100% Curiously Awesome: May 2009 Archives

OK, I don't know if this is actually for sale anywhere, which might frustrate those of you who may want to purchase it for yourself or as an awesome gift for a bibliophile friend of yours.

However, I could not resist posting it, because I love it. Who knows how comfortable it would actually be, but I just love the idea of sitting down and basically being surrounded by your own private little library. You can finish one book, slide it back in its slot, and then pick out another without leaving your seat! How convenient is that?

Plus, it looks cool.

Usually a hotel's signature will be something to do with a great mattress, a nice robe in the bathroom, superb service, or cool on-site amenities. Doubletree Hotels created a very unique signature comfort - chocolate chip cookies. As soon as you check in, you get a cookie. How great would the world be if you got a cookie every time you arrived somewhere?

These cookies are delicious. It's been a long time since I've stayed at a Doubletree Hotel, but I would take one of those cookies over the Heavenly Bath robe at The Westin any day. There's a Doubletree Hotel very close to Vat19, and I'm thinking about stopping by there one day for the sole purpose of getting a cookie.

If you are looking for other "sweet" unique gift ideas, visit the Vat19.com store.

Need a unique gift for the daredevil in your family? Check out the Flybar 800.

It may not look like much in the photo, but the Flybar 800 is pretty much a pogo stick on steroids. With a patented system of rubber spring elements (as opposed to the traditional steel) that can be adjusted for the needs of the rider, it can get you jumping over 4 feet in the air. Um, that's high. And if it's not high enough, you can get the Flybar 1200, which has the potential to get you soaring over 5 feet in the air. Frankly, I'd be scared to get on this thing, but the fun potential is so great that I just may have to try it if I ever got the chance.

At about $200-$250, the price tag is a little hefty, but the right gift recipient would probably love you forever.

Sunprints are seriously magic. All you need to create these unique photographs, also called cyanotypes, are sunlight, light-sensitive paper, water, and whatever object you want to photograph (leaves, coins, flowers, etc). The Sunlight Print Kit includes the light-sensitive paper, instruction/project booklet, templates, and a pen for marking your photographs. Mother Nature will provide the sunlight, water, and your inspiration. Here are a couple examples:

Cool, huh? Now that summer is nearing, this would make a great outdoor activity for kids, as well as adults who just need a fun and creative outlet. And be sure to check out Vat19.com for even more outdoor fun!

"Scrap wood" never looked so good.

These beautiful Log Bowls by Loyal Loot Collective are handmade from locally reclaimed trees in Edmonton Canada. The folks at Loyal Loot, with the help of local crafts people, hand-select their trees, turn them by hand to create the smooth and even "bowl", and then finish them off with acrylic paint and a water based gloss seal.

I just love the contrast of the rough and rugged tree bark against the smooth, vibrant colors of the bowls. They're gorgeous! And versatile, too. In sizes ranging from 2-10", they would be great to hold candy, jewelry, keys, or just serve as eye-catching centerpieces.