~Finally~ there are house slippers for sneakerheads! Well, they’ve actually been around a few years now, but SoleSlip’s sneaker slippers are rather new to me, and maybe they are to you too.

They’re made to look like Jordans except big and fluffy, and man are they comfortable. You might think to buy them as a laugh, but put them on and you’ll quickly realize just how soft, plush, and warm they really are on your feet. You’ll want to wear them everywhere.

These cozy kicks come in a few different styles:

• White + red ($29)
• Black + red ($29)
• Blue ($23)
• “Modern” ($20)

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If owning your own realistic Poké Ball wasn’t quite enough to satisfy your inner Pokémon fan, then this waffle maker from Uncanny Brands might do the trick.

Once it’s been preheated, just pour your favorite waffle batter in, close the lid, and in 3–4 minutes (when the green indicator light illuminates) you’ve got a golden tender waffle imprinted with a Poké Ball, ready to eat. If you want it a bit more crispy brown, simply close it back and let it cook a bit longer.

As it happens, the cup-like “button” in the middle of the Poké Ball is a fun place to set a thick pat of butter, where it can melt and overflow along the center band 🧇🧈🤤 (The same goes for pouring syrup.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gained so much XP from these waffles

Some of you talk about being the very best, but you’re not even eating pokeball waffles. This waffle maker gives you at least 1xp for doing something you enjoy and would already do for zero xp, eating waffles. So do you want to be the very best or not?

—Pauley (Amazon reviewer)

As of July 20th, 2024, the Poké Ball waffle maker is on sale for $45 on Amazon, down from $50. And for even more Pokémon waffle goodness, they’ve got models for a handful of specific ‘mons as well:

• Pikachu
• Eevee
• Charizard
• Bulbasaur
• Squirtle

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Jellycat, a London-based company we’ve previously featured, is known for making cute, super soft stuffed animals with plenty of quirky personality. However, they also make a number of non-animal plushies that are just as charming and playful.

Today’s example is the Bubble Tea plush, which comes from Jellycat’s Amuseables collection (a fair number of which are specifically food-and-drink themed). This yummily adorable guy looks just like the popular summer treat, down to the tapioca pearls and oversized straw.

On the way to add some sweetness to your day🧋

In the company’s own words, this plush is “a super-chill deskmate for hectic days.” Get it for $28 on Amazon.

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If you’ve already got a levitating moon lamp and some floating bookshelves in your office to create a physics-defying atmosphere, consider adding the Novium Hoverpen 2.0 to your workspace as well.

When not in use, this aircraft-grade aluminum pen rests within the ring of magnetic repulsion generated by its zinc-alloy pedestal stand, suspended at a 23.5° angle as if by magic. ️

Pictured here is the Mars Magma colorway.

Not only will this be an impossible-to-ignore centerpiece of your desk space, it’s also a cool fidget toy that spins freely for about 20 seconds if you need a break from the task you’re working on. The magnetic cap that snaps itself into place from a short distance can be considered a secondary fidget mechanism.

…and here is the Neptune Blue.

The Hoverpen accepts any D1 size ink refill — two Schmidt ones are included to get you started — and it comes with a small tweezer-like pincer ring tool that makes it easy to slide out the old cartridge so you can slide another in. {Insert John Wick reload sound effect here}

Get the Novium Hoverpen 2.0 for $99 on Amazon in your choice of Space Black, Mars Magma (my favorite), Neptune Blue, or Starlight Silver.

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If you adored 8BitDo’s line of retro mechanical keyboards I wrote about last August — which has since expanded to include Commodore– and IBM-inspired models in addition to the NES and Famicom ones — then you’re gonna love their upcoming series of matching numpads.

Dubbed the Retro 18 Numpad, each of these gizmos acts as both a numpad and a standalone calculator (with 9-digit 7-segment LED display), with connectivity to Windows 10+ and Android 9.0+ devices via your choice of USB cable, Bluetooth 5.0, or using the included 2.4GHz wireless adapter that magnetically tucks into a hidden compartment underneath.

These mechanical numpads make use of the same satisfyingly clicky Kailh BOX V2 White Switches and hot-swappable PCB as their keyboard counterparts, and along the top row you’ll find controls for wireless connectivity, the built-in calculator mode, and a shortcut button for the Windows calculator app.

Each numpad is powered by a 1,000mAh Li-on battery, with up to 160 use-hours and a recharge time of 4 hours.

The numpads are set to ship on July 15th, 2024 and can be pre-ordered for $45 on Amazon in one of four variants:

1. “N” edition (modeled after the NES console) — Dye-sub PBT keycaps
2. “Fami” edition (modeled after the Famicom console) — Dye-sub PBT keycaps
3. “M” edition (modeled after the IBM Model M keyboard) — Dye-sub PBT keycaps
4. “C64” edition (modeled after the Commodore 64 computer) — Double-shot ABS keycaps

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Perfect for use at home or in a classroom, this math wall clock displays simple equations in place of mere numerals for each hour. Instead of 3 o’clock, you get “9÷3.” In place of 7 o’clock, it shows “9+(-2)”. Perhaps most cleverly, 1 o’clock reads as 30°, since that indicates the angle between each hour (at least on a circular 12-hour clock like this).

The next time a kid asks, “What am I ever going to use this math for???” you can simply answer, “So you can tell the time, silly!”

Get this neat wall clock for $22 on Amazon.

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Author Clock was an idea we simply couldn’t shake, so we had to build it. A teleportation device powered by literature from every corner of the Earth. And fairly useful for telling the time too. ️

—Mechanical Design Labs

Literature nerds, say hello to your next major non-book purchase: The Author Clock is a “novel” (get it?) clock that displays the current time through more than 13,000 (and growing) unique literary passages hand-selected from great and diverse works of fiction written around the world over the past seven centuries.

Created by mechanical engineer Jose Cardona, industrial designer Luke Gray, and electrical engineer Max Paulk — and with ongoing quote curation in four languages (English, Spanish, French, and German) by editor Yasmin Sara Gruss — the Author Clock got its start as a Kickstarter project back in fall 2021, where it received more than $1.3 million in backer funding when they were asking for only $20K.

There’s a story snippet for every single minute of the day, and some of those minutes have multiple quotes assigned to them, and more quotes are added all the time via Wi-Fi, so there’s really no end to the variety of what you’ll see.

The clock itself is comprised of a glass e-paper display framed by a bezel of recycled ABS plastic, which is then encased in solid white oak. It also features a base stand and a knurled control knob crown that are both made from polished brass. It’s really a beautiful object.

They have two sizes to choose from — a smaller one (“Vol. 1”) that is readable from an arm’s length away and rests nicely on a desk or nightstand, and a larger one (“Vol. 2”) that can be wall-mounted or placed on a bookshelf and is readable from across a room.

Every bookworm needs one of these clocks, I daresay. The two sizes are priced at $199 and $349 respectively.

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A pager was one of those gadgets I wanted so badly as a kid. I had no real use for it at all, but it seemed like anyone who was important had one, and that was reason enough for me.

Although I never got to realize that dream , I don’t have to give up on the aesthetic entirely thanks to elago’s new pager-style case for the AirPods Pro 2.

Like their previous novelty cases, this tribute to the iconic Motorola Pager is made from a grippy silicone that offers all-around protection against drops, scratches, dirt, and oil.

They got all the little details right here, from the included chain strap (which attaches to the AirPods’ lanyard loop) to the upside-down ‘hello’ (07734) to the glow-in-the-dark display.

Get this blast from the past for $16 on Amazon in your choice of black or white.

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Ready to bring a retro twist to your breakfast table? Never quite grew out of your “playing with food” phase? Then this Tetris waffle maker from UK-based novelty gift company Fizz Creations is just what you need.

I’m sure it needs little explanation, but the basic rundown is that this waffle maker lets you cook up seven iconic tetromino shapes you can play with before you eat.

Use whatever waffle batter you like, and maybe add a little food coloring to get the most authentically geeky Tetris experience. Your kids will love it, and so will your inner childhood gamer.

Get this Tetris waffle maker for $33 on Amazon.

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Call me jaded, but the older I get, the more I feel like I need reminders of the delightful things in life, however small.

Surely I’m not alone in this. In a world where we’re constantly being bombarded with horrible news all around the world, it can be easy to lose sight of the magic in everyday things. A shame, really.

