TLC - Unpretty (Follow Me Remix)

Unfortunately for TLC, they are remembered more for their off-stage antics and personalities than for their music. During their zeitgeist they were huge, and between 1992 and 2003 they sold millions and millions of records, had ten top ten tunes, four number one singles, four multi-platinum records and four Grammys. That was the status quo until internal strife and then the unfortunate passing of Left-Eye left them sans one. Recently, Follow Me, an electronic music dynamic duo, have transformed the wildly successful TLC track "Unpretty" into something that is really in step with today's music trends, giving this song an entire new lease on life. Enjoy...it's a free download, just click the link above.

Visvim Virgil Boots Crepe-Folk

In our hunt for some new boots for autumn, we came across these absolutely bad-ass, go-with-anything, everyday staple boot from Visvim. Fashion icon, visionary, and company founder Hiroki Nakamura is famous for taking classic silouettes and building modern footwear around them, and this boot is no exception to the rule. They are ultra high quality, super sought after, and most likely more money than you are willing to pay for a boot or shoe. That being said, we're pretty sure that we'd be sporting these for years to come, making the initial investment worth it over time. 

http://visvim.tv

Tenuis Tower Computer Concept

We thought the home PC was dead until we saw this. We are so smitten in fact that we are rethinking our love of the current reigning fruit themed computer company. However, this bad boy is not for sale, but rather, a homemade DIY project. Most likely far from reach for the average DIY type, but if you've got the stones, you can see how the build went, and see some glorious angles of the finished product here.

Oru Origami Kayak

We once owned a beautiful cedar strip kayak. Ooohhh how we loved it. However, it was enormous and cumbersome, sat precariously atop our car, and was a real pain to store. You can pretty much forget apartment living with one, that is unless you're willing to shell our for an additional parking space to keep it in. However, the folks over at Oru have come up with an elegant solution to the afore mentioned difficulties, looking to traditions from the far east for their inspiration. The name (and picture above) supply all the explanation necessary. If you'd like to know more, please go here.

Trailer - the Rolling Stones - Crossfire Hurricane

We've said it before and we'll say it again; the Rolling Stones were the original prototype for what we now know as the modern rocker. It was Keith and Mick that decided to turn blues into Rock 'n' Roll for the masses. The drugs, the women, the arena tours, the fashion, etc...the Stones did it all first. For years now, their storied career has needed a truly excellent documentary treatment, and it seems that this fall, our wishes are finally coming true. In part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, the Stones give us "Crossfire Hurricane," a rock doc that luckily for us, features some never before seen footage spanning the bands career. If it's anything like the bios we have read, it should prove to be epically entertaining. On October 18th the film will be streamed simultaneously to 250 cinemas worldwide, and should be released theatrically shortly after.

Brooks Piccadilly Knapsack

Brooks England, the iconic maker of the B-17 leather saddle for bicycles, has recently dropped a new commuter backpack that is just so simple and elegant...it is truly a pack to be envied and coveted. Handcrafted from vegetable tanned leather, and available in some lovely hues such as Mandarin, Mustard, and Olive Green, we are especially fond of the WWII era parachute design of the straps and buckles. You can see more and get yours here.

(via Uncrate)

Asaf Avidan - One Day/Reckoning Song (Wankelmut Remix)

This song may be taking the world by storm, hitting number one in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Austria, but for us in the colonies, we are just getting our first taste. It is by Israeli singer and guitarist Asaf Avidan, and the song itself is actually not new as it was the title track from Asaf's debut 2008 album. It is getting new life through the blender that is the remix, thanks to a German DJ. Enjoy.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

The Porsche Panamera is a very polarizing car...and for a number of reasons. Much like the Cayenne before, the Panamera has Porsche purists fuming that that mark would stray from the sports car, and dabble in the sedan and SUV markets. Also, the Porsche Panamera has an interesting visual appearance, in that it is woefully ugly. Despite it's prowess on the road, we'd have a hard time finding ourselves in a dealership actually considering purchasing one. That was true until we got out eyes on the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. Basically perfecting the proportions, something that was also done to the Cayenne for its second generation, and making it more a 4 door hatch rather than a coupe (or shooting brake if you will), the car resembles the original iteration but with a far less soft appearance, and far more practicality. On top of all that, it's a hybrid, meaning it should be economical to operate as well. After all, you just blew a $100 g's on a car, so mileage will be at the forefront of your mind. Now, the car is just a concept at this stage, but reaction has been swift and positive. It also helps that the one pictured above drove on to the car show stage under it's own power, meaning it's much more than just a design concept. Check out some killer picks after the jump. Of note, photo courtesy of Jalopnik.

