So I was really creeped out when I saw this on the front page of Amazon tonight:

Last night, I was looking for some new sneakers online with some friends. I spent most of my time on an apparently low-budget site and spent about half an hour surfing around. But I never visited Amazon. I've never shopped for shoes on Amazon. I can't remember ever even stopping by their clothing section(s).

Now I'm sure that sneakers are probably a pretty popular category online, so it may just be a coincidence. But juxtaposed against what else they're trying to sell me - e.g. For Marx and Einstein's Ideas and Opinions - it's quite unsettling.

• Jewelry
• Gems and semi precious stones
• Lacquered Bangles
• Sanganeri prints
• Hand block printed textiles
• Traditional miniature paintings
• Kota doria saris
• Blue pottery
• Brassware
• Woolen carpets
• Cotton rugs
• Leather foot wares

The best things were seeing friends again and meeting online friends in person. Oh, and of course, the shopping!

Anyway, if you want a different perspective of Art & Soul, wander over to these talented artists' blogs:

Kecia
Laurel
Leslie
Kelli
Dede
Allegra
Michelle

Men want to look good, too, as women and they want clothes that fit well, look great and feel comfortable. The first step is easy. What is man that you are in for shopping? Sports - that frisky? Which teams? They do they love their fish, golf, basketball? The T-shirts and golf shirts can be purchased made shopping very cheap at most across the country. The same discount stores and business are usually a couple of L, XL, and total solid polo and XXL in that even the most distinctive male does not address the port. But if you do not trust you to buy the right kind of shirt, there remain plenty of articles of clothing other men that you can buy.

Men always need new underwear and socks, for example, and they will be more than happy to receive a large package of T-shirts, socks, or white plates below you can find in any What store or discount store in the nation. Depending on where you live, and the man you're shopping for, the longjohns are another good gift idea when they come to the clothing of men. For the man who works outside the longjohns may be the best article of clothing for men that you could probably buy. All men also like hats. We see them everywhere. The baseball caps are the most popular, but you can find hats and fishing stations knit hats everywhere - even. Men love them, women hate them, but if you buy them then he will be happy. Gift ideas of clothing other men Suppose you shopping for a man with a strange sense of taste, a man you can not really succeed a handful.

You do not want to buy the wrong thing. In this case, your best bet will be in the gift card. Go to any male clothing store, get a gift card and let him do his own shopping for a change. The gift cards are great sporting goods, too, because there is always a huge selection of clothing and speed-related sports as men choose, and they feel like a child in a store sugar with fresh gift card that allows them to buy something they want. The ties are not a good idea.

Throughout history, the tie was considered a gift standard for men - but not really good. Clothing for men is about much more than neckties, and most men do not receive them. Even a belt is a much more useful and better gift for articles of clothing for men. In the clothing of men, it is really difficult to go much harm than you might think. As long as you choose your gift with time and worry, any man in your life will be happy with your choice. Clothing for men is difficult to select and purchase seems confusing, but they will be glad you tried to make an effort for them.

Lacosta clothing
Evisu Clothing
LRG Clothing
Timberland shoes
Nike Air Jordan shoes
Bapesta clothing
Artful Dodger clothing

• 1300-watt family-size microwave oven with 1-1/5-cubic-foot capacity
• 13-1/2-inch turntable; 1-touch sensor cooking; keep-warm menu
• Inverter Turbo Defrost ensures even heating; menu-action screen
• 10 power levels; pop-out dial for easy programming; delay start; timer
• Measures 11-7/8 by 20-3/8 by 15-15/16 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Quick Review:

This new model powerful microwave have couple of added feature such as 1 touch sensor cooking, inverter technology and up to 10 power level settings. Overall, it's good buy but there are few good points and bad points about this Panasonic NN-SD667S microwave

The Bad:

• Reliability Problem

The Good:

• Powerful
• Inverter Technology – Heat up faster and more evenly.
• User Friendly Control Pad

User Feedback:

