So this week it’s the big E3 game expo and a fun time shall be had by all. Hundreds of software companies, gamer reporters, geeks and nerds flock to the E3 every year to get the latest scoops on all the newest games and gaming technology. If you look around the expo you can see slick haired nerds rubbing their hands everywhere, some of them might actually be drooling a bit. But that’s ok there’s plenty of sights to get even the holiest of virgin gamers hot under the collar.
One of the most unique revelations so far from this year’s E3 comes from the OS monopolists Microsoft. In attempt to take Wii over their knee and spank them good and proper, Microsoft has unveiled their new Natal Xbox360 control system. The Natal is totally hands free and relies upon motion sensors and face recognition technology. The demonstration video is truly amazing and really shows how far gaming technology can go. Take a quick look and I think you will agree it’s impressive and although the test scenario is a bit lame, the sheer scope of what it will allow gamers and game designers to do will be of epic proportions.
Microsoft tried to pull another rabbit of a hat by introducing their new version of Rock Band featuring the Beatles. Both George Harrison and Paul McCartney joined the dev team on stage to promote the newest version.
However, this has got to be my choice moment of E3 so far. Yes Bioware are back and it looks like they intend to kick some serious *ss with Star Wars: The Old Republic. It’s going to be one of the most eagerly awaited Mmorpgs ever and if the trailer is anything to go by it’s going to go absolutely massive. Take a look at the site and check out this awesome trailer. Bioware we salute you!
Tuesday 2 June 2009
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Shop of the day!
Here we go again shoppers! Today we're going to delve into the world of crazy beds. This brilliant new design takes the shape of a giant casket. The bed was designed by Kris Van Puyvelde and Frank Boschman and incorporates a great use of colour and texture. It comes with an adjustible lid which allows you to either enclose yourself or relax in comfort whilst grabbing some shade. Of course it's not one of the most sensible bed designs around and most people wont be able to fit it in your average two-up two-down. As a concept idea its fantastic and hopefully a more affordable version will land in the shops soon.
Available from Royal Botania
Available from Royal Botania
Monday 18 May 2009
Shop of the day!
Today’s shop of the day brings us once again back into the world of covert op’s. Ever wanted to see what your kids are up to on their computer? Or maybe even a work colleague or a housemate? Sometimes you just need to know what’s going on and now you have the chance. Keyloggers have been around for ages. In the dark world of internet usage they are normally used by criminals to steal sensitive information, but now you can use them to keep tabs on people.
The Spy-Cobra is a USB device which installs a small hidden application on any PC which can log keystrokes, take screenshots and report upon people’s internet history. All you have to do is plug it in, install the software and then disconnect it. Once installed all you have to do is wait and then later re-plug the USB and transfer the data which can be viewed on another machine. 007 once again!
Available from Bimbambanana.com for $166.
The Spy-Cobra is a USB device which installs a small hidden application on any PC which can log keystrokes, take screenshots and report upon people’s internet history. All you have to do is plug it in, install the software and then disconnect it. Once installed all you have to do is wait and then later re-plug the USB and transfer the data which can be viewed on another machine. 007 once again!
Available from Bimbambanana.com for $166.
Friday 15 May 2009
Shop of the day!
Here's another great eco gift out there for all you tech lovers with an environmental conscious. This charming little wooden USB 2.0 stick comes in both 1gig and 2gig variations and is made with genuine Samsung memory. Its’ got a great look to it and has a read speed of 22mb’s/per sec and a write speed of 11mb’s/per sec. It’s a great little gift for any IT user. Portable and small with a stylish wood finish. Love it!
Available from Woodenusb.com for $55 for 1gig and $65 for a 2gig stick.
Available from Woodenusb.com for $55 for 1gig and $65 for a 2gig stick.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Shop of the day!
Well ladies and gents here's todays hot pick. Iv'e always been a fan of SkullCandy gear and whilst surfing through packets and gigs of spam I came across these great eco-friendly headphones.
The headphones have a great wood finish and they also features a braided foil cord and a 3.5mm gold-plated plug. The phones are finished off with a cheeky skull print. It's a great set for those who like tastefull wood finishes. Global warming activists and climate change campaigners will love it, great phones great buy!
$99 available from SkullCandy.
The headphones have a great wood finish and they also features a braided foil cord and a 3.5mm gold-plated plug. The phones are finished off with a cheeky skull print. It's a great set for those who like tastefull wood finishes. Global warming activists and climate change campaigners will love it, great phones great buy!
$99 available from SkullCandy.
Monday 11 May 2009
Shop of the day!
I’m gonna try and mix it up a little on Shoppa-Dabba-Do from now on. Everday we at Shoppa headquarters are going to scan through web in order to bring the latest, craziest most beat-boxing funkiest gadgets and gizmo’s we can find from across the world.
So to start with here’s our pick of the day! Ever wanted to be a spy? How about a bit of a perv :(? Well yes here’s what you always wanted a pin hole camera tie! Apart from the bad print it’s almost unnoticeable and it comes with USB and 2gig’s of storage space, great for all you wannabe 007’s! A word of warning thou in my experience of digital editing 2gig’s is not a great deal so don’t expect it to last long. Average recording time may only last a couple of minutes and I’ve yet to see any images so I have no idea on the supposed quality.
$66 available from Brando
So to start with here’s our pick of the day! Ever wanted to be a spy? How about a bit of a perv :(? Well yes here’s what you always wanted a pin hole camera tie! Apart from the bad print it’s almost unnoticeable and it comes with USB and 2gig’s of storage space, great for all you wannabe 007’s! A word of warning thou in my experience of digital editing 2gig’s is not a great deal so don’t expect it to last long. Average recording time may only last a couple of minutes and I’ve yet to see any images so I have no idea on the supposed quality.
$66 available from Brando
Friday 1 May 2009
RSI Troubles
For many who work in the computer industry RSI has become a common feature and annoyance of daily life. There are many forms of Repetitive Strain Injury. The most common form of RSI involves wrist pain caused by either typing or constant arching of the hand when using the mouse. For some people myself included it can be a nightmare to endure and deal with. Working on a computer for 8 hours a day at work and then going home and gaming for another few hours leaves me virtually crippled for the rest of the evening.
