I’m always on the hunt for a new travel mug. In my mind, you can never have too many because they’re constantly getting misplaced or stolen by friends or family members. I don’t know if you know this, but it’s incredibly hard to find a decent travel mug. First, it has to be functional, in that it can accommodate hot or cold beverages. Second, it has to fit in the car, on your desk, or basically wherever you intend to use it. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, it mustn’t leak. Finding a travel mug that does all these things is considered the holy grail of beverage containers.
The Coffee & Teabrew Travel Mug (Wrapables, $24.95) satisfies all the above requirements and even takes it one step further by offering fresh brewing. That’s right, you can brew fresh coffee or tea on the go, directly in your new favorite travel mug. With a special fine mesh filter basket, you just have to put the makings for your beverage of choice in the filter, pour in boiling water, and you’re all set. The stainless steel mug’s vacuum thermal construction keeps your beverage hot and features an easy open top instead of a small drink hole. The set also includes a convenient travel bag for your mug, with a carrying handle and an exterior mesh pocket for your coffee or tea supplies.
Did you know that by brewing loose tea, you’re eliminating all that excess packaging (tea bags, staples, string) and actually helping save the environment? I bet you had no idea you were such a humanitarian. On behalf of people everywhere, I’d like to say thanks.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 2.75″
-Capacity: 14oz
-Includes convenient travel bag with carrying handle and exterior mesh pocket
-Mug brews fresh tea or coffee
-Mesh filter brewing basket
-Vacuum thermal construction
-Easy open top
-Made of stainless steel
How come no one has tea parties anymore? Ok, well I do actually know the answer to that one: tea parties are lame. But at the very core of tea parties is a delightful experience, one which consists of consuming a steaming cup of tea and a smattering of tasty pastries. The issue here is to figure out how to get to enjoy the delectable treats without the idiocy that is associated with a tea party. Specifically, how to orchestrate a setting where cucumber sandwiches aren’t served with empty cups of tea to stuffed animals.
A more adult approach to the traditional tea party, the Teacakes Cupcake Mold (Perpetual Kid, $17.99) has more than a hint of carefree innocence to it. Let’s face it, it’s not like the queen is going to be enjoying her crumpets out of a tea cup, but you can be she wants to. Shaped like tea cups, these cupcake molds are designed to allow you to bake and serve your scrumptious goodies in one container. They’re also reusable, so it looks like you’re doing the environment a favor by not using those convenient, but so not green, paper cupcake liners. This adorable cupcake set even comes complete with matching saucers!
I really don’t care how silly this may seem, I would love to eat a cupcake out of a tea cup. Are you seriously going to tell me that you would refuse a heavenly bit of cake just because its presentation was somewhat juvenile? Hell, I’d even put on a dress and some white gloves if you told me I could have more than one!
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.75″ x 2.75″ (cups); 4″ diameter (saucers)
-Includes 4 cupcake molds and 4 serving saucers
-Reusable
-Food safe
-Made of 100% pure silicone and phthalate free plastic
There’s been quite a few options over the past week or so for gifts this Valentine’s Day, some of them silly, some of them romantic, and some of them just downright bitter. But I’ve saved the best gift for last, the one that every woman is hoping deep down in her heart of hearts to receive from her significant other on February 14th: the engagement ring. There are a lot of rings out there that you could choose from and it seems like limitless options when it comes to diamond size and shape. Fortunately for you, I’ve scouted out all the top prospects and have come up with the perfect ring. Trust me, her ring (and your proposal) will be the talk of the town.
Show her just how much you love her this Valentine’s Day with the 2 Carat Mug (Firebox, $14.95), a ring unlike any she’s ever seen before. Imagine her look of shock and surprise when you get down on one knee to present her with this beautiful ring inside an elegant black box. Sure, it’s not a real engagement ring, but that’s part of the fun! When you jokingly show her a ring and ask her to spend the rest of her life with you, I’m sure she’ll laugh out loud when you explain that the ring is actually attached to a mug.* I mean, I’m sure she would much rather have a white porcelain cup with a ring attached to it, especially when said ring has a genuine Swarovski crystal embedded in the center. Available in gold or platinum effect, you’re sure to please your love with this token of your affection.
