I’ve never been much of a napper. I’m one of those people that has a hard enough time trying to get to sleep at night, let alone for only an hour or two in the middle of the day. It’s not to say that I haven’t tried. Oh, how I’ve tried! I usually just end up laying there, thinking about all the other things I should probably be doing instead of attempting this fruitless nap. I’ll admit, it’s somewhat of a self-defeating strategy.
I think the biggest problem I have when it comes to napping is that I’m so focused on how long I have to sleep that I can’t clear my mind. The Napper (Amazon, $14.99) understands the stresses of everyday life and the need to take a relaxing snooze. Well, at least the person who created this charming alarm clock understands that because they’ve added a delightful feature to the traditional alarm: preset snooze buttons! Instead of having to hit the snooze button over and over or reset your perpetual alarm, simply hit the snooze time of your choice. You can choose from 15, 30, or even 60 minutes of uninterrupted snooze time by barely lifting a finger.
You know that expression, “You snooze, you lose?” Well, I think it should be, “You snooze, you win.”
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Preset snooze timers
-Includes time and standard alarm clock settings
-Snooze for 15, 30, or 60 minutes
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve ruined dinner because I had something to do that would “only take a minute” – it always takes longer than that, and by the time I’d get back to the kitchen it’d almost be on fire. Setting a timer seems like it would work except when I’m running around different parts of my house I can’t exactly see the stove, if you know what I mean. I need a quick and easy visual cue to keep myself on track…
…which is exactly what the Color Alert Kitchen Timers (Vat19, $9.99 – $14.99) do. Instead of relying solely on a faint beeping noise, each of these timers uses color codes to signal how much time is left before your kitchen bursts into flames (or, dinner is done). Whether you choose analog or digital, the method is the same: simply twist the timer clockwise to add time or counterclockwise to deduct it. The timer has a 60 minute set time maximum and will glow green when there are more than 10 minutes remaining. Once you hit that 10 minute mark, the color switches to yellow and will stay that way until you whittle your way down to a minute. At this point the timer will glow red, sounding an alarm to signal the end of the allotted time and continue to glow red for another full minute. Basically as long as you can remember to look at the timer, you and your food should be fine.
“Danger, Will Robinson! Your souffle is burning!”
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 2.5″
-Color changing timer alert:
-Green: 10+ minutes remaining
-Yellow: 1-10 minutes remaining
-Red: 0-60 seconds remaining
-Turn clockwise to set time
-Available in analog or digital
-60 minute maximum timer duration
-Digital timer can be paused or restarted
-Digital timer features 12 hour clock
-Batteries included
Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get back to work. This is never an easy thing to do after a long weekend, much less an extended holiday break. Whether the break is long or short, I think the key to productivity is caffeine. I can safely assume that I’m not alone on this one.
The appeal of caffeine is that it perks you up when you’re feeling less than perky, so it should go without saying that anything that can give your morning a jump start is a good thing. The Morning Mug (Generate Design, $29.00) manages to brighten your day without being overly cutesy or in-your-face about it. At first glance, this ordinary black mug has a white sleeping face printed on it, but that all changes once you pour your hot beverage of choice into it. Coffee or tea (it doesn’t matter as long as it’s hot) will change this black mug to a white one with a new facial expression printed on it. Much like yourself after getting a caffeine jolt, the mug will display a look that can only be described as serene alertness.
Isn’t it nice to have someone to wake up? Especially when that someone know not to disturb you until you’ve had your coffee.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.75″ x 3.25″
-Mug changes color when hot
-Cold mug is black
-Hot mug is white
I’m what you would call a morning person. I don’t really like to get up early, but I can do it if I have to and I have no problem getting out of bed as soon as my alarm clock goes off. The snooze function is fairly unfamiliar territory to me. My friend, on the other hand, is definitely not a morning person. He’s the type of sleeper that doesn’t even realize the alarm went off and he hit the snooze button three times already. He’s grumpy and you generally can’t have a conversation with him until a full hour has passed since he got out of bed.
Whether you’re a morning person or not, you’ve got to admit that your alarm clock isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world. Why would you want to be harshly jolted out of REM when you could be gently awoken? The Peaceful Progression Wake Up Clock (Hammacher Schlemmer, $69.95) uses a combination of light, smell, and sound to gradually rouse you from your slumber. First, starting a half hour before its set time the clock emits a soft glow that slowly becomes brighter. Next, the warmth from the glowing lights activates aromatherapy scents to stimulate your sense of smell. Then, your choice of six nature sounds will play fifteen minutes before the set alarm time. Finally, a beeper sounds at the set alarm time to signal the end of the wake-up cycle. And yes, there is a snooze button in case you need it.
You know you wake up naturally on the weekends feeling completely rested? Imagine feeling that way every day.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 7.5″ x 5.25″ x 6.25″
- -Weight: 2.5 lbs
- -Uses increasing light, stimulating aromas, and nature sounds
- -Features snooze, headphone jack, and volume control
- -AC powered
- -Uses 2 AA batteries for backup power
I’m really trying to conserve my water usage, not only for the environment but also for the impact it’s having on my water bill each month. Did you know that water costs money? If you take long showers like I do, you can bet your bottom dollar that it costs a lot. I think I could go for a decent night on the town with the money I’m wasting by standing under a showerhead half asleep for an indeterminate amount of time. I say indeterminate because I honestly have no idea how long I’m spending all lathered up with no place to go.
What I need is some way to tell time in my bathroom without having to actually get out of the shower to check it. The Waterproof Bathroom Suction Clock (Latest Buy, $11.95) fits right in your shower because it easily mount to any smooth surface, such as the shower wall, bathroom mirror, glass, or even glazed tile. The clock itself is waterproof (obviously) and runs off one dinky little battery so you can pretty much take it anywhere. Now you have no excuses for your half hour long showers because you’ll always know what time it is!
For all you lazy time-tellers out there: No, it does not come in digital.
5 out 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 5.7″ x 5.5″ x 1.9″
- -Waterproof analog clock
- -Suction mounted to smooth surface
- -Available in blue or pink
- -Uses one AA battery (not included)
- -Removable
