Dollar Store Finds: Plastic Fence Partition Thingy

Melissa Hung
November 21, 2008

Each week, I or another intrepid Hyphen reporter will scour the aisles of an Asian dollar store to bring you an interesting object. Perhaps this will be something mind-blowingly rad. Perhaps it will be something we think says a lot about Asian-ness. Or maybe, as is sometimes the case, we have no idea what it is and we need your help in figuring out what it's supposed to do.

Even though some of you who know me might think this has something to do with my already-existing obsession with Daiso and Ichiban Kan, I assure you that I am only undertaking this most-needed task to bring you, dear readers, the most up-to-date and compelling news about Asian culture in the form of 99-cent and $1.50 objects.
Let us now begin.
This week, our object is a plastic partition. (There were various sizes, but I choose the L size, whatever that means.) They are made out of super-light corrugated plastic.

They have teeth on one side. All you have to do is cut them apart and fit the teethy sides together and -- ta-da! -- instant divider. Even though each package was only $1.50, there are only three plastic strips in each bags, so you'll have to stock up to do any serious improvements around the house. One package was enough, though, to work magic on my spice and tea drawer.

My drawer before:

drawer-before.jpg

The happy organized drawer after L-sized partitions:
drawer-after.jpg

I think I'm in love. Excuse me now. I've got a lot of drawers to attend to.

Categories: 
Gift Guide
Contributor: 

Melissa Hung

Founding Editor

Melissa Hung is the founding editor of Hyphen. She was editor in chief for the magazine's first five years and went on to serve in many other leadership roles on the staff and board for more than a decade. A writer and freelance journalist, Melissa has written for NPR, Vogue, Pacific Standard, Longreads, and Catapult. She grew up in Texas, the eldest child of immigrants.

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Comments

Comments

claire wrote on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:39pm
see? you didn't have to come back to the blog after all! this should keep you busy for ... a long time?
callipygian wrote on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 1:22pm
i'm seriously questioning your Asianess based your tea selections. come on man, is there no chinatown in your area?
melissa wrote on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 1:30pm
I know. While I was uploading the photos, I felt a little ashamed about the tea, especially the Lipton (which in my defense I only use when I'm sick. I put a lot of lemon and honey in it.) The thing is I don't really drink tea at home. (I know, not very Asian of me at all.) So this tea is mostly for visitors.
callipygian wrote on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 7:09pm
haha, ok, hope i got it across that it was a joke. honey and lemon is ok, but lipton teas are only good with a little bit of milk and brown sugar. ummhmm..
melissa wrote on Sun, 11/23/2008 - 9:36pm
Hee. I knew you were joking. (Still, you're not the first person to make fun of my tea selection! I may be a little sensitive about it.)
seng wrote on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 6:15pm
Your organization method makes no sense to me. Why are loose bags clumped together with whatever is in those little boxes? Is the empty space further into the drawer of the Lipton in anticipation of more Lipton? Even though you don't drink tea at home, it is more accessible than the spices- do you use spices even less or is this a courtesy to guests who'd rather not have to move the drawer past the spices to get at the tea?
melissa wrote on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 6:24pm
Sheesh. What is it with you people and harping on other people's kitchen drawers?