Just when I thought I'd seen it all, this comes along:

Doga (Dog Yoga)





















A.K.A. "Dog Yoga" or "Ruff Yoga". I saw this book in the newsagent today and lost it.

1. I hope they don't want the dog to read it. I have enough trouble getting them to say "woof"

2. Getting a dog to "sit", "stay" and "don't chew the furniture" can take years in dog training school. The mind boggles at a dog trying to learn "Salute to the Sun" in a short period of time.

3. Dogs would be good at the "Downward Dog Pose", I'll give them that.

4. Is the yoga actually taught by dogs? If so, THEN I'm impressed.

5. Possible dog poses to try:

"Digging the roses out of the garden" pose

"Smell another dog's behind" pose

"Go mad at the doorbell" pose

"Bark at nothing in particular for 30 minutes" exercise

The strange and rather challenging "Leg humping" pose

"Tap dance across tiles and slide into a bicycle and a bunch of toys" pose


According to the author, dogs are already born yoga masters. Well, good. Perhaps they can teach me. The book is, of course a little tongue in cheek (or tongue flapping out the car window, depending on your species) and combines humour and yoga and er... well, dogs.

Apparently dogs have a natural "tranquility" - yeah. Tell that to the mailman.


Yes, dogs can do a lot of things, but can they do this?

Hmm. I don't think so.

"Dogs are natural yoga masters" eh?

Well... some humans can naturally do yoga. At least I think that's what this guy is doing.

Perhaps we can just leave yoga to the humans and let dogs just be... er... dogs.

technorati tags: doga, funny animal pictures, funny animals, funny pics, funny picture, funnypictures, funny stuff, yoga

I love fridge magnets. There really is no end to these little beauties. Whenever I think I've seen every possible configuration, somebody comes up with a new concept. It seems you can put anything on a fridge these days, just attach a magnet and off you go.

Here are some of my faves:

Ladybug Fridge Magnet
So cute!!

























Child Proof House Fridge Magnet
I love her deranged smile...



























Art Deco Travel Poster (Leather) Fridge Magnet
I love Art Deco posters, I would pretty much buy Art Deco anything. They don't make 'em like that anymore...
























Origami Fridge Magnet
Beware. I am a black belt in Origami.


















Leaf Fridge Magnet
From the people that brought you "Tree" - now here's "Leaf!"





You can make magnets out of anything and everything. It would also be fun to make fridge magnets out of ordinary household items. Just buy a pack of magnets on ebay and start creating!!

technorati tags: arts & crafts, arts and crafts, arts crafts, craft, craft ideas, etsy, fridge, kidscrafts, magnet, magnetic, magnets, paper crafts,

Would you pay 15 thousand dollars for a meat pie?

Well I wouldn't, I'm a vegetarian.

In a recent NineMSN Travel article, a number of expensive menu items are detailed - here are the Top 6 Expensive Meals:

#1 $1156 Caviar Omelette (Norma's New York)
I don't care if they use caviar from the rarest fish in the world and dodo eggs.
I can whip up an omelette in about 7 minutes using free-range Victorian grown eggs. Whack in a bit of caviar from the deli if you must but either way you'll save about $1149.

#2 $193 Chicken Club Sandwich (Cliveden, London)
Apparently the kind of meal recommended by Henry IV. A good king by all accounts but rather expensive taste. Made from 30 month air cured ham. Eeew!! Perhaps we are paying by the month for this service...

#3 $15,820 Wagyu Beef Pie (Fence Gate Inn, Lancashire)
Made with $965 per kilo beef. What, did the cows eat gold during their time on this earth? I'm sure it's a nice pie, at almost $2000 per slice it would want to be. If it's anything like the pies I have sampled at the footy at the MCG, I'd rather a nice used car if it's all the same to you.

#4 $1146 Ice Cream Sundae (Serendipidy 3, New York)
And I thought the Pancake Parlour was expensive! Whee!! 23 carat edible gold leaf. From what I've read, gold is the sort of thing you buy and keep in a safe or under your bed - as opposed to stuffing it in your noggin'. Each to his own I suppose.

