Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
HEALTH Made Easier..
Forget radical resolutions--they just make you feel bad when you drop them. Instead, weave a few of these smart, science-supported habits into your routine. An effortless change can have life-altering benefits.
*Eat dark choclate five or more times a week and you may be 57 percent less likely to have coronary heart disease than people who don't.
*Quit smoking and after five years your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is cut in half. After 15 years, your risk of lung cancer is as low as that of a lifetime nonsmoker.
*See an eye doctor when you detect vision problems as you age and you could decrease your risk of dementia by 64% compared to people who don't get their eyes checked.
*Get your thyroid checked by your primary care physicians and you may have up to a 69 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease.
*Walk at least six miles a week and you'll help protect your memory as you get older.
*Lose 7 percent of your body weight if you're over-weight and you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%
*Exercise moderately for 30 to 60 minutes a day and you may have up to an 80 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
PLEASE help one another in some small way today! & SMILE AT ALL :)
*Eat dark choclate five or more times a week and you may be 57 percent less likely to have coronary heart disease than people who don't.
*Quit smoking and after five years your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is cut in half. After 15 years, your risk of lung cancer is as low as that of a lifetime nonsmoker.
*See an eye doctor when you detect vision problems as you age and you could decrease your risk of dementia by 64% compared to people who don't get their eyes checked.
*Get your thyroid checked by your primary care physicians and you may have up to a 69 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease.
*Walk at least six miles a week and you'll help protect your memory as you get older.
*Lose 7 percent of your body weight if you're over-weight and you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%
*Exercise moderately for 30 to 60 minutes a day and you may have up to an 80 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
PLEASE help one another in some small way today! & SMILE AT ALL :)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Fitness Made Easier..
Everyone is busy(and beat), yet some people manage to exercise regularly. How to be one of them? Find a program that combats your urge to avoid. Below, workouts to trump the most common excuses:
The Excuse-"I don't have time" The workout: speedy circuit training; An especially efficient use of exercise time is alternating short bursts of high-intensity cardio activity with strength moves--a one-two punh known as circuit training. "The combination burns tons of calories and even helps speed up resting metabolism," says Valerie Waters, a trainer in Los Angeles. You can do this in 30minutes at the gym or "by taking advantage of the equipment at the playground," says Johanna Subotovsky, an exercise physiologist for Equinox Fitness in New York City. Start with a five-minute warm-up(a fast walk that turns into a job), then do sets of squat thrusts, push-ups, and monkey-bar reverse pukk-ups(start with your feet on the ground, pull your body up, and hold for as long as you can). Next, take a two-minute fast run followed by a two minute rest. Repeat the whole sequence three more times.
The Excuse-"I'm way too tired" The workout: flow yoga; A practice that starts slowly, such as Vinyasa(often called flow) yoga, wakes your body gently and takes the dread out of getting to class. After a few minutes, your heart starts pumping, your brain fog clears, and your energy rises. But don't let the gentleness fool you: this is serious muscle-strengthening exercise. Your own body serves as the resistance, and you'll see results. If you don't have access to a yoga studio, you can stream youga classes on your computer at yogaglo.com($18 a month); download Yoga Stretch and Yoga Relax from iTunes(99 cents each), among other top yoga apps; or try a DVD, such as Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow($17, amazon.com)
The Excuse-"Exercise is so boooring" The workout: dance classes; Because it's fun and mentally engaging, dance doesn't necessarily feel like exercise,"but it gets your heart rate up and engages your big muscle groups," says Subotovsky. Zumba, a blend of Latin styles, is available at many gyms and is good for increasing flexibility and stamina. And you can find adult beginner ballet classes at local dance studios. There's nothing like it for toning the legs, rear, and abdominals.
The Excuse-"I don't have any discipline" The workout: a walk or run for charity; If health and vanity aren't sufficient motivators, bring cause and committment into play. To find events in your area, log on to active.com. Raising money ans awareness for a cause you care about puts purpose in your stride. Or consider training with a partner, whether it's a friend or someone you find through a social-networking site (such as meetup.com) that pairs people with like interests. "Once you're accountable to someone else, you're far less likely to go AWOL," says Subtovsky.
Remember to SMILE, maybe buy someone's lunch or Starbucks today :) Spread the Love!
The Excuse-"I don't have time" The workout: speedy circuit training; An especially efficient use of exercise time is alternating short bursts of high-intensity cardio activity with strength moves--a one-two punh known as circuit training. "The combination burns tons of calories and even helps speed up resting metabolism," says Valerie Waters, a trainer in Los Angeles. You can do this in 30minutes at the gym or "by taking advantage of the equipment at the playground," says Johanna Subotovsky, an exercise physiologist for Equinox Fitness in New York City. Start with a five-minute warm-up(a fast walk that turns into a job), then do sets of squat thrusts, push-ups, and monkey-bar reverse pukk-ups(start with your feet on the ground, pull your body up, and hold for as long as you can). Next, take a two-minute fast run followed by a two minute rest. Repeat the whole sequence three more times.
