Tag Archives: General Gifts

The world’s first item-tracker made from recycled ocean-plastic

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The choice of material for Chipolo’s latest Ocean Series trackers is quite poetic if you ask me. The trackers help you keep track of your personal belongings – things of value to you – but ironically or poetically enough, they’re made from the things you don’t consider valuable… single-use plastics.

Through a strategic partnership with Oceanworks.co to source ocean-based plastic waste, the Chipolo ONE Ocean tracking device comes made with a recycled-plastic body. Fishing nets, trawls, and ropes floating in the sea are collected in the shallow areas of the ocean near the shoreline, before being cleaned, treated, and turned into polypropylene plastic pellets. These pellets are the primary raw material used to create the outer body of Chipolo’s tracking device. While it isn’t much plastic to begin with (each tracking chip is the size of a coin), Chipolo is committed to helping reduce plastic waste in the ocean… in fact, they’re even committing to pledge $1 from the profits of each Chipolo ONE Ocean sold towards the non-profit organization Oceanic Global to support ocean clean-up efforts.

The Chipolo ONE Ocean joins its popular line of tracking devices, helping you keep track of your belongings from your keys to your wallet, or even your backpack. Just attach your Chipolo to any item you want to track and connect it with the Chipolo app on your iPhone or Android phone. You can ring the tracking device from the Chipolo App to find them, or see its last known location on a map, if they’re out of the Bluetooth range. The devices are backward-compatible too, and you can double press your Chipolo device to help locate your connected smartphone if you can’t find it. Each Chipolo ONE Ocean comes powered by a CR2032 coin battery, giving it a battery life of up to 2 years.

Designers: Chipolo in collaboration with Oceanworks.co and Oceanic Global

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This moon-inspired desk lamp brings tranquility to your sleep routine!

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While the moon might not provide so strong a brightness in contrast to the sun, the Moon has a way of reintroducing us to tranquility, the concept behind the new desk lamp – Moon Light. The delicate, folding desk lamp softly illuminates any room it’s in with a dual-tone light reminiscent of the Moon’s glow. The lamp is as functional as it is artful; folded, the lamp might evoke images of the Moon hanging just above a tree. Speaking to the desk lamp’s practicality and artfulness, the lamp effuses each room with the mellow, but illuminating glow we so often seek from the Moon.

Based in Hangzhou, China, Wenjie Zheng conceptualized the lamp by marrying technology with poetry. Upon first glance, the lamp is attractively uncomplicated and, simply, gets the job done. While pragmatism and application matter, Moon Light has so much to offer that exceeds its simplistic appearance. The lamp is essentially made of up three main parts: two long flutes and a toroidal ring. A closer look reveals that the linear flute hinges at the lamp’s ring, its focal point. The linear flute functions as the lamp’s primary source of light and can stretch out to a maximum of 145 degrees from the lamp’s center. The lamp’s design prioritizes optical prism lighting, which means that the glass is cut in such a way that naturally reflects and bends light, which exemplifies Zheng’s dedication to reproducing the feeling and illumination that’s generally associated with moonlight.

Moon Light’s main appeal is the toroidal ring that represents the lunar satellite and centerpiece of the design. The ring light offers auxiliary light, akin to the kind the Moon offers, which is ideal for younger children to use as a night light. Auxiliary and optical prism lighting distinctly enhances this design as its purpose is not to provide bright light, similar to that which comes from the sun, but to instead reproduce the tranquil glow of the Moon whether for yourself and that book you bring to bed or for a younger child who always seems to sleeps a bit better whenever the Moon gets to hang around. Best of all, this night light brings you the tranquility needed to clear your brain and get you that good night’s sleep.

Designer: Wenjie Zheng

A portable pocket-knife with an aesthetic that’s fit for Aquaman!

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I imagine Arthur Curry’s go-to weapon is his shining trident, but sometimes a small pocket-knife is all you need to get the job done. Launched as a highly limited edition run, the Hirin is designed by Dew Hara, son of eminent blade designer Koji Hara in partnership with CRKT.

