Attention all lazy people out there! Would you like be somewhat active, yet still continue to exhibit sloth-like behavior? I can tell by your lack of response that you would. Sure, laying around and letting your muscle tone deteriorate can sound like boatloads of fun, but maybe you should get up every now and then. I’m not suggesting you go out and run a marathon or anything (terrible!), but a little movement here and there couldn’t hurt. Tell you what, how about we start with something simple? I’ll even try to make it a little fun for you.
The Magic Wand Remote Control (Firebox, $69.95) will give you just a dash of physical movement while still allowing you to retain your lazy roots. And it’s freaking awesome! Sorry, but it had to be said. I mean, it’s a remote control shaped like a magic wand – how cool is that?! And not only is it shaped like a magic wand, but you actually have to perform spell-like movements in order for the remote control to work. This is where your heart-pumping exercise comes into play. With 13 predefined gestures, this wand can learn up to 13 infrared codes from your existing remote. All you have to do is match the gesture to the desired command. So say you want to turn the volume down, you might roll the wand between your thumb and forefinger in a counterclockwise direction. You can control basically any infrared device, like your TV or stereo, just by letting the wand learn the commands. Pretty simple, right?
Now, I don’t want you overdoing it. Take your time learning those commands and if you feel yourself getting weak, let someone else change the channel for awhile.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 35.5cm x 2cm
-Remote control shaped wand
-Able to control television, stereo, or any other infrared device
-3 modes: practice, sleep, and learning
-13 predefined gestures
-Can learn up to 13 infrared codes from an existing remote
-Requires 2 AA batteries (included)
-Packaged in presentation box
-Instruction manual available for download
One of the classic mistakes you can make when purchasing a gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day is to go with something generic and boring. Sure, everybody loves chocolates, right? So what’s wrong with going with old reliable? Everything, starting with the fact that the chocolates you’re thinking about buying probably come from the corner drugstore and are of the Whitman’s variety. Even if you went out and bought the most expensive candy you could find (think Godiva), it still wouldn’t be what she wants for Valentine’s Day. So unless you want to supplement that cheap chocolate with some very expensive jewelry, you might want to get creative.
Some people seem to think that the word “creative” is synonymous with “cheap” and/or “tacky” but it doesn’t have to be. The Name a Rose Gift Box (Drinkstuff, £19.95), while not overly expensive, is a pretty good deal when it comes to unconventional Valentine’s Day gifts. So before you start planning an outrageous handmade card, take a gander at this gift set. Your sweetie will receive a luxury metal gift tin full of all the makings for growing her very own rose. And while that would be enough to satisfy most green thumb enthusiasts, here’s the kicker: the rose is one of a kind and will be named after its recipient once bloomed. After submitting the rose’s details, the information is entered into the Rose Naming Registry, and its name is stored at the British Library. As if that wasn’t enough, your snugglepuss will also receive a personalized rose naming certificate that displays her name and the rose naming details.
This is a particularly thoughtful gift if your lady’s name is Rose. Well, either thoughtful or painfully obvious, your choice.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes welcome letter, explanation of gift, rose naming instructions, packet of unnamed rose seeds, how to grow roses booklet, history of roses fact sheet, fertilizer measuring spoon and markers, presentation certificate, and personalization pen
-Presented in luxury metal gift tin
-A rose named after recipient forever
-Rose name stored at the British Library
-Register rose online or by postal mail
-Not available for delivery in Canada or the United States
Maybe some of you out there are looking to tell that special person in your life just much they mean to you. Perhaps this is a huge step in your relationship because neither of you have told the other how you feel about each other. Could this be the very first time you are prepared to say the big “L” word to each other? If so, you’re probably planning something really romantic, right? I know, you’re gonna cash in on the whole Valentine’s Day thing, because what better way is there to conjure instant romance than a holiday that’s literally all hearts and flowers. The most important thing to remember when going for the big “L” is to make it special, and a one-way ticket to specialtown are the two u’s: unique and unexpected.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind way to drop the “L” bomb, then look no further than the I Love You Bean (Miles Kimball, $5.99). You’ve got everything you need in this kit to let the lovely lady in your life know that she makes you feel all warm and gooey inside. All you need to do is add water and sunlight (the recipe also calls for love, but I think you’ve got that one covered) to the sprouting cup full of soil mix and seeds. Then when the bean sprouts, the words you’ve been trying to spit out will magically appear on the beans: I Love You. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 and up, but I think it just might work in your situation as well.
