Little kids are always wanting to stay up later than they should and when it’s finally time to put them to bed, it can be a real challenge getting them to stay there. For one thing, going to bed at an early bedtime is incredibly boring. Yeah, there might be a toy or two in their room, but Mom said lights out and she meant it. And if your kiddies aren’t sleeping because they’re too antsy, they’re probably afraid of sleeping all by themselves in that dark room. You know, just them and the monsters underneath their bed. Sure, they could benefit from a nightlight, but sometimes they need a little more to appease their fears.
Offering way more than the standard nightlight, the Twilight Sea Turtle (Latest Buy, $39.95) is sure to set your child’s mind at ease. The turtle projects a night sky full of stars onto the ceiling of your child’s room to create an interesting nightscape for them to look at before they fall asleep. The turtle’s shell also illuminates in three soothing colors to highlight five endangered sea species. With a built-in sleep 45 minute sleep timer, your child can lay in bed and let the stars lull them to sleep. If they still can’t sleep, the set also includes a Twilight story book and helpful star guide that allows them to interact with the nightlight.
Even though it’s recommended for ages two and up, I think just about anyone of any age would enjoy this light. I mean, remember how awesome those glow-in-the-dark stars were that you used to stick all over your ceiling? This is pretty much the same thing, except you can take this thing anywhere!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 14″ x 12″
-Includes interactive nightlight, Twilight story book, helpful star guide, and adoption certificate
-Projects multitude of stars
-Features 45 minute sleep timer
-Illuminates in 3 soothing colors: ocean blue, emerald green, and aquamarine
-Uses 3 AAA batteries (included)
-Recommended for ages 2 and up
-Winner of the 2008 Creative Child Magazine Top Choice of the Year award
“You don’t have to drink to have fun.” That’s what boring people say. No, seriously, I know this is true, but it seems like having an adult beverage or two lightens the mood and amps up the party just a bit. It’s not like I’m advocating drinking just to get drunk – I prefer to keep the mood festive by playing a game or two with my brewski of choice. There are plenty out there to choose from, so you can decide whether you want to get completely schnockered or if you’d prefer a slow descent into the beer goggle phenomenon.
Depending on your level of skill, the Shot Pong Game Set (KegWorks, $15.95) will be a fast or slow ticket to Drunktown. On the plus side, since you’re using two ounce shot glasses instead of regular sized cups, you’ll be able to practice your throwing skills all night long. And while one of those most common problems with setting up a game of beer pong is the space needed, it’s not an issue with this set because you’ll only need about half as much space as a regular game. The included triangle racks also help minimize the mess because they’ll keep your shot glasses in perfect alignment on the table (no more hardcore throws knocking full cups onto the floor). Both myself and the manufacturer do not recommend or condone the use of liquor with this set (and if you have to ask why, then you’re just stupid).
This would actually be a great way to determine the ultimate beer pong champion. Sure, anyone can make a couple of lucky shots into a big plastic red cup, but what about tiny shot glasses? This is where we separate the men from the boys!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 2oz shot cups
-Includes 12 reusable plastic shot cups, 2 triangle racks, 2 shot pong balls, rules sheet, and suggested playing tips
-Similar concept as beer pong
-Requires smaller playing surface than beer pong
-Liquor not encouraged or recommended for use with this product
2 for 1? That’s my favorite! Ok, getting something for nothing is really my favorite, but that’s basically what happens when you get 2 for 1. I don’t even care if I never use the second item. Sure, it would be nice if that little something extra you got was actually useful, but I’m fairly flexible when it comes to getting freebies. For me, it’s almost the thrill of the chase; getting one thing just because you’re getting something else. There’s no work involved and it’s relatively painless, what’s not to love?
An excellent example of a 2 for 1 that I would actually use is the Berkeley Bag (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $19.95). It features a change purse as well as a zipper compartment that has slots for credit cards, cash, and receipts. With its adjustable handle, it’s something you ladies could take out for a night on the town or just to the corner store to pick up a few necessities. Sounds just like a cute little wallet doesn’t it? Oh, but it’s so much more. Ok, maybe not so much more, but there is a little something extra: a tote bag. Included in the wallet’s side pocket is a large nylon bag that can be used to carry your purchases. So not only do you have a chic little wallet, but you can also be eco-friendly while shopping. And when you unfold the tote bag, the wallet flips into the inside of the bag so it doesn’t get lost somewhere in the bottom. It’s like they thought of everything.
