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6 Things Every Man Should Do Each Morning

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created at: 10/30/2014

Look, we know you're a grownup. You know it's essential to eat breakfast, and to never be late to work. But that doesn't make hearing that damn alarm go off any easier. So, no matter what time you have to wake up, here's how to make that first hour of the day go smoother, mean more, and set yourself up for success. 

1. Don't hit the snooze button. Ever. It may make those initial five minutes feel better, but it'll mess up the rest of your morning. It teaches your body that waking up doesn't actually matter, and you end up even more groggy ten minutes later than if you just embraced the wakeup call in the beginning. Trust you'll feel more alert in five, and welcome the morning.

Oh, and while you're at it - open the shades and curtains. Even if its still dark outside when you rise, you'll feel more connected to the outside world than if you just stayed in the dark, lamp-lit cocoon. 

created at: 10/30/2014

2. Make the bed. Does it matter if no one will ever see it? Yes. Google it - and you'll find links to several studies that suggest bed makers are happier, more organized, and more productive. Be one of those guys. 

No, you don't have to start fluffing pillows the second you wake up, especially if there's someone that sleeps beside you, but make it happen before you leave for the day. The key is to maintain a relatively easy bed to make, so keep things to just the essentials. If it takes more than a minute, you're doing it wrong. 

How to Make the Bed in 30 Seconds

3. Don't check your phone. You can worry about that stuff later. Wait until you've had something to eat before you start digging into your calendar. There's more to think about in the shower than your to-do list.

And if you can manage, don't go anywhere near your email during the first two hours of the day. Wake up, get ready, and work on something creative. Your response will be just as helpful at 9:30.

4. Shave in (or just after) the shower. The hot, steamy environment of the shower mimics the hot towel of a barbershop shave, opening your pores and minimizing irritation to your skin. So, if you don't have one, invest in a fogless shower mirror, and knock both out at once. If you shave with a traditional safety razor and need a pool of water to clear the blade, take a cup into the shower with you, or throw on a towel and shave in the sink as soon as you step out. 

created at: 10/30/2014

5. Drink a big glass of water. It's important throughout the day, but downing a tall, cool glass before you put anything else in your system starts your metabolism, helps to renew your cells, benefits your skin, and combats inflammation in your lymph and digestive system.

If you can - have two. One cool, and one warm. Drink a 16 oz glass before your shower, and a mug of hot water with a squeeze of lemon before breakfast or your morning coffee.

6. Make your own coffee. Or tea, or whatever you have in the morning. The coffee shop should be a treat, not a necessity. Sure, you'll save time and money, but it also gives a sense of place and purpose to the morning. You can set a drip pot timer the night before, but we vote for a handmade route. ManMade publisher Bruno swears by the Aeropress, while Chris, our editor-in-chief, goes for the burr grinder and press pot or pourover. 

A Handmade Coffee Routine Can Seriously Improve Your Creativity

If you're not a coffee guy, consider the Earl Grey Foglifter. It's got enough to get you going. 

 

What are your tips for a successful morning? Post your thoughts in the comments below. 


Seven Modern Classic Books to Put Hair on Your Chest

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created at: 10/08/2014

Alright, so you’ve built the bookshelf, now it’s time to fill it out with some masculine reading material. Rather than attempting a comprehensive list of books all men ought to read, this list is specifically designed to get that testosterone pumping through your veins. With that in mind, we proudly present...   

All The Pretty Horses

1. ALL THE PRETTY HORSES by Cormac McCarthy

To start things off, we’ve got Cormac McCarthy’s most romantic tale of adventure in the Southwest: the story of John Grady Cole, a 16 year old runaway with a gift for horses who takes off with his best friend for a new life in Mexico. Along the way they face bandits, corrupt officials, the evils of man and the love a woman in the unforgiving climate of a land “pledged in blood and redeemable in blood only.” I have never met a man (or woman for that matter) who read this book and came back with anything less than lavish praise. No joke, this book has passages to rival Holy Scripture. 

 

The Professional

2. THE PROFESSIONAL by W. C. Heinz

First published in 1958 by American sportswriter, W. C. Heinz, this novel chronicles the east coast boxing scene of the 1940’s during the final weeks of training as a young fighter pursues the middleweight boxing championship. Described by Hemingway as, “the only good novel I've ever read about a fighter, and an excellent novel in its own right," it’s the thematic predecessor to every ROCKY movie, but with the realism of a sports journalist at the top of his game delivering an assortment of shady characters, coarse-and-clipped dialogue, and the tactile reality of pursuing the American Dream in tough times. You’ll smell the sweat.

 

The Call of The Wild

3. THE CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London

So I grew up with an illustrated and abridged copy of this book in my childhood home, and I figured I needn’t bother reading it since I’d already seen Balto. I was so wrong. If you find yourself searching for what to do next in life, this book is a fantastic metaphorical read with an emphasis on simplicity, inner clarity, and the wildness in us all. Good to read at any time, even if you’ve already read it.  

 

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt 

4. THE RISE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT by Edmund Morris

Feeling good? Feeling down? Did the simultaneous death of your wife and mother leave you bereft at 26 years old and force you to leave your elected office in New York to go be a cowboy in the Badlands and hunt down outlaws after you overcame chronic illness to become the boxing champion of Harvard and a published naturalist/columnist/historian with the authoritative perspective on America’s naval battles during The War of 1812 that are still held in the highest regard to this day?  This Pulitzer Prize winning biography by Edmund Morris chronicles Roosevelt’s astounding early life on his way to becoming America’s youngest president, and offers enduring lessons for men of all ages.

 

The Power of One

5. THE POWER OF ONE by Bryce Courtenay

Described as “the classic tale of South Africa” and set during the 1930’s-1950’s, this epic tale of the individual overcoming adversary in the face of overwhelming odds is truly unparalleled. With a diminutive figure and an inquisitive mind, young Peekay (adapted from the Afrikaans slur “Pisskop” for “Pisshead”) is consistently tormented by those around him. Older boys at the boarding school, Nazi sympathizers, rampant racism, the unjust prison system, and the ever-shifting socio-political climate of South Africa, all work to keep this young boy down, yet are never able to stop him from pursuing his singular goal: to one day become welterweight boxing champion of the world. This book inspires love of education, ambition, positivity, and all sorts of other good things in the world. 

 

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

6. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY by Michael Chabon

Oh what’s that you say? You’re tired of books about boxing?! Grrrreeeeaaattt. Here’s a little something special just for you. This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is the perfect easy read with a gripping alternate history of the comic book industry. Come along with two immigrant cousins as they stumble through the perils of unexpected fame, poverty, family, treachery, and romance in this nostalgic saga of the American Dream.

 

For Whom The Bell Tolls

7. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by Ernest Hemingway

There’s just no way this list would be complete without some Hemingway, and this one has all his great stuff. Stark realism, the disillusionment of war, the reinvigoration of helping heal a psychologically wounded but beautiful young woman, examinations of mortality, extensive curses printed in Spanish… the whole nine yards. The story focuses on an American dynamiter who lives practically a full lifetime in the span of a week as he prepares to destroy a bridge for a band of guerrilla volunteers amidst the Spanish Civil War. In the meantime, he falls in love and faces a host of experiences and ruminations on the nature of friendship and family, and the inevitable oblivion coming for them all.  

 

HONORABLE MENTION: Jim Harrison -- Author

Jim Harrison is one of our great, living, masculine authors. Mostly known for his novellas, poetry, fiction, essays, and screenplays – his work often focuses on individuals navigating the boundaries between the natural and civilized worlds. Great starting places would be Legends of the FallBrown Dog, or True North. Most importantly, he looks like this:

Jim Harrison

What are some of your favorite, classic manly books? Let us know in the comments section!

Vintage Favorites: The Classic Rucksack

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Ogio Ruck 20

I've always been a fan of vintage designs. Just a few decades ago, almost everything was made by hand and it showed. Designs were simple but durable, and had solid features without the flash. One of my favorite pieces of vintage gear is the simple rucksack.  

Swiss Mountain Pack Rucksack   

I've always gravitated towards the rucksack for it's simple features, and easy gear access. Taking a look around, I found some incredible vintage reconditioned bags that have seen adventure and are ready for more. Here are a few of the defining features that make the bag a go-to for my kind of adventure.

1. Top loading main pocket - The main pocket is huge on a rucksack. The big opening easily accepts jackets, shoes, or whatever else is coming along. It also protects the bag from water more effectively than any other design. The long top flap sheds water off the back of the bag and away from the gear inside.