Which is why I’ve put together this list of whimsical items you can surround yourself with to bring at least a bit of that magic and delight to your personal life

“Drippy Pots” Ceramics by Brian Giniewski »

(Prices vary)

Brian Giniewski is an Instagram-famous ceramic artist known for his line of colorful and whimsical “drippy” cups/mugs/etc that look like they’re covered in cartoonish icing.

All of the glazes he uses are made in-house with his own recipes that he’s been perfecting for years. The colors have a bright, clean look with a smooth “gooeyness” that contrasts nicely with the exposed clay underneath. You can’t go wrong gifting someone one of these to someone; they’d be crazy not to love it.

(He tends to restock in small batches, so you have to check back often to nab anything.)

Kristina Kotlier’s Whimsical Handmade Ceramics »

(Prices vary)

California-based architectural designer and ceramic artist Kristina Arzaga-Kotlier has a shop full of charming stoneware characters that bring a little whimsy to any space, but also some utility where needed.

“Excited Earl” (pictured above, left) can be a planter, pencil holder, or drink tumbler. Meanwhile, “Dynamic Drew” (above, center) offers a nice home for your favorite kitchen utensils. And then you have “Dapper Dan” (above, right), a little porcelain buddy who helpfully holds onto you and your partner’s rings each night. These cute characters and others deserve a happy place in your home.

Note: Kotlier’s stock does rotate in and out and items tend to sell out quickly, so don’t be surprised if something’s unavailable by the time you get there.

Twist-Ending Jigsaw Puzzles by the Magic Puzzle Company »

($23 per puzzle)

It seems that cartoony jigsaw puzzles ~with a twist~ are all the rage these days. The most popular examples we know of are the series of ✨magical ending✨ puzzles by the Magic Puzzle Company.

These puzzles are full of tiny whimsical details and easter eggs for you to discover and enjoy as they’re being assembled, and each one does a “magic trick” when you finish it.

No, they don’t sprout wings and fly around or anything like that — they’re merely cardboard jigsaw puzzles, after all. But there is something of a surprise awaiting you at the end of each one, and you’ll need to solve it for yourself if you want to find out what it is. Think of it like a “bonus level”

  + Honorable mention goes to the Ravensburger “Bizarre Bookshop 2” Jigsaw Puzzle

“miniAlley” Alleyway Diorama Bookshelf Inserts »

($219 each)

If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of book nooks, well then we’ve got a treat for you. They’re essentially tiny diorama worlds that live between books on your shelf, often appearing like portals to other places.

The “miniAlley” series is arguably the most well known example of this that you can buy, rather than making one yourself. They offer a variety of locales to brighten up your bookshelf (we mean that literally; they actually do light up):

• Japan Old Town — The one that started it all.
• Italy
• Wizard — Definitely not themed after Diagon Alley, no sirree
• Medieval

Gantri Plant-Based “Cantilever Table Lamp” »

($198)

In case you’re unfamiliar, there’s a San Francisco-based company that produces their own corn- and sugarcane-based plastic substitutes (aka Gantri Plant Polymers), which they’re using to 3D-print a bunch of interesting-looking lighting solutions for home and office use.

Take their Cantilever Table Lamp, for example. Those aformentioned plant-based materials it’s made from are nontoxic and sustainably farmed, and they offer a high level of durability and temperature resistance reminiscent of traditional plastics like ABS and PET — without the “feels bad, man” of producing or buying them.

But even without all the nifty eco-friendly material stuff, this is just a neat-looking lamp! We’d even call it cute, in a Marvin the Paranoid Android sort of way. The diffuse light globe sits off-center from its matte-painted base, which comes in a handful of color options. Its warm light is also dimmable via the in-line switch about 18″ from the base.

Wobble Chess Set by Umbra »

($300)

While the price of Umbra’s wooden Wobble chess set has certainly gone up over the years, we still think it’s a rather charming modern take on an ancient classic that’s at least worth a look if you’ve got the extra funds.

The maple and walnut pieces in this set have spherical steel weighted bases, so they wobble when moved. As for the board itself — with alternating squares of the same maple and walnut — each position is concave to create smooth, rounded surfaces for the pieces to sit in and remain centered. The wobbly effect this creates during gameplay is charming and somehow makes the game feel more lively.

Bialetti “Alpina” Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker »

($32)

If someone gifted you a classic-style moka pot, you’d probably be fine with it. But what if they instead handed you one modeled after Italy’s specialist mountain infantry — feathered cap and all? Even better, right?

