Few shop tools—yes, we’ll call it a “tool”—are as indispensable as a reliable work apron. While not a “tool” in the traditional sense, a good, durable apron can serve many purposes ranging from tool organization to even psychologically making yourself ‘present’ in the workshop. But no two aprons are alike—and striking the balance between functional and economical isn’t always easy. Which is why we like the Cross Back Adjustable Apron from Hudson Durable Goods. Made from thick and durable waxed canvas, this stylish work apron features design details that are as carefully considered as the long-lasting materials they’re constructed from. Additionally, the cross-back (X-back) straps ensure that weight from tools…

Candles are typically manufactured with scents that put people at ease—such as those that invoke Christmas morning or the salty ocean air, among others. And in the year 2017, what could possibly put some people more at ease than the scent of a freshly-opened Apple product? Inspired by Apple’s own signature packaging ‘scent’, candle manufacturer Twelve South recently updated their existing Mac candle with the all-new Inspire scent—a balanced combination of bergamot, lemon, and tarragon that somehow recreates that ‘calming’ experience of peeling off the plastic wrapping on a new MacBook Pro. “Our Inspire candle is poured into a custom-designed vessel with a soft white finish,” explains the company. “With…

Mondays might not be your favorite day of the week, but the good news is that we’re all in this together ladies and gentlemen. As purveyors of prime Grade A web content, the SolidSmack crew has done some of the heavy-lifting to make sure you get your Mondays started on the right track. Welcome to The Monday List. Each Monday, we’ll link you up with some of the most insightful, informative, and socially-relevant stories to keep tabbed, bookmarked, reading listed, pocketed, or what have you. Be sure to check in each Monday morning for a new crop of freshly sprouted words curated straight from the source of your favorite homegrown ‘Smack.…

Don your favorite bathrobe, cream that coffee, and get comfortable with this week’s SolidSmack Weekend Reader. The Weekend Reader features a handful of the most interesting articles featured on the ‘Smack over the past week ranging from tips and tricks to inspirational designs, processes, and more. So lay back, relax and take a load off while reading the top ten stories on SolidSmack this past week. Oh and uh…don’t forget to shed some much-needed sunlight on your face, too. The MadBoxer is A Custom-Built Motorbike With A Subaru Car Engine It’s more engine than motorcycle. Yep, you read the headline correctly; this baby runs on a Subaru WRX engine. This…

A tall lanky fellow slid down the old gutter, water shedding below where his feet landed. Small bottles hung at his side where a coat of velvet jade hid most of his legs. A wind-broke, wide-brimmed hat recorded the marks and bore his intent to devour these links. Jan Buragay – If you missed Jan’s work last time, there’s more to feast your eyes on. Delectable bits of digital and watercolor, lined by wonderfully thick pen and ink. Dodec – The wonder acrylic (!) on panel work fo Laura Payne. A lot of geometrical gradient layering in pieces that look like they’re cut from a larger 3-dimensional object. Mars Base…

We recently featured a couple of LEGO Sony PlayStations smaller than your finger, but those things can’t really play video games. These miniature arcade machines, however, can play retro games and don’t require skipping school and a pocket full of quarters to operate. RepliCade is a series of miniature arcade machines designed to play classic video games on tiny 3.5” LCD screens – something, I might note, that would seem ludicrous before the advent of mobile phones with screens just as small. The games are officially licensed by their original developers, with the first RepliCade featuring the Atari game Centipede. Shrinking this traditional machine to 1/6th of its original size took…