I installed the new iWork application from Apple, it's basically Microsoft Office suite, only created by Apple. Their Pages application (Apple's answer to Microsoft Word which can be imported and exported as a Word doc with a single click) is really cool because it's got great graphic features, almost as if it is a Photoshop/Word hybrid. I like the little piece of tape feature I put on top of the above image. In fact, that tape is single-handedly holding up three magnetic cooking timers ($8 each) from New Stone Age in L.A. It would be nice to have all three for when you need multiple timers, like Thanksgiving, but also because it would make your fridge look like a cockpit. This is my last post until I get to the East Coast next week. Have a great weekend!

I'm going to be in Boston all next week seeing some friends and helping my brother and his fiance decorate their new brownstone (lot's of Boston blogging coming soon!). While browsing the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston's website to see what was going on I stumbled on to these Andy Warhol 15 minute temporary tattoos ($7), an item that will definitely be coming home with me in my suitcase.

It's been taking me forever to get to blogging today because I've been cleaning out my iTunes, and you know how that goes, you feel like you can just point and click delete down the line, but by the time you've gotten to The Clash you've had a 45-minute dance party and the dog's looking at you like, "get a life...and a job...and a brain." ANYWAY, I thought this was a pretty little item, The Wedge Door Stop by hot designer Thorsten van Elten ($15) is simply made from untreated solid European Oak with a painted edge to match your own color scheme.

It's Monday morning, time to talk coffee. Everyone has their own brand that they swear by—Coffee Bean, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, Pete's. In Chicago (and Silver Lake) there's a lot of swearing by Intelligentsia. And mighty reason for it. I'm nothing close to a coffee connoisseur, but there's a lot of people that are (Food & Wine, Saveur, Edible LA) that believe Intelligentsia has the best coffee and coffee bars around. I also think their logo is AWESOME and their online store is pretty cool too, full of pint glasses, coffee mugs, even skateboard decks! Check it out right here.

I'm a sucker for Harry Allen's "Reality" series. The latest is this Gold Plated Lucky Rabbit's Foot ($45). Gold plated anything for under $50, that's pretty lucky right there.

I love these chopstick bowls ($26) made of recycled bamboo chopsticks because they look great, are eco-friendly, and it folds flat when you're not using it. While living in China, designer Bryan Parks developed a unique process for reclaiming and sanitizing chopsticks (gross?), then constructing them into fruit bowls. The chopsticks get the warm brown color once they are dyed by tea. Bowl measures 14"x 11"x 4". Makes a great gift on the cheap!

Fashion designers have collaborated on a new line for the Obama campaign called Runway to Change, debuted at New York's fashion week. I fear that this is the exact stuff that plays into the hands of the GOP attacks that align Obama with Paris Hilton. That said, I don't remember John Kerry getting any Marc Jacobs custom totes or Pharrel t-shirts. Above: Obama flower tote bag ($75) by Derek Lam; Marc Jacobs Stand For Change tote ($80); Obama Button tote bag by Marc Jacobs ($75). There's many more big name designers like Juicy Couture, Diane von Furstenberg, Nanette Lepore, Isaac Mizrahi and Rag and Bone—so check it out, my guess is this stuff will be on eBay soon (just like Sarah Palin's jet?). Just to be fair I included a John McCain item. Below is the Camo Sportsmen for McCain hat ($25). Sweet.

It might not be the best time to be talking about bud vases as I can already see the trees outside my window turning from green to yellow, but there's always something seasonal that can be placed in one of these and they make great gifts on the cheap. Above are Japanese Octahedron Vases ($10 each) made with an earthy ceramic glaze. I want a hundred of these! Below are Heath bud vases ($22 each); one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still in existence. Below those are clear pebble vases ($19) by Sugahara Glassworks in Japan.

Tailgating has to be one of the best parts of Autumn, especially in Chicago where there are equal amounts of football fans and grilling fans. There's enormous amounts of tailgating product out there, from BBQs shaped like a football helmet to thermometers with remote control lasers. I picked three stylish items that are great for tailgating and a whole lot more.
1. Bird-Electron portable speaker ($90); plug your iPod in and kick your feet up.
2. Built NY six pack tote ($23); this guy will keep your brews cold for four hours and will fold up when you're done--unlike a cooler.
3. Patagonia Tech Web belt ($25); there's a bottle opener on the buckle, 'nuff said.

