Découvrez la nouvelle boutique Miniatures Minichamps dans laquelle vous pourrez trouver toutes les miniatures et modèles réduits du fabricant Minichamps.

Des modèles F1, Racing, Moto, des casques ou encore des figurines aux échelles 1/43, 1/18, 1/12, 1/2.

Visitez Miniature Minichamps et découvrez les dernière nouveautés disponibles et à venir :

www.miniatures-minichamps.be

Visitez aussi le blog Miniatures Minichamps

Découvrez les miniatures F1  1/43  Minichamps de la saison 2009 déjà disponibles !!!

Red Bull Renault RB5 – 2009 – Mark Webber – Minichamps 400090014

Scuderia Toro Rosso Showcar – 2009 – Sébastien Bourdais – Minichamps 400090081

McLaren Mercedes Showcar 2009 – Lewis Hamilton – Minichamps 530094371

Retrouvez tous ces modèles réduits de la saison 2009 de Formule 1 dans la boutique Miniatures Minichamps

Ok… what the hell are these? A two-tone platform with sculpted heel and a very high ankle cuff  which to me looks like ‘wings’.  Maybe if your lucky you’ll jet off some where nice and hot whilst wearing these.

They come in two colours Black and metallic, I honestly think, even though it’s a hideous shoe that the black looks way better than the metallic. I will not be splashing out £120 for these, will you?

Topshop Boutique Priscilla sandal £120

Review seen in the Metro on 25th November 2009.

Price quoted as: £100 per night room only (£130 sea-view)

Good points:

• Sea-View
• Romantic / Boutique hotel
• Freestanding baths in rooms with sea view
• Good restaurant
• Refurbished 5 years ago
• Celebrity guests

Website: www.drakesofbrighton.com

If I had a quarter for every time a woman told me how Wonderful I am. How Incredible I am. How Amazing I am. I’d be a rich man. If I had an extra quarter for each time they followed those kind words up with a disappearance act that Houdini would envy, I’d be even richer.

Basically the above situation is equivalent to a shopping experience at an expensive boutique and I’m the sales associate. The customer is the woman. She breezes in, wind blows in her hair; she looks like a million bucks; and greets me with a smile that could melt a man. From there the dame proceeds to browse, try on items, browse more and try on more stuff. She’s asking my opinion. We’re talking we’re laughing. I’m letting her know what works and what doesn’t work. Things are going good. Really good. This is going to be a big day for me. I’m going to make a crazy commission. Can’t wait.

And then it happens. She quickly and unapologetically offers a “thanks so much ” for my time and proceeds to depart the store. It’s as if when she entered the store she wasn’t a full woman and now she leaves empowered to shop at another boutique and make a huge purchase. Awesome for her. Sucks for me. The question begs – why doesn’t she want to make a purchase at my boutique? If I knew the answer to that…

I refuse to believe that I’m just too nice of a guy. Maybe I should push pause on that refusal. But one thing I do know –  I offer these women something. Something that empowers them. Something hat makes them feel good, fresh, new and more. That more is making them feel Special. I know how to do that. I also know how bring a woman to orgasm and I’m a great kisser. I use to practice on a mirror when I was in grade school.  Long story long, I’m bring the funk on multiple fronts.

However, and like clockwork, once I make them feel special and all those other beautiful adjectives, they walk off into the fog like that chick in Casablanca. Sure, they pop up from time to time but I know they’re gone and so do they. They were gone before they even arrived and they don’t even have to tell me. It’s written all over their face.

On this Wednesday before Turkey Day, I’m not going to judge myself or question my past actions or lack of sex in the past few months. No. I’m gonna say, “Hey you Richly Layered & Sensitive Guy, you’re not too bad. Matter-of-fact – you’re awesome. Don’t forget that. Keep it up. BUT, dude for real. Chill the fuck out with the internet porn.“

‘Ayana Organics’ By Sam Crosby

Ayana Organics is a West Australian owned and operated boutique skin care company, passionate about providing products that are kind to our environment and free of chemicals.  Ayana is an Indian word meaning ‘beautiful flower’. In many cultures, the image of a flowers petals opening is synonymous with new life.

At Ayana, we have chosen to celebrate one of the most special and sacred journey’s in a woman’s life by creating a skin care range especially for pregnancy, newborn babies and the post-natal period. Ayana products are the highest quality natural ingredients, and we are committed to using certified organic ingredients wherever possible.  Our entire range is vegan friendly, cruelty free and kind to the environment.

