I wish I would have known about the iPod cases from Shades when I was buying my Nano. Alas, I elected for this nylon contraption with a (supposedly) removable belt clip to protect my 8G of MP3 goodness. I staved off buyer’s remorse for a time by rationalizing that the belt clip would come in handy at the gym…ahem. Suffice to say, the thing is bulky and ugly. Not so, however, with the cases offered by Shades, they are slim and come in a variety of eye-pleasing colors — even pink, for those of you into that kind of thing. The slim profile and transparent window in the case will protect your iPod from scratches yet retain that sleek look we’ve all come to know and love. The case can remain on your iPod at all times - even when you have it docked. Plus, here’s the best part: the price tag on these lovelies is very, very reasonable. If only everything in life was so straightforward.

If hedonism at its purest still isn’t enough for you, La Tete Au Cube has a few new goods to make your bad habits even sassier. Because I’m highly supportive of free will and sarcasm (though not necessarily supportive of smoking), I’m a fan of this cigarette holder that snarkily accepts the fate of a pack-a-day lifestyle. Their limited edition cowboy-inspired flask also centers around a similarly dark style of humor that I can’t help but warm to- who really knows what else our addictions may be saving us from?

A lot of the offerings at La Tete Au Cube hold best-gift-ever potential, so if you’re looking for something with more personality than, say, a scented candle, this French gifting site may have exactly what you’re looking for.

There’s a tragically jaded part of me that likes to roll my eyes every time I hear about another new fashion label trying to save the world. I actually agree, in theory anyway, with the concept of fashion as a catalyst for change, but when every brand around decides to dispassionately associate themselves with one cause or another- - well, goals get muddled. People find it a little harder to take them seriously. And sadly enough, most of the time they’re right.

However, I think my eyes are clearing up a little with the up-and-coming men’s luxury brand billWillie. Self-defined as a “socially conscious men’s label,” and based around the five universal principles of open-mindedness, awareness, truth, motivation, and perseverance, billWillie is working hard to establish a grassroots global network with the main aspiration of youth empowerment. bilWillie, who plans to keep his high-profile identity a secret (apparently, he has the credentials of an under-30 style-icon, an entrepreneur, and a social activist), plans to promote his concept of “consumerism with a concept” via a series of mysterious adventures that help youth overcome the forces of intolerance and ignorance. This obviously won’t be happening through the kids actually purchasing item from the line themselves (price tags for the first series of reversible hoodies run $1,350 and upward), but it will be made possible through sponsorships made possible through the label’s proceeds.

The billWillie story, while only just beginning, is already thick with complexities (what, exactly, are the contents of that gold briefcase?), and I’m anxious to follow developments. The label’s incredible and interactive site offers a very comprehensive explanation of billWillie’s goals, so if you still need to be convinced that the world could actually be changed through fashion, check it out.

This is why I love Capitalism. (1) See a niche, (2) fill that niche, (3) sell the thing that fills the niche on the internet. It really couldn’t be simpler.

The people at Genius Pad have mastered that formula. They have a product that’s so obvious it will make you smack yourself for not thinking of it first, and having a Genius Pad around the house is worth at least the $12 they’re charging for one. Basically, a Genius Pad is a very large post-it note (12 inches/30cm square). It’s the same yellow color as a post-it, and it’s got the same adhesive back thing going on. The difference is just the size and, more importantly, what all the extra space allows for. With a Genius Pad, ‘be back at 8′ becomes ‘I’ll be back at eight. I just ran out to buy batteries and get a haircut. When I get back you’d better have your shit packed and out of my house.’ Or maybe you could just write ‘GET OUT’ in really big letters. Either way, you know it’s going to be more fun to have a bigger piece of paper. Cop your own Genius Pad at Arash and Kelly in the UK, and Megasticky in the US.

–Dan Steckenberg

A week or so ago, the Josh Spear team fell hard for the Boston Bike by Puma and Biomega. The Boston, also dubbed “The Puma Bike,” (same bike, different branding) racked up scores of points for its clean design, its in-house bike lock (that breaks the whole bike if ever broken into; take that, you bandits!) its 8-speed adaptability, and, its foldable frame- a useful trait that promises to make switches from bus to pedal-power that much easier. In fact, we loved this portable and pollution-free solution to getting around town so much that we just about fell over when we got the chance to ask Jens Martin Skibsted, one of the main brains behind the Boston, a few in-depth questions about urban mobility, the driving force behind the new bike. So, lucky readers, read on; the concept of urban mobility, when applied to the bike as we currently know it, is a huge idea with even bigger implications for the future….

JoshSpear.com: What are some things you found most creatively exciting in the process of working on the Boston/Puma Bike?

Jens Martin Skibsted: Just to clarify; The bike is called “The Puma Bike” or “Boston” depending on whether respectively Puma or Biomega markets it. The term urban mobility is a word that has been used by Vexed Generation, Puma & Biomega to depict this field we were working within: Mobility in the cities.

READ MORE…

We get so many emails from artists, designers, publicists and fans that sometimes there’s no way we can get around to posting them all — that’s why three weeks ago, thanks to the folks at Kohler, we launched our Showcase feature, so there’d be yet another line of communication between you, the reader and our editorial team. The Showcase allows you to submit directly to the site without wondering if we got your email…or wondering if we think it stinks. There’s been so much great stuff added lately — like the Heyday Winger Shoes, Ric Stultz’s new book, “Babble Box“, Jedidiah’s Destroy Tee and the Choice Spring brush set over at CallMeCereal, all pictured above — but I think you guys are holding out on us. We are constantly checking for new additions we think will convert well to features on the front page, so adding to the Showcase is a great way to get our attention. Not only that, we still have $300 in Spout gift certificates to give away to the highest ranked submissions…so what are you waiting for?

Who taught you to drive? This question will undoubtedly spark some interesting stories from almost anyone you ask and it’s the question BMW asks on newly launched, RelearnToDrive. Relearn features hilarious videos with different characters (agro gym coach, war vet grandpa, cig smoking “drive with both feet” mom, etc.) who may have taught you to drive, but have no clue what they’re talking about. After a hearty laugh, you can “Undo the Damage” at the BMW Performance School site that highlights everything the school has to offer — which is more than plenty — and showcases some insane driving footage. The ‘Testimonials’ and ‘Instructors’ sections are must sees!

We’re thrilled to have “firsties” on the just-launched site and even more thrilled to have you, the readers, share the funny, humiliating, exhilarating, and scary stories about how you learned to drive. Without further adieu, I’ll give you all the green light!