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.
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.
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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
“The Ultimate Steal”
Trying to win the battle against illegal software downloads, Microsoft is incentivizing students to take the legal route by offering major discounts on one of its newest Office 2007 software packages in addition to introducing a commission model.
According to the official website the total student discount brings the cost for Office Ultimate 2007 to $59 (download only – installation disk is extra), a supposable 91% discount offer from the ERP of $679. Software programs included are the most recent editions of Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, Groove, Onenote, Infopath, Access, Word, and Publisher.
In order to be eligible for both the rate and the chance to earn commissions, students must use their .edu email account during registration and prove they are enrolled in “at least a .5 course load” (I’m guessing that still makes those that dropped all of their classes entitled to the discount).
While the site doesn’t publicly state what percentage commission students will be entitled to, if they opt into the Microsoft Student Affiliate Program, it does say that they will be providing customizable banners/links for posting on website like facebooks/myspace and personal websites.
The Glass Jug: So simple. So practicle. So stylish?
The Carlo Rossi brand, infamous for their $10 Sangria jug, has re-purposed their packaging into a simple collection of functional furniture pieces all aiming to bring people together.
Each signature piece found on the website is named after a flavored spirit and comes complete with how-to video instructions. Sober up, it’s hammer time.
Images above:
- Paisano Plasma TV Stand
- Sangria Sound System
- Chardonnay Chandelier
- Rhine Reading Lamp
- Cabernet Couch
- Burgundy Book Shelf
