March 11th, 2010 admin
For many reasons big and small, furniture from Louis XVI times are very much in vogue, a true quirk of events in my book, but variety is what makes this wonderful world turn around, isn’t it? So, while it would make virtually no sense whatsoever to own a Louis XVI arm chair, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be the perfect match for elegant decor in someone else’s home.
How would one characterize Louis XVI style, anyway? In historical terms, it would be the pivotal point between Roccoco and Neoclassism, being more toward the latter movement. Distancing itself from the ornate style during Louis XV’s reign, a natural progression toward a more simple yet elegant design followed. During this period simplicity embracing straight lines were en rigeur, and finishing touches were borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome. Louis XVI was captivated by the excavation of Pompeii, and so you could say that the French borrowed upon the ideas of Roman architecture, motifs and monuments.
With Louis XVI furniture as well as architecture designs, curves are nearly completely eliminated and in their place we’ll see straight lines which is a total turnaround from the Louis XV style. Chair backs are normally rectangular, shield-like or oval, and instead of cabriole (curved) legs we’ll see straight legs, which are fluted in an attempt to mimick the columns of ancient Rome.
Because this period was so highly motivated by the values and paradigms of ancient Rome and Greece, the Louis XVI style is attributed as the Neo Classical style.
Posted in antiques, furniture | No Comments »
February 19th, 2010 jeniii
Have you ever wanted to take an extra long vacation in Cannes, France…or maybe even move there, permanently? Do you think about days where you can sit and relax by the beach in Cannes? Isn’t shopping on in another country so much bett er than at home? What about authentic French cuisine, does it make your mouth water? Do you immediately think how stressful it would be to find a place in a foreign city? Born to Host can help! With listings ranging to fit your specific needs, BTH will help you look for your dream getaway. They feature many beautiful homes and apartments with breathtaking views of the city. They take much joy in their ability to find exactly what you want in your Cannes apartment.
Also, if you are looking to rent out or sell your home, Born to Host can help you too. Click on the “Owner” tab and submit your information. A representative will contact you as soon as possible because they were born to host!
Cannes is the most well known city of the French Riviera. Located in the southeast of France, Cannes is popular for its annual Cannes Film Festival, this year it will be held on May 12-23, 2010. Every year the festival unites many of the top celebrities from around the world to acknowledge parts in each of their featured films. Cannes is also home to many luxury shops, fabulous restaurants, beautiful beaches and gorgeous hotels. Maybe you can even rub elbows with the stars!
So the question is: when will you start your search? Start your search soon because your new apartment in Cannes awaits you.
borntohost.net
FAX: +33(0)4.93.99.00.79
EMAIL: info@borntohost.net
Posted in family, home entertainment, homes, hotels, luxury property, men, people, relaxing, special occasions, summer, television / film, televisions, women | 7 Comments »
February 19th, 2010 jeniii
Do you ever dream of having your own shoe stylist? Does the thought of receiving monthly gifts excite you? Well, turn your dreams into a reality and join ShoeDazzle “The World’s Premier Shoe Society!” For a membership of $39.95 per month, you will receive one pair of shoes with FREE shipping. These shoes will be hand picked for you by ShoeDazzle’s shoe fashion experts with 100 years of combined experience. They are guaranteed to be the hottest up-to-date trends. There are three easy steps to get you on your way to your ShoeDazzle membership:
Step One – Take a little fashion survey. This is so the experts can get a feel for your fashion sense of what you like and dislike. They want to make sure they are catering to your needs, rather than having them tell you, what you like.
Step Two – The experts will send you a recommendation of 5 shoes to choose from. With your membership you are able to receive one pair with free shipping. If you decide you want all 5 pairs of fabulous shoes, additional fees may apply. It’s a small price to pay for shoes picked with you in mind.
Step Three – If you decide you are not satisfied with your order, feel free to return them in the pre-paid shipping label that is provided for each pair of shoes.
