Whether you are baking them at home or buying them from the store, cupcakes seem to be a welcomed treat by many. With the various combination of flavours and the creative designs that bakers have presented the world with, the cupcake trend continues to rise. But how else can a cupcake company innovate to meet the demands of their customers, around the clock? Sprinkles in Beverly Hills just introduced their cupcake ATM last week that allows customers to buy their delicious treats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

When the ATM was first introduced, they sold as many as 1000 cupcakes a day, far exceeding Sprinkles’ expectations. I bet most of the people just simply wanted to see how it worked!! Watch the video below to get a better idea of the whole concept. I say it’s a great idea for those late night cravings, and the cupcake looks very neat (not mashed up from all the ‘movement’) when presented to the customer. The camera showing the robotic arm inside is pretty cool too!

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Sprinkles plans to set up their next ATM in New York City. So, do we need some cupcake ATMs in Toronto?

images via NotCot

Photo Courtesy of Droog.com

We’ve talked about these MUJI and Echo Design touchscreen gloves before and since then, there seems to have been a variety of similar type products on the market. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet and grabbed yourself a pair, you are in luck! Vidafine is giving away the Glovetip, an alternative to the touchscreen gloves that is a simple accessory for your already existing pair of gloves/mitts.

Chi Dang and Joseph Levy Bensoussan created the Glovetip, a small conductive button that you attach to your own pair of gloves or mittens. The idea came about in 2009 when Chi’s phone rang and he couldn’t answer it because of his gloves.

Touch-screens need static electricity from your skin to work. You don’t have to change your style, just attach the Glovetip. These buttons transfer the electricity from your finger to the screen at the speed of light. The instructions on the back make it seem really simple and suggest you press the two pieces between the fabric for three seconds. In reality, you can’t just press it together. You have to press down and twist for about half a minute. No biggie though, it’s only a few extra seconds.

It seems like a great idea considering that people can continue to use what they already have. The button itself is also small and not noticeable unless you look closely, so the added convenience won’t hurt your style.

On mittens, it’s still able to react to the screen but you have to angle your finger a little higher so that it’s lying straight on the screen. The buttons are perfect for simple tap or swipe games but isn’t really ideal for texting. On gloves, it does work a little better because you have more control.

Simply enter by telling us which touch screen product(s) you own, and your funniest technology blunder. Contest is open to Canadian and U.S. mailing addresses only. Please comment with your Facebook / Twitter / Disqus account, or with a valid email address, so we can contact you if you win. Contest closes on March 18, 2012 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

Three winners will be chosen from all the entries. Good luck!

If you are one of the unlucky ones, and happen to miss your chance at owning this tiny glove accompaniment, they are available online on their website. For Canadians, they can visit the Indigo website to purchase.

Birthdays are a special time and are definitely a cause for celebration! Many people like to call upon their good friends and family to join them in sharing their special day, while others prefer to stay low-key and simply enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Either way, you or someone close to you spends the days before your big day to help you plan a memorable event. This year, for my birthday (which happens to be on New Years Day), I decided to do something a little different than the years passed. I came across the idea of The Birthday Project just a month before my 2012 birthday and it immediately inspired me to get planning on what I would do for my ‘big day’.

In 2010, when Robyn Bomar performed her 38 random acts of kindness on her 38th birthday, the overwhelming response she received from her single blog post became the motivation behind her desire to start The Birthday Project. In her personal event planning and design blog post, she, along with her family decided to perform 38 random acts of kindness within her community. She also invited readers or whoever read her post to perform random acts of kindness too and report back to her on what they did and the response that they received after or during their act of kindness.

The random acts of kindness don’t need to be expensive or overwhelming, but simply gestures that make other people stop, think, and smile on the inside. They also don’t need to happen only once a year either. But this type of project helps act as a reminder about the things we as human beings with different talents and experiences can do for others around us, everyday of our lives. You can join the conversation here.

Another project that is happening right now as you are reading this is 33 Wishes created by one of our very own writers, Anfernee Chansamooth. In celebration of his birthday this year, he has decided take matters into his own hands and help make a difference in other’s lives.

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Here’s the video that sparked his project!

He is asking individuals to make a wish through his project, and submit them by February 2nd 2012. He hopes to link wish makers and wish helpers and share in the joy of giving and receiving. So what special skills do you possess? Or what special wish do you have?

Do you have other ideas for how you can make the world a better place with simple acts?

Finally, on behalf of the whole Vidafine team, we want to wish our readers a Happy New Year! We hope 2012 brings greater opportunities than ever before, more inspiration to utilize your talents to do good, and a better appreciation for the people and places around us that shape who we are and what we value. Cheers!

