Velo-2nd Gear is a new book published by Gestalten, it explores today’s contemporary bicycle culture and style. The 256-page hardback book showcases some unique rides, from classic racing bikes to high-tech speed machines, from rough fixies to fashionable city cruisers and hardworking cargo bikes. It also shows behind  the scene shots of today’s top manufacturers and boutiques from around the world. In general the book shows why, for more and more people, bicycles have now replaced cars as the vehicles that best express their identity.

You can get it in Europe here

After the popular Wine Chiller, Corckcicle have released a new product - the Chillsner, a one and only in-bottle, drink-through beer chiller that will keep your beer cool to the last sip. Simply freeze it and place it inside any bottled beer and drink right trough the Chillsner. Never suffer through another warm brew again. via

The introduction of the Porsche 911 in 1963 marked a milestone in automotive history. To celebrate the 50th birthday of the populous 911 family a new book has been released with stunning photos by the famous automotive photographer René Staud. The book showcases the most important models of the iconic sports car spanning all the way from the original 901 and the Carrera RS 2.7 to the current generation of the 991.

Get it in Europe here

iRig KEYS is the ultimate portable keyboard players and producers companion, it is the first ultra-slim and highly portable universal MIDI controller keyboard for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac/PC. It can be powered by the device you connect to, simply plug it and start playing. You can use iRig KEYS for live performance or for songwriting and composition with the included app and software or with a multitude of other MIDI compatible instruments and recorders on any iOS, MacOS or Windows system. It takes minimal space on your desktop and can easily fit in a backpack or a carry-on bag. watch the video

Balance by Propellerhead is a design award winning 2-in by 2-out audio interface, with enough inputs to connect all your music gear, ideal for home producers or those always on the move. This thing not only looks beautiful, it sounds fantastic and is easy and fun to use, in fact anyone new to computer recording will have the sleek device running in no time. Balance works out of the box with any recording software on the market, and any audio apps. It comes with "Reason Essentials", a music making software with a rack of instruments and effects. You can get it in the US from Amazon.

If you like the outdoors and can´t live without a good cup of coffee, you should check out the Handpresso Wild Hybrid portable espresso machine. It is simple, light, elegant and compact, with no battery or electricity needed, making it perfect for carrying while trekking or traveling. The little contraption works like a traditional bicycle pump, you generate a 16-bar pressure, add hot water and coffee, and voilá! a high quality espresso. via

New must read for all car fanatics, cult TV series Top Gear has just released The Cool 500: The Coolest Cars Ever Made. In the unique bible of motoring worship you´ll find the undisputed coolest rides on the planet, from prewar vintage motors to the supercars of the future. The book is illustrated with stunning Top Gear-style photography and their renowned witty and expert commentary. via

You can get it in Europe here

"Maddie on things" first caught the public´s attention on the popular blog with the same name. The blog is about the famous internet coonhound that stands on things. Maddie is a sweet-tempered coonhound owned by photographer Theron Humphrey, during a a year-long cross-country road trip together, Theron took photos of Maddie doing what she does best: standing on things with amazing balance, grace and patience. Maddie happily stands on everything from bicycles, horses, to fridges, giant watermelons and people... A fantastic book with the original series of photos has just been released.

But wait! this craze doesn´t stop here, there is also an hilarious MaddieCam app! for placing Maddie on anything you´d like.

Get it in Europe here

Tucked into the side of a mountain in the Swiss Alps is a unique guest house called Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli. The 170-year-old dreamy hotel is in the most precarious position, clinging to the foot of a vertical cliff face and can only be accessed by a combination of cable car and hiking.

Website myswitzerland.com offers a hiking program with spectacular views of this fascinating hiking area and lunch at the hotel´s restaurant.

Other unique restaurants:
The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar 
Waterfall Restaurant in the Philippines 
Tree Dining Pod at Soneva Kiri Resort Thailand

Created in collaboration with Akai, Push is a new controller from Ableton, or an instrument, as Ableton is insisting on calling it. The fancy device features 64 pads giving you multiple ways to make beats, play, step sequence, and navigate your loop, all at the same time. Push comes with Ableton Live 9 software that you run on your computer, providing a comprehensive collection of instruments and effects. Watch it in action in the video

Available now at Amazon and Amazon.co.uk

"Alone on Ice" is known as the greatest survival story in the history of exploration, the gripping account is told by award-winning writer and adventurer David Roberts. In 1913, Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, alone and near starvation, does a ninety-five-mile trek across Antarctic ice after the death of his companions and the loss of most of his provisions. Mawson defied the odds and cheated death, he battled hunger, insanity, and deadly crevasses, returning to basecamp almost a month later as a barely living skeleton. via

Get it in Europe here

Enjoy a great, true adventure story ? Also check out "Alone - Seventy-six days lost at Sea"

The first electric guitar was born in the 40´s and the birth of the Skateboard back in the 70´s, 40 years later they have merged to give birth to the SkateGuitar! They are designed and made entirely by hand in Buenos Aires by artist Ezequiel Galasso and Gianfranco de Gennaro, a professional skateboarder and musician. SkateGuitars play pitch perfect and respond magically to different microphones. They are developed from reclaimed skateboard decks and each and every one is truly unique and extremely resistant, they support scratches, bumps and abuse. via

Looking for an amazing retreat this summer? check out the impressive Native Eco Vila in Santorini - Greece. Located on the rim of the cliff at the village of Imerovigli, the villa offers spectacular views of one of the world´s most beautiful sceneries. The house is separated on 2 floors, has cave-like walls, vaulted ceilings and features 4 bedrooms all with their own bathroom. At the villa you can let your stress melt away in the 2 fluid shaped Jacuzzis.

You can rent the place from $1200 - $1600 per night, depending on the season.

If you enjoy a great adventure and a moving love story then check out Janapar. The book describes twenty-three-year-old Tom Allen´s amazing tale of adventure when he sets off from his English village to cycle around the world. But fate had other ideas...during the trip Tom meets and unexpectedly falls in love with a feisty Iranian-Armenian girl that changes his plans. The touching tale of love in wild & wonderful places was written in a book funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign and is now also available in film. Watch the official trailer after the jump.

Also available in Kindle edition

The Homemade Gin Kit is a unique gift idea for the Gin lover in your life. The kit includes everything you need (juniper berries, proprietary spice blend, strainer, funnel, you also need an affordable bottle of vodka (not included)), for making high quality, small batch gin at home. Simply combine everything, follow the included instructions and 36 hours later you´ll have homemade gin!

For centuries the interface on the black and white piano keyboard has existed without major changes, but recently a new musical instrument called Seaboard was presented by Roli as "The evolution of the piano keyboard." The Seaboard has a highly pressure-sensitive interface, allowing the musician to manipulate sounds, create modulations on the keys and make tonal changes in a very singular way, it also enables very interesting transitions between acoustic and digital music.

In the video you can see how the instrument works.

OP-1 developed by Teenage Engineering in Stockholm - Sweden, is an all-in-one portable Synthesizer, Sampler and Controller. This thing not only looks good, with its color-coded interface and OLED display, it is packed with the latest technology, including a built in 4-track recorder, eight built-in synthesizer engines, multiple effects and some really unique sequencers ready to explore. watch the video

This amazing isolated house is located on the Drina River in Serbia. The tiny wooden house has been standing on an exposed rock in the middle of the Drina River for more than 40 years, it was built by a group of young boys back in 1968 that used the rock to sunbathe. Every time there is a flood the house is destroyed, but it is built again from ground up. via

photo credit: National Geographic

Also check out "The Rock Restaurant" in Zanzibar