It’s hard to believe it, but winter is actually almost over. A lot of you out there are jumping for joy, but I’m a little bit sad. I mean, you could barely even call these past few weeks winter when it was in fact like a breezy fall day most of the time. Seriously, 60 degree weather yesterday at the end of February – that’s insanity! At any rate, it looks as though it might be time to pack up what little is left of your winter garb and trade it in for some lighter fare.
You know what really blows about it getting warmer? You can’t wear your HoodieBuddie in the middle of summer unless you want to melt into a puddle. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to that problem and it’s called the Hoodie Buddie Red Flannel Print Shirt (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $25.95). Very similar to the winter product you can’t live without, this hoodie is really a button-down shirt with an attached hood. Lightweight enough to pair with your favorite t-shirt yet study enough to wear on its own, this hoodie sheds the bulk while still retaining its most awesome component: integrated earbuds. That’s right, you can listen to your iPod simply by plugging into the jack found in the front pocket and putting the hoodie’s pullstrings (aka your new earbuds) into your ears. Affordable, stylish, and techno savvy? These are a few of my favorite things…
I just wore this on a recent trip and it was totes awesome – one less thing to remember to pack!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Hoodie shirt with integrated earbuds
-Works with most mp3 players/mobile phones
-Earbuds embedded in hoodie drawstrings
-Headphone jack ends in front pocket
-Dynamic sound
-Available in small, medium, or large
-Machine washable (even earbuds)
Nobody wants to be the smelly kid in class so it’s a real bummer when you know that your personal hygiene is up to par, yet you still have that look of unwashed grit. Nothing hammers home the idea of street urchin uncleanliness quite like the pit stain. I’m not talking about the freshly damp fabric on your t-shirt after an intense game of flag football; it’s the set-in stains that are the issue here.
You could just toss your stained shirt, but what if you really like it? What if it’s one of a kind? Maybe instead of wearing it stains and all, you should invest in the Deo-Go Deodorant Stain Remover (Vat19, $11.50) to make it like new. Using a combination of non-iconic surfactants and hydrochloric acid, the formula breaks down the stain residue (caused by a chemical reaction between sweat and the active ingredients in deodorants/antiperspirants) without compromising the integrity of the fabric. This product promises to eliminate sweat stains from any fabric, regardless of color, type, or even age of the stain! The water soluble solution is easy to use – generously spray the stain, scrub with a hard bristle brush, let the stain sit for about 20 minutes, and then throw the shirt in the wash. Each bottle yields revives up to 20 shirts.
Aren’t pit stains the…pits?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 9oz
-Remove sweat stains from fabrics
-Revive up to 20 shirts per bottle
-Spray, scrub, and wash
-Water soluble solution
-Works on all fabric colors and types
-100% manufacturer’s satisfaction guarantee
If you’re in the market for a disgustingly romantic gift this Valentine’s Day, then look no further! Forget champagne, chocolate, and roses! No woman really wants expensive dinner and extravagant gifts this February 14th, so why not give her a gift that you can enjoy together for years to come?
That’s right, I’m talking about the Siamese Slanket (SkyMall, $40.99)! If, like most couples, your relationship has been suffering because the quality of your cuddles isn’t up to par then you are in dire need of this unique product. It’s tough to cozy up to your sweetie under the same blanket because most just aren’t big enough. Say you actually get a blanket big enough to comfortably fit the two of you – then you’re like a prisoner, unable to move an inch whilst caught in said blanket’s unforgiving grasp. A blanket with sleeves seems like the best option as it gives you the snuggles you crave with the freedom you need, but what about your snookums? You can’t leave her out in the cold! This blanket is like having two sleeved blankets connected in the middle, making it perfect for cuddles without smothering you or your partner.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 120″ x 95″
-Fleece blanket for two
-Keeps hands free
-Lightweight
I hardly ever wear socks around the house, even in the winter. It’s not that my feet never get cold because they do, it’s just not enough to make me want to put on socks. I have nothing against socks (I happen to have quite a few pairs of holiday themed footwear), but chilly feet was never an ailment of mine. A friend of mine is the complete opposite – can’t live without socks. I think he would wear multiple pairs of socks at once if it weren’t horribly uncomfortable and bulky. His feet are so cold that he sleeps with two blankets wrapped around them and they’re still cold. Crazy true story.
I can’t do anything to help him with his nighttime foot shivers (heated blanket, perhaps?) but I think I found the solution to inadequate sock warmth: the Volt Resistance Heated Indoor/Outdoor Slippers (Vat19, $129.99). With a design more like booties than traditional slippers, these foot cocoons provide the wearer with over six hours of warmth per battery charge. Each slipper uses one battery (included) that fits into a small inside pocket and is easily recharged via wall outlet. The slippers themselves are made of a water-resistant shell which means that most water will slide right off, but I wouldn’t go dunking your foot into a giant puddle. A built-in thermostat ensures that your tootsies stay cozy without burning up and the massive amount of insulation comprising the outer slipper shell prevents heat from escaping. You can even throw them in the washer if they get dirty!
The key here is to remember that these are slippers, not shoes. Yes, it says you can wear them outside but it’s more of a get-the-mail kind of outside rather than go-to-the-mall.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Heated indoor/outdoor slippers
-6+ hours of use per charge
-Built in thermostat
-Actively heated thermal footbed
-Water resistant outer shell
-Sizes medium, large, or extra large
-Includes 2 rechargeable lithium ion batteries and wall charger
-Nylon upper with 640g of insulation
-100% recycled rubber outsole
-Machine washable
-90 day manufacturer’s warranty
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
