Founded in 2018 in Denmark by designer Isabel Aagaard, the lastobject have been flying ever since.
Self-described as an ‘eco-fighter and power-mom’, Agaard was frustrated by all of the single use products on the market, she decided there must be a better way. By bringing design innovative solutions to wasteful habits, Agaard has found ways to create products that do everything you need them to do, look brilliant, AND make a lasting positive impact. They launched their first product the Last Swab thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter and Indiegogo and over 30,000 backers.
Agaard is clear that all products they create and produce must adhere to their core values that;
So what materials go into the Lastobject products?
Each product is made from materials like compostable wood fibres, cardboard and organic cotton. The plastic cases and covers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic and where a more flexible material is needed over plastic, food grade silicone is used. This durable material is more ocean-friendly than plastic, but unlike plastic, when silicone is incinerated, silicone reverts back into its harmless ingredients: amorphous silica, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
The LastObject’s very first product, the LastSwab, sought to eliminate the need of disposable cotton buds, which along with the last beauty swab, cover all of your cotton bud needs.
The Lasttissue contains perfectly sized cotton tissues inside a silicone case, perfect for carrying when out and about.
The last round use recycled plastics, wood fibre and cotton to replace your cotton pads.
The LastObject’s newest addition to their product line are their very clever Laundry sheets.
These super thin, compact sheets eliminate plastic waste, unnecessary transport of water and the release of chemicals into the environment. As an added bonus they are super space savers - perfect for those looking to save space and the environment.
Check out the our range of Lastobject products here at designist
]]>This got us thinking about the sorts of games and activities that would help distract kids while travelling, keep them entertained on rainy days and also give them a little bit of downtime when needed. A good activity for travelling with is one that is self contained, so it doesn't need too many extra 'bits', is as mess free as possible and doesn't take up too much of that precious packing space.
With this in mind here are some of our current favourite distractions for kids
when travelling:
After you've tired of shouting out animal sounds everytime you pass a field of sheep or cows, and run out of things to 'I spy' about having a few activities to have can be a life saver.
Family friendly podcasts: Lets keep this a cocomelon free space, and instead why not play a family friendly podcast. There are buckets online though we love Nick Cope's wimisical songs, which all were written for his kids tv series on BBC, KidCast on rte (presented by kids for kids) and Wow in the World which is crammed full of coolest new stories in science, technology, and innovation.
stickers and transfers: Mess free, easily portable and creative, sticker kits are always a win here with the little ones while for the slightly older (5-8 years) transfer sets go down well with ours.
downtime when out:
Colour in crowns: What young kid doesn't love a crown at dinner time?! plus, as it doubles as a colouring in activity,. you get two things in one.
diy join the dots: Grab a sheet of paper, stick a pile of random dots on it, and hand it over for the kids to work out how to turn it into a piece of artwork (I learnt this trick very recently, and wish I had though if it before, it works wonders to keep kids entertained, especially when sitting down to eat).
Have an older child who’s less easily distracted? These Join the Drag Queens dot books have over 1000 dots per image and are satisfyingly difficult to complete.
Colour in, reusable silicone placemats: These very clever placemats let your little ones doodle at the dinner table. Bestsellers here in the shop, they can be wiped clean after use to be reused again and again. brilliant.
scavenger hunts: One of my favourite ways to deal with that dreaded ‘I'm bored’ is to set scavenger hunts. They can be tailored to suit the age of the child; so sometimes they’ve to find 5 different types of flower, or 10 different colours or 6 facts about wherever it is we are visiting. Once collected, flowers or leaves can be pressed or turned into art, and sometimes for little extra competition a small prize can be awarded for the most unusual fact found.
rainy days
They’re hard to avoid sometimes, especially if you’re having a staycation. We usually bring a small box of activities with us for such instances (this box of 6 art activities is brilliant for the smaller ones).
Books: If they’re getting a little too old for storybooks, books full of facts could be a good option.
And if you have kids who are finding it hard to tear themselves away from the screen, duolingo is a great compromise - designed like a game, I’ve had the kids practising their Irish/french/Chinese without even realising it.
]]>Let's start out with an easy one, Tea or Coffee?
Nessa: DEFINITELY tea and lots of it!
Sam: A big mug of tea for me, please.
With your new range of furniture and new products, and the reimagining of some of our favourites like the Teach candleholders, it feels like you've done a massive amount of work on your designs recently, almost like this is Sam agus Nessa 2.0. Who (or what) would you say has been your biggest design inspiration?
The arrival of our baba, Fiáin, into the world combined with the dreaded lockdown gave us the opportunity to reflect; on our home life, work and design process. The importance of human connection and relationships became much more important for us, because it had been taken away with the lockdown and pushed our work in a much more honest direction. We have always been really passionate about Irish vernacular furniture and architecture – the pared back, simple aesthetic and utilitarian nature - and locally sourced Irish materials has also informed our new creations.
You've got a great tagline for the business - designed to make you smile, it's very succinct and accurate. It took months of deliberation to come up with ours, so I'm wondering if it was obvious or did it take a long time to work out how to describe what your design ethos is?
It was the question we asked each other throughout the design process and when explaining this to a business mentor they laughed and said that it was a great tagline. It was as simple as that!
I know sustainability has always been a huge part of your brand right from the beginning - but I think when products are as charming as yours this often gets missed out in the conversation. Can you tell us a bit about your green pledge?
We are very passionate about our green credentials and we are probably guilty of not vocalising our green pledge clearly enough. We use locally sourced, Irish timber, the majority of which is wind fallen, in all of our work and we strive to use local suppliers when we can. One of our packaging suppliers is only 45 kms away and the other is 4 kms from us! We use recycled materials when available and 95% of our business is either recycled, recyclable or biodegradable.