5BoroNYC Join or Die - Guillaume Dulout

We are really diggin' the New York-centric themed graphics on this new pro-model from 5BoroNYC. All the boroughs are represented, along with a nice revolutionary era "don't tread on me" serpent to round out the bad ass quotient. You can see more here.

Halloween Wreath

We think the best Halloween accessories and decor are the creepy turn of the century homages like the one we are showcasing here. This wreath is made up of pages from a medical textbook from 1894 and is full of anatomical illustrations. Perfect for a party or a mortician? Available here.

Viktor Shaving Stands

This is a perfect solution for those dapper menfolk who like to properly take care of their shaving accessories and do it in style. Viktor comes in sets of 3 and is also available in gold, silver or black nickel. Available from Kontextur.

Claire Leather Tassel Loafer

Ah thank you Fall for coming so we can ditch the crappy shoes of Summer and roll into the latest and greatest of this colder season. We need new loafers, not want but need and that has us lusting after these Claire Tassel Loafers by Grenson. Mixing men's styling and aged looking leather while still being made in England, what more can you ask for? Available here.

Diplo feat. Jahan Lennon - About That Life

Time to get your stinky hippie on. Supremely funky with a snap and clap percussion section, some jazz flute in the chorus, and hints of Raga throughout...this might just be our new favourite tune. It will take you back to a simpler time; a time where bands dropped psychotropic drugs, wore satin marching band uniforms and had gurus. You can get the track here.

Book - The Sisters Brothers

We originally posted this in January, but we think it bears repeating as we just finished giving it a re-read and feel even stronger that this is a must read. The book is incredibly well written, and being that it is a period piece set in the classic Western setting, the vernacular and pentameter of speech is nailed with such precision; it just makes it super fun to read. The book is equal parts comedy and tragedy, and bridges these two worlds effortlessly. In terms of theme, we will tell you this; two brothers (with the surname Sister) tied together through blood, both familial and literal, trekking across the wild frontier performing nefarious jobs for their employer, the Commodore, and in doing so coming to terms with who they are and what they have become. At fine book retailers everywhere.

Johanson Design Beehive

We love things that do double duty as something else. That is why we are totally digging these sound absorbent panels from Johanson Design. Not only do they take the edge out of room by absorbing some noise, especially useful in a room full of hard surfaces, but they are so beautiful when put together. They'd make a terrific looking feature wall in any home, or commercial application for that matter. You can see, and learn more here.

Killspencer Alcantara iPhone 5 Veil

The iPhone 5 has been available for less than a week...and all the accessories are beginning to trickle out. Our favourite thus far is the Alcantara Veil by Killspencer. We have posted about the exotic wood veils for the iPhone 4 before, but we are absolutely smitten with this one. For the uninitiated, Alcantara is a suede like material that is usually found wrapped around the steering wheels, or covering the dash and headliner of some of the fastest and most exotic cars in the world. It's a nice, lush, elegant and luxurious cover for your new phone. Now, that being said, Killspencer really needs to laser cut a pattern for those who choose to believe their old iPhone 4 is working just fine. You can learn more here.

Ron Zacapa Centenario 15 Years

The days are shorter and cooler, and an ice cold beer just ain't cutting it any longer. With cooler weather comes harder and darker drinks; a drink that'll warm you from the inside out. Most of the sophisticated brown liquor drinkers default to scotch, but our money is on a fine rum. Just a complex as scotch, and with as many variations, rum is a satisfying and urbane drink for those that want it straight, but aren't fans of the spirits of the isles of Scotland. Ron Zacapa Centenario 15 is arguably one of the best rums available, garnering lots of attention and accolades over the years it has been made. From Guatemala, and made from the concentrated first pressing sugar cane juice (called virgin sugar cane honey), the Centenario is aged using the Solera method, which is usually reserved for sherries. However, what actually make Centenario so good is that the barrels are stored at over 7500 feet, in an aging facility on the slopes of a Guatemalan volcano, and with a median temperature of 62 degrees fahrenheit. Available everywhere fine spirits are sold.

St. Pierre Presidential Horseshoe Set

While out door BBQ games are all the rage during the warmer summer months, for us however, the fall is where it's at. Throw on a sweater, pour yourself something hard and dark (see post above) and get to playing. Our pick for the sport of fall is horseshoes. Check out the slick set above, to which you can find more info on here.

Little Dragon - Little Man (Live/Acoustic)

While on tour in South Africa, Little Dragon played a small but endearing acoustic show in Baden Powellville, a suburb of Capetown.

Significant Others Alphabet Set

We are lovers of graphic design, that is no secret. It's great that there are no shortage of well done designs but I suppose we're particularly partial to fonts and for that we have recently discovered the Significant Others alphabet series on plywood. One of the most simple examples of well done letters, these individual pieces can be purchased on either red or black on forest plantation plywood timber. Available here.

Lumberlander Camp Blanket

There are a few more weeks left in our neck of the woods (no pun intended) for proper camping and in other areas of the world, outdoor activities are just getting started. For all of the lounging, eating and reading you may do outside,  the Best Made Company has designed a limited supply of Lumberlander blankets to help you do just that. Oh and did we mention that the promo picture has us itching for the leaves to turn and the air to crisp up so we can lay this sucker out in the forest too. Available here.

Bent Plywood Earring Stand

We admittedly have a jewellery problem as it sprawls everywhere and is rarely organized and well, forget a morning where we don't have to untangle something in order to wear it. We are easily embracing this bent plywood stand which showcases our accessories in a modern and structured way. So if you too want a day where you don't have to solve a complicated puzzle of chains and baubles, then check this out.

Alt-J - Fitzpleasure

It's weird...but we like it. We're also willing to bet that you'll like it too. After all...weird is good is it not? It's off of their debut album "An Awesome Wave." Available now on iTunes. One more thing...the video is most likely NSFW.

Bell & Ross Vintage BR Commando

In our humble opinion, there's nothing sexier than a military inspired timepiece...especially one in a monochromatic grey colour way. We think that these particular two watches, the 123 and the 126, would work equally well on a man and a woman. No word on pricing, but suffice to say, if you have to ask....

(via Acquire)

Trailer - Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day

In 2007, one of the most iconic rock bands in the history of everything got together for a single performance in tribute to the late Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic records. It was their first concert together in decades, was to be one of one; refuting what would have been without a doubt a hyper-lucrative tour, as over 20 million people applied for the 18,000 tickets available for that one single show. At the very least, it was captured on film, and is now being released to limited screenings around the world in October, with an eventual DVD release just in time for the holidays. If our family is reading...please make a mental note of this.

Aerobed Pakmat

We are in negotiations with some buddies regarding tackling the West Coast Trail; the infamous and difficult life saving trail that stretches between Port Renfrew and Bamfield on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Truth be told, we have done it before, but we were younger, fitter, and much dumber. A million lessons were learned on that first trip, most of them being about how not to do things. Lesson one, and the key to success for someone who's a few years on, is as light as possible pack; which means the most compact and light equipment that you can find. We could talk at length, and ad nauseam, regarding out top gear picks, and we may just do that post some day, but we want to talk about sleeping. The above pictured Aerobed Pakmat will be our air mattress of choice. We choose this, as when deflated, it compacts to fit inside a tube, which also happens to double as a pump. Pretty ingenious if you ask us. There may be lighter ones on the market, but none have a hard case to compact it away from the elements in, and in turn trimming the size down. That leads us to lesson number two; keep everything dry (for another time). You can see and learn more here. 

Boxed Water Is Better

Just like the above title of our post, and as the moniker of the most aptly named water company is world, boxed water is better. Here's why; the Boxed Water container is far more sustainable than plastic bottles as 76% of the is made from a renewable resource, the trees used to make the box come from certified and well managed forests, the boxes are recyclable, and the boxes are shipped flat to the filling facility making the shipping process far more efficient and streamlined using far fewer gallons of fuel and dumping far fewer pollutants into the atmosphere. On top of all that, the company donates 10% of profits to water relief foundations, and another 10% of profits to reforestation foundations. Ultimately, the best choice is to buy yourself a refillable container. However, if that's not your thing or you're constantly forgetting it at the office or in the car, you should endeavour to make an ethical purchase, and Boxed Water is it. Speak with your grocer, or corner store manager, or whomever runs where you buy water and demand they get Boxed Water. More info available here.

Sloe Puritan Bag

Here we go, here we go, here we go again....what's our weakness? Bags! We are diggin' this little number from German bag and accessory maven Antonia Siegmund, who goes by the stage name Sloe. In fact, we are into pretty much everything she's pumping out (in limited numbers) as she has a really lovely aesthetic. Go here and judge for yourself. 

Fan Wall Clock

No we haven't had enough of clocks, we'll tell you when we've had enough! We can quit anytime we swear. Our latest love is from Basta and is seemingly so far their only product. We love the colour combination and the fanning of the metal plates that is very mod. Available here.