The Excuse-"I'm way too tired" The workout: flow yoga; A practice that starts slowly, such as Vinyasa(often called flow) yoga, wakes your body gently and takes the dread out of getting to class. After a few minutes, your heart starts pumping, your brain fog clears, and your energy rises. But don't let the gentleness fool you: this is serious muscle-strengthening exercise. Your own body serves as the resistance, and you'll see results. If you don't have access to a yoga studio, you can stream youga classes on your computer at yogaglo.com($18 a month); download Yoga Stretch and Yoga Relax from iTunes(99 cents each), among other top yoga apps; or try a DVD, such as Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow($17, amazon.com)
The Excuse-"Exercise is so boooring" The workout: dance classes; Because it's fun and mentally engaging, dance doesn't necessarily feel like exercise,"but it gets your heart rate up and engages your big muscle groups," says Subotovsky. Zumba, a blend of Latin styles, is available at many gyms and is good for increasing flexibility and stamina. And you can find adult beginner ballet classes at local dance studios. There's nothing like it for toning the legs, rear, and abdominals.
The Excuse-"I don't have any discipline" The workout: a walk or run for charity; If health and vanity aren't sufficient motivators, bring cause and committment into play. To find events in your area, log on to active.com. Raising money ans awareness for a cause you care about puts purpose in your stride. Or consider training with a partner, whether it's a friend or someone you find through a social-networking site (such as meetup.com) that pairs people with like interests. "Once you're accountable to someone else, you're far less likely to go AWOL," says Subtovsky.
Remember to SMILE, maybe buy someone's lunch or Starbucks today :) Spread the Love!
Monday, December 27, 2010
EXPERTISE...
1. Celebrate everything: Each time I walk into my apartment-even if I've been gone for less than a minute-my three dogs leap on me, kiss me, lick me, wag and bark, and show me their chew toys. I find it inspiring: Life throws a lot of junk in your direction, so you might as well get your kicks when you can. Now I try to acknowledge every small-but happy event(my kid's birthdays, good doctor's visits, even when a mosquito bite stops itching)with at least a cheerful word or gesture. I believe that if dogs could speak, they'd say,"You should have a cupcake for that." That's a worldview I can get behind. {Julie Klam is the author of You Had Me at Wolf}
2. Just Being present is Enough: About a decade ago, I suffered the two greatest losses of my life in quick succession: My sister dies of breast cancer, and my marriage ended. One lonely night when I was experiencing the worst of my grief, my two cats got on the bed and snuggles up to either side of me. They didnt make a sound; they just stayed there, so close that I actually felt embraced. That was such a powerful lesson in what truly gives comfort. I have never known what to say to a friend who has a terrible illness or who has lost a loved one, but my cats taught me that I don't need to say anything at all. What matters is showing up.{Susan Logan is the editor of Cat Fancy magazine}
3. (Brain)size doesn't matter: My wife and I once had a parrot named Chicken who had a really small brian. And yet Chicken took great pleasure in humanlike activities, such as rearranging the cupboards. She was so clever-as most pets are. If you observe them, you'll be reminded that even though people are smarter, we're still just animals with all the same emotions, like anxiety and joy.{Nicholas Dodman author of 5 books including The Dog Who Loved Too Much}
4. Don't Try so Hard: Cats are quirky, independent thinkers. Some people don't like them for this very reason. But I find that quality enormously appealing. I respect each of my seven cats because they are so true to themselves and resistant to outside influences. In my opinion, it would be preferable for politicians, in particular, to behave more like cats, who just do their own thing, and less like dogs, who clamor for affection and acceptance.{Betsy Alexander is a Philadelphia music teacher whose YouTube video of her piano-playing cat, Nora, has racked up more than 19 million views}
5. You Can Get Along with Anybody: You know that expression "They fight like cats and dogs"? In my experience, it's not necessarily true. It's quite surprising how animals of different species(cats, dogs, birds, you name it)can be friends-as long as they are raised in a warm and loving environment. In my work, I bring home baby birds almost every night. Our dog Spinnaker, an Australian shepherd, treats them very gently. He has raised baby flamingos with us and even helped train a falcon. Humans would do well to emulate such displays of generosity.{Laura Wyatt is the curator of wildlife at the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens, in Davie, Florida.}
Buy someone's coffee in the morning & SMILE! :)
