I’m not a very good sleeper. It’s not that I don’t enjoy sleeping, because I do, but I’m just not that good at it. Some people have the ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere at the drop of a hat – I am not one of them. Even though I wish I could, I don’t sleep on planes, riding in cars, or public places. I mean, I have enough trouble trying to get a decent night’s sleep in my own bed, so I can pretty much forget about it when I’m on vacation. One of the worst sleep interrupters for me is the presence of light. I need the room to be completely dark or you might as well just shine a flashlight in my face all night.
I recently went on a trip with a friend and one night, she was still reading a book when I wanted to go to bed. Now, this wouldn’t be an issue with most people, but even the small reading light she had turned on was enough to make it impossible for me to fall asleep. The LightWedge Reading Light (ThinkGeek, $19.99-24.99) is an ingenious solution that allows problematic and easygoing sleepers to peacefully coexist. Available in both regular and paperback styles, this book light uses eye-friendly LED light to cast a distortion-free glow onto the page. The light is powered by four AAA batteries that emit 40 hours of light, with two different brightness levels. Because the light uses an optical grade acrylic lens it casts light only onto the page, which means that while it’s enough light to comfortably read by, it won’t disturb those around you. As an added bonus the device also serves as a bookmark, ensuring that you’ll always have it within reach.
This product is simply illuminating.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.5″ x 6.75″ x .5″ (regular); 7.4″ x 5.5″ x .5″ (paperback)
-Weight: 8.5oz (with batteries)
-Available in regular and paperback styles
-40 hours of light on 4 AAA batteries (not included)
-Can also be used as a bookmark
-Distortion free, optical grade acrylic lens
-Eye friendly LED illumination
-Two brightness levels
-Lifetime warranty for LEDs
-One year warranty for unit
I’m so glad it’s starting to warm up because all that snow was really getting on my nerves. I have a bunch of little solar light stakes that light a pathway to my door and about half of them are destroyed from piles of snow being constantly dumped on top of them. I know, I could have brought them inside for the winter, but it’s not like I don’t need to lights to see in the darkness just because it’s cold outside. In fact, I think I need all the light I can get when snow and nighttime are combined.
A perfect substitution for my ailing light fixtures is the Solar Powered Courtesy Light (Gizoo, £21.95). It mounts on the wall instead of into the ground and because it’s solar powered, it’s simple to install. That’s right, no wires means no electrician, which means you can do it yourself! This gadget has an eight meter lighting distance as well as a 60 second illumination period, so it’s sure to light up your path with more than enough time to spare. Outfitted with a 3-way switch, you can set the device to on, off, or automatic (with a 100 degree detection angle). The whole unit is rain proof so all you really have to do is install it and then you never have to worry about it again.
My favorite thing about this gadget? Its green energy doesn’t potentially endanger my life, unlike those mercury-filled light bulbs.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 15.5cm x 15cm x 11cm
-Includes LED light, light unit, solar battery, 2 x keys, wall bracket, screws, and wall plugs
-Solar powered light
-8 meter lighting distance
-100 degree detection angle
-60 second illumination period
-3 way switch: on/off/automatic
-Simple installation without any wiring
-Rain proof
Shorties, listen up: Are you tired of your pants always getting trampled underfoot? Are you looking like a fool with your pants on the ground? The simplest solution would seem to get them altered, but that’s expensive and not very practical. I know plenty of ladies out there who have a lot of different shoes, all with different heights, so if you alter your pants to accommodate one pair then you can be sure they won’t work with another. Who would want to limit their wardrobe options that way?
A much better and more cost-effective method of clothing alteration is the Style Snaps (Taylor Gifts, $9.98). With these snaps, you can temporarily change the length of a pair of pants at a moment’s notice by snapping the bottoms up from the inside. The shorter length works with flats and when you want to let the length out to wear the same pants with a pair of heels, all you have to do is unsnap the hem. There’s no sewing, gluing, or ironing required! Best of all, since the change isn’t permanent (unlike a trip to the seamstress), your clothing remains essentially unchanged.
It doesn’t stop at pants – just think of the clothing alterations possibilities!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2 1/4″ x 1/4″ x 3/4″
-Set of 16 snaps
-Self adhesive
-Snaps into place
-No sewing, gluing, or ironing required
So I really went all out for Valentine’s Day yesterday. I bought a huge bouquet of roses, lit a few candles, and then made the most delicious meal: frozen pizza. Hey, if you forked out the cash for a quality floral arrangement, then you feel my pain. I mean, what else could I afford to buy after that? Still, the evening was quite lovely right up until I had to take my pizza out of the oven. That’s when I decided that instead of burning my mouth on molten hot cheese, I would instead graze my wrists against sizzling oven racks. There’s nothing more romantic than the pain-filled shrieks of an adult male. Am I right, ladies?
I could have enjoyed my gourmet meal in peace, had I invested in the Cool Touch Oven Rack Guard (Vat19, $19.95). This set of two oven rack guards snap onto the front of any standard sized oven rack to help protect your wrists and arms (you know, the parts that are still exposed even if you’re using oven mitts) from skin-torching oven burns. Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees, these guards can be left on the oven racks between uses and really only need to come off when they or your oven need to be cleaned. I’m not gonna tell you how to clean your oven (I’m pretty sure most of you out there just have to push a button that says “clean”), but you’ll be glad to know that you can throw these guards right in the washing machine.
Now the only thing standing between you and a home-cooked meal is…your cooking skills. Good luck with that.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ across
-Set of 2 oven rack guards
-Fits any standard oven rack
-Snaps into place
-Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees
-Can be left on rack between uses
-Remove during oven cleaning cycle
-Machine washable
-Made of flame and heat resistant Nomex
Happy Valentine’s Day! Did you remember to get a gift for that special someone? Considering how crowded all the jewelry stores are, I’d say a lot of you had a memory lapse. It’s ok, you could just send some flowers instead. It’s completely your choice if you want to remind your sweetie pie that your love is only worth about a week’s worth of beauty and enjoyment. Maybe you wanna rethink that, hmm?
The Flower Vase Umbrella (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $17.95) is the best of both worlds! While it’s not a real bouquet of flowers, the umbrella is designed to look like a single rose whenThe umbrella holder itself is an actual flower vase, so it’s also perfect if you do decide to go the traditional red roses route.
You know what really shows you care? Steak.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40.2″ umbrella diameter; 9.5″ bottle height
-Flower vase doubles as umbrella holder
-Bottle made of plastic unopened.
