Kinsa Smart Thermometer: Take More Than Your Temp

Kristin Appenbrink
Jun 07, 2013

From staying fit, to tracking your vital signs or fertility, and maintaining focus (a constant struggle!), it just keeps getting easier to use your smartphone to stay healthy. And now I’m adding the Kinsa Smart Thermometer to my list of smart tech that will eventually be in my medicine cabinet. Currently a project on indiegogo, the first thing you’ll notice about Kinsa is that it comes equipped with a headphone jack.

Why you ask? The headphone jack means you can plug the thermometer into your smartphone, showing your temperature in the app that comes along with the device.

But the easy-to-read display is just one small part of why I love Kinsa. You can record a lot more than just your temperature. Using the preset symptoms, you can note whether or not you also had a cough, felt achy, or had the chills. The app will then save it as part of your profile, helping you track symptoms and your health over time. When you come down with something more than just a 24-hour bug, program your doctor’s info into the phone so you can call to schedule an appointment directly from the app.

And the final piece—because it’s no longer just about creating a smart device, all of these companies do something for the greater good, too—the Kinsa thermometer is part of Kinsa Health, which uses the app to keep anonymous local data about symptoms and identify what kinds of bugs might be going around. If you’re starting to feel sick, input your symptoms, and check to see if other people in your city (and even your neighborhood in some places) are feeling under the weather, too.

Check out the video below to learn more about Kinsa, then head to indiegogo to fund the campagin and reserve your smart thermometer.

What do you think of Kinsa? Would you use it to stay healthy? Tell me in the comments below or on Twitter!

This Battery Pack Is Basically an Upgrade for New MacBook Pros

If you waited for months — if not years! —for a new MacBook, you got what you were waiting for. However, is it everything you were hoping for? Probably not. Although the new smart touch bar and fingerprint ID are really rad new features, is that enough to make up for the loss of some of your ports? Well, turns out they could be, if you’re willing to shell out for this cool new add-on.

A new Indiegogo campaign, called Line Dock, is an aluminum base that sits at the bottom of your laptop. It not only adds 15 hours of battery life, it gives your computer back all of the ports that went away in the update (3 USB, HDMI, MiniDisplay Port and an SD Card Reader). And if you need any more storage for your computer, the Line Dock will provide that too — up to 1 terabyte of storage.

However, there’s just one setback to the dream machine: It won’t ship out until June 2017. If you can wait that long, the Indiegogo campaign is accepting orders until December 16. Prices start at $149 and go all the way up to $599 for a premium version.

Did you get one of the new MacBooks? Let us know how you feel @BritandCo!

(h/t 9-to-5 Mac; photos via Apple)

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5 "Overrated" Beauty Finds I Regret Buying In 2024

You'd think someone with acne-prone skin wouldn't buy viral beauty finds without doing thorough research, but I'm not above trying to recreate all the latest makeup trends at home. All this did was remind me that everything isn't for everyone — and that's okay! Well...it's not okay I fee like I wasted money, but at least I know what to stay away from. And now I'm here to help you figure out what to avoid as well!

Even though this products didn't work for me, that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't use them. These are just my least faves of the year — take 'em or leave 'em!

Here are all the overrated beauty finds I wish I wouldn't have bought

Amazon

1. MILK Hydro Grip Primer

I should've known better than to buy this again, but I wanted to see if my skin would react better to it. The first time I tried to use this, I broke out along my jaws in tiny, red bumps. They were itchy and eventually turned into dark spots that took me over a year to get rid of.

Instead of letting that be the red flag that kept me away from this beauty find, I decided to use it in place of my trusted e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer I've been relying on. Two things happened:

  1. It created a beautiful base for my makeup.
  2. I didn't break out, but my faced still felt itchy.

I even switched my makeup brushes and checked to make sure other makeup products weren't expired. The culprit continued to be this primer so it's made it to my overrated list.

