Have you ever tried to do home repairs? It’s a nightmare. The worst is when you measure something, cut it, and then find out that you screwed up. Then you have to start the whole irritating process all over again. Trust me, it’s not any more fun the second time around.
If you want to make sure you get it right the first time, the Smart String Tape Measure (ThinkGeek, $11.99) is your best bet. It may look like a cheapo calculator, but it’s actually a high tech measurement device. See, instead of using a standard “tape” to judge measurements, it has a string. You might not think a string is better than your trusty tape measure, but that’s where you’re wrong. A standard tape measure works just fine on flat objects, not so much on round ones or anything that has a bend in it. A string though, that little guy can measure just about anything you can imagine. And since this string is attached to a calculator, it automatically stores up to three measurements and from there you can calculate away! Whether your business includes inches or millimeters, your measurements are recorded to three decimal places to ensure complete accuracy. I mean, it even has an integrated level and flashlight!
Great Scott! Did you know that this bit of string is 50 feet long and sustain over 20 pounds of force?!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 2.625″ x 0.375″
-String tape measure allows for bending
-Measurements appear on screen
-Stores up to 3 measurements
-Easily switch from inches to millimeters
-Measures to 3 decimal places
-50′ of string has strength of over 20 lbs
-Integrated level and flashlight
-Uses 2 CR2032 lithium cell batteries (included)
It’s never easy getting up in the morning. It always seems like you just got into a really deep sleep and then that terribly annoying alarm goes off and you’re forced to drag yourself out of bed. There’s no way to get around it because if you don’t get up, then you’ll be late for work, which means you’ll probably be fired, and then subsequently homeless when you can’t afford to pay any of your bills.
Now that we’ve firmly decided on getting up on time, it’s probably important to invest in a quality alarm clock to make sure you wake up in time for work. The Alarm Dock (Generate Design, $39.00) isn’t exactly an alarm clock, but it serves a very important purpose: holding your alarm clock. Wait, what? Fashioned to resemble an old school alarm clock, this docking station perfectly fits your iPhone or iPhone touch to create a mixture of retro and new technology. Once you install a flip clock app on your portable device, you can fit it into the wooden dock where it will not only tell time accurately, but it will also recharge its power.
Obviously, iPhone/iTouch not included.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6.75″ x 3.5″ x 2.5″
-Turn your iPhone into an old fashioned alarm clock
-iPhone/iPod charges while docked
-Use flip clock app to tell time
-Compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4
-Made of sustainably harvested Beech wood
I know it’s a little early to be thinking about Halloween, but realistically you’ve only got a couple of months to get together a kickass costume. That’s not a lot of time if you’re going to go the totally awesome (and only acceptable) route and make your own costume. And if you’re going to throw a Halloween party, you’d better start planning your shindig because scary spooktaculars don’t throw themselves.
When preparing for a Halloween extravaganza, the important thing to remember is to really run with the theme. Anything and everything that can be Halloweenized should be, including yourself. The Spooky X-Ray Skeleton Bones Apron (Plasticland, $29.00) is a great way to get into the holiday spirit when making dirt or shrunken apple heads. For one thing, you won’t get fake blood and other tasty delights all over your killer crazy costume. Alternatively, if you’re the type of total lameoid who doesn’t dress up for Halloween, you can at least pretend to be in the spirit with this apron. Bonus: it doesn’t have to be All Hallow’s Eve to wear this skeletal garment.
If you’re looking for theme-appropriate cuisine to serve at your party, check out this blog for super easy yet incredibly impressive ideas.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 34″ long
-Screen printed skeleton bones graphic
-Adjustable neck strap
-Waist tie
-Available in pink pop, licorice black, or acid green
-Made of 100% cotton
-Machine wash
If you like to cook like I do, then you know that the secret to a truly tasty dish is quality spices (and lots of them). Having a well-rounded spice selection can certainly take your meal from bland to grand, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number you’ll manage to accumulate. I mean, where are you supposed to put all these tiny bottles in your modest kitchen? I’ve tried shoving them all in a cabinet, only to pull every last bottle out in order to find my spice of choice hidden way in the back. That’s no way to cook!
A much more sane way to cook is to use the Spice Stack (Taylor Gifts, $29.98) to organize your seasonings. Fitting in most cabinets, this spice organizer holds up to 24 full-size or 48 half-size spice containers in a three-tier plastic unit. If that’s not enough space to hold your spice fortress, you can always buy two and stack them on top of each other (hence the name). Each shelf slides out and tilts down so you can easily see which spice you’re looking for. But how do you know which spices are where without opening all the drawers? Easy! Just use the preprinted spice labels to affix the appropriate spice name on its spice slot, and you’re all set. Now instead of spending your time taking all your spices out of the cabinet while desperately searching for one in particular and then having to shove the whole mess back in the cabinet again, you can simply pluck out the one you want. Perfection!
Note: Having a spice organizer does not mean you automatically possess cooking skills.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ x 11″ x 8″
-Capacity: 24 full size or 48 half size bottles
-Three tier spice organizer
-Drawers pull out and flip down to reveal spices
-Preprinted spice labels affix easily to drawers
-Space saving
-Made of plastic
I went on vacation recently and you wouldn’t believe how much the whole situation ripped me off. I mean, first off I had to pay an exorbitant amount of money just to book a plane ticket. Then I get to the airport and I have to pay even more money to check my bag (after I’ve already checked myself in, of course). Sure, the airlines say that they’re saving you money on ticket prices, but they’re actually just itemizing the cost for you. Plane ticket: $300. Bag check: $25. Meal: $10-20.
The travel industry is already hammering you with costs, so why make it easier for them to take your money? One of the easiest ways to spend less money is to pack a small carry-on instead of checking your bag. The problem with that is trying to jam a week’s worth of clothes into a small suitcase, unless you have the Packable Closet (Hammacher Schlemmer, $36.95) which would actually make it quite simple. This storage system is a traveler’s dream because it hangs in the closet as you pack it and then seamlessly transfers to a suitcase. With three collapsible mesh panels, you can separate different items of clothing as you pack while still keeping everything tidy. Then all you have to do is lift the hooks from your closet rod and slowly lower the whole thing into your suitcase. The shelving will automatically compress itself to fit inside most carry-on suitcase interiors. When you arrive at your destination, just lift the unit out of the suitcase by the closet hooks and hang up the storage system. No need to unpack!
I was on a three and a half hour flight and I didn’t even get so much as a bag of peanuts. True story.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ x 12″
-Weight: Supports up to 35 lbs
-Packing clothing storage system
-Hang items while packing
-Three layers of organization
-Mesh compartments collapse to fit inside suitcase
-Automatically expands when lifted
-Water and stain resistant
-Lightweight steel frame
-Nylon mesh side panels
