beach

Blender button makes smoothie operation as easy as can be

Smoothies, much like many breakfast items, can be enjoyed at any time of the day. However, take the item out of the morning and suddenly things change. The knowledge required to prepare anything in the morning is aided by the fact that it is being done so on autopilot; routine makes things easy with eyes still only half open.

Easier than having to do sequences of actions in their correct order is not having to do them at all. Featuring automatic operation, the Hamilton Beach 56205 Smoothie Smart Blender allows the awake and the not-so-awake alike to enjoy easy, one-touch … Read more

Waffles at home or on the go

Deliciousness may have its consequences, but that doesn't mean there aren't any workarounds. For waffle deliciousness in particular, the answer was to put them in stick form. With waffles converted into a shape that could conveniently be dipped, waffles could suddenly be easily enjoyed on the go. The masses rejoiced. However, all was not well in waffle-land.

Waffle sticks may commonplace in the wild, but at home they are rare to be seen. Enter the Hamilton Beach 26041 Mess Free Belgian Waffle Maker. Featuring a deep grid design that encourages waffle stick stability the countertop appliance bakes waffles … Read more

Grill, griddle or both

Appliances don't always cooperate with what's on the menu.

Kitchen countertops have become landscapes populated by quick and easy meal-makers that can provide an almost endless variety of food options. Still, despite the great abundance of options to choose from, that doesn't mean a particular appliance knows how to adjust to the situation. Unless, of course, it is adjustable.

The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle (model number 38546) eliminates either/or choices by being able to be configured into exactly what is required for the meal. Featuring two separately reversible plates, the countertop appliance is capable of … Read more

Aleloop Mini Coopers featured in Florida art event

Ten Mini Cooper art cars were part of an event featuring pop surrealist artist Aleloop in Florida earlier this month.

Each of the Mini Coopers featured a theme: Fine Arts, Grunge, Video Game, DJ, Mini Me, Free Hand, Comics, Pattern, Driver, and Nature, and an additional Mini, called Graffiti Mini, allowed event attendees to add their own artwork to the car.

The event took place from Dec. 1 to 4 in Miami and Miami Beach. The Mini Coopers, which traveled in a caravan, stopped at parties, art galleries, and restaurants.

At each stop, 40 performers dressed in Aleloop-designed T-shirts emerged … Read more

Recycled Lexus parts as couture

With about 2,000 parts to choose from, four designers created high-fashion clothing and accessories from a disassembled Lexus CT 200h.

The Lexus Fashion Workshop highlights not only the talents of fashion designers Moss Lipow, Eddie Borgo, John Patrick, and Alejandro Ingelmo, but also the Lexus CT hybrid as a 90 percent recyclable vehicle.

The fashions created from the car parts push the idea of recycling and are part of an upcoming advertising campaign for Vogue.

The collection will be on display at Art Basel Miami Beach, on Dec. 1 and 2, 2011. The pieces will also be available through … Read more

The 404 925: Where Justin is a son of a beach (podcast)

Bridget Carey just got back from the launch of the iPhone 4S at the Apple store here in Manhattan, so we pull her into the studio to tell us about all the kooks lined up for first dibs.

Despite all the problems users are experiencing with iOS 5 updates, everyone in line at the store left with a 4S, though Bridget tells us not many users were anxious to test out Sprint or Verizon's network. Where's Wilson today? Guess.… Read more

Stay warm and grill

The outdoor adventure that is grilling over an open flame is one that is welcome in any season. During the spring and summer months, time spent outside is time well-spent, as warm weather encourages gathering with family and friends. When fall and winter hit, there may be less to do outside, but that doesn't mean that quality time cannot be found in the back yard. Especially when grilled food is involved.

Even though summer grilling season is fading into the sunset, there are still plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Set for release in February 2012, the … Read more

'Clone Wars' premiere party goes underwater

LONG BEACH, Calif.--The Force has never been as damp as it will be when season four of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" kicks off on Cartoon Network with two undersea storylines. So it made sense that Lucasfilm swam with the fishes at the Aquarium of the Pacific for the show's big premiere party this weekend.

The show's voice cast joined costumed characters from the 501st Legion fan group for the first screenings of "Water War" and "Gungan Attack," the undersea stories kicking off season four 8 p.m. Friday, September 16. Both adventures feature Anakin Skywalker and his Clone Troopers taking on Separatist forces to save the likes of Captain (soon to be Admiral) Ackbar and his fish-like race.

The episodes were shown in a special "4D" screening room, complete with wind, water, and lightning effects to enhance the onscreen mayhem.

Those in attendance were asked to bring along a new, unwrapped Star Wars toy to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America. Kids from local chapters of the youth-based charity were on hand to meet their favorite characters, enjoy the aquarium attractions, and take on light saber lessons from on-hand Jedi Masters and video games from a galaxy far, far away. Even the aquarium's main tank hosted "Clone Wars" props and divers doing battle with their Jedi weapons. … Read more

The 404 866: Where we refrain from physical activity (podcast)

Today marks the beginning of a weekend spent indoors to escape the heat and the smell coming from a sewage plant in Harlem that's been spewing millions of gallons of untreated New York sewage into the Hudson River since last Wednesday. On today's episode, we're chatting about a mysterious similarity between the trailers for the new Spider-Man movie and Mirror's Edge, a pocket urinal solving a wee problem, and more tips on how to help Jeff's dad load songs onto his iPod.

The 404 Digest for Episode 866

Workers struggle to repair damaged sewage plant. John Mayer gives his dad iTunes help. New Spider-Man trailer may be ripping off Mirror's Edge. Go-Guy pocket urinal solves a wee problem. A video voice mail from Kokesh, creator of The 404 Show Title Generator!

Episode 866 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Inifiniti teases the JX crossover on Facebook

Infiniti is giving its Facebook fans an early look at the upcoming JX crossover weeks before the official reveal.

The luxury seven-seater crossover will have its official debut at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 18. To build anticipation, the auto manufacturer is publishing a new photo each Thursday on its fan page. The Facebook page also includes a chance to win a trip for two to Pebble Beach for the big reveal.

Larger than the EX35 and FX35 crossovers, but smaller than the full-size Infiniti QX, the three-row crossover should compete with such vehicles as the Audi Q7. Parent company Nissan expects the crossover to be a large-volume production vehicle, and it will be produced at the Smyrna, Tenn. plant.

The production version of the JX will debut at the 2011 Lost Angeles Auto Show in November, and the 2013 model of the crossover will go on sale some time next spring. … Read more