CH Gift Guide: Back At It
Eight items to help you ease into the daily grind after a beautifully carefree summer
Another summer has come and gone for those living north of the equator. In the States, Labor Day sadly signals the end of weekends at the beach, long lunches in the park, carefree bike rides and any other casual outdoor activity in which bare skin is almost the only rule one needs to abide by. To help embrace the daily routine that winter so unfairly lends us, we’ve pulled a few items from the Cool Hunting Gift Guide that fulfill that “back to school shopping” excitement for adults. With a little primp, polish and some new supplies, you’ll be back at it in no time.
Professional Style
Murray’s Original Pomade
The pomade of choice for music legend DJ Harvey when he’s going for a “Jewish gangster” hairstyle, Murray’s Original Pomade was developed in 1926 by Chicago barber C.D. Murray, who wanted to make a high-quality but inexpensive wax-like grooming aid. ($3)
Wood and Flower Soaps
Brooklyn floral and garden design firm Fox Fodder Farm may be city-based, but they’ve got their two signature outdoor scents—wood and flower—down pat. Organic soaps are hand-poured containing palm and olive oils, with walnut powder and white willow bark in the wood scent and rose and clover in the flower variety. ($12)
Fresh Supplies
Designer Mod
Designers—or, really, anyone who uses a variety of gadgets and doodads throughout the day—will live a life of stylish organization once the Mod by This is Ground lands in their hands. The handsome leather folio disguises a magnetic spine which allows for customization of pockets and straps to hold your erasers, rulers, notebooks or other essential tools. ($260)
Happy Food Notebooks
Pizza, ice cream and a convenient place to write your thoughts—the Happy Food Notebooks from Yellow Owl Workshop bring you all three. The pair of pocket-sized pads come emblazoned with artist Christine Schmidt’s characteristically whimsical renditions of a triple cone and a slice topped with the works. Inside are 32 perforated, 100% recycled pages. ($8)
Jazzy Workspace
Oon Power Outlet
Oon is a handsome take on the multi-outlet power cord. With a playful yet unobtrusive aesthetic, the functional cord replaces the unsightly standard orange color commonly found under desks and behind appliances. Designed and manufactured in the USA by emerging designer David Okum, the flexible power cord uses wood, metal, plastic and woven fibers for a cord you’ll actually want to show off. ($79)
Perpetual Calendar
Counting the days until your next well-deserved vacation is decidedly more fun with Fruitsuper Design’s Perpetual Calendar. The handcrafted solid maple structure is accented by porcelain time-keeping beads which indicate the month, day and date. Form and function happily meet in this elegant desktop accessory. ($120)
Lunchtime Tools
Glass Food Storage
Lifefactory’s BPA-, BPS- and phthalate-free glass food containers come in a variety of sizes, each with its own colorful silicone sleeve that uses button tabs to secure on the lid. They’re safe to use in the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher, making lunches and leftovers easier and more attractive than ever before. ($15+)
If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?
One of the most influential voices in contemporary literary history also happened to be pitch-perfect with advice. “If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?” compiles Kurt Vonnegut’s graduation speech wisdom in a collection of enduring missives capable of inspiration at any stage of life. ($17)
Images courtesy of respective brands