#5 $289 Truffle Chocolate (Knipschild, Conneticut)
A rare French perigod truffle surrounded by a... chocolate truffle. It's enough to give you a Knippshion (sic)!
Big whoop. Gimme a six pack of Ferrero Rochers and we'll call it even.

#6 $10,000 Diamond Martini (Algonquin Hotel, New York)
I've had expensive nights out. Just last Friday I had $25 in Wild Turkey shots and a lovely hangover to boot. This diamond martini, it appears, hurts your wallet as well as your head. But the bonus? You get a diamond stuffed down the bottom of your glass. Whacko the doodle bang. A real diamond. If I want a martini, I'll buy a martini. If I want a diamond, I'll go to a jeweller's.
Important Note: Don't drink this one too fast.


Sooo, I could either have the most expensive meal in my life...
OR
For $28,604 I could buy a 2005 Volkswagen Golf and have $11,454 left over for a nice holiday in Byron Bay.

Which would you choose?

technorati tags: worlds expensive, most expensive, expensive pie, expensive dining, food,restaurant, meal

During my online shopping exploits, I have created a large number of collections, be it cookware, DVDs, clothing or gadgets.

I am proud to announce: My cookware collection is almost complete (say in Darth Vader voice!)

Regular readers of my blog are aware of my Baccarat cookware obsession. There is something about stainless steel with a copper base that makes cooking that much easier. After hunting around many online shopping outlets, I discovered OO.com.au

I ran a search for cookware on the site to see if I could get some kind of deal:


My prayers were answered rather quickly as I spied an 18cm Baccarat pot normally priced at $70 selling for $44.95. Without hesitating I pressed the "buy" button and filled out my details. I was able to pay with paypal, making it even easier for me to... SHOP!!! (insert crazed PayPal convenience induced frenzy here)

The pot arrived in mint condition. The speedy delivery was facilitated by a reputable courier service and the item was vaccuum wrapped very carefully. I really couldn't fault the service and would buy from OO.com.au again.

Other bargains I have bagged from this site:

High Definition Set Top Box with HDMI and DVI - $149 (this was at a time when HD set top boxes were around $399!)

I have never had a problem with this unit. It was a bargain at the time and it is still up to date in 2010.


Baccarat Pinnacle Stockpot with lid (5.4L) - I told you I was obsessed with Baccarat! Normal retail price was somewhere around $120 but I nabbed it for $34.95. And I got a special delivery discount during a half-price delivery promotion period, saving another five dollars in the process.

Be sure to look out for the slam dunk 24 hour deal - a heavily discounted sale item that only lasts for - you guessed it - 24 hours!


I must say that my shopping expeditions are going extremely well and I am saving a heap of money. I will be returning to OO.com.au shortly to search for HD recorders.

Searching is simple - for example you can type in "Hard Drive recorder" to see the results:



You can then reorder the listings by lowest price, highest price and popularity.


This allows you to search within your budget and get the best possible deal. I desperately need to get a hard drive recorder to catch up on all the tennis and golf events that are screened at 3am. And that would be past my bedtime (tee hee!)... But that's another story....

Rant time.

The old 2 minute noodles had a tangy flavour - a kind of salty, zingy hit. Apparently Maggi have taken it upon themselves to do some sort of focus group study.

You know the kind where the "consultant" guy gets paid $750 per hour to talk, well... bollocks.

"Okaaay. You know what 2 minute noodles need? Let's ask a random selection of bland-palated people and see what they think."

"Okay, now they have chosen the cardboard tasteless ones, we need a name"

"We'll brand them as 'EXTRA DELICIOUS' - they'll love it!"


Yeah.

Extra delicious to who? People with a cold?

Thanks to this treachery, we now have 2 minute noodles with very little flavour and barely-recognisable rehydrated vegetables. Vegetables that are still crunchy when the noodles are cooked!! Mmmm....

But you know what? They are now 14 grams lower in fat!! And "ovenbaked"...


Whoopeee.

You know what I want? I want those 14 grams of fat re-absorbed into those noodles so I can have the taste back.

What happened to my ridiculously wrong munchy snack that tastes like real (pardon the pun) 2 minute noodles!?!?

