Category Archives: gift ideas

i8.

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There are very few automobiles which capture my attention, new or old, these days.  My interest in automobiles has faded aside from a few select cars which i’m always chasing.  i am, however, BLOWN AWAY by this car.  the fact that it is a production car that looks like a concept.  The fact that is totally a current car embedded with current technologies capturing the spirit of ‘new’ and ‘fresh’ without copying anything else before it.  The fact that it’s the first hybrid sports car that is somewhat attainable  (still expensive though…at $135k USA price).  But most of all I love this car because it pushes and opens an envelope into the current times.  No retro here.  No celebration of the past.  The BMW i8 is a celebration of the future.

If i had the money…i’d order this and drive it every day!!

Forget 0-60 times (4.4 seconds here), forget curb weight (3200+ pounds here), forget cost for a second, forget the badge, forget the insane aero design features— this car is a pioneer and a real innovation in this realm.  It’s rare in these generic modern times of automotive engineering that we see a true beginning, but i have a feeling the i8 is the first of many coming in this realm.

(I don’t count cars like the Porsche 918, because of price and uber-exclusivity)

Live photos from Frankfurt (courtesy of greenCarReports)

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promo photos from BMW in Black:

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Videos:

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The Monocle Guide To Better Living

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Just received this Monocle book entitled “The Monocle Guide To Better Living”.  If you’ve never read the magazine Monocle, then i would strongly advise you to pick up a copy.  For people such as me with an imagination that finds itself wondering about different places, ideas, people, and ways of living—Monocle is sort of like the ‘ultimate’ magazine of sorts.  It focuses on culture and society—but not in a way you would pick up from the news or from regular every day information outlets.  It focuses on the small details of things that really captivate and interest people such as myself.

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Monocle as a magazine is a challenging, but captivating read.  I have spent a few breezy minutes flipping through this book thus far and my only description would be to say that the book continues where the magazine leaves off—but with a more concrete and themed presentation.  Beautiful old-school yellow cover and binding and lovely matte pages.  400 pages.  Wonderful for my bookshelf.  Highly recommended.

ORDER HERE

 

 

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Anatomy book re-imagined.

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This is beautiful.  I wish my Anatomy books looked like this when I was in Med. School.  A concept for a futuristic/re-imagined/beautiful anatomy/osteology book by Irene Shkarovska.

Irene: if you’re reading this.  I want a copy….or two!  Just take my money.  I’m blown away.

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video:

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“Unknown Pleasures” pillow?

I am glad it is sold out because i would have ended up spending $74 on this Joy Division pillow in a heartbeat.  

And this concludes the first and (likely) last post about a pillow you ever seen on IEDEI.

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book: Leica “Witness To A Century” (2012)

 

I ordered this book a while ago on pre-order, and it arrived this week.  $22 from Amazon.  An amazing and beautiful book for a very low price. Hardcover, by Alessandro Pasi (2012).  Highly recommended beautiful short history of Leica with full page spread profiles of every significant camera produced in their illustrious history.  This book does not read like a publicity book—-instead it is full of beautiful and iconic photography throughout their history.   This is the 3rd edition of this book, revised to include the digital range through the recent M-Monochrom.

Yes I am a Leica fanboy these days and it is driven by my love of creating fotos.  And there’s nothing you can do to stop me!

Being inspired to create is so much nicer than obsessing to appreciate. 

 

 

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Character: Recycling Typography.

Take old letters from neon signs, swap them for LEDs and place in nice, dark, mysterious locations.   That’s what Aleksi Hautamäki has done with this Character series.

I am obsessed with fonts…and in another world, in another time, I would have devoted my life to finding the perfect font.  However, in this one I am relegated to simple appreciation.

if you follow the link at the bottom, you can buy one of these light filled giant letters starting at 200 euros.

more info: character.fi

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2013 Audi S3

300hp.  3080 lbs. quattro. beautiful interior.  0-60 in 5.1 s. I AM SOLD.   Reserve me a black one with DSG, please.

The 4-door sedan version of this S3 (5-door will likely not be returning to the US market, unfortunately) will be arriving to the US in mid-late 2013.  I will be in line for one.

and a promo video:

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RGB colourspace atlas.

A 3000+ page book displaying the entire spectrum of colours?  Useful? uhhhh……wicked cool? YES.  This 8 x 8 x 8 inch cube shaped atlas would be available in different colour axis configurations.  Would make for a lovely psychedelic coffee table book.

 

 

videos (by axis):

src:  colourlovers

 

 

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“Why The Leica M is so unique”

During my massive research spree prior to getting my M8, i spent several weeks reading forums, articles, and watching videos.  One of the most entertaining discoveries I made was a series of videos on YouTube by a lad named Kai Wong for DigitalRev.com.  Who would have thought that Jeremy Clarkson would have had a young bastard asian child!?  That’s pretty much what Kai Wong is—while most of the other camera reviews and videos are about as exciting as lifting the toilet seat up, Kai does something unique.  He instills his thrill and enthusiasm into cameras and photography in the same way that Jeremy Clarkson instills his enthusiasm into automobiles.

