Photo by Caran d’Ache X Nespresso
From writing with natural coffee grounds to drinking natural wine, this round-up quickly found a red thread of beauty and sustainability. Discover what caught our eye this month and why.
1. The Fixpencil
Sustainability and style have merged with the new Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. Created in 1929, the Fixpencil was the world’s first-ever mechanical pencil with a clip. A symbol of Swiss design with its hexagonal shape and patented mechanics, it even appeared on Swiss postage stamps in the past. Now, in 2021, Caran d’Ache has partnered with Nespresso to take the pencil to another level. The graphite lead of the Fixpencil is, for the very first time, made from recycled coffee grounds. That’s right, you’re writing with coffee. This 100% natural lead is also available in an exclusive set of three graphite pencils sourced from FSC-certified beechwood from Swiss forests for environmentally conscious design enthusiasts.
2. Nanopresso
Raise your hand if you’re just an all-around more agreeable person if you’ve had coffee. One of our contributors, Valentina, sent us a video of this travel-sized espresso extractor in the works while she was hiking a few weekends ago, and we have to say, we were impressed. Now you can have your coffee-fix wherever you are, with this super small but mighty machine. Apparently it uses a patented pumping system, which, with your hands, is able to achieve a maximum pressure of 18 bar (261 PSI) for unparalleled coffee extract quality.
3. È! Orange Wine
Orange wine is becoming quite the trend, even if it has been around for a while. Though the name is a bit misleading (nope, not made of oranges), it’s a wine that is unique in both its texture and flavor profile–a result of a natural process that uses little to no additives. Orange wine is basically white wine that’s created by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice, resulting in a deep orange hue. We tried this particular orange wine (which you can buy on TERRA) with some friends last week and loved the unusual and slightly sour taste. We admit, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a natural wine that is effervescent, slightly floral, and different from anything you’ve tasted before, give this one a try.
4. Clother
Often when we are trying to fill our wardrobe with sustainable fashion, we have to sacrifice something. Whether it’s style and trends, convenience, or price points, we’ve found that shopping sustainably is actually quite challenging here in Switzerland. That’s why we were pretty excited to discover Clother. An online eco-responsible fashion retailer based in Geneva that offers easy home deliveries (coming soon to Lausanne), hassle-free returns, and they even allow you to “try before you buy.” We’ve got our eye on a few summer dresses that would be perfect additions for our spring and summer capsules.
5. Blumenpost
And to continue in our sustainable thread, we recently stumbled upon Blumenpost–an online florist that delivers gorgeous regional bouquets and offers flower subscriptions at extremely competitive prices too. Can you imagine having a regular delivery of beautifully arranged seasonal flowers right to your doorstep? Though they are based in Zurich, delivery within Lausanne is just 5 francs.
6. CALDER, SOULAGES, VASARELY
A feast for the eyes, a satiation for the soul–the Musée d’art de Pully is one of those special places that enables the visitor to have an intimate experience with the art around them. This particular exhibition is composed of works from the Gandur Foundation which are rarely presented to the Swiss public. Centered on abstract works, from gestural to expressionist to geometric and even kinetic, it “marks both a conclusion to intense experimentation and the beginning of an adventure that continues to today.”