Do you ever wonder what your pets do all day when you’re not there? I don’t. I mean, I don’t have to wonder because I’m pretty sure there’s a fair amount of sleeping going on, only to be interrupted by doing things they’re not supposed to do. I know this because I come home to paw prints on my countertops and napkins hit off the top of my refrigerator. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the reason why my cats are so tired when I get home is because they’ve been running around my house and exhibiting general tomfoolery in my absence. Still, it might be nice to have some hard evidence so that the next time I’m chastising my animals, I know exactly which one is to blame for the current state of disarray in my home.
The best way to find out what your pet’s been up to all day is to stick the Pets Eye View Camera (NerdSeven, $39.95) on their collar. Because this webcam-like device attaches to your pet’s collar, it records their daily activities from their own viewpoint. You can set the camera to shoot every one, five, or fifteen minutes and it can store up to 40 photos internally. So next time you want to know who’s responsible for chewing up your homework, Scruffy or Whiskers will have the photographic evidence to solve the case.
Personally, I’m not sure how well this will really work out. I mean, I bet my cats are sleeping all day. I would probably come home expecting to uncover some great mystery, only to find that Whiskers hasn’t moved from the couch all day. If I sound jealous, it’s because I am.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Resolution: 640 x 480
-Camera can shoot every 1, 5, or 15 minutes
-Stores 40 photos internally
-PC and Mac compatible
-Rechargeable Li ion battery included
-USB cable included
-Only use flat collars at least 3/8″ wide to prevent choking hazard
I’m not terribly skilled at home repairs, but that hasn’t stopped me from finagling my way through a home improvement project. Most of the time it’s not a big deal because whatever I’m fixing is fairly benign to begin with. However, sometimes I start a project that seems fairly easy and quickly evolves into a huge, somewhat dangerous undertaking. I’m not saying that I’m gonna stop doing these little pet projects because, 1) it saves me money, and 2) I really should know how to fix things around the house without having to call my dad 24/7. One might argue it’s a matter of pride.
If you’re like me and you’re gonna put yourself in situations with the potential of bodily harm, you might want to invest in a pair of Dual LED Safety Glasses (ThinkGeek, $19.99). I’m not saying this is all you’ll need to protect yourself from injury, but it’s a good start. While they look like normal safety glasses (albeit a lot trendier than the ones you donned in shop class), they actually exceed the ANSI Z87+ high impact standards. Translation: safety just got safetier. In addition to being safer and considerably more fashionable than most safety glasses, this scratch-resistant pair is also outfitted with an LED light on each side of the frame. With 99.9% protection from harmful UV rays and an optically correct viewing area of 180 degrees, these glasses are sure to help you get any DIY job done without a trip to the emergency room.
The LEDs have a 48 hour battery run time, which has got to last as long as the job you’re doing. If not, it’s time to stop. Seriously, put down the hammer. Take a break. People don’t even play Wii for that long without stopping.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Safety glasses with fully adjustable/removable LED lights
-Includes glasses, carrying case, and breakaway cord
-180 optically correct viewing area
-Two LED lights
-99.9% UV protection
-48 hour battery run time
-Scratch resistant
-Exceeds high impact standards
-Uses two CR2032 batteries (included)
Ok, so I know that it’s a million degrees out (seriously, I was just out there and it’s hot as shit) and you guys probably don’t want to hear about winter items. Um, but I’m gonna talk about one anyways. Deal with it.
I’ve seen products like the Headphone Beanie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $16.95) before, offering a musical experience and a roasty toasty noggin. That being said, this one trumps them all. Let’s just begin with the obvious – is the hat comfortable? My average-sized head says yes. As its one size fits all, you might find it slightly less agreeable if you have a Sputnik-size head. The fabric is super soft and it only comes in black, which works well for either trying to look emo or robbing a bank. Another essential facet of this hat is that the headphones do in fact come out for washing. Please, do us all a favor and wash this hat if you’re gonna wear it 24/7 – no one wants to smell old head sweat. The headphone cord runs down the back of the hat so it’s not gonna get in your way and is compatible with any device that uses a 3.5mm audio output. The icing on the cake? Not only is this the best version of this product that I’ve seen/worn, but it’s also the cheapest. Can’t beat that.
