Today's Kool Idea: The Swerve Neck Razor and Full Body Groomtool

A couple of weeks ago, we were waiting outside our favorite Mexican restaurant for our table to be ready, when our father started examining the back of his neck. Noticing that it was time to shave it again (yeah, Dad's a pretty hairy guy), he asked our mother if she could do it before his business meeting the next day. After some grumbling about last minute requests and a few Homer Simpson cracks, Mom said fine...after all, she's been shaving the back of his neck in between haircuts for the past 40 years.

Another one of life's strange coincidences. It just so happened that our friends at the Swerve were in the process of mailing us a sample of their product to review for The Daily Kool. We had come across the Swerve the day before, and thought it sounded like an unusual Father's Day gift. Weird, huh? We just can't make these things up...well, we could, but we really didn't.

The Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool is actually a pretty nifty little $5 invention. It has a patent-pending, ergonomic design that allows it to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The Swerve contains a triple-action blade for swift cutting precision and a lubricating strip designed to help it glide smoothly along the contours of your body. Our tester loved how the Swerve gave him complete control when he used it to shave the back of his neck and upper body. He could definitely see purchasing one for himself...we gave him the sample to keep in the meantime.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind with the Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool. It is disposable, so expect to replace it every 4-6 weeks or so when the blade gets dull. The price is more than reasonable, and the company offers a three-pack of the Swerve if you want to save a couple of dollars on the individual cost. We would really like to see an interchangeable blade system sometime in the future. We would also like a more convenient storing solution for our Swerve (maybe something to snap it in)...we are not confident that the plastic tube it comes in, though convenient for travel, will prevent the blade from rusting. Also, remember that you may still have to trim the back of your neck before using the Swerve, depending on how much hair growth you have...this would be the case with any razor, though.

The Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool is a simple solution to unwanted hair growth. We love when products work as well as advertised...seriously, how often does that happen? We are definitely buying one for Dad (or is it for Mom?). A unique gift idea that any man would appreciate. The Swerve is absolutely worth the purchase and a great way to easily maintain your "kool" appearance. So tell us...do you have Swerve appeal?

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Today's Kool Idea: Waterpik Shower Head for Mother's Day

As much as The Daily Kool family loves to take baths, most of our days are just too hectic to indulge in anything other than a quick shower. Our showers serve a purpose...get in, get clean, get out and move on with our day. We don't think much about our practical shower head (some generic brand we bought at The Home Depot)...as long is it does the job and rinses the shampoo out, we're fine. But when we think about it, why settle for just fine, especially for a household item that we use every day? More importantly...why should Mom?

A couple of years ago, we were strolling through our local Bed Bath and Beyond, desperately seeking inspiration for our mother's birthday. It is not easy trying to find the perfect gift for our mom...she has this ridiculous aversion to her children spending money on her, even on holidays. But we digress...we came across a display of the Waterpik Aqua Fall combo shower head system, and immediately had one of those "eureka" moments. The combination system has a 6" fixed head that give a rainwater shower effect for full-body drenching, plus a handheld that offers six settings. Exclusive to Bed Bath and Beyond, the Waterpik Aqua Fall seemed to have the perfect combination of settings to ensure a luxurious shower experience.

Let us tell you...two years later, our mother still loves her Waterpik Aqua Fall combo shower head system. She says that the fixed head feels like a soothing rain shower, but still has enough pressure to get the shampoo out. Keep in mind, though...she has very thin, fine hair, so it wouldn't take much. There are a couple of features that could be improved. Mom doesn't like that she has to get up high to change the setting from the fixed head to the handheld. It would be easier for her if both heads could work simultaneously. Hey, we're a vertically challenged family...it's not easy for us, you know! Otherwise though, our mother is absolutely delighted with her Waterpik Aqua Fall.

Aside from the Waterpik Aqua Fall, there are a couple of other shower heads that might be worth considering. The Peerless 2-in-1 shower system offers a space-saving combination, operating as a hand shower, shower head or both at the same time...this interlocking system certainly addresses our mother's lone issue with the Waterpik Aqua Fall. Keep in mind, though...the Peerless 2-in-1 shower system is not a rainwater shower head, if that is what you are looking for. Also, reviews have suggested a slight, but solvable leaking issue...read what customers have to say before making a decision. We have also heard wonderful things about other Waterpik shower head systems, particularly the AquaScape series. Other notable companies are Speakman (makers of the Anystream Shower Head) and Oxygenics. However, if you are looking for a truly magnificent shower head that is almost a decorating showpiece in itself, check out a site called RainShowerheads.com for one of the most exotic collections we've has seen.

