500 Billion disposable cups are manufactured each year around the world, enough to circle the earth 100 times over. Clearly, that’s a lot of paper and plastic being used daily. Almost half the plastic used to manufacture things each year is used to produce single-use items. What a waste!

Reuse, reuse, reuse…

Australian start-up “KeepCup”, founded in 2007, is on a mission to change the way we drink coffee out and about. Their solution: the KeepCup, a plastic, reusable, take-away coffee cup. The idea is simple: hand your cup to the barista at the coffee shop, they fill it, you carry your KeepCup as you would your ordinary take-away cup, you go home and put it in the dishwasher (yes, it’s dishwasher safe). And, the next day, the whole process begins again. If you drink take-away coffee daily, like many of us do, then annually you’re saving a huge amount of waste.

Coffee-lovers need not worry; the KeepCup isn’t just any old cup, it’s custom designed (and the founders are originally coffee-shop owners, so they know good coffee) so that it works just like a coffee cup, with the portioning of milk and all-important crema intact.

Customise your colours

Best of all, they come in a bunch of sizes and, if ordered online, shoppers can select their own colour combinations. Corporate customers can even select to include their own logo on the cups.

For more information, check out the KeepCup website.

Image credit: ohdarling on flickr.

Bands and Musicians may have found a new way to manage their gigs, payments and promotions, following the launch this month of Australian site Soundbooka. The site, founded by Bondi-local Chris Blann, changes the way gigs are booked for musicians and DJs. Blann says:

“Our research has shown that there is nothing connecting employable musicians, DJs and audio professionals with the wide network of people and organisations who need them, such as record labels, wedding planners, live venues, private functions, corporate bookers … Soundbooka exists to meet this demand.”

Join for free, pay when you’re booked

Artists can join and create a profile on the site for free, which venues can then browse for fresh new and upcoming talent. In principle the site acts as an online directory for all local acts, and gives a quick and cost effective way for artists to be found.

The site also connects artists with a personal calendar to manage their bookings, and gives emil a and SMS notifications of upcoming gigs.

PayPal for payments spares hassle

Artists can also benefit from a quick payment system – all payments for gigs go through the site via PayPal, which means they are better regulated than cash-in-hand, a common way for young and unsigned talent to be paid. This often introduces misunderstandings, or worse, artists can end up not being payed at all.

Fees for the site start at $29. The site also takes a 5% commission on all payments made over $2000.

Check it out at Soundbooka.com

Immensely powerful smartphones are now the norm, which means there’s more choice and more new jargon than ever to paralyse Christmas shoppers and gift buyers. With almost every telco releasing last-minute smartphone deals to lure shoppers, leading comparison website WhistleOut gives some expert tips to help us all buy happy this Christmas.

Cameron Craig, Director of WhistleOut, says, “With so many smartphones on almost every carrier and at every price point, it’s easy to become bewildered and sign up for the wrong phone. Smartphone contracts last 24 months and you can get tired of a phone’s shortcomings very quickly. We have compiled the best buys at each price tier, and it’s savvy online shoppers who are most likely to scoop up the savings this Christmas.”

WhistleOut’s 5 tips for buying happy with smartphones this Christmas

1. Shop online

The biggest cash savings are found online. You’ll get a 8-12% discount from most carriers when buying online on most handsets, plus other discounts that you can’t get in a bricks and mortar store. See the WhistleOut Christmas guidefor savings.

2. Buy for the long term

Stop. Don’t get sucked in by a low price. Whilst price is important, try to look for a phone that will also sail through two years of daily use, and support the constant flow of innovation from new applications and uses in that time.
There are powerful smart phones available at almost every price point, including under $30 per month.

3. Make sure you’re getting value for more than just calls

Voice calls are so 2001. Think features and applications. Today’s smartphones are used far more intensively and for many more things than any of the phones you’ve owned in the past. It is from these uses that your overall satisfaction will be derived. Shop accordingly. Mobile phones are staggering in their power and range of applications and it is in the performance of these features that the phones differentiate themselves.

Think about: High resolution photography, HD video recording, sharing, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, reading web pages on screen, location services, bar code scanning and shopping, maps and directions, navigation, reading full books and novels on your phone, voice control and more. See the WhistleOut Christmas guide for full options.

