Iconic...

If you've ever wondered what the story is behind some of your favorite pieces of clothing, you might enjoy 'Icons of Men's Style' by Josh SIms. The heavily illustrated book tells the story of many of the clothes and accessories that have shaped men's wardrobes today. Cost: about 20 USD.







Available from Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com

Contain yourself...

If you're looking for some rugged storage for your gear, you might check out the 'Pandora Container Cabinets' by Sander Mulder. Modeled after large shipping containers, these modules come in a variety of stackable options.






More info via Sander Mulder:
www.sandermulder.com/pandora.html

floating game...

For when you can't choose between gaming and swimming - 'The Inflatable Poker Set'. Cost: 45 USD.






Order via Mint Gadgets:
www.mintgadgets.com

Everyone is helping...

In an interesting experiment, DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) tried designing a prototype military vehicle via 'crowd sourcing' - letting everyone vote on component parts. In an amazing 14 weeks, the XC2V Flypmode test unit was built.






Read more about it via DARPA:
www.darpa.mil

Concealer weapon...

Dutch jewelry designer Ted Noten has made a series of handgun shaped compacts for women. The series called 'The Seven Necessities' include various configurations of makeup, bullion, perfume, and other needs. Each includes a 4 gig USB drive. Cost: starting from 8,000 EUR. Best not to take this to the airport.





Read more about it via the New York Times Magazine:
tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com

On the case...

If you're looking for that perfect briefcase, you might like to talk to Andres Hagardzon. His custom briefcases are minimalist masterpieces. A variety of high tech styles and finishes are available with multiple security options - electronic locks, keys, and biometrics. Matching iPhone cases are available as well.




Styles, details, and contact info via Andres Hagardzon:
hagardzon.se

Training wheels...

Here are a few sensible words about riding your first motorcycle from the gents at 'The Art of Manliness'.







'Learning to Ride Your First Motorcycle' via The Art of Manliness:
artofmanliness.com

Shredder: update

A while back, the 'Shredder' was announced - part skateboard, part tank - an off road transport for rugged terrain. Now, there's 'The Jackal', a military version with an included weapons platform. Mayhem has never been this fun before.





Photos and info via 'Geeky Gadgets':
www.geeky-gadgets.com

Petra'fied

If you're heading off to Jordan for a holiday, you might want to check out the Evason Ma'In Hot Springs - featuring the Six Senses Spa. Arrangements can be made for a Berber tented dinner or cliff top view of the Al Wadi desert. Alternately, You could also just wallow in the hot springs. 97 Rooms starting at 318 USD.






Details and Booking via Six Senses:
www.sixsenses.com/Evason-Ma-In

Spare tires...

The GK2G concept go-kart is small, light, and built so it can be folded into the trunk of a standard car. The light weight carbon fiber vehicle can top end at 60 mph. Designed by Beau Reid.







More pix via Yanko Design:
www.yankodesign.com

Weapon of choice...

A favorite of law enforcement - the Walther PPS -a successor to the venerable Walther PPK. The pistol is quite compact (PPS - Police Pistol Slim), with a profile of only 1.04 inch. Available in 9mm and .40, it also packs quite a punch.






More information, the homepage of Walther America:
www.smith-wesson.com

Keep an eye on them...

Most of the 'video recording sunglasses' available look a little suspect. The 'Eyez' project promises something a little less obvious. These wireless glasses are to transmit realtime video to a nearby computing device at 720p. Estimated cost: 150 USD




Read more about the project via Kickstarter:
www.kickstarter.com

Something old, something new...

Blending retro-styling and and modern materials, the 'FirmShip' might just be the perfect boat for your high sea adventures. Amenities include foldable deck furniture, a standup shower, and a king sized bed. Cost: about 400,000 USD




Photos, specs, and contact info via Beautiful Life:
www.beautifulife.com

Now you see it...

There's a class of materials called 'metamaterials' - one of their properties is the ability to bend light, making objects invisible. Traditionally difficult to manufacture - a new breakthrough might make this material much more common.




Read more about it via MIT Technology Review:
www.technologyreview.com

You'll get a charge out of this...

If you're looking for a stylish solar charger, Alfred Dunhill has one for purchase. The aluminum case flips open to expose the solar cells. Up to 30 hours of charge can be stored. Cost: 175 EUR.





info and order via Dunhill ONline:
www.dunhill.com

Sneak attack...