Since that time, I’ve found myself watching lots of DigitalRev videos hosted by Kai—not because I really want the cameras he is reviewing, but because I find the videos very entertaining.   Good on ya, Kai!  You may not be entirely original, but you’re doing a great job nonetheless.  (BTW, Kai also uses an M8 as one of his primary tools)

This is one of my favourite videos—which played a role (along with people like Drew from MotoringConBrio) in convincing me of the magical powers of rangefinder cameras.

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my new toy.

Leica M8.

I don’t even have a lens for it yet, but it is truly a beautiful machine.  Can’t wait to get a lens and get clicking!

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Fitzroy Chronograph.

I do love nice watches.  These days I am less inclined to want things ‘vintage’ and more inclined to want something totally NEW—inspired by the idea of creating my own legacy and my own vintage rather than buying into somebody else’s.  More about this in a later post as well…

I was in search for a truly modern, original, and unique chronograph watch.  It had to be automatic, and it had to represent 2012, not 1972.  It’s easy to find all sorts of ‘vintage chronographs’ on eBay and to buy into some other history—but I wanted to buy a watch that, in 30 years, someone could look at and appreciate for the time it was made in.  This is a small company making low-production watches—with unique features like an ‘external’ watchband bar, chunky beautifully made case, unique dial accenting, and a simply gorgeous transparent rear housing.

Last year, I briefly remember seeing a blip about a London brand called Fitzroy launching a series of Automatic (their own, swiss made automatic movements—again, original) and a modern set of stylish watches which I found thoroughly beautiful and original.   You won’t meet anyone else wearing one of these…and furthermore, it is a low-production, interesting, and creative timepiece.  Fitzroy Automatic Chronographs start at $880.  Their standard Automatic watches start at a touch over $500.  They supposedly will have a selection of custom fit designed watchbands available for purchase—however as of yet I have not been able to procure any other bands.

I absolutely love this watch.   Appreciation of the modern is the vintage of the future.

Fitzroy Website

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Autodromo launches Chronographs!

Let me just say that i’ve really gotten into watches in the last 6 months; and much of this blame goes to Mr. Bradley Price, a great friend and a full-on fellow automobile enthusiast who launched his line of Autodromo watches last autumn to my standing ovation.  As I type this post, I am wearing my black Autodromo Veloce with pride.

I can’t say enough good things about my Veloce.  It feels great on the wrist, looks magnificent in any setting, and is built with quality I quite frankly never see in a watch of this price range.  Sapphire coated glass, beautiful perforated black leather strap, total attention to detail, and hell it even came with an aluminium chassis card engraved with my watch number!  How many watch companies include a chassis number with a watch!?

Autodromo is now introducing two new Chronographs based on the successful Vallelunga line.  There is industrial prowess in these designs, and when he says the goal is to incorporate vintage and minimalist design ethos, he isn’t kidding.  I think if there were two words which described these watches perfectly it would be vintage and minimalist.

As motoring enthusiasts, we often search for objects which are inspired by motoring, however in an artful, graceful, and gentlemanly way.  Autodromo watches are functionally and artistically inspired by motoring; and those of us who understand the art of gauges and dashboards can appreciate this on first glance.

Oh and just look at the press release photos.  No further words are needed.  $550 for the Chronograph, and for precision control of your time while motoring.

Take a right turn over to the Autodromo website for more information:

www.Autodromo.com

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the making of a Dunhill document case.

To me, there are certain essential accessories for a modern gentleman; a nice car, satisfying clothing, a functional and stylish timepiece, a technologically sound mobile device, and a bag or brief for work essentials.

There isn’t a day where I don’t enter my workplace empty handed; by my side I always have some form of a brief or a document carrier.  I currently use a Jack Spade Twill Brief which I really love—-however the radar for my next brief is always on and the most likely candidate is a Dunhill case.  I am of course a huge fan of Dunhill gloves and clothing, and am currently scouting out my next storage device like a spy before a war.

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Carnology: a board game for petrolheads.

Well that’s a great idea!  I’m sure most people’s families and friends would be miserable if we all whipped out this board game during holiday gatherings; but those of us whose blood runs on motor oil would be quite pleased and excited!

From what I gather, and I have not actually played this game—-the game revolves around identifying various models of automobiles and rummaging across the board to reach a checkered flag.  I’m not sure how many times this game can really be played, as i’m guessing one game and most of us would learn whatever we didn’t know—-however the idea should be applauded and i’m sure it would make a great gift for those of us whose brains are floating in brake fluid.

I also applaud the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato I see printed on the board itself, amongst others…

check out the site and info to buy it ($40) at:  Carnology

src:  stipistop

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