Colin and Justin: Outward bound
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Must-have gadgets and gizmos for escape, innovation and pleasure
Time spent in pursuit of leisure – at the cottage, in a trailer or simply pottering in the garden – does something for the psyche that’s underscored by mind salving adventure and emotional repair.
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It’s why the greenhouse (as well as being home to your seedlings) can be a disencumbering haven as clocks tick faster.
It’s why the garage, more than somewhere to station your car and stash your tools, can feel like a portal to an escapist dimension.
It’s why walking barefoot on grass feels curative. And why staring into the depths of a profound night sky encourages us to press pause.
These points observed, herewith is a roster of must have gadgets and gizmos – the emphasis placed on escape, innovation and pleasure – to further embolden those stolen, recuperative moments.
Take outdoor illumination to new heights – Pret-a-Racket Solar Lighting from www.fatboycanada.com
Add a lil’ sci-fi style to your outdoor quarters with this trio of rocket shaped solar powered garden lights. Tug gently on the fuse cord to switch on and off, or allow to fade automatically after six hours. Great for kids, or for those who’ve yet to grow up…
Keep it cool – Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool Mist Attachment from www.canadiantire.ca
This cordless for outdoor, corded for indoor, rechargeable electric fan quickly transforms from pedestal to tabletop, and features a 70 ft range and a generous 20-hour runtime. For exterior use, the misting attachment connects to your garden hose to reduce temperatures by up to 10 degrees, and it’s quiet, even at high speed.
Study celestial bodies – Hestia by www.vaonis.com
Using your smartphone, and cutting-edge tech, Hestia captures the fascinating beauty of the sun, the moon and the universe without the need for complex setups or astronomy expertise. Simply place your phone on the eye piece lens, choose a celestial target and, in conjunction with the app, unlock a new world of charts and exploration.
An updated classic – the Adirondack armchair by ORI Muskoka at www.simons.ca
Industrial designer Shinya Kominami combines Japanese know-how and iconic Canadian design in a sleek outdoor furniture range inspired by the age-old art of origami. His adventurous take on the classic Adirondack chair can be paired with a matching footstool or accent table to complete the look.
Something to tweet about – Bird Silo feeder by Pidät at www.finnishdesignshop.com
Designers Mika and Julie Tolvanen have observed bird life for years. Fascinated by ornithological consumption habits, they manufactured several feeder prototypes before honing plans with their ‘Bird Silo’. Best for species that feed vertically (such as chickadees, blue tits, finches and woodpeckers) fill it with sunflower seeds or peanuts and watch the avian party begin.
Calling all barometric nerds – The Weather System by www.shop.tempest.earth/en-ca
Tempest’s Weather System and the brand’s smartphone app are the ultimate tools with which to observe current and upcoming climate patterns so you can plan for, and get the best from, your home or garden. With accurate observations, intuitive learning and state-of-the-art weather pattern-modelling, you’ll obtain precise forecasts and trending data to become the meteorologist you always hoped to be.
Explore after dark – 800 Pro Performance USB Head Lamp from www. ca.bioliteenergy.com
Whether climbing, hiking or pottering around your garden or cottage after dark, a good head lamp will keep your hands conveniently free. Offering 800 lumens and up to 150 hours of runtime, the product is designed to fit snugly, and avoid annoying slippage, for a truly wearable experience.
A slice of the action – Dome pizza oven by www.ca.gozney.com
Claiming to be the world’s most thoughtfully designed outdoor oven, this smart appliance would work well for beginners and seasoned chefs alike, reaching temperatures beyond 500ºC to cook pizza in just 60 seconds. Switching easily between wood or rolling gas flames, it holds heat to create restaurant quality fare in your own backyard. And next-level pizza is just the beginning: with Dome accessories you can roast, smoke, steam and bake pretty much anything you choose.
Absorbing our primer, can’t you just feel the pressure ebb as your sense of adventure heightens? It’s your free time, after all, so make the most of it. Your journey of discovery starts right here…
Watch for Colin and Justin on City-tv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and
Justin’s Sub-Zero Reno on Paramount Plus TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home
Collection in stores across Canada. Visit www.colinandjustin.tv
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