There are certain weapons you'd never expect... like 'The Flamebone'. Half trombone, half flame thrower.








Follow the link to see it in action, via YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Overdue...

Due to changes in policy, 50,000 pages of US government classified documents from 200 years ago have been moved to the archives and made available to civilians. What's in the stash of information? World War I secrets and spycraft - how to make invisible ink from milk, how to undo adhesives, locations of prisons in the late 1800's, and so on. (Tip: follow the link to the index .PDF file)



Read more about it via The DangerRoom:
www.wired.com

Survival skills...

One of life's little pleasures - a good cup of coffee. Here's a link to a we produced clip, 'How to Make a Cappuccino' by the folks at Intelligentsia Coffee.





'How to Make a Cappuccino' via YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Going under...

At the Anatara Kihavah Villas located in the Maldives, you can enjoy an undersea meal without getting wet. Their underwater restaurant called 'Sea' is part of culinary program (Sea, Salt, Fire, and Sky) - each restaurant promises a different, unique experience. The resort is located on Kihavah Huravalhi Island - 30 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.





Resort details and reservations via their homesite:
kihavah-maldives.anantara.com

Shooting stars...

If you're in the Los Angeles area this weekend, and would like to target practice with movie stars - you might like to drop by 'Hollywood Sport Clays'. The annual festival of target practice includes shotgun, hand gun, archery, and even airsoft for the kids. Celebs and models will be on hand, along with exotic snacks. And yes, that is a picture of Eric Estrada with a shotgun case.





Even info via Hollywood Sport Clays:
hollywoodsportclays.com

I see you're a big fan..

Chris Malloy of Australia has a dream: 'The Hoverbike'. He's been working on it for a while, and it's close to 'ready for limited production'. Essentially a cross between a motorcycle and a hovercraft, it could be rather popular in the future. Estimated cost: targeted at 40,000 USD





Read more about it via HoverBike:
www.hover-bike.com

Lens flare...

If you're a fan of the classic Ray Ban sunglasses, you're in for a treat. The company has finally made an interchangable lens system for two of their most classic models - The 'Aviator' and 'Caravan' sunglasses. Cost: 230 USD





Available from SunglassHut:
www.sunglasshut.com

A toast...

In honor of the year of the distillery founding, The Macallan have created a special edition 'MMXI Limited Edition' single malt whiskey. Aged in sherry oak casks, and sold in a rosewood burled case. Only 1,824 bottles will be made. Cost: about 170 USD






Read tasting notes via Scotch Malt Whiskey:
www.scotchmaltwhiskey.co.uk

Topless fun...

If you're looking for that perfect summer car, consider the 'Audi R8 GT Spyder'. The carbon fiber clad Spyder has a 552 horsepower V10 5.2L engine - with a top speed of 197 mph. Only 333 will be made. Cost: about 300,000 USD. (depending on options and purchase location)






Read more from Top Speed:
www.topspeed.com

Standing room only...

Update: As reported earlier, an intrepid group of Danish space enthusiasts (The Copenhagen Suborbitals) has been working on launching their own budget space craft. This past week, they launched a test flight from their floating launch platform. After 2 Km, the flight was cut short when it start veering outside their target zone. Still, it was a good first try.




Read more about it via New Scientist:
www.newscientist.com

Going global...

Designer Tino Schaedler is working on 'The Cocoon' - an immersive pod for viewing and interacting with information. Sensor arrays inside the pod track body movement as the interior surface acts as a projection screen - creating a 360 degree environment for computing or viewing information.





Details and video via Luxury Launches:
www.luxurylaunches.com

That's a bit redundant...

If you'd like to play pool.. while in a pool.. it's now possible. The waterproof pool table is available for your sporting needs. Cost: 6,500 USD.




Available from OpulentItems:
www.opulentitems.com/Expensive-Presents.html

High caliber accessories...

One can spruce up a french cuff shirt with these, 'Spent shell casing cufflinks'. Available in .357, .38, and .45 caliber - they are made by ArtifactsNRelics and sold via Etsy.com. Cost: about 32 USD.





Bullet Cufflinks via Etsy:
www.etsy.com/shop/ArtifactsNRelics?section_id=7258141

Up his sleeve...

One of this year's winners for the PopSci Inventions contest is 'The BodyGuard' - An armored glove that includes a laser pointer, video camera, flashlight and a half million volt stun weapon.







Read more and watch the video at PopSci:
www.popsci.com