Today's Kool Idea: Micro S'mores - Microwave S'more Maker

Guess what The Daily Kool found out? There is actually a National S'mores Day, and it's today (August 10)! Ah, s'mores...the delicious gooey campfire treat that is made up of graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. These are even worse than those potato chips (sorry, Lays). There is no way we can eat just one...we need "s'more, s'more!" Hence, the name. Bet you didn't know that, did you?

We have to admit that we're a bit confused, though...it happens to us often, we're afraid (must be the sugar high). Why on earth is National S'mores Day in August when National Camping Month is June? Darn it...now we have yet another excuse to indulge in this decadent dessert. Our taste buds might be cheering, "Hooray," but our ever-expanding waistlines are shouting "No way." No doubt about it, taste buds win hands down. There's only one problem. How do we make s'mores at home without the benefit of a roaring campfire?

Check out the Micro S'mores microwave s'mores maker. We came across this nifty little gadget while watching the cooking show on QVC yesterday...Sunday's cleaning day, and we do need some non-cartoon entertainment every once in a while. Anyway, Micro S'mores (complete with recipe book) claims to make the most delicious s'mores you've ever had in ten seconds or less. The process is simple...just load the Micro S'mores with a graham cracker, chocolate and one marshmallow (don't forget to top with another cracker), pop on the lid and microwave on high for 10 seconds. The domed cover is apparently designed to ensure even microwave energy distribution from the inside out, keeping the graham cracker crisp while completely melting the chocolate and marshmallow. At the same time, the auto-plunger applies just the right amount of pressure to form the perfect s'more.

While it is unlikely that the Micro S'mores will yield that true roasted marshmallow flavor of a traditional s'more (really, how could it?), it certainly offers a yummy alternative. Plus, if it works as well as it seems to on television, The Daily Kool is absolutely sold. The overwhelming positive reviews suggest that the Micro S'mores is just as great as it seems. Sure, we could probably produce passable results with a simple tea light and save the $22 or so. But the Micro S'mores seems like a lot of quick, kid-friendly fun. Plus, it'll give us a great opportunity to experiment with different s'mores flavors, right in our kitchen. How "kool" is that?

We love that the order actually comes with a set of two individually boxed items. We'll probably give the second one as a housewarming gift. Think of how impressive it would be to fill a large basket with the Micro S'mores, surrounded by packages of graham crackers, cookies, marshmallows and different types of chocolate. Oh, yeah...our friends love us. In the meantime, try this twist (albeit extreme) on a genuine classic. Enjoy!

Caramelicious Cookie S'mores
Ingredients
two oversized chocolate chip cookies
1 caramel-filled chocolate piece, your brand of choice (we like Ghiradelli)
1 large marshmallow

Directions: Place the caramel-filled chocolate piece on one cookie, top with a marshmallow, and top with the second cookie. Put it into the Micro S'mores and cook for 7-10 seconds.

Note: If you're going the traditional way, heat your marshmallow over a fire. Place the chocolate onto a cookie. Top one cookie with your toasted marshmallow and close like a sandwich.

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Today's Kool Idea: As Seen on TV EuroSealer Bag Sealer

Our wedding ten years ago (yikes!) was a beautiful Victorian affair with rich fabrics, bold colors and flowers in every corner. We even found these beautiful jewel-toned potpourri pillows at a local flea market. Each pillow was an actual picture frame, and we decided to use them for place card holders/party favors. Thank goodness they were all individually wrapped or the scents would have been overwhelming! Anyway, we spent the last night before our wedding carefully cutting open each pouch, putting the place card in the holder and resealing the plastic wrap. It was a long and tedious process, but the results were truly magnificent.

We have the As Seen on TV EuroSealer to thank for making our little wedding project work. Designed to provide an inexpensive and easy way to perfectly reseal unused portions of food in seconds, the EuroSealer was a perfect solution to reseal the plastic bags for our place card holders. Talk about thinking outside of the box (thanks, Mom...for everything). Believe it or not, the EuroSealer was about the same price ($9 or so) ten years ago as it is today, and is just as innovative an idea for creating an airtight seal along the edge of any plastic bag in just seconds.

