bltd

So this special tape dispenser has a trick: when you’re finished, you simply remove the lid from underneath (the black bit) and the tape sinks down so you can cover it all up.

designer: Norman Foster
materials: aluminum and “Perdur” (a type of rubber)
4.5″ x 1.75″, height 2.75″
$130.00,
Buy it here.

Look at these- anywhere a magnet sticks can be immediately transformed into a surface covered with leaves(!).

“Wouldn’t it be nice to add a little more green in your house without all the fuss of watering. Each of these leaf shaped magnets is made of soft plastic. Imagine the impact you could create on appliances, file cabinets….Sold separately.”

[posted by katie]

Say it with a stamp…

Stamp that says: THANK YOU FOR SHARING, IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME

3×4 inches

CDT’s workspace tools have me itching to update my desktop accessories.

“The CDT Universal Scissors (2006) are a true example of form following
function – their universal appeal lies in their ability to be used by
left- and right-handed people alike. The unique shape is crafted
entirely from brushed stainless steel. Craft Design Technology (CDT) is
a Japanese company that’s very much an expression of today’s global
design culture.”

CDT Scissors: $125 
CDT Desk Set:
$589 $500

Thanks Blaine!

[posted by katie]

I recently purchased some super strong magnets so I could create an impromptu bulletin board anywhere. I just put some nails into the wall and now I can easily (and temporarily) put papers up on the wall with the magnets. It’s great because the papers don’t get damaged, and unlike bulletin boards, once the nails are in they don’t have to be moved with new placement.

You can also get 25 of them for $4.50from a science store

While walking around NYC, Katie and I stumbled upon the MOMA store, which has a large section of Muji items from the well known Japanese retailer. We each bought a number of items, but the one I think we were both most excited about was the mini stapler. It’s tiny, functional and a perfect addition to my mobile office.

If you’ve got paperwork coming out of your ears, here’s some alternative paperclips that might get you motivated to sort those stacks.

“iconoclasps are inventive, modern paperclips that elevate your paperwork to artwork. they make marvelous bookmarks, too! 18 clips with a grippy rubberized coating in each set.”

available in orange and blue.

This made the rounds a while back, but unable to find a source in the US, I never featured it. I was pretty excited to see that Compact Impact (an importer of great Japanese products) has added it to its list of wares.

Finally, a solution for streamlining your office and getting rid of that bulky shreader.

Update: Also available from Container Store for half the price.

How cool is this scale? I know that with all this “online bill pay” and “e-mail” nonsense there’s not a lot of mail correspondence lately except for junk mail flyers and such, but I think there’s really nothing classier than hand writing a note and actually mailing it with proper postage. Show the Martha Stewarts of the world that not only do you know how to write a serious letter but also that you know it costs roughly 39 cents (or whatever) to cover the postage.

“This letter scale by Arnout Visser uses Archimedes’s principle to weigh letters. A graduated cylinder of Pyrex glass is floating in liquid. The weight of the letter pushes down the upper cylinder, thus causing the liquid to rise in between the two cylinders. The movement is thus measured and transferred into weight units. You can read the weight of the letter by the moving of the water. 2″ x 7.87” “

Here’s an attractive little stainless 5 piece desk set. Great for father’s day perhaps?

I usually use the old method of tearing open mail, but I’ve often thought if I came across the right kind of letter opener I’d try the more civilized method. At 30% off, this one is certainly tempting.

“Ali’s ‘bottom jaw’ is an 18/10 stainless steel blade, with a sturdy acrylic top body.”

Available in yellow-green.
7″ long

For me, the ah-ha! moment was the christmas light photo. And, thinking of how it must be twice as strong and sturdy than a regular ol’ tack…I have a habit of layering papers on my bulletin board at work and it’d be nice to have something up to the task.

Available in Red or Clear.
Individual 6 Pack of Red TAK Brand Pushpins, $3.98

(Or, 20 Packs (of 6 Pushpins): $49.80)

(This item’s link was updated 11/19/09.)

Man, this thing is magic. No staples! Safer, cheaper, recycling-friendly…and at this price it makes switching better for your budget.

Staple-Free Stapler