Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Gift Ideas for Under $150

Xmas is nigh...here's our gift guide for treasures $150.00 or less...

Krona o Stjärna Winter Companion Handmade Wool Boot Liner

Believe us when we tell you this wool sock will keep you warm and dry almost indefinitely during your holiday and winter travels and adventures.  Handmade of Järbo Superwash™ wool in Södermanland, Sweden, you can wear them as part of your base layer or around the chalet aprés ski.  Available in Pepper or Oatmeal.  Limited quantities / Hand wash only.

$68.00


Smythson of Bond Street Mara iPhone 6 Case

Handcrafted in Italy from luxurious printed calf leather, this refined phone cover will keep your phone stylishly safe. Add personalization for a special touch.

  • Poinsettia red iPhone 6 cover in printed calf leather.
  • Fits iPhone 6 and 6s. 
  • Made in Italy.
  • Dimensions: W7 X H14cm / W2.75 x H5.5"
  • Product code: 1016614

$145.00


FRAME Publishers' The Other Office Book 2 - Creative Workplace Design

A global overview of prevailing trends in office design. This book is currently available to pre-order at a 20% discount in the lead-up to its release on 21 December!

The approaches of design studios to orchestrate spatial experiences in the creation of workplace environments vary greatly. A bright and playful interior that might be perfect for one company will not be the answer for another client’s needs. Though one thing seems clear: whether it’s for a tech firm, a financial consultancy or a production company, the requirement to provide spaces that promote productivity through connectivity is high on the agenda. The physical environments are not only spaces for working, they are very much tools of the organisations and form part of their overall identity. These firms often work in conjunction with the design studios to ensure the realised offices fit the needs of the workforce, embodying creative values in the process.

In The Other Office 2, a recurring theme in the 80 cutting-edge projects is the centralisation of communication hubs, with more focused working spaces placed at the periphery. Another high priority is ensuring staff are catered for in terms of health and social aspects – in particular emphasising the need for physical activity, thus providing bikes and scooters to get around the building, or adding a competitive edge to the feature staircase by including sensors to track the distance climbed per week of employees. The showcased interiors not only support innovation and creativity in the workforce, they also generate opportunities for collaboration and, at the same time, help to connect and build communities.  Head on over to FRAME to learn more.

$59.27/€55.20


Women's Birkenstock Arizona Sandal at James Perse Los Angeles

Classic Birkenstock sandal with two adjustable "Birko-Flor" straps and metal buckles. Synthetic "Birko-Flor" is leather-like with a fleecy underside. Original suede lined cork/latex contoured foot bed for comfort with EVA rubber shock-absorbent sole.

Additional Information:

• Acrylic/Polyamide "Birko-Flor" Upper, Synthetic sole.
• Leather bedliner, Natural cork footbed.
• Made in Germany.
• Narrow width, Whole sizes only.
• Recommended to order up if in-between sizes.

$75.00


Marshall Major II Headphones in Black at Frank & Oak

The latest addition to the Marshall lineup is the Major II headphones. The Major II comes with an updated look that includes a detachable double-ended coil cord with microphone and remote for calls and voice recording. The dual 3.5 mm headphone jacks allow you to choose which side you prefer to wear your cable on or to plug in and share your music. Its advanced sound features include customized drivers that help to deliver deeper bass and more extended detailed highs. Allowing for increased flexibility, the Major II adapts to your head shape for increased comfort during those long listening sessions. This smart pair truly gives way to a whole new level of listening.  Head over to Frank & Oak and pick up a pair.

$120.00


Aesop Andromeda Set at Needsupply

From Aesop, a tin gift set with a body care quartet to nurture your skin and your senses. Features Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, Coriander Seed Body Cleanser and Rind Concentrate Body Balm. 

