You know what’s great in the summertime? Popsicles. And I’m not talking about those lame store bought popsicles, I mean those tasty homemade treats your mom used to make. You know what I’m talking about, the ice tea or lemonade popsicles that are a million times better (not to mention cheaper) than the ones at the store. But you don’t want to make just any old popsicles. I mean, you want them to be fun and exciting, full of pizzazz and amazement. And I know you, not just any popsicle mould is going to do. So how are you going to make the most delicious, yet aesthetically pleasing popsicles in the land?
If you had the Minifigure Ice Lollipop Mould (LEGO, $12.99) then you wouldn’t have to ask such silly questions. Clearly, this mould is the all you need to spread joy and wonderment, via homemade popsicles. The mould has three Lego man slots and comes with six reusable plastic lollipop sticks, so you can potentially be enjoying up to six popsicles at a time. The mould also comes with a lid, so you can stack multiple moulds on top of each other. Or, if you’re like me, it will just serve as a layer of protection from the avalanche that occurs daily in your freezer whenever you attempt to remove something.
And don’t think that you’re limited to just popsicles because that’s just crazy talk. Think bigger. Think grander. Think Jello. Think chocolates. And if you’re really imagination impaired, think plain old ice cubes. But please, whatever you do, don’t think birthday cake. Ovens are a Lego man’s Kryptonite.
As you can plainly see, this mould is the bee’s knees.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Plastic tray makes 3 minifigure lollipops
-Comes with lid to make mould stackable
-6 reusable plastic lollipop sticks
You know what sucks? When you go to a party and there’s some really bangin’ dessert, but you’re way too full to eat it because you stupidly filled up on snacks and such. I mean, there’s just so much to choose from, but you go with the cupcake: it’s single-serving, compact, and looks like a little present wrapped up just for you. It seems like the perfect road dessert, right? Negatory. Unless you hold that cupcake the whole drive home, and even that method isn’t foolproof, you’re got one cake and icing debacle on your hands – literally. If only there was a way…
Never fear, the Cup A Cake (Sur La Table, $3.00) is here! This singular sensation is the perfect fit for your pastry delight. Available in either pink or blue, the cupcake holder creates an airtight seal around your edible piece of heaven. Sure, it could be a little costly to outfit an entire arsenal of cupcakes, but I’m assuming you’re selfish (as are most cupcake transporters) and will only really need one, maybe two if you’re feeling especially peckish. Also, the container is made of polypropylene, which is super durable, so with a little hand washing in between dessert shipments, and you should be golden. So when you and your sweet partner in crime try to make a swift exit, consider this cupcake holder the ultimate getaway car.
That way, your cupcake gets home safe and sound, unharmed by the harsh outer elements. It can enter your humble abode and reside there until the end of time, without a care in the world. Well, except for when you inevitably, yet somehow unsuspectingly, devour it. I bet your cupcake wasn’t expecting that.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3″ x 3.5″
-Available in Pink or Blue
-Keeps cupcake in place during travel
-Airtight seal
-Made of polypropylene for reusable storage
-Hand wash
-Made in USA
You know what sucks about winter? Snow. Well, snow and ice. Oh, and the lovely combination of the two: sleet. Snow, ice, and sleet basically threaten to ruin anything that could possibly be enjoyable about the wintertime. I know, it gets colder and this winter weather is supposed to happen, but I just never get used to it. Every year there’s that huge weather monstrosity occurs and everyone sane has the day off, but not you. Nope, you have to go into work, it doesn’t matter how many inches of snow are shrouding your car like an invisible snow cloak. So you get out there and you put a good hour into clearing off the excess snow. But then you get down to the windshield and it just encased in a solid sheet of ice. There’s no budging this thing. I mean, you just about break your wrist trying to scrape off the ice, and it barely makes a dent. So how are you supposed to get to work on time?
Well, with the Electric Windshield Scraper (Graveyardmall.com, $3.99) there is very little effort involved on your part. I mean, you still have to get bundled up, go out in the cold, and clear the three feet of snow off your car. But, this scraper does have a significant impact of your ice removal productivity. See, while the ice scraper has the traditional ice breaking teeth technology, the secret here is that it also heats up. That’s right, I said it heats up, so basically it melts the ice as it scrapes it off. Come on, like that was so hard for someone to invent? We used to have to stand there scraping off our windshields for at least a half hour before this handy little tool came along. All you have to do is plug the ice scraper into your cigarette lighter and in about two minutes, you’re in business. And for you pessimistic folks out there, the ice scraper has a 14′ cord so it’s got more than enough slack to allow you to maneuver around your car as you clear it off.