Norwegian Patrol Pack Rucksack

2. Simple straps - While not always overly padded, the straps on a rucksack are always distinctive and a great part of the style. Straps can be made with leather, canvas, nylon or other awesome materials.

3. Useful pockets - The pockets in a rucksack are usually simple, easy to access, and useful. Built to store water bottles, or other small items so they can be found when they're needed.

norwegian Telemark Pack

4. Durable materials - The best bags I've found are made of waxed canvas, with leather accents on the wear points.  These details mean that the bag will stand up to years of loving abuse.

A great place to look for some vintage reconditioned bags is Wynnchester Bags in the UK. Take a look at their bags here. For new bags with classic design look at the Fjall Raven Greenland.  For an updated technical rucksack, take a look at the Ogio Ruck 20.

 

Overall, if I head into the backcountry for an extended stay, I'll grab a well designed "technical" 50-65L backpack with all of the modern advancements. But for daily use or simple overnights I'm still sold on that handmade vintage character of the timeless rucksack.

Weekend Project: Make a Rustic Floating Media Center from Walnut and Copper

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Here's a cool, space-saving idea with plenty of style: a floating media shelf featuring beautifully grained hardwood contrasted with warm copper pipe.    

The designer, Matt, says, 

My friend...Ali Brislin was in need of a small shelf setup for her Hi-Fi. She’d looked at some vintage cabinets, but nothing was perfect. I’d told her of my idea for a simple copper pipe shelf unit and she was intrigued. Since we have a very similar aesthetic, she trusted me and agreed to accept whatever creation was in my head. I tried to sketch it out, but nothing beats filling a basked full of copper fittings and just going for it. Part of the fun here is playing with a torch. You’ll want to review some how-to videos onsweating copper pipe. It’s pretty easy to do, but seriously an art form when done by an experienced plumber. 

A different take on the "Ace Hotel" plumbing pipe and wood look, and all kinds of functional. Get the full how-to at Wood & Faulk: Copper Pipe Hi-Fi Shelf

The Art of Sports Architecture

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Target Field PrintFrom the Roman Colosseum to the new Levi's Stadium, sporting arenas with all of their sights, smells, and local flavors, are a major part of the sports experience. Ballpark Blueprints LTD creates these original artistic renderings in an attempt to capture the beauty of sports stadiums.   

Notre Dame StadiumEach print includes hand-drawn artwork highlighting the notable and interesting features of each unique stadium, with many options from professional baseball to college football. Prints run anywhere from $60-$250, and are also available as full wallpaper prints.

Personally, I've always been a huge fan of blueprints as artwork, and if you find this inspiring, there are lots of other ways to turn blueprintsand patents into DIY artwork for the home. 

Read more about Ballpark Blueprints LTD here.

Make Your Own Geometric Wood Flooring

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Make your own Geometric wood flooring

I stumbled across this fantastic idea for refinishing the floor of a vintage trailer. I must say this is a rather fantastic idea for covering up some rather putrid flooring in a quick, light, and easy manner!    

Make your own DIY Geometric Flooring

I have seen this design and method used on wall coverings and tops of furniture, but never on a floor. I absolutely love the way the grain and color variations can line up and create beautiful swirls and lines. For their project, they used $80 worth of pine and nails. That's an amazing deal!

Since the majority of us might not be refinishing a vintage trailer, you could definitely use this method when refinishing a lightly used room, a temporary surface or an outdoor space. You'll also want to use the right wood and finishes according to the space; You'll want to use cedar outdoors, for instance.

Geometric wood flooring

Even though those white lines in that picture are for pattern illustrative purposes, I love the idea of actually painting lines like that over the flooring just as it looks!

Important note: This method isn't the best idea for finishing your entire home. You really need to get a good seal and choose woods that will hold up better than white wood or pine. If you do want to finish this for your home, I'd consider treating this project like real wood flooring and use a flooring nailer or flooring glue and finishing everything off with several coats of poly.

See the entire process over at Vintage Revivals.

How to: Make a "Doctor's Bag" Leather Briefcase from Scratch

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If you're ready to step up your leather working game from basic strap and construction work, consider going all out and making one of these: a full-on leather doctor's bag-style briefcase.

