The Savvy Marketplace

I’m gonna be real honest here. I don’t generally shop for jewelry online. I know, it’s crazy. However, I’ve learned over the last few years that there are some tremendous jewelry bargains to be found online if you look in the right places. Italian charms are no different. Italian charms seem to be all the rage these days with people trying to buy them, collect them, and show them off to their friends. Let’s take a look at a few items on a checklist to look out for when shopping for an Italian charm.

1) Do they have a bulk discount? If you are buying for a large group of people, you don’t want to ignore the bulk discount. Buying more than one of anything can save you some dollars. Italian charms are no different.

2) Do they offer different styles? This might be good or bad. If a merchant sells one type of Italian charm, you might be entitled to a good discount due to the volume. However, you might not like the style offered. Look for big dealers to find good deals.

3) Are the Italian charms they offer new or used? Used anything can be a good deal. Italian charms are no different. If you are buying used, make sure you are getting quality merchandise.

4) Can these Italian charms be resold? A good resale value is always welcome, no matter what you are buying.

5) Is there a warranty? You might be able to get a warranty on your Italian charm. Look into this.

Finally, just because a site appears at the top of the search engines, it doesn’t mean that that particular site is the #1 site for that product or industry. I have a friend who maintains what I think is the world’s best website for his niche (baby showers), but his site isn’t even listed in Google. In fact, most of his visitors come from people who refer his business to their friends. Finding the right Italian charm vendor is no different than this. Take a firm look at other ways of finding the Italian charm site of your dreams. You won’t be disappointed.

Linda Harrison is author of ” www.eitaliancharms.com“>Italian Charm Shopping. The Right Way.” Pick up your copy at www.eitaliancharms.com.

You arrive at your photo shoot excited about the images you are about
to take - that is, until you realize that you have left an important piece of
equipment at home. You now will have to improvise, spend extra money
or time to replace the item, or go without it for the shot.

One way to help remember everything for the best photo shoot is to
make a checklist of needed items. The lists can vary by the type of shoot,
but always include certain basics. Following are some lists to get you
started.

Wedding/Portraits

* Camera bodies

* Camera batteries (charged), including backup

* Camera plates

* Lenses (wide, mid-range and telephoto) with lens shades

* Filters (soft, star and other special effects; yellow, red for B&W film)

* Film or CF cards

* Flash

* Flash batteries (charged), including backups and battery pack

* Flash diffusers

* Flash synch cord

* Camera bracket

* Tripod

* Tripod head

* Stool/ladder

* Reflector/diffuser

* Business cards

* Tools (allen wrench, multi-function, blower, flashlight)

* Lens cleaner/cloth

* Props/blanket

* Light meter

* Camera and flash manuals

* Fanny pack

Studio Photography

* Wedding/portrait equipment plus:

* Backdrop

* Backdrop stands

* Reflector stand

* Studio lights/cords

* Soft boxes/diffusers

* Stool/posing table

* Electrical/duct tape

Landscape/Macro/Wildlife

* Camera bodies

* Camera batteries (charged), including backup

* Camera battery charger

* Camera plates (L-bracket)

* Bubble level

* Lenses (wide, macro, mid-range and telephoto) with lens shades

* Teleconverter

* Extension tube

* Filters (graduated ND, polarizer, color compensating)

* Film or CF cards

* Flash

* Flash batteries (charged), including backups and battery pack

* Flash battery charger

* Flash diffusers

* Flash synch cord

* Tripod/monopod

* Tripod heads (Gimbal, ballhead)

* Reflector/diffuser

* Tools (allen wrench, multi-function, blower)

* Camera and flash manuals

* Rain cover for camera

* Lens cleaner/cloth

* Sunscreen

* Bug Spray

* Hat

* National park pass

* Photo vest and/or fanny pack

Digital

* Laptop or storage device Charger for laptop or storage device (AC
and/or DC)

* Card reader

* Blank CDs or DVDs for backups

Look at your own equipment needs to customize your lists. They will
help you to remember all of the tools to help make your photo shoot the
best. Just don’t forget the list!

