Rainy days are anything but cheerful. In fact, they can be downright depressing. Blame it on the gloomy storm clouds or the nasty worm smell in the air, but there’s just no disputing the sheer magnitude of blah-ness that inevitably accompanies a rainy day. It’s days like this that make it hard to get out of bed in the morning, and if you can manage that, good luck trying to have a productive day. You can try to fight it with cute galoshes or a rain slicker so yellow that Curious George follows you around all day, but that’s not enough. You need something stronger.
Dark clouds and angry raindrops are no match for the Lumadot LED Umbrella (ThinkGeek, $29.99). On first glance, it looks just like an ordinary umbrella that’ll keep you dry on your way from point A to point B, but it’s so much more than that. The canopy of this black umbrella is outfitted with fiber optic light dots as well as a light in the handle. With three different light modes to choose from, you can perk up your gloomy day with blinking or solid lights (or just go with basic black, if you’re boring like that). And the light in the handle illuminates the ground in front of you so even the klutziest of people (me) won’t have to worry about eating the asphalt.
How could you possibly be down when armed with a light-up umbrella? Seriously, it’s impossible.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 32.5″ long (41″ opened diameter)
-Black umbrella glows with fiber optic light dots
-Three modes: off, blinking lights, solid lights
-Light in handle illuminates ground in front of you
-On/off switch for light in handle
-Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
I wouldn’t call myself vain, but I have been known to catch a glimpse of my face in a shiny surface or two. I mean, who wouldn’t want to look their best on a daily basis? In my case, it’s more because I’m clumsy and a spazz in general, so I don’t want to be walking around with a garden stuck in between my teeth when I go to chat someone up. Ok, fine, I like to look at myself in the mirror. There, I said it.
With the Mirror Alarm Clock (Latest Buy, $22.95), you can look at your beautiful reflection as soon as your alarm goes off. In fact, you can look at yourself and make sure you’re not late for work at the very same time. Using a mirror as its background, this dual alarm is a fully functional time-telling machine. It features an easy to read LED display as well as snooze and date functions. You can choose to view the time continuously or for five second intervals.
As much as I want to totally love this clock, I kinda don’t. I love the idea of it, but the sheer fact that it doesn’t come with a power adapter or batteries (even though you need one or the other to power the clock) irks me just a bit. I mean, why make a power adapter for something and not even include it? That’s just not very nice.
2 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.9″ x 3.3″ x 1.5″ (alarm); 3.1″ x 1.8″ (mirror only)
-Dual alarm with snooze and date function
-Easy to red LED display
-Time can be viewed continuously or for 5 seconds
-Powered by 4.5V DV adapter or 3 AAA batteries (neither included)
I have a friend who is obsessed with Legos to the point of ridiculousness. What once started as a deep appreciation for all things Lego has migrated in a serious one-on-one relationship with Star Wars merchandise, but the Lego aspect of the obsession persists. Did you know that Lego makes a $500 Star Wars set? I do because he owns it. Lego recently released a limited edition collection of blindboxed minifigures, so I decided to buy a set for my friend. He loved them. I have a sneaking suspicion that if it’s Lego, he’s interested.
So imagine my delight when I came across the Wireless Building Block Mouse (Perpetual Kid, $29.99). Not only is it a fully functional wireless computer mouse, but it’s shaped just like a Lego block! I mean, this has got to be the coolest computer mouse I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s not a whole lot of creativity happening when it comes to a computer mouse – you’ve pretty much got one design out there. Both PC and Mac compatible, this mouse features both right and left click buttons as well as a scroll wheel.
Ok, so I think this mouse is the shit, I really do. But my Lego friend brought up a good point: how comfortable is it to use? Sure, if you’re spending a little down time surfing the web or writing a paper, I’d say go for it. For work? No, definitely not. Could you imagine wrapping your hand around this textured rectangle for the whole day? Not exactly the most enticing idea, now is it?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 2.25″ x 1.25″
-Wireless mouse
-Features right and left click button as well as scroll wheel
-PC and Mac compatible
-Desktop and laptop compatible
-Optical 800 DPI
-Certified USB
-Available in red, blue, or white
-Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)
I’m getting to that age where just about everyone I know is married or getting engaged. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with cohabitation and legal unification, but I’m running out of gift ideas for these people. You don’t want to be that guy who gets a toaster for every wedding, regardless of whether the couple even wants/needs it, just because you’re too lazy to get a little creative in the gift department. When selecting a gift for someone, the most important thing to remember is to know your audience. Is the recipient an artsy type? Do they live in a tiny apartment? Will they be so embarrassed by your lack of good taste that they’ll be forced to hide your gift in the closet, only to take it out when you come over? These are all very important questions to consider.
With those ideas in mind, the Stacking Drinking Glasses (Plasticland, $20.00) make a fantastic housewarming/engagement/wedding present. For starters, who couldn’t use a couple more glasses at their disposal? You always think you have enough, but glasses have a weird way of migrating throughout the house, not to be heard from for months. Those with storage-deficient kitchens will love this set of three glasses because they nest. Just like the Russian dolls printed on the side of each glass, these glasses fit together to save space. And don’t fret about hand-washing them because even though the glasses have cute colorful prints on the side, they’re dishwasher safe!
These glasses are so cute, I’m tempted to chuck my current ones and buy a bunch of these. Not only are they are they space saving, but they’re adorable. Can you say the same about your glassware? I didn’t think so.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 8 oz, 10 oz, and 14 oz
-Set of 3 nesting glasses
-Features brightly colored babushkas on each glass
-Made of borosilicate glass
-Dishwasher safe
I’m a terrible packer. Either I try to get by with just a few things and end up forgetting all the essentials (try getting dressed without your pants) or I go in the complete opposite direction and basically scoop up everything in my closet before throwing it in a suitcase. That being said, I try to keep my carry-on items to a minimum, but anyone who travels knows that this is no easy task. After you pack a book, magazine, snack, iPod, headphones, crossword puzzle, Sudoku, Mad Libs, and DS, there’s really not that much room left (and yes, I do need all that to travel). And guess what? I haven’t even tried to pack my computer and everything else I need for work, which close to impossible after all that.
In the interest of being both space-saving and functional, the Portable Laptop Cooling Pad (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $23.95) is fantastic. When retracted, it has one fan showing and it looks like half of a cooling pad. But once you extend the pad by pulling out the other end, two more fans appear and you’ve got a big boy cooling pad. This creative design allows you all the cooling power of a regular pad without the added weight and bulky exterior. Like most cooling pads, this one is USB powered and features a small on/off switch on the side. All you have to do is pull the cooling pad open when in use and push to close when you wish it transport it. It’s as easy as that!
This thing is gonna be a godsend when it comes to airports. Just think about the last time you had to go through security and didn’t separate your laptop into its own container because it was wedged into your computer bag next to your oversized cooling pad. That wasn’t fun, now was it? Unless you like being taken into your own special room for some one on one questioning…
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 6″ x 8″ (retracted)
12″ x 9.5″ x 8″ (extended)
-3 built in fans
-Lightweight and portable
-USB powered
-On/off switch
-Cooling pad surface made of aluminum