You folks are real champions of Irish design and always recommending other designers. Tell me, which other Irish designers do you really admire at the minute?
We absolutely love Irish design and we are so proud to know and be friends with so many incredible and talented people. A few that stand out for us are Isobel Egan, ceramic artist from Co. KIldare. Brian O'Loughlin, a sculptor also from Co. Kildare. Criostal Na Rinne, a hand cut crystal workshop in Waterford and Liadain Aiken Knitware, a fashion designer in West Cork. All are brilliant and lovely to boot!
While there are definitely challenges to running your own business, what would you say was the best thing about working for yourselves?
The freedom to work and create in a way that suits our family.
What's your dream design commission? / Is there an object you really wish you'd designed?
Thanks a million Sam Agus Nessa, it's been lovely catching up with you and I'm really looking forward to seeing you on the 29th in the shop where we can see all these delightful designs in the flesh.
Sam & Nessa furniture Launch:
sam agus nessa (agus) designist
Thursday 29th June 2023
6-8pm
We’re thrilled skinny to be stocking Sam & Nessa’s new range of homeware & furniture. Two of the cleverest, most hardworking Irish designers, we’ve long been fans of Sam & Nessa’s homeware and are delighted to be able to offer you their new range of furniture to boot.
To celebrate we’re having a wee launch in the shop on Thursday 29th of June and would love to invite you to pop in for a look, have a glass of wine and chat with Sam & Nessa themselves. We'll have a selection of their furniture on display, including the forum bench and barrog arm chair, and a selection of their newly launched homeware items such as the Le Chéile candle stick holders and newly redesigned teach candle stick holders and if anything catches your eye we’ll have 10% off on all their lovely products on the night.
In keeping with their excellent environmental credentials, all furniture is made to order, and prices include deliver to anywhere in Ireland. Average lead time in 6 weeks but we’ll keep you well informed about progress along the way.
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With the Blasta books series (Irish for tasty) she’s delved into areas that traditionally haven’t been represented as they don’t fit neatly into the canon of Irish food. With titles like Tacos, Hot Fat, Wok and Tapas these books take a deep dive into a genre of cooking in the hands of an expert. In other titles like Soup or United Nation of Cookies they address how universal and inclusive some particular types of food are. While these titles all have an angle, the unifying factor are delicious recipes that are easy to follow, represented in a clear and very aesthetically pleasing way. We’re really looking forward to the forthcoming titles Waste & Masarap - an exploration of Filipino cooking.
The standalone books are not only beautiful objects to have and to read, but also express both the personality and the perspective of the restaurants featured. I love that in & for mains we are treated to a pub crawl in the middle of the book and a recipe for a hand select bowl of petit fours - made up of galaxy minstrels and jelly snakes, but this playfulness only enhances the charm of the book, and doesn’t detract from either the expertise or the passion displayed.
Bake is both an exercise in nostalgia, with tried and tested recipes for the classics of an Irish childhood, and an insight into the mind of a very able and imaginative baker, who has built on this foundation to create a whole range of modern adaptations of these classics.
The most recent book The Gathered Table, which is in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust is a veritable who’s who of the Irish Culinary world - and again filled with delicious and essentially, manageable recipes. We’re also pretty excited about the forthcoming Cafe Paradiso cookbook, which is our all time favourite restaurant in Ireland.
Every edition they have published so far really show how this is a passion project as well as a much needed addition to Irish publishing. We’re thrilled skinny to be stocking them.
If you’re planning to get out and about this bank holiday weekend in Dublin, we’d recommend visiting some of the excellent restaurants featured:
1. Michaels - Mount Merrion
Try the Luxury Seafood Bowl if it’s on the menu & all of the cocktails.
2. The Cupcake Bloke - Rialto
We recommend the chocolate chip & fennel cookies. You could also check out the Circular across the road and the Happy Beer & food festival in Rascals Brewery in Inchicore if you’re up that way while you’re at it.
3. Bites by Kwanghi - Docklands
I’d go for the Miso Salmon, the Vietnamese Salad & all of the dumplings.
4. Bread 41 - Pearse Street
I love the Kimchi pancakes on the brunch menu and the burnt malt cookies - or any of the savoury baked goods on the counter.
5. Tapas de Lola - Wexford Street
(and it’s excellent new sister La Gordita) I love the Berenjenas
6. Picado Mexican Pantry - South Richmond Street They have a dizzying array of chillies and hot sauces and I can never resist trying a new one every time I’m in. I particularly like the Crazy Bastard sauces, which are made by an Irish guy but are seriously hot. They do great gluten free corn tortillas too.
Hazel came across these vibrantly coloured silicone glasses while hunting for new products in Paris earlier in the year. Stacked one on top of another in seemingly precarious constructions, they invited a closer look, along with lots of oooooooooooohhhhhh's and aaahhhhhhhhhh's.
What makes silicone a more sustainable choice? Unlike plastic, silicone rubber is a naturally mouldable, durable, and biocompatible material. It comes from silicon, a naturally abundant and inorganic material that's found in sand. This means no oil products are used in it's manufacture, making it a great alternative to plastic.
Great for picnics and dining alfresco, we really like their fresh yet classic look and very clever design. Silicone is sturdy, practical, dishwasher friendly and pretty unbreakable - meaning while we can't necessarily stop you knocking over your wine glass, at least it's only the drink that'll be lost if you do.
We have a capsule collection of four stunning colourways, sure take a look.
]]>What’s the big idea?
By notetaking using both text and images, you engage more of your brain with the ideas you’re describing. This gives you both better understanding at the time and greater recall. On top of that, when you have to refer back to something, or heaven forbid, study, your notes are better organised and far more engaging so you’re more likely to be able to effectively revise with them.
