It seems like I’m always missing an important phone call. I can wait by the phone all day, but then the moment I step two feet away from it, I miss the call. Part of the reason is because I just never seem to hear my phone. If I leave the ringer at a respectable volume, all my calls go unanswered. If I turn the ringer way up, I still manage to miss my calls while at the same time annoying everyone around me with my ridiculous ringtones. It seems like I just can’t win. So what’s the point of even having a cell phone if no one can ever get in touch with me, is a phrase I hear almost every day.
Instead of giving up on answering my phone calls, I decided to give it a go with the Bluetooth Watch (Chinavasion, $56.34). Not only is it a stylin’ and fully functional timepiece, this watch will actually alert you to incoming phone calls. Using Bluetooth technology to sync to your phone, this watch will vibrate when your phone rings and it’ll even tell you who’s calling! Sure, there are other Bluetooth bracelets out there, but that’s all they are, bracelets. Who needs that when you could have your own personal caller ID on your wrist? With an active range of up to 10 meters, you don’t even have to be super close to your phone in order for it to work.
This watch is perfect for when you’re at work. Just picture it: you’re waiting for an important call from your doctor, but you’re not allowed to use your cell while you’re working the sales floor. Just then, your watch vibrates and you see that Dr. Whosit is calling to let you know your test results, so you make up some excuse about running to the bathroom and jet out to take the call. Amazing, right? Now if only it could do something about this rash…
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dress watch with vibration function and caller ID display
-Includes Bluetooth bracelet, power charger, AC adapter, and user manual
-Charging time: 2 hours
-Active use times: 14 days
-Bluetooth range: up to 10 meters
-Bluetooth version 1.2
-Unbranded watch
-Comfortable leather strap
I am so freaking sick of all this snow! It actually wasn’t too bad of a winter, just a little snow here and there, possibly a notable storm or two. Then Phil had to go and see his shadow, and all hell done break loose. First there was one terrible two-day storm and then the next week you would have sworn it was Groundhog’s Day because the same damn thing happened all over again. So now it doesn’t matter if it snows again anytime soon because we’ll be too busy shoveling all that other snow for the rest of the winter season. I just know that it’s going get deceptively nice out and then one day we’re gonna get a freak snowstorm right in the middle of it.
Luckily, the Shuellas (Latest Buy, $49.95) can help all you ladies out there prepare for any such occasion. Designed to wear over shoes or high heels, these boot-shaped items are basically umbrellas for your feet. They easily fold up into an included carrying pouch to fit in your purse until you need them, then all you have to do is slide them on over your current footwear, affix the Velcro straps, and you’re good to go. With slip free soles on the bottom, you won’t have to worry about slipping and sliding in icy conditions. Also, these bad boys feature reinforced PVC soles on the inside to prevent wear, which is especially important for all your high heel wearers out there. Made of 100% waterproof material, you can just throw these on over your professional footwear when you’re hoofing it to the office and take them off once inside, with no damage to your expensive shoes. There’s even a towel included so you can wipe down the shoe protectors after use.
I know, they look a little hokey and the price may seem a bit steep, but I’m actually fully behind this product. I mean, how much does it suck to walk around in wet weather when you’re unprepared? You’re pretty much guaranteeing that you’re going to suffer through the way with wet socks – that’s not a pretty picture.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes one pair of Shuellas, carry pouch, and a towel
-Designed to wear over shoes or high heels during wet weather
-Available in women’s sizes 8, 9, 10
-Available in black or pink
-Slip free soles
-Velcro straps for quick and easy use
-Reinforced PVC soles to prevent wear from high heels
-Made of 100% waterproof material
There’s a whole mess of literature out there that talks about how important it is to properly prepare for the birth of your child. I’ll venture to guess that a lot of you already know the obvious guidelines for the mother-to-be: eat healthy, no smoking/drinking, exercise, etc. Then there’s the whole nesting side of preparations, making sure that you’ve baby-proofed the house and set up the baby’s room (he’s sure to complain if the decor isn’t high quality). So you’d think that you have all your bases covered, right? Well, what about all that time little Eugene or little Helga spends gestating in the penthouse suite of the Holiday Womb?
