If you’re like me, it seems like you never have enough space. I recently moved into a slightly smaller house, and at first, it seemed like everything was fine. I mean, the house I lived in before was too big for just me, so moving into a smaller one seemed like a logical step. You know what the problem with that logic is? It doesn’t work. You get too used to a larger space, so you accumulate more crap, and then pretty soon you need to live in a three bedroom house because you have so much stuff. Guest room? Forget it, that’s where you keep all your LEGOs and Star Wars action figures. You also need at least two bathrooms because you bought all that soap and toilet paper on sale at Costco and now have nowhere to store it. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the cramped quarters of a smaller kitchen!
If you spend even a decent amount of time in the kitchen, you tend to acquire your fair share of gadgets. Sure, you hardly ever use your mini chopper or George Foreman, but it’s comforting to know they’re there. The only problem is that, no matter how big or small a kitchen is, it seems that the cabinet space is always at best described as limited. The Origami Colander (ThinkGeek, $19.99) understands your need for storage space, which is why it lays flat in your cupboard. I know, you’re wondering how a flat colander can help you wash your veggies or drain your spaghetti dinner, but the answer is simple: it’s not flat. Sorry if I just blew your mind, but the reality is that this colander has the ability to go from upright to flat faster than you can say, “Why’s it called a colander anyways?” or some other interesting short phrase. Using a not-so-complicated system of hinges and locking latches, you can take this flat colander out of the drawer and pop it together in no time. Oh, and my personal favorite of any kitchen tool? It’s dishwasher friendly.
I know, it’s not the technological breakthrough of the century, but it’s still pretty cool. I mean, it’s not like you came up with it, which has to be pretty upsetting. If only you had, you could be sitting pretty in a home much bigger than your needs, with a room just for your action figures. Too bad, so sad.
5 out of 5 flat stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 42cm x 32.5cm x 1cm (flat)
27cm x 22cm x 14cm (folded)
-Available in black, green, white (only $17.99), and red
-Folds flat
-12 hinges and 4 locking latches keep it together
-Easy to store
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of polypropylene
Sometimes, you just need a reason to have a party. There’s no special occasion you want to celebrate or any spectacular milestone that you’ve reached, you simply need to participate in a joyous occasion. I find that a spontaneous party is highly enjoyable, one might say even more so than a strategically planned event. I mean, say you’re having an absolute shit week at work – would a party make everything all better? Probably not, but I bet it wouldn’t hurt. It would get your mind off the mistakes you made during the week and give you a chance to unwind with friends as well as new potential acquaintances.
I’m not saying that decor has to play a big role in a spontaneous gathering, but I don’t think it could hurt matters when trying to get everyone in a festive mood. The illoom Balloons (Drinkstuff, £8.99) do an absolutely perfect job of exuding merriment without looking like you’re trying too hard to throw an awesome shindig. While balloons are standard party fare, they’re usually reserved for going away parties, birthdays, retirement, surprises, and things of that nature. For a regular get together, balloons can be a bit much. So what makes these balloons worthy of an everyday bash? They light up. Each balloon contains a colored LED light and will last up to 15 hours. All you have to do to activate the lights in the balloons is pull at tab and inflate, your choice whether you want to go with helium or good ole air. Each pack comes with 15 balloons and a variety of colors.
It’s been awhile since I’ve thrown a decent party, but I have to say that my favorite are costume parties. Because my favorite holiday is Halloween, it makes perfect sense that I would leap at the chance to have a theme party. The problem with theme parties is that you’ll always have your fair share of party poopers and you need give a substantial period of notice for your guests. One theme party that will always work last minute? ’80s party. Seriously, who isn’t hanging on to their Members Only jacket waiting for this one to happen? Just me? Ok, fine.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of 15
-Each pack contains 3 of each color: blue, green, red, white, and yellow
-Can be inflated with helium or air
-Each balloon contains a colored LED
-Balloons last up to 15 hours
-Pull tab and inflate to activate
-Safe for use with children above 36 months
-Patented design
-Perfect for parties and special events
-Not available for delivery in United States or Canada
I’m not a very good ping pong player. It’s hard to admit that to you guys, but it’s true. One might even say that I’m a terrible ping pong player, although I think that’s being a little harsh. Regardless, I do enjoy a good ping pong game every now and then like the rest of you out there, but losing game after game is really starting to get to me. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to best my opponent. I’ll get a few lucky shots in here and there, but there’s no consistency to my efforts. Others have tried to help me with my technique, or lack thereof, yet I still have yet to perfect my ping pong skills. I think it’s time to bring in the big guns.