About a year ago I wrote a post tracking the gun trend in design called When design gets deadly. I recently noticed a new addition to that trend with London-based Martin Postler's paper AK-47 kit ($42) from A+R. The idea is to "take away its original functional intent by rendering this death machine in paper, and the focus shifts to the power of form, and all that’s implied with it." Expert crafters over 18 only!

I've been eying this book as a potential gift for my Dad for a really long time, but it had only been released in a limited edition of 1000 (read: the price tag was $700). Now this superb collection of 1960s and 1970s baseball images via the lens of legendary sports photographer Neil Leifer is available in an unlimited edition (read: the price tag is $40). I've flipped through the pages of this tome in the Tachen store in New York, and it is really great, baseball fan or not.

Brooklyn artist Wayne Payte has been revered across design blogs for the past few years for not only his retro-modern print designs, but also because they are so affordable. Here are a few new prints from his website, Good Shape Design. Above: DNA 18" x 24" silkscreen print ($30). Below: Fleurs de Mouille 16" x 20" silkscreen print ($30).

I never thought I could get excited by something like utility tape, but Mike Perry changed that with his illustrated two-tone patterned tape ($8). Might come in handy when wrapping a large present or as a no-nails picture hanging device. Possibilities are endless—it's tape.

With the geo-political situation on the Russian-Georgian border, I thought it would be appropriate to blog about A Peace Treaty, a fashion collection aimed at creating ethically-produced, artisan-level goods for the luxury market. The company was started by Faraf Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Lybian Jew—both with a love for high fashion and the common goal of increasing awareness of ancient, disappearing crafting traditions. I think their handkerchief scarves and pocket squares are really great and am actually looking forward to Fall now. Above: MUSHRI Handkerchief Scarf ($109). Below: JHATPAT Handkerchief Scarf ($78); KASUR Pocket Square ($26). Check out the whole collection and local dealers right here, I think this label is bound to take off.

I found 20x200 through the blog A Cup of Jo and I think it's the best affordable art resource I've stumbled across in a long time. They introduce two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. Each image is available in three sizes. The smallest size is reprinted in the largest batch—an edition of 200—and sold at the lowest price ($20). Hence the name 20x200. Bigger prints are available for bolder collectors—medium-sized editions of 20 for $200, and large-sized editions of 2 generally for $2000. In other words: large editions + low prices × the internet = art for everyone! Check it out right here.

If you had a store but could only sell three items, what would they be? Swedish designer Erik Schedin used this concept to create his online store where he only sells: White on White sneakers ($239), Grey plastic/metal spectacles ($160), and Pledge furniture wax ($12).

I checked out some of my favorite online shops and rounded up what was great and on-sale, and I'm not talking 10%, most of this stuff is in the half-off range.



Top to bottom: Python ballet flats (were $295, now $95); Cutwork pillow by Christiane Celle (was $55, now $19); W/O tortoise sunglasses (was $84, now $19); Raffa napkin rings (was $80 each, now $32); W/O plaid flannel (was $46, now $19); Eva Solo table grill (was $300, now $250); Moroccan Sequins Pillow (was $655, now $266); Clouded tumblers (were $6 each, now $3.95); large toiletry bag (was $45, now $27); Diagonal Ombre Scarf (was $150, now $60); Hee bar stool (was $200, now $98); Ralph Lauren stripe tie (was $115, now $39); Vacavaliente Piggy Bank (was $95, now $24); Tangier Sun Dinner Plate (was $12 each, now $6).

I still feel like I'm recovering from a whirlwind weekend of my brother's engagement party, a Cubs game, a few hikes and lot's of family time. In keeping with the engagement theme I thought I'd feature Brooklyn-based designer Kiel Mead who's become known for the above "Forget Me Not" ring ($200 for 14k gold, $50 for sterling silver) made from a master mold crafted from an actual tied piece of string.

Superdeluxe NYC is known for their custom stationary, but I'm also liking the monogram collection from their collection store. Clockwise from top left: 6" square glass plate ($136); paperweight ($65); Letterpress Coasters ($26 for set of 12 of one pattern); 6" x 10" glass plate ($156); Glass pen cup ($125). Click here to shop!

I think these prints of graphic designer Mareike Auer's acrylic paintings are great. Whimsical, simple, great composition. Available in 4 different sizes: 4"x4" ($20) , 8"x8" ($44), 12"x12" ($80) or 20"x20" ($150) right here.