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.
Of the 34 million insect and arachnid specimens in London’s Natural History Museum, the Smithsonian Handbook of Interesting Insects focuses on 100 of the most fascinating. With scientific profiles crafted around striking full-color photography, the hardcover guide delves into each bug’s attributes, behaviors and lifestyle. Penned by Blanca Huertas (Senior Curator of Lepidoptera at the Natural History Museum, London) and Gavin Brooad (Principal Curator of Insects at the Natural History Museum, London), the book is informative, engaging and, at times, utterly spectacular for amateurs and experts alike.
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the UK, this “Suffragette City” teapot is made by Plinth in collaboration with the Mayor of London and Bella Freud. Made from fine bone china, its gold rims mean it’s not dishwasher-safe. More importantly, a portion of the proceeds go to the Fawcett Society, which works for gender equality and women’s rights. Price is in Pounds.
Santiago Rodriguez Tarditi’s High on Design: The New Cannabis Culture begins with a cannabis history lesson from Broccoli Magazine’s Editor in Chief Anja Charbonneau, a fitting and helpful introduction. Tarditi’s survey of the stunning accessories overwhelming the industry (and the brands making them) proves fascinating for design and cannabis enthusiasts alike. Between notes on the battle for legalization and justice for convicted cannabis consumers, dealers and healers, the book spotlights makers new and old, minimal and eclectic. It’s a comprehensive catalog of products, people and places setting a new standard for “high design.”
Part of the three-way collaborative collection between This is Amit, The Tom of Finland Foundation and HOMOCO, the Forest Tom’s Full Service swim trunks feature a pattern that reimagines some of Tom’s iconography. The short-cut shorts are composed of 90% recycled polyester and 10% spandex. Created to commemorate Tom’s 100th Birthday in 2020, the celebratory collection features another swimsuit, too, as well as shirts and accessories.
Available via The Scope NYC—an online gallery dedicated to emerging designers’ furniture, lighting, and decor—Eny Lee Parker’s ceramic Ooo Lamp comprises three limbs, each of which acts as a pedestal for satin glass bulbs of varying size. Because they’re handmade, no two iterations of this lamp (or its two-armed sibling, the Oo Lamp) are the same. Measuring 23 by 6 by 21 inches, each lamp takes eight to 12 weeks to make and is available in four colors: White Sand, Skin #1, Terra Cotta and Brown Clay.
Founded three years ago by Byron and Dexter Peart, GOODEE World (a certified B Corp) works to sell appealing, practical and beautifully made products that make a positive social impact. Mostly offering homewares (as well as a few accessories and grooming products), GOODEE stocks items from many brands and makers—and our pick is the Tapestry Pillow 11 from VISO. This hand-finished pillow is inspired by American craftsmanship though it features a contemporary design with rich jewel tones. There are plenty of other patterns and colors available, too.
A popular first watch for children since its launch in 1987, Swatch’s Flik Flak comes in hundreds of dynamic colorways. More than an exciting accessory, this gateway wristwatch has long been a tool to help kids learn how to tell time. The pioneering watch publication Hodinkee has partnered with Swatch for a collaborative limited edition Flik Flak, aptly titled the Hodinkee Summer Edition. Its 32mm plastic case can be machine-washed (inside a sock), demonstrating extra durability. Further, all the packaging is compostable.
Founded by engineer David Dussault, Elemental Beverage Company uses proprietary technology to “snapchill” hot coffee in seconds. This process maintains lighter, fruiter, and acidic notes without dilution or drawn-out freezing and thawing processes. These innovations benefit the brand’s canned collaborations, special blends made with a roaster. Elemental worked with George Howell, a Boston-based coffee company, to produce a snapchilled can of coffee from the Montecarlos farm in El Salvador. Light and refreshing, and almost a polar opposite of the typical dark-roasted cold brews, this release features notes of soft milk chocolate and fresh tangerine. The Montecarlos can is only available in six packs.
Available in black or white, Humanhome’s LYNEA lamp uses a standard North American outlet as its anchor and its flat powder coat aluminum neck runs upward against the wall from there. The innovative design renders any sort of internal wiring—like the type done to install a wall sconce—unnecessary. A brass hook provides added support. Though there are other heights available, this 40-inch iteration proves most practical, especially when positioned next to a bed or a desk.
Linen bed sheets promise to be cozy in the cold and breathable in the heat—making them ideal for those who run warm or colder. These 100% linen sheets from Linoto (a company founded in 2007 by fashion industry veteran and textile expert Jason Evege) are handcrafted in New York’s Westchester County. They’re also available in an incredible 13 sizes (for different bed dimensions across the world), 25 colorways, and various pillow and sheet styles.
Cut and sewn in NYC, this NICOLE ZÏZI STUDIO jacket resembles the classic boxy denim trucker, but is crafted from 19% recycled PET and 81% cotton. Bright blue buttons also add contemporary flair. Each jacket is made to order by employees who are paid a fair wage to work in safe spaces. It’s available from XS to XXL and intended for wear by all genders.
Gilded’s patented handmade marble brush (available in black or white) features natural fiber bristles intended for dry brushing your skin. Dry brushing removes dead cells, enhances blood flow and smoothes skin effectively. This elegant brush should be used once or twice weekly to help with radiance and suppleness. Gilded founder Blair Armstrong started the company in order to provide products for the body that are just as effective, clean and luxurious as those made for the face.
Maison Balzac’s “Le Galet,” aka the Pebble incense holder, straddles playful and sophisticated design. Now available in white, the minimal vessel is also made in pink, amber and black, and holds one standard stick at a time. Crafted from 100% borosilicate glass, the appealing organic shape complements all styles of decor.
Veles’ all-surface cleaner uses food waste-derived water as its base. Dubbed “resource negative,” this cleaner also employs an alcohol—a naturally occurring ethanol formed from fermentation. Its other ingredients also adhere to the brand’s eco-friendly mission, and ultimately reduce the footprint of its user. Safe for ceramics, glass, fiberglass, chrome, painted metal, stainless steel, plastic and acrylic, the cleaner should be patch-tested for marble, wood and laminate surfaces. The aluminum bottle can be reused over and over; the brand also sells 32-ounce refills.
Crafted from baltic birch and aircraft-grade aluminum, Intension Design’s Tripod Table can be adjusted to make your mobile workplace more comfortable. Whether you require it at its tallest (4.8 feet) or you only need a bit of elevation (1.8 feet), the birch plate—affixed to a quick-release tripod—keeps your laptop in place. Its ability to break down makes traveling with it easy too.
Omsom’s starters comprise the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings needed to cook quintessential Southeast Asian dishes like Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, Thai Larb, and Filipino Sisig. The Omsom Sampler Trio—a box of six starters; two for each aforementioned dish—comes complete with cooking instructions. Each serves two or three people, meaning the pack provides the base for 12 to 18 meals. Plus, 5% of their June sales go to Color Of Change, a non-profit dedicated to building power in Black communities.