>> acl & co. coal bag

The Coal Bag ($160) by ACL & Co. should have been on my list months ago. It was literally designed to carry coal, it's made from #8 natural canvas and has a removable 34" carry strap—which is why I love it so much. It's also available at select J.Crew stores in New York (The Liquor Store, 484 Broadway and East Hampton).

>> sf moma artscope

The SF MOMA's ArtScope is a pretty great way to procrastinate. It's a visual catalog of the museum's collection that you can explore entirely by using your mouse and rolling over images. You can also do keyword searches. Hours wasted.

>> phosphorescent

We saw this dude, Matthew Houck, with his band Phosphorescent play The Troubador last night. Good stuff.

>> ship's crew russian dolls

The Ship's Crew set ($180) from the Scottish home goods store Papa Stour includes seven hand painted wooden Russian dolls: the Captain, the First Mate, the Mechanic, the Cook, the Cabin Boy, The Ship's Dog and a Sea Gull. Need.

>> pike place lighting

We took a quick walk through Seattle's iconic Pike Place market last Friday before hopping on a Sea Plane headed for San Juan Island. I couldn't get enough of the old industrial pendant lights in that place. I wanted to rip them down and put them in my suitcase.

>> long wknd

We're off to Seattle to check out the post-grunge Pacific Northwest music scene. Ha. Just kidding, we'll be doing yuppie things.

>> paul + linda

Easily my favorite celebrity couple of all time.

>> anzfer farms

I have a new design crush on the The San Francisco studio Anzfer Farms, especially because of these Lock and Key chairs made from reclaimed plywood.

>> vertical planter

I'm particularly fond of this vertical garden ($178) because it doesn't read too contemporary as a lot of them do. This wool pocket planter is framed with rustic wood and 100% recycled fiber. How cool would it be full of herbs just outside your kitchen or even in your kitchen? This one is 24" high by 22" wide, but there are other sizes available here.

>> the perfect pour

Cool graphic design poster for coffee lovers by Plaid.

>> sixagon side tables

Loving these Misewell side tables ($265) made of solid wood, steel and aluminum in the U.S.A.

>> hot wheels

Just a little late 50s/early 60s auto ephemera.

>> two things

RGB's new color "Punch" ($14) and a Filson shot shell bag ($34).

>> dreams come true girl

We're in Chicago for a wedding, so here's a little summery romantic tune from Cass McCombs. Have a good one!

>> out of vogue

It seems like all the good scores are in Orange County. Recently I was turned on to this vintage modern shop, Out of Vogue in Fullerton, Ca., which I've heard has been a source for many a Mad Men set. Great store and the prices aren't awful. Above is a vintage Heath Ceramics "Sea and Sand Set" ($385) and an eight piece Michael Lax Copco cast iron cookware set ($275). Order by phone (714) 879-6647 or get into the 3,500 sq foot showroom at 109 E. Commonwealth Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832.

>> street art from around the globe

The Truth in London

Unknown artist in New York

Ocho in Paris

Spy from Madrid

Elfo in Italy

Banksy in London

>> everyday superhero

This new collection designed by Ben Hall for Acme Studios is pretty super. I'm especially fond of the Raygun desk pen ($130) and X-ray eyeglass case ($30).

>> galerie half

My friend Nena dragged me to Galerie Half (6911 Melrose Ave.) yesterday afternoon, and I'm so glad she did. It is full of masterfully edited European antiques heavy on the masculine side. Loved it.

>> skinflint lighting

Obsessed with British vintage lighting restoration company SkinFlint Design, they specialize in industrial lighting from 1900-1960. I love everything they sell. Prices aren't terrible (all of the above are around $200 US), but you'll have to deal with high shipping costs.

>> I heart your style

Major book crush on Amanda Brooks' chronicle of how to define and refine your personal style. The photos (like the above Sabrina Guinness in a floral print dress on a date with Prince Charles circa 1979) and smart commentary are both top notch. Pick it up here ($14). I heart this book.

current obsession >> old VW buses

I'm weirdly kind of getting into these.

>> dinner at my place

This is the coolest music video I've seen in a long long time. Prague-based designer Pavel Fuksa custom designed 178 matchboxes for The Navigator's single "My Place". LOVE! (via Oh Joy!)

>> red rocks

Matt and I drove into the Mojave dessert yesterday for a little day trip to Red Rock Canyon State Park, a much needed mini escape from our computers and cell phones. It's about 2 hours east of L.A., and the hike is pretty amazing.

All of these ridges were under water ten million years ago.

You can get misted post-hike at The Jawbone Country store.

A few souvenirs.

>> simple summer goodness

Fair trade fire sticks ($4.50) handmade in Guatemala from the stumps of Ocote trees; recycled enamel bbq ($195) akin to a traditional west African cooker; recycled glass storm lantern ($11).

>> lost & found is online

Good news for non-L.A. people: Lost & Found, the home, men's, women's and kid's store on Yucca that I live dangerously close to just launched their online store! Check it out!

>> current obsession: broken bells

Matt turned me onto Broken Bells (Danger Mouse + The Shins' James Mercer) last weekend. Can't get enough of this song, The High Road.

>> "wooden crate"

It looks like wood, but it's aluminum! Italian artist Andrea Salvetti's Ortofrutta collection including the above wooden crate ($1,215) is created by making a negative mold in sand using slats of wood, from which a positive mold in wax can be created. The pieces were then cast in aluminum, and highly polished.

>> straight from 1970

Check out these scans from The Practical Encyclopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement! Gotta love the fact that there is no irony, referencing, or over intellectualizing going on here, it's just the straight dope from 1970.

>> cocktail hour at the pool

Campari soda (recipe); The Savoy Cocktail book ($20 new); 1950s Italian bar cart ($2,400); Kisses 7" single ($7) or here on iTunes; red Supergas ($70); Spaghetti stool, 1979 ($335); Perrier tumbler ($12); beach blankets ($48); Bird-Electron portable speaker ($80); paper straws ($3); Gaucho boardshorts ($58).

>> mirror man!

Has any one in L.A. seen the street performer Mirror Man!? We went looking for him last weekend at Griffith Park with no luck. I really want to find this dude! Photos by SilverSky.