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The Great Fly-Fishing Rivers of the West

Filed under: Sports, Books


Originally released in 1994, Grant McClintock's classic angler's almanac Flywater: Fly-Fishing Rivers of the West documented his year-long journey visiting the creeks, springs and freestone rivers that make the West the world's premiere destination for fly fishing. Now Universe has issued an updated edition complete with new photographs from McClintock's collection, revealing new river finds full of trout and steelhead. The destinations pictured in more than 200 full-color photos include New Mexico, California, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Wyoming; the cover shows picturesque Pelican Point on Montana's Missouri River. Interspersed with the photos, McClintock explains the complexities of fly fishing in each type of "flywater". The book also features a foreword by renowned newsman and fly fishing enthusiast Tom Brokaw, who notes that McClintock magnificently captures the sport's "sense of majesty and humility – majesty in the surroundings and the humility that comes with understanding that the fly-fishing angler is there on nature's terms."

LED Lights Make Summer Nights Glow

Filed under: Decor

the rockGlowing rechargeable outdoor lights are fast becoming a new summer essential. Home Infatuation, a site that celebrates outdoor living, has all sorts of great LED lights that cast a soft light across the yard (or in the pool) and make everyday occasions into celebrations. The light shown at right is called the rock even though it's a more of an egg. The Rock measures 12'' x 12" and has a recharging base that takes six to eight hours to fully recharge the batteries. Once charged it provides six to eight hours of light. The Rock sells for $179.95. Also check out the orb-like Moonlight lamps which have changeable color filters. Add a few in different colors and it's a little like having your own private solar system under the night sky.

Fjällräven - Rugged Swedish Style Comes to NYC

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style


Swedish outdoor outfitters Fjällräven are relatively new to the United States having just opened their first store here (above) in downtown New York. However the company is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded makers of fine outdoor gear in the world. The firm was founded in 1960 by Sweden's Åke Nordin, an avid hiker who designed his first backpack at age 14, with the aim of making the outdoors more accessible even in the harshest of conditions. The company, whose name means "arctic fox", has remained loyal to its roots and many of the designs have stayed the same since their introduction in the 1960s. Their rugged, stylish goods do not follow fleeting trends, preferring durability to fashion. The new store stocks everything from Nordic sweaters, down jackets, climbing gear, backpacks, tents, hiking boots and long underwear to $800 hand-forged wooden-handled axes built to last a lifetime.

Retractable Roof Pergola Creates an Outdoor Room

Filed under: Decor, Dining


Plow & Hearth offers some very nice outdoor living items, but this one caught my eye because of the continuing trend of creating outdoor rooms (thank you, HGTV). The Retractable Roof Pergola creates a shady setting for entertaining and outdoor dining on a porch or patio or in a yard. The smooth-moving retractable top lets you control the sun and shade and offers shelter from a passing shower. Powder-coated aluminum and steel frame with an all-weather polyurethane-coated polyester shade. 10' sq. x 84" H. Assembly required. $999.95

Cheshire Chaise Lounge

Filed under: Decor


Even though here in the Midwest we just got six inches of snow, I'm already dreaming of warmer weather and sitting on the patio with my morning coffee. Patio furniture isn't often described as whimsical but I think this Cheshire Chaise Lounge from Lifeshop earns the description with its half-moon shape and cheerful orange color. Lifeshop offers an entire collection of patio furniture in this wicker-like plastic resin weave, which looks just as earthy and cozy but lasts quite a lot longer. How nice to kick back and relax in your very own moon. (Or globe, or igloo, or genie...)

The Outrageously Expensive Freewheeler Wireless Outdoor Speaker

Filed under: Gadgets


It's called the Freewheeler, and it's a wireless outdoor speaker that won't do anything unexpected or special except roll around a little and 'freewheel' you out of $20,000.

Features include: wireless up to 656 ft, recharging station, and the capacity to project the quality stereo sound you'd expect from two speakers out of just the one unit. And apparently it's pretty good sized (as big as small car tire???) and that could be a pro or a con, depending on your taste.

It's got a nice contemporary design, and the "roll it around the yard" feature certainly is convenient, but I'm still not sure why the price tag is so high at £10838.74. Anybody have any idea?

The Aquapub

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets


Although here in the Midwest pool season is almost over, there are those lucky to be living in areas where they may just be getting started with the warm season or else it's toasty all year round. For those folks (or those of us in colder climates can put it on our wish list for next year) this Aquapub not only looks like bunches of fun, but it looks like unique fun your neighbors probably aren't offering. It's one thing to enjoy a Mai Tai by the pool, but what about in it? That can be a little awkward unless you have the Aquapub that seats six and comes complete with cup holders, 2 stashes, and an umbrella. It drains water, is a portable 90 lbs and is made of recycled materials. What more could you want?


