Things to Buy: Star Wars: The Blueprints
I have been on another Star Wars bender this past few weeks; I had a sudden urge to watch Star Wars, so I just did. Spent three nights in a row watching the first three movies and will now finish off the last originals/last three this weekend.
Watching the Phantom Menace again, Jar Jar Binks didn’t seem so annoying this time…
In all my Galactic Empire excitement, I randomly came across this gem of an item and will sell body parts to get it!
…the original blueprints created for the filming of the Star Wars Saga. Drawn from deep within the Lucasfilm Archives and combined with exhaustive and insightful commentary from best-selling author J. W.
This is a limited edition book, selling for $450.00, with only 5000 copies being made. Financially, I am behaving myself at the moment to clear every debt in my name and finally be in credit since Day One of being a student – but this seems too good an opportunity to pass up on.
Excitement and disappointment in one is an exhausting way to live.
Things to Buy: Vectorfunk Rorschach Posters
I have been an avid follower of Josh Spear whilst he was at Cool Hunting, and then spun of on his own. He always digs out of the coolest stuff, and the latest is this series of prints by Matt W. Moore, at MWM Graphics.
The graphics are inspired by classic Rorschach Tests (Learn More) with hyper-colorful and psychedelic twists. The really fun part for me is that when asked “What do you see?” everyone has a different response.
Now Available in the MWM Graphics Online Shop, the prints are produced on heavy stock, signed & numbered (x/100), and shipped in sturdy tubes.
Things to Buy: Razors
Gilette razors are standard. No deviation. No Wilkinson Sword. Gillette.
Unfortunately, this makes them the standard, and thus adds no element of excitement when shaving. Luckily I only need to do it once a week, and I still look at it as a chore to be honest. I normally hold off as long as I can…pretty much until I get the annoying itch under my chin.
Well who says shaving can’t have glamour and excitement! I will definitely need to find some moola and invest in one of these. I have always wanted to apply shaving gel/foam with the little brush like the Wild West and make shaving more of a therapeutic, self-cleansing experience rather than just avoiding the Wurzel Gummidge look.
My favourite find so far is a C. O. Bigelow Razor;
Featuring handles made from imitation ivory or ebony, these blades recall the days of main street barber shops, but balance the old-timey looks with advanced, replaceable Gillette Mach 3 blades. It’s the best of both worlds.
Unfortunately it doesn’t come in a set with the brush (which needs to be purchased separately). You can buy the razor and brush set, but it doesn’t use the premium razor handles above.
I would struggle to choose between the black or creme/white option, but I think the black would prevail
Things to Buy: Lenovo Black USB Keyboard for Desktop PC
When I finally get hold of a desk for my room, I have decided to hook my IBM ThinkPad X41 Tablet dock up to a big, shiny LCD monitor, mouse and keyboard. Ideally, to provide a much larger and more comfortable working space; instead of working on a small screen and keyboard that the laptop offers.
I already have a Logitech MX Revolution wireless mouse (was supposedly the world’s best mouse when released) and I also have a Logitech Quickcam Pro for Notebooks webcam (that I have tucked away somewhere and make no use of at all!).
I am however lacking the LCD monitor and keyboard. The monitor I will pick up second hand on Gumtree. It doesn’t need to be top notch, but at least large enough to be able to watch DVDs from my bed.
I follow my own Dad’s opinion on keyboards, where I don’t like the slim, fancy ones but rather the big heavy IBM models, with the big clunky buttons. Gives that 80′s style typing experience of the clunk sounds every time you type. I also find them much easier to touch type. IBM/Lenovo always provide these keyboards for free when you order their servers so I will need my Dad to dig around at home and see if we have one spare, otherwise I will need to order one of these from Amazon: Lenovo Black USB keyboard for Desktop PC (SK-8825).
As you can see, its bland, boring and uses a cable. Fits me perfectly: clean, efficient and simple. I will need to see if I can get an IBM branded one though to match the IBM branding on my laptop and dock.
