The Modern Materialist : Quick tip

Quick Tip of the Day: Follow the Map to (Used) Treasure

Steph Auteri — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:35:00 GMT

Lord knows that most of us can't afford to live the way we used to, shopping the boutiques and luxury goods shops.

Which is why I'd like to point you toward some real treasure, often affordable only with the 50-cent coin buried above.

Using Yard Sale Treasure Map, you can easily find yard sales in your immediate vicinity. Then, add and remove stops on the map and print out directions for the route of your choosing!

There's no shame in secondhand stuff. Who knows what treasures you'll find...

Quick Tip of the Day: Getting Together With Your Busy Friends

Steph Auteri — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:13:00 GMT

Just the other month, me and my friends from college put together a spreadsheet in Google Docs in order to figure out which weekend everyone would be available to get together.

We have yet to find a weekend where all of us are free.

In much the same vein, there is now a web app for this sort of thing, because apparently we're all too damn busy:

Which Date Works allows you to create an invitation for an event, with a range of possible dates. Recipients then pick the date that works best for them, using a green check for yes, a red cross for no, or a question mark for maybe.

Much like our makeshift spreadsheet above.

If only we had jumped on that idea first...

[Via lifehacker]

Let's Get Digital

Laureen Mahler — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:29:00 GMT

This card may look like a simple abstract design, but look closer and you'll see that the pattern is a reproduction of an LCD screen. Which means you can do this:

[$5, Urban Outfitters]

... along with any other salutary combination of letters that will fit into sixteen LCD squares. These innovative cards are created by Yellow Owl Workshop, a San Francisco-based stationer that sells a whole line of snazzy debossed works.

The best part? Unlike a real LCD screen, these cards won't crap out and tell you that it's 81 minutes after L o'clock.

[via Swissmiss]

Quick Tip of the Day: Make Easy Tasks Easier

Steph Auteri — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:30:00 GMT

[Photo via]

I'm a huge fan of products that make easy tasks even easier. For example:

my garlic press
my Vidalia Chop Wizard
mechanical toothbrushes
this dusting glove
fingerless gloves

Speaking of gloves...

[$20, The Spoon Sisters]

These Grab and Dry Gloves make drying just-cleaned dishes even easier than it already was.

Related: Dust Bunny Duster

Quick Tip of the Day: Hang Dry Only

Steph Auteri — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:33:00 GMT

How does one living in a tiny apartment with no backyard hang dry their laundry?

To be totally honest, we gave up on the foldable drying racks, because they took up so much floor space, and because the cats always pulled the clothes down and dragged them around. We needed something up high, and have since taken to hanging them over the top of the screen that separates our office from the living room.

Classy, I know.

Apartment Therapy has opened our eyes to a couple of much better solutions:

[$114.99, Restoration Hardware]

[$89-$199, Ballard Designs]

Quick Tip of the Day: Look Well-Rested

Steph Auteri — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:35:00 GMT

Every once in awhile, I need to wake up earlier than I am accustomed to (like this morning), and then I typically look like shit (like right now).

How can I battle the puffy-eyed monstrosity that is my morning face?

[$6.55, Bertine]

Puffy the eye bag slayer, an eye mask that seems to be filled with blood (ew!), might do the trick.

[Via Ooh! Shiny!]

Related: Massage Your Eyeballs

Quick Tip of the Day: Suit Up for St. Patty's

Steph Auteri — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:19:00 GMT

Ah...St. Patrick's Day...

A day on which I always feel compelled to hole up indoors so as not to come in contact with belligerent drunks on the NJTransit buses...

Not to mention that corned beef and cabbage grosses me out.

Still! We're celebrating here at the Modern Materialist! In honor of this most holy of days, we're filling your blog feed with a day's worth of happy hour posts and other green (eco-friendly and otherwise) items.

But before we start this party, shouldn't you look the part?

[$14.99, Be Wild]

[Via Ooh! Shiny!]

Quick Tip Of The Day: F**k You

Alex Zalben — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:34:00 GMT

Hey, you know who's awesome? Lily Allen is awesome. So I've got a quick tip for you:

Buy her new album (that came out a few weeks ago). I can't stop listening to it. It's fun, poppy, and delightfully cute and dirty at the same time. It'll make your whole day better. Don't believe me? Check this out:

[$13, Amazon]

Quick Tip of the Day: An Apartment You Can Afford

Steph Auteri — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:19:00 GMT

Apartment-searching is a bitch. Almost as much as a bitch as condo-searching and house-searching.But nobody cares about those of us looking to buy.

