Sometimes we do our best thinking in the bathroom.  Whether we’re going through our daily ablutions or just doing a little light reading, our bathroom is a place of refuge and comfort.  Anything that accentuates that general feeling of ease is an added bonus and the Soft Washbowl by Hella Jongerius (available at Droog for $529) evokes just that sentiment given it’s literal and figurative softness (due to its soft polyurethane construction and pleasantly blue demeanor).  And it doesn’t hurt that the Soft Washbowl exhibits a combination of focused compactness and functional whimsy that’s ideally suited for the limited space most Manhattan bathrooms offer.

It’s been a long time since you made those New Year’s resolutions.  And with the weather starting to ever so slightly warm up, it’s as good a time as any to check in on that commitment you made to getting back into shape.  And there’s no better way to monitor your progress (or lack thereof), than with a Tanita Body Monitor.  Using BIA technology (bioelectrical impedance analysis), Tanita Body Monitors measure body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass, and bone mass, among many other things depending on the model.  And being FDA approved for precision, not to mention having at least a 300lb weight capacity, Tanita Body Monitors are built for performance and apparently, durability as well.

Item A.

Tanita BF-683W Body Fat / Body Water Monitor (available at TheCompetitiveEdge.com for $80): these days, it’s not just about how much you weigh, it’s about what makes up that weight as well, and the BF-683W accurately measures weight, body fat percentage, and body water percentage, giving you access to three critical readings you should be aware of, whether you like what you see or not.

Item B. 

Tanita BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor (available at TheCompetitiveEdge.com for $280): triathletes, marathon runners and general fitness fanatics should look no further as the BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor measures not only weight, body fat percentage, and hydration levels, but also muscle mass, overall physique rating, daily caloric intake, metabolic age rating, bone mass, and visceral fat.   These readings are automatically transmitted and loaded to a computer, remote display or Garmin Fitness watch using a wireless USB stick and proprietary software.  This is the ideal body monitor for those interested in capturing detailed information and tracking it over time to understand trending and overall progress.

Inspired by the the I-beams found on New York City subway platforms, the LUCKY BEAM Large Bench by The Katch Design Company (available at The Katch Design Company for $2,600) reconfirms our affinity for this iconic shape, especially when realized in the form of furniture.  Reclaimed or sustainable wood slabs rest on top of powder-coated aluminum plate beams that come in an array of colors ranging from jet black to day-glo pink.  The juxtaposition of the grained wood against these glossy and colorful metal finishes adds a playful element to a clean, modern design.  And for those interested in other LUCKY BEAM options, the full line of benches extends to both smaller and outdoor versions, ensuring there’s at least one LUCKY BEAM that will end up suiting (and seating) you just fine.

Designed for versatility, the COCO Chair by Loll (available at Loll for $350) is as much at home on your outdoor deck as it is inside the house (or wherever you think it belongs).  Made from 160 recycled milk jugs, the COCO Chair is a year-round weatherproof lounger that you can leave outside without any thought to loss of color or the need for refinishing.  And with its contoured slats, compact design, and availability in six colors, the COCO is also the ideal indoor side chair.  Wherever it goes, there’s no doubt it will look the part with modern style and an eco-friendly disposition.

The editors at DS often get asked for a good watch recommendation at a reasonable price.  Though we feel this market continues to be underserved, there are a handful of watch brands that manage to deliver both quality and design without becoming the one outlier of a credit card charge on your billing statement.  We’ve always been fans of Timex with their history of producing durable and dependable watches, and with the launch of the TX line in particular, they’ve further enhanced the styling and engineering behind their timepieces without unreasonably elevating their price point.  And with the two Timex watches below, you could probably buy one with the cash in your pocket, while the other would be on par with the cost of your bar tab from a couple weekend’s worth of shenanigans.

Item A.

Timex Camper (available at Timex for $35): with a nylon strap, luminescent hands/markers and water resistance up to 30 meters, the Timex Camper is direct, rugged, takes a licking, and keeps on…you get the picture.

Item B.