*I claim no responsibility for the possibility of your impending break-up. I suggest you make sure she’ll find this funny before you consider attempting.
5 out of 5 fake engagement stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 2 3/4″ (cup)
-Available in gold or platinum effect
-Cup made of white porcelain with genuine Swarovski crystal
-Not dishwasher or microwave safe
I used to be a pretty regular coffee drinker. Nothing fancy, but I could be known to put down a couple coffees a day. But everything changed once I started drinking tea. Sure, I knew tea was out there, but I really had no interest. I mean, who drinks tea? Sissies and old ladies, that’s who. But one day I thought, hey I’ll give it a go. And nothing supremely special happened. I didn’t acquire any magical powers, I wasn’t more attractive to the ladies, and I didn’t feel any different. The next day, I decided to have another cup – who knows, maybe this tea fascination took more than a cup. And then I was hooked. Completely. One cup of tea was like a gateway drug for me, and I wanted more.
I thought I knew the magnitude of tea’s awesomeness, until I tried loose tea. And then I was done for. There’s just something about the crispness of a freshly brewed cup of tea, something to which bagged teas don’t even compare. The Tea Infuser with Base (Sur La Table, $9.95) is the perfect tea lover’s accessory, created specifically for the brewing of loose tea. See, with loose tea you have to put it in an infuser and pour hot water over the tea leaves. Tea infusers differ slightly in design, but the most popular kind sits right in your tea mug so it can brew the plain hot water into a tasty tea concoction. After you’ve gotten your tea to the desired strength, you take the infuser out. Now, this is where this infuser leaves all others in the dust: it has a stand. If you take a regular infuser out of a cup of boiling hot tea, what happens? You get a dripping mess all over your counter, which you could try to prevent by cupping your hand underneath, but then you have to remember that the dripping tea is BOILING HOT and maybe you shouldn’t do that. Instead, you could use this tea infuser with a built-in drip catching receptacle. No mess and, more importantly, no burnt hands.
Reason #85063 I love tea over coffee: I can drink as many cups as I want in a short period of time and not feel like someone has gouged a hole in my stomach lining.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 2.75″ x 7″
-Receptacle catches drips
-Base keeps countertops clean from tea stains
-Easy to store
-Stand up design
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of heat resistant polycarbonate and stainless steel
I’m constantly hiding things around my house so that if someone breaks in or even if just a nosy friend comes over, they won’t be able to easily spot my prized possessions. I actually used to take apart CD cases and hide my money in there. I’m only telling you this because I don’t buy CDs anymore, so don’t even bother trying to track me down. I don’t really miss CDs, but I do miss having a convenient place to stash my cash. I think the best hiding places are the ones that are in plain sight, but people would never think to look.
Luckily, the Secret Safe Mug (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $19.95) fits that description perfectly. I mean, who would think that a travel mug was really a secret safe? I know there are a lot of these “secret stash” items out there, but most of them are just crap. There’s really no other way to say it. Sure, you could hide your antique diamond ring in a faux soda can, but what happens when a friend of yours decides to be nice and clean up your kitchen? Oh, and they took the recyclables out for you too. Something tells me you’re shit out of luck. It’s not very likely that someone is going to throw out your travel mug, especially because the top portion is a fully functional insulated travel mug. Meaning, you can fill it with your favorite hot beverage while carrying your valuables around in the bottom storage area, and no one will be the wiser.
Apparently, most burglars spend less than six minutes inside a person’s home. So basically, unless you put your stuff in the most obvious of places, you’re gonna be pretty safe. I mean, who’s gonna check a travel mug for cash and other assets? Except you, now that you’ve read this post.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Top portion can be used as insulated travel mug
-Mug has no spill top
-Holds as much liquid as standard travel mug
-Bottom storage area approximately 3.5″ tall by 3″ diameter
-Color of mug may vary
