From bike to beer...

Because really, what do cyclists do other than cycle? Drink beer.

Or maybe that’s just a cliche, but it’s still pretty cool to have one of these around. The bicycle chain is actually a good asset because it allows you to hang it where you like, or just spin it around on your finger.

Anodized aluminum opener should stand up to lots of caps.

On sale now for $9 (regularly $11)

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It's really not crumb-y.

My wife insists that this is the French way to cut your bread. Of course I have no way to verify this, save flying to Paris and breaking into random homes (which could be nice if they provided dinner). So I guess I will have to take her word for it. I will admit, however, it is quite a handy way to do it. I will also admit that if the French were to take anything seriously it would be the manner in which they cut their baguette.

It works like this: you cut on the board, the slats in the board allow all the messy crumbs to fall into the bottom, thus saving the mess and making for a clean way to cut your bread.

We had one of these, but it was made of wood and the cats knocked it off the counter. The result: kindling.

Fortunately, this one looks much more well made and is even bamboo so my green conscience can be at ease.

$35

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Ahhh.

We aren’t promoting drinking your way through the holidays, but we aren’t not promoting it either. Think how much easier it will be to deal with the familial guilt and shortcomings, the awkward work party conversations and kisses from your mustachioed aunties when you’re half in the bag!

And as an added bonus: you will be the envy (and newly coveted friend) of all the alcoholics in your family when you pull out this stainless flask. It’s Mad Men in styling, but eco in nature (it is made from recycled scrap steel). Fill it with your choice: schnapps for the cold climates, rum for spiking the punch or good old cheap vodka to speed up that downward spiral you’re on. Or maybe just a little wine or brandy might be nice to have on hand now and again.

OK, but seriously, this is pretty cool and would be handy on the slopes or for kitch cache…fun gift for the stylish, eco-conscious nipper in your life.

Just $25 (on sale now for $15!)

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Recycled PET Bottles + good design

The Restore Basket is made by Finnish designer, Miva Tolvanen (don’t you just love Finnish names?). It’s super simple and clean, yet strong and good for holding newspapers or magazines, your craft goods, firewood or whatever else. The felt finish ensures that wherever you drag it, it won’t scratch.

We love the eco-friendly nature of it and think it might even be good for last minute Christmas gifts.

$100

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Gerber Daisies for NWF

It’s the holiday season, and we like to send flowers sometimes. We recently discovered Organic Bouquet, a florist that sends organic flowers…but what’s even better, they have a special program of pre-designed bouquets that all include a donation to your favorite charities – 45 charities in total.

We love that there’s a lot of wins in this formula: we can feel good about giving a gift, feel good about how the flowers were grown (organically) and feel good about the donation we are giving to [your favorite charity here]. Some of the charities include: Peta, Amnesty International, National Wildlife Federation, Green America, American Lung Association, BreastCancer.org, Women for Women, Rainforest Foundation, Audubon Society, Project Hope and many more.

That’s the kind of business model we like. mmm. Goodness.

Bouquets range from $40 to $70.

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Cool design, made from recycled aluminum.

Anyone who lives in Southern California may know that the Santa Anas have been blowing in of late. For those of you who don’t, these are the hot winds that blow down from, well, the Santa Ana mountains. And when I say blow, I mean BLOW. Up to 100 mph gusts come ripping through LA, taking down trees, powerlines, small animals – whatever gets in the way.

I bring this up because we lost our power a couple nights ago. Keep in mind that it barely even rains down here, so this is an unusual occurrence to say the least. And when it happened, I had to fumble around in the dark looking for candles. What I found wasn’t pretty: holdovers from the poor hippie days. So I have decided it’s time to upgrade.

And thus I found this lovely candelabra fashioned after a set of deer antlers, cast in polished aluminum from old beer cans (no doubt these were also from said poor hippie days of yore). And it holds a few tapered candles for decent light. Totally. Awesome.

These are so cool they’re worth using even when your power works.

$123

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Save landfill space. Eat good to go food.

Get to-go food ever? We do to. Who has time to always cook? But the problem is that every time you go to get Ma po tofu or sushi or what have you, they always throw in plastic ware. If you’re lucky it’s made from corn – but in the end it’s still going to the landfill.

So we were excited when we saw these on sale while eating some delicious macro food at Seed (amazing vegan burger/fries, btw) in Venice yesterday: bamboo reusable portable tableware. Now we just throw these in with our lunch. We keep an extra in the car so when we get food on the go, we’re good.

Oh and it comes with spoon, knife, fork and chopsticks too! And a handy carrying case with a carabiner to snap on to your backpack or whatever.

Fun gift idea for the environmentalist or college student in your life (seriously, remember all the to go food back then?), as well.

This comes as a 2-pack.

$25

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Carry your stuff without burden

So my bicycle got stolen. Right out under my face while I was sipping coffee on Main St. Santa Monica. Life in the big city, I guess. So I’ve been out shopping for replacements (recommendations coming soon…). I’m looking at building the ultimate urban vehicle. The main issue I’ve come upon if you’re really going to commute is that you need space. Trunk space. Space to carry crap. Nothing will pre-empt a biking trip more than needing to actually carry something (or bring something – like groceries – home).

But the age old conundrum is whether to get expensive and cumbersome pannier bags or to use a backpack or messenger bag.

Leave it to the Brits. Basil’s d’Azur Weekender Bag is a nice bag that will hold some stuff (23 liters worth), and when it’s full, you just zip back the hidden pocket and use the hooks revealed to hang it on your bike rack. Instant pannier.

It’s treated to be water-resistant. Basil also makes a couple smaller bags like this and a similar pannier bag as well as a number of more girlie colors and designs.

$105

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Will it save the world? No. But it's a nice thought.

Bamboo. Good stuff: grows fast, absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, at least as strong as most woods, looks great. Tradtional keyboard and mouse: plastic from petroleum, ugly, non-renewable.

Bamboo meet keyboard and mouse.

People, meet the Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse Combo from Micro Innovations.

$40

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Old boxes: new lights

These pendants from graypants are handmade in Seattle, WA of repurposed cardboard boxes. They are unique looking and cast a really cool light. They are coated with a No-Burn spray (it’s green, don’t worry – no VOCs, Class A Fire Rating) so you won’t burn your house down.

We like the “Jupiter” series because they look like flashy planetary lights up in the mooniverse of any loft, apartment or office space. But they also come in bell shapes, stars, bean(ish) and discs.

You can get this whole set (the “galilean moon set”) together for $680 or you can get them individually from $130 to $280.

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