Ed Phones by WeSC

Ed Banger is collaborating with WeSC on a pair of headphones to be released later this month. As with everything else Ed Banger, the headphones are designed by So Me, the label's controlling force behind its image. These are pretty slick phones and, if it's like anything else WeSC makes, they'll sound great as well. You'll be able to grab a pair August 20 at We Sold Out and Mini Colette.

(Found via FRESHNESS)


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Chic Beer Package Design: II

Here's some more stylish beer packaging that I happened to come across. Slightly less design-ish and a little more artistic, these Beck's bottles are part of a new series created by students from the Royal College of Art. The project, called Beck's Canvas, features artwork by the students and will be around for a "limited" time. I wonder if these will make it stateside.

(Found via Material Interest)


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Mattel Hover Board from Back to the Future 2 up for Auction

McFly's the buzzword around town and it ain't because of that dashing life preserver. Another item from the Back to the Future 2 world has popped up and, unlike the Nike HyperDunks, it's an actual prop from the film. There's an auction on eBay for the Mattel Hover Board that the oh-so-charismatic McFly used to escape the menacing crew led by Biff's legally retarded grandson. For $30,000, now you can meddle with Griff and his lackeys!


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Leatherman Argentum Collection

I've been known to be a pretty gritty dude. Real rugged. You know, writing about fabulous design and touching music requires skills not unlike Bear Grylls. That's why I'm considering one of the Leathermans from the Argentum Collection. Nothing says hardcore ingenuity more than a $12,000 multi-tool. That way, even though I don't really know how to use one, I'll look legit.

(Found via Material Interest)


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Timex proves style is cyclical

I'm in the market for a new watch. As my girlfriend pointed out, my Kenneth Cole watch, although nice, just doesn't fit my style so much anymore. I tend to agree, and have been thinking about some new options for a watch that fits my aesthetic.

Though I'd probably get a decent amount of flak for wearing something like this, I think these Timex Black Collection watches look slick if paired up with the right attire. No, they probably don't make the same statement if you have a knack for Wrangler jeans, scrunched down tube socks, and over sized t-shirts (without an undershirt, of course), but I do think that this style is making a pretty decent come back. I imagine people like Pharell and Kanye wearing one of these and looking pretty bad ass. But then again, that's not my aesthetic, either. Maybe I should keep on looking.

(Found via Highsnobiety) FULL POST

boxfresh/raleigh bmx bike

This week I bought a used Schwinn Supermatic BMX bike from some kid off Craigslist. There's a couple reasons I made this move in spite of being broke: one, my road bike just isn't versatile enough, and two, "Black Mags" by The Cool Kids. BMX is coming back and I'm going to make sure I'm ahead of the curve.

Ironically enough, this Boxfresh x Raleigh BMX Burner was featured recently on Highsnobiety and as you can see from the picture above, it's awesome. It's low in stock though, with only two being produced. I couldn't figure out the price tag on it, but with only two available, I'm sure it's quite expensive. Oh well, I'm cool with my Supermatic. Shit's got a gyro. FULL POST

korg nanoseries is a dj's dream for portability

Forget the nanoSeries for portable use--this seems legitimate as a main interface for a learning producer. Korg's three new interfaces--the nanoPAD, nanoKEY, and nanoKONTROL--are designed "to meet the needs of artists who like to make music on the go but don't want to make any sacrifices in the control department." The nanoKEY is a 25-key keyboard, the nanoPAD is a drum machine/sampler, and the nanoKONTROL is an EQ device including 9 faders, 9 knobs, 18 switches and a transport section. Are all powered via USB which makes for an ultimately light production set-up.

No word on price yet, but reports say it won't cost anymore than £60. I don't know how much that is, but that weird looking L totally dominates the $.

(Found via Music Radar & Billionaire Boys Club) FULL POST

stone door knocker

Not much to say here, just a cool stone door knocker that exemplifies modern design. It's a little annoying, though, that anything tagged "modern" automatically receives about a 9000% increase in value. This thing costs $98 and I'm almost (absolutely) positive I could make one myself with materials amounting to less than five bucks. That's probably a little unfair though--I do live next to a creek with plenty of exotic rocks.

