The "quantified self" personal measurement tools all seem too constricting to me, at least at this point in my life. But, as one who cringed when I needed to buy… Read the rest of the article: An automatic smart driving assistant that streams car data to your phone

I happened upon these Bifocal safety glasses ($11) while on vacation in a hardware store (yes, I go to hardware stores while on vacation). These safety glasses provide great eye… Read the rest of the article: Bifocal safety glasses

I bought the "Fantastic" Ice Scraper I have now in 1982 at a gas station in Wisconsin. It’s such a superior scraper that I’ve been careful to make sure it… Read the rest of the article: The $6 "Fantastic" ice scraper is fantastic

As a practicing magician, playing cards are just one of the many tools in our “magical toolbox.” For the causal card player any pack of cards will most likely do.… Read the rest of the article: Tally-Ho playing cards are great for magic tricks

I feel like I’ve discovered a sort of breakfast unified field theory. And it’s all thanks to an impulse purchase at an awesome new homesteading supply shop in our Los… Read the rest of the article: Hand crank your own freshly milled whole grains

I wear glasses. Mine are good ones, and I have little clippy sunglass “covers” for them that are polarized and work pretty well too. But they’re sorta delicate, and really… Read the rest of the article: Wear these sunglasses over your prescription glasses

They are easier to handle than two-piece metal lids, don’t rust or dent, and clean easily.

How Your House Works is a great visual resource and introduction for anyone not acquainted with the workings of a house and is a great companion for more in-depth DIY… Read the rest of the article: How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home

Smart homes continue to get smarter and the Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (either battery or wired) is everything you would expect from the people who brought you the… Read the rest of the article: Review: Nest WiFi smoke and carbon monoxide alarm

Let me start by saying I like coffee; strong, black coffee. Some years ago I treated myself to a proper home espresso machine. I also bought a burr grinder. I… Read the rest of the article: Bean-to-cup coffee with the push of a button

As an amateur guitar player, this is a fantastic tool that allows me to achieve the following:

The sheer number of OXO products available and the variety of price points they are built to makes it inevitable that some of them will be duds. Indeed, over time… Read the rest of the article: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set

This bottle opener takes a relatively mundane task and turns it into a pleasurable aesthetic experience. The beauty of this opener is in its design simplicity. It is made of… Read the rest of the article: Areaware Bottle Opener

This bag has been my indefatigable mobile office for the past 2 years. I am a train commuter navigating from Boston’s suburbs into Kendall Square (MIT), Cambridge five days a… Read the rest of the article: Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag

It is amazing how different the same tea tastes when you have the ability to consistently experiment with the brewing temperature and steeping time. Different teas require different brewing temps… Read the rest of the article: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker brews perfect tea every time

I ran across these gloves when I did a bathroom remodel around 2 years ago. Basically, they are a thin synthetic knit glove that has a palm and fingertip area… Read the rest of the article: Grease Monkey Gorilla Grip gloves: thin, durable, grippy gloves

I’ve used this laptop stand for six years after discovering it branded and sold by Targus (where it can no longer be found). After losing mine, I found it again… Read the rest of the article: X-Stand Portable Notebook Cooling Stand

I have used this one for over a year. My grandmother was thrilled to have a couple during an extended power outage last year. When we got power back we… Read the rest of the article: EGear 30-Day Lantern – a month of light from three D cells

Of all the ways to navigate cities, I find I get to know them best on a bicycle: not too slow, not too fast, just high up enough to observe,… Read the rest of the article: Dahon Speed D7 folding bicycle

Any chef will tell you, a sharp knife is the most important tool in the kitchen. I have tried many different types of sharpening methods, from stones to steels, electric… Read the rest of the article: Foolproof tool sharpening