Hard Graft’s DOPP kit Campfire Bag
This may be the most handsome wash bag I have ever seen. Made from Italian suede and vegetable tanned leather, the DOPP kit bag will make even the oldest of toothbrushes feel new again.
Ticket to Ride Board Game
It doesn't matter if we're with my family or my wife's family, when we get together we play board games. The Settlers of Catan is a favorite on my side, and Ticket to Ride is the favorite on Anna's side. (A new favorite that hasn't been introduced to the in-laws just yet is Power Grid.) Ticket to Ride takes about 2 hours…
“EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey
My wife and I read Dave Ramsey's book, The total Money Makeover, shortly after we got married, and it was instrumental in helping us get out of debt. I have much respect for Dave's faith in God, his values and character, and his approach to life and finances. His newest book, EntreLeadership, is available today. I've already downloaded it and am very…
Levenger Circa Notebooks
If you're a paper nerd you owe it to yourself to check out the Levenger Circa notebook lineup. They have full-sized notebooks, smaller sizes, leather notebooks, plastic covers, desk punches, action planners, all sorts of paper refills and more. It's an entire lineup of the finest quality of papered goodness that all works within Levenger's Circa system.
Pear Note for iPad
Speaking of iPads and meetings, Pear Note is a brand-new iPad app that was made for exactly that. This note-taking, audio-recording, Dropbox-syncing, iPad app is built with one thing in mind: taking notes while at meetings and events. It records audio as you type your notes and comments, and then it maps the audio time stamps to the notes you typed. Clever…
Booqpad for iPad 2
Raise your hand if you've ever been to a meeting. One-on-ones, think tanks, standing meetings, reporting meetings, conference sessions, and so on and so on. There are times when a laptop is the ideal companion to a meeting, but often times a pad of paper is more appropriate or better suited. But a pad of paper with an iPad make a very…
Plaid Wool Tie
If your tie collection is in want of something with a lot of personality this may be your lucky day.
Log Bowls
These log bowls are handmade from reclaimed Canadian wood by the Loyal Loot Collective in Alberta, Canada. What a fine way to display and hold stuff (Like candy. Hello!) this fall. Sizes and colors vary.
Leather Watch Strap for iPod Nano 6G
When you want to wear your iPod nano on your wrist, sometimes all you want is something classy, easy, and simple (and leather).
The Pilot G2 0.38mm Gel Ink Pen
On a recent episode of The B&B Podcast, Ben Brooks and I got into a discussion about pens. All you need to know is that the Pilot G2 0.38mm gel pen is just about the best pen money can buy. If I have to use any other pen I almost prefer not to write at all.
Burton Mix Master Mitts
Few things in life are better than a day on the slopes. And music makes everything better. But loose wires and half-open jacket pockets are not things you want on the back country. Moreover, have you ever tried to adjust the volume or skip to the next track using that little white remote on the iPhone earbud cable while wearing your warm…
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
Perhaps one day I will own an expresso machine. And but so, in the meantime I guess posting about them on Tools and Toys will have to suffice. I have it on good authority that as far as home machines go, the Rancilio Silvia is the best of the best for the price range. Don't waste your money buying something at Target…
UGG Australia Men’s Ascot Leather Slippers
The first thing I do every day is make a cup of coffee. But before I make that AM trek to the kitchen I put on my UGGs. And, since I work from home, I often wear the UGGs all day. UGG slippers are known for their quality and longevity as well as their comfyness. (Is comfyness even a word?) Right now…
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
When I began writing shawnblanc.net full-time in the spring of 2011, I also launched a subscription membership that gave members access to a daily podcast called Shawn Today. I knew I would need a quality USB microphone for my daily recordings, and so I bought this Blue Yeti. The price is very affordable ($100) and the quality of this microphone is fantastic.…
Instacast iPhone App
Instacast is not the first iPhone app dedicated to managing your podcasts, but it is the first I have ever truly liked. Its most notable feature is that it offers over-the-air updating of your podcasts. You can update all your podcasts at once, or just one subscription, or even just one episode at a time. It will update the listing of all…
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Are you constantly thinking about how to create things, build new businesses, or how to improve or transform your organization? Are you trying to find innovative ways of doing business to replace old, outdated ones? If so, then this book is for you. This is one book that is best served on the paper it's printed…
Featured Sponsor: Helvetindex Cards
Whether your goal is to capture items for your GTD system or write down a phone number, you can never go wrong with having some index cards on hand. But why settle for plain or lined when you can use something that has been thoughtfully designed to give you structure when you need it and freedom when you don’t. The Helvetindex Card…
Making Ideas Happen
Scott Belsky’s book, Making Ideas Happen, is centered around Thomas Edison’s famous quote that Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. Scott writes with a fondness towards the creative professional, and this book is a tool to help take the constant ideas we have from inception to reality. For many of us there seems to be no shortage of ideas,…
WoodWick Candles
And speaking of fall… nothing says cool weather and just lock me indoors with nothing but my books and writing utensils more than a candle. Well, I guess that's not entirely true. And I guess not just any candle, I mean come on… we are men here. The WoodWick candle from the Virginia Candle Company is about as manly of a candle…
Scott Allan 4 Pack of 100% Woven Striped Ties
Speaking of dressing up… with at least one well-fitting white collared shirt and one nice suit, you can pretty much dress for any occasion by using your tie and pocket square as the only variables. It's amazing how the color and pattern of a tie can be all you need to set the mood of your outfit. And so, assuming you already…