Bike culture really interests me. What started as a utilitarian exercise (cycling), has permeated into every facet of our lives from the apparel we wear, the environment, and even politics. Cyclelogical, a small company formed just last year, focuses on bringing unique travel and commuter gear to the masses. Besides their organic cotton/bamboo tees designed by artists nationwide, their real specialty are their packs. Panniers, commuter messenger and backpacks, and even shopping bags so you can answer “neither” next time they ask you “paper or plastic?” Most of their tees and all of their bags are incorporate reflective panels and threading which means you will be noticed by motorists. From the special gear equipment pocket in the bags (think toolkit, extra tube, instapumps) to the being able to order any bag in recycled sail cloth material, the team at Cyclelogical have clearly set themselves apart. Check out their website and subscribe to their blog; lots of new products are around the corner.

It’s Valentine’s Day! You’re so f-ing sick of hearing that! But, it does give us a good segue (it’s sexy!) and nominal excuse (a gift for your Valentine!) to give away three copies of the Mr. and Mrs. Smith: The Global Shortlist that we featured last week. Of course you won’t actually get the copy by tomorrow, but like we’ve said before, what sweetheart doesn’t love the promise of a chance to get something at a later date? Comment below to enter, winners will be selected on Tuesday.

Almost in time for Valentine’s Day (you can give your significant other an IOU since the shipping will be late for Saturday’s silly holiday), we’re giving away two gorgeous LELO products. For her: the MIA, an elegant lipstick sized vibrator. Ultra high quality, an intuitive interface with “four modes of stimulation for total control in the midsts of ecstasy” — their words, not mine. And for the men, the BO, a rechargeable, pleasure intensifying ring for couples to enjoy together.

Want to enter to win? Comment below and for a chance to receive the set for you and your like-loved-want-to-be-loved one.

While us ‘Mericans have the luxury of perfectly mowed fields and a plethora of generic gear at our disposal, most of the world does soccer… or fútbol… or futbito, differently. It’s a beloved and gritty sport, the foundation of which lays in the townships of Africa and in the dirt surfaces of Spain and Brazil. As so many of us have been, while traveling to these hallowed international ‘fields,’ Travis Winn – the founder of Calle (pronounced KAI-yay) – was inspired by the passion, talent, and ultimately, the style he saw being displayed by 12 year old street soccer players in Spain. Confidently and creatively, he thought, they tirelessly played 5 v. 5 on fenced-in concrete courts and in the callejones (a.k.a. alleys).

The difference between most of us and Travis is that Travis went one step further and saw a business opportunity in all of this. Calle was born out of international streets, and has come to fruition through the idea of bridging the gap between the mostly hideous soccer apparel/gear that we’re used to, and a more fashion-forward, to-the-roots-of-the-game aesthetic. There’s a market for a brand like this, no question about that. My hope is that Calle doesn’t try to become ‘the Quicksilver’ of the soccer industry overnight, but rather focuses on conveying through its apparel and other products the authentic look, feel, and style from which the brand was born.

Their Primero street soccer ball is, in my book, the icon of the brand– low bounce, soft touch, and not afraid of getting dirty… canvas sack included.

Juxtaposing classic and contemporary styles seems to be all the rage these days; everyone wants their chance to do a modern take on a classic piece or pattern. UK Furniture manufacturer Viable has an interesting twist on this new theme with designer Charles Trevelyan’s Cortes Mirror — but you’ll have to look it up on Viable’s all-flash (ie: no-link-love) site.

Trevelyan’s design hides an ornate gilt frame inside a lacquered MDF box. The result is a mirror that looks like a simple, contemporary black box from a distance, but then reveals the bright golden contrast of the renaissance style frame hiding within as the viewer gets closer. The MDF box is also lit from within to give a soft glow proving, in this case, that beauty isn’t just in the eye of the beholder…it’s also where the beholder stands.

The Black Turtle Lodge in Costa Rica– an eco-lodge aimed at teaching its guests about the endangered wildlife and eco-system of Costa Rica– recently teamed up with Xeko Games to help families or couples go on vacation while learning a little something about the delicate world we live in. The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, where the Black Turtle Lodge is located is considered to be one of the most bio-diverse areas of Costa Rica. Vacationers get their own Xeko Mission: Costa Rica upon check in and can play along while they explore the jungle and the Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fiords in the world– a place you’ll easily find dolphins, sea turtles, and whales. Sign me up!

Since you’re already getting ready to shower your most-loved significant other in Lelo Pleasure Toys, fine chocolates and likely flowers– why not make sure they’re organic? OrganicBouquet.com offers delivery of all all the usual suspects (come on guys, roses are so cliche) in organic form. They’re the first online resource committed to the highest social and environmental standards of flower giving. Almost everything they offer is certified USDA Organic– this helps working conditions, minimizing damage to the ecosystem, and enhances the environment for future generations of lovers. Check them out.

With Valentines Day less than a week away, we’ve decided to run a little contest. The prize: an Iris Pleasure Object by LELO. The challenge: to submit your most embarrassing Valentine’s Day story– you can redact or change names if you want, but give us something that will make us cringe. On February 14th, Josh, myself, and Carmel the Intern will pick the most embarrassing tale of ‘best intentions turned worst nightmare,’ at which point we will priority mail the prize to the winner in hopes that it will help the poor sap out. The Iris boasts powerful and pleasuring performance through a pair of individually balanced vibrator engines that operate in harmony with each other. This contest is open to guys and gals– have fun with this one!

“Valentine’s Day is like herpes: just when you think its gone for good, it rears its ugly head once more. No wonder some people prefer to call it VD.” That’s the mantra of Be My Anti-Valentine, an online card service for those of you who can’t stand February 14th. Don’t get me wrong, I do have a romantic bone in my body, and I think Valentine’s Day has inspired some great products– but I just have to agree with these guys that Valentines Day is vacuous and unnecessary holiday. If you play nice during the rest of the year, you shouldn’t need a day like this to ‘make up for’ anything– especially to the benefit of huge companies that make it their business to tell you that you need to ‘make this Valentine’s Day the best and most special yet (and that entails buying our product).’ Some of these messages are pretty harsh, but you’ll get a good laugh out of them. In with love, out with V-day!

I know Valentines Day isn’t for 2 more weeks, but I had to give you a timely heads-up on the new LELO NEA Black Pearl Valentine Edition ($129). LELO is a Swedish company that specializes in luxury, design-forward pleasure objects. These aren’t your everyday vibrators — no sir — they are thoughtfully crafted to provide ergonomic pleasure and are definitely eye candy. The Valentine Edition was designed by Jesper Kouthoofd (from Acne) who chose to “interpret the romanticised aesthetics of an archetypal sweet heart tattoo.” The final product “hints at an age of innocence — vintage 1950 — with undertones of a tender naivety reserved for the realm of pristine love” (sorry to quote so much, but these words are too good). LELO sent me one of these to ‘try,’ and without telling you all of the details, let me just say that LELO will change your mind about these sorts of things; that is, if your mind hasn’t already been changed. The Black Pearl Valentine lasts 7 hours on a 2 hour charge, has LED buttons that guide you through several ’speeds,’ and comes wrapped in a sweet and discreet box. Maybe Valentines Day will actually be fun this year. If you want to see a hands on review of the NEA, check out NOTCOT.