Aside from the pain the main problem with RSI is that there is very little treatment available from an advanced medical perspective. Sufferers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can now undergo a form of surgery to help alleviate the problems, but the majority of RSI patients have no other choice but to deal with it as best as they can. If you are experiencing wrist based pain then there are several steps you should take to help quell the pain.
Step 1: As with most ailments your first step should always be to go to the doctors. A few simple stretches and tests can help discover if you have a more serious form of RSI like CTS or not. It’s best to try and catch RSI as soon as possible, so as soon as you start experiencing discomfort pick up the phone and make yourself an appointment. In most cases the doctor will suggest a course of Ibuprofen to deal with the inflammation in the wrist.
Step 2: The next thing you can do, and the doctor will advise this, is to minimise your amount of time on the computer. Of course this is not necessarily the easiest thing to do, especially if you work in the industry and like most IT professionals you like to mess about on your own computer after work. The best thing you can do is arm up with as many pads as possible, move your mouse central so you are not over extending and stretching. Another sensible step is to try and use the mouse with your other hand, but this is easier said than done and it takes a while to get used to.
Step 3: If you can afford it then another sensible suggestion is to arrange a few massage or physio sessions. These can help with overall muscle problems which will not cure, but will help alleviate some of the pain.
Step 4: Shop on for some ergonomic accessories. Wrist splints are not altogether advisory as they can potentially aggravate your RSI. It’s much more beneficial to change your habits rather than continue with the way you work.
I spent the last few days taking a look at some ergonomic mice on the net. Here’s my top 3.
3G Ergonomic Mouse
For those of you who once held an affinity with old school comps like the C64, Amiga A500 or Spectrum then this is the joystick mouse for you. The unique, ergonomic vertical grip design has been clinically proven to reduce muscle strain and discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries compared to using a traditional mouse. 3M EM500 Ergonomic Mouse enhances your comfort by keeping arms and shoulders in a more relaxed, neutral position.
Wow Pen Joy
The Wow Pen joy is basically a mouse turned 90 degrees clockwise. The mouse is ergonomically designed to be held in a hand shake like position. This removes the need to arch the wrist which is the main cause of RSI. It contains all the usual mouse functions, but unfortunately is not yet available in a wireless format.
PenClic Mouse
Is it a pen or is it a mouse…. Well it’s just a mouse. The PenClic mouse works as pen; you move the pen inside the unit as you would a pen over paper. The wrist-position when using it means a considerably reduced chance of RSI. The very fast optical sensor reacts immediately to hand movements.
Aside from the pain the main problem with RSI is that there is very little treatment available from an advanced medical perspective. Sufferers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can now undergo a form of surgery to help alleviate the problems, but the majority of RSI patients have no other choice but to deal with it as best as they can. If you are experiencing wrist based pain then there are several steps you should take to help quell the pain.
Step 1: As with most ailments your first step should always be to go to the doctors. A few simple stretches and tests can help discover if you have a more serious form of RSI like CTS or not. It’s best to try and catch RSI as soon as possible, so as soon as you start experiencing discomfort pick up the phone and make yourself an appointment. In most cases the doctor will suggest a course of Ibuprofen to deal with the inflammation in the wrist.
Step 2: The next thing you can do, and the doctor will advise this, is to minimise your amount of time on the computer. Of course this is not necessarily the easiest thing to do, especially if you work in the industry and like most IT professionals you like to mess about on your own computer after work. The best thing you can do is arm up with as many pads as possible, move your mouse central so you are not over extending and stretching. Another sensible step is to try and use the mouse with your other hand, but this is easier said than done and it takes a while to get used to.
Step 3: If you can afford it then another sensible suggestion is to arrange a few massage or physio sessions. These can help with overall muscle problems which will not cure, but will help alleviate some of the pain.
Step 4: Shop on for some ergonomic accessories. Wrist splints are not altogether advisory as they can potentially aggravate your RSI. It’s much more beneficial to change your habits rather than continue with the way you work.
I spent the last few days taking a look at some ergonomic mice on the net. Here’s my top 3.
3G Ergonomic Mouse
For those of you who once held an affinity with old school comps like the C64, Amiga A500 or Spectrum then this is the joystick mouse for you. The unique, ergonomic vertical grip design has been clinically proven to reduce muscle strain and discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries compared to using a traditional mouse. 3M EM500 Ergonomic Mouse enhances your comfort by keeping arms and shoulders in a more relaxed, neutral position.
Wow Pen Joy
The Wow Pen joy is basically a mouse turned 90 degrees clockwise. The mouse is ergonomically designed to be held in a hand shake like position. This removes the need to arch the wrist which is the main cause of RSI. It contains all the usual mouse functions, but unfortunately is not yet available in a wireless format.
PenClic Mouse
Is it a pen or is it a mouse…. Well it’s just a mouse. The PenClic mouse works as pen; you move the pen inside the unit as you would a pen over paper. The wrist-position when using it means a considerably reduced chance of RSI. The very fast optical sensor reacts immediately to hand movements.
Monday 27 April 2009
Racy Agent Provocateur Ad Provokes Mixed Reaction
News from the lingerie business continues to be good. News is especially good if you happen to a woman in Detroit who was miraculously saved after a bullet rebounded off her bra wiring. Aside from acts of god, sales in the industry continue to rise even amidst a global recession. Good news for those who have jobs in the industry (damn lucky people, working with bra models must be such a chore). Recent reports from Agent Provocateur suggest that sales have continued to grow by almost 10% since last March.
Fresh on their current success AP have released a new racy advert in an attempt to get bra enthusiasts really pumping. Agent Provocateur’s 2001 advert featuring Kylie on a bucking bronco is reputedly the greatest TV advert of all time, certainly gets a reaction off me every time I watch it. Here’s a quick glimpse for those of you who might have missed this one.
AP’s new advert features supermodel Karen Elson as queen of the sirens, intent upon eroding the virtues of young knights who happen to stray into the forest of wonders. Scantily clad lingerie models cavort with each other in a variety of pictures. There is also a saucy video which accompanies the ad campaign.
Agent Provocateur 'Call of the Sirens' Teaser - Click here for this week’s top video clips
However, internet inspectors and official geeks have managed to find a few flaws with AP’s new campaign. Take a look at this picture. Check out the extremely bad photo-shopping which has given the blonde the most bizarre looking arm and thigh I have ever seen. Full marks for sauciness, but D- for IT skillz.