If you are still a little hesitant, here is the FAQ’s page to answer all of those questions.
It’s seriously that simple. Kim Kardashian (LOVE her!) is the Founder and Chief Stylist a.k.a. brains behind it all. She oversees all styles, looks and quality of each design. If you know her, you know she’s all about style.
Since it’s still February, American Heart Month, ShoeDazzle introduced their limited edition Wynn deVelle red pump to all of their members.10% of each purchase will benefit WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. Purchase for a good cause; because looking great shouldn’t be limiting.
Posted in advertising / marketing, business, coupons / deals / sales, fun, gifts, good value, shoes, women | 2 Comments »
February 5th, 2010 jeniii
Love is in the air! The strongest emotion on Earth is love. Even though I believe Valentine’s Day was invented for retailers to take full advantage of consumers unconscious spending, I absolutely LOVE seeing cupid shooting his arrow and red and pink hearts everywhere! Expressing your love can be difficult. So here are a few helpful gift ideas:
1.The best way to my heart is definitely through my stomach. Even better if it’s for breakfast. Make your sweetie pie breakfast in bed! Heart shaped eggs and heart shaped pancakes. Breakfast doesn’t get any better than that.
2.So you took this fabulous picture on your fabulous vacation, what better way to display it then in your very own personalized fabulous picture frame!
3.Every year I received some sort of bead kit to make necklaces or bracelets. It’s a great gift for kids to use their creative side and make something straight from the heart.
4.Get a good nights rest with this cute pair of pillowcases.
5.Hello Kitty jewelry. Enough said.
6. Nothing says I love you more than chocolates and flowers. For the traditional gift-giver, check out these fabulous duos.
7.Apple’s “Love at First Touch” says it all. Buy any of their iPod’s and get FREE engraving! Need some inspiration? They also have a gallery of engravings that you can choose from.
8.Customize a pair of Nike Dunk Low Premium iD Shoe. You decide what colors, where they go and you even get to add an id in 8 characters or less.
9.For the ultimate beer enthusiast, give the gift of beer for one whole year from The Beer of the Month Club. The recipient will receive award-winning microbrews from around the country every month.
10.At Build-A-Bear Workshop you can make your own Be Mine Dalmation (while supplies last) complete with its own heart shaped collar. These are great for your loved ones of all ages.
Posted in Do it yourself - DIY - Home made, Uncategorized, amazon, bags / purses / backpacks, family, fun, funny, gifts, jewelry, kids, kitchen appliances and gadgets, t-shirts/clothing, women | No Comments »
January 21st, 2010 jeniii
By now everyone has heard of the 7.0 earthquake to hit Carrefour, Haiti on January 13, 2010. There was also an aftershock that hit 35 miles from Port-Au-Prince with a magnitude of 6.1. With about 80% of the population living in extreme poverty, the country is in dire need of aid from other countries, now more than ever. During this recession, it may be hard to make cash donations, but there are so many other ways to show your support. As Americans, we are surrounded by an infinite amount of resources in relief efforts to help out our neighboring country. Please do your part today.
1. Build-A-Bear will be donating $15,000 to the Red Cross. And now through January 31, 2010 customers can donate $1 at the cash registers in any U.S. Build-A-Bear Workshop.
2. Hope for Haiti Musical Lineup – January 22, 2010 at 8 PM EST. “George Clooney, who has organized the telecast, will host from LA, with CNN’s Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti and Wyclef in New York City. According to E! Online, “Twilight Saga” star Robert Pattinson will present from London. The performances will be available on the iTunes store, with proceeds benefiting relief funds for the earthquake-stricken nation. The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT as well as networks including PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Brave, E! Entertainment and more, with online live streaming available on YouTube, Hulu, MySpace and more domains as well.”
3. Text “HAITI” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your phone bill. Text “YELE” to 501501 and a $5 donation will be added to your phone bill.
