Sunday, February 11, 2007

Rock & Republic Floyd Jean

Even though it's still winter, it's time to start thinking about your spring/summer wardrobe, including some new denim. We're liking the Rock & Republic Floyd Jean ($250), with its "city fit" and details like an angled coin slot and antiqued nickel buttons and rivets. The wash is dark blue with heavy fading on the front and seat, making them pretty versatile.

Olhausen Waterfall Pool Table

Having a pool table in your home is always a pleasure, but most professional-grade tables don't exactly blend in very well. Not so with the Olhausen Waterfall Pool Table ($8600). Made of either Veneer Oak or Maple, the table features black diamond rail sights, leather pockets, and framed, diamond-honed slate. Whether it's 9 ball, 8 ball, or some other sort of ball-related recreation, this table should last a long, long time.

FlyTech RC DragonFly

I am for little flying contraptions, especially when they look like insects. The FlyTech RC DragonFly ($50) is a radio controlled "flying insect," flapping its wings like a real dragonfly. It can move up, down, left, and right, and has LED status lights in its eyes. It even has settings for beginners and experts, and if it's anything like our last flying toy, that's a terrific thing.

Optimus Prime T-Shirt

I told you I love some robot tees. This latest one definitely needs to be on the site as it features the king of all robots. The Optimus Prime T-Shirt ($28) is a super soft, vintage-washed tee with a faded "84" Transformers graphic, indicating the first year we all sat stunned at the glorious cartoon robots.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

The North Face M Ice Storm 400 GTX Boa Boots

Whether you wear them on your next extreme skiing expedition or just out to shovel the sidewalk, these boots from The North Face will keep you going all day. The M Ice Storm 400 GTX Boa Boots ($195) offers a ton of features — like Gore-Tex waterproof protection, Primaloft insulation, TNF Winter Grip outsole, and Boa technology — to provide you with warmth, comfort, fit, and traction.

Normann Time Is Money Bank

Designed by Uncrate favorite Karim Rashid, the Normann Time Is Money Bank ($50) is one of those ideas that is so obvious we're clueless as to why it hasn't been done before. The bank, shaped like an hourglass, allows the money to flow down to the bottom, bringing the idea "Time Is Money" forward in a very literal sense. Plus, it's made from plastic and rubber — so you can be sure it can survive holding your change for a very long time.

AX Wool Bomber Jacket

Now that Punxsutawney Phil has emerged without seeing his shadow, are you looking for a jacket to get you through the transition from winter to spring? You could do a lot worse that this Wool Bomber Jacket from Armani Exchange ($185). Made from 60% wool and 40% viscose, the jacket sports multiple pockets, a relaxed fit, and great band collar.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Ghostbusters Ecto 1

We've seen a lot of expensive movie memorabilia before, but nothing as cool as this. The Ghostbusters Ecto 1 ($150,000) is the 1959 Cadillac that the 'Busters drove in the original film. As fate would have it, that isn't the only movie the car has made an appearance in — it was also featured in In the Heat of the Night, starring Sidney Poitier. Sure, it's $150K, but it's also one of the most unique and memorable cars in movie history.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition

Windows Vista arrives tomorrow. While I'd normally mock Microsoft for copying Apple yet again, frankly I'm just really, really happy that Windows is getting a facelift. If you're a diehard PC user, Vista is most definitely a must-have upgrade that will literally transform the way you use that ugly Dell. While there's an insane amount of different versions available, you might as well go for the big dog — Windows Vista Ultimate Edition ($380 for full version; $250 for upgrade). It's got tons of new features, including a sexy new interface called Aero, a more intuitive user experience, instant search, enhanced digital entertainment for digital photos, music, movies and TV, and more robust security.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Hands Free Soap Dispenser

Bring a little of today's automated restrooms home with this Hands Free Soap Dispenser ($40). An infrared sensor detects when your dirty mitts are under the nozzle, and then dispenses an amount of soap that you set via a switch. Its stainless steel body will look great in almost any bathroom, and you won't have to be constantly refilling: it holds up to 7 1/2 oz. of soap.

NM Limited Edition 2007 Lexus GS 450h

Another premium gift found in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is this limited edition Lexus GS 450h ($65,000). The hybrid luxury car is available in an exclusive exterior color, “Crystalline Ice,” and merges a 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 engine with high-output electric motor rear-wheel drive for more than 300 horsepower and great fuel economy. The interior has leather and wood details, Mark Levinson surround sound, voice-activated DVD Navigation System with Bluetooth, back-up camera, and a power meter that replaces the tachometer. Better hurry if you’re wanting one — only 75 will be made.

Victorinox Vadin Shirt

This super high-quality Vadin Shirt ($80) from Victorinox (the company behind Swiss Army knives and tools) is made from a durable cotton/nylon blend, and its stripes make it just classic enough that you'll keep it around for many years to come. But it's not just a looker — it has a handy mobile phone pocket inside the left chest pocket.

