Categories / Cars and Bikes, Toys and Games

Mechanical Tatra Toy Cars

TatraThe Czech company Tatra had a long history in manufacturing vehicles. They were popular with the German invaders and then later with the elite of the Communist Party. The T603 in particular was particularly iconic with its distinctive 3 headlights. It was exported to other Communist countries – Fidel Castro had a white T603 specially-fitted with air conditioning.

Sadly we haven’t found an actual Tatra car for sale but just these Mechanical Tatra Toy Cars. Available in two models; a black version of the famous Tatra 603 or a white Tatra 87 which was an earlier design with a window-less rear.

They cost £7.50 each from Thorssten Van Elten.

Categories / Bags

Twiggy Eco Shopper

Twiggybag2007 has definitely been the year of the shopping bag, started, of course, by the Anya Hindmarsh ‘I’m Not a Plastic Bag’ craze in the spring. Since then most supermarkets have introduced their own eco alternative to the plastic carrier. Marks and Spencer are currently selling several designs including the Twiggy Eco Shopper.

Made from organic cotton, the bag features a portrait of the iconic model (as she was back in the Sixties, not as recently seen in M&S adverts) by the fashion illustrator David Downton.

Priced £2.50, you can pick one up near the checkout of most Marks and Spencer stores or buy one online at their website.

Categories / Design and Interiors

Drumstick Pencils – draw or play

Drumstick_pencil

How many times in your life have you found yourself tapping away on a table or desk with a pencil? If the answer is ‘far too often’, you need a pair of Drumstick Pencils.

Designed by Moko Sellars, it’s a simple idea, but a brilliant one – converting the top end (or eraser end) of the pencil to a drumstick-shape, so if the mood takes you, just flip them over and bang away. And of course, you can’t just have one drumstick, so they’re sold in a pair.

Available from Suck UK later this month – price is still to be confirmed.

Find out more at the Suck UK website

Categories / Watches

Casio CA53W-1 digital calculator watch

Casio_calc
It might have shifted from the height of hi-tech to slightly ironic over the last 20 years, but for anyone of a certain age, the Casio calculator watch will always have a place in our hearts. And you can still buy an 80s-style model in the shape of the Casio CA53W-1 digital calculator watch.

So if you need to complete any basic calculations on the move, just press the tiny buttons on your wrist and you’re away. In addition to that, there’s the time, date, a stopwatch, countdown, alarm and backlight, not to mention a hefty dose of 80s cool.

I had one with a space invaders game on as well – pure joy in double geography. Sadly that’s not been reissued, but you can get the CA53W-1 for £22.

Find out more at the Balcony Shirts website

Categories / Men's Fashion

Fox classic RS2 solid umbrella

Fox_umbrella
Thomas Fox started selling umbrellas in London in 1868. And although he might be long gone, his umbrellas are still going strong, with much in common with those original designs – and with the same quality.

And hanging around the top of the range is this Fox RS2 solid umbrella. This solid, bark chestnut umbrella is made from one continuous piece of wood – which makes it as strong as a walking stick. It has a 25-inch frame, is 36 -inches in height and opens to a 50-inch diameter.

Available with a dark green nylon cover, the RS2 retails for £139.99. if that’s a bit rich, other quality Fox umbrellas are available for half the price.

Find out more at the Oi Polloi website

Categories / Watches

Buler Jump Hour 1970s clear watch

Buler

The number of interesting watches produced in the 1970s seems endless. Just when you think you’ve seen them all, another head-turner comes along. And the latest for me is the Buler Jump Hour clear  watch.

Dating from the early 70s, it has an almost psychedelic pink/purple face with scrolling wheels showing the time as digits – as long as you remember to wind it up. Even better, the surround and strap are clear, so the watch is almost floating on your wrist.

Not a common timepiece, but you can pick one up at The Retro World watch site, priced at a very reasonable £50.

Find out more at The Retro World website