It's difficult to know the exact limit to set on purchases for friends and family. $30? $50? Let's assume for argument's sake that the maximum you have to spend on each person is $60.

I have an admission to make - I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet. And I run a shopping blog.

Here are some last minute gift ideas under $60:






Red Dwarf Series I and II
In my humble opinion, the earlier episodes of Red Dwarf are the best. Rimmer, Lister, The Cat and 3 million light years away from Earth. Series III is also a classic (refer to earlier post Mr Flibble Is Very Cross). It's perfect holiday viewing - the touching story of a man who wakes up slumped on a table in McDonald's on Mimas (a moon of Saturn), wearing a lady's pink crimplene hat and a pair of yellow fishing waders, with no money and a passport in the name of 'Emily Berkenstein' and an annoying rash. All this for celebrating his 25th birthday with a few mates and a Monopoly pub crawl. This of course happens in the book, and the series begins shortly after these fateful events. But you get the idea.





Nike One Golf Balls 12pk
I am fascinated by how they make these things. I watched an advertisement showing these weird rubber spinning and getting covered in layers, tested by robots, its all very high tech. Personally I just hit them. Preferably on greens and fairways. I once lost around 4 brand new balls in the creek at the 8th at Elsternwick Golf Course. But that's another story...






Bungee, Surfing, Jet Boating

If you know someone who would rather bungee jump than have plum pudding and eggnog, you can choose from surfing lessons, jet boating and other such exciting things.




Fair Trade Fashion

If you want to give a gift that won't add clutter, try this one. Millions of workers in developing countries are employed in the fashion industry. This refers to the people who actually sew and manufacture the clothes we wear every day. This gift helps to improve working conditions for fashion industry workers, making it a better Christmas for everyone.




QuickFlix DVD Rental Gift Voucher

This is a gift that can be enjoyed for months to come. Includes DVD hire and home delivery for those of us too busy to go to the video store. The service provides free return by post and no late fees.




Estee Lauder Travel Set

Christmas time is also holiday time, so this travel set is perfect for a brief or lengthy getaway.
Pack includes Estee Lauder moisturiser, foot smoothing lotion, lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow pack and travel bags. I feel relaxed already.

technorati tags: christmas, gifts, cool gift under $60, gift ideas, Christmas gift ideas, frugalChristmas, gift ideas for christmas,

The Pearl Necklace is iconic, made famous by many style icons including Audrey Hepburn and more recently Angelina Jolie. The point is, pearls never go out of style.



Ladies Fair features a wide array of pearl pendants, earrings, in sizes ranging from 6mm to 9mm. The prices start at under $30, which is great for budget last minute Christmas shoppers.

The different types of pearls come in many beautiful varieties of black and white:

A great example of the white pearl range is this beautiful Akoya 9mm pearl pendant. The price is a very reasonable $138.60



Personally, I love black pearls. Black pearls are mysterious, elegant and just have a special something about them.

These Tahitian pearl earrings are 8.5-9mm and set in white gold $210.38



And if you're looking for something a little bit different,

I especially love this cute pearl fortune cat made from 4mm pearls $138

If you are very particular about your design idea, you can also get custom made pearl jewellery for that special someone.

I remember when my Grandma's pearls used to sit in a box on her mirrored dresser. I would always take them out and wear them for fun when playing dress ups. And I was taught that pearls are not the kind of thing you bring out once a year - they must be worn to truly bring out their lustre. No matter what your age, pearls are a timeless reminder of natural beauty.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s important to focus on your diet if you are after a more beautiful body. Eating these foods can not only ensure that you look better, but that you feel better too. So if you want a beautiful body and want to actually be healthier in the process, be sure to focus in on these foods for the very best choices.

1. Yogurt: Not only is yogurt low in calories to get and keep that lean figure, but it’s good for you too. The healthy bacteria found in yogurt is good for your stomach and for your skin as well. Yogurt makes an excellent breakfast or snack, provides great energy and calcium, and ensures that you have that beautiful body that you’ve always dreamed of.

2. Chicken: The great part about chicken is that it offers up all the energy of protein, but at a fraction of the calories. Our bodies need protein to function normally, and when everything is running as it should that means that you get the healthy body you’re after. Include chicken as an excellent protein choice several times a week.

3. Whole Grains: Keep it simple—whole grains just make more sense than eating the refined sugar or flour counterparts. When it comes to a beautiful body, you want the foods that pack a powerful punch and whole grains do just that. They are high in fiber, low in calories, and keep you full longer so they make an excellent option for a lean, healthy, and beautiful body.

4. Raspberries: We all know that fruit is good for us, but some choices are better than others. Raspberries are loaded with antioxidants and that means that we’re getting the active ingredients that leave us simply glowing. Raspberries offer up a healthy dose of the antioxidants that keep us looking young, so be sure to include them in your diet each and every day.

5. Sweet Potatoes: Anytime you eat something with a rich vibrant color, you know that you’re getting something good. Sweet potatoes are especially good for the skin and the hair, so you if you eat these on a regular basis you are sure to get that gorgeous body of your dreams. Get creative with how to include these gems in your diet and watch the results.

6. Water: Though this may seem like an obvious one, people simply don’t drink enough water in a day. Water helps to flush out the toxins, cleanse the skin, and leave the body looking naturally beautiful. Drinking your daily water quota can make a huge difference in your health and your body overall.

7. Olive Oil: There’s a reason that olive oil can be used for various beauty applications because it leaves the skin glowing and gorgeous. Using olive oil in your cooking can mean less cholesterol and more good fat, which is what your body craves. If you want to look good and feel good, then be sure to get your daily quota of olive oil.

8. Salmon: The most important reason for eating salmon is that it contains a healthy dose of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is important because it not only ensures better health through lower cholesterol, but it leaves us looking healthier and younger as well. Salmon should be eaten a couple of times a week for the most benefits.

9. Oatmeal: With a great serving of fiber and fewer calories than most breakfast choices, oatmeal makes an excellent choice. It’s an excellent option in working towards weight loss as its fiber content leaves you feeling full longer. As it is at the center of many homemade beauty remedies, you can quickly see why it leaves your skin and your body looking gorgeous.

It’s true that you are what you eat! If you want to look younger, more beautiful, and look and feel healthier, then these foods make excellent choices. You can eat your way to better health and to a more beautiful body as well!

M.E. Ward writes about how to apply to online bsn programs.

technorati tags: beautiful, beauty, body, food, foods, health, health beauty, natural, nutrition


If you're looking at personal training as a career, this might be a good way to get a leg up on the competition (pardon the pun!). The guys at PersonalTrainerJob.com are giving away a free 5 day e-course providing a Step by step guide to setting up your own personal training business.

Are you sick of giving and receiving unwanted gifts each Christmas? *Yawn* another icky t-shirt, oh great, more socks and a jumper... wheee...

If you want to do something different this Christmas, consider giving something that will not only make a difference, but will make you smile as well.

I am very passionate about giving OxfamUnwrapped gifts and have been doing so for the last 5 years. Just knowing that you are funding an entire year of schooling for one child, contributing to small business microcredit loans and training for women and buying mosquito nets, clean water, soap and farming training for people who are truly in need.

You can give these gifts and get a free card to send to your recipient to let them know what their gift has bought for communities in need of support.

Some of the great gifts you can give to family and friends include:


Seeds $10

High quality vegetable seeds to increase crop yield for farmers.



Clean Water Jar $15

Hygienic water storage to protect against bugs and other impurities.




Start a Small Business $14

Affordable microcredit loans for starting up a small business to gain self-sufficiency and improve quality of life for families.



These gifts are so easy to give, and your gift gives twice. You can give a card to your loved one and a life-changing boost to a family who will really appreciate the gift. All gifts are tax deductible.

technorati tags: christmas, gifts, gifts for, charity gift, presents, christmas gifts, gift ideas,christmas charity, donate charity, donate to charity

The perfect gift for your three wood.

"The Yoda Head Cover"
To tell you the truth, I had no idea whether or not such a thing was available. I was just watching "The Golf Show" the other night and for some reason I suddenly exclaimed "I want a Yoda head cover!", without a clue as to whether such a thing existed.

And as it just so happens, yes they do.

What can I say?

Yoda = Golf

The perfect balance between ancient religions and blind luck.

Every time you take that head cover off, instead of thinking "yikes" or "help" or "sh!t", you can instead think:

"My ally is the force, and a powerful ally it is"

or

"Fear is the path to the dark side"


Or when you're deciding that doing an insane trick shot over the water is actually a good idea, you will magically hear:

"Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things."

and of course, when you are lining up to putt, a small voice will come from the vicinity of your bag:

"May the force be with you"


Will it improve my game?

Maybe.

Will it put a smile on my face every time I go for a tee shot and I hear a little voice say:

"Try not. Do or do not there is no try"

Yes.

technorati tags: golf, star wars, yoda, golfclub, head cover, head covers, driver

This innovative jewellery takes recycling to a new level. Coloured pencils and silver make up these amazing rings and other pieces. The artist's name is Maria Cristina Bellucci (source: Klimt02)

technorati tags: colored pencil, jewelry, art, gallery, colored pencil jewelry


You might also be interested in this offer, it seems that the guys at SurveyDollar are now paying people to take surveys. They are offering two special free bonuses including a copy of "Project Payday" and if you sign up now you can get instant unlimited access to a list of paid survey companies.

My Adsense ads have been successfully set up for some time. The ads have been making a reasonable amount of cash but considering my stats and PR, I thought it could be doing better. So I turned to the experts. On John Chow's blog he suggested that the 300x250 box ad was a more profitable format (eg shown below).






Always ready to try new ideas, I implemented this tried and tested format.

The result?

Nothing.

Nada.

Zip.

Not a sausage.

I have now resumed my previous format 468x16 text links and 468x60 banner and sure enough, the revenue instantly came back.

This is an important lesson. What works for John Chow's blog may not work for yours. There will be hundreds of ideas from various bloggers as to which ad units will work best with your site.

The truth is, your site is unique - a cookie cutter approach will not always be the most successful. If it works for other bloggers, that's great - make sure you don't keep unprofitable ads on your site just because it works for someone else.

Experiment with formats and colour schemes until you find the magic combination for you. The only true way to get the right ads for your site is to test, test and test again.

technorati tags: adsense, advertise, google ads, google adsense, how to make money, makemoney internet, make money online

Online DVD rental convenience delivered to your door. Watch the latest trailers and get free delivery and free return by post. And no late fees.

Triumph lingerie in Tokyo has come up with yet another bizarre invention. The current offering is a corset-style green top that doubles as a putting mat. The accessories include a tee, a ball on a chain, a "be quiet" sign and pockets for extra balls and tees.

The only slight problem I can see with the garment is that in order to play golf, you need to be naked from the waist up. Perhaps these will catch on a nudist camps...

But... who really wants to play nudie golf? When does one get the urge to strip off the gear and putt at the same time? Golf is a rather conservative game, last time I checked. The dress code usually calls for um... clothes.

I not entirely sure but I'm guessing that a female probably didn't invent this.

The invention is a response to the trend of a large percentage of Japanese women taking up the game of golf.

Perhaps the study also found that these women also liked to play topless golf, or specified being naked in some way.

As a putting mat, it's not half bad. It has an electronic voice that says "nice shot!" every time you make the putt. That would drive me nuts after about 2.5 seconds (provided I can make a putt in 2.5 seconds!!)

As a garment however, I wouldn't want to wear it. It features bra cups that appear to be sadistically made out of metal muffin tins. Perhaps it has another function as a cooking device...

