We’ve been talking stand mixers quite a bit here recently — and when I spotted this new lil’ number over the weekend, I knew it was timely blog fodder. The Tovolo Easy Prep Quick Mixer, $21.95, promises to whip cream in 10 seconds, and meringues in 30, all without electricity. In addition to being a miniature, self-powered alternative to those counter-hog mixers, the Easy Prep doubles as a measuring cup/batter bowl. The review (yes, just one) on Amazon was incredibly positive, and now I want to try one! Have you? — Megan B.

Attention, all ye deal hunters and coupon-clippers: If you’re anything like me, you have a whole folder and filter in your e-mail dedicated to all the sale websites you subscribe to. Groupon, LivingSocial, Gilt Groupe, BlackBoardEats…you name it, and I’m probably receiving the New York blast, which means I’m getting a barrage of discount e-mails to peruse daily. Yipit puts an end to all the clicking by aggregating and recommending deals from all your favorite deal providers in one convenient location. Drawing from 591 sites and serving 32 cities, the service allows you to specify the types of deals you’d like to hear about and then filter the results by location, category, price, source, discount percentage and so on. Sale shoppers, consider this your bargain-hunting headquarters. – Sarah C.

Editor’s note: A few months ago we reported on heartsy, a Groupon-like site serving the etsy shopping community. Commenter Heidi noted that she doesn’t appreciate such sites, saying: “I personally have unsubscribed from all coupon sites that I originally signed up for. I don’t need a constant daily deluge of “super deals” and things to buy that I don’t really need. The buy now, buy cheap, act fast mentality is in exact opposition of my desire to support local business and artists, makers and creators.” We appreciate all opinions and she raises a very interesting point, so I’d like to throw it back out to you, readers. Do you shop deals sites, or steer clear on precedent?

Don’t be fooled by the name: Straight Line Designs is anything but. The Vancouver based brainchild of designer Judson Beaumont, Straight Line Designs has been creating wildly fantastic furniture for a quarter of a decade. These one-of-a-kind pieces are packed with personality and bring me to that horrible consumer dilemma: Why can’t I have them all!? If I had to choose, I think I’d have to crown the squid tables as my favorites. Straight Line Designs has also been commissioned to design rooms and special pieces for children’s hospitals, libraries, and, as if I already didn’t love them enough, they also made a Darth Vader Bear. — Katie D.