I used to be very anti-Apple. Then I bought an iPod. Not too long after that, I bought an iPhone and just this year I became a proud owner of an iPad. It’s safe to say that the jig is up. Now that I own these lovely devices, I can’t imagine putting them in harm’s way. It’s not just the cost, although the mere thought of all the money down the drain is enough to give my heart palpitations. I have come to depend on my little iElectronics like they were part of the family.
So you can imagine my apprehension at the thought of submerging one of them in water a la the iSwim Waterproof Case w/ Headphones (Latest Buy, $26.95). This case insists that it can keep your precious music machine alive with the power of its double ziplock seal, making the whole deal waterproof enough to listen to music whilst swimming. To sweeten the pot even further, the set also includes waterproof headphones, lanyard, and an armband that attaches to the waterproof case. And if you want to blow your mind even more, make sure you catch an air pocket in the case before sealing and it’ll even float in the water!
I always want to believe in the power of a waterproof case, but I think I’d just be way too paranoid to use one. I’d always be worried that my case would be the defective one and that my iPod would turn into an expensive paperweight the moment I stepped foot onto the beach. I said I was paranoid, didn’t I?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.5″ x 2.7″ x 0.78″
-Waterproof iPod case and headphones
-Includes armband, headphones, case, and lanyard
-Listen to music while swimming
-Double ziplock
I always love a good morphing gadget. I mean, why buy two things when you can buy one multi-purpose item? In addition to taking up less space, it’s nicer on the wallet (not to mention just good sense).
This Trivet Set (Generate Design, $39.00) is right up my alley. In case you don’t know (and some people don’t), a trivet is used as a barrier between a hot dish and your countertop. Some of us lazy/poor people just use a pot holder, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m already jazzed that this set includes not one, not two, but three trivets of varying colors so imagine my delight when I realized that each trivet can be repurposed into a coaster or dish drainer! The secret here is the flexible silicone they’re made of which allows them to be easily molded into another useful shape. When you look at it that way, it looks like you need some trivets in your life.
A trivet for all seasons! Well, three of them at least.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10.2″ x 8.7″ x 1.6″
-Set of 3 trivets (black, orange, red)
-Also functions as coaster or dish drainer
-Made of silicone
I have a pretty extensive hoodie collection. For awhile, it was all I really wore. Who needs a jacket when you’ve got a hoodie? A hoodie will not only keep you warm but it renders fussy umbrellas obsolete. As a side note, I find it hilarious when people think an umbrella is a good idea in the middle of a windy thunderstorm. Not only is it going to turn itself inside out almost immediately, but it’s also just a fancy lightning rod.
If it’s one thing I don’t need, it’s another hoodie. That being said, I really do need the HoodieBuddie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $34.95). It looks like your standard black zip-up (perfect for any occasion – even formal!), yet it’s oh so much more. Finally giving those useless drawstrings a purpose, this hoodie features integrated headphones built into the drawstring ends. Follow the embedded cables down through the hoodie to the front pocket where you’ll find a standard headphone jack ready to plug into your musical media of choice. And if that’s not enough to dazzle you, the whole shebang is machine washable – headphones included!
Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look a lot less goofy than the guy in the banner pic. No guarantees though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Zip up hoodie with built in headphones
-Available in unisex sizes small, medium, large, and extra large
-Headphones built into drawstring ends
-Standard headphone jack
-Compatible with most mobile devices
-Machine washable (even headphones)
I don’t want you to think that I’m one of those yahoos that doesn’t even know how to do their own laundry because it simply isn’t true. I might not follow all the traditional washing rules (I don’t separate my whites), but I do know the basics. One thing I didn’t understand until a few years ago was that sometimes throwing everything in the dryer is the same as setting it on fire out back. The result? An overpriced pile of trash.
If you want your clothes to retain their quality and perhaps even extend their lifetime, then you should be using a drying rack. I’m not saying you can’t put anything in the dryer, but you should be a little more discriminatory. That being said, drying racks tend to take up a good amount of space, space that most of us don’t have. The Wall Mount Expandable Dry Rack (Taylor Gifts, $19.98) provides an ample drying area without occupying too much space. How does it do it? Simple – the rack compresses flat when not in use. Just mount the rack to the wall of your laundry room (or any room, really) and open it to reveal five expandable bars when you’re ready for some air-drying action.
Psst! Air-drying = less energy use = lower utility bill
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ x 7″ x 17.75″
-5 expandable hanging bars
-Compresses flat
-Space saving
-Easy to mount
-Made of plastic
My headphone cord is forever getting tangled around stuff on my desk, my bag, or even just itself. I start to hate how long it is, but we all know that if it was any shorter I’d be complaining about how tethered I felt. As usual, the simplest explanation is often the right one.
Obviously if the cord is the problem, then get rid of the cord and use the Bluetooth Earbuds (Hammacher Schlemmer, $79.95) instead. One of the best technologies around, Bluetooth makes it possible to wirelessly connect with your electronic device of choice. In this instance, you can talk on the phone or listen to music by using these special earbuds. Now, I know it looks like there’s a cord here, but that’s just there to make sure you don’t lose your earbuds should you take them out of your ears. With this technology, you can listen to up to five hours of music or talk on your phone for up to six hours on one charge. If that’s not enough, the range on this thing is phenomenal – you can be up to 32 feet away from the device you’re using and still have full function. If you need to answer a call or change the track you’re listening to, simply access the integrated controls located on the right earbud.
The only thing that could make this better is if it screened your calls for you.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1″ x 1/2″
-Portable Bluetooth technology
-32″ tether for around-the-neck placement
-Answer calls or listen to music up to 32′ away
-Integrated controls in right earbud
-6 hours talk time; 5 hours music playback
-USB charger (included)
-Additional sets of silicone earbuds included (two)
