Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

The Music Box

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Have you ever wondered when music began? Why did music begin? As I ponder this question, my conclusion considers that the earliest melodic strains were reproduced to mimic the ambient music of nature. Our society has become so restless and busy that we miss out of nature’s sweetest sounds. I’ve always loved music! Music can quiet the soul and calm the spirit. My earliest fascination with a music box came when I was just a little girl. A ballerina music box was given to me when I was six years old. Whenever I got into trouble with my folks, I would retreat to my bedroom, grab my ballerina music box, lay across the bed; wind the ballerina up and the music would begin. I would watch her twirl effortlessly as the music flowed from the base.

Music boxes are one of life’s little unexpected treasures! A wooden or porcelain box simply adorned is opened, the music begins and memories flood! Sometimes a new memory is made. Such is the case for me. I’ve always loved the rustic smell of an old music box and trying to recall the name of the song being played. You just can’t help but smile!

One Valentine’s Day my romantic husband, of 15 years, gave me a collection of fine porcelain music boxes with love songs. The collection was called Songs of Love Music Box Collection. The first was received on Valentine’s Day and every month thereafter for a year, I received a unique music box, each with a special love song. Over the years, I’ve come to treasure these gifts even more than when I first received them. I love to open a music box, take a deep breath, turn the wind-up key and just listen, drinking in the mesmerizing melody and remembering that someone loves me.

I love when my granddaughter comes over. She points to the curio cabinet with the music boxes and says, “Play, Grandma, play!” We will pull one music box out at a time, wind the key and listen…smiling as we look into each others eyes with wide expectation, almost holding our breath, so we don’t miss a single note of the refrain. Priceless moments. Simple moments. Beautiful moments.

There are all kinds of music boxes: jewelry boxes, dolls with music boxes, musical carousels, ballerina music jewelry boxes, musical water globes, patriotic music boxes, music boxes with sports themes (soccer, basketball, football, hockey, golf, etc.) There are religious music boxes and music boxes to celebrate some of our favorite creatures.

The quality of sound from a music box varies according to the note movements, which can range from 18 note movements up to the beautiful 72 note movements. The value varies appropriately with the craftsmanship and quality of the materials used in music boxes.

Should you have a music box in need of repair or restoration, there is help available. A master restorer should be consulted particularly if the music box is an antique or of considerable value.

Music boxes can be like the majesty of a fine grandfather clock with a Westminster chime movement marking the quarter hour with beautiful tones. The atmosphere becomes alive with music and a relaxed ambiance that says, “I’m home now and can relax!”

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, timeless heirloom, consider giving the unusual gift of a music box. Create a few memories and enjoy those moments when the world stands still for just a moment; you sigh and smile.

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Chinese Underwear Town Yanbu Town, Nanhai City, Guangdong Province

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Yanbu District in Nanhai City, Guangdong Province, eastern, located in the Pearl River Delta, adjacent to Guangzhou, an area of 26 square kilometers, with resident population of 70000 people, non native population of over 10 million people, under the jurisdiction of seven village committees and a District office. In 2001, the region’s total economic income of 8.251 billion yuan, industrial output value of 5.5 billion, deposits in the amount of 4.211 billion yuan of society, farmers per capita income of 7445 yuan. In recent years, the region’s economic sustainable, steady and healthy development of fruits of the spirit of the text building, was named “2000 overall strength of the economy in rural areas of Guangdong strong town.” Is a national health town, Guangdong Province, an advanced sports town, the Guangdong Provincial Health Town, Foshan City, civilized town, the hometown of Chinese folk art, model town, Nanhai city, civilization, this year has also achieved the provincial health village is the village.

