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I’ve loved this calendar ever since I first saw it. Maybe this year I’ll actually get around to buying one.

For five years the calendar Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar has introduced new, odd, and strange phrases every month. It started with 30 modest copies in 2006, to over a million in 2007, as it came out from the huge rotary printers of the daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, to 500 copies today. This year, to celebrate its 5th anniversary, it will be available in a Special Large 50 x 70 cm. size as well as in its Standard A3 format, each in a numbered edition of 500.

Standard A3 format 29 x 42cm : $32.00
Special Large 50 x 70 cm.: $60.00

Given the recent popularity of moustaches/mustaches, in particular, moustache mugs, I’m sure you’ll find one of these sets to be just what you and maybe your co-workers need for a pick-me-up.

Enjoy effortlessly masquerading behind a character moustache while drinking your favourite tea or coffee. Every mug has a different design on each side to explore your favourite masculine expression! Choose between feisty Fu-Magnum, ambigues Mustafa-Chaplin and cheeky Maurice-Poirot!

Looks like the price is for a set of 2 mugs.

Adding to the list of pixel inspired products (see here and here), this felt rug offers the full spectrum of colors to brighten up any dreary room.

-Wool felt, cotton

4×6: $598.00
5×7: $898.00

Say goodbye to being pen-less with this on your keychain. (However, it might be pointed out that you’d still have to search around for your keys to get to the pen. Also, if you want to see the pen ‘in action’ there’s a dumb video showing just how convenient it can be.)

The ultra-compact TelePen is a handy collapsible pen that attaches to your keychain. Weighing less than an ounce and measuring less than two inches, you’ll hardly notice the diminutive telescoping pen dangling from your keyring.But the TelePen is there when you need it, expanding to nearly the length of a standard pen. Its tough stainless steel exterior protects it from the elements. Includes three black ink refills.

Dimensions: 2″ when collapsed, 4.625″ when extended

[via The Green Head]

Last week I found the website of Kathy Dalwood and sort of fell in love with her concrete figurines. She collects vintage porcelain and plaster figurines and recasts them in black concrete. Each figurine, originally so delicate and carefully painted, is now made of a rough industrial material, with bubbles and imperfections, and with the heavy block bases they have a definitive modern spin about them. Needless to say, I bought one (go here to see it in my home).

Visit Kathy’s blog to see how the figurines are made.

She also makes some lovely Urn Scupltures, architectural friezes and concrete planters, thought the planters are currently unavailable due to her manufacturer going out of business.

Prices range from £110-£350 depending on piece.
Keep in mind that shipping costs might be sort of high considering the weight.
Email for exact quotes.

Screen prints are one of my favorite ways to add interest to a wall without having to spend too much money.
I’m particularly fond of the works of Ink Posters–they’re simple, modern and not too fussy.

[via things i have seen]

This wine accessory set is kept inside it’s own wine bottle, making it easy to find and easy to store alongside your other bottles. Seems like the perfect sort of housewarming/host gift.

5 Piece Set Includes: Combo corkscrew / Bottle Opener, Drip Stop Ring, Stopper, Foil Cutter, Combo Pourer / Stopper

L 12.75″ x W 2.85″ x H 2.85″
ABS Plastic with Chromes Metal Tools

This journal kind of reminds me of those wonky wallets that you have to fold over a few times to get to your money. Anyways, it’s two journals in one. One side is lined, the other blank. Watching the video might make you a little dizzy, but you’ll get the gist.

The RevolveR revolutionizes the ancient art of bookbinding. This versatile, high-quality journal is built using the innovative, patent pending Revolver Binding Technique which allows the journal to turn inside out and back again around a floating spine, revealing the surprise of a second folio – actively demonstrating that there are indeed two sides to every story.

64 lined pages; revolves to 64 blank pages
100% recycled paper

Small (4″ x 5.5″), $16.00
Large (5.5″ x 7.5″), $21.00

Ever think about starting your own terrarium? Indoor greenery always adds life to a space, and a terrarium will provide smart housing for some special plants.

Orb Terrarium, $88.00: This unusual spherical terrarium is made from glass and contains two openings that provide you with easy access to your plants. Imported. 10″H, 12″ diameter

Terrarium Supply Kit, $32.00: Our handy kit includes flat moss in an onion bag, natural river stones, and a 24-ounce bag of Hoffman’s Charcoal Soil Conditioner-everything you need to maintain your own terrarium. The moss, stones and soil conditioner provide enough materials to outfit several small terrariums and one to two larger terrariums.

Lovely useful dish towel from Bailey Doesn’t Bark, via swissmiss. (See also from them the Wall Plates posted last year.)

white flour sack, black design.
Care: Warm/Cold. Tumble dry.
{Hand}Made in USA.
Design: Bailey Doesn’t Bark

With all the dreary weather that fall and winter can sometimes bring, you might as well stockpile some brightness for your tabletop with these colorful chopsticks. Might make a good host/hostess gift as well.

“Traditional Japanese chopsticks get a colorful make-over in this set of 24 Wood Chopsticks (1994). The round, lacquered wood utensils come in an assortment of 12 different hues, offering the freedom to mix or match colors, depending on your mood.”

Materials: Wood, lacquer.

Keep that tea bag in place with this set of two Zipper cups. Might be a good gift (see below) for someone this holiday season too.

A zipper is a unique device used around the world to typically join two sides of fabric, such as in clothing, bags and now…cups…well, not exactly. While the zipper cup does not function like an actual zipper, the zipper design is incorporated into another commonly used household product such as a cup. The intricate design mechanism of a zipper reflects the bonding and friendship of two people, which is why they are sold in pairs. Great for gifts to newly weds, friends, parents, anniversary etc.

Cup: H3.9″ x D2.6″ (opening)
Coaster: 4.3″ x 4.3″
2 cups and 2 coasters included as a set inside original gift box.

If you’re in need of a room divider and have $2500, take this piece into consideration. If you buy it, good luck remembering the name as well as the legend from which it came.

“The Piasa is part of the knitted furniture family designed by Emiliano Godoy. The pieces are joined in such a way that they can freely rotate to create different profiles. Its name comes from an Illini legend telling the story of the Piasa bird, which was as large as a calf with horns like a deer, red eyes, the body covered with green, red and black scales and a tail so long it passed around the body, over the head and between the legs.”

Note: available only in black.

Materials: maple plywood, cotton rope, Livos finish
Dimensions: 72″h x 87″w

Katie and I met the charming Richard Shed a few years ago at ICFF and I picked up his “Here Hook” and it’s one of my favorite pieces.

The Here Hook is a great design piece and at only $10 you can grab a few. Would be great in a kitchen as a dish towel holder, in the bath as a towel hook, or in an entry as a coat rack.

I’ve meant to post these for the longest time. Candles shaped like the ends of power cords with power strip bases… clever sort of idea, no?

Candles shaped like power cords plug into these power strip bases, creating a completely unique centerpiece for your table. Sold as a set of 4 candles. Candles and bases are sold separately.

Dimensions: 11″ Tall

4 Candlestrip Candles (white, black, or orange), $20.00, Buy it here.
Candlestrip Base (white, black, or orange), $40.00, Buy it here.