Now you might want to keep this purchase a little hush hush because if your boss finds out you have one, you’ve pretty much blown your bad weather excuse. I mean, who’s gonna let you skip out of going to work due to inclement weather when you’ve got a heated ice scraper? You’re gonna have to brush up on your list of excuses. You know, like “I have to get my laundry out of the dryer” or something like that.
5 out of 5 thawing stars.
Specs:
-14′ cord
-Plugs into car cigarette lighter
-Heats up in about 2 minutes
-No slip grip
-Ice breaking teeth and thick rubber tipped squeegee
-LED “on” light
Remember when bath time used to be fun? Like way back when you actually took only baths, and you would get your whole rubber duck army ready before you could even get in the bath? I mean, I get that you have to make some sacrifices as you get older, but I would gladly give up my sight, hearing, and dashing good looks for some old school bath time merriment. But rubber duckies are so first grade, so what’s the adult option? Bath bombs and salts? They just disintegrate into nothingness within the first few minutes. Bubbles? Totally lame, unless they’re movie bath bubbles because then they’d be awesome. Candles? Way too dangerous – no one wants to explain how their hair caught on fire and had to be put out by submerging their head in the bathtub. So what does that leave?
The Rose Bath Lights (Firebox, $12.95) are the safe, yet exciting alternative to all of the above. Sure, these lights look fairly simple, but they’re actually pretty cool. Ok, so on the surface you’re just got yourself a bunch of roses, but then you notice that they are waterproof, float, and change colors. Those roses just got a bit more interesting, right? So now you can take the occasional bath, when the mood strikes your fancy, and be dazzled by your new Rose Bath Lights. They’re a lot safer than candles, yet add a heightened level of ambiance to a simple cleansing ritual.
Now, if baths aren’t your thing, you can always throw these babies in a sink full of water during a party – better yet, a bowl next to the sink, you know, in case your guests are at all interested in washing their hands at some point during their visit. Your friends don’t wash their hands? That’s so gross. Your friends are skanks, man.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.75″ diameter
-Uses AG10 batteries, 3 per light (included)
-Color changing
-Waterproof
You know all that awesome graffiti art you see plastered across the buildings and streets in the city? Wouldn’t you just love to be able to do that yourself? I mean, without the possibility of being arrested for defacing public property. But what’s the alternative? I mean, it seems like a lot of time, money, and effort to be constantly spray painting your profound thoughts all over your apartment. And then your friends come over and start spraying their gang tags over your witticisms, then you’ve got all out gang war on your hands. Trust me, you don’t want that. So, how do you avoid a fight to the death between the bloods and crips?
If you used the Glow Graffiti Light in a Can (ThinkGeek, $49.99) then no one has to get hurt. This can of magic allows you to create graffiti masterpieces with the push of a button, and the best part? They’re not permanent! That’s right, you can draw/write whatever you want and it automatically disappears in less than an hour. I know, a little more semi-permanence would be stellar, but it’s a compromise I’m willing to make for ultra cool temporary graffiti. I mean, this must be how it felt to be the first one to discover the brilliance of temporary tattoos. How it works is through a UV light within the aerosol-type can that you can “spray” onto a reusable light sensitive sheet. The UV light is powered by two AA batteries, so it’s fairly cost effective to operate and maintain. You can “spray” very close to create tight lines or from far away for stencils or more abstract designs.
So now you’ve got the coolest party trick in the book for your next big shindig. Sure, some people hire DJs or caterers, but you’re sticking strong with temporary graffiti. It’s a risk, you know, but you’re not afraid of anything. Well, except maybe the bloods and the crips.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 6″ spray can, 24″ x 24″ sheet
-Includes: light can, reusable light sensitive sheet, instructions, alphabet stencil
-Uses 2 AA batteries (not included)
-UV light in aerosol-type can
-Graffiti will complete fade in less than an hour
-Designed for use in the dark
-Do not shine directly in eyes