4. Donate blood! The American Red Cross is always in need of blood donations. Click here to locate your nearest blood bank. They are always in need of Type O Negative and Type B Negative blood donors.
5. Continental Airlines has set up a program to its frequent flier members. Members of this program can donate to the American Red Cross and AmeriCares.
6. Handbags Help Haiti – You can buy discontinued or imperfect Jordana Paige handbags for only $50. With 100% of all proceeds going towards Doctors Without Borders Haiti relief, it’s like wearing your heart on your sleeve shoulder.
7. Chase Bank will give $100 million to the charity with the most votes. I just voted for Invisible Children.
8. Help the abandoned animals of Haiti through PETA.
9. Doctors Without Borders is a national medical organization that receives close to 89% of its funding from private funding, not the government. Created in France in 1971, Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides medical aid to about 60 countries who are in need.
10. Habitat for Humanity has already started to plan their part in rebuilding homes for as many Haitians as they possibly can. They are always looking for volunteers to help out with projects as well.
Here is an extensive list of other organizations that you can donate using your American Express points or you can make a cash donation.
Posted in advertising / marketing, bags / purses / backpacks, banks, family, homes, kids, men, music, people, practical, sales, television / film, televisions, travel, truth, vaccines, warnings, women | No Comments »
December 17th, 2009 admin
Sorry to remind you that the holidays are right around the corner, so hurry up with your gift shopping! Here are some Mac Games gift ideas for people who use Apple computers. Please check system requirements.
 Little Shop of Treasures – Help Huntington shop owners find more than 1,200 unique and cleverly hidden items for their customers and earn enough cash to open a shop of your own. More info & Buy
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 StarCraft Battle Chest – Play through 56 mission in 6 unique campaigns, to decide the fate of the galaxy. More info & Buy |
 Max Payne – You’re a man with nothing to lose fighting a battle you cannot hope to win. Try to survive as you attempt to uncover who framed you for a murder you did not commit. More info & Buy |
 Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now – Although politically incorrect and mindlessly violent, Carmageddon 2 is a fun game that people will enjoy playing – remember, it’s just a game. For mature audiences. More info & Buy |
 Neverwinter Nights – Designed for a small group of players to play through 4-5 hour adventures, this is a Dungeons and Dragon-based Internet-enabled fantasy role-playing game. More info & Buy |
 The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition – Create millions of Sims and control their lives. Customize looks & personalities. Build their homes and send them out to explore the neighborhood to meet other Sims. More info & Buy |
 Riven – Enter a deceptively beautiful world torn apart by age-old conflicts, where secrets lie hidden at every turn, and nothing is as it seems. You must search, you must explore, you must learn the truth. More info & Buy |
See these related Gift Ideas, too:5 of the Best Christmas Movies, Ever, Kids Gifts, Complete Box Sets of Television Series, Boxed Gifts: Mac Games, Holiday Gift Ideas: Hardware, Wii and Games and More, Gift Ideas: Books for Mac Users, Boxed Gift Ideas Mac Games, Boxed Gift Ideas: Small Kids Mac Games and Boxed Gift Ideas: Mac Software [Source: Mac Games and More]
Posted in Apple Computers, amazon, computer games, gifts, mac games | No Comments »
December 16th, 2009 jeniii
Listed are (in my opinion) the GREATEST Christmas movies of all time. It’s never too late to get into the Christmas spirit. These movies will definitely lift your spirits!
1. Elf (2003) – Will Ferrell is hilarious in this movie. “Elf is also genuinely funny. Will Ferrell, as Buddy the adopted elf, is hysterically sincere. James Caan, as his rediscovered father, executes his surly dumbfoundedness with perfect aplomb. Zooey Deschanel, as a department store worker with whom Buddy falls in love, is adorably sardonic. Director Jon Favreau (Swingers) shepherds the movie through all the obligatory Christmas cliches and focuses on material that’s sometimes subtle and consistently surprising. Frankly, Elf feels miraculous. Also featuring Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Peter Dinklage, and Ed Asner as Santa Claus.” –Bret Fetzer, amazon.com
2. Home Alone (1990) – As a troubled and mischievous 8 year old kid, Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidently left at home while his family leaves for their Christmas vacation. When the family arrives at their destination, they realize Kevin is home alone and try to get home as soon as possible. When Kevin realizes he is home alone, he takes full advantage of his situation. He also holds takes care of some burglars who are trying to break into his home.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – This movie is dark and kind of creepy, quite opposite of every other holiday movie out there. “Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween — but alas, they can’t get it quite right.” – John Reeves, IMDb.com
4. 