The act of verbatim notetaking can actually get in the way of your comprehension, as the information only goes through your short term memory and tends to leave your mind once it’s on paper. These days there are recordings of nearly every meeting, conference or lecture you attend so it’s not even necessary. Passive listening can work for some people but the discipline required to stop your mind wandering is more than I can often muster. By translating the concepts and ideas you are hearing into images you are actively listening, comprehending and keeping yourself focused.
Never far behind a trend, Leuchtturm have brought out their own Sketchnote notebooks, that provide a full course in what tools you’ll need, how to get started, developing visual language, icons, typefaces, layouts and designs to empathize various thoughts, words and ideas. By the end of the 9 chapters you’ll be a past master.
That’s all well and good, I hear you saying but am I expected to draw? It’s more like doodling or pictionary, the idea is to create enough of an image or a structure to encapsulate the idea rather than to achieve photorealism. We already have most of the visual language building blocks at our fingertips, it’s just asking those fingertips to use them.
And if you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, you could check out the Sketchnote Army Podcast or Verbal to Visual’s youtube course on Sketchnote, which even has a video on how to sketchnote without drawing at all.
]]>He was instrumental in setting up Bray Wheelers cycling club, the local credit union, An Bothán (an early chapter of the Men’s Sheds movement, Bray Active Retirement Walking Group, the Beautiful Bray Association, his own tour guiding company - the list goes on. Suffice it to say that he was a great example of how with a bit of determination / stubbornness, and if you stayed out of your own way, you could get just about anything started. With endless enthusiasm and seemingly boundless energy he was always starting something. When he was excited about something he loved to share it.
Always reaching out, with a great welcome for everyone, he had a huge appetite for life, for experiences, people and novelty. He grabbed it with both hands and tried to get the maximum out of it. I only remembered at his funeral that for his 60th birthday he took up skydiving. In his 80’s he studied English as a foreign language, and gave free conversational classes to newcomers to Bray.
The father of six girls, he instilled in all of us the idea that we were capable of doing just about anything, from growing potatoes, to plumbing to working out mileage and if you didn’t know something there was always a way to figure it out or to learn how to do it. One of his many (many) catchphrases was There is a solution to any problem, the problem is to find the solution. He was brave, courageous, generous and immensely proud and supportive of all of us.
No matter what hairbrained scheme you brought to him, he’d greet it with enthusiasm. He loved a plan. When I told him I wanted to open a shop in the middle of a recession he responded with his usual ‘Oh, I seeee’ and asked what I needed to get it going. He’d regularly suggest ideas for stock, or new products we could develop, and was delighted by every new Gazinta you brought him.
While I would have sworn blind that I was forging my own path setting up designist, it’s pretty obvious that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. His can-do attitude, sense of hospitality and enthusiasm for novelty are the DNA of designist. Thanks Dad.
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There's lots of stuff we're just not qualified to help you with but we do have a clever solution, that will make sure you always have a suitable gift on hand. Once a month for the whole school year (9 months), we'll send you a perfect present for your age group (between 5-8 year olds) that is gender neutral, without trademarks, engaging, as environmentally sound as we can manage and most of all fun.
We’ll also send you gift wrap, cards and the occasional bonus gift. So, whatever birthday party pops up, you'll have a clever, thoughtful gift ready to go.
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I’m particularly keen on the Flo bike shopper, as it is neat enough to fold up into another bag when you’re not using it while still having loads of capacity when it’s open. Made from tough recycled cotton it can withstand a bit of wear and tear. It has a handle on the top and a removable shoulder strap and 2 brass hooks to attach it to your bike, when you’re off on your travels.
Similarly the Mimi Tote bag folds up when not in use but has a huge capacity when you need it. This one is made from coated recycled cotton to give it added weather protection and reflective details to improve your visibility on the road.
The traditionally styled Bay Satchel also makes use of coated recycled cotton and has a padded internal space for your laptop and as an added bonus has a flap to cover over the bike hooks so no one would ever suspect it of being a pannier bag.
Stylishly simple, and immensely wearable, we have a feeling these are just the bags you never knew you needed.
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Helmets are difficult to lug around with you. Yes you can lock them to your bike, but that won’t stop them from looking scruffy and being damp when you go to put them on your head. We however might have just found the answer.
Just as safe as a rigid helmet, these foldable helmets only take up 45% as much space when folded so they can go in your backpack or shoulder bag when you’re not wearing them. They’re well ventilated so you’ll get less sweaty than with a rigid helmet and they also have a rear adjustment system that gives you a better fit than your average helmet. And that’s all before you look at the aesthetics.
Lots of bike helmets just make you feel a bit silly wearing them. So much of the focus has gone into the safety aspects that no one has considered that they often make you feel like you’ve got a giant mushroom on your head. With either the ultra modern Loop or the Guggenheim inspired classic Closca helmet you really won’t mind anyone seeing you on your commute.
Closca, like many of our suppliers, started with a mission to inspire change. They looked to see what products they could create that would have an impact and settled on trying to make cities more liveable, which is why they came up with their great helmets but also a manifesto for change. With 70% of all emissions already coming from cities and the projection that by 2050 70% of the world's population will live in cities it felt like a good place to start, and if they can encourage more people to cycle, use bike schemes or even e-scooters they’ll have made a positive impact.
Similarly with their thermal water bottles (in black and white), they’ve gone the extra mile to include an NFC chip which connects to an app. That will tell you where the nearest place to refill your water bottle and allow you to let other people know if you find somewhere not already on the map. That’s on top of the already cool design that allows you to strap the bottle to your bag or bike.