Fresh on their current success AP have released a new racy advert in an attempt to get bra enthusiasts really pumping. Agent Provocateur’s 2001 advert featuring Kylie on a bucking bronco is reputedly the greatest TV advert of all time, certainly gets a reaction off me every time I watch it. Here’s a quick glimpse for those of you who might have missed this one.
AP’s new advert features supermodel Karen Elson as queen of the sirens, intent upon eroding the virtues of young knights who happen to stray into the forest of wonders. Scantily clad lingerie models cavort with each other in a variety of pictures. There is also a saucy video which accompanies the ad campaign.
Agent Provocateur 'Call of the Sirens' Teaser - Click here for this week’s top video clips
However, internet inspectors and official geeks have managed to find a few flaws with AP’s new campaign. Take a look at this picture. Check out the extremely bad photo-shopping which has given the blonde the most bizarre looking arm and thigh I have ever seen. Full marks for sauciness, but D- for IT skillz.
Friday 24 April 2009
Time for Dinner....
A dining table is the most important piece of furniture that you will buy for your dining room (or the part of the kitchen or living room in which you eat your meals), so it's worth taking some time to work out exactly what type of table will suit your home, in terms of both practicality and style. Here are some hints and tips on finding a dining table which is the right size and shape for your family and home.
Dining Table Size
The first thing that you'll need to decide upon when looking for a new dining table is the size of table that you want. This will depend upon where you want to place your new dining table and the number of people that you want to be able to seat around it. It's important to make sure that everyone will have enough room between them in order to be comfortable and that there is enough space around the table for them to be able to get up and sit down easily. Ideally, each place should be about 24 inches - 32 inches wide so that people don't feel cramped, and your table should be about 80 inches from the nearest wall, unit or other piece of furniture.
Even if you only have a small family and aren't likely to be cooking meals for a group of people, it's worth considering whether or not anyone in your family is likely to use it for other purposes, such as studying or crafts activities. If so, you may need a larger table than you first thought.
If you don't have much room but would like to invite guests to dinner occasionally, you might want to consider buying an extendable dining room table. However, make sure that you measure up carefully to ensure that the table will fit when it's fully extended.
Choosing a Dining Room Table - Shape
Dining room tables are available in a range of different shapes and, in order to find the right table for your home, you'll need to consider how you are likely to use it, as well as what shape of table will fit in with the style and the other furniture in your home.
Rectangular dining tables, for example, look good if your dining room is fairly formal in style and are most suited to long rooms. Round dining tables are great for family homes, as the design makes it easy for everyone to talk to each other. They are most suitable for use in large rooms, but they can look good in alcove-type spaces.
However, make sure that your new dining room table's shape will work with any other furniture in your room before making your decision. A good way of doing this is to cut out a template from paper and lay it on the floor, as this will enable you to envisage what your new table will look like, as well as seeing whether or not it would fit in different positions in your dining room.
Many retailers allow you to order furniture, including dining tables, online, which means that your new piece of furniture will be delivered directly to your door, which is particularly convenient when you are buying large items. You can also find various online buying guides like this sofa guide. If you’re environmentally conscious you can also find a variety of climate change friendly furniture from eco beds to eco tables from all over the net.
A dining table is an important piece of furniture so it's worth taking some time to work out exactly what type of table will suit your home.
Original content via Ezine
Dining Table Size
The first thing that you'll need to decide upon when looking for a new dining table is the size of table that you want. This will depend upon where you want to place your new dining table and the number of people that you want to be able to seat around it. It's important to make sure that everyone will have enough room between them in order to be comfortable and that there is enough space around the table for them to be able to get up and sit down easily. Ideally, each place should be about 24 inches - 32 inches wide so that people don't feel cramped, and your table should be about 80 inches from the nearest wall, unit or other piece of furniture.
Even if you only have a small family and aren't likely to be cooking meals for a group of people, it's worth considering whether or not anyone in your family is likely to use it for other purposes, such as studying or crafts activities. If so, you may need a larger table than you first thought.
If you don't have much room but would like to invite guests to dinner occasionally, you might want to consider buying an extendable dining room table. However, make sure that you measure up carefully to ensure that the table will fit when it's fully extended.
Choosing a Dining Room Table - Shape
Dining room tables are available in a range of different shapes and, in order to find the right table for your home, you'll need to consider how you are likely to use it, as well as what shape of table will fit in with the style and the other furniture in your home.
Rectangular dining tables, for example, look good if your dining room is fairly formal in style and are most suited to long rooms. Round dining tables are great for family homes, as the design makes it easy for everyone to talk to each other. They are most suitable for use in large rooms, but they can look good in alcove-type spaces.
However, make sure that your new dining room table's shape will work with any other furniture in your room before making your decision. A good way of doing this is to cut out a template from paper and lay it on the floor, as this will enable you to envisage what your new table will look like, as well as seeing whether or not it would fit in different positions in your dining room.
Many retailers allow you to order furniture, including dining tables, online, which means that your new piece of furniture will be delivered directly to your door, which is particularly convenient when you are buying large items. You can also find various online buying guides like this sofa guide. If you’re environmentally conscious you can also find a variety of climate change friendly furniture from eco beds to eco tables from all over the net.
A dining table is an important piece of furniture so it's worth taking some time to work out exactly what type of table will suit your home.
Original content via Ezine
Thursday 23 April 2009
Transformers – Sofas in Disguise
Every day my obsession for crazy furniture just grows and grows, and grows. I spent the morning at work trawling through websites looking for the coolest sofa I could find. And here it is, it’s unbelievable, it’s magical….its’ f*cking floating! No joke this is seriously the most amazing invention since the hover-board from Back to the Future 2. Here it is, isn’t it fantastic….
Unfortunately the cloud is just a concept at the moment. It was designed by D. K. Wei and it is originally based upon a Chinese legend about a cloud and a monkey king. Here’s what Mr Wei said about the cloud concept…
“Cloud is a sofa concept designed for ultra comfort and relaxation. The soft floating upper part is supported by the magnetic force generated by the bottom base. No matter if you want to work and sit with comfort or simply a power nap to release the stress, you can always enjoy your time to relax on the floating cloud.”
