My desk is always a mess. It doesn’t matter how many times a day I clear it off, piles of papers and plates of food somehow completely take over my workspace. I’ve pretty much come to terms with this perpetual state of clutter, but I draw the line when there’s nowhere to put my cup of coffee. Seriously, how am I supposed to work if I have to hold my coffee the whole time? And don’t even try suggesting that I skip it…
If you’ve got a knee or a lap, then you’re in luck because the Knee/Lap Mug (ThinkGeek, $15.99) can solve all your lack-of-space-for-a-coffee-cup problems! Available in two designs, this mug will either balance perfectly on your knee or fit in the space between your knees (otherwise known as your lap). Of course, each mug is also equipped with a special flattened base that allows it to be rested on flat surfaces – it wouldn’t really be practical to have a mug you could only set down in your lap, now would it?
While I’m psyched that I don’t have to clean up my desk to enjoy my morning cup of joe, I’m still worried about spilling piping hot java all over my legs. I mean, I’m not exactly the most graceful person. Fellow klutzes: proceed with caution.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ tall
-Capacity: 12oz
-Mug with specialized base
-Available in knee or lap design
-Special flattened base rests on flat surfaces too
-Made of glazed Earthenware
“April showers bring May flowers.” That may be true, but it doesn’t mean that I have to like it. Seriously, who’s ever really been consoled by the thought of future floral after being caught in a torrential downpour without an umbrella? I’m gonna guess no one. Rain doesn’t have to be all that bad, but it always seems to have an ulterior motive. It’s like the weather knows when you left your umbrella in your car and it decides to punish you.
Even if you manage to remember your umbrella, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be protected from the elements. Sometimes, you’ve just got way too much going on and not enough hands. The Umbrella Messenger Bag (Taylor Gifts, $24.98) is the third hand you (probably) never had. A fully functional messenger bag that has enough room for all your essentials is hard enough to find, but this one also holds your umbrella! With an adjustable sleeve, the bag keeps your umbrella in place so you stay dry without any effort on your part. The bag is compatible with most compact umbrella styles and there’s even a pocket specifically designed to store the umbrella when it’s not in use. What’s the catch? You’ll have to supply your own umbrella.
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10″ x 3.25″ x 12″
-Messenger bag holds hands free open umbrella
-Messenger bag features main zipper, front zipper, side cell phone pocket, and back pocket
-Adjustable sleeve keeps umbrella in place
-Adapts to most compact umbrella styles
-Umbrella not included
-Made of cotton canvas
Nothing irks a tea drinker such as myself more than an unsatisfying cup of tea. There are a lot of different ways that a cup of your favorite brew can turn on you; sometimes you can prevent it, sometimes you can’t. For instance, if you buy low quality tea because it’s on sale, it’s pretty much your own fault when it tastes like mulch. But if you do everything right and your beverage still isn’t quite right, perhaps it’s up to the tea masters to make a change.
One of the easiest ways to ruin a cup of tea is to lose your teabag inside the bottom of the cup. Has that ever happened to you? You were pouring in the hot water from the kettle and the whole teabag (string and all) was suddenly in the cup. You can’t pull it out because the water is too hot and who wants to drink a cup of tea that’s had the packaging brewing inside it? The Tie Tea Cup (Generate Design, $25.00) is here to save your drink from such a horrible demise. With its built-in notch on the rim above the handle, you merely have to loop the teabag string around it in order to secure your tea’s future.
Seriously, there’s nothing else to it. If you need further instructions, you probably shouldn’t buy this. In fact, maybe you should go back to bed.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ diameter x 4.18″ height
-Capacity: approx 12oz
-Tie tea string to tab to prevent slippage
-Made of porcelain
Have you ever gotten lemon juice in your eye? It’s not pleasant. You would think that a surefire way to avoid this sort of catastrophe would be to just boycott lemons, but what’s to stop your friends and acquaintances from accidentally squirting you with some citrus? The key here is containment.
In an effort to enjoy all your favorite lemony goodness without fear of its acids burning your eyes, why not try the Lekue Lemon Squeezer (Amazon, $9.99)? This set of two lemon squeezers allows you to not only squeeze lemon juice without worrying about splatters or squirting, but they also prevent seeds from falling into your food/drink. You control how much or how little lemon juice you want by squeezing the contraption and then replacing the attached cap. Best of all, you can even store partially used lemons inside the squeezer as it self-seals around the lemon after insertion.
I suppose you could forgo this little device and just use your hand to squeeze a lemon, but what are we, cavemen?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.3″ x 3.3″ x 2.5″
-Easily squeeze lemons
-Protects lemon halves and maximizes freshness
-Squeeze free of seeds
-No risk of splatters
-Set of 2
-Dishwasher safe
Shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your cocktail, shake your cocktail! A good cocktail is more than just quality ingredients – have you noticed how hard it is to replicate a bar drink within the confines of your own home? The secret to success starts with your choice of cocktail shaker (of course, spirits selection and accurate measurements don’t hurt either).
The FlipTop Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker (Vat19, $29.95) is so impressive that you’ll never go back to mixing cocktails the lazy way, aka pouring everything in a glass and mixing with a straw. Unlike its counterparts, this cocktail shaker boasts a sleek and innovative design that allows you to mix cocktails one-handed. First you unscrew the top and fill with the desired drink components. After you screw the lid back on, all you have to do is flip the lid closed to shake. Once you’re satisfied that the flavors have melded together, flip the lid open to pour. With a strainer built into the lid and a double-walled construction, you can add as much ice to the shaker as you want without worrying about the lid falling off or getting frostbite.
Do you think Tom Cruise is bummed he didn’t get to use this shaker while filming Cocktail? I’m pretty sure he is.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 24oz
-Allows for easy cocktail shaking
-Flip closed to shake, flip open to pour
-Unscrew lid to fill with spirits
-Built in strainer
-Double wall construction
-Made of 18/8 stainless steel
-Dishwasher safe
-5 year manufacturer’s warranty
