1. If all goes according to plan, my young daughter will soon think of cleaning the wood and tile floors in our house as a fun game, thanks to Floor Buddies from AJ&W Inc.
Instead of having to bust out a mop and bucket or broom and dustpan, just put on Floor Buddies like slippers and let the microfiber material on the underside catch all the dust and wipe away the grime as you shuffle about.
There’s no back-bending labor involved or replacing of wasteful Swiffer-style cloths after every cleaning session; simply machine wash before using again.
Floor Buddies are available in various designs, including local-style slippah, turtle shell, hibiscus and Hawaii license plate, at Don Quijote on Kaheka Street for $8.99 or buy online at ajw-corp.com.
— Jason Genegabus, Star-Advertiser
2. Even if you don’t believe in the healing properties of crystals, you’ll appreciate janO Designs’ jewelry created with vibrant-colored semiprecious gemstones.
I was especially drawn to the wealth-attraction bracelet made with a jade pig, amethyst, quartz, aventurine, citrine, tiger’s eye and carnelian stones ($70). Other bracelets are designed to give wearers a cosmic boost for dealing with pain, allergies, stress, anxiety and other issues. Some include ancient Tibetan dzi (pronounced “zee”) beads revered as charms for protection, worship, health and wealth.
Find janO Designs at craft fairs (check Facebook for schedule) or call 384-6845 or 220-2224.
— Nancy Arcayna, Wahiawa
3. Ask anyone with curly hair and they’ll tell you they’re always on the hunt for a good conditioner. Tangled beach hair and flyaway frizz are just some of the struggles for Hawaii residents with curly hair.
My search ended when I found It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask, with sweet almond and apricot kernel oils, and linseed and oat kernel extracts. This luxurious conditioner is meant to be rinsed out in the shower after shampooing, but I leave it in for a silky, soft shine.
Here’s a pro tip: Take the rich cream to the beach with you and coat your hair with it after swimming.
An 8-ounce container is $32.99 at the Ala Moana Target.
— Erin Smith, Kailua
4. Why does my cellphone battery always die when I’m sitting in the bleachers at a baseball game with nary an outlet in sight? Finally, solar energy has been harvested to make life simpler on a much smaller scale than the photovoltaic panels covering so many Hawaii roofs.
The solar charger from Everything Tech Gear can charge up to two USB-enabled devices at once with the power of the sun, packaged in a plastic box about the same size as a cellphone. It’s water resistant in case it’s both sunny and drizzling, as it so often is in Hawaii. It even has a built-in flashlight, making it handy for camping.
Buy it for $49.99 at everythingtechgear.com.
— Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
5. Why not start the year out fresh with a real-time look at your financial stats? Everyone should check their credit report annually, and it’s free, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Just go to annualcreditreport.com for a link to each of the nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Consider downloading one from each of the three every four months for year-round, up-to-date information.
For mobile peace of mind, Experian offers a free app for Apple and Android users that will alert you almost instantly if a credit inquiry is made in your name. It also provides a free copy of your credit report every 30 days.
Find out more at experian.com.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Star-Advertiser
What are you loving? Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. The information presented represents the author’s opinions and experiences; your results may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
