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Archive: July 2007
Water Accessories
Posted by etipton – July 31, 2007 10:00 AM
There are so many fun things you can buy to put in your swimming pool. Give your pool the personal touch with this monogrammed pool art. To install, set flat on the water surface and push it to the bottom - no adhesives needed. Priced around $180.
Have the most colorful pool in the neighborhood with this fun, floating, color-changing pool light. It brings a rainbow of colors to your pool or pond. Pool light automatically illuminates in darkness with triple LED technology. Priced less than $20.
For a novel look, these battery-operated Floating Jellyfish Pool Lights unleash a kaleidoscope of color as they float in the water. Crafted of durable PVC Realistic, fiber-optic tentacles emit a vibrant glow. The top changes colors throughout the light-show. Available in ruby or emerald. Priced less than $60 each. 
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Submitted by you - Pot Sock-It.
Posted by etipton – July 27, 2007 1:45 PM
I received this lovely email from a reader the other day.
My wife loves plants. A few years ago, tired of looking at her hanging plants in their plain white plastic flower pots, she came up with an idea. She made covers for them from swimsuit material. We are now manufacturing them. It's called the "Pot Sock-It! Decorative Flowerpot Cover". Briefly, the Pot Sock-It is a simple, decorative stretchable sleeve designed to cover and enhance the appearance of a flower pot. The fabric and design allow the Pot Sock-It to tightly hug the contours of the flowerpot, retaining its' original shape and pattern. Also, because it's made of swimsuit material, it stands up well to the weather, resisting fade and dry-rot for years. It's available in many different colors, prints and patterns, and is a practical, easy, fun, smart and beautiful way to decorate! Simply slide the Pot Sock-It over your plain white flowerpot and you instantly have a new, gorgeous flower pot! You can learn more at www.potsockit.com. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
These look really cute, and would really help all the pots match regardless of what you hang or put out. Priced less than $10. Click for more pictures.
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Frozen Treats
Posted by etipton – July 26, 2007 2:01 PM
We had an ice cream sandwich cake the other day. It was delicious. That got me thinking about ice cream sandwiches, and wondering why I've never tried to make them. I found these cute sandwich molds. You take a thin brownie or cookie as a base, fill the mold with ice cream, and top with another cookie or brownie.
Has anyone made these? It comes with a basic recipe. If you have made ice cream sandwiches from scratch, what recipe do you use for the cookies? Choose molds designed as animals or shapes. Priced less than$15 for a set of three.
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Last of the Legos.
Posted by etipton – July 24, 2007 8:52 PM
As I mentioned on Monday, LEGO brand has kitchen products. Here are the ice cube trays. They have the brick model and the Belville. These allow you to serve the coolest drinks around with ice that looks like LEGO bricks, or build your own LEGO ice sculpture! The trays are made of silicone, and are dishwasher safe. The brick tray makes 10 cubes, while the Belville makes four heart-shaped cubes and six butterfly-shaped cubes at a time.
Priced less than $10. 
Why bake an ordinary cake when you can bake a LEGO cake? Just mix up a cake or jelly recipe and pour it into this fun, brick-shaped mold to create tasty desserts shaped like real LEGO bricks! The pan makes six individual 2 1/2" snacks. The mold is dishwasher and microwave safe and can be used at temperatures of up to 210º C or 410º F. Priced less than $20.
LEGO has tumblers, plates, salt & pepper shakers, a corkscrew and coasters. How fun! These housewares just scream college dorm room if you ask me. Priced less than $20 each. Click here to view all photos. 
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From a galaxy far, far away.
Posted by etipton – July 24, 2007 11:24 AM
Lego has teamed up with Star Wars for the film’s 30th anniversary and created three character magnet sets. The magnets are perfect for use in lockers, on refrigerators, or anything else metal. Pick from Boba Fett, Princess Leia and Royal Guard or Imperial Stormtrooper, AT-ST Driver and Rebel Y-wing Pilot. Priced less than $15.
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Lego my timer!
Posted by etipton – July 23, 2007 9:31 AM
Lego is making home products now. They have dishes, ice trays, Star Wars Lego character magnets, backpacks and more. The marketing department is very busy.
Here is a new toy for the kitchen - a timer in the shape of the Lego head piece. There are three mini-figure faces on the timer, and as you set the timer the mouth and eyes swap around. The timer, counts as little as a minute or as much as an hour. Priced less than $10.
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Onions!
