Spices to Go

Whether you're picnicking, camping out, or eating at a restaurant, sometimes the food in front of you doesn't quite taste the way you'd like it to. That's when a Spices to Go portable spice carrier saves the day. It carries up to a dozen different spices, oils, or vinegars in small resealable plastic jars, so whether you need a dash of pepper, a sprinkling of oregano, a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of red wine vinegar, it'll all be at your fingertips! $34.95 USD. (Thanks, Gunther!)

Chocolate Roulette

Here's a fun little party activity: when the evening's getting a bit slow, why not play a game of Chocolate Roulette? This box contains a dozen chocolate bullets, eleven of which are filled with delicious praline. The last, however, contains a firey hot chili pepper. Take a chance, bite down hard — and be prepared to get blown away if you're the unlucky one! £4.95 UKP. (Via Boingboing.)

Purse Pilot Light

Do you just hate having to fish through the fathomless reaches of your purse or handbag, looking for your emery board or pill bottle when it's just too dark to see? Others have experienced your pain, and have created the perfect gizmo for all you purse-spelunkers: the Purse Pilot Light clips to the inside of your bag, turns on with the touch of a button, illuminates the entire inside of your purse brightly enough for you to find anything you need, and then automatically shuts off thirty seconds later. The LED light means the batteries will last a nice long time, too. $8.49 USD.

Wearable Sculpture Jewelry

Why spend hundreds of dollars on ho-hum, generic jewelry from nameless franchised gold and diamond stores when, for a fraction of the price, you can get exquisite, handcrafted creations like this Wearable Sculpture Jewelry? Every piece is unique and beautiful, with both a simplicity and an intricacy that is sure to get you a few oohs and aahs. This is jewelry that people will ask you about, rather than barely notice. (Plus, if you've got something special in mind, the sculptor does custom work!) Pendants are generally $20 to $60 USD.

USB Oil Burner

Now that you've stocked up on inexpensive but fantastic fragrances from the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, you probably want to make use of them any way you can. Try making your cubicle or computer area smell like something more pleasantly aromatic than stale coffee and leftover lunch by putting a few drops of oil into this USB Oil Burner. It pulls power from your computer's USB ports and heats the oil to a nice warm temperature, enough to release its scent into the air and make everything just a little nicer. $19 USD. (Via Gizmodo.)

Tote-a-Tot

Parents know that traveling with kids can be a huge hassle: you've gotta make sure all their various toys and accessories are packed and ready to go, you've gotta carry a diaper bag and a carseat along with your regular luggage, etc. The Tote-a-Tot aims to make that simpler by allowing you to securely attach a carseat and diaper bag directly to your rolling luggage, and even stick your kid in the seat to make it simple to keep everything and everyone in one place. (Just make sure this is your carry-on, not your checked luggage!) $24.95 USD. (Thanks, Doug!)

Pedro Fina Ceramic Nail File

Today's man understands the importance of keeping well-groomed. Not only is it healthier, but it makes you feel more confident, and makes you look more attractive to potential mates. That's why every man should carry a Pedro Fina Ceramic Nail File somewhere in his arsenal of personal grooming supplies. This foldable file has a long-lasting file surface and will keep your nails clean and smooth, impressing absolutely everyone you meet. $7 USD (Via Cool Tools.)

Ear Buddy

I understand that tangled ear-bud headphones can truly be the bane of your existence. You might have the newest model of iPod ultra-tiny sexy sleek mp3 player, but you'll never look hip pulling a twisted, convoluted mass of wires and attempting to untangle them. The Ear Buddy is here to help. Its sturdy, hard plastic case will keep your headphones both safe and tangle-free, and looks stylish to boot. $14.95 USD. (Via Gizmodo.)

Tibet Almond Sticks

When you've got a nasty scratch in your nice furniture, what can you do? You can try to find a matching-color marker and color it in, you can go whole hog and buff and refinish the item, or you could just buy a can of Tibet Almond Sticks which cover up scratches quickly and easily. Just rub the stick over the scratches, and (apparently) it'll make them blend right in with the rest of the furniture. How handy! $4.99 USD. (Via BoingBoing.)

