If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I don’t have kids, but my mum has told me enough stories about me and my brother to not look forward to that. We were messy and picky children and I feel sorry for my mum in retrospect. Would have some dining accessories helped? Probably not, but look how cute the Mate looks!
A “mate” is a combination of “mat” and “plate”. The mat part comes in orange, raspberry and sky blue, has a big smiley face under the plate and comes with pop on/off spoon and fork. The plate is detachable and divided in three areas.
Some of the features sound helfpul (non-skid mat, fork the baby can’t knock off the table, easily cleaned), others less so (would toddlers really care about a smiley face?), but the bright colors might at least cheer up the poor underslept mother…
How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on SkipHop.com.
Via BoingBoing
Sometimes it feels like packaging is smarter than us. It’s not anyone’s fault if the user can’t spot that “pull here” arrow, but sometimes there’s nothing to pull or the lid is screwed on too tight. My usual approach is to play the damsel in distress and call my dad/brother/boyfriend for help, but this tends not to work when I’m alone.
The next best thing (plus girl power and all): the 6-Way Opener. It can tackle bottle tops, jar lids, bottle caps, pull tabs, safety seals and snack bags and makes kitchen life easier. Gone are the days of wrapping a towel around the lid and trying to open it… and I won’t miss them for a second.
Now, if they made one with a can opener…
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.95 on CrateandBarrel.com.
Via Outblush
Sometimes you look at something and go “WTF? Who would ever buy this crap?”. Then you think about it and realize that it’s actually a very good idea.
I had this reaction with the E Z Fill Liquid Alarm. Why would I want an alarm when I can see?! But wait… there’s people who can’t. Visually impaired folks probably get good at estimating when a glass gets filled, but this device could make their lives easier. Once placed in a cup or glass with the 1″ prongs towards on the inside, the alarm starts buzzing if the liquid reaches them, avoiding overspilling accidents.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.95 on IndependentLiving.com.
Via bookofjoe
We had glasses earlier, it’s time for another mug now. This one is a bit unusual; it’s not the average ceramic-plus-design.
The TimeMug is an insulated cup with one distinctive feature: an embedded clock. It comes in a lot of colors and the clocks come in 4 styles (2 with rhinestones and 2 without), and it looks like it’s endorsed by a lot of celebs, judging by the media section of the website.
However, this average mortal fails to see what the big deal is: since we have a computer or a cell phone around 99% of the time, why wouldn’t we use a regular mug for the drink and one of the gadgets for telling the time?
Oh, right, it’s more than a recipient for coffee, it’s a fashion statement. Ok… It’s your money you’re throwing away, not mine.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.95-$29.95 on TimeMug.com.
Via RedFerret
If you think about it, many of the things we buy are utterly useless. How many drawers have you filled up with gizmos you just “had to have” and never used again? But I think that sometimes we need to buy unnecessary stuff; life would be boring if we didn’t indulge once in a while.
You don’t need a special mug to drink your coffee, yet how many of us feel a bit better when we see the witty slogan on ours in the morning? Just the same, anyone (except for a hardcore Cola Cola fan, probably) could live without a set of Coke Can Shaped Glasses. They’re just glasses, after all. But they’re special and even friends’ reactions can be worth it. Even better if you have a soft spot for the cans these are modeled after.
Of course, they also make the perfect gift for a Coke drinker, but that goes without saying.
How much under $29.99?
some: $17 on BettysAttic.com.
Via bookofjoe
Tools have made life easier ever since the first caveman invented the first flint knife. However, sometimes using your hands just works better; utensils are still an extension, not a part of our bodies.
I bet this is what the inventers of the Finger Tongs considered. Kids often get burned trying to pick up hot things because it’s simply the most convenient way to do it… so a silicone “glove” that lets you use your hands instead of a pair of tongs is a very cool idea.
This is one of those times when you don’t need to feel guilty you don’t read the instructions. It’s that easy. Put hand inside Finger Tongs, pick up fried bacon, no blisters, yay food!
How much under $29.99?
Some: $18 on FusionBrands.com.
Being green is trendy, there’s not doubt about it. But, for once, trendy serves a purpose. If your life isn’t complete if you don’t join the latest fad, for all means, let it be an eco one.
Not a Paper Towel isn’t anything else but a new trend and it follows the Not A Paper Cup. When two pieces of cloth cost $20, you know what it means (and no, the text and the recycle image doesn’t make them any more special). But, even though you can get the same thing for a fraction of the price, these make a statement. They’re manufactured ecologically and, if they’ll stop at least a few people for using a bunch of paper towels when cloth would be better suited… they’ve reached their goal.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on UncommonGoods.com.
If you’re new to cooking, you are dead without a timer. Yes, grandma knows how the cake is supposed to look like when it’s done, but she’s been doing it for 40 years; you don’t stand a chance.
More things cooking = more timers to keep track of. But alas, the oven only has one… The Double Timer steps in to help. It has two independent timers in one, which means you’ll have 3 separate timers in your kitchen… should be enough for most situations.
However… there is one tiny issue. It looks the same on both sides, so how are you supposed to remember which is which?
How much under $29.99?
Some: $16 on UncommonGoods.com.
Via Coolest Gadgets
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
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.