Limited to just 500 pieces, the Hirin comes with a drop-point blade made from Böhler M390 stainless steel that folds right into its exquisitely styled 6AL4V titanium handle. The Hirin measures 5.2 inches when closed, opening up to become an 8.6-inch pocket-knife that’s really ideal for most outdoor tasks The blade opens in an ambidextrous fashion, allowing it to open or close either through the left or the right with a comfortable flick, thanks to CRKT’s IKBS ball bearing system. Each knife comes manufactured to perfection in Maniago, Italy, along with an exclusive leather case, designed by Hara too. And while the Hirin may look like something out of Aquaman’s arsenal, CRKT explicitly states that it doesn’t have any superpowers… unless looking spectacular is a superpower.

Designer: Dew Hara for CRKT

Resin and wood transform classic products to give them an otherworldly appeal!

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Imagine if our world combined with Pandora (the world from Avatar, not the Box!) and humans and Na’vi got together to create some masterpieces – that is exactly what this collection of ice blue resin and warm wood product designs bring to my mind. Every product’s aesthetics in this collection go for a complete overhaul, with some blue pixie dust added for an almost otherworldly, or even magical upgrade to the traditional designs! Russia based Valutkin Studio has been developing these designs and has gathered a dedicated following of these products on their Instagram Page @barocco, so take a dive through this beautiful and mystical collection of product designs that are sure to add some wonder and awe to your homes!

Radio designs are more nostalgic these days with these iconic products now almost missing from people’s homes. But when you have a radio like this, you will create a space to show it off! Set in blue epoxy resin and balanced with a warm wooden body, this radio is worthy of passing down the generations.

Oakwood and resin combine to create this light! The use of material’s natural color is balanced by the delicate features of this light. A centerpiece when on or off, this light will be an attention grabber. Beware of the shark though and maybe not use it while binge-watching JAWS!

Your EDC should reflect your personality – this blue resin and wood-inspired handle will stand out from the crowd of metal and leather handles. And not to forget, casting resin gives you the perfect opportunity to mold the design ergonomically with ease.

I’m not sure how I would use them but look at how adorable these miniature planes are! Now if only we could have an enlarged version of these to fly around Pandora!

Your gorgeous flowers deserve a beautiful setting. The wooden base offset by the resin gives a translucency to the entire design, reducing the bulkiness of the overall vase design.

Get some northern lights inspired magic to your home with these pillar night lights.

A box used to store your treasures should be like a treasure itself. Using multiple layers of resin to create a depth effect, mimicking the ocean, this box’s artwork is a conversation starter in its own right.

Your car is your prized possession and what better way to personalize it than a resin gear knob? Add this to your car to complement your interiors and let your aesthetics shine!

Your favorite bike design, a walnut wood pedestal, and lights, this lamp design is as personalized as it gets! Even better, you can use any figurine in place of the bike and showcase it.

This resin and wood shaving kit creates the symmetry and highlight in your bathroom. Perfect for gifting, this bespoke shaving kit will be the jewel in your kit.

As a bonus, this synergetic wood and resin whale design will elevate any mantelpiece it is placed on!

A modern terrarium with a little bit of easter and a lot of zen!

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Happy Easter! Yes, I know it was on Sunday but we are all still at home and I am pretty sure we all still have our chocolate bunnies so might as well extend the holiday celebrations while we can (it’s the little joys!). Most of us are under lockdowns and spending Easter in quarantine means doing egg hunt at home. If you have a backyard, count yourself lucky but if you don’t then this zen egg garden will make up for it!

This beautiful glass terrarium is almost as perfect as the egg that broke Instagram – remember that? And you can still host your egg hunt in it by hiding Maltesers instead of real eggs – at least you can eat your reward which is better than holding on to painted eggs that can actually be breakfast before people start hoarding those too. This glass egg garden radiates zen energy and brings a sense of calm to the room it is placed in. The minimal terrarium matches the Easter theme but will work all year round too because of its evergreen (literally) visual aesthetics. Switch up the rabbit for holiday-appropriate decor and maybe even add a string light to create an attractive centerpiece. Having plants in your house purifies the air and adds to the aesthetic but the color green is also associated with soothing energies and we all could use that right now.

Easter may feel different but who knows, maybe this pandemic will help us to find our own metaphorical Easter eggs in life. Let’s just pray they are well-designed like this modern terrarium!

Designer: Jerzy Galus

Razer’s limited edition Pikachu earbuds come with a Pokéball charging case!!