Posted by etipton – July 20, 2007 11:54 AM
For those who love the flavor of onions, but are not able to tolerate cutting them, RSVP International has created Onion Goggles. If you are sensitive to onions, you have probably tried every way of cutting them - cutting them under water, cutting them frozen, cutting them quickly. There are even crazy stories out there about holding a match or spoon in your mouth while you cut them and having a lit candle in your prep area, to name a few. While those methods may work for some people, the Onion Goggles work for everyone as they form a seal that protects eyes from onion vapors. They have received great reviews, and they seem to work well. Note: You cannot wear the goggles over eye glasses, and they must be hand-washed. If nothing else, they might be a fun way to scare the kids. Priced around $20.
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Prevent squashed tomatoes.
Posted by etipton – July 19, 2007 10:13 AM
Have you seen the Zyliss Soft Skin Peeler? If you like fresh fruits and vegetables, it is a godsend. The peeler eliminates the need to blanche fruits and vegetables to remove the skin. Use the serrated blade for soft fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, kiwi, peaches, and ginger. It peels the skin without harming the flesh underneath. The two edges on the blade permit back-and-forth peeling, and right-handed or left-handed use. If you can vegetables or know someone who does, this peeler will make that job much easier.
Priced less than $10.
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Well aren’t you clever?
Posted by etipton – July 18, 2007 11:19 AM
My grandmothers love wearing jewelry, but have a hard time manipulating the clasps by themselves. I found this magnetic clasp and gave it to them for Christmas. They both adored it. They are now able to wear sentimental jewelry they had not been able to get closed by themselves. These also work great for moms, as small children like to pull on necklaces. These will allow the necklace to be pulled off instead of breaking when grabbed by a child. You get 4 gold tone, 4 silver tone and two necklace extenders forunder $20.
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The Bzz.
Posted by etipton – July 17, 2007 8:45 AM
Most hummingbird feeders look the same. They are functional, but boring. These feeders from Uncommon Goods are anything but ordinary. This sailboat feeder is made from recycled glass. It features two hand-blown glass chambers. Flower-shaped feeding tubes blossom from each bottle. This makes the feeding experience as natural and comfortable as possible for all your garden's hummingbirds. Priced less than $50.
In the early 90's, I was the polka dot princess. While I don't live for polka dots anymore, this feeder did catch my eye. The handmade feeder comes ready-to-hang with a 7" black metal hook. Priced around $40.
The Ferris Wheel design of this charming hummingbird feeder is sure to enchant! Three recycled cobalt glass feeding stations, each featuring a perch, allow multiple hummingbirds to feed at once. Three hand-blown red glass flower feeding tubes mimic trumpet-vine, a hummingbird favorite! It does note that for the safety of the hummingbird, the Ferris Wheel does not spin. That might provide some real backyard entertainment. Priced around $50.
View our entire collection of hummingbird feeders. Continue reading »
I scream, you scream.
Posted by etipton – July 16, 2007 9:07 AM
It is surprising, all the accessories you can purchase to go with ice cream. If you are looking for luxury, they have a silver-plated ice cream pint. Priced around $100.
I bent a spoon or two before I got a quality ice cream scoop. This ergonomic scoop allows you to cut through even the hardest ice cream. The thumb rest allows you to apply plenty of pressure. Now you will have to invite your quirky friend over to bend spoons with his mind if you want to get new silverware. Priced less than $10.
Another truly unique ice cream accessory is the motorized ice cream cone. No more twisting your wrist, just touch a button and the cone rotates. Priced less than $10.
more fun stuff.... Continue reading »
Churn on Friday.
Posted by etipton – July 13, 2007 10:42 AM
I am sure in the olden days churn meant butter, but I'm going to talk about ice cream!
We received a traditional old-fashioned ice cream maker as a wedding gift. We have used it a few times, and it is fun to make your own ice cream. You can buy it for less than $30.
Another more fun way to make ice cream is with this ice cream ball. With the ball you can make ice cream at the beach, woods, lake or any where else you have fun without electricity. Add five ingredients, rolling the ball around, and 35 minutes later you have ice cream. This should give the kids something to keep them busy for a few minutes. Priced around $20.
Instead of going out for ice cream mixed with fresh fruit, cookies or other fixings, make it at home. The Chill-It set includes a white marble mixing board, two aluminum ice cream spades and a full-color recipe booklet. Priced less than $20.
The Food Network has some great recipes for homemade ice cream. Continue reading »
Brew on Thursday.
