harris tweed -what and how

Informative video featuring Kelly Jenkins from Harris Tweed Hebrides (the good guys...) -can't embed it... watch it at TheGuardian.

Sidenote: is there a humourous connection between the Shakespearian character Bottom (the weaver) and the inevitable risk of developing "weaver's bottom" from pedalling a loom all day? [Too much information -ed?]

kitchen tools -father's day

1. Perspex and stainless steel (recipe) book holder from F3. Verging on overcompensating maybe? At least no diamond skid plate involved. NZD160 (about $130)
2. Tiffany beer mugs in 'rock cut' pattern. Picture does not do them justice. Fortress of Solitude style. $40 each.
3. Ortiz, Bay of Biscay anchovies. Secret weapon. Included fork FTW. $15
4. Stainless steel kettle; GSI Outdoors. Might just sit on the stove, but looks damn good while doing it... $23
5. Selvage apron. This one from Stronghold (and v tasty) via Kaufmann Mercantile but you could find something vintagey and similar-ish on eBay for less.

coleman 150qt. 'heritage' cooler

Might not be pretty but seriously Jaws-sized, workhorse cooler from Coleman. Around $200. #fathersday

• Holds over 200 cans plus 55 lbs of ice
• 6 days of ice retention
• Split lid with separate latches
• Fish measuring scale
• Marine drain
• Some models with wood handle. Nice touch...

the champagne coupe

Admittedly a little early on Monday morning for this... but discovered an added benefit to the coupe glass, that is the slight effervesence of the champ'poo tickles your nose as you tilt the glass to drink. Unless your soul is completely crushed it has to bring a little smile to your face.

NotCot has an potted history of champagne glasses here. About the coupe they note;

Then appears the “coupe” (or glass) at the beginning of the 1830s, a new glass first used during buffets because of its easy using for caterers and waiters. The “coupe” has a different appeal from one culture to another: it is elegant for British people and is popular in Russia because of its ability to contain more champagne...

carhartt -printing plate

senna

Honestly I have never been huge on F1 racing, but if you spend any time in Europe you soak up the names and the commentators voices by osmosis anyway. Directed by Asif Kapadia, this is the story of Ayrton Senna (and by default his contemporaries Nelson Piquet and Alain Proust). The raw/incar footage looks worth the price of admission.

If this is all new to you, check this review from Xan Brooks and Henry Barnes of the Guardian here.

Spanning the decade from his arrival in Formula One in the mid 80's, the film follows Senna's struggles both on track against his nemesis, French World Champion Alain Prost, and off it, against the politics which infest the sport. Sublime, spiritual yet, on occasion, ruthless - Senna conquers and transcends Formula One to become a global superstar. Privately, he is humble, almost shy, and fiercely patriotic, donating millions to his native Brasil and contemplating a life beyond motor-racing. Yet he is struck down in his prime on the blackest weekend in the history of the sport, watched live on television by 300 million people. Years on he is revered in Formula One as the greatest motor racing driver of all time - and in Brasil as a Saint.
-via IMDB