Grrrr!!! ARgh!!!

~End Rant.

technorati tags: maggi, 2 minute noodles, extra delicious, oven baked, new 2 minute noodles,maggi noodles

There is something about being on holidays that messes with the space-time continuum.

1. Time goes waaay to quickly.

2. Alarm clocks become increasingly redundant because for some reason I decided that 3pm was a good time to wake up, and 3am was a sensible time to go to sleep.

3. Calories do not count because I tend to get more exercise on holiday. Being out and about and walking all the time, those chocolate mint sticks have negative calories. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

4. Time is taken up by difficult matters such as whether to play golf or go to the park and go for a walk with hand weights.

5. After 2 days of being outdoors my Neapolitan tan (red, white and brown) indicated that I might benefit from the use of sunscreen.

6. Exactly three days before holidays end, I remember that I really wanted to do this or that and I have officially run out of time.

7. Exactly 1 hour after holidays end, I am planning for my next holiday.

technorati tags: holiday, tan, travel, golf, sunscreen, leisure

Skype To Go - How You Can Make a 9c International Call

How does Skype to Go Work? I was a little confused about this so I had to do a little research. I wanted to make international calls from my mobile as I have a growing need to talk to overseas contacts. I tried calling using normal Skype and although it was cheap and convenient, at times my microphone has managed to cut out at inopportune moments. This can make it difficult to carry on a trans-Atlantic conversation without worrying about the quality of the line.

I wanted the freedom to call internationally from my mobile, and it just so happens Skype to Go does just that.

I found Skype to Go on the main Skype website and decided to give it a try - I used my existing account with Skype (it's free to sign up) and I decided since I was going to be calling overseas frequently, I would buy around $16 credit. I have called the US around 10 times using this service and the calls are ridiculously cheap. My balance has hardly budged at all and it will probably take me a few years to fully run it down.

How it works:

You are assigned your own Skype to Go number - I have mine programmed into my mobile phone.

On the Skype site you can set up a kind of speed dial phonebook - the great thing about setting up the numbers through Skype is that it automatically puts in the country code - all you need to do is nominate the country you are calling.

From your mobile, you can now call your Skype to Go number and the menu gives you the option of calling a number manually or selecting any one of your speed dial contacts.

Skype to Go will now put you through to the international number and you pay around 9c per call, which is an amazing deal considering most mobile phone rates for international calls.

The brilliant thing is that with $16 credit, I can call Australia to the US over 150 times before I even need to think about recharging.

technorati tags: skype, free call, cheap international call, cheap overseas call, cheap calling, skypeto go

Choosing the right heater involves a number of factors, not least the consideration of energy usage. Fan heaters warm up a room, unfortunately they warm up your heating bill too!! A new breed of infrared heaters has recently emerged, utilising new technologies to keep you warm and cool down your heating bills at the same time.

The RedCore 1500 heater is a state of the art multi-faceted device, acting as a heater, an air purifier and humidifier. The problem with many heaters is the a tendency to dry out the air while heating, causing difficulties for people with allergies and respiratory issues. The RedCore 1500 replaces lost moisture and purifies the air of dust and allergens, creating a comfortable environment in which you can breathe easily. So, no more dry winter air, dry skin, no more pollen, dust and no more dry sinuses!

According to the manufacturer, this heater can save you 50% on your heating bill, using only a miserly 1500 watts.

The infrared heater warms instantly and can heat areas of 1000 square feet. Other features include remote control LCD, temperature display and timer. The heater also comes with a 1-year replacement warranty. The unit comes in silver, light wood and dark wood finishes.


This post brought to you by Air & Water Inc.

I hope everybody had a great Christmas this year. Let's hope for a happy, prosperous and safe new year. Here's to 2010!!
Cheers
LJP

It's that time of the Christmas shopping period where some people are relaxed, all presents wrapped and ready to go, slippers on, eggnog in hand.

