Constantly constantly I am thinking, with all the genius technology in the world, why are most products terrible? There are people in space right now, and it’s impossible to read an article online. My new pants have a hole in them. It seems at almost every turn there is some let down, a fancy gadget that’s only farce.
But sometimes…
Sometime there’s things that are simply a joy to interact with. A product/invention/whatever of some sort that genuinely improves your day. Something that is: Actually Good™.
And so I’m starting this series to champion these things, creations that are beacons of light in the world and deserve to be talked about and endorsed. They’ve improved my life, maybe they can do the same for yours. (Note: this is not sponsored at all hah)
Chom Chom Roller
Truly the perfect device for cleaning cat hair off a couch. So simple it’s criminal. I use it every day. I would be on a commercial for the Chom Chom Roller. Lightweight, elegant, cheap. 145,365 ratings on Amazon, with 4.5 stars. The well-deserved people’s champ. I would most likely ride into battle for the Chom Chom Roller.
Target Stools
Dirt cheap ripoffs of a stool designed by Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. I mostly use them as impromptu coffee tables, but I can confirm that they are sit-uponable. Incredibly easy living room upgrade. Also great for when people need to crowd around the kitchen table or for a place to sit while brushing my teeth (if I’m not aimlessly walking around for 2 mins). Right now, after our big move to Cali, I’m using them as a multifunctional coffee table/power block holder/wifi modem hiding spot.
Dryer Balls
You would think these guys would fall under the category of “sustainable but not functional or pleasant” as a lot of ingenious, good-for-the-earth stuff does. But no! Softens clothes way more than a dryer sheet, and now you don’t have those used up sheets all over the place. Not even sure anymore why those became so popular in the first place. Though I will admit the dryer balls do bounce around if it’s a small load. I can hear them right now in the distant detached laundry room of our house.
Bkr Bottle
This is an “influencer” bottle that’s supposed to be designed to perfect drinking specifications. My mom got one without the crazy spikes, and I was intrigued by the glass and all-around rubber. I am constantly using water bottles and taking mental notes on if they’re any good or not. This is a good one. The spikes are a wonderful talking point: an older British man saw me using this over a video call and said that back in the day this sort of thing was called “punk”. Easy screw on/off top. It’s crazy heavy and the rubber is on the bottom, so no falling over. Great at-home bottle and nice to know I could clobber someone with it if I had to.
Kinetic Sand
Yes THAT one. One of those things that lives up to your fond memories of it. My niece gets this out occasionally and it really is exactly what you would want from bright purple table sand. Although it does come in regular sand color too, I dunno why you would want that. Terrible idea on paper, excellent execution. A delight.
From the Dry Cleaning song Anna Calls From the Arctic:
Nothing works
Everything's expensive
And opaque
And privatised
My shoe organising thing arrived
Thank God
I don't want to go on about it
But we're back in business
Just a sweet, natural start
We will flower
Thanks for reading, and tune in next time where I will talk about more things that are… Actually Good™™™
An addition to your list: that fork that had just the right weight and balance in Grayson's hand. They say that a daily gratitude list is great for one's stress level. Here's to noticing "le petit plaisir."