The Modern Materialist

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• Quick Tip: Every Last Drop

  See this spoon? It may not look like anything special — oddly shaped, perhaps, sure, but special? Yes, it so is! It's so special, in fact, it just may change your life... Well, okay, maybe it won't change your life, but it might just revolutionize the way you eat yogurt:   Read More... Posted May 07 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen

• Quick Tip of the Day: Poop Freeze

  I love dogs, but there are so many reasons I'm glad I don't actually own one: Hate the smell of wet dog and dog breath I'd rather spend $10 a day on a sandwich, juice and a newspaper than a dog walker HATE barking as much as a random car alarm outside my bedroom window Sloppy dog kisses are not for me, and most of all, of course:   Read More... Posted May 06 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Your Fly's Open

  I prefer not to blame my creeping zipper on my expanding stomach. Read More... Posted May 05 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Flowers that Never Die

  Question: What's the easiest way to make sure you have pretty flowers on yor windowsill at all times?  Answer:    Read More... Posted May 02 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, home decor

• Quick Tip: Screw - Outdoor Shower

  Too bad I don't have a money tree in my backyard (or...a backyard, for that matter). I might be able to afford this awesome outdoor shower. You just screw a regular garden hose into it and you've got an instant shower for around the pool (too bad I don't have a pool) or for a luxurious rinse under the night stars. But for the price of the shower, you could probably afford to buy part of that starr night sky: Read More... Posted May 01 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, outdoors

• Quick Tip of the Day: Protect Your Skin

  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... Posted Apr 30 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Muscles, Activate

  If you're too busy to make it to the gym or hate working out, but don't really want to become a soft, flabby mess, these shoes might be of interest to you. According to the manufacturer, they activate and stimuate neglected muscles through simple walking. So, what do you think? Is wearing ugly shoes while running errands a smal price to pay for a lifted derriere, or are you better off sweating it out for an hour at the ol' gym? Vote after the jump. Read More... Posted Apr 29 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, exercise

• Quick Tip of the Day: Charmin Seat Covers

  Places where a disposable seat cover really comes in handy: Read More... Posted Apr 28 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, travel

• Quick Tip of the Day: Cut-n-Seal

  When I was a kid, my mom used to pack a lunch for me and every lunch was exactly the same: a tuna sandwich, a fruit cup, and a small bag of Pringles. I got so sick and tired of fucking tuna. I'd always try to trade with someone else, but inevitably my sandwich was turned down because it didn't have the crusts cut off. If only my mom had had the cut-n-seal when I was a kid. Not only does it cut off the crusts in one swift move, but it seals the sandwich (hence the name). Do you have any idea what a tuna pocket would have scored me back in the day? We're talking peanut butter and jelly, Ramen noodles, maybe even a Poptart! And, oh my god, my standing as coolest kid in the school would have been sealed had my mom made these: Read More... Posted Apr 25 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen

• Quick Tip of the Day: Scheduling Your To-Dos

  [$202.70, Art Lebedev]  A $200 dry-erase board? Read More... Posted Apr 24 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Crumb Free Bread Board

  Perhaps you're planning a little picnic or get-together in your backyard to celebrate Earth Day today. And maybe you've picked up some really nice bread to serve at said get-together, but if all the crumbs your bread board collects when you slice a baguette is threatening to ruin your good time, maybe it's time for you to find some real problems to worry about. Or, if it suits you better, why don't you just get this awesome bread board which features a removable slotted cutting surface that easily pulls out to dump the crumbs. And since it's made of bamboo, it's even eco-friendly to boot, because you know, the planet actually has a few problems...even if you don't. [$35.95, Green-Living]  Posted Apr 22 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, eco-friendly

• Quick Tip of the Day: Protection Against Thongs

  [$72.98, Love My Shoes]  These shoes are cute, right? And you'll be seeing them — or pairs that look just like them — on feet everywhere this summer. But just because they're cute and stylish doesn't mean they'recomfy. In fact, more likely than not, they'll probably create some serious blisters, unless, of course, the person wearing them is armed with of this:   Read More... Posted Apr 18 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, drugstore

• Quick Tip of the Day: Breathalyzer

  How many times have you been out at a bar or party, have seen someone attractive you'd like to talk to, but weren't sure if your breath was up to the task? I mean, the only thing worse than blowing your shot by not taking a chance is blowing your shot with booze and pub grub breath. But now there's a fix for that and the bonus is, in addition to knowing whether you're fit to flirt, you'll learn whether you're fit to drive, too. Details after the jump. Read More... Posted Apr 16 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Butter Boy and Girl

  I know summer is still a ways off and it's wishful thinking to imagine picnics with fresh corn on the cob, especially since I'm no longer in the Midwest. I mean, do they even have corn on the cob in the Northeast? Is it any good? Is it super light yellow with a real sweet taste and a crunch when you bite into it? Well, regardless, the weather is getting better and I've got corn on my mind, which I'm sure has all kinds of Fruedian undertones. More specifically, I've got the buttering of corn on my mind, which is why I am posting about these:     Read More... Posted Apr 15 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Magic Eraser

  What's cooler that cool? Cute little baby ducks following the mama duck in a perfect line. What's cooler than that? Two-for-one margarita specials. What's cooler than that?   Read More... Posted Apr 14 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, Cleaning Products

• Quick Tip of the Day: Five Signs it's Time for Spring Cleaning

  Five Signs it's Time for Spring Cleaning: You've started buying rabbit food for your dust bunnies You've forgotten what color your sink is You can't remember if you have hardwood floors or carpeting   Read More... Posted Apr 11 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, Cleaning Products

