Think Geek

Retro Video Game Cartridge Pillows

By Tara in A Geeky Home 1 Comment Tags: , , ,

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One of my favorite parts of PAX East was visiting the Classic Console room and playing some SNES with my little brother. It felt like we were kids again, fighting over games! Now I can relive the nostalgia of old-school Nintendo games in my home with ThinkGeek’s Retro Video Game Cartridge Pillows. They’ve created some game names that I wish existed when I was younger, and made the pillows extra large and squeezable.

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Now that I’m home with the “con crud,” “PAX Pox” or whatever the kids are calling it now, snuggling up with these, some classic consoles, and some chicken soup is pretty much all I want.

You can get a pair of these pillows for $34.99 at ThinkGeek.com.

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Geeky Gifts for Dad

By Tara in Holidays 2 Comments Tags: , , , ,

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and today’s pretty much the last day to get something shipped to you from Amazon Prime. (Yes, that’s how I assess the closeness of all holidays and big events.) Still have no clue what to get your geeky dad? Take a look at these suggestions from me and some of my twitter followers:

Collectible Action Figures

Your dad is your superhero. so why not show him by getting him a sweet action figure? Shawn from Dad Unmasked is hoping for this Iron Man figurine: “As you can tell from my blog, I’m really into the superhero things for as long as I can remember. I am decorating my house (in a classy way) with cool superhero drawings and figures. I am also collecting AVENGER figurines and I’d really like to complete the set. I keep them on my desk at home next to my IMac of course. :) ”
Iron Man Collectible Figurine, $19.99 at Superherostuff.com.

An Apron

 

If your dad likes to bake, cook or grill, or is just a really messy eater, pick him up a sweet apron. I’m loving these superhero ones–Amazon has a variety of Marvel and DC characters available.

Superman Apron, $17.60 at Amazon.com

A Good Book

What’s better than relaxing with a good book? Get your dad one of your favorites, or one he’s had his eye on. Better yet, get a copy for both you and set a follow-up lunch date to discuss it!  Charlie (of  various publications and twitter) tells us why he wants a book: ‘After playing all the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, Metro 2033, sitting through countless survival horror/open world/zombie/apocalypse video games, pen-and-paper role playing, and board games I just want to curl up with a nice single player book. I’ve been eyeballing a vintage collector’s edition of Roadside Picnic for some time, but lo and behold there’s a reprint out right now for a measly $11 on Amazon. This classic Russian novel spawned a movie, a video game franchise (recently deceased), and an ardent band of Chernobyl-loving Zone freaks intent on living their cosplay fantasies from behind Geiger counters and surplus respirators. I would recommend against the digital version, however. You’ll want to be able to read this one after the end-times while you’re drinking filthy water from a ditch… for the irony.”
Roadside Picnic, $10.85 at Amazon.com

A Little Bit of Everything

 

Still not sure what to get him?  How about a bunch of fun, smaller goodies? Think Geek has put together three sizes of Father’s Day tins, and they’re currently 25% off their original price. The gifts include edibles, minifigures, cubicle toys, and tools.
Father’s Day Tin, $29.99-59.99 at ThinkGeek.com

Whether you get him a gift or not, make sure you let your dad know how much he means to you this weekend. Happy Father’s Day!

 

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Smart Mudflap Girl

By Tara in Gift Ideas No Comments Tags:

Show everyone that smart ladies are sexy (or get a mudflap sticker for the lady or gentleman in your life that likes their ladies smart!) with this awesome version of the traditional “mudflap girl” we’ve all seen before. At only $6.99, you can get a few for your friends! I know I’d want to strike up a conversation with someone who has this sticker…

Smart Mudflap Girl decal, available at ThinkGeek.com.

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Geek Etiquette: Gifts for Mother’s Day

By Tara in Geek Etiquette, Gift Ideas, Holidays No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Mother’s Day is next weekend, and while flowers and brunch are great gifts, why not think outside the box a bit this year? I asked Sharon from Parenting Geekly to give me a list of the things she’d love to get for Mother’s Day. If you have (or are) a geeky mother, this should help make the gift-giving process a bit easier. 

