November, 2009

With $400 million at stake, you can bet the marketing blitz is going full-throttle for James Cameron's new film, Avatar.  And, of course, this means toys, toys, toys!

Are they cool?  Hell yeah, they are.  And they offer something I've never seen in a toy.

Fashion that incorporates animal images or shapes usually evokes one of two things - cute and cuddly or hot and fierce. A new line of accessories falls into neither category and it's really quite disturbing. Don't buy these fashion accessories for anyone's stocking this Christmas, unless you're prepared for a nasty complaint letter to be delivered to Santa and his elves.

ThinkGeek is known for compiling some of the geekiest items available on the market, and their clothing accessories don't fall flat. For the nerd in your life, shop at ThinkGeek this holiday season and you'll find a selection of accessories that you certainly won't find on the runways in Paris; but they are sure to make every geek or closest geek squeal and snort with excitement!

Times are changing, and today's woman can do anything she puts her mind to. Lately, I've focused on a couple of innovative business ideas developed by busy moms looking to carve themselves a place in the world of business. I couldn't pass up on mentioning that SavvyMom 2009 Mompreneur Award Winner to further empower women in business!

At some point, every cell phone user has joked that they should have their phone surgically implanted into their hand since it's virtually a permanent fixture. Now, that ideology has been made into a reality, and it's a concept that some will love, some will hate.

Moms are among the hardest working people on the planet, and I'm only talking about the ones who parent full-time, not to mention those that juggle other responsibilities, like careers at the same time! This holiday season, give a mom in your life a break from one of her daily parenting duties - lunch making, by supplying her with a service that delivers healthy meals to her kids at school!

Not all businesses are strictly about making money - some do what they do for the greater good. Unfortunately, not all businesses can operate as non-profit companies, as they just don't always survive; so there are some that bridge the gap between the two business structures. There's one that will give you the warm and fuzzies out of appreciation, right on time for the holidays!

An umbrella can do so much more than simply keep you dry, and let's face it, depending upon the weather conditions, it doesn't always do that. This winter, stay chic and fashionable with some of these stylish umbrellas available from Amazon, or buy them for someone else as a gift. These chic and stylish umbrellas make the perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays, and they sure will be conversation pieces that brighten up even the gloomiest of days! Though watch how you wrap them; they might be dead giveaways sitting under a tree or sticking out from a stocking in true form.

It's a trend that's happening around the globe- instead of just serving a boring old cup of coffee that will give you the jitter, some shops are adopting latte art as a part of their services. For no additional charge, visitors can receive their favorite beverage with artwork built right into the foam.

Charity shoes really are the best of both worlds; you get to give something back to an important cause, and have a great fashion item to show for it at the same time that looks great and reminds you and everyone else you see about your good deed. The latest charity line of shoes is by a big name in sneakers that you're sure to love.

Leave it to ThinkGeek to come up with something so simple, so ingenious and so geeky that everyone just has to get their hands on one of their own. Of course, it's something that you can wear, because it wouldn't be much good otherwise!

The holiday season is upon us, and you know what that means - lots of holiday cheer flowing in the form of drinks! With that in mind, there's one accessory that you should have on hand to make sure that all of your decisions are smart ones!

I found a website that has hundreds of USB gadgets and most of them are not dumb.... They're not just for geeks and gamers either, but can be quite practical for all of us who spend our lives nearly chained to a computer.  If you like them, order by November 30, 2009, and get free world-wide shipping!

We've seen customizable books in the past, where kids can star in their favorite fairy tale book, or adults can take over the leading role in a classic novel - along comes another business in this niche right in time for holiday shopping!

Some might think shoes are shoe, but for many women, shoes are like a major reflection of who they are. Bold designs in fashion might not be appropriate for the office, but when it comes to footwear, there are different rules that allow women to show their personalities.  This line of shoes doesn't have anything all that unusual about it, but they are unique, classy, and bold..if you're looking for a refined style, however, you won't find it here!

Many children and adults alike who wear hearing aids, particularly prior to their senior years, feel self-conscious about their hearing aids. To try to change this, one confident girl has created a new accessory that makes hearing aids something to flaunt, not hide.

Recently we saw little buildings that could be transported by trailer to be used as offices, storage locations and other shelters, but these were lacking in some obvious amenities. Another builder of teeny tiny houses uses a similar building plan, buts creates houses that are a bit more liveable.