2. Just Being present is Enough: About a decade ago, I suffered the two greatest losses of my life in quick succession: My sister dies of breast cancer, and my marriage ended. One lonely night when I was experiencing the worst of my grief, my two cats got on the bed and snuggles up to either side of me. They didnt make a sound; they just stayed there, so close that I actually felt embraced. That was such a powerful lesson in what truly gives comfort. I have never known what to say to a friend who has a terrible illness or who has lost a loved one, but my cats taught me that I don't need to say anything at all. What matters is showing up.{Susan Logan is the editor of Cat Fancy magazine}
3. (Brain)size doesn't matter: My wife and I once had a parrot named Chicken who had a really small brian. And yet Chicken took great pleasure in humanlike activities, such as rearranging the cupboards. She was so clever-as most pets are. If you observe them, you'll be reminded that even though people are smarter, we're still just animals with all the same emotions, like anxiety and joy.{Nicholas Dodman author of 5 books including The Dog Who Loved Too Much}
4. Don't Try so Hard: Cats are quirky, independent thinkers. Some people don't like them for this very reason. But I find that quality enormously appealing. I respect each of my seven cats because they are so true to themselves and resistant to outside influences. In my opinion, it would be preferable for politicians, in particular, to behave more like cats, who just do their own thing, and less like dogs, who clamor for affection and acceptance.{Betsy Alexander is a Philadelphia music teacher whose YouTube video of her piano-playing cat, Nora, has racked up more than 19 million views}
5. You Can Get Along with Anybody: You know that expression "They fight like cats and dogs"? In my experience, it's not necessarily true. It's quite surprising how animals of different species(cats, dogs, birds, you name it)can be friends-as long as they are raised in a warm and loving environment. In my work, I bring home baby birds almost every night. Our dog Spinnaker, an Australian shepherd, treats them very gently. He has raised baby flamingos with us and even helped train a falcon. Humans would do well to emulate such displays of generosity.{Laura Wyatt is the curator of wildlife at the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens, in Davie, Florida.}
Buy someone's coffee in the morning & SMILE! :)
Finances Made Easier
If money stress is keeping you awake at night, do yourself a favor and confront your concerns head-on. Often all it takes is one smart step to put some of your biggest worries to bed. Here's a start.
$$$I don't know where my money goes each month. Just Do This: Go to mint.com, a free online money-management program, and use the immensely helpful basic budgeting tools. Once you sign up, you'll be prompted to link the site to your and credit-card accounts Within minutes, mint.com automatically categorizes your costs and shows how much you're spending in different areas. Then you can easily see where you need to cut back.
$$$I'm scared to invest in stocks but worried I'm missing out. Just Do This: Start slowly. Take $1000 from your savings account and place it in an index fund, where you have a good chance to earn solid returns without taking on too much risk. Consider Schwab's S&P 500 Index Fund. It requires only a $100 initial investment and, at press time, boasted a 9 percent return for the year 2010. Suddenly you're in the game.
$$$I'm clueless about how much I'll need to retire one day. Just Do This: Pull together a few numbers: how much you earn, how much you have in savings, and how much Social Security you'll be due at retirement age (go to ssa.gov for an estimate) Then run them through T Rowe Price's easy-to-use retirement calculator (troweprice.com/ric). You'll learn how much money you'll have each month in retirement, which will let you know if you're on track.
Have a Safe New Years Eve! & remember to SMILE SMILE SMILE each & every day! :)
$$$I don't know where my money goes each month. Just Do This: Go to mint.com, a free online money-management program, and use the immensely helpful basic budgeting tools. Once you sign up, you'll be prompted to link the site to your and credit-card accounts Within minutes, mint.com automatically categorizes your costs and shows how much you're spending in different areas. Then you can easily see where you need to cut back.
$$$I'm scared to invest in stocks but worried I'm missing out. Just Do This: Start slowly. Take $1000 from your savings account and place it in an index fund, where you have a good chance to earn solid returns without taking on too much risk. Consider Schwab's S&P 500 Index Fund. It requires only a $100 initial investment and, at press time, boasted a 9 percent return for the year 2010. Suddenly you're in the game.
$$$I'm clueless about how much I'll need to retire one day. Just Do This: Pull together a few numbers: how much you earn, how much you have in savings, and how much Social Security you'll be due at retirement age (go to ssa.gov for an estimate) Then run them through T Rowe Price's easy-to-use retirement calculator (troweprice.com/ric). You'll learn how much money you'll have each month in retirement, which will let you know if you're on track.
Have a Safe New Years Eve! & remember to SMILE SMILE SMILE each & every day! :)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
IF YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES...
*Call your Dad
*Check your voice mail
*Move some random files on your computer desktop to the correct folders
*Refold your sweaters and stack them by color
*Floss your teeth!
