Maybe 2014 is the time to make that invention idea you have into a reality? Impossible? Not with Quirky. I learned about Quirky at Chicago Ideas Week in October and finally got around to checking it out.
Quirky is a website where you can submit your ideas – either fully drafted or on a cocktail napkin (or anywhere in between). People then vote on ideas. Quirky works with the creators to flesh out designs, fabricate and sell the most popular ideas and the inventors and influencers share in the profits.
There is a detailed FAQ on submitting ideas, IP, ownership and participating in the development process as well as the process and being an “influencer.” Who is this for? It is for folks who have lots of great ideas but limited time and resources to set them in motion. Think you have the next zillion dollar idea? You could still benefit from some of the design tips and other aspects of this site, but you might want to keep the specifics to yourself! I had fun looking at and voting for a few ideas. Here’s a sample:
And of course, there is an app for this, too! Check it out!
Sitting is “the new smoking”, so resolve to move more in the new year – even at work. Check out this great set of resources from Experience Life magazine on “Workday Workouts.” One of my intentions for the year is to take stairs instead of escalators/elevators if I have to go 3 floors or less and the stairs are available. I am not planning to do push-ups every hour like the guy who sat next to me at my last job (unless I can do so unobserved!)
This article has tons of great ideas for moving throughout the day. They also link to some great previous articles. Like these “quick workout strategies that can get you through busy times”:
- Fit in a Flash (March 2006). If you’ve got only 30 to 40 minutes, try one of the two options here: a muscle-building strength workout or fat-burning interval workout.
- Squeeze-It-In Strength Workout (March 2009). This 20-minute circuit-training workout challenges both your aerobic and anaerobic systems.
- Tabata Tune-Up (March 2008). Apply this gut-busting, minimal-rest interval concept to strength exercises or cardio. The best part? It takes just four minutes.
- HIIT It! (December 2008). These go-all-out cardio intervals mean you work hard, you work smart — and get done sooner. Not for the faint of heart.
What are your workday fitness intentions this year?
After all of the holiday madness, I have been checking out post-holiday deals and deals on experiences:
- Oh, but first here is a FREE OFFER, I got one of those “Mags for Miles” notifications from Delta. I have some expiring miles and they are offering sweet deals on magazines. The only issue is that the husband and I get about 50 magazines between the two of us. We need magazines like we need more holes in our heads. From the looks, I can gift about 12 subcriptions from this list. First 12 people to comment on this post and tell me which magazine they want from the list will get them! I will email you for your address.
- I got a great deal on 5 healthy meals delivered to me from Finds’ Fave Factor 75 from Gilt City. (Good for new or existing customers.) I also got 33% off at brunch at Siena Tavern. They also have tons of great health and fitness deals in major metros to kick off the new year.
- I forgot to put an umbrella on my holiday wish list. I got a great one on “blowout sale” from One King’s Lane. I love their new bedding and bath collection, too!
- Travelzoo Local Deals has two awesome spa deals in Chicago: $199 for a massage, facial and more at the Four Seasons (and other cities, too!) or $99 for $199 at Bliss Spa at the W. They have big discounts at the Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf in NYC, too and many more local deals all over! (Don’t worry, husband, I did not but any of these!)
- Get 30% off on brain games from Lumosity.
- Diet to Go, a national healthy food delivery service, is giving away 1000 meals! Enter to win a month, a week or $50 gift card. No purchase necessary!
- Get $20 off $70 purchase at Shoebuy.com through 1/5.
- Before you buy anything, check ebates –they have lots of doubled cash back and coupon offers! (Men – get 40% off on the Half Yearly sale at Nordstom+ 3% cash back!)
- Need some cute workout wear to help with those New Year’s Resolutions? Get 20% off at Ellie or 50% off your first outfit and free shipping from Kate Hudson’s Fabletics.
- For a limited time, check out great deals on North Face at Steep and Cheap’s Gear Cache.
- Check out great clearance prices at Craft.
- Through 1/7, save up to 50% off Photo Books and up to 40% off Cards & Stationery with code NEWYEAR at Shutterfly. Stack on the code SHIP30 to get free shipping for orders over $30.
- Spend $20.14 on one item at E.L.F. Cosmetics and get a second for 50% off with coupon code BOGO50 at checkout.
- Save up to 50% on Benefit Cosmetics with promo code SALE2014 on select items plus enjoy free shipping on all U.S. orders. (expires January 7)
- Get 40% off at Isis with code isisaff40.
- Check out the clearance up to 60% off on quirky products and cool designs at Fab – plus get $25 off on your first purchase of $75 or more.
Well, that’s all I have for now. It is going to be an arctic freeze here in the Windy City this weekend – looks like I will have a ton of time for finding things online. What are you up to?
PS. Don’t forget my Fiona’s Natural giveaway!