Everyone is bending over backwards these days in an effort to make our lives “greener” so that we can conserve valuable energy and resources. Now, I think this is a great idea, and there are a lot of different ways that you can help. One of those methods is recycling. I know, I know, we’ve been talking about recycling from what seems like the dawn of time, but it really is one of the most effective planet saving strategies. But come on, we all like to buy new things every once in a while, so how can you feed your need for bright and shiny objects while still showcasing your love for the environment?
If you bought a set of Beer Bottle Goblets (Firebox UK, £12.95), then you could have something new and different, which just so happens to be recycled! These goblets are made from old beer bottles, giving them a vintage yet modern look. Available in three different styles, Grolsch, Sol, or Corona, this pair of goblets can class up your next party a bit. Why drink your beer straight from the bottle when you can pour it into one of these goblets made from recycled beer bottles? They’re dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to worry about babying these…babies. Also, these goblets won the Recycled Product of the Year Award in 2001, so if you had any qualms about whether or not you were doing your part for the environment, that should just about quiet them. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the beer is sold separately. Duh.
Ok, so this is a pretty cool product, right? So why only 3 stars? Well it’s only available for delivery in the UK, which means that all of us living in the good ole US of A are screwed. I mean, why is it that only the British get to have all the fun? Everyone knows that the USA is where it’s at. At least it would be if we had these cool goblets.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Grolsch 20.6cm tall, Sol 21cm tall, Corona 22cm tall -Liquid capacity: Grolsch 500ml, Sol 330ml, Corona 330ml -Winner of the Recycled Product of the Year Award 2001 -Only available for delivery in the UK -Dishwasher safe -Wash before use -Beer not included
During these cold winter months, it’s important to be prepared for the weather. One of the most vital of frozen tundra essentials, besides a ridiculously heavy winter jacket, is a nice set of boots. Boots are great in the colder months because not only are your feet protected from the chilly air, but your legs are also warm and cozy. What’s even better is that you can wear knee-high boots in the transitional months before and after the winter solstice to get the most out of your warm weather wardrobe. The big issue here is that most boots don’t fit everyone’s legs the same. Most of the time, the boot is either too big so it gaps out, or it’s too small and your legs look like they’re being squeezed into an itty bitty sausage casing. So not cute. But how are you supposed to get the perfect fit without having to order a pair of insanely expensive custom made footwear?
With the Argentine inspired Women’s Wrap Boot (Amazon, $120.00 medium brown; $96.95 olive), you’re not sacrificing style for substance. More importantly, you’re not paying a preposterous amount of money for the same old generic pair of boots that everyone and their mother is sporting this season. What makes these boots so special? They’re made of canvas upper that emulates the polo leg wraps for horses, which means that they stretch to conform to your legs. Also, they have multiple Velcro fasteners, so you can control the height of the boot as well as the tension. So say you want to wear these boots knee-high today because it’s pretty windy out, all you have to do is wrap the material around your leg and fasten it where you see fit. Or maybe the weather is a little warmer and you want to go for a trendy ankle style – just wrap the material around your ankle a few times and secure it. The bottom of the boot is sturdy, yet flexible, so it still offers ample foot support much like a regular pair of boots. While these boots might seem a little expensive, you’re basically getting multiple pairs of comfortable and unique boots for the price of one.
You’ve got to admit, these boots are pretty cool. So what if you look a bit like a horse? A lot of those polo horses are champions, you know. And you never hear them complaining about their footwear, so they’ve got to be onto something, right?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Available in medium brown or olive -100% canvas upper -Long stretch fabric strap -Multiple Velcro fasteners -Ultra suede lining -Cushioning insole with padded arch support -Flexible midsole -Rubber traction outsole
I’m not a big fan of camping. I know, it sounds downright un-American to speak such blasphemy, but it’s true, I don’t like it. On the surface it doesn’t seem so bad, but then you get down to the whole sleeping on the ground, peeing outside, and cooking with sticks over the fire thing. I could maybe get past all that hunting and foraging mumbo jumbo, but no shower facilities? No. Sorry, I have an odd fixation on personal hygiene that sort of compels me to cleanse myself on a daily basis. And no offense to camping, but it seems as though personal hygiene is a camper’s arch enemy. So just how are you, an immaculate example of good hygiene, supposed to be one with nature?
