Handy Dandy Do!
Are you a subscriber to SkyMall catalog? Do you pore over the latest gadgets and gear and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Then you’ll love this list of handy, helpful and innovative goods for the home, office and personal use, for practically everything.
Step Up
For a boost up to the bathroom sink or anywhere little ones need a lift, the Kids Wooden Step Stool is a staple for every household with children. Made in Little Colorado, Denver, with top quality solid pine, it’s sturdy enough to support an adult, and it features a built-in carrying handle for easy portability. Available in a variety of colors and finishes. $60 – $71.50. Artisticsenations.com.
Less is More
With the tiny dime-sized mobile SanDisk microSD memory card you can store work docs, over 1,200 personal photos, 9.5 hours of videos, 500 songs, and more, for viewing or listening, and you can increase the functionality of your mobile phone and can even turn your phone into an MP3 player, video camera and photo storage center so you’re not lugging around multiple gadgets. Starting at $10 for 4GB. Best Buy, Office Depot and RadioShack.
Sew Great
Save a trip to the tailor for minor sewing repairs by doing it home. Even novice seamstresses can master the new lightweight and portable Brother LX-3125E Sewing machine. It features a free-arm for sewing cuffs; an automatic 4-step buttonholer; 14 stitches and 35 stitch functions; straight, satin and zig zag stitches; automatic bobbin winding system; built-in sewing light and instructional DVD. It even has interchangeable faces so you can express your own personal style. $79. Amazon and Walmart.com.
Fresh Thinking
Just what your food always wanted, a mini-shower cap of its own to keep it fresh. CoverMate food covers, made of heavy duty food-safe material free of BPA, PVC and latex, feature a FlexBand elastic that stretches around containers to create a secure seal, and they can be washed and reused. CoverMate Variety 10-pack is $3.99. Retail stores nationwide such as Target as well as online at Amazon.com.
Off the Grid
Light up outside your home with the Solar Sensor Dual Light which mounts anywhere and utilizes sunlight to charge up its LED lamps during the day and then illuminates at night when it detects motion within a 35-foot radius, with adjustable sensitivity. $89 Gaiam.com.
Sticky Stuff
The name synonymous with glue has done their iconic brand one better with a new formula for Elmer’s Glue-All that makes their classic multi-purpose glue stronger, more durable and longer lasting. It still dries clear and remains non-toxic and safe for children for school projects to quick fixes around the house. $1.99 for 4 fl oz bottle. Nationwide at major grocery stores, drug stores, big box retailers and craft stores.
Mine, Mine, Mine
Keep track of your kid’s toys at the playground with Stuck on You personalized labels. The designer vinyl stickers come in many varieties, including kits for camp and allergy alerts. Funky Pack of 50 labels comes in a variety colors with one name and one icon. $19.95. Stuckonyou.biz/usa.
Smiles Everyone
Make sure everyone is in family photos with the Gorillapod flexible tripod, which makes using cameras with self-timers a snap. It’s lightweight and small enough to carry in a purse or backpack, and its unique design allows you to wrap its rubberized jointed legs around a branch, pole, back of a chair – anywhere you need it! Vat19.com. $24.
More Please
When more food lands on the floor than in baby’s mouth, Tiny Tongs can help make mealtime more successful and less stressful for tots and parents. The non-slip, ergonomically designed BPA-free utensils are perfect small hands and can help little ones grip bites of food easily. $7.99. Ages 12 months to 5+ years. Specialty juvenile products stores nationwide or tinytongs.com.
Cool Pad
Teach junior the alphabet, leave emergency numbers for the babysitter and easily update your update your “Honey-Do” list with a quick swipe and re-write with the multi-purpose Expo Learning Board ($5) and the Expo Click Fine-Point Dry-Erase Markers ($5). The double-sided personal dry erase board can replace sticky notes and pads of paper, and the pens are AP Certified nontoxic and with no cap to remove or lose, so they are great for kids. Target, Walmart, Sears, Office Depot, and office supply stores nationwide.
Wrinkle Free
Get steaming happy with Jiffy Steamer’s ESTEAM, a powerful hand-held travel or home steamer that is ready to use in 90 seconds and uses tap water to fill its 8-ounce reservoir for 15 minutes of steam action. Purchase the pink ESTEAM and 10 percent of the sale goes to fight breast cancer. $69.00. Jiffysteamer.com.
Load and Lock
Keep kids and others out of your medicine stash with the NuTone Recessed Security Cabinet. Its stylish low-profile design and hidden keyed lock blends with bathroom décor while offering security from theft or accidental poisoning. Available in oil-rubbed bronze or satin nickel. $169-$177. Find dealers at Nutone.com.
Brush Up
Make brushing fun for kids with the ARM & HAMMER Spinbrush, in cool designs like Butterfly, Dolphin, Ice-Cream Cone, Mermaid, Skateboard, Firetruck and Soccer ball, and Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine and Hulk. For adults ARM & HAMMER makes additional high-performance power toothbrush styles including Pro Clean, Pro Whitening, Pro Clean Sonic, Pro Whitening Sonic, Spinbrush Swirl, Pro Select, and Classic Clean. Uses two AAA batteries. $5.29 – $6.29. Mass merchandise, drug and food stores nationwide.
Clear Coat
Keep the sand out of your cracks at the beach this summer and protect your devices from everyday wear, scratches, bumps and falls with Wrapsol ultra, a scratch-proof film protection with shock absorption that keeps your mobile phone, MP3 player, laptop, etc., looking new and makes them easier to grip to prevent frequent drops. As a bonus, for every item purchased, Wrapsol makes a donation to Cool Earth to contribute to the preservation of rainforests. Most devices $29.95 – $39.95. Wrapsol.com.
