Dont’cha love it when someone that sounds terrible turns out to be great? That’s what happened with Sepp magazine, an officially sanctioned magazine by FIFA focusing on football and fashion (and named after Sepp Blatter). While all those ingredients sound awful on paper, it works out much better than expected. Of course, it does help that their budget is big enough to get Karl Lagerfeld doodling – that’s not a joke, he drew several portraits of famous footballers – and some of the worlds best photographers and art directors on the job.

Take a leap to see spreads from the magazine.

Curated puts us onto these Stalb Lamps by Kassen Lifestyle. “Kassen Lifestyle, a brand that “explores furniture through brutalist design,” has introduced a new lighting offering fitting of their mission. The Stalb Lamps sit on a concrete base (a wonderful use of that favorite brutalist material) and feature a curved steel piece to raise the lamp off the floor. The shade is built from a hollowed plywood cube.”

Beau Colburn does it on Thursdays.

01. Develop The Game, Build A Better Future
“The Republic of South Africa will host representatives from thirty two nations as they compete for the ultimate international championship. This will be the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world. Twitter’s rapid international growth means we are part of this global phenomenon as people everywhere seek to discover what’s happening with their favorite team, their favorite players, and breaking news related to this worldwide event.” (twitter)

02. Somali Soccer Fans Go Underground

“The militia group al Shabaab, which controls most of south and central Somalia, has declared the World Cup un-Islamic and banned watching the games on television. By al Shabaab’s logic, the World Cup interferes with the militant group’s “jihad,” to overthrow the government, because young Somalis are too busy watching the games to fight on their behalf. While the group hasn’t yet laid out specific consequences for those defying the ban, the militants have been known to behead or amputate limbs of people who oppose them.

Undeterred Somali soccer fans, whose national team failed to qualify for the tournament, are going underground in search of ways to watch the world’s largest televised sporting event, which opens Friday in South Africa.” (wsj)

03. Referees learning English swear words

“Cursing in soccer is hardly new. Watch any game, and you’re sure to see players uttering some choice words after missed shots, fouls or turnovers. Portuguese, Korean, Greek — nothing gets lost in translation. But referees can’t give out cards for what they think was said, and FIFA requires World Cup referees and assistants to be proficient only in English.” (espn)

04. World Cup iPhone Wallpapers (above)

“in effort to get ready to cheer on my favorite team I designed a series of iPhone wallpapers. I’ve built 12 which you can download in a single zip or you can grab just the one you want by clicking on the country name at the end of this post. If your country isn’t in this list and/or you want to further customize the wallpaper, I’ve provided the PSD here for download.” (philcoffman)

Now that Summer is here you may find yourself on a dedicated hike. These bags from Duluth for UO could be your best bet. Minnesota’s Duluth has worked with Urban Outfitters on some special packs. “Urban Outfitters has collaborated with the Minnesota-based company Duluth, known for creating durable work wear and accessories since 1882. The Duluth Hiking Pack comes in two colors, blue and red with custom blond leather details.”

More looks at the Duluth Pack for Urban Outfitters after the click.

Now, these bags from Wm J Mills & Co., you know the  Greenpoint Long Island nautical company, with kapok were pitched to us as being World Cup bags, but I’m not very clear what, outside of color, makes them or brands them footie fan worthy. I feel more comfortable referring to them as colorful totes that gleam colors which may be referenced back to your “favored Nation.” But we shoudl give kapok some credit, they do list them as “loosely based on the national flags.” Spain is shown above.

More looks at the Wm J Mills & Co. “World Cup” Tote and Ice Bags after the click.

Tomorrow is the start of a long month of footie. To get you in the proper mood, we recommend you download the official FIFA World Cup 2010 bracket PDF. Print it out, paste it on your work wall, and hope to the Lord that you have ESPN3 as part of your cable package (USA only) so you catch (almost) every match online.

For those on Twitter, be sure to check out their excellent World Cup Tracker here.

Download the Official FIFA 2010 World Cup Bracket PDF here.

Two checks on the larger side from the Burberry Brit line. The casual finish of the crinkle effect works for those who are anti-iron (including me at times). “Long sleeves with a single button at the cuffs. The pointed collar leads into a eight button fastening placket. Two flap fastening breast pockets with button closures. Crinkled effect, washed cotton. Curved hemline that is longer at the back than the front. Hemline finishes at the top of the thighs.” Browns has them.

More looks at the Burberry Brit Crinkled Check Shirts after the click.

Columnist Aaron Panone highlights the emergence of Akimenko Meats, a soon to be launch butchery in the Cambridge/Somerville are of Massachusetts. This is no ordinary start-up. As a butcher for years, Vadim Akimenko, was looking to bring back a shop which seems to be going of the way of the big box grocers. “The change in direction came from the idea that barbeque is a luxury, but the availability of locally-raised and humanely slaughtered meats is something that everyone should be able to afford. Vadim knew that he could make the biggest difference by taking his knowledge and specialized skills and applying them to an extremely traditional model that is practically extinct in metropolitan areas.”

Read more on Akimenko Meats on Aaron Panone’s Column.

Monocle Magazine adds another solid product to their in-shop lineup. This time they work on a body soap with Matsuyama.  ”The national tree of Japan, Sugi, or Japanese cedar is popular as an ornamental species and has a delicate but energizing cedar fragrance. Developed exclusively for Monocle by Japanese soap makers Matsuyama, this Sugi Body Soap is available in 300ml, Monocle designed bottles.”

More looks at the Matsuyama Sugi for Monocle Body Soap after the click.

Some laid back apparel for the gents from the Griffin company. These archback shorts are Italian made from “lightweight Italian cord, overdyed twice for real depth in the colour.” They’re finished in a slim leg fit. The key is of course the relaxed rear. They look great.

More looks at the Griffin Archback Shorts after the click.