This little device looks slightly insane, but perhaps that's appropriate considering the amount of other devices and peripherals we have to attach to our computers/ipods/bodies/lives.

Famed designer Ora-Ito designed this hub to work with Mac or PC. Its globe shape, glossy white polycarbonate finish, and flexible cables give it a distinctive, out-of-this-world look. This new model simplifies the formula, ditching the firewire ports, fan and light to provide you with seven USB ports. Each port is linked to a colorful LED that illuminates through the casing when plugged in. The Hub is also great for charging your iPod, camera, cell phone and other devices that charge from a USB port. Bundled with 8 flexible cables, an external power supply, a USB extension cable, and a flower petals kit, the LaCie USB 2.0 Hub comes fully equipped for making all of your connections.

[posted by kris]

Pencil holder with the illusion of a floating ring created as a tribute to Kuramata.

[posted by kris]

Smart.

"Here is a clever little waste catcher. It comes flat packed and you can even reuse the package it comes in as a garbage bag! Instead of throwing the bag away when full, just dump it in the recycle bin. If you have food waste you can use those plastic bags with handles. It's a great can for the office or bedroom."

measures 19"x14"

[posted by katie]

For those files close at hand, here's an edgier option for keeping them organized.

"The XX from Magis is a stackable file holder. Available in blue or white with anodized aluminum connection tubes. Designed by Jasper Morrison 1998."

14.8" x 11.7" x 10.3"

[posted by katie]

Why, oh why are there still devices that are not Mac compatible?

"Inspired by the number pad on a keyboard, this calculator has all the standard features and can easily be connected to a laptop or PC via USB cable connection to add number-pad functionality. It can also be used independently. Not MAC compatible. One LR1130 battery included."

1h x 5.5w x 3.25"d

[posted by katie]

Look at these- anywhere a magnet sticks can be immediately transformed into a surface covered with leaves(!).

"Wouldn't it be nice to add a little more green in your house without all the fuss of watering. Each of these leaf shaped magnets is made of soft plastic. Imagine the impact you could create on appliances, file cabinets....Sold separately."

[posted by katie]

Take a look at these fancy wastebaskets ('fancy' meaning ornamental). And, look, they're affordable, unlike other designer items that jack up the price just because they can.

"simply shaped, affordable, and stylish waste baskets from umbra made out of degradable virgin polypropylene with a printed graphic exterior."

Design: Joshua Davis/David Quan shown left to right: red, ocean blue, kiwi

14"h x 10"dia. (3 gallon capacity)

[posted by katie]

This is a pretty smart way to keep your ideas together- the back side of one notebook slips into the front pocket of another...providing a way to link up several notebooks in one.

"160 lined pages that open flat. Inside pages are green seal certified and contain 30% recycled post-consumer fiber. Cover is stain resistant, waterproof, tear-resistant, 100% recyclable synthetic paper, easy to wipe clean. Patent pending front cover pocket linking system. One interior pocket. Size 5 x 7" Available in blue, grey, white, pink, manila, and green."

5" x 7"

[posted by katie]

Back in December Kris posted the Metaphys Desk items and they're now available in the U.S./Canada. (Plus, there's a few more pictures to show the storage capacities.)

'Create a modern landscape on your desk with the wittily designed Stationary Desk Tray series. Each model, inspired by a natural feature, performs its job according to its composition: the "Soto" (forest) holds your elastic bands, the "Volca" (volcano) dispenses your paper clips, and the "Lago" (lake) is the perfect, water-filled stamp moistener. Arranged together, their visual and tactile appeal is extremely powerful... which can, ironically, make doing actual work a bit more difficult!'

Soto, $39.00: 4.75"W x 4.75"L x 2.25"H
Volca, $39.00: 4.75"W x 4.75"L x 1.5"H
Lago, $39.00: 4.75"W x 4.75"L x 1"H
Set of 3 (one of each), $99.00

[posted by katie]

A new version (pixel) of this 2" wide message tape rounds out the collection nicely.

If you haven't seen it before, the idea here is you mark out the white areas with a Sharpie to create a custom message.

[posted by kris]