The Lighter Side

Summer Is For Grown-Ups, Too!

Last week, I counted down my top five picks of summer fun activities for kids. This week, I wanted to see what I could find to keep the adults occupied during the Dog Days. So, here's my top five countdown for adult summer fun:

#5 - Put a new spin on your golf game! Our Bandit Golf Balls will shock and amaze everyone on the course. They're specially designed with a reactive core, aerodynamic design, and slightly smaller diameter and weight and they are guaranteed to travel distances that seem impossible. No one will be able to tell them from a standard golf ball--unless you can't keep a secret. The Wacky Golf Ball Set looks regulation, but of course, they're not. It's a set of four gag golf balls. One explodes upon impact with the club, one gets airborne and then releases a 15-foot streamer, one has a aggravating unpredictable roll and one evaporates into a mist upon impact. If you're not up to spending the day in the summer heat, how about a golf globe? A golf ball with your favorite college logo is suspended in water inside the globe. You try to land the golf ball onto the golf tee. What makes it so tricky? The globe magnifies the ball's size by 25%!

#4 - Cook something! No, I'm not suggesting you heat up your oven or stove and work your poor air conditioner even harder than it's working now. Instead, use your microwave or a specialty toaster to create a delicious meal without all that "slaving over a hot stove" nonsense. MicroBuddy™ Cookware gives you fast meals without the heat. They're designed to circulate steam around the dome-shaped lids, which preserves flavor and nutrients. Best of all, the set comes with a cooking guide and recipes. I would have never believed it if I hadn't tasted them for myself, but you can actually make french fries in a microwave. With the Microwave Fry Cooker, there's no need to heat up the stove, no oil and your crispy, golden brown fries are done in a flash. Not only do you get fries with fewer calories and less fat, the cooker is also a serving dish. It has a divided center section for ketchup and other sauces, so there's less mess to clean up! Hot dogs are a popular summer food, but what to do when you don't feel like boiling water or grilling? Put them in the toaster! You just drop in the dogs and buns, press the lever down and they pop up when they're done.

#3 - Learn something new! Always wanted to play piano? Guitar? Speak a foreign language? CDs & DVDs are a great way to learn at home without having to sit at a computer. With Play Piano Instantly, you don't have to learn to read music and it only takes minutes to learn to play a dozen complete songs. The book explains keyboard layout, notes and rhythm. Once you learn the "Big 3" chords you need to play thousands of songs, you're on your way to being a piano player. Or learn how to play the guitar from world-famous guitarist, Esteban. Guitar For Beginners also teaches you those "essential chords" that you'll use in hundreds and hundreds of songs. You'll also learn how tune the guitar, read music, play rhythm and lead and improvise. You'll be onstage before you know it! Or you can learn Italian, French or Spanish in your car or at home with a set of 9 CDs that come in a convenient zippered CD wallet for easy transport from house to car. It's a self-paced, interactive course that start with words and phrases, then builds on your knowledge until you're speaking full sentences and carrying on clear conversations.

#2 - Movie Marathon! When it's just too hot to go out, there's nothing like finding that perfect chair or spot on the couch and popping in a few DVDs. Up for a few laughs? "Heeeere's Johnny!" You can relive 30 years of The Tonight Show with this 3-disc Best Of Carson DVD Collection. You'll see early performances from now famous stand-up comics like Drew Carey & Gary Shandling, plus Ellen DeGeneres' debut television performance. It also includes classic Carson characters like "Aunt Blabby" and "Carnac the Magnificent," memorable monologues and the gem, "Return to Studio One" a lost episode from 1969, where Bob Hope and Dean Martin stole the show when they appeared unannounced. If you're in the mood for something a little more serious, pop in the John Wayne 100th Anniversary DVD Set and spend over 38 hours with a Hollywood legend. This set of 10 DVDs contains 23 feature films and three complete serials. On a horse, in a tank, or romancing the ladies, he'll always be The Duke! Or spend long balmy evenings scaring the beejeebers out of yourself with 50 Classic Horror Movies. Twelve 2-sided DVDs feature the iconic actors and directors who helped launch a movie genre. See Bela Lugosi, John Barrymore, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Fay Wray, Lon Chaney Sr., Lon Chaney Jr., and Tor Johnson as they moan and shriek and scare their way into cinematic history. "The Little Shop of Horrors" stars Jack Nicholson as the masochistic dental patient and "Dementia 13" is directed by Francis Coppola under the guidance of maestro Roger Corman. This is as good as horror gets!

