Photo: Courtesy of T3

The hot roller set that was passed down to me by my mother was nestled inside an enormous plastic case (which would start to melt at the corners if I left the rollers plugged in too long). It was also a pain to have around—too big to jam under the sink, too ugly to leave on the countertop. Eventually I gave up on my dreams of perfect waves. But I recently discovered T3's Voluminous Hot Rollers ($99), which warm up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit in three minutes. A dot on top of each roller changes from red to white to let you know when its aluminum core is fully heated and ready to use. Plus, the heat-resistant, faceted edges prevent burnt fingers. And a soft carrying case and detachable cord make for easy storage. Now I don't have to wield a curling iron or fire up my blowdryer to get the bouncy look I crave. Hot roller heaven!

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Photo: Cranky Pressman

The weekend is within reach...let these little splurges make getting there more fun.

Custom Keychain Stamp, $23. Turn your initials or a business logo into a portable mini stamp and leave a personalized mark on everything from greeting card envelopes to books you lend out from your personal library.

Buddy Bumper Ball, $30. These translucent blow-up balls are like spherical sumo wrestler suits for your niece and nephew who are constantly at war.

Sally Hansen Limited Edition Holiday Nail Polish Strips, $10. Get Fair Isle, plaid, or glitter printed fingertips in seconds for your next holiday party.

Sweet Talk Wipes, $30 for 50. Eliminate germs on your phone, touch screen tablet or remote control with these individually packaged cleaning cloths.

Photo: Thinkstock

I love a good mixtape. The mix cd my husband made for me when we first started dating is firmly lodged in my car's cd player (yeah, cds!), and I probably even have somewhere the actual tapes my best friend and I exchanged in high school, complete with collaged covers. I'm always happy to come across a great playlist, that newfangled cousin of the late, great mixtape. But what, I know we've all asked ourselves, would our favorite fictional characters listen to?

Flavorwire knows. Here, from the wish-I'd-thought-of-that files, are literary character mixtapes. Characters like Elizabeth Bennet, Captain Ahab, Nancy Drew, and The Little Prince are given their own playlists of songs that so perfectly capture their essences you just have to laugh, stream the songs, and pick up your well-worn paperbacks to read along. The song choices are spot-on, and you have to love commentary like, "We think a donkey who counts the days since anyone spoke to him would nod glumly along with the intro to this song." (That's Eeyore, loving "Comfortably Numb," by Pink Floyd)

And not to be completely nerdy (too late, I know), but it occurs to me that imagining playlists like this would be a great project for reading-averse students or even writers trying to flesh out a fictional character. Or someone who just really wants to commune with her inner Lady Macbeth. Or, you know, Tigger.

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Photo: BHLDN

The weekend is within reach...let these little splurges make getting there more fun.

Polka-Dot Garland, $18. Crisp circles of paper in alternating shades of green dangling on cotton string can perk up any space: A corner in your bedroom, the bar you set up for your holiday party, that space in the garage right above your car’s windshield....

“Oh No! Not You Again” Doormat, $30. Is your inner Scrooge starting to make his presence known? Let it all hang out with this misanthropic doormat.

Fancy Marshmallows, 9 for $10. These marshmallows have no business acting as an accompaniment to hot chocolate; with flavors like chai spice, roasted pineapple and pumpkin pie, they deserve a bowl of their own.

Moustache Bottle Stopper, $18. On this last day of Movember, punctuate your tabletop with this glossy stoneware stopper.

Frasier Fir All-Purpose Surface Cleaner, $9. Spritz away dirt and get an aromatic lift from the scent of Siberian Fir needles, cedarwood and sandalwood.

Photo: Courtesy of Speck

The case that is currently clinging to my cell phone is metallic red and while it sparkles and protects my phone as it gets jostled around in my bag, it doesn't do much else besides look good. So when I came across these three innovative options from Speck that multitask and give my phone some personality, I couldn't wait to trade mine in:

• CandyShell Flip: The bottom panel of this cover bends back so that you can stick your phone directly into your dock without struggling to take off the entire case (and ruining your manicure in the process).

• CandyShell Card: Not only does this cover keep your phone protected, but it has a built-in slot for your credit cards. Perfect for nights when you don't want to lug a bulky purse around a crowded bar or cocktail party.

• CandyShell View: A retractable kickstand props up your iPhone so that you can watch YouTube videos, follow a recipe, or reapply lipstick at your desk using the mirror app—hands free.

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Photo: Courtesy of Lip Smackers

Craving Thin Mints? This new lip balm collection from Lip Smackers might satisfy your sweet tooth—minus the calories. With five flavors scented like your favorite Girl Scout cookies—including buttery Trefoils and rich chocolate and peanut butter Tagalongs—keeping lips moisturized has never been so delectable. And at $1.75 each, you can afford to sample every kind.

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Photo: Flavorpill

Books that transport us to far-off places are usually the only ways to get through tedious waits in drab doctors' offices or dingy DMVs. But sometimes novels take a hold of us so strongly that it's not enough to just envision a hobbit hole. You need to see with your own two eyes what Tolkien described as, "Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." And while you'd have a hard time booking a flight to Wonderland, or asking even the most well-traveled driver in Derbyshire, England, to bring you to Mr. Darcy's Pemberley, many other locales mentioned in famous novels--including those hobbit holes--really do exist.

Flavorpill's list of fictional places you can actually visit in real life covers locations that have been created for the movie version of the novel, or because they've actually existed all along. The photo of Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England, is reason enough to visit (it's where Pooh perfected Pooh-sticks with Piglet and the rest of the gang), but what we love best about the list is the joy in learning that such iconic places do not just live in our heads. It's similar to the feeling of watching a movie based on a book you loved without the inevitable let-down. Because seeing those hobbit holes in person (which you'll be able to do starting next year) is actually pretty amazing.

Photo: Boxsal

The weekend is within reach...let these little splurges make getting there more fun.

Office Escape Lunch Box, $25. Have an eco-friendly picnic before the park near your office is covered in snow. This cardboard box looks like a briefcase and contains four compostable trays, small and large bowls, utensil sets, cold cups, napkins and a trash bag.
Air Quote Mittens, $65. It's no longer impossible to make air quotes when your hands are hidden under mittens, thanks to these inventive handwarmers. "Yes," "please"!

Scratch Map, $24. This poster lets you track your travels in a fun way: Scratch off where you've been to reveal pops of color and local facts.

Jumbo Hair Clips, $15. Holding your hair in an updo, half-updo or off to the side, these oversized barrettes will definitely turn heads.