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.
Tupperware mold transforms Jell-O into wobbly animals
My approach to parenting has always been one part innovation and one part nostalgia. This two-piece gelatin mold of interlocking animal shapes falls into the latter category. When I was a kid, we had a similar mold that made a puzzle of Jell-O creatures, so I snapped up this Tupperware product as soon as I saw it. Raised markings on the tray create eyes, ears, whiskers and other adorable details. A light misting of vegetable oil helps the seven pieces slip from the mold easily. The Tupperware Jell-O Jigglers animal mold is $9.90 at amazon.com.
—Donica Kaneshiro
Kaneohe mother crafts plush blankets
I discovered this "security blankie" from BeloBe Baby ($20) at the recent Made in Hawaii Festival. Jaclyn Carreira, a Kaneohe mother of three, sews these 17-by-17-inch blankets by hand, with a patchwork print on the front and soft backing attached to a plush stuffed animal. I debated between the "Primo Surf" design with a dolphin and the brown-and-lime green print with an adorable sea turtle, although other prints and animals are available as well at www.etsy.com/shop/BeloBe.
—Nina Wu
Clip-on repellent effective in chasing mosquitoes away
My kid used the Off! Clip-On Mosquito Repellent during a visit to the mosquito haven Hawaii Nature Center and hardly had any bites. You load a disk of metofluthrin-based repellent into the lightweight plastic device, and a fan powered by two AAA batteries puts out an odorless aerial shield. It worked phenomenally well without spraying any toxins on the skin. (One drawback is that it works best if you’re stationary.) The OFF! Clip-On Mosquito Repellent Starter Kit is available at Home Depot and other stores for under $10.
—Pat Kelly, Kaimuki
Hulu offers an advance peek at new TV shows
For those who just can’t wait or don’t have time to catch the fall premieres of new TV shows, it’s Hulu to the rescue. I watched the pilots for NBC’s "The New Normal," "Revolution," "Go On" and "Animal Practice" and Fox’s "The Mindy Project" and "Ben and Kate" weeks before they will air in prime time. At Hulu.com you can search for new shows or catch up on old episodes of your favorites. While most are free to view, some episodes are available only by signing up for the premium Hulu Plus service for $7.99 a month with a one-week free trial offer.
—Charlene Robinson
Insulated tumbler ensures drinks are refreshingly cold
I purchased a Tervis insulated tumbler for my husband for Christmas last year and ended up stealing it back after my water thermos went missing in the spring. No matter that the cup bore the rather unattractive image of the Oakland Raiders pirate — I could fill it with ice and water when I left the house before 6 a.m. and at noon still enjoy chilly water with my lunch. I’d take it along when I did errands, leave it in the car for a good couple of hours, and when I came back, everything in the car was burning hot except the water in the Tervis, still stocked with big chunks of ice. Bed Bath & Beyond at Pearlridge devotes an entire display to the cups, which come in 10-, 16- and 24-ounce sizes ($10.99-$19.99) and in mug and traditional water-bottle versions, all microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. There are pretty designs galore, plus team logos (including the University of Hawaii). Pick a cover to play off the colors of your cup ($3.99), and mug handles ($5.99) attach to make your tumbler even more user-friendly. Now I can keep hydrated in style. Visit www.tervis.com.
—Joleen Oshiro
