As I mentioned yesterday, I have a couple of pets. Specifically, two cats (dogs aren’t really conducive to small living spaces). And while I’m pretty sure they’re not doing a whole lot in my absence, I know they’re not angels all of the time. I can’t do a whole lot about it when I’m at work though, so when I get home I have to make sure that I’m all about the discipline. While a stern word or two usually does the trick, sometimes I have to break out the big guns. Water guns, that is. The only downside to squirting a cat with water is that it doesn’t always deter them. I could squirt one of my cats repeatedly with a water gun, but all I’ll end up with is an oblivious animal and a wet floor.
So I guess you could say that I’m on the market for a new solution, hence the Pet Zoom Sonic Pet Trainer (Walter Drake, $14.99). Instead of yelling at my cats until my voice is hoarse, I could just use this device because at least one of them is actually effective. Can you guess which one? The device functions by emitting a high frequency tone when a button is pressed. This tone can only be heard by your dog or cat, kind of like a dog whistle, and it’s super annoying. Effective up to 20 feet away, you can use the device the next time your cat is walking all over your kitchen counter or your dog is chewing on the edge of the coffee table.
As with any training tool, if you abuse its power it ceases to be effective. So please don’t misuse this device because your animals will seek revenge. True story.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4.5″ x 2″ x 1″
-Discourages bad habits in pets
-Emits high frequency tone to reinforce verbal commands
-Effective up to 20 ft away
-Uses one 9V battery (not included)
-Lightweight
-Safe and effective
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’m a terrible packer. Either I try to get by with just a few things and end up forgetting all the essentials (try getting dressed without your pants) or I go in the complete opposite direction and basically scoop up everything in my closet before throwing it in a suitcase. That being said, I try to keep my carry-on items to a minimum, but anyone who travels knows that this is no easy task. After you pack a book, magazine, snack, iPod, headphones, crossword puzzle, Sudoku, Mad Libs, and DS, there’s really not that much room left (and yes, I do need all that to travel). And guess what? I haven’t even tried to pack my computer and everything else I need for work, which close to impossible after all that.
In the interest of being both space-saving and functional, the Portable Laptop Cooling Pad (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $23.95) is fantastic. When retracted, it has one fan showing and it looks like half of a cooling pad. But once you extend the pad by pulling out the other end, two more fans appear and you’ve got a big boy cooling pad. This creative design allows you all the cooling power of a regular pad without the added weight and bulky exterior. Like most cooling pads, this one is USB powered and features a small on/off switch on the side. All you have to do is pull the cooling pad open when in use and push to close when you wish it transport it. It’s as easy as that!
This thing is gonna be a godsend when it comes to airports. Just think about the last time you had to go through security and didn’t separate your laptop into its own container because it was wedged into your computer bag next to your oversized cooling pad. That wasn’t fun, now was it? Unless you like being taken into your own special room for some one on one questioning…
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 6″ x 8″ (retracted)
12″ x 9.5″ x 8″ (extended)
-3 built in fans
-Lightweight and portable
-USB powered
-On/off switch
-Cooling pad surface made of aluminum
Like I said yesterday, I can appreciate an item of ingenious design, but I’m generally pretty laid-back. I like to throw a good party or two, when the mood strikes me, and I’m usually fine with just a couple of beers and a bowl of chips. Sometimes though, I feel the need to class it up a bit. I mean, I love playing Wisest Wizard with about 20 of my closest friends until the wee hours of the morning, but there are times when I’d like to have people over and not have to worry about ridding my house of the beer stench the next morning. You know, maybe something a little bit classier than that.
One of the essential items you’ll need to throw an adult soiree is a quality cocktail shaker. Some might be swayed by looks, but this is the one time you’ll need to think substance over style, which is why you should invest in the Good Grips Plastic Cocktail Shaker (Amazon, $9.99). Although it might not look that fancy, it’s actually even better than your regular metal cocktail shaker. For one, it’s made of double walled plastic, which means that it’s insulated to keep your cocktail cold without causing your hand to freeze. The outside also offers a non-slip grip, making shaking and pouring easier than ever. With a measurement marked jigger cap and built-in strainer, this shaker encompasses all the usual attributes that you would need to mix up a batch of cocktails for you and your friends. The only downside is the small size, but your friends will just have to wait a few more minutes for their bevs – no biggie.
A serious issue with this shaker is that it doesn’t have a cheat sheet of cocktail recipes written on it – I mean, how else am I supposed to know how to make a Tom Collins or a Cosmopolitan? What, learn the recipes? Sheesh, that’s asking a lot!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3.5″ x 9″
-Capacity: 16 oz
-Includes shaker, jigger cap, and built in strainer
-Double walled construction for insulation
-Measurement markings inside jigger
-Soft nonslip grip
-Dishwasher safe
