Have you ever been mugged? These days, it seems like there’s so much temptation for street thieves that has nothing to do with the few dollars you have in your wallet. Who cares about a couple bucks when you could be walking around with a shiny new watch on your wrist or listening to some tunes on a brand new iPod? It would certainly suck to lose those materialistic things, but it would be even worse to have information stolen. Photos and documents are a goldmine!
They always say to just give a mugger what he wants, but what if he doesn’t know what to look for? The USB Locket (Generate Design, $229.00) looks like a generic piece of jewelry but actually encases a small flash drive. So instead of carrying your secrets around on a flash drive tucked into your purse or computer bag, why not put it where it would really be safe: around your neck. The locket comes in a standard size or mini and both styles include the 2GB flash drive that fits perfectly inside.
If your lovely lady is a techie nerd, then this is the perfect gift to completely geek her out.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″ (regular); 1.5″ x 1″ x 0.5″ (mini)
-Length: 30″ (regular); 24″ (mini)
-Capacity: 2GB flash drive
-Includes locket and flash drive
-Brass chain
-Locket made of satin gold plated brass
I know it’s a little early to be thinking about Halloween, but realistically you’ve only got a couple of months to get together a kickass costume. That’s not a lot of time if you’re going to go the totally awesome (and only acceptable) route and make your own costume. And if you’re going to throw a Halloween party, you’d better start planning your shindig because scary spooktaculars don’t throw themselves.
When preparing for a Halloween extravaganza, the important thing to remember is to really run with the theme. Anything and everything that can be Halloweenized should be, including yourself. The Spooky X-Ray Skeleton Bones Apron (Plasticland, $29.00) is a great way to get into the holiday spirit when making dirt or shrunken apple heads. For one thing, you won’t get fake blood and other tasty delights all over your killer crazy costume. Alternatively, if you’re the type of total lameoid who doesn’t dress up for Halloween, you can at least pretend to be in the spirit with this apron. Bonus: it doesn’t have to be All Hallow’s Eve to wear this skeletal garment.
If you’re looking for theme-appropriate cuisine to serve at your party, check out this blog for super easy yet incredibly impressive ideas.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 34″ long
-Screen printed skeleton bones graphic
-Adjustable neck strap
-Waist tie
-Available in pink pop, licorice black, or acid green
-Made of 100% cotton
-Machine wash
I recently went camping again after at least a decade long absence and let me tell you, it was a bit of a culture shock. As much as you might think you’re prepared for spending an extended period of time being one with the outdoors, let me assure you that you have grossly underestimated Mother Nature. She is a fickle creature, one minute creating a sweltering hot summer day and the next drenching you with nonstop rain. If you’re going camping, you’d better arm yourself to the teeth.
The Wearable Tent (Hammacher Schlemmer, $249.95) is the epitome of skillful camping because you’re basically wearing your sleeping arrangements. There’s no need to waste time setting up your tent for later because you can just pull the shelter over your head to form a wedge that protects you from the elements when you’re ready to call it a night. A sleeping bag pulls down from the jacket and features a mosquito net to deter hungry insects. Each of these features is stowed in separate zippered pouches within the waterproof jacket, making it easy to access them at a moment’s notice. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll be able to withstand a snowstorm or anything on that participatory level, but this three-season shelter is high on the list of essentials.
You know what else you don’t want to forget on a camping trip? A can opener. Do you have any idea how hard it is to bash a can of beans open without one? I’ll tell you, it’s pretty hard.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Weight: 3.5 lbs
-Jacket converts to wearable sleeping bag and shelter
-Sleeping bag and shelter stowed in separate zippered pouches within jacket
-Three season sleeping bag and shelter
-Attached mosquito net
-Zippered underarm vents
-Integrated hood and collar
-Storm flaps over pockets and zippers
-Available in small, medium, large, and extra large
-Waterproof
I have a friend who is a serious watch collector. It doesn’t matter how many watches he already owns, he’s always on the lookout for something newer, something better to put on his wrist. I’m actually sort of surprised that he doesn’t have a whole “days of the week” situation going on with his watches (or maybe he does and I just don’t know about it).
If you want the latest and greatest in time-telling technology, then the Faceless Watch (Hammacher Schlemmer, $129.95) is a perfect match for you. What looks like an ordinary watch band is actually a digital watch with a built-in liquid crystal display. The display is made up of four disguised LCDs that can only be seen when the time is illuminated by pressing a button the side of the band. Once the button is pressed, the time can be seen in glowing red numbers, hours on top and minutes on bottom. The press of another button on the band allows the user to switch between time and date, with the month illuminated on top and the day on bottom.
Check out the look on your dad’s face when you give him this technological wonder for Father’s Day. He’ll be the coolest dad on the block!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Fits wrists up to 7.25 in circumference
-Liquid crystal display built into the band
-Four LCDs illuminate time
-Press button to illuminate time
-Press button to switch from time to date
-Stainless steel links
-Includes two additional 1/2″ W links
-Links to be adjusted by a professional
I can’t stand being unprepared. The problem is, you never really know when you might need something and it’s not like you can carry all your possessions with you at all times. At the very least, it would be comforting to know that if you needed to access say an important document or even some hot beats, you could without going to too much trouble.
The 1GB Leather Bracelet USB Flash Drive (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $18.95) lets you keep all your pertinent information close to you – and it’s stylish, to boot! What looks like an ordinary leather bracelet is actually a wearable USB flash drive that can hold up to 1GB of data. The bracelet is available in black or brown (you could even get one of each to go with everything in your closet) and has a minimum of 10 years data retention. It’s the perfect alternative to carrying around a thumb drive or even *gasp* a CD to store your information on.
Remember floppy disks? We’ve come a long way, baby. I mean, imagine trying to wear one of those on your wrist.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7.75″ x .75″ x .35″
-Capacity: 1GB
-Transfer rate: High speed USB 2.0 USB 1.1 compatible
-Leather bracelet with built in USB flash drive
-PC or Notebook with USB interface compatible
-10 years minimum data retention
-Available in black or brown
-Imprint surface leather