Dull Men's Club Mug

Jen writes: "From the Dull Men's Club there is an uninspiring mug that changes when filled! Women say they wish for a dangerous man or one they can change, but life is so much easier with a dull man. They must have the most bland, insipid diet — no spice!" This Dull Men's Club Mug does indeed change when a hot liquid is poured into it: it goes from dull to equally dull, as the rest of its dull sayings appear. Dull, dull, dull. Do you know a dull man who might like this mug? How dull. $8.50 USD.

Thermal Glove Liners

Winter's still in full swing, and those of us living in cold climates know how tough it is to find gloves that really keep your hands warm when you're clearing six inches of hard-packed snow off your car in the morning. These space-age Thermal Glove Liners are made of a material developed at NASA and seal out dampness and cold while keeping your natural body heat inside the glove. Wear these under your normal gloves and you won't have problems keeping warm at all! $6.98 USD.

William Shatner DVD Club

If there's one guy I'd trust for great science fiction movie recommendations, it's the most famous science fiction actor of our time: William Shatner. Best known as Captain Kirk from the seminal space-exploration show Star Trek, he's now lending his name (and film opinions) to the William Shatner DVD Club. Once you join, you'll receive one new DVD every month featuring a great movie you've (probably) never seen. Set your phaser to "stun," 'cause this is one stunning deal. (Groan.) $48 USD.

Eon Light Card

Wouldn't it be handy to always have an ultra-bright flashlight with you, so when you find yourself in a dark place you can light your way without any difficulty? If you get yourself an Eon Light Card, you'll always be prepared for just this situation. The stainless steel flashlight is ultra-thin and contains two bright LED bulbs and batteries that'll easily last a decade. Its solid construction will keep it safe from accidental crushing or even water damage, and it's small enough to fit in a wallet, pocket, or any small pouch. $19.99 USD.

Digital Stick People

Remember Tamagotchi, the digital-pet craze from the mid-90s? Okay, now forget about them again, because these Digital Stick People are just so much cooler you'll never want a Tamagotchi again. Each box contains a tiny stick person who will go about his life, doing whatever stick people do. When you move the box, he'll notice and react. But the real fun happens when you put two of them next to each other, and they get to interact! Buy several and give them to your friends, and every time you get together, your stick people can have a blast. $29.99 USD for two. (Via Uncrate.)

Pizza Fork/Cutter

Whoever invented the process of dining didn't think it through very well, since it seems you need three hands: one for your fork, one for your knife, and one for your drink. Barring some crazy solution like a really long straw, the best way to solve this conundrum is by combining two of the three, like this Pizza Fork/Cutter. It gives you all the stabbiness of a fork and all the sliciness of a knife in one handy utensil, leaving your other hand free to hold your drinking glass. Bring it to dinner with your extendable spoon and you'll definitely be the coolest person at the table. $14.98 USD. (Via Gizmodo.)

Zevro Dry Food Dispenser

You may feel that your mornings are as easy as possible now that you've got yourself an egg and muffin toaster, but have you thought about what happens when you want a bowl of cereal? You've gotta reach all the way up to your cupboard, get down that box, open it up and uncrinkle the plastic bag... man, that's just too much work. You need a Zevro Dry Food Dispenser, which will dispense cereal into your bowl with just a turn of its knob. Get one for each variety of cereal you like, and one for your dry pet food even! $19.99 USD. (Via Boingboing.)

Envious Ounce

Next time you're out drinking with friends, you can amaze and delight them when you down a shot of rum (arr!) and then tap your shot glass on the table — and watch it illuminate with a bright red glow! The Envious Ounce has a red LED and a battery in the base, which lights up for a few seconds when tapped. The battery will last for thousands of illuminations, so you can amaze people over and over until they're sick of you! $9.99 USD or $7.99 USD if you buy four or more. (Via Gizmodo.)

Babal

There's not much to Babal: it's a ball stuck into the side of another ball. However, in the hands of a creative toddler, this simple toy can provide hours of entertainment. The stretchy rubber balls can be used in various activities. Other objects can fit nicely inside the larger ball, or both balls can be rolled or tossed. It's a toy that helps your child be inventive and thoughtful about their play, which will help him or her grow up to be a smart and creative person. $18 USD.

Tiki Mugs

One way to make a piña colada feel a bit more authentic is to spice it up with accessories that remind you of life on a tropical island. These beautiful, colorful Tiki Mugs will definitely do the trick! Carved in the style of tiki artwork from Polynesia, which is meant to represent the gods who are the ancestors of the Maori tribespeople, they add a little south Pacific flair to any drink. $14.95 USD for a set of four.