*Water the plants and wipe dusty leaves with a damp towel
*Sew on a button
*Pitch three old items from the refrigerator
*Put to-be-donated clothes in a bag by the door
*Untangle a necklace
*Cancel one appointment you just really don't want to keep
*Find that evening bag, scarf, or top that got lost in the closet
*Test pens or markers and toss the dead ones
*Arrange your hangers so they all face the same way
*Pick up five things and put them where they belong
*Wash the dog's bowl
*Brush the cat
*Clear off the top of the refrigerator
*Remove gum wrappers, receipts, and ATM slips from your purse/wallet
*Get rid of shoes that kill your feet
*Scan your medicine cabinet and throw out any expired prescriptions, vitamins
*Test your smoke alarms
*Shred something - anything
*Write a thank-you note that you've been putting off
*Walk around your home with a small can of white paint; do touch-ups
*Create an emergency kit w/bottled water, batteries, flashlight, canned foods
*Download the pictures in your digital camera to your computer
*Paint your toenails
*Throw out all expired coupons
*Gather valid coupons and stach them in the glove compartment
*Set up a PayPal account
*Look through a box of photos and frame one that speaks to you
*Empty the bathroom wastebaskets
*Scan your sock drawer & put any one-offs in a basket
*Open your file cabinet and get rid of five old files
*Transfer dates from invitations and school flyers to the calendar
*Return that Netflix movie
*Locate all your critical pot tops and nest them together
*Check your stack of magazines and eliminate half
*Polish your favorite boots
*Read an old journal entry
*Adjust all the bills in your wallet so they face the same way
*Look in your shower stall, ditch any shampoos/body washes you haven't used forever
*Neaten up the freezer
*Do two yoga poses
*Move worn-out towels to the highest shelf of the linen closet
*Answer 3 pressing emails
*Charge your portable devices
*Sweep under the kitchen table
*SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL :)
*Check your voice mail
*Move some random files on your computer desktop to the correct folders
*Refold your sweaters and stack them by color
*Floss your teeth!
*Water the plants and wipe dusty leaves with a damp towel
*Sew on a button
*Pitch three old items from the refrigerator
*Put to-be-donated clothes in a bag by the door
*Untangle a necklace
*Cancel one appointment you just really don't want to keep
*Find that evening bag, scarf, or top that got lost in the closet
*Test pens or markers and toss the dead ones
*Arrange your hangers so they all face the same way
*Pick up five things and put them where they belong
*Wash the dog's bowl
*Brush the cat
*Clear off the top of the refrigerator
*Remove gum wrappers, receipts, and ATM slips from your purse/wallet
*Get rid of shoes that kill your feet
*Scan your medicine cabinet and throw out any expired prescriptions, vitamins
*Test your smoke alarms
*Shred something - anything
*Write a thank-you note that you've been putting off
*Walk around your home with a small can of white paint; do touch-ups
*Create an emergency kit w/bottled water, batteries, flashlight, canned foods
*Download the pictures in your digital camera to your computer
*Paint your toenails
*Throw out all expired coupons
*Gather valid coupons and stach them in the glove compartment
*Set up a PayPal account
*Look through a box of photos and frame one that speaks to you
*Empty the bathroom wastebaskets
*Scan your sock drawer & put any one-offs in a basket
*Open your file cabinet and get rid of five old files
*Transfer dates from invitations and school flyers to the calendar
*Return that Netflix movie
*Locate all your critical pot tops and nest them together
*Check your stack of magazines and eliminate half
*Polish your favorite boots
*Read an old journal entry
*Adjust all the bills in your wallet so they face the same way
*Look in your shower stall, ditch any shampoos/body washes you haven't used forever
*Neaten up the freezer
*Do two yoga poses
*Move worn-out towels to the highest shelf of the linen closet
*Answer 3 pressing emails
*Charge your portable devices
*Sweep under the kitchen table
*SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL :)
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Simple List
$16,000 - The approximate value of a can ok Krueger's Finest Beer or Krueger's Cream Ale-the first mass-produced beers sold in the United States. Manufactured by the New Jersey-based Krueger Brewing Company, the flattop cans(a.k.a. beercantiques)debuted on January 24, 1935, and a church key(an opener with a triangular head)was needed to crack them. Stay-on tabs were introduced in 1975, and they've been ruining manicures ever since.
$6,761 - The average number of mail pieces-credit-card offers, catalogs, letters to Justin Bieber-processed each second by the United States Postal Service. Add your own contribution to the mix and send a note in honor of National Letter Writing Week, which begins on January 9. And if you need another reason to put pen to paper, then do for John Hancock, whose birthday is the 12th.
6 to 13 - The average number of minutes a drill is used in its lifetime. If yours did more hanging out than hanging up in 2010, unload it on DiggersList.com, a free construction and home improvement classifieds site that puts sellers and buyers of excess supplies(drills, paint, tile)in touch. Don't miss the site's blog, which includes helpful how-tos that will prove handy for your latest New Year-inspired project.
18 Million - Roughly the number of flowers used to decorate the floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. Each float contains more stems than an average American florist goes through in five bloomin' years! The 122nd festival, themed Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories, gets going at 11a.m. EST on New Year's Day with Paula Deen serving as the grand marshal y'all.
$50,000 - The amount former Miss Wyoming Bernann McKinney paid a cloning lab to bring her beloved pit bull, Booger, "back to life."(In 2008 five boogers were born, marking the first successful commercial canine cloning.)To learn more about the controversial subject of cloning since the days of Dolly, check out the new book from investigative reporter John Woestendiek. Dog, Inc.(Avery, $26)is out now now now now now.(Sorry, we couldn't resist.)
