‘Pepsi power.’ That is pretty much what this looks like, but how simple and at the same time – amazing – is this idea?

“Isang Litrong Liwanag (A Liter of Light), is a sustainable lighting project which aims to bring the eco-friendly Solar Bottle Bulb to disprivileged communities nationwide. Designed and developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Solar Bottle Bulb is based on the principles of Appropriate Technologies – a concept that provides simple and easily replicable technologies that address basic needs in developing communities. ”

More here.

“Sticky tape with parallel dots that you can hand punch to write a Braille message.”

Something you did not even think of, huh? Do not feel bad, same here. Not exactly the first thing you would think of when it comes to tape and labeling things everything.

At the same time I want to thank someone for this invention. Yes, let’s call it an invention, because something this life-changing deserves a special award (or a few).

Thank you Kukil Han, Yongju Kwak, Young-Seok Kim & Dongbin Shin!

Introducing Vibroy, a portable vibration speaker by Xenics. You can stick it anywhere, paper, cardboard, plastic, wood – anywhere. It uses 2 AAA batteries or USB and it is compatible with most devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mp3, Mp4 and even GPS systems.

I will take 2 please!

Every person with a kitchen needs this apron. No, you do not even need a kitchen – you eat food, right? Yes? Then you need this apron.

It is the perfect food guide. Everything from conversion, roasting time, cooking time, abbreviations – everything you need to know. And of course it is printed upside down, so that you can read it while wearing it.

Thank you John Caswell for this great design. Really, thank you.

What makes it so special? You do not have to do anything, really. You fill the basket (like you always do), but once it is full, it will automatically start washing your laundry. It is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can monitor it remotely.

And, yes and – after the wash, it will dry your clothes too.

Now the funny part. When the clothes are dry, it will either email or text you to let you know. How funny is that?

You can thank designer, Guopeng Liang, for this clever (and rather entertaining) design.

You are familiar with Nest 8, right?
Yes, the 8-piece food preparation nesting set. A large bowl (with a non-slip ring on base), colander, sieve, small bowl, and 4 measuring cups (measurements on inside).

Yes. I want it. You want it too right?
We can have a baking / cooking / bragging-about-our-bowls party.

If you like that you will (obviously) love these too.

Magnetic measuring spoons.

Cut and Collect. No more mess. Love?

Square Colanders. First of all, the colors. Yesss.

Steel bread bin. For some reason this one makes me go ‘aw’. It has a little bit of a vintage look, what do you think?

Quite a few of the Morph designs are clever design. Like what?

The Double Dish, doh.
“The neat and tidy way to serve snacks.”

Other products include scoop colanders, salad bowls with servers, Wind and Grind (salt and pepper mill) and the Grip Tray. Yes, you can tilt this baby, glasses will not fall over. I will not suggest a 90º angle, that is just ridiculous. Maybe 25º (or is that pushing it)?

Head over to Joseph Joseph, they stock many of these products and if you are not sure what to buy for the next birthday (no, not mine), they will have something that someone (anyone) will love.

You are welcome.

Okay, maybe you can get one for work and another for home? But after the new year they are usually on sale. So, should you wait til Feb?

I should have done that, because due to a busier-than-expected January, I haven’t even let the pen touch the paper.

It is now February. Well, almost.

Which is why I would like to thank designer Yan Yunyong for this clever design – the Puzzle Calendar.

There is no need to explain this one. I really hope that it has magnets, because it would be even more perfect for the fridge.

A matchbox makes a cute, little sewing kit. Toilet paper rolls have more uses than one, you know? Actually, the possibilities are endless. Lemon juice removes food stains from plastic and light colored wood. Juice, let it sit for 20 minutes, rinse.

Always trying to find that darn tweezer? Magnet. Clothes slipping off the hangers? Wrap the ends with rubber bands. Are you a messy painter? Do not like sticky tape? Aluminium foil. Doh.

Unless you have fancy (or foncy) camera, you can use a plastic soap dish to protect your camera. (Fine, store anything else in it – they come in all sorts of pretty colors. Cardboard coasters as gift tags. Yesss. A binder clip serves as a key chain/money holder AND you can clamp to your waistband for a purse-free morning walk. What? Yes, too clever.

Contact-lens container = pills purse. Which reminds me, time for an eye test. You? No idea what to do with all the handbags you never use? Shower-hooks. Miracle. Wrap a paint brush (or roller) with a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band. This will keep it moist for up to 2 days in between painting sessions.

Ew, funny looking ketchup. Do not worry, you can use an old ketchup bottle as a pancake batter dispenser. Squirt. Old, yes very ooold cassette tape holders double up as containers for earphones. Plus, if it is clear, you can see what is in it. Two thumbs up. Another ew – corn hair. Brush, brush with a toothbrush. Enjoy.

Thanks to Real Simple‘s ‘All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things’. There are 50 ‘good ideas’, so head over there if you would like to see the rest.

P.S. I do not trust the ‘flat iron tip’, using it to iron your shirt. Uh yeah, not too sure about that one.

Yes BMW, you are indeed very clever (or at least the minds behind this ad).

“Tell me something. And I will forget.
Show me something. And I can remember.
Involve me. And I will understand.“

Sandra Brügmann, I love you.

It is not something that we think of everyday, but there are still millions of people (I am referring to adults) who cannot read. I know a few and it is quite sad and sometimes impossible to understand that they only know how to write their own name.

Sandra has a great concept that might help with that. Yes, I know this will cost a bit, but still.

The abcDARIAN offers reading assistance. You move the device over the text while pressing the button – the current line is highlighted. An audio output provies to read and listen simultaneously.

Beginners level. Having trouble to write a word? The software offers assistance on the back of the device. You can look up unknown phonemes or letters.

Intermediate level. Turn the device around and get the correction of your written word – a tag cloud offers some alternatives. You select one and listen to it, then you correct yourself on the other side of the device.

Might be a good way to improve your language skills or even learn a different language.

Want one? I do.