mySimon.com Shopping Blogs

Darth Vader Toaster

(Simon) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:52:24 +0000

Darth Vader toaster. It won't be available until January, but you can preorder it now. There's not much to say about it except that it burns an image of Darth Vader onto every slice, doesn't require "Force" power to operate, and costs twice as much as a toaster should cost. But Mr. Lucas has bills to pay, right?]]>

Mustache Key Holder

(Simon) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:09:50 +0000

pendants to pint glasses to stuffed animals, the mustache is popping up everywhere, including Target. This mustache key holder is a great place to, um, stash your keys, dog leashes, jewelry, or anything else you want to hang on it. It's made out of recycled wood, measures 18" across, and costs just $39.99.]]>

Sili-Sling Silicone Food Lifter

(Simon) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:23:21 +0000

Sili-Sling this year. The Sili-Sling helps you get a turkey up to 18 pounds safely from roasting pan to turkey platter. It's dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant up to 600 degrees, and (unlike your stomach this time of year) it won't stretch out.]]>

Dog Balls with LED Lights

(Simon) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:20:19 +0000

balls with LED lights. They're battery-powered and rugged enough to withstand a dog's jaws, and bright enough so your dog won't have trouble finding them. Added bonus: You won't have to risk stepping in something as you help Fido look for his tennis ball.]]>

Electric Fireplaces

(Simon) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:30:52 +0000

electric fireplaces. They're not as expensive as we thought they would be (the one shown here is under $300). Their fires look convincing; they emit heat (and are a lot more fun to look at than a boring space heater); and there's no messing with logs or ashes. Next step: Sheepskin rug.]]>

EasyBloom Plant Sensor

(Simon) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:48:35 +0000

EasyBloom plant sensor. It's a gadget that somehow reads and records all the environmental data - sunlight, shade, soil moisture levels - in a place where you either already have a plant or want to put one in the future. When you plug the gadget into your computer, it tells you what kind of plant would work best in that spot and how to help any ailing plants you already have there. Plus it gives you access to an online database with info on 5,000 plants (or help creating your own online database to track your garden). On the one hand, we can see how the EasyBloom might appeal to gadget lovers who weren't born with green thumbs, but isn't half the fun learning by trial and error? And can't you get all the gardening info you need for free online anyway? Do you know anyone who might actually use this product?]]>

Crypton Doodle Dog Pet Bed

(Simon) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:59:45 +0000

William Wegman (the Weimaraner photographer guy). Introducing Crypton's Doodle Dog pet beds, available in 2 sizes and many colors. Finally, a dog bed you won't want to hide when you have company. More dog beds.]]>

notNeutral Ant Napkin Rings

(Simon) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:05:15 +0000

ant napkin rings by notNeutral for Halloween parties, picnics, and any other occasion where you want to add a few "pieces of flair" to your table. Each set includes 4 painted metal napkin rings. Choose white or black. (Pity they didn't also make red ones.) More napkin rings. More fun housewares by notNeutral.]]>

The Webble Active Footrest

(Simon) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:43:14 +0000

Webble Active Footrest in its "10 Futuristic Technologies for Your Office" feature. The Webble is essentially an ergonomic footrest - on wheels - that wobbles, so your legs move around under your desk, thus giving you the physiological benefits of increased leg activity while seated. Because when you sit at a computer for 8+ hours a day like we do, there's not a whole lot you can do (without distracting your colleagues) to get your blood circulating. Coffee doesn't count. We just wonder if having our feet "surf" under our desks would distract us from actually working, and if we should use it while watching TV instead. Speaking of footrests, has anyone tried these roller ball ones?]]>

Perfect Turkeys with Electrolux

(Simon) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:27:44 +0000

ovens with a "Perfect Turkey" button. According to Electrolux, the button "uses a temperature probe to precisely control cooking, along with a convection system that gently browns the turkey while sealing in the juices," ensuring that "every turkey you roast in an Electrolux wall oven or range comes out perfect, every time." Kelly Ripa, the current Electrolux celebrity spokeswoman, says the Perfect Turkey button "has done for the wall oven what the popcorn button has done for the microwave." You can enter to win one of these ovens here, where you'll be asked to share your favorite turkey preparation nightmare.]]>