To see the full range of Ayana Organics, visit: www.ayanaorganics.com.au

thanksgiving is just a day away, and for some reason it is the day the alarm clock goes off in my head and the hourglass starts its rapid descent (and i’m not talking about my figure here because as santa would tell you, christmas cookies go straight to the tummy). after the “handful” of christmases that i’ve partaken in as an adult, you’d think eventually i’d get the hang of this and start planning my christmas shopping early. but what would be the fun in that? i’d miss out on those last minute cold sweats that come with shopping on christmas eve.

but this year the hourglass is also counting down… <<drumroll please>>… for a magnificent reveal of a beautifully refurbished, completely restyled website for sage creek. i’d like to think of it as my little christmas present to all those who darlings that have to shop from afar. and wouldn’t you know – it should be launching a mere 12 days from now. (should is the operative word)… but should it launch on time… 12 days from now, here’s a very little sneak peak of some of the goodies that just might be available.

and since i’m fairly new at this blogging thing, i’m thinking it’s about time i do a little giveaway. so 12 (yes TWELVE) very special people will get a $20 sage creek giftcard to use either in the shop or on the new website. **fine print: all you have to do to qualify for the giveaway is leave a comment on our blog anytime between now and the day we launch the new & improved sage creek website. and if you refer a friend or two or three, let us know & we’ll enter you all into the drawing. to increase your chances, check back often & comment on any post between now and december 7th. in the next twelve days, we’ll be sharing some really great gift ideas and things to inspire your holiday decorating. on the 12th day of christmas (also known as december 7th & the launch date of our new website) we will do a random drawing for 12 lucky winners.**

So, I’m one of those starving artists, a writer with nothing in print since my high school newspaper.  But that’s okay.  Because recently, I got a taste of the glamorous life.

I came home the other day–yes, I still live with my parents, and there is NO SHAME in that!–and hit the button on the answering machine.  The thing is so annoying, sitting there…beep…beep…beep.  Anyways, there was a message saying something about “Check your email, you’ve won our contest.”  The message was for my mom, and it was obviously some sort of scam, but I gave her a call besides.  She wasn’t too concerned and told me she’d check it later.  When later rolled around, I got a frantic phone call–the local TV station had awarded us five-thousand dollars in gift certificates.  My jaw hit the floor.

So, besides the Hallmark Store, these certificates were not to the places I usually shop.  I got all dolled up and slipped into my rarely-worn slacks (I’m more of a blue jeans kind of girl) and we headed off for our first shopping adventure.

We headed into the city, and the houses we passed just got bigger and bigger.  The “mall” that this store was located in turned out to be an open-air, opulent looking, well, town.  (I found out yesterday that since I was there, they’ve started having valet parking.)

But I was ready.  I was lookin’ good, and had my game on.  You just have to know how to deal with these snooty rich types.  You have to make them think you’re one of them.  I’d seen it done in dozens of movies.

I strode in just like I belonged there, an uninterested twist upon my lips.  I nonchalantly examined the manikins in the front window, then moved on to dresses hanging along the wall. 

One of the perfectly dressed, botoxed old ladies who worked there approached.  “May I help you with anything?” she asked.

“No,” I replied, smiling, “I’m just looking.”

Oh, yeah.  The illusion was complete.  It was not what I had said, but the confidence with which I had said it.  I was in.  I had been accepted.

I heard the door jingle and saw my mom out of the corner of my eye.  About that time I looked down at the price tag of the dress I was holding.  I was expecting Abercrombie prices, maybe a little more.  After all, this was a classy place.  It was well-known for its furs. (which, by the way, I was NOT interested in.  Poor little minks.)  But the tag I held in my hand had to be a misprint.  Twelve hundred bucks?  No way.

About that time, one of the sales ladies found my mom.  “Can I help you?” she asked.  How courteous.

Then my illusion shattered.  “Well, this is what’s going on,” my mom replied.  I turned slowly, groaning inwardly.  “See, I’m not used to shopping in this kind of place, but I won this gift card…”

My fun was over.  I’d been found out.  No more pretending to be a spoiled little rich kid or a rising country music star.  Back to plain-Jane starving artist for me.

So, what was in store for the rest of my shopping trip?  Check back soon for my famous charade, part II.

Bonjour à toutes,

J’étais présentes en exposantes dimanche dernier (22 novembre). Et oui, j’ai bravé le froid et le vent pour être présente dans cette ultime brocante de l’année. Téméraire mais pas inconsciente: j’étais présente afin de vendre des objets divers dont je n’ai plus utilité (vêtements, dossiers…). Je n’allais pas sortir mes bijoux avec le vent: j’aurais passé ma matinée à leur courir derrière par qu’ils se sont envolés.
Dernière brocante de l’année=> A L’ANNEE PROCHAINE MAINTENANT!!!