If the theoretical just isn’t practical enough for you, then how about this mighty morphing sofa which more than meets the eye. Cue Soundwave and that awesome noise he makes. Yep that’s right damn your normal boring couches check out these amazing transforming sofas!
Imagine the fun you could have with these, you could change your living room everyday or whenever you liked. Design and technology two magic best friends when it comes to furniture design, it’s just a shame that Megatron and Optimus prime couldn’t be here today.
Watch this ridiculous Soundwave parody it's awesome, what the hell is with Hollywood Soundwave kicked a**
Unfortunately the cloud is just a concept at the moment. It was designed by D. K. Wei and it is originally based upon a Chinese legend about a cloud and a monkey king. Here’s what Mr Wei said about the cloud concept…
“Cloud is a sofa concept designed for ultra comfort and relaxation. The soft floating upper part is supported by the magnetic force generated by the bottom base. No matter if you want to work and sit with comfort or simply a power nap to release the stress, you can always enjoy your time to relax on the floating cloud.”
If the theoretical just isn’t practical enough for you, then how about this mighty morphing sofa which more than meets the eye. Cue Soundwave and that awesome noise he makes. Yep that’s right damn your normal boring couches check out these amazing transforming sofas!
Imagine the fun you could have with these, you could change your living room everyday or whenever you liked. Design and technology two magic best friends when it comes to furniture design, it’s just a shame that Megatron and Optimus prime couldn’t be here today.
Watch this ridiculous Soundwave parody it's awesome, what the hell is with Hollywood Soundwave kicked a**
Tuesday 21 April 2009
Eco Shoes - Tread With Care...
I must admit that I have a great love for any new fangled environmentally friendly products that come out. While browsing a news site I came across an advert to Timberland shoes advocating their new range of eco-friendly shoes. On their website Timberland proudly announce that the eco shoe, named Earthkeepers are made from 50% recycled PET! Don’t worry folks Fido is still ok and no pets were harmed in the making of this shoe, apart from a few pigs maybe. PET stands for polyethylene therephthalate (PET) and is the plastic used to make fizzy drinks bottles. So it’s good news for those of you out there with an environmental conscious. Timberland also state that the Earthkeepers are made with linings made from recycled materials, as well as having the outsoles made with recycled rubber and the all-day comfort of soft leather from a silver-rated tannery. You can also find a wide range of Earthkeepers in different styles including sandals and high ankle boots.
A quick eco-shoe search brings up a whole series of environmentally friendly products. One of the best that I found comes from a company called El Naturalista, a great green looking company who emphasise their commitment to guiding the consumer industry away from harmful synthetics and towards a more eco-friendly method of shoe production.
The consumer market is clearly moving towards a greener more conscience based economy which is great news. One of the main problems facing any global warming campaigner is the pressure that big corporation can negatively apply. This pressure can come in many forms either through advertising or lobbying. Another method is to use aggressive competition either by making a less environmentally friendly product and selling it much cheaper than its eco alternatives or by actually buying up the company and its patent product and then shelving it in a deep dark corner never to be seen again. Urban myths suggest that big oil companies have been doing this for years; one particularly frequent story is that of a man who designed a carburettor 100% more efficient than normal ones, this patent was subsequently purchased and then buried out of sight.
Such actions, if true, are clearly the work of cynical and greedy men intent upon maintaining the status quo, but the shift towards a greener lifestyle clearly indicates that this style of business tactic will no longer be tolerated or accepted by those striving against insurmountable odds in the effort to fight for our environment and our eventual survival on this great, green planet that we call Earth.
A quick eco-shoe search brings up a whole series of environmentally friendly products. One of the best that I found comes from a company called El Naturalista, a great green looking company who emphasise their commitment to guiding the consumer industry away from harmful synthetics and towards a more eco-friendly method of shoe production.
The consumer market is clearly moving towards a greener more conscience based economy which is great news. One of the main problems facing any global warming campaigner is the pressure that big corporation can negatively apply. This pressure can come in many forms either through advertising or lobbying. Another method is to use aggressive competition either by making a less environmentally friendly product and selling it much cheaper than its eco alternatives or by actually buying up the company and its patent product and then shelving it in a deep dark corner never to be seen again. Urban myths suggest that big oil companies have been doing this for years; one particularly frequent story is that of a man who designed a carburettor 100% more efficient than normal ones, this patent was subsequently purchased and then buried out of sight.
Such actions, if true, are clearly the work of cynical and greedy men intent upon maintaining the status quo, but the shift towards a greener lifestyle clearly indicates that this style of business tactic will no longer be tolerated or accepted by those striving against insurmountable odds in the effort to fight for our environment and our eventual survival on this great, green planet that we call Earth.
Monday 20 April 2009
Once upon a time….
There was a princess. One day she was browsing the internet and her fairy godmother showed her the most amazing selection of beds in all the land. If you have a little princess you want to indulge then look no further than this. Here’s a quick glance at some of the most exotic and beautiful fairy-like furniture from around the web.
Magical Beds
If you’re feeling flush and want to give your little princess the ultimate fairytale bedroom then you can’t go wrong with this Elvish style four poster bed. It looks absolutely stunning.
If that doesn’t tickle you’re fancy then how about going for the ultimate Cinderella experience for your little cherub. This great carriage style bunk bed brings both fantasy and functionality together, without any pumpkin-like small print.
Of course these pieces are a little pricy and may be out of your budget range, but parts can be easily replicated at a much lower cost. You can find a great range of beds and furniture from online or High Street retailers. Once you’ve made your purchase then you can simply modify them with a bit of MDF to turn your ugly duckling’s bedroom into the ultimate fairytale shrine.
A few modifications like this speaking mirror or these printed page bed sheets make the ideal finishing touch to any princesses’ room.
Magical Beds
If you’re feeling flush and want to give your little princess the ultimate fairytale bedroom then you can’t go wrong with this Elvish style four poster bed. It looks absolutely stunning.
If that doesn’t tickle you’re fancy then how about going for the ultimate Cinderella experience for your little cherub. This great carriage style bunk bed brings both fantasy and functionality together, without any pumpkin-like small print.