Make your apartment search easier with MyApartmentMap:

On the site, you can enter the zip code of your choosing and view the average rental price in that neighborhood, in addition to the units actual available at the time of your search.

Pretty damn cool.

Why oh why did we ever buy?

[via lifehacker]

Quick Tip of the Day: Design Yourself a Clever Business Card

Steph Auteri — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:34:00 GMT

Check out this clever business card design by Ji Lee. It invites the recipient to simply google your name.

A bit presumptuous, but I like it. Especially since my top Google search results are way more professional nowadays, bringing up links to my professional site, my presence on Nerve, my Freelancedom blog, my profiles on Vimeo, LinkedIn, Brazen Careerist, and Lemondrop, and my personal blog. Nothing too crazy. (My Google search results pre-marriage were a bit more shady, with "masturbation poetry" taking the top spot.)

Get yourself over to one of these way-affordable business card sites and design something equally clever. It'll make you stand out like nobody's business:

[Via Gizmodo]

Quick Tip Of The Day: Get Minimal

Alex Zalben — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:32:00 GMT

I really like the idea of podcasts, but I haven't been able to get into them. I don't know if it's the time commitment, or the amount of concentration I can put in; but it just hasn't been working for me... Except for The Minimalist video podcast. Reasons I like it:

- The Minimalist is easily the best cooking column for New Yorkers. Very few ingredients, quick recipes, and everything is always delicious.

- Mark Bitman is dryly hilarious. Most of his recipes are presented as if he hardly cares what you put in them... Which is true. A recent recipe had him saying, "I'm using cream. You can use milk. Or water. Or nothing, I don't care."

- It's short! Most episodes are less than five minutes. Take that, Rachael Ray.

- It's free! That's pretty self explanatory.

It's also impossible to find, as it's listed in iTunes under Video: Style/Dining & Wine, rather than "The Minimalist," so here's the link. Enjoy!

Quick Tip of the Day: Study Your Sex Life

Steph Auteri — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:31:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Worried that you're having a leetle too much sex lately? Too little? Don't fool yourself. You are a (man)whore/frigid wet blanket. If you demand proof, you have only to start rtacking things over at Bedpost:

As you can see, you simply log in every time you have sex, fill in some info fields on duration, sex partner, etc., and then view you're rolling Calendar of Sexy Time.

Wait a second. Aside from misplaced pride...why are we doing this again?

[Via Jezebel]

Quick Tip of the Day: Don't Let $ Burn a Hole in Your Pocket

Steph Auteri — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:34:00 GMT

We've told you before what you could do if you had money to burn. Now there's another option, with even more possibilities for blowing your dough:

Depending upon how much money you have to burn, Burning a Hole allows you to search for random products by price or product category.

Or you can just donate your money to a totally worthy cause.

Quick Tip of the Day: Computer Nags You About Your Computer Use

Steph Auteri — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:32:00 GMT

What I'm Doing When I Should Be Working:

catching up on e-mail
scanning through my Google Reader
updating Twitter
futzing around on Pandora

My computer does not approve.

KeepMeOut allows you to enter the sites you waste the most time at, and then nags you went you visit it too many times within a short span of time.

[Via lifehacker]

Related: She'll Nag Your Weight Off

Quick Tip Of The Day: Lose It!

Alex Zalben — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Things I Hate: Diets, dieting, not eating whatever I want whenever I want.

Things I Love: Free things, my iPhone, cute little icons.

So what happens when I get the thing I hate the most mixed in with the things I love the most?

You get "Lose It!" a new free app for the iPhone that has taken over my life (in a good way). Essentially, it's a totally free calorie counter. You put in your current weight, as well as some basic info (age, height), and your goal weight. It then gives you four simple plans: Lose 1/2 lb a week; a pound; pound and a half; or two pounds.

From there, it lets you know how many calories you can eat in a day (and how that works out to a week), and how long it'll take you to get to your goal weight.

The best part is, it's extraordinarily easy to use, and has tons of food with cute little icons, easily searchable, already in the program. This includes supermarket and restaurant foods as well, so you won't have to wonder how many calories you're consuming when you go out.