Typodarium 2013 Calendar

There are more than 30,000 fonts world wide and while everyone loves Helvetica, we should move on and start embracing the latest and greatest designers have to offer. Enter the tear-away 2013 Typodarium calendar which strives to teach you a new typeface every day. These jury selected fonts will educate you and fuel your love of graphic design and perhaps inspire you to submit your own for next year. Available here.

(via FastCompany)

Stars - The Theory of Relativity

Off the new album "The North" from Montreal's Stars. And a word to the wise, this album is epically good. At the very least you owe it a critical listen. Available now through iTunes. Also, they are touring relentlessly this fall throughout the US and Canada, so check for dates near you. You can learn more here. And of note, the album cover features the awesomely crazy apartment dwelling Habitat 67, or the Habitat. It was a model housing project designed and built for the 1967 world's fair in Montreal, and was conceived by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. If you care, you can learn more about that here.

Midwest Alchemy Copper Ring

We've never hidden our love of the handmade and our respect for the artisan who creates. Midwest Alchemy from Ohio is another example of what results from this homemade originality. We picked the Copper and Tourmaline ring to best showcase their design and we love the roughness of the copper juxtaposed with the beauty of the tourmaline. Available here.

Bev Hisey Influenza Carpet

Inspiration is an odd and complicated thing luckily often resulting in greatness. This couldn't be more notable than with Toronto designer Bev Hisey and her "Dirty Dishes" carpet collection. With names like Cholera and Botulism, these round carpets depict the beauty that lies within the petri dish, even when that dish contains something very, very ugly. We've chosen Influenza because the colour combination appealed to us but we urge you to look though the entire collection and while you're at it, take a look at the rest of her designs which are all pretty inspirational themselves.

Book - Punk: An Aesthetic

From the Publisher: "From posters for punk-rock bands and indie filmmakers to fanzines and other independent publications, the art of the punk movement revolutionized design in ways whose influence is still felt today, and reflected the consciousness of a counterculture with a clarity seldom seen since. Drawing on private and public archives of rare material from around the world, this heavily illustrated book presents an unrivaled collection of punk art and ephemera that incorporates every aspect of the movement, from the earliest occurrences of punk symbolism in posters and flyers for underground bands to the explosion of fanzines and Xerox culture, and from rare photographs of musicians such as the Sex Pistols and the Screamers to the artwork of Crass, Jamie Reid, John Holmstrom, and the contemporary street artist Banksy. With more than three hundred images and accompanying essays by Johan Kugelberg, Jon Savage, and William Gibson, this definitive visual narrative illustrates how the DIY ethic of the punk era inspired a movement in graphic arts and design whose influence is still felt among the most significant figures in the fields today. Available at fine book retailers everywhere."

Frank Ocean - Pyramids

SNL can be a disaster for an artist (see Lana Del Rey), as the stage is notoriously finicky when it comes to the sound of a live performance. However, some artists don't just defy that notoriety, they destroy it and have a performance that becomes the highlight of the show. On the weekend, Frank Ocean did just that, performing expertly crafted and stripped down versions of his songs Thinkin Bout You and Pyramids, both of which featured the guitar work of John Mayer. It was a performance that is sure to garner him new fans outside of those already familiar with Odd Future. Frank thought it apt, on the back of the Weekend's main stream coming out party (no pun intended) that he release a video for Pyramids. Incidentally, both tracks are off of his latest release, "Channel Orange," available now through iTunes.

Hyper-Matrix Cube Wall

All we can say is "Wow!!!" From the Hyundai Motor Coporation's pavilion at the Exposition Expo 2012 in Korea. This would take the concert version of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" to the next level...or any concert for that matter. 

@Aroma Diffuser for Monocle

We are scent people for sure. Till this day, when one of us smells Calvin Klein's Obsession, we think back over twenty years to an early relationship that looms large in our past. And when we smell incense, we instantly think of the time we spent travelling around South East Asia. It's a smell that is peaceful, the memories pleasant, and as a matter of course we burn it constantly in our home. That, and we are crazy paranoid about our home being one of those homes that smells like soup. You know that one...that one kid you knew when you were a child whose house always smelled like soup when you walked in. If incense is too bold an odour for you and yours, Japanese aromatherapy company @Aroma have designed a diffuser that aims to offer a more subtle scent...one that compliments the space rather than invading it. Made from Hinoki wood, the included oil, a bespoke oil for Monocle that contains notes of cedar wood, sandalwood, and cardamom, slowly soaks into the diffuser for a slow and subtly released scent. It doesn't look too shabby either. You can pre-order on here. 