Our EuroSealer lasted up until just a few months ago. That's right, we got almost a decade of use out of this little guy. We've used it on just about every plastic bag we could think of, including frozen fruit and vegetables, crackers, chips, even frozen waffles. There is a little learning curve to adjust to each type of bag, depending on the flimsiness of the plastic bag, but we've never had a problem getting the right seal. The trick is to find the right balance of pressure and speed. Our wedding project gave us enough practice to become experts with the EuroSealer.

When the little strip that holds the heat finally wore off after literally thousands uses, it was as if it marked the end of an era in our lives...okay, so we're a little sentimental. We were so happy when we saw the As Seen on TV EuroSealer display at our local Bed, Bath and Beyond. Needless to say, now that we have one back on our fridge, the EuroSealer has definitely earned its feature on The Daily Kool. Imagine our surprise at the mixed reviews we came across on Amazon...we just can't understand why anyone would have an issue with the EuroSealer. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done, locking in freshness and flavor quickly and conveniently. Apparently, many complaints have come from people who didn't realize that it takes two AA batteries to work. Once they figured that out, problem solved.

Maybe we're biased because of our history with the EuroSealer, but this is one As Seen on TV investment that has really paid off over the years. Our new one works just as well as the original, and we use it almost every day. The bag cutter works great, and is a nice extra. We love that although it uses heat to seal the bags, it cools off immediately. Overall, the As Seen on TV EuroSealer is a great alternative to plastic clips and twist-ties. Plus, it really cuts down on the need for storage bags. Easy to use, convenient and inexpensive, this is one "kool" idea that is definitely worth trying out.

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Today's Kool Idea: Windshield Wonder, As Seen On TV

The Daily Kool family does a lot of driving. In fact, between work, school and enrichment activities for the kids, it often seems as if we practically live in our car. By the end of the week, our poor Saturn looks like a bomb has hit it...snacks, juice boxes, papers and toys are strewn all over the place. We've seen people recoil from the shock, shake their heads in wonder or, if they're parents, simply nod in commiseration at the mess of our car....yep, it can be pretty embarrassing! So, Fridays have now become the official "car cleaning" day in our household, and everyone has a job. No one ever complains...except whoever is responsible for window cleaning. The fingerprints and dog snot (Pepper loves taking rides in the car) are not such a big deal. The windshield, however, is another matter altogether. Our car has a pretty deep slope in the front, requiring us to drum up our best contortionist skills to clean it deep down. We admit it, our flexibility is quite pathetic...thus, so are our windshields.

We came across the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder in our local Walgreens a couple of weeks ago...somehow we missed the infomercial for this one. This is by no means a complicated product, and since we admit to being a little more simple-minded than most, it seemed perfect for our windshield cleaning needs. Why oh why didn't we think of this first? The Windshield Wonder boasts a combination of a microfiber cleaning cloth, long ergonomic handle and pivoting head to make windshield cleaning fast and easy. We have to admit, Telebrands has a winner with this one. The Windshield Wonder's 16" handle really helps reach all the way down to the dash, all while sitting comfortably in the front seat. It even folds for easy storage in the glove compartment (though we keep ours in the front door pocket). The curvature of the unique pivoting head is similar to the windshield, providing even pressure across surfaces for a streak and smudge-free clean every time. Plus, the microfiber cloth/bonnet is uniquely suited for cleaning windows and other glass surfaces, with fibers that open up to grab particles of dirt and dust. Yes, yes, yes...we know that the supposed benefit of a microfiber cloth is the ability to use plain tap water for outstanding results. Call us inept (and trust us, many people have), but plain water just doesn't work for us. So, we simply put our Method Best in Glass cleaner in the little spray bottle that came with our Windshield Wonder...perfect!