"This is best microwave I have ever used!! I love how well it works; I specifically wanted to review it somewhere to sing its praises. Like other reviewers, I also thought the Inverter Technology would turn out to be marketing hype, but it really does make a difference. Food warms faster & more evenly and, the best feature, is that defrosting is one step. I am referring to the last microwave we had where it stopped 2-3 times during the defrost and wanted you to do things with the food, then start it again each time" – R. Holman

"The control pad is easy to use, and the pop-out knob is a nice feature. I find knobs easier to use than a key pad, but hated having to clean them. This solves that problem - you have a knob to set time/weight, but it easily pops in so you can clean without any hard to reach crannies that trap dirt" - Comdet

"I certainly am not an expert on kitchen appliances, but I did comparison shopping for a powerful, high-quality, multi-featured microwave oven for a good price. And I feel that I really found what I was looking for with this Panasonic microwave. My impressions were confirmed when I stumbled upon a current Consumer Reports review of microwave oven and saw that this model was listed as a "Best Buy" for its class. I definitely recommend it without hesitation" – VoteDemocratic

Further Information:

• Panasonic NN-SD667S 1-1/5-Cubic-Foot 1300-Watt Microwave Oven

*get videos, hop back in car, drive off, mum parks outside the grocery store*

mum: "you wanted to go do some shopping, right?"
me: "uuuuh..."
mum: *rolls eyes* "well we're hereee now. too late"
me: "ok.. i'll brb"
mum: "oh. i'll get some tofu too"
me: "ok c u in a bit"

*I do a bunch of shopping and wander out the front of the store. mum is talking to some dude in a green shirt with a stall set up out the front on the sidewalk*

me: "mum whatcha doing"
mum: "oh i just saw these guys selling eco friendly lightbulbs outside and i want some so i've signed up for them"
me: "cool." *waiting* "ok lets go"
mum: "well i've gotta go grab that tofu, hang on darling"

me: "...ok. i'll just go wait by the car" (D_D)...

Jaipur is the perfect place to shop for handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, gems, pottery, carpets, textiles, metalwork and leatherwork. In jaipur there are many markets for arts and crafts of Rajasthan. Kishanpol bazaar, haldiyon ka Rasta, M.I. road, Johari bazaar, Nehru bazaar, Bapu bazaar are the main markets of Jaipur. If you don’t visit these markets, you will definitely at amiss. Without shopping in these markets your trip to Jaipur is incomplete.

Shopping attractions of Jaipur:

Jaipur fabric and carpets: Jaipur is considered as the best city to shop in Rajasthan, India. Tripolia bazaar, bapu and Nehru bazaar are the markets of where you can find fabrics and carpets.

Jaipur jewelry and gems: jaipur is famous for its traditional jewelry since innumerable years. Jaipur is renowned for its exclusive design and splendid jewelry.

(Security Mail Bag, from Minnesota, USA)

(Wood cabin from Maine, USA)

(Mouth Teaching Tool from Mexico)

(Airmail Envelopes from Hong Kong)

(Porvoo Beeswax Crayons from Finland)

http://kioskkiosk.com/

When i came across

Dr. Martens Originals' Autumn 2008 range is out!! and I am in LOVE with these all-white pair!!! *sarah swoons and sighs like you can't imagine!!* (thus the insertion of many many exclamation marks :D (!!)

But at approximately $200 a pair, i hesitate to shell out the moo-lah for a pair of shoes that'll dirty quicker than you can blink!

But, then again, it would be fun to try out looks from Limi Feu's SS09 Collection

Even if i dont have full, volumous, tiered skirts.

So what wil it be?? Go? or No Go?

Rivet de Cru "Isabella"

Available in Rivet De Cru Skinny leg .  Denim pant with 5-pocket styling with zipper and one button closure. Signature in tonal lurex stitch.  Whiskering on front of pant and moderate distressing throughout. 6.75 inch rise, 34 inch inseam.

Rivet de Cru "Natalie"

Available in Rivet De Cru Skinny leg.  Denim pant with 5-pocket styling with zipper and one button closure. Signature in triple silver lurex stitch.  Light hand brushing on front of pant and back pockets.  6.75 inch rise, 34 inch inseam.

Rivet de Cru "Sophia"

Available in Rivet De Cru Skinny leg.  Denim pant with 5-pocket styling with zipper and one button closure. Signature discharge on back pockets.  Detail silver lurex stitch throughout.  6.75 inch rise, 34 inch inseam.