If you haven't heard of synthetic wishbones, then you probably should have because it's a six figure industry that makes up a niche holiday business.

Everyone's feet are slightly different sizes, but some people find themselves proportioned so unevenly at their base that they can't even purchase a pair of shoes, because there will always be one foot that's the wrong size. To address this issue, we've seen companies that sell shoes by the singles, and another is trying something different by offering shoe swapping.

This Obama dress was a feature on the red carpet at the Emmy's. I wasn't going to feature it, but for reasons that aren't all positive, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it and just wanted to share this atrocity with all of our readers to get some thoughts.

Crime scene cleanup is a niche market that's continuing to grow, because someone's got to do the dirtiest jobs in each city. Chicago's got a business that takes care of all of that gross stuff that no one else wants to think about, just as we've seen in other cities, but this one's run by a unique group of people.

If you ask many men what their favorite thing is, one answer they'll likely tell you is beer. If you ask a woman who dreads cooking what she looks for most in meal preparation, she'll likely tell you prefabricated meals that require little preparation. Put those two things together and you get a unique company that brings together the best of both worlds.

Designer Mark Ecko has recently expanded his appeal by designing fashion items that appeal to niche markets - for example movie and video game fanatics. Previously, I posted the Halo Master Chief Hoodie, but this latest design tops it in a rather terrifying way.

We've seen clothing that turn into sleeping bags before, but in a recent design competition for green emergency clothing, this concept has been one-upped with a much more practical convertible fashion item.

Cell phone bans while driving are being rolled out around the world, with varying penalties for those who still choose to talk or text and drive. While the distractions that cell phones can cause are obvious, there are some who just can't resist answering a ring or responding to a text even when they're on the road. Since some drivers lack willpower, there's a business that's decided to take advantage!

For those who have a love of all things literary, this is a love that can be extended to fashion. Not all books can be read, at least not the kind that you can tote with you on a daily basis to ensure that everyone knows just how much you love the classics. These unique handbag designs are anything but classic accessories, it's the literary aspect that gives them this title!

Sometimes it's unfortunate that the most talked about fashion items only make ito a period of conceptualization and never actually hit the streets or the runways. In some cases, they've been created strictly for the purpose of chatter, where the fashion isn't the focus at all, but a manipulative marketing ploy is. Released earlier this year, there's one concept that should make it off the pages of a magazine despite its role in media manipulation.

A unique vacation is hard to come by, but we're only a few years away from being able to take a vacation that offers a real out of this world experience.

Sometimes it's unfortunate that the most talked about fashion items only make it to a period of conceptualization and never actually hit the streets or the runways. In some cases, they've been created strictly for the purpose of chatter, where the fashion isn't the focus at all, but a manipulative marketing ploy is. Released earlier this year, there's one concept that should make it off the pages of a magazine despite its role in media manipulation.

Chedds is a unique restaurant that I featured a while ago that serves grilled cheese exclusively. With their traditional grilled cheese recipes, and some that are new and unusual, Chedds quickly grew in popularity since its launch; but now, it's getting a little bit of competition from a company that's found one way to top it - making grilled cheese mobile.

We've seen shirts that allow you to play musician while expressing yourself through fashion in the past, but now there's a new design that puts those former models to shame. Now, really bring out your inner rock star everywhere you go, without having to take along a burdensome instrument.

We've seen napping pods sent up in major urban centers before, but now, there's a new pop-up hotel designed to offer optimal convenience and comfort for travellers virtually wherever they are; even without a reservation!

Not all inventions are a good idea, and here's one that clearly wasn't very well thought through. Just in case you've ever dreamed of sharing clothing with your favorite companion, your laptop, someone had to go and make it possible.

Dear Marketing Firms:

Please insert real-life products into my video gaming environments so I don't forget they exist.

Your biggest fan,

J. Barker

You might think the Cotton Candy is only something that you can find at your local fair; but if you've got a craving for something sticky and sugary that melts in your mouth and leaves your tongue bright pink or blue, then you're in luck if you live in NYC, because cotton candy may come to you.

These fashions are more about fun than they are about function. All of the designs give you a place to store your stuff just like a wallet or purse, but they do so in such a "discreet" way that no one will ever guess that's where you stashed your cash. The purpose might be fun, but there's function built-in, because if thieves can't find your wallet, they can't steal it!

I know what you're thinking - prefabricated houses aren't new. At some point, we've all known someone who's lived in a mobile home, trailer, or another sort of prefab home. But this new company has a fun name and a fun concept that's definitely worth talking about!

When you're out for a night on the town with your cell phone on hand, it's easy to miss important phones calls from your friends that you regret not picking up, because you could have stopped from them going home with the regretful guy. The ideal solution has become a reality, with fashion that meets Bluetooth indicator technology.

It was just a matter of time before a Japanese fashion house began seriously designing for cats;  cat-dressing is getting too big for the petwear trade.  United Bamboo has come out with a line of ready-to-wear for cats that match their women's fashions for the Fall and Winter season 2009 - 2010.  Here is a preview of the collection....

When we think of "all inclusive" hotels, we automatically assume that it's a resort in the Dominican Republic or Mexico, sitting on or near a beach, where the food is often sub-par and the domestic beer and tropical drinks flow freely. Although most all inclusive hotels in the world are this popular style, one Singapore hotel is trying to transform the meaning of "all inclusive".

Watches act as a major statement piece for men and women; but men in particular seem to have a love for watches that are aesthetically appealing and incorporate neat features and gadgets. The Ora Watch puts a spin on timepieces, and that's a statement you can almost take literally.

Zippers were a hot trend this summer, and going into fall it's one that doesn't show signs of stopping. However, there's one zippered style (and most of us should be in agreement about this one) that really and truly should.

With exercise and employee well-being becoming a greater focus in many workplaces, a new company has released something that allows those who typically work at a computer to multi-task in a way that's for their own greater good, and that of the company that they work for. This concept isn't a business idea per say - but it's definitely worth mentioning because it might just set a new trend for workspaces of the future.

Club Bounce is a controversial Long Beach California night club that caters to a niche audience. Some feel it's discriminatory, others feel it actually eliminates discrimination; but everyone who visits has one thing in common, and it's not just their love of bumping and grinding with a vodka tonic in hand.

It seems like these days just about anything you can eat has made its way into the world of fashion, and the latest innovation will keep your feet toasty in more ways than one.

Maternity clothing is slowly improving the more time goes on. No longer do mothers have to suffer through fashion mishaps while wearing shirts and dresses that pay them a resemblance to tents. Maternity clothing is becoming more fashion forward, but that's just not for everyone; what about those geeks out there who want to wear their personalities loud and proud throughout their pregnancies without having to disguise themselves as fashionable women?

What would you think if you were hired for a job, not because of your skills, your sunny personality, or even (let's just say it) your appearance; because, instead, the company was focusing upon your genes to determine if you're a good match or not? That's exactly what innovative company Arbita is proposing by taking a closer look at how the Human Genome Project could play a role in job recruitment.

The best accessories are multi-purpose; think purses, which look fantastic, and allow you to carry everything but the kitchen sink (or, on the other end of the equation, allow you to barely fit your favorite lipstick) when you're kicking around town during the day or indulging in a night out. Okay, the latest trend in accessories, the pouch necklace, might not be quite so epic, but it does hold a place in history.

Computer and internet use is no longer just for the younger generations; but for those who try to get online later in life, there are greater challenges since they haven't had the lifelong exposure that many that are part of the younger demographic have. An unlikely entrepreneur has stepped forward to provide a service that helps seniors overcome their challenges when using technology, and you know her best as Mrs. Brady.

Not all great concepts come in the form of new business ideas; some come from successful companies who decide to take their idea one step further to capture a new audience or improve the scope of their appeal. The latest business to announce that changes are in the works is the Disney Store brand, and Disney fans can expect something fantastic!

When two people fit together perfectly, the next logical step is a marriage proposal, but finding rings that have the same message just don't always come easily. Warning: the contained rings do fit together, but they're just a little bit geeky!

You would think that a hidden restaurant would appeal to the celebrities, especially in New York City that finds itself plagued with paparazzi outside of celebrity hotspots where the rich and famous continue to go anyways. But while they might not appeal to the obvious crowd, discreet dining allows the average person to feel like a star!

Nike's done it again, and this time their sneaker design is modern and eye catching, and also holds a special place in history. These special sneakers will appeal to a different audience than some of the other designs we've seen recently, that focus on recapturing a little piece of history.