If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Postcards, no matter how lovely they are, usually end up somewhere in a box, stashed away for “sake keeping” (aka never to be seen again). So an Australian company combined cards, magnets and souvenirs and got the very cool Bendy Friends, probably the only postcards that will have a better fate.

They’re bendy because they’re made from a special flexible foam and they’re friends because, really, look how cute the Australian animals pictured on them are. Even the frilled neck lizard looks adorable, not to mention the koala.

But what makes them real special is the fact that they’ve got embedded magnets. They’re basically fridge magnets you can mail. And, as we all know, a big white fridges is boring and is practically begging for a kangaroo to cheer it up, so I’m betting most of these will adorn kitchens in the months and years to come.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $27 for a pack of 10 on BendyFriends.com.au.

Space Invaders! Again! We’ve had a lot of 80s computer aliens themed merchandise, from pillows to badges, but the Space Invader Magnet Collection has me all excited.

What’s so special about some kitchen magnets? Well, nothing really, if we’re talking about functionality. But imagine the possibilities: a big white fridge and some black pixelated invaders. With a couple of sets you could turn a boring white space into a replica of the old-school game screen, how cool can that be?

Each set includes 5 pieces - a cannon and four aliens: UFO, squid, crab and octopus. Too bad you can’t buy each separately: you only need one cannon (maybe 3 if you’ve got the extra lives on “screen”), but many more invaders… 10 sets or so should be enough though, so if you like the idea start dropping hints to your friends.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on JList.com.

Via Gizmodo

There isn’t much you can say about fridge magnets. They are magnetic and reside on the fridge (or any other metallic surface in your house, if you want).

The Startled Kitten Magnet Set doesn’t bring anything new, but it has cats, and cats always need to be mentioned. And any cat owner can recognize the position of these kitties: “Oops! No I wasn’t trying to steal your lunch! Honest! *whoosh*”

The perfect gift for the cat lover who understands the mischievousness of their lovely pets.

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

Once again, I gave an item a quick glance and decided it was not worth my time… but when I came back, I realized it could actually be very useful.

The 4-in-1 LED Light sounds like any other LED device: just a light on a stick, what’s the big deal? The important thing here is the magnetic base. I remember the last time I tried to poke inside my computer, hold the flashlight with one hand, the screwdriver with the other hand, pull the card out with the third… oops. And there’s probably a dozen other places you can find an use for this. And when you’re not in need of light, you can use the laser pointer.

I don’t get which are the 4 functions this can fulfill, but I think the main one alone is worth the $6.

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

Via OhGizmo!

Keeping young children busy can prove really tough, especially if you’re not keen on letting them stare at the TV for hours on end. And that’s not even on option on a long car ride.

The Mudpuppy Monsters Magnetic Figures are, first of all, creepy, which automatically ensures the attention of at least half the kids. Second, they let children be creative. A customized monster sounds like an awesome idea even now, in my mid-twenties, so I would’ve probably loved it when I was 7.

Each set includes 4 (appropriately spooky) backgrounds and more than 40 monster bits and pieces, all stored in a tin that can also be used as a board for attaching the magnets. This particular feature can be extremely helpful on car rides, as it ensures that you won’t find loose monster limbs under your seats two months on.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14 on ChocolateCakeClub.com.

Via BoingBoing

Even though I don’t really use them, I like fridge magnets (as you can see). That big white bulky fridge needs some decorating.

But maybe you just can’t find that magnet you’re looking for and want to make your own. No fear, we found a way to do it: Ink Jet Printable Magnetic Card Decal Paper. You just have to choose or create your design, load the magnetic paper in your inkjet printer and stick the result on the fridge.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $8.95 for 5 sheets on DecalPaper.com.

Via bookofjoe

It seems like you can innovate something as (apparently) simple as fridge magnets, but it looks like it’s possible. Sort of.

The Q-Man Flexible Magnet can be used to hold up things other than notes. Because it has a flexible body and magnets in its arms and legs, it can basically “hug” and object and keep it pinned to a metallic surface. However, I don’t recommend testing it on expensive objects such as you mobile phone. First find out exactly how strong the magnets are and then trust them with your valuables.

I can’t see exactly how this can be useful, but there’s got to be some larger objects you want to keep handy. Ideas?

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.95 on TansuStyle.com.

Via CraziestGadgets

I still don’t know if anyone actually uses fridge magnets, but who cares? They’re cool and fun. And maybe none cooler than the Magnetic Cork Pin Cushion.

This unusual thing looks like the love child of a fridge magnet, a pin cushion and a corkboard, and the result is pretty interesting, at least from a visual point of view. It works not like a traditional magnet, but by attaching notes with the included matching pins. While it doesn’t sound very practical to me, the design is unusual enough to (maybe) make you forget minor inconveniences.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $10 on MoMAStore.com.

Via Outblush

Fridges are big white things that take a lot of space and, frankly, they’re quite boring. That’s probably why so many people put magnets on them.

I choose Pirate Magnets today - because, whatever anyone says, pirates are waaay better than ninjas. And there’s a way of making these useful(ish) without pinning notes under them: whenever you steal someone’s food from the office fridge, leave one of them behind (there’s 12 in each pack, more than enough). Hey, these are dangerous times, people should expect their food to be stolen by pirates, right? Leave them wondering who the perpetrator is, buy make sure no one sees you doing it unless you want to get into trouble.

Of course, you can also adorn your personal fridge with them. But I have a question: do you or anyone you know ever put post-it notes under the magnets?

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $4.95 on McPhee.com.

This is a “how NOT to” guide. Or perhaps a “how to dump someone in the nastiest way possible” guide. Choose one, depending on what you plan for this Valentine’s Day. The following products are the stupidest presents for Valentine’s Day we could find.

9. Beer Mug of Blooms. The only thing this says is “Honey, I went out to buy you the most beautiful bouquet for this special day, but I got lost and ended up in the pub.” Not the message you want to send on Valentine’s.

8. Love Stinks Soap Set. I have to admit it’s a funny idea (love stinks, let’s wash it off with a nice soap), but the whole point of this holiday is that love is great. Save this for when you want to dump him/her.

7. Talking Rose. Who invents these things? A plastic rose with a microphone? A fake flower and a recording can never replace a real one and a passionate “I love you”. Save your money for better things.

6. USB Pig Radio. Adorable, sure. But guys, pink is not always a sign that the product is made for Valentine’s. She’ll only think you’re saying she’s fat like a pig.

5. Valentine Heart Toilet Paper. Only for girls who think Valentine’s is overrated. Put this in the bathroom on your girlfriend’s favourite day and prepare to get the silent treatment.

4. Halitosis Detector (bad breath, that is). “My love, your breath stinks.” No. Never. Do not even think about it.

3. “Dumped” Despair Inc. Bitersweets. If you’re feeling real mean, wrap the box in a nice paper and watched her stunned face as she reads the messages on the seemingly-harmless candy hearts.

2. Diet Decision Maker magnet. The USB pig might have suggested she’s fat, this one is outright saying it. Guaranteed to get you dumped.

1. And, last but definitely not least… Breast Suspenders. I hope I don’t have to spell this out for you. NO.