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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)

 
 

Temporary Tattoos

Temporary tattoos are the perfect thing for anyone adverse to a lifetime commitment. Running across this one (shown above) reminded me how much I like tattoos of text. I’ll never get an actual tattoo, as I would not be able to settle upon just one phrase (plus I’m scaredy cat when it comes to needles), but temporary tattoos? Sure, let’s get some and plaster them all over our bodies. Could be fun to give as a gift, don’t you think?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $5.00
Available from: Litograph

OYOBox Eyewear Organizer

I know, I know, organizing your eyewear is not at the top of your list. However, if you have more than three pairs of good glasses/sunglasses, chances are that you often fumble around with cases and worry about scratches. So, maybe you need an OYOBox; it’s a box just for your eyewear. A glass lid keeps dust out while a leatherette interior has one centered ridge to keep glasses upright and aligned. I’ve seen a sample in person and I’m impressed. And, yes, you guessed it, the boxes aren’t cheap, but your glasses aren’t either, so why not keep them safe in a nice, lacquered box? Maybe put the small one on your holiday wish list?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $135.00 - 350.00
Available from: Neiman Marcus

The Weather Station

You need a smartphone to check the weather? Pfft. You wouldn’t if you had this Weather Station affixed outside within view of the kitchen sink. Best Made Co. has joined forces with a manufacturer in Germany to bring you a weather station that does things the old fashioned way. A thermometer and a hygrometer simultaneously read heat and humidity; when both needles cross in the hatched section of the gauge, you’ll know it’ll be a pleasant day. Those city folk can have their phones- you’ll rely on something that’ll never need a power cord, thank you very much.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $178.00
Available from: Best Made Co.

Maple Wood Utensil Set

Did you know that the closed grain of maple wood will not absorb any flavors or bacteria? That makes it an excellent material for cooking utensils in the kitchen, and looky here, here’s a set that includes a spatula, spoon, straining spoon, and tongs- what more do you need? Each piece in this set is hand carved from a block of locally-sourced wood in an Indiana workshop.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $49.00
Available from: Kaufmann Mercantile

Halflight Leather Valet Tray

If a certain someone you know doesn’t have a tray or container to catch all the paraphernalia in their pockets, then you know exactly what to get them as a present this year: a valet tray. This leather one is available in natural or black, and is sized appropriately to fit anywhere- on a desk, dresser, console, or nightstand.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $85.00
Available from: TRNK

Japanese Daily Calendar

Here, look, yet another perfectly decent calendar, and this time you might learn a little Japanese. What do you see on each page? The current date, of course, a full calendar of the current and previous month, weather predictions, and astrological symbols. You also get a reference key to interpret other details (moon phases and other numbers).
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Purchase Information:

Price: $38.00
Available from: Best Made Co.

Friday Links

Just one link today, as we’re all still adjusting to the news this week. So, in case you need it:

– Listen to this song if you need to reduce anxiety by up to 65 percent (via swissmiss)

Enjoy your great weekend!

Octahedron Coffee Table

We’ve featured the Octahedron Side Table and the Double Octahedron Ring Planter from Eric Trine, so do you think we’d pass on the Octahedron Coffee Table? No way, no how. Measuring 36″ in diameter and 14″ tall, it’s a great size for a sitting area. Just add a lounge chair or two and a small sofa and you’re set. As a bonus, the table is powder coated, so it could easily live outdoors as well. It’s also significantly less expensive than it was last year.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00
Available from: TRNK

Pour-Over Stand

Will you look like a mad scientist when brewing your coffee with this Pour-over Stand? I certainly hope so, as the process is completely on show, and there will be plenty of opportunities to wiggle your eyebrows and laugh maniacally when the coffee is ready for serving. The lab style brass stand holds a Hario V60 glass pour over (included) that adjusts for mugs or decanters. An American walnut base contrasts nicely.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $179.00
Available from: Food 52

Bandit Titanium Keychain Knife

See this tiny, very adorable pocket knife? It kicks ass, because it’s the size of a standard house key when folded. That means you won’t look like a lumberjack carrying it around (not that there’s anything wrong with looking like a lumberjack); it’s small enough to unobtrusively fit in your jean’s coin pocket or attach to your keychain (or even a zipper!). So handy.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $39.95
Available from: quiet carry

AYTM Circle Trays

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like our country is in pieces today. I’ll avoid any more political commentary, except to say let’s hope to move forward together and heal this huge divide. So, look at these Half Circle and Quarter Circle trays by AYTM. Aren’t they cool? Aren’t they great? They’re food-safe, but would work equally well for desk items. Aubergine, brass, and black combine for a stronger statement, or you can keep them divided for smaller needs and wants; it’s up to you.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $41.00 - 52.00
Available from: WallpaperSTORE*

S’well Bottle

Here’s another option for your water needs. The S’well Bottle is suitable for hot and cold beverages, features a double-walled stainless steel design, has a wide mouth (for ice cubes), and comes in so many great colors it will make your head spin. Blue Suede, White Gold (shown above), Pink Diamond, and so many more… take a look and you’re sure to find just the right one.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $35.00 - 45.00
Available from: Need Supply

POSTALCO One Year Wall Calendar 2017

It looks like featuring POSTALCO’s Wall Calendar will be a tradition, as we’ve featured it the last three years. What’s so special? Well, you’ll see the whole year, all at once, with this wall calendar. There’s just enough room to note important dates and block out your planned vacations- very, very important- so that your whole team/family cannot claim to be surprised when those dates roll around. Might as well get ahead of things now so 2017 starts out on the right foot, right?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $13.00
Available from: Need Supply

Mara Marble Serving Collection

Can we all just pretend that there’s only Thanksgiving to think about, and ignore the other holiday mail that’s in our inbox? After all, the annual tradition of giving thanks is just a couple of weeks away, so it’s the perfect time to take stock of your tabletop situation. Do you have enough serving pieces for your fabulous feast? If not, please do consider adding one or two (or all?) of the Mara Serving pieces, as they will be spectacular in contrast to your plates, bowls, and glassware.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $145.00+
Available from: Hawkins New York

High and Low Vases

Here’s a couple of lovely vases by Jaime Hayon that aren’t going to hurt your feelings by being too expensive. The hand blown glass vessels have bulbous ends that would otherwise topple over if not for the contrasting solid cedar rings they rest upon. This mix of grey glass and warm cedar give you receptacles that are sculptural enough to display on their own or fill with a bouquet of seasonal flowers.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $150.00 - 175.00
Available from: Suite NY