Maker and designer Phiske shares that the doctor's bag here "refers to any bag that has an internal metal frame that is hinged to hold the mouth of the bag open." He points out that you can buys these, but they're pricey and don't work all that well to begin with. "So being a Maker, " he says, "I figured I'd make my own."

The results are a fine example of what a fellow and some tools can do. Get the full how-to, including the making of the new steel frame, at Instructables:

Leather MD Briefcase (Doctor's Bag) 

 

Fall Inspiration: The Blazing Block is a Portable Campfire

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The Blazing Block

With fall in the air, it's best to enjoy the season around a blazing fire. This awesome piece of wood is a portable bonfire that's easy to transport and provides a nice solid fire, perfect for chilly nights.   

The simple block of wood will burn for about 3 hours, and lights fast with an included piece of "fatwood". All that's needed is a fireproof surface and a match. So take a look at them over at Plow & Hearth and start planning a few last bonfire nights before the snow shows up.


Eat This: 5 Authentic Cowboy Recipes to Make in a Cast Iron Skillet

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Cowboy StewThere is nothing like a long day of hiking or horseback riding to get you in the mood for some good, hearty eating. And so the American West's roving cattlemen and cross-country venturers created a long tradition of fantastic, simple meals meant to fill you up on the trail. So bust out that cast iron skillet and prepare yourself for some authentic cowboy eating.   

BUFFALO STEW

Buffalo meat was originally a large part of the American West that eventually passed out of favor as the lust for buffalo hides wreaked havoc on the population. Now, thanks to the breeding efforts of American conservationists, bison (and bison burgers, etc.) have had an incredible resurgence in modern America. This classic, simple recipe must be tried.

 

  • 1 stalk of celery, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2-3 carrots, diced
  • 1 can stewed tomatoes
  • 2 lbs buffalo meat, cut into 1" cubes
  • 1 gallon water, or mixture of broth and water
  • 2 lbs waxy red potatoes (not russets)
  • 1 cup barely

 

Use a Dutch oven or a cast iron skillet + oven safe stock pot.
Brown the meat until seared, about 3 minutes. Add onions and carrots and cook for 5 minutes more. Transfer to a stew pot or Dutch oven, and add water, potatoes, celery, stewed tomatoes, and barley, cook an additional 5 minutes. Place the pan, covered, in a 400° oven and bake under barley is tender, about 30 minutes.

 

HARDTACK

HardtackI know, I know, modern crackers have come a long way since hardtack, but you can't have a list of cowboy recipes without including it. Probably the most recognizable staple of the Old West, hardtack is the food that crops up in nearly every pulp novel or historical textbook – but I think very few modern men have ever tried it. From what I understand, it's flavor can be...um, quite the test of manhood. Below is a simple recipe calibrated for an oven, although here is a more extensive recipe from Wikihow.com

Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 cup water

Combine the flour and water, and knead until smooth. Roll the dough flat until  1/4" thick. Cut biscuits with a drinking glass or biscuit cutter, or slice into 2 x 4" rectangles. Poke holes into each biscuit with a fork. Place on two cast iron skillets (or halve and repeat) and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 400° F for 30-40 minutes, until very hard and dry. Enjoy (?)

 

SOURDOUGH CORNBREAD

Sourdough biscuits were a solid step up from the hardtack situation and are still a huge part of modern American cuisine in certain areas. This recipe (as well as the link for sourdough starter) is from an 1800's newspaper and reprinted here.

  • 1 cup starter.
  • Enough cornmeal to make a beatable batter
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • ¼ cup warm melted butter, or fat
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Mix starter, cornmeal, milk, eggs and stir thoroughly in large bowl. Stir in melted butter, salt and soda. Pour into a 10 inch greased frying pan or Dutch oven, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

 

SONOFABITCH STEW

Sonofabitch StewSonofabitch Stew (also known as rascal stew, sonofagun stew) is perhaps the most unique staple of the cowboy heyday. Comprised of a whole bunch of meat cuts we rarely eat today, it was a supposedly a very tasty dish. The necessary "marrow gut" – the passage between stomachs leading to the abomasum– was only to be taken from a young calf that had yet to be weaned and was considered one of the key ingredients that gave the stew its famously delicious flavor. The stew was also briefly called Cleveland Stew in dishonor of President Grover Cleveland's displacement of cowboys in the Cherokee Strip. The following recipe is from Art of Manliness, although there are a number of variations on the internet. 

