Teva SS14 Originals Collection

For SS14 American Adventure Sports + Lifestyle brand Teva look back through their colourful 30-year archive to recreate some of their classic and most popular styles, which look just as fresh now as they did in the mid-1980s. With roots in watersports, their latest collections doesn't differ too far from their traditional flip-flop and sandal style, taking inspiration from some of the company's early designs, dating back from 1984.

The original Teva designs were produced by a Grand Canyon river guide, who created a sandal suitable for the river by fusing a flip-flop together with nylon safety roping. Selling early prototypes from the back of his van, Teva's innovative + practical styles quickly became hot property on the watersports scene.

Two style feature in the SS14 collection - The Original + the Original Universal, each combining the original construction but using updated materials, patterns and colours. Also see the collaboration they did with Urban Outfitters. Teva's clever use of colour and their patented designs makes a nice alternative for people (like me and I'm guessing a lot of other people) who can't deal with the inevitable flip-flops nightmare. I tend to stick to canvas trainers, deck shoes, or just running trainers (some great deals on them here) in the summer, but when something lighters is required, then Teva could be the perfect solution.

Teva SS14 collection is available here.

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Black House Project's Duffle Bags

After having my daily browse on Instagram using the "discover" tool I came across San Francisco, CA based accessories and homeware label Black House Project. The company was founded by designer and professional smily chap Nigel Reyes, with the aim was to create high quality durable goods to suit the needs of everyday life. Each piece from the expanding collection is handmade by the man himself, using a mixture of high quality 18oz water-repellent duck canvas fabric, vegetable tanned leather handles/trims and copper rivets.

Above is BHP's take on the classic Duffle Bag, which features a heavier fabric than the traditional cloth or nylon, chambray lined side pockets and heavy-duty YKK zippers. The duffle is available in Olive Drab (my personal favourite), Navy, Natural and a limited run of Vintage Red Selvedge Denim. Each bag in the collection has been individually numbered and finished to the highest standard. In the current collection you'll also find backpacks, tote and laundry bags, travel kits and work aprons.

Find out more about Black House Project here.

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Property Of...AW 13 Collection

A new season marks the new release of a bunch of new products. Property Of...is a brand I've been quietly following for some time now, if memory serves me correctly I first came across their products on Lineage of Influence a couple of years back. Since 2006 Property Of...have been producing hardwearing, well designed, functional goods, selling via their cafe in Amsterdam and online to much success. 

You want it, they've probably made it. This AW they've brought back some of their more classic styles and jazzed them up a bit, both the Hector and Tommy Backpacks have been reworked in new colours and materials. My personal favourite, The Bryan Body Bag (image 1+2) is a new addition to the family, constructed in lightweight nylon and ripstop fabric. It's the perfect shape for cyclists and commuters. Big enough to get a iPad, books and your every day necessities but compact enough just to sling over your shoulder.

All pieces throughout the collection would definitely work for both male and female, the orange waxed cotton Thomas camera bag and small leather goods being the perfect example. Their prices are extremely affordable too, considering the amount of thought that's gone into each piece. So to sum up, Property Of...do bags and they do them exceptionally well. 

See the full Property Of...collection here.

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Topo Designs Travel Bag

After a conversation with Ryan from Simple Threads (one of the best menswear blogs out there in my opinion) on Twitter regarding backpacks and why they make your top/shirt ride up when wearing them, he pointed me in the direction of Topo Designs. He highly regards their bags and swears they're the only brand he's come across that doesn't inadvertently make you show your boxers off to the world.

Above is Topo's signature Travel Bag in navy, red and yellow which is the perfect backpack for everyday use as much as it is for a big old adventure hiking up some mountain range. Their aim was to create something that could take a hammering from traveling and everyday life but also compact and lightweight enough to be classed as a carry-on. But that's not all, there's an added bonus; the Travel Bag has been cleverly designed so you can attach their Trip Pack onto the front (see last image). The unique hooking system allows both bags to be carried at once, with easy dissemble when needed. Perfect.

All Topo Designs products are made in Denver, Colorado. For more on the Topo visit their store here. 

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Whipping Post - The Vintage Tote Bag

Possibly the perfect unisex tote bag by NY based leather goods company Whipping Post. The Vintage Tote Bag is big enough for everyday use; nipping to the shops, carrying your laptop, heading the gym or going away for the weekend. A piece that will no doubt improve with age.

Made from hard wearing 100% vegetable tanned leather, featuring contrast handles, copper rivets and minimal branding. See, pretty perfect hey?

Visit Whipping Post for more details.

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Southern Field Industries Tote Bag

Another tote bag for you today, this beaut is coming in from Japanese based company Southern Field Industries. Their heavy waxed cotton tote bag comes in a whole range of colour combinations but I've singled out the turquoise and tan version as my personal favourite. It's made from a fully waxed cotton outer with a contrasting olive interior, tanned leather handles and bottom for some extra practicality points and finished off with heavy brass rivets. It's a sizeable bit of stuff too, coming in at 38x40x14, loads of space for your daily odds 'n' sods (and flowers if you're Jen).

Southern Field Industries are small family run business from the Saitama area of Japan and have been producing handmade accessories since 2008. They have a great blog, posting daily musing and design processes on a regular basic. To see stuff like the design and construction process really can make a difference, it certainly tips me over the edge.

Converted into Pound Sterling the waxed tote bag works out at around £140. For more on the brand visit their website.


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Only a couple more days to enter the URBANARA tartan picnic blanket giveaway here

Penfield Tote Bag

Following on from the Chester Wallace post last week is this Penfield white & navy stripe tote, I recently picked it up in Urban Outfitters for £10. Granted it's not exctally what I was after but for the price and the design I'm pretty happy. I would have preferred an additional shoulder strap and possibly leather handles too, but the natural coloured canvas cotton ones will do just fine.

I would definitely class this as unisex and I'm pretty sure my girlfriend will be nabbing in somewhere down the line. It's a pretty roomy bag measuring at around 15" x 15", so there's enough room for a gym kit, couple of books and some food shopping.

Over than a few small homeware bits this is probably the only bargain I've picked up of late, do you guys have any to report?