Essential to my recent decision to pack it all up and live on the road was the ability to maintain connectivity with friends, family, and work. In the past, I had to give the most lasting hugs I could because leaving the country rendered communication difficult, expensive, or impossible. Luckily, we live in a time where technology is catching up to the way we want to live, and I found a great solution to this problem by switching my number to Google Voice. Now I can send/receive calls and texts (almost) as if I never left. Here are some of the features that have been useful for me as a traveler. More

Last week Google recently launched a new national ad campaign called "Good to Know." Subway riders might have noticed them pop up in stations and in trains, as well as major newspapers and magazines. What makes the campaign so notable, from both the perspective of design and message, is simplifying important tips and features about staying safe online... More

Our friends over at Gizmodo have arbitrarily decided that February 1st is going to be "Change Your Password Day." In blog solidarity and celebration of this made up (but very constructive) holiday, we're going to show you how to turn your terrible password (admit it, it's terrible) into a great and secure password in just 3 steps. More

I am so excited to be leaving for a holiday in Costa Rica. As someone who has become somewhat of a homebody lately (I'll blame it on winter and working from home), I became slightly overwhelmed when I thought about all of the loose ends I would have to tie up before leaving. More

Foursquare and Facebook Places are ubiquitous. Social media butterflies can't seem to resist the urge to broadcast their location online. That's great marketing for a mom-and-pop restaurant, but it could be a big breach of privacy for homeowners and apartment dwellers. More

Break ups. Ugh. We all have stories. We've all been there. Some are dramatic and messy; some are logical, mutual, and for the right reasons. Nevertheless, there are complications that arise from calling off your relationship...especially when you live together. My two year relationship has ended (and phew, it was mutual and drama-free) and I'm currently wondering about my next move. Literally, where do I move? More

We first showed you this modern new smoke alarm a few years ago, but the Kidde Silhouette is now an affordable and more widely available option for your next renovation project. (I'm actually considering swapping out our newish but clunky alarms for these beauties!) More

Once you've found the right space heater, it's not all warm days and cozy nights. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during winter months. To keep your home and family safe be sure to follow these simple space heater safety tips: More

Chick-a-Dee Smoke Detector
• About $67.00
• Charles & Marie

Smoke detectors are amongst the most fugly, but necessary, items in any household. Why does that have to be so? Playing on the idea of the "canary in the coal mine", this bird on a branch design is perfectly suited for a kid's room, being able to immediately detect particles released during a fire, setting off an 85db alarm signal. It's also battery powered, so the design is easily positionable anywhere and everywhere around the house. Available in 5 different colors too!

Knuckle Lights
• $39.99
• Knuckle Lights

Are you an evening runner like we are? The shorter winter daylight hours means many of us are now running after work with little or no sunlight. Sure, you can wear a goofy-cumbersome headlamp (headache city) or shine the path using your cell phone (don't drop it), but we think these LED handheld Knuckle Lights are good for safety while also being safer to hold. These put out a bright 45 lumens of light, though it doesn't look like you can dim them down; a 5 year warranty is a comforting guarantee with something you might us everyday. Our better half is always bothering us about being more safe during our evening running routes, so we're thinking we might need to purchase a set this holiday season...