOL had enough boops and beeps for a modern Radiohead album, then this should be catnip for you. Out October 11th, the above pictured album is a remix album, with contributions from such great electronic artists such as Caribou, Four Tet, Modeselektor, etc... The only thing that this album has in common with a Radiohead record is Thom Yorke's distinctive voice, with the featured artists taking these tunes in dramatic and bold new directions. We give you a little taste above, with the Caribou remix of "Little by Little." Available for pre-order on iTunes.

Sitka - Clothing and Surfboards

The brand Sitka has been around for a while. We bought a custom shaped board from them years ago, and for good measure got ourselves one of the few t-shirts that they offered...you know, to show our West Coast pride.  Years later, while still making fantastic boards, Sitka have graduated to a full scale clothing company, one with a more mature and especially timely look compared to their board making contemporaries. Always designed with the Pacific Ocean and the Canadian West Coast in mind, their new Fall collection pays homage to the working class of the area from a bygone era. The new Fall 2011 collection is rife with winning casual choices for both sexes, and as always, their visual aesthetic is carefully cultivated to give the clothing context. You can't go wrong viewing their new Fall look book and catalog, as there is sure to be something there for everybody...and the beautiful and lush photography makes the traditional department store catalog look like a fresh turd. You can view the selection here, and see some more fantastic pics after the jump.

Swedish Brush Rack

We secretly love cleaning products, well maybe not so secretly considering we are posting about them but none the less we do love us some well-made household tools. This selection from Iris Hantverk is pretty self explanatory, a collection of brushes meant for the floor to the toilet and everything in between all held together in a simple oil treated birch peg system.  Yup, it's exciting to us and we're OK with that. Locally you cant find it at Orling & Wu.

Alexander Olch Tie

Every man regardless of what he does for living, needs a good tie. The tie of the season is plaid wool and the one we found is a very fine example designed by Alexander Och. The Penn Plaid tie is made with winter weight English wool in dark gray and red and will impress the ladies and potential employers alike when paired with a casual cardigan and your choice of oxford shirt. You can order online here.

Springcourt Wool Trainer

Loving this seasonal release from Europe's Springcourt. Very Scandinavian. If you've never heard of Springcourt before, John Lennon rocked them 35 years ago. That makes them at least as (or even possibly more???) cool as Chucks. You can get them here.

Warner/Chappell Lyric Posters

After 200 years in the music business, Warner/Chappell is celebrating by releasing 10 posters showcasing a few of their published songs.  The artists were asked to interpret their favourite lyrics in a common colour scheme which resulted in typography gems such as REM's Losing My Religion and Van Morrison's Moondance. All of the proceeds that Warner/Chappell receives goes directly to charity and you can purchase them here.