earth

Millennium House publishing presents its ginormous atlas EARTH as a legacy for the next generation. Depending on how big your own next generation is at the moment, it could be a few years before he's grown large enough to be able to turn the pages.

The two-foot-tall, 1.5-foot-wide, 580-page hardbound tome is packed chock-a-block with 400,000 words, 750 photos and illustrations, 160 pages of maps, and four pull-out gatefolds that are each six feet long. That basket of cartographical goodness is wrapped in a handbound leather cover that is then numbered by a calligrapher in Hong Kong. And that rather weighty leatherbound goodness is then placed inside a 33-pound preservation case composed of leather-wrapped hardwood.

Lest it sound like the Earth has been ravaged in order to create an atlas – wouldn't that be irony – there will only be 3,000 copies created, in two series: 2,000 Royal Blue, 1,000 Imperial Gold. That latter one will cost you $5,800. That might sound like a lot of money, but when you consider having the entire world at your fingertips, and your child's fingertips once he's out of college, then it might be worth it. And how else would you get the chance to hear your friends say, "My, what a big atlas you have!"

I've been fascinated by the upcoming collection of Armin by Armin Strom, Elements watch collection (that I previously mentioned here). The four versions are each named by another element, giving us the Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. The very interesting dials are special because they are designed well enough to live with as your daily watch. Reading the unique regulator retrograde displays puts a smile on my face. The watches use modified manually wound ETA Unitas movements, and are very nicely decorated - a hallmark of the Armin Strom watches. The dials have separate indicators for the hours, minutes, seconds, and the date.

I got to spend some time with these watches and check them out a bit. Armin Strom would like me to remind you that these are pre-production prototypes. So the final ones will a have much nicer fit and finish. You can see how nicely the movement is decorated with a unique circular polish pattern. The dial has an intense depth and detailed look. Operating the watch is simple via the crown. One thing that I am not totally happy with is the pusher located at about 10 o'clock that is used to adjust the date. I don't mind a pusher for this function, but I think it should have been protected (so that you don't accidentally press it), and designed to be a bit more attractive. It just looks a bit blase compared to the crown. Otherwise the case is done nicely. The reptile straps are awesome. Thick and very well made. The certainly have that hand-made feel. The extension lip sticking out of the bezel at 6 o'clock is used by Armin should you want personalized initials engraved on the watch.

Pictured is the Armin Elements Air model in its "light and airy" white and blue tones. I quite like the summery look of the watch. Aside from the pink gold cased Fire version of the watch, the Elements collection starts at about $17,600. To get an Armin Strom watch you can contact their US distributor at (724) 263-2286.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

I was quite excited about the Armin (by Armin Strom) Elements watch collection when it was first announced (seemingly a while ago). "Armin" seems to be a more sporty side line to the standard Armin strom collection of watches that is very elegant and traditional in focus. One thing that both lines share is the appreciation for dial skeletonization. You can see the modern style of partial skeletonization on the Elements watch here. The collection comes in a few colors. Each one representing a different Element. The pictured version is "Earth." Though I was initially excited about the line, now I am impressed and really want to get my hands on one of these beauties. One of the major strengths that the Elements watch is its ability to function as a comfortable everyday watch, save for one that looks different than most other everyday watches.

This watch has a titanium case, and here it has been coated in PVD black. The movement is manually wound with a 46 hour power reserve. The regulator display style has a different dial for the hours, minutes, and seconds, while there is also a retrograde date display. I believe that the pusher at 10 o'clock is to change the date. Each Armin Elements watch is part of a limited edition of just 100 pieces. This image indicates that the watch should now be ready for prime time. Price for the pictured version will retail at $18,850.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Earth is a big subject and Australian publisher Millennium House has created a book big enough to cover it. Their new book "Earth" is the the biggest atlas ever to be published and is nearly 2 feet tall and over 65 pounds. The 576-page books is the sum total of eight months work by 100 photographers, cartographers, geographers and oceanographers and it has 154 maps and over 800 photographs. The print run will be just 3,000 copies, 2,000 of the standard blue version at right and 1000 "Gold Earth" editions with gold leather, gold gilding and gold plated corners. The regular version will cost over $3,000. The book had its world debut in Sydney on October 9, hit the Frankfurt Book Fair and is on its way to the Sharjah World Book Fair in Dubai n October 29.

The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world's oceans, waves, and beaches, and works to further that mission through educational programs and the development of grassroots awareness. Their programs include everything from the expected like monitoring water quality and teaching kids to respect the beach to the slightly less expected, like information on how to create an "ocean friendly garden" that reduces runoff and harmful pollutants.

You can take part in their programs hands on if you live near any of the nations coasts (they have chapters pretty much everywhere) or join online and support them from anywhere.

The World Wildlife Fund works around the world to protect endangered species, protect and restore endangered habitats, and deal with the ever-growing global challenges facing the environment. As with most charities you can always give the simple gift of a donation in your loved one's name, or with WWF it gets a little more fun and personalized when you adopt an endangered wild animal. For just $50 you get an adoption certificate, a photo of your chosen animal, and best of all an adorable coordinating plush toy. And with 80 species to choose from you can certainly personalize your gift, and even encourage the starting of an annual tradition and a collection of animals. Donate/order by December 17th for Christmas delivery.


Via Inhabitat

Here's a great chance to both do something great for the environment and get something fun to show for it: adopt yourself an olive tree! Nudo, an olive grove in Italy, is offering people the chance to support small scale artisanal farming (instead of the large mechanized operations that damage the earth) by adopting a specific olive tree. And when you adopt an olive tree in the grove for one year not only do you get the satisfaction from the environmental effort, but you also get all the produce from your tree. You'll get a Spring Package with the olive oil from your tree, and then an Autumn Package of more olive oil and some handmade olive oil soap. $130/year.



via DailyCandy