Since we don't have to strain from the driver seat to use the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder, it has been terrific for handling the fogginess that hinders our vision when driving in the rain. We simply wait until we're at a red light and give our windshield a couple of quick swipes to clear the glass right up...no straining, and no flexibility necessary. We even bought an extra Windshield Wonder to keep inside the house. It works wonders (no pun intended) on the high glass mirrors in the bathrooms...have we mentioned that we are vertically challenged? Yes, that means short! The bottom line is that the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder by Telebrands is one of those products that does exactly what it says for a price that won't break the bank...we love it when that happens. Plus, it's easy enough for the kids to use...we especially love that! Definitely a "kool" idea.

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Today's Kool Idea: Space Bag Under-The-Bed Vacuum Storage Tote

The Daily Kool family spent a better part of our weekend going through and organizing our closets. That's when we noticed that most of our closet space is taken up by bedding. Blankets and sheets and pillows...oh my! We have comforters for the winter, lightweight blankets for the summer, two sheet sets per bed, plus extras of everything (including pillows) for the occasional barrage of family house guests. Yikes! Unfortunately, our closet space is at a minimum, and it's tough to fit those large storage bins through our attic door. We needed a better solution.

The area under our bed has always been pretty wasted space...after all, you really can't fit much under there, and the under-the-bed storage containers hold practically nothing. Check out this Space Bag under-the-bed vacuum storage tote, though. The rectangular-shaped outer tote features sturdy, canvas-like material and closes with a metal zipper. The inner bag has an airtight and watertight zipper, plus a patented one-way valve to remove air and compress items. Like traditional Space Bags, this tote utilizes the power of your household vacuum to remove the air and reduce the volume of your bulky or seasonal items by as much as 75%. Simply pack clean blankets, comforters, sweaters and other items in the inner bag, close the seal and remove the air with a vacuum. Then, zip up the outer bag and slide it under a bed for out-of-the-way storage.

Though they have received many mixed reviews over the years, The Daily Kool is actually a big fan of this company...this Space Bag under-the-bed vacuum storage tote is probably our favorite version of the product. We particularly love the outer canvass...it gives additional durability and protection against bag abrasion, has handles for easy lifting, and even features a see-through window to help identify contents. Because there's no air, you don't have to worry about insects, mold, mildew, dust or moisture damaging your stored items.

There's something about Space Bags that makes us get carried away and try to over-stuff...if you want them to work as well as on TV, you must fight that urge. Also, don't ever expect to store as much as the infomercial boasts. Either the company exaggerates a bit, or there's some secret we don't know, but we doubt that anybody can fit as much stuff as they claim. Don't let this discourage you, though. You can still fit a lot more than traditional storage bins....just keep your expectations realistic. Also expect some major wrinkling, especially if you're using your Space Bag under-the-bed vacuum storage tote for clothing. We prefer to re-wash anything we keep stored for an extended period of time anyway, so this is not a particular problem for us. Besides, we all know how to use an iron or the fluff button in the dryer.

So, if you're looking to maximize storage space under your bed, this might be the perfect solution for your home. Space Bag under-the-bed vacuum storage totes are really convenient for reducing clutter, particularly if your house is as overrun with bulky bedding as ours is. They store plenty, and zip into a very handy and neat package...what more could we ask for? An excellent way to stay organized all year round and a very "kool" idea.

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Today's Kool Idea: As Seen on TV Tool Band-It

The Daily Kool family is very proud of our home. While it may not seem like much to some people, we have spent countless hours decorating every nook and cranny to create a warm, livable environment. We love it and it's all ours...well, ours and the bank's, anyway. The only problem with home ownership is that there is always something that needs to be fixed, refurbished or just maintained. We learned quickly to expect the unexpected and by necessity, we've become quite savvy and adept at many do-it-yourself home repair projects.

We came across an advertisement for the As Seen on TV Tool Band-It the other day...this is definitely another one of those "why oh why didn't we think of this first" products. The Billy Mays endorsed Tool Band-It is a lightweight, flexible armband with enough magnetic power to keep up to 25lbs worth of tools and other work pieces practically right at your fingertips. This is a great idea for all those minor household projects which typically require an extra person just to manage the tools. Now, we no longer have to say those magical words, "Can you hand me that, honey?" We actually laughed when the infomercial showed a woman holding nails in her mouth for easier access...we do that all the time. We particularly like that it can hook onto a regular pants belt as an alternative to the arm. The Tool Band-It really seems like one of those rare As Seen on TV products that actually does exactly what it says.

We love the versatility of possible uses for the Tool Band-It. From gardening to auto maintenance, crafting to household repair, we can envision many, many ways that the Tool Band-It will keep us more organized and productive. We've actually come across two different offers for the Tool Band-It. The buy one and get a second one offer can be found on the official website and also includes 10 Hercules Hooks...an favorite of ours, and a previously featured "kool" idea (click here to read). The As Seen on TV website offer includes one armband plus a free bonus headlamp for better visibility in darker areas. Both offers are the same price (which is actually pretty reasonable at around $20), so it just comes down to your preference. We will be taking advantage of the buy one get one free Tool Band-It offer...this way, we can keep one for our home and give one to Dad for Father's Day.

The Tool Band-It has given us another reason to justify our addiction to As Seen on TV products. A simple, effective gizmo that will likely become a staple in The Daily Kool household...a handy helper, particularly in more confined areas such as the attic or under the sink. Plus, the Tool Band-It definitely makes a great gift idea. We can't wait to see Dad's reaction on Father's Day...perhaps it will inspire him to move forward on the countless projects our mother needs done around the house. Hey, you never know!

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Today's Kool Idea: 6-Way Folding Trunk Organizer w/ Waterproof Thermal Carrier

Today, The Daily Kool has decided to play hooky. That's right, folks...we are taking the day off from school and work to do absolutely nothing but have fun together as a family. Novel idea, huh? Since we are a group of classic workaholics, we occasionally need the break to reclaim our sanity. Yes, we realize this is why we have weekends, but ours tend to be spent running around to birthday parties and catching up on all of the chores/errands we've neglected throughout our hectic week. This calls for a day at the waterpark, complete with a picnic...without the weekend crowds.

Hmmmm...what do we need to bring today? Drinks, snacks, lunch, blanket, towels, sunscreen, extra clothing, balls, frisbees...sheesh, when did a simple family outing become so complicated? Good thing we have our 6-way folding trunk organizer with a waterproof thermal carrier. We first came across this particular trunk organizer on QVC, and we have to tell you that this is probably one of the most practical products we have ever purchased for our beloved Saturn. We actually keep two of them in the car...it is the absolute best idea for clutter-free trunk storage.

There are so many things we like about our 6-way folding trunk organizer. We love the flexibility of being able to adjust the compartments to securely fit whatever items we need and that it folds completely flat when not in use. This trunk organizer really holds a lot, and is terrific for keeping groceries from spilling out into the trunk...plus, the anti-skid pads keep everything from sliding around during transit. Trust us...the way we drive, this is a particularly important feature! It's 30lb capacity can handle almost anything, including groceries, plants, sports equipment, auto supplies, books, kids toys...you name it. We absolutely love the thermal waterproof carrier that comes with this particular model...it keeps our perishables cold (or hot) for hours and conveniently fits right in the carrier. The straps are a little too short, making it cumbersome to carry, but otherwise, the thermal carrier is a great added feature. Unlike other trunk organizers, this one comes in a variety of colors...we chose the sage for our car.

Okay, our 6-way folding trunk organizer with waterproof thermal carrier is packed and ready for today's adventure with the kids. Pathetic as it may sound, we feel all warm and squishy when we open our trunk to find it all clean and organized, as opposed to a chaotic mess. This trunk organizer is a great investment and the best version we've seen. We understand that the company has a special on a 7-way folding trunk organizer combo pack (set of two) with the waterproof thermal carrier (red and pink colors only). Though a 7-way fold may be a bit overkill, this combo pack is less expensive than the one we have...great value, and worth checking out. Regardless of which you choose, this trunk organizer is a great gift and a must-have for every driver. Definitely a "kool" idea!

