By now most people probably have a stack of reward/savings cards to their favorite retail outlets, some more weathered then others. I would even bet these same people probably have a few duplicates due to those random store trips where the cashier claimed they didn’t have a spare to swipe forcing you to sign up (with your own pen) all over again. For me personally, this caused for a makeover… new name, number and address. My personal favorites were Anita Bath from Suds, California or Brock Lee from Tree Hill, Minnesota.
If I try real hard I can remember the first time I saw a key chain sized savings card. While this seemed to impress my mother, I was more interested in popping the little hole out of the top corner. Frankly, I didn’t understand why stores didn’t adopt the same technology they used for debit/credit cards as part of their savings program. Just pop in your special 4 digit code and bam… 3 cents off.
Anyway, I recently signed up for the American Eagle Access Pass around the holidays since I was doing some online gift shopping. Sure enough a few days ago I received a package in the mail with not only 4 different shaped plastic savings card but about eleven sticker versions to tag my phone, mp3 player, laptop, wallet, neck and any other thing I could think of. I’m even considering putting one on my dog’s collar for décor since the pepsi blue color looks great against her chocolate fur.
Inserted in: February 2008 Edition of Wired Magazine
I’m thinking this blue raspberry tasting little bad boy may need to sit next to my buzz cola. Now if only the Nintendo Cereal from the 80’s made a come back…
Paul Morgan Architects recently designed a swank little eco-friendly abode in Victoria, Australia that stores rain water within the beautifully designed tear drop shaped water tank. The purpose of the tank is to keep the air inside the house cool and provide structural support for the roof. Excess water drains to an external tank which is used for flushing toilets and irrigating the garden.
Read Full Article Here
A McDonald’s in California recently redesigned its Hacienda location using the basic principles of the ancient Chinese practice, Feng Shui, as its inspiration. By strategically arranging objects and numbers this fast food chain hopes to promote health, harmony and prosperity. Leather seats, earth tones, bamboo plants and water trickling down glass panels will replace the normal kid-friendly visual stimulation.
According to one of the three owners, Mark Brownstein, the new design is meant to appeal to the area’s growing Asian population while still remaining friendly to those seeking an updated place to grab an artery-clogging-mess-making-oh-so-good Big Mac (large fries please).
Read Full Article Here
Currently in its beta stage, Knicker Picker, is a new website looking to make it a little easier to shop for undergarments online. Their digital dressing room gives web visitors the chance to see their selections on real life models before having to commit to purchases.
Once site visitors see a piece they might want to sport they simply drag it on to the model with a body type similar to theirs (or the person they are buying for). The model then hits the runway and struts off the selection giving users the option to zoom in and turn for multiple views.
Currently only three female body types are available and the technology doesn’t seem to support mix and match selections but it’s a much nicer approach than the traditional stale flat image most online shops offer.
Drop it like its hot.
“Valentines day spending to approach $123 per consumer”
According to a study issued Monday by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average consumer plans to spend $122.98 on Valentine’s Day, up from $119.67 in 2007. Total retail spending for the Feb. 14 holiday is expected to reach $17.02 billion. This same study also estimates that men will outspend women this year, spending an average of $163.37 on gifts and cards, compared to an average of $84.72 spent by women.
With that said its no wonder why some of the most recognized brands on the market are repositioning current products and releasing some new ones in hopes of spreading the love…
- Puma Flipper Valentines EditionKicks
- Reebok Valentines Edition Kicks
- Valentines Bicycle Chain Bottle Opener
- Heart Shaped USB Flash Drive
- MioPink Shape Select Heart Rate Monitor Watch w/Advanced Calorie Features
- Nike Air Max 95 ValentinesEdition Kicks
- Dell & Project RED: XPSM1330/1530 Laptop & XPS ONE Desktop
- Red/Black/White 948 All-in-one Printer
- The Love Tub is a limited-edition $20,000 state-of-the-art Amore Bay hot tub from Dimension One Spas
- Webkinz Special Edition Valentines Pal
- Valentines Theme Digital Sudoku
- Moleskins Limited Edition Valentines Planner
- Bejeweled substituted their regular in-game gems with red heart shaped jewels and added a special option to help romantics get the message across to their very own gamer geek
- Jones Soda Personalized Valentines sets allows users to upload pictures to use as labels
- Yves Saint Laurent Beaute limited-edition Palette Pour Les Levres
- “I Love You” Marmite includes a hint of champagne and a silver lid for engraving
- Apple Pink iPod Nano
- Hot Pink iRiver Japan Mickey Mouse Shaped MP3 Player with Swarovski Crystals
- Limited-edition “Romance” Sony e-Reader
- Pink Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Remote Control
- Sweet Memory Premium Edition: 512 DIMM Memory Module comes stamped with a Valentines Day Message and packaged in a chocolate-esque box
- The Red Collection: Sony CR Laptop w/Red Mouse and Dooney & Burke Keychain
- Pink Palm Centro
- Microsoft Red Zune 80GB MP3 Player
- Hugs and Kisses Project RED/Hallmark Valentines Day Card
- Valentines Edition Baby Kozy Carrier