Archive for the ‘Fun Finds’ Category
Fun Find: Beijing Opera Mask Bottle Opener
In search of my next post I went to Surfas (a restaurant supply store) for inspiration. Their selection of mixers and syrups always gets me thinking, but I didn’t come away with a new cocktail idea, I came away with a bottle opener. I couldn’t help it. The thing stalked me. Its big laughing face was everywhere I turned; by the mixers, by the bar gadgets, and finally by the register. The last thing I need is another bottle opener. I own hundreds (literally), so I tried to fight my desire for this one. But when I got up front and saw a basket of them sitting near the credit card machine, I was too weak to resist. Damn impulse purchase marketing…
I’m now the proud owner of a brightly painted, slightly menacing Beijing Opera mask bottle opener, and I must admit, I love it. It’s another “good object.” The colors are glossy, the slightly tapered disk fits comfortably in the palm of my hand, and the angry opening makes quick work of bottle caps. Not that I opened THAT many bottles last night…
And since it’s tough to have buyer’s remorse over something that costs $4.99, I’ve decided to make another trip to Surfas and wipe them out of their inventory. There are multiple colors available, and each opener has a different, wildly painted image on either side (see pictures), making them two-faced, if you will. I plan on giving them as gifts to friends who can prove to me they really love beer – or cool gadgets. I’m also thinking these openers will score me points when given as hostess gifts.
To get one for yourself, or the discerning beer drinker in your life, you might be able to beat me to Surfas and get one while they’re still there. If not, they are available online at Ebay (of all places), or this store (the only web store I could find – so you know these will be relatively hard to get and unique when you give them). That is, if you can part with them….
Fun Find: Stanley 8oz Flask
My sister came across this fun find, the Stanley 8oz pocket flask. She was doing research for a special event and was looking for something rugged to gift guests with. The Stanley Flask fit the bill. It is blue-collar-rugged, with stainless steel details, and wide flip-top opening (no funnel needed). But iconic enough, with it’s gunmetal green and elegant grip, to accompany any design aficionado on the way to, I don’t know, a night at the opera.
The Stanley Flask is, as a friend of mine would say, “a good object.” An object for the wine-and-cheese, rough-and-tumble, and the bait-and-tackle set. An instant classic, with a little something for everyone. And it is so much cooler than the “flask in the fake binoculars.” I mean, you’re not fooling anyone with those -– you really aren’t.
Pick one up at:
