We were delighted to hear today that the world record for human mattress dominoes has been broken a year after the Belgians claimed the crown with 550 mattress / humans. In a New Orleans Convention Center 850 people lined up to be toppled over in an event sponsored by La Quinta hotel group in New Orleans. It's a clever PR / Marketing stunt with a philanthropic outcome...all the mattresses were donated to local charities.
Since over a third of our staff here at Bloom cycle to work everyday it would be a shame not to dedicate at least one blog to the noble bicycle. We've had a look at what's hot in the world of two wheels and selected a top 5 to share with you.
1. Another use for your iPhone
This white horn is a nifty little iPhone 4/4S accessory that will blast out your favourite tunes or read you directions whilst you are out and about. Not only this but it also provides an entirely washable, dirt, scratch and splash-proof protective cover for your iPhone 4. Unlike headphones this accessory doesn’t isolate you from other surrounding sounds, although you may get a few strange looks depending on your music taste.
2. A manifesto for living life to the fullest, on bikes
Holstee is a lifestyle goods company with a conscience. The founders, brothers Mike and Dave Radparvar, have created a nice manifesto to live your life by, which ties nicely back into the brand.
The Holstee Manifesto is a call to action to live a life full of intention, creativity, passion, and community. "Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating,", its about "making real, creative contributions to the world". This manifesto neatly communicates the idea of personal freedom through a series of people on bikes, transportation's symbol of freedom both in the open countryside and built up cities.
3. The city bike - Philippe Starck
The latest city cycle project was recently unveiled in France in collaboration with the legendary French designer, Philippe Starck. Starck was asked by the City of Bordeaux to develop a ‘Bike of the Future’ which will eventually become the new model for the city’s bike sharing program.
Starck’s design is a hybrid of a bicycle and scooter. A foot plate is integrated into the frame in front of the pedals providing riders the ability to safely push start the bicycle.
Bordeaux has seen a threefold increase in the number of bike riders in the last 15 years and is now one of the world's leadng bike friendly cities.
4. Cycling in any weather
If a little rain doesn’t deter you from taking to the road, a rear mudguard is a must for keeping your bum dry as seasoned cyclists will know. Full Windsor’s Quickfix, is a clever little gadget that can be swiftly attached (and removed) with a couple of snaps-no tools required.
If you're a night rider, or simply want to have the coolest bike in town why not make your whole bike glow-in-the-dark as illustrated by the Blackberry Bold 9900 advert.
We've had a look online and the DIY experts recommend phosphorescent paint for a lasting glow. You won't fail to be noticed.
5. The London bike map
London has been busy building bike-lines in recent years to coincide with the Boris Bikes pay and ride scheme. The city has even built bike "superhighways" to easily zip cyclists from the center of the city out to the peripheries. But the city has lacked a detailed and helpful bike map...until now.
Simon Parker has attempted to codify the various bike routes of London, which he found to be confusing and poorly marked. It's inspired by the iconic London tube map, which is credited with making the tube more accessible and increasing ridership.
Parker has created various routes, which he's color-coded and numbered. There are five possible colours - orange, red, cyan, navy, and green.
Now all that's required is for the City of London to adopt it. There is a petition to get the City to do just that which could make our journeys both easier to navigate and safer.
Every year there is an escalation in romantic interest as February, the Month of Hearts, approaches, and the scent of Valentine's Day begins to waft in the air. Here at Bloom we look at how the everyday things you love, like coffee, smoothies and macaroni cheese are making a special appeal for Valentine's day.
1. Say it with a smoothie
Innocent has launched an alternative Valentine gift idea this year...
This is no ordinary Innocent Smoothie, but a cheeky blend of strawberries, bananas and... love! A charming concept for Valentine's Day where you can 'Make your own Valentine's Smoothie' via Innocent's website, giving your Valentine an extra special personalised delicious treat.
2. Coffee loving through augmented reality
Starbucks in America has launched a ‘Starbucks Cup Magic - Here's to all the relationships in your life worth celebrating.’
They have rolled out some heart-adorned cups to celebrate Valentine’s Day. If you have the Starbucks Cup Magic app and put the cup within your phone’s field of vision, your phone will display images of heart-shaped flower petals flying off the cup. You can also send a video of the scene to your beloved via email or Facebook.
3. Philanthropic love
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is taking love sharing to the next level by offering to send positive emotion tweets and Macaroni & Cheese to the needy as part of the charitable ‘Golden Voice of Love’ effort.
The new campaign features the brand’s ‘Golden Voice’, Ted Williams, calling KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese’s loyal fans to help hungry people in the USA. The brand is encouraging the public to tag their V-Day tweets with #VoiceOfLove from February 12-14. These posts will immediately appear in Mr. Williams’ virtual mailbox—then he will select a number of tweets and record them in a video in his great soulful voice, which will be then posted to the brand’s YouTube Channel. Each tweet with this Valentine tag will result in a donation of 100 boxes of KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese to Feeding America organisation.
Get tweeting now...
4. Branded love
The makers of Marmite are ‘spreading the love’ with the release of three limited edition signed e-cards on facebook designed by artist and Marmite fan, Pete Fowler, with messages such as "You're the crumpet to my Marmite" - only real lovers would appreciate.
Very Marmite..very nice....
5. Sweet gifts for your sweetheart
After last year's Glamour Glaze Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, we've been eagerly anticipating this years Valentine related donught delight from Krispy Kreme. And this Valentine they’re offering 3 holiday themed doughnuts to choose from–Heart with Sprinkles, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, and the Drizzled Heart.
Our mouths are watering and our hearts are fluttering.
