I loved this PureWow post about SideCar so I am posting it with no edits. It really tickled me for some reason:
From PureWow
“Say you’re stranded with an armload of paper towels at the Target on Elston Avenue–and there’s not a bus or a cab in sight.
Enter SideCar, a new app for iPhone and Android that connects on-demand drivers with people who need rides. Wherever you are, open the app and request a driver, then wait for the confirmation call.
Your chauffeur-of-the-moment will arrive within two to ten minutes in a newish car (less than ten years old; you might ride in anything from a Cadillac to a Prius) and of course boast a clean driving record.
The process is cashless and payment is donation-only; the app keeps your credit card on file and suggests an amount at the end of the ride. (Technically you could skip out for free, but who would do that?) For instance, the three-mile trip from Big Star to the Pump Room cost us $7; the driver keeps 80 percent. (Be a driver yourself and earn a little extra gas money.)
SideCar’s Chicago manager, Lisa Frame (also the hilarious blogger behind SoYeahDuh), says the service has been a hit in other cities because it’s both cost-effective (usually less than cab fare) and a fun way to meet people and get new perspectives on the city.
It’s the one time we’ll say it: Go ahead, take a ride from a stranger.”
What do you think? Is this awesome or just plain cray-cray? Would you try it as a passenger or a driver? Both or neither? (Scaredy cat me says probably neither!)
In the “you’ve got to be kidding me” category, here is another article that I read this week that I felt needed no additional commentary from me from Refinery 29 by Kelsey Miller.
“Heads up, we’re a bit ticked off. Just when you think, perhaps, we’ve reached a point where women can safely assume a level of respect and the world has evolved past a general perspective of misogyny — the ePad Femme “tablet for women” comes along.
At last, ladies, you too can have a tablet device, thanks to the Eurostar Group creating a simpler, pinker version to suit your delicate sensibilities. And don’t worry about downloading apps (they know how much trouble you have with that). The ePad Femme comes pre-loaded with all you could possibly desire! There’s a grocery-list app, a pregnancy app, recipe apps, and, best of all, the Women’s Assistant, offering weight-loss tips at a moment’s notice — finally!
Says Mani Nair, Associate Vice President for Marketing at Eurostar Group (who initially touted this as a Valentine’s Day gift), “It makes a perfect gadget for a woman who might find difficulties in terms of downloading these applications.” Indeed, just like the BIC pens for women, we’re sure the female population is grateful for this pastel, dumbed-down advancement in technology.
Feminist writers in the Middle East (where this product was developed) are speaking out against this offensive absurdity, and, thankfully, only 7,000 units have been sold so far. [7,000?!?!] Still, the fact that something so outrageous has even gotten that far is enough to make our blood boil. We can’t even count the number of offensive connotations this device implies (maybe it’s our hormones, or the fact that this article just isn’t pink enough). So, please, do tell us your thoughts on the ePad Femme. And, feel free to tell Eurostar, too.”
Wow – first we get FOUR curated women’s monthly visitor boxes (see section 2) and now this. Seriously?! too dumb to download apps because we are women?! WTF? What do you think of this?Rant over – here are some fun Friday deals to help me us simmer down!
> Thanks to Stacy (and Well+Good NYC) for this one for my NYC friends: “Spring into shape, and into some fab new fitness apparel, when you purchase the Classtivity Passport“. You get 10 studio fitness or arts classes (for this deal in NYC at select studios – one per studio only – but Classtivity has online scheduling in Chicago, San Fran, Boston, LA, Miami, Seattle and DC) for $49 AND a $20 gift card to Lululemon when you buy through THIS LINK. Note: You must purchase using the highlighted link above (or from the Well+Good site) in order to get the $20 Lululemon gift card.
> Active Gear up has great deals on Timex HR monitors and activity trackers and running accessories from Nathan (among other great deals!)
> Have you checked out Lifebooker Loot? They offer great deals online and in major metros on health, beauty and fitness services and products. Today they are offering:
– $35 for 3 Vegetarian Cook-At-Home Meals for Two (normally $59) or $40 for 3 Non-Vegetarian Meals for Two (normally $69) from Hello Fresh (click here to see delivery map.)
– They also have a bunch of $29 massages and facials in various cities – book through the end of the month!
> More good stuff from Gilt City!
– Deal for dudes: $75 for $150 in custom shirts from Ledbury (online)
– East coasters check out 35% off of meals or vegetarian meals for 2 or 4 from Blue Apron. You can learn to make healthy, delicious recipes (and save time!) with the help of this grocery-subscription service, which delivers all the ingredients you need to cook gourmet meals.
In Chicago:
– Get 50% off on classes at Power Sculpt Fitness in Lakeview. Highly recommended by Kelli!
– Get 33% off on make up application and hair styling at Blow by Blow in River North – fun for a special occasion!
In NYC AND for dudes (Hello, Jason, I am speaking to you!):
– Check out 40 – 50% off at MEN’S ONLY Nickel Spa in Chelsea
– or try 33 – 40% off at SPIFF for men. According to Gilt City, this classic Midtown barbershop, which works exclusively with male clients, delivers “a luxury grooming experience for the modern man.” A little manscaping??
> Get 40% off of a 3 month subscription to curated beauty box Glossy Box (plus a complimentary ModelCo Lip Duo Lipstick & Shine Ultra Lip Gloss, a two-in-one lipstick and gloss) from Daily Candy Deals.
> In Chicago, get $20 off on an UBER “black car” (read: not taxi) with the code CHEEKY2013 by 3/31/2013 – new customers only. Must download UBER app.
> In Chicago, Running Away is having 50% off on winter running clothes in stores starting this weekend. Heck, we may really need them!
That’s all I have for now! I hope that you have a great weekend (and that it warms up in Chicago!!) Don’t forget to check out my awesome OKU Oxygen jacket giveaway. I will be posting the winners of my raffle for Alexandra’s Playground this weekend!