Fact: a cat can improve any object. Even those that don’t need improving.
A good wallet has lots of pockets for your stuff and is sturdy, to keep said stuff from ending up all over the floor. A great wallet has all those and a cat stalking a goldfish: introducing the Sitting Kitty Wallet. It comes in black and red, features the back of a cat on one side and a fish on the other, and it can house all your money, credit cards, photos etc., so I can see no reason not to buy it. If you’re a girl and love cats, this is perfect.
(Cat! Squee!)
How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.99 on ModCloth.com.
While I wasn’t a big George Carlin fan, I had seen/listened to some of his skits and they fit my definition of “very funny” quite well. His most popular rant is probably “Seven Words” (but be warned, it’s NSFW).
And I am conflicted. The Seven Words Carlin Tote Bag looks very cool and I find it an appropriate tribute: some people will get offended (just like when they saw the original) and other people will laugh (ditto).
But is it right to make money out of someone’s death? Then again, is it wrong to make money if people are buying it to remember the person he was? As I said, I cannot decide. But I do love the tote.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on CafePress.com.
Via FashionablyGeek
A cool keychain doesn’t necessarily mean an interesting photo or design. It can be more than that – even though complex things are not very practical: you either get a too-large keychain, or a too-small game or gadget.
The Chutes and Ladders Keychain looks just the right size for a pocket – which probably means the game would be very difficult to actually play (unless you have unusually small hands). But if you like miniatures this is impossible to resist. Even more so if you were a fan of the game when you were young.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $4.99 on UltimateKeychains.com.
Via BoingBoing
I find a little sadistic pleasure watching smokers crowd around on balconies or under ledges in bad weather. Of course, I’m not a smoker so I can’t empathise too much, the idea of needing a cigarette right now is alien to me.
But I am not so mean. Here’s a Smoker’s Umbrella. Yes, it’s basically just an ordinary umbrella, but the thing I love about it is the ashtray. How can people who are otherwise very clean just throw theor cigarettes on the ground?! This makes them have no excuse. Happily smoking in the rain, then coming back in the office to empty the ashtray… simple as that.
It also has smoke-related song titles printed on it, which might make it a bit more interesting than the bland umbrellas your co-workers use.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19.50 on Play.com.
Via FashionablyGeek
After you spend your first night trying to sleep on a bus, you’re never going to leave your neck rest home if preparing for a long trip. It might look silly, but it makes travel so much easier.
But, hm, a scented pillow? I don’t think so. The Aroma Snoozer adds scented oil in the mix… which in itself isn’t a bad idea – if you’re traveling alone. But if I ever found someone on a bus or train or plane with one of these, I’d probably shove it down his/her throat. If I have to smell something, I want to choose it myself, not get flooded with some lady’s favorite scent. You need to think about the people around you, too. This is a no-no.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19.5 on Gizoo.co.uk.
Via Coolest Gadgets
I don’t do my nails very often, because it only lasts until the first time I do the dishes. And really, it’s not worth the trouble. And there’s plenty of that, especially with dark colors and especially when I do my right hand… I’ve got shaky fingers and I can’t do shit with my left hand, so the right ends up in less-than-perfect shape.
All this lenghty introduction for this brilliant product: the Sally Hansen Color Quick Nail Pen. Forget the quick coloring and fast drying; the real innovation here is the way it works. You get a “pen” filled with nail polish with a brush attached on one end, which works more or less like shoe polish: you shake it, click it a couple of times then apply. Since the pen is much easier to hold than a regular brush it gives much more control and the chances of the polish ending up on your skin instead of the nail diminish.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.49 on Amazon.com.
I’ve never had to make a long plane journey, but I think that getting on a low-cost flight after 1 hour of sleep that night is one of the worst flying experiences I could hope to experience (barring turbulence and the like). All you want is to finally get rest… and you discover that the seat wasn’t exactly made for that.
I’ve used a standard neck rest pretty extensively, but until you manage to prop it in the right position it’s difficult to sleep on. The Jetsleeper 2 looks a bit sillier, but seems to work better – if you’re short enough. It supports the neck and you can probably sleep soundly because your head has something to rest on.
But… if you’re tall then your head will reach over the head rest, making this virtually impossible to use – especially if you’re in economy, with no leg room and therefore no possibility to lower yourself in the seat.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $21.00 from Jetsleeper.
Via bookofjoe
Who’d have thought in high school that chemistry can be fun? Surely not me, trying to remember all those neverending names… But thinking back I realize the main problem was that we never did anything; learning things by heart is more difficult if you don’t see them applied.
Monoammonium phosphate? Potassium aluminum sulfate? They might sound like something out of a pop-quiz, but they’re not boring at all: they’re the most important part of the Crystal Growing Kit and they’re also known as “Citrine” and “Ruby” growing chemicals.
The kit also includes 3 crystal growing trays, 2 spatulas, instructions and an illustrated information booklet, and you can grow 4 different types of crystal formations: three that grow in clusters and a solitary one. It’s for ages 12 and up, but I am fascinated even at twice that age…
How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.99 on ThinkGeek.com.
One of the issues travelers (all right, mostly woman travelers) face when coming back from a trip is the age-old question: “How the hell am I going to carry all these souvenirs home?!”
Been there, done that, been told that putting an extra bag inside a bag is silly. Uh, no it’s not, it’s thinking ahead. The Rolling InstaBag is something that can come in very handy at the end of a trip.. It’s compact when folded, so it won’t get in the way when packing, and it can unfold to an impressive size which I’d say is large enough unless you’re not a complete shopping whore. Best of all, it can still fit in the overheard compartment in a plane.
It’s probably less useful for groceries; my previous experience with this kind of bag with folding wheels was less than happy, especially when filled with heavy items. It should only be used for travel, since the trip from the bus to the plane shouldn’t be too taxing.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $11 on Amazon.com.
Via bookofjoe
You’re happily driving somewhere. Maybe you know the way, maybe you don’t. Either way, you’re trying. Can anything be more annoying than someone starting to give you useless indications about what you should do?
If you’re a masochist or miss your wife/girlfriend/mother’s nagging when she’s not around, the Sat Nag is the thing you need. It’s sort of a GPS, only it’s not helpful. All it does is spout phrases we all know and hate, such as: “I know you’re a man, but it’s been 35 minutes now, so can you please admit you’re lost and ask someone the way”; “In 100 metres turn left. No right, err, no left. Sorry, I never can tell my left from my right” and “In 100 meters I’m going to talk to you in that special voice, which should let you know you’ve upset me in some way that is bound to be your fault”. Guaranteed to make any man (or woman) want to throw it out the window in no time. Which is better than smacking the person in the passenger seat, at least.
Some might not find it funny at all, but I do. It’s so true to life…
(I never do this, of course. I always know where to turn right. Er, left. Maybe?)
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$14 on IWantOneOfThose.com.
Via Gizmodo
