LA-based artist Angela Rossi turns antiquated porcelain plates and other formal dining wares and turns them into modern works of art through clever mixed-media portraits. Our favorite features David Bowie, but music fans can choose from Prince, Janis Joplin, Sid Vicious, Patti Smith and more, in varying shapes and sizes.
This product is sold by Beatup Creations
In the year since its release, Plantation Rum’s Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum has become a bartending staple for those whipping up clever mixed drinks. Queen Victoria pineapples are hand-peeled and infused into a dark rum from Trinidad. Those rinds, after masceration, are also added to the rum and distilled. The result is a sweet but dynamic sipping rum that can hold its own against other spirits and just about any mixer.
This product is sold by Plantation
Beyond the 18-frames-per-second sequential shooting capabilities, everything else in Olympus’ recently released professional camera—the OM-D E-M1 Mark II—stands for precision. Housed in a lightweight weatherproof magnesium alloy body, features likes 121 Cross-Type On-Chip Phase Detection AF points and up to 5.5 shutter speed guarantee clean captures. This is a powerhouse of a tool, with built in WiFi and 4K video capturing as further evidence. (Lens pictured not included.)
This product is sold by Olympus
While David Shrigley’s mind goes to some strange and wonderful places, his work always manages to make us feel that we’re not alone. Like all his collaborations with Third Drawer Down, this “I’ve Done Everything / I’ve Done Nothing” mug is affordable and appropriate for almost anybody in your life—as long as they’re thinkers. Depending on which way you look at it, depending on the day of the week and your mood, this mug can be spun around to suit the moment.
This product is sold by David Shrigley + Third Drawer Down
Made from 100% vegetable tanned leather, this version of FEED’s “Eleanor” bag is a hand-painted limited edition. Available in black or brown, the bag can be carried as a crossbody or tote and features the work of artists Yeti and The Beast. Purchasing this bag results in 75 school meals being provided for kids in need all over the world.
This product is sold by FEED
Originally recorded in an empty swimming pool on the cusp of the ’80s in Buffalo, New York, “The Talking Drum” is a previously unreleased sonic compositions by groundbreaking video artist Bill Viola. Newly restored by Viola’s studio and pressed onto 180-gram heavyweight vinyl, this incredible limited edition of 100—each signed and numbered by Viola—includes original archive photography, an essay by Astra Price and the original program notes and invitation from a 1979 Composers Inside Electronics performance.
This product is sold by The Vinyl Factory
With hard purple enamel and gold plating, this tribute pin for the iconic musical mastermind Prince carries plenty of personality with a luxe edge—much like the man himself. Music fans have long sported pins and patches to show their dedication to the ones they love, but with Prince’s passing this year it’s never been more emotional to celebrate his immense contribution. This made-in-the-USA item affixes itself by way of posts with rubber pin backs.
This product is sold by DooStuff
Full of fascinating facts for any aspiring paleontologist, “Day of the Dinosaurs: Step into a Spectacular Prehistoric World” is also teeming with colorful but sophisticated pictures. Exploring four eras of dinosaurs—the Triassic, the early Jurassic, the Late Jurassic and the Cretaceous—this hardcover book has enough to engage kids and kids at heart.
This product is sold by Science X 10
Help keep the earth nice and tidy with a mobile mesh ashtray from esteemed Tokyo brand Tsubota Pearl. Drop your roaches or butts in the lined pouch when puffing on the go.
This product is sold by Tsubota Pearl
Bre & Co’s Origami Sake Set is comprised of 3D-printed ceramic pieces that are hand-finished with a richly saturated, lead-free, dinnerware-safe glaze. The hexagonal shape allows the three cups and bottle—which holds 150 ml of sake—to fit together for easy storage.
This product is sold by Bre & Co
With dozens of original photographs of vintage cameras, “Retro Photo: An Obsession: A Personal Selection of Vintage Cameras and the Photographs They Take” by David Ellwand chronicles some of the most curious and important developments in the world of photography. Hundreds of devices were captured, ranging from “the pinhole to the Pentax.” This is a celebration of camera design, and an accessible, exciting history lesson along the way.
This product is sold by Candlewick Studio
The first thing one notices about Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack happens to the be the ultra-clean aesthetic. It’s quite deceptive, in a very good way, as the design conceals a plethora of substantial storage spaces. There’s a patented MagLatch top access, allowing for a quick retrieval of goods, a dedicated sleeve for laptops (up to 15 inches), internally padded accessory pockets and that’s just the start. Two expandable external side pockets make for fast stowing, but the FlexFold dividers in the central compartment offer reconfigurable organization in this truly versatile bag.
This product is sold by Peak Design
Offering a 100 foot bluetooth range, Alpine Labs’ Pulse Camera Remote plugs directly into one’s camera by way of the USB port, and pairs with a dedicated smartphone app. More than just letting a user snag a photo, the remote delivers wireless control of ISO, shutter speed and aperture. It’s all intuitive to use, but the freedom (and reliability) it grants when setting up an ideal photo marks the true value.
