A bloke by the name of Dominic aka  “Mr. SiMo.” is claiming the idea, and is selling them for $250 a pop on his website.

He’s pretty obsessed about quality actually….here’s a few words straight from the horse’s mouth:

The Self Powered, Portable Suitcase Stereo system works with your iPod/iPhone or any device with a headphone jack. This case will last 7+ hours on a single charge (Charger Built In). In addition to running on batteries, The BoomCase can also be plugged in when the party goes inside. To save on weight, you can opt for a plug-in only version.

I am an audio-nut. … I shy away from plastic or thin suitcases because of their not so great acoustic qualities. Mainly I use cases that are built with wood and leather because of the superior sound they produce.

Anyways, if you’re strapped for cash (or simply can’t justify spending enough cash to buy a new iPod on a ‘vintage’ boom box)  I reckon you could make one of these bad boys for under $50 with a quick trip to your local Vinnies store.

Well, maybe not quite as high-tech as the one below with a built in “air synth” that manipulates the tunes cranking out of the attached iPod….

Billabong have just opened a virtual store in PlayStation Home, featuring men’s and women’s apparel from the Fall 2010 collection. In other words, you can now switch on your PS3, ‘walk into’ the virtual Billabong surf shop, browse and ‘try on’ the latest Billabong clothes, and then purchase them online. All without leaving your lounge room.

But does anyone else out there see the irony in this?   I mean, it’s probably a fair assumption to say that people who are that lazy that they buy their clothes through a gaming console, are probably a bit on the heavier side. And that they don’t like the beach. Or skimpy beach-wear. Or fluoro board-shorts. Or surfing.  Or sports. Or fashion.

What I’m saying is, unless the Billabong store specialises in loose-fitting clothing in dark colours in size XXXXL, won’t their PS3 success be a little bit limited?

I guess I should commend Billabong on being the first virtual retail clothing store of its kind to be incorporated into the PlayStation Home Marketplace.   It’s a nice idea, I just wonder how much return on investment it will bring back to The ‘Bong.

Read more about the Billabong PS3 store at the PlayStation blog.

If you don’t know the tshirts I’m referring to, here’s a good example:

Cringe-worthy footy-jock poses aside, it must be all the rage for established brands to give their image a complete make-over (much like Diesel did with their new skate line 55dsl).  Zanerobe has completely flipped its existing clothing line upside now, and has now opted for a far more refined and Fred Perry-esque style wit their release of a new range titled Zanerobe’s Game Day.

It becomes apparent as you become familiar with the brand that the creators of Zanerobe must be sports-inclined, but they’ve managed to now merge upper-class and perhaps more gentlemanly sporting influences, such as polo or hunting, into the mix.

Despite my distinctly non-footy ways I actually don’t mind the new Zanerobe range (although I will always consider rolled up jeans to be appropriate only for romantic walks along the beach in the 80’s).

You can check out the full range of new Zanerobe threads on the Zanerobe website.

The only thing that shits me about Fazed, is that a couple of their tshirt prints are a little bit cliched.

For example, one particular Fazed tee features a large black and white image of a semi-nude trashy lookin’ chick smoking a cigarette.   Honestly dudes….this ’style’ (if you can call it that) been done to death….but that’s just my opinion, so feel free to check out the Fazed Tshirt Collection and decide for yourself

Available at Universal Store Brisbane City.

However, obviously I was not alone in my hatred for Diesel’s styling. And it seems that Diesel finally cottoned onto the fact that their threads just don’t appeal to the masses, particularly the masses on this side of the world. Or maybe they just employed someone who finally gave a shit about clothes that actually look half decent.

The result of Diesel going back to the drawing board, is a fresh new label call 55dsl.  Despite sounding like an internet service provider, 55DSL is a fresh new skate influenced streetwear label boasting a pretty sweet range of tees, including a range of limited edition tees as part of the 10.55 project.

10.55 is a limited edition project in collaboration with different international artists to whom 55DSL gave complete freedom to design their own t-shirt or customise it with a photograph of their choice!
Each t-shirt is produced in a limited number of 1055 t-pieces worldwide and only available at authorised 55DSL dealers.

If you’re keen to get your hands on some 55DSL gear, you can probably find 55DSL in stores around Australia, but with the Aussie dollar going from strength to strength it’s probably easier just to stay comfy in that armchair of yours and buy some 55dsl gear online from Asos.

I can’t put my finger on the one thing that draws me to the Passport brand (passportal.com.au), it could be that it’s the brainchild of a local skater, it could be it’s understated designs, or even awesome old-style illustrations. What ever it is my Passport shirts are my first choice in my wardrobe.

To pick up some of your very own Passport attire check out these local stores;  Skatebiz, The Outpost and Sneak & Destroy.

I’m yet to try out the Passport decks and wheels but I’m sure they’ll pass the same great standard of their t-shirts. Get on board and support this great local brand.

It’s called Woodland, and it’s actually located above one the seediest long-established sports-bars in the area, the Mustang Bar. The reason this bar has the potential to be half decent, is that it’s a brain-child of the owner of The Outpost.

Apparently, Woodland will start by opening regularly on Saturday nights through September and then I’m told there
are lots of special things booked in from October onwards.

Entry is via Coniston Lane which is off McLachlan Street, between Alhambra and the Sun Apartments.

I was hoping to hit Woodland last night, but my legs were a little bit weary after a full of awesome live (and free!) entertainment courtesy of the Valley Fiesta.  If anyone made it to Woodland last night, don’t be shy…. leave a comment below and tell us how it was!

I was stoked to stumble across this Japanese-inspired watch today. It’s equally as space age, and equally as hard to read, as most of the watches in the Tokyo Flash range…. but at a fraction of the price. Problem solved.

It’s called the Alpha Centauri, it’s all metal with red LED lights, and you can buy it for just $35 Australian, and shipped locally, from GeekyGadgets.com.au.

Visit Geeky Gadgets now >>

But who cares where they’re made, Skatebiz in Brisbane stocks them. They’re $339.  And I want one.

I’ve found just the thing… a knitted beanie with built in knitted beard.  It was 26 degrees here in Brisbane today, and for some reason, I still feel the need to buy one of these hand-made crocheted delights.

Available from Etsy for $46-$48 US, depending on the size and design ( shipping to Australia is only $2 bucks). Radness.