I’ll be the first to admit it: sometimes I can have a bit of a spending problem. I do my best to save my pennies, but I’m a firm believer in that you have to spend money to save money. Some of you may be unfamiliar with a seemingly backwards thinking concept, so let me explain how this works. If you are constantly saving, one day you’re just gonna freak out and buy everything in sight until your checking account is insanely overdrawn. Instead, you should save a little, spend a little. It’s a good practice, but someone like me needs to amp it up every once in awhile because my money burning ways get the best of me. So I like to look for items that can serve double-duty, or at the very least give the illusion of a two-for-the-price-of-one deal.
So you can’t look at the Five Finger Fillet Steak Knives (Perpetual Kid, $59.99) as just a set of knives because they’re so much more than that. Sure, this set of six stainless steel knives can be used traditionally for meals and such, but you’ve got to think outside the box. With such a creative presentation, the first thing that comes to my mind is self defense. I mean, they’re super sharp, durable, and apparently fit very nicely either between someone’s fingers or in the middle of their hand. Now that I think about it, these would probably work for some kind of circus act. You know, like a knifethrower and his lovely assistant? Just think of how awesome that would be!
See, the trick here is to look at the bottom line and then divide it by how many “deals” you’re getting. These can range from the blatantly obvious (2 shirts for $25, divide by 2), slightly more creative (one dress equals an entire outfit so divide by 2 or 3), and the generally absurd (spending $250 to get free shipping when all you wanted was one $40 item).
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8.5″ x 7.75″ base
-Includes six 4.5″ steak knives and black plastic base
-Knives made of 18/0 stainless steel
-Designed by Raffaele Iannello
You know when you move into a new apartment and the whole place just looks so bare and uninviting? Don’t you just hate that? And the thing that sucks about living in an apartment is that you can’t really paint the walls (unless you want to paint them back to white again before you move out). So your best (and most cost effective) bet for sprucing up the joint is to throw up some wall art. A good picture or two on each wall and your place can go from sketchy studio apartment to cozy flat in no time. But not only do you have to be really careful with what you put on the walls so you don’t irreparably damage them, you’ll also have the delightful task of trying to find picture frames that aren’t ridiculously expensive. Good luck with that.
I’m not gonna say that the best part about the Snap Wall Photo Frames (Wrapables, $18.95) is that they’re pretty cheap, but it certainly falls into the plus column. This photo frame set comes with nine molded white plastic frames, shaped just like vintage Polaroid photographs. The bottom section of the frame is a white dry erase surface so you can change your picture captions as often as you change your photos. Each photo frame mounts to the wall with a simple tack, so you won’t have to worry about putting giant holes in your rented wall space. The only downside is that the set doesn’t include a dry erase marker. Not a huge deal as they’re fairly inexpensive, but it’s like really, you couldn’t just throw one in there? What’s up with that?
I am a big fan of fun artwork. The best part about these frames is that they’re totally unexpected and pretty much unlike anything anyone else has at their apartment. Because let’s be honest, decorating your home is really all about competing with your friends to see whose place is the most awesome. This is one giant leap into Awesometown.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3.5″
-Set of 9
-Dry erase surface (pen not included)
-Mounting hardware included
-Molded white plastic frames
-Made of polyresin
Winter is really a drag, isn’t it? I mean, not only does it seemingly last forever, but it tricks you. Winter starts putting on its coat during February, pretending like it’s getting ready to go, and then all of a sudden just decides to stay for another month or so. It’s pretty shameless, if you think about it. The thing that really sucks about winter isn’t just the cold or the snow (although, those are fairly legitimate reasons to hate a season), but it’s the dryness. Half the time I feel like a snake that’s getting ready to shed its skin, and there’s no amount of body lotion that’s going to remedy that.
Reinforcements have arrived! The R2-D2 USB Humidifier (ThinkGeek, $19.99) is a tiny life-saving device! Alright, so maybe “life-saving” is a little dramatic, but you know what I mean. This little guy plugs right into my computer’s USB port and instantly goes to work to create a moister atmosphere. I’m not saying that it’s going to make the whole room feel less like the Sahara, but it will help your skin feel less scaly. Also, dry air is a common culprit for aggravating cold and sinus issues, so it may alleviate some of those nasty health problems as well. And don’t think I forgot the most important thing – it’s shaped like R2-D2! I mean, hello! Is there really anything else you need to know?
Just picture it: you’re sitting at your desk at work with your miniature R2-D2 humidifying away, happy as a clam. And then there’s everyone else, with their alligator skin and severe congestion, trying in vain to make it through the day. Who would you rather be?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Just add water to top and plug in
-USB powered
-Piezoelectric technology
-Fully licensed Lucasfilm Collectible
-Imported from Japan
If you’re like me, you love your pets. You love so much that you wish you could take them everywhere, but sometimes that’s just not possible. Take your honeymoon, for example. Any honeymoon-worthy romantic destination probably doesn’t allow animals. Not to mention, why are you taking your pets on a trip meant for two? Some other places that it’s generally forbidden or frowned upon to take your pets: water parks, baptisms, funerals, court dates, etc. Basically, you’re going to have to learn to squash the urge to be thisclose your furry four-legged friend 24/7. Or, at the very least, fake it convincingly.
For our friends out there with feline companions, there’s the Cat-In-A-Can (Perpetual Kid, $11.99). Everyone else, you’re shit out of luck. This kitty can travel with your wherever you go and is very low maintenance. I mean, you don’t have to feed it, worry about it scratching up the furniture, or even empty its nonexistent litter box. It probably has something to do with the fact that this kitty is inflatable, but I’ll let you decide that one for yourself. So you can give this plastic kitty all the love and attention you would give your faithful felines at home, thus assuaging any possible guilt for temporarily abandoning them while you have the time of your life on vacation.
Ok, so now that you’ve solved your animal problem, the only issue left here is do your friends and family know that you’re a crazy cat connoisseur? Because that’s gonna be pretty tough for deny once your show up in Vegas with an inflatable pussycat.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.5″ tall
-Inflatable cat
So now that we’ve talked and talked about what cutesy things you can get your sugarlips for Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be only fair to suggest an item for those not looking forward to the card company holiday. Now, I’m not saying that these unattached people are bitter and full of hate…but, deep down, that’s probably the case. They don’t want hearts and flowers adorning every surface of their home and workplace. Whether these people simply want the holiday to pass by unnoticed or are truly out for blood due to a relationship betrayal, I think we can all agree that a box of chocolates is not an appropriate Valentine’s Day gift for your single friends.
If your possible gift recipient is on the warpath this Valentine’s Day, then the Ex Skewer Set (Perpetual Kid, $59.99) is the perfect gift for him/her. Not only is the set perfect for entertaining at parties, but it has a nice voodoo doll quality to it as well. The set includes a small dipping bowl inset in a larger bowl. The top of the small bowl is a figure pierced with 12 stainless steel skewers, allowing the dip to be covered when not in use. Come on, what better way to vent your frustrations than with a harmless figure with skewers sticking out of its body? Perfect for those “Valentine’s Day Sucks” parties, your guests can spear the figure over and over for hours of enjoyment. Oh, and I guess they could occasionally use the skewers to stab cheese cubes, olives, or any other small dippable appetizer.
Mmm, nothing like spending an afternoon sticking skewers into a makeshift voodoo doll. That pretty much describes my weekend.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 9″
-Includes 12 stainless steel skewers
-Ex figure is detachable to reveal dip bowl
-Available in white only
-Made of ABS plastic
-Hand wash
