I love tea – have I mentioned that? I think so, but it bears repeating. Tea is super good for you, pretty much regardless of its type it has a plethora of healing properties. I was reading an article on arthritis remedies the other day (yes, I am apparently geriatric now) and green tea was listed as a health aid. I mean, it’s not like I’m shocked or anything because green tea is basically the king of teas but it did give me a reason to drink more of it on a regular basis.
If you’re serious about your tea like I am, then you need a serious brewer. Skip the tea bags (they’re amateur hour) and stock up on as many varieties of loose leaf tea as you can stand. Then scale it back a bit so you can afford the Breville One Touch Tea Maker (Amazon, $249.00) – it’s a bit expensive but one hell of a machine. What makes it so great? You can brew any type of tea in here and it will come out prefect every time. The secret here is that you specify which type of tea (green, white, black, etc.) and the machine automatically knows what temperature to brew at and how long to let the tea steep. The brewing basket instinctively knows when to lower the tea basket into the hot water and when to raise it at the end of each brewing cycle. Heck, the brewer even agitates the tea leaves to give you a more precise brew! If you like to customize your brew, there’s also a setting for that as well as the ability to brew just hot water. The brewer will keep you tea warm for 60 minutes after brewing and even keep track of how long it has been since you last brewed so you don’t end up drinking a stale cup of tea.
Tea time has never been so chic.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 7″ x 11.8″
-Fully programmable for all tea types, water temperatures, and steep times
-Tea basket cycle auto lowers and lifts
-Agitates tea leaves for precise infusion
-60 minute Keep Warm feature
-Variable temperature control
-Time Since Brew monitors freshness
-Auto start
-Kettle made of Schott glass
If you’re in the market for a disgustingly romantic gift this Valentine’s Day, then look no further! Forget champagne, chocolate, and roses! No woman really wants expensive dinner and extravagant gifts this February 14th, so why not give her a gift that you can enjoy together for years to come?
That’s right, I’m talking about the Siamese Slanket (SkyMall, $40.99)! If, like most couples, your relationship has been suffering because the quality of your cuddles isn’t up to par then you are in dire need of this unique product. It’s tough to cozy up to your sweetie under the same blanket because most just aren’t big enough. Say you actually get a blanket big enough to comfortably fit the two of you – then you’re like a prisoner, unable to move an inch whilst caught in said blanket’s unforgiving grasp. A blanket with sleeves seems like the best option as it gives you the snuggles you crave with the freedom you need, but what about your snookums? You can’t leave her out in the cold! This blanket is like having two sleeved blankets connected in the middle, making it perfect for cuddles without smothering you or your partner.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 120″ x 95″
-Fleece blanket for two
-Keeps hands free
-Lightweight
I hardly ever wear socks around the house, even in the winter. It’s not that my feet never get cold because they do, it’s just not enough to make me want to put on socks. I have nothing against socks (I happen to have quite a few pairs of holiday themed footwear), but chilly feet was never an ailment of mine. A friend of mine is the complete opposite – can’t live without socks. I think he would wear multiple pairs of socks at once if it weren’t horribly uncomfortable and bulky. His feet are so cold that he sleeps with two blankets wrapped around them and they’re still cold. Crazy true story.
I can’t do anything to help him with his nighttime foot shivers (heated blanket, perhaps?) but I think I found the solution to inadequate sock warmth: the Volt Resistance Heated Indoor/Outdoor Slippers (Vat19, $129.99). With a design more like booties than traditional slippers, these foot cocoons provide the wearer with over six hours of warmth per battery charge. Each slipper uses one battery (included) that fits into a small inside pocket and is easily recharged via wall outlet. The slippers themselves are made of a water-resistant shell which means that most water will slide right off, but I wouldn’t go dunking your foot into a giant puddle. A built-in thermostat ensures that your tootsies stay cozy without burning up and the massive amount of insulation comprising the outer slipper shell prevents heat from escaping. You can even throw them in the washer if they get dirty!
The key here is to remember that these are slippers, not shoes. Yes, it says you can wear them outside but it’s more of a get-the-mail kind of outside rather than go-to-the-mall.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Heated indoor/outdoor slippers
-6+ hours of use per charge
-Built in thermostat
-Actively heated thermal footbed
-Water resistant outer shell
-Sizes medium, large, or extra large
-Includes 2 rechargeable lithium ion batteries and wall charger
-Nylon upper with 640g of insulation
-100% recycled rubber outsole
-Machine washable
-90 day manufacturer’s warranty
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
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
