Today's Kool Idea: Energizer Light on Demand Motion Activated Light

Our younger son is very afraid of the dark. In fact, his anxiety is so great, he insists on being carried into the house whenever we come home at night. The lack of street lighting in our neighborhood doesn't help...neither does the fact that our kid's going through another growth spurt and is definitely not a lightweight these days. We also tend to forget to turn on the outside light, especially when we leave the house earlier in the day when the sun is still shining. This is a particular sore point with our son, especially since the darkness makes it tough to see the keyhole on the front door and get us in the house quickly.

We came across a practical product on QVC yesterday that just might make our lives a bit easier, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light. Gotta love the bunny...by the way, it's his 20th birthday this year. Anyway, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light features a removable LED light stick, equipped with internal, rechargeable batteries. The light stick can function in its specific product, or is detachable to serve as an area light and/or flashlight. We love that the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is weatherproof with a 15 foot sensor for convenient use indoors and out. This feature is a particular selling point with us...we can put it right by the front door outside.

Okay we admit it, we might just get a tiny bit nervous ourselves when we have to walk Pepper (our pooch) at night...did we mention that our neighborhood doesn't have enough street lights? Think about the dual convenience of a motion activated light at the front door, with a removable LED flashlight to keep our path illuminated during Pepper's nightly stroll. Plus, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is affordable enough for us to get an extra one (or three) for inside the house. The product boasts continual, emergency lighting whenever the power goes out with its rechargeable backup battery pack. Hey, hurricane season has just begun, and we've already lost electricity several times from thunderstorms this summer. As much as we appreciate the long, five-hour run time we'll get with the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light when it's fully charged, it's nice to know we have the option of using three AAA batteries to get a continuous 12 hours in case of emergency.

We're in agreement with QVC host Lisa Robertson on this one...we can't imagine anyone who couldn't benefit from the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light. Easy to install and energy efficient, this product is ideal for mounting anywhere you need some extra light. Perfect in a garage, closet, attic, stairway and yes, by the front door, Energizer is definitely on the right track with this modular lighting system. Seriously folks, there's no reason to come home at night to a dark door. We do confess that we wish function met a little more with fashion in this case...it's kind of an ugly looking unit. Regardless, we think the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is a "kool" and practical idea for every household...definitely worth checking out on your own.

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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: Corby 7700 Pants Press for Father's Day

Though many professionals are recently adopting a more informal attire in the workplace, the males in The Daily Kool family are die-hard suit wearers. Sorry, President Obama...no business casual in the office for our men, especially Dad. He is meticulous about his appearance, even on the weekends...he wears a polo and dress pants to clean the pool, for goodness sake! Okay, we are the first to admit that his standards may be unreasonably high (and quite possibly, unnecessary)...but, the majority of men (and women) we know do like to look good. Unwrinkled, pressed pants are often high on their list of wardrobe priorities. After all, who wants to come to work looking like they've just rolled out of bed (even if they have)?

The Corby 7700 pants press is the company's number one best selling model for the past five years...and for good reason. This is terrific Father's Day gift for the man who takes pride in his appearance. We first came across the Corby 7700 pants press at a hotel stay in New York City. This particular stay was for business purposes, and having the pants press right in the room was really convenient. As soon as we got home from our trip, we went online to purchase one for ourselves...Dad got his for Father's Day last year. Its walnut finish is actually pretty attractive, and the combination of the pant presser design with personal valet makes it a convenient piece of bedroom furniture.

Though it is quite a pricey investment, the Corby 7700 pants press will more than pay for itself in dry cleaning savings over the long run. It's designed to refresh the original crease a dry cleaner creates, and to ease out the back of knee wrinkles. This helps keep trousers in shape longer, reducing unnecessary trips to the cleaners. We love how easy it is to use the Corby 7700 pants press, and the fact that is is gentle enough for all fabrics. The front panel opens to access the pressing area. Just raise the levers to reveal a cushioned heating pad. There are two stretcher bars which grip gently eases back into shape and slightly refreshing the crease. Insert trousers, close, set the timer (to 15, 30 or 45 minutes) and walk away. The presser cuts off automatically when ready. The Corby 7700 pants press can even be wall-mounted...keep in mind though that this will eliminate the jacket hanger feature...if you mount it in your closet though, it shouldn't matter much with your jackets already hanging nearby.

The Corby 7700 pants press is a great way to help Dad keep his pants beautifully pressed and presentable every day. The price of this particular model is in the mid-range...though there are more expensive ones out there, we really feel that this one is the best value overall. Check it out...if your Dad is anything like ours, he'll love it. With its quality and functionality, the Corby 7700 pants press is definitely a "kool" Father's Day gift for the special man in your life.

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