I love tree houses! There is something nostalgic about those tiny houses perched high up in the trees overlooking serene surroundings. The Treehotel is located in Harads, near the Lule river, about 100 kilometers from Luleå airport, in Sweden. There’s no better way to experience nature than to be one with nature. Inspired by “The Tree Lover” by Jonas Selberg Augustsen, the Treehotel hopes to connect humans to the significance of trees in our world. Don’t be fooled though, design and comfort are not compromised here. Together with some of Scandinavia’s leading architects, these “treerooms” have been uniquely designed to suspended 4-6 meters above ground – all with spectacular views of the Lule River. The company also places high regard for ecological values and takes caution in their construction and operation of the hotel.

Upon checking in at Brittas Hostel, where you have your meals and entertainment, you are brought to one of the 24 rooms available at Treehotel. With names like the Cabin, the Mirrorcube, the Bird’s Nest, the Blue Cone and the UFO, each with their own unique features and story, how can you not wonder what it would be like to spend a few days up there?

The Cabin: A simple design that’s like a capsule, a cozy rest stop for travelling couples.

The Mirrorcube: An interesting reflective structure that’s just as cool to look at from the outside as it is from the inside.

The Bird’s Nest: Designed to resemble a real life bird’s nest. This interior fits 4 so it’s perfect for a small family!

The Blue Cone: Not sure why it’s not actually called the Red Cone, but nonetheless, the vibrant red colour definitely stands out among the trees.

The UFO: Looks like a place out of a movie. The interior even compliments the theme of the house with constellation sheets!

Other activities at the hotel include use of the Tree Sauna or building your own igloo and even ice fishing during the winter months.

Inspired by nature and the process of photosynthesis, this usb charging station has been designed to look and act like a bonsai tree. Electree as it is called, was designed by French designer Vivien Muller based in Metz. It has taken Muller 3 years to perfect this design as he wanted to incorporate as much of his ecological inspiration, aesthetic vision and practical functionality prior to its release. I love the look of this product and the meaning behind it.

The 27 ‘leaves’ or solar panels on this charging station can move according to the owner’s desires to create a variety of different ‘looks’. The collected sunlight is then reserved in the 13 500 mAh battery located under the panel of the bonsai. After less than 36 hours of sunshine, the battery is fully charged and ready to transfer battery life to various usb devices such as cellphones and music players. It takes only a few hours to fully charge an iPhone for example.

The Electree is for indoor use only, and retails for approximately $416 CAD through Mister Ecologie. It will be available for mass public purchase at the end of this year (they have just finished their pre-sale). If only it didn’t cost so much…

As the days grow shorter and the wind blows stronger, winter is inevitably upon us, especially here in North America. With only about a month before the winter holidays, many are looking to vacation at potential sun destinations for some much needed rest and relaxation. Gayana Eco Resort in Malaysia seems to fit the bill as it rests at the edges of a lush jungle forest on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo. Doesn’t that already sound exquisite? What’s even more appealing is its commitment to eco-tourism, evident with its on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre that proactively is committed towards saving endangered giant clams and restoring natural coral reefs.

Visitors to the resort are greeted by the Marine Ecology Research Centre that is home to a variety of marine life to see and touch.

For someone like me who isn’t the best scuba diver, their ‘touch tank’ is such a great opportunity to be able to see and touch these amazing species without having to dive underwater.

Other than the typical spa, kayaking, diving, jungle trekking and dining activities, the Gayana Eco Resort also allows visitors to take part in their Reef Restoration Programme, where guests are given the opportunity to replant replenished coral back into the reef or see first hand, how the Giant Clam Propagation Programme is helping to sustain these endangered species.

So when you are planning your next vacation, consider a place that will help you make a difference in the world!

We’ve all heard of time capsules, those tin boxes that people bury with their most prized possessions only to dig them up years later. The items inside the capsule bring meaning and life to days passed, mostly to the individual who buried it in the first place. But what if you could leave your mark in the world for all to see? Something that you or those who come after you could look at and learn from?

Back in 2006, artist Bili Bidjocka and curator Simon Njami began travelling the world and inviting various creative personalities to write in blank pages of enormous books. They started in Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum and from there, went on a journey around the world.

The idea is to write like it was your last opportunity to write something, ever. They call this project Ecriture Infinie and it emphasizes penmanship and the flow of pen on paper rather than what is actually written.

It’s a celebration of handwriting and sheds some light back on a 3,500 year old practice that has almost been forgotten in today’s society. Each written passage is also filmed and reflects the process of writing. It also documents the varying writing styles at this point in time.

Once a book is complete, they are then sealed and hidden in a secret location until they are discovered. As the other seven books continue to travel around the world, the eighth and final book was created in collaboration with Moleskine. A gigantic version of the signature blank notebook made its first public appearance in Italy this past September, where visitors to the exhibit were encouraged to leave their mark.

In an age where everyone seems to be glued to their devices, it’s nice to see something that brings people back to their basic instincts. I use my laptop practically everyday but when it comes to jotting down notes and reminders, I keep a notebook or two handy. It’s a habit I’ve never really broken, but I like that I still have that connection. Some people I know rely on their phones and computers for everything. How do they carry that heavy thing around all day? They’ve also used it so much that their handwriting has become total chicken scratch; it’s barely readable.

