Brands and Stuff That You Love (Emphasis on Quality)

[timothy]

Meta recommendation: Cool Tools

Kevin Kelly is one of the guys associated with the old Whole Earth Catalog, among other projects. He has a site I've been a fan of for years (disclosure: have also been published there two or three times, which is the only place I've been published in common with William Gibson, which is of course a silly claim, but still fun) called Cool Tools, and it's an excellent place to see more of the "quality items" theme.

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/

Warning: Cool Tools can be a HUGE time sink, at least for me. As I read through it, I've more than once thought that if I were rich enough, I'd like to just have "one of each" sent to me, as products are reviewed there (Or maybe "one of each after a quick right of refusal" )

timothy

[jehingr]

Save Our Setters

While not necessarily a brand, or even stuff, I would like to plug <a href="http://www.saveoursetters.org/index.html">Save Our Setters</a> - a rescue organization for Irish, Irish Red & White, English, and Gordon Setters. We volunteer for them as a foster home and have successfully placed two dogs from our foster.

They are a truly fine, non-profit, organization. They work with dogs nationwide and Canada (and other places from time to time). If you are thinking of getting a specific breed of dog - check one of the many breed-specific rescue groups. If you have the time and resources please consider volunteering as a foster home or for transportation duties. Or consider a donation to sponsor a dog in need.

It is sometimes heartbreaking to see what people can do to a dog, but it is equally rewarding to see what dedicated people can do FOR a dog as well. Helping a single dog may not change the world, but it can certainly change the world for that dog.

And if you just want to feel good for a moment about the basic goodness of dogs and humanity, check out the story of <a href="http://www.saveoursetters.org/CloudGA2007December.html">Cloud</a> - the Irish Setter who Could! It may just be the most heartwarming story on the old internet.

[PM4HIRE]

Darcy:

Every man and woman in business today should have at least one
or may be two dark navy blazers in their closet. Great classic
look and flexible product...think of an expensive blazer as an
investment item.

In this case, buy the best and cry once.

[Darcy]

Great to read all of the interesting posts re: Anderson-Little blazers. If any of you order one of their blazers, be sure to let us know what you think!

This women's career wear line looks promising:
http://www.rochellebehrenscollection.com/
(Made in USA, fabric from France.)

[Darcy]

Avene SPF 50+ sunscreen.....

But for those still reading on, the hands-down best cosmetics company I know is by Julie Hewett.

Thanks - those are great recommendations! I have very fair skin, and even though we're in the Pacific Northwest, a good sunscreen is important. I've been hearing about sunscreens from Europe for a while but didn't know I could actually order them...woohoo!

[Lone Piper]

Kifaru Backpacks - While I've used their packs for years for my military travels, there is no doubt their camping line is as equally tough. I've literally taken Kifaru bags through some of the spots rarely found on the top ten lists for friendly vacation spots: Baghdad, Iraq, Kosovo, Panama, Afghanistan...you get the point. Built to nearly bombproof standards, made in the USA and with great customer service. I guess they are the Tom Bihns of tactical packs!

[PM4HIRE]

Anderson-Little blazers are very reasonable priced considering the blazers
are made in the USA. I've paid $200 to $450 for a quality blazer in the
past.

Nice find!

[timothy]

The Anderson-Little blazer looks good, and though not "cheap" (I have not often paid more than $100 for a single item of clothing, and doing so gives me a pretty big dose of skepticism) it looks to be of high-quality. I wonder if they come with other than gold-looking buttons I know that's the (a) classic blazer look, but to me / on me, gold things always look gaudy.

A few years ago, I took a 2-week trip to China -- group tour, with the plusses and minuses of a group trip -- and I packed pretty light, in fact radically light for me (one small backpack), and was very glad to've brought a blue blazer along. Mine was definitely a size or more larger than ideal, but that made for greater comfort on airplanes, etc, and was close enough to stand in for "dressed up" for restaurant purposes. A nice blue blazer and a white oxford shirt (with collar buttons, making use without a tie more palatable) to me is about as close as one can get to "powdered suit" -- it's formality boullion.

timothy

[flitcraft]

Here are the brands I'm a fanatic about:

I-roc shoes--they're made in the US, they are built to last, and (coupled with Power Step Pinnacle insoles) cured my long-standing plantar fasciitis. www.i-roc.com.

