Greg Watson and Neville Portelli are Directors of branding agency Underground, BLC. Several years ago they decided to branch out and tackle something deemed “impossible” by experts, making a soft drink as delicious as a cold beer. Their WP Hooper Soft Brew starts life just as a beer does, formed by a nice balance of English malted barley and Kent hops. As the process continues, these ingredients are joined by one of three fruit flavors – apple, blackcurrant, or citrus – to form a nicely balanced beverage. Perhaps not as refreshing as a beer (I drank some yesterday, and like I have everyday for 4.5 years wished I could drink alcohol), but pretty darn tasty.

01. Review of General’s Cedar Pointe

“General’s Cedar Pointe pencils are made of raw, unfinished natural wood: incense cedar, funnily enough. Some natural finish pencils have a coating or seal — the Forest Choice, for example, seems to have a very thin coat of sealant. The Cedar Pointe does not. The smooth unfinished wood has a pleasantly grippy feel, and it has a tendency to become…seasoned with time. I swear, I do wash my hands, but still, you can see how this particular example has darkened with use, while the well-used Forest Choice remains as it has always been” (pencilrevolution)

02. Repack

“Re-Pack Project – Recycling existing packaging is a way to produce and pollute less. The more you recycle, the less you have to dispose of. And the better it will be for planet earth.” (packagingoftheworld)

03. The Studley-est chest you’ve ever seen (above)

“If Henry O. Studley had lived 150 years later, he’d be designing circuit boards. As it stands, Studley was born in 1838 and worked as a piano maker, carpenter and mason. Sometime in the 1890s he designed this amazing tool cabinet, which has become known in woodworking circles as the Henry O. Studley tool chest.” (core77)

04. MyFonts’ Creative Characters by Jan Middendorp

“Landing on my desk is this great compilation of type designer interviews done by Jan Middendorp for MyFonts entitled Creative Characters. In it, I just read Ray Larabie not only designs his type completely on the computer, but uses a trackball?! Creative Characters contains a ton of interesting bits like this.” (typedesk)

“A new video by dutch artist Rogier Wieland illustrates the new Moleskine Extra Small Planners, Weekly and Daily.
http://www.moleskine.com“

Need a new scent this season? “Astier de Villatte has joined forces with Francoise Caron and her team of Takasago perfumers to dream up Cologne 1871, refreshingly cool beneath its fiery character, its vaporising mist can be used from dawn till dusk. There is a similar scented candle. Cologne 1871 is a highly contemporary fragrance which amply expresses its own age. At a first encounter, the scent of Sicilian lemon, rosmary and bergamote submerge you beneath an irresistible wave of freshness, alive and sparkling. But then, beneath a temptingly bitter and slightly tarnished surface gleam…”

More looks at the Astier de Villatte for Commune de Paris Cologne 1871 after the click.

Straight up: this is a $300,000 mobile phone with built in tourbillion watch . A basic “holy shit” kinda product. “At first glance, LeDIX is a clamshell cell phone with an integrated tourbillion watch. As streamlined as a sports car, this aerodynamic creation is made from polished and brushed grade 5 titanium discreetly enhanced by inserts. It is the ultimate expression of contemporary elegance. The exclusive mechanical movement, developed under the technical supervision of Celsius X VI II, has what it takes to appeal to the most demanding watchmaking connoisseurs.

Two versions are bring produced: 18 in grade 5 titanium with ebony inserts (LeDIX Origine,) and 28 in black PVD-treated titanium with carbon fibre inserts (LeDIX Véloce) #wtf

More looks at the Celsius LeDIX Mobile Phones with Tourbillion Watch after the click.

“This piece was just nominated for a Emmy. December 4th we will find out if we win! Produced by Joel Connable Shot & Edited by Adam Kaplan Shot by Eric Rodriguez Colorists Dominic Easter askmediaproductions.com“

Amazing how region specific goods differ so much between territories. Check these leather day planners from Birkenstock Japan. They’re mae from Cordovan leather and feature slip ins for notebooks (love the Rhodia in there), pens, and more. A great gift though I am uncertain if they’re available outside of Japan. (houyhnhnm)

More looks after the click.

Europeans are about to get lucky. Real lucky.

Carhartt, in celebrating its American legacy, has announced “US Classics.” Proper contemporary workwear, reworked “to fit the European consumer.” Essentially, the collection is all the stuff you want from Tractor Supply tweaked for the fashionable.

Some irony there, perhaps… but, also enough to excite us just a little. After all, the biggest issues with standard Carhartt are cut and consistency. Perhaps US Classics is a step forward. Or, perhaps it is just a little ridiculous. We would love your thoughts on the collection.

Take a full look at US Classics.

Unionmade, a premier men’s boutique from San Francisco, Califronia brings another collaboration with Bay Area designers, Golden Bear to release there take on the iconic military pea coat. The coat is manufactured in San Francisco and is made of 80% wool and 20% nylon. The double breasted coat comes with leather bound pockets and a slimmer fit. The military style buttons add to the jacket’s authenticity and form. A new pea coat for your that isn’t your grandpa’s from the war. The jacket is available at Unionmade.

More looks after the click.

Italian luggage specialists Calabrese turn tradition to contemporary need with their Decumano iPad and Laptop cases. Both are made with a supple cream leather lining, and protected by a canvas outer. Chocolate, navy, and olive green are the available colors.

An exclusive to Garbstore.

Detailed images of the Decumano iPad and Laptop cases after the jump.