767 - How many milliion gallons of wine Americans drink over the coursh of a yearrr. If you have ever fallen for a bottle at a restaurant and been unable to find it later at a local wineshop(or, more likely, forgotten its name), now you can snap a pic of the label with your iPhone and the new Snooth Wine Pro app($5, iTunes)will decode the image to locate the cheapest bottle available in your neighborhood or online. Also cool: You can collect snapped wines in a "cellar" for future reference.
YAY! it's SMILES-ALL-DAY-SATURDAY :) TAKE MOM TO LUNCH DAY!
$6,761 - The average number of mail pieces-credit-card offers, catalogs, letters to Justin Bieber-processed each second by the United States Postal Service. Add your own contribution to the mix and send a note in honor of National Letter Writing Week, which begins on January 9. And if you need another reason to put pen to paper, then do for John Hancock, whose birthday is the 12th.
6 to 13 - The average number of minutes a drill is used in its lifetime. If yours did more hanging out than hanging up in 2010, unload it on DiggersList.com, a free construction and home improvement classifieds site that puts sellers and buyers of excess supplies(drills, paint, tile)in touch. Don't miss the site's blog, which includes helpful how-tos that will prove handy for your latest New Year-inspired project.
18 Million - Roughly the number of flowers used to decorate the floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. Each float contains more stems than an average American florist goes through in five bloomin' years! The 122nd festival, themed Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories, gets going at 11a.m. EST on New Year's Day with Paula Deen serving as the grand marshal y'all.
$50,000 - The amount former Miss Wyoming Bernann McKinney paid a cloning lab to bring her beloved pit bull, Booger, "back to life."(In 2008 five boogers were born, marking the first successful commercial canine cloning.)To learn more about the controversial subject of cloning since the days of Dolly, check out the new book from investigative reporter John Woestendiek. Dog, Inc.(Avery, $26)is out now now now now now.(Sorry, we couldn't resist.)
767 - How many milliion gallons of wine Americans drink over the coursh of a yearrr. If you have ever fallen for a bottle at a restaurant and been unable to find it later at a local wineshop(or, more likely, forgotten its name), now you can snap a pic of the label with your iPhone and the new Snooth Wine Pro app($5, iTunes)will decode the image to locate the cheapest bottle available in your neighborhood or online. Also cool: You can collect snapped wines in a "cellar" for future reference.
YAY! it's SMILES-ALL-DAY-SATURDAY :) TAKE MOM TO LUNCH DAY!
Holiday Gift Buying Guide Part II
PUSHES YOUR LIMITS:
Map A Run-The inclusion of a GPS chp in Timex's Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch allows you to track location data(including elevation and speed) & create virtual breadcrumb maps of any route. That info can be uploaded to your computer and analyzed by performance software.[$300; timex.com]
Heavy Metal-There's no law that says a man has to wait until January to make good on his resolution to get stronger. So if you're an unrepentant couch potato or just bored by a monotonous workout, you'll develop muscles you never knew you had with a few two-handed swings of this 35-pound cast-iron RKC Kettlebell.[$88; dragondoor.com]
Lights Out-In honor of the iconic brand's centennial, the Everlast 100 Year Kit lets you gift the sweet science to anyone in training. The lucky recipient gets hand wraps, hook-and-loop training mitts, and a 70-pound heavy bag. All he'll need now is an equally well-outfitted sparring partner.[$100; everlast.com]
A New Skin-Twohunting buddies from Idaho developed the First Lite Chama merino-wool base layer(it's available in black and three patterns), but it's not just for the marksmen. Whether your pal runs for pleasure or to escape rampaging boars, he'll appreciate how merino keeps out the winter chill while letting his skin breathe and sweat evaporate.[$100; firstlite.com]
Little Drill, Big Power-At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tenacious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring.[$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
Huge Cans-Quincy Jones's resume spans six decades, meaning he's spent more time wearing headphones than Dr. Dre has spent hating the police. Jones lent his pitch-perfect talent to create AKG's Q70I Reference-Class Premium Headphones, which have been tuned to re-create the wide dynamic range usually reserved for the maestros behind mixing boards.[$480; akg.com]
Winning Set-These sinister Bicycle Guardians Playing Cards eschew ruddy-cheeked cherubs for glowering gothic angels. Color-coordinate with two-tone White Metal Clay Poker Chips, and get ready to steal your buddies' money.[$5 per deck, theory11.com; $11 per stack of 25 chips, pokchips.co.uk]
Roast & Toast-Drew Estate's fragrant, oil-infused wrappers intrigued aficionados upon their arrival in 1999. Its most anbitious entry, Acid One Cigars, elevates that flavor exploration to new heights. Wrapped in cask-cured leaves from Cameroon, with a rich and chocolaty flavor, they're a dessert you can puff.[$230 per box of 24; drewestate.com]
MAKES HER SMILE:
Cold Runner-Title Nine's Victory Jacket combines nylon, wool, and warm poly fleece into a versatile piece that lets her sweat evaporate during workouts and looks stylish even when she's running errands. Bonus: Built-in mitts mean she won't need to shove her cold hands in your jacket pocket anymore.[$149; titlenine.com]
Country Cool-When snowdrifts threaten to ruin the pumps in her closet, she won't have to sacrifice her footwear(or sense of fashion)if she pulls on Hunter's Regent Savoy Boots. The quilted rubber, with its patent leather-like sheen, lets her tromp through the freshly plowed sludge at the bottom of the driveway in style.[$175; usa.hunter-boot.com]
Couture Cap-After a long day running moguls, women looking to stay warm apres-ski will need the Nobis Ms. Glam hat. It improves on the traditional trappor in a few ways: Faux fur means nothing was harmed in the making of the togue, while feathers and oversize pom-poms add a feminine touch. Plus, it'll make her a couple inches taller, no heels necessary.[$75; nobis.ca]
Retro Bling-The Aveen Liv Necklace works because it's delicate and original: a long, gold-plated chain accentuated by tiny gold-plated leaves and three purple Swarovski crystals, with that just-big-enough lens, refracting both the light and her friends' jealous looks.[$44; aveendesigns.com]
HAPPY SHOPPING! TGIF & SMILE AT SOMEONE TODAY :)
Map A Run-The inclusion of a GPS chp in Timex's Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch allows you to track location data(including elevation and speed) & create virtual breadcrumb maps of any route. That info can be uploaded to your computer and analyzed by performance software.[$300; timex.com]
Heavy Metal-There's no law that says a man has to wait until January to make good on his resolution to get stronger. So if you're an unrepentant couch potato or just bored by a monotonous workout, you'll develop muscles you never knew you had with a few two-handed swings of this 35-pound cast-iron RKC Kettlebell.[$88; dragondoor.com]
Lights Out-In honor of the iconic brand's centennial, the Everlast 100 Year Kit lets you gift the sweet science to anyone in training. The lucky recipient gets hand wraps, hook-and-loop training mitts, and a 70-pound heavy bag. All he'll need now is an equally well-outfitted sparring partner.[$100; everlast.com]
A New Skin-Twohunting buddies from Idaho developed the First Lite Chama merino-wool base layer(it's available in black and three patterns), but it's not just for the marksmen. Whether your pal runs for pleasure or to escape rampaging boars, he'll appreciate how merino keeps out the winter chill while letting his skin breathe and sweat evaporate.[$100; firstlite.com]
Little Drill, Big Power-At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tenacious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring.[$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
Huge Cans-Quincy Jones's resume spans six decades, meaning he's spent more time wearing headphones than Dr. Dre has spent hating the police. Jones lent his pitch-perfect talent to create AKG's Q70I Reference-Class Premium Headphones, which have been tuned to re-create the wide dynamic range usually reserved for the maestros behind mixing boards.[$480; akg.com]
Winning Set-These sinister Bicycle Guardians Playing Cards eschew ruddy-cheeked cherubs for glowering gothic angels. Color-coordinate with two-tone White Metal Clay Poker Chips, and get ready to steal your buddies' money.[$5 per deck, theory11.com; $11 per stack of 25 chips, pokchips.co.uk]
Roast & Toast-Drew Estate's fragrant, oil-infused wrappers intrigued aficionados upon their arrival in 1999. Its most anbitious entry, Acid One Cigars, elevates that flavor exploration to new heights. Wrapped in cask-cured leaves from Cameroon, with a rich and chocolaty flavor, they're a dessert you can puff.[$230 per box of 24; drewestate.com]
MAKES HER SMILE:
Cold Runner-Title Nine's Victory Jacket combines nylon, wool, and warm poly fleece into a versatile piece that lets her sweat evaporate during workouts and looks stylish even when she's running errands. Bonus: Built-in mitts mean she won't need to shove her cold hands in your jacket pocket anymore.[$149; titlenine.com]
Country Cool-When snowdrifts threaten to ruin the pumps in her closet, she won't have to sacrifice her footwear(or sense of fashion)if she pulls on Hunter's Regent Savoy Boots. The quilted rubber, with its patent leather-like sheen, lets her tromp through the freshly plowed sludge at the bottom of the driveway in style.[$175; usa.hunter-boot.com]
Couture Cap-After a long day running moguls, women looking to stay warm apres-ski will need the Nobis Ms. Glam hat. It improves on the traditional trappor in a few ways: Faux fur means nothing was harmed in the making of the togue, while feathers and oversize pom-poms add a feminine touch. Plus, it'll make her a couple inches taller, no heels necessary.[$75; nobis.ca]
Retro Bling-The Aveen Liv Necklace works because it's delicate and original: a long, gold-plated chain accentuated by tiny gold-plated leaves and three purple Swarovski crystals, with that just-big-enough lens, refracting both the light and her friends' jealous looks.[$44; aveendesigns.com]
HAPPY SHOPPING! TGIF & SMILE AT SOMEONE TODAY :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
6 Newfangled Social Media Tools Worth Discovering | Social Media Today
6 Newfangled Social Media Tools Worth Discovering | Social Media Today Hoping you all find this helpful :)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Holiday Gift Guide 2010 Part I
The Perfect Gift...Brings the Fun!
