Drinking

Making decisions can be difficult. Even when the choices presented offer a win/win result. I happen to like cheese. So, if I am faced with a simple choice, say cheddar or Swiss, it can be hard to decide between the two--or the myriad of other possibilities that exist. As you can imagine, grocery shopping for me can sometimes be quite an ordeal. Luckily, I am comfortable and aware of my indecision while in the supermarket. My solution? Purchase one of each.

But what of those times that making a choice leads to a commitment? No, I'm not talking … Read more

As seasons change, my thoughts are turning not only to winter cooking--mmmm, stews, braises, and roasts--but also to the return of hot tea. In that state of mind, I fell in love with this silicone tea infuser and lid while flipping through the pages of the October Bon Appetit. Available in three cheery colors, its shape taps right into my childhood obsession with Strawberry Shortcake.

Cuteness aside, I like that the nonslip silicone stem will stay put over the edge of your cup so you don't have to fish it out of boiling water. And the matching lid doubles … Read more

Summer has officially come to a close, yet it seems still to linger in the air. Baseball playoffs are just getting underway, BBQ parties are still going strong, and it's still hot out. It's downright humid, in fact. So hot and humid that a nice, cool glass of water sounds great right about now. If, like me, you're dreaming of water being not in the air, but in a glass, then WaterMill might be just what you're looking for.

WaterMill by Element Four is a combination dehumidifier and water purifier. I know that when I feel … Read more

If you want to be the life of the party, it turns out you're better suited if you happen not to be alive at all. Case in point: Bar2D2. This non-sentient bartender-bot certainly seems to be the life of the party in this Flickr photostream.

Designed and constructed by Jamie Price, the radio-controlled bartender/bar was unleashed on the crowd at the recent ArcAttack Mad Scientist Ball. Far from an unwelcome robotic intrusion, Bar2D2 made friends with everybody from Darth Vader to Freddy from Nightmare on Elm Street at the Sci-fi-themed convention.

And who wouldn't want Bar2D2 unleashed … Read more

You know that future we're all waiting for? The one where magic happens on a day-to-day basis? It just got here a little bit early. Well, maybe. At least the design concepts keep pushing the envelope, making sure that the future will eventually get here.

The EPOS-lite by Allport is a design that the maker describes as "the world's lightest cash register". Of course, no "cash" is actually involved, as the EPOS-lite is a charge machine. By combining that function with a restaurant menu, future diners will have the ability to order and pay … Read more

It's a bird, it's a plane...well, no...it's not a plane. Nor does this coffee maker resemble in any way, shape, or form Superman. However, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto certainly does look like a bird. Whether it's a hummingbird or one of those novelty drinking bird doo-dads, there is no denying the interesting design of this machine.

Weird bubble alien, or one of our more familiar avian friends, this coffee maker is all about the art of coffee...or at least the art of variety. The maker is being marketed as a system in which … Read more

Ever tried to make milkshakes for more than one child at a time? They never want the same flavor, and worse, they are mightily offended by even the merest trace of the previous flavor left in the blender to contaminate the new shake. So, Mom winds up washing out the whole blender twice, which means that milkshakes are a rare treat. And that's sad.

The Hamilton Beach Dual-Wave blender wants to stop the madness. Simply load up two independent, 16-ounce serve jars with your favorite flavors and run them separately--but at the same time. And wait, there's more! … Read more

Summer is fading away and turning into fall. Baseball pennant races are heating up and the football season is just getting underway. Some teams have hope, while others look forward to next year. However, just because the seasons are changing, doesn't mean the end of outdoor get-togethers.

This Epicure 24-inch Outdoor Refrigerator from Dacor can keep your party supplied all the way through to winter. The stainless-steel finish protects a surprisingly large capacity. With the ability to hold up to 124 cans or 50 bottles (750 ml), there's no reason to pry yourself away from the fun to … Read more

If you liked the Porsche Design toaster that I wrote about a couple of days ago, then you should add their coffee machine to your wish list, too. Designed by Porsche Design, a daughter company of the ever-popular car giant Porsche, the coffee machine makes your morning cup just a little bit more aesthetically pleasing.

The coffee pot is equipped to brew up to 12 small cups of coffee (or eight larger cups, depending on the size of the boost you need), and since you can choose the strength and temperature, you can create a pot that's going to … Read more