This product is sold by Alpine Labs
Thanks to finish in special casks formerly used for rum (after aging in an array of former bourbon and former Sherry casks), this latest expression from Irish whisky maker Tullamore DEW carries tropical fruit vibrance. There’s substantial depth, with a chocolate core but spice and fruit continue to appear through the whisky’s very long finish.
This product is sold by Tullamore DEW
Designed to offer adjustable brightness for all GoPro and smartphone camera photos and videos, each Lume Cube delivers up to 1,500 lumens when capturing a shot or take. Connected via Bluetooth and paired with a dedicated app (that can control up to five Lume Cubes at once), this is an intuitive system with tangible impact. And as it’s been constructed to light scenes up on the fly, the Lume Cube is entirely waterproof for those potentially tricky scenarios.
This product is sold by Lume Cube
With a squeaky center, these bug-shaped plush toys will become your pet’s favorite in no time. The set comes with five animals to toss around: butterfly, bee, ladybug, beetle and worm. Additionally, a percentage of the purchase price goes toward the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which aims to end commercial exploitation of animals.
This product is sold by P.L.A.Y.
More than just refreshing package design by Philippe Starck, Louis Roederer’s Brut Nature 2009 is an effervescent wonder. This dry Champagne with notes of peach and hazelnut within was crafted from grapes grown solely in Côteaux de Cumières. It’s creamy, vibrant and sure to impress.
This product is sold by Louis Roederer
Dyed and printed in Japan on 100% combed, ring-spun cotton yarn, this T-shirt has a few messages up its sleeves. Of course, there’s the graphic on the front encouraging peace. But further details, from the vintage-inspired small cut-out gussets at each side to the half moon panel on the back for position, define this as more than a novelty T-shirt. It offers a classic fit, and the fabric feels quite substantial without excess weight—due to choice of a heavier yarn but looser knit.
This product is sold by The Hill-Side
The benefits of “Morbid Curiosities: Collections of the Uncommon and Bizarre” are two-fold. For the light reader, one can turn page after page to find hundreds of startling images. For the deeply curious, Paul Gambino’s analysis offers up insight—not only regarding what you’re looking at, but the people who have collected it all. Within this macabre book, you’ll find the occult and the carnivalesque and much more, many of which is visible for the first time.
This product is sold by Laurence King Publishing
Sky Like Snow’s unisex Indigo Fade beanie is made with uber-soft New England yarn and is hand-dyed using organically processed Japanese indigo grown at their Vermont studio. The double-sided design is guaranteed to keep you warm all winter long, just wash by hand between wears.
This product is sold by Sky Like Snow
Add even more whimsy to the festive nature of sharing a spliff with Sweetflag’s swirling rainbow rolling papers. The vintage Spanish pattern is printed on 1.25-inch wide papers and designed to elevate everyday rituals.
This product is sold by Sweetflag
From 100% rye malt, this overproof whisky refines the essence of old-world distilling. SF’s Anchor Distilling produces the spirit through antique copper pot stills and mimics the aging process of the 18th century. With flavors drawn from specially toasted barrels, Old Potrero delivers vanilla and molasses notes on the tongue with spice to the finish. There’s a smokiness on the nose, but a delicate sweetness really defines the drink.
This product is sold by Old Potrero
Nuori makes their products in Denmark, in small batches every 12 weeks, to keep active, 100% naturally derived ingredients potent without ever adding artificial preservatives. All of this makes for a more effective, skin-friendly product; the remarkable texture and little-to-no scent are extra bonuses. The boxes stamped with a “Start Using By” date, so products aren’t left for years waiting for the perfect occasion. We love their rich hand cream—especially over the cold winter months.
This product is sold by Nuori
Italian architect and designer Paola Navone’s conceptual work has made her well-known in the home decor and hospitality worlds; won her awards; and led her to work with many brands over her 30+ year long career. On her travels all over the world, finding products and inspiration, Navone discovered the Thai phrase “tham ma da,” meaning “everyday.” Despite Navone’s eye for design and interiors being entirely extraordinary, this approach to the simple or the everyday permeates her process—she takes the ordinary, and makes it remarkable.
This product is sold by Pointed Leaf Press
Designed out of a desire to create personal retreats of comfort, Emily Diamandis’ luxe lifestyle brand Tabula Rasa sources the world’s finest fibers to create the coziest in clothing and home furnishings. It’s for this reason that Design Within Reach tapped the knitwear expert, and their collaborative Banyan Pillows are a textural work of art. Each is hand-knitted using a contrast of Italian bouclé and a chunky round wool and comes filled with high-quality feathers.
This product is sold by DWR + Tabula Rasa
