Mike O’Neill, designer behind the super-successful “not a wallet” Jimi wallet just launched his next product, the JimiX. A wallet for people who hate wallets, but love cash. It holds cards like the normal Jimi wallet, but also has a nice external clip for cashola. Of course, it’s still made from recycled plastic, locally in the US and 1% of sales revenue goes 1% for The Planet.

I recently started testing a handful of products for UK based skin care line REN, and was pleasantly surprised with my experience. Not only is the packaging slick and the story remarkable– what’s inside is really quite nice. They use no chemicals, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, coloring, or any of that other harmful business. Special nods to the Calendula and Artic Blackcurrant Cleansing Milk Wash and the High Glide Shaving Oil. If you’re in the UK you can purchase directly through REN’s site, if you’re in the US we recommend our pals at Details For Men. Stay tuned for more reviews of their products as we try them!

I don’t know about anyone else out there, but I am sick and tired of paying so much for car insurance. I rarely drive, I have an impeccable driving record, and I am a careful and defensive driver. So why do I have to pay so much? I wish that American car insurance companies would follow the lead of U.K.-based Norwich Union, who had created a new car insurance policy that charges drivers based on actual miles travelled. The system works by transmitting a signal — via a satellite navigation system — to Norwich Union that tells them the car usage of each policyholder. Policyholders are charged a low, flat rate monthly charge as well as a incremental per-mile charge, and are billed via a monthly itemized statement. Norwich Union even throws in a satellite navigation system and a speed camera detection system when you sign up. This car insurance pricing structure creates great incentives– it rewards drivers who choose not to drive as much, leading to environmental benefits and providing a mitigating factor for traffic jams.

Via PSFK

Coming to us out of Quebec is new clothing label Ridehouse, who’s board-sport inspired designs scream function, but also blend art and style. Their collection is called Heartwood, named after the central, supporting pillar of a tree– ‘It will not decay or lose strength while the outer layers are intact … as strong as steel.’ They’re not lying, because their clothes definitely have that comfy, yet well-constructed, feel to them. My favorite men’s piece in the Heartwood line is probably the ‘Harbor’ Hoodie; it incorporates an internal collar, for both extra fashion flare and added warmth for your face in cold conditions. For the ladies, the equivalent is the ‘Shelther’ Hoodie (nice play on words)– great collar fashion and function. Ridehouse’s t-shirt designs are nice as well– I like ‘The Long Wait,’ which incorporates a simple yet creative tree and chairlift silhouette design. Ridehouse’s new Heartwood line is definitely built for winter, and I am excited to rock it in the coming months.

Mekanism’s last collaboration with Invader (covered here) was such a huge success that Invader decided to create a fourth and last piece to complete the set. Sk8 or Die, shown here, is a deck covered with black and white micro mosaic-tiles. As usual, it’s signed, titled and dated by the artist. These decks are one of a kind and duplicates will never be produced, period.