Wednesday, September 06, 2006

THE MARKET

I am on the market for the following things and thought I'd ask my fiercely loyal, ridiculously brilliant, sickeningly talented and blazingly attractive readers to point me in the direction of uniquely terrific products available in the world today:

1) a water bottle for the office with a minimum liquid capacity of 20 oz., ergonomic yet snazzy design. I need a water bottle that screams: "I am the nerd's water bottle and I will make water look refreshing and sexy so that she'll drink the 64 oz of it prescribed (by the government? the surgeon general? God? aliens? Katie Couric? where the monkey did this recommendation come from anyway??) for eternal youth, vigor, and beauty (maybe even intelligence...I'm still working on that)." I'm open to most colors for my water bottles. The water bottle I currently use is old and is becoming increasingly skanky with time so you're immediate attention is much appreciated for what I trust you recognize as an urgent matter.

2) I've been searching for that perfect umbrella for quite some time now. I'm afraid I may be asking for too much, hence my fruitless, exhaustive online searches. I need more than an umbrella. I need a collapsable canopy on a rod that not only protects me from the elements but also announces: "I am the nerd's umbrella, a most perfect reflection of her personlity, wit and joie di vivre that shines through the mundaneness of this bleak day." I'd prefer something that is small enough to fit in my handbag (given the size of my handbag, I suppose that the umbrella can be pretty damned big).

3) Surely I've broken records in my search for galoshes--it's going on a dozen years now, folks. I bemoan the fact that I don't own a pair only when it's raining, promptly forgetting about the galoshes as soon as the rain stops. Most rainy days are met with solemn oaths that I will invest time and effort into shopping for the perfect galoshes (a pair that shouts "I'm cute yet edgy and I keep our nerd from falling down and breaking her limbs during rain storms" will suffice) as I try to decide which pair of shoes I own is least weather inapproriate and most conducive to delivering me to my destination in one piece.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your interest.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

my fiercely loyal, ridiculously brilliant, sickeningly talented and blazingly attractive readers

Flattery will get you nowhere.

But I think the Cyclone water bottle is pretty sweet. Stay hydrated and make mesmerizing whirlpools at the same time.

As for the other two items, can't help ya. Lo siento.

Anonymous said...

Being the obsessive water consumer that I am, I can offer my two cents worth on what helps ME get my 64oz in. The 24 oz, twist cap DASANI water bottle. It's nothing fancy but the grip friendly contours, and the fact that the water pours into the mouth easily with just a little pressure, makes consuming water much easier! Sounds ridiculous, I know. But take it from someone who has tried NUMEROUS bottles over a long course of time. Two of these during an office work day will give you 48 ounces. Supplement that with a 16 ounce glass of water before heading out the door in the morning, and hey presto! You have your 64 ounces in. Katie Couric, God, and the Sugeon General will be so pleased with you. Oh- and try adding juice of half a lemon and a shot of 100% pomegranate juice to your morning 16oz glass. Does wonders for your skin. :)
http://www.packworld.com/articles/Departments/15320.html

Terra Shield said...

If you lived around here, I'd recommend the Felton space/outer space bottle. It's has a rather ergonomic design (easy to hold, and some come in a carry case with cool colours), it's unbreakable (so they say, can withstand cold or hot water, doesn't pour (unless you don't screw the cap properly), and is all the rage right here right now.

PS: I don't work for Felton...

Anonymous said...

Personally - I would begin and end my search at REI. Your nearest store in the NJ Area is:
501 Route 73 South
Marlton, NJ 08053
(856) 810-1938
www.rei.com

They are a terrific store and are Nordstrom-like in how they treat customers. They will make certain you are completely happy with your gear. Recognizing I'm a guy who likes to use my gear in pretty severe conditions take my recommendations with NaCl

Bottles: I use Nalgene. The 1 liter bottles with "sippy" inserts are my favorite for hiking and they have great "parkas" that will keep the liquid flowing in sub-zero conditions. For my office I use several 1/2 liter Nalgenes. But you may like the Nalgene OTG Bottle - 24 oz. $8.95 Item 729143 from REI (Several colors available)

Umbrella: Again from REI: ShedRain Flatwear Umbrella. Extremely lightweight and small. Good for the shower that pops up suddenly. I got these for friends and they love them.

