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Description

Ork, purveyors of design-savvy city posters with neighborhood graphic enhancement, has just released an LA version that features 111 neighborhoods. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks

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Just in case you had any doubts that Kanye West was a poet...he's taken a cue from Jenny Holzer and published a collection of Kanye-isms. It all runs the risk of being either too clever or (as Kanye can often have trouble with) too morally astute to take seriously, as in "I would rather lose because someone else was right than win when I'm wrong." But there you are.

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The Long and Winding Reading List

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Groucho Labbit Mouse Pad

Updated Jul 7, 2008

Description

What's better than a non-smorkin' labbit mouse pad? One that features a Groucho Marx mustache, of course.

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Once Upon a Time

Updated Jul 3, 2008

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Description

This leather-bound collection of Jeremy Fish art is a handsome way to bring together a broad set of paintings and drawings that have appeared in various media. Lowbrow art in San Francisco doesn't get much more significant than this at the moment.

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RVCA Raymond Pettibon Tee

Updated Jun 20, 2008

Description

A fantastic spin on RVCA's Artist Network Program, the limited edition tee program highlights significant(ly) underground artists like Raymond Pettibon, who has brought life to album covers from Black Flag to Sonic Youth. This tee is printed on 100% organic cotton.

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Lomo/Staple Chakras Edition

Updated Jun 20, 2008

Description

With killer brand positioning, Lomo has allowed Staple Design to produce a Colorsplash kit called the Chakras Edition. The set includes the camera and a 1000-image book featuring photos by Kareem Black, Brian Milo, Kreg Holt and others.

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Krauts PEECOL

Updated Jun 10, 2008

Description

eBoy's take on the urban collectable not only addresses the design studio's unique visual style, but the PEECOL collection's figures also feature interchangeable body parts. This guy, Krauts, is made in only 600 pieces.

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Art of the Toy

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PSFK Snapshot

Updated May 22, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

If you trust PSFK as an arbiter of cool, this Snapshot book of "innovative businesses, events, organizations and ideas" in San Francisco should hit the spot. If getting offline means anything, this is a nice step. (via swissmiss)

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The Long and Winding Reading List

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Her Chair, by Fabio Novembre

Updated Apr 16, 2008

Description

Sort of sexy, sort of absurd, all male gaze-laden, this Her Chair, designed by Fabio Novembre is appearing this week at Milan Design Week. Obviously sculptural, the chair is also useful for sitting.

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Future City Bag, by Motmot

Updated Apr 16, 2008

Description

There's no greater icebreaker at the Trader Joe's checkout than a cool, green accessory. This piece by Vienna-based Motmot puts cosmopolitan design-savvy to practical use.

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Grocery Bag Alternatives

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eBoy Giftwrap Set

Updated Apr 4, 2008

Description

Designer giftwrap strikes me as the type of thing that would love to have around but always be afraid of using--it's essentially utilizing a disposable print to wrap a gift. But this kind of thing can really add a nice touch to a gift, or pick the slack on a mediocre gift. Designed by eBoy.

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Affordable Art

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Nooka Camo Zen

Updated Mar 28, 2008

Description

Nooka's camo take on its proto-iconic Zen watch is tastefully rendered but adds flare to a watch that can feel a little cold. On the band, the camo design morphs into animal print.

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Hi Panda

Updated Mar 28, 2008

Description

The image of a cuddly panda is a little off the mark, which this current China Design Now exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert museum attempts to address. This guys is called "Bruised" and comes in a set of three.

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3 people recommended this item

Brobee Yo Gabba Gabba!

Updated Mar 27, 2008

Description

Halfway between urban vinyl and plush toy, Brobee stands seven inches in height and features a fuzzy exterior. He also seems to be overwhelmed, but that's essentially the look I have at work all day, so it sort of makes sense.

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Art of the Toy

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3 people recommended this item

Fat Fingers XXL Calculator

Updated Mar 27, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Less practical than laughable, this calculator conjures images of a smartass accountant pounding out numbers on a desktop that can't handle much more than this device.

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Everything by Scott Rench

Updated Mar 21, 2008

Description

Designed by Chicago-based ceramic artist and illustrator Scott Rench (aka Yosoh), as part of Unkl Brand's UniPo Fan Series, this "Everything" figure says something about hyperactive marketing consumption. I'd describe it further, but I can't concentrate long enough to get my head around it.

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Cardboy Cartridges

Updated Mar 19, 2008

Description

If you thought you'd never see the point where inkjet cartridges met collectable figurings, think again. Presented in CMYK colors for added cleverness.

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Life Clock, by Bertrand Planes

Updated Mar 19, 2008

Description

Ever get the feeling you're watching the minutes of your life tick away? How about the years? The numbers on this clock's face represents years, and the clock mechanism has been slowed down 61320 times in order to accurately track a lifespan. (via Josh Spear)

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4 people recommended this item

Icon Watch

Updated Mar 12, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

The Icon Watch is a pretty sophisticated expression of stylized Geek Chic, clearly displaying a taste for pixels. It doesn't do anything remarkable like play video or connect to WiFi, but the stainless steel body is minimally elegant, and you can probably get away with this even in formal settings. (via BLTD)

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Tokyo Bay Speed Watch

Updated Mar 10, 2008

Description

A nice mix of rugged and understated, this watch offers a flexible wearability that will work as easily with a pair of jeans as it will giving your office uniform a little flair. The thick, sightly chunky metal form is reminiscent of motorcycle styling, and the slightly retro sensibility feels classic.

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Air Jordan x Levis 23/501 Collection

Updated Feb 29, 2008

Description

Nike's biggest collaboration project to date, the 23/501 collection brings together Jordan Brand with Levi's for a 2,323-piece limited-edition collection that includes a tee shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. Asking price: $395.

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Mongers Breakfast 5-Pack

Updated Feb 29, 2008

Description

If waking up with a hangover puts you in a bad mood, this vinyl 5-piece can commiserate. In addition to bad-attitude coffee and donut, the set also includes equally surly bacon, egg, and toast.

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All Gone 2007

Updated Feb 25, 2008

Description

The self-proclaimed "Bible of Streetwear," All Gone is a stylized tribute to limited-edition streetwear and art appearing throughout 2007. Covering the likes of Huf, Staple, Married to the MOB, Bape, Skullphone, Ed Banger, and Run Athletics, as well as artwork from KAWS, Geoff McFetridge, and others, the selection is diverse. Pulled together by La MJC, co-produced with Colette, and limited to 1000 pieces, you know it's pedigreed.

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4 people recommended this item

Turntable Ring by Darkcloud Silver

Updated Feb 14, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

And you thought there were only so many ways to fetishize vinyl. This ring comes equipped with an actual vinyl mini LP, tastefully and artfully rendered. The perfect gift for that DJ in your life.

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9 people recommended this item

Barack Obama Custom Air Force One Sneakers

Updated Feb 13, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Currently a one-of-a-kind piece, the artist Van20, is apparently not totally opposed to creating more. And who says the youth isn't politically motivated? You just have to find the right avenues for connection.

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