Christopher Cannon is the senior designer at Bloomberg Visual Data, where he helps to create interactive data visualization products and infographics. His skill for design is clear from this incredible set of coasters, which feature snaps of vintage Japanese maps.

CM: What are your coasters about?

CC: They're scans from an early 1960s Japanese atlas that I bought from a street vendor recently. I've always loved maps and globes and have a nice collection of them. This atlas caught my eye not only because of the rarity of finding one in a non-Latin alphabet, but also because of the beautiful, vibrant color palette it uses. I love traveling and these coasters inspire me to see more of the world.

Did you find Coastermatic easy to use? Would you use it again?

CC: It was super easy to use! I'm already planning my next set.

Got a unique idea for a set of coasters? Why not turn it to stone?

Written by Tash Wong

Organizing a dinner party can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Here are our top tips for how to host and still enjoy the fun!

Prepare

Cleaning, shopping, cooking… do it all the day-of and you'll be exhausted before the first guest arrives. Throw yourself a bone and spread the prep over the days prior. If your work schedule is tight, look into using a grocery delivery service, or pick things like dessert up pre-made.

Involve everyone in the action

Involving guests in the cooking can add to a party atmosphere, so don't be afraid to throw them an apron. Many chefs in the kitchen can sometimes work a treat! Alternatively, tasking different guests with different aspects of the night works too. Just make sure you put someone who's punctual in charge of the starters. A room full of people with nothing to snack on is no fun!

Keep it simple

Unless you're a fan of a kitchen challenge, there's no need to overcomplicate the menu. Choosing pasta dishes that can be cooked en masse, salads and make-your-own pizzas will allow you to minimize cooking time, and keep your costs down.

Of course, we happen to think Coastermatic coasters are the real life of the party. Create your own set of conversation-starters here.

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Kacie Bill heard about Coastermatic through a TV show and ended up creating a set featuring her supercute Corgis as a Christmas gift. Look at these guys!

CM: How did you hear about Coastermatic?

KB: I saw Coastermatic on a TV show one day. It was about cool new products and I thought coasters would be great Xmas gifts! We love the coasters and our friends always make comments about them. We each picked a dog that we wanted to use! I even ordered a set for my mom with her pups on them.

CM: Who are the pups on the coasters?

KB: They are our Pembroke Welsh Corgis. First is Wallace, our 5 year-old. Then my mom's tri-colored Corgi Marley (6). Then our little girl Malibu, she is 7. The second photo is of all three of them playing at the beach - their favorite place to go!

Got some pups who'd look great on coasters? Go on, start a set!

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We thought we'd indulge in a little throwback this Thursday and share some fun facts about coasters past.

Did you know paper-pulp beer coasters were originally patented by Robert Smith of Dresden, Germany in 1892? Smith wanted to create something disposable that would absorb condensation and spillage from a glass of beer. As time went on the advertising potential of these humble 'bar mats' was recognized, and they evolved into the mini-billboards we're so familiar with today.

Check out these great shots of vintage beer coasters from Coltera's Flickr stream.

According to All About Beer, the word 'coaster' has its origins in an old school, wagon-like device barkeeps used to use to ferry beverages to customers along a bar. The so-called 'coaster' was prone to accidents and spills however, and fell out of popularity.

Fun as a mini-wagon that transports beer sounds, we're fans of the stationary, absorbent version of the coaster. Feeling inspired? Why not create your own.

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Indulge in a little armchair travel - and plot your next escape - with these amazing travel blogs. We love them for their great photography, which of course we can't help but imagine on a set of coasters…

Classe Touriste is the blog of journalist Debbie Pappyn and photographer David De Vleeschauwer. Debbie also recently launched the One Day One Photo blog, which sees her post one photo every day she travels. Both Debbie and David are excellent photographers and boy do they get to some great places!

Lost in Cheeseland is the blog of Philadelphia to Paris transplant Lindsey Tramuta. As well as being one of the best-named blogs ever, Cheeseland is a fun collection of stories and images from Lindsey's travels and life in France.

Making a strong case for the joys of slow travel and living simply, the Harteau family document their life on the road at Ouropenroad.com. With their daughter Colette, Emily and Adam left California a year and a half ago in their VW Westfalia (pictured above) and haven't looked back.

Now you've teased your itchy feet, why not scratch them a little by turning some of your favorite travel Instagrams into tangible mementos: coasters. Go on, start a set!

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