A lot of people don’t cook because it’s just too much of a hassle. The same thing can be said for baking – even with the help of Aunt Betty (Crocker, that is), you still have to measure, mix, and not screw up your dessert of choice. Sadly, homemade sweets and treats just taste better than their store bought counterparts. And I don’t even have to explain to you how much better Mom’s mac n’ cheese is than Kraft. But you need extensive skills and complicated utensils to make such delicious delicacies, right?
I’m not gonna lie to you, there will be some effort involved in the creation of foodstuffs. But with the right tools, it won’t be so bad. Take the Adjustable Rolling Pin (Generate Design, $33.00), for example. Seemingly just a jazzed up version of an ordinary rolling pin, it can make cooking and baking easy even to those for whom the kitchen is a foreign country. With the help of three sets of removable discs, this rolling pin can adjust to three different heights. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about whether your pie or pizza crust is the exact thickness it needs to be because the rolling pin does the work for you. It even has measurements on the actual rolling pin so you know how big the dough is once it’s rolled out. All you have to do is put a little muscle into it and you’ll be feasting on something scrumptious in no time.
Ok, so since we’re being truthful here, I will admit that I have been known to buy a frozen pie crust or two. But please don’t tell anyone – it’ll totally destroy my image over at Bakers R Us, and I’ve got a rep to protect.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 16.5″ x 2.75″ x 2.75″ -Includes rolling pin and 3 sets of removable discs -Adjusts to 1/16″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ thickness -Beech rolling pin must be hand washed and naturally dried -Discs and locking nut are dishwasher safe -Made of beech wood and plastic
I can’t ever seem to find my phone when I’m in the car. Without fail, it’s in the backseat or it’s fallen off the front seat and onto the floor – in any case, I can’t easily reach it. I mean, that’s if I can even hear it ringing when I’ve got the radio cranked up and I’m singing my heart out (what, you know you do it too). The only place I can really put my phone while I’m driving is in the cup holder, but sometimes I like to actually use that to put a cup in. Shocking, I know. And on the off chance that I’ve located my phone in time to answer it, I have to fumble with a headset so I don’t get caught driving and talking on my cell phone. It’s really hard to be so popular.
Behold, the Magnetic Cell Phone Holder (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $7.95)! With this device, it’s easy to field all those calls without compromising your car safety. Using the power of super strong magnetic force, the magnet half of this gadget attaches to your car’s dashboard with the help of a flexible adhesive back. The metal plate adheres to the back of your phone using a two-way adhesive, and then all you have to do is place the metal plate on the magnet. Voila! Hands-free talking can now commence!
I had my doubts about how well my iPhone would actually stay stuck to this holder, but it worked like a charm. I mean, there’s a release button built into the holder for a reason. While this is fantastic for my iPhone, I would venture to guess that it could also be pretty awesome for your iPod. At least then I wouldn’t have to drive with one hand on the wheel and then other holding my iPod, searching for a song. You know, safety first and all that.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Makes any cell phone hands free capable -Includes 1 metal plate and a 2 way adhesive -Magnet with flexible adhesive back attaches to any dashboard form -7500 gauss magnet holder
I just got my electric bill and wowza, it was a lot! I can’t say I’m really all that surprised though because when you’re addicted to gadgets like me, you tend to utilize a lot of electricity. And while I can accept a high electric bill as the result of my hobbies, there’s nothing out there that says I have to like it. I mean, half the time I’m not even using most of my electronics, but I’m just too lazy to go around turning them off. An easier (i.e. lazier) way to go about saving some dough of energy expenditure is to use the Outlet Switch (Taylor Gifts, $5.98). Instead of having to turn off or unplug all your electronics when they’re not in use, simply plug them into this switch and then plug the switch into the wall. All you have to do then is turn the outlet off when you aren’t using it. That’s it. There are no other complicated steps. I’m pretty sure that just about anybody could do this. Then again, there’s that lazy factor – if I’m too lazy to unplug an appliance, am I really going to flick a switch? It requires barely any effort, but I’m still not sure if I would do this on a daily basis.
Let’s not overlook the fact that you can only plug one item into the switch, so if you had the amount of gizmos I do, you’d have to buy a gazillion of these things. If only there was a product out there that allowed you to plug in a multitude of items and still turn them off with a simple touch of a button…you know, like some sort of strip of power…
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.75″ x 1.5″ x 1.25″ -On/off switch -Easy to use -Made of plastic
It’s certainly not the worst part about being sick, but no one likes getting their temperature taken when they’re feeling under the weather. I mean, you’re tired, you’re achy, you’re cranky, and someone has the nerve to stick a prophetic swizzle stick down your throat (or worse, elsewhere). As adults, we pretty much accept getting our temperature taken as the first step to figuring out how serious our level of sickness is, but kids usually don’t feel that way. How are you supposed to explain to a baby that this thermometer is actually going to be used for good?
The answer is, you’re not. Instead, why not just pop the Vicks Pacifier Thermometer (Amazon, $12.81) in your infant’s mouth and they’ll be none the wiser. The idea here is that they’re going to suck on a pacifier anyways, so why not just add in the thermometer element? You get to tell if your little baby is running a fever and he/she won’t even have to know about it. A great idea in theory, but babies are a little more complicated than that. The thermometer only works if your little one is willing to hold it in its mouth for the allotted time for an accurate reading, which is two minutes. Some babies accept the pacifier just fine, but there have been complaints by parents about being unable to keep the pacifier in their child’s mouth for that long and the nipple being too large to be comfortable. If your prodigy is accepting of the pacifier though, it’ll be a heck of a lot easier to take their temperature with this thing versus whipping out the rectal thermometer. I guess the only way to know if it’ll work for your family is to try it!
If only that hand to the forehead test was any real indication of fever, we wouldn’t have these kinds of issues.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-2 minute readings -Professional accuracy within 0.2 degrees F -Memory recall -One piece construction
I usually try to travel light, but end up carrying just about everything I own on my person at all times. I mean, you never know when you might need a pair of tweezers, a flashlight, and a spoon. Actually, no, no one needs to carry that at all times unless they’re MacGyver. Then they’re required by law to house a whole arsenal in their pockets. Since I’m not using everyday objects to get out of sticky situations, I’m trying to cut down on the amount of crap I leave the house with. I decided that the easiest way to remedy this problem was to start with the size of my wallet. Shockingly, my wallet is full of junk that I don’t need/use.
So now that I’ve thrown out my old, bulging wallet, I’ve decided to go with a more streamlined version. Introducing the Jimi Wallet (Latest Buy, $14.95), my new and more lightweight monetary companion. Sure, it looks a little on the small side, but this guy can hold a fair amount of wallet items including up to four standard credit cards. It also includes a removable money clip that can hold one extra credit card in addition to three folded up bills. The money clip is perfect for a night out when you don’t feel like carrying a wallet, even if it is as small as this one. Because of its small stature, this wallet even makes the desired transition from back pocket to front pocket! Made of recycled materials, this wallet can also add splashproof, shockproof, and translucent to its list of impressive features.
Now if you’re itching to make the switch from your massive wallet to this lightweight design, but you’re worried about where you’ll put all your extra stuff, fret not. That’s what your woman’s purse is for.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4.3″ x 2.8″ x 0.6″ -Front pocket wallet -Holds up to 5 standard credit cards -Includes removable money clip -Available in clear white, aqua blue, and stealth black -Splashproof, shockproof, and translucent -Made from recycled materials