Of course these pieces are a little pricy and may be out of your budget range, but parts can be easily replicated at a much lower cost. You can find a great range of beds and furniture from online or High Street retailers. Once you’ve made your purchase then you can simply modify them with a bit of MDF to turn your ugly duckling’s bedroom into the ultimate fairytale shrine.
A few modifications like this speaking mirror or these printed page bed sheets make the ideal finishing touch to any princesses’ room.
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Flower Madness.
Spring is in the air and soon summer will be in full bloom. Animals will be frolicking in the fields and the great British countryside will be bejewelled with a myriad vista of colours and flowers. The great spring rush of daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells will soon give way to a plethora of bountiful colours across the land.
Now traditionally there has always been three ways to go out and get yourself a bunch of flowers. The most obvious shopping route would be to head to the nearest florists, have a quick chat, get slightly confused and then let the lady at the counter pick a selection while you occasionally chuck in the odd name of a flower that you know. “Err Lilies?”… “Not for a wedding sir” replied the florist with a comforting, yet patronising voice.
Option two is of course to go and pick your own. This can have some unfortunate side effects thou, like obtaining some sort of fungal rash or getting chased from a field by a shotgun wielding Collie and group of farmers. Picking certain wild flowers is actually illegal and an operation such as flower picking must be handled with great care if you hope to avoid a ASBO or even possible jail-time.
Option three is even more disreputable and involves, wall jumping, a cemetery and a getaway car. Option three is a complete no-no people, it’s disrespectful and cheap. In light of this it’s probably best to go for option one or possible two at a push.
Of course nowadays with all this new fangled technology you can order your perfect bunch from the comfort of your own sofa. Several high street florists and retailer have now opened online flower shops where you can peruse at will, you can even find multiple guides on the net for choosing the right flowers for the right situation. You can also find great guides to British flowers and guides showing you which online flower shops are the best ones to go for.
Now traditionally there has always been three ways to go out and get yourself a bunch of flowers. The most obvious shopping route would be to head to the nearest florists, have a quick chat, get slightly confused and then let the lady at the counter pick a selection while you occasionally chuck in the odd name of a flower that you know. “Err Lilies?”… “Not for a wedding sir” replied the florist with a comforting, yet patronising voice.
Option two is of course to go and pick your own. This can have some unfortunate side effects thou, like obtaining some sort of fungal rash or getting chased from a field by a shotgun wielding Collie and group of farmers. Picking certain wild flowers is actually illegal and an operation such as flower picking must be handled with great care if you hope to avoid a ASBO or even possible jail-time.
Option three is even more disreputable and involves, wall jumping, a cemetery and a getaway car. Option three is a complete no-no people, it’s disrespectful and cheap. In light of this it’s probably best to go for option one or possible two at a push.
Of course nowadays with all this new fangled technology you can order your perfect bunch from the comfort of your own sofa. Several high street florists and retailer have now opened online flower shops where you can peruse at will, you can even find multiple guides on the net for choosing the right flowers for the right situation. You can also find great guides to British flowers and guides showing you which online flower shops are the best ones to go for.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Great Books for the Win!
Like most 21st century guys I’m a great lover of crazy new technology, but one thing I can’t abide is this whole E-book computerised digital reader business. It’s just not natural. A book is a thing to love, hold and cherish, not something that has to be turned on, updated and downloaded. Part of my dislike for these readers comes from working at a computer screen for 8.5 hours a day, after that you really don’t want to go home and stare at another one. I expect it’s the old romantic in me that suggests that books should be printed and placed on musty shelves in some deep dark library basement. There really is nothing like it, the smell of old books is somehow calming and soothing. Some of my greatest university memories involve long hours in the Classics library scanning through antiquated hardbacks.
Anyway enough of my reminiscing… on to the shopping. Most people nowadays buy their books either from Amazon or through their local High Street retailer. Personally I prefer to buy my books from my local Read & Return, it’s a great place to go to if you just want to read something, but not necessarily buy it and have it forever. Once you’ve read the book you can take it back and exchange it for part of its value and replace it with another one at a slightly different price.
I recently brought a bit of a selection from my local R&R. This included David Simon’s Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, Brent Weeks’ The Way of the Shadows and A. B. Bosworth’s Conquest & Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great.
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
It’s hard to really start and write a review for such a phenomenal book. Let’s start at the beginning. David Simon worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun back in the 80’s. During his stay at the Sun he spent a year working with the Baltimore City Homicide Division. The book provides an in-depth and accurate portrayal of a year within one of the busiest homicide departments in the US. Throughout the year Simon’s follows cases and detectives as they work their scenes and attempt to solve cases while battling the bureaucracy of the police department. It’s a fascinating insight into the world of homicide with little left out, well worth a read.
The Way of the Shadows
Being a bit of a fantasy nut I have a penchant for assassin books. I’d read some reviews about this book on the net so I decided to grab it and give it a go. Like most fantasy books it starts with an orphan and a love story. I must admit that I liked the characters and the plot, but at points I found myself lost as to what was actually happening. It was too jumpy for me. I also spotted a fair few broken and distorted sentences which for me completely ruined the book. Far from being encapsulated and drawn into the world I found myself outside looking in, trying to work out what was happening. Certain parts of the story are in my opinion badly told and the author fails to complete the images he attempts to describe. It’s a far cry from something like Robin Hobbs Assassin books which in my opinion is high-fantasy majestically written in a captivating style.
Conquest & Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great
For many years now A. B. Bosworth has been at the forefront of Alexandrian history. If you ever wanted to read a book that provides a simple, yet in-depth, analysis and narrative of Alexander’s rise and fall then this is the book for you. Bosworth’s knowledge on this subject is second to none and the author writes in a superb academic style. Towards the back of a book is a collection of essays concerning several key Alexander themes including the Macedonian army, his connections to divinity and his attempt to incorporate both eastern and western ways of life into the Persian Empire. A must have for any Alexandrian scholar.
Anyway enough of my reminiscing… on to the shopping. Most people nowadays buy their books either from Amazon or through their local High Street retailer. Personally I prefer to buy my books from my local Read & Return, it’s a great place to go to if you just want to read something, but not necessarily buy it and have it forever. Once you’ve read the book you can take it back and exchange it for part of its value and replace it with another one at a slightly different price.