Yanbu underwear industry from the late 70s, after 20 years of development, Yanbu and international underwear brands in the business cooperation in the process of accumulated rich production experience and strong technical force and have to create their own brand transformation, to establish purple Landry, the U.S. thinking, according to Manni, Olivia Shannon, Diana, according to the Ni and many other lingerie brands, product coverage throughout the country, exported to Europe, America, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao and other countries and regions China’s 15 leading consumer brands have seven Yanbu, Yanbu underwear industry as a new economic growth point is moving toward large scale, intensive production, and quickly developed into a pillar industry.

At present, there are underwear Yanbu more than 300 production enterprises, with all kinds of advanced sewing machines, nearly more than 20,000 units, employing nearly 4 million people, an annual output of 100 million underwear set output value of nearly 30 million, accounting for the region of industrial 54% of output value, sales income of 3.0 billion, accounting for 35% of the region’s sales. Since 1997, the Government proposed to build the town’s economy underwear professional development ideas, defining priorities and support the underwear industry development strategy. First, starting from the policy guidance on the use of “government take the stage for enterprises,” in the form of implementation of the “Rotary big great loss” strategy, and actively support leading enterprises, combined with the actual development of relevant incentive measures and provisions to encourage businesses to create brand and strive to nurture the underwear industry, as a reasonable structure, high tech, competitive ability, the size of the pillar industries have obvious advantages.

Second, the establishment of a national trade association the first township underwear, underwear manufacturers integrated to form an overall advantage, foreign broke “Yanbu Underwear” group brand, will be a large number of underwear business together and take the road of common development. Third, establish the concept of environmental economics, and actively improve traffic, transport, communication networks, accommodation, food and other conditions, to provide full comprehensive supporting facilities for the lingerie industry and create a favorable business and investment environment. Fourth, the success of hosting two of China (South China Sea) underwear model contest, Yanbu underwear brand awareness and sales rising fast in the short term, laying the Yanbu “underwear town” status. 5 is the successful hosting of “The First China International Underwear Expo` 2002 South China Sea (Yanbu) International Underwear Culture Festival “, through exhibitions, underwear model competition 2003 international conference lingerie trends, investment Investment Promotion, underwear Industry Development Forum , underwear brand Session conference, underwear photography contest, art show and other activities have greatly promoted the development of China’s underwear industry, established the Yanbu’s leadership position in the underwear industry.

Yanbu has become internationally renowned as well as underwear capital. For the integration of underwear industry and related upstream industries and downstream industries, resources and form of the underwear industry chain of raw materials, production equipment supply, underwear designs, underwear production and management consulting, marketing, industry information and other one stop service platform, our region has the full construction the planning area of 400 acres, the first phase of investment 150 million yuan, covers an area of 120 acres of the China International Underwear City has been completed, the city to create five centers underwear, underwear finished products, auxiliary materials, manufacturing equipment exhibition and trade center, underwear Cultural Exhibition Center, underwear design trends Center, lingerie and underwear clearing logistics center.

Innovation and technology center in particular the establishment of underwear, will lead the development of China’s underwear industry, the center introduced a number of unique global ergonomic technology, its three dimensional garment design and create kind of technology will effectively enhance the aesthetics of clothing, suitable physical nature of activity to shorten the product design cycle; the introduction of international advanced level in three dimensional body scanner, the establishment of China’s first personal physical database, the database will be the completion of underwear and the whole garment production industry standard data, to promote China’s apparel production technology’s further development.

There is strong government support, guidance, there are unique geographical environment, the world’s advanced design and manufacturing technology, there is a sound business and investment environment, look to the future, our region has underwear industry will develop by leaps and bounds, Yanbu region after 10 years underwear industry will achieve sales income of 9.0 billion, export supply amounted to 2.5 billion. Yanbu will be the brand names of Chinese underwear manufacturing bases and trading platform.

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What You Should Know About Cinco de Mayo Food and Festivities

Friday, March 12th, 2010

In the United States, many people know about Cinco de Mayo. Huge crowds cannot wait to start the festivities every May. But few know the really history for this Mexican celebration. The average person in the States will say it has something to do with “the Mexican freedom thing,” that is not the truth. Independence Day for Mexico is the 16th of September.

During the 1950s, the United States had a program called The Good Neighbor Policy that encouraged Americans to reach out to our neighboring countries. Cinco de Mayo was first introduced to Americans at this time. In the 1960s, Chicano activists made the holiday more visible as a method to inspire cultural pride among Mexican-Americans.

By the 1980s, the holiday was slowly catching on. During this decade of commercialism, Cinco de Mayo was advertised as a great holiday to spend drinking the alcoholic beverages made by several American companies. These companies really brought Cinco do Mayo into the mainstream of American culture, although they diluted the true meaning behind it, which was to celebrate the Mexican victory over the French in 1862.

As Cinco de Mayo became more mainstream, more Americans wanted to explore better ways to celebrate. They began researching the Mexican traditions, foods, and music that would make Cinco de Mayo a holiday to anticipate every year.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is a terrific reason to treat yourself to Mexican culture. Partygoers can have fun dressing up in colorful costumes, decorate their houses with symbols of Mexico, and have a great time. Children hear about this holiday at school and share what they have learned with the family.

Some people throw big parties on May 5th. It’s not a holiday reserved just for Mexicans anymore. All sorts of ethnic groups now jump on the bandwagon. Some groups even hold their own parades and festivals to add to the celebratory mood. In some places, the celebration has spread to immense proportions. New York, Port Huron, and Los Angeles are all home to huge Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

For those preferring to celebrate closer to home, it is simple to plan a special night of their own. They might make some Cinco de Mayo food, decorate, and put on some traditional mariachi music to listen to. Private parties are now nearly as popular as public parties held in bars, restaurants, and communities across the nation.

Cinco de Mayo is a great reason to explore those Mexican recipes you have been curious about. Make some great food for your family to enjoy and share some Mexican culture. Invite your friends to come over and have them bring some snacks.

If you find that the margaritas are better at the Mexican cantinas or you just love eating out, go for it. Your neighborhood Mexican bistro will have a great celebration planned. Just sit back, enjoy the music, and dance to your heart’s content. There is nothing that says you have to make it a huge celebration, either. You can pick up or cook your own simple meal, drop in a DVD of your favorite Zorro movie and sit back and enjoy.

Mexican recipes are a great change of pace and nothing makes them better than a wonderful Mexican Holiday calibration. If you like an excuse to get dressed up and have a good time why not try throwing your own Cinco de Mayo parties and if your having a party you’ll need plenty Cinco de Mayo food. http://www.MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food

Easter Flowers: A Celebration Of Rebirth And Spring

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Certain types of flowers are used to celebrate Easter, the holiest of days on the Christian calendar; they are commonly referred to as Easter flowers. These flowers are colorful, and they are symbolic of rebirth and the Resurrection. They are perfect reminders of Easter and the upcoming spring season. Common flowers used for Easter include lilies, hyacinths, azaleas, tulips, daffodils, and narcissus flowers.

White lilies tend to be the most popular and traditional Easter flowers, and they are commonly used to decorate churches around the Easter season. These flowers originated in Japan, and Americans started to grow them in the 1940’s. White lilies are known to symbolize the renewal and purity that is associated with Easter, as well as Christ’s Resurrection three days after his death. The lily’s flower petals are said to be shaped in such a way as to represent God’s trumpet calling for Jesus to return. It is of note that white lilies’ growth is forced in greenhouses for the Easter season given how extremely common it is for these flowers to be used around that time.

Hyacinths are flowers that are typically used for Easter bouquets and arrangements. They exist in a variety of pastel colors that are perfect for Easter, including pink, purple, and blue. They also come in white. These flowers grow to be eight to twelve inches tall on average.

Azaleas are popularly given as hostess gifts at Easter dinners. They bloom naturally right around the Easter season, and they come in many beautiful colors including pink, white, orange, and red. Azaleas are seen as symbols of Christ’s rising again, as well as of rejuvenation and good wishes.

