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Nuun Electrolyte Enhanced Drink Tabs, $24 for 48. Sports drinks can be too sweet, but not Nuun. Drop one of these discs into your water bottle for your next workout and get sugar-free, carb-free hydration. They come in fun flavors, too, like strawberry lemonade and lemon tea (besides classics such as lemon-lime). VinniBag, $28. Carry anything fragile—wine, olive oil, antique tea cups—safely home with these inflatable bags that cushion breakables from airplane turbulence or less-than-dainty baggage handling. Maybelline New York Great Lash Designer Limited Edition Collection, $5.50. The iconic pink-and-green tube gets a makeover in honor of this mascara's 40th birthday, courtesy of fashion designers Max Azria, Tracy Reese and Vivienne Tam. Whimsy & Spice Marshmallows, $6 for 12. Husband and wife Mark Sopchak and Jenna Par make shortbread cookies, biscotti, brownies and other treats out of their Brooklyn kitchen. Their marshmallows—in flavors such as caramel, cardamom, lemongrass and maple—might just be too lovely to smush between graham crackers and chocolate...but you be the judge. What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #5: The changeup that will make hosting a snap.
Who knew the humble paper plate could bring both class and consciousness to the table? A Japanese brand called Wasara, that's who. Designer and restaurateur Shinichiro Ogata sculpted the curvaceous plates (and bowls, and cups and saucers) for easy balancing while you're deep in conversation, then molded their creamy surfaces from rapidly renewing materials like bamboo, reed pulp and sugarcane fibers. When the party's over, the dishes go straight into the compost bin. (BranchHome.com) Keep Reading 30 days of makeovers A stress-free dinner party How to break bread (and poor eating habits)
Make getting over today's hump a little easier with these fun finds: Bracedlets, $5 each. Created by the founder of Lulu Frost jewelry and two New York City orthodontists, these stretchy bangles made of power chains and metal brackets give a whole new (and stylish) meaning to the term "metal mouth". Tili Reusable Zip and Seal Bags, $7.50 for 12. Why use a boring Ziploc when you can upgrade to one of these colorful versions instead? Tuck spill-able items inside one for your next weekend escape. Uncommon Customized iPhone Case, $40. Personalize your cell phone with your favorite photo. Bonus: The unique printing process embeds the photo into the case so it will never chip, fade or peel from bouncing around in your bag. Sandwich Coasters, $7.50. Before you plop your lemonade down on the table, pull out one of these playful coasters—which resemble slices of salami, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion or bread—to keep watermarks at bay.
Moleskine "Le Hammerhead Shark" Notebook, $16. In honor of Shark Week, pick up one of these notebooks that remind you to "always do what you're afraid to do," whether that's going for a swim in the ocean or writing down your deepest, darkest secrets. Flat Iron/Curling Iron Cover, $25. No need to wait around for your flat iron to cool; you can just tuck it in this cute heat-resistant pouch and head out. Over Our Heads Umbrella, $50. Rainy days are much more enjoyable when you're under your own personal art gallery. Graphic options include a nighttime seascape or a bright city skyline. And by buying one, you're helping an artist get her business off the ground. Newspaper Blackout Poems, $20 and up. Poetry made by taking an article from the New York Times and blacking it out with a Sharpie marker, leaving only a few choice words behind. There's truth in them there newspaper pages.
You're two days away from the weekend. Here are a few fun finds to help the time go by faster: Dining Room Measuring Spoons, $24. Why save the good silver when you can put it to use everyday? So much prettier than the plastic kind--you might be tempted to keep them on display instead of tucking them back into the kitchen drawer. Magic Wand Programmable TV Remote, $90. Calling all Harry Potter fans! Control your television with this magic wand; it learns up to 13 commands from your existing remote and maps each to a unique motion (flicking the wand from side to side changes the channel, flicking up increases the volume--and you can do it all minus the Hogwarts degree). Joie de Vivre Banner, $10. Celebrate life (or a friend's birthday) by hanging this festive French phrase on the wall or above a door. Creme Filled Cookie Soaps, $5. Give these chocolate-scented, Oreo-shaped soaps to your favorite cookie monster.