Given the nature of this strange novelty garment for women, I'd hate to see what the male version looks like.

technorati tags: nice cup putting bra, putting bra, golf bra, putting garment, Japanese bra

Putting To Win - Tour Pro Reveals Easiest Way To Lower Scores. The Culmination Of Seven Years Work, This E-book Is Packed With Information, For Anyone Who Seriously Wants To Improve Their Golf Scores.

Christmas is looming again and it's time to shop, whether we like it or not. Personally I prefer to avoid the Christmas crush in the bigger stores and shop online, from the comfort of my own computer. But that's just my little quirk.

Here are some ideas for gifts under $15:


1. Blue Dolphin Ocarina

If you have played Legend of Zelda you may already know what an ocarina is. If not, its a terracotta wind instrument with holes, something akin to a recorder or flute.























2. Japanese Design Mouse Mats
If you have the same boring plain mousepad as everyone else, be different!! Gold leaf mousepad featuring Japanese artwork.





















3. Reusable Leather Journal/Note pad Holder
This is my personal pick for the cutest gift ever - perfect for the person who carries a notebook everywhere they go.






















4. 15 Wines Under $15
Technically this isn't just one present. But who cares. Wine makes a good present. (Checks vintage) Then again, maybe not (*pops cork*)























5. Penguin Holiday Pendant
This would make a great present for a daughter / granddaughter / niece - very cute, very Christmassy. The pendant is the same size as a standard scrabble tile.

Happy Shopping!!

technorati tags: christmas, gifts, cool gift under $15, gift ideas, Christmas gift ideas, frugalChristmas, gift ideas for christmas,

I was both horrified and amused by this latest spam offering.

The email goes something like this:

"...Dear (name blanked out),
As a past supporter of President Bush, I would like to invite you to learn more about the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The center is committed to advancing the the four principles - Freedom, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Compassion - that guided his presidency and remain the focus of his and Mrs Bush's ongoing work..."


























Polite but firm Query, Mr Spam Person:...

AS A PAST SUPPORTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH?!?!?

Spammers don't do much research, do they?


Mistake #1. I am an Australian so I don't tend to vote in US presidential elections.

Mistake #2. If I did get the opportunity to vote in the US presidential elections, I would vote for the Democrats

Mistake #3. Perhaps "past supporter" is a broad term. Perhaps throwing beer cans and yelling expletives at G.W. Bush on the telly counts as supporting.


Yay. Go democracy...

Die spammers...

technorati tags: George Bush, George W, George W Bush, Spam, Email

The news has been reporting a number of assaults and robberies at Melbourne train stations - particularly those located on the Frankston/Pakenham/Werribee/Cranbourne lines, plus the city stations. I have observed an interesting (and I think effective) way of driving away the criminal element that seems to be having an effect on gangs of teenagers who like to hang out at train stations.  

I witnessed it first at Glen Waverley station - it's quite simple:

The most hideous musak you have ever heard in your entire life blasted through the loudspeakers. No loitering groups seem to want to listen to the latest musak version of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" for the tenth time in a row.

Now this is no laughing matter, train stations have become quite dangerous of late and there seems to be a lack of ideas on how to protect the innocent people who just need to catch a train.

The muck-up antics of hundreds of kids were not deterred by this musak onslaught. Probably because the din from hundreds of excited year 12s would drown anything out, even "Reggie Dixon's Tango Treats".

This is a tactic that can be applied at other high risk stations to basically drive people away using the power of uncoolness. This doesn't solve the problem, it's only part of the solution.
Other measures could include extra bright lighting at all stations (not just "premium" stations), effective CCTV coverage. CCTV coverage is no good if there is nobody around to help those in danger. CCTV captures video bytes for the news - the important part is deploying the police, using station masters, ticket inspectors and various other security personnel. These tactics could be used in the loop and inner-city stations to usher people in and out of the city quickly.

The idea of blasting musak acts as a kind of repellant dog whistle to those who would not wish to be associated with "Blame it on the Bossa Nova" or any other other related songs. I noted that Taylor Dane seems to drive people away, and I have observed Anastacia to work just as well. The people at Connex have clearly done their homework because they never seem to play anything like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac or any other artists likely to be appreciated by all.

I suggest Connex implements this policy throughout other stations in Melbourne, along with the vitally important policing and monitoring measures to ensure that crime at Melbourne train stations is kept to a minimum.

technorati tags: dangerous Melbourne train stations, Connex, Melbourne train, crime Melbournetrain, crime prevention, gangs, security

You may have noticed this - you go to the supermarket or grocer and the price for fresh raspberries is rather prohibitive.

In fact, the price of gold and raspberries seem to following a similar trend. And given the choice, I would probably choose the gold.

However, I have found a little loophole that ensures you can have raspberries all year round without taking out a second mortgage.
Check your local grocer or supermarket for frozen bulk raspberries. Bulk? I hear you gasp. Don't be afraid. I have found that for $8, I can get a large pack of individually frozen raspberries that last for months, all at the same price as a small punnet of fresh raspberries.

If you have the room and the resources, growing your own raspberries is another great option.


Here's a great drink idea I discovered while experimenting...
Ingredients:
Soda water
Freshly squeezed lime juice
1 nectarine, cut into segments
4-5 frozen raspberries

Combine all ingredients and pour in the soda water. Refreshing!!
You can substitute the nectarine with peaches, pineapple or any other fruit you can think of.
The beauty of frozen raspberries is that they act as ice cubes and keep the drink icy. After the drink is finished, the raspberries are ready to eat.

Be sure to check out more juicer recipes, and tips on fruit and healthy eating.

Other ways to up your raspberry intake include drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea, getting your own Raspberry Seeds, and cultivate your green thumb by learning how to Grow Your Own.

technorati tags: raspberries, find cheap raspberries, get cheap rasperries, expensive raspberries, drink, recipe

For the elderly and movement impaired, a Medical Alert system can literally be a lifeline. For most of us, there are people we care about - parents, grandparents who are perhaps living alone without the aid of a carer. Despite our best efforts, we can't always be there. I'll present two scenarios:

1. A man/woman is at home, has had a fall and is not able to push a button. In this case a device named "fall alert" contains a fall detector. This device is worn on the person and when a fall is detected, will call the 24 hour monitoring service which in turn alerts relatives and medical personnel. The alerts continue until someone is dispatched to the residence.

2. A man/woman, perhaps suffering from Alzheimer's wanders into a strange neighbourhood and cannot find their way back home. In this case a GPS tracking bracelet featuring a two-way speakerphone. This Medical Alert device can be used by the wearer as one would use a mobile phone to call for help. Similarly, the GPS device will send an alert if the person has wandered off and can't be contacted.

Other products include smoke alarms, intruder alarms, inactivity detectors and panic buttons for peace of mind and security.

"I've never won down here, so now I have won on every continent, except for Antarctica" - Tiger Woods, Kingston Heath 2009.

At Victorian sandbelt course Kingston Heath on Sunday 15th November, the final round began in a sweltering, dusty and thirsty environment. My partner and I perched upon a not-so-grassy knoll at the 1st hole to witness the tee shot of the world's number 1 golfer, Tiger Woods.

The day began with an accidental breach of security - my partner and I wandered past three security guards and almost stumbled on to Tiger's range session. It was only when I caught a glimpse of the famous final day red shirt and a security guard asked us did we have our IDs, that I realised that we were on the other side of the fence and in player's territory.

The excitement was building even before we reached the course itself. On the shuttle bus we downed a 2 litre bottle of water to ensure the proper hydration for the day. During a quiet moment a man with one of the loudest voices I've ever heard yelled:
"Do you know what time it is?"
Curious people turned to look.
"IT'S TIGER TIME!!!" The whole bus broke into laughter and in a moment of comic relief we realised just how excited we were to be seeing Tiger on the final day.

