Epi-Ready

Price: $29.99 plus $4.99 S&H.

What it does: Stores emergency epinephrine readily and securely.

How it makes your life easier: If you've ever had a severe allergic reaction or know someone who has, you know how important it is to quickly locate their emergency medicines and keep them secure. Affected individuals may have only a few minutes to access life-saving medicines. The Epi-Ready storage unit is aptly named because it securely mounts to a wall or cabinet and will hold up to two Epi-pens or Epi-pen Jr. auto-injectors. Simply insert the auto-injectors and push to close the clear blue case (you will hear a click). To open, squeeze the sides in the middle of the case and pull. It's easy for adults to open, much harder for small children. Inform caregivers, relatives and neighbors of the case's location and purpose (as well as how to inject the medicines) and end the desperate hunt for medication when it's needed. The case is clearly labeled, ventilated for a certain level of climate control and is made of a material that protects against UV rays. When mounted by an exit door or in the kitchen, the Epi-Ready also serves as a visual reminder to take allergy medicines with you. It measures 4 x 11 inches (about the size of a woman's checkbook wallet). I would love to see the company expand it's line to include multi-use storage units for Epi-pens, asthma inhalers and anti-histamine medications. And an option for magnetized backing would add to its portability and appeal.

Who would use it: Parents, caregivers, grandparents, neighbors, health care centers, work places, hospitals, schools, day cares, recreation centers and anyone who has a life-threatening food or bee/wasp allergy. You must have a prescription to get the epinephrine auto-injectors. This is a thoughtful and practical gift for loved ones with allergies or those who care for them.

Where to get it: www.epi-ready.com, www.wherestheepipen.com or 877-374-7323.

joyce clark hicks joyce.hicks@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-8908

These stickers take the cake

Mrs. Grossman's, a large decorative sticker company, and the Baltimore bakery Charm City Cakes have teamed up to create a delectable collection of cake-themed stickers. The unique line was inspired by the cake creations of celebrity chef and bakery owner Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes." They would look delicious on everything from scrapbook pages to gift bags, envelopes, baby shower, birthday or wedding invitations and recipe pages. My personal choice would be to spend the afternoon making decorative birthday cards or gift wrap with my kids. Whether you're looking for an elegant, playful or picnicky adornment, the Charm City Cake collection has something to satisfy your creative appetite. Each 4 x 5 inch sheet sells for $1.99 and is surrounded by accessorizing details. (As a bonus, the back of each sheet includes Duff's favorite recipe for French Buttercream icing.) View the line (and other sticker collections) at www.mrsgrossmans.com.

Home stagers unite

On Tuesday, members of the Raleigh chapter of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals will demonstrate their staging prowess by transforming the Habitat for Humanity home that will be featured on the 2008 Parade of Homes tour into a masterpiece. This is part of Worldwide Staging Day celebrations that focus on giving back to the community through volunteer efforts. Chapter members will furnish the home with their time and talents, as well as donated furnishings and accessories. The home is at 3920 Carolina Cherry Drive in the Augusta Landings subdivision just off of the Beltline at Poole Road. The 2008 Wake County Parade of Homes is open to the public during the first three weekends of October from noon to 5 p.m. Parade books will be available for pick-up at the Home Builders Association office, 6510 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, on Oct. 1.

Historic preservation

Come out to McIntyre's Fine Books at 7 p.m. Thursday in Pittsboro to hear J. Myrick Howard read from "Buying Time for Heritage: How to Save an Endangered Historic Property." The book explains how one nonprofit organization, Preservation North Carolina, has creatively used real estate strategies to save more than 500 historic properties from destruction. As it turns out, knowledge and passion are key elements to saving properties, not necessarily large sums of money. Howard is executive director of PNC and teaches historic preservation at UNC-Chapel Hill. Call McIntyre's for more information: 919-542-3030.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.