The very clever classic Closca helmet has been around since 2015, when it won a red dot design award, and the Loop made it’s debut in 2019 just in time for the current resurgence in cycling. Getting on your bike has always made sense but increasingly it feels like the best way to get around, so long as you can do so safely and arrive at your destination without looking like a sweaty mess. These helmets will definitely help.
]]>That’s why we’re absolutely delighted to have these new Monkey Cups produced in Waterford in stock. For Mailo Power, who makes them, the point is very much about changing behaviours in a joyful way. They’re named after the 100th monkey principle - the idea that once a certain number of a group start using a new habit, it will be taken up instinctively by all. The design is pretty excellent & they are lovely to drink from. They’re made from thermal shockproof borosilicate glass, have a clever slider that means they won’t leak in your bag, and are short enough to fit under a standard coffee machine. Lots of people swear by a china cup for drinking tea but glass is equally good at protecting the flavours in both tea and coffee.
While I’m never a fan of the stick approach, the plastic bag levy brought in in 2002 genuinely changed people's behaviour, so much so that the majority of our customers don’t take a paper bag from us in the shop at all these days. The attention it drew to the issue worked. We’ve all grown accustomed to bringing a tote bag with us everywhere, or at the very least packing a few different things into the one bag. It has also had 2 unexpected bonuses, it freed up the under sink space in the kitchen that any child of the 90’s will remember being rammed full of used plastic bags and it’s also given us a new place to express our identity in our choice of tote bag.
Similarly the choice of reusable coffee cups gives us a chance to display both our taste and values. While it might well take 125 uses to make your money back on the 20c levy, it only takes 15 uses of a reusable cup to be better for the environment and you can look cool while doing it.
With three colour ways to chose from, take a look at our monkey cup selection.
]]>Bullet Journaling has genuinely been life-changing for many of us around here. Being able to refer back to the previous year's journal to see what plans you had for particular events and also what you actually got done serves to give you a head start on planning and also makes you feel much better about what you manage to get done. And while I've never managed to get a water tracker to work for me, I've found that having a list in the back of my notebook of all the herbs and spices we already have has been brilliant. Knowing that we already have nigella seeds and 2 kinds of mustard before I try out another Ottolenghi recipe with 47 ingredients feels less daunting.
You probably already have a favourite style of notebook. We’ve been enormous fans of Leuchtturm’s dotted a5’s for years, and having your next one to hand just when you need it is definitely one of the small ways you can feel on top of your life, and prepared for any new project that comes along. They do say a good start is half the battle. However as with getting yourself to drink enough water, eat healthier or any adult task; we all crave a certain amount of novelty to keep us on track. A fancy new pen, the right washi tape or sticker or a whole new type of notebook can breathe life into a mundane task that we’re finding hard to maintain. It gives us the additional dopamine hit needed to just keep at it.
With that in mind we’ve come up with a brand new stationery subscription. Each month you’ll receive at least one notebook and some bonus stationery bits to help you stay motivated, without you having to do anything. Having asked all of our customers, the average seems to be that you need to replace your primary notebook around every three months, so along with our favourites we’ll be throwing in some alternative stationery - diaries, address books, notebooks that make good emergency gifts, specialised notebooks and pens and pencils galore. It’ll be full of surprises.
Subscriptions are available for 6 months and 12 months but you can cancel anywhere along the way if it turns out that it’s not for you.
And if stationery isn’t for you but you know someone else who would really get a kick out of it we also have a six month gift subscription so they’re reminded just how wonderful you are once a month.
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Wendy has such a keen eye for products, and I love the way she puts her collections together. I’m a particular fan of the black ash candlesticks she collaborated with Coolree designs on. She’s also just had a redesign of her shop in Templebar and it’s just beautiful. It’s well worth the trip if you haven’t been in a while.
My Nanna was a buyer for a department store in Enniscorthy before she met my grandfather (the apple really didn’t fall far from the tree) so I was absolutely delighted when this beautiful homeware store and café opened there in 2015. A mix of modern rustic interior pieces and really excellent cake.
Ernie’s is a throwback to what shopping was like before the Supermarket came along. In business for over 45 years, Ernie's serves up some of the most contemporary Irish food brands along with traditional staples and fruit and veg, with the emphasis on quality and extremely charming service.
Tom & Claire’s shop in Connonagh, Cork is an absolute treasure trove of contemporary design. They’ve won countless awards including The Irish Times Best Shop Award and Best Independent retailer award; and you can completely see why. The collection wouldn’t be at all out of place in the likes of Coal Drops Yard but by situating themselves in the Cork countryside they have also managed to achieve the rarest of things in retail - work life balance.
There are a few truly wonderful sustainable retailers out there but DUO has something extra special. Since moving to their larger retail space they’ve really be able to showcase a broader range of products that are as practical as they are popular. They also run yoga classes and serve excellent coffee.
Charlie Byrnes is the epitome of an entirely different form of retail. Their staff are both incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, but really the point of a visit here is to make your own discoveries. To immerse yourself in their indefinite, eclectic selection of new and second-hand books. A place where you can spend hours refilling your to-be-read pile.
Finders Keepers in Waterford is as unique as the town itself. Nestled under one of the excellent Waterford Walls Murals, this gem of a shop is excellently curated and beautifully merchandised. While Luke, Lisa, & Beth have a strong emphasis on sustainability within their collection, they've also put as much work in to offering you products that are full of delight.
Pax Whole Foods Zero Waste Store
After a good bit of research and trying many recipes, I have come up with my favourite tipple - an iced coffee chocolate combo that uses ice cubes made from chocolate so the drink gets richer as they melt. It's the best iced chocolate recipe I've ever found
And because I love to share the things I enjoy, this blog is a lovely little list of my top 6 favourite iced drinks for the summer. You are very welcome!