A Christmas Story (1983) – “There’s nary a scene to forget in this near-perfect nostalgic look at where Americana and Christmastime meet. The story of a young boy’s epic quest to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun provides the hilarious backdrop for a timeless tale rife with family hijinks, frozen tongues and, of course, sex-oozing leg lamps.” – moviefone.com
5.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1947) – Make sure you have a box of tissues ready for this one. “George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot. Capra’s triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life, while affirming–in the teary-eyed final reel–his cherished values of friendship and individual achievement. It’s a Wonderful Life was not a big hit on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated); but it continues to weave a special magic.” –Robert Horton, amazon.com
Posted in amazon, coupons / deals / sales, family, fun, funny, gifts, home entertainment, music, special occasions, television / film, winter | 1 Comment »
December 11th, 2009 admin
DVDs make excellent gifts for kids, so here are some ideas for you. [Source: mac games and more]
 Labyrinth (Collector’s Edition Boxed Set) – Journey into a fantastical world starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, and a cast of incredible creatures created by Jim Henson and produced by George Lucas. More info & Buy
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 The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series – 10th Anniversary Collection – Blossom, Bubbles, & Buttercup are not normal! They have superpowers. 78 episodes plus the holiday special and fans’ favorite extras. More info & Buy |
 Animaniacs, Vols. 1 2 & 3 – Join Yakko, Wakko and Dot as the trio escapes and enjoys some thoroughly postmodern adventures in this smart show. More info & Buy |
 SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes – These are the “must-haves” for the SpongeBob fan. It includes every episode from Seasons 1 through 5 plus exclusive special features on 14 discs. More info & Buy |
 Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 1-3 – Pinky and the Brain, two mice who have had their genes tampered with while residing in Acme Labs, centers on their schemes to take over the world. More info & Buy |
 Creature Comforts – The Complete First and Second Seasons – A brilliant and hilarious clay animation series about the lives of animals as told by the animals themselves. More info & Buy |
 Miyazaki 6 Pack – This set of exceptional works by Miyazaki include Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. More info & Buy |
See these related Gift Ideas, too: Complete Box Sets of Television Series, Boxed Gifts: Mac Games, Holiday Gift Ideas: Hardware, Wii and Games and More, Gift Ideas: Books for Mac Users, Boxed Gift Ideas Mac Games, Boxed Gift Ideas: Small Kids Mac Games and Boxed Gift Ideas: Mac Software
Posted in DVD, amazon, gifts, kids | No Comments »
December 10th, 2009 admin
From mac games and more:
 The Wire – The Complete Series (60% OFF) – The Wire is as complex as entertaining. It’s thought provoking, artfully acted and a perfectly produced show. More info & Buy
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 Six Feet Under – The Complete Series – (51%OFF) Relive Alan Ball’s poignantly dramatic, unpredictably hilarious masterpiece, from its powerful premiere episode to its critically-acclaimed, haunting finale. More info & Buy |
 Rome: The Complete Series – Family dysfunction. Treachery. Betrayal. Coarse profanity. Brutal violence. Graphic (and sometimes brutal) sex. No, it’s not The Sopranos, it’s Rome. More info & Buy |
 The Sopranos – The Complete Series – Celebrate the show that Vanity Fair called, “the greatest show in TV history”, in the ultimate Sopranos collector’s edition. More info & Buy |
