A peak into the world of Berlin designers Jacob Klein and Nathan Cowen, the guys behind Haw Lin, the incredibly popular online mood board. The pair started the site as a way to simply collect images that inspired them and quickly gained a following with their choice picks. Haw Lin Services soon followed, a consultancy which allows them to work with various brands they feel an affinity with, most recently Velour. The site continues as normal, providing it’s fans with daily visual gems.

One of my favorite money advice blogs pointed me at this interesting read, published back in 2009 from Penguin Books. Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture is a look into how the world of discount goods has played against the landscape of economic growth and globalization. More importantly, Cheap, discusses the rise of the local economy that looks to help re-balance the world, in some regard.

This is what Publisher’s Weekly had to say on the book: “Atlantic correspondent [Ellen] Shell tackles more than just discount culture in this wide-ranging book that argues that the American drive toward bargain-hunting and low-price goods has a hidden cost in lower wages for workers and reduced quality of goods for consumers… In the book’s most involving passages, Shell deftly analyzes the psychology of pricing and demonstrates how retailers manipulate subconscious bargain triggers that affect even the most knowing consumers.” This looks like a most interesting read.

Available now from Amazon.

01. Aptos Retreat Residence / CCS Architecture (above)

“The Aptos Retreat Residence by CCS Architecture is a true example of tasteful rustic style. This retreat for a San Francisco family of eight was prompted to create a casual setting for entertaining, cooking, tanning, swimming, archery, horseshoes, gardening and wood splitting. The 20-acre site includes two primary buildings and a third building known as ‘the barn’ which serves as the property’s clubhouse.” (archdaily)

02. RoomRoom by Takeshi Hosaka Architects

“This is a house where deaf parents and two children are living. The two sides of the premises are facing narrow roads in an overcrowded residential area in Itabashi ward, Tokyo. The small main building built five years ago became so narrow for dwellers for three generations that they bought a piece of land neighber to their house to build an annex.” (contemporist)

03. Ellis Residence by Coates Design

“Seattle-based studio Coates Design has designed the Ellis Residence, a LEED Platinum single family home completed in 2010. This 2,560 square foot contemporary home is located in Bainbridge Island, a city in Washington state, USA.
Perched high upon Yeomalt Bluff, the home enjoys a commanding 180-degree view of the Puget Sound and Seattle.” (homedsgn)

04. EcoCenter: San Francisco’s First Off-Grid Commercial Building is Up and Running

“San Francisco’s EcoCenter is the first commercial building in the city to be 100 percent off the grid, and Inhabitat recently toured it as part of this year’s Architecture and the City Festival. Even in the city with more LEED-certified buildings per capita than any other, converting a polluted swath of landfill near the naval shipyard superfund site into a passive, off-grid, über-green environmental justice education center wasn’t easy: In fact, it took 10 years to get it done.” (inhabitant)

Those looking for an alpaca sweater should adjust to this one from Rachel Comey, with its wool blend and golden look. May work for some who refuse to bother with the harshness of commercial wool. Stay soft, my friends. Available at Stels.

More looks after the click.

A behind the scenes look from the men’s Bespoken presentation for Spring/Summer 2012. The theme played with Manchester’s Factory Records. An excellent one. Music was on point.

Acq tips us on a pre-order happening on Brooks Brothers Black Fleece website for this Browne-inspired felt and leather computer briefcase. A showpiece for sure and the color is about as perfect as it gets. Runs in at $495, which is actually a fair price for this Thom Browne work, but it should have been done in fleece.

A look before the re-opening of the new Louis Vuitton shop in Milan’s Montenapoleone. Italy style.

Por Vocacao gives us a preview of a forthcoming jacket, coming in October from Kolor and Bogioli that benefits the Save the Children charity; specifically for the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. The two garment collection features a garment dyed jacket available in either cashmere or performance cotton as tailored by Bogioli in Italy. 600 units of the deconstructed jacket are being produced. An absolutely great cause for charity and children.

Our friends over at Boglioli have just sent us this exclusive preview of their special collaboration project with Kolor to help the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The result of this creative partnership is a two-piece capsule collection of garment dyed jackets, available in cashmere and high performance cotton, bringing together the fine Italian tailoring, innovative fabrics research and garment treatments Boglioli is distinctively known for, and Kolor’s conceptual and deconstructed designs for the sophisticated, fashion-forward consumer. Featuring a limited production of only 600 pieces worldwide, all proceeds from the sale of the two jackets will be donated to Save the Children Japan. We are happy to say we will be one of the few shops who will be carrying this. Arriving late October.

More looks after the click.

Fans of the bottle work by Missoni sparkling water will enjoy the special edition bottle by the House of Courrèges for Evian. The special bottle, celebrates 50 years of Courrèges, famous of putting women into miniskirts, which we all enjoy. The bottle is printed with organic ink and packaged in 100% recyclable materials – Evian’s first foray into environmentally friendly packaging. Available this November at select hotels and restaurants as well as online.

More looks after the click.

A new show on how things are made… in America. Joe and Max start it off with some snippets across the “homeland.” More at Allplaidout.