Now available IN STORE:  Jeans $115

Define Real Company, 24711 Redlands Blvd., Ste. i Loma Linda, CA 92354

909 796 8189

-Jay Man

And yet, I was there again today. No -- please. Let me explain. Target is run by evil geniuses in the marketing department. They know that I hate them. And yet they are so clever, nay, diabolical in their big-red-dot-siren-call that I cannot resist the lure. I have become a lemming, dashing over the cliff with the rest of the mothers I know as we SQUEEEEE over the cute clothes and baby stuff. And I have come to the conclusion that it is moms they are targeting. It's not that other women don't find Target irresistible - it's that moms have way too many excuses to shop. My son needs a new coat. My daughter needs school supplies. My baby needs new shoes. There's nothing good on TV and I can feel Target calling me with that microchip they planted in my shoes last time I was there...

Ahem.

What was I on about? Oh right.

I pulled into the checkout aisle with Middle Chen and Baby Chen in the cart. I loaded my apples, bananas, and clearance clothing on the belt. (Woot! $4 sweaters for the kids!) The checker was an Asian woman. As she's scanning my stuff, I can see her eyeing up BC. BC is sitting there, sucking his thumb as usual, playing with his earlobe with the other hand, and giving her The Stare. I am hideously biased but I think he's the cutest thing in the world. (Except when he's throwing a tantrum of course.)

Sometimes I wonder if people can guess their father is Asian. With my daughter it's absolutely apparent, but with the boys...well, I think they could pass for any number of things. Monsters, typically. I could tell that Checkout Lady really wanted to ask me about their father...but she was holding back. No doubt she didn't want to be offensive. So I just smiled. I figured she'd ask if I was friendly.

Sure enough...

Checker: "So...uh...is he Oriental?"** (pointing to BC)

Me: "Yeah. My husband is Chinese."

Checker: (obviously relieved) "oooh! I didn't want to ask, but he just looks Oriental." (It's clear that she doesn't think MC quite meets the grade, but I agree so it's cool. MC is my "stealth Asian".)

Me: "Where are you from?"

Checker: "Hong Kong"

Me: "Dh is from Shanghai."

Checker: "Oh! So he speak Mandarin?"

Me: "Yup. I guess you speak Cantonese?"

Checker: "Yes." (she actually says this like she's depressed! lol)

As I was leaving she waved at the boys, and I said "see you next time". Because we all know that I will be back. Target is like crack, and now we have a new friend to visit. So it's not really shopping, you see. It's socialization.

** Note the hilarity of the woman from Hong Kong calling him "Oriental". Obviously she has not gotten the memo from Asian Americans that this is taboo. All together now, in our snooty teacher voices: "Oriental is used to describe rugs and vases. Asian describes people. thankyouverymuch"

What-evs.

I just can't get enough of this crazy new bag I picked up last week.  It's bright and big and the price was nice and small.  I love those thrift stores.  Every time I throw it on my shoulder I shout, "ASPEN LEAVES", then smile and carry on.  

I took that picture two years ago on an Outdoor Education trip with my 7th graders.  Oh, teaching, you seem like years ago and I'm so glad.  Also, that pic just became my new desktop wallpaper.  Brilliant! 

Here are two more oldie but goodies from my Vail Art Teacher conference in  2006. 

As the energy costs continue to go up, it's no surprise which the owners of a house make the switch with the windows of replacement of output raised more quickly than always front. Sour, the list of advantages which comes with installing windows of replacement goes indefinitely, but generally, of the owners of a house choose to make the leveling mainly for the economies and the added-value. In almost each conceivable scenario, the windows of replacement are a choice clearly indeed.

The Replacement Windows save the money

Would you be astonished to learn that the money saved in domestic heating and costs of cooling can really be asset to pay the windows of replacement in a question right of a few years? It's no myth. The installation of new windows of output raised in a differently good detached house and effective will reduce the use of energy by a remarkable quantity.