Jane Eyre Pencil Set, $6. Pages from Charlotte Bronte's novel cover these pencils, providing a little literary inspiration while you jot down your to-do list. Also available: To Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth, Moby Dick and other classics. Pioneers of American Industrial Design Stamps, $.44 each. Jazz up letters with these classy stamps, which honor 12 of the nation's most important and influential industrial designers and feature striking images of telephones, clocks, sewing machines and more. Tiny Worlds in Bottles, $23-$29.50. For the woman who loves all things miniature, tiny things in itty-bitty bottles and domes are like sophisticated, shrunken snow globes. LetterMpress, $5.99. This beautiful iPad app lets you design beautiful compositions with vintage wood type and art cuts on a virtual hand-driven printing press.
It's officially hump day--but to help Friday come a little faster shop these fun finds all under $30. The Laundress for J.Crew Collars and Cuffs Stain Bar, $7. Don't have time to get to the dry cleaners? Rub away the ring around the collar of your favorite white button-down with this gentle stain remover. The Little Yoga Mat, $25. Help your tiny yogi Zen out with one of these pint-sized mats. Alice Supply Co. Hammer, $26. You might be more interested in doing manual labor if your tools were covered in bright, bold patterns like these. Speak Up Tattly Temporary Tattoo, $5 for 2. Forget your hairbrush--apply one of these mini microphone tattoos to your thumb and belt your favorite tune into your finger instead. Make Your Own Havianas, starting at $25. Create customized flip-flops: Choose everything from the color to accessories for the straps. You're guaranteed to be the only one wearing them at the beach.
Art from Vintage Printable. The site offers free (!), downloadable art you can print at home (the rhinos are but one example, at left). Fila Toning Resistance Collection, $35-$55. Compression panels in these gym clothes smooth and streamline your body before you even break a sweat. Bloom Black Ties, $34 for two. These hair ties look like pretty bracelets when they're worn on the wrist. Azure Ikat Towels, $8-$58. Jaunty tassels and looped floral jacquard trim make these towels a much fancier way to dry off. Fotopedia Paris App for iPad and iPhone. Wander around Paris without leaving your lounge chair (or stripping down for airport security). The best part: It's absolutely free. Jasper + Black Notebooks, $11-$26. Tongue-in-cheek notepads have covers that say things like "Bosses I Had and Liked" and "Faux Pas I Made and Liked." Sure, you might be only jotting down a grocery list...but these mischievous notebooks suggest otherwise.
Celebrate the holiday weekend early with something special just for you... La Sardina Camera, $59. The nautical packaging is inspired by vintage sardine cans, but instead of fish you'll find 35 mm film inside. Perfect whether you're on land or at sea this summer. Violent LIps American Flag Temporary Lip Tattoos, $14.99 for 3. Red lipstick is always festive, but for a very patriotic pout come Monday press on one of these. Simeli Dress Guards, $85. Not only will these colorful crocheted (crocheted!) wheel guards keep your clothes from getting splattered with mud, but they'll instantly dress up your bike. [via Honestlywtf.com] Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock SPF 50, $10.99. No more excuses--now you can reapply every two hours without even drying off. Earning a gold star from your derm has never been easier. Grow Your Own Mushroom Garden, $19.95. Cut an opening in the box, mist the soil--made from recycled coffee grounds--twice daily, and within two weeks, you’ll have a pound and a half of oyster mushrooms, ready for stir-frying. Mattese Elite Happy Hour Nail Polish Collection, $5.99 each. It's cocktail time--for your nails. Paint all 10 with a bright shade that smells like your favorite summer drink. The best part: No hangover. Tatcha Blotting Papers, $12 for 15 papers. Soak up excess oil with these handmade Japanese blotting papers flecked with gold. Bonus: One sheet is big enough to de-shine your entire face. TOMS Sunglasses, $135. TOMS shoes now has a sunglasses line as part of their One for One campaign. They donate a pair of eyeglasses for every pair of sunglasses purchased. (We personally love the stripes.) Advertisement
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