It’s official: the simplest things are the hardest. Look at this: a Tandem umbrella, of course! Why did we ever try to fit under one single umbrella in the pouring rain? One of us was destined to get wet!

The umbrella for two was designed by Jasmine Raznahan and Mark Owens for those who are inseparable.

(source: trendsnow.net)

Sometimes it’s not the product we fall in love with, but the photo that comes with it. Yes, we sell out easily, even though there’s not even a kitten on this image. Nevertheless, this is exactly how we imagined we looked when we were young and were riding our rocking horse.

The Log Rocker was designed by Eric Pfeiffer, and it can be whatever you want it to be: a speeding motorcycle, a galloping horse or even a balance beam.

(source: 71grados.com)

If someone asked the italian designer, Adele Rotella, what she thought of luxury, her answer would include a reference to chocolate. She is the designer of Sciocolá, the seat that “was inspired by chocolate and wood’s common features, making downtime as a pleasure and luxury time”.

Whether you like dark, milk, or white chocolate, it will be hard to fight the urge to have a bite.

(source: designspotter.com)

Reading by the light of your notebook? Been there, done that. Surprisingly, this wasn’t what inspired the japanese studio, Vinta, when they created the Butterfly lamp.

“This light came from the idea of folding a piece of paper. The function of its adjustment of light and the space created by that are a result of simple action of one surface (the panel) being divided by two. ”

(source: tinsiders.blogspot.com)

Well, we’ve got another holiday coming up soon, and although we are against the habit of giving bunnies as presents at easter, we would still make an exception with this zombie bunny.

Jellibat managed to save Test Lab Bunny from a science lab, where different experimental procedures were performed on him. Unfortunately for us, there’s only one existing specimen, and he is already adobted by his new family. But we’re looking forward to the reproduction.

(source: boingboing.net)

Of course you have plenty of these already, and it’s quite hard to grab our attention when it comes to USB drives. But the Cruzer Tag flash drives are definitely cute enough to be featured here.

Available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB at SanDisk.

(source: chipchick.com)

You know that tingling feeling of strength and power when you bite off the head of a chocolate santa, or when you chew on the ears of a chocolate bunny? Something similar can be achieved by drawing with these crayons designed by Heli Hietala.

These were made in 2005, the characters are shaped as small human beings, and there are about 100 of them.

According to the designer, the crayons “can be used as tools for communication. It intends to show the results of involvement between characters.”

But we don’t necessarily have to believe it, to enjoy drawing with these little colourful figures.

(source: designboom.com)

Since I’m a vegetarian, I’m very picky about how food is made. For example, meat touching vegetables is a no-no. But of course, onions touching fruits is just as bad. That’s why, ideally, I prefer to use a different cutting board for different types of food. Apparently, I’m not the only one.

These chopping boards are also indexed to absolutely avoid any mix up. Available from the MoMA store for 85 dollars.

Spring is near, soon parks will be invaded by those picnicing outdoors. Sure, who wouldn’t like laying down in the grass and eating cheese?

It’s even better if you have one of those classic blankets with you! It’s even better, if you don’t have to carry there and back that blanket.

This idea of the Reddish Studio is from 2002. Buttercup, the picnic-dress lets you have a festive meal wherever you are.

(source: pan-dan.blogspot.com)

“Pass me the salt, would you!” “Can I have the pepper, please!” These exclamations are inevitable when you’re sitting at a family dinner. And what is even more inevitable is that just when you are about to put the best bite in your mouth, you have to stop and pass that damned shaker. You’d prefer to just say “Sort it out!” and munch on, but of course, sitting in the middle, you have to put down your fork and play the middleman between the two sides of the table.

There are two solutions. You should either never sit in the middle, or you should get wind-up salt & pepper shakers.

These strange looking shakers work exactly like other wind-up toys, and each costs 18 dollars.

Let’s spend a bit more time with finnish designers. Tiia Vanhatapio is also working in fashion. We love her collection for adults as well, but what really caught our eyes, was her clothing line for babies, named “Quelle Jolie Bébé!“.

Of course I’d love to dress my baby in a kimono! The other designs are lovely as well, and the best part: most of them are unisex.

So far it seems that this century is all about accessories. Let it be gloves, or socks. Yes, it’s time to rethink that old fashioned thought that only black socks are acceptable, and only black tights are elegant.

For me, these models by the finnish duo, Zukale & Huoviala were love at first sight.

This team’s been working together since 2003. Their accessories are available not only in finnish shops, but on the internet as well.

(source: tinsiders.blogspot.com)

Alice Wang is one of my favourite concept artists. Everything she does is interesting and thought provoking. This also is the case with her newest project, that is called Asimov’s First Law.

Let’s talk about artificial intelligence. Let’s talk about how machines could harm us. Let’s talk about how some domestic appliances are already affecting how we feel about ourselves. Yes, let’s talk about scales, and the negative impact they have on our self-confidence. Let’s talk about how we could avoid this emotionally stressing experience.

White Lies

Having a bad day? Spent the weekend at your parents? Just stand on the edge of the scale to stay away from reality. The closer you step to the hand, the closer you get to reality.

Half Truth

Use a middleman between you and the scale. Choose someone who loves you enough to tell you either only a half-truth, or who transmits the truth nicely.

Open Secret

This is a risky one. This scale sends a message to the chosen mobile phone with your weight. Make sure to choose wisely.. don’t be the fun of a group of people on a random pub crawl!

Me, I don’t keep a scale. My only scale is my favourite dress. If it fits, everything is OK. If it doesn’t, it’s time to give up biscuits and cheese for a few days!

It’s friday night, the link between a long and tiring week and a long and tiring weekend. So please forgive me for entertaining myself - and you - with something equally tiring.

These jumping brains are nothing but jumping brains. The spanish web designer and toy collector Emilio Garcia designed these toys for Lapolab. Apparently it will be available in limited-edition releases of 120 figures per color.

(source: notcot.com)

On a rainy day like this all we can think about is how to avoid getting soaked. And the inverting and breaking of the umbrella doesn’t help either. Well, here’s a great solution!

This thing called Nubrella is not your usual umbrella. It might not look too pretty, but it does look rather practical. And since you don’t need to use your hands to hold it, you can even use it on the bike. For that, we love it even more.

The other good news is that it isn’t only a concept. You can order it for as little as 59.95 dollars.

(source: geekologie.com)

I’d love to wear these on a long and boring day to amuse myself with the reactions.

A random surprise for the bests.

Follow the instructions, and make someones day with the sew in surprise. Then count the days (or as it would be in my case: weeks) until the loved one notices it.

(source: urbanoutfitters.com)

A bare light bulb hanging down the ceiling makes a very special atmosphere. But if I ever decided to do that, I would go with these ones.

The Tin Lamp is designed by the russian Yar Rassadin.

So you’ve been together for years now, you talked about everything you can think of, and their opposites, and all you really want to do after a long workday is sitting down quietly and peacefully and browse the internet / read a book / play? There’s nothing wrong with that, but why not make it special?

Without trying to turn into a marriage counsellor, let us recommend you the Tête-á-tête collection by Soma Sofa studio.

There are more colours, shapes and forms on the website.