Amazon

2. KORA Organics Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum

I was initially sent this to test, but I decided to buy it myself to see if I truly like it. While it was easy to add to my skincare routine lineup, I realized I actually didn't need to spend $70+ for an effective Vitamin C serum. The only difference between this serum and the one I truly love are their colors and textures.

This one has a slightly yellowish-orange tint to it while being a little thicker compared to the Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C serum I use. The latter is thinner and 100% transparent, plus the odor is slightly stronger. However, both of them aid in smoother skin, smaller pores, and a healthy glow.

I honestly wouldn't buy this one again just because I can get the same benefits for a lesser price.

Amazon

3.NYX Cosmetics Fat Oil Lip Drip

This is a controversial take, but I honestly didn't love the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip. Although I love the color payoff, it was too sticky for my liking. I saw reviews that mentioned this, but I've purchased lip glosses other people didn't love that worked for me in the past. However, the reviews are telling the truth: the stickiness takes away from what could've been a great formula.

I'll just stick to my Tower 28 Lip Softie Hydrating Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla!

Amazon

4. L'Oréal Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara

I know people love this beauty find because it is great. I just didn't think the hype was enough to convince me to buy it again because my essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara gets the job done for $5. I will say I love the washable feature of L'Oréal's version, but it's still not enough to make me willingly spend over $10 for it.

As great of a product as this is, it's overrated to me because of the price tag.

Sephora

5. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

Sigh...it's so hard for me to admit this, but this Haus Labs foundation has become my most overrated beauty find of 2024. It's not that it doesn't work for a few hours, but my skin prefers tinted moisturizers more than anything. I talked about it briefly on TikTok, but skin tints feel like you're not wearing anything on your face.

I'm always really oily after wearing this foundation for a few hours, but I can get extended wear out of the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint I've been wearing. I like to think it's because it has vegan collagen, ceramides, and cactus extract in it whereas this foundation has ingredients like fermented arnica in it.

Both do a great job of calming inflammation, but something about this foundation makes my skin think it's incredibly dry.

Visit our Amazon Storefront for a list of beauty products we do love!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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10 Crowdfunds of the Week That’ll Make You Say “Take My Money”

Okay, guilty pleasure announcement: We LOVE browsing through Kickstarter and Indiegogo for the latest and greatest finds (don’t worry, even Taylor Swift does it). From girlboss films to multi-functional workout gear, there’s always something new to discover. Plus, supporting innovative small businesses is definitely a bonus. Here are 10 cool crowdfunds that we definitely can’t wait to support.

1. Toasteroid: Jazz up your morning routine with this cool toast tech (yes, that’s actually a thing). The Toasteroid allows you to burn designs, messages and drawings into your toast using their complementary smartphone app. Can you say best brunch plans ever?!

2. Pilot Smart Earpiece Language Translator: If you’ve ever met a cutie that doesn’t speak the same language as you, this new earpiece translator just might be the lifesaver you’re looking for. Say goodbye to awkward Google translate conversations — the Pilot Smart Earpiece will instantly translate your conversations for seamless small talk.

3. LVL: We’ll be the first to admit that there are tons of health wearables on the market, but this chic bracelet stands out for one major reason. LVL is a wearable hydration monitor that scientifically measures how much you need to drink to stay at peak capability (plus it tracks activity, sleep, mood and heart rate too).

4. MOTI: Everyone wants to be able to say that they actually stuck with their New Years resolutions this year, but breaking a bad habit can sometimes feel impossible. Meet MOTI, the habit breaker extraordinaire. Based on the latest insights from behavioral science and social robotics, MOTI sets reminders, celebrations and accountability all through the cute-sized device.

5. Hustle: There’s no question that we love a good planner (we even have adorable planner stickers to really get creative with it). Hustle takes everything we love about planners, but instead of using tons of traditional paper, it’s made entirely from stone paper (AKA no water, acid or airborne, water-borne or solid waste is used to make it).

6. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Inspire the young lady in your life to live boldly with this awesome collection of 100 bedtimes stories about 100 extraordinary women, illustrated by 100 female artists.

7. Keep Pursuing Project Zero G Backpack: If you’ve ever gotten a backache from carrying around too much stuff in your bag, you have to check out this new product from Keep Pursuing, pronto. Claiming to be the first backpack designed to make 20 pounds feel like 10, it’s perfect for the over-packer and long-haul traveler.

8. OLO: There’s no question that 3D printing is the must-have tech of the future, but many designers can’t actually use it properly because it is just too darn expensive. OLO is the first ever smartphone 3D printer that costs just $99. It’s portable, multi-material… and definitely on our Christmas list.

9. BioRing: As much as we love our wearables, most of them are chunky and, to be honest, just plain ugly. BioRing is a simple wellness wearable that automatically measures everything you could ever want (calorie intake, calorie burn, heart rate, sleep) while looking cool on your finger.

10. BiCable: Although we still don’t know how we feel about Apple nixing the headphone jack, we do understand their point about cords being a pain. The BiCable is a cord hater’s dream, as it’s basically an all-in-one cord that can charge just about anything (Android, iPhone, Beats Headphones… you name it).

Are you currently supporting any crowdfunds? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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6 Home Decor Trends That Will Be Huge In 2025 (Thanks To Studio McGee)

Studio McGee has spent the last decade inspiring us with a blend of accessible and elevated designs, creating beautiful and totally livable spaces. In her 2025 Home Decor Trends report, Shea McGee emphasizes that home decor trends evolve gradually over time, and I couldn’t agree more. Unlike the fast-paced world of fashion, where trends shift every season, these design moves develop organically over time, and that's good for your wallet and taking your time to create a space you love. Get inspired to refresh your home in 2025 with a few new accents, from embellishments like fringe to maybe a little western or seaside art.

Here are Studio McGee's 2025 Home Decor Trend Predictions, with a few surprises!

Photo: Shade Degges | Design: Studio Mountain

Romantic Silhouettes

Take Romantic Silhouettes, for example. This is a trend we've seen steadily gain traction over the past few years. Think curvy furniture, delicate floral prints, and soft blush hues — when curated thoughtfully, these elements can become timeless staples in your home.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Watch Shea's take on designing your home for 2025!

Photo: Michael P.H. Clifford | Design: A1000XBetter

Western Cowboy

This is a design trend that totally surprised me, but I'm so happy to see it in the mix. Elements like leather furniture, rustic accessories, equestrian art, even wood walls, shown in this office designed by A1000XBetter, are making an impact in 2025 and beyond. But Shea notes that you can take this trend literally or just be inspired by the look. You can also mix it with other styles to personalize it for you. Add romantic pillows or ruffled tablecloths like McGee & Co. x Loeffler Randall Gardenia Ruffle Border Tablecloth – things you love that make it yours vs. based solely on one trend.

Gavin Carter| Design: House of Rolison

Saturated Colors

Shea predicts that rich hues like deep browns, oxblood red, and earthy greens will continue to dominate home decor colors going into 2025. House of Rolison's bathroom brown is an excellent example of this beautiful trend.

courtesy of Stewart-Schafer

Pattern Drenching

Embracing a single pattern and drenching an entire room in it — from walls to pillows, headboards, and curtains — is a surprise trend for 2025. This maximalist approach, which has been quietly gaining traction, draws inspiration from Arts and Crafts designers like William Morris and has been in and out of vogue since the Victorian era.

McGee & Co.

Embellishments

This is a trend you can easily DIY to add an extra layer of charm to your decor. Think playful details like fringe accents —beautifully shown in McGee & Co.'s Philippa Settee — along with tassels, pleats, ruffles, and rope. It’s all about embracing texture and whimsy, so have fun with it!

McGee & Co.

Seaside Inspiration

Coastal decor has long been an influence in design and you can be inspired by it in many forms, from shell accents to beach-inspired artwork like McGee & Co.'s Distant Coastline art to textured seagrass baskets and jute rugs. Even the soothing hues of the sea — think soft blues, sandy neutrals, and gentle greens — can inspire your 2025 spaces.

Check out the full list of Studio McGee 2025 Design Trends!

Check out our online newsletter for more 2025 home decor inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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14 Shots You’ll Actually Want To Take This New Year’s Eve

If there’s any holiday where you’re encouraged to take shots, it’s New Year’s Eve. But, that doesn’t mean you should limit your NYE party beverages to champagne. These sparkly, glittery and all-around enticing shots are sure to please and won’t induce any bad-idea hangovers from too manytequila drinks. You can let your resolution ideas start when the calendar reads 2025. Meanwhile, cheers to enjoying these shots you’ll actually want to make (and take) this New Year’s Eve.

The 14 Best New Year's Eve Shots To Throw Back For 2025!

Brit + Co

Apple Cider Shooter

That caramel vodka you bought on a whim once can finally be put to good use with this spiked apple cider shooter. Whip it up as a shot or a large punch that will last all night long. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Root Beer Float Shooter

This soda shop classic gets an adult upgrade with ROOT, a traditional alcoholic Native American tea. And tea is healthy, right? ;) (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Rainbow Shots

Meet your new party trick! All five of these shots come out of one shaker. Prepare to amaze your guests with your bartending skills this NYE. (via Brit + Co)

Sprinkle Bakes

Champagne Chantilly Shooters

Be sure to add these cake-inspired shooters to your after-holiday to-do list to start 2016 with a little bit of deliciousness. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

Feast + West

Champagne Jell-O Shots

Turn your champagne into a shot! If you’re hosting a large party, these are a way more affordable option than a case of champagne. (via Feast + West)

Dine and Dish

Blackberry Gin Shooters

This shooter is *almost* too pretty to drink. Plus, we can all pretend that the blackberries are doing you some good. (via Dine and Dish)

A Year of Cocktails

Butternut Rum Lifesaver

A shot that tastes like candy is a sweet way to start your year off right. (via A Year of Cocktails)

Holly's Cheat Day

Tipsy Spritzer Shots

Not every shot needs to be super strong. If you’re looking for something you can enjoy throughout the night, this sweet, bubbly and tart “spritzer” shot is low in alcohol content and big on flavor. (via Holly’s Cheat Day)

Bubbly Nation Creations

Sparkling Jello Jigglers

Swap out champagne for the grape juice in this recipe to make a fancy, adult version of a JELL-O jiggler. Sprinkles and edible gold stars required. (via Bubbly Nation Creations)

Broma Bakery

Champagne Jello Shots

Awww, Jello Shots are all grown up in this festive recipe. They have a nice flavor that won’t leave you wincing afterwards. (via Broma Bakery)

The First Year

White Chocolate Champagne Cheesecake Shooters

This shot is delicious enough to be dessert. Top yours with edible glitter sprinkles to get even more festive. (via The First Year)

Cookin' Canuck

Cranberry Kamikaze Shots

NYE calls for a fancier drink than a go-to beer or wine. Ring in the new year with cranberry kamikaze shots that look pretty and taste delicious (via Cookin' Canuck)

Tablespoon

Banana Split Shooters

This shot requires five ingredients that'll send your taste buds soaring. I mean, what could be better than taking a shot of something that tastes like dessert? (via Tablespoon)

Something Swanky

Sparkling Cider Jello Shots (Non-Alcoholic)

If you want to be extra careful not to induce a hangover when you wake up in 2024, your best bet are these sparkling cider jello shots. They're made with unflavored gelatin, distilled water, cider and your choice of berries, cherries, or gummies! (via Something Swanky)

Looking for more NYE recipe or drink ideas? Check out Brit + Co on Pinterest and check out our New Year's Eve dinner ideas for more inspiration.This post has been updated.

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