The smarter way to buy from the USA

Purchasing a piece of jewellery that not only looks good but has a sustainable heritage it commendible. BundleBox recently found Birch, a fair-trade company who sources hand-made products from recycled and sustainable sources.

Birch Website

As well as clothing, the site stocks beautiful baby clothes, linens and towels and jewellery. Many of the items are created by local designers and artisans who use materials such as antique brass, organic cotton and bamboo.

The website itself gives a fresh, clean soap feel that is welcoming and inviting to shop on. The products have been thoughtfully photographed and the descriptions are useful.

We picked a few of our favourites from Birch below.

Birch Earrings from Birch $22

The delicate Heart Bee Earrings ($22) are beautifully handmade using antique brass and enamel bead.

Baby Body Suit and Bib $18

A totally adorable set for baby ($18) which includes a baby body suit and bib made using pure and super-soft 100% organic cotton.

Damask Bed Sheet $196

Created using Coyuchi Organic Cotton, this dreamy bed sheet set ($198) is soft and sumptuous. The set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillow cases.

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.

Hi Mark, when we last spoke you where up to your eyes in the restoration of your John Deere 1946 tractor and busy sourcing parts from the USA. We are excited to hear how the presentation at this weekends festival went.

We visited the Belvoir Steam Festival in Leicestershire and it was the first time out for my newly-restored 1946 John Deere Model D tractor. The whole day was very successful and enjoyable!

John Deere Model D 1946 Newly Restored Tractor

We used the Model D to run our club’s Threshing machine, separating the grain from specially-grown long straw wheat.

Where you nervous about unveiling the newly restored machine?

The first time out for any newly rebuilt machine can be a frustrating experience - you often find leaks and other problems that need to be sorted out.

John Deere 1946 Tractor- The nuts and bolts!

Aside from a slight misfire which was corrected by a new set of spark plugs the tractor performed faultlessly! It is of course still running in though.

How did the actual restoration go?

The tractor had been completely stripped down and rebuild using many new and a few used parts, mostly sourced in the US and shipped to me by BundleBox.

John Deere 1946 on display at Belvoir Steam Festival

The whole project has been really very successful, as many of the parts required are only available from US suppliers and the quality of these parts is second to none. Having BundleBox ship them over to just made the whole experience so much more convenient.

John Deere 1946 Tractor

So in all are you happy with the results?

The result (as you can see from the pictures) is a wonderful old machine that not only looks good, but runs and drives great!

Thanks Mark

Happy Bundling,

The BundleBox Team.

Gone are the days of robots being reserved only for the pleasure of a science fiction film or Doctor Who. Robots assist with many parts of peoples lives in practical capacities and also fun.

BundleBox discovered Robotshop.com after getting a tip about the super-cool Senario Zibits Mini Robots (from $9.99).

Robotshop.com: Robot Heaven!

These cute little dudes are approximates 2.5 inches, remote controlled and make excellent robotic sound effects.

Super-cute Zibit Robot from $9.99

With the UK and Europe launch dates pushed back late summer 2010, we are excited to get our hands on one or even the whole range (there are 12 to collect!). In the USA the Zibits are already insanely popular with children and ‘youthful’ adults have also grown fond of the little fellows.

Whose ready for a Zibit race?

We think they are perfect for your desk at work and to think how much fun you could have racing should you buy a few!

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.

Keeping fit and maintaining regular exercise is not only good for you but also a lot of fun! A website that champions a love a sport between woman aged 18-80 is Poppy Sports. Based in Colorado USA, this fresh and exciting concept aims to match women with sports clothing that is perfect for their workout.

Poppy Sports Website

The website is split into different categories geared towards specific exercising including running, yoga, cycling, swimming and more. Products are listed with helpful hints of how they could benefit the wearer during their workout.

Poppy Sport Website

Poppy Sports is not only about the performance but also sports clothes that look good to wear. We have to agree on that point. Who says you cannot inject an element of style to your workout!

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.

Shopping can be a challenging experience when you need some guidance and find it difficult to track someone down who can help. Whether its finding the perfect style, size or brand it is exciting to discover an online service that caters for that and more. Tobi.com is an exciting concept created by two fashion crazy girls called Cathy and Corina in San Francisco.

