SW biko

A workhorse messenger bag by Jack Spade

October 29, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

My wife is always on the look out for a new purse and I’m always on the look out for a new man-purse, I mean, messenger bag. Recently found this awesome bag by Jack Spade. Living in San Francisco, you pretty much need a sweater or some kind of outerwear in the morning, but in the afternoon, you always end up carrying it in your hands. It can be a big hassle. With this, you can leave the house without lugging a huge bag, giving you that slim look. Once the weather turns out nicer, just unzip the side and a bigger bag appears, ready to carry your jacket or sweater.

MSRP: $225.00USD

For more info, go to: Jack Spade – Nylon Canvas Expandable Day Bag.

BMW M Series Mouse

October 29, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

We all know that BMW knows cars. Just test drive a car from the BMW M Series and you will be convinced that this company knows what they are doing because it is one sweet ride. But BMW designing a computer mouse? From what we can see, The Level 10 M Gaming Mouse seems to borrow features from their car engineering brethren – a focus on functional elements, creative design, and innovative aesthetics.

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Filed Under: Design, Geeky Tagged With: auto, FPS, German, hardware, M3, M6, PC, Thermaltake

Sennheiser Momentum Headphones

October 28, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

The Momentum is the latest from Sennheiser and this is definitely one of their higher end headphones. From the first look, it does remind me of the interior of a luxury car – from the tough, breathable, sweat resistant leather headband, to their soft, leather earcups for wearing comfort, this headphone is elegantly designed.

MSRP: Est. $350.00USD

For more info, go to: Sennheiser Momentum Headphones.

Filed Under: Geeky Tagged With: DJ, high-end, listen, music, studio

Drinking Tea with the Death Star

October 28, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

I am more of a coffee drinker but this will definitely give me an excuse to drink more tea – a Death Star tea infuser. It’s so cool that it even comes with a Tie Fighter at the end of the chain – as if it is guarding the Death Star. Can you imagine the hours of fun you will have playing with this…..I mean while drinking your favorite brand of tea of course.

MSRP: $19.99USD

For more info, go to: ThinkGeek – Star Wars Death Star Tea Infuser.

Filed Under: Geeky Tagged With: green, herbal, Lucas, Star Wars, thinkgeek, TIE fighter

If Mercedes Benz and Lamborghini Had Mated

October 4, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via SteelDrake Blogspot

So far, this is still just a concept but designer Steel Drake can sure make a car-loving grown man drool. Production cars borrow heavily from concept cars and this design gives us a glimpse of where Mercedes is heading towards the future. There are some similarities to the Lamborghini from the hard sharp lines at the door and also the bottom vents in the front, but the front grill and logo is unmistakeably Mercedes. Though no matter how much influence is drawn from either car company, this is still one SICK looking car.

For more images, go to: Steel Drake Mercedes-Benz SF1.

Filed Under: Design Tagged With: automobile, concept car, Drive, German, SF1, SteelDrake

Beautifying the Lowly Light Bulb

October 4, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

I’ve seen this a while back highlighted in European design magazines – the Plumen 001 is the world’s first designer energy saving light bulb and what a great idea it is. Instead of buying pendant lights or other light fixtures to cover up the ugly light bulb – why not beautify the lowly light bulb itself?

For more info, go to: Plumen.com.

Filed Under: Design Tagged With: energy, euro, green, light, Plumen

Reebok x Marvel Comics = Superhero Kicks!

October 3, 2012 by SW biko 1 Comment

When I first saw these Marvel themed sneakers, I immediately though of my son back when he was five years old wearing his little spider-man shoes and his power ranger backpack to school.

Fast forward to this year and, with the success of the Avenger movie, adults now have a chance to wear their own superhero sneaks but with more style. These fantastic kicks from Reebok lets you proudly display your favorite hero on your feet – without having to feel too embarrassed when walking around in them.

Check Marvel.com for more info on these kicks – Reebok x Spiderman & Reebok x Avengers.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: Avengers, Captain America, collab, comic books, Shoes, sneakers, spiderman, Stan Lee

Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton = Concept Store

October 3, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

A few months ago, we here at Retrenders showcased the purses that were designed by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (https://retrenders.com/2012/06/11/louis-vuitton-x-yayoi-kusama/) in collaborating with Louis Vuitton. Kusama’s bio is as interesting as her body of work and that’s exactly what fascinated Marc Jacob at Louis Vuitton. Recently in London, Selfridges, a high end department store in the UK, launched a window display designed by Kusama in collaboration with Louis Vuitton. It is nothing but spectacular and is a total treat for the eye.