4. Be realistic

Be realistic when buying a phone as a gift. Think very hard about the recipient’s face on Christmas day when they open your gift. If they already know which model they want, buying them a different model should only be the result of flawless research. If you’ve got a teenager telling you that it will actually save you money to buy their desired phone, they might be right. For example the iPhone now includes iMessage between iPhones so text messages are free between iPhones with the latest iOS5.

Stand-out deal: The iPhone 4 16GB is now excellent value due to the introduction of the iPhone 4S and is still a powerhouse of features and applications. Get it $0 on a $49 Cap from most providers.

5. Consider just buying the SIM card to save

Consider SIM Only. If you don’t have a contract, consider a SIM Only monthly plan. The competition for “unlimited” contracts has intensified and you can get unlimited calls and texts for under $40 per month with no time restrictions.

Stand-out deal: Amaysim Unlimited

Kambrook has introduced the perfect small appliance for people who love cooking but hate all the preparation that goes with it. No more slicing and dicing for hours on end, because The Chop & Store Mini-Chopper take the hassle out of everyday cooking .

The Chop & Store Mini-Chopper is a must have in the kitchen for any cooking enthusiast. It chops and dices quickly and evenly and saves valuable time. It’s the ideal small appliance for every day use.

Many features

The Mini-Chopper has a one touch soft grip, instant processing function which makes food preparation simple. The powerful and durable stainless steel blades chop easily through vegetables, and the one litre glass bowl, with matching lid, allows for easy storage after processing.

The Mini-Chopper is perfect for chopping garlic, slicing onions, cutting vegetables and much more. Plus, it’s simple to clean, dishwasher safe and comes with Kambrook’s 12 month warranty.

Inspired by the Oriental character of one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world, Villeroy & Boch has launched new and even more decorative designs to its Samarkand collection. The richness of detail and elaborate depictions of a horse, elephant, lion and dromedary are the trademarks of this eye-catching tableware.

Vivid colours of the orient

Using the vivid colours of ruby, aquamarine, mandarin and cobalt blue, the new series comprises salad plates, espresso cups and saucers. All of the decors harmoniously combine with existing pieces in the Samarkand collection, including the Classic Buffet plates in coordinating colours, and create a striking accent on the table.

Each design picks up on elements of Eastern architecture and interprets these on the finest premium bone porcelain. The intricate bordering exudes finesse and the fine gold accents add to the quality, resulting in a memorable tableware concept.

Where to buy:

The Villeroy & Boch Samarkand collection is available from selected department stores and the House of Villeroy & Boch, Chatswood (NSW) and Glenside (SA). It can also be purchased online from the Villeroy & Boch e-shop. RRP from $34.95.

In a world-first, intelligent location-based mobile app Roamz is partnering with the City of Sydney over the Christmas and New Year period, which will broadcast official City of Sydney events over the Summer holiday season to the Roamz mobile platform.

From the Christmas tree lighting in Martin Place, Santa’s first ever appearance in the QVB’s Swarovski Crystal Garden and the incredible light projections on Town Hall, the content shared by the City of Sydney is among the most popular content on Roamz since the app launched in October.

“This is a great opportunity for Roamz users to find out what is going on in Sydney over the holidays, and for City of Sydney to create awareness and engagement with the wider community” says Roamz CEO Jonathan Barouch.

During the world-renowned New Year’s Eve celebration, City of Sydney will use Roamz to share real-time content with users on the night, including photographs and updates from the various celebration points around the city.

How it works

Roamz puts intelligent technology with real-time processing into the hands of the users. When a user connects to Roamz, they will first select the things they are interested in, and through continued use, Roamz quickly learns the user’s interests and likes. Roamz collates all the social information flowing around the world, from various social media networks, such as Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, and Instagram. By merging online content, social media and mobile technology, Roamz filters the information and cuts through the clutter to deliver to the user relevant, real-time insider tips, pictures and local events and attractions going around them.

This technology makes it incredibly powerful for users every day especially when making last-minute decisions on where to shop, where to eat, events to attend and what to do.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to Roamz globally and have seen almost 40,000 downloads in our first 6 weeks. The partnership with City of Sydney is a great example of how community organisations and businesses can use our platform to promote their events, and we’re looking forward to extending this offering over the next year” said Barouch.

