Strange Things Found in Unclaimed Luggage
We told you a few posts ago where your lost luggage goes and what happens if the owner cannot be found or never claims it. Here are 10 of the strangest things found in unclaimed luggage from mentalfloss.com
We’ve all seen it: that one lonely suitcase on the baggage claim track at the airport that goes around and around with no owner in sight. What happens to it if no one shows up? Well, it might end up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. That’s where you can visit a store that takes up an entire city block and find everything from the expected (clothing, toiletries, books) to, well, the unexpected. Here are 10 of the strangest items that have gone unclaimed.
5 Tips on How to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist
Last week we gave you tips on how to travel safely with your gadgets but how can you take that one step further and prevent yourself from looking like an American tourist? Not only do you have a greater chance of getting sucked into tourist traps, but you’re also an obvious target for getting mugged. Check out these tips to help you blend in.
Stay N’ Play [INFOGRAPHIC]
Are you dreaming of a summer getaway? Perhaps a staycation is in order this year. Here are some facts about planning a staycation.
10 Travel Safety Tips
School is out, summer is here and travel season is beginning. Since the social media world is exploding right now, everyone feels the need to be connected all of the time. This means always carrying your laptop, tablet or smartphone wherever you go. You spend a large amount of time and money on your gadgets so how can you avoid being a target of theft? Here are some tips on how to travel safely with your electronics.
The 10 Best Biking Cities In America
Since May is Bike Month, here’s a great article from Co.EXIST on the best biking cities in America.
Biking map site BikeScore has released a new ranking of the country’s best cities for biking, accounting for factors like bike lanes, hilliness, route options, and number of commuters. How does your city rank?
Cycling Saves [INFOGRAPHIC]
May is National Bike Month! Here is a quick infographic on the benefits of cycling. Don’t forget to check out your local events to help celebrate Bike Month.
Fresh Apples: Predictions For The New MacBook Pro and Retina iPad Mini
Apple continues to develop, produce and release more advanced products, and with the predicted release of the new MacBook Pro in June this year and the new iPad Mini to be launched at some point in the second half of the year, they show no signs of stopping. Following the fuss that surrounded the release of the iPhone 5 (including technical errors with iPhone Maps, that have now been fixed), the release of these two new products is likely to be released with almost as much anticipation and pressure. So what will the new MacBook Pro and iPad Mini offer consumers that previous iterations do not?
Most Outrageous Neck Pillows for the Plane
Check out this great round up of crazy neck pillows for flying from infinitelegroom.com
There are few things less comfortable than sleeping in coach class on the airplane, but that is why the neck pillow was invented. They may seem dorky at first, but with so many varieties in color, pattern and features (we’re talking aromatherapy, people), you can finally get away with carrying one.
Curious Planet [INFOGRAPHIC]
Check out these interesting facts on where and how we travel.
Win this Laptop Messenger Bag!
UPDATE: Laptop Messenger Bag Giveaway Winner!
CONGRATULATIONS Meliza Audy
Send your address to marketing@altegobrand.com by 6/14 to receive your prize
This week’s giveaway is a unique laptop messenger bag. Here’s how to win:
Top 10 Best Laptops
If you’re in the market for a new laptop but are having trouble deciding which one would best suit your needs, PCMag.com gives you a break down of the top laptops on the market. You can also read the full reviews here.
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Retina Display)
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Retina Display) is the best way to carry the pixels of a large-screen monitor with you on the road. It’s ideal for people who make their living with visuals. $1,999 list
5 Ways to Sleep on a Plane
Pacsafe.com gives 5 simple ways to make your plane ride a little more comfortable.
Travelers aspire to be able to sleep anywhere, at any time, in any conditions. Yet, for many, sleeping on airplanes remains the most difficult environment to master: the screaming babies, the dry, sterile air, the flatulent seatmates, the cramped quarters, and the turbulence, always the turbulence. Whatever your nightmare scenario for sleeping is, an airplane’s got it. If you’ve been trying the same old sleeping positions, it’s time to branch out and get some z’s.
Altego Weekly Giveaway
Head over to our Facebook page for details on how to enter this week’s giveaway
Turn E-Waste Into Something Great [INFOGRAPHIC]
This infographic from FundingFactory puts into perspective how much e-waste is generated and where it goes.
How to Recycle E-Waste
It seems like another new phone is introduced everyday which means about 155 million cell phones are thrown in the trash each year. Since we live in such a technology driven world, e-waste or electronic waste has increased dramatically over the past decade. Most electronics like TVs, phones and computers contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other potentially harmful chemicals that contaminate the environment. So how can you help?
5 High Tech Hotels
We can probably say that hotels have done a pretty good job of keeping up with technology. Tablets in rooms and lobbies are becoming more common but a few hotels go above and beyond with high tech devices. Here are 5 hotels that have taken technology to a new level.
Nine Zero Hotel, Boston
Travel Stress Free [INFOGRAPHIC]
Preparing and traveling for a vacation can actually be very stressful. Who wants to be stressed out on their relaxing vacation? Check out this quick tip infographic on how to travel stress free from StylePassport.
Best Airport Restaurants
According to the US Travel Association, 2 billion people traveled in 2012. That’s a lot of people going to and from airports. Justifiably so, airports have become pretty luxurious to accommodate millions of passengers. In the article below, Huffington Post gives you some of the best airport restaurants in the United States.
Whether it’s due to a delayed flight, a speedier-than-expected security line or a long layover, we all have to brave the airport eatery gauntlet at some point in our traveling lives. This frequently means stomaching wilted paninis or salads imprisoned in plastic and sometimes, if we’re honest, means eating Starburst in bulk.
Instead of settling for the mediocre fare offered everywhere, try one of these 10 restaurants the next time you’re stuck. Some of these restaurants are so good you might head to the airport just to graze. Others are behind the security checkpoint.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Benefits of Cloud Storage
Cloud storage has become increasingly popular in the last few years. It has allowed us to access not only our files and documents but music, photos, and contacts from different devices as well. This article from Onlinestorage.com does a great job of explaining a few advantages of using cloud storage.
When it comes to storing data, cloud storage is quickly becoming the method of choice. Storing files remotely rather than locally boasts an array of advantages for both home and professional users. Not sure what cloud storage can do for you? Here are the top 10 reasons to give your external hard drive the boot in favor of online storage services.
Name That Bag Contest
Help us name our new series!
With our new line of bags launching within the next few months, we wanted to give our fans a chance to participate in naming our new bags. We have the Ruby (red) Series and Cyan (blue) Series so without using the word orange tell us which name you think would be awesome! If we use your idea, you win a new bag!
How to enter:
- Leave a comment on this blog post
- Leave a comment on Facebook
- Send us a tweet using hashtag #namethatbag
- Submit your ideas before April 19th to be considered
How Does Baggage Handling Work? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Have you ever wondered what happens to your bag after you check it in? This infographic takes you through the process of baggage handling.
Best Budget Destinations for 2013
Budget Travel compiles a list of the coolest, most affordable places to go for the year. The team combs through piles of data regarding new flight destinations, airline prices, places aggressively building new hotels, cities experiencing cultural booms, currency charts, and other statistics to compile a list of the 10 best Budget Destination.
Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
History of Bike Messengers
Did you know that bike couriers have actually been around since the 1890′s? Check out this history lesson from Big Shot Bikes.
To many, being a bike messenger means rejecting certain values while living and working among them. Messengers don’t drive cars, but they are a valuable commodity because they can operate in traffic, and get their parcels from A to B faster than a car in city centers that are clogged with congestion. While they reject motorized vehicles, they rely on them for their living, as the traffic that slows everyone else down, makes the bike messenger the delivery method of choice for so many companies.
Tablet Comparison [INFOGRAPHIC]
Thinking about purchasing a tablet but can’t decide which one to go for? Maybe we can help with this infographic on the features of 3 top tablets on the market.
What’s in Your Bag Video
Altego is on Vine! We posted our first video: What’s in Your Bag. Click the link to check it out and don’t forget to follow us.
40% Off Cyan Series
Use coupon code CYAN40 at checkout to receive 40% off Coated Canvas laptop cases!
How to Properly Wear a Backpack
Remember the days when wearing your backpack with only one strap on your shoulder was cool? Not anymore. A heavy backpack can injure the back, neck, and shoulders. It can also create poor posture by causing you to lean forward and round your shoulders. To prevent back and neck pain, take a look at these five tips on how to properly wear a backpack and warning signs of improper backpack use.
How to Create a Packing List
Besides planning and booking your vacations, one of the most stressful things you do to prepare for your getaway is pack. Here is an article from USA Today on how to create a packing list.
While everyone looks forward to going on vacation, the one thing that most people do not look forward to is the hassle and stress of packing before the trip. No matter how carefully you pack, it seems like something is always forgotten. The next time you are planning to travel, reduce your stress by making a packing list ahead of time. Using a list is easy, and it ensures that you won’t forget to pack anything, which will make your trip a lot more enjoyable.
How To Manage Your Time As A Busy Traveler
Looking for time management tips as a busy traveler? You might feel the crunch of having to jam pack your schedule with trips to far off locales, business appointments, or time spent online keeping in touch with your friends and family but if you can adopt a calm, confident frame of mind the self-imposed pressure dissolves instantly. You are under zero pressure until you fight any hurried, desperate feelings, building up resistance within your being until you feel pressed for time. You choose how you spend your time. Believe this statement and you instantly feel a sense of relief surrounding your travels and time management strategy.
Read more
Weekly Giveaway
Check out our Facebook page for details on this week’s giveaway. https://www.facebook.com/#!/altegobrand
10 Places to Find Free WiFi
Whether you’re tired of stealing your neighbor’s internet or trying to cut costs by cancelling your on-the-go connection there are many places that offer free WiFi. Airports and coffee shops are the obvious for getting an internet signal but what about the places you haven’t thought about?
Laundromat
For most people, doing laundry is an excruciating task by itself. Some laundromats let you hop on the internet while you wait for your whites to dry.
Presidents Day [INFOGRAPHIC]
Can you believe Presidents Day got its name from a newspaper interview with a cat? Check out the infographic below from Veterans United and learn some more facts about the holiday.
Weekly Giveaway
Happy Valentine’s Day Altego fans! Since we love our fans so much, we are giving away a Laptop Clear Sleeve this week. Check out our Facebook page for more details on how to enter!
Where Does Your Lost Luggage Go?
Out of almost 3 billion airline passengers globally only 645,000 have their bags stolen or misplaced. That may seem like a lot if you were one of the unfortunate people that misplaced their bag. But in reality, 99.9% of flyers have their bags returned eventually although it make take up to three months. So what happens to the rest of the luggage that doesn’t find it’s way home?
Read more
Must-Have iPad Apps
Besides all of the obvious apps you would automatically know to download once you open your new tablet, there are a few you might not have heard of or might not think about. Plus, with rumors of a new iPad mini circulating, it might be time to start thinking of purchasing a new iPad.
Paper
Paper was voted Apple’s iPad App of the Year. This app allows you to draw, take notes, sketch, and color.
Read more
The Danger of Heavy Backpacks [INFOGRAPHIC]
Have you ever thought of the pain you are experiencing in your back to be the cause of heavy backpacks? Most students or commuters cram everything they can or will need for the day without a single thought of the consequences it might have on their health. Continue reading to find out more about statistics, how to avoid back pain and remedies, and the benefits of wearing a backpack correctly from Carrington College.
The Most Expensive Laptops in the World
To most of us buying an expensive laptop is paying $1,999 for the Macbook Pro Retina. For others, it may be dishing out over $20,000 for their computer. These are a few of the most expensive laptops on the market.
Luvaglio 
This 17 inch widescreen laptop tops the list of most expensive laptops at a price tag of $1 million. The diamond power button not only serves as the way to turn it on but as a security identification measure as well. Although the company is pretty secretive about their product (you have to have a password to view basically anything on their website), it is known that the screen is LED and has a specially designed anti-reflective glare coating. It also features 128GB of Solid State Disk space and Blue Ray drive. They are made to order and you have to make an appointment to design the computer.
Weekly Giveaway
This week’s giveaway is a one-of-a-kind Altego Laptop Slipcase. Visit our Facebook page for details. A winner will be announced 2/8.
Weekly Giveaway
We’re giving away a Clear Sleeve this week! We will announce a winner on 1/25.
How to enter:
1) Follow us on Twitter @altegobrand
2) Tweet about your favorite Altego product using hashtag #altegobag
Must-See Gadgets from CES
Some of you may know that the annual Consumer Electronic Show was a few weeks ago. Out of thousands of products a few get recognition. Although we did not attend, we read a lot of coverage on the event and have brought you the must-see gadgets from the 2013 CES show.
Weekly Giveaway
This week’s giveaway is a one-of-a-kind Altego Messenger Laptop bag. Visit our Facebook page for details. A winner will be announced 1/21.
6 Tips for Staying Healthy on the Road
Between flights, cab rides and meetings who has time to think about being healthy? Plus with the temptation of the wonderful food at business lunches and dinners, it is easy to overlook the harm that goes with those indulgences. Hopefully, these tips will provide you with some guidance for staying healthy on the road.
Destinations Through the Decades [INFOGRAPHIC]
The way Americans vacation has vastly changed throughout the past few decades. From technology to destination choices, homeaway.com created an infographic on how American vacations have changed over fifty years.
5 Signs You Need a Vacation
Coming out of the holidays, you might feel invigorated, refreshed, and ready to get back to work. But, eventually that enthusiasm will wear off and you might not be aware of the “obvious signs” that point to a needed get away. Plus more than half of workers report that they don’t use their vacation or personal time. So, here is a quick list of signs you need a vacation that you can keep on top of mind:
Amazon Enter to Win
Have an Altego laptop case? Write a review on Amazon.com for any Altego laptop case and be entered to win Altego product. Good luck!
3 Tips on How to Travel Light: Efficiently Packing Your Backpack
Making the decision to go on vacation is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Taking time to enjoy a new destination expands your mind and gives your body time it needs to relax and replenish itself from the daily grind of working.
If you’re next vacation is one where you want to travel light, try getting a backpack and clothes that are easy to fold and roll so you can hop on and off the plane unencumbered by too much luggage. Here are some tips for how to pack and travel light:
Power Saving Tips for Your Laptop
If you compare your new laptop with an older model from only five or six years ago, several things will be obvious straight away. Firstly the screen size and aspect ratio will most likely have changed to a ‘widescreen’ format which is the de facto standard today and secondly the machine itself will be noticeably thinner and lighter.
The weight difference and decrease in thickness is mainly due to advances in battery technology which has seen them become significantly smaller and lighter with each new generation. Batteries are also becoming more efficient in both storage and capacity but as our reliance on mobile devices increases so does the potential drain on power – but how can you combat this?
Weekly Giveaway
This week’s giveaway is a Clear Sleeve of your choice. Follow us on Twitter @altegobrand and tweet about your favorite Altego product using hashtag #altegobag to enter. We will announce the winner on 12/28.
Weekly Giveaway
Happy Holidays Altego fans! For those of you who don’t know we are doing a weekly contest on our Altego Facebook account. We are giving away one Altego Laptop Sleeve to one of our lucky fans each week. The prize winners are randomly drawn from our Altego Brand Facebook fans. Just go to our Facebook page, like and then comment on the post to be entered to win!
What to Bring in Your Carry-on
There used to be a time, long ago, when you could pack as much as you could into one bag and hope that it somehow fit all cozy and comfy into your carry-on luggage without having to stuff it into the overhead compartment. But now, since the enforcement of rules and regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the size, weight, and types of items you’re allowed to bring aboard an airplane has changed, it’s time to rethink how to fit your belongings into 45 linear inches of space.
So to avoid the impossible (and unavoidable) fees that come along with checking a second or third piece of baggage at the ticket counter, here’s a few tips, accessories, and words of wisdom for all of you looking to save money while also packing the necessary items that will make your plane ride an easy-peasy endeavor.
Holiday Travel [INFOGRAPHIC]
It’s a week before Christmas and many Americans are gearing up to make their annual holiday trip to Grandma’s. This infographic from CheapSally.com gives you some interesting facts and a few tips to make your holiday travel quick and painless.
Where are you traveling for the holidays? Leave your comment below.
10 Tricks for Getting Gas Cheaper
Since gas prices have risen, the need to save a penny (literally) has almost become an obsession amongst commuters and travelers. And it always seems like there is a steep increase during the times we need it most, summer and winter holidays. If you plan on traveling for the holidays, take a look at these 10 money saving tips before you hit the road.
Cyan backpack on Zip line
My Thanksgiving this year wasn’t spent in typical holiday tradition sitting idly watching football or planning black Friday shopping excursions; this year it was in the middle of the Texas Hill country without even cell service and yet full of family fun and adventure. Being the city gal that I am, I might have been “getting away” from work and daily responsibilities but my laptop was making the trip regardless. So I packed up my necessary equipment in my Altego backpack and headed to “camp”. Camp Eagle that is. It’s a great place – you should check it out.
On thanksgiving we decided to head out and concur the newest “high ropes” adventure at camp eagle… so new in fact it isn’t even completely finished but I was in luck because my brother is trained and able to run the zip line anyway (he lives and works there as a Director of several programs). This zip line is a 3000ft zip line – the longest in Texas and according to some GPS fun it gets ya going about 50mph! Lovingly referred to as the Mega Zip.
So we (my brother) packed up all the needed gear and we headed out. I thought it would be fun to make a little documentary of the adventure so I brought my backpack along with me for the ride.
Enjoy.
What’s in Your Bag
Altego’s newly released Channel Stitched Ruby series and Coated Canvas Cyan series laptop cases lend themselves to a variety of users from mobile workers, daily commuters, medical professionals to on-the-go parents.
So we asked a few users What’s in Your Bag? Here are some of the pictures we got.
DAILY COMMUTER:
“I’m a female and yes I prefer to carry a laptop backpack, it allows my hands to be free and the weight of the bag to be centered which is necessary since my laptop is a 17” – 7lbs all on its own. Since I live an hour+ from work I commute with all I could need in a day. Of course my laptop and power cord are a given but I also carry a USB mouse just in case the traffic is too heavy I can stop and work mid commute and wait out that nasty traffic. My Kindle and ear buds are a personal entertainment must. I always have a water and a snack. It is so nice to be able to carry all this without even coming close to maxing out this backpack.”
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL:
“I work in the ER which tends to have non-traditional hours, it is nice to use a bag that has a place for everything I need on a daily bases so when I am running out the door in the middle of the night to start a shift I have everything easily accessible in this messenger bag.”
ON-THE-GO PARENT:
“As many parents would know, you can never leave the house without extras of EVERYTHING. Luckily I found a bag that not only carries what I need throughout the day but it’s not as bulky as a diaper bag. I am able to fit all the essentials for myself as well as my 9 month old without the bag getting to hard to handle. I prefer the Coated Canvas messenger bag because my things are easily accessible and the bag is water resistant. There are enough pockets to keep everything separated and organized and there’s room to spare.”
MARKETING PROFESSIONAL/WORK OUT NUT:
“The Altego Channel Stitched Backpack is the perfect bag for me, a marketing professional slash workout nut. Not only does it have a killer design with plush flannel plaid lining but it’s also the perfect size. The slim design is great for both hauling it back and forth from home to work or while on road when I need to stuff it under the seat or in the overhead bin. Even with the smaller footprint it has plenty of room for all my electronics, chargers, reading materials, snacks and drinks to refuel before or after a workout, a few office supplies and even has enough room for my hoodie. Two thumbs up!”
YOUNG FEMALE PROFESSIONAL:
“As a young female professional I was looking for something stylish (love the Cyan color and quilting accents) and just big enough to fit the essentials. This bag has plenty of room for my can’t-live -without Apple trifecta (MacBook, iPad and iPhone) and a few files that go back and forth to work. It’s important to have a bag roomy enough to carry everything I need but small enough that it doesn’t weigh me down as I juggle it along with my purse on the long walk from the parking lot to my desk.”
Do you have an Altego bag? Well we want to know what’s in your bag! Join us on Facebook and upload your pictures.
How to Pack Like a Pro
If you’ve ever travelled for business – or travelled the world with only a backpack on your shoulders – you’ll know the pain of packing lightly – and the difference a good bag or a good technique can make.
I know, for sure, that my life changed the day I realised you could roll up your underwear and stuff them in your shoes. I had a new lease of life with my joy for packing – suddenly I had more space. More space meant more outfits. And more outfits is always a good thing. Don’t try and tell any woman otherwise.
It was my honeymoon when I first made a conscious effort to pack properly. We had had a romantic winter wedding in the middle of snowy December – and my husband and I had booked a romantic getaway to New York for the following week. But that wasn’t all – to counteract the snow and the cold – we had booked a week (straight after) in Mexico.
The perfect holiday really – we had the magical snow and festivity of New York but we also had the sunshine and sand of Mexico. At the time I felt on cloud nine – getting the best of both worlds! But then it slowly dawned on me – that I would not have to pack for one season – but two. This is difficult – and if you’ve ever attempted it yourself I know that you’re currently nodding your head in agreement.
So how can you start packing like a pro? Ok. I’ve got the stuff. I’ll let you in my best advice:
10 Things to Look for When Buying a Laptop Bag
In the market for a new laptop bag? Some people might find that buying a laptop bag is a simple task. But be wary of your quick decisions, you might wind up spending more time and money returning a previous impulse purchase. Consider these 10 things when you’re looking to purchase a laptop bag: Read more
Turkey and Travel [INFOGRAPHIC]
Looking forward to traveling for Thanksgiving this year? Check out a few facts about the history of Thanksgiving and current statistics on travel and spending with this infographic from Nationwide.
Laptop Storage Bags Review by TwoClassyChicks.com
Today I would like to introduce you to the company called Altego who sells a line of laptop and Macbook storage bags. You will find styles like the traditional carry tote and even a wonderful unisex backpack. In addition to the laptop bags you will find netbook and laptop sleeves too! Read more
What is The History of Plaid?
The new Channel Stitched Ruby Series Bags from Altego have an beautiful Plaid pattern on the inside. Plaid is steeped in tradition and folklore. Here is a brief history on the interesting material.
Read more
How Fast Can You Read?
This is an interesting test to see how fast you read. Takes about 3 minutes. At the end it’ll tell you how long it would take to read some classic novels. It would take me 27 hours to read War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy if I didn’t stop reading. In reality it took me about 14 months to finish that book!
Source: Staples eReader Department
Life Sized People Made From Office Supplies – WOW!
The Following comes to us from My Modern Met. This is by far one of the coolest and most intrecate things done with simple office products. Beautiful.
The Avengers Made from Office Products?
The Avengers.. the movie you’ve been waiting to see for 7 years. Yeah. Well Wieden + Kennedy Agency from Portland built this fantastic set for Target. We liked it and thought we’d pass it along.
via Behance
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Art Director: Drew DayberryCopywriter: Casey HallCreative Directors: Guy Seese, Chris MittonExecutive Creative Directors: Mark Fitzloff, Susan HoffmanPhotographer: Adam LevyRetoucher: Greg Radich, SGSArt Buyer: Amy CarletonModels made by LAIKALAIKA Art Director: Nicholas WeigelModel Fabrication Lead: Rob MelchoirProduction Coordinator: Alix IversonCharacter Fabrication: Katie Mello, Margaret Meyer, Sara Neiman, Joe Schmidt, Sarah HallProducer: Rebecca BowenExecutive Producer: Lourri HammackAgency: Wieden + Kennedy, PortlandClient: Target
Staple City – Office Supplies Taken To A Whole New Level [PHTOS & VIDEO]
Peter Root is a patient man. This is one of the cooler things we have ever seen done with simple supplies found in an office.
Here is what he had to say: (Source)
Ephemicropolis 2010
100,000 Staples
Approx floor area 600x300cmStacks of staples were broken into varying sizes from full stacks about 12cm high down to single staples. These stacks were then stood up and arranged over a period of 40 hours.
Click here to see feature in March 2012 issue of National Geographic Magazine.
The Making of Ephemicropolis from Peter Root on Vimeo.
This Unique Furniture Combines Style, Form, and Functionallity
We make laptop sleeve, and backpacks but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a keen eye for well designed products. In fact, we like to think our backpacks and accessories are well designed and slightly unique. Over at My Modern Met they’ve compiled quite a list of extremely unique products with amazing design elements. Would you consider putting any of these in your house? Let us know in the comments.
Source: My Modern Met
1. Multifunctional Sofa Bunk Bed
This design by Bonbon is a clever solution for compact, modern living. The space-saving couch doubles as a bunk bed and combines practical function with super chic design. With one simple movement, convert the daytime seating area into sleeping accommodations for two. Bunk beds in the living room?! This calls for a 1980′s slumber party with Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins! You can learn more about all of the space saving designs on the Bonbon website.2. ABC Bookcase
Typography enthusiasts will just adore these alphabet-inspired cubes that combine letters and numbers with useful storage. An interesting departure from your standard bookcase, the shelves can be organized to form any words or phrases that you choose. I particularly enjoy the idea of having an ongoing game of tic-tac-toe in my living room! Designers Eva Alessandrini & Roberto Saporiti really did it right with this custom design for furniture company Saporiti.3. Little Black Dresser
Every fashionable woman has at least one basic Little Black Dress (LBD) hanging in her closet, but this LBD makes an extremely bold statement functioning AS the actually place to store clothing. The Straight Line Designs, Inc. concept, carved in the shape of a flirtatious dress, contains a chest of drawers that hang on the wall and store all of your precious clothes and accessories.4. Lomme Egg-Shaped Bed
Lomme (Light Over Matter Mind Evolution) is an egg-shaped luxury bed designed to maximize comfortable sleep and rejuvenation. The LOMME World team developed this sleeping atmosphere with light, sound, and massage therapies that foster a cleaner, healthier, happier existence. Owners can scroll through a variety of interior colored lights, a selection of soft, soothing music and meditations, and built-in massage options via the installed iPhone. Once the settings are in place, fall into a deep sleep as the gradual fading light simulates sunset and then naturally awaken from a restful night as the virtual sunrise brightens the interior space. Seriously, I don’t think sleeping can get much better than that!5. Centipede Bench
I’m no engineering expert, but common sense tells me that all of the legs on a wooden bench should be touching the ground. This Centipede bench definitely shatters that assumption! Designed by Héctor Esrawe for the green furniture manufacturing company Pirwi, the piece is an undulating seat design with multiple legs that visually generate a light, airy sense of movement. There are three versions: Centipede I and II are made as a single seat and Centipede III is a longer bench that can accommodate multiple people. Even more reason to like this piece, the materials are environmentally friendly and allow for minimum waste. I just hope it doesn’t scurry away while I’m taking a rest.6. Wha Cabinet
Designer Tembolat Gugkaev is an expert in clever, yet practical, furniture design. The designer’s Wha Cabinet not only serves as your average, everyday curved bookcase, but at night, it turns into a practical reading lamp. An additional surprise is the rainbow lighting that makes for easy shelf navigation in the evenings. This unit has such great personality! Find out more about all of his unique designs on his website.7. Giant Birdsnest Chair
The Giant Birdsnest Chair, designed by O*GE, can serve two functions. First, it seems like the perfect place to snuggle up and take a nap. Second, and probably a bit more functional, the seating area was designed to encourage working, playing, and socializing. It can fit up to 16 people and is meant to inspire creativity and new ideas. Also, based on these photos, I think a giant lamp to shine overhead is a must-have accessory!8. Stacked Cabinet No. 6—Together We Can
There’s nothing boring about this stacked cabinet. It seems like it could topple over at any moment! But rest assured, designer Vincent Leman from Dust Furniture* always combines beauty with high quality construction to produce, “gravity bending furniture with personality, while leaving function fully intact.” This particular design was based on the concept of three people lifting each other up to reach a higher goal, and stands seven feet tall. I love the playful, cartoon design that will easily add a little fun to any room.
9. Modular Shelving: Vjunok/Bindweed Series
With this unique design, you can bring a touch of nature into your living room and use it as a bookcase. Russian designer Maria Yasko merged her interior and industrial design skills to create this tree-shaped shelving entitled Icelandic Tree. The combination of the shelf structure with the wall art adds a certain charm to an otherwise bland wall. Plus, the curved and bending shelves are an efficient use of wall space. Check out two of her other shelving designs on Behance.10. Floating Lamps
This futuristic lamp will spark intrigue and conversation in any room in the house. Designed by Light-Light, the Floating Lampis constructed with several cutting-edge technologies to create what appears to be an optical illusion. But don’t be fooled, once you get up close you’ll see that the lamp actually consists of a base, above which a magnet disc floats. The low power consumption and sleek, elegant design make this piece a timeless classic while at the same time leading the trends in funky, must-have interior design.
Today in History
April 18, 1955 was a sad day for the world. The greatest mind in history, Albert Einstein, passed away. One of the most famous photographs of his life is the photograph of his office on the day he died (below). In memorandom, Life Magazine talked to the photographer, Ralph Morse about his famous shot.
After getting a call that April morning from a LIFE editor telling him that Einstein had died, Morse jumped in his car and sped from his house in northern New Jersey to Princeton.
“I headed to the hospital first,” Morse told LIFE.com, “but it was chaos — journalists, photographers, onlookers. So I headed over to Einstein’s office [at the Institute for Advanced Study]. On the way, I stopped and bought a case of scotch. I knew people might be reluctant to talk, but that they’re usually happy to accept a bottle of booze, rather than money, in exchange for their help. Anyway, I get to the building, find the superintendent, offer him a fifth of scotch and like that, he opens up the office.”
What Einsteins office looked like on the day he died
Source LIFE
Does Your Backpack Ever Get So Heavy You Fall Into A Lake Like This Lady?!
We know, sometimes we stuff our backpacks so full of books, laptops, and other stuff that it weighs tons. While Altego Backpacks are made for extreme loads, we caution picking them up around large bodies of water…
The Backpack Theory – What Do You Carry In Your Backpack?
An intriguing view on life & our backpacks. From: Up In The Air
How much does your life weigh?
Imagine for a second that you’re carrying a backpack.
I want you to feel the straps on your shoulders. Feel them?I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life.
You start with the little things.
Things on shelves, in the drawers, the knickknacks, collectibles.
Feel the weight it all adds up.Then you start adding larger stuff.
Clothes, tabletop appliances, lamps, linens, your TV.
The backpack should be getting pretty heavy now.You go bigger.
Your couch, your bed, your kitchen table, stuff it all in there.
Your car, get it in there.
Your home, whether it’s a studio apartment or a two-bedroom house.
I want you to stuff it all into that backpack.Now try to walk. It’s kinda hard, isn’t it?
This is what we do to ourselves on a daily basis:
we weigh ourselves down til we can’t even move
and make no mistake; moving is livingNow, I’m gonna set that backpack on fire.
What do you wanna take out of it?
Photos? Photos are for people who can’t remember.
Drink some ginkgo and let the photos burn.In fact let everything burn and imagine waking up tomorrow with nothing.
It’s kinda exhilarating, isn’t it?…
This is how I start everyday of my life.
Now this is gonna be a little difficult, so stay with me.You have a new backpack.
Now this time, I want you to fill it with people
Start with casual acquaintances, friends of friends, folks around the office.And then you move into the people you trust with your most intimate secrets.
Your cousins, your aunts, your uncles. Your brothers, your sisters, your parents.
And finally your husband, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend.Get them into that backpack.
Don’t worry I’m not gonna ask you to light it on fire.
Feel the weight of that bag.
Make no mistake your relationships are the heaviest components in your life.Feel the straps cutting into your shoulders.
All those negotiations and arguments and secrets, the compromises.
You need to carry all that weight.
Then you set that bag down.Some animals were meant to carry each other to live symbiotically for a lifetime.
Star-crossed lovers, monogamous swans.
We are not those animals.The slower we move, the faster we die.
We are not swans, We’re sharks.
25 Unbelievable Pictures Of The Tornadoes That Hit The Dallas/Fort Worth Area
We, here at Altego, are based out of Fort Worth. We had some wild weather roll through yesterday. Here are some of the unbelievable photos from the storms. Via Buzzfeed
Picture Sources:
1.) Via: lascocks
2.) This is an upside-down tree. Via: twitpic.com
3.) Source: annabellalovesyou
4.) Via: lockerz.com
5.) Via: inothernews
6.) Another picture of a semi being tossed around. Via: thisiskenn
7.) None
8.) Via: cdl-life
9.) Hail. Via: echelonhaven
10.) More hail.
11.) Via: what-we-become
12.) Via: diablasquaw
13.) Via: flickr.com
14.) Via: undoneattheseams
15.) Bill Brangers, right, and Benjamin Powell, 5, left, look at the trailer that a tornado lifted from the Powell’s driveway to a neighbor’s yard two doors down. (AP / Kim Johnson Flodin)
16.) Via: undoneattheseams
17.) Source: themonotonediaries
18.) (AP / AP)
19.) Patricia Daugherty searches for her belongings after her home was destroyed by a tornado n Arlington, Texas (Getty Images / Tom Pennington)
20.) A sign is destroyed from a passing storm in South Arlington, Texas. (AP / Paul Moseley)
21.) Arlington police officer Rick Stewart returns a man’s dog. (Getty Images / Tom Pennington)
22.) Found near Forney, Texas. Via: this-is-awesome
23.) Smashed cars lay in debris. (Reuters / TIM SHARP)
24.) Homes in Lancaster, Texas. (AP / Khampha Bouaphanh)
25.) And one more picture of the 18 wheelers. Via: twitpic.com
Why Work? Build This DIY Vortex Canon Instead
Who actually works at work? Build this and your day will be much more fulfilling!