Diesel Zaf 772 Jeans

Everybody needs their own favorite pair of "weekend jeans." If you haven't found yours yet, take a good look at the Diesel Zaf 772 Jeans ($170). They've got a mid-weight whiskered wash, a slight flare at the ankle, and with a cut that's comfortable, but not too extreme, they'll be your go-to jeans for a long time — no matter if you're watching the game or shopping for drapes with the wife.

Jura-Capresso Impressa Z6

Capresso's new top of the line model, the Impressa Z6 ($3,600) is a coffee powerhouse. With push-button controls and in-machine handling of bean grinding, brewing, milk frothing, and drink mixing, you'll end up with perfect cappuccinos and lattes that are sure to be the envy of all your house guests. In addition, the customizable coffee-strength settings and programmable buttons that store various users' beverage preferences make sure that everyone in your home gets their fix of joe exactly how they like it.

Thaw Candle

A renewable candle holder wasn't exactly at the top of our priority list, but damn, is it cool. The Thaw Candle ($40), designed by Mathew Jackson, will look great in almost any environment. Simply freeze the mold overnight, light your candle inside, and watch the shade melt back into the mold, ready to be frozen again. Plus, if you're the type of person who forgets about burning candles, we imagine the water surrounding the candle will provide extra piece of mind.

Aliph Jawbone

Product designer Yves Behar has lent his touch to the new industrial-looking Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth headset ($120). What makes this wireless headset so unique, besides its good looks, is special ambient noise reduction technology that continually adapts to a person's changing environment to provide a quality listening experience. This cool technology includes a voice activity sensor for measuring your voice and built-in software for filtering out background sounds.

The Office Valentine's Cards

Show your love for The Office at your own office with this great Valentine's set ($10) with eight cards featuring Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Michael. While awesome, they unfortunately don't feature Dwight's best love advice: "Women are like wolves. If you want a wolf, you have to trap it. You have to snare it. And then you have to tame it. Keep it happy. Care for it. Feed it. Lovingly, the way an animal deserves to be loved. And my animal deserves a lot of loving."

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Banana Republic Men's Fragrances

Banana Republic recently introduced two great fragrances for men — Slate and Black Walnut ($45 each). Slate, our favorite, has a more crisp scent, featuring a blend of glacier citrus water, silver sage, ginger root. Black Walnut is more "refined," as BR says, combining cognac, tobacco leaves, and cedar wood.

Bike Chain Bottle Opener

Sometimes simple ideas are the best ideas, and I'm starting to get that feeling about the Bike Chain Bottle Opener ($12). Made with flexible, recycled bike chain as a handle and an anodized aluminum opener head, the idea is simple, but the execution and final product is simply genius — at least, that is, after six or seven Coronas.

Vintage Architectural Coffee Table

Sometimes the best top for a coffee table is your own stuff. The Vintage Architectural Coffee Table ($2000 and up) offers a glass top with access to the shelf underneath for displaying magazines, artwork, collectables, etc., and drawers underneath for extra storage. Due to the vintage nature of the tables, they may have small imperfections from wear and tear, but as we see it, that only adds character to what is already an outstanding, attention-grabbing piece of furniture.

Wallpaper City Guides

If you're a traveler and want better advice when visiting a city than your standard Fodor's or AAA Guide can give you, check out these Wallpaper* City Guides ($9 each, $180 set). From the same folks that bring you Wallpaper* magazine, these guides are pocket-sized and come in discreet solid colors so you don't look like a tourist. The collection includes 20 guides right now, with 40 more planned by the end of the year.

Bvlgari Aqva

We know that this cologne smells great and comes in a beautiful bottle, but we sure as hell haven't heard of the things it supposedly smells like — you're lying if you say you've heard of petit grain, santolina, posidonia, or mineral amber. Bvlgari Aqva for men ($48) may try to be a little too svelte, but we'll allow it this time.

Nambe Tilt Barware

The Tilt decanter set ($195) brings a sexy and unconventional look to your home bar. The set, which includes two double old fashioned glasses, has a unique slanted design that will instantly upgrade your horribly mixed drinks.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Victorinox Swissmemory Multi-tool

While we have to admit that carrying our trusty Swiss Army knives everywhere has become a semi-hassle in the post 9/11 world, this new gadget/tool might just make it worth our while. The Swissmemory Multi-tool from Victorinox ($190) features a removable 1GB USB flash memory dongle, a blade, nail file, screwdriver, scissors, key ring, LED mini light, and a retractable ball point pen — everything you need for that trip to Tijuana.

Bears vs. Colts Snack Helmets

If you'll be sitting at home watching the big game next month like us, you might as well make the most of it with some junk food in a replica Bears or Colts helmet. The Snack Helmets ($50) have a large container up top for chips and a smaller tray with two compartments in the facemask for peanuts, candy, dip or your favorite antacid.