There are few modern buildings more recognizable than the Sydney Opera House, with its shell rooftops, harbor views, and striking lines. The Lego Sydney Opera House ($320) does a remarkable job of recreating this 20th-Century architectural marvel in the form of a 11" by 25" by 15" model. Modular construction and new building techniques will keep you intrigued throughout the build. With nearly 3,000 bricks (including the largest blue-stud baseplate they've ever made and a wealth of dark tan bricks), this set is a worthwhile challenge for the most advanced lego builders. Available in September.
Say "goodbye" to the BMW 3 Series Coupe, and welcome the new 2014 BMW 4 Series ($TBA). Like a cross between a sportier 3 Series and a smaller 6 Series, the 4 Series comes (in its most aggressive variation, the 435i) with a 306 hp twin-turbo six-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox. Also available in four-cylinder diesel and gas variations with an optional eight-speed automatic. A lower stance, larger width and wheelbase, and improved aerodynamics further differentiate this quick two-door from its cousin, the 3 Series.
Get harder, better, faster, stronger with a little help from Onnit and their Primal Bell.
Onnit Primal Bell ($85). Onnit Battle Rope ($120-$145). Nike Legend Dri-Fit T-Shirt ($22). Nike Fly Doomsday Camo Shorts ($38). Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong Power Compression Shorts ($65). Poler Mini Duffle Bag ($70). Outlier Grid Linen Towel ($44-$120). Nike Free Haven 3.0 Shield Shoe ($80). Jawbone Up Wristband ($130).
This edition of Garb is sponsored by our friends at Onnit.
Whether you're into American military memorabilia, or just really enjoy the idea of owning one-of-a-kind menswear pieces, you'll like these Military Tent Tarp Shorts ($220) from J. Crew. They're assembled in America, in J. Crew's NYC design studios, and cut in their Stanton style, with 9" inseams, a classic fit, and button fly. Because each pair is made from an individual 1940s-era military canvas tent — including all the wear signs, seams, and stamps — they're guaranteed to look completely unique.
Not to be outdone by the stunning body and performance Cadillac is known for, prepare to revel in the luxury features you’ll find behind the doors of the all-new Cadillac ATS. From the sharp, sophisticated cut-and-sew look, to the available heated seats and steering wheel designed for colder days, to the concert hall quality of the Bose® Premium Audio System, to the available bolstered performance seats (equipped with thigh extenders for added comfort and support), spending hours in the car will be a delight, not a drag.
Further personalize the sumptuous, handcrafted interior to your liking and smart sense of style. Choose from a palette of rich colors—like Light Platinum or Morello Red—for the premium French-stitched leather seating surfaces, complimented by authentic, top-of-the-line wood, aluminum or carbon fiber trim. From exhilarating driving dynamics to modern design that challenges the status quo, the all-new Cadillac ATS is as eye-catching as it is breathtaking.
Learn more about the All-New Cadillac ATS here.
The creative geniuses at Naughty Dog (the guys who brought us the Uncharted series) have done it again with The Last of Us ($60), a third-person survival-action game exclusive to the PS3. You play as Joel, a grizzled-but-resourceful survivor, 20 years after a fungus has reduced most of humanity to a flesh-eating horde. You're tasked with escorting Ellie, a young girl, across the ruins of America, battling the infected (and other survivors) as you go. The game is packed with gorgeous scenery, cinema-quality cutscenes, tricky survival scenarios, and enough zombies in dark rooms to keep you entertained through to the end.
If you have a hard time reconciling your love for backyard barbecues with your sustainable mindset, then the SolSource Grill ($249) is here to ease your conscience. Not only is it environmentally-friendly, it's also a great grill — it heats up quickly and can cook a large meal in minutes. The average gas grill makes four times the emissions of your home stove, and a charcoal grill more than doubles that. This solar grill makes none, so your next cookout can be entirely guilt-free. Since it doesn't need charcoal or gas to work, you can use it miles away from anything, letting you cook great meals anywhere on the planet.
If your basement workshop isn't cutting it, or your garage is too cluttered to even focus on a project, it might be time for a shed. While you can buy a number of unoriginal, pre-fab jobs, wouldn't it be cooler to build one yourself? The handy guys at Popular Mechanics think so, and that's why they published Shed Nation ($12). This book contains plans and guides for building an assortment of sheds for different purposes. Whether you want to build a small place to hold your tools, something with a tractor bay, a garden shed, or a full-on greenhouse, they've got you covered.
The folks at Sprecher Brewing in Glendale, Wisconsin make a full line of craft beers and gourmet sodas but are probably best known for their root beer. It's so good that for years their customers have asked for a menu mashup, a Hard Root Beer. After plenty of testing, the brewers came up with something to satisfy those customers and that they were proud of — Sprecher Bootlegger's Bourbon Barrel Hard Root Beer ($5/4-pack.) The fermented root beer tastes like a root beer should, but with some oak and bourbon flavors joining the party. It clocks in at 5% ABV, but you'd be surprised at how difficult it is to notice the alcohol. Grab a bottle and satisfy your craving for a good root beer and an alcoholic beverage at the same time.
When you spend most of your time outdoors, there are few things more important than a good blade. The Joseph Bowen TAD Edition Micro Hatchet ($160) combines the small size of a knife with the tactical versatility of a hatchet into one useful cutting tool. In spite of its small size, it doesn't shy away from a serious task, thanks to a chisel-ground CTS-HXP steel blade. It includes a slip sheath designed to wear around your neck, making it as portable as it is stealthy.
No shirt required.
Fujifilm FinePix XP60 Waterproof Camera ($200). Hyperlite Marek Bio Wakeboard ($485). Hyperlite Team Royal Life Vest ($140). Hyperlite Catalyst Composite Handle ($125). Patagonia Minimalist Wavefarer Boardshort ($59). F1 Go Clean Wet Suit ($18). Oakley Twoface Sunglasses ($150). Volcom Recliner Sandals ($34).
This edition of Garb is sponsored by Best Buy. Find all the tools to capture, save and share life's moments.
Whether your boss forces you, or you genuinely enjoy using Microsoft software on Apple products, you'll be happy to learn that Microsoft Office Mobile (Free) is available on iOS for Office 365 subscribers ($100). Now you can edit your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and Powerpoint presentations from your device, and see your changes reflected anywhere you access your work. Built-in sharing tools let you collaborate with your coworkers through SkyDrive, so you'll never miss a comment or revision. The recent documents feature lets you access your work without trouble.
Weather in the Summer is about as predictable as the stock market. But, thanks to the Puma Faas Lite Golf Shoes ($100) you can golf with confidence regardless of what the sky looks like. In fact, they're so confident about the waterproofing on these shoes that they've guaranteed it for a year. Lightweight, waterproof microfiber leather keeps your feet dry even after a nasty downpour, and won't weigh you down when it's dry out. SmartQuill traction technology gives you great footing regardless of the terrain, or its condition.