Bang & Olufsen brings its opulent and not inexpensive design precision to the world of clocks with the BeoTime alarm clock.

This unique piece, inspired by Mozart’s Magic Flute, is wireless and motion-sensing. It wakes you with a chime or by activating any nearby bit of B&O AV component (obviously not included).

This elongated wireless alarm clock has three displays showing either the hour, minute or date. Beautiful and different it is.

Buy for $375 from Bang & Olufsen

The Ikea Sunnan solar powered desk lamp follows the Ikea mantra of good looks, simple functionality, not to mention being eco-friendly.

The lamp comes in five different colors, requires no electrical connection, features an adjustable arm, runs about 400-500 lux when fully charged, and drops to about 300 lux after three to four hours. It’s LED sourced at about 50,000 hours.

And you’ll feel good every time you turn it on because for every Sunnan sold by Ikea worldwide, another is donated to UNICEF to give to children without electricity in refugee camps and villages in remote areas. We’re all just one big happy family.

Buy for $20 from Ikea

I know you think you’re making a difference with all those CFL lights you bought for your house, but if you really care about the environment there’s only one way to go: LED.

And if you’re going LED, you may as well do so in style with the Herman Miller Leaf lamp.

Leaf fuses cutting edge LED technology with a stunning design to match: no one has ever seen a lamp quite like this one before. It features touch controls, 10 blue-white (cool) LEDs and 10 yellow-white (warm) LEDs.

And it only uses at most 9 watts of energy and is good for 100,000+ hours.

I think I just heard mother nature orgasm.

Buy for $379 with free shipping from Lumens

Everyone else takes a “whatever” approach, buys traditional disposable batteries, and is pleased with their low cost and plentiful power.

Seeking to bridge that divide is a new generation of rechargeable battery with super-low discharge (SLD) technology, like the Sanyo Eneloop batteries.

Traditional rechargeable batteries only hold their charge for a short period of time, meaning when you need the battery most it probably doesn’t have the charge you’re looking for.

But batteries with SLD only lose about 10 percent of their charge every 6-12 months, meaning you can store them away and not worry that they’ll be dead when you need them.

Sanyo Eneloop AAA 4-pack for less than $10

Sanyo Eneloop AA 2-pack with USB Charger for $15

Sanyo Eneloop AA 4-pack for $13

or if you want a charger than can switch-hit and more, pick up the La Crosse BC700 for around $25, which can charge AA and AAA sizes at the same time and gives you real-time charge info, too.

I’ve said it before: I love good pens.

The latest pen to catch my eye is this aluminum bodied Kaweco fountain pen.

Kaweco is a German company that has been manufacturing fine quality writing instruments since 1883. The sporty and compact look of these fountain pens transcend fashion time and are just as attractive today as they were when they were first created years ago. The pens are compact when capped (approx. 4.1 inches), but are very comfortable when posted (5.3 inches).

Each pen is made of aluminum and features a screw-on cap for extra security, a stainless steel nib, and can be refilled with standard short ink cartridges. Pens are made in Germany and have a Kaweco metal logo on the top of the cap.

$59.50 from Jetpens, my favorite pen company.

The ScanSnap S510M is a sheet-fed scanner that will scan a batch of documents at up to 18 pages per minute, meaning you can plow through those hundreds of papers you’ve been hanging on to thinking you might need them one day and then shred them out of your life.

I was skeptical of how well this would really work but after seeing my friend’s demonstrating and reading the glowing reviews on Amazon, I was sold.

The only downside is the $540 retail price ($400 from Amazon), which may put this into luxury range for many people.

Buy the ScanSnap S510M for $400.54 from Amazon (for Macs) or
Buy the ScanSnap S510 for $409.00 (for Windows)

There is also a $50 rebate available for purchased made through March 31, 2009.

Pick up one of these USB missile launchers and crown yourself Cubicle King of the Nerds. Normal retail price supposedly borders near $100—which I find hard to believe—but I can say this is one of the more advanced pieces of USB loving plastic I’ve come across.

Features

• Plugs into your USB port for power
  
• No Batteries required
  
• Contains 3 foam missiles
  
• Includes a 4 foot USB cable
  
• Moves left, right, up, and down
  
• Use your mouse or Keyboard to control the movements of the Missile Launcher
  
• Prerecorded sound effects adds a realistic feel
  
• Able to download your own sound effects and add them to your program
  
• Shoots up to 20 feet at an extremely fast rate
  
• Compatible with Windows XP & 2000, Mac driver also available upon request

$24.99 with free shipping from Buy.com

Are you looking for a good ink-jet printer that really does it all? I was, and I’d encourage you to check out the Brother MFC 6940cw. It’s great.

It’s multi-function: prints, faxes, scans, and it copies. It’s also painless to set up: You can use USB, Ethernet or your Wi-fi network to connect to it. It also accepts multiple memory card types: CF, MS, MS Pro, SD, SDHC, xD, xD type M/H, and USB Flash drives, or you can connect your camera directly to it.

Lastly, it’ll print large format prints (up to 11×17) in borderless formats, making for fantastic presentations.

And the consumables are pretty reasonable. The standard ink cartridges will print up to 450 pages… while the high-yield cartridges will last up to 750 pages, and they aren’t super expensive. Branded cartridges run about $30 for high-yield, while you can pick up some good quality knock-off ink for less than $5/cartridge.

Get the Brother MFC-6490cw at Amazon for $279 for the printer.

If you need ink, turn here:
Brother LC65HYBK High Yield Ink Cartridge (Black) for ~$30.
Brother LC653PKS Color Ink Cartridge – 3 Pack (Cyan/Magenta/Yellow) for around ~$32.
Or pick up an 8-Pack of Brother LC65 High Yield Compatible Inkjet Combo for Brother MFC-6490CW Printer (Two each: LC65HYBK/ LC65HYC/ LC65HYM/ LC65HYY) for around $32 from SuperMediaStore.com

This 24″ monitor from New Egg. Talk about cool, and talk about a good deal:

The SCEPTRE X24WG-1080P 24-Inch DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor offers razor-sharp, widescreen image clarity and a host of innovative features. With a 160° viewing angle, 16.7 million brilliant colors, precise resolution, and a startling contrast ratio, you’ll be amazed by the clear, life-like images this wide-spectrum monitor offers.

The X24WG-1080P features an advanced dual interface capable of handling both a D-Sub 15-pin and DVI-D connections for your high-resolution demands. The impressive response time virtually eliminates the “blur” found in slower monitors. A pair of integrated 2-watt speakers round out your media experience in a compact package! Whether you’re working, enjoying your graphics, or gaming, you won’t believe your eyes when you see the X24WG-1080P.

It’s a SCEPTRE X24WG-1080P Black 24″ 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers. It’s normally $269, but today through 11/30, you get it for $239, then add in the $40 mail-in rebate, and it comes in at under $200. You can’t beat that. Grab one before they’re gone.

Leather, chrome, steel, and aluminum come together in a way only Dr. Claw could truly appreciate (you know, the bad guy from Inspector Gadget).

Retail price is a solid £4,500, but some places are hawking it for around £3,500. Get one now while the dollar is reasonably strong, and you’re only looking at about $6,000.

Got a room in your house that’s always warmer than the others in summer, and always colder than the rest in the winter?

Yeah, so do I.

You need this register vent booster. I just ordered mine, and can’t wait to install it.

The idea is so simple, I can’t believe I haven’t seen it somewhere else. Basically, it creates more air flow from your normal air ducts, so that those rooms get more cold or hot air, as needed, than they would normally. And the price tag is a lot less than having an HVAC company come out and “balance” your ducts in your attic or under your house.

They cost $70 normally, but happen to be on sale right now for $60. Pick on up at ATrendyHome.com.

To store my 24k plated XBox 360 controllers.

No, really. That’s what we’ll put in there.

So I’m buying this safe that goes in between two standard 16″ wall studs. It’ll be the perfect safe for our house.

Get it from Amazon.com for $90.

I’m a pen freak. A pen connoisseur. Some might call me a pen whore.

I love a good fountain pen, but I hate paying a lot of money for one. I also love small pens that can easily fit in your pocket.

My favorite fountain pen of the moment is the Ohto Tasche Fountain Pen. The design allows you to easily carry it in your pocket when it’s closed, but it functions as a full-sized pen when it’s open. The nib is also pretty fine lined, making it perfect for my moleskins.

Get it from Jetpens in blue, black, pink, or my favorite: silver for $15 a pen. Or order a combo pack of all four for $60. And don’t forget to pick up a few boxes of ink (black or blue)… you’ll love this pen.

You’re a geek. You don’t wear a silver ring, you wear a titanium ring. Not because of its color, but because it’s lighter than aluminum yet stronger than steel.

You also don’t pull pieces of tape off a plastic disposable tape dispenser. No, for you, only the Heavy-Weight will do.

The Heavy-Weight Tape Dispenser doesn’t just look industrial, it is: its 3-pound cast zinc body means you don’t have to worry about pulling the whole dispenser when you reach for some tape with one hand.

Grab one from Design Within Reach for $60 and show your tape who’s boss.

The best strategy for your portfolio during these tumultuous times is the same it’s always been: diversify, diversify, diversify.

And what better way to diversify your holdings than to purchase just one share of stock in a number of different companies?

That’s what the good men and women at OneShare.com do: they sell you just one share of stock. But it’s not just a share that you see as a number in your E*Trade portfolio online, it’s an actual, physical share of stock. Nothing says “We’re not headed for a 1920′s recession, I swear!” more loudly than stashing away shares of stock… like they did in the 1920′s.

Not only do you get an actual paper share, it also comes professionally framed, so that years later you can tell your grandkids that their college trust fund is actually that nice wooden frame. “What’s Ford?”, they’ll innocently ask you.

Speaking of Ford, OneShare is offering $10 off Ford, GM, GE, and Wal-Mart shares for the month of July. Seeing as the first three are trading at near legendary lows, the might actually have some growth potential down the line. Wal-Mart’s stock price, of course, is jugging along happily—not unlike the devil during down times.

Here’s what all this is going to cost you:

• the current price of the stock (plus a small premium)
• an optional frame ($34-$64)
• an optional matte ($5)
• an optional engraving ($10)
• a transfer fee for the share of the $39

Check out OneShare.com for more information.

Steelcase manufacturers a series of good seats, but I’m particular fond of the newest member to the family: the Amia chair.

Coming in at $599, the Amia is one of the less expensive chairs in the Steelcase line-up but still packs plenty of features—enough, at least, for it to be awarded the Gold (ergonomic category) in the Best of Neocon 2007 competition.

Among those features:

• LiveLumbar technology (flexes with movements)
• height/width/pivot depth adjustable arms
• back lock
• pneumatic seat height
• up to 97% Recyclable

Customize yours at the Steelcase Store and choose from 12 upholstery colors and a black or platinum frame. Hard floor casters are also available, if your office shuns carpet.

If you’re like me, or you lack a partner who is willing and capable of delivering a quality rub, toss a few Benjamins Brookstone’s way and pick up either the iSqueez or uSqueez foot massager.

These suckers baby your tootsies and calves like nothing else: a few minutes is all it takes to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and transport you to Cloud 9. Whether you spend your days on your feet or sitting in a chair, you’ll appreciate the iSqueez or uSqueez. Better yet: set one up at work and give yourself an eight hour foot massage—hey, your company’s picking up the electricity tab, so why not!

The iSqueez debuted a few years ago and sells for
$399 but includes a free iNeed massager ($65 value) for a limited time. The newer uSqueez adds some extra options and modes and sells for $499. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth it. Ladies: pick one up for Father’s Day and you get the added benefit of giving the man in your life a great gift, even if you’ll be using it every bit as much (sorry, men, we didn’t post this before Mother’s Day).

Don’t try comparison shopping: Brookstone is the only place you’ll find the ‘Squeezes.

But if you can’t bring yourself to drop that much coin on a foot massager, you’re crazy you can get this knock-off for $188.95 through Amazon that carries a decent list of positive reviews from satisfied customers.

With a one-time purchase and your high-speed internet connection nearby, the ooma gives you:

• Unlimited calling to any number in the US
• All the phone features you’ve come to depend on, like caller-ID, call-waiting, and voicemail
• The reliability and crisp acoustic performance of a landline
• Access to your voicemail from any phone
• The freedom to hear your voicemail and manage account preferences in the Lounge
• The option to create voicemail notifications to email and mobile phone
• Low-cost international rates starting at a penny per minute
• Easy setup to get you up and dialing in no time
• A 30-day money-back guarantee and an extendable one-year warranty
• The flexibility to keep your phone number or choose a new one anywhere in the US
• A free 90 day trial of ooma Premier, which includes a free second phone line, real-time message screening, one-touch Do Not Disturb and Send to Voicemail, a second personal number with private voicemail, and more

Think of the ooma as Skype without the computer, or Vonage without the monthly fees, and a much better user experience.

Price: $203.97 from Amazon.com (and for a limited time, get a free ooma Scout (a $65 value) with it).

Do the math. What are you spending with your local phone company? We bet you’re spending more than $250 a year… this thing pays for itself pretty quickly.