KNOCK IT IN: The 18-inch-tall Trifle Design Offside Football Coffee Table features a mirrored glass "field," a body handcrafted from solid oak, and a brushed stainless-steel trellis - an homage to classic grounds like Stamford Bridge, home of the Premier League's Chelsea-that looks cooler than anything in the Ikea catalog. [$785; libertygames.co.uk]
OFFLINE GAMING: This Hannibal Large "Shesh Besh" Backgammon Set channels the game's artisan heritage with inlays of walnut, lemon, olive, and rosewood, and, on the lid, mother-of-pearl. Which is to say: This board is for the man who knows his pips from his points. [$350; hannibalenterprisesinc.com]
FRESH CREAM: Crafted from sturdy New England white pine, the White Mountain Ice cream Maker churns a gallon of ice cream or frozen yogurt in about 30 minutes. So gather the family and enjoy a Manhattan while Junior cranks up some dessert. [$170; whitemountainproducts.com]
INSPIRES CREATIVITY: Writer's Set; The brass zipper surrounding Manufactum's Leather Writing Case opens to reveal pencils and an eraser perfect for sketching the Champs-Elysees. But it's the plant-tanned Bavarian leather-which assumes your grip's imprint-that adds a sense of legitimacy to even the quickest doodles. [$125; manufactum.com]
GET DIRTY: When fisherman approached designer Bill Bartels clamoring for tough-as-nails aprons, he scavenged the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard for heavy-duty canvas. Designed for craftsmen from coast to coast, Bartel's Field House Trusty Workshop Apron gives your pal a reason to get off his ass and back to work. [$165; blackbirdballard.com]
PHOTOG'S KIT: After honing his chops alongside Andy Warhol, photographer Ari Marcopoulus infiltrated America's nether regions, documenting rappers and snowboarders. Appropriately, the Ari Marcopoulos x Incase Camera Bag, which is bundled with a book of unpublished Marcopoulus snaps, boasts a canvas exterior suited for tough in-the-field assignments. The bag's magnetic clasp facilitates quick access to a cell phone or film, and Velcro dividers let you customize the inner compartment. [$200; goincase.com]
LITTLE DRILL, BIG POWER: At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver, and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tencious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring. [$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
BURN ONE DOWN: If you've seen The Man With the Golden Gun, you're familiar with Colibri-its lighter doubled as a principal component of the film's title prop. This Colibri Flask Lighter can't kill a man with one shot, but its wind-resistant torch ensures you'll have no issues lighting up at late-season tailgates. [$35; shoptcgbrands.com]
PAGE TURNER: From the earliest burlesque shows to pornography's golden age, Taschen's Sexy Books pay homage to the cosmic perfection of our anatomy. Overflowing with Freudian implications and interviews with erotic artists like Robert Crumb and Tinto Brass, these hardbacks stand as testament that nature knows best. [$60 each; taschen.com]
SAVE THE DATE: Spare your vino-loving friend the wasted money and a mouthful of vinegar by giving him A Date With Wine, the stainless-steel stopper from visionary designer George Lee. The twistable date rings let him know when he first uncorked that bottle, presuming he was sober enough to set them properly. [$45; shop.gessato.com]
SMILE! & buy someone's coffee today :) Part II coming soon...
