Wow Home Idea

Cooking, for some, is the preferred way to unwind. For the rest of us, preparing a home-cooked meal is the last thing we want to do at the end of a long day. One European company thinks it has the solution. Thermomix, from Vorwerk, is a state-of-the-art blender that not only whips and stirs, but also cooks. Yes, as in, a meal. Stocked with a digital memory bank of recipes, the appliance will outline step-by-step instructions on its screen and handle all of the steaming, grinding, weighing, and kneading required. All you have to do is add the right ingredients, and the blender will determine the appropriate cooking time and temperature based on their weight. In go the ingredients and out come dishes like whole-wheat rolls, steamed vegetables and chicken. You can even make strawberry ice cream. If these aren't your speed, there's also an extensive database of compatible recipes for the machine available through Vorwerk. But here's the catch: A Thermomix ...

By Lee Anne Murphy

Airbnb You've probably been invited to some swanky, adults-only Halloween parties on October 31st, but don't RSVP just yet. Airbnb (because, who else?) is sending two people into the Catacombs of Paris for a night's stay on All Hallows' Eve. Paris's famous catacombs sit 65 feet below the City of Light and are the largest grave site in the world. With millions calling the underground cemetery their final resting place, it seems like the perfect spot to spend an unforgettable Halloween. Airbnb But be warned: This visit isn't for the faint of heart. During the night's stay, you're invited to unearth the mysteries of the catacombs, and hear haunting tales of their fascinating history. Airbnb assures that the excursion won't be all ghouls and ghosts, though. Before things get too spooky, the two visitors will enjoy a culinary feast and private concert – we can only imagine how great the acoustics must be down there. To win a spot, you'll have ...