How many times have you been on your way out the door, only to realize that you can’t find your keys? This doesn’t usually happen to me (I’m pretty good about keeping track of my personal items), but I’m almost always accompanied by someone who is constantly losing everything. Remember my friend that I told you about, the one who I bought a whistle key finder for only to learn that he couldn’t whistle? Well he’s not the only person in my life who needs more than a little help holding on to their personal possessions. I have another friend, we’ll call him Enrique, that loses his keys just about every day. He loses his keys so often that he has multiple spare sets on hand. He loses those too.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though: the Remote Key Finder (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $22.95) may be able to help him. Like most other key finders, you attach the receiver to your keys (or any other device you’re prone to misplacing) in hopes that it will aid you in its location. This key finder uses a transmitter to activate an 85 decibel alarm on the receiver when pressed. In case you don’t know, that’s pretty loud. As in, if you’re standing right next to it, you might jump out of your skin a little bit. What makes this transmitter different from the others is that it operates using a unique digital signature, so you can use multiple devices without interference. Also, the transmitter works through walls and floors, with a range of up to 75 feet.
Before you start complaining that this key finder doesn’t work, you should know that you’ll need to press and hold the transmitter button in order to activate the receiver – one quick press of the button isn’t going to cut it here. And while I did test to make sure it transmits through doors and walls (it’s crazy, but true), I didn’t fully test its 75 foot range. Mostly because my apartment isn’t that big.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.75″ x 1.5″ x .25″
-Includes transmitter, receiver, and double sided tape
-Transmitter activates 85 decibel alarm in receiver
-Up to 75 ft range
-Works through walls and floors
-Unique digital signature allows for multiple device usage without interference
There’s nothing worse than being out at a fantabulous party or event, having a great time, only to have it interrupted by feeling uncomfortable. There are many things that can make for a less than stellar atmosphere, most of which are beyond your control (obnoxious drunk, bad music, inedible food), but sometimes we fail to properly prepare ourselves for these outings. For example, a wedding can be a joyous occasion, but it is most certainly an event that you need to prepare for. One of the key comfort elements at weddings (and most events) is footwear. Guys, you tend to have this covered. Ladies, you need to work on it. Now, I know that comfortable footwear and stylish footwear are hardly ever the same thing, yet you’ve gotta know that you’re gonna be miserable at the end of the night if you insist on sporting five inch heels the entire time.
I’m not saying you should forgo that sassy fashion sense. Instead I would suggest bringing along the Butterfly Twist Shoes (Drinkstuff, £14.99) as a supplement to your party attire. The set includes a pair of gift-boxed rubber soled ballet flats as well as a drawstring bag for your other shoes. What makes these flats so amazing is that they twist into a small triangular shape that easily allows them to be stored in a small purse or compartment. Not intended for day-to-day wear, these flats are for when you’ve been out and about wearing your sky-high heels and your feet feel like they’re going to fall off. Available in four different colors, you’re guaranteed to be both comfortable and fashionable. Who’d have ever thought that was possible?
I was at a wedding this past weekend where gaggles of girls were running around with no shoes on, presumably because their high heels were causing considerable foot pain. Either that or they were a bunch of hippies. Probably the first thing though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Sizes: small, medium, or large (see site for sizing details)
-Available in black, blue, red, or gold
-Includes one pair of foldable shoes and a drawstring bag
-Butterfly design on the toe of each shoe
-Small and compact
-Rubber grip soles
-Comfy and fashionable
-Gift boxed
-Not intended for day to day wear
-Not available for delivery to Canada
Laziness is an art form. Not many people realize that, but it is. There are many times when you might think that it’s ridiculous to ask someone else to get something for you when it’s only a few inches from where you’re sitting, but you would be wrong. I mean, why get up and get something yourself when you can get someone else to do it, right? If you think I’m crazy, ask yourself how many times you use the remote to turn on the TV, even when you’re standing right next to it, instead of doing it on manually. I believe the response you’re looking for is always.
Because laziness might as well be my middle name, I have much appreciation for the little things that make my life easier, like the Salt & Pepper Bots (Nerd Seven, $29.95). Now, we all know that reaching for the salt and pepper isn’t the most difficult thing in the world, even if your table is super long, but wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to reach over someone else while they were eating? With a set of these wind-up robots, all you’d have to do is wind them and get on with your meal. These little guys will clip-clop their way across the table, where they’ll deliver the condiment of choice housed in their screw-on head to the recipient. What more could you ask for?
I know that waiting for a small wind-up toy to deliver a pinch of salt probably takes more time than just reaching across the table and getting it yourself, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is so ridiculously lazy, it crosses over into awesome. You know you agree.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 3.75″ x 1.3″ (each)
-Weight: 5 oz (each)
-Wind up robots
-Salt and pepper set
-Screw on head compartment stores salt or pepper
-Made of food grade ABS plastic
Going out of town until next week, but be sure to check back on Monday for an all new post!
I hate trying to decide what to have for dinner. If I don’t plan it out the week before, I either end up ordering take-out every night of the week or I eat every snack in the house instead of cooking a real meal. The issue here is that most of the stuff in my kitchen takes way too long to make, probably because it’s either out of a box or sitting in the freezer. There are actually only about three things I know how to cook that require little to no effort on my part. My favorite go-to meal is spaghetti because, come on, it really can’t get much easier than that.
I think the most annoying part about making spaghetti when you have to drain it. You’ve got this pot full of boiling hot water and you’ve got to dump it into a colander, without burning your hands. That doesn’t seem like a big deal because you can just put the colander in the sink, right? Well, you could, except when was the last time you actually cleaned your sink? Do you really want all those nasty food remnants from your sink to seep into your freshly cooked spaghetti? I didn’t think so. The Silicone Pop Colander (Amazon, $29.99) not only stores flat in your cabinet to save space, but it also features collapsible legs that keep its contents above the sink floor. And because it’s non-porous, non-absorbent, and dishwasher safe, you can be sure that your cooking won’t be tainted by those of previous meals. The only drawback is that you need a sink a bit on the larger side in order to fit the collapsible legs. I’m afraid those out there with double sinks won’t be able to partake.
Not only is spaghetti incredibly tasty, but it’s dirt cheap and it lasts forever. I could probably eat nothing but a box of spaghetti for a whole month. Ok, well maybe it won’t last that long, but you get the idea.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Collapsible design keeps contents above sink floor
-Space saving
-Withstands heat up to 250 degrees
-Non porous and non absorbent
-Available in red or gray
-Made of silicone
-Dishwasher safe
