Latest Cool Picks
Mojito madness
For 4th of July weekend, nothing sounds better than sitting back and enjoying a nice, tasty cocktail. This Mojito Drink set from Parker’s Pantry will have me sipping minty mojitos in style.
Telling night time
You’ve heard of sundials? Check out this stardial. I bought this Night Stardial from WStar Designs so my daughter and I could tell the time by the position of the stars. By stars this thing really works! And it’s only $29.95!
Who you gonna call? Bark busters
Are you up all night because your pooch is barking at the moon? If your pup, or your neighbor’s doberman is a total barkaholic, you need some Bark Busters from Viatek. Bark Stop Professional is a bark stop deterrent system that uses an ultrasonic tone to teach the yappers to stop barking incessantly.
Don’t pull the plugs
Some people only use ear plugs for swimming, I use them when my son plays Guitar Hero. Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Ear Plugs from Swim to Win are the best $2.40 I ever spent. These multi-purpose plugs not only protect me from swimmer’s ear, but they protect my eardrums from bursting.
A chip off the old building block
If I had played with Kapla toys instead of slinkies when I was a kid, I’d probably be a rocket scientist by now. These Kapla blocks from Kaplatoys.com rival any Wii or Playstation game you’ve got. You can build anything you can imagine. It’s better than Jenga.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Supergirl
It’s the end of the month here at work. In other words, crunch time. Do I shudder in the wake of stressful deadlines? Not I. Why? Simply put, I’m Supergirl. I’m buying myself this Supergirl Action Figure from FAO.com to put on my desk and remind myself that I can make tall leaps in a single catalog writing bound.
Die germs, die
I’m a germophobe. I wash my hands a million times a day, and they still don’t feel clean. This DepHyze Foaming Hand Sanitizer from Emergency Medical Products is one of the government’s best kept secrets. It’s the world’s safest and most effective antimicrobial ever created. I feel like I’m on Mission Impossible just using it.
Polos are bringing sexy back
Many people might argue with me when it comes to cool picks. If it’s not battery- powered or a hyped up new toy, they just don’t get it…but I dare anyone to tell me these sleeveless Women’s Polo shirts from Leon Levin aren’t cool. Leon Levin is known as the makers of the finest polo shirts in the world after all .
One hot chick
My friends are having babies left and right, which means I’m buying baby gifts left and right. I’ve been eyeing this Cruising Baby Rocker Duck from FAO.com for my friends’ babies…but I really want to take a ride on one myself. Just look how happy that kid is. I need me some of that.
Tool time
Tools that fit in your back pocket. If you don’t think that’s cool, you’re not a dude. This Swiss Card Cool Tool Kit from Herrington Catalog is like a tool kit that fits in your wallet.
Life’s a Beach bag
It’s summer, and I’m a Miami girl. I see many beach trips in my future. A girl needs more than a few accessories when hitting Miami Beach. Sunscreen, iPod, lip balm, designer shades, cell phone, gossip magazines… I hate carrying tons of beach paraphernalia. These oversized Beach Totes from Metrostyle.com will fit all my beach gear and they come with a matching beach mat!
Take a picture, it’ll last longer
Everyone loves showing off their digital pics. Whether your just snapped a photo of your new bouncing baby boy, your trip to Mardi Gras, or the 30 pound bass you caught, this Digital Photo Keychain from Paperdirect.com is a great way to show off those cool pics of the day.
We are family
We are family, I’ve got all my address labels with me. Sending mail doesn’t have to be a boring chore. These Family Address Labels from FamilyLabels.com are all the rage in my house. We can personalize everyone in our clan, including the family dog.
The world is my oyster
I love all things rocky. Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky the flying squirrel and Bullwinkle, and I really love the rocky mountains. I’ve heard oysters are an aphrodisiac, so I’m planning a Rocky Mountain Oyster feast care of Fairbury Steaks.
The British are coming
Instead of bringing fireworks and a six-pack of beer to this year’s 4th of July festivities, I’m showing up wearing this Patriot Adult Mascot Costume from Anderson’s Spirit! What better way to show my undying love and loyalty for my country than to show up on my friends’ lawns screaming “The British are coming, the British are coming!!?”
Wine taster’s choice
I love to end a hectic work day with a nice glass of red wine, but I can never choose between Zinfandels or Merlots, Chiantis or Pinot Noirs. I don’t have a wine cellar, but this Red Wine Tasting Pack from My Wines Direct is the next best thing.
Cool kiddie car
Why didn’t they have neat toys like this when I was a kid? While I’m going crazy over gas prices, my son will be going crazy over this Solar Powered Car from dwr.com.
Make it a bowling night
What does every party need? A Bowling Pin Art Piñata of course! You’ll score a strike at your next party with this great bowling party decoration from BowlingDelights.com.
