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Time to feature some totes again, especially as SFMOMA has a couple of good ones from FluffyCo. You’ve heard time and time again that totes are great alternatives to those icky plastic bags, so if you don’t have one you’re a bad person. Not really, of course, but carrying around a tote does make you a better person, at least according to the people at the local health food store. And they know everything. If you’d like to check out all of FluffyCo’s organic totes, here’s their website: FluffyCo. (Most of their totes are priced at $56, but they don’t have the red/black Treads pattern shown above.)

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Don’t get too excited, it’s not a modern day earhorn for your less-than-great hearing (though I suppose you could try it out to see if it works), it’s an analog acoustic speaker for the iPhone 4. You know all about acoustic speakers, as we’ve posted several, but this pint sized version seems all the more charming because of its size (and because it looks like an earhorn).

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Remember the Vertical Calendar? Those of you that didn’t order one in January are now in luck- MAKE Collaboration is offering a 6 Month Vertical. Remember, you can also add your own important dates onto the calendar if you’d like a personalized version ($23.99).
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If you’ve not seen Megan Lea’s Backyard House, you’re in for a treat. Intended as an extra space for an office or as a guest room, the 154 square foot house was built in a small corner of her vegetable garden in less than six months using salvaged barn lumber and a salvaged copper roof. Natural plaster walls and a wood stove keep it cozy while a small loft provides extra space for seating. All photos below ©Rise over Run.
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If you think the standard paper or binder clip cannot be improved, think again. Yamsaki Design Works has made a simple revision in shape that improves the function of a paperclip. The triangle clips lay flat, thus keeping a low profile when holding papers together, and leave the paper unwarped when slipped off. Small changes, sure, but small details sometimes make a big difference.
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Corral bread crumbs easily with this cutting board from Alessi. As you slice bread, crumbs fall between the slats into the tray below, which then pulls out for quick cleaning. Designed by Anna and Gian Franco Gasparini, the very same couple who designed the Milky Way Minor Cheese Knife Set. If you know someone serious about their bread and cheese, you might consider either (or both, if you’re feeling generous) as a good gift idea.

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That is all. Do have a good weekend.

No filter bag needed for this coffee maker. The Cafino has a double stainless steel mesh sieve that fits into a heat resistant borosilicate glass cylinder. Simply place your ground coffee beans into the sieve, pour boiled water, and voilà, you have coffee. It’s quite similar to the metal Kone Coffee Filter used with the Chemex Coffeemaker, yet in a more familiar coffee press silhouette.
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Help® has added a couple of new products to their online store. If you’re not familiar with the company, let’s just say this: their solutions are made with a single active ingredient, the drugs are not dyed or coated, and each drug is labeled clearly for the specific symtom so everyone understands exactly what they are taking and why. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? And definitely in stark contrast to the medicine aisles of your local pharmacy, which is exactly the point.
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Can you guess what this is from the photo above? If your guess had anything to do with earbuds, you’re right. AIRbudz is an earbud attachement that allows you to hear ambient noise while you’re listening to music. When you’re out walking or running, certain noises can alert you to potential safety hazards (like bikes, cars, buses) and unfortunately your regular headphones muffle, if not completely silence, those sounds that alert you to danger. The AIRbudz have air channels that let ambient noise in- thus keeping you aware of your surroundings without sacrificing your soundtrack. It’s currently a Kickstarter project, and for $10 or more you’ll get one of the first sets.
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You’ve seen the various string chairs (the Acapulco Chair, for instance), but check out this lounge chair from Ilan Dei Studio. Doesn’t it look ‘designer-y’, and by that I mean, pretty expensive? Compared to the woven Tropicalia Lounge Chair by Patricia Urquiola for $4,410, it sure seems like a good price at $799.
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Let the games begin, or rather, que les Jeux commencent*! Dominoes, Chess, Pick-Up Sticks, and Checkers. The four classics all pack up neatly in this box that you can take on the go- the chess board is on the bottom of the box and the checker board is on the bottom of the lid. Could be a good thing to have on hand for your next road trip, or maybe just for those lazy summer days outside (of which you’ll have plenty, right?).
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Mix your ingredients with this bowl set and you’ll have no need for measuring cups. Made of melamine with a wide spout for pouring, these two bowls have a non-skid bottom and nest to save space in your cabinets. The larger bowl measures up to 90 oz. (or 2.5 ltr) while the smaller measures up to 34 oz. (1 ltr).

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Sideboards. Maybe you’ve not found the perfect one yet, and are more than a little tired of searching for just the right legs/drawer/door configuration. If so, may I direct you towards wfour design*, a small company located in Eugene, Oregon that specializes in furniture that’s made to fit your needs.

Want doors on the left and drawers on the right? A specific height? A blue base? An orange base? You say the word, and chances are, you’ll get just what you want for around the same price listed. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Email wfour design directly to discuss which piece you’d like to customize (more info on their FAQ page). Also, make note of the encouragement wfour gives for spray painting the legs when you want a color change; it’s nice to know they understand those of us that like to switch things up.

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Snazzy, isn’t it? While the price is significantly higher than a charcoal grill you’ll find at your local store (say, a Weber Kettle Grill for $99), it does look significantly nicer… though, I suppose it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth 460 bucks more. Yes? No?
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