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Today's Kool Idea: Touch N Brush Toothpaste Dispenser

Our children are active members of the toothpaste clump club. If you have kids, you probably know what we're talking about. Every morning, the bathroom sink is literally covered with globs of toothpaste. At night, parents control the tooth-brushing routine in The Daily Kool household, but in the mornings, the kids run the show. Don't get us wrong...we want our children to learn to brush independently. But, honestly, if it wasn't for our Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (see previous post), our formica-style bathroom counters would stay forever stained. Since our kids have a preference for the strawberry flavored stuff...well, let's just say that every morning we see red...lots and lots of red.

We saw an infomercial last week for the Touch N Brush toothpaste dispenser. Granted, it was one of the more obnoxious ads we've seen...but nevertheless, could this be the answer to our toothpaste troubles? The Touch N Brush claims that it can hold any size toothpaste tube, and that it will dispense just the right amount easily and mess-free. It looks like a breeze to install...press the suction cup base onto the surface, insert a tube of toothpaste and place on the cover...that's it! Pretty "kool", huh? To dispense the toothpaste, simply press your toothbrush against the lever and it drops right out.

We like that the Touch N Brush doesn't require any batteries (pretty novel, huh?), but we do question just how durable the plastic lever is. Hey, we admit it...our kids are tough on household items. For $20, we hope this toothpaste dispenser can take a little beating. Since we are perpetual middle squeezers, the vacuum force of the Touch N Brush should definitely stretch our dollar by getting every last bit of toothpaste from the tube. We can also see this product being ideal for someone with arthritis, carpal tunnel or other hand ailments. There could be a question of how sanitary the whole process is...after all, unless you plan on getting more than one, everyone in the house will be using the same Touch N Brush. It's not any different than sharing a toothpaste tube, though (which our kids do).

The Touch N Brush toothpaste dispenser just might be worth taking a closer look at for us at The Daily Kool. A convenient product that saves space and keeps an area cleaner is always a welcome addition in our household. Plus, it makes a great gift for anyone with a smaller bathroom or sloppy kids...or both, as in our case. Our children would definitely like using the Touch N Brush for their independent brushing...ah, their dentist would be so proud.

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Today's Kool Idea: Hercules Hook Wall Hooks

Our children, like most others, are extremely proud when they create beautiful pieces of art. If you have been reading our blog, you are probably aware of our parental obsession with technology-free activities that foster socialization and creative expression. Our kids love them all...sand art, mosaics, string along, latch hook projects, etc. Of course, our children demand that their creations be displayed. Rightfully so, of course, but there's only one problem...where on earth are we going to find room for all of them?

Shelves...we need more shelves (yes, and probably a bigger home). We are constantly taking out the hammer and nails to install shelves and hang artwork in various rooms...at least we were until a friend told us we had to check out the Hercules Hook wall hooks. So, we picked them up at our local Bed Bath and Beyond (gotta love the 20% coupon) and brought them home.

There are a lot of things that we really like about the Hercules Hooks. They can hold a lot of weight (up to 150 lbs), and were relatively easy to use, once we got the hang (yep, pun intended) of it. Installing the Hercules Hooks took a little more muscle than we expected, but once we got them in, they really worked like a charm. We admittedly went a little hanging happy, but these hooks are a lot of fun to use....and they really hold everything beautifully.

This is a much sturdier product than we expected. We really love how small the holes in our wall are. Of course, we must admit that the heavier the item, the larger the hole gets, but it's still much smaller than most nails...just a little touch up paint makes them completely invisible...no spackle necessary! Our biggest problem? Hercules Hooks are completely useless wherever there are studs in the wall. They are so long, there is no way to maneuver them around or in front of the studs. Unfortunately, the studs tend to be placed in the most centered areas on the walls, so we often have to go back to traditional picture hooks in certain spots.