Galoshes: I'm sad to report I've never owned a pair. I have the "mud" boots I tend to wear to the office on days requiring such.

mist1 said...

Instead of the perfect umbrella, I got a case of UPS umbrellas when they changed their logo. I had so many umbrellas that I left them places when I got tired of carrying them around. I even gave some away. People treated me like a saint.

Only three left. Sorry. Can't help.

SabilaK said...

Just for the record, I'm anything but utilitarian. I am all about the flamboyance. Ask anyone who knows me in real life and they'll nod and say, "Yah, that girl wouldn't know utilitarian if it kicked her on the head."

SabilaK said...

Chris: For a second there, I actually believed that the cyclone water bottle made mini cyclones...in the bottle...ahem...
Well, at least there's a sipper included...

SabilaK said...

Kinza: how brilliant and economical! My skin thanks you.

SabilaK said...

Terra: I am intrigued by this Felton water bottle. Alas, I can't seem to find it online. Why isn't it available online? Is it a strictly Malaysian thing? Gosh, I'm so jealous of that wonderful ergonomic design. Dammit, I want one! In pink! Eff.

SabilaK said...

BK: I've seen those Nalgene water bottles while researching water bottles online and they certainly look like they can sex up water. The umbrella looks like it'll do the job but it looks so utilitarian (ahem...I told you I was snazzy, parasailer dude)...
I'm sure that the mud boots work a lot better in the rain than do my snazzy (ahem) heels.
Thanks for the recommendations.
Where's Marlton? In spite of living here for most of my life, I'm the most Jersey-illiterate person you'll ever know.

SabilaK said...

Mist: Where've you been all my life? What do you plan on doing with that extra UPS umbrella of yours (because everyone knows a person only really need two umbrellas). Are they brown?

SabilaK said...

Parasailer: I'm so the warm umbrella! I'm so the warm umbrella!

The happy daisy water bottle's all me.

I can't wait to check out the galoshes you've found me...
well, the galoshes aren't my thing. I need something more bright and edgy, I think. But, wow, those were two great finds. I just wish I could find the happy daisy on something with a more ergonomic design. Or I might just buy it.

You're good. You should be a professional shopper-person.

SabilaK said...

Wow, I just went reply-to-all-comments happy.

Terra Shield said...

Hey Sabila...

I just found out from somewhere that Felton water bottles is a Malaysian product, and they don't have a website either, which explains why you can't get it online...

Anonymous said...

Actually, with the cyclone...if you swirl it right, it is rather conducive for little "science in a bottle" cyclones. I have a 1L bottle that is more entertainment than I'm willing to admit.

mist1 said...

Blue & White. Who wants a brown umbrella?

I am hoarding them.

Anonymous said...

Marlton: approx 75 miles from Newark Airport - more or less across the river from PHL.

Yes - I recommended a "utility" umbrella. I stand ashamed. I'll admit to shuffling in the rain with no sense of style. In the world of umbrellas my preference is to the MASSIVE golf umbrella I keep in my car. It is roughly the size of a circus tent and has the ability to cover squeemish-from-the-rain types with little effort. Also doubles as a weapon or a parachute...

And I proudly wear the "guy" brand when it comes to understanding women's footwear. I'll refer you to my sisters who have tried valiantly for a long while to illuminate the dark parts of my brain regarding women and footwear. It's a guy thing - I just don't understand...

Maritza said...

I have an umbrella that looks like a duck when you open it. So cute my daughter stole it! Galoshes? Non existent. There are so many cute rubber rain boots are right now, you can get all sorts of patterns of fun goodness.

What's next? The perfect mittens? A perfect pencil case? Yes, I'm searching for those too.

Anonymous said...

umbrellas and galoshes are so spring...have you slept through spring and summer?