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright All Rights Reserved

— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

Carolyn Wright is a professional photographer with an active wildlife
photography business. Shooting for 25 years, her award-winning
images have been used in books and corporate marketing materials.
Her photos will be included in the upcoming book, “Captivating Wildlife -
Images from the Top Ten Emerging Wildlife Photographers” by Scott
Bourne and David Middleton. She also is working with Scott Bourne on
“Wolfscapes,” a photo book documenting the beauty and strength of
wolves. Her wildlife images can be viewed at http://www.vividwildlife.com

On the faculty of Olympic Mountain School of Photography, Carolyn’s
passion is enhanced when teaching photography. She enjoys writing
and speaking on the subject, as well, and is a regular columnist for
PhotoFocus, an online magazine for serious photographers.

To take an online pregnancy test, you’ll need to answer some questions. These questions are related to signs that indicate pregnancy. To take an online pregnancy test, answer the questions below. Please note - it will take about a week for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus after conception. Once implantation happens, you can begin to experience one or more of the signs that indicate you are pregnant. Are you experiencing any of these signs:

1. Light Spotting? Spotting can happen when implantation occurs before your next period begins. Light bleeding from implantation tends to be pinkish or brownish.

2. Urinating More Often? Frequent urination is one of the early signs of pregnancy. Many women experience more frequent urination about 7-12 days after the temperature rise at ovulation.

3. Elevated Body Temperature? A slight increase in body temperature at ovulation is normal. Your basal body temperature staying elevated after ovulation is completed and remaining elevated for the next two weeks can be one of the early signs of pregnancy.

4. Missing a Menstrual Period? A missed period is one of the obvious pregnancy signs when you take an online pregnancy test. However, you can miss periods for other reasons such as illness, stress and reactions to foods or medications.

5. Tiredness? A lack of energy as a pregnancy sign may be hard to distinguish from other kinds of exhaustion. Feeling tired is related to the change in hormones in the body, which usually disappears as the body adjusts to new hormone levels during pregnancy.

6. Feelings of Nausea? Feeling nauseated can happen any time, day or night, although ‘morning sickness’ is the name given to feeling nauseated when pregnant. Only about half of pregnant women will experience nausea.

7. Tender Nipples and Breasts? When you take an online pregnancy test, answering yes to this question can indicate pregnancy. These feelings of tenderness go away as the body becomes accustomed to new hormone levels.

8. Darker Areolas? If the area around the nipples becomes darker, this can be a pregnancy indicator. It can happen as early as one week after conception. The bumps on the areolas may also look more prominent.

If you are answering ‘Yes’ to one or more of the questions above as you take an online pregnancy test, you should confirm pregnancy by using one of the better home pregnancy tests. There are major differences in the reliability of the home tests for pregnancy. A blood pregnancy test can be accurate as early as 8 to 10 days after conception, and a urine pregnancy test can be accurate as early as 10 to 14 days following conception. If you feel you are pregnant but your pregnancy test result is negative, do the test again in a week or so and see your physician.

Becoming pregnant and enjoying a successful pregnancy is a complex but wonderful experience. Learn as much as you can about fertility, pregnancy and your health so your new baby will have the very best beginning to life that is possible.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more at www.safemenopausesolutions.com/ovulation-tests.html about ovulation tests and fertility monitors. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of articles on health, ovulation, fertility, prenatal vitamins, pregnancy and caring for yourself naturally.

Flowers have long been used to symbolize life’s important events and emotions. Roses are symbols of love, lilies, the flowers of death and renewal, and carnations a sign of appreciation. We use flowers as wedding decorations, Valentine’s Day presents and Christmas ornaments. No matter what the occasion is, a beautiful flower arrangement is a wonderful way to celebrate life through vibrant colors and rich floral scents.

Florists provide customers with a variety of arrangements made specifically for certain occasions and events. However, if you are on a budget, flower arrangements can be fairly pricey. Professional florists charge exorbitant amounts for their expertise, and the flowers themselves can be extremely expensive. Making your own arrangements can be a fun and creative alternative to ordering pieces from a florist. By purchasing flowers individually, you can choose the exact colors and scents you need to say exactly what you want to communicate.