Via Lussorian

The Fatboy Outdoor

Filed under: Decor


Searching for stylish outdoor furniture that's comfortable, portable, and convertible? Check out the Fatboy Outdoor. Designed by Jukka Setala it has a UV treated heavy denier polyester exterior which has been coated in PVC to make it both water and fade resistant. It's filled with millions of tiny EPS pieces which makes it great to sit on in any number of arrangements. It can be folded, propped, or rolled, which means you can sit on it, lean on it, or sleep on it comfortably. Plus it has two large straps that provide both additional support in some sitting positions and a means to make transporting easier. And of course it comes in several fun bright colors, and washes clean with just a damp cloth. $349

Get Your Own Personal Moon

Filed under: Decor


I love this idea! I have no clue how or what I would do to pull this off in a decorating scheme but I just love the idea of having my own moon. The design comes from Russia and this is one situation where if somebody was feeling all romantic they really could throw a lasso around the moon and pull down out of the sky (or tree, as it were). It's a large lightbox and is called "Your Personal Moon." What do you think? Cool or ridiculous? I'm just wondering if it has a dimmer switch?

The Loop Lounger

Filed under: Decor


Not to be confused with last week's Loopty Loopy Loopita, this Loop Lounger from MoMa Store is something totally different. It's collapsible, which is always handy, but it doesn't look like your average folding chair, which is nice also. Made of rust-proof marine grade stainless steel, this indoor/outdoor chaise lounge chair has a white seat made of white plasticized mesh that's easy to clean, and the loopy open design allows for comfortable rocking to help you relax. Made in Italy it measures 34" x 28" x 55", $675.


Via Design Mind

The Modern Pinwheel

Filed under: Decor


I'm a sucker for accent pieces that find a way to blend the whimsical energy of happy childhood memories with a dose of maturity for the adult I am today. These stainless steel pinwheels from Chiasso take the breezy fun from days past and mix it with a healthy dose of class and durability by creating them of lightweight stainless steel. I think they'd make a fun summertime addition indoors or out, and considering the average plastic pinwheel goes for $2 or less, these are actually a little pricey at $15 each.

The Dune Daybed

Filed under: Decor


With organic shapes and fluid lines the Dune Daybed makes lounging outdoors all kinds of inviting. Designed by Vladimir Kagan as part of the Barlow Tyrie Woven Outdoor Furniture Collection it has a hefty woven base that seamlessly incorporates a side table and substantial molded cushions with plenty of comfy pillows. The optional matching ottoman fits next to the daybed like a puzzle piece, which not only gives you a handy place to put up your feet but also adds to the inviting and relaxing appearance of the set. Available in a variety of colors the set goes for $3,999.

The Waterfall Shower

Filed under: Spas, Garden


There are many nice outdoor showers out there, but this one, the Waterfall Shower by Jane Hamley Wells, is especially appealing to me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it gives the feeling of standing under a waterfall in the tropics or the sheer organic simplicity of the design, but I want one. Standing over 7 feet tall, the teak back panel and base platform is accented only by the single cross-style handle. Add in the sheet of cool water cascading down when the shower is in use and I think it's almost pretty enough to just be appreciated as a water feature, whether you use it to clean off and cool down or not.

Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps

Filed under: Decor


Ambient lighting has more power over the atmosphere and mood of a room than almost anything else, in my opinion anyway. Designed for outdoor rooms, Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps will definitely bring a unique ambiance to your outdoor patio and backyard. I have to agree with ShinyShiny that these look a little like something that fell from space, but the soft white glow is actually very pretty. These stones could be the perfect thing to illuminate a dark path or gently light an outdoor area without casting unattractive shadows. Available in two sizes, $316 each.

Outdoor Wicker Club Chair

Filed under: Decor

Wicker has come a long way since the days of great-grandma's porch, but even in contemporary designs it still brings a sense of warm tradition and old-fashioned appeal to any room -- indoors or out. The Outdoor Wicker Club Chair by Domila Lua draws some of its inspiration from Latin America and has a crisp shape with defined and almost geometrical lines. It comes with a dense foam seat cushion and a throw pillow in your choice of several colors, both with weather and fade resistant machine-washable covers. $1950.

And also be sure to check out this same chair design in a swiveling version.

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