I’ve said over and over that I’m a big fan of anything you can decorate your apartment with that doesn’t take up a ton of space. I mean, who isn’t short on space these days, right? I wouldn’t call myself a pack rat, but I certainly have a lot of stuff, which is pretty crazy because I’m constantly throwing old things away to make space for new ones. But there are some things that I just hold on to because of the possibility of needing it, like a vase. It’s not like I get a lot of flowers or anything, but I feel like it’s one of those things that if I get rid of it, I’m going to wish I hadn’t. More importantly, I think it’ll be one of those things that I swear I hadn’t gotten rid of and I’ll spend the better part of a weekend futilely searching for it.
The Flower in Flat (Generate Design, $29.00) takes into account your limited space and also allows you to get rid of unnecessary clutter. See, a regular vase takes up space in your kitchen cabinets, something that is a hot commodity. Not only are you wasting valuable square footage, but with a (probably) overpriced item that is easily breakable and only taken out for special occasions. What, is your apartment a museum or something? No? Then maybe you shouldn’t be hording antique vases that you never use. Just a thought. This vase is different because it attaches to the wall, thus saving you space and quite possibly increasing its use. I mean, if it’s just out in the open, you’re far more likely to fill the vase with flowers than if it was tucked in the back of the cupboard, right? While this vase is magnetic (perfect for the fridge), it also comes with glue so you can stick it on pretty much any wall-like surface.
Maybe if I get this vase and display it in a high-traffic area, someone will send me flowers? I mean, it’s not like I don’t get sent a lot of flowers. I do, all the time. In fact, I’m running out of places to put them. So you probably shouldn’t send me flowers because of the space issue. Unless of course you want to, then that’d be awesome. But whatever, it’s up to you.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6.7″ x 5″ x 1″
-Wall vase
-Magnetic
-Attaches securely to any metallic surface
-Also comes with glue to attach vase anywhere
Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!
Are you ready for the feast that is very nearly upon us? Have you purchased all your Thanksgiving fixings? I hope so because you know the grocery store is gonna be a MADHOUSE today and tomorrow. Maybe we should just run through a brief checklist, just to make sure. Potatoes? Mmmm check. Cranberry sauce? Can-shaped check. Green beans? “Aww, do I have to eat my vegetables?” check. Stuffing? Stove Top check. Turkey? Um, turkey? Shit.
Listen, I’m gonna get you out of this jam, don’t you worry! All you need is a diversion while you go out and buy a turkey…and prepare it…and then cook it for several hours. I said, don’t worry! The Inflatable Turkey (Perpetual Kid) is gonna get you out of this mess in no time. I mean, why have a real turkey when you could have an inflatable one, right? You could use this turkey to mess with your family, persuading them that you thought this year we would all just think about delicious turkey instead of actually eating it. Or you could tell them that you mentioned the vinyl turkey when you invited them to dinner and that they just weren’t listening. Don’t they remember how you recently became vegetarian, but in order to keep up this whole Thanksgiving facade, you decided to have Tofurkey with a side of inflatable turkey? I thought you made it pretty clear with that “Meat is murder!” speech that you weren’t catering to your carnivore counterparts this holiday season.
Whatever your approach, I’m sure this faux turkey will be a hit at the dinner table. Just not this year. I mean, clearly you’ve waited until the last minute to put something together for Thanksgiving dinner. You don’t have a real turkey and, because you waited so long, you don’t even have an inflatable one. They’re sold out. Everywhere. They’re been gobbled up by the more thoughtful, albeit strange, individuals out there. But there’s always next year…
5 out of 5 gobble-gobbles.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 16″
-Made of vinyl
Turkey day is coming up – are you ready for all that massive food consumption? Sure, you can prepare your body for the onslaught of sugar and carbs it’s about to intake, but are you ready to face the toughest challenge of all? That’s right, hanging out with the fam. Before you start thinking that you’ve got this meal covered, let me remind you of what you’re in for. This is the time where your family grills you about your love life (“When are you going to get married?”), your job (“What do you want to do with your life?”), and other general critiques about your lifestyle (“Are you sure you want to eat that second helping of mashed potatoes?”). If only there was a way to take the focus off you, for once!
Thankfully (yes, I went there), if you show up with the Thanksgiving Hoedown Musical Turkey Doll (Amazon, $34.99), there’s a 99.9% chance that no one will bother you for the rest of the day. All you have to do is whip out this stuffed turkey, and you’re in business. Well, ok, maybe that’s not all you have to do. You should probably press the on/off switch, located on the turkey’s foot, or it’ll just be you holding a stuffed turkey (and not the kind you eat). Once you press the magical button, this turkey will move his head and mouth as he “sings” a “Hoedown Thanksgiving.” I mean, come on what could be better than that? Let me rephrase: what could be better than that at taking the attention off you? Absolutely nothing.
