As the days become longer and the weather becomes warmer, students are beginning to prepare for three months of relaxation, cookouts, and beach days in the sun. With all of these activities coming up, these two products may make for an even simpler summer.

ENO

Nearly everyone who owns a television or computer has heard of or witnessed the antics of Bear Grylls in the wild as he recreates scenarios of survival running through the forest. One of Grylls utilized forms of shelter is hanging tents or hammocks off of incredibly steep edges like a mountain climber, leaving the audience wondering how anyone could sleep in those conditions. The answer is relatively simple because it is only three letters long: ENO.

Eagle’s Nest Outfitters produces a variety of top-notch hammocks that are incredibly comfortable and portable. The hammock can be folded up into a pouch that is slightly larger than a softball, allowing it to be carried during hiking and camping trips, or even just going outdoors and studying. The setup time is also impressive since everything needed to hang up the ENO is provided.

“The setup was effortless,” according to thetrek.co. “The straps allotted for different widths between trees, and no fancy knot system was required.”

There are a variety of sizes and types ranging from a relaxation hammock to one used for hunting or sleeping in harsh conditions. Prices range from $70 to $100 per hammock, but the high quality and comfort is worth the high price tag completely. No matter if the trip is a backpacking excursion or a quick nap in a forest preserve, the easy and adjustable set up as well as the comfortable and durable materials make ENO stand apart from other brands of hammocks that do not meet the same standards.

Butter Boy

Corn on the cob is the perfect messy summer meal that lets people experience the carefree attitude that accompanies no school or work, but the cob also comes with drawbacks. It is always tempting for people to add butter to their plates ever since Paula Dean’s rise to Food Network stardom. However, it can take minutes of oily hands and dropped food in order to get enough butter to cover a cob of corn when spreading it with a knife- that is, until Butter Boy came along.

Butter Boy is a plastic kitchen tool that allows for quick and easy application of butter to corn on the cob and many other foods. Sold at Bed Bath and Beyond, this small, green, toy-like device cuts down the time and mess that usually accompanies butter.

The kitchen utensil works by inserting a stick of butter into the bottom of the Butter Boy, pushing upwards like a Popsicle, and the butter that rises above the Butter Boy and is ready to spread directly on food. The curve of Butter Boy’s mouth allows for an easy spread on corn, and there is no knife required for application. Butter Boy’s simple and sweet design is another plus as it resembles a happy toy that will make both children and adults alike smile at its silly plaid overalls and beaming smile.

Butter Boys are sold for $7.99 on Amazon.com, and they are also sold in-store at Bed Bath and Beyond in Deer Park.