Clawsom Crab Multi Tool from Kikkerland

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Does anyone else find shopping for fellas difficult? You’d think I’d be better at it than I am, being outnumbered three to one here but it’s different with children and my husband (thankfully) has a range of cool hobbies and interests which makes him easy to buy for. When it comes to brothers / brothers in law, male friends and what though I often find myself falling back on toiletries and beer because I know they’ll be drunk / used / enjoyed so not wasted. This year I’ve been trying to find something else, something different!

Once you get past books, socks, toiletries, wine and chocolates or fudge, where else is there to do unless you ask a person outright that they want or end up spending over your budget? A week or so ago an email dropped in my inbox introducing the Clawsom Crab Multi Tool from Kikkerland. As it happens quite a few “perfect presents” mailings arrives the same day however this one stood out. It wasn’t flashy, it didn’t promise to revolutionise my gift-giving rituals and yet it was exactly what I was looking for, a gift for a bloke that would be useful, enjoyed and which had a nifty design.

Many men (and women as it happens, yes us women do fix things) find a multi-tool a useful thing to have around but wouldn’t ordinarily go and buy one for themselves that wasn’t a cheap and cheerful version. The difference with this multi-tool is that while it’s useful, it’ll also make someone smile when they use it and of course will look fabulous on the workbench, the desk; wherever!

I was sent a Clawsome Crab to have a play with so that I could review it and tell you guys what I thought, and here it is:

  • It looks awesome
  • Features an attractive beechwood “shell”
  • Stainless steel tools
  • Attached appendages include a bottle opener, mini scissors, a mini knife, a can opener, a rope saw and a 3.16 flat head screwdriver.
  • Arrives attractively packaged with a clear front so that the lucky recipient (or you) can see what’s in the box.

I think it’s great. It’s practical, quirky and I’ve carefully put it back in its box and wrapped it up for Roy to enjoy at Christmas. Sorry other male relatives, I was happy to send Colin Crab your way but then I named it so, you know, he’s practically part of the family now.

Overall I give this fab crab multi-tool a solid 5* / 5*

If you’re looking to push past the usual socks and cufflinks this could make a perfect gift for the tool fan in your life or a special treat for you to enjoy.

*PS Kikkerland accepts no liability for loss of the Clawsome Crab Multi Tool due to jealous thievery. Please keep your multi-tool close and secure as fellow multi-tool fans won’t be able to resist picking it up and playing with it which may lead to accidentally long-term borrowing.

Retro Yet Modern Light Up Shoes

 

When it comes to fashion these days I’m quite content to fall out of the door for the school run looking symmetrical. That is my goal, symmetry. That and no children’s stickers stuck to the back of my legs as I walk down the road. I think as far as goals go this is fairly reasonable.

Clearly my expectations on the “being fashionable” front are fairly low. Honestly, I just don’t have the time, the patience or I suspect the figure for what passes for cool and trendy these days.

What I do have time for is fun. I like fun, love fun even. I think fun is important and I want as much of it in my life as possible. I want the boys to have a decent measure of fun in their daily lives too. I’m also keen on geekery. Geek is the new chic as far as I’m concerned, I’m nerdy, geeky and I’m proud.

How does my love of all things from dragons to unicorns and beyond have anything to do with my lack of fashion sense? They’re more closely aligned than you might think.

Is there one thing that you wanted as a child but never got? Was it Mr Frosty (with hindsight and as a parent myself I now see what a pain in the backside this would be), or something else? I wanted light up shoes but they were rare when I was growing up, and probably cost a small fortune. Fast forward to 2016 and I’m a big girl, able to make my own purchasing decision and dammit, I want light up shoes!

It doesn’t matter that the last dress I wore was my wedding dress in 2003, that I don’t wear labels and that I haven’t worn make-up since 1999. What matters is that I want light up shoes.

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They’re great, they’re geeky and cool and the style of the trainers themselves go perfectly with my habitual jean wearing. What’s even better, if you visit getlitshoes.com you’ll find that light up shoes are not just for kids but us fun grown-ups too.

I love things like this, quirky things that make me smile or laugh but I’m not interested in compromising my comfort for them. Thankfully these are quality shoes and trainers with the novelty factor, not a cheap gimmick.

Will I be buying a pair? I might just if I don’t land on Santa’s good list this year! Retro but modern, these tick all of my fun and easy to wear boxes.

What about you? Could you see yourself lighting up the dark school run or parading around Tesco with a pair of LED light up shoes? Go for it, after all, we have to grow old but we don’t have to grow up! I for one I’m more than happy to unleash my inner child and let me tell you, she’ll be over the moon when she gets her hands on a pair of light up shoes!