  • 2 pounds of lean beef
  • Half a calf heart
  • 1 ½ pounds of calf liver
  • 1 set sweetbreads (that’s the thymus gland for you city slickers)
  • 1 set of brains
  • 1 set of marrow gut
  • Salt, pepper to taste
  • Louisiana hot sauce

Visit the Art of Manliness to see how to bring the stew together. Hint: it involves a lot of simmering. 


FRIED CAMP APPLES

created at: 11/02/2014Every hearty meal on the trail deserves a quality desert, and these fried apples are a fantastic way to end the evening. 

Ingredients: apples,  lard or bacon drippings, brown sugar, ground cinnamon,

Slice the apples horizontally - peel, core, and all - about 1/2" inch thick.  Heat a layer of drippings in a cast iron skillet,  and add the apples in a single layer, turning frequently until golden brown but not completely stewed.  Serve hot, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. And since you're not on the range, some vanilla ice cream is nice. 

 

HONORABLE MENTION: The Old Confederacy Receipt Book of 1863.

Confederate Receipt Book

If you're interested in the cross-section of history and cooking, this document is an incredible find. Hidden gems abound, like this slapjack recipe (Take flour, little sugar and water, mix with or without a little yeast, the latter better if at hand, mix into paste, and fry the same as fritters in clean fat) or this sure-fire headache remedy (One teaspoonful of pulverized charcoal and one-third of a teaspoonful of soda mixed in very warm water). Also included are step-by-step instructions for candlemaking/soapmaking, beer brewing, and "fire balls for fuel" -making. 

 

How to: Make a DIY Personalized Tie Clip

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They say true style is all in the details, and this is super simple way to add a little custom flair to your accessories.Esther came up with this project as a holiday gift for her guy, and the results are plenty sharp. It's an affordable antiqued brass tie clip that you can snag on Etsy, customized with some basic initials and a little ink to show things off.

With the holidays coming up, you can snag some tie clips, grab a set of the alphabet stamps from the craft store, and hammer a bunch out at once.

created at: 11/04/2014

Get the full how-to at Wholly Kao: DIY Personalized Tie Clips

 

Blow My Mindsday: November 5, 2014

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Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web. 


To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Matternhorn climb, the Mammut team headed to the top of the legendary Alpine summit equipped with bright red lights. Swiss photographer Robert Bösch captured the whole thing. 

See more at Laughing Squid: The Matterhorn Lit Up at Night by a Trail of Hikers

created at: 11/05/2014

 The Bezier Game is fun online exercise that teaches you how to use the Pen tool in Photoshop, Illustrator, and other vector software. 

London in a day - is a timelapse-alike video assembled from thousands of Instagram shots from London tourists. The results are familiar, but still super fun to watch. 

Marketplace seeks to answer the question, "Why are sticks of butter long and skinny in the East, but short and fat in the West?" This is absolutely true, as any food-caring person who's lived on both sides of the country can attest. 

And speaking of butter, the Food Lab puts the adage of mixing butter with oil to raise its smoke point. 

How to: Faux Aged Metal Bookends

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Faux Zinc Bookends

No matter how great a raw project turns out, we can all agree that adding finish is the when it finally pops. This tutorial is a fast and easy way to finish up letters (or any other decorative project) with a clean zinc finish.   Faux finishes are typically a pretty mixed bag. Rather than looking like the material or patina you're going for, they can often just look like... a painted faux finish.

While I'm a fan of dark wood finishes, sometimes the harsh look of metal just fits better. I came across this fast overview while looking for a way to finish up some letters I built for a Christmas present. The fast application turn a cool looking set into something much more compelling. 

Zinc Letter Bookends

Chances are you have something right now that needs this treatment to make it really pop, so head over and take a look at the fast tutorial from Lori at Head Above Water . If you have more energy (and time) on your hands, try building The Faux Vintage Metal Sign.