Confession time: The thing I want most for mother’s day is for my husband to wake up and prevent the kids from making me breakfast on their own. I love the sentiment, but the culinary skills of my 5-year-old leave a lot to be desired and I’d rather not have to eat her solo attempt at breakfast again this year.

Okay, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I’m happy to share with you the gifts that I, as a geeky mom with geeky kids, would love to receive.

 


This “Illustrious Omnibus of Superpowers #2” print from Pop Chart Lab has over 300 superheroes, villains, and beasts all displayed in a cool chart. Developed with the aid of a comic book shop and a Marvel editorial director, you know it’s accurate. This would look so cool in the superhero themed bathroom I hope to one day have.
“Illustrious Omnibus of Superpowers #2” 18”x24” Print, $27  at popchartlab.com.

 


I love to cook, and I love science. Therefore it’s a given that I would love to combine the two and try my hand at molecular gastronomy. The kits from Molecule-R take what could be an insulting gift and adds a science-y, DIY touch transforming it from “I expect you to cook for me” to “Let’s do edible science together!”
Molecular Gastronomy kits, $59 – $116 at molecule-r.com.

 


Even perfume, one of the most traditional Mother’s Day Gifts of all, can be found with a geeky twist. Demeter Fragrance Library carries over 225 fragrances, many of them based on a singular scent. They “create scents that are drawn from memories [and] recognize scent as your memory’s best friend… We bottle down-to-earth scents that evoke pleasant memories and experiences of everyday life.” The scents are interesting, ranging from Black Pepper and Celery to Bourbon and “Clean Windows.” There is bound to be a scent that reminds you of mom, or that will remind mom of the kids (Marshmallow or Play-doh, perhaps?).
Fragrance spray from Demeter Libraries, $6-$39 at demeterfragrance.com.

 


Jinx.com has a nice selection of T-shirts that would be great for any gamer mom, but I especially love the “Keep Calm and Continue Testing” Portal 2 shirt. It’s a riff on the popular World War II era British Propoganda poster, and is a super cute and fairly subtle way for Mom to show her love of gaming.
Portal 2 “Keep Calm…” T-shirt, $22 at Jinx.com.

 


You really can’t go wrong with anything from ThinkGeek, but I have been eyeing this Light Saber Umbrella since they recently debuted it. It’s available in Anakin, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan versions. The hilts look surprisingly accurate, though they’ve been scaled down for comfort. And since I live in Seattle, where it can rain at the drop of a hat, the built in carrying strap makes this one of the more practical large umbrellas I’ve seen; great for covering a hand-holding Padawan!
Star Wars Lightsaber Umbrellas, $40 at ThinkGeek.com.

Hopefully these things that I would very much like will inspire you to tap into mom’s geeky side when shopping for a Mother’s Day Gift this year.

Make sure you visit Sharon at ParentingGeekly.blogspot.com! Geeky moms–what are you hoping for this year?

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Celestial Serving Bowls

By Tara in A Geeky Home No Comments Tags: , , , ,

These serving bowls from ThinkGeek are the perfect way to bring some geekiness to your dinner table on a daily basis. The bowls are a durable Melamine, meaning you don’t need to worry about your moon getting chipped.

The bowls are available in moon, earth, and sun designs for $19.99 each. I’d obviously recommend you get one of each.

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Geek Etiquette: Host/Hostess Gifts

By Tara in Geek Etiquette 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

The Geeky Hostess is gonna help you get your manners on! Each Monday, we’ll focus on a topic of etiquette. We’ll take a look at the classic rules (using Emily Post as a guide), and then evaluate the rules for our daily lives, creating a guide to “Geek Etiquette.” Have an etiquette question or topic suggestion? Email tara@geekyhostess.com!