When The Daily Kool did research on other types of shower heads, we were amazed at how personal a choice it could be...keep this in mind if you decide to give your mother a new shower head for Mother's Day. Some women prefer a delicate rain shower effect, some like the pummeling feeling of a monsoon in southeast Asia. Most shower head systems come with a flow regulator that can be removed if the default pressure is too weak. Some women like a fixed head, while others cannot do without their handheld. Also, make sure that the shower mode toggle is pretty easy to adjust, regardless of what model you choose. Finally, make sure to consider the size that would be most appropriate for your mother's shower.

A shower should accomplish more than simply cleaning your body and washing your hair...it should be able to offer the best combination of relaxation and invigoration, for an ultimate spa experience at home. The Waterpik Aqua Fall was a perfect gift for our mother, one that she enjoys every day. This was definitely one of our "koolest" and most successful ideas for Mother's Day ever!

We hope you have enjoyed our Mother's Day gift idea week. The Daily Kool would like to wish all mothers a wonderful holiday with their loved ones.

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Today's Kool Idea: Gift of the Month Club for Mother's Day

Gift of the month clubs are always a successful, albeit expensive choice for a loved one. For the mother who seems to have everything (like ours), it's a unique and thoughtful gift that keeps giving. The Daily Kool has given several monthly club memberships as gifts over the years. Our favorites so far are Harry and David's Fruit-of-the-Month Club and Wolferman's Muffin Club. The quality and customer service of both companies has always been outstanding. Our only complaint is the lack of variety available. Oh, don't get us wrong...there are different delectable monthly features from each company. It's just that the choice is always going to be fruit from Harry and David and muffins from Wolferman's. What if we want both? Or something else added?

ClubsGalore seems to have come up with the perfect solution with their variety gift of the month club membership options. Not only do they have over 20 individual monthly clubs available, but you have the option of mixing and matching them, resulting a personalized combination that suits your mother's tastes. In other words, you can select the gourmet club for one month, the wine club for another and even the chocolate club for a third. You can even repeat any favorite club in a given month. We love ClubsGalore's unconditional guarantee...if your mother is not thrilled, she (or you) can cancel the gift of the month club membership at any time for a refund of the remaining deliveries.

Although we absolutely love the variety and options of the gift of the month club memberships from ClubsGalore, we do have one complaint. The website does not show anywhere what specific item is shipped in a given month for a particular club. We would much rather know, for example what each club is featuring in May, June and July so we can ensure the most personalized gift collection. ClubsGalore seems to be lacking in that flexibility. In due fairness, however, The Flying Noodle, a notable other gift club company (though they do not offer a variety option) does not give this kind of detail either. But seriously, folks...The Daily Kool wants details...lots of details.

Though we may not be privy to all the details we would like from ClubsGalore online, the variety gift of the month club membership option might still make it worthwhile. If you want to give your mother three months of total relaxation (for example), one month of tea, another of candles and yet another of bath and body might be the perfect gift of the month club variety for you. Of course, there are enough individual club memberships that are sure to please. For example, the menus and music (recipes and CDs) club is perfect for the mom who loves to create her own fine dining experience at home. There is also a pie club, cake club and even a cookie club for moms with an undeniable sweet tooth. Regardless of which options you prefer, ClubsGalore and even The Flying Noodle are definitely worth checking out for an unusual Mother's Day gift. If not...well, we still love Wolferman's and Harry and David!





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Today's Kool Idea: Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts

Okay, today is Friday, and boy has it been a long and hectic week! We at The Daily Kool have all been complaining about our sore, tired feet and aching backs for the last couple of days. Every year that we have lived seems to be stamped into our bodies in the way of arthritis, muscle tension, spasms, and stiff muscles...boy, are we getting old!

Before we pass out tonight in sheer and utter exhaustion, we are going to take some time out for some much deserved pampering. Aahhhh...nothing could be more soothing than a long, hot soak in the bathtub. Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts are an especially luxurious addition that we plan to indulge in. This is not the first time The Daily Kool has touted the benefits of these amazing Dead Sea products...check out our feature of Seaora's Sea Salt Scrub from a previous post.

We love that with over 70 scents, 13 colors and several sizes, Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts are completely customizable to fit everyone's need. The ladies at The Daily Kool are partial to the lavender scent, while the men (hey, they deserve to smell good, too!) like the musky scent of sandalwood. We choose colors that complement our bathroom and keep them in decorative jars on the counter for visual appeal.