Other people may be in the midst of mind-bending panic trying to get everything purchased before December 25th. The crowds, the pressure, the "what the heck am I doing in this department - everything's starting to look the same" experience. During my shopping expeditions to the Melbourne CBD, I found myself armed with a list, a credit card, some dollars and the beginnings of a whopper headache. After the third shop my eyes began to glaze over and my mind began to fantasise about settling down with a nice cold beer and potato wedges. I don't know what it is about shopping that makes me so hungry. Maybe it's because I'm in survival mode and my body sends out signals to eat to preserve the continuation of the human race. Shopping will do that to you.

I should have taken my own advice and done most of my shopping online. For some reason my online shopping mainly involved buying myself some Christmas presents - perhaps to reward my subconscious for putting up with 2 and a half hours of the most annoying species of shopping humans:

1. Slow Walkers - The thing about Christmas shopping is that MOST people are in a hurry. Probably because there are only 72 hours to Christmas and some of us haven't even bought wrapping paper. Slow walkers are content to amble aimlessly, admiring the crowds, staring at concrete and mesmerised by traffic lights. Slow walkers are the natural enemy of efficient shoppers and tend to approach backwards using stealth and cunning.

2. Bag Whackers - These shoppers come in two forms - those that whack you with a bag and those that whack the bags you are carrying. I try to keep my bags out of everybody's way, daintily dodging and weaving so as not to gonk anyone in the shins. Bag whackers on the other hand are either training for the marathon, arms waving and thumping every bag in sight, or they are carrying half the shareholder's investment at Myer and try to squeeze past thirty people trying to get in the back carriage at Flinders Street.

3. Directional Changers - One of the most dangerous to those carrying anything made from glass or crystal are the directional changers. Like poisonous snakes they wind from side to side, occasionally walking backwards or diagonally without first checking to see if anyone is in their path. If you do see one of these shoppers, stay well clear and hide any breakables.

4. Inexplicable Stoppers - Possibly the worst of the lot. Imagine you are walking behind someone who appears to be walking with purpose. And suddenly inexplicable stopper er... stops. They don't do anything or go anywhere - for example, into a shop, to a stall to buy a drink, to give money to a street artist. No, they just stop. In front of nothing. With blank expressions on their faces. It makes me think of that new Bruce Willis film where robots dressed as people suddenly all stop. Perhaps inexplicable stoppers are actually robots, infiltrating our Christmas shopping habits and stopping to report back to base. Or maybe the heat just makes their joints rusty.

For some of us, the only things left on the list are stocking fillers. Little knick-knacks and last minute curios that add to the Christmas spirit and make it look like there are more presents under the tree. These examples may give you ideas as to what to put in your own stockings this Christmas.


Apple iPod Touch Accessories




Canon Deluxe Grey Leather Case




Sandisk 4GB Memory Card



Crayola Glow Station

technorati tags: stocking fillers, stocking stuffers, christmas, gifts, cool gift under $20, gift ideas,Christmas gift ideas, frugalChristmas, gift ideas for christmas,

An excellent place to find a wide array of coupon codes for various items is at the nifty UK based site Unbeatable. Whether you are shopping for kitchen goods, games consoles, or a new flat screen TV, this site pretty much has it all.


Coupon codes can save a lot of money at the electronic checkout. If you can track down a coupon code for a purchase, it's always a good idea to use it. Some codes provide free shipping, some codes will offer a percentage off the listed price and others will offer discounts for purchases over a specified amount.

Updated coupon codes appear each day and new offers are added regularly so it is a good idea to check back to hunt for new bargains and special deals.

If you are interested in buying a specific product, you can find product comparisons, user generated reviews and comprehensive buying guides to help you make an informed purchase. For example, say that I am interested in purchasing a blu-ray player. I can compare prices from different outlets, find the best model as reviewed by other buyers and read a buying guide such as "Battle between blu-ray and HD DVD - the question is who will win?" as featured on the site. By the time I make my purchase, I will have the best possible price all the relevant information to confidently buy the item. And I may even score a coupon code to further discount my purchase.

Here are some examples of the latest discounts.



As you can see, some of the offers last from shorter periods up to 14 days. The savings are quite substantial and worth checking out.

For convenience you can also follow Unbeatable on Twitter for up to the minute deals and coupon codes so you never miss out on the latest bargains.


This post brought to you by Unbeatable.co.uk

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