Things to Buy: Ravi Ratan Casino Royale Cuff Links
There are certain items every man should have in his possession: black leather shoes, a wallet, a white shirt, and of course cuff links.
Where or not said man would need these on a day to day basis, is another matter entirely. I do love a pair of kick-a$$ cuff links, and came across the following on Uncrate.
You often find people wear classless cuff links, often the same people who wear t-shirts that have sloppy slogans like, “Save Water, Drink Beer”. However, cuff links do allow you to add an element of fun and style to a sometimes bland suit ‘n’ tie setup. Take these for example:
James Bond: Forever cool.
“The sterling silver cuff links boast authentic Casino Royale British stamps encased in epoxy for a lifetime of espionage.”
Don’t think I really need to add anymore.
Things to Buy: John Pour Home Rugs
It is more rugs, but I only just dugged this up from my archives after I posted the previous post on rugs and doormats!
I can not for the life of me remember where I came across this site, but either way, these are the coolest and most unusual rugs you are likely to come across! You can pick from a variety of styles and colours, and even provide custom images. The order page also mentions that you can specify sizes, so you can get the perfect rug cut to your own door way.
I have picked out a few of my favourites below.
Things to Buy: Rugs & Doormats
I have been holding on to links for these two items for a long time.
Finish Line Doormat
My parents have always had a doormat at the front and back of the house for as long as I can remember, so this doormat that I came across this item on Swissmiss is a stylish way to carry on a family tradition.
The doormat is from Feet First, designed by Ken Goldman.
Amazon are stocking it for $32.00, which seems pretty reasonable. Although, you could be creative, and pick up a cheap green one and some white spray cans and create your own.
Keep Calm and Carry On Rug
Our house has only recently been populated in the last 5 years with rugs, after my Dad bought two Persian rugs home with him from a business trip in Iran. Beautiful as they were, not really my cup of tea. However, this is:
The rug is described as:
Highest quality rugs to complement our range of products carrying the iconic Keep Calm … slogan. Hand-made exclusively for us in Uttar Pradesh, India. 100% New Zealand tufted wool & 100% Cotton backing.
It does however come at a whopping £445.00 from Pedlars.co.za, so I won’t be getting one just yet.
Things to Buy: Louis Tete Brouilly
Around the late nineties, my Dad was invited to a company retreat, and the family were allowed to come with. The retreat was just outside Paris, by the famous stables of Chantilly.
A group trip to a small restaurant in town had the following house red wine: Louis Tête Brouilly Beaujolais. An absolutely delicious wine, and I have been searching for it ever since.
To provide a little insight in to the wine:
A light, juicy Beaujolais, loaded with ripe fruit character and aromas of crushed strawberries and forest fruits. Deep ruby red in colour, Brouilly releases aromas of red fruits with a slight vegetal trace. It combines roundness with harmony. Well balanced and full-bodied, it possesses remarkable length in the mouth.
Grape Variety: 100% Gamay
Background: Louis Tete is one of the largest negociant houses in Beaujolais, dealing in wines from Beaujolais itself and also in the wines from the nearby Maçonnais. The House is now owned and run by Jean Tete, son of Louis, the founder of the dynasty. Jean has built on his fathers success, buying vineyards and establishing a reputation as one of the finest tasters in the whole of the region. The wines are of excellent and consistent quality, and express the classic style of the regions from which they are sourced.
I have found the following online seller (Drinks Direct) in the UK that is selling the wine, so I will definately need to order a crate or two!
Things to Buy: Holstee Manifesto Poster
It is another poster, but this is too good to pass up on. This one comes from Holstee, and it’s their manifesto but I think everyone can apply it to their life.
Things to Buy: Instant Rainbow Poster
I have an ever increasing folder in Outlook and my IE Favorites of DVDs, CDs, posters, T-shirts, rugs (you get the idea) of things I would love/want/need to buy, so now I can bung them all on here and trace back through them.
First in the list is this Instant Rainbow – Large 50 x 70cm poster from Etsy.
