Posted By: cmerin on

Monday, July 21st, 2008, 2:31 pm

It’s no secret that I am a gadget freak.  I love gadgets of all types.  My husband would say that my biggest addiction would be to gadgets that really have no use – or those that no one really needs but has a purpose, usually one that something else is already taking care of.

So with that in mind, let me introduce to you my top 10 list of cool-but-I-do-not-really-need USB accessories.

USB Lava Lamp – Of course I want the purple one. ;)  I think this would look cool on my desk.  And hey, we all need some extra light now and then.

USB LED Beverage Cooler – I ALWAYS have a drink at my side so this technically isn’t a do-not-need item; my fridge is only about a 3 second walk from here.

USB Cup Warmer – Ok, so once again, the kitchen is only a 3 second walk away so I could get up for coffee, but for those of you in a cubicle (and because I am lazy at times) this actually is a good thing.

USB Birthday Kit – This I actually saw in the store the other day.  It’s really cute and I would have loved it if someone did this for me (I’m big into birthdays! LOL).  I think I may pick it up for myself for next year. ;)

USB Heated Gloves – These are PERFECT for me.  I freeze year round in my office.  In the winter, it’s cold.  In the summer the A/C freezes the glass on my desk which makes me freeze.  Finally, an answer to my prayers!!!

USB Plant Stand Fan – The perfect combination – fake plant that is a fan.  It's nice for those days when the A/C just isn’t cuttin

USB Santa Claus Liquid Mouse – They have a penguin and fish (and Homer Simpson!) as well, but what a kick it would be to have Santa on my desk at Christmas time!

USB Scrolling LED Sign – Truth be told, if I had this baby, it would read, “Leave me alone, I’m busy!” 
Then, when someone would come in, I’d just point to it. :)  ‘Nuff said.

USB Ferris Wheel Phone Stand – Just because who can resist a ferris wheel?!?!

USB Mini-Cool Humidifier – For those days when you are under the weather but work can’t stop.  I like the idea of adding aroma therapy oils.  I’d add some eucalyptus to help breathe easier when sick!

Tags: humidifier, aroma therapy, usb, ferris wheel, cup warmer

Posted By: cmerin on

Thursday, June 5th, 2008, 3:25 pm

It's that time of year when BBQs are a plenty.  Father's Day is right around the corner and soon to follow is the Fourth of July.  And as my loving husband announced the other day, this year we're having the shindig of all shindigs.  (Fun?)

So with that, I give you some BBQ/Summer gadgets that will make your BBQing days more enjoyable and make you ready for the birds and bees, the apple trees and a whole lot of messin' around. ;)

I'll be the first to admit we are not wine drinkers.  We have friends who drink wine, but not us.  So when we first moved here and had company, we had no wine glasses.  Enter everyone's favorite -- the plastic cup.  Of course we were ridiculed so we went out and bought real glasses, but I am so wanting to get Qubus Design's Sommelier Wine Glass.  In your face wine-in-plastic-cup haters.

While on the subject of alcohol, at our parties we always have some frozen drinks for the guests.  Usually we just deal with two -- mudslides and pina coladas.  Unfortunately, I am the one that always makes the drinks.  This leaves me no time to a) relax with guests or b) be outside.  That's why the Margaritaville DM2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker is sooooo high on my list of "I don't really need it, but I really, really want it."'s.  One can dream, right?

Switching gears a bit, what's a party without noshing food?  Everyone always arrives hungry and most of the time the food isn't quite ready yet.  Well, check out the Grill Tray and it's high and mighty nachoness.  Yum.  All your guests will gather around the table to pull apart that baby.  I know mine would!

And let's not forget that presentation is always important.  We all love to eat corn on the cob, but who wants to have everyone cutting into the same melting, color-changing-from-the-heat stick of butter, nevermind looking at that lump in the middle of the table?  Have one of these corn cob butterers on hand and worry no more!  Also, be sure to check out these adorable corn salt & pepper shakers as well!  Still with presentation, I am absolutely in love with Pottery Barn's BBQ Condiment Set.  Set of four -- mayo, relish, ketchup and mustard, all with lids and spoons and a cute ceramic tray to place them on.

And what is a party without tunes?  Hook up your mp3 or iPod player to the base unit and toss that wireless speaker into the pool!  That's right, the weatherproof floating wireless speaker system can GO IN THE WATER!  The speaker can actually go as deep as nine feet for 30 minutes with no problems.  Buy an additional speaker and have one in the pool and one out.  Music is always a key ingredient!

Enjoy!

Tags: gadgets, summer, bbq, fourth of july

Posted By: cmerin on

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008, 11:29 pm

Every year I try to figure out what to get The Husband for Father's Day.  He doesn't work in an office, so personalized items of that nature are of no use.  So, I tend to go towards outdoor gear -- grill accesories, yard tools, car gadgets, ect. 

This year I think I'm going to go with grill accesories.  Specifically ones that let him branch out from the same cheeseburgers/hotdogs/london broil/chicken/ribs that he normally makes.

And here's what I've come up with:

Stainless Steel Vertical Chicken Roaster The vertical roaster allows you to grill up to a 12 pound chicken and veggies on the grill.

Chef's Thermometer Fork Hopefully this will stop The Husband from cutting hamburgers and chicken in half. ;)

Corn Grilling Cage Grill up to four ears of corn.

PizzAgrill Get brick-oven pizza on your gas grill!

And since I'm the one that always gets stuck in the kitchen making the drinks for everyone else, I think it would be great if someone got me the Margaritaville® Frozen Concoction™ Maker DM2300.  Two pitchers, twice the ice capacity AND four pre-programmed drink settings: margarita, mudslide, daiquiri and smoothie.  Yum. 

Tags: frozen drinks, mudslide

Posted By: cmerin on

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008, 4:39 pm

With summer travel comes suitcases.  And lines and crowds waiting around trying to pick out their suitcases from all the look-alikes in the bunch.

Maybe because I'm originally from NYC I am missing the patience gene.  I want to go immediately.  No waiting around for me.  That's why when I saw Zippy Tags, I thought, "OMGawd, I need that!"

Zippy Tags are iron-on luggage tags.  But wait, there is more! :)  You have a bunch of different designs to choose from.  You can even have them create a custom tag.  The cost seems to be $10 for two tags, custom tags are $5 more.

So if you hate waiting, as I do, and want to spot your bags ASAP, check out Zippy Tags. :) 

Tags: travel, bags, zippy tags, luggage

Posted By: cmerin on

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008, 4:31 pm

The weather is absolutely gorgeous today, which makes me want to be outside, which makes me think of fresh herbs, which makes me think about keeping them fresh.  All this thinking brought me to Prepara.

Check out this awesome herb-savor.

Place your herbs (even asparagus!) inside, sprinkle with water, close the container, add water and let the stems suck up water for 3 weeks – keeping everything fresh!

If growing your own herbs is more your thing, check out their power-plant mini.

Plant it, water it and forget it (until you have to top the water off again). :) 

One of my favorite products of theirs is the Chef’s Center.

It holds up your cook book with an adjustable support bar, the splash guard is spring loaded to hold virtually any book nice and flat, it rotates 360° and has a pull out ‘cheat sheet’ with measurements.

Last on my list of my faves from them is the Trio Tri-Blade Peeler.

Twist the bottom and choose whether you want the hard blade, soft blade or julienne blade.  No need for 3 different peelers!  Easily twist the bottom and pull out the blades (on one piece) to wash.

Tags: herbs, chef, garden, gadget freaks, grow