And My #1 Pick for Adult Summer Fun Is - Go to the beach! You can't stay inside all summer, so what better place to cool your heels than at the shore? Of course, you'll need a cool--or in this case a hot--beach towel. The sizzling hot graphics on this towel are designed to make it seem like you're laying on a flaming grill. Of course, you'll need something to carry the towel and your other beach supplies. Our Coca-Cola Tote looks and performs like canvas, but is actually made from ten recycled plastic soda bottles. It's one way to go green while going to the beach. And when you're done with all that fun in the sun, you'll need something to wear over your bathing suit. Not your average cover-up, this wrap around dress is more flattering than a baggy sarong. It goes straight from beach to bistro. Just criss-cross the dress over your suit and you're ready for whatever the summer evening will bring.

Indoors or out, Summer is the time for both kids and adults to lay back and have some fun. I hope these ideas help you get your summer off to a sizzling start.

Your "Summer Fun" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, June 26, 2009

No More Pencils, No More Books...

School's out, which means it's time to find something for the kids to do with all those free hours. With no time to spare, I came up with my top five countdown of Picks For Summer Fun:

#5: Make Something Frosty! Kids always want something icy and sweet on a hot summer day. Here's a great way to keep them busy and give them their favorite treats at the same time. The Freeze Pop Machine lets you choose a healthy alternative to something sugary off the ice cream truck and save money at the same time. Use real juice to make the tastiest pops in the neighborhood. Best of all, it's kid powered -- no batteries needed. The Spongebob Squarepants™ Sno Cone Maker is both fun and funny. Kids put in the ice, turn the crank and watch as he "spits" shaved ice out of his mouth.

#4: Play A Game! Video games are fine, but how about something a little less noisy? Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots are back and they're just as much fun as they were back in the sixties. Kids can be the Red Rocker® or Blue Bomber® and have hours of fun trying to knock their plastic opponent's block off. Jishaku is a game of strategy and magnetic force. You try to place all of your magnetic balls onto the game base before your opponent. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Well, because the magnets have strong north and south poles, every time you put one on the board, other game pieces jump their positions and connect to yours, leaving you with more magnets to place.

#3: Blow Some Bubbles! Ah, bubbles. Indoors or out, they're the most fun kids ever have with soap and water. With the Giant Bubble Kit, kids can make bubbles 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The huge sudsy creations float upward and drift on the breeze, amazing the neighbors as they cross fence lines and streets. The kit comes with instructions for making bubbles within bubbles, a chain of bubbles and even a donut bubble. Have a young race fan on your hands? Our NASCAR® Racers blow bubbles from their tailpipes as they zoom across the floor. The No-spill Bubble Racer™ has 3 modes: bubble machine only, free-rolling car only, or both. The cutest thing is the bubble solution actually comes in a gas can-shaped container.

#2: Float around and do nothing! Kids like to laze around in the pool or lake or ocean sometimes, too. Well, maybe they get tired of it sooner than the adults do (especially me!), but they always seem to find a way to use these floats in their other water activities. Your pair of BFFs (that's best friends forever for those who haven't caught the texting bug yet) will love the Double Float. It seats two, facing each other of course, with a handy cooler in the middle for ice and cold drinks. The inflatable Floating Chair lets kids sit upright while still being mostly covered in cool water.

And My #1 Pick for Summer Fun Is...Have a water fight! In the pool or out, the water fight is the ultimate in summer fun. Sure, we had to use good old fashioned garden hoses and water balloons when we were kids, but technology has improved since then. Now you can use a Motorized Bumber Boat complete with a water cannon that is always full. These boats are sturdy and easy to inflate. They go backward, forward, right and left and have push-button acceleration (up to 2mph). The giant squirt gun is mounted right on the steering wheel to make it easy to soak anyone who dares enter your child's watery territory!

Now that we know how to keep the kids occupied this summer, let's see if I can find something for the "kids at heart," too.

Your "Summer Fun" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, June 19, 2009

It's Party Time - Outdoors

There are always little messes at parties. Guests don't mean to, but sometimes they spill things and drop things. One at a time, these accidental puddles and blobs of food debris are easy to deal with, but afterwards, your house can be in shambles. There are carpets to spot-clean, gooey spots of who-knows-what to scrub off of floors and just general clutter. So, not being a housework queen, I love throwing outdoor parties at this time of year. As far as clean up tools go, I much prefer the garden hose to the mop and vacuum.

This inflatable vinyl buffet is one of the most ingenious party coolers I've ever seen. You can use it indoors or out to keep food at a safe temperature. It's really easy to inflate and doesn't take up a whole lot of space. Just fill it with ice and add drinks, cold dishes or whatever you need to keep cold. The best thing about using it outdoors is once you're done, all you have to do is spray it out with the hose, let it dry in the sun and then fold it up for the next time.