Overall, Hercules Hook wall hooks are really great to have around the house. More convenient than picture hooks for framed art? Perhaps not, but again, only because of the wall studs. They are absolutely worth using for shelving installation or for heavier pieces that require an anchor and screw. Now we have plenty of places to store our kids' masterpieces and no excuse to shop around for a bigger house...darn it!

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Today's Kool Idea: As Seen on TV Swivel Sweeper

As we discussed in yesterday's blog (click here to read), this week The Daily Kool is focusing on helping our children recognize that cleaning is "kool". With the right tools and attitude, it can even be fun...really! Don't believe us? Well, we'll prove it to you.

With small children and pets (not to mention, some spouses), it seems like vacuuming is a never-ending chore around the house. No matter how meticulous we are about it, there always seems to be a Cheerio, fur or some other kind of dirt particle that materializes as soon as we pack that darn vacuum away. Where it comes from is anyone's guess...it's just another household mystery, much like that one sock that seems to disappear from every laundry load. Our children actually like to vacuum, though (we know, we don't get it either). It is just too heavy for the younger ones and too cumbersome to constantly take out every time we see a speck of dirt on the floor. But, hey...if the kids want to help us keep our floors pristine, who are we to argue with them?

Yes, this soon became another job for an As Seen on TV product. We had seen the infomercial for the Swivel Sweeper and were really impressed...not enough to actually buy it from the television at first, though. We found it hard to believe that this lightweight product could do everything it claimed. When we saw it at our local Bed Bath and Beyond store, though, we decided to use our gift card (and 20% coupon) to try it out. Almost a year later, our kids are still fighting over who gets to use it on a given day.

Our family agrees...the Swivel Sweeper is a fabulous, must-have household item. At least we did after we adjusted our expectations a bit. Though we knew it wouldn't replace our traditional vacuum, we did expect it to work on carpeting as demonstrated in the infomercial. It really doesn't, unless you have only very short pile carpet...we recommend that you play it safe and only use it on tile or hardwood floors. That said, we were (and still are) completely impressed with the Swivel Sweeper for those small jobs that are typically equipped for a broom and dustpan. This product is so lightweight (about 2lbs), that our four year old is able to carry it around the house without a problem. The Swivel Sweeper absolutely lives up to its name; a 360 degree swivel base and powerful rotating cleaning brushes that pick up dirt and messes from all four sides of the sweepers' head. Yes, you read that right...all four sides...how "kool" is that? Our children can even pick up debris right up to the walls and corners with this remarkably easy to use sweeper.

One of our favorite features is the magnetic storage latch that enables the As Seen on TV Swivel Sweeper to fold up for convenient space-saving storage. We also love that the Swivel Sweeper
is cordless. We have read quite a few complaints about the durability of the rechargeable battery, but have been lucky enough not to encounter any issues with it. We will say, however...it is important to really follow the directions that come with the Swivel Sweeper to reduce the likelihood of problems. We made sure to adhere to the 8-hour initial charge instruction and not to exceed 24 hours when recharging the battery.

There are a couple of other things to keep in mind with the Swivel Sweeper. Make sure to clean the brushes every once in a while...sometimes fibers will get caught in them. Also, don't ever consider using the Swivel Sweeper to clean any kind of wet spill...you will likely ruin the brushes and corrode them. If you decide to purchase the Swivel Sweeper, make sure you do so from a reputable company with a good refund policy in case you do have any problems.

As Seen on TV has made a terrific choice in representing the Swivel Sweeper. We understand that there is a new version called the Swivel Sweeper G2 which has additional features such as a touchless dirt tray and backsaver elbow joint to reach under beds and other furniture. We are so happy with our current version, though, that we probably won't be purchasing the Swivel Sweeper G2 anytime soon.