• Quick Tip: Fantasy Pot

  Today's quick tip is really more fantasy than reality since the product, the eco-cook, isn't actually slated for release until 2015. If there's a God — or a genie in a bottle or godmother or whatever else might grant me my life's wishes — I'll have a dishwasher by then, but if not, holy shit, I'll be ready for this thing... Read More... Posted Apr 10 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen

• Quick Tip of the Day: What a Card

  You can slip it in your wallet, it shaves minutes off your prep-time, and in a pinch you can even use it to help keep the blood-suckers at bay. Find out what it is after the jump. Read More... Posted Apr 09 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen

• Quick Tip of the Day: Color-Coded Cutting Board

  [$85, MoMA Store]  Today's quick tip is also a bit of a Sweet and Low post. I know it's a bit of a risk throwing so much at you this early in the morning, but we've gotten to know each other these last couple of months and I feel confident you can handle it. Okay, ready?   Read More... Posted Apr 08 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen, The Sweet and The Low

• Quick Tip of the Day: Backless Bras

  [$25, Maidenform]  No, this hasn't become an erotic photography blog. For that, you'll have to check out rose & olive, and the other Nerve photoblogs. Rather, I'd like to point out this awesome new piece of lingerie (I hope you'll forgive me, men, for focusing on the ladies this morning.) Said to be a better fit for women with C and D cups, I'm mostly interested in the fact that I can now up the slut factor in my summerwear by buying backless tops to go with this backless bra. A product of the ABC show American Inventor, this bra brings us that much closer to the bra-comfort ideal (I suppose that would be no bra). No more a.m. bra-strap angst! After the jump, a bonus clip of the backless bra in action. Read More... Posted Apr 03 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, Apparel

• Quick Tip of the Day: Zakkerz

  You know how you have to wear long pants when you wear heels so it doesn't look like you're getting ready for a flood? And then when you walk to work in your tennis shoes or flats, your pants drag on the ground? Well, there are two things you can do to prevent that: Read More... Posted Apr 02 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Lunch Totes

  Five Signs We're in a Recession: Read More... Posted Apr 01 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Desktop Decision Maker

  [$16, Room Service Home]  I lead a life with too many yeses. Read More... Posted Mar 31 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip

• Quick Tip of the Day: Desk Caddies

  [$89, Room Service Home]  In order to cut down on junk mail pile-up in your entryway (all of ours ends up on the kitchen table, which is why we eat in front of the TV; yes, that is the only reason), and to ensure the prompt payment of all bills, it helps to invest in a desk/mail caddy. HomeGoods has a nice selection (though you can't order online, I've included the link so you can search for a store near you). It's where I bought mine. The one pictured above is from my (new) most favoritest store ever. Posted Mar 28 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, storage

• Quick Tip of the Day: Storage for Small Treasures

  [$220, notNeutral]  It's so easy to toss something small to the side and promptly forget about it when it doesn't have its own special spot. Keys...sunglasses...rings...other trinkets... What better reason to pick up one of these laquer nesting trays? One for your entryway...one for your bedside table...I'm sure you could find cheaper alternatives, but I'm obviously a sucker for a high price tag (it makes me feel validated in my design sensibilities).  Posted Mar 27 2008, 08:30 AM by Steph Auteri with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, storage

• Quick Tip of the Day: Top Ten Simple Pleasures in Life

  Top ten simple pleasures in life: Read More... Posted Mar 25 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen, Fun Stuff

• Quick Tip of the Day: Chop Chop

  They're a lifesaver if you're all thumbs and don't want to drop your fish on the floor. What I'm talking about after the jump. Read More... Posted Mar 24 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, kitchen, Fun Stuff

• Quick Tip of the Day: Eye-Fi

  Okay, say you're on vacation in, I don't know, Brazil with a couple of friends. And one night you and your friends are out to dinner and you see none other than, um, Matthew McConaughey—because, isn't his babymama a Brazilian model or something?—and you happen to have a camera with you and you're all good and liquored up on fruity cocktails anyway, so you and your friends can take a photo with him. Then, when you get back to your seat, you really want to text your friends who aren't with you and tell them, "OMG! We just met Matthew McConaughey—he really does smell bad!" But you can't because you're overseas and your cell doesn't text from Brazil. Well, if you had one of these handy dandy Eye-Fi cards you could do even better than a little text. Read More... Posted Mar 21 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Quick tip, tech

• Quick Tip of the Day: Nooodle Measure & Trivet

  I can make an awesome pot of chilli, bake a mean batch of fudge brownies, and fry some chicken like a southern local, so why on earth is it impossible for me to eyeball the right amount of noodles for a 2-person spaghetti dinner? Luckily, this "Nooodle" Measure and Trivet removes all the guesswork and shows me exactly how much pasta I need to cook for 1, 2, 3, or 4 people. Though when I'm cooking for my boyfriend, the 1 and 2-person measurement is fairly useless as he always eats enough for 3 people. Anyway, the handy nooodle measure also doubles as a pretty trivet. [$36, UnicaHome]  Posted Mar 20 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, home goods, kitchen

• Quick Tip of the Day: Macnally Power Adapter

  So the power cord for your iBook or Powerbook has broken and you don't want to shell out the $79 for a replacement? That's ok, you don't have to! Read More... Posted Mar 19 2008, 08:30 AM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Quick tip, tech