To honor the Lunar New Year, celebrated Speyside brand The Macallan has crafted a new limited edition gift set that includes two bottles (perhaps one to gift and one to keep) of their Double Cask 12 Years Old single malt scotch whisky. This year’s gift box and label incorporate tradition knot imagery, in red and gold, as well as an illustration of the rat zodiac symbol.
Prominently featuring the Chinese Fú character (福) for good luck and good fortune, this limited edition Moleskine notebook features many nods to Chinese tradition. From the red and gold endpapers to the knot motif, as well as the two enclosed lucky red envelopes, Chinese culture is celebrated here, but beyond that, it’s up to the user as to what goes on the acid-free pages within—be it recipes or sketches, shopping lists, letters or dreams.
Made in Bolivia by a team of indigenous women, Oeuf’s plush rat toy is crafted from 100% baby alpaca yarn, with a poly blend inside. The yarn boasts a natural water-resistance and an ultra-soft touch, so it’s perfect for little ones. It’s also an eco-friendly alternative to cotton or synthetic fabrics. This woven toy is also fair trade, so the women who made it are paid living wages and are treated appropriately.
Designed in Brooklyn by Bien Mal, this super-soft, 100% cotton throw balances a bold statement with exquisite details. In contrasting white knit, “NO” is obviously spelled out. On the backside, NO remains, this time in black on a rainbow weave. The item is framed by multi-color fringing on the two longer sides, and black and white fringing on the others. Measuring 60 by 50 inches, this blanket is large and cozy, if a little brazen.
Featuring a variant of their beloved Always Pan, Our Place’s Year of the Rat Bundle nods to the Chinese New Year and the delicious meals made during the celebration. Included in this four-piece ensemble are the 10,000 Abilities 万能 Always Pan in red, a circular Fair Weather 好云 Platter, an elongated Tip the Scales 龙运 Platter, and a super-handy Eternal Strength 永力 Cleaver. Each was made in China, by local makers when possible. Whether you’re steaming dumplings in the pan’s accompanying bamboo tower or serving noodles on the circular platter, this set covers the bases and beyond.
Super-smooth and highlighted by a delicious full-bodied umami aftertaste, Ippodo’s New Year’s matcha is available for pre-order now and comes complete with 2020-centric rat-adorned label. Whether made as Usucha (light matcha) or Koicha (thick matcha), the flavor profile is mellow and drinkable—a celebratory treat for matcha experts and rookies alike.
With all proceeds going to Australian wildlife rescue organization WIRES, Noah’s new “Australia” long-sleeve shirt features an ’80s-esque cartoon of a koala—one of the many animals unique to the country that has suffered immense loss during the catastrophic and continuing bushfires. The shirt is available in white or yellow, and in sizes small to XXL, but the brand also encourages customers to donate directly to the organization.
Amy Hempel’s fifth collection of short fiction, Sing To It: New Stories, is the first in a decade from the beloved writer. Made up of vignettes, the book includes 15 stories that tackle themes including loneliness, truth and guilt. As ever, Hempel’s prose is somewhat minimal but concurrently undeniably rich.
Montreal-based Maurèle meticulously crafts notecards using more sustainable materials and manufacturing processes. Their paper is from North American mills that use recycled pulp and wind-generated electricity, and all inks used are environmentally friendly. The result is sophisticated and stylish, with many personalized options available. Our favorites are the Taliesin Notecards, which can be printed in 10+ different fonts, different colors and type sizes. Available in sets of eight or 24, each notecard comes with a matching envelope.
The latest iteration of Muse’s meditation-assisting technology, the Muse S multi-sensor headband offers real-time feedback on brain activity, body movement, heart rate and breathing as one meditates. Gone are the rubbery cushions of previous versions, replaced by comfortable plush fabric. This redesign takes into account users who’d like to meditate before sleep (or simply listen to soothing sounds), but all of the original value is here in the form of guided meditation and diagnostics on how you were feeling and when.
Each product in Frank Body’s Originals Kit is made from all-natural and paraben- and PEG-free ingredients like coffee, sea salt, raw sugar, cold-pressed essential oils, and ethically sourced beeswax. With the brand’s various scrubs—Original Coffee, Express-O Coffee (a no-mess version), Lip, and Face—the set is a great introduction to the Australian-owned brand. For the month of January, Frank is donating 100% of profits to three organizations: the NSW Rural Fire Service, Country Fire Authority and WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation, all of which are working tirelessly during the country’s bushfire catastrophe.
Made from raw and wild plant ingredients, these breu resin incense sticks last for 50 minutes each, but are effective enough to burn a little at a time. Available with different botanical options blended in, our favorite is Palo Santo. The combination offers healing, cleansing and protective qualities with a scent that invokes Southwest US vibes. They come in a set of nine.
With a built-in microphone and 40-second sample memory, Teenage Engineering pocket-sized micro-sampler provides hours upon hours of entertainment. Craft your own beats and tunes on this portable device, which offers simple instructions on the back. There are also plenty of helpful tutorials online too.
Handmade in Oaxaca from local beeswax and natural dyes, Aesa’s opulent bouquet candles all vary slightly. Each unique piece has been produced by a family that’s been crafting religious candles for three generations. The items measure approximately 12 inches tall before burning.
Composed around 12 recipes that define his career thus far, celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s memoir-cookbook hybrid, JGV: A Life in 12 Recipes, traces his steps from trainee to world-renowned restaurateur. Insightful, humorous and delightfully warm, the book—which includes personal photography and hand-drawn sketches—caters to fans of Vongerichten’s cuisine, and anyone curious about his imagination and Michelin-starred ascent.
Made by Susanne Kaufmann (from Austria’s Bregenz Forest), this rejuvenating hand peel is one of many energy-rich, all-natural potions from the extensive line of organic and sustainable products. Gently massage the serum onto hands and wait until the particles dissolve, then simply rinse in lukewarm water. Exfoliation, a boost in skin metabolism, and (thanks to plenty of essential oils) softer and smoother hands all result. Price is in Euros.
