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.
Phone mount is a cinch to install, use
With more and more hands-free devices available, there really is no excuse to be fiddling with your cellphone while driving. My favorite aid is the Mountek nGroove Snap ($29.95), a versatile hands-free mount designed to be used in your car as well as a standalone phone stand or tripod mount. It fits in the CD slot of your car stereo or wedges into the narrow seam that separates the stereo from the rest of your center console. A pair of magnets keeps your device connected to the mount. It’s much more convenient now to transfer my iPhone from a pocket to the nGroove Snap. Instead of dropping it into a cupholder or taking a moment to secure it in another type of hands-free mount, I simply let the magnets do their magic. Checking notifications at stoplights or monitoring turn-by-turn directions is no problem — and completely legal. While it’s best to keep all driving distractions to a minimum, I like how the nGroove Snap has helped me find a happy compromise. Order online at www.mountek.com.
— Jason Genegabus
Exclusive totes are vibrant, versatile
I’m not a Hello Kitty person, but I couldn’t resist these cute Hawaii-design nylon totes exclusive to ABC Stores. At a roomy 16 by 21 inches, they’re big enough to use for groceries, at the beach or for hauling your kid’s stuff. In addition to a handful of fun Hello Kitty designs, the bag comes in a Paradise Totes version in bright tropical flower, Hawaiian word and other island prints. Both sturdy styles fold neatly into an equally adorable 5-inch-by-7-inch pouch with snap closure that makes them ideal for gift-giving. The Hello Kitty designs are $9.99 or two for $18; Paradise Totes are $8.99 or two for $14.
— Christie Wilson
Stamp honors legendary Ray Charles
Stamp collectors and music fans alike have been waiting for the commemorative stamp honoring singer/keyboardist Ray Charles. In a career spanning half a century, the man widely known as "The Genius" transcended traditional music boundaries and recorded pop, jazz, blues, gospel and country songs with consistent creative and popular success. From "I Got a Woman" to "Georgia on My Mind," from "What’d I Say" and "Hit the Road, Jack" to "I Can’t Stop Loving You" and "Chitlins With Candied Yams," Charles personalized everything he recorded. Sold at post offices in sheets of 16 for $7.36, the "forever" stamp is the latest in the U.S. Postal Service’s music icons series.
— John Berger
Mamaki tea offers caffeine-free lift
I’ve been into tea lately in an effort to wean myself from too much coffee. I’ve been seeing mamaki tea around town — at Taste in Kakaako and elsewhere — so I thought I would give it a try after seeing a bag of mamaki leaves at Longs Drugs. Steep one to two leaves per cup in hot water for 5 to 7 minutes, just as you would other loose herbal teas. Drink it iced, if you prefer. The tea has a mild, refreshing aroma, plus it’s caffeine-free and is supposed to cleanse the body of impurities. Produced by Hawaiian Mamaki Tea Plantation in Hilo, a 1-ounce bag is $6.29. Also available at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i at Ward Warehouse.
— Nina Wu
Booze perks up fruity popsicles
Popsicles aren’t just for kids. Adults can find their own version of the cool creations in "Poptails" by Laura Fyfe. If you’re looking to combine a fruit snack and cocktail, the book offers some inspiring ideas with more than 40 recipes. Alcohol-infused treats include ices, slushes and granitas in such flavors as fruity melon daiquiri, pineapple mojito and passion fruit margarita. A recipe for the sugar syrup base used in all recipes as well as tips on using molds are included in the introduction. The book is $9.98 on amazon.com.
— Nancy Arcayna
