I used to be very anti-Apple. Then I bought an iPod. Not too long after that, I bought an iPhone and just this year I became a proud owner of an iPad. It’s safe to say that the jig is up. Now that I own these lovely devices, I can’t imagine putting them in harm’s way. It’s not just the cost, although the mere thought of all the money down the drain is enough to give my heart palpitations. I have come to depend on my little iElectronics like they were part of the family.
So you can imagine my apprehension at the thought of submerging one of them in water a la the iSwim Waterproof Case w/ Headphones (Latest Buy, $26.95). This case insists that it can keep your precious music machine alive with the power of its double ziplock seal, making the whole deal waterproof enough to listen to music whilst swimming. To sweeten the pot even further, the set also includes waterproof headphones, lanyard, and an armband that attaches to the waterproof case. And if you want to blow your mind even more, make sure you catch an air pocket in the case before sealing and it’ll even float in the water!
I always want to believe in the power of a waterproof case, but I think I’d just be way too paranoid to use one. I’d always be worried that my case would be the defective one and that my iPod would turn into an expensive paperweight the moment I stepped foot onto the beach. I said I was paranoid, didn’t I?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.5″ x 2.7″ x 0.78″
-Waterproof iPod case and headphones
-Includes armband, headphones, case, and lanyard
-Listen to music while swimming
-Double ziplock
I was off yesterday so I decided that it would be a good day to cook something a little more involved than my traditionally half-assed dinner creations. And since it was bitterly cold out, I thought stew would be the perfect meal for such an occasion. I got out all my ingredients and started with the potatoes. In no time flat, I had turned my kitchen into a trash receptacle. There were potato peelings all over the counter, the floor, even myself. Sure, I could have dragged my trash can to where I was and peeled the potato hovering over it, but I’ve lost many a potato that way.
The Counter Edge Cutting Board with Collapsible Scrap Bin (Amazon, $24.99) allows you to go about your cooking preparations without turning your kitchen into a compost heap. The cutting board itself features an L-shaped design that easily fits over sinks or counters and has non-skid feet to ensure that it stays put. The removable scrap bin attaches to the edge of the cutting board with a seal between the two so that even liquid rich foods won’t leak out onto the floor. The bin’s four cup capacity is more than enough for most cooking preparations and the set is designed to collapse for snug storage. You might have to get accustomed to standing a little further back from your vegetables, but at least clean up will be a breeze!
In case you were wondering, my dinner was stew-licious.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11.5″ x 15.5″ x 1.8″
-Integrated bin collects scraps
-Board fits over sink and counter
-Bin attaches to board
-Bin has 4 cup capacity
-Collapses for easy storage
-Dishwasher safe
-Patent pending design
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about what would happen if someone broke into your house? A friend of mine is constantly preparing for the zombie apocalypse, and while I think that’s a valiant effort, it’s probably a bit more realistic to shield yourself from potential burglars. There are so many vulnerable areas in your home that it can be a bit daunting to protect yourself at every possible angle, but you can make sure that your most precious valuables stay safe.
The key to making your home burglar-proof is of course a good offense like deadbolts and a security system, but what if they manage to get past those? You’d better arm yourself with a baseball bat and your favorite items with the Combination Lock Book Safe (Things You Never Knew Existed, $24.98). Sure, this book makes you look like a dictionary enthusiast, but it also protects your valuables with a secret safe compartment! This fake dictionary features a built-in steel box that is apparently large enough to store a handgun (if you were so inclined) and is protected by a 3-digit combination lock. Since most burglars are on a time clock, you’ll probably be able to fool them by storing your goodies in this cleverly disguised safe.
Unfortunately, you’ll be sacrificing the actual dictionary in favor of storing your stuff. Tough break.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 2.75″ x 8″ x 9.5″ (inside)
- -Hide goods in plain sight
- -Built in steel box
- -3 digit combination lock
I like to cook. I do not like to clean. The problem is, cleaning almost always seems to follow cooking in some regard. Maybe you’re proficient enough in your culinary skill that your kitchen doesn’t need a thorough cleaning after each time you cook, but mine usually looks like a bomb went off in there. If I need a tablespoon of flour, you can bet there’s a cup of it scattered throughout my kitchen. My point is, I don’t need any help making messes but I sure could use some when it comes to cleaning them up.
The Utensil Pot Clip (Vat19, $6.99) understands me and as such, has decided to help make my life easier. Instead of putting my cooking utensil of choice on the counter, which leaves a pile of food to be scraped off later as well as picking up whatever crumbs might be left there from my last cooking attempt, I can now slide said utensil into this handy holder. This little guy clips to the side of most pots and will hold your cooking utensil up off the counter and over the pot. No more messes! No cross-germ contamination! The clip features heat resistant rubber feet that won’t scratch your pot and the whole shebang can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit so you won’t even burn your hand when you unclip the contraption. It’s kinda perfect, right?
Note: You still have to do the dishes.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 3″ x 2″
- -Clips onto most pots
- -Food residue drips into pot
- -Heat resistant rubber top and feet
- -Withstands temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
- -Dishwasher safe
True story: I was recently stranded on a desert island. Granted, it was only for a couple of days, but it was a less than stellar experience. One of the times I was at the airport waiting for my soon to be canceled flight and I passed by the duty-free liquor shop. It was really tempting to pop in a buy a bottle, if only so I’d have something to drink when I found out my flight wasn’t happening (which happened approximately 20 minutes later). The problem with buying cheap booze on whilst on vacation is transportation. You can’t bring it through security because it’s a liquid and if you buy at the airport, you’re most likely getting ripped off. So that just leaves packing a very breakable bottle in your suitcase and hoping for the best.
If you’ve seen the way baggage handlers throw your shit around at the airport, you wouldn’t trust them with anything remotely delicate. I think I’ll be using the JetBag Padded Absorbent Bottle Travel Bag (Kegworks, $4.95) to transport my spirits from now on so it has a prayer of reaching its destination in one piece. This reusable bag is padded with the same absorbent material that diapers are made of so not only will it cradle your precious bottle, but it’ll also eliminate any mess in case the bottle does break. If your booze makes it from one place to the other without incident, you can even reuse the bag because it features a resealable zip closure.
The only downside? Its capacity is maxed out at 750 milliliters so you’re stuck buying the itty bitty bottles from the store.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 7″ x 16″
- -Capacity: one 750 ml bottle
- -Pads and protects bottle
- -Reclosable zip seal
- -Lined with same absorbent material found in diapers
- -Perfect for travel
- -Reusable, if not soiled
- -Made of biodegradable material