Regardless of the recipe, the key to any really good drink is good quality ingredients.
There are some fabulous Irish coffee brands out there (we love 3fe, Bear Market and Badger and Dodo - but there are lots of other brilliant brands out there). When it comes to your chocolate, whether you use powder, chocolate shavings, nibs or broken down bars, be sure to use something around the 70% mark as this will give you the richness and flavour you need. We are very biased and think The Proper Chocolate Company are the bees knees.
Once you’ve selected the perfect ingredients, it’s down to taste. For an extra lift, I love a bit of salt to my chocolate especially in combination with a little drizzle of honey or caramel. There are some amazing salted chocolate bars that will bring this salty sweet goodness to your drink.
The Base:
The key to the best iced chocolate recipe , be it coffee based or not is to use a good chocolate syrup. This recipe suggests cocoa powder, but lightly melted 70% chocolate shavings makes it taste so much better.
The Frappachino:
Thanks to one particular American Coffee House, most associate iced drinks with the Frappachino. This milkshake for grown ups is a real guilty pleasure for many, and can be made with or without coffee. But they can be prone to being a bit too sugar heavy. This first recipe takes the Frappachino and breaks the recipe down the components, letting you tailor how sweet it will be. Depending on your mood you can make it sweeter and more milkshake-y, or darker and richer, throwing in some rich expresso coffee or dark salted chocolate and caramel. Mmmm lovely!
The Iced Chocolate Delight:
If you’re less interested in your drink looking like a sundae, and would rather focus on a great chocolatey taste that stays cool, this Iced chocolate with chocolate ice cubes recipe is a little bit genius. It replaces ice cubes with frozen chocolate cubes, meaning as they melt in your drink it doesn’t dilute, keeping it cool and rich throughout. These cubes works equally well with coffee, or, if you're making an alcohol infused drink, I totally recommend baileys ice cubes. A total game changer in my book.
Chocolate Lassi:
For those who like the idea of a chocolate drink but aren’t so into chocolate milk, this Chocolate Lassi is a really refreshing drink. Unlike a traditional milkshake style drink, it’s much lighter and the mix of sweet and sour makes it a brilliant drink.
Cold Brew:
For those who love their coffee, it would be remiss of me not to include a good cold brew recipe. Cool, a little bit grown up, and full of kick, by adding a good dash of homemade chocolate syrup to this cold brew Cappuccino recipe you get one very tasty mocha that’s hard to put down.
Affogato:
And while we are looking at twists to classics, this Chocolate Affogato recipe is a real treat. It’s not quite a drink, but it still checks all the boxes. And if I do say so, the chocolate addition to this coffee based dessert makes it the perfect indulgence on a hot day. They look particularly good in these cocktail style glasses.
Liqueur it up:
For a very adult twist, adding some whiskey, baileys or a good shot of this very scrumptious Chocolate liqueur to any of these drinks will liven it up no end (I particularly love a whiskey Affogato, nom).
]]>When we first introduced the Steamery to the collection it was definitely my absolute aversion to ironing that drew me to it, but I hadn’t considered the other benefits of steaming your clothes. It's much gentler on fabrics, meaning the things you love last for longer. Steaming products means they need to be washed less often, which is better for the planet. You can also steam most dry clean only clothes so it also saves you time and money (have a look at this video to see just how to do it).
These particular steamers by The Steamery are a collaboration between product designers and textile engineers, meaning everything is as functional and well thought through as it is as beautiful to look at. Based in Sweden, the company was set up expressly to address sustainability in fashion. Their philosophy is about doing more with less: Invest in pieces you really love, wear them for years, and care for them in such a way that you can eventually pass them on.
To this end they’ve developed a whole range of products to help you care for your clothes - including the very satisfying to use Pilo fabric shaver and their own sewing kit, based on a Japanese knife roll. It comes with a QR code that links to tutorials on how to complete the most common repairs like replacing a button, or fixing a hem.
Sustainable, beautiful, easy to use, good for the planet and your pocket; there’s lost to love about the Steamery products - but I still reckon my love of these things stems from my hatred of doing the blasted ironing!
For years, I’d barely stop at lunchtime. Conditioned by years of school lunches, the prospect of stopping for a soggy, tepid sandwich never delighted me and I was convinced that I'd be more efficient if I just kept going. In an attempt to wring the maximum productivity out of the day I’d power through from 10am - 6.30pm. Trying, often in vain, to achieve the feeling that I was getting somewhere, I’d throw something into me at my desk which I would barely taste. I needed Easy Lunch Ideas For Work.
During lockdowns, working from home meant I actually started to look forward to lunch. I used it as a proper pause in my day where I did something different, went outside, took a walk, stopped looking at a computer screen for an hour. It definitely affected my productivity but it was also such a mood booster. When we were denied some of the bigger pleasures in life (travel, live music, people) the small ones took on greater significance. While my scoby and sourdough have gone by the wayside now that we’re back to the new normal (whatever that means), I’m doing my best to keep up my lunch ritual.
I’ve been really enjoying the green lunch box, which is full of great suggestions for lunch ideas that are tasty and good for the environment. It’s also full of beautiful images by Irish Illustrator Sally Caulwell that can't help but get you inspired to try out the recipes. Here’s a few suggestions of some very lovely lunches you can take to work to add a bit of deliciousness to your day.
Noodles make the ideal lunchbox fair and Sesame noodles with Broccoli, Sugar Snap Peas & Cashews (p24 The Green Lunchbox) is easy to make, full of goodness and actually benefits from hanging around a bit as the dressing gets a chance to marinade the other ingredients.