Kicking & Dreaming - Heart Biography

It is oddly rare in the music industry to have a popular and credible female rock act but instead of focusing on the complicated reasons why Heart is one of the only examples of enduring women in rock, let's focus on how awesome they are. Put on Barracuda as loud as you can and sit back and enjoy their biography called Kicking & Dreaming, A Story of HEART, Soul and Rock & Roll which documents the Wilson sister's rise, their challenges and ultimately their success. No wonder their songs have been part of our collective consciousness and they have been one of the most respected rock bands of the last 3 decades. Available at bookstores everywhere.

KANZ Field Power Desk

This may seem strange to you...but this makes so much sense to us. You see...when you embark on an endeavor like a curated design website, in order to stay relevant and competitive you need to constantly add new and interesting content. So even though we may take off for week here and there for a much needed restful and recharging vacation, there is still the obligation to curate and write for our readers. This is why the above make so much sense. With a supremely functional and durable design, and sporting solar panels and GoalZero lithium ion batteries, we can continue our work even when we spend a few days with the family camping. But...just because it's designed for the great outdoors, it's still cool enough for the inside. We think it would be a fantastic work station in an application where space is at a premium, like a dorm room, or any condo sold in Vancouver post 2007. You can see and learn more here.

Trailer - Lincoln

We watched this all the way through and didn't realize that the title character was being played by Daniel Day-Lewis until his name came up on the screen. That guy is a Darwinian study in camouflage. Seriously, the first thing you hear is his voice, and even knowing it's Mr. Day-Lewis we can't reconcile what our ears are telling our brain with what we know as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, or Bill The Butcher in Gangs of New York. And the hits here keep coming, being directed by the mighty Spielberg himself, and featuring supporting cast mates like Tommy Lee Jones and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. And here's the thing, and bear in mind we're not even American, but the Lincoln story is like no other in terms of the steadfastness in ones conviction and beliefs, and the process of democracy at work for what is right and good in the world. These seemingly are all things lost in today's political landscape, and that even though this is a period piece, the story couldn't be more timely. Just watching the trailer caught us emotionally, as the content is still moving as ever nearly 150 years on. In theatres November 16th.

Zebra F-701

The details are important....right down to the pen you sign your name with. However..we all can't run out and by a Mont Blanc Meisterstück pen...er...sorry...writing instrument; mostly because the basic Meisterstück classique starts at $395. That's $400 for a "writing instrument" that feels nice and smooth in the hand, but at the end of the day, still only signs your name. Besides, a "writing instrument" like that doesn't suit everyone. For the people who enjoy a more durable and functional design to their "writing instrument", we recommend the Zebra F-701. Super durable, being fashioned from stainless steel, and a design that is the military humvee of the pen world. At only $8, a comparable pen will cost you over 4 times as much. And...if you had to go all Joe Pesci and Goodfella a guy in the throat for all the disrespect he just showed you, we'll choose the Zebra every time.

Trailer - Seven Psychopaths

Starring Christopher Walken, Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson follows a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled in the seedy LA underworld through his lunatic friends and their dog-napping grift. The trailer had us laughing out loud, and being that it is by the creators of In Bruges, our favourite film of 2008, it should prove to be quite entertaining. In theatres October 12th.

Steven Alan

We heard about New York based designer Steven Alan through one our favourite local clothing stores the Block. Classic American style with a unique take, kind of nerdy, kind of old fashioned, kind of classy and ultimately appealing. We really are drawn to their Claudia Skirt for it's school marm charm but if that's not your thing, check out his website here for a full range of both men and women's clothing.

Alabama Shakes - Hold on

Because we've been listening to this non-stop for that last 72 hours, we are now going to infect you with the virus that is Alabama Shakes. This tune is off their latest release "Boys & Girl," which start to finish is a fantastic record. 

Real - Huf x Hiroshi Hydrant Deck

We love mining the skate world for art. Some deck designs blow us away, and we think they look absolute badass hanging on a wall. We ourselves have had a Zoo York x the Collabros deck hanging in our place for the better part of that last 7 years, and it's the only piece of art that we haven't rotated out yet. This is why we are totally digging this deck with art by Hiroshi. Only trouble is...when we went to order it is was sold out. Fingers crossed they do a second run. You can potentially get yours here.

Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace

Neil Young is arguably the coolest Canadian in history, excluding maybe David Suzuki, Pierre Trudeau, and Lester B. Pearson....but we did say arguably. He is one of the founders of Buffalo Springfield, played with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and even cut an album with Pearl Jam. He's the man behind the song Heart of Gold for cryin' out loud! As a member of society, he's lives his political and spiritual beliefs, going so far as only touring cities with the infrastructure to support his bio-diesel powered tour bus and trucks. He even converted his beloved 1959 Lincoln Continental to all electric, and re-christened it the Lincvolt. While numerous biographies have been written about his life and times, they have all been a bit removed. Waging Heavy Peace is from the mind of Mr. Young himself, and we think that it's worth your attention. You will learn a ton about the legend, and chances are, if you care about the world even a little bit, you'll learn that you probably have something in common with him. At fine book retailers everywhere.