 Battlestar Galactica – The Complete Epic Series – A lone flagship battlestar, the Galactica, remains to aid surviving colonists on their epic journey for a new home to a far-off legendary planet: Earth. More info & Buy |
 Firefly – The Complete Series – 500 years in the future there’s a whole new frontier, and the crew of the spaceship Serenity is eager to stake a claim on the action. They’ll take any job, legal or not, to keep fuel in the tanks and food on the table. More info & Buy |
Fawlty Towers – The Complete Series – This legendary series was inspired by a hotel John Cleese once stayed in when he was filming Monty Python. Hysterical. More info & Buy |
Related Gift Idea Posts: Boxed Gifts: Mac Games, Holiday Gift Ideas: Hardware, Wii and Games and More, Gift Ideas: Books for Mac Users, Boxed Gift Ideas Mac Games, Boxed Gift Ideas: Small Kids Mac Games and Boxed Gift Ideas: Mac Software
Posted in DVD, amazon, gifts | No Comments »
December 9th, 2009 admin
“The Simplest Title for The Most Complex TV Series Ever — “Perfection” – Imagine a show that every critic on the planet loves. Imagine a show so deeply layered that it makes every other drama seem simple. Imagine a show where each character is equally important. Imagine a show that reinvented itself every season, yet still felt like it was part of the world it created from the outset. Imagine a show so complex that you will always discover something new the next time around.
Doesn’t this sound like perfection to you? Trust me, it is, in more ways than you can fathom.
THE WIRE is a show so meticulously crafted and executed that it would take me a dozen reviews to scratch the surface of what makes it great. After catching the very first episode on HBO, I immediately bought the 1st season. The rest, as they say, is history.
I’m so afraid to ruin anything that I don’t even want to give away characters’ names. To even let you go in expecting certain traits from a character would spoil the fun. So instead, I’m deliberately being vague about what occurs. If you’ve never heard about this series, you deserve go in cold.
But I’ll give you a few details, starting with the very first scene. THE WIRE begins when a detective is questioning a young hoodlum who witnessed a murder. The detective asks why the guy and his friends allowed the victim to continue rolling dice, after he’d been known to snatch the money & run. The scene closes when the kid says, “Got to, man. This America.”
Then the show begins its title sequence, in which The Blind Boys of Alabama’s cover of “Way Down In The Hole” plays over a montage of seemingly random clips of police activity & urban life. But as you’ll learn the more you see this title sequence (and song), this montage is actually filled with clues, both literal and metaphorical. The greatest crime dramas throw clues in your face without telling you how important they are. Believe me, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, one of the greatest films of all time with its labyrinthine plot, has nothing on THE WIRE. And we’re only just getting started.
What you’ll also notice from the opening scene is the dialogue. It actually took me two viewings to find out what the detective and the dice-roller were saying. As if that wasn’t enough, I eventually had to turn on the English subtitles just to find out what each character was saying. The dialogue flows so naturally that THE WIRE never feels like a TV drama. There are no scenes where the characters recap what happened in the previous episode, unless the characters would actually take a moment to remind each other. This sounds like a challenge, and indeed it is. THE WIRE requires (and deserves) your undivided attention. Pause if you have to. Rewind if you have to. Use the subtitles if you have to. Many have called THE WIRE “a visual novel”, and they couldn’t be more right. You see how much attention I’ve given to just the first few minutes? Guess what, the entire series clocks in at 63 hours.
