bltd

Ah, now this is a must have for us forgetful folks. Each note sticks to itself to form a band, making a perfect wrist reminder for important times, notes, etc. So smart, and needed over here in the states as soon as possible (retailers, take note!). Currently the only retail site is in French, so a little translation might be necessary.

Block of 100 sheets.
designer: Doriane Favre
dimensions: 21 x 4 cm

I’ll add this to the list of seriously awesome-office-products-that-I-really-don’t-need-but-desperately-want. The devil is in the details, and well, it’s the extremely clever and unique elastic closure that makes this product really stand out.
(more…)

Have you ordered your calendar for 2012 yet? It’s definitely time to do so, if you haven’t already. If you’re the type that likes to write down daily lists this calendar is a good fit as it has a gridded blank space for your notes. It also features 365 different drawings by Ryan McGinness and can be archived as an entire package when the year is done.

(more…)

If you’re a klutz when it comes to chopsticks, this might be a good alternative. It’s a knife and fork set that interlocks to become a pair of spring-loaded chopsticks. Now, while this seems quite clever, I doubt that many people in a restaurant would congratulate you for bringing your own utensils, so perhaps this is more of a stay-at-home item.
(more…)

Maybe a decent throw will keep you from turning up the thermostat this winter? This colorful rhombus/triangle design will look just at home on the back of the sofa as it will tucked around your legs for warmth. 100% new wool, in various colors (or colours, as they say).

(more…)

Cyber monday, blah, blah, blah. I’m sure you’re busy clicking on all the deals flooding your inbox, and the best of luck to you. While you do that, some older posts will get some much needed updates here on BLTD, with current links and prices.

If I drank coffee, I’d make it out of this coffeemaker; there’s something awfully nice about the simplicity of no buttons or blinking lights. Made out of an hourglass-shaped glass flask, this coffeemaker was invented by a chemist, and therefore brews coffee by a chemically correct method. All that’s needed is coffee, hot water, and a separate Chemex bonded filter (sold separately).

Dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Set of 100 filters sold separately.
Designer: Peter Schlumbohm, 1941
Size: 9.5h x 6″diam.

(Originally posted Aug 27, 2009.)

Respond to your work mates’ office antics with a well aimed, cross-the-room rubber band shot. The Bandit is a rubber band shooting ruler made that’s 100 percent designed to be a work distraction. Okay, you can measure with it too, but what’s the fun in that?
(more…)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your odd-yet-lovely family and friends! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend; posts will return as usual on Monday.

Shown: Altered Antique Plates by BeatUpCreations. May be used for serving or just as an interesting art piece. Each plate costs anywhere from $25 to $100.

Remember the Utility Card? Yep, the one from grain. Well, they also carry these lovely mirrors with a textile wrapped edge. If the price is a tad too high, maybe their Bound Hand Mirror will scratch the itch. They’re all made in the USA and custom colors are available.
(more…)

What do you get for someone that has everything? An old time slingshot, made from buckthorn branches, latex tubing, and a leather projectile pouch. I like that ‘female adult supervision’ is suggested in the description, though in no way do I assume adult females are any less likely to injure someone or something, on purpose or otherwise.

Dimensions: about 11″ x 4″-5″

AMAZING. 19, double word score, 38 points. Delight your favorite wordsmith or board games player with these Scrabble-inspired mugs. Game on!
(more…)

Here at BLTD we love sharing products with you that are readily available to buy. Occasionally though, we’ll come across a product in development that is just too exciting not to post. The PHX-1 is an artist/designer tool that combines the Hi-Tec-C and Signo DX pens, a hobby knife and a designer ruler with 7 measurements into a stainless steel body and a sustainable bamboo case. Hooray for more dorky design tools! I’m also quite excited to see a hobby knife with a proper safety cap to it. The plastic caps that fall off are a real pet peeve of mine.
(more…)

These aprons are one of those things that are both wonderful and extremely silly looking, at least at first. They’re designed in the style of a formal/business suit, perfect for those of us “who consider cooking a serious business as much as an affair of art.” From Aiste Nesterovaite,

(more…)

What a marvelous way to solve a sticky situation. Pick the appropriate wooden coin* and flip to see who has to do whatever needs doing. From Set Editions, who carries some of the best cards/postcards.

Set of three wooden coins that come in a metal tin.
Designer: Set Editions

*Much better than an actual coin, because they have the phrases tailored to the situation. And they’re wooden, of course.

Say goodbye to throwing away pens. This pen has a jumbo ink cartridge inside, ensuring that you can write about 1.7 meters a day for seven years. Pretty decent timeline, no? And it’s good to know that you’re not contributing to the whopping 100 million pens discarded every day. Now you just need to not lose it.

(more…)