Speaking of clever party devices, the Perfect Platter™ keeps foods both hot and cold in the same platter. It seems impossible, even too good to be true, but it really works. The top tray is divided into four individually insulated compartments and it fits on top of a base that holds four hot or cold gel packs. Freeze or heat the gel packs in the microwave, put them in the base and put the tray of goodies on top. It keeps food hot or cold for up to eight hours.

Everyone seems to love a frothy margarita at summer parties. Even my friends who usually never touch tequila will sometimes have a margarita on a sunny day outside. But even for those who don't, The Margarator™ is a one-gallon blender that makes short work of frozen drinks. Make daquiris, slushees for the kids, pina coladas or any frozen treat you can think of--with or without alcohol. The tank is plastic and it has a handy dispenser, so whether you use it inside or out, it's not as messy as pouring drinks out of a standard blender.

To serve all those drinks, you need some unbreakable and easy-to-clean glasses. What could be easier than a shot glass that actually melts? This set of 12 shot glass molds includes a serving tray. The ice glass and really puts a nice chill on everything from vodka to tequila to gelatin shots.

And when the party's over, they're just gone and there are a few less glasses to wash.

But some things just won't fit in those tiny frozen glasses. The next best thing is a set of aluminum tumblers. These are just like the ones my grandma had. She used to fill one with Kool-Aid for me before she shooed me outside to play. They really keep drinks cold and they're so easy to clean. Plus, they remind me of long summer days I spent on my grandparents' porch, swinging my bare feet over the edge and sipping a cool, sweet drink.

Now that I know how easy it will be to clean up afterwards, I'm in the mood to plan a party!

Your "Outdoor Entertaining" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, June 12, 2009

A Day For Dad

Father's Day is approaching, and being the local "gift guru", I've been getting cries for help from people who don't know what to get for their dads this year. "The tie is tired," said one of my friends. Another wants to get something silly or fun for her dad. So, I dug through my gift bag and came up with a few ideas for special, unique and fun ways to honor Dad on his day.

My friend's comment about the tie got me thinking: What does Dad want to wear when he's not at work? How about something ultra-comfortable? Something he couldn't or wouldn't wear on the job. Something for working around the house, a casual evening out or just lounging around and watching TV. How about a t-shirt that shows your love of Dad and his love of being a dad?

Or maybe a cook book and t-shirt combo? My dad likes the "I Put Ketchup On My Ketchup" and "Spam - The Miracle Meat" companions. If Dad isn't a cook, maybe just something entertaining read in his few quiet moments, like a joke book or a reprinted newspaper collection that lets him relive the glorious moments of his favorite sports team.

If Dad prefers to be in the game, let him shoot some hoops from the comfort of his easy chair or office chair. The Hoop Jam game even plays commentaries like "Unbelievable!" and "Two Points!" plus the sound of cheering when he makes a basket. And what better way to kill time while waiting for the kids to finish soccer practice than a few games of solitaire or a few rounds of arcade games? The pocket versions are perfect for tucking into the glove compartment for those "down times" when Dad finds himself with nothing to do but wait.

Then there's some just plain silly stuff that will make Dad smile or maybe even laugh out loud. Buck the talking buck is a great "trophy" for dad. It's either button- or motion-activated. It talks and even sings "Sweet Home Alabama." For the car, an escaping black bass is a hilarious window ornament.

But seriously, dads work hard all year long. Going to work, running the kids to this game and that event and that appointment. Struggling with yard work and car repairs. Helping with homework and housework. So, for all the things dads do, they deserve a medal. He can wear it around his neck or display it on a desk or table in the easel-backed case. The medal alone would be a great gift, but the words of thanks printed on the case are what really touched me. Especially the last one: I haven't told you nearly often enough how much I love you.

It's a funny thing--I went looking for gifts to help out my friends and I ended up finding the perfect gift for my own father.

Your "Show Dad You Love Him" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, June 5, 2009

The Lighter Side of Graduating

Earning a degree is hard work. There are classes to attend, books to read, equations to solve, facts to memorize, papers to write and exams to pass. Just thinking about it wears me out! For all that effort, I think graduates deserve something very special to commemorate and celebrate their victory. Maybe I'm dating myself by saying so, but I have quite a few friends with kids who are graduating this year, so I dug up some unique gift ideas for the soon-to-be former students.

A personalized gift is the perfect way to honor any graduate's personal achievement. These t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs can be personalized with both name and year. What makes these sets really great is that the mug is suitable for the office while the shirts are comfy for hanging out at home, so the graduate has a reminder of their hard work and diligence wherever they are.