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I recommend wearing the earbuds upside down so you look like you’ve got Pikachu ears…

Razer’s limited edition Pikachu earbuds are awesome for all the right reasons. Not only are they an absolutely delightful looking pair of familiar yellow earbuds, they even push the limit by coming in a Pokéball shaped charging case – which is even more exceptional because it’s a ‘charging’ case and Pikachu’s an electric type Pokémon!

The adorable earbuds are essentially a limited variant of Razer’s Hammerhead earphones, but in yellow, and with a Pikachu graphic replacing the Razer triple-snake logo. The truly wireless earbuds dock magnetically into a Pokéball-shaped charging case, which may not be tiny enough to fit into your pocket, but which noob carries Pokéballs in their pockets? The earbud case has a tiny lanyard that’s perfect for strapping around your hand as you walk around and get jealous looks from fellow Pokémon lovers.

The earbuds provide 3 hours of playback time, and the spherical case supplies them with an additional 15 hours… you could say that your earphones are ‘resting’ within their Pokéball. The only bit of disappointing news is that the earbuds will be available only in China, via the Tmall e-commerce store starting 16th April.

Designer: Razer

Stationery addicts now have a ‘concrete’ reason to buy another pen!

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Good stationery can really change my productivity quotient for the day and I am sure I am not alone. Writing with a new pen brings out the calligraphy artist inside me and looking at the concrete pen, I am so tempted to start journaling again! The studio that designed this beautiful pen, 22Studio, is proud of their contribution to keeping the tradition of writing on paper alive by sparking inspiration through their products.

The stationery created by 22Studio is no less than art, these are made to last lifelong and passed down as family collectibles through generations. Concrete is used to make this pen because it adds the rich look without making it a shiny or fancy – it is simple but makes a bold statement. The solid pen starts as a liquid mixture of different elements and then it allowed to set like stone. The concrete pen is carefully designed and crafted by hand in the studio which gives it its unique personality. Books are considered as best friends, but this concrete stationery is a rock (literally!) we can lean on.

Designer: 22Studio

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These guitar-shaped kitchen cutting boards are made for a different kind of ‘shredding’!

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Pretend to knock out some blues solos while you’re chopping up your greens (I spent a considerable amount of time on puns) because Etsy seller CuttingBoredom’s created some really cool looking wooden chopping boards inspired by two of rock music’s most iconic guitars, the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. Available in Cherry, Mahogany, and Walnut, these cutting boards come made to perfection with wooden inlays that make them look just like the real deal. Perfect for classic rock lovers and healthy culinary aficionados. Air-guitar skills not included.

Now if only there were some piano-inspired cutting boards so I could say something clever about practicing your Chopin and your chopping… right?

Designer: Dave Stencil (CuttingBoredom)

Elago’s case gives your AirPods Pro a protective leather robe

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Designed to ensconce your $249 AirPods Pro in a rather dapper looking encasement, elago’s leather case for the AirPods Pro wraps your portable earphones in 100% veggie-tanned natural cowhide leather. Stamped out of a single leather sheet, the case comes together to protect as well as differentiate your case from the bunch. Available in black, brown, burgundy, and blue, the case comes with a brass fastener and a slim brass carabiner that you can use to hang the case from your bag, belt-loop, or anywhere else. Each case even comes with a conveniently placed cutout on its base to let you plug a lightning cable in while charging. Neat!

Designer: elago

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This snowflake-shaped multitool makes the best stocking-stuffer for EDC lovers!

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With only 10 days to Christmas Eve, if you’re still thinking about what to buy for your DIY enthusiast friend or for Secret Santa at work, the HexFlex multitool is the perfect combination of functional and festive-themed. It fits 14 incredibly useful tools into its small frame and comes with a keyring attachment so you’ve always got it on you. Made from stainless steel, this incredibly season-appropriate multitool comes with two Phillips screwdrivers, a flathead screwdriver, three hex drivers, a box-cutter, a bottle opener, and six different wrenches cleverly integrated into its snowflake-shaped design. Originally designed to be a snowboard tool (hence the snowflake theme), the HexFlex actually lends itself to a lot of regular daily use too. It fastens right to your keychain, allowing you to carry it around wherever you go, and gives you the power to open stuff from bottles to boxes and tighten or loosen screws, and bolts. Now that’s quite chill isn’t it?!

Designer: HexFlex

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