When making your own flower arrangement, you should first consider its purpose. If you are making arrangements for a wedding, white is typically the presiding color. You should start with basic white flowers and add a few accents that match the bridesmaids’ dresses. Large leafy green pieces add a nice contrast to delicate buds for table centerpieces, and sometimes simplicity is the best aesthetic tactic. If you are making centerpieces for several tables, you can purchase your flowers in bulk and use one design over and over again, or you can make each piece an individual work of art.

For vase arrangements, choose your container first, and pick flowers that are the correct height for the vase. When you cut your flowers, be sure to cut the stems at an angle so they can absorb water correctly and stay fresh for a long time. Vase arrangements require a focal point, and this can be one large flower or a grouping of several. It is important to choose a color scheme and to stick with it. For instance, you would not want to mix red and pink roses, or to combine yellow daisies with died green carnations. Make sure you choose flowers that look and smell good in combination with each other, and fill in the gaps with baby’s breath and leafy greenery.

When you are making larger potted flower arrangements, an aesthetically pleasing plant is a great base for your design. However, you might not want to combine a spiky cactus with soft blooming roses. If you are using only flowers, you will need a piece of arranging foam to provide a structure for the piece. Green foam can be purchased at most craft stores, and it can be cut to fit any shape you need. Before you start sticking in your stems, you might sketch out an idea of the final product. If the arrangement is to be large, pick a few large flowers to act as focal points rather than picking a multitude of tiny blooms. Too many small flowers distract the eye and make the arrangement seem busy rather than soothing.

Once you have chosen all of your flowers and greenery, begin arranging them in the container. It will take several tries and lot of adjusting before your create a finished product, but be confident and do what looks best. Arranging flowers is an intuitive art, and if you have chosen a good color scheme and a variety of shapes and sizes, the correct eye-pleasing concoction will often fall into place with little effort. When you are finished, you will have a beautiful, natural decoration to perk up even the gloomiest of environments, and you will have the satisfaction of having created a wonderful work of art.

Flowers lift our spirits and give delight to our souls. Sintilia Miecevole, host of www.yaflower.com has a ton of flower information from florists and special occasions to gardens and more. Be sure to visit www.yaflower.com and enjoy!

Men, If You Want Brownie Points…Send Her Flowers and Trinkets!

Ok, ok! So you’ve heard that line before. But you may not understand why after all this time that it still works! Well, in the next few minutes prepare to get an insight into the mysterious women’s world.

Here are some very basic things you should know:

1) Women (generally speaking) are the softer side of the human race. We have softer bodies, soft demeanor (usually) and instinctively want to nurture and care for our fellow man. And men….women really do want to take care of you! Men on the other hand, want to conquer and procreate. Testosterone kicks in and men on a regular basis blunder along and just by the look on a women’s face they know they are in trouble. And why?

2) WOMEN SEE EVERYTHING!!! Never underestimate a woman’s instinct. Women generally can be more intuitive than a man simply because we’ve been trained over thousands of years to have that watch-full eye over the children and loved ones. We must see what the children are doing and scope for hidden dangers nearby constantly! That’s why moms know the hand is in the cookie jar and she’s not even looking directly at you! Have you ever noticed a woman looking at you and you feel like she is reading your mind? Well essentially she is. She knows what that twitch of the eyebrows means and the eyes tell a whole story.

Here is a tip for you men. Don’t wait until you are in trouble to do something nice for a woman. Believe me, it goes so much farther if you buy her flowers for no reason. Women are also attracted to the pretty things like shiny jewelry. You can hardly go wrong doing either. Unless a woman is seriously not interested in you, it is likely that you will see her melt right before your eyes if you present her with something of beauty. Women are sappy that way.

This is especially true for a long-term relationship because this tells her you are still creating something wonderful and appreciate her.

Here is something you may not have thought of, and that is, when you buy a woman flowers and send it to her place of business, you, will be the one well thought of! The number of times I have heard other women oooh and ahhh over someone getting flowers at work and say: “you’re so lucky to have to have a husband/boyfriend who will send you flowers”! “I wish my husband would do that”!

Then you do the magic thing and send her flowers twice in a month! Your status among the other women has just soared and you are viewed as a rare breed of men. Heavy sigh! (More sappiness)

Most women just plain love getting flowers and trinkets period! Will it ever go out of style? I think not. This is a long-standing tried and true formula that works and I think will still work in the future.

