Candylab Modern Car Toys

Winter is hitting us hard now; wind, rain and snow are coming all at once. For most blogs with a fashion angle, that would be a chance to tell you about a brilliant new coat or suggesting a new pair of heavy jeans.

Not us though. We can cover that if you like, but we’d rather focus on something to brighten your life, rather than just warm your body. And here it is, these amazing cars from Candylab Toys. Designed in Brooklyn, each car is colourfully designed, made from solid Beech wood and would made for a study looking desk ornament / toy. They're sure to bring some fun to even the dullest of offices.

Take a look at the whole range here (available in the UK here) and check them out on Instagram for some neat videos of these cars doing their thing. Meanwhile, I’m off to work out which cars I need to buy to reenact some classic scenes from Steve McQueen's Bullit.

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AJ's Toy Boarders + Weekend Links

Those little green Toy Soliders feeling a bit old hat? Well, do what every other sane adult would do and trade them in for these rad Toy Boarders at Goodhood. They come in skate, surf + snow versions. Dude!

So it's been another hectic week but I'm determind to catch some down time this w/e. I still haven't managed to celebrate my birthday yet, so we can settle down with a beer at some point. Do you lot have any nice plans?

Weekend Bucket List

Try watching this edited traffic video without cringing, amazing!
Some of the finest street furniture from around the world
Apartment envy
Spending the summer in Hong Kong
Imagine if we had walking lanes just for mobile phone users
How about this double chocolate + bacon shake? Best of luck of Katie on her NY move
In case you missed it - I took part in The Polo Series shoot with Lyle & Scott

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Balancing Blocks By Fort Standard

Continuing the theme of toys for grown-ups (and kids too), which Yasumi started earlier in the week, I've discovered yet more, this time in the way of colourful building block. Or should I say Balancing Blocks? This playful bag of tricks has been created by Industrial Design duo, Fort Standard, who are well known for their innovative attitude towards problem solving + product design.

The Balancing Blocks have been designed to test your understanding of physics as much as they have to entertain and test you nerve, a la Jenga. Areaware has done it again and created this really sweet video, showing you how the blocks work. Don't even try to hid a smile when watching this! Check it out below.

  

Fort Standard's Balance Blocks available here. For more from Areaware also see Cubebots.

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Christmas Gifts Under £15 - Cubebots at AREAWARE

   

Toys aren't just for kids these days, if one of these fellas found its way under my tree this Christmas I've be as happy as Larry. Cubebots are inspired by traditional Japanese puzzles and made from good old beech wood. These dudes require no batteries but merely a creative imagination. And the best part, they come in at just under £15! Click play.

Cubebots available at AREAWARE here.

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Ayame @ Present

Where would we be without socks? We would have wet, cold feet for a start but I feel a damn sight better off knowing that I can pull on a decent pair of colourful socks whenever I need to.

Japanese brand Ayame do some of the best looking ones around and their Sock Monkeys are the bomb.

Available at Present.

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Design Your Own Superhero

 The Hulk Marvel Bobblehead

An email popped up this week saying, "do you fancy designing your own superhero?". A no-brainer for me really, so where do I signed up? To promote the launch of NOW TV's Superhero campaign, they're doing just that. The first 500 people to submit their characters get a month's free movie subscription and a t-shirt with their own superhero on it. Then if you're lucky enough to be voted in the top 3 design (chosen by the public) you will have your superhero turned into a proper animation! Sweet deal indeed.

Just a quick word about our newest Blog Sponsors - Pavillion Clothing is an independent men's and womenswear stored based in Cardiff, Wales. This season they're stocking some cracking brands instore and online, you're likely to find Barbour, Edwin, Hiut Denim, Norse Projects, Patagonia, YMC and plenty more. Pavillion currently offer 10% first purchases with code, "FIRSTORDER". Visit their online store for more details.

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#whatmattersmost with John Lewis - Collectables

Vinylmation Urban Series 6 by Maria Clapsis

What matters most to me? This question popped into my inbox this morning. This week John Lewis are running a competition across  their social networks to find out about the stuff that really matters to each of us. Friends and family are the first thought but that's too obvious; that got me thinking about what I really love. As a few of you may know, over the past couple of months I've made a conscious decision to take Buckets & Spades on full time, because it's what matters the most to me. The easy answer from a blogger's perspective would be laptop and camera, these are of course high priority but what makes sitting in front of a computer screen all day much more enjoyable is being surrounded by all the ace collectables and oddments I've accumulated over the years. See my other Vinylmation figure here. So, #whatmattersmost to you?

