How many coolers do you currently own? By my count, we have two hard-sided models that are great for longer trips but too large for shorter outings and another three soft cooler bags of various sizes that have accompanied us to many a destination. By now, those soft coolers all have torn linings, leave a trail of messy drips wherever they go and do a pretty dismal job of keeping our food cold, so in reality none of our five coolers are all that practical for most of our outings. Time for a new cooler, you say, and I couldn’t agree more. Our latest is a highly rated AO Soft Coolers, offering serious chilling power. Lined with the same vinyl used in in-ground pools, three-quarter inch insulation and guaranteed not to leak or sweat when stored upright, these bags are built to last. Kudos to the folks at AO for coming up with a wide variety of practical sizes, so no matter how big a cooler you need, chances are excellent that AO has a bag that, like Baby Bear’s chair, is just the right size.
Who among us hasn’t been out on a crazy summer day when the skies open up without warning and gotten drenched because of an umbrella that seems to have failed Water Protection 101. I know I have and I promise you, it isn’t pretty to be caught in the middle of a monsoon only to find out that your umbrella has gone on strike. Googling umbrellas after my last soggy episode, I was overjoyed to find the GustBuster Metro, a solid umbrella certified to withstand winds of up to 55 miles per hour. Pick up a GustBuster and right away you will notice that this umbrella, which has substantial heft and a shoulder strap for easy carrying, means business. GustBuster is so confident in its umbrellas that each one comes with a lifetime warranty but be warned that the company does require a $10 shipping and handling fee for all repairs.
Chances are good that there is a hodgepodge of water bottles in one of your kitchen cabinets, ready to tumble out in an avalanche with little or no warning. Head on over to that cabinet with your garbage can (or recycling bin) and toss all them away. Not one can hold a candle to Clean Bottle’s Tritan Square water bottle. What makes this bottle so great? If you have ever tried to clean a water bottle, you know that you can never really get to the very bottom, leaving you wondering what icky surprises are lurking in the inaccessible far reaches. Because the Square opens from both the top and the bottom, you can get the whole bottle squeaky clean, and with its unique square shape, it occupies minimal space in your fridge or freezer space. Bonus points for the loop shaped handle which allows for easy carrying and lets you tote this 25-ounce bottle without having the heat of your hand turning your cold drink unpleasantly warm.
Put down the newspaper and step away from that computer. The gorgeous weather is out there, just waiting for you to step outside and enjoy!
