Springwise: “Prosper gives people the opportunity to take back the marketplace for consumer credit. By providing the platform and tools for an efficient marketplace created by and for people, Prosper aims to make consumer lending more financially and socially rewarding for everyone.” How it works? People who need money request it, with a listing of why they need the money, […]
Bid Your Loans
Energy Drink
Ubercool: In 2005, U.S. energy drink sales grew to US$3.3 billion, up 75% from US$2 billion, making it the fastest growing portion of the non-alcoholic beverage market, according to Beverage Digest. Globally, the energy drink market topped US$5 billion in 2004. Dozens of energy drink brands have hit store shelves since Red Bull was introduced to the U.S. market in […]
Cabs for Pink Ladies
Springwise: In London alone, 10 women are attacked each month after getting into an unlicensed mini-cab. No wonder that many women feel safer taking a taxi driven by a woman. Pink Ladies spotted a business opportunity, and created the UK’s first women-only private car hire franchise. The Pink Ladies drive Renault Kangoos that are pink inside and out, making them […]
Pets Hotels
Iconoculture: Ask any canine or kitty: It’s doggone traumatic when owners go away. But Mazzu’s Dog and Cat Hotel in Philadelphia aims to ease things with tony boarding options that include dinners of filet mignon or fresh salmon. A standard “personal suite” gives furry family members a TV, toys, unlimited spring water, daily maid service and “unlimited personal affection,” with […]
Auto Dust Pan
Shiny Shiny: Huzzah!, another household appliance that stops people from having to bend over (why yes, I am the laziest housekeeper in the world, thanks for noticing). The SweepEZE Vacuuming Dust Pan replaces the standard dust pan by lying in wait to “sense” dirt rather than lying in your broom closet waiting not to be found when you need it. […]
Sapphire Inspired
Trendwatching: So let’s start with a slew of what can now be considered ‘traditional’ pop-up BRAND SPACES, many of them of the fast-fashion type, eager to surprise either random passers-by or those select few who were in the know. Here’s a long list of spottings over the last 6 months or so (ammunition!), just copy and paste into your brand […]
Mobile Pet Grooming
Iconoculture: Pet hair out of control when owners don’t want to be? That’s the calling card for Aussie Pet Mobile, a franchise that home-delivers pet grooming services in a specially equipped van. With a grooming station at their door, owners can watch as their beloved furballs receive an in-van shampoo, conditioning, blow-dry and brush-out. Or Aussie Pet can solve pets’ […]
ChitterChatter Cellphone
Iconoculture: Hop-on’s ChitterChatter cellphone helps parents keep kids on a long leash – and within their virtual jurisdiction. The affordable, age-appropriate tot-tracker uses GPS tech, text messaging and graphical, one-touch buttons to pinpoint little ones’ locations within 300 feet in under a minute. Parents pre-program the speed-dial phonebook with emergency and family contacts and can choose to block numbers not […]
Retro Refrigerators
Gizmodo: If your crib is getting to be a little bit too modern-looking, now it’s time to funk it up a bit with some retro-refrigeration. Oddly-named Brit company Smeg is offering these old-fashioned refrigerators with a large selection of colors including those seen above. So if you’re looking to sing the praises of the Union Jack or want a refrigerator […]
iPillow
Popgadget: Brookstone has these pillow speakers called (surprise, surprise) iPillow for those of you who like to listen to music in bed. Just plug in your mp3 player into the pillow. The pillow itself looks to be shaped more like a booster pillow with a visco-elastic foam interior and micro-suede on the outside. A zippered mesh bag holds the player […]