Vending Machines Are The New Black

Everything seems to be coming in vending machines these days.  If you go to the airport, they have vending machines full of iPods, cameras, movies, Playstation Portables, and more.  Then there were the ingenious pizza vending machines and Espresso Book Machines.  The next hottest trend in vending machine style?  Shoes.

Every girl knows what it’s like to wear heels all day.  You wear them to work, you get a little break, then you strap them back on to go out in the evenings.  I’ve begged many guys for piggy-back rides by the end of the night, hardly able to walk on throbbing feet.  Sometimes I just take them off and risk the shards of glass and trash on the streets with bare feet because I know a shattered windshield would feel better on my feet than heels at that point.

Rollasole has developed a vending machine that is placed in clubs and distributes ballet flats to save your feet on the walk home.  They even made them stylish enough to wear at the club, if the dancing is getting to you before the night is over.  The shoes come in black, gold, and silver, so you can choose the one to best match your outfit, and they roll up to fit in your purse so you can bring them along the next time you go out.

Unfortunately the Rollasole is only available in the UK for now, but hopefully the trend will pick up stateside at some point.  The shoes go for about 5 pounds, which is about $8 US.  For that price you get the shoes, a carrying case for them, as well as a bag to toss your heels in until you need them again.

I know that at the end of a long night, $8 would seem like nothing to save my feet.  Yes, I guess we could all just buy some ballet flats at the store and toss them in our purse, but after wearing heels for years, how many times have I bothered to do this?  Never.  You don’t think of it until you’re crying with pain, and if there’s a vending machine there offering relief, I’m sure there will be a long line of women waiting to pay for it.

http://www.rollasole.com

The Martinez Brothers Rock Clubs Around the World

Who would have thought that two teenage brothers from the Bronx would be playing gigs around the world?  The Martinez Brothers (TMB), Steve and Chris, are now 20 and 17 years old, respectively.  After developing a love of house music from their father, the brothers taught themselves the skills they needed to make their signature dance beats while they were still both in high school.

In 2006, TMB opened up their career by playing at Shelter club in New York.  Before long they were playing for Diddy’s parties in Miami and entertaining club goers at the hottest spots around the world.  This year they will be playing at Ministry of Sound in London, which is one of the biggest events for music from all over the world.

My favorite track is TMB’s first single, “My Rendition,” which proved right away that they had something different.  Although it clearly fits in with the best of house music, it has an intense energy that fuses the youthful nature of TMB with classic dance beats.  “Debbie Downer,” their second single, released in January 2009 and also harnesses their signature sound.  Watching their live performances you can’t help but start dancing along.  It’s easy to see that they love what they do and have a passion for music that is contagious.

It’s rare to see such young talent, especially in the world of house music, but these brothers are obviously far ahead of the pack already, and still have a long, promising career stretched out in front of them.

TMB MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/themartinezbros

Buy “My Rendition”: TMB “My Rendition”

Buy “Debbie Downer”: TMB “Debbie Downer”

Click Read More to see a list of tour dates so you can catch TMB live!  Also watch a video clip of one of their club performances.
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Pub-Corn: Beer and Cocktail Flavored Popcorn

Lots of bars (at least my favorite ones) give out free popcorn while you drink.  Beer and popcorn just go together.  So why not make beer flavored popcorn?  Cary Silverman, a senior at the University of Missouri, decided to give it a try, and now he is the creator and owner of Pub-Corn.

Cary came up with the idea when he saw people sneaking alcohol into movie theaters.  He tried different methods to develop the alcohol flavored popcorn, from soaking kernels in whiskey to injecting kernels with a syringe.  Finally he developed flavors (non-alcoholic but taste like the real thing) that he applies to the kernels.

Currently, Pub-Corn is available in Beer, Pina Colada, and Irish Cream flavors.  You can order a 10oz bag on the site for $2.98, and there is also a 3 flavor pack for $7.80.  For St. Patrick’s Day, Pub-Corn is also offering Green Beer corn.  Check it out here: Pub-Corn

Ali Spagnola’s Power Hour

For those of you who don’t know what “Power Hour” is, it’s a drinking game where you get together with a bunch of friends (or by yourself if you really have the urge) and take a shot of beer every minute for an hour.  It always sounds like a good idea until about 30-40 minutes or so in when the minutes start feeling more like seconds and you find yourself cheating with half shots or the line “oh yeah, I already took mine, you just didn’t see it.”

To assist you on your drinking venture, Ali Spagnola came up with the idea to make a Power Hour CD.  It has 60 tracks about drinking, and each one is a minute long.  She also has a DVD as a visual aid in case her smiling face might help you through your Power Hour pain.

You can buy the album through Amazon by clicking here: The Power Hour Album

And check out Ali’s art, music, and blog at her official site: Ali Spagnola

Click Read More to see the full track listings.
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MyHouse Hollywood

The newest hot spot in Hollywood opened recently.  It’s called MyHouse, and it’s a trendy bar set up exactly like a glamorous Hollywood home.  The designer, Dodd Mitchell, created the bar, and co-owner David Judaken said he wanted people to feel like they were at a house party every time they came into MyHouse.

Inside the bar, there are living rooms, an entryway that faces the staircase which leads up to the “bedroom,” and there is actually a regular kitchen, with an island set up in the middle to serve as a bar.

If you want to fully experience MyHouse, you will be paying $250-$1000 to reserve a “couch” or “bed” for your friends.  Us common folk will be more likely to be found mingling outside on the patio area or standing up between couches.

MyHouse is quickly becoming the new Hollywood hot spot.  Click here to check out more pictures of the bar: MyHouse