A Truly Novel Way To Protect Your Laptop. The BookBook For Your Mac.

The BookBook by 12 South, a company that designs computer accesories for Apple products, is a clever and smart way to both disguise and protect your 13" or 15" MacBook or MacBook Pro. Faux vintage books with rigid covers become zippered cases with protective padded interiors for your laptop.




Slip your Mac inside the velvety soft, padded interior of the BookBook. Zip it closed and your laptop is nestled between two tough, rigid leather hardback covers for a solid level of impact absorbing protection.




No two are alike.
Each BookBook is brought to life with hand craftsmanship and distressing, ensuring no two are exactly alike. From dual zippers with leather pulls, that at first glance look like bookmarks, to the sturdy reinforced hardback covers, BookBook is a vintage work of art built to protect modern day Macs. Along with classic looks, BookBook was designed to use as a traditional sleeve or to work while connected via elastic corner clips. Those dual zippers give you the option to charge your MacBook while it safely stays inside BookBook. This case is designed with good looks and smart functionality, cover to cover.

Security

One of the neatest features of BookBook is the stealthy security it delivers. Tucked inside BookBook, no one will ever see your MacBook, even when it’s right under their nose. Sitting on a coffee table, dorm room or desk, BookBook looks like a vintage piece of literature, not an expensive laptop. It’s a great disguise and a simple way to reduce the risk of your MacBook getting stolen.

Compatible with the following models:
13-inch MacBook (black, white and unibody versions)
13-inch MacBook Pro
15-inch MacBook Pro (unibody and silver key versions)

Price $79.99, buy it here.

12 South makes other great products for the Mac. Here are two of my faves.
The BookArc - a wonderful stand for your macbook that makes room on any surface:


and the SurfacePad - an embossed protective leather skin for your laptop's surface:





Shop for 12 South products here.


Check out these other interesting creative uses for books:


ReBound Books turns classic and refernce hardbound books into Handbags!


Mike Stilkey's beautiful book sculptures


The UNBOOK Bank by Josh Owen


The BookClock, available in various styles and colors.

Aminals - Organic Toys Made From Children's Drawings

One of my favorite sites, Inhabitots, introduced me to these fabulous, organic toys made from the actual drawings of little kids, called Aminals in their weekly newsletter.



Each Aminals organic doll is inspired by the brilliant, unfettered imagination that only comes through in children's drawings.

These organic kids toys embody the exaggerated proportions, squiggly lines, and bright colors that come with creative expression at its most honest and fun. From these children's drawings, the designers at Dreaming Lion LLC have created a series of huggable-soft characters, each of whom has its own special story and is ready for new adventures with your children.

Aminals' motto is "from their world, for their world," meaning that the toys have been created from kids' creative lives for the future world that they will inherit.

dady and momey:

sistur and brothr:

duggy and eflant:

ceeta and dinasor:

smal bayr, wayul and liun:



Aminals are made with materials from organic farms, making Aminals safer for your children. Certified organic ingredients, like organic cotton and the low impact and natural vegetable dyes that must be used with it, are free of synthetic poisons that are absorbed into the bloodstream through skin contact, meaning your kid can hug his or her Aminal all he or she wants.

all images and information courtesy of Dreaming Lion LLC and Aminals.

Buy them here.

Aminals is certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) an internationally recognized body that certifies that all fibers and processes involved in the manufacture of Aminals meet strict standards for organic, sustainable and humane textile production. Every processing step that brings Aminals to you, from farming through spinning, weaving, washing and dyeing meet or exceed these criteria.

Curvalinear Collaborative Kitchens - La Cucina Alessi.

La Cucina Alessi is a full range of kitchen furniture and product designs that are a collaborative effort between Alessi, Valcucine and Oras. The kitchens are designed by Alessandro Mendini for ALESSI, the furniture and hoods are produced by Valcucine, and the faucets by Oras.


above: kitchen sketches by Alessandro Mendini

The counter tops, cabinetry, and laminates (patterned and solid) are modern and functional. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the kitchen designs have ample workspace, smart storage solutions and are easy to clean for the serious cook. There are lots of thoughtful and unique design touches as well.


above: The Oras kitchen faucet designed by Alessandro Mendini has a high, figurative spout leaving ample space for working. The faucet is also available with a dishwasher valve.

Two of the range hoods produced by Valcucine:



The curvalinear cabinets, countertops and islands are available in glass, steel or laminate with organic curves and elegant lines. Combined with the hoods and faucets, they are a stunning synthesis of design. Rather than bore you with written specifics, let me wow you with photos.

Glass:








Laminate:







Optional patterns for the laminate cabinetry:


Steel:










Some thoughtful details:




And lots of possible configurations:

All products of LA CUCINA ALESSI are produced under license of ALESSI Spa.

Alessi Spa via Privata Alessi 6
28887 Crusinallo (VB) Italy
www.alessi.com
info@alessi.com


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