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Although the website is in French, you don’t need a translation to figure out what the Clumsy Coasters are. They’re obviously made to look like spilled water… exactly the thing you’re trying to protect your furniture against by using them.

I never used to pay much attention to my tables and cabinets. That is, until I actually bought my own furniture and starting seeing every spill as a way of losing my money’s worth. I started using coasters then and, while you can get perfectly functional ones for free or at least very cheap, innovative coasters (or dessous-de-verre - literally “under the glass”, as the French call them) can make a very nice touch for guests.

Each set comes with two coasters, making them a bit too expensive for what they do, but sometimes the design is worth it.

How much under $29.99?
A little: ~$21 on Atypyk-E-Shop.com.

Via bookofjoe

Women have a knack of filling every inch of available space with something, so things can get tricky once in a while. At some point there will be no space left, and that’s when you need to start getting new ideas.

Bathroom cabinets are never large enough. I nearly doubled my cabinet space recently and it filled up in no time. But really… you have your 2 types of deodorants, toothbrush, 3 toothpastes, soap, face cream, make-up, maybe the boyfriend’s stuff… how can you fit everything in there?

Well, if your cabinet is metallic, you’re in luck. The Magnetic Cosmetic Holders offer an easy way of storing some of your make-up accessories, making them easier to find and making room inside at the same time. Of course, if you’ve got a wooden or plastic cabinet, tough luck. Maybe some extra strong glue might help…

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.98 on Amazon.com.

I shouldn’t be posting about food when I’m so hungry, but it’s too late now. (Damn, that bacon looks so good…)

The interesting part in the image is not the bacon, though. The clever device they’re hanging onto is called a Bacon Genie, and it does look like a genius idea.

What do all those yummy greasy foods have in common? A lot of mess left behind. Not fun. The Bacon Genie offers a simple solution: a bacon stand with a reservoir underneath that collects all the dripping fat, ready to pop in the microwave without worrying about what comes later.

From the point of view of someone very lazy and quite messy, this seems like a life (and time) saver.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.98 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

If you spend your day in front of a computer, reading blogs like this, odds are you’re not a kitchen wizz. And if you’re dealing with more intricate things, then a simple dilemma can turn into a mystery.

I, for one, had no idea you had to do anything special to melt chocolate… But the Chocolate Spatula Thermometer has to have some reason to exist, right?

Proper melted chocolate apparently needs a certain temperature that needs to be carefully monitored, and a thermometer right on the spatula does just that. You can just stir and know if you’re doing it right… in theory.

Then again, don’t imagine this will make you a French chef in no time. No, sorry, you need to learn that on your own.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.95 on Amazon.com.

Via ubergizmo

Does anyone remember the game Pipe Dream? It was one of my favorites back in the day when we got our first computer, and the Constructible Drinking Straw reminds me of it so much I’m nostalgic.

The best thing: this is for real, not just on a computer. You can use the pieces to create all sorts of straws, even ones that allow you to drink simultaneously from two (or more) glasses. Although it’s probably made for children, I’m sure that many adults would love to have some fun with the set. Imagine the possibilities…

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14 on MoMAStore.org.

Via
BoingBoing

Diamonds are a girl’s best friends? Too materialistic for me, sorry. One’s lover should be their best friends, not some rocks. I think throwing money away on expensive diamond rings is pointless, so, if she’s still bugging you for a diamond or two… try an alternate approach.

Ice diamonds. The Glamour Jewels Ice Cube Tray gets you 6 large polished “stones”, perfect for any drinks - but not any women. If your girl wants a diamond it’s unlikely she’ll appreciate this very much, unless she has a great sense of humor, so be careful there.

It’s a cool shape for ice cubes, anyway, ever if the tray is a bit pricier than I’d like.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7 on Amazon.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Apparently there is such thing as a “perfect s’more”… and apparently you need a special device for it. Allow me to be a bit skeptical…

The Microwavable S’Mores Maker looks like a little robot and all it does is press the marshmallow between the crackers so they don’t expand too much. The chocolate and marshmallow are supposed to melt at the same time, thus making said perfect s’more. All fine, unless you prefer the “non-perfect” ones you get on a real camping trip.

Do microwaved s’mores taste as good as their campire counterparts? Probably not. But since you’re using the microwave because there’s no fire around, you could give it a go and see what happens.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $8.95 on Amazon.com.

Via Gizmodo

If you’re withering in the heat and, furthermore, you happen to be a LEGO lover, this is the perfect present.

All you need for a quick refreshment is a freezer, some water and flavoring and the Minifigure Ice Lollipop Mould. You can even choose which way to use them: if you want ice lollipops, you add the included sticks and you can enjoy a LEGO man on the go; if you leave the sticks aside, you get three minifig shaped ice cubes for your drinks of choice.

I personally think $13 is too much for 3 ice minifigs, but there’s nothing stopping a fan from getting the newest gizmo, is there? And at least you’ll banish the heat for a while.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on Shop.Lego.com.

Via Gizmodo

I would normally say that yet another kitchen utensil with one limited use is a waste of money. But… it’s strawberries. I love strawberries, but I can never be arsed to remove the leaves. I try to pull them out, half the hull plus random leaves break off… it’s just a pain.

For $6, oh yeah, give me the Oxo Good Grips Strawberry Huller. You only have to pierce the fruit then scoop and tada! the strawberry is ready to be eaten. To release the leaves and hull you just need to press a button, and after you’re done you can clean the gadget in the washing machine.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5.99 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

I have a small problem with the next product: I can’t decide if it’s very stupid or very smart.

It’s called the Lid Punch and, of course, it punches lids. To be exact, it pokes a hole through a jar lid, releasing the vacuum seal and making the jar easy to open. After you’re done, you use one of the included ceramic magnets over the hole to seal it back.

There’s probably dozens of alternate methods of opening a jar - turn it upside down and smack its bottom, force the lid open with a knife, call your boyfriend/husaband - and they don’t require buying an extra implement. However, if you don’t have a lot of strength in your arms and there’s no one to help you, or if you are tired of the alternate methods (which, admitedly, take longer)… it’s less than $10, you might as well have it around.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.83 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe