CULTURE CAPSULE
Home & Lifestyle Innovations
CHARGE BIKES
Well, here’s a nugget of good news. You can quickly recapture that carefree feeling of childhood bike-riding but also pedal on over to a wine tasting. Charge Bikes leaves all your excuses in the dust if you’ve been procrastinating about buying a bike. From the makers of Schwinn bikes, Charge offers oodles of features for a surprisingly competitive price. If you want a bike but don’t have much storage space, the Comfort Electric Bike is a contender. The Comfort Bike’s streamlined design offers fold-flat handlebars and pedals for ultra-slim storage. The removable battery, pedal-assist, 5-level throttle, and 250W motor help out on challenging hills—or when you want to relax and enjoy the breeze. And, as the name suggests, comfort is built into every inch—the cushy ergonomic seat, low-step frame, and beyond. Adding to the ease of use, the Comfort Bike has a built-in rear rack, perfect for commuting, picnicking, or meandering. I’m not sure how long it took to design, but they thought of everything—like suspension, puncture-resistant Goodyear tires, built-in tire pressure indicators, and front and rear lights. Perfect for: Commuters, folks who haven’t biked since childhood, gnarly mountain bikers looking for comfy ‘round-town wheels, and anyone who keeps saying “someday I’ll get a bike.” Info: chargebikes.com
THE BRÜUSH
Is that Kevin Hart? The Kevin Hart? Yes, it sure is, and it caught my attention as well. What could be so special about a toothbrush to land one of the industry’s busiest comedians as a spokesperson? So, I did a little digging, and after watching his hilarious mini-performance on their website, I tested it out. First, Brüush is downright pretty. But does it deliver? I’m happy to share a resounding “yes!” I was thrilled with the 4-week battery charge and travel-ready design. There was, for me at least, a tickle adjustment. Which is to say, 31,000 sonic brush strokes per minute is a big jump from my previous rechargeable brush. However, I’m happy to report that I was in the groove within a day and loved it. The best part, though, is that it has six different brush-modes—white, gentle, gum, max, and even tongue.
Perfect for: people who prioritize wellness, those with sensitive teeth or gums, and pretty much anyone who likes to smile. Info: bruush.co
SHREDMASTER HOME OFFICE SHREDDER
The importance of shredding was a lesson that I learned early in life. Alas, the dreaded moment when a teacher confiscates a note someone passed to you. Read it and shred, kid – no one needs to be in your private business. As we all know, the protection of personal information is especially crucial. One wayward bank letter tossed in the trash could end up in the wrong hands. The fix is easy, though. Of the many shredders on the market, the GBC ShredMaster SX15-06 seems to stand out. The Goldilocks of home shredders it’s not too big and not too small. It’s just the right balance of robust capability in a compact size. It can super cross-cut up to 15 pages of documents—including staples and paperclips. As a self-proclaimed power-shredder, I’m excited about the six-gallon capacity bin and intuitive LED screen. This model is available on Amazon, but you can research additional ShredMaster models on their website.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants to take an active role in information privacy and folks with home offices. Info: gbc.com