feeling inspired by the bright ideas notebook
I woke up out of a dead sleep last week with the most fantastic idea for a recipe. I scribbled it down on the back of a receipt that was sitting on my dresser and climbed back into bed. I then forgot about it entirely. This morning I woke up and remembered having had last week’s flash of genius, but for the life of me I can’t remember where I stashed that receipt (I’m sure I threw it out). I’ve decided to put a notebook next to my bed to save me from a repeat offense. I’m thinking this Bright Ideas handmade book by Alison Hardcastle would be the perfect choice. I love the design of the screen-printed cover (and the fun lightbulb stickers that come with it). Buy one here for about $15. –Erica P.
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want it now: chirping bird paper clip holder
The summer is winding down and the winter months are creeping up on us. All those lucky little song birds will fly south to escape the snow while the rest of us are stuck here to suffer the sleety commute. To get you through those winter blues, the chirping bird paper clip holder from Perpetual Kid, $14.99, is a pop of color to brighten up an otherwise dreary desk. Not only is this little guy adorable, but he’ll punctuate any paper clip usage with a happy little chirp. –Katie D.
measuring spoons get a magnet makeover
In the test kitchen where I sometimes work, we have a drawer full of measuring spoons. Many of them have been disconnected from the o-ring that at one point kept them in sets. For the most part I prefer them this way. I always find it difficult to carefully measure out a teaspoon of vanilla with 4 other spoons hanging awkwardly from the end. That said, it can be more than a little infuriating to search through a drawer full of utensils for a tiny little spoon that is lost somewhere between the vegetable peeler and the can opener. This is why I’m in love with the Stainless Steel Double Magnetic Measuring Spoons from The Container Store. The spoons stack together magnetically, but easily come apart for use. Purchase the spoons for $14.99 online. I’m going to pick up a set for my home kitchen, and then see what I can do about my work kitchen! — Erica P.
a stapler without the staples
I used to do a similar torn-paper trick in grade school, but it didn’t look nearly as tidy as the result of this staple free stapler at ThinkGeek. “This handy (and might we add — environmentally friendly) device cuts a tiny flap in the corner of your paper, and folds it in on itself, tucked in a tiny paper pocket,” they write. It only holds together five sheets of paper, but it could be a nice alternative to lots of tiny pieces of metal. –Mary T.
personal library kit: best-seller for bibliophiles
My favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk, once wrote about how he’d like to deduct money on his tax return for copies of his favorite books, because he buys them over and over again every year. The problem is, he lends them out and “what happens is they never come back. Good books never do.†Don’t let it happen to you! Arm yourself with the personal library kit from Knock Knock at Fred Flare. The kit comes with everything you need to be a stern librarian including self-adhesive pockets, insert cards, and an old-fashioned date stamp (cat eye glasses and nubby sweater not included). At $20, it’s a great, inexpensive gift for any forgetful bookworm or soon-to-be-departing college student. –Katie D.