If we rely on technology too much, we may become slaves to it. No, I’m not being paranoid but if you think about it, there are some people that are already there. They’re always connected to something. Writing is one of those things that may disappear but it shouldn’t have to. Period.

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Owning an iPhone or any other touchscreen device during the colder months of the year will no longer be as cumbersome as it used to be. Remember the time when you had to take off your mittens to type a lengthy text that usually results in numb fingers? Thanks to MUJI and Echo Design‘s line of touchscreen gloves, we have one less thing to worry about this winter!

These wool gloves definitely exemplify the simplistic and practical designs that MUJI has long been recognized for. Available in a variety of complimentary fall/winter hues, they fit right into our lives: stylish and compatible with our increasingly smartphone-dependent lifestyle. They can be purchased online here for approximately $20 CAD and shipped to Canada.

If you are looking for something more colourful and perhaps a bit more sophisticated, like cashmere or leather gloves, Echo Design also makes touchscreen gloves known as the Echo Touch which you can purchase online (but only ships to the U.S.).

If you’ve tried these gloves out, please leave a comment to let us know what you think! I am pretty sure most people who own an iPhone or touchscreen smartphone wouldn’t mind receiving a pair this Christmas!

Being in the classroom for most of my day, I see my fair share of children’s imaginative illustrations. I love the whimsical nature of children’s drawings and seeing their perceptions of the world around them whether exaggerated or perfected. Aminals has taken that love for their children’s creative works of art and turned them into eco-friendly, loveable, huggable, and soft dolls, each accompanied by their own special story. My favourite is the Sistur’s story, “My backpack has three pockets, one of them is secret. Bees can sting you even if they are dead.”

Each doll retails for $24.99 on their webstore but can also be purchased from retailers. What’s special about these dolls is that they are 100% organic inside and out. That means when your little ones have outgrown playing with them or if the dolls have seen their last days, you can compost them instead of simply throwing them out. (I know that I have so many stuffed animals that I have either packed away in garbage bags to give away, or to be disposed of in the trash : ( simply because I no longer have space for them!)

Being fully bio-nutrient means that all Aminal dolls are stuffed with 100% unbleached, unprocessed, chemical-free organic cotton and dyed with low-impact vegetable dyes. Aminal dolls contain no petro-chemicals and no synthetic materials. Of course, this means that over time they may fade in colour or the cotton inside may move around a bit, but Aminal believes that this is what makes them truly a special product that can be enjoyed by many but also good for the environment. Their website also has the five easy steps that you should follow to compost your Aminal properly so that it can become rich soil in a matter of months.

What a great idea! It doesn’t hurt that the dolls are super adorable too!

There should always be room for thought. My favourite days are the days spent thinking about what my next project, great adventure or agenda will be. But with thought, should come a plan of action. American Express has put together the Room for Thought project to help make our ideas…happen! They will be providing the means and the space for lucky individuals who have great ideas and help make them a reality in Toronto, Canada in November of this year. After hearing about the contest from our friends at HUG, Vidafine is so excited to share with you the 9 finalist for the contest that started this summer. Now, American Express is taking public votes to help determine the three final winners. Once chosen, the finalist will then be directed, mentored and supported by three very distinguished individuals in the categories of Community, Travel and Adventure and Music.

Here is a quick profile of each of the mentors involved in the contest and their take on why this contest matters.

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Television Personality from Survivorman, Les Stroud

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Co-Founders of Free the Children, Marc and Craig Kielburger

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Indie Singer/Songwriter of Metric Emily Haines

The 9 finalists chosen by the mentors above are below for each category.

Community:

Survivor Garden by Lisa Shanker: To start a therapeutic garden for people recovering from serious illness.

The Rupali Project by Jody Cason: To send used sewing machines to India to create prosperity for women in third world countries.

Miracle on Your Street by Christina Parkhurst: This idea is to take a community Christmas Spirit Dinner nationally.

Travel and Adventure:

Preserving Time by Robert Postma: This idea is to photograph remote parts of Canada to document climate change.

Canadian Road Trip by Carl Fortier: This idea is to take the underprivileged on a cross-Canada road trip.

Second Chance Travel Co-op by Evan Malach: This idea is to give underprivileged youth the chance to travel the world.

Music:

Ghost II by Andrew Huang: This idea is a music installation piece that lets users interact with music in a unique way.

Everyone’s Recording Studio by Sasha Spachak: This idea gives people free access to instruments and recording equipment.

Music Mentors by Nicole Vanderburg: This idea pairs high school music students with younger kids who can’t afford lessons.

Though some of these ideas don’t necessarily bring about instant change, I believe it gives opportunities for change. And that’s the spark that will change the world.

Voting ends on September 28th, 2011, so make sure you head over to the American Express Canada to cast your vote. Even if you don’t have the next great idea just yet, you can help make other great ideas a reality!!