Frames are a great gift for home or office, too. These personalized frames are two of my favorites because the grad's

4" x 6" photo is surrounded by inspirational messages. On the left is the "Dream Frame." It can be personalized to show the alum's class year, name and school. The frame on the right shows the name and class year along with a collection of encouraging words and sayings. We also have a frame for 5" x 7" photo and one for an 8" x 10".

I also dug up a few gifts that are just for fun. Like the Three Stooges® tee and sweatshirt. The Stooges are pictured in robes and gowns on the front and the back says, "Everything I needed to know I learned from The Three Stooges." For the grad with a sense of humor, the Smart Ass Figure of a smiling donkey with a diploma is the ideal desk topper. And the Money Maze Teaser lets them prove just how smart they really are. To retrieve their reward, they have to solve the puzzle of the maze!

However you reward the graduating student in your life, I'm sure they will appreciate you taking notice of their efforts, but not as much as they appreciate that first weekday morning after the ceremonies - when they finally get to sleep in!

Your "Graduation Celebration" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, May 29, 2009

Have You Been Bitten By The Twilight Bug?

The buzz right now is all about Twilight, the first in a series of vampire novels written by Stephenie Meyer. I borrowed a copy from a friend to see what all the excitement is about. Although the books are aimed at older teen readers, I have to admit, it was a page turner. The ending definitely makes you want more, and Meyer obliges her fans with three follow-up books in the series.

The Twilight movie has really taken off, due in large part to the casting of the charismatic and handsome Robert Pattinson as the lead vampire Edward Cullen. He’s a very long way from the overly made-up, Bela Lugosi-type figures from the vampire movies of the past! Watching him, it’s hard to remember why we’re supposed to be afraid of vampires in the first place.

Personally, I’m getting a kick out of seeing the reactions of the young fans, because I’m a romantic at heart. My sister, on the other hand, seems a bit baffled by her pre-teen daughter, who professes to be head over heels in love with Edward. That started a conversation about teen girls and their celebrity crushes. Unhealthy? Nah, I assured her. I bolstered my point when I reminded her about the John Travolta shrine she had tucked in the corner of our bedroom when we were kids. All of a sudden, she got this dreamy look in her eyes, and the next thing I knew, she was humming and flipping through The Lighter Side searching for the latest Twilight items for her daughter! (And if I’m not mistaken, that tune she was humming--straight out of Saturday Night Fever!)

Posted by Linda at 4:54 PM | Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Love Your Mother—Earth, That Is!

Do you remember the first Earth Day? It was April 22, 1970, when my generation was first awakened to the idea of becoming more environmentally responsible. Hopefully, you’ve been practicing the mantra of “reduce/reuse/recycle” all these many years and helping to preserve our planet. If not, it’s never too late to start--and I can help!

Reduce food waste. Food is expensive. There’s nothing worse than discovering that your pricey deli purchases have gone bad in the fridge. Lengthen shelf life, reduce waste and save money by storing your cheese and cold cuts in the Debbie Meyer food bags. They’re reusable, of course!

Control water consumption. Keep your little corner of the Earth a bit greener without wasting water. Aqua Globes dispense just the right amount of water when plants need it. No over-watering means no waste AND healthier plants.

Use fewer chemicals. Cut down on pollution by buying fewer household chemicals. You’ll be amazed to learn how many chores around your home and garden can be successfully accomplished using three non-toxic products you probably already have on hand.

Consume less, reuse more. Love your morning coffee? Don’t add another paper or styrofoam cup to the landfills. This ceramic cup keeps your coffee just as warm, but gets washed instead of tossed when its empty. Cut back on the amount of plastic bottles that end up in the trash by opting for a reusable metal bottle instead. If you need further proof that recycling is trendy, how about this Coke® tote bag, made from recycled plastic soda bottles?

Raise Earth-aware kids. Educating future generations on how to preserve and conserve should be everyone’s mission. Earth-opoly is a kid-friendly game that practices what it preaches--the game board is recyclable and the tokens are 100% organic! The adorable talking Bindi Irwin doll inspires kids with 10 different conservation messages in Bindi’s actual recorded voice. Kids (and grownups) will also be delighted to discover that Smencils, the fun scented pencils, are actually made from 100% recycled newspapers.

Even these small steps reduce our “carbon footprint” and send the message that we love our planet and we care about its future. Do your part and give Mother Earth a big hug!

Your “Going Green” Gift Guru,

Linda

Posted by Linda at 8:59 AM | Monday, April 13, 2009