Posted by etipton – July 11, 2007 10:01 PM
Wash on Monday. Iron on Tuesday. Bake on Wednesday. Brew on Thursday. When they say "brew on Thursday," do they mean tea, coffee, or beer? How about a few neat items from each:
Brew tea on the go with the Tea Tumbler. Tea on the go generally means leaves in a bag, lukewarm water, and much spillage. Now you can take your favorite loose teas with you by packing these ingenious Tea Tumbler vacuum flasks. The flask's screw-off lid holds a wire mesh basket where you place your loose leaves. Fill the flask with hot water, screw on the lid, then turn it upside-down so the water comes in contact with your tea and begins to steep. Priced less than $25. 
Every time I turn around, my coffee is cold. I guess working from home with a small child, that is to be expected. This coffee mug warmer hooks into your computer’s USB port. Pretty neat, but be careful not to spill anywhere near your computer! Priced less than $10.
I have a coffee pot, but most days I am the only one drinking any coffee. I found this neat one-cup coffee maker in a coffee shop in college. It is very inexpensive and makes a surprisingly good cup of coffee. So many guests have commented on my coffee cup that I keep a few around to give away. I need to pack one in my luggage. I have yet to figure out how to make the coffee kit in my hotel rooms from housekeeping taste drinkable. This is also perfect for the person who does not drink coffee, to keep on-hand for guests. My mother has a huge pot that she only uses on holidays. If you only have one or two coffee drinkers, this is perfect. Priced less than $10.
You can also brew beer at home. For the serious home brewer, Compact Appliance has the Beer Machine Home Brewer. It brews, it ferments, it carbonates and it dispenses, all in one foolproof machine large enough to make 2.6 gallons (28 full 12 oz. servings,) yet small enough to fit right in your refrigerator. The Beer Machine 2000 is the only completely closed, single-step, odorless brewing system designed for making fresh, great tasting, naturally carbonated beer ready to enjoy in just 7 to 10 days.Priced less than $100.
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Bake on Wednesday.
Posted by etipton – July 11, 2007 10:00 AM
I really enjoy baking. Unlike cooking dinner and laundry, baking is usually not something that has to be done. When you bake, it is usually bread, cookies or some fun other treat.
The first kitchen must-have is a Kitchen Aid mixer. If you have debated whether or not you need this expensive appliance, you do need it. I use mine mainly for cookies and dumpling dough. I had a hand-mixer, and it seemed like all that thing did was sling batter. I didn't have the talent to make it work. I rarely made cookies, it was too hard to stir all the ingredients in by hand. Once I got my Kitchen Aid mixer it was like I discovered cooking again. It really is a joy to mix up a batch of cookies, not a chore. I can make dumpling dough in a few minutes for a chicken and dumpling dinner. Christmas will be here before you know it, put it on your wish list. Shown below in Blue Steel - just for Derek Zoolander. The 4.5 quart stand mixer starts at $199.00, and the 5 quart is priced around $450.
To make perfect brownies, you need the perfect pan. The Baker's Edge is designed to make perfectly-baked portions throughout the entire pan. In a conventional pan, food cooks first around the edges. When the edges are perfectly baked, the middle isn't ready, and in the time it takes to finish the edges can dry out or burn. Makes me hungry just talking about it! Priced around $30. 
Remember in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the two families are meeting for the first time, and Ian's mother brings the Bundt cake? Toula's mother doesn't know what it is or more importantly why anyone would bring a cake with a hole in the middle. If Ian's mother had brought a cake like this, she would have been the hit of the party! Add some berries to a castle-shaped cake, and you have the perfect summer dessert for any occasion. Pans are priced around $30.
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Iron on Tuesday.
Posted by etipton – July 10, 2007 10:41 AM
Ironing. While ironing makes your clothes look so much nicer, it is not fun to do. Here are a few things that make ironing easier.
The first thing you need is a nice ironing board. This deluxe ironing board has a sleeve board. It is adjustable in height almost 34", so it is perfect for people of all heights. The sleeve board allows you to press sleeves, shoulders, and hard to reach areas of your clothing with ease. The end of this ironing board features a hot iron tray, which holds your steam iron at an angle to prevent spills or leaks, and provides a safe place to set your iron between garments. The convenient, adjustable cord minder keeps you from ever burning the cord of your iron. Priced less than $60.
For those of you with limited space, the Iron N'Fold. Space saving ironing and folding board mounts easily to the washer or dryer and uses only 5" of space. Priced less than $50.