After following the field for a time, we grabbed some (incredibly overpriced) lunch and proceeded to the 6th hole where we were ready to shade ourselves for a while. Then we looked towards the 5th at what appeared to be a million colourful ants headed our way.
"What are those crowds doing?"
"Oh sh!t! He's here already." We scrambled into position as the hordes mustered in.
A young boy sat at our feet and kept voicing that he wanted to say something to Tiger.

When Tiger walked past, only a couple of feet away, the boy worked up the courage and said "You're a Gun Tiger!"
Tiger stopped for a moment, turned around, smiled and said "Thank You" before making his way to the tee. This is the type of memory that will remain long after the tournament is over.

Greg Chalmers (AUS), Francois Delamontagne (FRA) Jason Dufner (USA) and James Nitties (AUS) were snapping at Tiger's heels for a large part of the tournament. At the 14th, Chalmers was set to take the lead. We revelled in the brilliant display of skill and accuracy by these incredible players, and cheered them on - if Tiger was to be beaten, it would be fitting for an Australian to do it.

We began to get slightly sunburned - making our way to the 16th we were rewarded with both shade and solitude. From our perfect vantage point we watched a parade of golfers, Adam Scott, Rod Pampling, Stuart Appleby, and after checking the scoreboard, we saw that Tiger was -14 and looking good for the win. When Tiger appeared, the galleries were bursting with people, yet we had the perfect view and very little crowd around us. We were close enough to see Tiger brush away a fly, re-compose himself and hit one of the most awesome shots I have seen in my life. The ball landed on the green so perfectly it nearly went in the hole. It was awe-inspiring. Needless to say, we made some noise.

When we gathered round the green to watch the putt, a little boy sitting on his mother's shoulders stared at the players, open mouthed in awe and wonderment. He kept repeating the same thing over and over. "Tiiiger Wooods." The crowd started to giggle after a while as the boy repeated it for the 10th time. Then he got a quizzical look on his face as Tiger stalked the putt and lined it up from every angle.
"Is he gonna hit the ball?" The setup phase was obviously getting to him.

It was not until the very last hole that Tiger could relax. As we know, anything can happen in golf. Woods approached the 18th, made a 2 putt and sealed the tournament win to yet another colossal roar from the crowd. We witnessed the gold jacket and trophy presentation, surrounded by thousands of people. Last year we watched Rod Pampling receive the same accolades to a largely empty stand. It is expected that the new surge of enthusiasm for Australian golf spurned by the worldwide publicity will lead to larger galleries at all Australian golf tournaments. Players such as Rod Pampling, Robert Allenby, Karrie Webb and many other noteworthy Australian golfers deserve more publicity and greater accolades in their home country - perhaps this will be the start of a new era in Australian golf.
















For some, this was their first experience of a golf tournament, the spectacle of Tiger Woods and curiosity taking them into new territory. The tournament was a great promotional tool for Victoria, for Melbourne, and for Australian Golf. It is easy to forget that throughout the ages Kingston Heath has been host to a number of legends, including Greg Norman, Severiano Ballesteros, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Gary Player. It would be a magical touch to begin a tradition of hosting the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath every year, as they do with the US Masters in Augusta.


Tiger won with a final score of -14, followed by Greg Chalmers at -12 and Francois Delamontagne at -10.
















Putting To Win - Tour Pro Reveals Easiest Way To Lower Scores. The Culmination Of Seven Years Work, This E-book Is Packed With Information, For Anyone Who Seriously Wants To Improve Their Golf Scores.

technorati tags: australian masters kingston heath, Tiger, Woods, Australian, Masters, 2009,Kingston, Heath, Golf, Tournament,Greg, Chalmers, James, Nitties, Francois, Delamontagne,Putting to win, Golf Swing Analysis, Golf Swing Analysis, Golf, Free Golf Lesson

The Masters at Kingston Heath in Melbourne has created Tiger fever for Australian golf fans and non golf Tiger fans alike.

