Home & Garden Blog » Appliances

I love traveling, for a number of reasons. One the excitement of actually reaching your intended destination and the fun that will ensue once you land and two, to flip through the SkyMall brochure when I am in flight!

SkyMall has the coolest and most inventive assortment of products. Take this At-Home Beertender for instance that serves up crisp, quality beer with the perfect head of foam and just the right “bite” — all in the comfort of your own home. The innovative silent cooling system keeps your favorite brew fresh and cold for up to 30 days from the first glass. Holds one 5-liter Heineken DraughtKeg (not included). LCD display indicates temperature, freshness, and keg volume.

Seems like a must have item for summer keggers by the pool! Retails for $299.00

Coupon Alert! Use coupon code LSAFD to get Free Shipping on purchases over $125 dollars at SkyMall

To find more coupons, discount codes and promotional offers for SkyMall, click here.

Welcome to the Future! In truth as a child when I envisioned robotic help of the future, my mind formed images of Rosie the Robot Maid from the Jetsons, or better yet models like iRobot the movie:

So we may not be there quite yet, but with products like the iRobot Looj gutter cleaning robot, the iRobot Roomba and the iRobot Dirt Dog Shop Sweeping Robot we are definitely on our way!

iRobot is the leading manufacturer of innovative robots that can help you with boring household work, strenuous garden chores and keeping your workshop or place of industry nice and tidy!

Check out some of their top selling robots:

iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot

Basic Gutter Cleaning Model

• Blasts out debris, clogs and sludge and brushes your gutters clean
• Reduces repeated ladder repositioning and over-reaching from dangerous heights
• Price: $99.99

iRobot Roomba

New iRobot Roomba 500 Series Robots feature dramatic improvements in navigation and floor coverage, edge and corner cleaning, brushes, filters and advanced anti-tangle technology.

• Covers 4 rooms on a single battery charge
• Self-charging Home Base
• 1 each Replacement Beater & Bristle Brush
• Price: $399.99
• iRobot Deal: Save $75 Off when you buy 2 iRobot Roomba’s!

iRobot Dirt Dog - Shop Sweeping Robot

iRobot Dirt Dog sweeps your workshop, garage, basement, patio, deck and other industrial floor surfaces. The high-speed, counter-rotating brushes and oversized dust bin pick up and trap woodchips, nuts, bolts, dirt and other heavy duty debris so you don’t have to. It even cleans beneath workbenches, cars, furniture and other hard-to-reach places. When your work is done, just press the Clean button and walk away.

Price: $129.99

All iRobot products have a 30 Day Risk Free Trial!

Plus receive Free Shipping on orders of $200 or more, or accessory purchases of $59 or more!

Find coupon codes, discount deals and special promotions for iRobot, click here.

This glass heating panel from Thermoglance takes us away from traditional metal radiators that are clunky and let’s face it, does not necessarily add to the aesthetic of a room!

Thermoglance radiators can be controlled by a chronothermostat which detects the room temperature and adjusts the heat accordingly. The glass heating panel is so easy to install, the floor or wall-mounted heating panels simply need an electric power socket. Space-saving, stunning and silent, glass heating panels are the way of the future.

See how elegant and unassuming the glass heating panels are in real life situations:

I like it! Nothing wrong with traditional metal radiators, but the way I see it life is all about having options. 

To read more or shop for Thermoglance Glass Panel Heaters, click here. 

It struck me this morning, as I plugged in my iPod to the speaker in my bedroom. And proceeded to raise the volume so that I could hear it while I was i the shower, that maybe I should invest in a shower radio. Lord knows I do love to pretend to be Alicia Keyes in the bathroom.

So here are some cool and affordable options:

Frontgate - Shower Radio

My first choice is the Shower Dispenser with Shower Radio offered by Frontgate. It’s a beautiful dispenser AND has a waterproof radio attached so you can groove to tunes whilst you shower! There are two 10 oz chambers that dispense just the right amount of shampoo and conditioner attached to the radio, its fashioned in exclusive champage finish and has see-thru chambers so its easy to see when you need to refill. No tools are required for installation, mounting adhesives and silicone glue are included.

