bltd

Manhattan-based photographer Joanne Dugan compiled these urban typographic images originally as a teaching game for her two-year-old son. And, as they’re so striking, why not make them into a coaster set for all to enjoy? Many of the signs and landmarks are now demolished, so tip of the hat to Ms. Dugan for creating such a great archive of New York City’s visual history.
(more…)

If you’re planning any adventures this summer- day trips or longer camping journeys- having the right tools is necessary for enjoyment and, in some cases, survival. You’ll have to eat no matter where you go, so make sure you have appropriate utensils for nourishment. This set of spoon, fork, and knife with bottle opener is lightweight and travel-sized, making it perfect for any journey.
(more…)

Shoot for the moon (!) especially when you have hot pots or serving dishes. I’d be tempted to leave this out on the table all the time, because, well, it’s the moon. Designed by Elisabeth Dunker for Fine Little Day. Made from HDF-material and moisture-resistant.
(more…)

The joys of the summer wedding season, where your friends and family get together to celebrate the official union of two people in love… are you rolling your eyes yet? Or squirming uncomfortably because there’s a wedding coming up shortly and you’ve no idea what to get the happy couple?

Never fear, for the wine box is here. Buy the box, fill it with a few bottles of nice wine (make sure the ten year one will actually taste good in ten years) and call it a day. Bam! Guess who just gave a really thoughtful gift? That’s right, you did. You can also customize a message on the inside of the box to further emphasize your awesomeness.
(more…)

Another tea strainer. Aren’t you excited? I know how important it is to you, that perfect (elusive?) cup of tea, and Kinto has yet another option to consider. This stick-shaped tea strainer has a slidable side that allows you to scoop tea leaves directly without the use of a spoon. Slide the side back down to cover, and then place in your cup with hot water. The slidable part is easy to remove completely for cleaning.
(more…)

Messy eaters, rejoice, for OYOY has some nicely patterned silicone placemats to protect your tabletop from yourself (and/or kids) and guests who tend to spill and splatter. And, with four different options, you might just be tempted to get several patterns and mix them all up, for the patterns are made of varying sizes of lovely graphic triangle print: light grey with white triangles, rose silicone with black/grey triangles, grey/black silicone with a cool grey star print, or oceanblue with a graphic cool grey star print.
(more…)

Coffee for one, coming right up. This all-in-one drip coffee maker and mug has all you need to brew a fresh cup, other than coffee and water, of course. A stainless steel filter (wash and reuse) rests on top of a double walled mug, and a nesting lid that fits both- to catch drips or keep your coffee warm. There’s also an option to add the Pot set (+$5).
(more…)

Another tea strainer? Yes, but this one has a mug and lid, so you have a single-serve service all in one. The glass is heat-resistant, as it should be, and the strainer and lid are in copolyester. The strainer is large enough to hold a generous amount of loose leaf tea and looks easy to clean as well. If pink ( or, as they call it, wine red) isn’t your thing, not to worry, as there is also gray, yellow, and navy.
(more…)

There has been a few interesting trivets lately, which is weird considering that trivets aren’t usually paired with that particular adjective, or even talked about outside of specialized kitchen shops. This Troika trivet has embedded rare earth magnets that allow for size variation to fit small or large dishes. Push/pull/snap/slide the Troika to the desired width and know that your tabletop or counter will be safe from hot kettles or serving platters. When not in use, the three identical arms nestle together to fit in a drawer for storage.
(more…)

Finally, a wine glass that won’t shatter when one throws it against a wall for emphasis. There’s also a Martini set, if that’s your choice of drink. We can all thank the wondrous material silicone for helping us to avoid those annoying glass shards at home, the park, or the beach. Now all we need is a bottle-sized version to decant the wine (with an adequate stopper) and the full set would be a permanent fixture in the picnic basket.
(more…)

If you hadn’t seen the title, you could have used your deductive reasoning to figure out what function this little sphere fulfills. There are the small perforations at the bottom, a little handle/ring at the top, and the appropriately sized saucer. For anyone who’s ever handled loose leaf tea, it’s enough to sit up and take notice, as this strainer looks to be very easy to use and then clean once the tea has brewed.
(more…)

Who knew a trivet was something to get excited about? It looks, dare I say it, slightly magical in the way it changes shape. The Quad is made from 16 wooden cubes connected by a heat-resistant silicone strip (not magnets, as I had originally assumed). Do take a look at the video below to see it in action, and then figure out if you think $40 is worth backing the project.

(more…)

Oh, how to protect that valuable bottle of wine whilst trekking across town or perhaps even continent, as the case may be? No paper bag will do, that’s for certain. The folds of this Origami Wine Tote insulate and protect a bottle during travel and then compress down for storage. The neoprene material further softens any possible blows and adds to the bag’s appeal.
(more…)

This kettle still wins top prize for its attributes, despite its exclusive price tag. It cooks on all heat sources- even on an induction range. There’s no cables or lime scale on heating coils, and when it needs a wash, just throw it in the dishwasher. The handle stays cool as well, so no worries about burning your fingers or hands. All that and it’s certainly easy on the eyes; if it fits your budget, it’s a no brainer.
(more…)

From the plate to you, “I love the way you look at me, and the way you use your knife. I love the way you eat your food, you give meaning to my life.” If you’re lacking handwritten sentiments, one quick fix would be to pick up a pen and send a nice note to someone in hopes they’d write you back. The other would be to eat off these Poetry Plates and pretend they have feelings. Each plate can be customized with a special message on the back.
(more…)