I do not have ironing talent. When I iron a shirt, it looks like I ironed it at home. With that said, you can have shirts that look like they came straight from the dry cleaners with a steam press. If your kids wear a uniform to school, or you wear a lot of dress shirts, it is much cheaper than sending stuff to the cleaners. Priced around $219.
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Wash on Monday.
Posted by etipton – July 9, 2007 8:55 AM
When I was a child I had these hankies that said: Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday etc. As an adult, I still do wash on Monday, but I do not always iron on Tuesday. It is amazing how dirty a family gets over the weekend. My washer and dryer are in the garage. I know I am very lucky to have a washer and dryer in my home - a lot of my readers have to go the building basement or the laundromat to clean clothes - but we are house-hunting, and my next house will have a laundry room. It is high on my priority list. Here are a few of my wish list items for my new laundry room:
I want a three-bin sorter. I know there is nothing wrong with my current system - three piles on the floor in the kitchen - but it would be nice to not trip over the laundry while waiting for loads to finish in the machines. Starting around $40.
I think this cart looks great. I have three different stain products: fabric softener, bleach, detergent, a more gentle detergent. The stuff really piles up. Depending on the available space, this might fix everything. It has an attached canvas bag, and is heavy-duty quality. It is slender enough to fit nearly anywhere - 32 3/4tall x 30 1/4wide x 8 1/4deep. Priced less than $25.
Nice bras are super expensive and don't last long if you do not hand-wash them. Check out the Bra Baby. MORE... Continue reading »
Sweet land of liberty.
Posted by etipton – July 3, 2007 10:17 AM
July 4th is such a fun holiday. We went to the fireworks store over the weekend. We bought sparklers, snap and pops and a few other minor fireworks. With the drought in our area, we did not purchase anything that flies up in the air and shoots sparks. We didn't want to be the ones to set the neighborhood on fire. I do not think Hallmark makes a card for that yet.
I need to figure out where to hang these cute lanterns. We were at a party over the weekend that had these hanging outside. They look so cool. I bet they would look great off the ceiling of a screened-in porch. A set of three is priced less than $15.
I just love this really cute patriotic table-topper set. Add some hamburgers, chips and a watermelon, and you are ready to celebrate. You get a tablecloth, table-topper and two packages of napkins. Available in either blue or red. Priced less than $70 for the set.
If you throw a lot of parties, Grandin Road has customized disposable cups and beverage napkins with your three-letter monogram or a special greeting for guests. This allows you to really add a personal touch to your outdoor party. Each party accessory comes in convenient sets of 100 to cater to large-scale, outdoor entertaining. While the only party I threw for 100 people was my wedding reception, it would be fun to have some personalized plastic cups to use year-round. Probably not $100 worth of fun, but it might be. Priced less than $100. 
Make patriotic arrangements, give the kids their own flags or decorate around the house with this set of 30 cotton mini-flags. I saw a vase just full of flags at a business the other day. That has to be the easiest way to make a centerpiece I've seen in a long time. On clearance for $10.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th OF JULY! Continue reading »
Born on the 4th of July.
Posted by etipton – July 2, 2007 1:04 PM
Red, white and blue are the colors of summer. Whether you are having a picnic or just want to decorate your home, there are the cutest decorations this time of year.
Go back in time with these patriotic half-round flags. They create an inspiring accent above your windows or on railings. Constructed from all-weather poly-cotton, it's carefully lock-stitched for durability. Crafted in America.
Priced less than $40.
Set off your own fireworks with these cute, outdoor, solar lights. These brilliant Solar Star String Lights add a fun glow to your evening without batteries or electricity. One 15'-long light string includes 45 LEDs that automatically illluminate at dusk for up to six hours of festive outdoor lighting. Easy-to-use stake mounts included. Priced less than $50. 
When you buy these tin stars you also buy a piece of American history. Heritage stars are hand-pressed by Amish farmers from the salvaged roof tin of old barns. They originally functioned in the 19th century as a kind of copyright notice, hung by barn-builders to brand a building as their own work and nobody else's. Grouped on a wall or mantelpiece, the stars evoke an earlier era when pride of craftsmanship reigned supreme. Since those barns weathered all sorts of punishment, the stars have come to signify good fortune, something every home needs. Available in white, silver or blue. Priced less than $75. 
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- Water Accessories
- Submitted by you - Pot Sock-It.
- Frozen Treats
- Last of the Legos.
- From a galaxy far, far away.
- Lego my timer!
- Onions!
- Prevent squashed tomatoes.
- Well aren’t you clever?
- The Bzz.
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