Does anyone really like the rain? I mean, it’s usually a big downer because it puts a damper on any plans your might have had that involved going outdoors. Were you gonna play a game of touch football over at your friend Bobby’s? Too bad, it’s raining. How about a nice picnic at the park? That torrential downpour begs to differ. Hell, it can even ruin a perfectly nice evening in when a steady stream of precipitation causes the cable to go on the fritz. Even worse, the entire power grid could go out and then you’re stuck sitting in the dark, staring at the wall by candlelight. Sure, you could read or play a game, but who wants to do that? The worst thing about a rainstorm is when you’re already out and you have no choice but to suffer through it. This will inevitably happen when you’ve just stepped out of your house and are on your way to work or an important meeting. That way, you can show up drenched and remain that way for the rest of the day.
Don’t worry, the Dualbrella (Hammacher Schlemmer, $39.95) and I have got you covered the next time the skies open up. It’s pretty obvious what the amazing feature of this umbrella is: its colossal size. Seriously, this thing is ginormous. Not only can you fit two average sized persons underneath its canopy, but the umbrella will even shade someone carrying multiple packages. This is a big deal for me, as I usually end up going without an umbrella because the front of me stays dry while my back always ends up soaking wet. Wet butt is not a good look for anyone, I can attest to that. So the fact that this baby will not only keep me and a friend dry, but our possession as well is a major plus in my book. And listen, you don’t have to share if you don’t want to. You can keep this umbrella all to yourself because even though its humongous, you only need one hand to hold it.
Seriously, how is something as obvious as this just being invented? Now we can stay dry despite the rain, and there’s no reason to stay indoors during a spell of rain. Although I would advise caution because usually rain comes with wind, and I know you’ve all seen those poor schmucks whose umbrellas take off in a wind gust. This thing is six feet wide – I can only imagine how fast it’ll fly out of your hand when the wind gets a hold of it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 36″ x 2 3/4″ (closed)
-Spans 6′ x 3′ when open
-Lightweight dual steel tubes, stretchers, and ribs
-Manual open
-Pull cord assists closing
-Only one hand required to hold it
-Oversized canopy can protect someone carrying multiple packages
-Made of 100% nylon (cover and pouch)
When I was younger, I never used to wear a watch. One might argue that I didn’t have any real purpose for a watch because it’s not like I was going out at all hours or ever actually had to be somewhere (even if I did, someone else was carting me around). When I did start sporting a timepiece, it was pretty much out of necessity. I mean, once you get your license and you start working, you’ve got places to be, right? You can’t afford to be late to any of the events on your social calendar, and the only way to do that is to hop on the watch bandwagon. But it took me awhile to get used to wearing something on my wrist. In fact, it was downright irritating at first. I would rather be perpetually tardy than cramp my style. Eventually, I got over it.
For those of you out there who still resist time-telling jewelry, the Tempo Time Tag (Wrapables, $24.95) could be the solution. Just because you don’t like wearing a watch doesn’t mean that you don’t need to know what time it is on a daily basis. Perhaps you job position makes it almost impossible to carry a cell phone or allow you easy access to a clock, so a watch is your only option (except you loathe wearing one). Or maybe you can’t wear a watch because it gets in the way while you work, say as a gym teacher or massage therapist. This set of two time tags are basically tiny digital clocks that clip onto to your clothing so you always know what time it is without the hassle of a pesky watch. You won’t have to worry about replacing a watch band or if your watch is going to get in the way while you work because you can clip this portable timepiece onto just about anything.
The only real problem I have with these things is that I know I would forget I was wearing them and throw them in the hamper at the end of the day. Then sure enough, they would go through the washer and dryer, and that would be the end of that.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.1″ x 0.45″ x 0.3″
-Tags onto sleeves, collars, or bags
-Set of 2
-Batteries included
-Made of stainless steel and polycarbonate
I don’t consider myself a boring person. Sure, sometimes I can come off as a bit subdued, but certainly never boring. In part, that’s due to my spiffy personal appearance (one should never be afraid of too much color) but it also refers to my living space and its eclectic decor. One might even say, “Tres chic,” if one were French. My design aesthetic is to basically cram a bunch of stuff together that someone would never think of putting together. Sometimes it backfires and my living room looks a bit like a 25 cents table at a yard sale. Other times, I come off as a person of sophisticated tastes with a vast knowledge of the arts, and the occasional knick-knack collection.