Apple EarPods

Incase you've been living under a rock, something apparently major happened at Apple today. If you believed all the hype from every blog and news organization on the planet, you'd think it is actually important. Fact is, the big announcement was that they are releasing a new phone that is only marginally better than the one you likely already have in your pocket. They tout it as the most advanced smart phone ever made...but shouldn't that go without saying? Isn't every new model supposed to be better than the last. We guess that if you are super impatient, and the extra 20% of weight of your existing phone is chaffing you for some reason, then maybe this new phone is just what you're looking for. For us, the real story today was that Apple finally decided to make their earbuds less shitty, something that for some unexplicable reason has taken them 11 years. The new EarPods have a two port directional design that is supposed to sound and fit better. Fitting at all would be a great improvement over the old ones. They are now standard on all new iPhone and iPod models.

Bi-Rite Market's - Eat Good Food

Get the most out of your grocery shopping with this innovative shopper’s guide and cookbook rolled into one. In Eat Good Food, former chef Sam Mogannam, owner of San Francisco’s popular Bi-Rite Market, guides you through the grocery store one department at a time, and explains how to identify incredible ingredients, decipher labels and terms, build a great pantry, and reconnect with the people and places that feed us.  Eat Good Food gives you a new way to look at food, not only the ingredients you buy but also how to prepare them. Featuring ninety recipes for the dishes that have made Bi-Rite Market’s in-house kitchen a destination for food lovers, combined with Sam’s favorite recipes, you’ll discover exactly how to get the best flavor from each ingredient. Dishes such as Summer Corn and Tomato Salad, Spicy String Beans with Sesame Seeds, Roasted Beet Salad with Pickled Onions and Feta, Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce, Apricot-Ginger Scones, and Chocolate Pots de Crème will delight throughout the year. At fine book retailers everywhere.

2012 Tesla Model S

This is the car that's going to change everything. One day we'll look back upon this car as the 21st century's equivalent to the model T, the car that changed everything we know about how a car works and how we interact with our automobiles. This is the car that might actually make the younger up and coming generations interested in driving. This is because this is the first no compromise and practical application of the all electric automobile. Coles notes: you can go 300 miles (482 km) on a charge, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, a top speed of 130 miles per hour, and a 17" (yes, you read the right) touch screen interface that makes the iPad look like a kids toy. Not to mention a revolutionary charging system that will charge the car in 30 minutes (still to be released). Most importantly however...it looks ridiculously badass; straddling the worlds of stodgy upper class motor carriage and down right menace on road nicely. The company founder and president, Elon Musk, wants every car that leaves the factory to be perfect, and is known to spot check the final production models to be sure they are to his exacting standards. Of note, everyone he has checked has gone back for being less than a millimetre out of tolerance. He believes the consumers have become lulled into accepting mediocrity, and that we should expect more from the things we buy, including our cars. He has been told that you can't run a car company like that, and he said "watch me." Of note, when he's not busy with Tesla, Elon is busy running SpaceX, a civilian run rocket and space vehicle company that has everyone in the space industry, including Nasa, taking notice. Now who better than that to design your next car. Of note, the Model S doesn't come cheap, as the one above comes in a a shade just over $103,000. What you have to bear in mind is that this is the first iteration of a car like this. Elon's goal is to get a car like this into the hands of everyone. The folks at Autoblog got to spend some time with the above pictured car, and have written extensively about their impressions...which (spoiler alert) were glowingly positive. You can read the article, and see the many, many pictures here.

Why Design - Yves Béhar

A new weekly video series by Herman Miller that features designers talking about, what else...design. The inaugural episode features Yves Béhar, the designer of the moment and an excellent choice for number one. 

Bear Mountain - Two Step

We've recently been turned onto Vancouver based electro-dance band Bear Mountain...and the words that come to mind upon initial listen are: "f@#$ing brilliant." This is off of their recently released album "XO" which is available through iTunes.

mybearmountain.com

Decanter Square Gold by Lee Broom

We are totally vibing on this pendant light. Reminiscent of the crystal decanter sets that you see the wealthy pouring some brown liquor from in the movies. We ourselves have yet to go into someone's home and be offered a fine scotch or whiskey from one of these vessels...but we digress. We have some friends that are looking to update the pendants dangling above their kitchen island, and we think that this might be the winner. You know who you are. You can see more of the fabulous designs of Lee Broom here.