Tulips are other common Easter flowers. These beautiful flowers are symbolic of spring’s rebirth and of perfect love. Tulips are popular parts of Easter floral arrangements and come in more than 150 species. They also come in a wide array of colors.

Daffodils are bright yellow Easter flowers that are shaped like trumpets. They are symbolic of rebirth, eternal life, and friendships. Where daffodils are concerned, it is thought that new flowers are born from bulbs that appear to be dead, thus making the flowers living examples of rebirth. Furthermore, a legend suggests that daffodils first bloomed during Christ’s Resurrection. Daffodils are the main Easter flowers used for Easter decorations in England.

The narcissus was the initial flower connected to Easter in many parts of Europe. People in the Alps in fact have thought of the flower as being a representation of Easter for generations. Furthermore, the narcissus is a very popular flower in Germany.

All of the Easter flowers discussed can be found at florists, online flower shops, and nurseries. Many beautiful arrangements are available, and a number of deals are to be found. People who love to garden will also find a wealth of information about planting all of these beautiful flowers over the Internet.

There are many beautiful Easter flowers available that signify the rebirth of Easter and spring. Whether they are used as decorations or given as gifts, lilies, hyacinths, azaleas, tulips, daffodils, and narcissus flowers all symbolize the holiness and beauty that encompass Easter. They furthermore characterize the rebirth of Easter and of spring. All of these flowers can be found in traditional florists and nurseries or online.

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Hometown of China Foundry

Friday, March 12th, 2010

The last century, 70’s, Zezhou “small smelting, small cast,” as the representative of the “five small industries” is famous. Of the last century 90’s, the Zezhou metalworking industry’s heyday, the peak of more than 200 county Foundry, BF 1300 I Block, employing nearly 5 million people.

The main products are cast pipe, machinery parts, and other casting products, sold to Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai, Beijing and other places, some of the products exported to foreign countries, from Zezhou metalworking toward the country, to the world.

In today’s Zezhou, you can always hear: the Middle East to use ductile iron pipe produced in the spring of Zezhou Morningside Health, U.S. mountains, Germany, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi Heavy machine auto parts produced in Ze Zhou Qing hui, the Japanese machine human elbow joint components produced in Zezhou metalworking

Casting industry in technological advancement and product innovation has been by leaps and bounds

Zezhou casting enterprises are mainly distributed in the Village, Palestinian public, the next village, so high are towns, villages and towns which have a casting company in Southern ranks first in the county, more than 8,000 employees in the foundry industry, foundry products in order to cast pipe, steam mop accessories , mechanical parts mainly cast pipe of which the largest output. In recent years, casting industry in technological advancement and product innovation has been leaps and bounds. Cast pipe industry, in particular, achieved a 4 ~ 5 times replacement, from the initial hand cast pipe cast pipe to the general mechanism, to the vertical cast pipe, ductile iron pipe lining sand, and now water cooled metal mold ductile iron pipe. Jincheng spring Morningside Meeting the company’s “Jin Zhu card” ductile iron pipe was awarded the title of famous brand in Shanxi Province, product production and sales into the national top three.

Casting industry, the Zezhou actively promote the casting enterprises to increase the capability of independent innovation, so that casting to an intensive, low input, high efficiency, resource saving direction. Resin sand molding, lost foam casting, CNC machining technologies have been gradually promoted from the ordinary gray cast iron castings ductile iron castings to upgrade to, non ferrous alloy castings, high strength alloy castings and other high value high quality castings, and gradually refined to the machinery, mechanical parts assembly development, industrial chain constantly stretched. The county is also actively promoting joint collaboration between the foundry business, nurtured by the spring of Morningside Health management industry, metalworking auto parts, auto parts Ching hui, Lobo aluminum alloy wheels, represented by a group of highly skilled, large scale and good economic returns Foundry .