Salads are a great option for lunch, particularly if you add in some barley, cous cous or quinoa to keep you full till dinner time. Spicy Nutty Quinoa (p141 River Cottage Great Salads) has a great tip for keeping quinoa fluffy, and their Barley, Rocket Pesto, Cheddar and chives changed my mind about Barley completely as the texture is so good.
I’m dying to try the Butterbean & Halloumi Salad (p19 The Green Lunchbox) as there can never be too much halloumi in my life.
And if you just have to have some kind of bread basis in your lunch, I’d recommend the peanut butter, lime, chilli and watercress bagel. I made a round of them for everyone in work recently using Harry’s nut butter to add a bit of extra spice. Absolutely delicious and Easy Lunch Ideas For Work
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Pop out to Dún Laoghaire for a lovely stroll
A stroll with a humble 99 cone is one of the simple pleasures in life and with Dún Laoghaire you are spoiled with the choice between Teddy’s or Scrumdiddlys’. Once you have your 99 in hand make your way around the pier and sit yourself along the coast and take in the crashing waves. In fact a good ice cream makes almost any walk considerably better, so here's a link to some of the better ice cream shops around the city. Top picks for Places To Go In Dublin!
As the days begin to get longer and the evenings brighter the idea of an evening ferry doesn’t seem just as cold. One of my favourite evenings I had last summer was the sunset ferry around the Howth Cliffs ran by Island Ferries. It’s one of the best places to experience sunset in Dublin, right out on Dublin Bay looking back on the village of Howth.
Explore Phoenix Park
We are utterly blessed having Europe’s largest urban park that is our Phoenix Park a whole world in of itself. Phoenix Park is best experienced on two wheels so hop on and get cycling. You can rent out bikes right at the main entrance to the park or use Dublin Bikes or Bleeper Bikes. Plan your route through the park, you can go see the deer (but leave them be, and don’t feed them), see the Áras, the Wellington monument or cycle up to Farmleigh House. A bonus tip, why not pack up a nice picnic and once you’ve exhausted yourself cycling crack open a nice bottle of TK lemonade.
Cycle out to Bull Island
While we’re all on our bikes another lovely route to take is the cycle out to Bull Island via Clontarf. Again you can rent out bikes through Dublin Bikes or Bleeper and cycle along the segregated bike lane along the Clontarf promenade all the way to the old wooden bridge to Bull Island. Make sure you grab a coffee and a toastie from Happy Out on the island and sit back, relax and take in the fresh sea breeze.
Dublin is a relatively flat city so in terms of high vantage points we are few and far between but one of the nicest views has to be the view from Killiney Hill which on a bright, sunny day (nearly) rivals the Italian vistas. Take the train to either Killiney or if you want a longer but very scenic get off earlier at Dalkey and have a wander through the village. Once you make it to the hill you’ll see the iconic Obelisk and you can breathe a sigh of relief as it’s all downhill from here (in walking terms, not metaphorically) Killiney Hill is also a perfect picnic spot that will provide some ample view to enjoy your delicious food with - one of the loveliest Places To Go In Dublin.
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Like many of our suppliers, having lived away and worked in the corporate world for many years Nicola moved home and started a business that’s taken the experience gained abroad and combined it with her roots, to develop a sustainable base that gives her the opportunity to raise her children close to her family and give something back to her local community. This is reflected in the two ranges of Rowan Beg products - Urban and Connemara.
The New Connemara range really speaks to her love of home and her surroundings by the wild Atlantic. In what’s referred to as the ‘Proust effect’, scent is known to trigger memory but even without smelling them with names like Ancient Forest, Summer Meadow, Atlantic Storm & Mountain Heather Nicola has evoked the land of her childhood. The shape of the diffuser pot is reminiscent of the brown salt glazed vases you’d traditionally find in most Irish homes, and the addition of beautiful and very sustainable tapioca flowers adds a delicateness to the overall effect of the diffuser that is an absolute delight.
In honouring this land she’s also taken into consideration the impact she has on it, ensuring all her products are as environmentally sound as possible. Each element is recyclable or reusable, there are no single use plastics in her products, and they are sourced and made as locally as possible.
This commitment to sustainability is also carried through to her Urban range of scents. A far more modern palate of fragrances, they add an air of sophistication to any room with intriguing combinations like Honey & Bergamot, Pineapple & Ginger, Tobacco & Black Pepper and Lemongrass & Coconut, that evokes travel and adventure. The scents themselves are contained in the same sustainable glass jars and displayed in a very architectural, minimalist concrete stand.
The choice of similar materials over the two ranges, while nodding to both aspects of her life, really give a sense of cohesion to her collection. We’re delighted to have a selection from both irish diffuser ranges in the shop.
Here is a little video all about Nicola and Rowan Beg.
]]>From my position of privilege I mistook their coming out for a lifestyle choice rather than a fact about themselves that they have finally shared with me. Their only options were between the continued psychological damage caused by never living their truth, or publicly opening themselves up to having the facts of their very existence debated on the national airwaves. Either way they are being scapegoated as the latest bogeyperson, used to instil fear and division while they’re just attempting to get by, like the rest of us.
While there was no choice involved, there was a whole ton of bravery that has made me even more proud of them. So this year for pride that’s what I’m choosing to celebrate.
If you would like to show your support this Pride 2022, click here or the link below for a list of some of the charities and organisations doing great things.
]]>Poor Dad’s get a hard time of it but it’s worth considering why they might be in need of a wee nap. I think it mostly boils down to the one thing they definitely want: to know you’re okay. They want to know that all the worrying, encouraging, ferrying and capering was enough, and that at this very moment you are fine and that they can rest their eyes for five minutes.
