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If you are still searching for a Mother’s Day gift, you know you only have a few more days, right? Check out this scarf by Shonquis Moreno. Digitally printed on 14-mime silk twill, the Chelsea Scarf features an image abstracted and manipulated “down to the core color in pixels.” Sounds good, and looks even better.
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Still searching for a respectable sleeve for your iPad? Don’t forget about the selection of full-grain leather sleeves from Defy Bags studio in Chicago. Measured and cut by hand, the sleeve’s joints are triple-stitched for added strength. It certainly ticks the ‘rugged sophistication’ box, if that’s the look you prefer.
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If you pay attention to the art world, you might have heard of T.J. Wilcox and his panoramic film installation In the Air, 2013, at the Whitney Museum of American Art. If you haven’t, don’t worry, as that’s not a prerequisite to purchase a still printed on this 100% silk scarf you see above. However, do feel free to dazzle anyone who appreciates the scarf with your knowledge of the installation- they could probably use a little more ‘culture’.
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What in the world is this thing, you ask? Well, put on a decorator’s/designer’s hat and admit that some speakers are not very pleasing to the eye, and, in fact, a bit of an eyesore at times. If you’d rather a speaker blend in amongst your other items in a bookcase or tabletop milieu, then take a look at the Stellé Audio Bluetooth Speaker by DwellStudio. Maybe it’s not perfect for your interior- or maybe it is- but I think we can all agree we like the idea of improving technology so that it may blend into a room when desired instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.
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Fit for a lady or gentleman with a select collection of jewelry, this hand-hewn Walnut Jewelry Box has a removable tray with four compartments for rings, cuff links and smaller items. Suede lining in each compartment helps protect contents, and when the lid is snugly on top, the box measures a perfect 6″ square.

And, good news, we’re teaming up with the retailer, Kaufmann Mercantile, for a cross promotion: sign up for emails from both BLTD and Kaufmann Mercantile and you’ll be entered to win a gift card for $100. That $100 could go towards many a great things from Kaufmann Mercantile, or help you save some dough on one very nice thing (like this jewelry box).

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What do you get the person who loves cosmology and/or fashionable things? One of these scarves from Slow Factory, of course. The 30% Silk/70% Cotton scarves start at a reasonable $80, while the 100% silk scarves go up to the $200 price point. Might be a nice Mother’s Day gift, perhaps? Or a reward for doing your taxes? Hmm, bookmark it in either case.
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Messenger bags are okay, but what about one that won’t tip over when you set it down? That problem is solved by Japanese brand Abrasus: a triangular shape keeps the bag upright and allows you a bird’s-eye view of your contents when you unzip, allowing you to find your things efficiently. There are inside movable dividers for organization and an outside vented pocket allows you to see (and hear) smaller items.

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Well, if the MoMA Store is carrying a Spork, then you know it’s an acceptable utensil to have in your everyday bag, camping backpack, or travel carry-on. Should you see anyone turn up their nose at your use of an orange, swiveling Spork and/or Knife, simply inform them that Wei Young designed the set in 2012 out of BPA-Free plastic and metal. Or just smirk in self-satisfaction at your preparedness: you have an eating utensil, after all, and it’s clean. Or flip them the bird, it’s up to you.
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Izola has a new collection of stainless steel bottles to keep water near at hand. With simple phrases like Onward & Upward and A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss, the bottles are true to the Izola aesthetic while providing functional storage for life’s essential liquid. There’s also a Blank Water Bottle (25 oz.) (and 10 oz.) if you prefer an all stainless steel look.

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Nice! Now your iPhone can have real shooting controls thanks to Snappgrip. It mounts to a protective phone case so you can use it when you want (and detach it when you don’t). The Snappgrip has a Shooting Mode, Portrait, Landscape, Flash, Video, Zoom In, and Zoom Out functions, plus a standard tripod mount on the underside and a standby power switch. How’s that for bridging the gap between smartphone photography and more expensive cameras?

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Bike lights just keep getting better, and who knows, maybe that’ll tempt more people to get out of their cars and onto their bicycles. This Double O Bike Light is hassle free: it utilizes neodymium-grade magnets to make it easy to attach and remove. Polycarbonate mounts hold the light in place while you ride, and simply snap the lights off the mounts when you’ve reached your destination.

Plus, the ‘O’ shape allows you to thread the lights on your bike lock for storage- no need to carry them with you. And you know how some bike lights are almost too bright? The Double O uses less bright LEDs but more of them to make sure the emitted light is bright enough but won’t blind drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
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Whoa, it’s about time. If you’re of the female persuasion and you’ve ever searched for an appropriate laptop bag, you know it’s hell. They’re either too ‘office-y’ or way too nice and expensive and not at all utilitarian. The DAAME Leather Laptop Tote has pockets and spaces for your laptop and tech stuff as well as your everyday essentials, and it doesn’t scream ‘HEY I’M CARRYING A LAPTOP! I JUST CAME FROM THE OFFICE!’… and it doesn’t cost over a grand, which is refreshing in the world of ladies’ high quality handbags. Instead, it’s being offered at (an introductory price of) $395, which is a steal considering its elegant appearance and utility.
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Ladies, put your hands up… and gentlemen, let’s not leave you out, because you might just be cool enough to wear man rings (pinky rings do not count). Do you need a ring holder? These almost look like jewelry for your jewelry when all four of these Geo Ring Holders are lined up side by side, and despite being ‘trinket-y’ they’re all relatively safe bets for a small gift idea (for others or yourself). Plus, you always have the option of busting out some ‘Put A Ring On It’ lyrics- and dance moves- when you pick up/put down your rings.
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This backpack from Ember means business. It’s a 20-liter pack and modular system meant for commute and travel. Add the weather-proof exterior gear pockets on to the minimal pack (padded internal laptop & tablet sleeves) for more room when needed, or leave them off when you’d like a lighter pack. There’s also three styles of external utility straps/handles. Take a look at their Kickstarter page to back the project.
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Now, this is a minimalist wallet. Made from Commercially Pure Grade 2 titanium, the Un-Wallet is very thin (1mm thick) and holds up to 10 cards or 50 bills in total with its slat-like two-sided design. A silky, matte finish hides fingerprints. Nice, isn’t it?
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