Laura Smith Scooter Helmet

I saw a friend of mine with this helmet recently and immediately inquired about its provenance. I can guarantee you that its Italian hand-stitched leather is more beautiful than anything you’ll see on a bike helmet in the States.

Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint Pen

When it comes to writing instruments, I’ve long subscribed to two rules: 1) don’t spend much money on them and 2) don’t buy ballpoint pens. My tendency to lose pens and pencils explains the first rule. Sure, I would like a Mont Blanc, but I can almost guarantee that, if I made it my primary pen, I would lose it within two years. My distaste for the experience of writing with ballpoints and the visual results of that experience account for the second rule. Last year i gave a friend a Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint pen for his birthday, and I told him that if I used a ballpoint pen, that was the one I would use. This year, I received a special edition of the same pen for my birthday and have been using it ever since. The results are hard for me to distinguish from those of other ballpoint pens, but the experience of writing with it is phenomenal—organic, smooth, and inspiring. Its weight, size, and balance are perfect. Is there a better ballpoint pen to be had for under $30? No, there is not.

Buy the Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint pen

Oil Lamp Lightbulb

Sergio Silva’s desktop oil lamp is aesthetically and conceptually awesome.

Oyule by Sergio Silva

My Phone Is Off For You

The Way We See the World designed this handkerchief that announces what everyone should already be doing when they’re in one another’s company: giving undivided attention to people instead of devices.

Buy the Phonekerchief at Uncommon Goods