Party Like It's 1991 T-Shirt

The early 90s were a great time in recent history. 80s hair metal was already starting to fade, MC Hammer told us he was just too legit to quit, and for some reason, rock stars kept smashing their perfectly good guitars on stage. Now you can show your early-90s retro-cred by wearing this Party Like It's 1991 T-Shirt. Many of your friends will be jealous. Others will say, "I thought the song said 1999," proving just how un-hip they are. $20 USD.

Hippochickamus Onesie

It's important for babies to learn all about the world around them, from colors and shapes to plants and animals. Help your baby learn about the animal world by giving him or her this Hippochickamus Onesie. With a beautifully-drawn image of a wild hippochickamus (an unfortunate cross between a hippopotamus and a chicken) printed on it, it'll help teach your child that the world is far, far stranger than they can imagine. $10.99 USD.

Got Milk? Cat Bowl

Jen writes: "Today, the 18th of February, is the 75th anniversary (1930) of when Elm Farm Ollie because the first cow to fly in an airplane. During the flight she was milked and then the milk was sealed in paper containers and parachuted over St. Louis. So to celebrate Ollie, here is a Got Milk? Cat Bowl for kitties, small dogs, feral children, etc. I tried to find a Toma Leche shirt but no-go. It's hard to find cool gifts for milk." $15.95 USD.

Bright Feet Lighted Slippers

I have a pair of slippers that I wear around the house. They're soft and comfortable, they keep my feet warm and keep my socks from getting worn out too quickly. But there's one thing they don't do: light up. Thankfully, some clever soul has come up with a solution to this devastating problem and introduced the Bright Feet Lighted Slippers, a comfy pair of slippers with LEDs in the soles that will shine brightly in front and to your sides, making sure that the next time you're stumbling through the dark wearing your slippers, at least your feet will glow. $39.95 USD.

Custom-Fit Condoms

Happy Contraceptive Awareness Week, everybody! The amazing Jen writes: "At Condomania customers can get Custom-Fit Condoms (up to 55 different types) based on length, width/circumference and other data so there will be no more excuses not to wrap it up!" They've also got loads of other related items for your (browsing) pleasure. $11.95 per dozen condoms.

Trebimbi

What do you do when your kids aren't the least interested in using cutlery at meals? Why, you make the cutlery more fun! Trebimbi are knives, forks, and spoons with smiling faces and little plastic bodies, designed to make kids enjoy their eating experience more. Available in four different colors, and they all snap together (at the "hands") for easy storage. $15.99 USD.

NeedleLite

Knitting has recently come back into fashion as the "it" hobby for those in the know, and as a result, all sorts of knitting accessories are seeing a resurgence in sales. I guess it was only a matter of time before knitting, which normally requires the simplest of tools (two pointy sticks and some yarn) moved into the modern age and started requiring batteries. These NeedleLite knitting needles glow serenely while you knit. Quite useful when you just have to knit a scarf in the dark! $39.95 USD.

Blue Moon Night Light

Keep your shins and knees free from bumps and bruises in the nighttime by placing this Blue Moon Night Light under your bed. Operated by 14 low-power LEDs that last up to a decade, it'll provide a soothing blue glow to illuminate your floor, letting you see where you're going in the middle of the night. Also serves as an effective beacon for the aliens so that they can find you and take you to their mothership more effectively. $29.95 USD.

Big Head Coasters

These cute little guys and gals are designed to stand around your living area, keeping to themselves, until you're ready to set down a drink. Then, just tap 'em on the face, and they'll fall down, turning into Big Head Coasters, and protecting your furniture from water stains. I'm tremendously amused by the idea of knocking someone down and setting a giant drink on their face. $17.95 USD for 4.

Color Spectrum Umbrella

Rainbows are one of the most pleasant things about rainy days. You don't see them all that often, but when you do, wow! Now you can be the one bringing that happy, colorful light into others' lives with your Color Spectrum Umbrella. With stripes of all the colors of the rainbow, merely walking around with this umbrella will bring a smile to lots of faces, maybe including your own. $24 USD.

USB Beverage Chiller

Happy Valentine's Day! If you've come here looking for last-minute gifts for your sweetie, I'm afraid you're out of luck. Better run down to the local florist!