And here's my caveat: calorie counters work not because of a miracle diet, but because they make you aware of how much you're eating, and how you pace it through the day. The plan I put myself on (one pound a week) has worked great, because I now know if I have a big sandwich int he middle of the day, I can't have a big dinner AND go out for drinks later with friends. But if I have a reasonable lunch, I don't need to worry about dinner and drinks as much. Plus, I carry my iPhone everywhere, so it's easy enough to enter at the end of a meal.

[Lose It]

Quick Tip of the Day: Check Things Off Your To-Do List

Steph Auteri — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:26:00 GMT

Because it's too damn hard to write things down on paper, Adam Pash, over at lifehacker, created Printable Checklist.

How is it any different from my beloved Ta-da Lists?

The format is clean and spare, allowing you to then print out your list and — despite your unwillingness to write actual words — still have the satisfaction of checking off items on paper.

Do with this information what you will.

[Via lifehacker]

Quick Tip of the Day: Celebrate the Weekend

Steph Auteri — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:15:00 GMT

It's Friday, you guys! Show a little enthusiasm!

[$3.50, If'n Books + Marks]

With the Party in a Pouch, you'll be prepared for any celebratory circumstance.

Quick Tip of the Day: Say No to a Brand New One

Steph Auteri — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:19:00 GMT

You may think that the person in the photo above is greeting the new day with energy, excitement, and extreme vigor.

Nay. They are actually shouting at the sun to go away so that they can get a few more hours of sleep without being forced to fumble around for their damn sleep mask. (Is this what's known as psychological projection?)

Feeling similarly irritated that your alarm is already shrieking in your ear? I am not averse to suggesting violence.

Too bad this smash alarm clock (yes, that dent is from blunt force) is only a design concept.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Quick Tip of the Day: When Projects Are in Limbo

Steph Auteri — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:19:00 GMT

[Image via]

What to do with those projects that never disappear from your inbox? Perhaps consider moving them over to limbo status:

[$6, Bob's Your Uncle]

Quick Tip of the Day: Open in Case of Emergency

Steph Auteri — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:37:00 GMT

The box above is to be opened only in the case of an emergency. I assume that means it contains either first aid supplies for all those times I've sliced my fingers open with kitchen implements, or a pile of money with which to pay my monthly bills.

[$12, Bob's Your Uncle]

Nope. It's only a box of generic, catch-all cards, meant for all those times you forget.

Quick Tip of the Day: Freshen Up Your Home Without Scrubbing

Steph Auteri — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:22:00 GMT

Have you ever seen those commercials where Grandma comes to visit, and is swept away by how clean everything smells?

Yeah, that one. My takeaway from these commercials? It's completely unnecessary to expend any effort in making your place look and smell fresh. Instead:

[$12, Williams-Sonoma]

Spray the stank away. Lavender scents are supposed to be especially soothing, though I also like fresh linen-scented oils.

Quick Tip of the Day: Don't Open Your Eyes

Steph Auteri — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:28:00 GMT

With all these midweek holidays effing up our schedule, I found it near impossible to get out of bed this morning. I suggest you ignore the call of duty, turn of the alarm, roll on over, and fall back to sleep.

If the sun is persistently slipping through your eyelids...

[$12, Etsy]

...the use of this sleep mask will ensure you remain out like a log.

Quick Tip of the Day: Don't Let the Weather Keep You Locked Up

Steph Auteri — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:16:00 GMT

The weather has been fairly craptastic lately. I feel bad for the lot of you who rely on bikes to get around. I merely sprint to my car.

If the above picture doesn't seem too ridiculous to you, you can always pick up DryBike for yourself.

DryBike is actually an adapter for you bike, allowing you to attach an umbrella for hands-free protection from the elements.

[€ 17.50, DryBike]

Quick Tip of the Day: Free, Personalized Calendar for 2009

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:19:00 GMT

Ohnoes! It's that time of year when everyone suddenly remembers that they forgot to buy a new calendar!

One of the best Christmas gifts I received last year? A tiny, purse-friendly 2008 agenda from my sister-in-law. She received bonus points for the superadorable kitten on the front cover.

If you don't receive something similar in your stocking, you can always go the quick-and-cheap route.

And by cheap, I mean free.