Qing Hui Jincheng Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a national experimental zones for sustainable development of deep processing of products to actively explore the transformation of an extension of the product chain key demonstration projects. The project was launched in March 2005 to start construction in September 2008 has formed a production capacity of 6 million tons. At present, the company added an annual output of 100,000 tons auto parts, electrical and mechanical products project has been ground breaking is expected to put into operation by the end of April 2011. Can form an annual output of 160,000 tons of quality auto parts production capacity.

Jincheng Rover Aluminum Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. invested 150 million yuan, the construction of 1 million year (a 600 thousand year) automotive aluminum wheel Eight Zezhou project is one of the key construction projects. This project not only fills in Shanxi automobile aluminum wheel manufacturing space, but also Zezhou to construct a “four middle eight industry”, lengthening expand the industrial chain, cultivating new economic growth points and increasing export capacity have played a positive role in promoting.

At present, high quality cast iron Zezhou annual production capacity reached 1.6 million tons; have cast about 110 enterprises, of which production capacity of enterprises with more than 40 million tons more than, metalworking company annual output value of 10.0 billion revenue last year handed 300 million yuan, casting the country’s total output accounted for 1 20 or so in the national metalworking industry occupies an important position, metalworking has become the farmers here, employment, income, one of the main channel.

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Key Blank Kingdom

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Speaking on the Town Mao Tong village of, they can not think of the village production of key blanks, it is like talking about Yiwu, immediately think of “China Commodity City” like a natural. This village is the key blanks to full range, inexpensive and the well known to attract the nation’s provinces, cities and Southeast Asia businessmen to come to the procurement. I once hit a million in 7000 sales, sales accounting for 70% of the total sales volume for more than a miracle.

Mao Tong village of such a glorious history, we have to mention one person. He is the village’s first factory key blanks one of the founders, the current Yiwu Jiangnan Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director of the floor, Bergen. Bergen at the floor of the company, the reporter interviewed who had the honor to play with the key blank dealings with more than 20 years and still adhere to entrepreneurs.

Then start talking about the beginning of the hardships, the House nearly Liuxun Bergen looked a bit agitated. Listen to him tell, so that we truly feel that he and his business partner experience is Mao Tong House history and the epitome of hard work people.

Mao Tong village of 170 households, more than 450 people, per capita arable land area of just over half an acre of the twentieth century, before the eighties is notoriously poor villages, farmers per capita income of less than 100 yuan. Bergen House young man to make a living, had burst over m flowers, stuffed over wine, string too brown clothes, but ultimately could not escape the destiny of poverty. A very fortuitous opportunity changed his life, has changed all the village of Mao Tong.

In 1979, when there is a commune of the Huangshan light system are two key blanks processing enterprises, due to mistakes in the selection of raw materials, resulting in a serious production of the product unmarketable. The company went out to promote their products in a Gong Xiaoyuan, the met Mao Tong, a village of beekeepers, he talks of the matter. Beekeepers put the situation told the shop when he was Wu Tong F, Mao commune, deputy brigade Party branch secretary, chief floor Bergen, talk about it intends to sell production equipment companies do. The speaker has no intention, determined to the listener. Bergen House has repeatedly weighed in mind, chatting chatting, Lou Bergen Flaring of the self in the chest on the key blank factory spark.

That spark was so bright, to the floor, Bergen enough courage and courage. So he immediately villagers selected 12 employees and 12 employees and this fund raising. At that time, living in poverty, 12 villagers Dongnuexijie hard just to cobble together 4,200 yuan, will Huangshan 200 kg semi finished products of this factory key blanks, and 4 sets of old were all bought over the milling machine. Mao Tong Ka village of first to do so do the key blank factory up.