Ok, so maybe I forgot to mention a third requirement for professing your love – cheese. I’m not kidding, the cheesier the better. Sure, the ladies all like to pretend that they aren’t into the cheeseballs, but it’s simply not true. Take any sappy romantic chick flick and you’ll see exactly what I mean. There’s always, without fail, some sort of ridiculous scene in which the knight in shining armor declares his love for the leading lady. It’s never anything easy or laid back. Some examples:
When Harry Met Sally: Guy runs through the streets on New Year’s Eve to get to girl before the new year to spout big long speech about all the reasons why he loves her.
Say Anything: Guy holds up boombox outside girl’s window playing the song they first consummated their love to.
Dirty Dancing: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”
Love Actually: The entire movie.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes sprouting cup, soil mix, and seeds
-Just add water, sunlight, and love
-“I Love You” will appear when bean sprouts
-Great for kids ages 4 and up
-Not available for shipment to Canada
Alright, alright, so I may have noted my displeasure for the so-called holiday that is rapidly approaching, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to ignore it entirely. I’ve tried – it didn’t end well. So I’m sorry to say, but there’s gonna be a bit of cutesy item coverage for the next couple of weeks. I’ll do my best to find fun, spiteful items like last week’s Bittersweets, but occasionally I will have to bow to the masses and humor all the lovebirds out there. Now, without further ado…
The Heart Egg Molder (Perpetual Kid, $5.99) is a good way to jump into all this Valentine’s Day nonsense without going overboard. While making a heart-shaped omelet or eggs-in-a-basket (as shown) for your sweetie pie is nauseatingly adorable, it’s not the only way to enjoy fun shaped breakfast items. Perhaps you just enjoy a tasty breakfast and you’d like to liven it up a bit. You know, start your day off on a positive note, knowing that your eggs and toast will always be there for you (unlike your shady ex). Or maybe you know someone who’s a big fan of food (aren’t we all?) so they’d totally eggpreciate (!) such a thoughtful gesture. And then, there are those people out there who want to buy this contraption as some sort of salute to a ridiculous “holiday” – that’s cool too, I’m not judging.
Still taking suggestions for that singles only holiday – we need a name, a date, and a way to celebrate. Scratch that, I think I know how the celebration will go.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5″ x 6.5″
I can’t stand it when it’s raining out. I’m one of those people who would almost rather it was snowing than raining because I see it as less of a hassle. Sure, if it’s snowing then that means it’s probably freezing out and just generally unpleasant, but there’s something about the rain that makes me crazy. Maybe it’s the way all the worms come out onto the sidewalks while it rains and then end up all dried out and shriveled up. It could be how when you get caught in a rainstorm, you know that you’re going to have to go through your entire day soaking wet because your clothes are never going to fully dry. Or maybe it’s simply that the rain is dreary and turns the whole day into one giant bummer.
Whatever the reason, rainy days need something to perk them up, hence the Colour Changing Umbrella (Generate Design, $49.00). Basically your average everyday umbrella, albeit with a few raincloud designs, this telescopic umbrella doesn’t seem like anything special. I mean, it sure doesn’t seem like anything that’s going to cheer you up when the skies get gray. But in actuality, those rainclouds are on the right track to brightening your day. See, when those rainclouds are printed with special ink that changes from white to bright colors. What causes this fantastical change? Water, silly! You essentially need it to rain for the special ink to yield color. That’s one point for the rain clouds.
There is one exception to my hatred of rain and that’s when it happens with sunny skies. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it’s scorching hot outside and you’re wishing it would rain, and then it actually does? It’s pretty awesome.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.95″ x 1.97″ x 1.97″
-Telescopic umbrella with colour changing print
-Special ink is white when dry, changes colour when wet