Log Chop Bench by Everday Design

Quite possibly the coolest bench we've ever seen, and we've been around. It's the future imbedded in the past. By Vancouver/Toronto based Everyday Design. Hit the link to see some of their other fabulous creations...our personal favs being the Stalac Table and the Eden House.

Trailer - Killing Them Softly

We've been longing for a good ol' fashioned gangster flick for some time now. Despite how awesome it is, there is only so many times that one can watch Goodfellas. We'll let the above trailer speak for itself, but will add a few words: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Sam Shepard and one of the best character actors of our time, Richard Jenkins. Enjoy.

Mercy Leather Work Backpack

We could post solely about purses or briefcases but we opt to showcase bags that both the sexes can enjoy which is why we are yet again presenting a beautiful backpack. Made by Mercy Leather Works, this durable bag is hand crafted and made to order with a waxed canvas body and leather straps and detailing. The intent is to have it last for years which will be helped with reinforced copper rivets at the stress points and metal side buckles. Oh yeah, all that and it is one good looking bag. Available here.

Nike Free Inneva Woven NRG

We love the whole Nike Free thing. They're like wearing futuristic ninja slippers, and we feel cat like agile when we sport them. However, that afore mentioned futuristic-ness limits their application fashion wise, as unless you like looking like a personal trainer from the year 2050, in our humble opinion they are not the best option to sport with...let's say...a pair of jeans. Enter the Inneva Woven NRG. Utilizing the Free platform, and melded with a woven upper and leather heal outer, these shoes are less space ranger on the treadmill, and more an everyday pair that might just go with everything except black tie formal. They a set to hit store shelves overseas any minute now, which means we in the colonies can expect them do drop shortly after. They will be available through fine sneaker purveyors everywhere.

Philips S10 Cordless Phone

We know what you're thinking...a landline? Bear with us...as we think after hearing this out you'll get it and want one. For us, the mobile phone is king. So much so in fact that we ditched out land lines like six years ago. There is a downside however. We, as a matter of routine, leave our phone in the glovebox of the car, in a purse, in a gym bag, in a pair of jeans casually tossed on the bed, etc... Because of this laisser faire attitude to the placement of our phone, we are constantly missing calls and messages. We're sure it is a bad habit that we can correct...but who wants to waste their time with self improvement? With the Philips S10 Cordless Phone, as long as your cell is with in 50 meters of you mobile, you'll get the call. Using the crazy black magic that is Bluetooth technology, the S10 lets you sync with two wireless phone numbers, and one landline if you're into that whole retro thing. You have full access to your phonebook, which is pretty much a necessity as we have a hard time remembering 911, and because it is seemingly visually inspired by the iPhone in every way, it looks as possibly good as it can. There is no word on pricing or release timelines as of yet, however we thinks it'll be sometime around the holiday shopping season.

Filson Rugged Twill Utility Bag

If you've been playing along with us at home, you know that we have a thing for a well made and thoughtfully designed bag. And while there are plenty of bags that sport things from solar panels, laptop sleeves, headphone conduits, etc...there is something satisfying in a bag that features some more simple utilities, and that is built to last. The Filson bag above fits that bill perfectly. It's one bag that truly covers multi-purpose, being a field bag, a travel bag, and a casual bag all in one simple package. It features two snap-out panels that allow the user to divide the space as he/she sees fit, essentially splitting the bag in half, or into thirds if you're into that whole three-way thing. And being a Filson product, it is designed to wear well, and is water repellant. You can see and learn more here.

Recycled Brooklyn

We originally posted this in October of last year...but we think it deserves another look. Everybody knows that they need to or should recycle.  All that being true, the word recycle seems to only make people conscious of plastics, bottles and paper. When you stop and think, you really can find alternate uses for almost anything, that is if you are creative enough. The minds behind Recycled Brooklyn have taken some very used items, and re-purposed them into stylish furniture of all things...how's that for creative? Take the coffee sack storage bench on industrial casters pictured above, made from reclaimed wood and used burlap coffee sacks.  It has a great patina, and the coffee sack theme would be perfect in the dining room.  It's far better than being thrown away, or chipped into sawdust, and you have a piece of furniture in your home that has a history...and most likely a history that is far removed from the realm of home furnishings.  You can learn more here.

Night Owl Cloth Sculpture

Is it too early to plan for Halloween? We can't help it if we have felt the absence of a major money-making holiday over the summer and are scouring the internet for the latest and greatest in creepy accessories. We're choosing to showcase these Night Owl cloth sculptures by Cart Before The Horse to jump start the countdown to the October festivities.