Best of all, it’s on SALE: originally $29.50 Now: $14.50

Good Deals - Shower Radio

The Shower Radio, with its easy-grip design and large buttons lets you tune AM/FM stations and adjust volume with wet hands. Its large, 3-inch speaker provides clear sound fidelity even over running water. The radio can be easily hung from the shower-head or towel rack with its built-in hook handle.

Sold at Good Deals for $13.99

Hammacher Schlemmer - Best Waterproof Shower Radio

Last but by no means least is the “Best Waterproof Shower Radio” offered by Hammacher Schlemmer. It’s the priciest of the three options but boasts the best quality and durability.

In their own words Hammacher states:

“For the fifth consecutive year, our tests proved this shower radio superior to its competitors, not only for being impervious to shower spray, but also for its excellent sound quality. Unlike some other shower radios that can be difficult to manage when wet, this one has large buttons and a fluted, secure-grip design that is easy to handle and operate..”

This model retails for $59.95

I leave the choice in your very wise and capable hands!

As temperatures continue to drop at nightfall, you may want to invest in a patio heater of some sort. Although I live in California it is a great investment, and is often borrowed by friends and family for assorted events and parties. Patio heaters are especially handy during these winter months to keep your guests or yourself toasty. This way you can marvel at the clear starry nights or moonlit garden blooms without freezing your tooshie!

Frontgate - Deluxe Patio Heater

The Frontgate Deluxe Patio Heater is equally at home in your residential backyard as well as in a trendy cafe’ or coffee shop! You can extend the entertaining season well into Spring with an outdoor space heater to warm the winter nights.

Here are the highlights:

• 40,000-BTU heat output keeps a 15′ radius toasty warm
• High-efficiency burner system features a flame-failure device and anti-tilt switch
• Push-button ignition
• Adjustable heat control
• Three-piece slidable aluminum reflector intensifies heat
• Weighty 20″ base rolls easily on wheels
• Patio heater uses a 20-lb. LP tank (not included)
• Price: $395.00

To purchase or shop for the Frontgrate Deluxe Patio Heater, click here.

Lil’ Arctic Sun Patio Heater

This portable gas fueled table top heater is a perfect heat source for your deck, patio, or campsite. Shipping is FREE and it is currently being offered by MoreMailBoxes.com for only $173.99!

Here are the features:

• Available in Beige, Green, Bronze or Pewter
• Constructed with a cast iron base, stainless steel emitter screen shield, and an aluminum reflector dome
• Easy 10 minute assembly
• Tip-over safety switch
• Burner grid radiates heat up to an 8′ diameter
• Push button Piezo electric ignition
• Efficient burner system with 100% safety shut-off
• Up to 11,000 BTUs
• Fueled by a standard propane disposable tank (approximately six hours of burn time)
• 1-year limited warranty
• LP tank not included
• Made in China
• 39.5″ H x 20″ W x 20″ D

To purchase or shop for the Lil’ Arctic Portable Patio Heater, click here.
To shop for more discount patio heaters, click here.

At last it is starting to cool off, well at least at night. We are experiencing the most bizarre weather (California, that is) it is really cold at night and early morning, then it gets really warm and hot in the afternoon!

On the radio this morning, some idiot chimed in that it was all Al Gore’s fault, weirdo! Funny how only when the seasons begin to get really bonkers do people start questioning pollution and green house theories as valid. Better late than never I suppose.

Well die hard environmentalist would argue that you shouldn’t even use air conditioners and heaters. But I am not that person, so I argue that in lieu of heating your whole home one should purchase a space heater and just warm the rooms you and your family use frequently. Makes sense to me, and I am sure it saves energy.

I think the Patton Electric Ceramic tower heater is a wise choice. The image is listed above and it offers the following features:

• space saving
• heat and cold (you don’t have to buy another one in the summer)
• remote control operable
• high/medium/low settings
• comfort temp. digital thermostat
• oscillating
• price: $71.11

Not bad right? I especially like the fact that it is both a heater and an air conditioner. The seasons and temperatures have been so quirky that you never know what setting you will need to use through out the span of the day, let alone the season!

To purchase this heater and shop for assorted models, click here.

Came across a great deal and felt obligated to share with all you wonderful readers. Use any of the following coupon codes to save money at Brookstone.

