Abstract: A self-contained insulated vessel having a storage area defined by an inner wall and an outer wall which are spaced apart and dosed off to define a cavity therebetween. An insulating substance is contained within at least part of the cavity in order to maintain a stored item at a predetermined temperature for an extended period of time or cool a stored item with a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature of the insulating substance. The insulating vessel can include a user engagement interface for shielding a user from at least part of an exterior surface of said vessel.