Uncovering distinctive pieces that you wouldn’t normally stumble across is what my website Trouva is all about.
In that same spirit of discovery, here’s a selection of my favourite unique finds from 2019.
Plum
Building up a savings pot is something that most people find difficult. Plum is an AI assistant that helps you save, budget and invest your money automatically. It’s fun and seamless, not something you often associate with saving.
Free, withplum.com
Flow
This air-quality tracker syncs with your phone to give you a minute-by-minute breakdown of your exposure to pollutants. Eye-opening but also helpful — it can help you make lifestyle changes in order to breathe cleaner air.
£119, plumelabs.com
Mini Console by NeoGeo
The original and greatest arcade console is back in portable form. Unleash your inner child by reliving classic arcade games of your youth, from Metal Slug to The King of Fighters and Fatal Fury.
£89.99, game.co.uk
Skoveph Game Boy AirPod case
Normal AirPod cases are tiny and tend to get misplaced. This retro Game Boy case is easy to carry around, yet bulky enough that it’s also handy to find. Even better, attach a Tile bluetooth tracker to it, and you’ll never wonder where your AirPods are again.
£6.98, amazon.co.uk
Steamery Cirrus No.2 Steamer
A welcome relief from the burden of ironing, this handheld steamer is one of the best around and thanks to its minimal, sleek Scandi design, it looks great too. You’ll soon wonder how you lived without it.
£110, trouva.com
Nikki Amsterdam Lamp/Speaker/Wine cooler
A futuristic lantern with triple the fun — this is a designer lamp, wine cooler and wireless speaker all in one. Stylish and practical, it’s lightweight so you can bring it with you wherever you want.
£165, selfridges.com
Peak Design travel backpack
Peak Design’s bags are known for their innovative designs, customisable modules and organisational compartments. A must-have if you’re a photography fanatic or a travel enthusiast.
£233, peakdesign.com
Alex Loizou is the co-founder and CEO of Trouva, an online destination for independentboutiques; trouva.com, @alexloiz
Alex's hit list
Read it: Trillion Dollar Coach, by Alan Eagle, Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
This handbook is a must-read if you’ve ever managed a team or want to find out what a great manager looks like. £25, waterstones.com
Visit it: Avantarte
A digital platform that brings together the world’s best designers and curators and is a fantastic source of inspiration. avantarte.com
Listen to it: Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe, by Roger McNamee
Highlights the real impact social media giants have had on our lives. £5, audiobooks.com
Watch it: The Wire
I’ve been rewatching The Wire — it’s one of the best TV shows ever. I’m noticing things I didn’t before. £19.99, amazon.co.uk