The Prenatal Musical System (ThinkGeek, $99.99) is the most advanced and complete method of delivering auditory sounds to your unborn child. I mean, you must have heard how much knowledge fetuses can retain while in the womb, so it seems like a no-brainer that you should start educating them early. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll play them some Hooked On Phonics and they’ll come out spouting off full sentences, but it’s not like it could hurt, right? Also, what about music? It’s supposed to soothe babies and babies are thought to recall songs they heard while gestating. Using a four speaker surround sound system, this contraption safely delivers sound to your unborn child in an optimally balanced and effective way, no matter where the baby is hanging out your belly. There are built-in side pockets to house the device’s audio controller as well as your personal MP3 player, you can host a hands-free concert while your baby listens to some tunes. The unit is lightweight and elasticized with a streamlined design, providing new mommies comfort and support while accommodating their growing belly.
My only word of caution would be to make your musical selections carefully. I mean, if you play death metal to your stomach for nine months, the results could be a little scary.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Provides gentle but effective support
-Convenient side pockets
-Hands free experience
-High quality sound
-Continually adjusts volume to optimal fetal levels
-4 speaker surround sound from 2 separate stereo speaker sets
-Fully charged battery lasts approximately 5 hours
-Washable fabric
-Made of lightweight, elasticized fabric
I can’t stand being cold. I mean, I think I’d rather be a little bit chilly than insanely hot because then at least you can add layers. It’s not like you can continually strip clothing off if you’re hot – eventually you’re just gonna get down to skin and there’s nowhere to go from there (also, the potential for sunburn in sensitive areas is extremely high). The worst thing about being cold is that even though you can pile on layer after layer, sometimes it’s just not enough. You could have 20 blankets on top of you, but it’s gonna take about an hour for you to get nice and roasty toasty. And I’m impatient, so that’s just not gonna cut it.
What I’m interested in is a good old fashioned heated blanket, but with a more technological savvy twist, like the USB Heated Shawl/Lap Blanket (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $28.95). Specifically made for occasions when it would be virtually impossible or completely inappropriate to be holed up underneath a down comforter, this electrically heated blanket connects to your nearest USB power source. With a 4′ long cord, you’re not going to be tethered to your desk but I wouldn’t expect to be running any marathons any time soon either. For the ladies out there, this blanket can also be used as a shawl and has a button sew in to hold it in place. There’s an interior heating pad with a temperature range of 100 F – 113 F so there’s no way that you’re not gonna be cozy as a clam wearing this.
The only bad thing about a heated blanket is that as soon as you take it off, you’re instantly freezing again, Sure, that’s just like any blanket, but it’s a thousand times worse with a heated one. But then again, it’ll be that much warmer once you put it back on. It’s the same concept as getting out of a hot tub, only more easily accessible while at the office.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 31″ x 17″
-Cord length: 4′
-Interior heating pad
-Temperature: 100 F – 113 F
-Plugs into USB port
-Made of soft plush velour
-Button to hold shawl in place
-Only available in blue
During this holiday season, were there some things that you asked for but didn’t get? Don’t you just hate that? Somebody asks you to make them a list of possible gift ideas, and then they don’t get you one item off that list. It’s like they wanted to know what you wanted for the sheer idea of expressing avoiding any of those items. There are some people though who can go off book and still manage to come up with the most awesome gifts imaginable. Depending on your point of view, this may or may not be one of those times.
One thing’s for sure, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Funky Cozy (Hot Topic, $28.00) is definitely not your usual holiday gift fare. Essentially the same as a Snuggie, this “Funky Cozy” helps keep you warm while lounging yet still allowing for freedom of mobility. Lazy people everywhere are rejoicing now that they can cozy up on the couch dressed as their favorite turtle teen idol. I mean, how else are you supposed to stay bundled up while eating your ramen? Available in one size, there’s sure to be enough slanket to cover your shivering self. Just be sure you don’t sit too close to the fire because this baby’s made of 100% polyester – not even Splinter could save you from the flames.
Curiously enough, this “Funky Cozy” is only available in three out of four ninja turtles. Even stranger, the ostracized turtle is not Raphael (he is the moodiest of the bunch), but rather Michelangelo. What did Michelangelo ever do to deserve such a snub? It is quite possible that he’s so popular and is currently unavailable, but I think there’s a conspiracy afoot. And I bet we all know who’s behind this one…Oroku Saki!
5 out of 5 ridiculously obvious Snuggie rip-off stars.
Specs:
-Choose from Leonardo, Donatello, or Raphael
-Care instructions: wash cold, dry low
-One size
-Made of 100% polyester
