Let’s take a look in the “oh oh oh! gimme gimme, I neeeeed it, I’m sure” category. Here we are: A $30,000 humongous three dimensional spherical labyrinth aptly titled “The Superplexus”. Check it out.

It’s large, 36 inches in diameter, and holds a hand made wooden track longer than a football field if laid out flat. The object, like other labyrinths, is to roll the marble from one end of the track to the other without falling off the track. I particularly admire the “complex network of chicanes, multi-planar hairpin turns, spirals, and staircases–even a vortex.” Wow a vortex! I’m stoked already!

More importantly I saw a tie-in with autistic/spectrum kids when I read ” … [this] challenges the limits of your manual dexterity and spatial understanding …” from Hammacher. This relates to how Google has found that “people with autism tend to be visually and spatially gifted” from their SketchUp 3D software.

How’s that for awesome? I say let’s all buy one right now!
Plus Free Shipping on orders over $99 at Hammacher Schlemmer with Code: FEBSHIPS – Limited Time Offer What are you waiting for?

Posted by Sean in Fun, Kids, Splurge
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It was many months ago that I randomly discovered ibride. They were featured on several design blogs and I instantly fell in love with their line of ornate wall art trays. Since they were seemingly everywhere at the time, I didn’t bookmark any online stores. Of course the name ibride quickly slipped from my memory and I have spent the last few months keeping en eye peeled for those gorgeous baroque flourishes and collages of anthropomorphic animals. Quite a hybrid of style, eh? In fact, the name ibride is actually a play on words that is meant to represent “hybrid”. The company consists of 4 French relatives, Rachel, Benoit, and Carine, who I wish I could find more info about online. Their official website is in French and is Flash based so it doesn’t lend well to translating. Anybody know more about them?

Their stunning art trays come in 3 different themes; vintage ladies, animals in nature, and hybrid human/animals attired in exquisite vintage clothing. The imagery is simply amazing, but it’s the colors that really grab me: brooding, muted shades with splashes of vivid color. Everything they make is truly a hybrid of modern and classic. Better still, the laminated trays are made from a recycled wood core!

And lest I forget to mention their newer offerings: furniture shaped like the lower half of an animal. The Basset Stool and Dog Stool (both shown above) are available in black or red. Joe the Polar Bear book shelf measures nearly 4′ tall and is super limited edition.

All but 4 of the trays offered at Burke Decor include Free Shipping in the USA.

Posted by Lauren in Household, So Pretty, Splurge, Unique
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For those with money to burn, or my fellow window shoppers, I invite you all to check out these extraordinary gift ideas. Almost everyone has wanted a full size arcade unit in their home at one point, but who can pick just one arcade game to have? How about a full size 100 game arcade system in one arcade cabinet? Enjoy arcade classics such as Ghosts and Goblins, Centipede, Mega Man, Asteroids, Street Fighter II, and more. Is your inner classic video game nerd drooling as much as mine?
$3,695.95

This is THE Largest Swiss Army Knife in the world, holder of the Guinness World Record for The Most Multifunctional Penknife, with 87 precision-engineered tools spanning 112 functions. What are those 112 functions? Well here are a few of the more extraordinary functions: a bicycle chain rivet setter, signal whistle, 12/20-gauge shotgun choke tube tool, combination fish scaler, hook di sgorger, and line guide tool, cigar-cutting scissors, laser pointer, tire-tread gauge, and more.
$1,199.95

Posted by Sean in Splurge, Unique
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The 50’s were a turning point in so many ways, not least of which was the birth of mid century modern design. Lines became simple and sleek, providing a distinct contrast to the excess that was poplar in post-war times. Thankfully, there are designers today who still create stunning minimalist designs that hearken to that 1950’s modern look. The Gus Design Group manufactures contemporary furniture and home accessories inspired by mid-century classics and simple, everyday forms. From now until June 28th, you can get 10% off their entire collection at Design Public. There are a lot of stand out pieces, but one of my favorites is the multi-purpose Lighbox, shown at right. It’s primary skill appears to be emitting soft, mood lighting, but it’s also sturdy enough to be used as a stool, ottoman, table, or whatever else you can imagine for it. Ahh, beauty and brains.

COUPON: Use Promo Code GUS10 to get 10% off all Gus Design items through June 28, 2007. All Gus items get free shipping, too!

Posted by Lauren in Household, Sale, Splurge
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It’s summer time and we’re all going to be spending a lot more time in our pools. You may not have one, but your neighbor probably does, and you’ll go to at least a couple pool parties this summer, right? Well then the only thing stopping you from being the coolest pool party guest or host is having a motorized pool lounger … or two.

Seriously though, who wouldn’t want a ride on this sweet double joystick double thrusters pool lounger that can not only get you from one end to the other with out getting wet, but can do 360 spins? Weeeeeeeee!!! To top it off this bad boy has a drink cozy, and comes with air pump so you don’t look like a chump blowing up your pool lounger with your own lungs while everyone is already having fun. Get your motorized pool lounger now.

