Are you ever in the car thinking, “Gee, I’d love a cup of coffee right now” but there’s not a Starbucks in sight? Probably not because Starbucks is everywhere, but it would still be nice to be able to have a piping hot cup o’ joe whenever, wherever you wanted.
Although I’m not sure about the safety issues here, I’m still totally down with the Car Kettle (Latest Buy, $17.95) because it is the epitome of mobile brewing. Yes, there are a plethora of coffee shops, but why pay a bundle for one cup of java when you could make four cups yourself? This electric kettle plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter and takes just a little bit longer than your standard tea kettle to heat up a pot of hot water. If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can also use this baby to make tea or even soup! The set includes two cups and a strainer (for coffee grounds or loose tea) so you can even use this kettle to entertain via automobile.
Please please please don’t kettle and drive – it’ll be just like when that woman spilled McDonald’s coffee in her lap except you’ll have no one to sue but yourself.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 10″ x 3.7″ x 3.7″
- -Make hot beverages in your car
- -Includes kettle, 2 cups, strainer, and mounting bracket
- -Plugs into cigarette lighter
- -12V DC suitable for automotive application
- -Makes 4 cups (up to 550ml of water)
- -Ideal for hot water, instant coffee, tea, or soup
When you’re in college, it seems like just about every night is spent out at the bar. Sometimes, it can get a little out of hand and before you know it, you’re stranded out in the middle of town without a way home. What’s to do then but call a cab, right? Well yeah, that would work if you could remember where you lived. I mean, it’s pretty hard to get home in one piece if you can’t communicate coherently to the driver. So you could either live at the bar (trust me, you don’t want to do that) or you could figure something else out.
That “something else” option will most likely be the Dear Cab Driver Cocktail Bar Napkins (Kegworks, $8.95), as it doesn’t interfere with your unhealthy habit of drinking until dawn. Arm yourself with this handy fill-in-the-blank napkin, and you’re sure to get home safe (as long as you have an understanding cab driver, that is). I’d recommend filling out the pertinent information before you get to the bar, or at the very least before you start drinking. This napkin has it all – your address, payment location, and even an expression of gratitude. Do your cab driver a favor though and don’t put your money in your boxer shorts or thong because that’s mega gross for everyone.
The key here is not losing this napkin before you call the cab, and that’s a pretty big hurdle.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5″ x 5″
-Includes 100 informative napkins
-Made of paper
I am super busy this week! Blame it on Irene, but it seems like everything I was planning on doing for the month of September has managed to squeeze itself into the upcoming week. Ok, so maybe it’s less the hurricane’s fault and more like time mismanagement, but I don’t think Irene will mind taking one for the team. In times of chaos, I find it helps to jot down a few notes about the tasks at hand. A to-do list, if you will.
To-do lists are great, if you can manage to keep track of them. I mean, what frazzled person hasn’t attempted organization only to lose the very thing holding it all together? To save yourself from this maddening frustration, why not just write your list on your morning cup of coffee? The Memo Mug (Perpetual Kid, $14.99) helps keep your notes with something you’ll be hard-pressed to misplace – your caffeine fix. One side of the mug is curved like a normal coffee cup, while the other is flat to allow for maximum writing space. The side of the mug even has a slot for the included pen so as long as you can keep a hand on your java, you won’t be without your notes or special writing utensil. Once you’re done with your list, wipe it off and your mug is back to square one.
Some of you might set down your coffee in the morning and then be unable to find it later, rendering this gadget totally useless to you. Not me, though. My coffee cup is glued to my hand until the last drop has been consumed. In fact, the only issue here is that I might guzzle up all that caffeinated goodness before I start in on my to-do list.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 8oz
-Mug doubles as message board
-Includes pen
-Pen holder integrated into mug
-Wipe clean to start over
-Ceramic
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
