There are many reasons to ride bicycles—they’re fun, efficient, good for you health wise, and they’re also beautiful. Well, they can be beautiful, I should say. Bicycles are fine specimens of industrial design: sleek, practical, strong… I’ll stop at that. And they’re making a comeback, especially as a healthier alternative to polluting cars congested in traffic.

Bicycle culture is on the rise, and so are adrenalin aficionados, gear heads, fixie fashionistas, casual-yet-stylish riders, and bicycle publishing. The New York Times style section recently described the bicycle as a key component in antiquarian aesthetic for men’s fashion and reported on the best bicycling pants. Oh Joy compiled the charming bicycle accessories below.

On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon (which prides itself in its bike-friendly downtown), I came across this awesome book, The Competition Bicycle (below) at Canoe, an amazing little boutique akin to the MoMA store in New York City. The Competition Bicycle is by the authors of The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles, by Vintage Bicycle Press, a small publisher in Seattle focused solely on bicycle culture. Their Bicycle Quarterly covers everything from the physics to the history of cycling.

There seems to be no shortage of bicycle books, journals, zines, and blogs out there. Some of my favorites are David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries and Bike Hugger—but I’m only a casual rider with an appreciation for bicycle design. And although I’m no bike snob, that’s a bicycle blog I can appreciate. Critical and funny, Bike Snob is mired in bicycle culture. It’s witty, well written, and takes posers to task. Look out for the book being released this spring. Sweet rides!

Suzanne LaGasa
Designer

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Tell us what you think of this recipe–does it make you want to try it? Or have you tried it out and have some insight to offer? Enter to win a copy of the book by leaving a comment letting us know!

Butternut Squash Soup with Curried Pecans, Apple, and Goat Cheese

This is a soothing, comforting soup to take you through the crazy rush of the holidays. You can make it in large batches, and freeze or refrigerate it for several days. The curried pecans will keep for several days as well. We love a big bowl of this bright orange soup with a salad and crusty bread for a simple midweek meal.

The Soup
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

The Garnishes
1 cup curried maple pecans, chopped
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1 tart apple, like Pink Lady, finely chopped
12 whole sage leaves

1. Make the soup: In a large pot, heat the oil over low heat. Add the onions, plus salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring frequently, for 12 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. Add the squash and cook 5 minutes, stirring well. Raise the heat to high, add the broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, or until the squash is tender when tested with a small, sharp knife. Let cool slightly.

2. Working in batches, puree the soup in the container of a food processor or blender. Return the soup to the pot and keep warm over low heat. (The soup can be made a day ahead of time, covered and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months.)

3. Place the hot soup in serving bowls and top with some of the chopped pecans, goat cheese, apple, and sage leaves. Serve any remaining pecans, cheese, or apples on the side.

Serves 6

Variations
Add chopped ripe pear instead of apple.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro to the soup with the broth and sprinkle another tablespoon on top just before serving.
Sauté the apple slices in 1 tablespoon butter for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until just turning golden brown.

Purchase Stonewall Kitchen Winter Celebrations.

Click here for more great recipes.

Peter Perez
Senior Marketing Manager

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The internet is already abuzz with (2009) best of lists and holiday gift guides. April and I decided to throw our giftie picks into the mix…

HANNAH’S PICKS

Sarah Utter’s Only Love Can Break Your Heart. Wonderfully typographic, and so true.
Via Jen Bekman
$15

On a recent trip to New People, I discovered the perfect stocking stuffer: MT Japanese masking tape. Get one for yourself so that all of your packages will be uniquely wrapped.
On Etsy
Set of 5 for $18

The Sartorialist (Penguin) by Scott Schuman (also known as the love interest of French blogger Garance Doré). The inspiration to put your fashion maven hat on everyday.
$25

Just genius. Deadwood, the Complete Series. Ian McShane slays me, seriously.
$97.49

Very cute retro-patterned glasses from IKEA.
$5.99 for a pack of 6

Turquoise Chopper Headphones at Urban Outfitters. Making listening to tunes at work fun.
$70

Über lovely Eames Rocking Chair to dress up the old abode.
$475.00

APRIL’S PICKS

Dusty Groove: I have never been to this store, only bought from their site, but they have some seriously great music. I have never regretted anything that I bought from them. I’m sending gift certificates to far-flung friends who I am not sure of what they already have in their collection.

