Postcards from Penguin -- $ 30.00| Buy it here

Do you know how Penguin books got started? Well, here you go*.

A shortened version for those of you too lazy to click on the link:

A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a different and iconic Penguin book jacket. From classics to crime, here are over seventy years of quintessentially British design in one box. In 1935 Allen Lane stood on a platform at Exeter railway station, looking for a good book for the journey to London. His disappointment at the poor range of paperbacks on offer led him to found Penguin Books. The quality paperback had arrived. Declaring that ‘good design is no more expensive than bad’, Lane was adamant that his Penguin paperbacks should cost no more than a packet of cigarettes, but that they should always look distinctive.

Also available here for £14.99.

[posted by katie on February 5, 2010 at 8:14 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

AO OR Organizer by Nooka -- $ 35.00| Buy it here

The vivid colors and simple form definitely attracted me to this product initially. I have a feeling that silicone may not be an ideal material for a wallet cause of its inherit “stickyness”, and wouldn’t be suited well to be constantly taken in and out of pockets, but it should be able to handle anything else you can throw at it. I’m thinking iPod or passport case.

The Nooka Asset Organizer (AO) is a system of containers that can be adapted to their needs of the user – whether it is for cards, cash, licenses, or photos. They are made from a soft silicone rubber-like substance that is comfortable to sit on, expandable, and water resistant.

Size Open: 199mm x 66mm
Closed: 96mm x 66mm

[posted by Simon on February 5, 2010 at 6:15 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Singgih Kartono Compass -- $ 24.00| Buy it here

There’s a lot to like about this compass. It’s made with sustainable wood and fair trade labor, beautiful, and quite inexpensive. We’ve previously written about his incredible Wooden Radio before, which uses similar materials and socially responsible labor.

Hand-crafted in an Indonesian farming village, the Singgih Kartono compass follows the best sustainable practices in terms of materials and production. Kartono’s use of T-shape joints insures strength and adds a beautiful design detail.

Designer: Singgih Kartono
Materials: Naturally harvested mahogany and sonokeling wood
Dimensions: 1” W x 2” H x 2IA” D

[posted by Simon on February 4, 2010 at 6:15 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Fabriano Artist’s Journal -- $ 30.00| Buy it here

Does this slightly crinkled journal elicit any cravings to pick up a pencil and draw? Or perhaps writing down your daily thoughts is more your style? Either way the colorful pages might tempt you to spend a bit more time with a pen or pencil rather than your keyboard.

A product from the oldest paper mill in the western world, the Artist’s Journal is ideal for ink, pencil charcoal or pastels. It is made of 12 elegant colours of Fabriano Ingres 90g paper. The journals come in two sizes and contain 192 plain sheets.

12×16 cm, $30.00
16×21 cm, $38.00

Also check out Amazon for other colors (and prices).

[posted by katie on February 3, 2010 at 6:31 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

KimKim Papr Hand Bag -- $ 399.00| Buy it here

KimKim’s leather ‘paper’ bag joins the club of look-a-likes (see MyPaperBag) as well as offering a few smaller sized options.

By staying close to the original designs, inspiration, and basic construction methods, we pay homage to the honesty in ordinary products. At first glance, the identical proportions and symmetry more than elude to everyday products. The result is not homespun or designer kitsch, but a discerning elegance that is modest, yet exceptional. Our products are not used for praise or display, but adheres to a certain virtuosity which contemporary fashion lacks. Accordingly, our products transcend the elements of fashion by outclassing the test of facetious trends.

(thanks john for the email)

[posted by katie on February 2, 2010 at 12:19 pm. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Teflon Scissors -- $ 37.00| Buy it here

If you happen to cut a lot of tape and will benefit from a pair of non-stick, teflon-coated scissors, this product has got your name on it. It not, then at least enjoy the fact that you will have the coolest looking scissors in your office. Available in Yellow, Red, and Black.

Designer: Hayashi Cutlery, 2002

Materials: Teflon coated Stainless Steel, Rubber

[posted by Simon on February 2, 2010 at 5:43 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Bilbao C Tote -- $ 190.00| Buy it here

Warning for fans of Issey Miyake: this latest addition to the Bilbao series might make your heart all aflutter.

The latest addition to the Bilbao series, this bag has a triangular pattern printed in high-density ink on a cotton canvas base, creating a casual, durable, and versatile bag. One interior pocket. Made of cotton and nylon. Hand-wash only.

Size: 14.25″sq; Strap: 16.5l x 1.25″w

[posted by katie on February 1, 2010 at 11:16 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Cell Phone Telephoto Lens -- $ 30.00| Buy it here | [via]

Hmm. Sometimes I wish my phone would take better pictures, but as to whether I would go to the trouble to carry this around and put it on when I want to take (better) pictures, I just don’t know. I’m curious as to how well it would work.

Simply and easily top the camera on your cell phone, iPhone or any other smart phone with this external lens, sure to upgrade your phone’s camera to create high-quality photos. Coated optical lens for magnifying objects up to 8 times; clear focus; adjustable clamp for fitting most phones.

Adjusts from approx 1.5″w to 2.75″w.

[posted by katie on February 1, 2010 at 9:27 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link

Billykirk Passport Wallet and Card Case -- $ 85.00| Buy it here

Brothers Chris and Kirk Bray create handmade leathergoods under the name Billykirk, a company they started ten years ago by making watchbands. They have since flourished into other offerings that consists of bags, belts, shoes, wallets, hats and other accessories. There’s a whole lot to like out of their collection but I’ve got to pick out the Card Case and Passport Wallet as my two favorites.

Card Case: 3×4 inches.  $85.00
Passport Case: 4 x 5.75 inches. $120.00

Bonus! Check out this great video for a more in-depth look at Billykirk.

[posted by Simon on February 1, 2010 at 5:39 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• 1 Comment
• Report broken link

USB Rechargeable LED Light -- $ 28.00| Buy it here

Desk lamp or book light, this rechargeable LED light sounds like a handy thing to have around.

This versatile mobile light can be clipped onto a book, or used as a desk lamp when inserted into its charging dock. Simply swivel the dock and pivot the head to direct light exactly where it’s needed. Charge through any USB port with the included USB connector.

Size: Assembled: 11h x 4.5″ base diam.

[posted by katie on January 29, 2010 at 7:25 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

• Share
• Leave a Comment
• Report broken link