Images from Queen Bey’s tumblr.

When style, ethics, and practicality can join forces, it is a powerful thing to behold. Add a really good idea and you have something amazing.  Such is the case with the House of Talents, and their lovely Asungtaba Bike Basket.

Asungtaba means “helping each other succeed” in the language of the community of Ghanaian basket weavers and artisans that make these products.

House of Talents was founded by Kate Herzog, who grew up in Accra, Ghana’s capital city. Her story talks about being unafraid to share your gifts, no matter how meager they may feel.

Her company has allowed talented artisans to be fulfill some of their aspirations, while enriching their villages, and of course, providing others with their beautiful creations.

A stockists list is available on their website, although seems to be missing a few known retailers, such as Adeline Adeline in New York, and Curbside Cycle in Toronto. Contact them to find a stockist near you (online ordering is also available on their site).

Something to drool over this friday Afternoon.

Design initiative DEUTSCHE & JAPANER have produced this beautifully handcrafted selection of goods including a leather belt, key chain and leather covered u-lock. Here’s their description of these highly covetable items:

A D A – A Darling Accessory, is a DEUTSCHE & JAPANER initiative, developing a series of genuine handcrafted items. This Belt is made of fine italian calf leather, sewn with strong red threads and finished with golden hot foil. Similar in material and technique the series contains not only belt but a key pendant and a bike lock.

By far the most bling U-Lock I have every seen… That red contrast Stitching and gold foil lettering really heightens the soon to be classic trend of making a leather u-lock sleeve.

Would love to get my hands on one to test out the lock.

The light that lives on your bike

 

is the tag line, and Beacon is the light.  Designed by Torontonian Twenty-somethings Steve Tam & Taylor Martin, Beacon is a lovely example of form and function’s beautiful union.

I for one, would happily scrap the techie neon silicon wraparound ugly plastic mounted faux futuristic clunky crap lights that are out there for this kind of simplicity.

The light itself is slim and black. One button does on/flashing/solid/off and – this is the exceptional part – it attaches to your bike with a zip tie (zap strap to some). It’s not intended to be removable.  When the battery dies, grab some clippers and snip it off. New packs of batteries come with extra zip ties.  While someone else with clippers could no doubt saw it off, it’s hard to imagine they would take the time when so many removable lights have been forgotten on so many bikes. Also, who is walking around with clippers?

On an interesting side note, Beacon is yet another kickstarter success story, so bravo to these modern entrepreneurs. If you’d like to try the lights yourself, there is a stockist list on their website. 

Torontonians take note: The Beacon launch party is happening in TONIGHT in Toronto, Thursday Jul 26th at the Mascot, 1267 Queen Street West, 7 pm – 11pm. As the poster says “Free Beer for a while. Free loud music”.

This time Toms – yes, the shoes -and Linus have joined forces to create a great pair of Toms with a reflective heel… you know, for cycling!

Check out their adorable video. Pretty much sums it up.

Apparently the shoes are for sale on their website, while supplies last.  

If you have a pair (or even if you don’t), why not send us a picture of your cycling style? We are always accepting submissions. 

Designer Sir Paul Smith graces the pages of the Summer edition of i-D.

That alone is pretty great, but the spread places Sir Paul and a dashing chunk of his staff on or adjacent to some great bikes.   I won’t spoil the article for you, but I will include this excerpt:

To set the scene: paintings, prints and photos clad every inch of the walls, penned letters and hand-made trinkets topple precariously on shelves, pristine bicycles sit aside well-thumbed books, fabric cuttings and mind-maps are nestled amongst parcels of every shape and size and there are lots and lots and lots of bicycle jerseys.

-  the author’s description of Sir Paul Smith’s office. Dreamy.

p.s. Don’t forget, we are always accepting cycling street style submissions. Must be min. 700 pixels wide. We wanna meetcha, we’ll meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha.

The mean streets* of Toronto have never looked more fun.

*They really aren’t very mean to begin with. And are pretty fun most of the time.

Onward they ride!  If you missed Part 1, it’s only a click away; this is Tess and her decked-out bike posse ambling through what looks like a painting of the Scotland. It is, in fact Edinburgh, Scotland and yes, there is as promised, a swan.

The great thing about biking in tights is that even an indecent moment is completely decent.

See? Swan. Also pictured, BEAUTY.

Click The Letterbox link to send us pictures of your bike posse’s stylish ride. We’d love to see them, and any other submissions of your incredible cycling ensembles.

What could be more amazing than rallying your closest pals, getting decked out in finery and having a day ride?  Now pretend you are in Edinburgh and will be riding along a carless path next to a swan-filled lake so serene and picturesque that you might catch the Lady of Shalott paddling by. I’m saying it’s scenic.

My boundless and wild friend Tess, kindly permitted me to post these pictures of her  and her Bests doing exactly that. There are so many great shots, I am going to spread them over two posts, to prolong the majesty and inspiration.  This post will start the ride and meet the peeps. The next will show the misty lovliness that is Edinburgh. Stay tuned. There will be swans (I promise at least one swan).

If you and your bike posse feel the urge to imitate this excellent idea, send us the pictures and we would love to see them (and post them). -G

Old-timey celebrities aren’t the only ones on bikes (as in this post).

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their full baseball team of children (short-stop and pitcher featured) also take to a comfortable upright city bike. And on multiple occasions.   It’s as if they enjoy riding bicycles!  What will the tabloids think?

I like it.

Plus, the old-timey shots offer some amazing outfit inspiration. Those wide legged trousers…

Check out Rides a Bike here.

London based Bobbin Bicycles and angelic Florence Welch have crossed paths this spring. Bobbin has customized a 5sp black step through, complete with a wooden crate to house Welch’s song lyrics. In this Bobbin photo shoot, Florence glided through bricked lane ways in a sophisticated paisley. Hello spring.

I don’t know if there is much more to say about this one.  The picture below better captures the pale blush/apricot colour of her shirt and how nicely it works with the cream coat.  Like I said… Lovely.