When it comes to ping pong, the Brodmann Blades Ping Pong Set (Generate Design, $99.00) knows what’s up. I know, you’re looking at the price of this set and you’re a little skeptical, but just hear me out. Sure, this set has a price point above other ping pong sets that may seem in the same league, but that’s where you’re wrong. See, this set contains two hobby grade paddles that are majorly innovative when it comes to the game of ping pong. Instead of holding the paddle with your hand, the paddle fits over your hand. That’s right, it’s like a glove except it’s a ping pong paddle. I’m blowing your mind right now, aren’t I? As a result, you will experience increased comfort, which will help you relax and focus on the game, as well as greater ball control for a faster and more intuitive game. With sensor impact to reduce vibration, you’ll have a faster response and the “sweet spot” on the paddle will be enhanced. You’ll pretty much be able to feel exactly where the ball makes contact with the paddle – how awesome is that?!
You guys better watch out because I’ve been working on my game. That’s right, I might even score this time around. Maybe. There’s only so much a new set of paddles can do.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 15″ x 9.5″ x 3″ (zippered case)
-Includes 2 hobby grade paddles, 4 branded ping pong balls, 2 terry wristbands, and a sturdy carrying case
-Paddles are one size fits all
-Direct ball feel over nearly entire blade face on both sides
-Improved ball control
-Sensor impact reduces vibration
-Enhanced sweet spot
-Faster response ability
It’s been awhile since dinnertime was an exciting event. And by a long time, I mean it’s basically never been all that thrilling. Especially when you’re a kid and you’re forced to sit through excruciatingly boring dinner conversations that are way over your head, dinner seems to last forever. There’s nothing to do but sit there and stare at your plate, full of disgusting foods you don’t want to eat. Brussel spouts again? Really, Mom? And to top it all off, they won’t even let you leave the table! You’re just supposed to suffer through talk of Uncle Dave’s colonoscopy and Aunt Gert’s festering boils (your family has a lot of medical ailments, apparently). This is an outrage!
For those of us who demand to be entertained at the dinner table but cannot afford quality dinner theater, the Food Face Dinner Plate (Perpetual Kid, $10.99) will surely suffice.Remember Woolly Willy? Such a simple concept, but that bald man provided us with hours of hilarious enjoyment. This plate employ that same idea, namely dressing up a bald, beardless man, but with food instead of magnetic shavings. Not only does this plate provide hours (yes, I said hours) of endless entertainment, but the possibilities really are infinite! I mean, depending on what your dinner consists of, you could have a mashed potatoes beard, roast beef hair, and carrots for eyebrows. Or maybe you want to go the traditional route and do spaghetti hair and marinara sauce lipstick – that’s what I think when I hear the word “traditional.” And don’t worry about overuse because this plate is made of high-fire ceramics, designed to withstand many, many, many character transitions.
These plates are actually my fine china, only I use them all the time instead of just on special occasions. On holidays, I like to take them out and challenge my guests to a Face Decorating Contest. Best use of food as art wins a Maserati. That’s just how I roll.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8.5″ diameter
-One plate
-Ceramic
Not that it’s any surprise, but I’m not really a fan of doing dishes. I mean, who is, right? It’s time-consuming, kinda gross, and just all around a joyless activity. For those of us living without the luxury of a dishwasher, this is regularly scheduled programming. Even if you have been blessed with a magical dish cleaning machine, there are still times when you need to get elbow deep in a hot, sudsy pool of water and scrub some pots and pans. Now, wouldn’t you just love some sort of technological advance to make it easier on yourself?
Maybe not a breakthrough of technological proportions, but the Original Spaghetti Scrubs (Wrapables, $9.95) will make your dish scrubbery a little less agonizing. This set of two scrubs are made from natural abrasives, so not only are they effective, but they’re not full of harsh chemicals. You only need a small amount of detergent for heavy scrubbing and practically none for those light cleaning jobs. Also, because of their unique shape, they get into small corners easier and take a fraction of the time to dry. Unlike traditional sponges, they’ll get softer with each use and they’re a lot less likely to get stinky or moldy due to excess water retainage. You can choose from the coarse corn set, which is used for general cleaning and more heavy duty scrubbing, or the gentle peach set that is reserved for lighter cleaning fare, like glassware and surfaces prone to scratches.
Ok, so they look a little funky, but I’m telling you, once you go spaghetti scrubs, you never go back.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 16″ x 4.3″
-Set of 2
-Choice of coarse corn or gentle peach
-Money saving
-Natural abrasives
-Gets softer with each use
-Allow to dry thoroughly after each use
-Made of corn cobs; peach pits
