Seeing that Father's Day is next weekend, this might be an excellent option for showing your appreciation.

A Picnic Trunk that raises the bar (or table) when it comes to outdoor dining. With a well-planned interior that keeps everything organized, and an extendable table on which to serve your feast, this Trunk will have you on your way to an adventure in no time. It’s made from durable canvas and comes with a hefty polyester carrying strap for easy transport. The trunk comes with two wine glasses, two melamine plates, cutlery, a corkscrew, two cotton napkins and salt and pepper shakers.

[posted by katie]

Usually we try very hard not to post something until it's actually available, but in this case it can't be helped. I'll try and update the post as soon as it's up on a retailer's site.

"The Baja BBQ Firepack is charcoal packaging that lights instantly and burns away in the grille, making the barbeque experience simple, clean and chemical free. Made from 100% recycled biodegradable paper pulp, the package contains 2 lbs of natural lump charcoal and features an integrated chimney that creates perfect hot coals in 15-20 minutes without the aid of chemicals or lighter fluid. Available at gourmet supermarkets."

eco-friendly instant charcoal packaging designed by Mike and Maaike for Design Annex/ Lazzari

[posted by katie]

These have a higher price tag than what I was expecting, but they are rather large, so it's somewhat forgivable.

Small Planter: H15.5x W16.5 x D10
Large Planter: H24 x W24.2 x D13.5

[posted by katie]

Everyone can afford to provide shelter for the birds at this price.

"It's like prefab modern for birds! Ships to you flat packed in a paper envelope. Follow a few simple steps, you've created a sweet eco shack for your outdoor feathered friends. Made of water repellent cardboard, this foldable birdhouse measures a roomy 10" tall. The hole size will accommodate many different varieties. There's even a happy perch included. Environmentally friendly, your birds will thank you!"

[posted by katie]

While this choice of brick might be an extremely expensive way to pave your garden walkway/patio, they might grab you as worthwhile for nostalgia's sake.

(*I do feel the need to warn you about the rather unaesthetic site: sorry to whoever made it, but it's not very pretty.)

10 € ($15.45)
Shipping outside of the E.U. is: 22,80 € ($35.23)
Shipping in the E.U. is: 13,80 € ($21.32)


[posted by katie]

Check it out: this portable grill simply folds up so it's easy to carry around. Everyone will think you're the coolest when you bring this to a picnic or backyard BBQ.

'Yes, this is one grill that is pretty amazing. A super-slim, portable charcoal grill that lives up to its boast as a “notebook.” And a superstylish one at that! It’s lightweight, too, weighing in at slightly over 8 lbs—seriously!--and the cut-out handles make it a cinch to carry. There’s a 192-square-inch cooking surface on a stainless steel grate, and the stainless steel black surface has a waterproof finish. All in all it comes in at 18”x14”x12.”'

[posted by katie]

I love, love, love this bird house (and its price).

"Classic design lets the form serve our winged pals!"

Black only.

[posted by katie]

Such a perfect modern home for our feathered friends...

"Designers Gavin Christman and Kate Knapp created the Bird House as a response to the disappearing habitats of small North American birds. Its understated spherical design and small entry hole make it impervious to the advances of squirrels and other predators, and it's sized to offer a safe nesting spot for blue tits, coal tits and marsh tits. The Bird House comes in recyclable packaging and includes stainless steel brackets and all the necessary hardware." Diameter 7"

Wall Mounted Bird House (on left): "Made from all-natural, unfinished clay, the Wall Mounted Bird House (2003) attaches easily to walls, sheds or fences, making an attractive, but not ostentatious, home for garden birds."
$95.00, Buy it here.

Terracotta Bird House: "Made from all-natural clay, the Terracotta Bird House (2003) is an attractive, but not ostentatious, home for garden birds...The Bird House comes in recyclable packaging and includes a steel wire for hanging and a plastic protector to prevent tree damage."
$95.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Here are some various (smaller) items worth a post...(especially the planter- I love the way it looks more like a sculpture than a plant stake). The baskets could be perfect for gardening supplies or a catch-all for newspapers and magazines, and while a regular shoe box might be okay for storing shoe cleaning supplies, the Cleaning Shoes box seems to store those same supplies while adding a little more specialness to the ritual.

My Beautiful Garden: $72.00, Buy it here.
"My Beautiful Garden, designed by Arik Levy, each ceramic pot includes a shapely stake to help the baby plant grow." Materials: ceramic and solid wood. W4.75 x D4.75 x H5 in.

Wire Log Basket:$175.00, Buy it here.
"Simple and sturdy, a straightforward log basket devoid of rustic overtones." Materials: Iron, W24 x D17 x H19 in.

Cleaning Shoes Box:$99.00, Buy it here.
"Keep your favorite shoes in top form with regular cleaning and polishing. This simple shoes box by Donata Paruccini allows you to store your polish, brush and cloth required to keep your favorite footwear looking sharp and lasting long." Materials: beech wood, nylon brush, W8.25 x D4.75 x H4 in.

Spirograph Log Basket:$95.00, Buy it here.
"Inspired by shapes created using the popular '60s toy, this hand-crafted wire log basket, which is deceptively strong, is exclusive to The Conran Shop." Materials: Iron, W23 x D23 x H17 in.

[posted by katie]

If you have a lawn, read this:

"The EPA estimates that of the 800 million gallons of gas used to fuel lawn mowers in the U.S. every year, about 17 million gallons are spilled, which can contaminate ground water. However, your "it's bad for the environment" excuse for not mowing the lawn is about to end. The Neuton Battery-Powered Mower (2007) is a smart alternative to loud, gas-guzzling machines that are difficult to start. It runs on a rechargeable battery, and in place of a pull-cord, this mower starts by turning a safety knob and squeezing the handlebar. When the handlebar is released, the blade stops spinning. The Neuton Mower produces no CO2 emissions, and the 24-volt battery gives you enough juice to mow for 45 to 60 minutes, or approximately a third of an acre per charge. Included with the Mower are a Mulching Plug, Bagger, Side Discharge Chute, Battery and Battery Charger, Safety Key and two wrenches. There are no spark plugs or air filters to replace, and the Neuton never needs a tune up. The cutting height is adjustable, and if you're still looking for an excuse for not mowing the lawn, here you go: Longer grass tends to have a deeper root system, and needs less water than shorter grass."

[posted by kris]