Who needs to bring a significant other to dinner when you could bring a singing turkey? Clearly an attention-grabber, your turkey will be the talk of the dinner table! Although, you might want to wait until dessert to bust him out – you wouldn’t want him to see his brother as the main course, now would you?
5 out of 5 embarrassed turkey stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 8″ x 11″
-Weight: 1.3lbs
-Wingspread crafted in calico and corduroy
-Press his foot to make his head and mouth move as he sings “Hoedown Thanksgiving”
-Uses 3 AAA batteries (included)
‘Tis the season for festive parties, raucous celebrations, and other sorts of joyous occasions! And what happens at gatherings such as these? Sure, everyone is just a little bit different, but there is a basic formula: eat, drink, and be merry. When you’re at a party, or better yet hosting one, you don’t want to get bogged down in the annoying, but necessary party maintenance. For me, the one thing I hate to have to clean up is dishes. It’s nice to have some people over, relax, and have a good time, but it sucks to have a sink full of dirty plates at the end of the night. Now, you could go all plasticware instead, but I always feel so guilty about it. I mean, how wasteful is that to use plastic utensils and plates? And you know everyone will use way more than they need to because if it’s disposable, it gets disposed. If it’s a real plate, they use one for the entire night. If it’s plastic, well then you’d better believe they’ll use at least five apiece. Just because they can.
By using the Sugarcane Disposables (Drinkstuff), you can take the pressure off of having to choose between some leisure time for yourself and saving the environment. Not only are these disposable plates and bowls made of 100% sugar cane fibre, but they’re also completely biodegradable and compostable. That’s right, you can use them up and throw them away because they won’t be sitting in a landfill for all eternity. And they’re actually superior to traditional disposables because you can microwave and freeze them without having to worry about destroying them, or poisoning yourself. Another fun little fact about these things? They won’t absorb oil or leak. So even if they’re made to break down. they’re not going to start in the middle of your party. They’re real classy that way.
Now, I’m not advocating using this faux china exclusively because that’s not exactly the most environmentally friendly choice. But you have to admit, it would be nice to pull these out every once in awhile. Just think, not only will your party be rocking, but everyone will be talking about how you managed to go green even around the holidays. Now, that’s a real gift.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Prices:
Small plate (7″): £7.59
Large plate (10″): £18.69
Divided plate (10″): £6.99
Bowl (16oz): £11.29
-Quantity:
Small plate: pack of 125
Large plate: pack of 125
Divided plate: pack of 50
Bowl: pack of 125
-Biodegradable and compostable
-Will not absorb oil or leak
-Microwavable and freezable
-Made from 100% sugar cane fibre
-Materials obtained from sustainable sources
-Not available for delivery in the United States or Canada
Space always seems to be an issue when it comes to making a coveted purchase. I mean, it would be totally boss to get that leather sectional for the living room, except for the fact that you can barely fit one small couch in there let alone a two piece wraparound. It’s that way with kitchen gadgets too; you have to figure out which ones are going to be your favorites because there’s just not enough space on the counter for all of them. And don’t even get me started on areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and especially closets! Ok, so maybe a lot of these space issues I speak of have to do with the fact that most of us live in tiny apartments/condos where free space is a prized possession worth more than your collection of autographed Beatles records. But even if you’re not sleeping on one of those beds that folds out of the wall, your pack-rat ways have probably drastically diminished the amount of available space in your living quarters.
Luckily, the Air Hover Hockey Game (Things You Never Knew Existed, $11.98) is sympathetic to your lack of space. See, you don’t have to live an air hockey-free existence any longer! As long as you have a table (any flat surface, actually), you’re pretty much set. The ultimate in party gaming, this set comes with a puck, two felt bottomed plastic strikers, and two goals. Don’t you remember how much fun you used to have in the arcade at the air hockey table? Remember how you vowed throughout your teen angst-ridden years that you would have an air hockey table when you were grown up? And then what happened? You moved into an overpriced, yet tiny apartment that you could barely fit a twin sized bed inside. Well, now your dream can finally come true – table by day, air hockey by night!
In case you’re wondering how you get that whole air hockey experience without the bulky table, I’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s the puck. Yup, this little puck runs off a couple of AAA batteries to create its own cushion of air, allowing for hours of air hockey enjoyment. Ah, to enjoy the finer things in life!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ diameter (puck)
-Includes puck with foam bumper, felt bottom plastic strikers, and two goals
-Fan powered puck turns any smooth surface into air hockey table
-Uses 4 AAA batteries (not included)