But short of leaving him in peace for a bit, how do you show the old man how much you appreciate him this Father’s day? Check out our selection of thoughtful pressies to surprise and delight him on the 19th June
When picking any gift it’s always a good idea to start with a bit of fact finding. What do you know about the people you’re buying for? This is easy if it’s a close friend or someone in your direct family but can be fraught if it’s for a work colleague, or a distant cousin you haven’t seen since childhood. Even if you don’t know the couples taste there are other factors that can help determine the gift that will get the best reception.
Is cash king? It really depends on who you ask and when you ask them. An engaged couple looking at spending between 10-50K on a day out will probably say that they would prefer cash to a toaster in case of budget overruns but when you ask a married couple what their favourite wedding present was they’re unlikely to mention the €150 quid they got from Uncle John, despite how welcome it was at the time, so it’s important to consider what impression you want to make.
In a 2012 Net Mums poll Denby dinner sets came in as the number one wedding gift received with the top reason listed as it was something that the couple used every day. We don’t tend to have the space or the interest in keeping a set of ‘good’ china these days. Wedding gifts were originally intended as a way to set a couple up for future but if they’ve been living together for years or are combining two households there may not be much they need in terms of household appliances or flatware. Still, a gift that gets regular use will remind the couple of both the day and the people who gave it to them. There’s also a sense of achieving a milestone and levelling up that comes with getting hitched, that can be reflected in the things you surround yourself with.
There’s also the fine balancing act of being seen to be appropriate, what style of a wedding is it? 300 people in the K club, or an intimate group at the registry office then off to a nice restaurant for dinner. Are you invited to the whole day / weekend or just the afters?
Weddings are a time when you can indulge your more sentimental side as the whole day is about establishing history, and making memories so gifts that help you record those memories in some way always go down well. There was a positive craze for chopping boards and photo frames engraved with the happy couples names and date of their nuptials, and while there is something to be said for personalisation, they are unlikely to forget either their own names or the date of the wedding. However a gift that speaks to the idea of a shared life, of throwing your lot in with someone else and presenting a united front to the world can’t help but go down well. Gifts that reference the time and place when those memories speak to the idea of legacy wrapped up in weddings.
So what would we suggest?
love potion gin gift bundle €80
couples mini booklight gift bundle
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Starting the company this way has meant they have always looked to the customer for feedback on their designs, refining the product based on these interactions to the point where they have one of the best designed wallets I’ve ever come across. Having met him at a couple of design fairs it’s safe to say that his enjoyment of demonstrating his wallets hasn’t waned at all.
Aside from the undoubtedly very clever trick that they do, Hunterson wallets function brilliantly as wallets. They come with RFID protection as standard, to prevent anyone skimming the near field chips in your bank cards. They hold enough cards for day to day use and are suitable for any size of paper currency. These wallets are slightly scaled down from an average sized wallet, meaning they take up less space in your pocket. They come with or without a very compact coin wallet that really doesn’t increase the bulk of the wallet much.
Limiting the number of cards it contains also forces you to streamline what you carry, meaning you’re not routing through multiple storecards, and loyalty cards when you’re trying to pay at the till. Christophe likes to claim that a full magic wallet takes up less space than most empty wallets.
There is a vegan leather version available that is made from Pinatex - a type of faux leather produced from pineapple leaves. Made from a byproduct of the fruit industry, Pinatex is more sustainable and more environmentally friendly than both leather or PVC and in tests wears almost as well as traditional leather.
It should be a given that the objects you surround yourself with work well. a wallet should hold your money and keep your cards safe at a bare minimum. What I love about these wallets is that they also add some magic to the everyday. Is it too grandiose to suggest that they might help to strive for that in other areas of your life? Yeah, probably, however in a world where I for one can often feel like I’m struggling, I’ll take any small moment of delight where I can get it.
]]>Set up by two best friends - Alex and Joanna, everything this pair produces just tickles you. You can see the care and dedication on every level of their products. As you can see from the collection the designs are full of humour and enthusiasm but there are other aspects to their business that make us equally proud to stock them. They are incredibly particular about the design of their cool socks - and give equal weight to the functional aspects of their socks as they do to the illustrations.
Sock makers Alex and Joanna are encyclopedic when it comes to the manufacturing detail. The socks are produced from Eco-tex certified cotton and are rigorously tested and reinforced in all the right places to maximise the wear you can get from them - no toes poking through the fronts or baggy elastics so you can always be proud to show them off. They are as comfortable to wear as they are good looking.
Sustainability is at the core of the brand. Aside from the materials used in the socks themselves they use recycled packaging and their factory runs on solar energy, and they are always refining their production to reduce their carbon footprint. So much so that they’ve made their company sustainability policy free to download from their website in the hopes that it will inspire other small businesses.
Using their company as a platform for others has been a central part of their ethos from day one. They have showcased other designers work on their artist editions socks, and used their platform to raise awareness (and money) for Cancer Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland (the Sock 21) and The National Women's council (I’m perfect Socks).
They’re the rare company who’s ideals shine through in all aspects of their business and as their business has grown they have doubled down on these ideals, rather than letting the always fraught realities of being a small business wear them down. They also seem to manage to do while thoroughly enjoying themselves - having the craic as they’d say themselves.
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I’ve long been a fan of Alice’s work, having had the good fortune of being in college at the same time as her, and there are few people I know who are as immersed in their material as she is. She trained as a graphic designer and started work on Mongrel magazine, she has worked for design studios such as zero G, as an educator and in her own design & visual arts.