ManMade Recommended: The Kreg Multi-Mark - A Super Useful Tool for Under $15

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created at: 11/02/2014

I recently picked up this neat little tool after some raving reviews from fellow DIYers. It's quickly become a tool that I cannot live without and after you see what all it does, it'll become  an essential to your projects.   

created at: 11/02/2014

The Multi-Tool's biggest feature is the sliding and locking ruler that can affix at 90 and 45 degrees. This is great for finding square on cuts and transferring reference lines. 

created at: 11/02/2014

Perhaps my favorite feature is the sliding ruler that can lock at your desired length so you can transfer marks across multiple pieces or around a piece. I'm using it here to mark a lip around a box before I carve it out to make a salt box.

created at: 11/02/2014

This sliding feature is also perfect for measuring the height of the blade on your table saw.

created at: 11/02/2014

This can also be helpful in making sure you're making deep enough dado cuts like I'm using it here for a sliding box lid.

No review isn't complete with a few complaints. I must admit that this tool isn't perfect. I noticed that it definitely isn't a square measure made for precise woodcraft. It has a little bit of wiggle in the channels that can mess up the 90 degree angle. Also, the brass nob can sometimes get in the way with certain measurements that may be in tight spaces. However, I seriously love this tool for all of my basic DIY projects that require setting depth and consistent measurements. It's a sure bet for less than $15! 

 Grab one now: Kreg KMA2900 Multi-Mark 

The Gentleman's Organization, Part II: DIY Shoe Shine Box and Phone Charging Station

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Charging System In Process

Part one of the Gentleman's Organization series put together storage solutions for Watches and Sunglasses with some interesting projects. This time, we'll be looking at taming cell charging cords and all the little pieces of your shoe shine kit.

Cell Phone Charging Station

Letting the Charging Station

One of the most cluttered areas in my house is the tangled nest of charging cords that I plug all my power hungry gear into every day. Trying to figure out how to get them all squared away seems to be a daily struggle, so when I saw this project it immediately went on the to-do list. The project from Lil' Luna is a clean and easy charging station that put all cords in an organized package for juicing up all those gadgets. The project has measurements, step-by step directions, and plenty of good pictures to follow along the way. 

Customize the station with finish and lettering to match the room and all that clutter will be tamed for good.

Handmade Shoe Shine Box

Handmade Shoe Shine Box

Over the course of a few years I've collected quite a slew of shoe shine tools and brushes. This simple project over at The Art Of Manliness is a bit basic, but has all the measurements and steps to put it all together. The box holds all the pieces needed to keep your shoes polished up and looking brand new. As a bonus, check out this great drawing adapted from the Original 1950's Popular Mechanics article. I love that vintage design.

Shoe Shine Box Drawing

So take control like gentleman and get some clean organization in your life with a few hours of hard work in the shop this weekend.

How To: Make Your Car Feel Like The Future

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Transportation Technology Incorporated People MoverMany of us would love to live in the future. And with the exception of the fact that we're still waiting for Jarvis to arrive and put Siri to shame, there's so much incredible technology out there that it isn't hard to feel like we already do.   

While not everyone may be able to afford the futuristic luxury of Elon Musk's new Tesla, there are still a number of aftermarket add-ons you can try out to feel every bit as sleek.NavdyPopular Mechanics recently debuted a list of 5 Ways To Make Your Car Feel Like The Future featuring unique products such as Navdy, a $499 heads up display (HUD) that projects information synced with your car and smartphone as if it were 6 feet in front of you.  Grab ahold of the future and let us know what are some of your favorite future-oriented add-ons!


The Ultimate Guide to Making Saucy Asian Noodles

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For some people, fall comfort food is a warm pot of chili. Others love an ooey gooey mac and cheese, and many dig on a Sunday dinner-style roast chicken with all the fixings. And, me too. But my ideal version of what to eat on a chilly fall evening or a rainy Saturday looks a whole lot like the photo above.    I was, in fact, searching for such a recipe when I stumbled across this post from Lady and Pups, a home cooking site with lots of style and attitude. 

Mandy calls her noodle recipe "Bunker Crack Slurp" - bunker, cause it's the kind of dish you hole up with when you don't wanna go outside; crack, as it's apparently addictive; and slurp, cause it's how you'll gulp it down.

The trick here is a tasty combo of fried shallots and chicken skins, and the fat that comes from the process...namely, schmaltz. Mixed with fermented bean paste, Sichuan peppercorns, and some soy and scallions, it looks to be an addictive and deeply satisfying bowl of food. 