Selfridges & Co
400 Oxford Street
London
W1A 1AB

Contact store for Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton Concept Store Hours.

For more info, go to: Selfridges.com – Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: fashion store, Japan, London, Selfridges, UK

It’s as If Dale Chihuly Made Fishbowls

October 2, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

This might be the coolest darn fishbowl I’ve ever seen!

Growing up, I remember having a fish bowl with a couple of fish in it which all somehow wound up upside down when I came back home from school. So, I bought my son a fishbowl with a couple of fish and, unfortunately, that didn’t last too long either. When I came about this beautiful hand blown fishbowl from Turkey, my first thought was maybe the fishes would have lasted a little longer living in something so beautiful. Then my second thought was next time I should look up how to raise fish.

For more info, go to: Aruliden – Fishscape.

Filed Under: Design Tagged With: fish tank, glassscape, goldfish, Turkey

Urban Design: Rest & Play Area

October 2, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via 24° Studio

As part of the Shitsurai Art International Competition, Crater Lake was one of the winning art installation projects to be installed in Kobe, Japan. This structure has all the features I adore in a design – simple, elegant, & functional. Can you imagine this art piece lined along one of the piers or maybe even Fishermen’s Wharf here in San Francisco? This installation can serve a multitude of functions – a bench to rest, an area for the kids to play on and I just know all the skateboarders are eyeing this wondering what trick they can do off this.

For images and details, go to: 24° Studio – Crater Lake.

Filed Under: Design Tagged With: city design, Japan, play, rest area, urban design

Iconic Movie Posters with a Cartoon Twist

September 12, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Canadian illustrator Ïve Bastrash reimagined these iconic posters with his own fresh cartoon style and, in my opinion, some look better than the original. A movie lover and a video game artist, Ïve also designs playing cards featuring Jack Nicholson, Cher, and Sonny Bono as the Jack, Queen, and King cards of a poker deck respectively.

Here’s a few more of my favs:

The Looking Glass House

August 24, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

The ever-changing color lights inside polished stainless steel mirrors come together to create one amazing art project by Christopher Jenner. For some reason, I can’t stop staring at this and humming “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

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Filed Under: Art Tagged With: Christopher Jenner, exhibition, lights, projects

iPhone 5 Leica Case

August 22, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

This might be the closest I will ever get to owning a Leica – as a skin for my iPhone. The plastic skin case has solid Leica details.

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Filed Under: Design, Geeky, Photos Tagged With: Apple, case, iPhone, iPhone 5, Leica, Petal Pixel, phone case

Jay Tsujimura: DSLR Bling Bling Jewlery

August 22, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

bI’m all for adorning myself with certain blings. Bling for my fingers and neck is a must – though the verdict is still out on bling for my teeth and other unmentionable body parts. What about bling for the camera? I love my camera but it never occurred to me to adorn it with jewelry. I have to give these guys creative points for going where no one has ever thought of. The designs are very masculine and definitely wouldn’t mind having them as rings or necklaces.

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Filed Under: Design, Photos Tagged With: diamonds, hot shoe, Japan, Leica, Nikon, soft release, Tokyo

Muji Stationery Landscape

August 21, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

I just can’t wait until Muji opens up in SF so I’ve been busy getting familiar with their product line. Once they open their door, I will be so there with my wallet in hand.

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Filed Under: Design Tagged With: Japan, London, Paris, pen, SF

The History of the Batmobile

August 21, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via Jay Mug.

Now that is a garage I would love to walk into – five of the most iconic Batmobiles all in one place. My favorite has always been Michael Keaton’s ride in Tim Burton’s Batman. The curves on that car blended perfectly with the gothic theme throughout the movie. Looking at it now, it still holds up. The other two Batmobiles afterwards were kind of cheesy, until Christopher Nolan’s Tumbler came along with its industrial stylings, and tore up the blueprint.

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Filed Under: AutoStyle, Comics, Geeky, Movies, Tech, Videos Tagged With: Adam West, Batman, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, DC Comics, Warner Bros

Star Wars Origami

August 15, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Where was this book when I was young and too poor to buy Kenner’s Star Wars action figures back in the 70’s? I could have folded my own Star War heroes but then, now that I think about it, I would have gotten my butt kicked by the neighborhood kids for having origami. Last week I posted a Yoda origami and it was a pretty creative art piece. With this book, you can extend beyond Yoda and create R2-D2 and the Millennium Falcon – plus it includes specially designed origami paper.