$149.95

Feel free to kick it up a notch at your own pool party with this remote controlled floating serving tray that holds 5 drinks and 16 ounces of snacks. Just imagine yourself relaxing in your sweet crystal clear pool on your motorized lounger, drifting in the slight breeze and when the sun is too much you motor over into the shade. Then when hunger or thirst strikes you beckon your floating snacks with a flip of a button and chow down. Just keep in mind that there are five 12 oz. drink holders and your bladder can only hold so much. But then again if you are by yourself and it’s your pool …

$49.95

Posted by Sean in Fun, Outdoors, Splurge
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Has your child suddenly become interested in pirates and wants to decorate his entire room to look like he just stepped onto the deck of the legendary Black Pearl? (Heck, I want that, too.) Well maybe a hand painted treasure map sign with his name on it would ease his hankerings. It’s personalized with your child’s name and comes at a price any pirate could plunder in half a days work.
$35

Now let’s try a test. Ask your 5 year old what she wants more: a fantastical child-sized pirate ship playhouse… or a college education. Seriously though, if you have the money, this Posh Tots exclusive handcrafted playhouse is going to make a whole neighborhood of kids insanely happy. As the price tag assumes, this is a movie-quality structure that’s got 2 levels, a crow’s nest, sleeping quarters, and it looks amazing. If it was a little bigger, I’d be saving up to get one for myself.
$52,000

If all this talk of kid’s pirate bedrooms has sparked your imagination, then try your hand at entering the pirate contest at Home & Bedroom Furniture. They want you to describe, in 100 words or less, what a real pirate’s bedroom would look like. Winner gets a Pirates of the Caribbean bedding set. What if your bedroom decor is all ready chosen? Why, create a pirate bathroom, of course!

Posted by Lauren in Household, Kids, Splurge
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Sometimes a killer description or photo can make a product seem infinitely cooler: “Surely you’ve wanted, at least once in your life, to collapse dramatically across a piece of furniture in a sudden fit of the vapors. The piece of furniture you want for this display is a chaise lounge.” If you’ve ever had a cat, you know how closely they identify with that statement. This elegant, modern cat bed from designer Elizabeth Paige Smith is perfect for all of kitty’s dramatic collapsings and casual loppings. It’s made from industrial strength corrugated cardboard which cats LOVE, and over time it will begin to mold itself to your pet’s body. There are 2 other styles, and they all include free shipping.

$280-$320

Posted by Lauren in Pets, Splurge
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File this under “what to get the person who has everything” because chances are they don’t have professionally framed artwork of their unique genetic makeup. Personalized abstract art is created from a sample of your DNA resulting in a truly timeless piece of art.

You might have seen them mentioned in Dwell magazine, HGTV, Metropolitan Home, MSNBC, and other popular media outlets, but now it’s time to visit their site and get that special someone a unique gift like no other. DNA 11 was founded by two people who combine business acumen, scientific knowledge, and art appreciation with a deep-rooted belief in the importance of philanthropic giving, as a portion of every sale is donated to charity.

See the many different styles of their DNA art in their gallery. These one-of-a-kind artworks are true expressions of your DNA and make for quite a conversation piece when people ask where they can get such a brilliant piece of artwork.

Learn more about how the process works and how to give custom art from DNA11 as a gift from their site.

Posted by Sean in Splurge, Unique
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It’s only natural to be curious about the things around us, especially the little things we can’t see so well. Remember back in science class when we got to look at leaves, bugs, and bacteria up close? Me too, and the only thing holding me back from putting anything I can under a microscope these days is actually having a microscope to use.

This USB Digital Microscope looks like it will satisfy my curiosity quite well. With a zoom capability of up to 200X you can get pretty up close and personal with just about anything you can fit under the lens. You can even capture video straight to your PC at up to 30fps with the included software. The digital microscope comes with its own stand and can be removed for ease of viewing larger objects.

For a little teaser and to see its capabilities check out the images of this digital microscope in use on some US currency. This microscope would make a great learning tool for kids and inspire some good experiences with science.

$179.99

OK, so who’s going to be the first one to be brave enough to zoom in on their own skin? I want to know what my skin looks like at 200x zoom, but I’m afraid to look. If you’ve got one of these bad boys, or are going to purchase one, I’d like to see some more pictures, so please feel free to leave a comment with a link to where we can all find them.

Posted by Sean in Gadgets, Splurge
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Imagine going back to your childhood. How vividly do you remember your bedroom? Was it unimaginative or boring, or did you have the perfect room? Would you have been the happiest kid alive if you had your own fantasy bed? I’m not sure if this type of custom dream furniture was even available when I was a kid, but nowadays some very lucky kids can have their own dream beds.

Posh Tots has an awe inspiring collection of fantasy furniture available in many different themes: each one a unique work of art. One of the grandest beds they offer is the Fantasy Coach bed. Themed like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach, this bed is as magic as the real thing. This princess carriage bed is handcrafted in England, and is sure to make all your little girl’s dreams come true. For those of you with little pirates in training, you’ll love the ornately decorated Shiver Me Timbers bed and bedding. If your little swashbuckler dreams of sailing the deep blue sea, and wants to be the captain of his own pirate ship, then this is the bed for him! Another amazing bed is the Gingerbread Cottage. A Posh Tots exclusive, this charming cottage is sure to make your little girl feel just like Goldilocks. It’s a 2 story cottage with room for a twin size mattress, and an entire upper floor for imaginative play.

These beds are exquisite, but being a splurge item, they are not for everyone. If you have the budget for a fantasy bed, Posh Tots is the place to order from, otherwise you can try your hand at making your own!

$1,000-$49,000

COUPONS: Save 10% on orders $200-$999 with code LOVE10
Save 15% on orders over $1000 with code LOVE15
Coupons good until 2/28/07

Posted by Alison in Kids, Splurge
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