Yes, we love our Friday baths...but, we especially love the healing properties that Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts have. Believe it or not, they offer many added benefits that you might not expect from so simple a product. Bath salts open the pores to purify the skin, cleansing away dirt, sweat and toxins. They can actually help improve your circulation and reduce tenderness. Salts aid in the healing of dry skin, making it softer and more supple. They can even help improve common irritations such as insect bits, minor rashes and calluses and more serious conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. With the option of essential oils, Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts offer the added benefit of aromatherapy to help induce calmness and promote relaxation.

For centuries, people have traveled great distances to bathe in the salt rich waters of The Dead Sea. Though nothing can truly compare to the actual experience of the Dead Sea (and we speak from experience), we can reduce pain, repair damaged skin and literally wash away stress with Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts in our own bathtub. Perhaps it's the 20 all-natural essential minerals that infuse the skin, but there truly is a difference between this "kool" product and over-the-counter bath salt. And though you can usually find Dead Sea salts in your local shopping mall, we have found the best variety at the lowest cost online. Check it out...it's truly worth it. We want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday weekend...happy bathing!

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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: E-Z Fold Step Stool

Why oh why are so many areas in our home inconvenient for the height-challenged? Ceiling fans, bathroom lights, pantries, closet shelves...some of us at The Daily Kool are constantly standing on chairs to get to those hard to reach places. Unfortunately, those of us who are more accident prone (okay, we confess) fall clumsily off those wobbly chairs just as often. We know, we know...it's time to just take out the step stool!

You might think that it is easy to find a step stool that meets all of our requirements, but perhaps those of us at The Daily Kool are just too picky. We wanted a step stool that was just the right height, lightweight enough for a three-year old to carry, yet sturdy enough for those of us who still haven't quite lost all of that baby weight (unfortunately, we must confess to that one also). It also had to be reasonably priced, and easy to store. Most importantly, we had to be confident that its locking mechanism was reliable so that our children could use it safely.

We received the E-Z Foldz Step Stool in blue as a gift, and it was absolutely perfect for our needs. At 9" high, this product gives us just enough lift for those out of reach places. The E-Z Foldz Step Stool is made of sturdy reinforced plastic, so it feels completely secure for anyone up to 300lbs. Unbelievably steady, we have used it indoors and out; it doesn't wobble, even on unstable ground. The best part? This product folds up so flat, we are able to store it anywhere, no matter how small the space. Perfect for children and adults alike, the E-Z Foldz Step Stool is definitely a "must-have" for every household.

Call us vain, but we love that this version of the E-Z Foldz Step Stool comes in so many colors to match our decor, including yellow, green, red, white, beige and black. There is also a 12" version as well as a two-step one. We find that our 9" is really perfect for our every day tasks, and have since bought it as a gift for several friends. A simple, yet effective invention that is absolutely affordable, the E-Z Foldz Step Stool is one "kool" deal.

Today's Kool Idea: Seaora Sea Salt Scrub

Do you feel that no matter how much moisturizer you apply your skin remains dry and flaky? Is the winter season winning in your battle for soft supple skin? Well, then check out this "kool" Sea Salt Body Scrub from Seaora.

Many of us have heard of the legendary benefits of the minerals from the Dead Sea. People travel from all over the world to experience the "biggest natural spa on earth." The Dead Sea's heavy mineral concentration of over 21 different minerals is believed to help with skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis, plus aching joints and even fluid retention. Although most of us cannot travel all the way to the Dead Sea, there is a wonderful way to experience the spa benefits in the comfort of your own home.

We at The Daily Kool are obsessed with the Dead Sea products and have tried them from several companies over the years. Therefore, we will probably be featuring some individual favorites several times on this blog site. Our absolute, all-time favorite product is by far Seaora's Sea Salt Body Scrub. The scrub combines dead sea salt and minerals with natural oils for silky smooth skin. The salt acts as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells and opening pores to gently soften, stimulate and cleanse the skin. The scrub comes in a few different fragrances and also unscented...the Lavender scent is our favorite.

This scrub truly feels marvelous all over the body. As with most high-quality products, the scrub is a little pricey (it is less than a trip to the spa), but we have to say that a little truly goes a long way. We use the scrub in the shower/bath for an all over body treatment 1-2 times per week. However, we absolutely recommend using it once a day on your hands...you won't believe the difference after just one use. A great product and a great value.

VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: Watch out for cuts and scraps on your body (from shaving, etc.) when using this product...remember, it's a "salt" scrub!