You can never have too many gadgets, I like to say. For one thing, it’s good to have a variety. You never know when you might need a special thingamajigger or whatchamacallit to help you get the job done. Also, when yo9u have a multitude of fancy tools, people tend to borrow them. And by borrow, I mean steal. As in, never to return. I find it’s best to have as many multi-purpose tools as possible because then you’ll always be prepared.
The Space Intruder Multi-Tool Key Chain (Perpetual Kid, $18.99) not only looks mega cool, but it’s actually functional too. Integrated into the body of this space creature are three useful tools for everyday life: a flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, and a bottle opener (of course). When closed, this multi-tool looks like any other awesome key chain. But open this baby up and BAM! You’re ready to pop open some brews and put together a bookcase.
We’re being invaded!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 1.75″ (closed)
-3 in 1 tool:
-flat head screwdriver
-Phillips head screwdriver
-bottle opener
-Ball bearing screwdriver locks
-Made of stainless steel
I tried to convince myself that because it was summer, I wouldn’t drink as much coffee in the morning. I mean, it’s hella hot out so why would I want to start my day with a piping hot cup o’ joe? Turns out, my body needs coffee in order to be productive (who knew?) so heatwave or not, I need me some coffee to function.
Everybody takes their coffee differently and you can forget about someone else getting your coffee order right, especially if you work in a crowded office. The easiest way to make sure your morning brew is top notch is to use the Personalised Milk and Two Sugars Mug (Not On The High Street, £17.50). Specially made just for you, this mug explicitly states exactly how you want your hot beverage of choice assembled. The first step is of course adding your name to the mug so no one is confused as to whose mug it is (and it will surely cut down on mug theft amongst coworkers). Next, pick the hot beverage that gets your blood pumping from tea, coffee, or cocoa. Then it’s only a matter of specifying additives like milk and sugar. Heck, you can even state whether you want a cup of coffee so strong it peels the paint off the walls or so weak that it’s just a hot cup of amber-colored water.
In case you’re wondering, it’s coffee with one milk and one sugar. Strong.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.5cm tall
-Personalized mug
-Specify:
-Name
-Hot drink (tea, coffee, cocoa)
-Milk (yes, no)
-Sugar (0-4)
-Strength (weak, strong, no strength)
-Hand printed
-Made of earthenware
-Dishwasher safe
I hate to go to a friend’s house empty-handed. Even if they insist that I don’t need to bring anything to a dinner party or backyard bbq, I feel strange showing up without some sort of contribution. Now, I like to cook, but if you are without that skill set in your arsenal then you probably stick with my favorite backup: booze.
It doesn’t matter how good your intentions are, if you bring warm booze to a party that’s just unforgivable. Save yourself the public floggings and embarrassment by not just chilling your beverage of choice, but making sure it stays cold. The Wine Bottle Cool Wrap (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $6.95) is like a koozie for a wine bottle. Because the wrap attaches via velcro straps it fits just about all wine bottles and it comes in a variety of fun colors. All you have to do is pop it in the freezer for a bit and it’s ready to keep your vino nice and cold.
Pair this wrap with a bottle of your favorite vintage and you not only have a delectable drink, but also the perfect hostess gift. For those of you who don’t know what a hostess gift is, it probably doesn’t matter because no one’s inviting you anywhere anyways.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7″ x 13.5″
-Wine bottle koozie
-Freeze koozie to keep wine chilled
-Fits most bottle sizes
-Attaches via velcro straps
-Available in blue, red, pink, green, and clear
I tend to drink a lot of tea and/or coffee throughout the day. Perhaps it’s not the best idea because that’s a lot of caffeine for one person to consume in a short period of time, but that’s not the issue here. My problem has to do with spoons. Spoons, innocent though they may seem, are quite the troublemakers. See, I try to use one spoon per day because otherwise I end up with a massive spoon shortage (totally not cool). The problem with using one spoon per day is that I either have to use it and then leave it on the counter between stirrings (which leaves a bit of a mess) or I have to keep it in my cup the whole time (which means a spoon hits me in the face every time I take a sip).
The Quirky MugStir (Gizoo, £12.95) doesn’t mess around. Committed to saving face, literally, this spoon set is designed to hang from the side of your cup or mug. Its rubber-coated handle keeps the spoon from sliding around so you can safely sip your beverage of choice without taking a spoon to the eye. Because you can now keep your drink accessory of choice inside your cup at all times, you no longer have to clean up messes on the counter or kill the environment by using a zillion disposable stirrers every day. Everybody wins!
If you or someone you love has been affected by spoon issues, don’t suffer in silence. Get help today.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Spoon hangs on your mug
-Eco friendly alternative to disposable stirrers
-Spoon doesn’t slide while drinking
-Pack of 3
-Includes one of each color: purple, blue, and magenta
-Rubber coated handle
Tea is an incredibly underrated drink these days. If you’re gonna go for a hot bev, the most popular choice is coffee. If it’s cold, then it’s a good bet on soda or perhaps water (wishful thinking?). It seems like the only way people will even consider drinking tea nowadays is with about a gallon of sugar poured into each glass a la southern sweet tea. No offense to the south, but BLECK! That stuff is downright disgusting. I would sooner eat coffee grounds than drink that.
The key to a great tasting brew is quite obviously how you brew it. That being said, the best tea most often comes from loose leaf tea because it’s fresher and the loose tea can move around easier when steeping. The IngenuiTEA Loose Leaf Tea Teapot (Vat19, $19.95) is a must for any tea drinker as it makes brewing the perfect cup of tea as easy as pie. Just fill the teapot with your loose leaf tea of choice, add hot water, and allow to steep. When your tea has reached its desired strength, all you have to do is place the teapot on top of a cup or mug. The pressure of the cup forces a valve to open on the bottom of the teapot, allowing the tea to flow freely into your cup. A fine metal mesh filter keeps the loose leaf tea inside the teapot and out of your cup, making for a delicious drink and excruciatingly simple cleanup.
Do you think the queen uses one of these? I like to think that she does.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6″ x 4″ diameter
-Capacity: 16oz
-Loose leaf tea brewer
-Set on top of cup or mug to fill
-Filter keeps loose tea out of your cup
-Metal mesh filter never needs replacing
-Teapot does not leak
-Cup not included
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of BPA free plastic