(Found via Monoscope) FULL POST

avid acutus reference turntable reminds me that people do actually make money

This year I've been slowly getting into music production and have been looking for a turntable and thought I'd just go ahead and start out with the Avid Acutus Reference Turntable. It's only $24,000. That's pretty reasonable, right? I was thinking I'd just Danger Mouse it and blow all my student loan cash on it. Who needs education when you got sick beats? The Avid website gives an overview of the turntable:

"Vibration caused by the stylus during playback is transmitted to the subchassis directly through the bearing and not absorbed into the platter. This is achieved using a unique matting material and clamping system. External vibrations are isolated by a unique suspension system, now conveniently adjustable from above. A purpose designed power supply coupled to a unique hand made motor, 10 times more powerful than normally used, drive a massive 10Kg platter. Recently improvements to the suspension, now allows adjustments from above, making set-up easier.

Also the out-board power supply has a cosmetic facelift with universal approval.
Stunningly finished in Polished Chrome or special order plated Gold, this product is the natural choice of equipment for those who demand the best."

Hey, I have no idea what that means, but it sounds bad ass. And that's what matters.

(Found via Crate Kings) FULL POST

MILLBROOK SUEDE LACE-UP DRIVING MOCS

For a while they have offered the driving moc in 4 different styles, which I thought was plenty. But, my goodness was I mistaken. The 5th variation to accompany the suede, suede/penny, leather, and lether/penny, is the suede lace up. I have been a fan of the look of moccasin slippers and the like for a while now, but thats pretty cheap. Finally I can have the adult, mature, and classy version of it. FULL POST

tree branch coat hooks for sale, after all

About a month ago I posted about some pretty cool tree branch coat hooks designed by Max Lipsey. At the time I pointed out that they weren't for sale and were more of a design piece by Lipsey. However, Max was kind enough to contact me to let me know that his inspirational design will in fact be going on sale in July. It turns out he's working on production right now and the hooks will be sold in groups of 3, 5, 7, and 9.

If you're interested in more info or pricing on the hooks, e-mail Max at info [at] lipsmax [dot] net.

On a side note, Max has a very cool portfolio site with some more great work on it. Take a look. FULL POST

pretty slick looking zoo york boards by mark and matt owens

The extent of my skateboarding abilities lies somewhere between wrapping my sweaty hands around a Playstation controller trying to master a 900 with Bucky Lasek and listening to "Self-Esteem" by The Offspring. The fact is, I'm a bit of a pansy when it comes to physically getting on a skateboard that I have the worst time trying to control. These Zoo York boards make me wish I wasn't such a square.

(Found via The Style Press) FULL POST

the bianca vase will outlive the flowers. just dont play ball in the house.

Cool, I got it. You're getting your mom flowers. But seriously, the plastic they come wrapped in, even if it's colored yellow, shouldn't be handed to the woman who gave up fun for you. I don't really know what mothers like, but I can't image they wouldn't be oh-so-thrilled to get the Bianca Vase from Crate&Barrel. Or, if she's a drinker, ignore the flowers and go with some Stella glasses. You may be the reason she drinks, so give her something cool to pour her medicine into. FULL POST

the moma store shows me again why japan is cool

As part of MOMAs Destination Japan line of products, these plates by Ikuko Nakazawa (interesting tidbit, my dad was pushing for my name to be Ikuko, or if I was a girl, Elizabeth) make your food say a lot. You know, that you're fun, interesting, or perhaps a romantic at heart just chasing a dream. While you're over at the MOMA store maybe you check out the Slice Plate. FULL POST

off-the-wall (haha) design: silverware storage

Thanks to Lauren over at Double Takes for pointing out Patrick Turner's UtiliTILE design to me (it reminded her of those ever-recurring knife coat hooks). Meant to be a space-saver, Patrick Turner of Thout Design came up with a pretty cool and creative way to store silverware: on the wall. FULL POST

assouline books make reading classy. so flossy flossy.

