Calling all beer pong enthusiasts: are you ready to win that next tournament? Sure, you might think you’ve got what it takes to play in the big leagues, but chances are you’ve still got a lot of training to do. For one thing, I bet the table down at your local watering hole isn’t even regulation sized. How are you going to compete amongst champions when you haven’t even practiced on a full-length table? And I hope you haven’t been bragging too much about your triumphs in six cup pong because there’s a lot more beer on a regulation table. Maybe you should work on your game a little bit.
If you’re looking to be the best pong player out there, then you need to be ready to play at a moment’s notice. With the Portable Beer Pong Table (KegWorks, $89.95) and a bit of practice, you’ll be an unstoppable beer pong force! Official tournament size (8 feet long), you might think you have no room for such a monstrosity, but you’d be oh so wrong. See, this terrifically awesome table folds into the size of a briefcase when not in use so you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much space in your living room. Not only does its size make for ease of portability, but when folded up, the case also features ergonomic carrying handles. With an aluminum frame and waterproof surface, this table is built to endure many a beer pong game without showing signs of wear. And in case you’re a bit new to the game (or are prone to technical disagreements), there are outlines on each side of the table indicating proper cup placement.
Now, I like beer pong as much as the next college-nostalgic adult, but this table is not for inexperienced. Take a look at those cups – you’re not seeing things, there are 15 on each side of that table. You’d better be really on your game or you’ll be drunkity drunk drunk drunk.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 96″ x 27.5″ x 24″ unfolded
24″ x 24″ x 5.5″ folded
-Weight: 21 lbs
-Official tournament size
-Folds easily into a briefcase
-Ergonomic carrying handles
-High strength aluminum frame
-Waterproof
-Cups not included
There’s nothing worse than being out at a fantabulous party or event, having a great time, only to have it interrupted by feeling uncomfortable. There are many things that can make for a less than stellar atmosphere, most of which are beyond your control (obnoxious drunk, bad music, inedible food), but sometimes we fail to properly prepare ourselves for these outings. For example, a wedding can be a joyous occasion, but it is most certainly an event that you need to prepare for. One of the key comfort elements at weddings (and most events) is footwear. Guys, you tend to have this covered. Ladies, you need to work on it. Now, I know that comfortable footwear and stylish footwear are hardly ever the same thing, yet you’ve gotta know that you’re gonna be miserable at the end of the night if you insist on sporting five inch heels the entire time.
I’m not saying you should forgo that sassy fashion sense. Instead I would suggest bringing along the Butterfly Twist Shoes (Drinkstuff, £14.99) as a supplement to your party attire. The set includes a pair of gift-boxed rubber soled ballet flats as well as a drawstring bag for your other shoes. What makes these flats so amazing is that they twist into a small triangular shape that easily allows them to be stored in a small purse or compartment. Not intended for day-to-day wear, these flats are for when you’ve been out and about wearing your sky-high heels and your feet feel like they’re going to fall off. Available in four different colors, you’re guaranteed to be both comfortable and fashionable. Who’d have ever thought that was possible?
I was at a wedding this past weekend where gaggles of girls were running around with no shoes on, presumably because their high heels were causing considerable foot pain. Either that or they were a bunch of hippies. Probably the first thing though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Sizes: small, medium, or large (see site for sizing details)
-Available in black, blue, red, or gold
-Includes one pair of foldable shoes and a drawstring bag
-Butterfly design on the toe of each shoe
-Small and compact
-Rubber grip soles
-Comfy and fashionable
-Gift boxed
-Not intended for day to day wear
-Not available for delivery to Canada
I’m a terrible packer. Either I try to get by with just a few things and end up forgetting all the essentials (try getting dressed without your pants) or I go in the complete opposite direction and basically scoop up everything in my closet before throwing it in a suitcase. That being said, I try to keep my carry-on items to a minimum, but anyone who travels knows that this is no easy task. After you pack a book, magazine, snack, iPod, headphones, crossword puzzle, Sudoku, Mad Libs, and DS, there’s really not that much room left (and yes, I do need all that to travel). And guess what? I haven’t even tried to pack my computer and everything else I need for work, which close to impossible after all that.
In the interest of being both space-saving and functional, the Portable Laptop Cooling Pad (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $23.95) is fantastic. When retracted, it has one fan showing and it looks like half of a cooling pad. But once you extend the pad by pulling out the other end, two more fans appear and you’ve got a big boy cooling pad. This creative design allows you all the cooling power of a regular pad without the added weight and bulky exterior. Like most cooling pads, this one is USB powered and features a small on/off switch on the side. All you have to do is pull the cooling pad open when in use and push to close when you wish it transport it. It’s as easy as that!
This thing is gonna be a godsend when it comes to airports. Just think about the last time you had to go through security and didn’t separate your laptop into its own container because it was wedged into your computer bag next to your oversized cooling pad. That wasn’t fun, now was it? Unless you like being taken into your own special room for some one on one questioning…
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 6″ x 8″ (retracted)
12″ x 9.5″ x 8″ (extended)
-3 built in fans
-Lightweight and portable
-USB powered
-On/off switch
-Cooling pad surface made of aluminum
I can’t ever seem to find my phone when I’m in the car. Without fail, it’s in the backseat or it’s fallen off the front seat and onto the floor – in any case, I can’t easily reach it. I mean, that’s if I can even hear it ringing when I’ve got the radio cranked up and I’m singing my heart out (what, you know you do it too). The only place I can really put my phone while I’m driving is in the cup holder, but sometimes I like to actually use that to put a cup in. Shocking, I know. And on the off chance that I’ve located my phone in time to answer it, I have to fumble with a headset so I don’t get caught driving and talking on my cell phone. It’s really hard to be so popular.
Behold, the Magnetic Cell Phone Holder (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $7.95)! With this device, it’s easy to field all those calls without compromising your car safety. Using the power of super strong magnetic force, the magnet half of this gadget attaches to your car’s dashboard with the help of a flexible adhesive back. The metal plate adheres to the back of your phone using a two-way adhesive, and then all you have to do is place the metal plate on the magnet. Voila! Hands-free talking can now commence!
I had my doubts about how well my iPhone would actually stay stuck to this holder, but it worked like a charm. I mean, there’s a release button built into the holder for a reason. While this is fantastic for my iPhone, I would venture to guess that it could also be pretty awesome for your iPod. At least then I wouldn’t have to drive with one hand on the wheel and then other holding my iPod, searching for a song. You know, safety first and all that.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Makes any cell phone hands free capable
-Includes 1 metal plate and a 2 way adhesive
-Magnet with flexible adhesive back attaches to any dashboard form
-7500 gauss magnet holder
So you’ve probably heard all the hoopla about how we should be working harder to not kill our already ailing environment. You have a few ways you can go about this without cramping your style too much, such as recycling (duh), using low energy light bulbs, and by not driving a tank. Let me elaborate on that last one because it seems to be the one most people are having trouble with. No one, outside of the United States Army, needs to be driving a Hummer. Seriously, there is nothing you could possibly say to me that would justify the utilization of that vehicle. Not only that, a lot of us are driving huge SUVs when it would be much more economical, not to mention kinder to the environment, if we scaled it back a bit. Just because you might need to move a large object in the distant future does not mean you need to buy an 18 wheeler.
A simple (and cost effective) solution to this fictional problem is to opt for the Adjustable Bungee Cord (ThinkGeek, $9.99). Instead of purchasing an oversized, overpriced automobile that you don’t really need, why not just throw this bungee cord in your trunk? That way, in case the need to move a large object suddenly arises, you’ll be prepared because this 9mm cord is 10 inches long and can expand to a maximum of 48 inches. Because the cord uses self-clipping carabiner clips instead of open hooks, the cord will actually lock onto its anchor points and the extra length secures to itself so it won’t flap around. And because this bungee cord is made of high quality cord instead of the standard elastic, it’s not going to wear out over time.
Go on, buy that hybrid car. I hear the Prius is lovely this time of year.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Adjusts from 10″ to 48″ long
-9mm cord
-Self clipping carabiner clips on each end for secure hold
-End caps have self locking gates
