Isn’t it a hassle to go to parties where they expect you to pay an outrageous amount of money just to get your drink on? I mean, what do they think you are, a filthy rich mad scientist? Sure, you can just bring your own, but then you have to worry about how you’re going to stuff those brewskis in your bag without them toppling over, leading to a fizzy explosion of disgruntled hops upon opening. And just how are you supposed to keep your drinks cold in said bag? Yeah, you could hope that your party destination is handing out chilled beer steins, but I bet you’re gonna be pretty disappointed when you end up having to drink your tepid adult beverages. So just how are you going to enjoy yourself at such a shindig without having to worry about the status of your liquid courage?
Well if you were rocking the Burton Liquid Lounger (Urban Outfitters, $168.00), then you could rest easy because you’d essentially be the party. It looks like an ordinary backpack, right? Ok, so it’s a bit larger than the usual Friday night accessory, but that’s because it’s got everything you need to sustain a successful evening out. Let’s start with the most obvious space inhabitant, which is the beer. You can fit a 36-pack of your favorite bev in the insulated cooler section, which is more than enough drinks for you and a few friends to enjoy throughout the evening via the easy access top opening. Now let’s talk trimmings, those little extras that are really gonna make your night no-hassle. Need a bottle opener? No prob, there’s one attached to the zipper. Hey, maybe the place you’re at is getting a bit lame and you want to liven it up a bit with some games. Ok, so you’ve got a set of dice and a flask as well as ping pong balls, and even a golf towel to mop up spills that may occur due to game antics. There’s a self-draining ice storage compartment to keep those brews cold while they’re chilling (pun intended) in your backpack. Beer cozies are also included to ease the transition from pack to palm. So that just about covers it, right? Nope, there’s still more. I said you’d be the party, and I meant it. So what does that mean? Music, of course. This pack has integrated stereo speakers and an amp with auxiliary input, along with a padded laptop pocket.
That’s right, with this backpack you are a one man party machine. You could probably even start charging for your entertainment services. And I mean that in a strictly non-stripper sense. Or maybe you want to go that route. Whatev. I’m not here to judge.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 20″ x 13″
-Includes: logoed golf towel, flask, dice, beer cozies, and ping pong balls
-Insulated cooler section fits 36 pack
-Quick grab top opening
-Bottle opener zipper pull
-Self draining ice storage
-Integrated stereo speakers and amp with auxiliary input
-Padded laptop pocket
It’s getting to be that time of year, where the weather gets a little warmer and people start having outdoor get togethers. This usually means some grilled specialties, homemade pasta salads, and some chilled adult beverages. There’s pretty much just massive amounts of food surrounding you at all times. This can be somewhat daunting, especially if you don’t have the correct partyware to support such a feast. I mean, how are you supposed to mingle and meet new people when you’ve got to juggle your plate, silverware, and drink? That just doesn’t leave you a free hand to say hello, gesticulate during a funny story, or even just to scratch that inevitable mosquito bite on your arm. So how are you supposed to keep your guests from staging a coup in your backyard?
No worries, the Cater Plate (Drinkstuff, £5.98) is here to rescue you from social oblivion. Made from high quality plastic to resist breakage, this generic looking party plate packs a hefty punch. The key to the Cater Plate’s genius? Each plate includes reattachable cutlery, as well as a stemware holder and sauce compartments. Ok, so picture yourself at your neighbor’s bbq: you’re trying to master the difficult task of eating and schmoozing, which you have to do while standing because everyone knows that seats are scarce at these gatherings. Tell me, exactly how do you plan to execute a meet and greet when you have a plate in one hand and a drink in the other? Well, if you had a Cater Plate, you wouldn’t even be asking that question. Your wine glass would be safely secured in its stemware holder, with your cutlery firmly snapped into place. This plate is also great for the person who doesn’t want their sauces fraternizing with their main course. I mean, maybe you like to dip your cheeseburger in a little bit of ketchup instead of drowning it in the stuff, which can only lead to a soggy bun and an unhappy you. The reattachable cutlery means that you won’t be dropping your plastic fork every two seconds as you try to navigate to a sensible eating location. And once you get there, you can go crazy and snap off your fork, spoon, and knife because unlike other party plates, you can snap them right back on when the mood strikes your fancy. Amazing, isn’t it?
Available in black or clear, the Cater Plate is suitable for just about any occasion. The clear is a perfectly acceptable alternative for your standard summer block party, in fact it could go with just about any celebratory event. If you’re having a black tie event though, I would totally go with the black. Obviously.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 255mm x 265mm
-Package includes 6 Cater Plates
-Each plate includes: plate, reattachable cutlery, stemware holder, and sauce compartments
-Available in black or clear
-Delivery not available in US or Canada
Since it is officially the first day of spring, I thought I would continue to spout praise for warm weather friendly items. Now, since yesterday we covered items to enhance your lazy summer days, today I thought I would go in a slightly different direction. I mean, you have to be at least a little active during the warmer months to take full advantage of the abundant sunshine, or else it would just be a waste. And what better way to work up a sweat, yet still have fun, than having a water fight? From here you can go one of two routes: water balloons or water guns. While water balloons can be fun, they don’t really have the distance factor on their side. Nope, for that you’re going to need to invest in a high quality water gun. Speaking of which…
Do you remember the pioneer in water guns? If so, then you’ll be super stoked about the Super Soaker 50 Water Blaster – 20th Anniversary Edition (Amazon, $34.00) because it’s designed in the same vein as the original you grew to love so many years ago. This water blaster has a 25oz water capacity and can shoot up to 35 feet, so you have ample ammunition and range with which to attack your enemies. Of course, it also features the trademark air-powered hand pump. But as a water gun fight veteran, that shouldn’t slow you down too much. What’s great about this gun is that it’s super easy to refill because all you have to do is unscrew the water barrel. Also, the gun is fairly lightweight so you can effortlessly run around, hide behind bushes, and plan your attacks. You know, the usual water gun fight stuff.