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Filed Under: Art, Books Tagged With: Darth Vader, Falcon, folding paper, Japan, Lucas, Workman Publishing Company, Yoda

Fendi Classic Baguette Bag Tee & Pleated Zucca-Trim Skirt

August 14, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Little girls love to play grown up – they want to wear lipstick and carry a purse like Mom. But since they really have nothing to carry inside that purse, why not give her just the look of a purse? This Fendi shirt has the print of a purse sewn into the shirt. Neiman Marcus currently has it on sale for $99. I do wish they would have made this shirt for my wife though. That way she can stop spending so much money on real purses.

Buy it @ Neiman Marcus – Fendi.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: babies, bag, kids, Neiman Marcus, purses

Artist Inspired Eco-Friendly Speakers

August 13, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Almost all speakers out there under $1,000 USD are just dull black veneer wrapped around MDF speakers. Now don’t get me wrong, some of them sound great but when the music stops, they just look like the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Recently, I stumbled upon these speakers and these seem to add a pretty nice second dimension to your speaker. It’s as if you can enjoy it with the music on or off.

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Filed Under: Art, Design, Tech Tagged With: artwork, audiophiles, green tech, sound, Urban Fidelity

Japan: FitEar ToGo 334

August 13, 2012 by SW biko 6 Comments

I attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas every year (I hope to bring back some great pics for Retrenders at next years show) and I have heard my share of amazing audiophile-quality headphones. Most of the high end $500+ headphones are over-the-head styles and I don’t remember ever seeing or hearing a pair of in-ear headphone in that price range. That’s why I was really drawn to Cnet’s “Best In-Ear Headphone” claim.

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Filed Under: Geeky, Tech Tagged With: FitEar ToGo, headphones, Japan, personal headphones

More Umbrella Art

August 10, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via Peter Greig

Simply beautiful. There really should be more of these simple but yet beautiful art pieces that decorate our city. Why must we always have modern art that push boundaries, but yet, no one can understand them or find it at least semi-pleasing? While this art installation might not cause controversy or lead art into new territories, I would really enjoy seeing this on my way to work everyday. It just brings a smile to my face.

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Filed Under: Art Tagged With: Australia, Peter Greig, sparkling, Sydney, Vivid Sydney

Muji Coming to San Francisco

August 10, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Muji is finally coming to San Francisco. The Japanese retail giant that specializes in consumer and household goods announced plans to open a SF store in November at 540 Ninth St. in the SOMA district. It will be the Muji’s first West Coast outlet and fifth store in the US. Also, it will be the largest in the US with 7,250 square feet of retail space and parking. Be the first in line but, in the meantime, get ready with what you want by checking out their website. (http://www.muji.us/)

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Filed Under: Design Tagged With: Japan, retail stores, SOMA, West Coast

A Flower in the Sky

August 9, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via Nico Perez (A Flower in the Sky)

I stumbled onto these beautiful photos a long while ago. I really like the mood of the photos – it’s as if you’re in a dream state of distant memories. I wished someday the artist would pair these photos up with music. In the meantime, I’ll look through the photos with some quiet jazz, slow guitar, etc.

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Filed Under: Photos Tagged With: Nico Perez, photography

Man Bag: J. Crew Abingdon

August 9, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

Image via PurseBlog.com

A messenger bag is pretty much a part of me as I commute to work everyday. All around on the bus, I see all the men carrying a similar bag because, these days, we just have a lot to lug around. I’ve got today’s lunch, my sweater, ipod, cell phone, keys, reading materials, etc. To be honest, I feel naked without my bag and I’m pretty rough with it, that’s why I’m always on the lookout for new bags or newer styles. Guess where I found this beautiful messenger bag – PurseBlog.com, which is my wife’s quick link to her purse addiction. Ughh, that’s when I realized that the messenger bag is the modern man’s purse but, darnit, that’s one good looking bag and the price is awesome. I want one…

For more info, go to: PurseBlog.com – J. Crew Abingdon.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: carry bag, messenger bag, metro, purse, PurseBlog.com

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi LEGO Chess Set

August 8, 2012 by SW biko Leave a Comment

There is just no way on earth I can concentrate on chess when I have a set like this. I would constantly add-on to each piece or re-enact scenes from the Star Wars movies. Before you know it, I’ve busted out the rest of my Lego Star Wars sets and any semblance of a chess game would have been gone a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away….).