Over at Bags of Love, You can personalize and download this calendar.

Quick Tip of the Day: Remain Password Protected

Steph Auteri — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:24:00 GMT

I've posted about password storage methods before. If you'd like to ensure, however, that all your passwords, pin codes, and account numbers are on your person at all times, there is (yet) another option:

[$29.95, Atek]

The Logio Secure Password Organizer helps you keep track of all your info by only requiring you to remember one master password in order to access your encrypted data. In addition to passwords, you can also save urls, user IDs, pin codes, credit card numbers, etc.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Quick Tip of the Day: Sit or Squat

Steph Auteri — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:43:00 GMT

This is disgusting, but — whilist driving through Brooklyn, a spectacularly rich dinner behind me — my stomach tightened and twisted and I knew that, if I didn't find a public restroom, STAT, all of my organs would end up coming out of my throat from the pressure of clenching my ass. I distractedly drove toward Manhattan, my face pale and sweating, when I miraculously came upon a gas station Dunkin Donuts. With no other options in sight, I pulled into the lot with a screech.

Long story short (too late?), I popped a button on my pants, there was no toilet paper in the rest room, and I was left wishing that I had never eaten that oh-my-god-so-effing-delicious lobster, when what I was used to living off of was Rice Krispies and ramen noodles.

Really, though. Things wouldn't have been so bad if there had been a more upscale public restroom option.

SitOrSquat allows you to search for public restrooms on a Google-like map.

Unfortunately, as the site's directory of restroom is populated by users, some neighborhoods are still incredibly sparse. The only restroom in the vicinity of my Dunkin Donuts incident? A and J Auto Service.

[via lifehacker]

Related: When You Can't Hold It Anymore

Quick (Holiday) Tip of the Day: Simplifying Secret Santa

Steph Auteri — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:25:00 GMT

It's that time of year again when Santa rappels down your rooftop and swings in through your window, leaving you socks and Lindt truffles.

It's also the time for office-wide Secret Santas, which are a little less magical. (I'm still plagued by nightmares of my first and last Secret Santa experience: I received cheap-looking lingerie, which I was then photographed with while also double-fisting; my boss did not appreciate the tasteful collection of teas I had gifted to her.)

If you're in charge of organizing this year's Secret Santa (though I suggest cancelling it), there's a web app to make things easier:

After you register for the site, Elfster prompts you to plug in your Secret Santa information: sign-up deadline, spending limit, exchange date, etc., after which you invite people to participate via e-mail. Once everyone has RSVPd, you go in and click "draw names," at which point participants will be e-mailed with the name of the person they're shopping for.

The site has adorable touches, like the ability to click whether you've been naughty or nice, and a page to set up your own wish list (though that certainly does ruin the element of surprise).

I have to admit to being wholeheartedly charmed by this site, and it almost makes me want to do a Secret Santa myself. (Almost!)

Do with this information what you will.

[Via Popgadget]

Quick Tip of the Day: Be the First One at Every Sale

Steph Auteri — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:35:00 GMT

Now that I'm a recluse and all, I prefer to do all my shopping online, whichis why the bulk of my holiday shopping was done two weeks ago (Black Friday my ass).

Now, I like sales as much as the next person, but there was no way in hell I was going to wake up at 4 in the morning to wrestle a winter cap out of the hands of some crazed mother in the madhouse that is Kohl's.

So how do I ensure I'm saving, without risking life and limb?

This new site, ZingSale, notifies you whenan item you've had your eye on goes on sale. Seriously? What can be easier than that?

[Via lifehacker]

Quick Tip of the Day: Streamline Your Inbox

Steph Auteri — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:17:00 GMT

Your inbox is overflowing. Let me make things easier for you.

Always know what's tops on your list of priorities with this customizable file folder.

[$9.95, Kitson]

[Via Holy Cool]

Related: Flash Drives Get Literal

Quick Tip of the Day: Blow Your Dough

Steph Auteri — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:32:00 GMT

Got money to burn? (Really? Where'd you get it?? Can I have some?)

Sometimes, the satisfaction you get from shopping comes from the very act of spending. In which case, it doesn't matter what you blow your money on. It only matters that you can.

To take the guesswork out of mindless spending...

...Blow My Dough will show you something (not) worth spending your money on!

Like....these, um...cigars. (wtf!?)