As part of the campaign, John Lewis are asking the public to join in and share the things that mean a lot, by creating a short videos on Vine and sharing it on Twitter using the hashtag #whatmattersmost. Everyone that does this will be entered into the #whatmattersmost competition to win either £1000 John Lewis Vouchers or one of three Canon 700D (Best purchases I've ever made, other than Hollie's engagement ring that is!).

If you would like to enter the John Lewis #whatmattersmost competition* you'll have to get your skates on, it ends this Sunday 8th September! 

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Vinylmation - Abstract Mickey Mouse

I've got a new mate on my desktop, he's got quite a confusing body. Along with our collection of Bearbricks we've now started adding Vinylmation toys into the mix. I picked up several in a Disney Factory Outlet while I was in Orlando recently.

Abstract Mickey Mouse is designed by graphic artist Eric Caszatt and is apart of the Urban Series 6. I'll be sharing the rest of them with you over the next couple of weeks. 

Does anybody else collection vinyl figures, or are we alone on this one?

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Best Buddies - Acme Couriers

Best buddies ride sidecar, everyone knows that. My mum found this ACME Couriers motorbike and sidecar duo a few weeks ago, she said it was my grandad's from years ago. A bit of research tells me this neat toy was reissued in 2010. It's pretty clear where I get my obsession with collecting things like this from, he had what now seems like a bottomless pit of oddities from all around the world.

These fellas now sit proudly on my desk, next to my collection of Bearbricks, staplers and notepads.

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PlayShapes

 

Make up hundreds of little creations and combos with this 74-piece colourful building set, made using enviro-friendly rubber wood. Created by Miller Goodman, PlayShapes are available at my new favourite online store, GeneralGood. Neato.

The weekend has come around again so quick,  it feels like only yesterday I was wish you a happy one  and here we are again. I'll be taking the time to catch up on some of my fav blogs, I may even go for a stroll in the park. Very leisurely. Any plans guys?

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Japanese Toys

I spotted these really sweet Japanese play sets in Selfridges yesterday while we were ring shopping. There's a small "Toys from Japan" section which has set up shop next to Muji in the Trafford Centre branch, it's clearly for kids but there's some cracking designs in there. Above was a range of sets which all had magnetic pieces on the on the underside, like a modern tech version of Lego but without the clipable bits. All the cars were wind and go, plus there was loads of pieces to collect.

Clearly not just for kids...

What's the haps this weekend? I'm all set for a bike ride.

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Wooden "Lego" Men

(Image source)

Love this idea. Handmade "Lego" inspired wooden figures by French company Malet. Limited to 20 pieces, each coming uniquely numbered and housed in handprinted packaging. I reckon these would fly out if they were put into production on a slightly bigger scale, I'd be the first in the queue. I imagine it would be very easy to paint and repaint too.

Ah thank goodness it's Friday.

Smurf's Up

Sporty Smurfs at Present

The weekend has arrived once again and I'm looking for things to do. I've been waiting for a sunny Saturday so I can get out in the front garden and start striping the wall in prep for a new lick of paint. But the fun isn't kicking off till this evening, I'm going to make a bacon, onion and cream pizza which I found on Smitten Kitchen. Last time I tried making pizza it ended up about 3" too thick.

Plans for the weekend folk? Anyway, Smurf's up dudes. Enjoy.

Thanks for all the Berlin tips up to now, please keep them coming if you have any more.

Nice Things @ Objects of Use

Chimney brush

Puck harmonica

Tin o Twine

Computer brush

Twin coloured pencil

Enamel bowls

Valobra shaving soap

Balloon powered cars

I know I know, I don't have much use for all this stuff. I don't have a chimney, any kids or shave that much but some of the products at Objects of Use are really beautiful in their own right. If I had cleaning gear as nice as they sell I know I would make more effort around the house, plus who wouldn't like a balloon powered wooden car, that would clearly enhance my day. Most of the manufacturers have been making these products for well over 100 years, only making little tweaks here and there to create the perfect design.

Their site is filled with nice things which would make perfect little gifts, definitely worth a bookmark.

Click the links below the images for product links, visit Objects of Use for more information.

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I'm currently offering 20% off all orders on my Etsy store with the code BUCKETS20.