Willie is a freelance writer, researcher, artist and floral designer. She also promotes Motivational Posters at www.artinspires.com. “Enroll in the free motivational poster drawing. All winners receive a free framed print.

Cupcake “cakes” are fast becoming very popular, likely because they’re easy and the cleanup is simple too. To serve, all you need are some napkins! Another great thing is that you can craft many shapes and sizes out of cupcakes. For Christmas, try out a Christmas tree formation. This Christmas craft is really easy to execute so it’s a great think to get the kids involved. In fact, once the baking’s done, you can hand the decorating over to the kids.

Prep:

1. Bake any cupcake recipe. You can even use the boxed kind.
2. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before icing.
3. Use white icing, either homemade or a store-bought can.
4. Color 3/4 of the frosting green, using food dye.
5. Color the rest of the frosting assorted colors of blue, yellow, brown (for the tree trunk) and red (for ornaments and bows).
6. Make a triangle shape for the tree. I suggest 6 cupcakes for the base, then 5, 4 and so on to make a triangle.
7. Ice the cupcakes in the triangle shape with the green icing. Use a decorating tip for a professional look.
8. Use two cupcakes, frosted brown, for the base.
9. Use four cupcakes in a square shape on either side of the base. Ice one of the squares yellow and the other blue.
10. Use the rest of the colors and the red frosting to draw on ribbons, bows and ornaments.
11. Draw a star with the yellow frosting on the top cupcake.

Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry

Nothing more personal than our response to color. Color is the new language of passion, and nothing captures it better than distinctively styled jewelry.
Leave her speechless with our brilliant colorless and fancy colored diamond or bold brilliant gemstone jewelry styles.

Jewelry and gems, The Buying Guide

How to select a reputable jeweler

It’s very difficult to give advice on this matter since there are so many exceptions to any rules. Sizes and years in business are not always absolute indicators of the reliability of a firm. Some one person jewelry forms are highly respected; others are not. Some well established forms that have been in business for many years have built their trade on the highest standards of integrity and knowledge.

One point worth stressing is that for average consumer, price alone is not a reliable indicator of the integrity or knowledge of the seller. Aside from variations in quality, which often are not readily discernible by the consumer, significant price differences can also result from differences in jewelry manufacturing processes. Many jewelry manufacturers sell mass produced lines of good quality jewelry to jewelers all across the country. Mass produced jewelry, many of which are beautiful, classic designs, are usually much less expensive than handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, or those on which there is a limited production. the work of some designers may be available in only a few select establishments, and may carry a premium because of skill, labor, reputation, and limited distribution. Handmade or one-of-a-kind pieces are always more expensive, since the initial cost of production is paid by one individual rather than shared by many, as in mass produced pieces.

Furthermore, depending upon the store, retail markups also vary, based on numerous factors unique to each retailer, including differences in insurance coverage, security costs, credit risks, education and training costs, special services such as in-house design and custom jewelry production and repair, customer service policies, and more.

The best way to select wisely is to shop around and compare the services they offer, how knowledgeable the salespeople seem, the quality of their products, and pricing for specific items. This will give a sense of what is fair. As you do so, however, remember to ask the right questions to be sure the items are truly comparable, and pay attention to design and manufacturing differences as well.

If the jeweler can’t or won’t provide the necessary information, then you go to another jewelry store, no matter how much you’ve fallen in love with the piece. And, if you are making the purchase on a contingency basis, put the terms of the contingency on the bill of sale.

Never allow yourself to be intimidated into accepting anyone’s claims. A trustworthy jeweler will have to ask for your trust; he or she will earn it through knowledge, reliability, and a willingness to give you any information you request; in writing.

Again, in general, you will be in a stronger position to differentiate between a knowledgeable, reputable jeweler and one who isn’t if you’ve shop around first. Unless you are an expert, visit several firms, ask questions, examine merchandise carefully, and then you be the judge.

A word about gemstone investment
Caution!

