bltd

Have a super weekend.

With so many iterations of the simple black backpack, how do you choose the right one? Well, the price, for starters, has to be somewhat reasonable, and the ‘cool’ factor must exist. It’s unlikely you’re going to give up the look you’ve cultivated just for a functional carry-all. Modern Industry meets both criteria with two backpacks that will complement your daily wardrobe. The Magnitude Backpack, $250, is the larger of the two, and has a padded laptop sleeve (away from your back for comfort), a large main compartment and three accessories pockets for smaller stuff. The Conduit Sling Pack, $100, is a smaller pack with one main pocket (will fit a laptop or jacket) and one accessories pocket. Both bags feature a flap top that can be adjusted according to your needs.
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Who’s a star? You are! Especially when you’re chopping up vegetables in the kitchen, or pulling this stellar cutting board out as an impromptu coaster or trivet for the table. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Glossy peacock blue might just be the jolt of color that’s needed for the semi-dreary days of February, and hey, an extra seat for $170 is reasonably affordable considering it’s made of iron and acacia wood. It certainly won’t get wobbly or fall apart, which is more than you can say for other assembly-required seating. A small cutout in the seat makes it easy to move around.
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Someone’s got the right idea here. A bureau that can switch from a changing table to a bar, and back again when the time is right. Oh, and maybe you’ll want an armoire? Add a top. It’s modular furniture that doesn’t look cheap, and offers a variety of door materials and styles. And, if a changing table/bar/bureau doesn’t fit your needs, there’s a Media Cabinet and Bookshelf worth a look.
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Say sayonara to leaving your wallet behind with another handy tracking device. The Wallet TrackR is about the size of a credit card, and when used with the app, it’ll keep you from losing your wallet. When it’s separated from your iPhone or iPad, the app will alert you, simple as that. If for some reason you don’t hear the alert, the app also takes a GPS snapshot of where you left your wallet behind.
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Rugs! On sale! If you’ve any bare floors that your feet don’t like, it’s time to throw down a rug or two. Three of my favorites are shown above, and they’re all 20% off with free shipping. The sale ends today, so you’ll not have much time for deliberation, but there are several gender-neutral-patterned options to consider in addition to those linked to below.

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Hmm, maybe these are a direct attempt at copying the Coatrack Dots, or maybe it’s just a coincidence. Either way, $10 for a set of 3 coat hooks isn’t too bad of a deal, even if they are just flat, wooden disks without the rounded, smooth edges of the higher-end alternative. However, do be sure to consider the one review so you know what you’re getting.
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For goodness’ sake, get yourself a decent umbrella. There’s few things worse than inadequate protection on a cold and rainy day, so invest a little more money to keep yourself dry. In the case of this cotton umbrella, it’ll do that job and more, as you’ll look a tad more put together, maybe even dapper. There’s several bright(er) colors to choose from if black is too somber for your wardrobe.
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These cooking/serving tools designed by Danish design firm KiBiSi have notches on the back so that they may gently rest on a pot or pan while you work. Made from white beech, they’re functionally minimal (or minimally functional?) as can only be expected from the manufacturer, Muuto.

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Okay, let’s make a deal. We won’t hate this door hook organizer thing if we all agree to put it only where it’s absolutely necessary. That will be discretionary, of course, but I think we can all trust each other to use it to organize and de-clutter those spots that are magnets to miscellany- hall closets, laundry rooms, kid’s rooms (better in a kid’s closet), some bathrooms, etc. Each strap has 6 height-adjustable hooks that hold up up to 1kg (2.2 lb) on each hook.
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Still on the search for media storage? Join the club. If your budget is around the $500-$700 range, you could do a whole lot worse than this credenza. It won’t take care of tidying your cables for you, but it sure does have plenty of space for all manner of receivers, DVRs, and other such gadgets. The sleek iron frame with acacia wood planks are easy on the eyes as well.
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You know there are classier ways to send out a ‘save the date’ request than through email, right? And I’m talking about actual cards, those paper invites that the post office may still bring to our doors, if we’re lucky. Each card in this set is designed like a ticket, giving adequate space to note the date and event. Envelopes aren’t included, but that just means you can pick your own color scheme. Maybe liven things up a bit with a bright color?
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With all that effort that goes into selecting and packing your lunch, shouldn’t you pack it into something that’s perfectly sized and thoughtfully crafted? Perhaps like this Bamboo Bento Box? Bento boxes are classic Japanese lunch/snack carriers, and you’d do well to take a page out of the traditional book when it comes to serving sizes. At 4″ long, 6″ wide, and 5″ deep, you’ll not pack too much, and, as bamboo is durable and lightweight, it’ll suit your commute quite well. Two layers of containers stack vertically with an elastic band for security. Also available in a Rectanglar version.
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The Pablo Tube Top lamps have been around for years- before 2007 at least – but this pendant takes the stretcher idea to new heights (so to speak). While the 36″ wide version, shown above, is perfectly proportioned for a rectangular dining area, the smaller 7″ or 14″ could work quite well above a bar or as a pendant above a bedside table.
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