As with the best designers, Alice has the uncanny alchemist's ability to absorb and study the world around her - fashion, trends, taste, design & ideas and reflect it back to you in her work in a way that encapsulates all those things with breathtaking efficiency. She cites modernist and mid-century artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, Jean Arp and Matisse as influences. While the minimal abstract style of her prints may at first glance seem simplistic it is anything but that. The restraint required to have every element so correct on the page shows an incredible mastery of image manipulation. Her work has gained growing recognition as it evokes a sense of calm and balance while also remaining visually intriguing - it literally makes you feel better to look at it.
In a world of overwhelming inputs the sense of balance in her prints gives you temporary respite from the chaos.
As she says herself “I take to heart August Endell’s belief that even if abstract forms signify nothing, represent nothing, remind us of nothing, they still have the power arouse our souls as deeply and strongly as any other art form. No matter how simple those forms are, there is always something new to grasp.”
It’d almost be enough to turn you into a minimalist.
Alice uses a variety of techniques in her prints, from screen printing to risograph printing, allowing her to create distinctive series, each with their own unique characteristics. Each print is a limited edition, is printed on the highest quality paper and always comes signed and numbered by the artist herself.
Alice's work currently graces some of Ireland's most harmonious homes, and features in the Dublin city council permanent collection. Her instagram is well worth a follow if you enjoy beautiful interiors.
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Thoughtfulness
Thoughtful people want to seem thoughtful, and yes flowers are thoughtful and brighten up your day, but they’re a general type of thoughtful. The intention and the occasion are paramount when real thought is involved in a gift. The specificity is key. We look to the ‘why’ in everything we do, and therein lies the thoughtful magic.The Object Itself
Here’s where designist shines. We have done the thinking and the choosing for you. We will hand on heart say ‘yes, they will love it’. Because we understand what the alternatives are, and we’ve looked into the materials, the quality, the maker and the longevity of the object. We’ve got your back.
Recipient
If you are looking a good gift for specific occasions, we are here to help. Why not check out the rest of our gift guides?
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Not discounting all the environmental benefits of repairing and reusing things you already have, the slow meditative repetition involved in most types of repair and the feeling of accomplishment at having mended something can help reduce anxiety in the same way meditation or mindfulness colouring can. When the world feels out of control repairing something gives you the sense that you can at least put order on one small piece of the world.
When we’re all living on our nerves, having to replace a much loved item, whether it got accidentally broken or has just worn out from use, can feel like an insurmountable task. When you drop your favourite mug and break the handle or the moths get into your collection of winter woolies, the world may not actually be ending but it can sure feel like it. Using the New Kintsugi kit to reattach your handle, woolfiller to mend the moth holes, or the remarkable kit to cover up wine stains on your Mother’s damask table cloth not only averts the disaster but adds extra personality to these objects. They become more truly yours and while the results may be slightly wabi sabi, they also document your developing skills.
Investing the time in yourself and your abilities, rather than in your worldly possessions, can lead to a renewed faith in your own capabilities and your resourcefulness. What more could you ask for in life than to feel better able for whatever it might throw at you.
]]>If it’s more of a recognition of their endeavour that you’re after then may we suggest the following ideas:
If you’re looking for a gift to help them on their way, then we’ve got you covered with the following:
Whatever way you decide to go it's always lovely to have a reason to tell someone well done, that you are proud of them and looking forward to seeing what they achieve in the future. Hats off to them.
]]>So from forever homes to shared student gaffs, here’s a list of some of our favourite types of new home gifts.
After two long years the St Patrick’s day festival is finally back, and it's really stepped up this year. With a brand new identity and lots of different cultural events running all over the place, it’s now more a five day festival rather than the traditional parade down Dame street followed by a load of tourists getting wasted in Temple Bar.
Traditionally it’s been the chance for people around the world to claim Irish heritage and to turn things green, like buildings, rivers, dinners and sheep. There’s always been a narrative of how important it is to Ireland's standing in the world both culturally and economically that a tiny little country like ours has everyone claiming to be Irish at least for one day. I have to say this year, I’m exceptionally proud that Bord Failte have suspended their global greening campaign and instead are suggesting that significant buildings are lit up in Ukranian colours in solidarity. That to me, feels much more in keeping with a sense of Irishness than going green ever would.
Anyway, rather than getting any more misty eyed about it, here’s a run down of some of our favourite things to do on St. Patrick's day.
So as our little way of celebrating, we have listed a few of the many female-led businesses we currently work with here at designist.
New to designist, Elina, Laura and Liene are the trio behind The Munio. A family run business based in Latvia, they produce some very lovely Candle Making Kits. Using only 100% natural soy wax and fragrances they are inspired by the Northern landscape. They try to produce their products as sustainably as possible, reducing plastic wherever they can and putting a strong emphasis on natural, vegan friendly ingredients.
Labienhecha is a female led business that produces stunning recycled leather handbags. They are founded on three principles: to create a quality, ecological product made in Málaga; to grow conscience alongside sustainability; and to empower women. Everything they produce is done so with integrity and great design, using recycled, certified sustainable and quality materials.
Lucy Hagerty of La Bougie and Crop Candles
May Bear is a Galway-based design studio which was started by Katie whilst on maternity leave. Her clean and simple designs are well loved at designist and we stock a wide range of of May Bear cards for all occasions. Committed to making choices that are kind to the planet, May Bear cars are made from FSC certified card, recycled envelopes and compostable cello sleeves.
Award winning Lainey K is run by Elaine Kellegher and was born out of her love for typography, illustration and all things design led. Her great sense of humour comes across in buckets through each card, and they are wonderfully, perfectly Irish in their wit.
To these and to the many other women who are and have designed, drawn and made brilliant things for designist over the years (I know, I've missed bucket of ye off the list!) - thank you.
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