A set of tiny ladles. Hmm, ok.
If you want to look really posh in front of your guests, go for it. The Mini Ladles come in 3 sizes (1/4 tsp., 1/2 tsp. and 1 tsp.) and, of course, could be replaced very easily by… you know… tea spoons. However, serving mustard or sauce with a regular spoon is just not done, so would a real host try to save $7 on these? No, of course not.
At least you won’t feel sorry if you only use them twice, right?
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 on Amazon.com.
Via bookofjoe
If asked if they saw a connection between jewelry and gadgets, most women would say no. There’s those weird pendant flash drives and that’s about it.
So a Jewelry Valet Cell Phone Charging Station, what the hell?
Actually… it’s not a bad idea. Fashion and tech are not mutually exclusive anymore, so you can bet that beautiful girl over there has an iPhone or at least a Zune hidden away in her purse. And when she gets home, she needs somewhere to put them.
While this bastard child of a jewelry box and a charging station is too small to do either job perfectly, it’s just the thing to throw on your dresser and fumble through in the morning. The top compartment can hold a few work-appropriate earrings and necklaces, while the bottom drawer will keep the phone and mp3 player out of the way and easy to find. Win-win.
(Although it’s on sale as a Valentine’s Day special… it’s too generic, ok? Unless she specifically said she wants one.)
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.97 on ImprovementsCatalog.com.
Via GearDiary
Fridge magnets come and go – some get lost, some fall down, some are so damn ugly you pretend they ended up in the trashcan by mistake. But you might miss the Endo Magnet Clip if it has the same fate.
When talking about a magnet, there’s not many things to make it special: it’s either the design or the grip. The Endo is just a rectangle with a circle inside, so the answer is obvious here: its selling point is its strength.
Made from neodymium, silicone and steel, it can hold a whole lot of things, more than its run-of-the-mill cousins. And if you’ve had bad experiences with fingers caught in springs and coils, have no fear! The Endo has nothing of the sort; instead, the solid piece of metal comes with a horizontal groove that can be used to hold up things like the sneaker in the photo. Or, you know, useful stuff like receipts and shopping notes.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $9.99 – $11.99 for a set of 3 on TheEndo.com.
Via SlipperyBrick
Are cookie plates cumbersome? Didn’t think so, but in case you disagree with me, the Valentine’s Edition Dunk Mug is here to help.
The catch is the hidden compartment, perfectly sized to hold a couple of delicious cookies. How that keeps the crumbs away is unclear though, since they tend to fall off while you’re biting, not before…
What makes it a special Valentine’s edition, you ask? Why, of course, the pink color.
Despite the drawbacks, it’s definitely original and seems to be popular, so if you feel a lack of inspiration creeping up on you come February the 14th, you can give this a try.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $23 on CharlesandMarie.com.
Via ChipChick
A mug is a mug. You drink out of it, how can you reinvent something so simple? And yet not a week goes by without a new design popping up – new in terms of looks and usage.
The Chalk Board Mug looks boring: plain black and nothing special in terms of shape and size. But the innovation is in the finish: it’s glazed with a chalk board surface which allows repeated writing and wiping, just like we used to do in school.
I wouldn’t go so far to call it indispensable or even useful, but it could be handy when having guests over (no more mixed up drinks, finally!). Even better, it could make a most romantic kitchen utensil: who wouldn’t love to find love messages while drinking their coffee?
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $10 on SpoonSisters.com.
Via CoolMaterial
Instructions for unpacking your new vase: just add water.
No mistake, that’s exactly how the Hope Forever Blossoming Vase works. Pour water and it takes a proper flower-holding shape, then when you’re done using it fold it back and store it out of the way.
The idea is admirable and quirky, but I’ve seen similar things and they were more impressive on paper than on a shelf. If you do, get it for the originality, but don’t expect it to wow any guests.
On the bright side, it comes in many colors and patterns so the odds of getting one to match your tastes are pretty high.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on TheFuturePerfect.com.
Via bookofjoe
Of all the weird things…
There’s a lot of problems in the world, big and small, from wars to internet disconnects, but static doesn’t even register on the radar. A zap from time to time never killed anyone, yet… here’s the StaticOff Light Switch Cover.
Why pay $25 on 2 covers? Why, they’re special: the corners can be used to discharge electricity from the body. I can just picture it: “hm, I think I’ll go touch the light switch now because I think I might shock Bob when I shake his hand”.
Uhhh… ok.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.99 on WhateverWorks.com.
Via bookofjoe
Colorful kitchen instruments are impossible to resist. Especially when they promise to help make everything easier.
Can’t you just imagine a life like in the TV ads, sparkly clean kitchen, sun shining in, a happy family, you chopping away at the Smart Portion Prep Center? How could something with a name like that not be perfect for a modern woman?
Yes, we all know it’ll never get used at full capacity and we’d be perfectly fine with an old cutting board. But the food scale! And the measuring cup with its own holder! The easy storage! Irresistible.
Besides, it will look pretty even if we don’t use it.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $25.61 on Amazon.com.
Coasters have become more than household objects – they’re decoration. Can a little wordplay turn a simple object into something cool?
The Roller Coasters at least try. It’s a coaster with “roller” printed on it, get it? No, I don’t think it’s terribly clever either, but at least it doesn’t make you cringe. The design is simple and goes to the basics – silk-screened cork with plain black writing -, but hey, nothing beats a classic.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $10 on SupermarketHQ.com.
Via CoolMaterial
Oven mitts are just oven mitts, but sometimes they can also look cool while keeping your hands away from the hot pots and pans.
There’s not much info available about the Clicking Kitchen Grip, but the idea of a pair of cursor-inspired oven gloves is fun and quirky. They’re not for sale yet, but apparently they’ll be available soon.
The listed price is just $1, which is probably just a temporary placehold, but we hope the final one won’t make anyone gasp.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $1 on BazarDesign.com.
Via OhGizmo!
