10E2559: LLBean Bookbag Fabrics

Attn parents; summer means LLBean revamps the kids backpacks/bookbags. Couple of neat prints for 2016 including one reminiscent of a certain mining videogame, and a retro camping fabric. The pencil case would make an inexpensive dopp kid for your young campers.

10E2558: From Harris (tweed) to Paris

File under desktop vacation. BTW EU grants played a part in the recent resurrection of the Harris Tweed industry...

Clo Mor. Harris To Paris from Athletics on Vimeo.

Following the journey of the tweed from Harris [the isle of Harris - ed.] to Paris, it is a story about people, craftsmanship and how an traditional island industry remains relevant and connects to a global fashion industry that changes, literally with every season.

10E2557: Fathers Day Too Late Next Time

Pretty much anything on 10e would work as a Father's Day gift, though have to mention - how did Father's Day become such a thing?? Feel like we get a pretty good deal generally... now gifts and a slap-up ribs lunch too! Just for towing the line?

Anyhow, the picks should probably be made of either leather, cast iron, slate, wood, booze or a combination of the above...



1. Ames Tru-Temper steel-barrow. 6 cubic feet. Not easy to get made in USA 'barrows; usually the wheel is imported, sometimes the handles, these come close I believe. Plus, stealing idea from the NYT, fill this thing w/ ice and tonic for later...

2. Slate stakes/row markers. There are a lot of these around.

3. LLBean rubber moccasins. Great for gardening. Same price or less than Muck boots and you can wear them out and about afterwards; just hose them off. What, you were gonna buy crocs?
[sidenote: these run big imho, def order a 1/2 size down.]

4. Sipsmith Gin. Distilled in London. Sis is in the drinks biz, says this one cooler than the other side of the pillow... Cue the G&Ts.



Cast iron cricket bootjack. Classic. $20.




The original face-saver from Ursa Major; cedar/mint/lime. Essential kit for bearded types as it also sloughs (right word?) and stops you getting itchy. $28 and lasts several months.

I am late to the party on this beef jerky company Krave. I like saddle leather jerky too but this is like dry slices of steak. Soft. No chemical aftertaste. I ate a bag today for breakfast... And their smaller line available at whole foods also looks pretty snazzy.

Slate coasters. Possibly made of rescued roof slates from a lumbercamp's chapel in the Green Mountains... Sub$30.

R. Murphy clam knife in Island Creek Oyster orange. $15. No brainer.

10E2556: Middle Mountain | Boxing

I am fortunate to have New England creatives send material... this time from John Nolan previously of Flightless Buttress a 10e fave, in a new work creating instrumental works verging on oral soundscapes.

"It is a combination of music, guitars, loops, string quartet, synths and audio samples from various boxing matches and old recordings. There's not really a narrative, but I hope folks can find a story in there somewhere."

Full Middle Mountain out now.

You Fight Great, But I'm A Great Fighter from Middle Mountain on Vimeo.

John sent this to me the day before Muhammad Ali passed away. One of the first books I ever loaned from my grade school library was a bio on Ali. I sure did think he was the greatest - and his early stories of segregated Kentucky (and conscientious objection to Vietnam) were eye opening to a 6 year old kid in 1970s Vermont. Next I read the bios of Arthur Ashe, OJ and Dr J. This was still the time of ABC Friday Night Fights on tv. Was tough to see your hero get bloodied and beaten when he tried to come back against Holmes. Looking for that kids bio version of Ali to share w our boys. #thegreatest


Wait - you want to see stuff like this live??  Nolan & co. are playing next Wednesday night June 15th at Lilypad (Cambridge MA) at 10pm, and Saturday June 18th at Radio Bean outside Burlington (Winooski) VT at 6pm. THAT is a show I can do... [artwork by www.fionnmccabe.com ]

 

10E2555: Topo Designs - Women's Collection

The freewheeling mountain time nerds, mad scientists, hikers, climbers and ramblers from Topo Designs have released a women's line as of today. Ripstop-everything. In their sig blue/red/yellow color scheme, or olive-drab-neon, or black - and some other off-piste makeups if you visit one of their 4 (!) physical stores in CO and CA.  All but 1 of these is sub-$100. Made in USA (mostly in Colorado at their LEED certified shop).  Full details at the end. Fantastic.

Mountain Fleece (W)
Camp Shorts (W)
Shoulder Bag
Cinch Tote
Flannel (W)
Topo x Chaco Sandal (W)
Mountain Pant (W)
Topo x Westerlind felt hat
Topo/dinex Mug