Use coupon code AF3OCT during checkout to save $10 off orders of $100 or more.
Expires in 27 days (10/31/2007)

Use coupon code AF3SEP during checkout to save $50 off orders of $500 or more.
Expires in 27 days (10/31/2007)

Use coupon code AF3SEP during checkout to save $70 off orders of $700 or more.
Expires in 11 days (10/15/2007)

If you have never heard of Brookstone or had the opportunity to test their array of products, you are missing out. They have great merchandise that runs the gauntlet from bathrooom accessories, to nifty kitchen gadgets to outdoor furniture. The coolest part about them is the creative functionality of their products. For example check out the adjustable height coffee table they offer.

Top lifts in seconds, to either dining or work level. When the lid is lowered it has a traditional stylish design, that fits in with almost any decor. It is available in three finishes:

• Distressed Black
• Mahogany
• Honey
• Includes both Wood and Solid Brass Knobs

Retails for $349.95 and can only be purchased via Catalog or Web. Feel free to check out their store and use the coupon codes to save some bucks on your purchase.

Happy Shopping!

Find more great savings and coupons when you shop, click here.

First of all let me introduce you to the culprit…

This is my dog BUDDHA
aka: Funk Doobiest, Boogs, Booo-duh, Schnarf, Snugs and “The Ultimate Snausage”

(This is his prison break gear. Take note of the nunchucks in the background and be afraid, in fact be very afraid!)

Now that introductions have been made let us get back to the crux of the matter. Granted Buddha is an English Bulldog and is not excessively furry, however when he does start to shed, it is a pain to clean!

So I decided to purchase the Dyson DC07 Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner for $499.99 for the following reasons:

• Intrigued by the concept that it was designed to never loose suction
• BAGLESS! (great perk, hate buying refills)
• Sleek and modern design and light weight

My honest to goodness first impression was I LOVED IT! First of all, it is made of plastic, so it is very light weight and durable. How do I know you ask, let’s just say I may have lost my grip on it once or twice climbing the stairs at my parents house. After the smoke cleared, it lives to tell the tale.

Which brings up another great point, it is LIGHT. Not beginning of the universe “let there be light” but the opposite of “heavy” light. Which is a huge factor for me, personally I hate lugging around the 80 pound relics of old. They are cumbersome have poor suction and well….they are sort of ugly to boot.

But here comes the best part, it actually works! So I did a little test when I brought it home for the first time. I vacuumed my room with the vacuum we currently owned, looked good, left the uniform triangle patterns on the carpet that I like, well then I went over it again with the Dyson to see how much dirt would be left over. Check this out! Gross right! That is how much crap was still in the carpet!

Now keep in mind, I am a neat freak, so by all accounts my room did not look that dirty to begin with, the fact that there was still that much dirt left me nauseous.

Also my Dyson came with two attachments.

The attachments are cool, but in truth I never used them that much. What I can tell you is that the hose and hose attachments, are indispensable for vacuuming the inside of your car. Getting pet hair out of the upholstery in your vehicle is reason enough to buy the vacuum.

Time flies by, thus my Dyson and I have been together for five years! It has been a clean and stress free relationship. Buddha and I salute you Dyson creators, keep up the fine work!

Now this is a convenient little tool. If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s going through the trouble of taking the blender down from the cupboard and having to clean it just to make one blasted little smoothie. Usually, I’ll forgo an urge for a fruity concoction just to avoid the hassle. And I know I’m not the only one.

Well, here’s a solution to this common problem of the lazy person: the Tribest Personal Blender/Coffee Grinder/Smoothie Maker. I’m not kidding. That’s its proper title, and marketing decisions aside, I’m all for this little appliance as I’m all for most all-in-ones. Plus, I love that the top is actually a cup. Convenient!

Click here to get the sale price:Tribest Personal Blender / Coffee Grinder / Smoothie Maker PB-200, $59.99 (was $85.70)

Earlier in the month I featured another Hamilton Beach appliance, a chic blender in this exact color. This Drink Mixer from the SeaBreeze line is cute and just in time to be shown off in August. It has a commercial-grade mixing spindle, and the tall and skinny design makes it a worthy counter space item.

Aren’t you just dying to pretend you’re a soda jerk and whip up a milkshake in that metal cup? La, la, luscious.

Hamilton Beach Electrics SeaBreeze Drink Mixer, $89.99 (was $112.49)