Experiencist Shopping Guide

Here's just a bunch of crap I'd like to eventually contribute to my new apartment is wherever-town. Preferably gifted to myself soon so I can break them in. Yes, those clocks are $380.

The Things They Carried

I'm making a list of 100 things designers carry in their bags. If you've got ideas to add, please share!

1. Main bag (everyday bag)
2. Laptop bag
3. Pen bag
4. Laptop
5. Tablet
6. Smartphone
7. iPod Classic
8. Portable Hard Drive
9. Thumbdrive
10. Point and Shoot Camera
11. Flipcam
12. dSLR Camera
13. Extra lenses
14. Extra SD Cards
15. Extra batteries (AA)
16. Tripod (Gorillapod?!)
17. Headphones
18. Earphones (IEMS?)
19. Wacom Tablet
20. Portable Wireless Keyboard
21. Portable Wireless Mouse 
22. Ethernet Cable 
23. iPod Cable 
24. Power Charger
25. Portable Surge Protector
26. Airport Express/Portable Router
27. Tupperware
28. Band-Aids
29. Tissue
30. Moleskine
31. Post Its
32. Planner
33. Bone folder
34. Scissors
35. X-ACTO Knife
36. Cutting board
37. "Scale" Ruler (whatever that is)
38. Tape measure
39. Screwdriver
40. Swiss Army Knife
41. Flashlight 
42. Lighter 
43. Wallet
44. Coin bag
45. Chain + Caribiner
46. Keys
47. Gum
48. Clif Bar 
49. Canteen
50. Lotion
51. Chapstick 
52. Floss
53. Toothbrush
54. Toothpaste
55. Bandana
56. Watch
57. Shades
58. Hat
59. Nunchucks 
60. Grenades (Too much?)
61. Pistol

6 Upsides of a Down Economy

Recession can be tough when you're losing lots and making nothing. Still, in the darkest hours, a silver lining may be just the thing you need to keep that head up for another day.

1. We're borrowing less and saving more.
2. We're wasting less, making it last, doing without.
3. We're finally building smaller homes.
4. We're driving less, living greener.
5. We're eating less red meat, getting healthier.
6. We're killing them evil big boxes, supporting our local businesses.

Top 5 Kitchen Items I Don't Own, But Must Have

Mind you that these are the best of the best, so ignore the price tag, swoon over its sheer elegance, and pretend you actually have room for these goodies. Here's my list, feel free to tag on your own:

1. All-Clad 12-Inch Stainless Fry Pan with Lid ($90)
2. Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus Mandoline ($40)
3. Demarle Silpat 11-3/4-by-8-1/4-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat ($15)
4. William-Sonoma Silicone Large Spatula ($10)
5. Ken Onion by Shun 8-Inch Chef's Knife ($200)

Top 5 Sandwiches of All Time

If there's one thing I love about sandwiches, it's the sheer ingeniousness of its design and simplicity. I eat one almost every other day. Here are my favorites:

1. The Tuna Sammich: With flaked tuna mixed in mayonnaise and relish, salt, pepper, and thinly sliced cucumbers, it's the perfect re-energizing lunch sandwich.
2. The BLT: Who can go wrong with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on sourdough? Try adding avocado for extra oomph or frying bacon in balsamic vinegar. It's godly.
3. The Cubano: I love these things ever since I had one in New York for the very first time. It's classic ham, roasted pork, green chilis, and swiss cheese with pickles and mustard in between two pieces of Cuban bread. Mmmm-mmm.
4. The Pulled Pork Sandwich: There's nothing like a slow-cooked pork shoulder and hamburger bun. Cook it with your favorite BBQ sauce and you'll get the perfect sandwich for cookouts. Serve with coleslaw.
5. The Turkey Cranberry: Discovered at Togos and now I make it on the daily. There's no better combination of sweet and salty out there.