When I first started to cook, I did everything the hard way because I didn’t know any better. Did you know that if you put an onion in the fridge that you won’t burst into tears when cutting it? Now I feel like I can’t even step foot in the kitchen without a bundle of time-saving gadgets to help me out. Maybe that makes me a lazy cook; I prefer to think of myself as excessively efficient.
The Garject Garlic Press (Uncommon Goods, $35.00) doesn’t seem like anything too extraordinary at first glance. I mean, I already own a garlic press, why would I need another? Well, trust me when I say that this garlic press kicks your garlic press’s ass. To begin with, you can press multiple cloves at once without even peeling them first (everybody knows that’s the worst part). Once you’ve jammed the cloves in the press, you squeeze the press like you normally would to push the garlic through a network of tiny holes. If there’s any garlic still stuck on the outside of the press, simply use the spring-tension bar to scrape it off. When you’re done pressing your clove(s), open the press and eject the residue with the press of a button. No need to poke around there with your fingers – let the press do all the work!
This is one imPRESSive garlic press.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7.6″ x 1.75″
-Press multiple cloves at once
-No need to pre-peel garlic
-Scraper removes pressed garlic
-Eject garlic peel when finished
-Wide reservoir
-Study handles for leverage
-Easy to use
-Top rack dishwasher safe
Sometimes I wish we could all go back to using those first cell phones. You know, the ones you used to actually make phone calls instead of check your email, play games, and watch videos. It was so much simpler then; if you wanted to make a call, you made a call. People weren’t ignoring the person sitting next to them whilst playing that every same person in a game of Words With Friends. Furthermore, we had phones that actually worked. Half the time when I try to make a call now, my phone freezes or cut me off mid-sentence.
I know, I don’t have to have a smartphone – I could just use the most basic phone out there. Except I can’t because I’m totally spoiled now. So I’m pretty much stuck in my predicament, but at least the Retro Wireless Handset (Perpetual Kid, $39.99) lets me feel like I’m using an actual phone instead of some touchscreen wonder. It looks and feels just like a retro handset, but it functions like a Bluetooth accessory. This handset features a rechargeable battery that provides up to six hours of talk time as well as up to 75 hours of standby time. That’s all well and good, but the real draw here is that the handset is wireless with a 30 foot range so you chat with ease. Oh, and did I mention that it’s almost compatible with Internet applications like Skype and Google Talk?
Sure, you don’t *need* it, but don’t you *want* it?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes handset and charging cable
-2.4GHz wireless technology
-6 hours of talk time
-75 hours of standby
-30 ft talk range
-Rechargeable battery
-Compatible with Internet applications
Sweet mother, it’s hot out there today! Seriously, if you don’t have to go outside then please stay in the comfort of your air conditioning. If you don’t have air conditioning then I suggest you go outside if only to get someplace there is air conditioning, like the mall or Panera (they also have free wi-fi).
I enjoy the slightly warmer temperatures, not these unseasonably scalding ones. Once the weather gets a little more comfortable and a little less immediate sunburn inducing, might I suggest a picnic? It’s been ages since I’ve been on a picnic, but there’s something to be said for a lazy afternoon of food and drink whilst lying in the grass. The Outdoor Wine Bottle Holder (Kegworks, $11.95) is an excellent addition to your picnic basket because nobody wants to accidentally knock over their booze. As an accident-prone person, I enjoy the simplicity of its stake in the ground design as well as its ability to keep my vino out of harm’s way.
It’s about that time of year again, when we make the switch from merlot to chardonnay. Perhaps a white zinfandel will ease the transition?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.5″ x 3.25″
-Wine bottle holder
-Sticks right into ground
-Made of metal
Now that Mother Nature seems to have gotten over her week of hot flashes, the weather is back to its normal bleak self. While I do miss the abundance of sunshine, I have to admit that it did worry me that we were experiencing summer temperatures in the middle of March – if it was already 80 degrees in springtime, how hot would it be once summer hit? I look forward to basking in the month-appropriate weather soon.
You’ll know when the first day of summer is because everyone and their brother will be out on their front porch, most of whom will be enjoying a frosty adult beverage. For these occasions, the Scorzie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $14.95) is a no-brainer. Made of durable stainless steel, this coozie is unlike any other in your extensive drink-cooling collection because it’s also a scoreboard. Say what?! There are two different colored score rings at the top of the beverage holder that you can use to keep score in pretty much any game as long as points don’t exceed a maximum of 21. The score rings click into place so you don’t have to worry about them sliding around as you booze the day away.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that there probably isn’t too much you’re worrying about in general if your biggest issue is how to simultaneously drink and keep score.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Scorekeeping beverage holder
-Ideal for games up to 21 points
-Home and Away score rings
-Foam insert keeps drink cool
-Foam lined bottom prevents slipping and scratching
-Stainless steel body
Fire safety is no joke. The best method to keep you and your loved ones safe is prevention. Making sure your house has the necessary safety measures in place, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, is pretty easy to do. I mean, WWStBD (What Would Smokey the Bear Do)?
If you’re going to invest in a safety precaution, why not at least make it enjoyable a la the Chick-a-Dee Smoke Detector (Generate Design, $79.00)? You could go for a boring old smoke detector, but this one is both functional and cute (another two-fer!). This bird-shaped gadget acts just like a standard smoke detector in that it will emit a sustained 85 decibel sound when smoke it detected. However, it differs in that it also replicates a chick-a-dee-dee call when a threat is first detected, making it a lot more pleasant during those all too often false alarms due to intense cooking experiments. With the bird perched on a branch, you can either mount the bird directly to the ceiling or use the branch itself as a mounting system for a more authentic look.
Also known as the Rockin’ Robin’s cousin.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7″ x 7″ x 4.75″
-Creative smoke detector
-Bird call at first sign of threat
-Sustained 85 decibel sound at smoke detection
-Control light flashes once a minute
-Battery included (1.5 year lifetime)
-Available in white and white/black
-3 year warranty
