Category: Novelty

Bacon forever–or at least seven years in your stomach

Bacon Gumballs

Bacon is so 2008… and 2009… and will be so 2010, 2011, 2012…

You see my point: Bacon never goes out of style. It is just too delicious to ignore. The bacon meme has given us everything from the bacon bra to a Bacon Explosion (not necessarily at the same time), and it’s a trend that may never let up. Think of it: bacon (and all that it goes with) could attain that iconic status only reserved for the pinnacle of American taste and culture. I’m talking the level of Elvis on a UFO here.

If the wonderful taste of bacon suffers from anything, it would be portability. It’s rather hard to fry up some bacon anytime, anywhere, which is why we have Bacon Gumballs. One tin supplies 22 bacon-flavored gumballs, each one a potent defense against bacon cravings. While the real thing will never be replaced by any novelty, bacon on the go sure makes it easy to counter the cravings while dreaming up what to do with those five pounds of bacon you have waiting for you at home.

Ultra-hyper-mega-cute animal drinking mugs

Upside Down Animal Mugs from Décole Japan

They look like little ultra-cute pieces of chotcke sitting on a shelf into you turn them over, and then you see these pieces from Japan’s Décole are actually drinking mugs. The Upside Down Animal Mug collection measures about 4 inches tall each (upside down or not) and come in three hyper-cute versions: cat, panda and piglet. These mega-cute little drinkers will set you back $20 each. Too much cute? Yeah, maybe.

***UPDATE 9/29/13*** Looks like things got a bit topsy-turvy at the link above; they are sold out. However, here is a link to the upside down panda mug: Decole Animal Face Mug – Panda. Hyper-mega-super-cute lives on!

The $200 Heineken

Krups BeerTender

This thing drives me crazy. Or rather it would drive me crazy if I were crazy enough to own one. But then I guess the point would be moot, due to double craziness or something and I would be content owning the thing… see what I mean?

It’s not like the Krups BeerTender is a bad idea, it’s just that it does one thing and one thing only: pour Heineken beer. The countertop machine can be set to your choice of three temperatures, and along with its internal carbonation delivers draft style beer Heineken right from their compact 5-liter Draught Kegs. The issue isn’t really if one prefers Heineken or not, it’s that there is no options for anything else. It seems to me with such exclusivity Heineken should be paying you to use this machine. Asking the consumer to pay $200 seems a bit much. (Down from a suggested price of $400.)

Pig Mitt now, therapy later

Boston Warehouse Pig Decorative Mitt

As a promotional tie-in to the new movie, the SciFi Channel recently ran a Land of The Lost marathon. Deeply rooted memories of Sleestaks and Pakuni bubbled up as I tuned in to watch, but amid all the cheesy sets and bad acting one character emerged that I did not remember: the spray-painted pig.

Apparently the mortal enemy of Chaka and the rest of the Paku, the pig was adorned with bright blue and pink circles. I can see how that may be frightening, but nothing compared to this Pig Mitt from Boston Warehouse I ran across today. Perhaps it’s due to revived Sleestak nightmares, but I’m pretty sure the teeth alone will frighten any small child. Star this oven mitt in a stop-action animation, and you got yourself not only a needed kitchen accessory, but a hit TV show as well. In the early 70’s, that is.

Three-point shot goes wide for this basketball gadget

Magic 3 in 1 Basketball Peeler Bottle Opener Storing Case

With the NBA Playoffs dribbling towards their inevitable conclusion (Cleveland in 5 over L.A.), it seems appropriate to highlight a basketball-themed kitchen gadget. With so many kitchen gadgets on the market it seems a bit difficult to choose only one. In that regard, here is the Magic 3 in 1 Basketball Peeler Bottle Opener Storing Case.

The three-point play combines a peeler, a bottle opener and a storing case. While the storing case is a bit of a stretch (foot on the line), the other two features are certainly useful. Granted, they all come in a weird basketball contraption, but somebody’s got to want one of these, right? Currently priced at $4.99 down from $16.99.

(Via Craziest Gadgets)

It’s a bug’s life when it comes to these pancakes

Garden Bugs Pancake Griddle

The Garden Bugs Pancake Griddle features seven different fun bug designs, sure to delight young and old alike. With a 10.5-inch diameter, the griddle creates silver dollar sized pancakes. Pour batter directly on top and soon you’ll have a stack of flapjacks adorned with an image of a caterpillar, beetle, bumblebee, dragonfly, ladybug, spider or butterfly. They may be made from the same batter and at the same time, but I’m willing to bet your family finds a favorite. That spider looks pretty tasty!

***UPDATE 9/28/24*** Link above no longer works, but check out this upgrade! Now your flat bug pancakes can go 3D with a Creepy Crawly Bug Waffle Maker!

The Original Creepy Crawly Bug Waffle Maker- Make 7 Fun Different Insect Shaped Pancakes- Including a Beetle, Lady Bug, Bee & More- Electric Nonstick Waffler, Back to School Breakfast Treat for Kids