07.25.2007

Notebooks for Munchkins

When my daughter was little, just a couple of years ago but a century for her, our house was decorated in early Vtech. We liked their products because they were interactive, fun, and Mom felt her little Mackenzie was learning something. Her favorite was the laptop (go figure.)

We now test toddler products on our neighbors' adorable children, Nicole, age 2+ and Carson, just one year.

Disguised as a toy, this new Vtech laptop -- the Tote and Go -- for pre-schoolers features 30 activities that teach language, math, games and music. Vtech recommends it for ages 3+. Nicole immediately loved it, and is especially fond of the animated monkey on the LED screen that guides her through the programs. More on her later.

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Posted by Evan Category: computers | toys
Tags: kids
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07.25.2007

Isis DVD

“Oh Zephyr winds that blow on high, lift me now so I can fly.”

If this incantation brings back memories of Saturday morning live-action TV to you, then fly over to your nearest video retailer because your heroine has made it to retail shelves.

Released this week, The Secrets of Isis – The Complete Series on DVD will let you re-live the adventures of your favorite Egyptian themed superhero.

For those of you whose memories have been erased by an evil villain, Isis tells the adventures of high-school science teacher Andrea Thomas who, while on a visit to the desert, finds an amulet that gives her the powers of the ancient Goddess, which put her in control of the Earth’s animals and elements. She is aided by her aptly-named pet crow, Tut, the only creature entrusted with her true identity. Other show regulars include fellow teacher Rick Mason and teacher’s pet students Cindy Lee and Rennie Carroll.

Isis got her start as part of the Shazam!/Isis hour on CBS in 1975 and was spun off into her own show for the second (and, sadly, the last) season. The DVD includes all episodes from both seasons, including 3 cross-over episodes with Captain Marvel from Shazam!. The DVD set also includes extensive special features.

Posted by Brian Category: entertainment
Tags: dvd television
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07.25.2007

Hardboiled service

Eggs are excellent and easy to cook. But, from our own misadventures in the kitchen we're aware that when it comes to preparing a hardboiled egg even the best among us can make mistakes (think: raw vs. rubber). Apparently eggs are enough of a challenge that there's a market of expensive electronic gadgets to help you achieve boiling point perfection. Much like eggs themselves, a great gadget doesn't have to be expensive or electronic. In fact, elegant and simple will do.

SUCK UK recently added the Egg Cup Timer to their quirky online store. Made of Borosilicate glass and filled with a minute's worth of golden-colored sand, the old-fashioned timer also doubles as an elegant egg cup (can your iPhone do that?).

Price: £15.00 at Suck.uk.com

Posted by chrissie Category: home
Tags: eggs
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07.25.2007

Sushi magnets

A few years ago, I bought a cute set of food-shaped magnets (Christmas cookies) as part of a rather weak attempt at holiday decorating. I put them up after Thanksgiving and, of course, never took them down. I need magnets to stick stuff on the fridge at home and on the filing cabinet at work year round, after all. Unfortunately, Christmas wreaths and stockings look quite out of place in the middle of the summer.

Sushi, on the other hand, is obviously perfect for any time of year. This pack of magnets is fresh from Japan and contains 1.2-inch plastic replicas of six of the most popular sushi varieties: ebi (shrimp), tamago (egg), ikura (salmon roe), ika (squid), toro (bluefin tuna), kanpachi (yellowfin tuna).

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Posted by Jenn Category: home
Tags: refrigerator
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