If you had the Super Solar Shower (Firebox, $9.95), then you wouldn’t have to ask such ridiculous questions. This eco-friendly product is a shower in a bag. I know, you aren’t that impressed. But what if I told you that it was a portable hot shower? That’s right, you can have your usual long hot shower, even in the woods. How does it work? All you have to do is fill the bag with water, lay it flat with the black side up, and let it sit out in the sun for a few hours. That’s it. Then you pick it up, hang it from a tree, and turn the nozzle on the built-in shower head to start the cleansing ritual. With a 20L capacity, you could either take a really long shower and leave your friends to fend for their crusty selves, or you could share the cascade of outdoor freshness. Just be careful that you don’t leave your portable shower out in the sun too long because the temperature can get up to 150°F!
Ok, so this is all fine and dandy to use green energy, while at the same time not disrupting your normal routine, but I have just one little issue. Just where are you stripping off all your clothes and taking this shower? Should you pack a shower curtain and just deem an area for a scrub down? And how do you keep the bugs and critters away from you long enough to actually get clean?
I guess it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be spending quality time in the woods anytime in the near future.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Approx 16 1/4″ x 22 3/4″ (unfolded) -20L capacity -Includes shower head, flow control, and hanging cord -Temperature can rise as high as 150°F
You know what’s the worst part about a refrigerator full of leftovers? You can never remember what day you originally tasted the cuisine in question! Did you make the meatloaf on Monday? Or was that the day you went out for chicken fingers and mashed potatoes, but had a huge appetizer so you ate about three bites and were instantly full? And what about that taco meat? Geez, that’s gotta be pretty old, but how are you to know for sure? I mean, if only there were some kind of system to track these kinds of things. You can’t be expected to go out and work all day, come home and make dinner, and then organize the dating politics of your leftover entrees. That’s just preposterous.
With the DaysAgo Digital Counter (Walter Drake, $4.99), eating the contents of your fridge no longer has to be a guessing game! All you have to do is still the digital counter to your food item of choice, set the timer, and you’ve immediately started tracking its eventual decline. The counter tracks hours and days, so you can determine the exact moment that you opened the sour cream on taco night. One set gets you two colorful digital timers and you get to pick your preferred method of attachment: magnetic, suction cup, or band. Magnetic is best for jars or cans, but suction cup can stick to just about anything. Not so sure about the band technique, but for this price, you could go nuts and buy a set of each style.
The key here, of course, would be remembering to set the timer in the first place. I mean, if you put a timer on a three week old Chinese food container, I’m gonna bet that your results are gonna be a bit skewed. I would also venture to say that you’re going to be vomiting up Chinese food in the very near future. Just a hunch.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of 2 -Colors chosen at random -3 different styles: magnetic, suction cup, or band -Counts down days then hours -Hold down button to reset
Don’t you just hate when it comes time to charge your phone, and you can’t plug it in next to your bed because you already have 800 other devices using the coveted top priority outlet? I mean, you can’t bump you computer because you might want to get online in the middle of the night and google something. And your iPod has to stay there because you’ve been having a few nightmares lately and your special sleep remix is the only thing that helps you get back to sleep. So there it is, your only two available outlets are completely unusable and your cell phone only has one little battery bar left, which is blinking, meaning that your phone is just about to die. And wouldn’t you know it, you’re expecting a call from your girlfriend any minute. You’d better find a solution, pronto.
If you had the Smart Plug (The Home Marketplace, $8.99), then you wouldn’t ever have to worry about swapping one appliance for another in the land of unavailable outlets. All you have to do is plug this thing into your outlet of choice and it instantly turns your standard two plug outlet into a beefed up six plug outlet. Think of it as an outlet on steroids, except this is totally legal and doesn’t come with any harsh side effects. What’s really great about this outlet extender is that it puts the outlets off to the sides, which means that you can push furniture right up on it without having to worry that you won’t be able to plug something in later. That’s right, it’s an outlet extender and a space saver, making it all the more easier when you have to move that lamp you plugged in behind the couch.
So go on, spice things up at home by getting a fancy outlet enhancer. All of your appliances will be clamoring for your attention, just like the first day you brought them home.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4 5/8″ x 3″ x 2″ -Provides 6 outlets -Outlets on side of unit -UL listed