Orthaheel sandals--Not sure where they're made, but they were designed by an Australian orthapedist. Their flipflop type Wave sandals have arch support that most other shoes can only dream of. I'd given up hope of ever wearing flipflops again, but these are terrific. Again, well constructed, light weight, and an essential for the pack-light fanatic like myself. I get them at www.footsmart.com (which is a pretty good company in its own right, though it's hard to beat www.zappos.com for shoes, with its free shipping and free shipping on returns policy!)

Avene SPF 50+ sunscreen: I have to get this in Europe, but it is a tinosorb-based sunscreen with very high UVA/UVB protection. I wish the FDA would get it together and approve the new generation of sunscreens being used in Europe--so much better and more effective than what we get sold here in the US. (It can also be ordered in the US from online etailers lile wwwfrenchcosmeticsforless.com). Actually, the Avene cosmeceutical range in general is very high quality--I use their retinaldehyde products like Diacneal and Eluage, too. But I'm not sure that anyone on this forum is interested in skincare...

But for those still reading on, the hands-down best cosmetics company I know is by Julie Hewett. Her camellia oil lipbalm (stick or pot) is better than any petroleum based one, and her lipsticks are absolutely to die for. Love her eyeshadows and foundation, and her cream blushes last forever and are sheer and lovely. Yeah, I know that no one here cares, but you did ask about favorite companies, and www.juliehewett.net is one of mine.

I tend to be evangelistic about my favorites, obviously including Tom Bihn.

[MikeL]

That's interesting News Darcy. My mom's family is from New England, and I was familiar with Anderson-Little; but never had any of their clothes. the only thing the site has is their Classic Blue Blazer. I may have to buy one. I'm in the market for a one, and it's not any more expensive then going else were for one.
Thanks for the update.

[Darcy]

Anderson-Little have reclaimed their brand and are once again manufacturing their men's blazers in a U.S. factory. Interesting story.

[brantroz]

A little different...

Ok, bear with me...

My next recommendation is a book, and the "quality" it brings is the enlightenment it lends you. I'm not the most emotional guy in the world, and I'm not the least, but there are inspiring moments while reading this book where you just find yourself welling up at the sheer inspiration of this real person... someone who was once renowned around the world, and who we might all be better for knowing again:

A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler

Honestly, I hope some of you decide to pick this one up... it will warm your heart. James Holman had one of the most devastating impositions of his time... and treated it as a hurdle, not an obstacle. Really well written, uplifting book.

[brantroz]

On the topic of pets...

The previous few threads reminded me of this:

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance

I can't rave enough about this food... they are the first to publish 100% of their ingredients, and even have an all organic formula (which we use.)

Our Italian Greyhound eats the same amount that she did per day with her previous food... but she gained the final 3/4 of a .lb she had been missing (and this for a "skinny" breed.) Essentially, she is getting more nutrition from the same quantity.

They also have specific food allergy blends. I sent them a note thanking them for their quality product, and they mailed me a bunch of coupons. Really great company, and very HIGH quality product.

-B

[mrae]

I love this thread. My recommendation is for dogs that like chewing. Yak cheese chews. They're as hard as a bone and are fully edible. My dog goes through most chewies, like bully sticks, in a few minutes but it takes her a long time to complete a large yak chew. I buy mine at my local pet store. Here's the link for the company:
http://www.himalayandogchew.com/

[mrae]

Cesar Millan Illusion Leash and Collar Set

This is a very high-quality leash/collar set: the pictures and the description don't do it justice. We know our webbing, buckles, and construction around here, and the Illusion Leash/Collar Set is made (in the U.S.) out of very high-quality webbing and buckles. Plus, it works really well: Lily is totally squirrel crazy (she was pretty much bred to be so) and the Illusion collar has proven to be a safe, effective, and gentle way to train her.

Thanks. I've been wondering how they work. I'm going to try it. The only thing that's worked with my girl is a head harness and that rubbed near her eyes so I switched to a regular halter. The info on the site is a little confusing because it says not to use with short nosed dogs but lists pitbulls and staffordshires in their sizing.