In the SF East Bay, handbag designer Janine Marie is a veritable Wizard of (Ooohs and) Ahhs. Her belted bags are as popular as they are versatile and made of sueded microfiber and come with a magnificient kimono inspired belt. The interior cell phone pocket and magnetic snap closures allow you to pick up your incoming calls before your Wizard of Oz ringtone reaches the annoying chorus.
Made of microfiber suede that’s as soft as it is durable, and adorned with a Japanese print belt that does double time around your waist, this versatile everyday bag is anything but ordinary.
Multiple interior pockets handle all your essentials and the adjustable strap allows it to be worn under-arm or messenger bag style.”
Size: 9″ x 11″ x 4″ (23 x 28 x 10 cm)
Color: Sandstone/ Green Kimono Belt; Tawny/ Pink Kimono Belt; Chocolate/ Blue Kimono Belt
Price: $116 / 110€

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Soupe du Jour

If you’re a profound lover of fine teas, you’ve probably been feeling a bit neglected lately, what with so few places to delight in the exquisite art. Wouldn’t it be easier to become a coffee aficionado—the type who can get a fix at any ubiquitous coffee joint? In a word, yes. But despite their magnificent seeded muffins, Starbucks will always elicit a groan from the truest tea enthusiast who wants more than a packaged tea bag (the equivalent of instant coffee).
Gamil brings good news. They designed a tantalizing Teastick which you may recall from SDJ a couple month’s ago (plenty of you have sent us e-mails requesting one of your own). This totally unique utensil allows you to scoop your favorite loose tea, slide it into your beloved teacup and, as the subtle flavors slowly darken the water, savor the marvelous fragrances released by fresh leaves. We’ll say it once more, with passion: fresh leaves. Since it’s so easy to use, the Teastick is the perfect office companion. When you’re done, slide it open again, empty the leaves and go for round two. This is tea lover’s bliss…
Price: $18 / 18€
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As you all know, we love the whole recycling aspect in design and products. And if you think like us, then today’s product will go down well in your eco friendly office.
A small (9.5″ x 10.5″ / 24 x 19 cm) waste paper bin, hand made entirely out of reused paper. Every single one is a unique piece, there are no two identical versions.
So, go ahead and add a little environmental consciousness to your office with these cool little bins…
Price: $40 / 32€
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This is the gold version of the traditional Czech carriage clock, an absolutely gorgeous find from the great guys over at Qubus in the Czech Republic
We met Maxim Velcovsy a few weeks back for ICFF in New York and here’s what he had to say about his wonderful creation: ‘This relic, from an aesthetic point of view, continues to satisfy clients who long for something beautiful and luxurious, across the spectrum of time, its original model is dating back to the Rococo. I cleaned the typical shape of its cobalt ornament and left it monochrome, in its original nakedness. I removed the mechanical hands and crudely implanted a futuristic display in the old-fashioned body. The display counts down the time and resembles an explosive, an aesthetic bomb that might damage your taste.’
Not much for us to add, all said. Simply an amazing display!

Size: 4″ x 4″ x 12″ (10×10x30,5 cm)
Price: $600 / 500€
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We love it when products get a second chance. Products that aren’t used anymore because they are out of fashion, don’t work anymore or simply are really old…
We brought you the bottle openers from Pervisioni a couple month’s back and today we have something similar. From the great guys at 366CM comes a refurbished phone card that is turned into an ashtray. And because one is never enough, they come in a set of 4. But you can’t choose a particular design, it’s pretty much based on what’s available on the market…
So even if you don’t smoke, they make a great piece just stacked, sitting around. And who knows, the inevitable smoker might just walk through your door one day and you do want to be prepared…
Size: 3″ x 2″ (8,5 x 5,4 cm)
Price: $25 / 20€
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Looking for a truly stunning presentation at the dinner table? Inori might just be what you are looking for… This five piece stacking dining set was inspired by asian tableware and conceived as a rice bowl, sushi platter, sauce dish, tea cup and chopstick holder - though it’s use goes well beyond the intended uses…
Purely sculptural when assembled, the set is perfectly functional when dismantled for as a place setting and will bring an element of surprise to any dinner (or lunch) table. Handmade in the UK, near Staffordshire using the finest bone china, so thin, light will literally shine through it…
This absolutely stunning piece was designed by Emma Welsh of Item who’s work with bone china is simply spectacular and ranges from experimental pieces to light fixtures to table ware.
Size: 4″ x 4″ x 12″ (9 x 9 x 28 cm)
Price: $120 / 100€
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This one answers the the old question: where to put the condoms?
You’ve outgrown the secret little box next to your bed. Open on your bedsidetable is a little too obvious don’t you think? Under your pillows is way too silly. Leaves the bathroom, which is much too far away.
Here is a wonderfully cute design by the great guys over at Scabetti in the UK: The Prophopot. The bedside storage vessel for condoms of all shapes and colors… It is made from hypo-allergenic natural earthenware and lubricated with non-spermicidal glaze (it has not actually been formulated or dermatologically tested to reduce the risk of allergic reactions though) and comes with a cute rubber lid. That kinda does what condoms do…
We simply enjoy the playfulness of it and are sure that you will too…

Size: 3.5″ x 5″ or 90 x 127 mm
Colors: Gobstopper Red, Powder Blue, Bubblegum Pink
Price: $26 / 22€
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A couple of weeks ago we presented the Hampton frames to you and now that summer has officially started we have the picture clipboard as well.
We really liked the idea that somebody is buying up used painted wood of old rundown beach houses and reuses it to make these pretty frames.
At 14″ x 18″ (35,5 x 46 cm) this clipboard is just perfect in size to hold your four favorite summer pictures, just attach them with the 4 clips that come with the frame. The frame itself is an off white and the left side is striped in green and white stripes and the right in light blue and yellow… Makes you feel like you are on the beach!
The perfect gift for a summer party!
Price: $50 / 50€

Oooh, what’s that? And how does it work? Was our first reaction, and we are positive you’ll have the same questions once you get your hands on this cool cube. You did in fact and liked it so much, that you sent us dozens of emails. So here we go again:
No cables protude from the crisp clear bock that completely covers a simple bulb. But leave it out in the light for a few hours and see it come to life and cast a soft beautiful glow.
This is a fun addition to your office or your living room if you are looking for a subtle yet instantly recognizable light source.
Size: 3″ x 3″ x 4″
Price: $20 / 20€

We have had so many requests for this one, that we are happy to present it to you one more time…
OK, you like a nice cold beer every once in a while – like every other night. And obviously you prefer a good microbrew over a Bud – or maybe you don’t – taste varies. In any case, you need to open the bottle somehow.
Yes we are aware of twist off caps, but what if you do like microbrews? Or prefer Coke in a bottle? Unless your hand is a wrench, you won’t get to far…
Why not consider this elegant piece of work from the good guys over at Suck UK?
It’s a fridge magnet cum bottle opener. And we like it. I works perfectly with our micro brews and with pretty much any other bottle as well. And it’s really good looking. Subtle, it integrates well and doesn’t scream at you. Unless you take the red version or the ATL version…
Oh – and if you prefer opening your beer by twisting your hand, go ahead, be a macho, but in case it doesn’t open – try the opener…
Color: Red, White, Chrome, Black, Coke Red, Coke Chrome
Size: approx. 5″ x 8″ x 2″
Price: $20 / 20€
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