I recently brought a bit of a selection from my local R&R. This included David Simon’s Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, Brent Weeks’ The Way of the Shadows and A. B. Bosworth’s Conquest & Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great.
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
It’s hard to really start and write a review for such a phenomenal book. Let’s start at the beginning. David Simon worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun back in the 80’s. During his stay at the Sun he spent a year working with the Baltimore City Homicide Division. The book provides an in-depth and accurate portrayal of a year within one of the busiest homicide departments in the US. Throughout the year Simon’s follows cases and detectives as they work their scenes and attempt to solve cases while battling the bureaucracy of the police department. It’s a fascinating insight into the world of homicide with little left out, well worth a read.
The Way of the Shadows
Being a bit of a fantasy nut I have a penchant for assassin books. I’d read some reviews about this book on the net so I decided to grab it and give it a go. Like most fantasy books it starts with an orphan and a love story. I must admit that I liked the characters and the plot, but at points I found myself lost as to what was actually happening. It was too jumpy for me. I also spotted a fair few broken and distorted sentences which for me completely ruined the book. Far from being encapsulated and drawn into the world I found myself outside looking in, trying to work out what was happening. Certain parts of the story are in my opinion badly told and the author fails to complete the images he attempts to describe. It’s a far cry from something like Robin Hobbs Assassin books which in my opinion is high-fantasy majestically written in a captivating style.
Conquest & Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great
For many years now A. B. Bosworth has been at the forefront of Alexandrian history. If you ever wanted to read a book that provides a simple, yet in-depth, analysis and narrative of Alexander’s rise and fall then this is the book for you. Bosworth’s knowledge on this subject is second to none and the author writes in a superb academic style. Towards the back of a book is a collection of essays concerning several key Alexander themes including the Macedonian army, his connections to divinity and his attempt to incorporate both eastern and western ways of life into the Persian Empire. A must have for any Alexandrian scholar.
Thursday 9 April 2009
Shopping for a Job
With the current economic crisis still taking a downward spiral, perhaps the best thing to shop for at the moment is a job. Many people are facing job cuts, redundancies and general unemployment. Having recently been unemployed myself I can tell you that it is not as much fun as some people make out. Living off a measly £62 per week is not easy and the sense of self loathing you get from entering a Job Centre Plus is equally disheartening.
The fact is that you can virtually stay on Job Seekers with very effort. Every 2 weeks you have a 5 minute interview where they ask you what you have been doing to find employment. Outright lying is an option, asking a time consuming question will also take up those precious 5 minutes, allowing you to get signed off for another 2 weeks. The system is simply not rigorous enough and many people simply take the money and head off for another 2 week siesta.
So what can you do to find a job in this difficult time? Well it all depends on what industry you want to work in. Blue collar jobs are currently on the decline, so are financial jobs, construction jobs and jobs within the manufacturing industry. Retail is also on the decline, but there are some green shoots emerging from black pit of recession. As mentioned in previous posts the lingerie business is currently booming and expanding. Online retail is also expanding due to its ongoing successful battle against the High Street. The computer industry has suffered some job cuts, but it is still generally considered safe from the recession. Recent reports suggest that computer game sales have continued to expand and are so far showing no signs of slackening. Another up and coming industry is environmental based work. With the world becoming more concerned about global warming, governments have decided to alter the economy to a more eco-based economy.
Possibly the best thing you can do right now to look for UK jobs is to head to a local recruitment agency or check out their various internet sites. Failing that you could try volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to get into to a difficult and competitive vocation. There are also various work schemes that you can do to help you improve your career options. If you are shopping for a job at the moment best of luck to you and check out this top 10 recession proof jobs list.
The fact is that you can virtually stay on Job Seekers with very effort. Every 2 weeks you have a 5 minute interview where they ask you what you have been doing to find employment. Outright lying is an option, asking a time consuming question will also take up those precious 5 minutes, allowing you to get signed off for another 2 weeks. The system is simply not rigorous enough and many people simply take the money and head off for another 2 week siesta.
So what can you do to find a job in this difficult time? Well it all depends on what industry you want to work in. Blue collar jobs are currently on the decline, so are financial jobs, construction jobs and jobs within the manufacturing industry. Retail is also on the decline, but there are some green shoots emerging from black pit of recession. As mentioned in previous posts the lingerie business is currently booming and expanding. Online retail is also expanding due to its ongoing successful battle against the High Street. The computer industry has suffered some job cuts, but it is still generally considered safe from the recession. Recent reports suggest that computer game sales have continued to expand and are so far showing no signs of slackening. Another up and coming industry is environmental based work. With the world becoming more concerned about global warming, governments have decided to alter the economy to a more eco-based economy.
Possibly the best thing you can do right now to look for UK jobs is to head to a local recruitment agency or check out their various internet sites. Failing that you could try volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to get into to a difficult and competitive vocation. There are also various work schemes that you can do to help you improve your career options. If you are shopping for a job at the moment best of luck to you and check out this top 10 recession proof jobs list.
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Jedi Underwear!!
Shop on guys! Here’s a classy video for all you lingerie loving Jedi nuts out there. I bet Vadar never had any disciples like these two.
Monday 6 April 2009
Bra Busting Aussies
According to a new report released in Australia over 40% of Australian women wear a bra with a cup size of DD or above. Great news for Australian men I guess! As mentioned in last months post Bustin, the lingerie market has continued to expand even in the event of a worldwide economic downturn. It seems that alongside the mafia and Hollywood, it appears that the lingerie market is recession proof as well.
According to the Australian report bra sales in the 1950’s were predominantly focused upon A cup sales, where as nowadays 40% buy DD which has now replaced A cup as the most common size sold. According to lingerie buyers DD cups sales have grown by 8% within the last few years. Some lingerie companies have introduced bras with cup sizes as high as K. Experts have suggested that this rise in cleavage levels is mainly due to cosmetic surgery, contraceptive pills, obesity and new types of artificial hormones.
Finding the right bra size has always been difficult and now lingerie companies have had to expand their ranges to deal with size increases. One of the biggest problems associated with this increase in breast size is a nationwide decrease in female physical activity. Larger cup sizes can be incredibly bothersome when it comes to exercise and sport. Medical experts have also announced that there has been a steady increase in the amount of breast reduction operations to combat this rise of bosoms.