Not only is this a unique display piece for the kitchen, it’s also still fully functional as a coffee maker, albeit in small quantities.

Wooden Monster Tissue Holder »

($99)

Sometimes you buy items that offer a real, actual purpose, while others are simply things you’d love to have in your home for no other reason than you like looking at them.

This monster-shaped tissue box made from beech wood falls into the latter camp. C’mon, how cute is that lil’ fella?! Pricy, yes, but adorable enough that we don’t care.

For even more whimsical items worth your time, check out our archive of novelty gift guides!

“What do you wanna eat tonight?”
“I dunno, what do you want?”
“Uh-uh, I asked you first.”

Sound familiar? If this conversation has been the plague of your relationship with your partner, you might find it easier to simply roll the dice and figure out dinner plans that way.

There are loads of “takeout food” dice out there to solve this problem, but maybe none of them have the exact combo of meal types to suit your needs. That’s why these custom-engraved ones are so neat, because you can select each of the six sides yourself before purchasing, using the following options:

1. Chinese
2. Indian
3. Italian
4. Mexican
5. Japanese
6. Thai
7. Fast Food
8. Pizza
9. Steak
10. BBQ
11. Dessert
12. Seafood
13. Cook Ourselves
14. New Place
15. Your Choice
16. My Choice

Each customized die is $10 a pop on Amazon. Enjoy!

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The folks from the Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell YouTube channel are back again with another “Human Era” calendar for the year 2024 — or should I say 12,024 H.E.?

That’s right, they’re continuing their annual tradition of adding 10,000 years to the existing calendar in order to honor the era when humans as a whole (with no bias for any particular nation or culture culture) truly began working together at large scale and laying the foundation for civilization as we know it today.

Every new edition of the Human Era calendar has a unique theme, and this year’s focuses on the various ways life might develop in other parts of the universe:

This year’s calendar is extra special. Join us as we conduct a series of space experiments to see how they would affect the development of life. What would a creature living near an orange dwarf look like? Could life still exist after a supernova explosion? How might a close-by quasar help foster life? Could creatures thrive on a planet with two suns? Let’s find out together.

In addition to the fascinating subject matter, the construction of the calendar is top-notch as always, featuring high-quality paper, sturdy binding, bright illustrations with bold colors, and a shiny and vibrant foil cover.

Get the 12,024 H.E. calendar for $27 at the Kurzgesagt shop.

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For better or worse, I’ve loved eating cereal my whole life. I’ve gone through countless boxes of the stuff, and I’ll probably continue eating it until I perish from this mortal coil.

Now what I have to say is this: WHERE HAS THE CRUNCHCUP BEEN ALL MY LIFE? And why didn’t anyone tell me about it sooner???

The concept is unbelievably simple. You fill the outer cup with milk, then the inner cup with your cereal of choice, put the lid on, and now you can just pour the cereal and milk right into your mouth together — no spoon necessary, and no sogginess since they’re in separate containers.

You’re telling me I can now eat cereal in the car, or wherever else, anytime I want? Folks, I want this yesterday. This was designed for me, I’m the target market.

You can get one of your own for $29 on Amazon.

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We’ve covered a number of wall chargers over the years, but none have been as adorable as the Nexode RobotGaN by UGREEN.

This little guy (or gal) looks like a fun micro-robot toy, but remove its feet and you’ll find hidden wall prongs, along with a USB-C port on the top of its “headphones” that you can hook your iPhone or other device into.

What makes it even cuter is, when you plug it into an outlet, the face lights up with one of three faces depending on if it’s currently charging, finished charging, or in standby mode:

Get this utterly cute wall charger block for $26 on Amazon in your choice of black or purple.

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Released as part of the quirky “Reality” series of items by Areaware and NYC-based interior designer Harry Allen, the “Reality Key” is a whimsically oversized silicone keychain cast from an 18th-century Italian church key.

There are a bunch of colors to choose from — all of which include a stainless steel ring for your keys — so you can always go with something bright that’ll be hard to lose ever again:

As I write this on August 21st, 2023, you can find the black, chartreuse, and turquoise colors on Amazon. Other options (including a glow-in-the-dark one) can be selected from either Areaware themselves or on Harry Allen’s site.

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