Article Aoúd Jewelry Spring/Summer 2013 Japan Collection

First were turned to Italian jewelry design label Aoúd last year and we’ve been loyal fans ever since. With such a solid first collection, we’d think it would be quite difficult to beat the second time around but they’ve done it with these pieces designed for the Japanese market. Japan is where all the Western subcultures are experienced in a very deep way, almost fetishist and so there’s much to appreciate there from the second collection of aoúd. The line features pieces made of silver and brass and produced entirely in Italy and brings us back to the atmospheres of the chopper culture.

The sacred symbols of the first collection are strong again and when combined with modern rosary beads and wallet chains, they create the connection to an imaginary scenario of the ’60s.There is where gang of bikers were beautifully described by Hunter S. Thompson in his report of the Hell’s Angels ’67 and by the photographer Bill Ray in an article for the American magazine Life ’65. Each piece holds deep meaning and inspiration and we’re quite impressed by the evolution and versatility aoúd is showing with their latest collection. The collection is sold in select stores internationally including Excelsior in Milan and Strasburgo in Japan.

Prospector Co. Body Cleansers

Prospector Co. adds to its full range of grooming products with a natural line of body washes that should provide for a better alternative to the overpowered and over-branded products in the men's grooming aisle. Available in scents like Vetiver Sage and Balsim Cedarwood, the gels are fortified with Aloe and Vitamin E and there's no harsh cleaning agents to dry out your skin. $12-$20, Prospector Co.

Tom Ford

Interchangeability is the name of the game with Tom Ford's latest piece of eyewear, The Robbie. The frame has a bridge that flips up so you can quickly remove the frame and swap it out with the included aviator-style frame when you want a bolder look. They've even matching temple tips to complete the look. $525, Sunglass Hut

The New BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo adds an innovative new concept to the successful BMW 3 Series line-up. The third body variant in the current model family combines the Sedan’s dynamic, sporting genes with the practicality and versatility of the Touring, qualities which are backed up by a palpable increase in space and driving comfort.

Typical BMW proportions, four doors with frameless windows, a coupe-style, gently downward-sloping roofline and a large, automatically opening and closing tailgate define the distinctive exterior character of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. An active rear spoiler – the first of its type on a BMW – provides visual lightness and reduces lift at touring speeds.

Gant Slip Case

While we wait for this "paper-less" society that everyone seems to go on and on about, we've still got tons of paperwork to deal with. Until then, GANT Rugger just released a looking leather slip case for all your documents and when we finally do go completely digital we're sure it'll make for one hell of a tablet case. GANT Rugger

Balvenie

In celebration of the 50-year career of malt master David Stewart, who is the longest tenured master in all of Scotland, The Balvenie Distillery has released an extremely limited run of their half-century old single malt, aptly named The Balvenie 50 Year Old. Stewart, who started the long journey of becoming a malt master back in 1962, himself marvels at the uniqueness of Cask 5576, from whence this magical elixir emerges. And if he’s confounded, you should probably be sitting down if you happen to get the chance at a sip.

With a smooth sweetness and citrus notes, hints of honey, spice and oak, The Balvenie 50 Year Old is a whisky to be coveted, and at an earth-shattering $32K, you surely would have to savor every drop and make sure even the angels don’t get their share. Limited to 88 bottles and encased in a cask-inspired wood and brass container, it is truly the rarest of rare. Even the legendary Mr. Stewart can’t get his mitts on one, which seems wrong, really.

The Thursday Cocktail Recipe

Gatsby Swizzle 

1.5 oz Beefeater 24 gin 

0.5 oz Rhuby

1 oz strawberry rhubarb syrup

0.5 oz lemon juice 0.5 oz lime juice 

Shake ingredients well and strain over crushed ice. 

Oliver Peoples for Maison Kitsuné

Inspired by the '50s and international travel, Oliver Peoples and Maison Kitsuné announce their soon-to-be-released sunglass and optical collection. The brands will release two frames: The Paris (sunglass) and the Tokyo which is an optical frame with a flip up sunglass lens attachment. Both styles will be available exclusively at Kistuné stores and Oliver Peoples boutiques. Oliver Peoples

Ipad mini case

From the Netherlands comes Mujjo, a brand known for crafting minimalistic yet functional products. In 2012, Mujjo first began developing sleeves for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air as well as the MacBook Pro. The brand’s The Originals collection features a unique combination of wool felt and high quality leather, and they recently added an iPad Mini Sleeve that fits seamlessly into Mujjo’s current product lineup. The folks over at Mujjo were kind enough to send us an iPad Mini sleeve for review and we’ve been quite impressed by its detailing and overall craftsmanship. It’s easy to carry and has a little extra space in a separate compartment that can fit your headphones, some folded documents or even a MiFi. The wool felt contrasts really well with the vegetable tanned leather and we can already tell the leather with age to perfection. The felt can be easily cleaned as a special treatment provides excellent anti-peeling properties and makes the sleeve water repellent. Aesthetically, it may be the best looking iPad Mini sleeve on the market and its ability to blend so well with the iPad Mini’s slim design is what makes it such a great accessory.

Panerai

This new watch from Officine Panerai is certainly cool—an in-house chronograph (the new P.9100/R calibre) with flyback function AND a regatta countdown function which is displayed via the overlaid orange hand and both set and operated with the orange-marked pusher at 4:00. A knot scale on the rehaut helps calculate sailing speed. This model is clearly all about sailing. The titanium 1950 case is water resistant to 100 meters and comes fitted with Panerai’s beefy vented rubber strap. Retail price is expected to be $11,800.

The Sunday Ride

Autobiography is to put it simply, the ultimate Range Rover. For 2013 they've taken their ultimate edition even further with a chrome plated front grill, 21 inch wheels standard (optional 22'' pictured above), a 510 hp Supercharged V8, and the option of 22 additional colors that you can only get in this edition. When it comes to amenities the car has a laundry list to drool over from the full-size panoramic roof to the 20 way adjustable seats and the incredible and exclusive 825 watt audio system by British hi-fi brand, Meridian. The 2013 Autobiography starts at $130,950. Land Rover

SIX SHOOTER SHAVE BRUSHES

If your looking to take your shaving experience to the extreme, and you’ve already messed around with razors that have more blades than a samurai movie, check out these Six Shooter Shave Brushes. Each of the handcrafted brushes is made in the US and features authentic shell casings. The revolver body is crafted from high grade anodized aluminum and the removable 20mm brush is composed of fine badger hair. They’re available in a variety of different finishes and should also be available in .38 caliber offerings soon. It’s the most extreme way to shave since since the time you had to attempt dry shaving.

SKULL ICE CUBE MOLD

You think Skeletor drinks his scotch with some standard block of ice? Hell, no! Yes, that’s primarily because he’s a cartoon character, but if you want to ice down some booze in the most diabolical way possible, check out this Skull Ice Cube Mold. The two part mold turns your H20 into a large skull to cool down your drink. Simple to fill and remove, the skull block measures 3″ x 3″ and won’t melt down as quickly as a few cubes tossed in there with your Glenlivet. Sure there are whiskey purists out there who wouldn’t let any bit of ice touch their sweet, delicious booze, but the awesomeness of the Skull Ice Cube trumps that feeling.