Read the full article here.
Nice sofa love!
According to the Australian report bra sales in the 1950’s were predominantly focused upon A cup sales, where as nowadays 40% buy DD which has now replaced A cup as the most common size sold. According to lingerie buyers DD cups sales have grown by 8% within the last few years. Some lingerie companies have introduced bras with cup sizes as high as K. Experts have suggested that this rise in cleavage levels is mainly due to cosmetic surgery, contraceptive pills, obesity and new types of artificial hormones.
Finding the right bra size has always been difficult and now lingerie companies have had to expand their ranges to deal with size increases. One of the biggest problems associated with this increase in breast size is a nationwide decrease in female physical activity. Larger cup sizes can be incredibly bothersome when it comes to exercise and sport. Medical experts have also announced that there has been a steady increase in the amount of breast reduction operations to combat this rise of bosoms.
Read the full article here.
Nice sofa love!
Friday 3 April 2009
Feng Shui
Today Shoppa-dabba-do enters the mystical eastern realm of Feng Shui. Feng Shui originated in China and is an aesthetic system that uses supposed laws of heaven and astronomy to improve one’s life by manipulating the flow of chi. The literal longhand translation of Feng Shui is “chi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water”. Feng Shui is all about attempting to harmonise and direct the flow of life forces within rooms and houses. Traditional Feng Shui requires a lou pan, a Chinese compass, which is used in conjunction with auspices to determine the best locations and directions for your furniture.
There are some excellent guides out there for buying sofas and for choosing the right type of beds. Once you have looked at beds or bought your sofa its time to get it home and start to Feng Shui it up. There are several key principles that you must look into when using Feng Shui, this depends upon the size, age, colour, location and interaction of your furniture within its surrounding environment.
There are multiple techniques used within Feng Shui many involve the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth/soil, metal, the four compass directions and the use of ying-yang style polarity.
Here’s a video I found giving you a brief starter into the world of Feng Shui.
There are some excellent guides out there for buying sofas and for choosing the right type of beds. Once you have looked at beds or bought your sofa its time to get it home and start to Feng Shui it up. There are several key principles that you must look into when using Feng Shui, this depends upon the size, age, colour, location and interaction of your furniture within its surrounding environment.
There are multiple techniques used within Feng Shui many involve the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth/soil, metal, the four compass directions and the use of ying-yang style polarity.
Here’s a video I found giving you a brief starter into the world of Feng Shui.
Thursday 2 April 2009
High-Tech Fashion
Once again we dip into the world of crazy fashion. This weeks’ video come from the realm of Trendhunter.com and features loads of bizarre and unique items from GPS shoes for prostitutes to LED wedding dresses to prosthetic lingerie for women who have undergone a mastectomy. I particularly like the white hippy dress with the interactive butterflies that move in time with your heart beat, a very cool innovation that brings fashion and technology together in one fell swoop. Another swish new item is the electronic umbrella that can visually display your photos under the parasol.
Trendhunter is great if you want to find out what’s hot, what’s cool and what is just downright strange. I love this climate change friendly furniture article about recycling old tyres into chairs, tables and beds. It’s great to see people taking the initiative and really doing something to help the environment. More companies need to diversify and expand down these eco-friendly routes.
More funky trends coming up next week… So stay tuned for more shoppa-dabba-do!
Trendhunter is great if you want to find out what’s hot, what’s cool and what is just downright strange. I love this climate change friendly furniture article about recycling old tyres into chairs, tables and beds. It’s great to see people taking the initiative and really doing something to help the environment. More companies need to diversify and expand down these eco-friendly routes.
More funky trends coming up next week… So stay tuned for more shoppa-dabba-do!
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Milan Catwalk Special
It’s a tough job but someone has to do it, so I’ve taken it upon myself to find some of the best lingerie videos from Milan’s 2008 lingerie catwalk extravaganzas.
2008 Milan Lingerie Show
Catwalk Lingerie Extreme 47 - Click here for more blooper videos
Catwalk Lingerie Extreme 46 - Click here for more home videos
Some spectacular designs and the bra aren't bad either....
2008 Milan Lingerie Show
Catwalk Lingerie Extreme 47 - Click here for more blooper videos
Catwalk Lingerie Extreme 46 - Click here for more home videos
Some spectacular designs and the bra aren't bad either....
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Funky Furnishings
There’s no doubt about it, the internet is the greatest resource out there if you want to find funky niche furniture to suite your own particular individual style. The interweb has allowed a whole generation of new designers to create, promote and sell all sorts of wacky and exotic pieces, from sofa to beds, to lamps and to dining room chairs.
Whilst skimming through the information super-highway I came across a number of interesting pieces. One I particularly like is this amazing sponge-like string chair designed by Fernando & Humberto Campana and available from Plushpod. Its flowing contours give it the most amazing jellyfish-like shape and it is certain to get an instant reaction from any visiting guest.
Another great piece is this Global Warming rug available from Nel.com. The rug depicts a lone Polar Bear stranded on solitary iceberg surrounded by sea. Manufactured by the Spanish rug and carpet company Nanimarquina, the Global Warming rug highlights and reflects a historical pictorial tradition seen in many ancient tapestries throughout the world.
I also love this little table from Sexyfurnishings, its simple and elegant; a great little piece that would fit into any home. It’s so good I had to get one and hopefully it’s winging its way to me right now.
The sheer depth and availability for retailers on the internet is phenomenal. It truly allows small businesses to vastly expand and reach those markets that were previously tied up big corporations.
Whilst skimming through the information super-highway I came across a number of interesting pieces. One I particularly like is this amazing sponge-like string chair designed by Fernando & Humberto Campana and available from Plushpod. Its flowing contours give it the most amazing jellyfish-like shape and it is certain to get an instant reaction from any visiting guest.
Another great piece is this Global Warming rug available from Nel.com. The rug depicts a lone Polar Bear stranded on solitary iceberg surrounded by sea. Manufactured by the Spanish rug and carpet company Nanimarquina, the Global Warming rug highlights and reflects a historical pictorial tradition seen in many ancient tapestries throughout the world.
I also love this little table from Sexyfurnishings, its simple and elegant; a great little piece that would fit into any home. It’s so good I had to get one and hopefully it’s winging its way to me right now.
