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Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

Impossible I-1 Analog Instant Camera

Remember the Impossible Project’s I-1 Analog Instant Camera, the camera system that uses the original Polaroid® format from way back when? It may be a gift consideration for those that have been extremely nice. It comes with an accompanying I-1 App, which lets you control aperture and shutter speed. Autofocus and ring flash (eight LED’s plus it counts how many photos are left on the film) makes anyone’s photo skills shine, and there will be an actual instant photo to show off, give away, or frame. Oh, and, of course, images can be uploaded to social channels via the app as well. Hip, hip, hooray!
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Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00
Available from: Impossible

Stuart & Lau Portfolio Case

Another laptop sleeve? You may be sort of sick of seeing leather sleeves, but I can’t help but point out how sophisticated an attache can be compared to a ragged-y old backpack or beat-up bag. It fits 13″ devices, and each one is handcrafted in New York City. Perhaps it could be a nice gift for someone who likes nice things?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $188.00
Available from: Spring

Duo Coffee Steeper

More coffee paraphernalia for your consideration… The Duo Coffee Steeper features two chambers to produce the the richness of immersion brewing but with a cleaner taste. Your hot water and coffee steeps in the upper chamber, then once your brew reaches the right strength, you twist the silicone center to let it flow through 2 stainless steel filters into the lower carafe. Twist it again and you’ve locked the chamber for pouring from the spout. Pretty easy, and relatively compact- it may even be a good option to bring with you on your travels, if you’re picky about your coffee.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $99.00
Available from: Seattle Coffee Gear

UE Roll 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

There’s soooo many bluetooth speakers out there, how do you choose just one? Well, the UE Roll 2 gets great reviews, so sit up and pay attention. It’s got a bungee cord attachment, so you can strap it to anything. It’s waterproof, so hang it in the shower or take it to the beach. And, it’s light; in fact, it’s lighter than a can of soda. The range is pretty good too, as you’ve got about 100 ft. before you start losing the signal. Rest easy knowing you’ll have around 9 hours of rechargeable battery life while you’re out on your adventures. Pretty good, eh?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $99.99
Available from: Amazon

EM77 Vacuum Jug

Lukewarm coffee is just not acceptable, and this EM77 Vacuum Jug will ensure hot coffee stays hot. When tipped, the rocker stopper automatically opens to let coffee flow out- this limits the amount air entering the jug, thus preventing your coffee from cooling prematurely. You can use the EM77 Vacuum Jug to keep beverages cold as well, so don’t put it in the back of the cupboard when spring comes around. Now on sale.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $119.20
Available from: Lumens

Clutchette Power Charging Pouch

Until our mobile devices figure out a way to charge themselves, you may want to arm yourself with this clutch*. It packs a full punch of a battery charge. That’s not necessarily a new thing- there are other clutches and bags that have battery packs- but this one is discreet enough to work with most wardrobes (very important) and it’s made of vegan leather (very important to vegans). That may just make it a perfect gift for someone that’s always glued to their phone, yet somehow constantly complaining of a low battery.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $49.99
Available from: Fab

blink blink Wearable Tech Kits

So, for the crafty amongst us, there are these fun little kits by blinkblink to keep our brain from turning to mush. Why not make an awfully tacky-yet-fun holiday sweater? Or a blinking greeting card or how about a scarf that actually sparkles? Maybe just add fairy lights to everything for a full-on festive atmosphere. And do I really need to point out that these could be excellent gifts for other crafters?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $59.00
Available from: Fab

Cast Iron Bar Set

If you know someone who drinks, chances are they’ll make use of this Cast Iron Bar Set. It’s just about as simple and robust as you can get when it comes to bar accessories, so snap a few sets up for those sturdy friends and family of yours that tend to enjoy a bottle of beer, wine, or whiskey. Best of all, it’s not too terribly expensive. Score!
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Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00
Available from: Kikkerland

Leather Tech Envelope

If you’ve got some loved ones on your gifts-to-give list that are extremely hard to shop for, you might want to choose something low key and useful like this tech envelope. The minimal exterior is elegant and restrained while the interior has room for an iPad Mini, cord and cable storage, cards, cash, passports, and travel documents. For an extra special touch, choose to monogram it with the recipient’s initials. Available in blush, navy, or tan.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $149.00
Available from: Mark & Graham

Mozartkugel Music Box

What do you get the person who has everything? A Mozartkugel Music Box, of course. Turn the key and Mozart’s ‘Voi Che Sapete’ from ‘Marriage of Figaro’ begins playing from inside the large, solid wooden ball. Magic? We wish. This wind-up music box is cleverly designed by Adam + Harborth of Siebensachen and is available in Light Beech, Dark Smoked Oak, special edition #01 Snowball, or special edition #03 Golden Oak.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $120.00 - 170.00
Available from: Ode to Things

Wilson Keyring, Carbon Black

Would you like a minimal keyring with a nitrocarburized coating? I know I would, especially when it costs $10. You may have already seen the brass version (or the (more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $10.00
Available from: Craighill

Haze Vitrine

If you are disorganized, and tend to stuff any available storage cabinet with everything in haphazard way, then just ignore the Haze Vitrine. If you are organized, and tend to neatly stack and arrange items, then this Vitrine was made for you. Textural armored glass hazily hides the details of what’s stored inside, while sleek powder coated metal gives an industrial edge. Think of it for a storage space for dinnerware in the dining room or for towels and beauty essentials in the bathroom.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $1,599.00
Available from: Horne

Grain Plank Tray

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United States, so you still have a tiny bit of time to round out your dishes and trays before your family descends. Take a look at Grain’s Plank Tray- it’s made from sustainably sourced ash in the Pacific Northwest and would look wonderful as a centerpiece, with or without food and drinks.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $185.00
Available from: Grain Design

Friday Links

Sparkr: Fire & Light in One

– Watch this Futuristic Vat of Water Paint a Cat

SafariSeat: Open source wheelchair for developing countries.

The Japanese Museum of Rocks That Look Like Faces

– Here’s a someone writing his thesis on the Danish brand MUUTO, so, if you’d like to help him out, here’s the survey.

– Cute: Mondrian Wallet

– Architectural curves: Villa Q

Know Yourself Prompt Cards

– Also cute: Plant Talkers Plant Labels

Enjoy your weekend!

Keytags by Various Projects

Know a blogger, a bon vivant, or a bad ass? What about a fashion editor, a freeloader, or a philanderer? Maybe one of those people needs a keychain with their stand-out attribute written for all to see, or maybe you need a bunch to label your keys and/or yourself. Give some as gifts, give one to yourself, go crazy. See the whole collection at Various Projects.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Available from: Various Projects