British fusilli, an axe I needed, and a calmer inbox #84

Welcome to this week’s installment of what’s hot in brands and products.

We’re currently driving to visit family for the holidays.

I thought about scheduling newsletters over the break… and then I didn’t.

Because this time of the year is kind of perfect for doing less. Slowing down. Seeing people you love. And (ideally) spending a little less time online.

So I’m keeping your inbox quiet on purpose.

Wishing you a calm, energizing start to the new year. From Europe with Love is back on January 11th.

Take a break if you can. It’s good. I definitely need one.

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

P.S.: Missed last-week’s edition? The toothpaste from Selahatin was the most-clicked product.

It’s surprisingly hard to find “wine vibes” without the usual alcohol tax. This one isn’t fully alc-free though — it has the strength of beer (5% ABV), which might be the sweet spot if you still want it to taste like actual wine. I haven’t tried it yet, but the pack is basically a quick way to test-drive their range without committing to a full case.

Oh, and I like their font mix in the logo.

The responsible version of “just one glass” 🤝

I would love to have a proper workbench at home. Even better: a tiny garage workshop where you disappear for 40 minutes (or half a day) and come back with a wooden object. The Elite 2000 made by Sjöberg is the “serious workbench” category — thick beech top, built to take a beating — and the base cabinet means your tools don’t end up in a chaotic drawer that only opens on Tuesdays.

The only thing more satisfying than this one is to build your own… until then, check out the Elite 2000.

The other day when we put up the Christmas tree, I really needed an axe to trim the trunk a bit more. Instead, I did a cumbersome workaround that felt like DIY theatre. The Small Forest Axe by Gränsfors Bruk is the kind of axe you buy once and then keep finding excuses to use.

Compact, beautifully made, and way more elegant than wrestling a tree with whatever’s in the kitchen drawer.

Woodmancote Retro makes this cheeky “pill” stool in the UK — playful, but not gimmicky. The best part: they use recycled plastics (including things like cosmetic bottles and kids’ toys), so it’s basically a pop-color accent with a second life.

Perfect for anyone who likes their interior with a bit more color.

Sometimes at university parties, when someone asked about my last name, I told them my grandpa runs an Italian pasta factory. (Complete lie.)

Northern Pasta Co.’s fusilli is the opposite of that story: British pasta that doesn’t cosplay as Italy — it just focuses on being good. It’s made with British spelt and has that rough, sauce-grabbing texture that makes even a lazy pantry sauce feel like a plan.

Some day I’ll launch my own pasta brand too.

Until then, I’d love to try this.

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