A week of last times – #108

We just got back from two days of hiking in the Pfossental, so for once, I had the good sense to prepare this intro before disappearing into the mountains.

I wrote the follwoing on Friday night.

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I’m typing this late on Friday night with my six-year-old daughter asleep on the couch next to me, snoring a little louder than the music in the dimly lit room.

She had already gone to bed, woke up again, wandered into the living room, and apparently decided the couch was the better place to continue sleeping.

We’re both still slightly sticky from one of those properly hot summer days. The windows are open, the living room is a mess, and I don’t have the heart to carry her back yet.

This week was full of moments like this.

A few days ago, I picked her up from kindergarten for the last time. I’ve walked through that gate many times, usually thinking about lunch, work, or if we need to pick something up at the supermarket on the way back. This time, I knew it was the final one.

My son finished elementary school too. And somewhere in between the end-of-school chaos, my daughter turned six.

The last sixth birthday this house will throw. (Unless our family planning takes a spectacular and currently unplanned turn.)

Most last times don’t announce themselves. One day you carry your child home, read a certain book together, or wave through a kindergarten window. Then life moves on, and months later you realize you never did it again.

This week, I caught a few of those moments while they were still happening.

It didn’t make the week sad. It made everything feel unusually clear and alive. Time was moving, and I was paying attention.

She was still asleep beside me. The living room was still a mess. And I have five very good things waiting in my tabs.

Two days and quite a few kilometers later, they’re still there.

Let’s get to them.

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If you’re new around here: Every week, I share 5 of the nicest products from Europe I’ve discovered in the past 7 days.

I scout, you explore.

With love 🌞
Jakob

P.S.: Missed the last edition? For the first time ever, three links tied for the most clicks: 1) the king size hammock for up to 6 adults, 2) a ‘just-in-case’ case for two cigarettes and gum, 3) the wikipedia page for the shoes my parents wore when they met 😅

Kibu makes children’s headphones designed to be built, repaired and taken apart again. Created by London studio Morrama with Batch.Works, they use replaceable 3D-printed parts and no screws or glue. Much better than teaching kids that broken means bin.

FUNGI 05 is a one-off ceramic mushroom lamp by Brussels studio TILT, founded by Laetitia De Moor and Patrick van Roy. Rechargeable, dimmable and available in three light temperatures.

Sophie Sellu hand-carves Grain & Knot’s household objects in southeast London. This walnut brush is 23.5 centimeters wide and costs £350, which means I would probably display it beautifully and clean with something else.

Victorinox is obviously no secret. But after relying on one of its classic knives with roughly 12,304 functions during our hiking trip this weekend, I checked the website and found this limited edition with a Damasteel blade and plane-tree wood handle. Only two functions. Very restrained by Swiss Army knife standards.

Roxy is a compact espresso machine developed in Bavaria by engineer Flo and software developer Max. It gives you control over pressure, temperature, flow and pre-infusion, yet somehow only has two buttons. In one video, I watched it lower the pressure mid-shot so the water wouldn’t finish flowing before the 27-second mark. Basically, it tries to save your coffee while teaching you what went wrong. Okay, I’m digressing...

If you ever want to talk coffee, just reply. I’m always happy to share my thoughts on brewing methods, grinders, machines, and the rest of the rabbit hole.