Nothing's more annoying than sitting at your computer with a drink in front of you, only to discover that the ice has melted and your delicious beverage has gotten warm. Cool It Systems feels your pain, so they've built this USB Beverage Chiller. Simply plug it into one of your spare USB ports and the cold plate drops to 45° Fahrenheit (about 7° Celsius), keeping your drink nice and frosty. $39.99 USD. (Via Gizmodo.)

Carpet Skates

Nothing's more fun than sliding around linoleum-floored rooms in your sock feet, except that once you reach the edge, you're likely to take a tumble, since you just can't slide on carpet. Or can you? These Carpet Skates strap to anyone's feet and have a smooth plastic low-friction underside to optimize sliding across carpet of any type. Now kids can crash into walls and furniture at high speed in any room of the house! $19.95 USD.

Carnivorous Creations Terrarium

Nothing is cooler than watching helpless insets get devoured by ravenous plants, and with this Carnivorous Creations Terrarium, you can see that happen with over ten varieties of carnivorous plant! From the deadly-sounding Cobra Lily to the infamous Venus Fly Trap, all the coolest carnivorous plants are available in one handy package. Make sure you put it somewhere with plenty of bugs! $24.95 USD.

Monopoly Dog Necklace

Next time you play a game of Monopoly, instead of just doing it for the glory of out-thinking your opponents and dominating them in the real estate market, try doing it for a real prize. Give the winner this Monopoly Dog Necklace, so that they can show the world that they are, indeed, the top dog in terms of little plastic houses and colorful fake money. What could be better than that? $21 USD.

Underwear Makeup Bag

This cute vinyl bag isn't for carrying spare pairs of panties. Nor does it open up to function as emergency clothing. It's simply a cute little Underwear Makeup Bag, styled to look like a pair of underoos, and with plenty of room for all sorts of makeup accessories, bottles of perfume, or even a small notebook or two. $14.95 USD. (Thanks, ace reporter Jen!)

Lego Head Earrings

Lego was one of my favorite toys when I was young, due to its infinite variability. I could build anything from a medieval castle to a western town to a moon base. Now that I'm older, I don't have as much time for Lego, but if I had a chance (and if dangly earrings looked good on me), I'd definitely wear these Lego Head Earrings. Hanging two and a half inches on a fine silver plated chain, these Lego heads smile serenely at everyone, telling them that you, too, are creative and fun. $8 USD.

Typewriter Key Cufflinks

All guys have gotta dress up now and then, whether it's to attend a wedding, a funeral, or just an important meeting with the boss. When they do, the right pair of cufflinks can really make or break the outfit. That's why these Typewriter Key Cufflinks are an excellent gift. Made from real vintage typewriter keys and customizable (you can choose any pair of letters or the "Shift" keys), they're snazzy and unique. $20 USD.

Treble Clef Clock

A kitschy and unique gift for a musician or music-lover, this Treble Clef Clock adds a whimsical and musical air to any room. Made of steel with a black enamel finish, it'll look nice mounted on any wall. $14.99 USD.

Skull Toilet Brush

I don't know why I've been coming across so many human skeletal gifts these days, but I have. This one is perfect for that goth housekeeper in your family, or if you've been invited to Morticia Addams's birthday party. It's a Skull Toilet Brush, beautifully molded and hand-painted to look just like it's made out of real bone. $18 USD.

Stretch-EE Flyer

This light, rubbery flying disc is so elastic that it'll easily stretch to 4 times its normal size. Since the Stretch-EE Flyer is so lightweight and bendy, it makes a great indoor toy for kids, playful adults, or mischievous officemates. Available in red, green, or blue for only $4.99 USD.

Heart Necklace

If you're still looking for that perfect, unique Valentine's Day gift, you'd better make your decision quickly, since you've only got a few days left. This simple and beautiful Heart Necklace is a pretty piece of handcrafted jewelry for your special someone, and part of a limited edition that will only be available until the end of this month. Get yours now! $18 USD.

Mango Pitter

Apple corer/slicer gizmos are ubiquitous these days. Whenever you walk into any kitchen or home goods store, you'll inevitably encounter one hanging on the wall somewhere. Couldn't this great idea be applied to other fruits? It could, and now, it has: the Mango Pitter is simple way to quickly remove the tough, stringy pit of a fresh mango, leaving just the delicious, juicy flesh for you to eat. Mmm, flesh. $11.95 USD.