Mais attention! Fini les brocantes certes. Mais pas les expositions. Et 2 expositions sont annoncées pour le mois de Décembre: une le samedi 12 décembre de 14h à 19h à Courdimanche et une autre à Herouville le Dimanche 6 Décembre. En tout cas le mois de Décembre s’annonce intéressant.

Voilà pour les expositions. Et pour les bijoux maintenant.
Je suis en train d’enrichir ma collection de boucles d’oreilles et de bagues pour plus de plaisir et pour vous faire plaisir. N’hésitez pas à me faire vos remarques et suggestions.

Sur ce, je vous dis à très vite et vous souhaite une très bonne soirée.

Julie de POESIE DES PERLES
www.poesie-des-perles.fr

View in large here

• Skin: League Kate YinYang – DeepTan
• Hair: MiraiStyle Maki – Brown
• Shirt: Ce Cubic Effect Halterneck – Black
• Short: Ce Cubic Effect Waist Scroll – Black
• Shoes: J’s FlipFlap & Barefoot (real toes) – Black
• Jewerlery: Barerose Wood Plate
• Pose: by me (Want this Pose? let me know on comments and I’ll send you in-world as little gift )

Have a good shopping!

Le studio créatif Raar basé à Amsterdam, vient de mettre en ligne sa dernière réalisation de décoration d’intérieure : le concept store de la marque française de sportswear Le Coq Sportif. Principalement agencé avec des séries de droites violettes, l’intensité de la lumière émanant des néons varie en fonction des mouvements des visiteurs.

Kaohsiung, the largest city in southern Taiwan is also a major port city.   It is extremely easy to get to Khoushuing; you can take a bus, train or the new Taiwanese high speed rail line. This is the quickest form of transportation by far and a ticket from Taipei to Khoushuing costs around $40.00 US. For example a trip from Taipei to Khoushuing by car can take up to six hours. However, if you take the High Speed Rail this trip takes one hour and thirty six minutes to two hours depending on which train you catch.

The layout of the Khoushuing high speed rail line is convenient because the Khoushuing Mass Rapid Transit line or subway line has a stop at Zuoying station.  It took only a few minutes to take the subway to the Love River. The Love River in Khoushuing is a major tourist attraction and has recently been cleaned up. There are coffee shops, restaurants and hotels located near the river.

At night we headed over to the Liuhe night market (六合夜市) a popular tourist market in the area. This area is packed with street vendors selling clothes, toys and Taiwanese snacks. Additionally, the Khoushuing KRT makes travel relatively easy even if you do not have a car.

We headed to the Hwananh Motel which is located roughly ten minutes from the night market. This establishment is the paradigm of true luxury. The outside of the enterprise surrounded with marble statues and there are fountains that are visible on the outside. Additionally, the garage floors, the stairwells and the entire room are covered with marble. Each and every room has been carefully designed and decorated. It is fairly obvious that they did not cut costs when they were working on this project. Finally, this motel is conveniently located next to both of Khoushuing’s major night markets.

Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this. Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER: Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is traveling an hour to your on location session.

Time break down: session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)

• one hour travel time TO session • 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home

• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject • one hour travel time FROM session

• 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer

• 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images • 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images

• 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering

• 1 hour designing specialty items for client

• 1 hour sorting through and checking order

• 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery

• 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped

• any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER: Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $1000 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer. Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client. Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details of running the business, taxes, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer may bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES: Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”. Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER: Being in demand, being well known for quality work, and having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, including their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting, and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time… after all, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc.. Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work, good equipment, reliable equipment, and back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalleled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation. I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

text courtesy of Marianne Drenthe (http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/)

There is now information up on the fantastic Fuchs pedals. Fuchs are well-known for amazing amp with ‘Dumble-esque’ tone, but for those of us who can’t afford to drop that kind of wedge on an amp their pedal range should help tide us over, for now…

posted by SHELLEY BRUCAR

Evanston gallery, Simply Chicago Art, will be showing 30 artists for the annual Holiday Boutique, November 28 through December 20.

Here is a detail shot of one of my pieces that will be on display:

Moonlit Forest, detail, fiber art by Shelley Brucar

Some of my hand-dyed and screened scarves:

And here’s the information, direct from the Simply Chicago Art website:

Holiday Boutique

November 28th~ December 20th

                                                             Join us for our 2nd annual Holiday Boutique.