Assouline is a crazy cool publishing company. Referred to as the first luxury brand using publishing as its medium, they offer books on anything chic.

“Renowned for their highly original graphic concept, Assouline books are a work of art that capture culture and brings it to life. The spirit and 'savoir faire' of these works have contributed to the creation of a unique and eclectic, chic and elegant brand that is immediately identifiable”

My wishlist includes, but is not limited to; Fred Astaire, Rebel Style, Palm Springs Style, Paris Living Rooms, Eames, and Bauhaus. Because Assouline is such a classy company, they sell their books in insane special boutiques: some Saks Fifth Ave. stores, or on the website. Well, my birthday isn't soon, so you might want to bookmark this so you don't forget. FULL POST

dwr recycled tire planters. perfect for a rubber tree, or, as wikipedia told me, hevea brasiliensis

Everyone who's anybody just got their Design Within Reach catalog this week. Page 124 intrigued me. Keeping with the ever so trendy theme of "What is Green?", DWR is now offering planters made out of recycled rubber tires. Honestly, I don't know how much these do to save the environment (they're made in Egypt, Ill go ahead and say the fuel used to get to America is hurting more then the space they take up in a landfill) but they look very cool.  Really, despite questioning how "green" they are, they are about as chic as a planter can be.  Seriously, everything I type sounds sarcastic.  What's up with that?

On a side note, in looking for these planters online I found out that DIY recycled tire planters have a big presence in the south. Who Knew? They don't look anywhere near as cool as the DWR, but they probably do more to save the planet. FULL POST

knife coat-hooks

Although my ability (financially) and my feasibility (college house) don't really allow me to decorate much, if at all (one of my room mates and I were essentially castrated for buying candles), I still dig fresh, functional design. When I found these knife coat-hooks, I immediately wished that it was at all reasonable for me to buy them given my circumstances. Oh well, maybe I can live vicariously through you and your purchase of them.

(Found via NOTCOT.) FULL POST

The Coming Soon is Over: Field Notes have their site up.

Field Notes notebooks finally have an actual website. They have been out for a while now, but now their release is really, truly, 100% official. OMGolly I love it.

“Inspired by the vanishing subgenre of agricultural memo books, ornate pocket ledgers and the simple, unassuming beauty of a well-crafted grocery list”

I have been using mine for a while now and everything about them is great. They’re not as substantial as the Moleskines, but they are plenty durable. Designed by DDC, released by Coudal Partners, and Made in America, they are among the most perfect memo books around. Inside the book are 48-pages of graph paper, which makes writing, sketching, or drafting in either portrait or landscape possible. What makes Field Notes beyond great is the detailing. Anyone interested in design should buy one, or at least check one out, because these are books made by someone with enormous talent. The back cover contains the story of the brand, Practical Applications (personal favorite: 22. Shady Transactions), and 11 Specifications describing nearly every spec of the book, including the size of and machine used to round the corners.

For $9.95 you get a 3 pack of Field Notes Brand memo books, ballpoint pen, pencil, and a few other assorted treats. And, the new site shows hope of future related products. FULL POST

GAMA-GO Knows Clothes

There is clearly no shortage of quirky and artistic fashion in the world. GAMA-GO has a unique take on the hoodie and the tee, among other things, incorporating playful and child-like drawings that are sure to grab the eye's attention. Featuring yetis in their natural habitat, monster eyes that resemble Loony Toons characters', and turtles ready to brawl, GAMA-GO offers fun threads that just seem to make you want to smile. Their line of clothes have a nice urban flare that doesn't take itself too seriously, which can be a nice departure nowadays.

The hoodies, which I like best, are limited in production, even adding to their uniqueness. You can be quite sure you'll be the only guy or gal at the party with a yeti hoodie draped over your shoulder and the urge to dance. The only problem is that these can get a little pricey, some hoodies exceeding the hundred dollar mark. Then again, you can't always put a price on looking good and looking unique. 'Tis a rare combination. FULL POST