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)
Do you have pets? If so, are they masters of destruction? What am I saying? Of course they are. Even the cutest of furballs are wired to chew on things they shouldn’t, but they’re cute so they can get away with it. That’s no accident. When little Fluffy isn’t sampling one of your designer shoes, he’s probably just lazing around the house. Wouldn’t it be nice to know if he was getting his exercise?
If you want to know how active your pets are without spying on them a la webcam, then the Pet Pedometer (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $12.95) is for you. Simply clip the pedometer on your pet’s collar and it’ll track his/her every step just like a human pedometer would. Now, this pedometer says it’s for dogs, but also states that it can be adjusted for any size dog so I’m thinking as long as your cat doesn’t hate it (your cat will probably hate it) then it’ll work for cats too.
Bonus: When Fido gets tired of this exercise tracker, you can totally clip it on your belt and track your own steps.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Pedometer for pets
-Clips onto collar
-For any dog size
-Adjustable
-Uses one button cell battery (included)
Are you ever in the car thinking, “Gee, I’d love a cup of coffee right now” but there’s not a Starbucks in sight? Probably not because Starbucks is everywhere, but it would still be nice to be able to have a piping hot cup o’ joe whenever, wherever you wanted.
Although I’m not sure about the safety issues here, I’m still totally down with the Car Kettle (Latest Buy, $17.95) because it is the epitome of mobile brewing. Yes, there are a plethora of coffee shops, but why pay a bundle for one cup of java when you could make four cups yourself? This electric kettle plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter and takes just a little bit longer than your standard tea kettle to heat up a pot of hot water. If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can also use this baby to make tea or even soup! The set includes two cups and a strainer (for coffee grounds or loose tea) so you can even use this kettle to entertain via automobile.
Please please please don’t kettle and drive – it’ll be just like when that woman spilled McDonald’s coffee in her lap except you’ll have no one to sue but yourself.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 10″ x 3.7″ x 3.7″
- -Make hot beverages in your car
- -Includes kettle, 2 cups, strainer, and mounting bracket
- -Plugs into cigarette lighter
- -12V DC suitable for automotive application
- -Makes 4 cups (up to 550ml of water)
- -Ideal for hot water, instant coffee, tea, or soup
