The Modern Materialist

April 2008 - Posts

• USB Rechargeable Battery

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  Now, here’s a totally rad, totally green idea: a rechargeable AA battery that plugs into your USB port. That means no fumbling with battery chargers, no worrying about where to find an outlet, and most importantly, no used batteries to throw out. More green, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 06:00 PM with no comments Filed under: gadgets, green

• 31 Cents!

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  Hey, do you like ice cream? How about ridiculously cheap ice cream? Then I've found a deal for you, but you have to act quicky: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 05:30 PM with no comments

• Happy Hour: The Chamberer

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  I’ve mentioned/complained about this before, but I don’t have a ton of space in my apartment. It started out being pretty roomy, but let’s just saying writing for a Product Blog doesn’t necessarily lend itself to having tons of extra room in your pad. One thing in particular I like to make room for is wine. It’s nice to have a few bottles on hand in case you have friends over, or want to go on a massive bender. These bottles, of course, need somewhere to be stored. Find out where to stick your wine bottles, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 05:00 PM with no comments Filed under: gadgets, Food and Drink, Happy Hour

• Brush Your Teeth With Teeth

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  There’s something mildly creepy about this, and I can’t figure out what it is. To be fair, you’re supposed to use these as brushes for cleaning things that are NOT teeth, though I can’t help but picture cleaning your own teeth with much larger teeth. It’s like making out with your cleaning products, I guess? Oh wait, figured out what made it creepy: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 03:30 PM with no comments Filed under: Cleaning Products, home

• The Sweet and the Low: Gold Sandals for Summer

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  Mother's Day. Cinco De Mayo. Baby showers. Weddings. Communions. Just-Because-It's-Nice-Out Parties. I've got plenty of events coming up and, luckily, I have the dress as well. I don't think my Nike flip-flops, however, are gonna cut it.  I know I should buy the $20 gold sandals from Target, but are they chic enough?  After the jump, I've rounded up a number of my favorite pairs from the fabulous Zappos site, in order from "realistic" to "I'm flirting with bankruptcy." As we'll all be sandal-shopping soon enough, hopefully you'll find a pair you like as well (and dude, if it's the higher-end one, let me know if you get them, so I can live vicariously through you). Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 02:30 PM with 6 comment(s) Filed under: shoes

• Be Dick Tracy Walkie Talkie Watches

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  Since man first climbed out of the primordial muck, he’s wanted two things: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 02:00 PM with no comments Filed under: gadgets, watches, walkie talkies

• I Hate the Phrase 'Baby Bump'

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  Don't you guys think it's weird that Nicole Kidman is 7 months pregnant and looks like she just had an extra burger and a bloomin' onion at Outback Steakhouse? God, when I get pregnant — one day, eventually....way in future, Mom, so don't get too excited —  I plan on eating my weight in ice cream every day and getting as big as a house. The plan is to fit into this by month 3: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 01:30 PM with 1 comment(s)

• How to Flip & Tumble

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  No, this is not an instructional graphic for storing your tights. Well, yes, you can store your tights this way. And I do. But this is not that.  Trust me.   Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 01:00 PM with no comments Filed under: design, Accessories, Bags

• Oven Mit Apron

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  When I first started working out of home, it was like I regressed to being five again. I was entirely unable to feed or clothe myself, wandering around the apartment with no shirt eating peanut butter sandwiches. That quickly* ended, though, and I moved into the second phase of my freelance-dom, and turned into a Haus Frau. I dust while I’m on the phone. I do laundry between writing assignments. And whenever I can, I start cooking dinner around four PM, so it’s ready for my S.O. when she gets home. More homebodiness, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 12:30 PM with no comments Filed under: Cooking, clothing

• Ten Things I Hate About Air Travel

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  Ten Things I Hate About Air Travel: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 12:19 PM with 2 comment(s)

• Five Under Five: April 30

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  [$3, Pearl River]  The Five Under Five posts are quickly becoming my favorite to write because, yay!, stuff I can actually afford! I love lanterns from Pearl Soho for 3 bucks — perfect for a backyard, deck or rooftop. More great finds for under five after the jump:   Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 11:30 AM with no comments Filed under: Five Under Five

• Contest: Chocolate Covered Bacon

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  All right, Materialistas, this is the task I put before you, and it is the most important thing you can ever do in your entire lifetimes, including making babies: find me this chocolate covered bacon. More chocolate covered bacon items, and a chance to win your own, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 11:00 AM with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Food and Drink, Contest

• Free Coffee Day

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  [Starbucks Coffee At Home]  I missed free cone day because I was so wrapped up in the idea of free coffee. Because I am an addict. Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 10:30 AM with no comments Filed under: Food and Drink

• Bit of Bling: Wear Your Hard-On Your Sleeve

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  Believe it or not, this is probably the "safest for work" picture of the jewelry at this site. I have no idea what prices are or how to pronounce the name of anything because it's all in a different language — Russian, maybe? Hey, I went to Russia once. It was way back when I was 17 and I stayed with a very sweet host family who cooked up the biggest Thanksgiving feast for me and asked me every three minutes if I was cold and wanted to wear their clothes (pronounced "Cloe-Thus"). I wonder what they would have thought of this dirty, dirty jewelry: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 10:00 AM with no comments Filed under: Jewelry, dirty

• Geek Out: Mighty Kong Shirt

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  Ah, Donkey Kong. You are a game that I can never, ever play. By which I mean, it took me years to get past the first level, and then, once I did, I never got past the second level. And yet… I love you, Donkey Kong. Find out what else I love, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 09:30 AM with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Shirts, Geek Out

• Full-Contact Commuting, Part Deux

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  This is a partial photograph of a Bicycle of Doom. I was taken down by one of these things once. In an intersection in NYC. Because the damn things do not follow the laws of traffic. No way in hell I want them to get wind of this: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 09:00 AM with no comments Filed under: gadgets

• Quick Tip of the Day: Protect Your Skin

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  As a redhead, I have really fair skin I have to be diligent in protecting. But it's not just redheads who should be covering up — even people with dark skin are at risk for skin cancer and, gasp, wrinkles. I've tried a ton of different subscreens, and my favorite one is the affordable Neutrogena Suncare with Helioplex line (I use the 55 for my face and the Fresh Cooling body mist for everything else). The helioplex has a bunch of brouhaha that protects skin against some UV something or other. Oh, I don't know — you can read the product description yourself, but it all sounds good, and ever since I started using it, I've stopped looking like this: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 30 2008, 08:30 AM with no comments Filed under: Quick tip

• Scarlet Has a Secret...

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  Okay, so… There’s been these posters everywhere for this new TV series, Scarlet, right? And the trailers all tell you that Scarlet has this big secret, and that it will premiere on ScarletSeries.tv on April 29th. Well, that’s today, and guess what Scarlet’s secret is? Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 05:30 PM with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Television

• Happy Hour: April Rain Cocktail

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  As I mentioned yesterday, it's a grey, rainy week here in New York, which makes me want to just curl up on the couch with my cats and a great book (or, if I'm being honest, a great magazine, too). Some of my other favorite rainy weather activities include: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 05:00 PM with no comments Filed under: Happy Hour, alcohol, rain

• Gale Force Umbrella

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  The umbrella is an imperfect design. Whether it’s only keeping the top of your head dry, or blowing out from a gale force wind, there’s not a lot you can say other than the l’il guy could use a few improvements. We recently saw the totally stupid looking Nubrella, which addressed the first concern by encasing you in a full body umbrella. After the jump, there’s a better solution... Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 04:30 PM with no comments Filed under: umbrellas

• Getting Off

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  You've already read about how to turn me on, and I do so appreciate your willingness to learn. But I'm pretty sure you'd rather be getting yourselves off. Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 04:00 PM with 1 comment(s)

• Sound Hive Lets The Bees Out

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  When I think about relaxing to some music after a long, hard, days work, the first thing I want to be reminded of is bees. You know, there’s nothing that really helps you take a load off like an alarming swarm of bees in your house. That’s why I appreciate the Hive Speakers, a concept by Yanko Design. Okay, to be fair, it reminds me a little more of honey, as it has a honeycomb design, but nonetheless… BEES! The concept works off the sound bar home theater design, centering all sound in one area of the room. There's something even cooler about these speakers, though: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 03:30 PM with no comments Filed under: gadgets, speaker system, concepts, Music

• Cheap Date Guide to Style

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  I've been in serious need lately of style re-vamping. I'm also pretty broke. So, this book, The Cheap Date Guide to Style, came at just the right time. I just started flipping through it yesterday and so far, I've learned the following style tips: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 03:00 PM with no comments

• Toast Wallet Keeps Your Bills Crispy

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  Two things occur to me with this particular item:   Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 02:00 PM with no comments Filed under: Ridiculous, wallets

• Do-It-Yourself: Create Your Own Time Capsule

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  Just the other day, Wendy and I were discussing how delightful it is to clean out old storage spaces and come upon buried treasure: the detritus of years gone by... In the past, while helping my parents clean out their garage, I've thrilled over elementary school essays detailing my dream of becoming a master gymnast (see above), nursery school report cards scolding me for being "bad with scissors," my patch-laden sash from the junior girl scouts, old newspaper cut-outs my parents had scoured through, with titles such as "What To Do When Your Child Doesn't Speak"... As nostalgia is so darn fun, why not ensure a similar trip back in time by creating your own time capsule?   Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 01:30 PM with no comments Filed under: DIY

• Two Types

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  I believe there are two types of people in this world: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 01:00 PM with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Picnic

• Love It or Leave It: Crab Clock

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  This clock is really ugly, right? I mean, it’s stupid looking, relatively impractical, and yet… I kind of love it. The entire thing is made of recycled materials. You can clearly tell that the crab arms are wrenches, but the rest of the appendages are reused materials, as well. More clock and roll, after the jump...  Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 12:30 PM with no comments Filed under: Clocks, green

• Do-It-Yourself: Nike ID

  Posted by Steph Auteri

  How I Kill Time At Work: Pore through job ads on MediaBistro Catch up on my blog subscriptions on my Google Reader (Gawker and Jezebel take the longest to get through, but DasBecca and Trish's Dishes are my other favorites) Take meaningless polls over at BuzzDash Stumble randomly with StumbleUpon Shop. And shop some more. And then decide to shop for new sneaks and get wildly excited when I realize... Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 12:00 PM with no comments Filed under: Apparel, internet

• For Her Pleasure

  Posted by Wendy Atterberry

  If you're not ready to give your lady an engagement ring, maybe you'd want to give her one of these rings: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 11:30 AM with 4 comment(s)

• Put That In Your Tea and Smoke It

  Posted by Alex Zalben

  This is operating on the principle that there exists at least one person in the world that would enjoy drinking a cup of tea with a cigarette floating in it, right? Sorry, taking a step back… This is a design concept for a tea bag shaped like a cigarette. So you pour hot water in the cup, drop in the Cigarettea, and then drink your dirty cigarette water. I mean, again, I understand it’s not cigarette water, but still… One good thing that could come out of this, you could have the following exchange: Read More... + DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT Posted Apr 29 2008, 11:00 AM with no comments Filed under: concepts, Food and Drink