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See these paddle-shaped, melamine cocktail trays? They’re for your guests, so they can stand around and comfortably hold their plate piled high with hors d’oeuvres while shaking hands and sipping drinks. Their thumb goes through the hole for firm grip, and that little detail decreases the likelihood of someone spilling something that will stain your rug. And, yes, who knows, maybe an impromptu game of Ping Pong will break out once everyone has relaxed a little. Take note of the date that Vico Magistretti designed this set: 1987.
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Here’s a prettier water bulb for your plants, but it’ll cost you a teensy bit more than some of the other options out there. Okay, maybe a lot more, but this one is more of an art object than some ol’ watering bulb you’ll throw out when you get sick of it, and that explains the price tag. Each one is mouth-blown and hand shaped by glass artist Gregor Herman, so you’ll be able to admire its odd beauty alongside your prized plant.
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Please don’t attach your bike to a rock. You could, though, judging by Clug’s main hero shot, shown above, which gives you an idea of its function and strength. I actually purchased two Clugs when it was a Kickstarter campaign, and now our two bikes are stored orderly in our entry way, and not looking like two drunken hobos crashed crazily against the wall.

The Clug Clip all but disappears once installed, as it’s small and you can choose colors to fit your interior (or bike’s) color scheme. It hugs your bike’s tire, keeping it snug against the wall in either a vertical or horizontal position. There’s three different sizes to fit road, hybrid, and mountain bikes, and installation is easy- it’ll take just a few minutes.
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Have fun this weekend.

Problems with portion control? Join the club. The Ete plate can help, as it has portion sizes drawn directly on the plate. Fill the veggie portion up, cut your meat portion to fit, or follow the color guides for a mixed dish. See? It’s super simple, even a kid could get the hang of it. And, for every ten plates sold, one goes to a high school or academic institution. Back the project over at Indiegogo to get your own ($15), or a set of two ($40), four ($60) or six ($90).
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A little copper makes a big difference in this drinkware set. The copper bands wrapped around each piece are like cummerbunds; it’s pretty obvious someone’s dressed up for a fancy occasion. And, just like a cummerbund, the copper band could be kept on all the time for a dressier look, or you could take it off to bathe put the set in the dishwasher or go for a more casual appearance. Okay, let’s forget how funny tuxedos are and take a moment to admire the copper feature, and how it will develop a nice patina over time.
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When the summer laziness hits you, you’d better take a break and do something different. Like, say, play with some three-pronged blocks. Many grownups see blocks as a toy meant purely for the playroom, but others know a pile of wooden blocks can be just as useful on a desk or in an office break room. So, buy a set for yourself or buy a set for some little ones, either way, be sure to roll up your sleeves and join in with stacking/arranging something different (it might just give your brain a rest, or at least some creative freedom).
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Yes, the Bowie image makes this Upcycled T-Shirt Lampshade Kit way more appealing than it probably is, but you could possibly have some fun with this, especially if you have a t-shirt that you never wear but refuse to donate. Or, might this might be a great project for a favorite kid during these long summer days? Just make sure they use their own t-shirts instead of your prized concert relics. What’s included in the kit? Adhesive, 12″ diam. top and bottom lampshade rings, molding stick, binder clips, lampshade glue, and an instruction booklet. Your favorite t-shirt = lampshade. That’s the idea, anyways. Good luck.
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Regular water is so offensive. Personally, I only drink lemon-infused water or cucumber-mint water. That’s a big fat fib, but I certainly could drink my water that way every single day if this pitcher was in my fridge. Iced tea or fruit infused water is super easy to make and have on hand with the Ceylon Pitcher. The removable filter allows for easy separation of leaves or fruit and the oval shape is sized to fit your fridge.
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You do rinse your fruits and vegetables, don’t you? There’s no telling who sneezed on it, after all, and there’s always a chance that some creepy crawly bug has hitched a ride, unbeknownst to us all. But it wastes so much water, you say. I know, I know.

The Easy To Strain Bowl by Ryann Aoukar will help with that, as it has a spout/handle that makes draining easy- into a cup or plant or wherever. Also, if you’re a pasta lover, you’ve got to see the possibilities of draining the pasta on the counter, away from the bottom of the sink (germs!). Plus, if you’re lazy, you could just eat directly out of the bowl, as it’s perfectly acceptable for use at the dinner table while watching your favorite shows on the sofa.
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You’ve got to show off your favorite photographs somehow, because zooming in on a device just doesn’t do them justice. Instead of settling for sub-par frames at a local shop (ick), consider the Stanley Magnetic Photo Stand by Plywerk. Two pieces of walnut (locally harvested, hazard or salvaged) have super strong neodymium magnets that snap together to hold your favorite snaps. No glass to break, and you can change the wood around to rest flat, curved, or flipped. Or separate the two pieces and use them as magnets on the fridge. Snappity snap snap.
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Remember the Renew™ Executive Sit-to-Stand Desk featured last week? You might have thought it was a little out of your price range, and, if so, maybe you’ll find this Uplift Desk to be a bit more within reach. Sure, there’s a few differences you’ll notice between the two, but if you want a more affordable sit-stand option, this might be a winner. The steel frame has a motor in each leg to give 26″ of height adjustment- quickly and quietly. There’s also a memory keypad option to save the heights you use the most. Several different tops and a telescoping frame allow you to customize the look and width. Take a look at all the options to craft your ideal workspace.
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Father’s Day is June 21, but you knew that already, right? If your mind is blank on what to get your dad, here’s something perfect… if he wears dress shirts, that is. Here’s Six Customized Brass Collar Stays, with an engraving you specify. You can pick up to two engravings, so maybe pick your dad’s name for three collar stays and something sappy but nice like ‘BEST DAD’ or ‘I’M AWESOME’ on the other three. Or maybe you’ll be more imaginative than that, and then your dad will be oh-so-proud and quite happy that you took the time to make it clever.
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It’s a box, so what? Well, it is a box, and, at first glance, you’d think it’s a solid block of wood. However, there’s a bit of trompe l’oeil going on, and to those who know, the lid is held in place by a magnet, so there’s little to hint it holds precious things inside. The Gemma Box is available in Large and Tall sizes and Oak or Ash wood.
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There’s a Double Octahedron Ring Planter and I’m not going to tell you about it? Puh-lease. Technically these planter rings from Eric Trine are on pre-order, so you can’t have them immediately (or, in four days, which is the usual shipping time). However, be patient and you’ll enjoy some geometric fun with plants in just a few weeks. Note: these are planter stands only- they’ll raise any ten-inch terracotta pot upwards to add height and interest to your plant gatherings.
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