Do you get bored at work? I know I do. If you work behind a desk, it’s pretty much the same thing day after day after day. It’s the kind of thing that makes monotony look exciting. The good news is that when things are so predictable, it takes very little to liven things up.
Get ready to put the “fun” in “functional” with the USB Desktop Aquarium (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $29.95)! Everybody needs a little organization now and then, but why pick a boring pencil cup when you can get something with a touch more pizazz? This desk aquarium is powered by your computer’s USB port and includes both a safe haven for your fish and a handy organizer. The organizer side has a place for desk items like pens and your phone as well as an LCD calendar that even has a programmable alarm clock. The aquarium side features multicolor interior LED lights, nature sounds, and an adjustable overhead light.
Getting organized was never so much fun! Just don’t drop your phone in the aquarium because I hear that’s bad.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Fully functional fish aquarium
-Alarm clock with snooze feature and countdown timer
-LCD calendar with time/date and week/temp
-USB power connector
-Multifunction penholder
-Multicolor interior LED lights
-Nature sounds
-Adjustable overhead light
-Under gravel filtration system
-Low voltage pump
Once again, my desk that started out the week as fairly clean has now fallen victim to massive amounts of clutter. Have I mentioned how much I hate clutter? I seriously cannot stand clutter. It’s not like I’m a neat-freak either, but the sight of piles of junk literally makes my skin crawl. Naturally, it’s a lot worse when it’s not my stuff because I can’t even concentrate on anything else except the urge to tidy up. Makes you wonder how I ever get anything done, huh?
Do me and the rest of the anal-retentive world a favor and either pick up your shit or invest in the Straps: Flexible Storage Solution (Not On The High Street, £16.00). These straps embody the same basic properties as a shelf or bookcase, but they take up a lot less space and are ten times as fun to look at. Basically, you screw the included hooks into your wall and stretch the strap (in the color of your choice) to fit between the hooks. Then you can wedge pretty much anything in there, from books and magazines to bags and shoes (seriously, look at that picture with the shoe attached to the wall). You can affix the straps to the wall either vertically or horizontally and since the straps are made of silicone rubber, they’ll stretch up to 90cm!
Please don’t use this for your shoes; shoes on a wall are just weird.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 72cm x 3cm x 1cm
-Holds books, toys, bags, etc
-Affix vertically or horizontally onto any wall
-Maximum stretched length is 90cm
-Maximum weight of 1kg
-Available in red, green, white, anthracite, or blue
-Price is for one strap
-Made of silicone rubber
Have you ever been mugged? These days, it seems like there’s so much temptation for street thieves that has nothing to do with the few dollars you have in your wallet. Who cares about a couple bucks when you could be walking around with a shiny new watch on your wrist or listening to some tunes on a brand new iPod? It would certainly suck to lose those materialistic things, but it would be even worse to have information stolen. Photos and documents are a goldmine!
They always say to just give a mugger what he wants, but what if he doesn’t know what to look for? The USB Locket (Generate Design, $229.00) looks like a generic piece of jewelry but actually encases a small flash drive. So instead of carrying your secrets around on a flash drive tucked into your purse or computer bag, why not put it where it would really be safe: around your neck. The locket comes in a standard size or mini and both styles include the 2GB flash drive that fits perfectly inside.
If your lovely lady is a techie nerd, then this is the perfect gift to completely geek her out.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″ (regular); 1.5″ x 1″ x 0.5″ (mini)
-Length: 30″ (regular); 24″ (mini)
-Capacity: 2GB flash drive
-Includes locket and flash drive
-Brass chain
-Locket made of satin gold plated brass
I try to be responsible and keep all my important documents in one place so that in case there’s some sort of emergency like an earthquake or hurricane, I’ll be prepared. That being said, my most important bits of information aren’t exactly safe in terms of theft. Gee, I wonder if someone could steal my identity if they had my passport and every other bit of residential proof they need to become me on paper? Well, the joke’s on them because I’m gonna start locking that shit up.
You can stick all the important documents you like in a fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box at the bank, but nothing is as securely portable as the Mobi Safe (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $13.95). Just large enough to protect the essentials, this safe comes complete with a 4-digit combination lock and a vinyl coated aircraft steel cable. So you could even tether this safe to your wrist if you felt that such a drastic action was necessary. Personally, the combo lock is enough peace of mind for me.
Why trust a sketchy hotel safe when you can lock up your cash in this thing instead?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Portable safe
-Holds small objects like phone and cash
-4 digit Combination lock
-Vinyl coated aircraft steel cable
I’ve been trying to turn off the TV lately and instead pick up a book. It certainly helps that it’s summer and there’s barely anything decent to watch, but also there are a lot of really good books out there. For one thing, the Harry Potter movie series has finally wrapped up so I can start reading the books now. I mean, why would I want to start reading in the middle of the films when I could wait it out and start from the beginning? It’s a big commitment though, to know that you’re going to be reading eight books in a row about the same characters. What’s more is that I’m running out of places to store my new hobby – Harry Potter is partially to blame for that.
Anyone who lives in a tiny apartment can appreciate a functional wall piece, which is why the Storyline Bookshelf (Generate Design, $399.00) is so great. Yes, it’s a bookshelf but it’s not relegated to your precious floorspace. What’s more is that the design is modeled after a soundwave of the word “bliss” and each piece is hand made, so it’s pretty much unlike anything else you’ll find in a store. Just attach the steel shelf to the wall via specific screw points and you’re all set. You can choose to mount it vertically or horizontally, depending on your space situation and design aesthetic.
If you’re not a reader, you can still use this bookshelf to display your chotchkies. Just know that everyone will be judging you.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 35.43″ x 7.87″ x 11″
-Word processed into soundwave form
-Bookshelf crafted with explicit folding technique
-Attaches to wall via screw points along back
-Available in dark grey, light grey, blue, or white
-Hand made
-Made of steel