Indiana Jones I presume
I have a crush on Harrison Ford. He’s tall, dark, rugged and handsome, even though he’s 60 something. My house is full of my little boys’ action toys, I wish someone would get one of these Indiana Jones Adult Action Figures from Cotswold Collectibles for me.
Cool picks of the day
It’s time for some literal “cool picks of the day”. These Cool Guitar Picks from Zzounds.com are just begging for some shredding.
Sailsicles
What does summer mean to me? Sailing and popsicles. How great a find are these adorable little Sailboat Popsicle Molds from Parker’s Pantry? They combine my two favorite summertime treats, boating and icies.
100 bottles of beer on the belt
Boys like beer. It’s a fact. So, I’m hooking my boyfriend up with one of these nifty Beer belts from After5Catalog.com so I don’t have to keep fetching him cold Pale Ales from the fridge every hour. It’s better than a Bluetooth, it’s a Beertooth.
Sundialing it in
I’m a sucker for anything historic or antique. Throw in a super cool function, and I want it even more. Check out this 18th Century Sundial and Vintage Compass from Museum Store Company.com.
Hot Wheels
I imagine these are the kind of wheels Paris Hilton drove to get to kindergarten. I wish my daughters were still small enough to ride around in this adorable pink Roadster Vintage Pedal Car from Poshtots.com.
The Perfect Cover up
I’m always on the search for the perfect cover up. Not concealer, a cute beach cover up. I think I’ve finally found it. This Silk Pareo Wrap from A.B. Lambdin looks more like a posh gown than a wrap and will get me from the beach to the beach party with style and elegance.
Monsters Inc
I’m totally getting this Make My Own Monster Toy custom design kit from FAO.com for my little monster at home. With this kit, my son can design his very own one-of-a-kind monster. If this isn’t cool, I don’t know what is.
Cool hat attack
All the A-list celebs are wearing fedoras these days, so if it’s good enough for Mary- Kate and P.Diddy, it’s good enough for me. This cool cream Vintage Fedora from Alloy.com is great for a day at the beach, or a trip to a happening South Beach club.
Mow, mow, mow your lawn
I hate mowing the lawn. It’s loud, tiring, and it just grows back in a couple of weeks anyway. This Battery Powered Lawnmower from Design Within Reach might save me some stress in the front yard this summer.
A nice cup of Mr. T
I pity the fool who doesn’t like these Vintage Coffee Mugs from After5catalog.com. I’m gonna rock the office with this cool coffee mug and see if any chumps decide to mess with me.
Dive Dudes rule
I wish I had packed these Dive Dudes Swimming Pool Toys from Swimtowin.com in my kid’s suitcases before they left for summer camp, but I was too busy packing the sunscreen and bug spray.
Smoothie Queen
I drink a lot of health drinks and Smoothie King is cleaning me out. I’d love to make my own fresh, delicious smoothie concoctions at home, but who has the time? I think this Hamilton Beach Drink Mixer from Parker’s Pantry might help.
Beach comber
I live on the beach, and this summer I’m cashing in on the beach with a Metal Detector Hunter from White’s Electronics. It looks like a walkie talkie, so no one will be any wiser.
Weird Science
How many jugglers does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one, but it takes three light bulbs. My kids will really have a ball with this Smart Lab Electronics Learning Lab from Xump.com.
Change in a dress
I love getting my money’s worth. If there’s a sale or a deal online, I’m on it. I’m totally on this Smocked Tulip Dress from Carabella. It’s gorgeous, perfect for summer, and you can wear it either as a skirt or a dress! How’s that for getting some bang for my buck?!
Be a Cool Camper
What’s the one thing I love more than camping? Eating while camping. These Rubbermaid Thermoelectric Coolers and Warmers from Campingworld.com are pretty cool indeed. I can cool without ice and or keep hot foods warm and tasty.
Smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em
So, I’m trying to quit smoking. Good thing my co-worker Samara hooked me up with a retro Candy Cigarette pack from Blaircandy.com.
With water guns blazing
The next time my husband gets out of line I’m soaking him with one of these super cool Toy Water Guns from Poolgear.com. It’s a perfect summer time accessory that’ll get some use all year ’round.
Time to get a new calendar
I always think it’s Thursday when it’s Wednesday. Maybe because my Year of the Dragon kitchen calendar is from 2005. I’m buying one of these Perpetual Calendars from Design Within Reach to hang on my wall forever.
Invaded by the Puparazzi
I normally don’t buy toys for my dog, she can entertain herself for hours with a dryer sheet after all…but I must get her one of these Puparazzi Dog Chew toys from GWLittle.com. These make me laugh harder than when Britney Spears shaved her head.
Catch phrase craze
Forget crowded karaoke bars. Keep the party in your living room with this Electronic Catch Phrase Game from HasbroToyShop. My peeps and I dig this grab-it, guess-it, pass-it party game where you guess the song titles in nine different music categories and sing for bonus points.