Since Tiger Woods has arrived in Melbourne, the sports section of the news, previously dominated by AFL and Rugby, now finally recognises golf as newsworthy.














I will be attending the final day (Sunday 15th) of the tournament. I am rather excited to say the least. Jumping out of my skin might be a better way to put it.

Melbourne's journalists and photographers are engaged in a Tiger-spotting frenzy. This can only be a good thing for golf in Australia. It is likely to generate interest from many curious sports fans who may never have seen a golf tournament in their lives. This is also a great opportunity to get kids interested in golf in Australia, with Tiger as the perfect ambassador.

After 18 holes and a morning tee time, Tiger finished Day 1 of the JBWere Masters at 6 under (a score of 66), tied with James Nitties and Brandon Grace.




High Definition TV Coverage of The 2009 JBWere Australian Masters:

Thursday 12th November
Nine / NineHD - 12:00pm - 5:30pm

Friday 13th November
Nine / NineHD - 12:00pm - 5:30pm

Saturday 14th November
Nine / NineHD - 12:30pm - 5:30pm

Sunday 15th November
Nine / NineHD - 12:30pm - 5:30pm

technorati tags: Tiger Woods, Kingston Heath, Australian Masters, Masters, Golf,HD,TV








Simple golf tips for maximum distance, cut your handicap by up to 12 strokes, cure swing flaws - get instant access!!

Far be it from me to comment on the fashion faux pas of the Spring Racing Carnival brigade. Me, the fashion goddess of the cardigan, corduroys and Docs. Perhaps it's that I don't really fancy too many florals, fluffy and hairy headpieces and feathers that get stuck in your mouth while you're trying to cheer for a horse that is clearly coming second last. There are however some mistakes that have been brought to my attention as an observer of Spring Carnival fashion.















Mistake #1. Not wearing comfy shoes

You will most likely be walking from the bar, to the bookie, and back to the track itself - and don't forget the train ride home. You'll be surprised as to how many kilometres you can cover in the space of a day. For goodness sake, wear comfortable footwear. Otherwise you will regret it!!

















Mistake #2. Drinking too much

The first drink of the day can be as early as breakfast. For some reason (and I don't know if this is exclusively an Australian trait or if its the rest of the world as well) - we seem to think that we are somehow immune to the effects of alcohol because it's a public holiday. So it doesn't seem so irrational to drink 2 champagnes for breakfast, 3 at lunch and then 2 more in the afternoon. Then we wonder why the ground is suddenly uneven and there are twice as many horses on the field as before.
You could begin the day looking like like Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". If you're not careful, by the end of the day and 7 champagnes later you could look more like this:













The idea is to pace yourself. If you do have a champagne breakfast, drink soda water for a bit. And make sure you eat something. "But my dress is too tight!!" I hear you say. Well, wear something more comfy. Your dress will still be too tight if you're passed out under a tree with a busted side seam and no hat.















Mistake #3. Forgetting the sunscreen

Sun protection costs next to nothing. A cheap, broad spectrum sunscreen and a hat. Protect your skin as you will be out for many hours in the sun. Even on a cloudy day, you will be surprised at how quickly sunburn can occur. Sunscreen is your friend, and the only protector between your skin and the harsh Australian sun. No matter what you are wearing, sunburn clashes!!





Mistake #4. Neeiggghh!!

Sometimes these fashions can be reminiscent of the horses themselves. Gaudy colours, shaggy manes, strong hindquarters and shaky footwear. The key is to be comfortable and dress to compliment your individual style.



















