For couples that do not want to go along with the whole classic wedding theme but prefer to inject a bit more originality and fun into their big day then we think the tepee experience from MagnaKata is a brilliant idea and a great alternative to the traditional marquee experience. These giant tepees (also called Katas) can be used as a single structure, or joined together to accommodate up to 300 seated guests. The lighting and soft furnishing arrangements can make for a more informal, bohemian setting and we think they just look amazing for any special occasion.
Hotel Kakslauttanen located in the Saariselka area of Finland, in all its Lapland glory, offers tourists the most incredible accommodation in the form of glass igloos. These totally unique rooms offers the best views of the Northern Lights of the Arctic Circle and the hotel also claims to have the world's largest smoke sauna.
The Sifteo Cubes have been eagerly anticipated for some time as the latest in table-top entertainment and are now being distributed across America and Canada. Sifteo Cubes are part video game, part board game and part lego, connecting wirelessly to a computer or laptop. They can be shaken, tilted or rotated to play a wide range of games including word games, number games and video games, acting as 3-D block builders and 2-D video games. They are entertainment for adults and kids alike offering intelligent play. The Sifteo Cubes cost $149 and the company hopes to start distributing outside North America in the near future.
Let's face it bottled water doesn't really do the environment any favours. Considering the huge scale production and transportation eco costs of bottled water, never mind the disposal of all those empty bottles. It really doesn't make sense in countries where there is adequately good drinking water. This is why we love the collapsable water bottle from UK-based company Aquatina, which aims to encourage more people to use tap water to help the environment. The bottle can hold 500 mls of water and can collapse to a third of it's size, so easily fits a pocket or handbag. The company has also set up www.findafountain.org, which lets people easily find a usable drinking fountain to refill their bottle on the go. Although the fountains are mainly mapped out for London the company plans to expand this across various other cities. People can buy an Aquatina bottle through various sites including ethicalcommunity.com for less than £5.
Academic text books cost a small fortune and a common bugbear of students. Many successful business ideas are borne out of everyday problems like this which is why Campus Book Rentals in the US has scored many brownie points with students and as a result cashed in. CBR rent out college text books, saving at least half the price of what the full price would be if purchased. Students have their own online account so they can keep up-to-date with the rentals and books are easily returned in prepaid envelopes. Other customer-friendly services include 30 day money back guarantee if the book is not the right one, rental extensions and buy options. Since establishment in 2007 the business has seen incredible sales growth and now employs 90 people. This business model has been adopted by savvy people in other countries, for example Acadreamia offers a similar service in the UK.
