If you’re on a diet, don’t read on. You’ll be rushing straight to the first store and stocking up on chocolate.
I’m not even a big fan, but I admit the Chocolate Coasters look absolutely delicious. They’re made from a rubber compound, but they look just the real thing; they even come in two colors… no discrimination against white chocolate lovers.
No, coasters are far from the most important thing in life. But for people who love subtle combinations of everyday things, drinking a hot chocolate from a cup sitting on a chocolate coaster has a certain unexplained appeal.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.95 on AnimiCausa.com.
Via Outblush
The regular way of explaining to someone how to get to your apartment: “I live on the 3rd floor, apartment 16.”
The interesting way of explaining to someone how to get to your apartment: “Look for the sewer on the 3rd floor.”
You don’t need to live in a weird building with holes in the floor; it’s just the Manhole Mat. Modeled after “some of the world’s great manhole covers” (although I don’t how a manhole cover can be “great”), there’s three mats to choose from: Chicago, San Francisco and NYC.
Unique twists on everyday objects are always entertaining, and this is one of the best ones. Just beware: someone might like your mat so much they decide to “borrow” it for good.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $23.95 on Lataz.com.
Although they’re sometimes presented like a different species, geeks are just normal people with less ordinary hobbies and interests. If the geek identity is important for someone it doesn’t mean it will be obvious. It’s the little things… A quirky piece of jewelry, some interesting underwear or a t-shirt no one can understand…
The Good Chemistry Salt & Pepper Shakers are both little and geeky, so they qualify. You don’t need to be a chemistry geek to know that NaCl is the formula for plain old salt (aka sodium chloride), but given the number of people who don’t remember anything from school… using these shakers might get some confused looks. As for pepper… all you need to understand the “formula” Pe + (Pe)r is a pair of eyes. The 100 or volatile compounds visible in ground black pepper wouldn’t fit on a small ceramic container, sorry.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.99 on ThinkGeek.com.
The Door Stop Alarm is an interesting product. I like it, although I doubt I would ever actually use it.
The name says it all: it’s a door stop that lets out an alarm when touched. Unlike regular door stops, it will not only prevent people from entering a room, but it will also let the person inside know when someone tries to. No way of sneaking past it, even if the door would budge is pushed a little.
I hope no one is paranoid enough to use it in their home, but if staying in a dodgy looking hotel or hostel… I’d sleep better if I knew there was something to let me know when someone tried to come in. Hey, it could mean a 30 seconds lead on the serial killer coming to get me! (Or it could scare him off.) It’s also got a sensibility switch, because no one wants to be woken up in panic by a cat trying to make its way in.
When you’re done with serial killers and thieves, you can use it as a regular door stop: an on/off switch lets you get rid of the alarm.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.35 in our store, powered by Amazon.com.
My apartment has been plagued with bad luck ever since I moved here, less than a year ago, so I’ve decided that “It can’t happen to me” really isn’t true. As the owner of an old and shaky (literally) washing machine, I am constantly worried that if I leave it plugged in it will one day blow up my house. This can be expanded to include most household appliances, but especially potentially dangerous ones like irons.
The Simple Touch Safety Outlet is a device that can offer peace of mind… in most cases, that is. It only does one thing: automatically turns off 60 minutes after you push a button. So if you’re ironing your clothes and want to be sure you won’t forget the iron on, the Safety Outlet will turn it off in an hour.
But those 60 minutes are an issue: what do you do if you want to turn something off in, say, two hours? Leave the washing machine running and cut the power after the program ends… Well, there’s no way mine could finish a program in an hour, which makes this only have limited use, although it’s a very good idea.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on BrylaneHome.com.
Via bookofjoe
Normally, coffee and tea come in cup placed on a saucer. Stir in the milk and/or sugar then place the teaspoon on the saucer like a well-behaved lady or gentleman. But who gives a damn about table manners at home or in relaxed company?
Give me a Spill Coaster any day. It’s so simple: the coasters “grew” an appendage for the teaspoon. No need for saucers, no mess, easy to clean (made from rubber) plus the sculpted shape makes the liquid gather in the middle, not on the table. And since they can be used for beer or juice glasses just the same, there’s really no need for any other kind of coaster.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.95 on DesignMyWorld.net.
Via Outblush
A boring house can be transformed with just a few touches. Take for instance the Click Dish Rack. A basic purpose: drying dishes. 32 pieces in 4 sizes and 4 funky colors. Impressive results with little effort.
It’s a bit like a puzzle, only all the pieces have the same size: all the pegs have the same type of base and fit together. The creative challenge is to create plate and glass holders using the available pieces while also obtaining a pleasing aestethic effect, which should be easy for anyone with a bit of imagination.
However, there’s not much 32 pegs can hold, so this set is not very functional. But if you’ve got a tiny kitchen that’s rarely used, they could do the job just fine.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $18 on Chiasso.com.
Via CribCandy
Time and time again, I keep going back to one of my favorite topics: kitchen storage. I don’t like to cook or even tidy it up, so I’m constantly on the lookout for anything that can make my life easier.
The 3-In-1 Roll Holder couldn’t be dubbed a lifesaver, but it can make one minor annoyance go away: cling wrap clinging on itself. My roll comes in a box with a plastic cutting edge which… works, sort of. But it’s still half-tearing, half-cutting and the plastic gets stuck and one easy action becomes unnecessarily complicated. The Roll Holder makes it extra simple: the cling wrap and aluminium foil go inside a special holder with a blade; cutting it only involves the drag of a knob. And it doesn’t even stop here: the top section can be removed and carried around where it’s needed.
While I see a lot of cool gadgets and gizmos every day, there’s few I would actually buy for my home. This is one of them. Because it rocks. As much as a kitchen accessory can, anyway.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on BrylaneHome.com.
Via bookofjoe
Was there any kid who wasn’t fascinated with dinosaurs after seeing Jurassic Park? My brother ended up knowing about 50 or so dinosaur names and a bunch of details about each of them and I was left with a certain interest myself. And I still love mugs.
Naturally, the Dissapearing Dinosaurs Mug is a match made in heaven. It’s one of those thermosensitive mug which change colors when a hot liquid is poured inside and it’s made of awesome. When coffee or tea goes inside, the entire history of the dinosaurs happens in a few seconds: they are alive one moment, skeletons the next.
It might not be the most exciting thing for most, but I say it’s damn cool anyway.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.95 on PhilosophersGuild.com.
If asked whether their baths needed enhancing, most people would say “no”. You’ve got your bathtub and your soapy stuff, what more can you need?
But needing is not the issue here. The Underwater Light Show is not one of the things you need, it’s one of the things you want. Turn the bathroom lights down and start the show… the water will start glowing with funky color patterns and you can choose from 5 different sequences.
Baths are too small for it to have a full impact, however (unless you have a small child who’s entertained by the pretty lights and stops fussing). But the same device in a pool would be amazing – particularly good for dazzling guests.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$15.50 on PrezzyBox.com.
