You know when you move into a new apartment and the whole place just looks so bare and uninviting? Don’t you just hate that? And the thing that sucks about living in an apartment is that you can’t really paint the walls (unless you want to paint them back to white again before you move out). So your best (and most cost effective) bet for sprucing up the joint is to throw up some wall art. A good picture or two on each wall and your place can go from sketchy studio apartment to cozy flat in no time. But not only do you have to be really careful with what you put on the walls so you don’t irreparably damage them, you’ll also have the delightful task of trying to find picture frames that aren’t ridiculously expensive. Good luck with that.
I’m not gonna say that the best part about the Snap Wall Photo Frames (Wrapables, $18.95) is that they’re pretty cheap, but it certainly falls into the plus column. This photo frame set comes with nine molded white plastic frames, shaped just like vintage Polaroid photographs. The bottom section of the frame is a white dry erase surface so you can change your picture captions as often as you change your photos. Each photo frame mounts to the wall with a simple tack, so you won’t have to worry about putting giant holes in your rented wall space. The only downside is that the set doesn’t include a dry erase marker. Not a huge deal as they’re fairly inexpensive, but it’s like really, you couldn’t just throw one in there? What’s up with that?
I am a big fan of fun artwork. The best part about these frames is that they’re totally unexpected and pretty much unlike anything anyone else has at their apartment. Because let’s be honest, decorating your home is really all about competing with your friends to see whose place is the most awesome. This is one giant leap into Awesometown.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3.5″
-Set of 9
-Dry erase surface (pen not included)
-Mounting hardware included
-Molded white plastic frames
-Made of polyresin
So now that we’ve talked and talked about what cutesy things you can get your sugarlips for Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be only fair to suggest an item for those not looking forward to the card company holiday. Now, I’m not saying that these unattached people are bitter and full of hate…but, deep down, that’s probably the case. They don’t want hearts and flowers adorning every surface of their home and workplace. Whether these people simply want the holiday to pass by unnoticed or are truly out for blood due to a relationship betrayal, I think we can all agree that a box of chocolates is not an appropriate Valentine’s Day gift for your single friends.
If your possible gift recipient is on the warpath this Valentine’s Day, then the Ex Skewer Set (Perpetual Kid, $59.99) is the perfect gift for him/her. Not only is the set perfect for entertaining at parties, but it has a nice voodoo doll quality to it as well. The set includes a small dipping bowl inset in a larger bowl. The top of the small bowl is a figure pierced with 12 stainless steel skewers, allowing the dip to be covered when not in use. Come on, what better way to vent your frustrations than with a harmless figure with skewers sticking out of its body? Perfect for those “Valentine’s Day Sucks” parties, your guests can spear the figure over and over for hours of enjoyment. Oh, and I guess they could occasionally use the skewers to stab cheese cubes, olives, or any other small dippable appetizer.
Mmm, nothing like spending an afternoon sticking skewers into a makeshift voodoo doll. That pretty much describes my weekend.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 9″
-Includes 12 stainless steel skewers
-Ex figure is detachable to reveal dip bowl
-Available in white only
-Made of ABS plastic
-Hand wash
Maybe some of you out there are looking to tell that special person in your life just much they mean to you. Perhaps this is a huge step in your relationship because neither of you have told the other how you feel about each other. Could this be the very first time you are prepared to say the big “L” word to each other? If so, you’re probably planning something really romantic, right? I know, you’re gonna cash in on the whole Valentine’s Day thing, because what better way is there to conjure instant romance than a holiday that’s literally all hearts and flowers. The most important thing to remember when going for the big “L” is to make it special, and a one-way ticket to specialtown are the two u’s: unique and unexpected.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind way to drop the “L” bomb, then look no further than the I Love You Bean (Miles Kimball, $5.99). You’ve got everything you need in this kit to let the lovely lady in your life know that she makes you feel all warm and gooey inside. All you need to do is add water and sunlight (the recipe also calls for love, but I think you’ve got that one covered) to the sprouting cup full of soil mix and seeds. Then when the bean sprouts, the words you’ve been trying to spit out will magically appear on the beans: I Love You. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 and up, but I think it just might work in your situation as well.
Ok, so maybe I forgot to mention a third requirement for professing your love – cheese. I’m not kidding, the cheesier the better. Sure, the ladies all like to pretend that they aren’t into the cheeseballs, but it’s simply not true. Take any sappy romantic chick flick and you’ll see exactly what I mean. There’s always, without fail, some sort of ridiculous scene in which the knight in shining armor declares his love for the leading lady. It’s never anything easy or laid back. Some examples:
When Harry Met Sally: Guy runs through the streets on New Year’s Eve to get to girl before the new year to spout big long speech about all the reasons why he loves her.
Say Anything: Guy holds up boombox outside girl’s window playing the song they first consummated their love to.
Dirty Dancing: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”
Love Actually: The entire movie.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes sprouting cup, soil mix, and seeds
-Just add water, sunlight, and love
-“I Love You” will appear when bean sprouts
-Great for kids ages 4 and up
-Not available for shipment to Canada
Whether you’ve just started dating someone or you’ve been a couple for ages, one thing is for certain: you never know what to get the other person for Valentine’s Day. There are just too many holidays out there that it gets to the point where there’s really nothing to get for your significant other, especially if you’ve been together for awhile. So then you end up getting them something ridiculous that they never would have even thought of asking for in the first place. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does make it extremely difficult when shopping for a gift.
Along the lines of “never in a million years did I think I would buy this,” the dlight Ur Heart (Generate Design, $189.00) is a great gift for your snugglebear. Sure, a light up pillow is a little strange, but I’m telling you, she’ll love it. For one, it lights up, which is always a fun thing but even more so when it’s unexpected. This heart-shaped pillow is also covered in a thousand soft roses, so you’re covering your bases with both the unexpected and the traditional Valentine’s Day gift aspects. You can choose from pink or ivory, depending on just how over the top romantic you want to get. Because it runs off AA batteries, she can take it anywhere and everywhere with her. You know, to show off to everyone how luminescent your love is.
*Warning: There is a good chance your girlfriend/wife will look at you and say, “What the hell is this?!” instead of being overjoyed at your thoughtful gift. But that’s a chance you’re going to have to be willing to take. Oh, and ladies – please don’t attempt to give this to your man because there’s no way he wants it. And if he does, RUN.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 17.5″ x 10″ x 6″
-Available in pink or ivory
-Requires 4 AA batteries (not included)
-A thousand roses
-Stays lit for up to 4 hours continuously before dimming
-Includes AA rechargeable battery charger and 5 volt AC/DC adapter
-Warm white LED
-Made of 100% polyester
Are you a victim of key scarcity? Do your keys just seem to grow legs and walk away, because that’s the only explanation for them not being exactly where you left them? What I’m trying to say is, I have a hard time keeping track of things, my keys in particular. Without fail, my keys are never where they were when I put them down five minutes ago. I’ve tried putting a whistling key finder on them, but it just never seems to work – largely due to the fact that I can’t whistle. So I got a key bowl. That didn’t work either because I just ended up misplacing the bowl as well. Do you know how many times I’ve had to get the locks changed on my place because I’ve lost the keys somewhere inside my apartment? Dave, the locksmith who has been married for 12 years with two children and has always dreamed of being a painter, assures me that it’s a very common occurrence.
The His and Hers Keyholders (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $18.00) are a perfect gift for someone like me who is unable to keep track of even the simplest of things, like a keychain. Available in both “His” and “Hers” designs, you can purchase them separately (same sex relationship friendly) or in a set (heteros only). The wall plate of your choice comes with a special key that you put on your keychain, which fit perfectly into the wall plate. Thus, all you have to do when you walk in the door is stick your key into the wall plate. Then you’ll always know exactly where your keys are, provided you can manage that first step. It is a tricky one.
This item lost one star based solely on pricing. I have no problem with the artsy price tag of $18, but I do have an issue with their bulk pricing. You can buy these babies as a set, and if you’re of the hetero couple persuasion, why not? I’ll tell you why not, because the set is $39.95. In case you’re a little rusty with math these days, 2 x $18 = $36, not $39.95 – tricky, tricky right there.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3 1/8″ x 4 1/4″
-Available individually or as a set
-His or Hers design
-Comes with special key to fit into keyholder
-No hook protruding from the wall
-Keys can’t be bumped to the floor
-Mirror stainless front face