Some picks:

Funk Soul Sisters: this collection of some awesome ladies layin’ down seriously funky tracks. Have you ever heard Spanky Wilson’s version of “Sunshine of Your Love”? Get this just for that alone.

A Certain Ratio: Funk meets Punk in Manchester, England. You may recognize their excellent cover of “Shack Up.”

Magazine Subscriptions
I love to read magazines and what is better than a gift that arrives fresh and new each month?

Bust: my kind of feminism: strong, crafty, girlie, smart, creative, and sexy.

Harper’s: a great way to learn about our world no matter if you have 10 minutes or an hour to read.

Jewelry

Ever walk through a mall and stop to look in the jewelry store window and wonder, “Who wears that stuff?” If you like unusual, artisan jewelry, try Robert Redford’s Sundance catalog. Well-made, unique pieces.

My pick for my mom who loves Southwest style:
Expansive Turquoise Ring

For my Lady Friends

Holly GoNightly Sleep Mask: Just like Audrey Hepburn!

Pacifica candles, soaps and perfumes
These natural scents are captivating and pleasant without all the chemicals in commercial products.

For Paul, my super-cool, super-geek friend:
Star Trek Enterprise Bottle Opener

What I Asked for…
I am a big Edward Gorey fan, so I wanted this lithograph from his Gashlycrumb Tinies from the Signal catalog.

Cheers!

Hannah + April
(Entertainment Marketing Manager & Entertainment Publicist)

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We’re pleased to bring you four great new mobile applications for our bestselling (and relaxing) series from Darrin Zeer, produced by our partner Kardeo. Introduce some relaxing rituals into your busy schedule with Everyday Calm. Tap into stress-relieving stretches perfect for the cube environment with Office Yoga. Treat yourself to an invigorating herbal tea steam or try some foot reflexology under your desk with Office Spa. And ease the aches, ease the pains, and ease on down the road with Travel Yoga.

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The Missed Connections illustrated blog by Sophie Blackall is finding lots of followers. In fact, there’s even a short video about the blog made by Babelgum. Blackall reads Craigslist’s Missed Connections and posts her pictorial vision of these fleeting moments along with the text from the ads themselves. They can be sweet, funny, and at times just plain strange. Her illustration style, with its delicate lines, soft colors, and editorial quietness, lends itself beautifully to this project, and usually adds intrigue and mystery to the described scenario—often one of impossible romance.

Maira Kalman’s blog for The New York Times, called And the Pursuit of Happiness, is based on moments from her own life. She visually narrates her adventures, quotidian moments, and grand realizations. These monthly posts are often funny, peculiar, personal, and inspiring, not unlike her illustrated book, The Principles of Uncertainty.

My new favorite blog, Letters of Note, features actual found letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes, and memos impeccably curated by Shaun Usher. These correspondences are selected because of their fascinating content and history, not for celebrities and gossip. There are letters from soldiers that reveal amazing stories (I’ve been brought to tears). A letter to Jesse Owens from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People pleads with him not to participate in the 1936 Olympic Games. It’s amazing to get different accounts of history in this firsthand sort of way. It’s also enthralling from a design perspective to see these artifacts uncropped and legible (a transcript also follows each one).

Last week we wrote about how Anthropologie catalogs feature a rich level of storytelling with their design, through photography and playful layouts. It’s not unusual to experience a larger story reading a collection of separate posts on curated, single-author, or theme blogs, whether it’s intentional or not. And if fashion catalogs can tell stories, most certainly illustration (and found-material) blogs can, too.

Suzanne M. LaGasa
Designer

Popularity: 1% [?]