It’s Wednesday, the middle of the week, and for some reason this does nothing to perk me up. Sure, there’s a holiday weekend coming up so I should be pretty stoked, but all I can think of is how much still has to get done between now and then. It’s days like this when it seems like the week might never end.
The only way to get through a week that’s dragging along is to keep yourself going. This can mean throwing yourself into your work or distracting yourself with something completely ridiculous. Guess which one I’m going for? The Creative Outlets Stickers (Perpetual Kid, $3.49) should make it pretty clear that I’m all about silly diversions to make the day go by faster. A really good distraction doesn’t completely take away from the task at hand, instead giving a brief moment of reprieve from whatever is vexing you. These stickers are perfect for that. Come on, what could be more gigglesome than putting funny faces on your outlets? Not a whole lot, that’s for sure. And once you’ve had a good laugh, you can pull it together and get on with your work day.
Note: Multiple outlet adornments and viewings may be required to accelerate time passage.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7″ x 3.75″ (per sheet)
-Funny outlet stickers
-Printed on glossy vinyl
No one likes to clean. It’s tedious, fairly disgusting and, perhaps worst of all, you have to do it on a regular basis. I mean, who wants to go through all that effort only to learn that you’ll have to do it all over again the following week? That’s why most of my place is covered in a respectable layer of dust.
Maybe if I had the Ultimate Cloth (Vat19, $11.95) then I wouldn’t be so adverse to the act of cleaning. For starters, you don’t even need to use any cleaners for this cloth to clean just about everything you can get your hands on. Some electronics surfaces like an iPad or a computer monitor don’t need anything more than a few swipes of this cloth, but everything else works with the power of water. That’s right, just add water. What kind of crazy voodoo is going on here? Quite simply, this cloth is made of Mirafiber technology which allows it to collect and trap grime with fibers 200 smaller than a human hair. So not only is it chemical free, but this all natural cloth actually provides a streak-free shine to the surfaces it cleans. You can easily rinse and wring it out after each use, but if you’re looking for a deep clean then you can throw it in the washer (even bleach it if you’re so inclined).
Look, I’m not saying I’ll clean every week now, but it’ll most definitely happen more than once a year. Baby steps.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 15.5″ x 13.5″
-MiraFiber cloth cleans with just water
-Collects and traps dirt
-Removes film, oil, grease, dirt, and more
-Chemical free
-Streak free
-Machine washable and bleachable
-5 year manufacturer’s warranty
-Set of 2
Once you get older, summer isn’t really as fantastic as it seemed when you were a kid. For one thing, it no longer means three solid months of vacation from school whereby you could spend your days dividing your time between sleeping and lazing around. All it means as an adult is a hotter commute and longer days to suffer through while you look longingly outside your office window.
One thing that truly epitomizes summer and doesn’t seem to have an age restriction placed on it is ice cream. There’s nothing quite like a bowl (or cone) of ice cream on a muggy day to lift your spirits a bit. If you’re like me, you’re not a bodybuilder so sometimes it can get a bit tedious to dig out scoop after scoop of ice cream. The Rubber Back Ice Cream Scoop (Taylor Gifts, $7.98) has all the brawn of a traditional ice cream scoop with a new twist: you can actually get the ice cream off the scoop for once. With a flexible soft back, all you have to do is scoop and press to get your ice cream from the carton to the bowl. Its ergonomic design allows it to work easily in either hand and means you won’t break your wrist trying to wrestle out that last scoop.
For the last time, they’re sprinkles not jimmies!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 1″ x 1″
-No stick, one press ice cream scoop
-Release ice cream with one press
-Flexible soft back
-Ergonomic design
-Works with either hand
-Made of plastic and silicone
Any gadget enthusiast will tell you that they have an insane amount of cables and cords due to the sheer volume of electronics they own. It really starts to be a hassle because every time you want to transfer pictures from your camera to your computer or charge your Kindle, you’ve got to dig out the corresponding cord. In a perfect world there would be one universal cable to all types of gadgets, but while some cables do work for multiple devices, there are still at least a dozen other items with unique cords.
If you can’t get rid of the cable clutter, then maybe you can at least cut down on the outlet adapters with the U-Socket USB Wallplug (ThinkGeek, $24.99). This gadget turns a standard outlet into a standard outlet with two built-in USB ports, guaranteed to charge all mobile phones that accept a USB power source. The important thing to note here is that there is actual assembly required – it’s not just taking the switchplate off and calling it a day. Another key point is the voltage requirements because you don’t want to blow a fuse and/or get electrocuted while trying to charge your phone.
Only mobile phones are listed as being compatible with this wallplug, but I wonder if you could also charge other things. I mean, I’m not stupid enough to think you could charge a laptop or anything, but what about an iPod? I’m too much of a scaredy cat to try it out, so somebody let me know.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Turns standard outlet into USB port also
-Guaranteed to charge all mobile phones that accept USB power
-Assembly required (setup instructions included)
-Operation Temp: 0 to 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit)
-Input voltage: AC 100 to 125V 50/60Hz
-Output voltage: USB DC 5.0V 2100mA (2.1 amps)
-For US 110V households only
Precision has never been my strong suit. As someone who likes to cook, you can imagine the problem this presents when every bit of the recipe has to be meticulously measured. Even when I’m just a casual eater, I frequently over-season my meal – accidentally, of course, but it’s pretty much impossible to take back a heaping of salt after it’s been applied. The solution is quite simple: stop doing it.
One place that most everyone has issues with quantity is salad dressing. Whether you’re in charge of it or not, it seems like salads are usually drowning in dressing. While it’s presumably more difficult to control such a thing while out at a restaurant, you can easily do so at home with the Flo Oil & Vinegar Set (Latest Buy, $54.95). Using a push button system, this set of carafes allows each individual to exact the perfect amount of oil, vinegar, or other liquid condiment of their choice. The more you depress the button the quicker the liquid flows, and vice-versa. The carafes themselves are made of high quality glass that provides for an airtight container so you can store this stylish set on your counter without having to worry about the contents spoiling.
I have a set just like this and I can’t even tell you how much I love it, it’s practically unnatural.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.1″ x 4.1″ x 7.1″
-Condiment container with adjustable flow
-Flow of liquids easily adjusted while pouring
-Press button to control flow of liquids
-Airtight spouts
-High quality glass flasks
-Silicone coaster
-Dishwasher safe