The Replacement Windows save energy

Let’s not forget approximately one of the advantages most important to maintain a house effective, without counting that only the factor of expenditure. The setting in new windows of replacement to reduce the use of energy is also a great manner of having a part by making in the world a greener place

The Replacement Windows add the value

Another principal financial advantage to permute outside these old windows with draughts with the tight windows of replacement of air quality from very nine is the value which they are added to a house. If you 'about considering selling your house in a short while to come or the plan to remain in the house for the future, it 'the S indefinite easy to appreciate to add the value to the house and to increase the potential of resale at the same time. And with the competing market of real estate we have today, of the purchasers really require the advantages such as having new effective windows when they make their house buying of the choices.

The Replacement Windows are attractive

Compared with the stereotyped windows of replacement could have had one decade or two there is, today 'windows of replacement of quality of S seem really fantastic. According to your house 'model architectural and decorating with S, there 'design of new window of SA which will adapt inside perfectly - it doesn’t matter of T if the house were established in 1990 or 1890. The last windows of replacement come in the traditional models which could deceive even the preservationists choosiest. Today of the windows of quality of right aren’t the designs generic, soft, or being tedious which could have been banal at the beginnings of effective window of replacement.

It is easy to install Replacement Windows

If you precisely prove to be C-it-yourselfer or would rent a professional fitter rather, a thing is certain - it is conceived ground upwards to be very easy to install windows of replacement. This means that you will be spend less time putting the new windows inside and more time appreciating the advantages than they offer. Anyhow look at it to you, the installation of the windows of replacement of good quality is a clear choice!

Although I avoided this topic for a few weeks, I thought I’d post about shopping when you are above average height. I’ve definitely worn my share of floods and belly tops unintentionally, and have figured out a few tips and good places to shop that I thought would be worth sharing.

Here’s my first tip - if you are tall you probably have a long torso like me – so when you buy a t-shirt or any shirt for that matter, avoid square shaped shirts. Go for the rectangle! In my experience it is much more flattering. (By rectangle I mean the main part of the shirt without the arms… usually it either resembles of square or a rectangle).

Tip #2 – skirts can look VERY short on a tall girl. It has to do with the amount of leg that is showing of course… more leg makes a skirt look shorter of course. So what I do is hold my arms straight down at my side. If the skirt is longer than the tips of my fingers it passes the test. If not, it is a no go. This works for shorts too.

Tip #3 – don’t even bother trying to find pants in most stores. In my experience the standard length of pants in most places is 32 (WAY too short). If you are lucky the store may carry 34 length. This might work for some, but for me I need a 35 inch length in most pants for them to be long enough. So look for pants that measure the waist separate from the length. For jeans I like Silvers or Mavi. I’ve also made a few pairs of pants work just by letting out the hem – doesn’t work for jeans but can work for dress pants.

Tip #4 – NEVER put your jeans (or anything for that matter) in the dryer! More times than I’d like to admit, I’ve gotten lazy or rushed and thrown a pair of jeans in the dryer. They’ve shrunk in length and then had to go to the Goodwill pile. My tall roommate explains this tip as “always think about the shrink factor”.

Tip #5 – don’t be cheap. The reality is you are going to have to spend a bit more for clothes. Buy fewer items and spend a bit more on each piece.

I’ve also visited a few stores specifically for tall women. I’m always disappointed in Tall Girl (http://www.tallgirlshop.com). I find they don’t have clothes I like and they don’t really fit. So I never bother with Tall Girl.

On the other hand, I LOVE the store Long Legs (http://www.longlegs.ca/). Their stores are located in Mississauga and Toronto Ontario, Canada but you can also shop online. They have great sales and really nice items. I also like the spirit of their company: We believe that it is important to create an atmosphere of acceptance and confidence, where women can embrace their height. (http://www.longlegs.ca/spirit.cfm?pageAction=spirit). My first trip into Long Legs was hilarious. I couldn’t count the number of girls in the fitting rooms trying on pants and coming out of the room shocked that the pants were long enough. We were all laughing. It is also nice to be in a store where everything you see comes in your size.

A shop I found online that looks like it could be promising is www.ocollection.com. Based out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the website looks like it has some nice stuff.

