Craplinks

by Ami Kealoha

Much in the way that CH is an online resource of the technology, culture and design that inspires us (and maybe a little more like one of our other favorite sites The UnCoolHunter), Craplinks is a blog that catalogs things that are, well, crappy. Founded by a CH comrade and officemate (to protect the innocent we'll retain his anonymity) to organize the links he and his friends would share with each other throughout the day, we admit that there are occasions where we sometimes debate whether an item should be craplinked or cool hunted.

The site itself consists of links and short, often witty descriptions, which range in content from sites about old men who look like lesbians to videos of David Hasselhoff drunk. You'll find yourself on a lollercoaster in no time.

If you can guess the identities of all the CH contributors who are also Craplinkers, follow the contact link at the bottom of the page, select "Feedback" from the pull-down menu and we'll send the first person to get it right the contents of our "Giveaway Box."

Umbro by Kim Jones S/S 2008

by Tim Yu

In his 9th season for Umbro, Kim Jones' upcoming Spring and Summer 2008 is yet again a collection of bright colors and subtle twists. His street-ready athletic wear takes a cue from what's to come, including the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, showing up in a few colorways and graphics used throughout the collection.

Using bright colors and prints in unexpected places, Jones lends a new dimension to his sneakers. One of my favorites, the Gamba Feather, features a black-and-white feather print on the lining of the shoe (above left). Taking a page from the classic soccer (football) cleat design—after all Umbro is a soccer company first and foremost—the Gamba Feather features a fold over tongue to cover up your laces and show off the print a bit or you can just flip it up to go with a more minimalist look.

Mr. Jones also uses the sole for African-inspired designs, like on the Runner Lo Vivafrican. Underneath a clear rubber sole, the detail should last past a few months or at least until you wear through the first layer.

We're glad to see that Umbro has also held onto popular classics such as the Woven Leather and Runners but I like the new offering of Crayola spectrum colors too. Also new, for the first time the line offers shoes specifically designed for women (rather than just men's sneakers in women's sizes). Named Kimberly, a pointed toe lends a feminine touch which also makes for an original new look for the collection.

Accessories continue to become a more substantial part of his collections, my favorites being the Vivafrican and Feather Print Balls. The bags and wallets are also worth taking note.

Keep a lookout for the collection in some department stores and specialty boutiques come springtime, because it's sure to go quick. More images from the collection after the jump.

Amai Tea and Bake House

by Ami Kealoha

by Karen McGrane

A shop combining tea, not-too-sweet baked goods and a love for the serenity of Japanese and French desserts seems like it would be a match for the Cool Hunting palate. Add in the fact that the charming shop got its start from a blog, Lovescool, and you've got a guaranteed hit around CH HQ. Amai Tea and Bake House recently opened its doors for retail service, after a few years providing wholesale goods to retailers across the U.S., including Takashimaya and Ito En here in New York.

Owner and Chief Baker, Kelli Bernard, conquered her dislike of writing by expressing her love of dessert on the blog set up for her by Andrew Lin, a former colleague and now the Creative Director at Amai. By sharing her thoughts on baking, recipes, and travel, Kelli connected with a passionate and supportive community of readers, which gave them the courage to start a new business. Though the selfish among us are sad to lose their collective talents as interaction designers, we're easily mollified by eating a few of their treats.

Rich brownies made with botanical ingredients like lychee and and white peach, as well as crisp tea cookies in flavors like chai almond and green tea (the latter of which won the Golden Scoop Award for Best Bakery Recipe from the French Culinary Institute this year) are available in their shop and online. Those in New York should definitely stop by their serene oasis for fresh treats you can't get online, like a puff pastry with sweet potato filling and a melt-in-your-mouth green tea muffin that's steamed rather than baked. The bakery downstairs turns out seasonal delights with fresh ingredients from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket, so expect a changing array of sweets to appear in their hand-crafted display cases. Don't miss their signature champagne brownies, available only from Thanksgiving until Valentine's Day.

Pick up Amai's treats at stores around the U.S. or from their online store.

Amai Tea and Bake House
171 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10003 map
tel. +1 212 863 9630

Hong Hao

by Lost At E Minor

Working out of Beijing, Hong Hao is known primarily for his laser scans of the ephemera accumulated in his lifetime. Each piece is an aggregation of items—passports, cosmetics, coins, Mao kitsch, all and sundry plastic knick knacks—that individually are unremarkable, but together tell the story of a person's life.

2007 Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts

by Letizia Rossi

With precious few shopping days left before Christmas, holiday panic is almost palpable. We've highlighted several selections from our 2007 Gift Guide that are still available for delivery by 24 December 2007.

Giftable

For those with an insatiable curiosity, plug the EyeClops Bionic Eye into your TV to see objects blown up to 200x their size. It's available through Wednesday, 19 December 2007.

The Mix Tape USB Drive is perfect for music lovers who have nostalgia for mix tapes but would rather create them using today's technology.

Edible

These delicious chocolates from John & Kira's can be ordered through 3pm EST Wednesday, 19 December 2007 (free upgrade to two-day express shipping).

The lovely Hand-Pressed Chocolate Ornaments from Garnet Hill are available for next day and two-day shipping.

As a gift that keeps on giving, the Cheese of the Month Club subscription sort of lets you off the hook if you don't have an actual wrapped bundle at gift-swapping time. An appropriate card notifying the recipient of the their forthcoming fromage should make quite an impression.

Dean and Deluca's test-tube Spice Rack is available for next-day delivery.

Readable

Books make great gifts for everyone. For non-readers, consider it a charitable act in increasing literacy (even if they only end up appreciating its decorative qualities). Our 2007 Gift Guide has a great selection of books that are still available for one-day shipping.

Great for technology-lovers, Core Memory profiles 35 vintage computers including the Eniac, Crays 1 3, Apple I and II.

Playboy: The Complete Centerfolds comes packaged in a handsome briefcase with a velvet lining and a combination lock.

For both dandies and the sartorially-challenged, theABC of Men's Fashion features information all aspects of men's fashion.

Designer Mike Perry's Hand Job: A Catalog of Type makes a great resource for designers and typographers.

For the kids on your list, The Dangerous Book for Boys and The Daring Book for Girls offer advice and activities to keep modern kids busy and creative and both are getting rave reviews.

Wearable

The Billykirk Belt Pouch for cameras, iPods or phones is available with next-day shipping.

Luxurious and warm, Lumi Sheep Leather Mittens are available with next-day and Saturday delivery.

The Le Punk Keyfob Charm from Hayden Harnett can be guaranteed to arrive by 24 December if ordered by the end of the day on 19 December 2007.

The clever M&Co Watch, 10-One-4 is available for express shipping if you place your order by 21 December 2007 at 9am EST.