Maybe if you start helping out the environment, you’ll get something in return for your efforts. You know, karmically speaking. And hey, if you can do it by getting something for nothing, then what’s stopping you?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4.5″ x 3.75″ x 2.5″ (wallet)
17″ x 24″ (large bag, including straps)
-Wallet and tote bag in one
-Wallet includes change purse and zipper compartment with slots for credit cards
-Large bag included in wallet side pocket
-Adjustable handle
-Available in black, green, or raspberry pink
-Made of nylon
Some might say that I’m easily entertained. This could be true, but I prefer to think that I appreciate even the simplest of inventions. Actually, the simpler things in life are often even better than their complicated technological counterparts. I mean, not everyone is involved in stem cell research but I can pretty much guarantee that just about everyone I know has a microwave or a remote control, or even just a nail clipper. I think the most important gadgets are the ones we’re gonna be using in our day to day life. Sure, I get awestruck by ginormous televisions and crazy gizmos just as much as the next person, but I’m probably not going home with one.
The Autoseal Kids Tumblers (ThinkGeek, $15.99) are that little bit of scientific advancement that’s needed to make day-to-day life easier. Basically a grown-up version of a sippy cup, these tumblers keep the same goal in mind: don’t spill that juice on the couch! With just the press of a button, the spout of the tumbler opens up and allows for some quality sippage. The tumbler itself features a contoured body, making it perfect for smaller hands to hold onto it. And hey, if somehow it slips out of their hands or off the table (even though it also happens to have a non-skid bottom that grips tabletops), it’s ok because it’s not going to spill. Now, I’ve described all the ways that this cup is perfect for your little ones, but I know that you parents out there are itching to get your hands on one too. Before you steal this one away from little Joey, you should know that each set contains two tumblers so there’s enough to go around.
I think I’m gonna get me one of these to carry around all day. I’ll still keep my LiteCup next to my bed, but it might be nice to throw this one in my backpack. I’m a little tired of getting ice tea all over myself at lunch time. Sure, I could try being less klutzy. Or, I could buy this cup. Can you guess which one is going to happen?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6.8″ tall
-Capacity: 9oz
-Choose from boys’ styles or girls’ styles set
-Set includes 2 tumblers
-Press button to sip
-Contoured body perfect for smaller hands
-Non skid bottom grips tabletops
-100% leak and spill proof
-One piece lid
-Dishwasher safe (top rack only)
-For ages 4 and up
I think I could eat pizza every day, for every meal. I’m not even exaggerating. It would be my desert island food of choice, although I don’t know how I would be getting and/or making pizza on a desert island, but that’s irrelevant. And sure, there are plenty of different options when it comes to pizza so it’s not like it would be that boring, but I think I could be satisfied with plain old cheese pizza. It’s just one of those things that always sounds good in any situation. It’s the perfect answer to “What are we having for dinner?” and you can customize it any way you want to appease whomever you’re with. You can dress it up with specialty pizzas a la California Pizza Kitchen or dress it down with something homemade (from your kitchen or the corner pizza joint). The possibilities are endless.
For the perfect meal, you need the perfect tableware and the Pizza Slice Party Plate Set (Perpetual Kid, $39.99) certainly complements any pizza pie. This set includes six triangular-shaped plates that combine to form a complete pizza pie. Individually, each plate is ideal for holding a single slice of pizza. And to really class things up, there are six different types of pizzas (one for each plate) illustrated, so it might even help you decide what you’ll order tonight.
Remember when I was talking about dinner parties the other day and how food is instrumental to their success? Well, if you have something as snazzy as this plate set, you could order in from Domino’s and your party would still be a hit. And that’s really saying something.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 9″
-Set of 6 plates
-Triangular shaped
-Each printed with a pizza theme
-Forms a six slice pizza pie when combined
-Made of high quality melamine