TX 730 Series Classic Fly-Back Chronograph (available at Timex for $550): on somewhat of the opposite end of the design spectrum, the TX 730 Series features multifunctional movement with a compass, tachymeter, date and four-hour fly-back chronograph functionality, housed in a slick aviation-inspired case (and the fact that it’s blacked out certainly doesn’t hurt either). 

Hobbies centered around the home come in various forms (most of which don’t interest us in the least) and often involve some type of DIY construction or plumbing (things that require quite a bit of effort, with mixed results to show for it).  The Brooklyn Brew Shop DIY Kit (available at Brooklyn Brew Shop starting from $40) changes everything.  Founded by Stephen Valand and Erica Shea, the Brooklyn Brew Shop provides aspiring or experienced homebrewers with the means to begin or further develop the one DIY hobby we can get behind without any reservations.  Their kits (available in both one and five gallon capacities) include a glass jug, all the necessary accessories to brew, including a stopper, thermometer, tubing, etc, and your choice of mix, ranging from Chocolate Maple Porter to Holiday IPA to our favorite: the Black & Tan (which appropriately includes a pouring spoon).  And taking into consideration the limited amount of space most urban dwellers have (especially those of us in New York), the Brooklyn Brew Shop DIY Kit takes up less than one square foot of space, making it the ideal home hobby to take up, requiring minimal space and effort, but in return providing maximum pleasure.  Mmm.  Beer.

When you hear the term “light SUV,” images of the suburban doldrums typically come to mind: errands, grocery shopping, carpooling, etc.  With the Brabus GLK V12 (available from Brabus for approximately $540,000), any proconceived notion you may have held in your fragile mind regarding that classification gets permanently obliterated.  With a 12 cylinder twin turbo engine churning out 750 hp, the Brabus GLK V12 hits 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and tops out at 211 mph, making it the fastest street-legal SUV in the world.  With specialized modifications to the front and rear fascia, the addition of fender flares, custom-tailored rocker panels with LED lights as well as a coilover sport suspension, high-performance brakes and fully leather interior, the Brabus GLK V12 is more than just a tuner SUV—it’s the singular embodiment of unadulterated power and strategic engineering.  One look and it’s readily apparent that this sleek, yet absolute beast of a vehicle is meant for anything but the carpool lane.

For a few years, the editors at DS called the Garden State (yes, that would be New Jersey) home.  And though we eventually made our way into the city, one of the things we could appreciate from across the Hudson was the Manhattan skyline.  Reminiscent of the view we had from our quondam Jersey City digs, the Storyline Shelf by Frederik Roijé (available at FormNation for $460) is powder coated steel folded into the physical manifestation of the word “bliss”—that is, the word translated to a soundwave and then realized in solid metal.  Available in four colors, this shelf is brilliant mounted on your wall horizontally, but even more so vertically.  And however you see it, whether filled with books or left alone as a wall installation, the Storyline Shelf is pure shelving joy.

When it comes to our favorite cold beverages, we appreciate the added chill that only ice cubes can impart.  And with the Iced Caraffe by Officeoriginair (available at FormNation for $28), our drinks stay refreshingly cold from the first pour to the last.  Simply fill the Iced Caraffe with water up to the indication level and place it flat in your freezer.  Once the ice cubes form around the “spine” on the inside of the carafe, just fill it right up again with water (or your drink of choice), and as your drink begins to cool down, the ice cubes will do their job and naturally release from the inside.  Available in a taupe or warm grey color, the Iced Caraffe ensures that every one of your thirst-quenching indulgences will be a frosty one.

We’re pretty sure we’re not going diving anytime soon (let alone in Arctic conditions).  But on the off chance we found ourselves in that type of situation, we’d feel a lot more secure being equipped with the Kobold Arctic Diver Swiss Tactical (available at Kobold for $5,250).  The Arctic Diver has a black DLC-coated stainless steel case and features Swiss automatic movement.  The dial is deliberately spartan for high visibility underwater and an extra-thick sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside further ensures clarity under all types of conditions.  And with your choice of a black nylon Zulu strap or natural rubber strap (both included with this limited production watch), you can swap them out interchangeably using a set of two screwdrivers that Kobold provides for your DIY pleasure.

Related Item:
Kobold Phantom Tactical Chronograph