This year L.L. Bean turns 100 years old. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one room operation, selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe, which it it still sells today. Here at MSLO, we have been fans of L.L. Bean products for a long time. Their products are rigorously tested and guaranteed to last. Plus, they ship for free. I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my favorites here and if you're in Maine, you must visit the retail store campus in Freeport.
1 The shoe that started it all. This is an updated version of the original made in waxed canvas from L.L. Bean Signature.
2 I also love the Hunter's Tote Bag in black. It's so chic and would look great with a monochromatic monogram.
3 In honor of its 100th anniversary, L.L. Bean is offering select anniversary edition products. These snowshoes are great.
4 The anniversary edition canoe by Old Town is so beautiful. Only 10 of them are being made.
5 This Classic Swiss Army knife is made from reclaimed Swiss walnut for this 100th anniversary edition and features the anniversary logo.
6 Another great tool from L.L. Bean, the Leatherman Wave. It's a compact multitool. I know many of the stylists here at MSLO keep them in their tool kits. So handy.
7 The Rolla Roaster Hot Dog Forks are great for marshmallows too. They have a rotisserie knob for 360 degree browning.
8 Discovery Binoculars are compact and perfect for viewing nature.
9 The Trailblazer Walking Light is a super bright LED that illuminates your path at night. It also has a red blinking light on the back so that you're easily seen.
10 This solar flashlight will provide 12 hours of light from an 8 hour charge and is waterproof to 80 feet.
11 The Solio Bolt Solar Charger will charge virtually any device that has a USB port and it looks really cool too.
12 Although the northeast winter has been mild this year, the snow castle/snowball maker set would be lots of fun with some snow.
13 The Slope Slider is an updated version of the classic saucer sled. The bright colors are great.
14 Bean's classic toboggan is fun for the whole family.
15 I love all kind of games. L.L. Bean offers the vintage board games of Backgammon, Checkers, Parcheesi and Chinese Checkers individually or as a set of four. They would make great hostess gifts.
16 Another great gift idea. Hometown Puzzle is a custom made puzzle centered on any US Postal address. It's made with a real US Geological Survey map showing main roads, buildings, contour lines and vegetation.
17 Bean's croquet set is the perfect lawn game for all ages.
18 After a day of playing games, who wouldn't want to relax in a classic cotton hammock.
19 Keep food and drinks ice cold in this Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler. It will keep ice frozen for up to three days in 100 degrees!
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Teish | 3/4/12 at 12:37 pm
LL Bean's slip-on mocs are THE BEST shoes! Comfortable and dressier than just sneakers. They wear well and look great even after a year or two of heavy use. I've been buying them for years!