“The Quoddy workshop in Maine is an amazing place, the craftsman are extremely skilled and very friendly and open. Special thanks to Dan for giving such a great insight.”

Japanese stationary wizards Postalco are best know for their legal envelopes and multicoloured fabric notebooks, instantly recognisable they’ve helped make this brand a worldwide, albeit relatively quiet, success. However, their ever-expanding range covers more than just paper goods. These impressive totes another example of their commitment to simplicity, the cross grain leather is vegetable tanned but retains the marks and irregularities you’d expect with natural leather. The bag is reinforced around the top with straps, lined with pigskin and features a zippered interior pocket. That’s about it in terms of detail – Postalco’s strength lies in stripping back the unnecessary. -ld

Pike Brothers is a combination of German/British manufacturing and fabrics and American design. Originating on Portobello Rd in West London and now located in Bavaria, their built to last garments are based on classic items of uniform and workwear. From sweatshirts to denim and military reproductions each item is modeled on an iconic garment from the past. The U.S Navy N1 jacket is a favourite among vintage fiends alongside the Seabees t-shirt and Single V Physical training sweatshirt. Their line of denim is generally 11-15 ounce, raw and of course selvedge. While Pike Brothers harks back to the past for inspiration the guys have retained a modern and wearable edge to each collection. -ld

More looks after the click.

These White’s Semi-dress boots are a nice bridge between rugged and smart. A more refined alternative to their popular ‘Smokejumper’, the bullhide grain leather, Vibram sole and 100 years of footwear knowledge that go into these equals a pair of boots that will last a lifetime. The folks over at Mr Mudd & Mr Gold have them.

Indian Summer Vintage points us towards these beautiful boards, crafted in the USA by Loyal Dean. These guys are first and foremost skilled woodworkers with 25 years experience in the field. They describe their production process as ‘daringly organic’, wood is reclaimed and therefore dependent on whatever is available at the time. Oak, Maple, Teak, Mahogany – each board is designed with the specific wood’s properties and grain in mind. Thin and flexible, Randal trucks and Seismic wheels ensure the ride lives up to the impressive design. -ld

More looks after the click.

If you’re in the market for a silk scarf this Paul Smith ‘House Print’ design offers an interesting alternative to the usual polka dot pattern. 100% silk, Made in Italy, the quirky hand drawn print worth the tag price alone. Mr. Porter has them. -ld

More looks after the click.

FPO turns us onto this book work, Portland’s 100 Best Places To Stuff Your Faces. The title alone makes it worthy of a mention, but in reality the contents of this 220-page paperback guide the tourist and local alike through the food explorations of the city of Portland, OR. The book is “stuffed” with the best in local tajes on food carts, chocolate boutiques, “locally-owned restaurants,” pizza, beer…. you name it. If it is local to Portland and on author, Jen Stevenson’s radar, it is probably in here. It is full of secrets… to some. Get it direct or from Amazon.

Photography: FPO

More looks inside Portland’s 100 Best Places To Stuff Your Faces including the pull-out map found on the inside cover after the click.

01. Woodbury Dermatology Clinic / archimania

“The Tennessee firm, archimania, have designed an accessible, retail inspired dermatology clinic for their forward-thinking client. Set in a “sea of retail”, the clinic had to be warm and inviting, while still being uniquely modern.” (archdaily)

02. Universiade Sports Center by GMP Architects

“The overall complex is laid out as an extensive landscaped park with typical elements of a traditional Chinese garden. Watercourses and plants symbolize movement and development, while crystalline structures in the form of stones and rocks represent continuity and stability. The dialogue between the fluid landscape shapes and the expressive architecture of the stadia constitutes the conceptual framework of the design. The crystalline shape of the three stadia is additionally emphasized by the illumination of the translucent facades at night.” (contemporist)

03. Trace of Shadow Tableware by Kijtanes Kajornrattanadech (above)

“Recent Central Saint Martins graduate Kijtanes Kajornrattanadech has created a collection of porcelain tableware and metal cutlery with outlines of shadows, in the form of black mats, that are both symbolic and functional.” (moco)

04. The Manual

“Digital design is a precocious discipline, growing up faster than anyone could have imagined and not afraid to mix it with its more established peers. Now Andy McMillan of Fiction has created The Manual, a new printed publication looking at this ever-growing field of expertise, charting its progress and celebrating its successes. We caught up with Jez Burrows, It’s Nice That contributor and designer of The Manual to find out more.” (itsnicethat)

A fine, fine example on how a modern men’s bag should look. Japan’s HOBO put together this “large” grow bag. The sharp folds make it a neat stow-away ready for use when needed. It has a charcoal finish (everything does these day) and strong leather straps. About as good as it gets in men’s day to day bag. Japan exclusive. Made in China.

More looks after the click.

The old remains new. Stevenson Overall Co. continues to harvest from the past with their Autumn 2011 collection. The inspiration remains the same: classic heritage, modernized. Dig through their black and white lookbook for garments updated for today, without that dingy smell of the past. Truthfully, Stevenson Overall Co. does it better than most in the heritage category. Support.

More looks after the click.