Heart Felt Chocolate Truffles

Listen up, lovers: no matter what your boy or girlfriend says, those Russell Stover or Whitman's chocolates just aren't anything special. Comparing them to real gourmet chocolates is like comparing pow-pow-power wheels to a Lamborghini. That's why I bring you these Heart Felt Chocolate Truffles, a box of 36 absolutely decadent handmade truffles with assorted fillings to please any taste. Now that's chocolate. $34.99 USD.

Skull and Brain Model

Nothing says "I love you" better than a creepy, true-to-life reproduction of human body parts. For the perfect Valentine's Day gift for anyone special, this Skull and Brain Model will definitely fit the bill. Its gaping eye-sockets and grinning rictus proclaim your intense romantic feeling better than any words, and the various interlocking sections of the brain are like a beautiful love poem. For a festive treat, try filling the brain cavity with gourmet chocolate truffles! $17.95 USD.

I Hate Hearts T-Shirt

To all of my angst-ridden, bitter readers: fear not! Amidst all the Valentine's Day hoo-hah and folderol, you have not been forgotten. I bring you the I Hate Hearts T-Shirt, a bubbly, cheerful way of telling the world to shut up already about all this romance crap. Buy it, wear it, and be gloomy! $22 USD.

Vagina Warrior T-Shirt

With the wildly successful first production of "The Vagina Monologues" in 1996, writer and performer Eve Ensler started the V-Day movement to help raise awareness of and money to help fight violence against women and girls. Every Valentine's Day, all across the world, productions of the Vagina Monologues are staged to assist the V-Day movement in its goals. By purchasing a Vagina Warrior T-Shirt, you can help them in their fight to end domestic violence. It's not only the right thing to do, but it's a snazzy fashion statement as well! (You can read Eve Ensler's essay about Vagina Warriors by clicking here.) $17.99 USD. (Thanks, warrior Jen!)

Word Sprout

In this modern age, everything is miniaturized. We have very, very precise tools to create the tiny parts that power our miniscule cellphones and mp3 players. A side-effect of all this itty-bitty technology is people playing with it do create monstrosities that nature never intended, like this Word Sprout. The can arrives full of soil. When watered faithfully, a tiny bean plant will spout, and as the sprout grows, you'll be able to see the words "I ♥ YOU" written on it. How weird. Just right for your strange Valentine. $10 USD.

Valentine Dog Bon Bons

If you don't have a human valentine this year, that doesn't mean you can't do something nice for someone else you love. If you've got a canine companion to keep you company, you might consider giving him or her a box of Valentine Dog Bon Bons. Made from wheat flour, peanuts, soybean oil, eggs & yogurt, these are like pure candy, so give them sparingly but with love. $12.95 USD. (Thanks yet again, Jen!)

Custom Fortune Cookies

For an unusual and interesting Valentine treat this year, why not take your sweetie out for Chinese food and then follow the dinner with a batch of these Custom Fortune Cookies. Write your own personalized notes — make them sweet nothings, or romantic promises, or cute coupons that can be exchanged for favors — and it'll definitely turn the normally ho-hum fortune cookie dessert into something truly special. $23 USD for a dozen cookies with a dozen different custom fortunes. (Other pricing options available.)

Vivaldi for Valentines

Since you're so well-organized and really on top of things, I know you've got your romantic Valentine's Day evening already fully planned out, from greeting your loved one at the door with a rose and a flute of champagne to the gourmet meal you're cooking to the (ahem) after-dinner entertainment. But have you thought about the right kind of music to play during your candlelit tryst? If Barry White just doesn't set the right mood, you might try playing Vivaldi for Valentines, a selection of 20 beautiful recordings of Antonio Vivaldi's greatest romantic compositions, chosen especially to foster feelings of love. $10.99 USD.

Thumb Thing

I know that after spending a while holding a book open, my poor, weak thumb can get pretty tired. I haven't yet bought myself an Easy Book Clip, so while I'm sitting in my bed reading, wearing my Ear Lite, I'll want to use this Thumb Thing to help me keep the pages propped open with a minimum of effort on my part. $2.95 USD. (Via Gizmodo.)