I recently read an article that said multitasking doesn’t exist. When you think you’re multitasking, your brain is actually focusing on one thing at a time. More accurately, you’re probably doing one thing well and totally messing up the other one. Have you ever tried talking on the phone while typing? It’s pretty much impossible – I usually end up typing what I’m saying instead of what I meant to write. If you want something to get done, you’re better off doing it without any distractions.
This is especially true if that something is carrying anything fragile or breakable as you are most certainly going to fall if you try to overload yourself. I know, I dish the advice but I’m never gonna take it because there’s no way I’m making multiple trips when I can stack and tilt myself into one. The Beverage Caddy with Handle (Taylor Gifts, $19.98) sees your need for efficiency and raises you a sense of security. Instead of grabbing everyone’s drinks by smooshing them together waitress style (seriously harder than it looks), simply stick them in this caddy. It has slots for 11 drinks that are deep enough to both hold your bevs as well as ensuring that they won’t tip over if you jostle the caddy a bit. You can fit just about any size cup or glass in here, but I think you’re out of luck with the Big Gulp.
If you have more than 11 drinks to carry, congratulations! You win the friend contest!
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 14″ diameter
-Holds 11 drinks
-Accommodates all cup sizes
-Deep drink wells
-Made of plastic
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
As technology advances and our gadget addiction increases, we start to carry around a lot more stuff day to day. It used to be that you only needed your keys and wallet before you left the house – nowadays you’d be lucky to get out of the house without your pockets dragging along the ground because of all the stuff you’ve shoved in there. You think it’s just cell phones that we can’t live without? Now it’s e-readers, smart tablets, and portable gaming systems. And it’s only gonna get worse.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with our technology dependence (well, maybe a little), but we have to smart about it. There’s no way we can constantly cart around all this stuff, which is why the two-fer is the greatest investment since sliced bread. The Makeup Mirror Phone Attachment (Taylor Gifts, $19.98) may not be groundbreaking, but it’ll certainly lighten your load. For the ladies, it’s a mirror attachment to touch-up your makeup (fellas, it wouldn’t hurt you to look in a mirror once in awhile either). When you’re not using the mirror it doubles as a kickstand, making it easy to watch your favorite videos or take self-portraits.
They say the stuff you own ends up owning you. If that’s true, I have a lot of owners.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 1″ x 7″
-Kickstand and mirror
-Attaches to smart phones
-Made of plastic