Lukas Peet Rudi Pendant

We are always excited about finding Canadian talent and are super stoked that our latest discovery comes in the form of local Vancouverite Lukas Peet. Seemingly a bit of a phenom, this Dutch trained industrial designer is incredibly talented and unique with his latest creation  being carried by Roll & Hill. The Rudi Pendant hangs from its own electrical cord and has a dimmable cold cathode light source and to us looks like a large interpretation of a paperclip. Available here.

2014 Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is quite honestly a perfect car. They're affordable, they're practical, they're safe, they have some very clever design bits, they're economical, and all things considered, they are easy on the eyes. The GTI version of the Golf provides all the fun of a raging lunatic of a sports car without sacrificing all the practicalities of the parent vehicle. The 2014 model of the Golf looks to be carrying the same formula forward, staying true to the car's roots but with some seriously sexy updated styling. Realistically, if you need more car than this, you probably have some self esteem issues that a Lamborghini won't fix. Maybe buying this car would be good for you, as all that money you save could go to a pricey therapist that'll help with those issues, and reinforce your purchase. No word on a release date or pricing, but what we can tell you is that it's a little longer, a little wider, a little faster, a lot safer, and loaded with a lot more techy gadgets, like a 5" touch screen interface. This car also breaks from the course of all previous subsequent versions by being lighter...to the tune of 220lbs. 

The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines

Funny story: a friend and I, having newly discovered the Black Keys, went to see them in a small Vancouver club when they were beating the road in support of their awesome album "Rubber Factory." We were toiling away on the night shift, and decided to play hooky for couple hours, and walked to club to watch the show, and as a added measure to ensure we wouldn't be viewed as the slackers we really were, we would then be back in time for the end of shift. However, because we were skipping work, we literally waited until the last possible minute to leave and make our way to the Red Room. That being said, and upon arriving at the impossibly tiny venue, we were disconcerted to learn that there was not a single spot left where the stage was visible, meaning we would be enjoying the sound from the clubs foyer, but forgoing the visuals altogether. At this time we decided to hazard a journey forward into the heart of the locale to see if we could find an optimal viewing angle, ending up directly beside the stage with a panorama of Patrick Carney's drum set, and immediately adjacent Dan Auerbach's amplifier. Knowing that there was no way we would be permitted to remain there, we were quietly and privately discussing our impasse when our compatriot exclaimed that we might as well leave if we can't see the stage. The perfection in the timing of that statement cannot be overstated, as at that precise moment in time the band was taking the stage. Upon hearing this hollow threat, Dan Auerbach, like a blues guitar playing angel, looked us in the eye and stated politely but emphatically "you guys can stand here if you want," pointing to a place on the side of the stage behind a serendipitously placed stage light support post. It was from that unanimously perfect spot on the wing of a rock show, where our ears were assaulted by crashing cymbals, a humping kick drum, and a sobbing blues guitar that will forever haunt our dreams...and where we were branded as Black Keys fans for life. Why did we tell you that? Their new video for "Little Black Submarines" reminds us of that night, and if you are the one of the remaining dozen or so people that haven't run out grabbed yourself a copy of "El Camino," stop worrying about conformity and just get it already. As clearly illustrated above, Dan and Patrick are nice guys, completely deserving of your support.

Little Horn Speakers by Specimen Products

We've recently undertaken the task of upgrading our home theatre audio equipment. We are quite happy with amplification, so we are focusing our energy on the hunt for some new speakers. Suffice to say by the image shown above, we have accomplished that task and then some. Not only do they look ridiculously good, they have the chops to appeal to audiophiles. If you are interested in learning and seeing more...please go here.

Langford Canoe HBC Multi-Stripe

As summer draws to a close, and fall ramps up, we look forward to sunny days with a slight bite in the air. There isn't a better time of year to spend in the wilderness, especially the Canadian wilderness, and there is no past-time more Canadian than a paddle in a canoe. After all, before the railroad, the canoe was the transportation method of choice around much of the country, and the Hudson Bay Company, which was founded in the fur trade and is the oldest commercial corporation in North America, used canoes in the early days to get their products from the traps to the heads of the wealthy in Europe. It then only makes sense that the best canoe company in Canada, which actually means the world, was approached to make a cedar strip canoe in the company's iconic multi-strip pattern. If we were to be heading out into the woods for a quiet paddle, this would be the weapon of choice. Langford Canoe makes a plethora of models to suit every need, even an ultra-lightweight kevlar model. You can see them all here.