You’ve been invited to a small dinner party with a couple people you’re close with, but you don’t hang out with all the time. Do you bring a host/hostess gift with you? If so, what?

Emily Post states:

A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice. In some parts of the country, a hostess gift is considered obligatory, while in other places a gift is brought only on special occasions. If it’s the first time you’re visiting someone’s home, then it’s a very nice gesture to bring a small gift.

If you’re still unsure if your occasion calls for a gift, take a look at Emily Post’s tips.

So you’ve decided to bring a gift. What do you bring? I often go for a drink or cupcakes, because those go over well with my group of friends, they’re things the host can enjoy with everyone that day or save for later, and it doesn’t potentially compete with what they wanted to serve. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique than your average bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers, I recommend these items:

  • Gamer Wine. A bottle of this wine will make you look like the coolest guest around. The wine’s actually tasty and the names, “Noob”, “Stunlock”, and “Gamer Widow”, appeal to your host’s interests. If your hosts don’t drink, bring a bottle of a fancier or craft soda, or some sparkling juice.
  • Unique Candy. A small candy gift is a sweet and inexpensive way to thank your host for the invite. Even better if it’s something they haven’t heard of before!
  • Games. A nice card game,  inexpensive board game, or expansion of their favorite game can be a great way to say “we should get together again soon to play this.” Get them a favorite of your own, or check out Board Game Geek for suggestions and reviews.
  • Kitchen Gadgets. If you’re staying for a while or are looking for a larger gift, a fun kitchen gadget or apron can make a great gift. Think Geek has a lot of fun suggestions!

Basically, bring something inexpensive but thoughtful. If you love something, a host/hostess gift is a great way to introduce that item to your friend.

Do you bring gifts when visiting others? If so, what do you usually bring?

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The GH Wishlist: Think Geek

By Tara in Gift Ideas No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

Think Geek and their mascot, Timmy, constantly keep their store filled with the best geeky products. Whenever I need to put a wishlist together for my birthday or Christmas, it’s the first site I turn to. Here are a few things on my wishlist this year:


Cylon T-Shirt, $27.99.
I thought up a shirt very similar to this and tried to make it recently, but found out I’m not skilled in drawing realistic spines. So instead, I’ll just purchase this one, created by Her Universe! (The shirt is currently sold out at Think Geek, but is still available from Her Universe.)


Caffeinated “Magic” Brownie Mix, $13.99.
Best slumber party/game night snack ever? Plus, I could dissect the mix a bit and learn how to make it myself from scratch. (Insert evil laughter here.)

Hand-forged Feasting Utensils, $49.99 (currently on sale for $39.99).
These utensils are the best for LOTR, Game of Thrones, and D&D-style feasts. Plus it comes with a holster, so you can look totally bad-ass while bringing your own utensils to the Ren Faire.


Timmy’s Tea Sampler, $17.99 (currently on sale for $14.99).
These tea canisters are the cutest! I’d love to have them on display when guests arrive. The teas all sound great, and it’s a nice mix to suit everyone’s tastes.


Moldable Magic Chocolate Kit, $6.99.
I could create some really cute decorations out of this moldable chocolate without worrying about it melting. But I’d probably limit my usage to one time only. I feel more than that would make it pretty disgusting.

What I’m Giving:


Cosmic Catnip Bubbles, $4.99.
My cat is actually going to do paranoid little back-flips when I give her this gift. The rest of us will greatly enjoy it.

ThinkGeek.com has something for every geek on your list, check it out!

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Portal Cookie Cutters

By Tara in Fun Food No Comments Tags: , , ,

The cake was a lie, but these cookies aren’t.

These cookies cutters will allow you to make sweet and sciency cookies for your very own companion. Set includes a Portal, Turret, Running Test Subject, Falling Test Subject, and multiple cutters to make a multi-layered Companion Cube. Plus the whole set comes in an adorable and collectible companion cube box.

Portal Cookie Cutters: $19.99 at ThinkGeek.com.

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