So, what’s the premise of the series? The first season’s main story begins when a team of Baltimore police is assembled to take down one of the city’s high-profile drug dealers. The investigators and surveillance teams endure what real cops would endure: long hours, cold trails, bad weather, tedious paperwork, crummy offices, and worse…smart criminals. THE WIRE gives the justice officers an equal amount of screen time as the targets they pursue. The dealers aren’t delightfully vicious or glamorous in the least. Sort of like the Corleone Family or the protagonists in GOODFELLAS, THE WIRE portrays its criminals as guys who either can’t do anything else for a living, or refuse to do anything else for a living. The series goes even deeper, as we’re engaged in the lives of judges & lawyers, homicide detectives & their office-dwelling superiors, drug kingpins & their corner workers, and even the homeless. Calling this “epic” is an understatement. If you’re as interested in the urban drama as you are in the police procedural, then you’re on the right track. Don’t worry, you will get to see the cops bust a few doors and arrest a few thugs, but just be aware each event it treated as ordinarily and naturally as anything else in THE WIRE. To the characters, these events are just another day.
Now bear in mind, I’ve only given a little info on the first season! I won’t give away any details, but Season Two continues in the exact opposite way you’d expect a sequel to. The cops and criminals shared equal halves of TV time on Season One, but for the seasons that follow, they share equal parts with a completely new side of Baltimore. Just wait until THE WIRE continues through its next few seasons, it gets even more deliciously complex. If you think Season One sounds like a beastly Rubik’s Cube, wait until you get a load of Season Two, not to mention the seasons afterwards. After all, you can’t predict how a single story is going to proceed if you’re too blindsided by how it begins. One of the most interesting aspects is that slowly over time, THE WIRE becomes more than a crime drama — the series evolves into a multi-layered epic, where crime is only part of the picture. Each of the five seasons feels like its own individual story, but naturally connects with the season that comes before and after it.
I don’t want you to be discouraged by this onslaught of convoluted storytelling. There is a method to the madness. Audiences (including me) are too used to knowing where we are at every given point of the story. THE WIRE purposefully refrains from the kind of clarity we’re used to. This challenge that will stimulate your mind in ways that no other TV show has. In so many ways, it’s the kind of entertainment we’ve always wanted: Surprising yet Natural — isn’t that always the goal?
THE WIRE is so great that everyone is going to take something different from it. This show can be interpreted in a million ways. Nobody is right, and nobody is wrong. How can that be? Well, creator David Simon is to be credited for this neutrality. Simon is as hands-on as any other TV series producer, writer, or creator. Every single aspect of the show is exactly what he wanted it to be. THE WIRE was never the victim of a writer’s strike, or cancelled seasons, or poor broadcasting schedules, or any other excuse. If there is a character or story arc you don’t care for, it isn’t Simon’s fault; your personal taste just doesn’t mesh with it. Sure, I have one or two nitpicks about what THE WIRE should’ve been in my eyes, but not once did I believe it was for a lack of focus. For example, one particular season takes a more didactic approach to the series. We witness moral dilemmas with an ambitious mayor, unethical cops, and newspaper staff — all tackle the immortal question, “Do the ends justify the means?” This more black-and-white angle is exactly what David Simon wanted to use. I preferred a more gray-shaded tale, but Simon decided that this tale needed a more direct statement. Now, even though this isn’t my preference, I overlooked my own criticisms because this season was built this way. There are a couple of other little things that might not sit well with some viewers, notably how the “star” of the show’s cast disappears for most of one season (don’t worry, you’ll know it’s coming before it happens). The point is that THE WIRE never once strayed from its intended path.
I think that’s what I’m going to take away most from this show: It tells every story it wants to tell. It answers every question it poses, unless we’re meant to ponder. It forces us to sympathize with those we’d normally condemn, and to relate to those we’d usually ignore. This television drama is a masterful work of art, from the page to the screen.
I’m going to close with this:
Despite my review title, spending a large amount of money on a complete TV series without seeing a few clips is clearly irresponsible. I didn’t type this review expecting you to drop a couple hundred by my words alone. So, let’s be sensible about this product. If you can, rent the first few episodes from a videostore, or try to find the show in a library, or maybe even go on YouTube to find a few Season One scenes.
There is so much more I want to share with you, but it’s time to use a lesson David Simon taught me:
I will say only enough, and make it your responsibility to discover the rest. Enjoy! ” [Source]
Get it now
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