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For all you minimalists, type-ophiles, and design dorks; combine your love of Helvetica with your addictive card-playing habits. Finally!

The Japanese have a certain way of expressing themselves in emoticons.  While most of us are content with the standard colon-parentheses smiley face : ) , the Japanese prefer to use a variety of symbols, communicating a wide range of expressions beyond just happiness. The Kaoiro is a stamp specifically designed for recreating these emoticons in the very analog world of paper and print ( ^ _ ^ ).
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I just came across this fantastic looking series tables and lamps at Design Milk. The Mesh Series by Horgan Becket is a collection of tables and lamps inspired by steel wire forms commonly seen in fencing and other industrial applications. While the industrial look is certainly in these days, it takes a special touch and consideration not just go with, “add steel here, big welds over there, finish with worn reclaimed wood”, and actually design something unique without straying too far from the original aesthetic. I feel this series of furniture pieces, particularly the tables, do just that. The Mesh series is handcrafted and made to order by Horgan Becket in Brooklyn, NY. Contact them for further details and pricing.
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I’m really digging this new Slope Desk by British via Norway designer Thomas Jenkins.

It gestures at traditional sloped drafting tables with a downward angled surface and adds two hinged doors revealing felt-lined compartments for storage and organization. Two included wedges create a level surface for holding pens and your favorite drink. Solid maple legs support a desk surface constructed from a mix of birch veneer MDF and plywood.
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I’m seeing more and more of these passive-amplified (no power source needed) iPhone speakers lately. Check out our previously posted Koostik, a modest stereo speaker done in wood, and the Phonofone 3, an extravagant porcelain version that is just as much a sculpture piece as a useful amplifier. The Horn Stand takes the economical route and is made of molded silicone.While it’s the least expensive of the bunch, I personally feel it’s the most well designed, for it can be used in both landscape and portrait mode, and you can still charge / dock your phone while using it. Gotta love it’s portability too. Available in black, green, white, and light brown from a various retailers via Amazon.
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There really isn’t much to not like on this new camera bag from Blackstone Bags. The long rectangular shape derives from packing cameras and lenses in a more efficient way than traditional camera bags which carry all components in one large mass. The interior features three removable dividers for a custom fit for your gear. Security is upped a factor as well, because the the main compartment cannot be opened while you’re wearing the bag. It certainly goes without saying that it’s got a really unique and sleek look to it too. The Urban Quiver Bag is designed and manufactured in Portland, OR.
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It’s only fitting that the handmade card you just made gets delivered in its own handmade envelope. This handy and rather cool looking wooden template creates a 4.5 x 6.4” envelope from any material of your choice.

Template measures 7.8 x 11” and is printed with graphical instructions.

For the devout National Public Radio listener and traveler, the NPR Map lists radio stations across the United States that carry programming from National Public Radio. Interstate highways and freeways are shown to locate stations easier, as well as an alphabetized listing of all stations in each state. Who knows, maybe listening to a few episodes of Car Talk may get you out of a pinch if your car breaks down along the way.
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I recently saw these handmade cards at a local store and absolutely had to buy one. Made by Etsy artist Marnie Karger, selling under the store name Crafterall, natural landmarks such as Manhattan and the Great Lakes are recreated in intricate paper cut topographies. Many sizes, styles, and colors are available, so be sure to check out the store.
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The Blow Bowl is an interesting mix of textures and materials, combining mouth-blown glass with synthetic red or blue rope handles (comes with both). Designed by Alexis Georgacopoulos for ENO, Paris.

Materials: Blown glass, rope
High Dimensions: 8.6″ diameter x 9.8″ high
Low Dimensions: 13.7″ diameter x 3.1″ high

Recently I got to take part of a Rust-Oleum sponsored event in New Orleans, where along with a few other bloggers, I got a hands-on demonstration of two of their latest products from their Transformations line: Cabinet Transformations and Countertop Transformations. Geared for DIYers and budgeters, a kitchen renovation can realistically be achieved for under $400!

After moving out to the Northwest it didn’t take long to notice that people take their coffee pretty seriously out here, and I’m not talking about Starbucks or Seattle’s Best. A welcoming local cafe is always a stone’s throw away, catering to both the casual coffee drinker and as well as patrons of the most distinguised taste. In Portland, one of the most unique cafes I have come across is Coava in the Central Eastside district. Sharing a space with a bamboo plywood showroom, the interior is industrial chic (fancy enjoying your coffee at a tablesaw?) yet is warmed by a large, welcoming bamboo counter and of course the lingering aroma of coffee beans. Serving coffee via a Chemex pour-over brewer is their first choice for a rich tasting cup, however co-owner Keith Gehrke saw the single-use paper filters to be quite wasteful. Instead of just dealing with it he decided to design his own filter, called the Kone… (more…)

Photojojo offers relief to the world of drab black plastic camera bags with their Classic Leather Camera Satchel. An all leather exterior houses a padded interior fitted for a camera and lenses, as well as a laptop sleeve for 13” laptops. Two front pockets as well as a zippered rear pocket keep the small things organized while you snap away. I don’t even have a nice enough camera that would warrant owning such a handsome bag but it looks suitable for doing double duty for carrying about town as well.

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The Mobi is a really simple and cool looking phone dock / stand that will keep your work or home office desk that much more organized. It’s rubber coated for a smooth feel and has a built in storage dish. Use it as-is or plug in your phone’s charger cable through the bottom.

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I’m an all season bicyclist but I’m certainly looking forward to sunny rides soon, and seeing this new graphic from Threadless put a smile on my face. The original Infinity MPG t-shirt is green with white graphics, but a new updated version is available with bright reflective ink, turning bright white in the headlights of cars. Check out this video to see it in action. I wouldn’t trust it as the only means of night time visibility, but it certainly adds a cool style statement.

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