Download the App

The Roamz App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone or iPod touch and more information on the app can be found in the App store and at roamz.com. Versions for Android and mobile web are slated for release in late 2011.

For many of us, logging onto Facebook is a daily occurrence. As is glancing at your newsfeed, realising it’s a friend’s birthday and kicking yourself because you forgot to buy a present. Luckily, Gifterati has a quick-fix. Gifterati is a gifting website, with a twist – it is 100% compatible with social media and allows people to post gifts to their friends’ Facebook walls, which they then receive in their ‘real-life’ mailbox shortly afterwards. While your friend might not receive the actual gift on their birthday, they will get a present on their wall instantly for all their connections to see – sparing you from the need to send an awkward “Happy Belated Birthday” card.

Putting an end to virtual gifts

Gifterati operates throughout Australia and has a huge variety of gifts available from chocolates, wine, flowers, jewellery and fruit to donations, adventures and magazine subscriptions. It was founded by Jessica Parzakonis who grew tired of seeing her Facebook friends swap virtual gifts. “Virtual flowers and chocolates are fine, but why not show friends and family you really care by sending the real thing?” says Jessica.

Sharing your gift-giving on Facebook

Given that there are now 10.6 million Australians on Facebook (that’s almost half the population!) and online shopping is set to increase exponentially over the next five years, Jessica knew that the web was a significant resource. “All of my friends and family are on Facebook so it just made sense to incorporate social media into the idea,” says Jessica.

“It’s the equivalent of giving a gift you’re really proud of at a crowded party. It allows you to show off your generosity and lifts your public profile – and let’s face it, that’s a top priority for Facebook users. Alternatively, for those of us who’d rather keep things a surprise, Gifterati allows you to give a gift without actually publicising what it is.”

Gifterati successfully merges the real world with the online world, allowing users to connect with one another on a personal level, but in an unthreatening way. When the gift appears on the receiver’s wall, they are given the option to put in their own shipping address. This gives users the opportunity to give gifts to people whose address they might not know.

“Although Facebook has that obvious social emphasis, it has an aspect of anonymity as well. I love the idea of being able to offer a small gesture like a box of chocolates to someone you might not know that well. Doing it through Facebook takes away that intimidation factor because it’s wall-to-wall, rather than face-to-face,” Jessica explains.

Although it is compatible with Facebook, Gifterati can be used as a conventional gifting website, by notifying friends via email instead. Whether a birthday, Christmas, newborn baby or engagement, Gifterati has an instant gift for every occasion!

To find out more or to purchase a gift, visit www.gifterati.com.au

Natural vitamins to restore skin

Containing natural vitamin A and vitamin E, Qsilica Revive Moisturiser reduces the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The vitamin A, derived from coconut, gently clarifies and protects the skin, whilst vitamin E, from sunflower and macadamia oil, provides the antioxidants and hydration to restore the skin’s moisture levels.

“Qsilica Revive Moisturiser has been developed as a daily facial moisturiser for women that provides all-day hydration and combines nourishing botanical extracts with mineral silica,” says Jessica Palmer, Health Researcher at Planet Health and developer of the Qsilica range.

“Qsilica Revive Moisturiser is specifically formulated to refine, clarify and enhance hydration while mineral silica supports the appearance of smooth, healthy skin” says Palmer.

Qsilica Revive Nutrient Boost Face and neck Moisturiser 50ml retails for $24.95 AUD

For more information or for stockists visit www.qsilica.com.au or call (02) 4862 9999 (in Australia)

Cutting out carb-filled foods such as bread and pasta can be a real challenge, and the primary reason that so many diets fail. Thankfully, SlimPasta has a solution. SlimPasta is a fantastic substitute to regular pasta and noodles for people who are trying to lose weight or simply for those who are working to maintain a healthy weight.
Made from a high fibre Asian vegetable called Konjac, SlimPasta contains 94% less calories than white wheat pasta. In fact, in a generous 100 gram serve of the Angel Hair variety there is a measly 6.4 calories, and in a serve of Spaghetti there is only 14.1 calories. In other words, less than one minute on the treadmill!

Konjac the key

Konjac, the main ingredient in SlimPasta, is composed primarily of water, but its dietary fibre aids in digestion and lessens the LDL cholesterol in the body, without affecting your blood pressure. It has been used in Asia for more than 1000 years, to treat patients who suffered from obesity and type two diabetes, because of its low calorie count and other health benefits. It has been proven to reduce the rise in blood sugar after a meal, reduce the absorption of cholesterol, treat constipation and promote the excretion of toxic substances.

SlimPasta can be enjoyed by the whole family, and is in fact a great way to maintain the weight of your children, particularly in light of the World Health organisation’s recent findings that 45 million children worldwide were classified as overweight . Nutritionist Tarryn Mackie states that the increase in childhood obesity rates is due to the “majority of children today eating high amounts of refined carbohydrates such as white pasta, which is a large contributor to obesity”.

SlimPasta is available in both Spaghetti and Angel Hair and can be combined with a large variety of sauces and foods to create truly delicious dishes. It does have a slightly different taste and texture to regular pasta. However, like pasta, it’s designed to mix with a variety of sauces and dressings to create a tasty, low-calorie dish and mixed with your favourite Bolognese sauce, you’ll be hard-pressed to see the difference (except on your waist-line, that is.)

Easy to prepare

It is pre-cooked so incredibly easy to prepare. Simply drain away fluid, rinse, leave in hot water for 1 minute and drain. Although SlimPasta is light in texture, it expands in your stomach, leaving you feeling fuller for longer – a great way to avoid after-dinner snacks, fat-filled treats and afternoon binges.
Both products are dairy, egg and fat-free and the Angel Hair variety is 100% gluten-free, ensuring that it is a perfect pasta substitute for Coeliacs and those with gluten intolerances.

C Coconut Water is the brainchild of Sydney based entrepreneurs Adam Abrams and Julian Tobias, owners of hip hangout The Club and summer party favourite The Island, and beverage manufacturing and distribution expert Zac Jex – three well connected, charismatic innovators all under 35 have joined forces to conquer the Coconut Water world one delicious sip at a time.

The boys spent the last 2 years travelling the globe to find the best tasting coconuts on earth. They found that coconuts from Mexico, India and Indonesia were too salty while the Thai ones were too sweet. It was on a remote island on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean where they uncovered the untouched, organic coconuts they had been searching for. Adam Abrams says, “C actually tastes like you’re drinking straight from the coconut.” Tobias adds: ”No one has done coconut water properly in Australia…products from the American market are far too sweet and the few attempts from domestic importers have failed to preserve the taste and nutrient content due to an inferior packaging and pasteurisation processes”.

Numerous Health benefits from Coconut Water

“Yeah yeah”, we hear you say, “Coconut Water’s just a craze, I’ll get just as much benefit from a glass of tap water or a sports drink…” – not the case at all. Apart from being a complete health-hit in a liquid, C Coconut Water is one large gulp ahead of other Coconut Water brands; not only does C go straight to the heart of the young coconut to capture the clearest, fat- free liquid, it also packages the water in a TetraPak. This mimics the conditions inside the coconut and keeps the liquid away from nutrient-zapping light, leaving you with unaltered, pure Coconut Water (and a trendy, eco-style carton to flaunt in your training sessions).

Coming round to the idea? Well there’s more; not only have these guys have nailed the taste, they have kept the Coconut Water in its untouched, natural state – which means no colouring, completely organic, no preservatives or additives, and definitely no extra sugar – like you need any more of that in your life! C is simply pure, 100 per cent Coconut Water just as Mother Nature intended.

So you’re considering taking a sip, but what good is it going to do you? Here’s the science – Coconut Water is the natural, fat free, low-sugar alternative to processed sports or energy drinks. It is chock full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium and everything that is good for you, plus it has a yummy, refreshing taste which, let’s be honest, you just don’t get from a plain old glass of tap water. With benefits like these, you’ll be filling up the fridge with our little green cartons – C can give your immune system a huge jump start, aid digestion and circulation, clean out long-suffering kidneys, and lower the stress levels leaving your body in complete balance – who needs meditation when you’re sipping C every day? And here’s the best part; C can help clear up clogged complexions, cure a hangover, and (wait for it) increase your metabolism, promoting weight loss!