  • Gift set with face and body products
  • Tin box
  • Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash 500mL
  • Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 75mL
  • Coriander Seed Body Cleanser 200mL
  • Rind Concentrate Body Balm 120mL

$110.00


Tegoto Nest: Inside the Earth at Paul Smith

Our partners at Paul Smith are offering this great little 'curiosity' this season.  Inside the earth nesting toy by Tegoto is a visual representation of the layers of the earth: atmosphere, surface, crust, mantle and core.

Made in Japan from varnished wood, this toy is presented in a grey gift-box.

£80.00 / $122.34


Krona o Stjärna Brand Beanie

Pictured: "Stockholm"

Winter's here, and our new beanie is a perfect fit.  These high-quality 60/40 Cotton blend beanies will protect your head stylishly with our insignia embroidered on the front.  How you wear it is up to you.  

$22.00

How to be a Proper New Yorker: Tip No.4

Ask For Directions

We may have a map and a compass-like mind
Let's ask anyway, what we're trying to find

One may be a fantastic detective
but asking directions gives a different perspective

The locals know what's what and what's not
maybe that bar isn't really our kind of hot...

Get Lost

Using all our incredible senses
is not among life's biggest offenses

Let's put the smartphone away 
and wonder about, just stray

Explore and experience more!

Isn't that what we're all here for?

How To Be A Proper New Yorker: Tip No.3

Going underground

As we all know
when it works, the subway is the fastest way to go

This travel can be delicate
without some "proper etiquette"

The list of do's and don'ts is long
New Yorkers know what's right, what's wrong

We all agree our trip is eased 
when we're not squeezed, teased or in any other way displeased

 

Staying on top of it 

The most reliable way around town?
Walking! East, west, up and down

Focused, fast and checking our clocks
We're counting the street and avenue blocks

Eyeing the crosswalk countdown to zero
Our coat like the cape of a superhero

Stomping away on the bustling street
Thanking our terrifically trusted feet!

The Month of February

A Recap of our discoveries in February.

(Left to right from top)

1.1971 Lamborghini Miura SV at RMSotheby's / 2. MONOCLE Quality of Life Conference, Lisbon 2015 / 3. Formfreu.de Photo Blog / 4. MONCLER Grenoble 'Evry' Jacket FW15 / 5. Corner Pack Shipping Boxes / 6. Enrico Marone-Cinzano Furniture Collection / 7. The New Yorker '90 for 90' / 8. The Cliff Vaughs Story / 9. Pia Mouwitz / 10. Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden / 11. The Terroir Project /  12. How to be a Proper New Yorker

How to be a Proper New Yorker: Tip No.2

Know thy Neighbor

Say hello, talk about the weather or the mail
Eye contact, a smile, let's not just bail

Not only is this polite
but may be helpful that dark, rainy night

when we ring their doorbell and say “Please,
would you let me in? I forgot my keys”

And thy Neighborhood

If we're moving here or visiting from afar
remember, others have been where we are

Though we may feel like explorers in our newfound 'hood
the family down the street has been here since the Knicks were really good

Let's respect the exchange
between change and history's range

Each person with a different story
-- New York City's true glory

STYLE & DOMINANCE: Australian Open Then and Now

Images ©Getty / ATP / WTA / ITF / All other respective owners / All Rights Reserved

Images ©Getty / ATP / WTA / ITF / All other respective owners / All Rights Reserved

Roger, Vika and Rafa may have gone down Down Under, but their style and that of players that came before them have always started off the year with a statement.  Before the dawn of the Open Era (1968) where players like Margaret Court (11 titles), Roy Emerson (7) and Jack Crawford (4) collected titles like baseball cards, the uniform of the day was all white, dignified, conformist, and well, boring.  Then came the splashy art canvases of the 80's and early 90's with spread eagle motifs, paint spatter and day-glo made most famous by Andre Agassi (4).  The late 90's and the dominance of Pete Sampras (2 Australian Titles) on the Men's tour returned the aesthetic to a quieter more subdued style.  In the early 2000's, new materials like Nike's dri-fit™ ushered in a new generation of design freedom, lighter weight and moisture management for everyone from top tour players to public park players looking to emulate their heroes.