An Impulse: Topman LTD Safari Bomber and Worker Jacket

Generally speaking, I try to steer clear of Topman. It's a shame, really--their fits are usually spot on for me but the quality is mostly dreadful. Their LTD collection, however, focuses on not only their signature fit but also on higher quality materials and construction. At full retail the price often reflects this, but once in awhile some great pieces can be found on sale at dramatically (anywhere from 50-80% off) reduced prices. Today I was able to find each of these pieces for $30 (70% off, not to mention they're doing free shipping until July 4th)!

A Lesson in Swedish History: Fjallraven Kanken

Via Blackbird: Introduced in August of 1978, Fjallraven's Kanken backpack was marketed as an alternative book bag for Sweden's school children because it centered its weight evenly along the spine and allowed both hands to be free. The new backpack was initially marked as a symbol of liberal political views and sometimes called "the Communist Hunchback" by stubborn detractors stuck on the old messenger style bags of their childhood, but Fjallraven's founder, Ake Nordin, hoped to sell 200 Kanken bags in their first year. He sold 400. The next year sales reached 30,000. Thirty years have now passed since the first Kanken was sold, and its popularity has grown far beyond the halls of Sweden's educational system.

I just ordered the Kanken from the friendly folks at Ooga Booga in a beautiful burnt red--I can't wait for it arrive :}

Black Dice - Creature Comforts

I've been listening to a lot of different stuff lately, but this particular album by Black Dice has quickly become a favorite of mine. I love that it contains some of the drone elements featured on past releases such as Beaches & Canyons as well as the quirky sounds that we would see develop on Load Blown and more recently, Repo. What an interesting band.

In unrelated news, I was able to procure a pair of A.P.C. Petit Standards for very cheap from a kind seller on supermarket about a week ago and I'm pretty excited to soon have my first pair of quality raw denim. Here's a terrific example of some perfectly worn in A.P.C. denim courtesy of jebeebus from superfuture: