If you live in an area where winter is real winter (i.e. cold and snowy), something to keep your ears from freezing is a must, unless you come from a penguin family. But a hats has two disadvantages:
1. You can’t do anything fancy to your hair, because after 10 minutes under the hat it will look awful anyway.
2. You can’t fit your headphones under it.
No combination is ideal: earbuds + hat messes with your hairdo, regular headphones without hat leaves your ears freezing.
Or at least no combination was ideal… The Stereo Toasters are the result of ear warmers mating with earbuds, and boy was it a good idea. Music lovers who just can’t walk out the house without their mp3 players will be delighted to know they don’t need to sacrifice comfort or looks anymore… at least I know I am.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $23.95 on HerringtonCatalog.com.
Via DVICE
Anyone who’s ever tried to prop up a camera on a pile of rocks or a ledge knows that makeshift tripods don’t work so well. It might get the camera at the right height, but the picture will be tilted to a side – that is, if the camera doesn’t topple over to smash in a billion pieces.
So tripods are good; small tripods are particularly good for travel. The Gorillapod Go-Go and the Wrap/Micro Tripod Combo are two examples of inexpensive and handy accessories, and today there’s another one to be added to the family.
The Universal Pod comes with a new idea: why restrict yourself to horizontal surfaces? Its patented viscoelastic polymer base (no, I have no idea what it means either) lets the would-be photographer attach the camera virtually anywhere. Of course, restrictions apply: small cameras only, up to 15 oz. You won’t be able to use you DSLR with it, but the compact travel camera? Definitely.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on Amazon.com.
Via bookofjoe
If you like to be shocked – literally – Shocking Thumbwars is the best game for you. It will satisfy your spirit of competition and your masochistic side in one go.
The basics are very simple to understand: lose a game and get an electric shock. The games are a bit more complex, but not much. There’s three of them: 50/50, where you just need to push the button 50 times before your opponent does; Rebound, which involves a “moving” light that needs to be passed back and forth; and Endurance, which is just for pain-lovers: the person who can stand the most powerful shock wins.
There’s no way this could pass for an intellectually challenging game… but oh, after a couple of beers it might seem the most hilarious thing in the world.
How much under $29.99?
A little: ~$25 on Firebox.com.
Via ChipChick
Sometimes fashion is noy just about looking pretty; it’s also about making a statement.
One of the most important statements a person can make is speaking up against censorship… and for book lovers there’s nothing more important than to read whatever they feel like without some higher authority looking after their so-called well-being. Books have been challenged or even banned on stupid reasons, and letting easily-offended people get their way is not the basis of a free society.
The Banned Books Bracelet is the perfect accessory to show your support for the freedom of reading – especially during Banned Books Week (the next one is held on September 26 – October 3, 2009). Featuring covers of classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Huckleberry Finn plus a black link with “I read banned books”, the bracelet will be a great conversation starter on an important topic and a perfect way to express a book lover’s personality.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on AfternoonOnline1.Stores.Yahoo.net.
Via FashionablyGeek
Now why didn’t someone think of this earlier?! A ponytail hat! (Yes, yes, I know, your grandma had one, but this is the first time I’ve seen one, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.)
Officially called the Go-Active Winter Hat, this is a small piece of genius. If you wear your hair in a ponytail, you face 2 options: unsightly bulge under hat (with ears never completely covered) or freezing head, none of which is particularly attractive. One smart design later and the problem is solved! And it’s so obvious you wonder why it wasn’t here way earlier: just like a baseball cap, but warmer. Duh!
How much under $29.99?
A little: $26.95 on HerringtonCatalog.com.
Via bookofjoe
Why are so many neat things overpriced? When you can get one for a quarter of the price, if no less, $10 for a bookmark looks very steep.
Normally, I’d just wave it off. I can use a receipt instead for free. But the Liquid Bookmarks just look so good. A streak of blood running along a book cover would attract attention everywhere (some library havoc anyone?).
The red version is the most striking, but the bookmarks come in two more colors, white and grey. They’re also handmade, so no two will look the same.
But is that worth $25 for the set? Or maybe the question should be “How much of a fetish are books for you?”.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $25 for a set of 3 on DesignBoom.
Via BoingBoing
If you don’t already recycle your plastic bottles, you should make a simple experiment: don’t throw any of the empty bottles for a week, then admire the results. A lot, huh? But before you throw them in the recycling bin, save two; they can serve a better (and fun!) purpose: flotation device
The Bottle Catamaran kit comes with everything you need to create a motor boat; you just need to supply the bottles. It’s not very well suited for adults or young kids, but a 10-year old would learn some mechanics plus the principles of being green and have a blast in the process.
No sign of a remote though, so unless you want Davey to kiss his toy goodbye after 2 minutes, make sure the pond isn’t very large and you can recover the catamaran easily.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $16.99 on Amazon.com.
The Bubble Calendar is a bubble wrap lover’s wet dream. And it’s much better than hoarding piles of bubble wrap; this can actually come in useful.
But be careful: this 48″ tall x 18″ wide beauty requires willpower. Lots of it. Only popping today‘s bubble is a good exercise in restraint, though.
However, no matter how much I love my bubbles, this does look too simplistic: you’re got the months and days, but no day of the week or anything. Won’t be much use for scheduling, but as long as the current date is the only thing needed… it will do, I suppose.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.95 on Amazon.com.
Via BoingBoing
The ghost costume is old. And boring. An exciting Halloween needs something new, and the Wacko Jacko Mask is something many people won’t think of…
It’s tough to tell if it’s supposed to be a zombie version of Michael Jackson (Thriller anyone?) or the real deal, since the former pop star’s weird public behaviour doesn’t exactly let the audience examine his features. We don’t know what new cosmetic surgery Jacko’s underwent in the past few years, so it’s likely his real appearance isn’t far from this mask.
As for the rest of the costume… a lot of options. Torn clothes and caked mud a la Thriller or black pants with white socks and hands touching the nether regions… although the first one might be better.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on FrightCatalog.com.
Via ShinyShiny
PAC-MAN will never die. He’s 28, which is ancient in computer game years, but still going strong and entertaining new generations, so it’s no wonder cool merchandise keeps popping up.
One perfect example is the PAC-MAN Collectors’ Shot Glass Set, which can be the hit of any party populated by old gamers. It might not be as exciting as the newest shooter, but it’s a piece of history… and celebrating a historical event is as good an excuse as any for getting drunk.
The set has six glasses, each with a distinctive 8-bit picture of PAC-MAN, Blinky, Pinky, Inky, Pokey and Bonus Cherries (who knew the ghosts had names?). Naturally, imaginative boozers can devise a some complex drinking games starting from this setup.
P.S. Limited edition, so they won’t be around for very long!
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on ClubNAMCO.com.
Via BoingBoing
