Updated daily, the Buy section is a deep directory of stuff we love. From this collection we organize Gift Guides for the holiday season and special occasions all year long.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Andersen + Yayoi Kusama
Despite being born over a century apart, and in Denmark and Japan respectively, Hans Christian Andersen and Yayoi Kusama are an ideal match in this version of Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Kusama’s always beautiful illustrations—squiggly patterns and wild creatures—complement the magical and heartbreaking fairytale. This is one for kids of all ages, but remember the original ending of this story is much different than the Disney one.
This amusing message engraved on a 1990s deadstock nameplate keychain might not help out friends who seem to always lose their keys, but it will surely inspire a few laughs in stressful situations.
Made in the USA, this 12-piece charcoal pencil set includes everything you need to start sketching—all you need is the paper. The kit has black and white charcoal pencils, sticks, a sketch pencil, plus an eraser and sharpener. Whether gifting to a child or adult, this present encourages creativity—and we could all use a little more of that.
The World’s Best Ever’s HIGH Kite and Journey Tube are two items made for outdoor adventuring and spreading positive vibes. Each kite is hand-stitched by Miami-based kite-maker Dan Ward and serves as a bold statement—whether in use or on display. The clever carry case doubles as a fully functioning water pipe and was designed in collaboration with Brooklyn-based studio The Principals.
Brooklyn-based ceramicist Karen Aragon keeps it classy with subtle smoking tools handmade at her Greenpoint studio. The lipstick one-hitter comes with a mirror-lined holder for touch-ups on the go.
Sadly not edible, but still a lot of fun, Moon Picnic’s giant Ice Cream Sculpture kit is a delight for children (and kids at heart). The set comes complete with two posters—one for the ice cream scoop and one to make the waffle cone—and all you need is scissors, glue stick, ruler and a little patience. The end result looks good enough to eat and makes for a fun party decoration to boot.
The only work created by renowned psychedelic poster artist Victor Moscoso for The Grateful Dead, “Satanic Santa” celebrates the band’s two-night residency at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom in December 1966, just a year after the band officially formed. This 14 x 20″ original print is valuable both for fans of the Dead and Moscoso alike; the Spanish-American artist has featured in exhibitions at MoMA and is widely acclaimed for his contributions to the underground comic book “Zap.”
Whether delivering his profoundly heart-wrenching lyrics in “Streets of Philadelphia” or recounting the joy of youth in “Glory Days,” Bruce Springsteen has always been a masterful storyteller. 2016 sees The Boss fantastically tackle long-form writing with his 508-page autobiography “Born To Run.” Springsteen spent seven years writing the book, which starts with him as a guitar player conquering his boardwalk town of Asbury Park and continues through to today, offering an honest look at how this “gun for hire” became the legend that he is.
Save the date for 12-14 May, 2017: a weekend to experience live music in one of the most unique settings—Paolo Soleri’s experimental architecture built in harmony with the Arizona desert. Founded and run by musicians Hundred Waters, FORM Arcosanti breaks the rules of most festivals out there—an artist’s retreat would be a more accurate description. While entrance is only granted through an application process, there are opportunities to help subsidize the incredible line-up (like Four Tet and Skrillex last year)—by purchasing a patron package, which includes comfortable furnishings, and more crucial, access to rare flushing restrooms and hot showers.
Combining a series of apps and a smart vibration sensor, East London-based Mogees has managed to create a tech accessory that transforms any object into a musical instrument. By plugging the device into your smartphone and initiating one of the apps, Mogees can be played within two modes: Pulse or Jam. The former is a rhythm game, and the latter is essentially a set of tools that provide you with all kinds of sounds, loops and rhythms to create your own musical masterpiece. It’s also compatible with GarageBans and other MIDI apps.
British bone china specialist Richard Brendon is known for teacups, coffee mugs and saucers which perfectly blend traditional crafts with modern graphics. The art deco-inspired Arc Tea for One set is hand-painted by artisans in England’s illustrious pottery town of Stoke-on-Trent, and features a striking asymmetrical design in matte black and burnished gold.
With a slogan that’s as subtle as a sledgehammer, Loved by Erika’s “It’s 420 Somewhere” one-of-a-kind T-shirt embraces the joy of stereotypical stoners. Pale pink and with DIY purple puff glitter paint, it’s a thing teenage dreams were made of. Wear it while tending to your plants, lazing around on the weekend, wherever—maybe just don’t wear it in front of your conservative grandparents. This unique top comes in a unisex size large.
Bang & Olufsen is forever on a mission to recreate the sound an artist hears in the recording studio and deliver it to the comfort of your living room. The 91-year-old Danish speaker company has proven themselves through various iterations, from compact to complex, and their most recent product continues that legacy. The beautiful BeoSound 2 offers 360-degree sound performance and best of all, features integrated access to Spotify, Deezer, QPlay and TuneIn while supporting Bluetooth, AirPlay, Google Cast and DLNA.
Some of us need a little extra motivation to get out of bed on the best of days, so hanging this “Do Your Best” pennant somewhere you can see when you wake up isn’t a bad idea. It’s also a great reminder that your best can vary day to day, so it’s important to practice self care on the days you’re just not feeling it. Available in blue, black, orange or yellow, this felt flag is made in the United States and measures seven by 21 inches.
Acclaimed designer Bruce Blackburn envisioned much of the visual language that defined the US during the ’70s, including his iconic work for NASA. Among his roster of impactful designs includes those for the bicentennial of the American Revolution, taking place in 1976. Standards Manual continues their in depth look at the work of influential graphic design with their latest edition dedicated toward Blackburn’s work on America’s 200th birthday. Through 52 pages, 49 image plates, a forward by Blackburn himself and an essay by Christopher Bonanos, this book is a glimpse at process, inspiration and how both functioned in an important time for America.
A simple answer to the more cumbersome double-ring cinch belts, Wiley Brothers’ streamlined Slip Cinch is handcrafted from vegetable-tanned English bridle leather with solid brass hardware. Each belt is tirelessly made in Charlottesville, Virginia, using a multi-step artisanal process that ensures years of constant use.