From Europe with Love #43 – 5 finds you didn’t know you needed (until now) 👀 February 23, 2025

Buonasera from Goat Island!

Welcome to this week’s installment of what’s hot in products & brands!

This weekend, we went snorkeling at Goat Island, then made our way to Matheson Bay — where something completely unexpected happened. Five dolphins swam right into the bay, not far from the beach, and just decided to hang out.

No schedule, no agenda, just five highly intelligent sea creatures having a casual afternoon.

We happened to be in the water when they arrived, and wow — what a moment.

Dolphins showing up unannounced? Incredible. Tourists doing the same? Apparently, New Zealand isn’t taking any chances. They just launched a tourism campaign with the slogan "Everyone Must Go!" — which sounds less like a travel ad and more like an evacuation order.

The goal? Convince Aussies to visit.

The result? A slogan that’s either brilliant or completely tone-deaf, depending on who you ask.

Either way, we must go too — our last week in New Zealand is here.

As our family nomad adventure moves to its next chapter, I’ve still been scouting Europe’s best products for you.

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

I scout, you explore. Let’s get to it!

With love ☀️
Jakob

Sherpa Blanket [🇬🇧]

A water-repellent picnic blanket with fleece lining? Sounds practical. A water-repellent picnic blanket with fleece lining that also folds into a cozy sleeping bag? Now we’re talking. Labo Mono’s Sherpa Blanket is the perfect adventure companion — whether you're beach lounging, camping, or just trying to survive a freezing movie night on the couch. Get cozy with it here.

Rumms Nutcracker [🇩🇪]

Some brands just sound right. Bang & Olufsen makes speakers that go bang (but, like, in a refined way). Zippo makes lighters that zip. And Rumms? Well, it makes objects that land with a satisfying rumms — like this nutcracker, which is basically a mini ‘gouiotine’ for walnuts. Place the nut, lift the solid steel hammer, let it drop, and crack. It’s over-the-top, beautifully overengineered, and way more fun than those old-school squeeze nutcrackers. Crack into it here.

Hans Pendant XL Pine Lamp [🇫🇮]

Finnish pine isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of cutting-edge design, but Vaarnii is here to change that. They take this humble, local wood and turn it into furniture that’s both tough and elegant — like the Hans Pendant XL, a sculptural light that looks like it belongs in a modern art museum (but also in your dining room). Handcrafted in Finland. See it in all its glory here.

Molos Wool Slippers [🇬🇷 | 🇳🇱]

Not your average house slippers. The Molos by GIVE A PON are handmade in Greece from undyed sheep’s wool — soft, warm, and naturally breathable. The oversized pompom? A flex. The hand-stitched details? Pure craftsmanship. Designed with a mix of Greek tradition and Dutch minimalism, these slippers are as cozy as they are cool. Slip into a pair here.

Modular Shelf [🇩🇰]

If you’ve spent any time on design Instagram, you’ve probably seen this one. The Sætter shelf is a modern rework of a classic Danish concept — modular, minimal, and made for people who like their storage as good-looking as the things they put on it. Perfect for ceramics, small books, or that one cool collectible you got in Copenhagen. Find your perfect setup here.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FIND THIS WEEK?

HIT REPLY AND JUST DROP A QUICK #1, #2, #3, #4 OR #5 – OR TELL ME WHICH ONE YOU’D ACTUALLY BUY.

ALWAYS LOVE HEARING WHAT YOU THINK!