I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve ruined dinner because I had something to do that would “only take a minute” – it always takes longer than that, and by the time I’d get back to the kitchen it’d almost be on fire. Setting a timer seems like it would work except when I’m running around different parts of my house I can’t exactly see the stove, if you know what I mean. I need a quick and easy visual cue to keep myself on track…
…which is exactly what the Color Alert Kitchen Timers (Vat19, $9.99 – $14.99) do. Instead of relying solely on a faint beeping noise, each of these timers uses color codes to signal how much time is left before your kitchen bursts into flames (or, dinner is done). Whether you choose analog or digital, the method is the same: simply twist the timer clockwise to add time or counterclockwise to deduct it. The timer has a 60 minute set time maximum and will glow green when there are more than 10 minutes remaining. Once you hit that 10 minute mark, the color switches to yellow and will stay that way until you whittle your way down to a minute. At this point the timer will glow red, sounding an alarm to signal the end of the allotted time and continue to glow red for another full minute. Basically as long as you can remember to look at the timer, you and your food should be fine.
“Danger, Will Robinson! Your souffle is burning!”
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 2.5″
-Color changing timer alert:
-Green: 10+ minutes remaining
-Yellow: 1-10 minutes remaining
-Red: 0-60 seconds remaining
-Turn clockwise to set time
-Available in analog or digital
-60 minute maximum timer duration
-Digital timer can be paused or restarted
-Digital timer features 12 hour clock
-Batteries included
I have a pretty extensive hoodie collection. For awhile, it was all I really wore. Who needs a jacket when you’ve got a hoodie? A hoodie will not only keep you warm but it renders fussy umbrellas obsolete. As a side note, I find it hilarious when people think an umbrella is a good idea in the middle of a windy thunderstorm. Not only is it going to turn itself inside out almost immediately, but it’s also just a fancy lightning rod.
If it’s one thing I don’t need, it’s another hoodie. That being said, I really do need the HoodieBuddie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $34.95). It looks like your standard black zip-up (perfect for any occasion – even formal!), yet it’s oh so much more. Finally giving those useless drawstrings a purpose, this hoodie features integrated headphones built into the drawstring ends. Follow the embedded cables down through the hoodie to the front pocket where you’ll find a standard headphone jack ready to plug into your musical media of choice. And if that’s not enough to dazzle you, the whole shebang is machine washable – headphones included!
Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look a lot less goofy than the guy in the banner pic. No guarantees though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Zip up hoodie with built in headphones
-Available in unisex sizes small, medium, large, and extra large
-Headphones built into drawstring ends
-Standard headphone jack
-Compatible with most mobile devices
-Machine washable (even headphones)
I actually like winter (or at the very least having seasons), so I’m a bit miffed that the only real snow we’ve gotten thus far this season was on Halloween. Sure, single-digit temperatures aren’t all that awesome but when you pair it with snow it doesn’t seem nearly as bad. Snow or not, one thing that definitely sucks about increasingly cold temperatures is having to get in your car to go to work in the morning. I hardly ever remember to warm up my car so I end up shivering all the way to work and on occasion have been known to only clear off just a tiny patch of frost on the driver’s side of the windshield. Neither of these things is advisable.
You really should warm up your car before driving it in the winter but if you’re really in a hurry then maybe the Visor Mount Heater And Defroster (Things You Never Knew Existed, $22.98) can help you out a little. While it won’t warm up your engine (yes, that’s important), it will increase visibility as well as defrost your cold appendages. The apparatus mounts to your visor and is powered by your car’s cigarette lighter, allowing it to instantly emit warm air into your vehicle. You’ll still need to turn your defrosters on, but it’ll give you a jump start on warming up.
You might not even need this thing since the world seems to be overheating at an alarming rate. Seriously, pretty soon summer is just gonna be another word for inferno.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6″ x 4″ x 2″
-Portable heater and defroster
-Plugs into 12V outlet
-Visor mounted
-Blows hot air
-Defrosts and defogs
My headphone cord is forever getting tangled around stuff on my desk, my bag, or even just itself. I start to hate how long it is, but we all know that if it was any shorter I’d be complaining about how tethered I felt. As usual, the simplest explanation is often the right one.
Obviously if the cord is the problem, then get rid of the cord and use the Bluetooth Earbuds (Hammacher Schlemmer, $79.95) instead. One of the best technologies around, Bluetooth makes it possible to wirelessly connect with your electronic device of choice. In this instance, you can talk on the phone or listen to music by using these special earbuds. Now, I know it looks like there’s a cord here, but that’s just there to make sure you don’t lose your earbuds should you take them out of your ears. With this technology, you can listen to up to five hours of music or talk on your phone for up to six hours on one charge. If that’s not enough, the range on this thing is phenomenal – you can be up to 32 feet away from the device you’re using and still have full function. If you need to answer a call or change the track you’re listening to, simply access the integrated controls located on the right earbud.
The only thing that could make this better is if it screened your calls for you.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1″ x 1/2″
-Portable Bluetooth technology
-32″ tether for around-the-neck placement
-Answer calls or listen to music up to 32′ away
-Integrated controls in right earbud
-6 hours talk time; 5 hours music playback
-USB charger (included)
-Additional sets of silicone earbuds included (two)
Christmas is a great holiday to go completely over the top without really offending anyone. What, so you put up a ton of lights on the outside of your house and the inside looks like Santa’s village? Awesome! Don’t tell me, you bought your friends and family way too many presents? Well, golly gosh I guess that’s alright. If you’re self-conscious about the sheer volume of Christmas spirit in your life, then you’re doing it wrong.
Nothing put the “holly” in “holiday” quite like the 8-Bit LED Holiday Wreath (ThinkGeek, $9.99). It’s so much better to invest in a wreath you can have year after year instead of one that dies immediately after Christmas, but the faux ones can be such a bummer. I mean, maybe from a distance it looks like the real thing but up close it’s a mess. If you’re gonna go fake, you might as well get something with pizazz to spare. This wreath features an 8-bit design and is decorated to delight any gamer. The six yellow coins have a flickering LED light in each that alternate to create a dazzling light show for your front door. And because this wreath runs on batteries, you can hang it pretty much anywhere – inside or outside!
If you like this, you’ll love the 8-Bit LED Jack O’ Lantern!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10.5″ x 13″ x 1.125″
-Old school style holiday wreath
-Flickering yellow LED in each coin
-Uses 2 AA batteries (not included)
-Made of durable EVA foam