KNOCK IT IN: The 18-inch-tall Trifle Design Offside Football Coffee Table features a mirrored glass "field," a body handcrafted from solid oak, and a brushed stainless-steel trellis - an homage to classic grounds like Stamford Bridge, home of the Premier League's Chelsea-that looks cooler than anything in the Ikea catalog. [$785; libertygames.co.uk]
OFFLINE GAMING: This Hannibal Large "Shesh Besh" Backgammon Set channels the game's artisan heritage with inlays of walnut, lemon, olive, and rosewood, and, on the lid, mother-of-pearl. Which is to say: This board is for the man who knows his pips from his points. [$350; hannibalenterprisesinc.com]
FRESH CREAM: Crafted from sturdy New England white pine, the White Mountain Ice cream Maker churns a gallon of ice cream or frozen yogurt in about 30 minutes. So gather the family and enjoy a Manhattan while Junior cranks up some dessert. [$170; whitemountainproducts.com]
INSPIRES CREATIVITY: Writer's Set; The brass zipper surrounding Manufactum's Leather Writing Case opens to reveal pencils and an eraser perfect for sketching the Champs-Elysees. But it's the plant-tanned Bavarian leather-which assumes your grip's imprint-that adds a sense of legitimacy to even the quickest doodles. [$125; manufactum.com]
GET DIRTY: When fisherman approached designer Bill Bartels clamoring for tough-as-nails aprons, he scavenged the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard for heavy-duty canvas. Designed for craftsmen from coast to coast, Bartel's Field House Trusty Workshop Apron gives your pal a reason to get off his ass and back to work. [$165; blackbirdballard.com]
PHOTOG'S KIT: After honing his chops alongside Andy Warhol, photographer Ari Marcopoulus infiltrated America's nether regions, documenting rappers and snowboarders. Appropriately, the Ari Marcopoulos x Incase Camera Bag, which is bundled with a book of unpublished Marcopoulus snaps, boasts a canvas exterior suited for tough in-the-field assignments. The bag's magnetic clasp facilitates quick access to a cell phone or film, and Velcro dividers let you customize the inner compartment. [$200; goincase.com]
LITTLE DRILL, BIG POWER: At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver, and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tencious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring. [$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
BURN ONE DOWN: If you've seen The Man With the Golden Gun, you're familiar with Colibri-its lighter doubled as a principal component of the film's title prop. This Colibri Flask Lighter can't kill a man with one shot, but its wind-resistant torch ensures you'll have no issues lighting up at late-season tailgates. [$35; shoptcgbrands.com]
PAGE TURNER: From the earliest burlesque shows to pornography's golden age, Taschen's Sexy Books pay homage to the cosmic perfection of our anatomy. Overflowing with Freudian implications and interviews with erotic artists like Robert Crumb and Tinto Brass, these hardbacks stand as testament that nature knows best. [$60 each; taschen.com]
SAVE THE DATE: Spare your vino-loving friend the wasted money and a mouthful of vinegar by giving him A Date With Wine, the stainless-steel stopper from visionary designer George Lee. The twistable date rings let him know when he first uncorked that bottle, presuming he was sober enough to set them properly. [$45; shop.gessato.com]
SMILE! & buy someone's coffee today :) Part II coming soon...
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Using Social Media to Boost your Business or Advance your Career
Being socially savvy online can help every professional or entrepreneur. James Andrews, a managing partner of the Atlanta-based social media communications company Everywhere, blogs and tweets as the "Key Influencer" while helping companies develop social media strategies. Here are his tips for creating your own:
1. Understand the goal: People question the value of social media because it's hard to monetize. That's missing the point. "Do you have an ROI for your telephone? Can you monetize that?" Andrew asks. "It's a tool. The return would be picked up in search, gaining brand recognition, and being able to talk to your consumers. And you don't have to wait on traditional media to validate you, nor do you have to buy it".
2. Have a plan: You should have realistic expectations of what you want to accomplish, and make sure that your strategy is sustainable. "People get what I call social media fatigue. They get really excited, they dive in, they add tons of people on Twitter, tons of people on Facebook, and then it becomes overwhelming," Andrews adds.
3. Listen first: Social media gives you an unmatched opportunity to hear what your customers, colleagues, and competition are saying. "The brands that are doing it well are the ones that are deploying listening tools first and foremost. And the best marketers are the ones that actually listen first," according to Andrews.
4. Watch your tone: "One of the mistakes businesses make is that they look at social media as a place to replicate advertising. You don't want to transfer your marketing language over to your Facebook fan page," Andrews says. Ask yourself: How do I sound? What's my persona? Do I sound like a human, or do I sound like a press release?
5. Be consistent: Building a faithful following won't happen if you don't dedicate the time to talk to your audience regularly. "You want to make sure that you have the internal resources to be consistent. That doesn't mean you must post 12 times a day," Andrews says, "but you want to be engaging."
BE NICE, SMILE & LET THE OTHER PERSON GO FIRST :)
1. Understand the goal: People question the value of social media because it's hard to monetize. That's missing the point. "Do you have an ROI for your telephone? Can you monetize that?" Andrew asks. "It's a tool. The return would be picked up in search, gaining brand recognition, and being able to talk to your consumers. And you don't have to wait on traditional media to validate you, nor do you have to buy it".
2. Have a plan: You should have realistic expectations of what you want to accomplish, and make sure that your strategy is sustainable. "People get what I call social media fatigue. They get really excited, they dive in, they add tons of people on Twitter, tons of people on Facebook, and then it becomes overwhelming," Andrews adds.
3. Listen first: Social media gives you an unmatched opportunity to hear what your customers, colleagues, and competition are saying. "The brands that are doing it well are the ones that are deploying listening tools first and foremost. And the best marketers are the ones that actually listen first," according to Andrews.
4. Watch your tone: "One of the mistakes businesses make is that they look at social media as a place to replicate advertising. You don't want to transfer your marketing language over to your Facebook fan page," Andrews says. Ask yourself: How do I sound? What's my persona? Do I sound like a human, or do I sound like a press release?
5. Be consistent: Building a faithful following won't happen if you don't dedicate the time to talk to your audience regularly. "You want to make sure that you have the internal resources to be consistent. That doesn't mean you must post 12 times a day," Andrews says, "but you want to be engaging."
BE NICE, SMILE & LET THE OTHER PERSON GO FIRST :)
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