5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
1. Field of green makes room for all the odd-sized pieces
Toddler’s cups and utensils come in odd shapes and sizes. The chunky handles of a few forks is enough to fill your dishrack’s utensil holder. And there are never enough cup holders to accommodate all the sippy cups. The Grass countertop drying rack from Boon ($14.99, Bed Bath & Beyond) makes space for it all — bottles, pacifiers, stray toys — and makes them easy to find on a 91⁄2-by-91⁄2-inch "field." If you need even more space, the larger Lawn ($24.99, Bed Bath & Beyond) measures about 13.5 by 11 inches. Call 486-3791 or visit www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
—Donica Kaneshiro
2. Coupons bring aloha to Fridays
I’m too disorganized to take full advantage of all the store coupons out there, but Foodland makes it easy with its Aloha Friday email-only offers. The coupons arrive in your inbox early Friday morning, and all you have to do at the register is display the coupon on your smartphone. And I haven’t even mentioned the great deals, which are good throughout the weekend. How about cherries for $2.99 a pound, Dreyer’s ice cream for $1.99, a gallon of POG for 99 cents, and $5 off a $25 purchase? Sign up for the email newsletter at www.foodland.com. This weekend’s offer, shown above, will get you a 12-inch Tombstone pizza for $2.99
—Christie Wilson
3. Beer chips have a cheesy tang
It’s hard to explain the unusual taste of Kettle Brand’s Cheddar Beer Chips. At first it’s hard to decide whether you like the cheesy flavor that’s mixed with a tang. But once you get accustomed to the unique taste, you just might find the small, 5-ounce bag is gone in no time! Find Cheddar Beer Chips at supermarkets and stores that sell snacks. At Foodland they’re $3.69.
—Mia Sen, Waikele
4. Erasers work like magic
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers clean just about anything without harsh spray chemicals. Before buying this, I would just spray my stove top and let the caked-on stuff soak. Then I would have to scrub like mad to get the stove clean. The Magic Eraser removes everything with a lot less effort. One day I was trying to clean my wooden-bead doorway curtain, which was dirty with built-up finger grime. Magic Eraser did the trick, and I have been hooked ever since. I’ve even used it to remove permanent marker from nonporous surfaces. Available in a four-pack for $5.99 at Longs.
—Liz Dunn, Honolulu
5. Clothing designs stretch imagination
I always love the latest clothing from Chinatown’s The Human Imagination (1154 Nuuanu Ave., 538-8898). Whether you wear ’em or collect ’em, you can’t go wrong with this Iron Snapback cap ($38), which has that prime skater feel to it and is a collaboration piece with famed DJ Mike Irons from San Diego. The retro-inspired T-shirt ($26) is also a collaboration, this one between in4mation designs and neighboring storefront Mojo Barbershop. The shirt is part of a package that includes a flask, hat and Antler & Co.’s nostalgic Campfire Cologne. Like Mojo says, "stay handsome."
—Gary Chun, Honolulu