For workout clothing I like buying pants from Lululemon (http://www.lululemon.com/). They make their pants in a very nice long length and also offer free hemming!

Can you tell I like shopping at Canadian companies? J

Nobody can say that shopping for anyone who isn’t average size in any way can be anything other than frustrating at times, but there are certain places and tips that make things a little easier. Hopefully these ideas and suggestions help.

Toys

Illustrations

And Fashion

Shopping Behavior QuestionI have a shopping and cause-related branding question. I'm curious to know what you would do!

Simply amazing! Love the concept, love the look, and you can find it here from JHill Design. *Sigh* Is it too early to start my Christmas list and put this at the top?

Everywhere you turn there is a haunted house up, some hot girl dressed in fishnets and a pointy hat, or the ever popular Harry Potter theme continues on.
I am continually amazed at the ability of clothing and skin designers and their ability to come up with something new and fab.

Zoo and I were browsing the fashion highway again on the look out for amazing "come F* me" looks when two designers caught our eyes.

A http://slurl.com/secondlife/Laguna%20Wharf/231/169/28    Vanity Body

B http://slurl.com/secondlife/World%20of%20Style/88/19/22   Dreamy Skin

I was teleported to this particular store because of the desire in my best friend to find only the best of the best. As is usual she can find the most delicious of treats. Her gift truly finding some of SL's most beautiful works of art in the most unsuspecting of locals. Why these designers dont tout their gloriousness is beyond me.

The second added advantage of this designers great skill, is the fact their female skins have realistic anus and vaginal bits. Yep I indeed tried on the demo and bent over for the approval on my traveling companion's inspection. As I often do in test marketing of products on Second Life, I made a real *ASS* of myself.

Ha

When your hopped on some erotic pose ball going after toosh plowing and digging deep to find that kinky buried in her rear - do you want to camera down and see pixel stretch marks or a sweet little pucker hole waiting for your pleasure? Yea I thought so. Apparently so did this amazing designer.

Please see this clutch that I snagged from TJ Maxx.  It's from the Hobo International line, was originally $230 and I paid $70...nearly a 67% savings. I love it but need your thoughts...is it practical? Versatile? Stunning? Horrid? What do you think.

I've included some pics below for your appreciation but do consider the color is "Mirror" (yep, an almost "foiled" silver but sorta muted) with a gold trim and a classic clasp. The hardware is impeccable.  It measures 12"Wx5"H.

Let me know...if it must go back, I shouldn't get too attached :-)

Until next time,

TBS

Yesterday, I went to a store which name is consist of 4 letters and started by Z at PIM2 and another store consist of 5 letters and started by M yet still at the same place. I used to always give them a soft spot because I thought that their pretty expensive bags are made by real leathers and guaranty the strength or quality. Also, because girls (and woman) in Indonesia think that because they are branded and exclusive then if someone wore them then they're cool. Well actually not all of bags in the Z*** store aren't made by leather but there is some bags that made by non leather material combining with some leather material that is used only as the fringe and that cost almost 2 million rupiah. Is Indonesian people's taste is that low so they can't see which are worth and which are not?!

FYI, most of the items in both of those store are made by plastic leather or something like second quality leather material (that's what my aunt said) and a product from those low or second quality of leather will be easily torn. I found out that her opinion was totally correct because some of my stuffs which I bought in one of those shop were easily starch or torn tho i had used them gently. So, what's so different between those what Indonesian shopper called as branded bags with bags that are sold in ITC or other "aspal" seller?

Well,maybe the price of those 2 stores bags became a little bit expensive because of the import tax, and other financial expenses. However, I just wanna emphases that it's our right to not be fooled by producers.

I guess Indonesian have to be more selective about selecting products they buy. I didn't say that other brand did the same, only some that many Indonesian adore too much did. Lots of REAL brands like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Longchamp and others which sells millions rupiah bags sell real leather bag. Their bags are worth the price, hehe... well at lease, they don't fool their customer by pretending to sell good bags, do they?! And, those Brands are what Indonesian shopper should call as "BRAND"!

C'mon shopper (especially Indonesian), be selective in buying. Buy based on Quality not only BRAND! That's what wise people called SMART BUYING.

xoxo

J