Mistake #5. Dignity Blowout

This can come under a number of headings and this goes for males and females of all ages. For example, too many champagnes can land one in the "Dignity Blowout" category. This can result in falling asleep on the train with your fascinator feathers in your mouth, passing out in the sun and waking up with second degree sunburn, throwing up in the bin can also be a bit of a dignity blowout. You may think this is gross, but I have witnessed all these things while visiting the races (and no, it wasn't me!!) One of the worst cases I witnessed was a girl dressed up in racing gear being carried out of a pub by the paramedics after she passed out in a corner and could not be roused. This is not how you want to remember your day at the races.











My experience of the Melbourne Cup this year was the same as previous years - I put a bet on the favourite "Viewed", which failed to come through with the goods. I put a bet on "Leica Ding" as well, mainly because the name was ridiculous and horses with ridiculous names often win. (Eg. "Makybe Diva") Needless to say, my horse is still running.




Melbourne Cup 2009 Spring Fashion Spring Racing Melbourne Racing Betting Fashion

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Well, it's that time of the year and my birthday is coming up!!

I have compiled a brief list of what I would like for my birthday in 2009:

• A holiday - actually, two holidays because I haven't been away for more than a year
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The ability to play golf like a cross between Tiger and Seve Ballesteros
  
  
• Miniature pigs!!! (No, not really, because I couldn't possibly look after them - but I love them!!)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The car from "Supernatural" aka "Metallicar"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Inspiration and Success
  
  
• Peace, Love and possibly even some Mungbeans!!

To anyone who is betting in the Melbourne Cup tomorrow, Good Luck and hope your horse comes in!!

xxx
LJP

technorati tags: birthday melbourne cup racing carnival

My first foray into creating a style board on Kaboodle. Warning - this is addictive!!

Cap, scarf, GPS, bronze, browns and reds - for that stylish driving holiday:
(click for a closer look!)

A Drive In The... by violetlight7

There will be more of these to come...

Must... create... styleboard.... Aaargh!!!

technorati tags: kaboodle, styleboard, style board, winter, fashion, stylish

The garden is a wondrous place, full of exciting smells, sights and sounds. Some gardens look a bit more like... well, a jungle. Which is great if you're going for that "jungle theme" thing, or perhaps to create a maze for the kiddies!! But... if you want to organise your jungle, I mean garden a little more, here are some exciting garden accessory ideas to get you thinking:

Personally, I am a big fan of terracotta / clay items in the garden. They seem to blend well with the natural environment and they are hardy and long-wearing (as long as you don't have charging bulls in your backyard - however most don't have this problem and I'm getting slightly off topic!!)

These decorative planters made from weathered terracotta are beautiful in their simplicity and function. An outdoor planter would be perfect for growing a small vegie patch - a few lettuce, tomato, even some herbs!









This bird bath would make a great feature - additionally, you can install a feeder and attract all kinds of beautiful native birds to your garden.


















Whatever you choose for your garden, be aware of size and scope. If you don't have much of a garden or none at all, you could install window box planters and grow flowers or herbs. Choose colours and materials that blend with your garden environment. And don't forget to remove those weeds so your real plants can shine through.

I just received an intriguing piece of spam entitled - "Meds For You And Your Pets"

Note to spammers:

1. I don't take meds

2. I don't have any pets

3. If I did have a pet, I wouldn't want it drugged up and staggering around the place.

Do pets get OCD? Personality disorders? How would I know? Ask it?

Please tell me they don't sell viagra to dogs.

I see enough 'action' every time I go to the park. Particularly from an aptly named dog called "Mojo".

Perhaps he needs some reverse viagra. I'll look into it.

Apparently there are pills called "bitch pills" - Hmmm... I'm pretty sure they make these for humans as well...

We all saw what happened to that dog in "There's Something About Mary" when he was fed speed hidden in dog biscuits. He went psychotic and had to be locked in the bathroom.

Then he bit Ben Stiller's nads.

If I were to get a pet, it would be a miniature pig. Apparently they are very intelligent and cute as well.















I'll just keep the little fellas away from the medicine cabinet...

technorati tags: meds for your pets, meds, pets, dogs, miniature pigs, medicated pets