Seriously, who can think back on their days of youth without reminiscing about a Super Soaker water fight? I think it’s a statistical impossibility. I mean, you’d have to be from another planet not to remember Super Soakers. That, or you weren’t born until after 1991.
5 out of 5 super soaking stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.4″ x 19.8″ x 10.2″
-Capacity: 25oz
-Range: up to 35′
-Designed after the original model
-Hand pump
-Air powered
-Easy to fill
I seriously cannot wait for it to be warm weather. In fact, I can’t even wait until tomorrow, the first official day of spring, to scout out the best of summer accessories. You’ve got all your usual stuff, like sunscreen, bathing suits, sunglasses, floaties, etc. but I think this year we need to take a look into the past. We need to remember something that truly screamed “summer!” like nothing before or since. I know, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing, but I think I’ve found it.
Naturally, I’m referring to the Original Slush Mug (Perpetual Kid, $10.99), an ingenious idea if I ever saw one. Much like its kissing cousin the Acme Sipper Ice Pop Maker, a slush mug is as essential to summer as sunshine. The beauty of a slush mug is that it is as low maintenance as ice pops come. It’s actually even simpler than buying store brand ice pops because with the slush mug, you don’t even have to leave the house. All you need to make tasty icees is this mug and whatever beverage you fancy. Basically, if you want an iced tea slushie, you just have to do a few simple things. First, take the white inner core out of your mug and stick it in the freezer for a few hours until it’s frozen. Then, plop it back in your mug. Now, are you ready for the last step? Pour your beverage of choice (in this case, iced tea) into the mug. That’s pretty much it. Your bev will start to freeze up a bit around the perimeter of the frozen inner core. With some slight stirring/swishing of the mug, you’ll have a fully slushed frozen treat in about five or six minutes.
Sure, it’s a little more hands on than rummaging through your freezer for an ice pop, but you’ve got to admit, this way is so much better. I mean, the immense satisfaction you’ll get from personally creating such a delectable slushie with your very own two hands is priceless. That explanation isn’t working for you? Ok, how about the fact that since you can use anything you have in the house to make this at just about a moment’s notice? Is it the laziness factor? I thought so.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Remove white inner core to freeze
-Creates slush in just 5-6 minutes
-Available in blue, purple, red, and teal
Now that it’s starting to warm up again, it’s time for all those fun outdoor activities to begin again. You know what I mean, like baseball games and concerts, things that are the most fun during the lazy summer months. There is one issue with these kinds of events though – the fact that you can’t bring any outside food or drink in with you. It wouldn’t be so bad if the stuff they offered was at least in a normal price range, but a $8 cup of beer at the ballgame isn’t exactly kosher. But there’s not a whole lot you can do about it, there’s pretty much two choices: buy it and deal with it, or don’t buy it and suffer from thirst/hunger. What if there was a third choice? What if you chose not to accept your food and entertainment on such limited terms?
Then you would be smart enough to invest in the Sippin’ Seat Flask Stadium Seat Cushion (KegWorks, $29.95) to make the most of your warm weather excursions. It looks like a normal seat cushion, one that most fans take to the game to create a more pleasurable seating atmosphere, right? Totally wrong. I mean, yes it is a seat cushion, but haven’t you learned by now that nothing is as simple as it appears? Hidden inside this seat cushion is a soft plastic refillable flask, with a spout the is revealed by unzipping one corner. The answer to the overpriced liquid competitors, you can bring this seat cushion basically anywhere and security will be none the wiser. With a 36 ounce capacity, you can fit approximately three beers or a whole bottle of wine within the cushions secret flask. And don’t worry, you’re not going to blow your cover by actually sitting on the cushion, as it can sustain up to 300lbs without busting. The flask compartment also makes an easy transition from season to season because it accommodates hot or cold beverages, meaning you can bring along your hot chocolate to the local football game to save some cash. If you happen to be particularly klutzy, and I am, the fabric cover is stain resistant, as well as machine washable for those inexplicably stubborn stains.
I don’t recommend drinking directly from the flask’s spout. While it may seem like a good idea, especially after a few flaskfuls of beer, you’re going to look like an idiot. Let me clarify: you’re going to look like an idiot after you get caught drinking out of your seat cushion. And then instead of being that cool guy who showed up the man, you’re going to be the moron who couldn’t handle his flaskjuice and had to be escorted out of the venue by security.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 13″ x 13″ x 2.5″
-Capacity: 36oz
-Supports up to 300lbs
-Accommodates warm or cold beverages
-Flask is removable
-Carry handle
-Fabric cover is stain resistant and machine washable
