Buying new furniture is never fun and it’s usually full of compromises. Affordability usually equals both, reduced quality and boring designs. And custom furniture is out of reach for most of us. Aalo has designed Lego-like furniture that is simple, durable and customizable without the compromises. Interlocking and interchangeable parts allow you to choose from one of Aalo’s designs or make a design of your own. The furniture line consists of 12 pre-arranged kits. Kits include a side table, bookshelf, and coat rack to name a few.
Furniture that’s re-purposable
Each piece of furniture is designed to be both adaptable and reusable. The interchangeable parts allow you to take an old piece of furniture and turn it into something new. Tired of your bookshelf? Break it down and turn it into a bike rack. Or turn a side table into a couple of plant stands. Each powder-coated aluminum piece is strong, weather-proof and snaps together with just an Allen wrench.For extra savings, you can send any unused parts back to Aalo for free.
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Standing Desks are everywhere nowadays. So, once you’re no longer seated, what do you use to keep your feet occupied and in motion while you’re just standing there? One suggestion is a balance or wobble board. We were sent one from FluidStance, their Level model in cast aluminum and bamboo, to test in the Gadgeteer way. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and here’s what I have found.
Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.
What is it?
The Level is a beautiful Bamboo (also available in Dark Walnut and Natural Maple) deck mounted to a solid cast aluminum framework that allows you to stand, rock, pivot, and in general keep moving while in a standing position. Made from quality materials with a conservative modern design, it will fit into any office or home environment where a standing desk is in use.
Hardware specs
From the website:
26.5″ long x 12.2″ wide x 2.5″ tall
Approximate weight: 7lbs, 12oz
Designed for use under 250 pounds
Ships in 1-2 business days
Design and features
The idea behind balance boards is that while standing, your feet will be happier with constant small movements, to keep the blood flowing. Your calves, ankles, and toes will all get a workout, and your core muscles will be engaged. This dramatically ramps up the health benefits of just standing versus sitting. Think of it as skateboarding, but without going anywhere. I’ve seen balance boards in materials from high-end laminated woods and exotic hardwoods all the way to cheap plastics. A work colleague recently had her 2-year-old get one as a birthday gift in plastic with decals and eye-popping colors. Another model had a ball-in-slot maze, where your challenge is to move the trapped ball from one part of the maze to another by changing your balance. (Think of it as a Labyrinth game that you play with your feet and shifting body weight instead of two knobs.) It’s all about moving.
The Level is FluidStance’s second tier product, but it’s far from a cheap-o board. The cast aluminum .19” military-grade aluminum frame raises the bamboo deck off the floor about 2.5”, and is designed for folks under 250 pounds. At 7.75 pounds, it’s not something that will slide out from under you, and it’s not going to crack or fall apart in normal use.
I used it for a day or two at home, just to see if I was going to survive using it. (At my age, that’s the first criteria! Note warning in the photo above.) I dropped it off at my office over a weekend and started using it there on Monday. My office is equipped with sit-stand adjustable desks throughout. Many folks spend all or part of their workday standing, so I was not sticking out by elevating my desk. I used it for 30 minutes or so, and then took it down to a sitting level. My legs felt good like I’d just done a quick run or ride, rather than the usual stand. I stood and used the Level a few more times that day, and have been using it more and more since.
I’m up to about 4 20-30 minute sessions a day now and find that a good place. Since most of my work is phone calls from customers, it’s not necessary for me to be perfectly still, and the note-taking/typing I do while on calls if not hindered by moving around. I did move my standing setting up a few inches to take into account the height of the deck. (There are 4 saved settings I can use, but it is fully adjustable across a huge range. I use heights from 27” – 43”.)
As soon as someone walked by and saw my feet and legs going, however, they were intrigued. I’ve loaned it out to several folks in the office, and they all really enjoy using it. (Note the variety of feet in the photos!) My boss even brought in one she had found at a discount store made of plastic. It’s not nearly as heavy or stable as the Level but still gives you a workout.
What I Like
Well designed and crafted from quality materials
Gives your legs and core muscles something to do while standing.
Conservative but modern design fits in with any office decor.
What needs to be improved
I really couldn’t think of anything, except maybe a chain lock to keep coworkers from borrowing it and not returning it!
Final thoughts
If you’re someone who chaffs at having to be sitting or standing at a desk while doing work to pay the bills, this may keep the fidgets under control. If you’re a more sedentary person, who needs to move a little or a lot more for your health, this may be the best thing you can get. It’s a bit of an investment, so you may want to try a less expensive model at first, or you may want to take the leap and use your financial investment to force yourself to use it more. However you decide to use it, you’ll probably enjoy it, and benefit from it.
Price: $389.00 Where to buy: FluidStance Source: The sample of this product was provided by FluidStance.
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When was the last time you wished you could have a 25-inch inflatable replica of yourself? Only every day right? Well, your dreams can now become a reality because Italian company 25INCH.me allows their customers easily create a 25-inch-tall inflatable doll of themselves or anyone they like. Just head over to their website, upload a headshot and then choose a shirt, pants, shoes, and other accessories like watches, jewelry, and tattoos.
The inflatable doll is made of high-quality materials with high-resolution printing that is water resistant and designed to be inflated and deflated many times.
Your 25-inch mini me can be easily inflated with a few seconds of blowing into the air valve which is located in a sensitive area.
Each doll is priced at 29,99€ plus 12-22,00€ for shipping which comes to about $64 US. Be aware that import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Head over to 25INCH.me for all the details.
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You’ve seen those 3D-printed moon lamps, like the one The Gadgeteer featured last year. Those lamps are available in various sizes and come with a wooden stand for display in your room. Just like the bigger versions, the moon on this keychain is also 3D-printed to accurately represent the surface of Earth’s moon, and it’s sized to take along with you.
The moon is made of non-toxic, odorless, environmentally-friendly materials, so it’s safe enough for even children to use. At 1.6″, it’s small enough for a keychain fob but large enough to use as a small nightlight on your nightstand. Its LED is powered with three AG3 batteries.
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Those of you that have been following my News Stories for a while should now be well aware of my love for Macro Photography. Macro Photography allows me to be innovative and expressive with “obvious” objects that are readily identifiable, as well as objects that I can shoot from my own creative perspective. If photographed correctly, some objects leave the assumption of what they are to the imagination of the viewer.
One great tool for adding interest and creativity to macro photography is light. Playing around with lighting and having the flexibility to do so, can accomplish great results. However, one of the challenges is getting lighting options with enough effective versatility and portability, since macro photography can be shot anywhere and under some difficult logistical circumstances.
Enter Adaptalux!! Adaptalux is a macro photography and videography light and light studio that allows you to use flexible lights to create the lighting effect according to your imagination. The manufacturer refers to it as an “adaptable miniature lighting studio that allows for an infinite amount of lighting environments to be created, in an effortless and adaptable way all under one product”. “Adaptalux has been designed to make macro photography, macro videography and product photography lighting easy and accessible to photographers of all ability. The only limit is your imagination”.
The Adaptalux seems like an amazing product and I can’t wait to get my hands on one to review and to add to my macro photography kit.
If you would like to purchase the light studio, head over to the Adaptalux website and pick one up. There are several kits available, with the starter pack costing just $260.29.
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