I have pretty tiny hands. It’s not something that really bothers me on a daily basis – on the contrary, it’s usually an asset. I can reach into tiny spaces to retrieve lost items or, if need be, slip out of restraints. There is one definite time where I am not a fan of my miniature mitts and that’s usually when I’m having a beer. See, I can stuff a lime in my cerveza of choice no problem, but I can’t turn it over because my fingers are too small to plug the bottle. In short, it’s a mess.
Doll-handed beer drinkers, rejoice! The Corona Lime Bomber (Kegworks, $12.95) allows you to fruitify your beverage with very little effort. Instead of shoving your inadequately small fingers into the bottle, why not let this device do it for you? It has two pieces: a loader that sits on top of the bottle (this is where you place the lime) and a plunger (what you use to propel the lime into your bottle). Place said loader on top of beer bottle, insert lime, and push down plunger. Your lime wedge is not only inserted into your beer with ease, but it’s also squeezed in the process to promote optimum flavor.
You could just go limeless, but that would be CHAOS.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Inserts fruit wedges into bottled drinks
-Includes loader and plunger
-Squeezes fruit for optimum flavor
-Sanitary
One of the perks of having a small kitchen (perhaps the only perk) is that I don’t have to go very far to clean up my dishes at the end of the night. I would probably go crazy if I had to clean up a proper kitchen space or, heavens to betsy, a dining room. Even now I usually try to grab as many things as I can carry all at once so I don’t have to make another trip. Imagine if you could manage that without the constant fear of breaking all your dishes?
The Table Tidy Tray and Bin (Not On The High Street, $48.99) has space for your dishes as well as silverware so you can carry clean ones to the table and dirty ones away from it. The plates stack on top of a rubber grid that keeps them from jostling and the silverware fits neatly in the side bin. When you’re ready to clear the table, scrape the scraps into the bin itself and replace the cover. Then put the silverware business-end down into the side bin and restack dirty plates onto the rubber grid. One trip to the sink/dishwasher and you’re set!
Now only if there was a way to integrate glasses into this!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.5cm x 27.5cm x 24.5cm
-Easily carry dishes to and from table
-Rubber grid for plates
-Side bin for silverware
-Waste bin underneath rubber grid
-Made of plastic and rubber
I’m actively trying not to eat everything in my kitchen right now. I never subscribed to the idea that if I didn’t buy it, I wouldn’t eat it – I’m an adult, I’ll do what I want! If that means running out to Target at midnight to buy a small red velvet cake to eat in one sitting then so be it (True story). I just need to know that there are options should I decide to indulge, and then I’m usually ok. The trick is knowing how to satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste instead of the whole shebang.
Why bother with low calorie desserts when you could have a tiny slice of heaven? The Just A Slice Cake Pan (Perpetual Kid, $9.99) houses eight individual slice cutouts so you can cook as many or as little slices of dessert as you want. This pan is perfect for friends or couples who can’t agree on dessert flavors because you can bake a slice of each! If you use a boxed cake mix like myself, this pan will make sixteen individual slices. Or exercise amazing self-restraint and bake one slice of cake when the mood strikes you.
It might seem like a waste to bake only one slice of cake, but that’s poppycock. Sometimes, one slice is all you need.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.75″ x 10″ diameter
-Individual slice cake pan
-Makes 8 slices of cake per mold
-Makes 16 slices per box of cake mix
-Colors vary
-Made of 100% silicone
I recently became an avid wine drinker. Sure, I used to imbibe at holidays and special occasions, but it wasn’t something I’d buy for myself on a regular basis. I suppose I should give credit where credit is due: Cougar Town. Just trying watching that show without a giant glass of wine in your hand – I dare you.
One thing I had to learn the hard way about wine consumption is that it’s not just the quality of the wine that matters, but also the temperature. No one wants to drink a glass of warm wine, yet anyone who’s tried to drink an ice cold goblet of vino knows that’s no picnic either. The Corkcicle (Perpetual Kid, $21.99) strikes a perfect balance between the two without sacrificing flavor. Instead of hauling out a messy ice bucket (which can makes wines way too cold) or *gasp* throwing an ice cube in your glass (which will only water down your bev), this wine chiller fits perfectly inside the vino bottle itself. Attached to a cork stopper is a long plastic icicle filled with non-toxic freeze gel – simply freeze and stick inside your favorite fermentation for the perfect cool down.
Nothing says romance this Valentine’s Day quite like exquisitely chilled wine.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ (with cork)
-Easily chill wine
-Doesn’t water down
-Reusable
-Non toxic freeze gel
As I get older, holidays get a little less special for me. One thing I can always count on to lift my spirits around the holidays is dessert. Oh man, the desserts are so worth it. My favorite has always been cookies because you can snack on them throughout the day (they make an excellent breakfast) and they’re pretty much single servings. The only problem I can see with holiday cookies is that they aren’t around in between holidays. I’m not saying I want to be eating Christmas cookies year round, but a little festivity never hurt anyone.
The Letter Pressed Cookie Cutters (Perpetual Kid, $17.99) bring a bit of sparkle to an otherwise normal looking cookie. Each cookie cutter is double-sided so you can cut out the cookie shape with one side and press the letter shape into the cookie with the other. There are 26 letter cookie cutters as well as an ampersand and exclamation point. Now, I know what you’re thinking – ransom notes. Sure, it would probably decrease the seriousness of your point, but it would also probably put the recipient in a fantastically good mood and therefore more likely to comply with your demands.
Ransom notes: Not just for hostage situations anymore.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of 26 letters plus ampersand & exclamation point
-Double sided cookie cutters
-Punch out shapes on one side
-Imprint letters on other side
-Packed in reusable plastic storage trays
-Hand wash only
-Made of durable food safe plastic