A simple way to ease your apartment into the design world, the Wall Stick Up Frames (Taylor Gifts, $19.98) are a no brainer. For just under $20, you get eight photo frames in a variety of design and size combinations. That’s comes out to about $2.50 per frame. When was the last time you spend $20 on a frame, much less $2.50? Pretty much never, that’s when. Besides the fantastic price, these frames have something that no other frame has – the ability to keep your walls intact. Renters, have I piqued your interest? No one wants to worry about putting holes in their walls, regardless of their real estate ownership status. I mean, every time I try to hang a picture, my stud finder says the whole wall is a stud. So I have a pretty good chance of putting up a picture only to have it fall off the wall, taking a chunk of sheetrock with it. Not my favorite way to spend an afternoon. These frames are made of adhesive vinyl, meaning they’re restickable and reusable. You can put them on virtually any wall space and if you don’t like it, you can easily move it. The only way it could be easier is if they came and put up all your pictures for you.
I seriously love these things, so much so that I currently have three sets. I’m thinking about covering an entire wall with pictures, floor to ceiling. The best part? The next tenant will have no idea my photos were even there.
5 out of 5 photo frame stars.
Specs:
-Set of 8 different design and size combinations
-Removable and reusable
-Made of adhesive vinyl
As I mentioned the other day, I am a klutz. I freely admit it, mostly because it would be impossible to try to pretend I’m not. I mean, I run into anything and everything you could ever think of, not to mention the large number of items I break, knock over, or spill throughout the course of a day. I really shouldn’t be allowed to touch anything. So I look for ways to make the simplest tasks even easier, lest I screw it up and cause some sort of preventable chaos.
Carrying things has always proven to be an issue, seeing as I manage to trip over my own feet all the time, so I’m glad there’s something like the Spider Wine Glass Holder (Drinkstuff, £16.99) to help me out from time to time. The holder fits over most wine bottle necks and can hold four wine glasses at a time. Ideal for entertaining, this holder allows you to hold five things at once, without the constant worry that you’re going to drop any of them. Also, it keeps your other hand free to steady yourself. Or you could carry something else, but I would recommend keeping one hand free in case of clumsiness.
I probably shouldn’t even be around glass objects. I haven’t broken that many of them (define many), but enough to make me sufficiently nervous every time I hold one or walk by something of the glass persuasion. Maybe I’m finally ready to get out of this uncoordinated funk. Who am I kidding, this holder will just allow me to break more things at once.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 215mm x 215mm
-Max bottle neck diameter: 33mm
-Holds four wine glasses around the neck of a bottle
-Fits most wine bottle necks
-Ideal for entertaining
-Gift boxed
-Black matte finish
-Not available for delivery in the USA or Canada
How come no one has tea parties anymore? Ok, well I do actually know the answer to that one: tea parties are lame. But at the very core of tea parties is a delightful experience, one which consists of consuming a steaming cup of tea and a smattering of tasty pastries. The issue here is to figure out how to get to enjoy the delectable treats without the idiocy that is associated with a tea party. Specifically, how to orchestrate a setting where cucumber sandwiches aren’t served with empty cups of tea to stuffed animals.
A more adult approach to the traditional tea party, the Teacakes Cupcake Mold (Perpetual Kid, $17.99) has more than a hint of carefree innocence to it. Let’s face it, it’s not like the queen is going to be enjoying her crumpets out of a tea cup, but you can be she wants to. Shaped like tea cups, these cupcake molds are designed to allow you to bake and serve your scrumptious goodies in one container. They’re also reusable, so it looks like you’re doing the environment a favor by not using those convenient, but so not green, paper cupcake liners. This adorable cupcake set even comes complete with matching saucers!
I really don’t care how silly this may seem, I would love to eat a cupcake out of a tea cup. Are you seriously going to tell me that you would refuse a heavenly bit of cake just because its presentation was somewhat juvenile? Hell, I’d even put on a dress and some white gloves if you told me I could have more than one!
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.75″ x 2.75″ (cups); 4″ diameter (saucers)
-Includes 4 cupcake molds and 4 serving saucers
-Reusable
-Food safe
-Made of 100% pure silicone and phthalate free plastic