The Swivel Sweeper has allowed us to give our children a fun household task that they love, and one that definitely helps us keep our floors cleaner than ever. What a "kool" way to help kids gain confidence in a job well done...not to mention extra help to us as parents. Happy Cleaning!

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Today's Kool Idea: As Seen on TV Turbie Twist vs. Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban

Many women, especially those of us with long and/or thick hair, are frustrated with big, bulky towels. Though they feel lovely on the body, bath towels are clearly not made for a woman's head. When we use them to wrap our hair, they feel much too heavy and they are constantly unraveling. Honestly, are we the only ones who wind up with whiplash from constantly flipping our heads to re-wrap our towels?

We received the Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban as a gift to help us with our "hairy" (sorry, we couldn't resist!) situation. We loved this product for several reasons. It was super soft, thick and lightweight. Super-absorbent, the Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban dramatically decreased blow-dryer time. The towel was roomy, but the button closure ensured a snug fit to keep all of our hair wrapped securely. Wonderful!

Forever fans of As Seen on TV products, we at The Daily Kool just had to compare our Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban with the ever-popular Turbie Twist. The Turbie Twist came in a package of three, and though neither product would break our budget, it was significanly less expensive. Both products functioned the same way...we flipped our hair, slipped the towel over our head, twisted, flipped back and fastened. The Turbie Twist was not quite as absorbant, and a little more flimsy feeling. Though both products held our hair in place admirably, we did feel more secure with the button closure on the Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban. as opposed to the loop fastener on the Turbie Twist. We strongly recommend washing any bath product before using...however, this seemed especially necessary with the Turbie Twist.

Overall, both products were easy to use and did the job we expected. We really love the convenience and comfort...we also applied makeup flawlessly while wearing our hair towels, and would not think of traveling without them. However, we feel that the Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban was the better quality product...sorry fellow As Seen on TV addicts! Regardless of which you prefer, both the Appearus Microfiber Hair Turban and the Turbie Twist are far superior to the cumbersome traditional towel. No more whiplash...now, that's "kool"!

Today's Kool Idea: EZ Combs

Is there a support group for As Seen On TV junkies? If so, sign us up! Problems we never knew we had can be solved with one quick phone call...and our Visa card, of course. We at The Daily Kool find infomercials almost as entertaining and compelling as our favorite classic movies. Pathetic, we know...but we can't help but admire the marketing genius behind the As Seen On TV concept.

An active lifestyle combined with a high humidity climate results in many a bad hair day for us at The Daily Kool. What we wouldn't give for a hair accessory that could give us an efficient yet attractive style instantly. So when we came across the infomercial for the EZ Combs by TeleBrands, we admit to feeling that twinge of excitement for a possible solution to our hair style conundrum. We did, however exert enough control (albeit barely) until the EZ Combs came out in stores...we thought the shipping prices too extravagant for such a low-cost item.

We chose the bronze/silver EZ Combs set to test with. Achieving hairstyle perfection with the EZ Combs was a little more difficult than the infomercial suggested (surprise, surprise), but not impossible. We were really surprised at how comfortable and secure they actually were. We were able to keep our hair in the EZ Combs ponytail all day without getting the headaches regular hair accessories tend to cause us. We had a giggling, girly blast trying out all of the different styles; the only ones that didn't work for us were those in the "updo" category. We found our hair to be too thick for the EZ Combs to accommodate all of it securely. Not a big deal for us...there were enough styles we could accomplish to satisfy us.

The EZ Combs worked pretty well, once we got used to handling them...it does take some practice to perfect, though. The styles are lovely and achievable, great for a polished everyday look. As soft as promised, we were able to lie down with the EZ Combs in our hair without pulling or any other discomfort. TeleBrands claims that the EZ Combs will keep your hair in place during a workout, and though we did not test it (exercising just to prove a point is a bit much for us), unless you have truly thin hair, we find this hard to believe. Overall, an impressive product for a really "kool" look.