The sheer depth and availability for retailers on the internet is phenomenal. It truly allows small businesses to vastly expand and reach those markets that were previously tied up big corporations.
Monday 23 March 2009
D.I.Y for the win....
In the recent few weeks I found myself sitting in my room at home and looking at the boring bleak walls; something had to be done I decided. Boring white walls and pre-fabricated 1970’s furniture, just doesn’t cut it anymore in today’s high paced society. A revamp was definitely needed. So armed with my credit card I headed down to the nearest D.I.Y shop to blow this month’s wages on an assortment of paints, scrapers and brushes.
Having decided on a Mediterranean-terracotta style colour scheme I duly grabbed some paints and dustsheets and started attacking the walls with ferocity. Several days later and slightly intoxicated from the paint fumes my room was complete. Cup of tea in one hand and cigarette in the other, I sat back and observed my triumphant D.I.Y blitz. However, something was amiss. The white skirting boards didn’t tie in, the blue carpet was a complete no-no and my furniture was definitely 40 years out of date.
As always with D.I.Y one venture often uncovers a new problem that needs to be rectified. With the help of a builder friend of mine I ripped out the skirting, bought some new ones and spent a few days applying a dark varnish to give it that dark wood African feel. As poker players say I was totally pot-committed now, so I ripped up the carpet to reveal the floorboards. A day of arduous sanding was followed by another day of strenuous varnishing and polishing.
Sensing completion I decided to go the whole hog. My sofa was decaying and presumed dead, so being the cheapskate that I am I headed down to the local tip to see if they had any reasonably healthy ones on offer. My luck was in and I managed to pick up a nice 2 settee for £40. A couple of yellow throws later and the sofa looked good as new. I thought about looking for beds but in the end I realised that mine was fairly new and already suited the dark wood interior; all that was really needed was a few new sheets and covers to match the colour scheme.
All in all I spent a lot more than I intended too, but I managed to get the result I was looking for in the end. A few finishing touches including some African masks, new curtains and a tasteful vase of flowers completed the job.
Friday 20 March 2009
Busting!
Mmm Bra’s
Like most men I have a small love/hate relationship with lingerie. My love for it of course comes from looking at beautiful women wearing scantily clad clothes; where as my dislike for it comes from trying to peel it off and from having been dragged through numerous department store lingerie sections and feeling completely out of place. The only time a man is ever in a lingerie section is when he’s attempting to purchase a present for his Mrs’ and when out shopping with his girl. Often you see guys just standing around looking bemused and trying not to stare. Entering a lingerie section is often like landing on a different planet for men.
Over the last decade the lingerie market has exploded. The internet has allowed young designers and small companies to expand and compete with some of their biggest rivals. Reports indicate that the UK lingerie market is worth an estimated 2.37bn and has expanded by 16.5% since 2004. Recent information suggests that the lingerie market is also recession proof as sales have risen a further 12% within the last 3 months.
Top 5 Online Lingerie retailers
Agent provocateur : Some extremely unique and stunningly designed items, well worth a look at.
Marks and Spencers : Great prices and a good selection with some elegant and stylish ranges.
Knicker Picker : Must admit I love this site! The flash model viewer is a great idea, choose
your girl and choose your style, spin 'em and see what it would be really like to wear.
Body Lingerie : Great American site with a huge selection with some very kinky items.
Pampered Passions : Another great American site with lots to pick and choose from, altogether very nice.
LoL – I must admit researching this was a hard task (there’s no smut involved, it’s just a statement), but there are some excellent sites out there. Two sites I would like to particularly mention are Lingerie League and Lingerie Post. The LFL is perhaps Americas greatest sport invention, yep you got it it’s the Lingerie Football League. The-lingerie-post.com is an incredibly informative and well presented lingerie blog with lots of the latest and hotest chic designs from all across the world.
Like most men I have a small love/hate relationship with lingerie. My love for it of course comes from looking at beautiful women wearing scantily clad clothes; where as my dislike for it comes from trying to peel it off and from having been dragged through numerous department store lingerie sections and feeling completely out of place. The only time a man is ever in a lingerie section is when he’s attempting to purchase a present for his Mrs’ and when out shopping with his girl. Often you see guys just standing around looking bemused and trying not to stare. Entering a lingerie section is often like landing on a different planet for men.
Over the last decade the lingerie market has exploded. The internet has allowed young designers and small companies to expand and compete with some of their biggest rivals. Reports indicate that the UK lingerie market is worth an estimated 2.37bn and has expanded by 16.5% since 2004. Recent information suggests that the lingerie market is also recession proof as sales have risen a further 12% within the last 3 months.
Top 5 Online Lingerie retailers
Agent provocateur : Some extremely unique and stunningly designed items, well worth a look at.
Marks and Spencers : Great prices and a good selection with some elegant and stylish ranges.
Knicker Picker : Must admit I love this site! The flash model viewer is a great idea, choose
your girl and choose your style, spin 'em and see what it would be really like to wear.
Body Lingerie : Great American site with a huge selection with some very kinky items.
Pampered Passions : Another great American site with lots to pick and choose from, altogether very nice.
LoL – I must admit researching this was a hard task (there’s no smut involved, it’s just a statement), but there are some excellent sites out there. Two sites I would like to particularly mention are Lingerie League and Lingerie Post. The LFL is perhaps Americas greatest sport invention, yep you got it it’s the Lingerie Football League. The-lingerie-post.com is an incredibly informative and well presented lingerie blog with lots of the latest and hotest chic designs from all across the world.
Thursday 19 March 2009
Calling all Shoppers!
Welcome all to Shoppa-Dabba-Do! Get all the latest shopping news and retail info from around the UK and the rest of the world. Over the next few months we'll be inundating the site with all the latest items, gadgets and gizmos that we can get our hands on! We're going to investigate all the newest trends and fads that we can find and bring them straight to you through the power of the tinterweb.
We'll have fashion, cars, funky houses, shoes, websites and anything else we can find to make shopping that little bit easier. So stay tuned folks and Shoppa-Dabba-Do.
We'll have fashion, cars, funky houses, shoes, websites and anything else we can find to make shopping that little bit easier. So stay tuned folks and Shoppa-Dabba-Do.
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