Black & Decker Cordless Mulching Mower

(Simon) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:14:53 +0000

Black & Decker's cordless mulching mower might help. It's got a 19" mower deck, starts with the flip of a switch, and (thankfully) requires no gas, oil, tuneups, or trips to the service station. (And it recharges to 100% in 10 hours.) The company says the mower is ideal for lawns up to 1/3 of an acre. Best of all there is no assembly required. Suddenly mowing the lawn sounds a lot less daunting, doesn't it? More lawn mowers.]]>

Come Back with a Warrant Doormat

(Simon) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:23 +0000

"Oh No! Not You Again" doormat, you'll probably get a kick out of this one, which reads "Come back with a warrant." It'll crack up your guests and make the cops wonder what you're hiding inside. The mat measures 18" x 27" and can be used inside or outdoors. $17.99 from Target online (not in stores).]]>

Frisper Freshkeeper

(Simon) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:25:45 +0000

Frisper Freshkeeper, which just made Oprah's "O List" ("a few things she thinks are just just great"). Unlike other big, bulky vacuum sealers, the Frisper is fairly small and does all the work for you. Put your produce or leftovers in a microwave-safe Vac-Snap bag (it comes with 10 resusable bags), close the bag, place the Frisper's mouth over the bag, and push the button. The Frisper makes a tiny hole in the bag, sucks out all the air, and then reseals the hole. We think "Frisper" is a silly-sounding name, but if it keeps our food fresh longer, we don't care what they call it.]]>

Pottery Barn Rugs on Sale

(Simon) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:30:00 +0000

"Concentric Squares" rugs are all on sale. Available in red, orange, chocolate, and ivory, the hand-tufted wool rugs are simple without being boring; the concentric square pattern gives them some visual texture. The 9' x 12' one is marked down from $749 to $599, which is more affordable than some West Elm rugs of the same size. (West Elm is Pottery Barn's younger, cheaper store.) See all Pottery Barn rugs.]]>

Mikasa Brewmaster's Collection

(Simon) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Mikasa's "Brewmaster's Collection" consists of 4 different 4-piece sets: Wheat glasses, pilsner glasses, varietal glasses, and a flight set (6-ounce glasses), shown here with the accompanying dark wood caddy. All glasses are dishwasher-safe and make great wedding/housewarming/holiday gifts. Especially if you wrap them up with some good beer.]]>

Orvis Anti-Tail-Wagging Furniture

(Simon) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:45:00 +0000

wag-proof furniture. Both the coffee table and the end table have recessed areas where you can keep your wine glasses and other breakable items safe from dogs' tails. The coffee table even has a sliding tray, so you can protect that cheese plate from your dog's mouth, should you need to leave the room.]]>

Kohler SoundTile Shower Speakers

(Simon) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Kohler WaterTiles from a couple years ago? They're panels for the sides of your shower, so water sprays at you from all directions like a human car wash. Kohler has taken showering to the next level with SoundTiles, matching speakers that stream your favorite music and Internet radio right into your shower. Kohler worked with Polk Audio to create these waterproof, coaxial, 4" x 4" speakers, which are controlled by the Kohler DTV II or any stand-alone home audio system. We hope for your spouse's/roommate's sake you have a good singing voice.]]>

Miele Powerhouse S183 Upright Vacuum

(Simon) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Dy$on vacuums, but the full-size ones are just ginormous, and the new compact DC24 couldn't seem to pick up a simple ball of hair on the carpet. So when we heard this Miele Powerhouse eagerly sucking up all the nasty stuff BB&B customers had left on the floors; saw its $100-cheaper-than-the-little-Dyson price tag; and learned about its lifetime warranty (we can take it back if we decide it - pardon the pun - sucks), we brought it home. Yay for clean carpets!]]>

Photo Frame Wall Clocks from Target

(Simon) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Photo wall clocks from Target. Instead of numbers, there are circles where you can insert your own photos. A perfect gift for grandmothers or people with large families. Plus it's probably fun to say things like "It's Mike after Mark." Preorder now for delivery in a few weeks. See also: Target's "splat" wall clocks.]]>

Calphalon Infinite Circulon Cookware

(Simon) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:30:00 +0000

Infinite Circulon collection of hard-anodized, non-stick pots, pans, and skillets is completely dishwasher-safe! Plus the bottoms are made from stainless steel and aluminum (safe for glass and induction cooktops) and the stainless steel handles are oven-safe to 500 degrees. But if $300 for the 10-piece set is a little out of your price range, the good news is you can buy individual items separately. See all Calphalon cookware.]]>