Cloud Wallet

by Ted Cahill

Lucha Workshop, mainly known for their innovative, custom sketched T-shirts and hand bags, has also added this bold new wallet design to their collection. The outside of the cloud wallet combines an ethereal, white, cumulus evoking outline layered over a bright, red background but when you open it up you are a greeted with a blue and white plaid surprise, which beats a conventional 'silver lining' any day. The wallet measures 4" x 3.5", is made of canvass, and closes with a hidden magnetic button. Available for $15 on their site.

Sufjan Stevens: The Avalanche

by SummerSeventySix

Cherry-picking the best tracks from records, and jettisoning the filler is practically second-nature to the iPod generation. So when I say (Come On Feel The) Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens is far and away my favorite album released last year, you'll know how good it really is.

Densely-packed with countless melodic ideas and intelligently-written lyrics about weird and surprising themes, it's almost like listening to some sort of musical novel, and one that demands to be enjoyed, as the writer intended, from start to finish. Don't press shuffle. The fact that it's the second effort in Sufjan Stevens' seemingly-impossible (and now doubtful) task to record an album for every state in the union somehow makes Illinoise even more irresistible.

Stevens is releasing 21 outtakes and alternate versions from the Illinoise sessions in The Avalanche. As Illinoise was originally going to be released as a double-album, this acts more like its perfect companion than something just for the fans. It also contains some absolute gems. The opening tune (also called "The Avalanche") sets the scene with its fragile choral vocals, and alluring change of tempo, while "Dear Mr. Supercomputer" opens with a tight, syncopated intro and closes with a coda borrowed from Abbey Road-era Beatles. Aching piano instrumental "The Palm Sunday Tornado Hits Crystal Lake" sounds like a relative of Radiohead's "Pyramid Song." The three different versions of Illinoise-standout "Chicago" are also included, although none is up to the original.

The titles also remain as strange as ever. Try the soporific "Saul Bellow," named after the Nobel Prize-winning heavyweight author, or "For Clyde Tombaugh," a wall of sound dedicated to the astronomer who discovered Pluto. He's clearly walking a fine line between utterly pretentious and totally charming, but this latest release from the obviously talented Mr. Stevens safely keeps him leaning towards the latter.

The Avalanche is released by Asthmatic Kitty on 11 July 2006 and is available on Amazon.

The Duffer of St. George Plaid Flip Flops

by Ted Cahill

London-based The Duffer of St. George is spicing up summer casual wear with their new plaid flip flops. I like both the navy/turquoise/green and red/yellow/blue combinations.

Available from Fourth Chamber for £19.99 (around $35). Worldwide shipping is available.

Philips + FDNY + MomiMomi World Cup T

by Josh Rubin

On September 11, 2001 the New York Fire Department lost many brave fire fighters. One of them was Sergio Villaneuva, the best player on the FDNY Soccer Club. As an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Philips is assisting the Club in growing an athletic scholarship created in Sergio's memory to help civil workers and families send their children to college. You can help the cause by purchasing a MomiMomi designed t-shirt for $20—all proceeds benefit the scholarship and you get one of the softest, best fitting Ts around.

Modern Spirits Haute Custom Made Vodka

by Evan Orensten

There is no shortage of great vodka available today. Small batch, organic, infused, old standbys. Modern Spirits themselves make several exceptional and interesting sipping vodkas meant to be enjoyed with, and accompany food (such as Black Truffle, Celery Peppercorn and Pear Lavender).

Sometimes none of these—no matter how good—will do. That's when you call in the experts at Modern Spirits, who will help craft a vodka that represents your exclusive and exceptional taste.

We asked Litty Mathew, co-founder and tastemaker, a few questions about Haute, their bespoke vodka service:

CH: You spend a lot of time making your own flavors. How did you get the idea to offer custom made vodka?

LM: One of our clients who likes to give outrageous gifts talked us into making the first Haute. After a couple more inquiries, we began offering it as a service for individuals who yearn to create something unique they can share with others.

CH: How does this process work?

LM: We start with extensive client profiles to map out their emotional connections to flavors, cuisines and ingredients, as well as how they entertain and socialize...Once we narrow it down, we send the client three variations of the theme and go from there.

CH: Can you give us an example of a custom flavor?

LM: We made a Lavender Honey vodka for a client...(who) wanted to capture a special period of time that he spent in the South of France.

CH: How much does this cost?

LM: Since we launched the service last year, we've helped five private clients. We only take a certain number because the process is complicated and we have to comply with Federal regulations for each client. Because of the time involved, we require a minimum purchase of ten cases, which costs $15,000.

CH: Have you had any strange requests?

LM: No, but then no one has approached us with a set flavor in mind. If you know you want citron, you can buy Absolut. The real fun for Haute clients is discovering and creating their own signature flavors.

At $150 a bottle it's no more expensive than a good bottle of vintage champagne and a lot less expensive than a custom made fragrance. For those that need to put their personal stamp on everything around them, Haute is a new option to consider. Their tagline is "Flavors only limited by the imagination;" your imagination, and $15,000 that is.