Note: if you normally wear earbuds, this is gonna take some getting used to. For starters, you’re gonna have to crank up the volume because unlike those potentially eardrum damaging earbuds, these headphones are placed on the outside of your ears. You know, where they won’t ruin your hearing.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Black beanie with built in headphones
-Works with any 3.5mm audio device
-1.2m wire easily reaches all pocket gadgets
-Removable speaker for washing
-One size fits all
-Comfortable and warm
-Made of 100% cotton
There’s nothing worse than being out at a fantabulous party or event, having a great time, only to have it interrupted by feeling uncomfortable. There are many things that can make for a less than stellar atmosphere, most of which are beyond your control (obnoxious drunk, bad music, inedible food), but sometimes we fail to properly prepare ourselves for these outings. For example, a wedding can be a joyous occasion, but it is most certainly an event that you need to prepare for. One of the key comfort elements at weddings (and most events) is footwear. Guys, you tend to have this covered. Ladies, you need to work on it. Now, I know that comfortable footwear and stylish footwear are hardly ever the same thing, yet you’ve gotta know that you’re gonna be miserable at the end of the night if you insist on sporting five inch heels the entire time.
I’m not saying you should forgo that sassy fashion sense. Instead I would suggest bringing along the Butterfly Twist Shoes (Drinkstuff, £14.99) as a supplement to your party attire. The set includes a pair of gift-boxed rubber soled ballet flats as well as a drawstring bag for your other shoes. What makes these flats so amazing is that they twist into a small triangular shape that easily allows them to be stored in a small purse or compartment. Not intended for day-to-day wear, these flats are for when you’ve been out and about wearing your sky-high heels and your feet feel like they’re going to fall off. Available in four different colors, you’re guaranteed to be both comfortable and fashionable. Who’d have ever thought that was possible?
I was at a wedding this past weekend where gaggles of girls were running around with no shoes on, presumably because their high heels were causing considerable foot pain. Either that or they were a bunch of hippies. Probably the first thing though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Sizes: small, medium, or large (see site for sizing details)
-Available in black, blue, red, or gold
-Includes one pair of foldable shoes and a drawstring bag
-Butterfly design on the toe of each shoe
-Small and compact
-Rubber grip soles
-Comfy and fashionable
-Gift boxed
-Not intended for day to day wear
-Not available for delivery to Canada
I usually try to travel light, but end up carrying just about everything I own on my person at all times. I mean, you never know when you might need a pair of tweezers, a flashlight, and a spoon. Actually, no, no one needs to carry that at all times unless they’re MacGyver. Then they’re required by law to house a whole arsenal in their pockets. Since I’m not using everyday objects to get out of sticky situations, I’m trying to cut down on the amount of crap I leave the house with. I decided that the easiest way to remedy this problem was to start with the size of my wallet. Shockingly, my wallet is full of junk that I don’t need/use.
So now that I’ve thrown out my old, bulging wallet, I’ve decided to go with a more streamlined version. Introducing the Jimi Wallet (Latest Buy, $14.95), my new and more lightweight monetary companion. Sure, it looks a little on the small side, but this guy can hold a fair amount of wallet items including up to four standard credit cards. It also includes a removable money clip that can hold one extra credit card in addition to three folded up bills. The money clip is perfect for a night out when you don’t feel like carrying a wallet, even if it is as small as this one. Because of its small stature, this wallet even makes the desired transition from back pocket to front pocket! Made of recycled materials, this wallet can also add splashproof, shockproof, and translucent to its list of impressive features.
Now if you’re itching to make the switch from your massive wallet to this lightweight design, but you’re worried about where you’ll put all your extra stuff, fret not. That’s what your woman’s purse is for.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4.3″ x 2.8″ x 0.6″
-Front pocket wallet
-Holds up to 5 standard credit cards
-Includes removable money clip
-Available in clear white, aqua blue, and stealth black
-Splashproof, shockproof, and translucent
-Made from recycled materials
