Need a pair of quick ballet flats? Get them from a vending machine!
Two British companies: Rollasole andAfterheels have started a new concept of selling cheap ballet flats in vending machines for late night party-goers.
Rollasoles sell for about GBP 5 and come in four colors: Hi Ho Silver, Gold Digger, and Back to Black and Pink.
They sold out immediately in England’s popular nightclubs. But Rollasoles don’t have a corner on the midnight market:
Afterheels are similar rollable ballet flats that also sell for about GBP 5 but have–according to the company–the added feature of being sustainable; the bodies of the shoes are made from natural materials and the polypropylene insoles are fully recyclable.
Each pair is dispensed with a matching bag so women can tote their tortuous footwear home.
Creator Matt Horan reportedly came up with the brillz idea because his girlfriend found herself in pain after a few hours wearing heels in a club.
FB’s Take:
This is a great idea, but I can think of other uses — like if your heel breaks, your shoes get soaked for some reason, and you need FAST slippers.
Then again, I do tend to keep a pair of spare shoes in the car, and when I wear heels, I ALWAYS carry a pair of flat ballet flats (the cheapie kind) in my bag just in case.
Sources
How about a Sephora Vending Machine?
Not only in airports but apparently at J.C. Penney as well, as it is too small to hold a full-sized Sephora.
FB’s Take:
My only gripe is that I cannot test the items beforehand, or ask questions from a rep.
That’s the whole point of my going to Sephora — to try things out, test things out and experiment with samples.
The good news, is that if you do need to replace your items with a travel version, forgot to buy a gift for someone, or just want to treat yourself to something.. you can.
It’s why I carry little travel versions of everything I need to use.
back to the nest
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 10:07 AM:
These are so neat, especially the flats ones. At one of the malls where I live, they have a vending machine where you can buy Proactive, and one where you can buy iPods and other small electronics in Macy's. Seems so futuristic.
SoVeryFabulous
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 3:17 PM:
I've seen a couple of people post about the Sephora vending machines. While I like the idea in theory, I agree with you that I'd much rather go into the store and be able to try out different products before buying them without even being able to touch them. I suppose if you already knew what you wanted and just needed to get something in a pinch, this could be handy.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 10:54 AM:
Case in point, I tried a sample of the Korres Rose SPF 6 Moisturizer and I am NOT loving it. I’m so glad I had a sample before going on blind reviews
Carolyn
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 4:20 PM:
I think this is GENIUS!!! Esp the ballet flat one!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 3:00 PM:
I second the ballet flat idea. It’s great for clubbers, and office girls who break a heel..
But it makes me want to pack an extra pair of ballet flats for that reason!
Gigi
on Jan 23rd, 2010
@ 12:04 AM:
Macy's stores in the US have technology vending machines located in the mens sections. They feature iPods, cameras, headphones, etc. I don't know anyone that's ever bought anything from one before, but it seems like an easy way to pick up something you may have forgotten at home or an impulse gift buy.
I can't wait for the widespread ability to pay for things with RFID chips in cell phones!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 7:35 PM:
That sounds so cool! Tech machines
RFID chips would be great. maybe not in my cellphone because i am notorious for leaving it at home, turned off or dead.. :\ .. but I do like the PayPass swipe on my credit card
Anny
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 9:23 PM:
The shoes are genius! Sometimes I go out in shoes that are fine for everyday erranding and I've worn dozens of times but it turns out are horrible for sustained walking.
Sarah
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 9:49 PM:
Brilliant! I'm the girl that walks down the street barefoot at the end of long bar nights, but I would totally but those flats.
Carla
on Jan 23rd, 2010
@ 12:56 AM:
Colour me stupid but I wouldn’t wear shoes out that I couldn’t last in… I’m all about comfort!!! lol!! Interesting idea, but the only things I buy from vending machines are cold drinks.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 23rd, 2010
@ 11:22 AM:
That’s true. I don’t have heels above 2.5″. Oh wait. I do. One pair. But I wear them to weddings where I am mostly sitting
Steph
on Jan 24th, 2010
@ 4:33 PM:
I've seen those in Macy's stores too!
Also, I think I've seen them in airports…and they might have book vending machines in airports, too.