Brands and Stuff That You Love (Emphasis on Quality)

[Samonid]

Of the many boutique roasters I've tried up and down the west coast, none has approached this one. http://www.keancoffee.com/

All coffee is roasted in their coffee house, in full view of customers. Family business. Each roast is tailored to the bean batch, and brings out flavors that you rarely get from coffee due to homogeneous roasting practices.

Any one have a recommendation for cute purses/totes? Looking for a gift for my wife...

[ratdeau]

Crypted USB - Ironkey

For people needing secure data transport, look at www.ironkey.com
Expensive but a really good product designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.

[maverick]

Lake Champlain Chocolates

Lake Champlain Chocolates are delicious chocolates available in the U.S. i pick them up at whole foods, but you can buy them on their website and at various retailers.

my personal favorite is the five star fruit and nut bar.

[PM4HIRE]

I have a Jos. A. Bank store around the corner from me. Pricey clothes but their stuff lasts forever and is well made.

[dclawyer]

I love this thread.

I recently discovered that flashlights in recent years have come a long way. With LEDs they are much brighter, even when the flashlight is small. My favorite small flashlight is the Liteflux LF3XT. At its brightest, it is amazingly bright and the beam is infinitely adjustable. At its dimmest it's perfect for reading a restaurant menu or check or for use in a theater.

I also love Patagonia clothing. I like walking in all kinds of weather. Patagonia clothing allows me to get out there comfortably. I also like their bags along with Tom Bihn bags.

[mruseless]

I'm very fond of Jos. A. Bank Signature men's business suits. There are more expensive suits out there, but in my opinion these best value for the money(especially if you buy them on sale!). They are of very high quality, and with proper care they last a long time. And its hard to beat the customer service at a JAB store.

coffee coffee coffee

Did somebody say coffee?? These guys have some good stuff, and even some beans that support a dog rescue organization:
Green Tree Coffee & Tea

[Darcy]

Stuffed animals made in Arizona. Pretty cute, great gift for small kids.

[keb]

A cook after my own heart!

I have a monstrous cast-iron dutch oven as well, but it's not a Lodge. I have another Lodge on on my "wish list" that's a camp-style dutch oven with legs and a reversible lid that you can use as a griddle. You can plant your coals underneath it, on top or inside depending upon what you're doing.

One quick note on the Made in USA thing: it seems that the traditional cast-iron stuff is all made in the USA, but some of their new lines of enamel/cast iron products are imported. Just something to note if you're looking. I've seen videos of them making the traditional cast-iron stuff in Kentucky. It's pretty neat!

Was looking into Lodge and found some not-so-favorable cooking site forum feedback of the enamelled product vs the Le Creuset 800-pound gorilla. The feedback on the regular cast-iron products seemed very favorable.

[calel]

I don't know if they're bullet-proof; my roommate's handle-less Lodge skillet might dispute that (fell off the counter onto our kitchen floor and the handle snapped right off; the tile was unscathed). However, with some proper care and handling, they do last a pretty long time. I picked up a skillet from a flea market. It's probably ancient but still in great condition.

On the subject of coffee, I get my beans from Anderson's Coffee in Austin. I've never had a blend that I didn't like (I like Alfred's best), and the prices are reasonable, too.

[MagicTiki]

And another Lodge Cast Iron user, here. I have a 10, 12, and 15". Bought them at Costco of all places (haven't seen them again in the two years since I bough them). They're seasoning in just fine, and Bob P is absolutely right: they'll definitely be the last cast iron skillets I'll ever need to buy... they're bulletproof! In fact, I may have to order the dutch oven I always wanted but never got around to buying (see what you guys started?).

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

A cook after my own heart!

I have a monstrous cast-iron dutch oven as well, but it's not a Lodge. I have another Lodge on on my "wish list" that's a camp-style dutch oven with legs and a reversible lid that you can use as a griddle. You can plant your coals underneath it, on top or inside depending upon what you're doing.

One quick note on the Made in USA thing: it seems that the traditional cast-iron stuff is all made in the USA, but some of their new lines of enamel/cast iron products are imported. Just something to note if you're looking. I've seen videos of them making the traditional cast-iron stuff in Kentucky. It's pretty neat!

[KarlJ]

And another Lodge Cast Iron user, here. I have a 10, 12, and 15". Bought them at Costco of all places (haven't seen them again in the two years since I bough them). They're seasoning in just fine, and Bob P is absolutely right: they'll definitely be the last cast iron skillets I'll ever need to buy... they're bulletproof! In fact, I may have to order the dutch oven I always wanted but never got around to buying (see what you guys started?).

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

[shakir5582]

Wet shaving in general is a quality purchase and a luxury I have recently found. Funny thing is, it saves you money. a used razor at an antique store 5-10 bucks blades are under a quarter, a tube of 5 dollar cream lasts and lasts, and even the 13 dollar tweezer man brush does a good job. Much cheaper than a Mach 3, better shave and it feels so good. If you are interested search wetshaving on youtube. it is a great feeling having a soft brush apply warm fragrant lather on your face. trust me.

[nikonnut]

Well, I have to say that I'm starting to see a pattern in my buying habits. Sage Fly Rods (awesome warranty, great products), Filson clothing (if you haven't tried their stuff, OMG! I swear tin cloth is bullet proof! Also, I really like the old school materials), and now Tom Bihn (no explanation needed). The pattern? They're all in the Seattle area! Apparently, quality is still valued in that part of the world. Not to bash the mutliple other great companies sprinkled across this great nation but I think I'm gonna have to move.

P.S. Benchmade! How could I forget Benchmade Knives and their life sharp policy(It gets dull, you send it in, it comes back sharp as new). OK, so they're in Portland but still.

[PM4HIRE]

Many of my high school friends were friends with the Beach boys since they attended a competing high school in the South Bay area in southern California where I grew up.