Tobi.com Website

The website offers a unique mix of designer fashion, one-off pieces from unknown designers and a great mix of vintage style. Tobi.com has a personalised consultation in which customers can hone down exactly what they want. BundleBox was alerted to the site by a Bundleer who recently purchased a super-trendy pair of black distressed True Religion jeans.

True Religion Jeans $112

We love the editorial, magazine feel of the website in which celebrity stylists and writers guest edit seasonal fashion trends created with the best pieces arriving at Tobi.com.

Tobi.com Editorial Pages

The hand-written style notes offer a personal inspired feel. The website looks to celebrities and fashionista’s under the style radar for trends to be recreated with items available on Tobi.com. We will be taking notes at BundleBox for our summer wardrobe.

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.

With a stroke of luck on the timing front we are pleased to bring you a super-cool Tech Alert in time for this weeks blog. Having scouted the most trusted Tech websites we can announce that the anticipated USA launch of the Nike & iPod Heart Rate Monitor will be on 1st June 2010.

Nike iPod Heart Rate Monitor

Since the sun has decided to finally grace us with its presence, we are thinking it is the perfect device for our summer fitness schedule! This nifty bit of kit lets you view your heart beat whilst you exercise and listen to your favourite music play-list.

Details of the device are still scarce, however it is rumoured to have a  built-in accelerometer useful for keeping track of steps and to hit workout goals. The actual device is said to be a small wireless sensor that fits comfortably in the insole of a runner’s shoe.

USA Launch 1st June

The launch news, picked up from a Nike website forum has been causing quite a stir on tech loving blogs and twitter. The Nike staff member said: “It will officially launch (in the U.S.A) on June 1, 2010. It will reach Canadian markets in June and will launch internationally in summer 2010, exact date to be determined.”.

Make sure you get yours in advance using BundleBox!

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.

Denim is without a doubt one of this seasons wardrobe staples. Worn during the day as well as evening, a splash of denim can give some edge to your look.

Traditionally whilst on a shopping trip to the USA, Jeans are always high on the agenda. From the retro cool of Levi’s 501 to the super-glamorised appeal of 7 For All Mankind, American Jeans are destined to never go out of fashion.

Style Monitor has gathered to top five USA Jeans that will take you from summer right through autumn. Order yours via BundleBox now.

True Religion Becky Body Rinse Jeans give such a flattering shape and are made using super-comfortable denim that does not loose its shape.

True Religion Becky Body Rinse Jeans $172

Renowned as a Jeans label that is loved by the fashion packs, the J Brand Krys in Phobe are set to be a hot seller in the USA for summer.

J Brand Krys in Phobe Jeans $200

The classic American style has always been defined perfectly with Ralph Lauren. We are loving these white Stretch Straight Jeans for wearing with sandals in the day-time and heels at night.

Ralph Lauren Stretch Straight Jeans $89.50

7 For All Mankind Jeans are favourites with A-List Hollywood stars, musicians and well, just about everyone who loves fantastic fitting Jeans. The Josephine Jeans have that great slouchy look that goes well with dressed down summer style.  

7 For All ManKind Josephine Jeans $198

Citizens of Humanity Jeans are Jennifer Aniston’s denim threads of choice. We love the new Avedon Jeans from the brands Summer 2010 collection.

Citizens of Humanity Avedon Jeans $194

 Happy Bundling,

The BundleBox Team.

Sometimes the art of traditional technique and craftsmanship can be lost. Huge corporate companies and retail giants have become a convenient port of call for shopping. Because of this, it is refreshing to know that in many parts of the world, gifted artisans still use the methods passed down to them from previous generations. The result is beautiful and unusual one-of-a-kind pieces that are celebrated for what they are, origins and the person who made them.

Tamarack: Supporting Artisan & Their Products

BundleBox was delighted to discover The Tamarack website. This simply designed site is home to a world of products created by West Virginian artisans.

Tamarack Artisans at work

The site offers a curated mix of Handmade ’Art to Wear’, Quilts, Musical instruments, candles, pottery, art and sculpture. The foundation supporting the online shop is dedicated to promoting artisan skills and often organise artisan working demonstrations.

Tamarack Workshop

It is exciting and interesting to think that beautifully handmade pieces can be purchased direct from the creator via this thoughtful USA website. With BundleBox you can shop from here and deliver direct to your USA BundleBox.

Happy Bundling

The BundleBox Team.