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Originally $39, this mango wood plate is on sale now for 40% off, which makes it even more affordable. Considering the size, it would make a great catch-all near the front door for mail, keys, etc. Plus, it’s always nice to have some natural elements scattered around a modern home; it keeps interiors from looking too stuffy and perfect.

Bowl measures approximately 11″ in diameter and 1.5″ tall.

So smart! This little silicone thingy transforms your cutlery into a a pair of tongs or salad servers. It can also act as training wheels for chopsticks, but that would look pretty silly in a restaurant so only do that at home.

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If you’ve not switched to paper-free living, these calendar sleeves will keep your receipts organized by month. I can see them working perfectly in a journal/notebook or even on a bulletin board; it all depends on where you’re likeliest to deposit your paperwork.

– 5-5/8” x 8-3/8”
– Set of 12 pockets

Update: A+R Store now carries the Plumen ($30), fyi.

Original post:
I saw these lightbulbs in person yesterday at the Temporium, and found them quite impressive. If you’re not familiar with the Plumen, you’ll be glad to know that the Plumen bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8x longer than incandescent bulbs. Plus, it looks nice and doesn’t need covering up.

You U.S. folks might be a little frustrated though, as they’re not yet available in the states, but U.K. and European residents can purchase them directly through Plumen’s website for £19.95/€29.95.

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Incase sent out their new iPad case for review, and honestly, I have a mixed opinion. On one hand, the padded back adds a strange bulk to the normally sleek and slim device, which is just plain odd, and takes a while to get used to (it feels and sounds just like a small bean bag). On the other hand, it’s a lot more comfortable to use the iPad when lounging (hence, ‘Lounge’), as the padded back can be adjusted on your legs/lap for various viewing angles. It also works well for the same reason on a tabletop, as you can immediately push the iPad to whatever angle you want, and it stays put. I took a quick video so you can see what I mean (below). Overall, I’d say it’s well suited for use at home or on a desktop, as it makes the iPad more comfortable to use.
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Paintable. Temporary. Wallpaper. How many times have you wished for this? Whether you’re renting or you have kids (or you’re just artistically fickle) this stuff is something to try out. It’s a vinyl coated self adhesive wallpaper, and you can use almost any art supplies to decorate it however you want. Tempaper also has quite a few designs to choose from should you wish for a more traditional patterned paper; my favorites are the Ruby Slate, Skotti, and Etta.

Available from 2modern or directly from Tempaper.

As we are now officially in the summer picnic season, take note of Veneerware® by Bambu. Fully biodegradable, these single use bamboo plates and accessories are the ecological alternative to the paper plate. And, for those of you that prefer ready made picnic kits, there’s a Veneerware Picnic Kit with Navy Tote from Branch Home available for $68.00 (see below).

Made from 100% bamboo and Certified Organic.
Sold in sets of 8.
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Just so you have fair warning, this lamp won’t ship until August. It might be worth the wait, though, considering its modern bent design (powder coated steel) and lower price point. I can’t decide whether the white with the red cord wins out over the all black option; I suppose it depends on where you plan on placing it.

Available in black with a black cord or white with a red cord.
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Sadly, the Penguin merchandise seems to be heading in the same direction of Pantone: oversaturation. However, if you can get beyond the fact that there’s way too many products to choose from, there’s quite a few gems. Many items would be excellent gifts, of course, separately or grouped together. There also looks to be Penguin deckchairs and tea towels, though no retailer seems to have any in stock (shoot).

Shown above: Penguin Set of 4 Mini Notebooks, $10.68
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Enjoy the weekend, as usual.

If you’re in the market for some sharp looking planters, take a look at these stainless steel ones by Shift Design. The window box is available in a 24″ or 30″ width, while the two tiered Cedar Herb Garden is perfect for (you guessed it) herbs. And, if you want to go all out and cover a wall with plants in stainless steel, there’s a living wall unit that you can line up side by side as your budget allows. See below for details.
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This little recycled cardboard basket is inspired by an icosahedron (that’s 20 sides for you non-nerds). At about 8 inches wide, it’s a great size to store all manner of stuff, specifically all those little odds and ends lying around your desk. Arrives flat packed with instructions on assembly.

Size: 8.3″ dia.

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No, that cord is not photoshopped in the image above. It’s an xlSync Cable from CableJive. Measuring 6.5 feet (2 meters) long, it’s the (much) longer sibling to the super short iStubz. So, you can charge your iPad while using it on the sofa, talk on your iPhone while it’s plugged into your computer, or maybe just utilize a plug that’s farther away than a normal cable can reach. CableJive actually sent me a sample*, and it’s perfect for reaching a previously-too-far-away plug to charge my phone at night.

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This is one of those products that seem insignificant at first glance, then the actual benefits of of daily use start to make sense. It’s a shoe horn, which yes, is unexciting and boring, even though it does extend the life of your shoes (which saves you money). However, it’s a long shoe horn, which means it’s easier to use. It also has a magnetic wall stand that gives it a home when not in use (it would be smart to install it near your shoes, of course). These little details would possibly make an improvement in your dressing ritual each day.

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Oh, here’s another overseas item that’s just too interesting to pass up. No worries, though as it is available to buy (also through PayPal, if you like). What is it exactly? A pattern sheet, obviously, that you can use to hammer out a pattern in nails on your wall. Connect the dots with string and remove pattern to see an altogether different “Masterpiece”.

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