I'll be try it this weekend. Bunker Crack Slurp [LadyandPups.com]

 

 

How to: Simplify Your Wallet

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8 Apps To Slim Down Your WalletIf you've ever been mugged (or accidentally lost your wallet in a river like I've actually done,  TWICE), you know the insane pain it can be to replace everything. While there's a good case to be made for why you should immediately photocopy the contents of your wallet, there are lots of other great ways to reduce the fat wad in your pocket and streamline your life with redundancies to spare.   

Photograph, categorize, and then throw away your receipts with Expensify's simple filing methods, or check out check-splitting apps like Venmo and Paypal. Check out the full article below: 

8 Apps To Slim Down Your Wallet  via [Cool Material]

Weekend Project: Make a DIY Growler Tote from an Upcycled Pair of Jeans

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created at: 11/07/2014

The growler is a great way to transport beer to a buddy's house to to a party, and allow you to share and enjoy a greater variety of brews than what you can find in six pack. But, what about transporting the actual growler itself? The handles are small and slippery, and the whole thing is made of fragile glass. So, awesome if you're got someone to hold in their laps on the passenger seat, but what if you're walking, cycling, taking transit, or driving solo?   Enter this DIY growler tote, a simple denim sling bag sized just right for transporting 64 oz. of tonight's agenda.

It's constructed from an old pair of jeans (bonus points for reuse) and a bit of batting to help protect the glass.  The project uses both sides of the denim for a little color variation, and the tutorial comes complete with a full-sized pattern so you can cut each piece perfectly.

Get the full how-to by Good Denim for Dark Rye magazine: Sew a Tote

 

Make a Facebook "Like" Light for Your Office

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Make your own Facebook Like Light

When you own a new, small business, checking your Facebook page for Likes has a drug-like draw to it. Checking your phone every 10 minutes for an update is a quick way to kill your battery, and perhaps your nerves. Enter this brilliant invention from RedPepper, a lamp that lights up every time someone likes your page!    

Using some simple web and computer programing language, a custom lego kit from Lego's Digital Designer Red Pepper Agency in Nashville was able to assemble this absurdly simple light for their marketing office.

Check out their quick process video below.

With platforms like Arduino, the average maker can now turn a simple project, like a light made of Legos, into a lamp with a brain. If you're new to the world of microcontrollers, like me, this DIY seems like a great starting point.

Learn more about Arduino Microcontrollers, Facebook Like lights and more over at RedPepper's Invention Lab.

Bonus: Check out their Siri controlled beer cart that utilizes the same Arduino technology.

DIY Inspiration: Living Large In a Tiny House

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Tiny House Loft SleepingI've been dreaming about a home in the woods for years. There's something incredible about unplugging and getting back to a more simple life. My dreams really got pushed into overdrive when I stumbled across the tiny house movement, and I'm sure yours will too.   Tiny houses are built more like a yacht with compact multi-use areas, innovative storage, and loft sleeping areas. The designs use natural products and finishes that blend into the surroundings for a light footprint and aesthetic cohesion with the environment (a tiny footprint is at the heart of the tiny house movement).

Marmara Tiny House PlanMany of those in the tiny house movement realise that living in a small space requires shedding 'things', which completely has a soft spot in my heart. Living with less, seems to open up the opportunity to do more - more time to play, to read, to do just about anything other than organizing 'things'. While my family of 5 doesn't have the ability to live in 200 sqft, I can still dream of a weekend escape, and a cabin like this is the way to go.

Building the Tiny-Tack Tiny House

Because of the small footprint, site preparation and materials are limited so the build goes up fast and fits into a landscape rather than dominating it. Of course the small details take time to be installed properly, but my DIY side just loves that thought. 

Tiny-Tack Interior Photo

The best part? The house is built on a trailer frame, so when the scenery needs to change, it can be hooked up and moved for a completely different view out the tiny house windows.

If a house like this inspires you to undertake a massive DIY project, take a look at these great sites for plenty of inspiration, photos, or plans:

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses

Cypress Tiny House

Four Lights Houses

The Marmara Tiny House

The Tiny Tack House (chrisandmalissa.com)

Tiny Tack House

If you do decide to go big by going small, be sure to let us know! Send us a picture of the project!

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