Artist reception

Saturday November 28th 1:00~5:00

Find unique gifts for everyone on your list during the

Simply Chicago Art Holiday Boutique, featuring over 30 local area artists!

 

Discover hand crafted works…
jewelry~glass~wood~fiber~etchings~paintings~

photography~sculpture~handmade ornaments~

soap~cards~paper and more…

We will also have live music at various times during this exhibit. 

Admission and parking are free!

Special hours for this exhibit:

   Thursdays                   5:00~9:00

    Fridays                       5:00~9:00

    Saturdays                 11:00~7:30

    Sundays                     1:00~5:00

 
Simply Chicago Art

1318 Oakton

Evanston, IL 60202

847~738~0716

Over the last few years I have definitely seen a rise in the number of small boutique hotels. Probably because I entered the hotel industry and became more aware, or maybe the trend is such that small boutique is now the vogue?

In London, I believe that Kit Kemp definitely made an impact on the genre of boutique style hotels, as did Anouska Hempel. They both created fantastic hotels, which felt like a home away from home, but with that touch of glamour and all the attention you require and of course deserve! Both very different in style, but each very intimate and luxurious.

Hempel styles the hotel in a very minimalistic design, using “the elegance of simplicity” (as stated on the hotel website). The entrance is very warm and welcoming with carefully selected pieces, all of which are very carefully placed. Walking into the rooms at the Hempel Hotel one does not feel like touching anything; as beautiful as everything is it’s almost a museum like style. Everything looks so perfect and set in its place, it feels like a great dishonour to the designer to move things out of place.

Everything in its place...and all that order!

Image from the Hempel Hotel website.

On the contrary Kemp’s style is more homily and involves lots of different pieces being almost effortlessly put together. For me, walking into a Firmdale hotel feels like going to a well-travelled aunt’s home. There are fascinating artefacts, books and fabrics everywhere. Clearly all is very well thought out and designed, from which light to place the wing chair and desk under to what fabric and old china plate can sit together. However, even though the interiors are given all that consideration there is not that feeling of being staged. Clearly I am a fan of Firmdale, but I am afraid of the group churning out another “Soho”, or “Pelham”. This would, in my opinion, defeat Firmdale’s aim of exclusivity.

Back in aunty’s living room!

Aunty’s wall hanging from the East, but that chair is quite Gentleman’s club...Oooh naughty aunty!!

Images from the Firmdale website.

So boutique hotels, as most other hotels, obviously vary in style. But what makes a hotel boutique? Is it just the design? The attention to detail? The luxury? In my opinion it is probably a combination of all these, plus a small size helps with the intimacy and also the lack of branding. Although on the branding topic there are probably various views. Most hotel groups seem to put their stamp on their property in some way; either by using the similar signage, having the magazines in a certain order on the desk or just having a “style”. However, to keep it boutique and unique, I really think the branding, or that stamp, is not required. This I really believe about the Fox and Anchor; run by the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group it is a pub with rooms, but I think it can definitely be classified under the boutique hotel category. However, in my opinion the originality of the hotel is let down, not by the design, which is brilliantly thought out and well planned, from door handle to skirting finish, but by the branding. It is all too much like a mini Malmaison or Hotel du Vin; from the similar font on the food menus to the same roll top baths in bedrooms. In my opinion the property should have been standalone and it really would have made even more of a statement, but then these are small details not noticed by many. Nevertheless it is a well designed pub with rooms, a complete transformation from the original building thanks to the in house interior design team in charge! The rooms are all named after areas around the City and with the nearby meat market in mind. Artwork was especially selected to complement each room, so once again a lot of thought went into every detail.

Somewhere warm and cosy and VERY close by, after all those pints!

Image from the Fox and Anchor website.

The opposite to the Fox and Anchor with branding is a very small hotel I only discovered last week – 40 Winks.  The branding here is non- existent and unlike most hotels nowadays (especially in London) there are not even televisions in the room; so really going back to what hotel rooms are for!! This is truly an individual boutique hotel. Designed by David Carter, this hotel has a great collection of diverse objects and has a very intimate feel. This is most probably due to only two bedrooms being available for occupancy. It is an old townhouse, restored fully to ensure that its true grace is flaunted. The collection of furniture has been carefully selected and placed to enhance the beauty of each room and of the furniture itself. The whole style is very bohemian, well suited with being situated in the artsy end of East London.

In front of the looking glass…Do I look beautiful dear? Of course!

All working well together.

Images from the 40 Winks website.

So boutique hotels are definitely all the rage now and confidently for the future, but hopefully they won’t turn into “another” one of those hotels and they will be kept unique and most importantly …boutique!