Caution is the only word we can apply to gem investment. If you have taken the time to read any of the articles, you should now fully understand that the world of gems is very complex, that fraud and misrepresentation can be costly, and that the average consumer lacks the knowledge and experience to make sound judgments on the purchase of expensive gems without the assistance of a qualified gemologist appraiser.

It is for this reason primarily that we (at The Jewelry Hut) recommend that gems and jewelry be purchased first and foremost for pleasure they will bring to the purchaser/wearer, or as something to be handed down to future generations. The investment consideration, while it is certainly a valid consideration, in most cases should remain secondary.

Debt Consolidation - Dos and Don’ts

You’ve possibly heard all kinds of wives tales about consolidating your debt. Some of them portray debt consolidation as the easiest and quickest way to repay your debts. Other tails conjure up a worrying picture of escalating debt that inevitably leads to bigger problems.

The reality probably lays right in-between. Consolidating your debt may or may not be the best way for you to get out of debt. It all depends on a wide range of factors: not just how much you owe, but how much money you make and what type of debts you’re thinking about consolidating, as well as your attitude to debt and to money in general.

There are a few rules that apply to most people. Consider these debt consolidation tips.

Do talk to a few different debt advisers if you’re thinking about consolidating your debts. You need someone who can help you study your options, so make sure you talk to a professional that doesn’t only offer debt consolidation. Its possible that all you need is some advice on budgeting more effectively, so you can manage your debts by yourself.

Take time to think carefully about the repayment term on your debt consolidation loan, if you take one.

Don’t keep on fighting if you really can’t afford your debt repayments. If it’s obvious you need help, ask for it - your debt adviser will be able to help you decide whether you need a professional debt solution, and if so, which one.

Cartoons have been a part of our culture and we have witnessed its evolution from the ancient civilization where Egyptians expressed their thoughts and draw pictures on the walls of pyramid that helped our historians to know how they lived and existed. Greeks painted it on their potteries and Japanese/Chinese on their scrolls.

It then evolved on the 18^th century where printing press reproduced political caricatures in black and white. Even Benjamin Franklin designed his famous “JOIN or DIE” snake. It was during the Revolutionary War that intended for colonies to unite and work together against the threat of the Indians.

It was during early 1900s when modern cartoons emerged. They are classified into five groups: illustrative, comic strips, gag strips, political, and animated. Illustrative cartoons are used to advertise and tell story. Comic and gag strips are usually found in newspapers and magazines; their intent is to produce laughter. Political cartoons are used as a medium to convey opinions from societal issue fanatics. Animation is the latest form of cartoons, where it involves movement like what we see now on television and movie screen.

Animated films progressed when Walt Disney started creating cartoon series of Oswald Rabbit, Steamboat Willie, Minnie & Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. Full-length musical animated film was Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. The artists who created the animations cells for Snow White hand painted everything creating a look both beautiful and surreal. Then it gave birth to other animated cartoons.

There were other influential people in the cartoon industry like Chuck Jones, who contributed Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, etc. Hanna-Barbara’s creations are Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, Tom & Jerry and famous cowardly dog, Scooby Doo.

The latest cartoon in the mainstream is the 3D animation and is created using a computer. This spawned when Disney and Pixar joined forces that led to success of Toy Story and other computer generated cartoons.

These continually influenced our lives and not only give entertainment but have bestowed us values and lessons expressed in the form of cartoons.



Never before has there been a bigger need to compare broadband packages. This is because the European Union (EU) is about to open the door to what known as net neutrality, which refers to unrestricted access to the broadband network based on a first come and first served basis.

There are plans already in motion to upgrade the broadband networks throughout Europe. But at the end of the day someone is going to have to pay and as per usual this is going to be the consumer, who are likely to end up paying out billions of pounds under this new broadband coverage.

Yet in the UK, net neutrality is far from being endorsed by the communications regulator Ofcom.

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, said, “We don’t think we should bring it over from the US lock, stock and barrel. We have quite often got more competitors in Europe than in the US.

“The key for us is transparency. Consumers must know whether there are different arrangements for different ISPs and network providers must have the freedom to make commercial decisions about how to run their networks and invest in new-generation networks.”

It is more likely that the nations within the EU would be in favour of a compromise situation instead of just a blanket coverage for net neutrality over all twenty seven countries.