Everything is difficult at the beginning, only primary school education of the floor, Bergen right to do business on a decorated sedan chair is a big girl first time. However, the floor, Bergen, and has not been intimidated by the current difficulties. Because only a milling factory, there is no punch, Lou Bergen through the rough on a daily basis to the key blank with a single wheel shipped to 1.5 kilometers away wudian commune micro transformer factory to the punch. The factory’s raw materials to more than 200 kilometers away to the Ningbo factory aluminum alloy material procurement. As each purchase is only 1 ton of aluminum alloy plate around, specialized hired trucks to transport costs are too high and burdensome, Lou Bergen drove them on their own tractor and, after nearly 500 kilometers, went to purchase aluminum alloy plate.

According to House Bergen recalled, in order to rush his comrades with the factory every time three or four o’clock in the morning starting at midnight to arrive at Ningbo, the next morning to buy materials, then hastily back to Mao Tong House. At that time the road bumps and hollows, sunny day a gray, rainy days, a clay, especially the speeding car approaching from, the flying dust on like a fog, blocking the pedestrian’s attention. Fortunately, not many cars on the road at that time, whenever the opposite to cars, Lou had to close their eyes With the feeling of Bergen by car. As the tractor with both hands firmly to the handle, two hands were numb so loudly, hair pain. This is one of the ups and downs, only the floor, Bergen knows.

Products came out, followed by sales of products would help to resolve the issue. Because at that time still in the planned economy era, for a village run enterprises, selling becomes more difficult. Since there was no full time Gongxiao Yuan, in order to sell key blanks, floor manager Bergen to do another when it played a Gong Xiaoyuan. Company founded the first few years, Lou Bergen on the shoulders and back with the sacks loaded with the key blank, the Hangzhou, go to Ningbo, Jiaxing walk down the street with the keys to the shop to sell key blanks.

In recent years, dozens of large and medium cities nationwide street alleys Lane have left his presence. Wherever he went, floor Bergen contact address on record for future business contacts. His book, contact book and packed to have jotted down more than 800 names and addresses of customers. At that time few manufacturers producing key blanks, so each one is a contact address sales leads. Mao Tong, a village of the first key blanks plant products through the floor, so Bergen and others, publicity, marketing, quietly melt into the society, had been accepted.

In the joint efforts of the villagers, this was only about 4 sets of milling machines, 56 employees of the village run enterprises have continuously developed, only achieved a salesman once had eight to create a better economic efficiency. In 1984, as a partner with a few other ideas on the differences in operation, Lou Bergen to leave their hand of friendship founded an integrated plant, funding 21,000 yuan Wu shop founded in the real part of their own enterprises. Many people think that he might have brought to its knees. However, House Bergen boost enterprises should be determined. All his efforts are spent on the factory. Hard work pays off. Year on the production value of 780,000 yuan gained more than 10 million yuan in profit. After few years, Lou Bergen hardware electrical plant to double output to achieve year after year and the highest sales volume of over 3000 million yuan and tax 200 million yuan.

Floor, Bergen in the production of key blanks on the way out of the wealth, so that the villagers were very envious. Factory of the some of its technical backbone, Gong Xiaoyuan also produced some of the idea of running the plant. Floor, Bergen is a very real person. Bring more villagers took to the road of prosperity is his wish. Thus, when these people resign when the floor Bergen has never been set up for them over the threshold. Perhaps it is this liberal attitude towards the floor of the factory Bergen train groups of small business owners like the school a few years, the production of key blanks businesses mushroomed. Increase in business, so that enterprises and between enterprises in an increasingly competitive, no doubt a boon to consumers. Mao Tong village of the key blanks reputation also spread like wildfire. In this way, the village and neighboring villages to operate a key blanks processing enterprises increasing, only the village of Mao Tong reached more than 50, and from the factory floor, Bergen hold a key to blank out those who have more than 30 processing plants months.

As Mao Tong village of processing a reputation key blanks, key blanks from across the country operators are expected to pour in the procurement of key blanks Mao Tong floor. Mao Tong, a village of the country’s largest production base of key blanks, forming a two thirds world, there are the other patterns.

However, the entry of the last century since the mid 90s, due to Wenzhou, Shaoxing, and Shandong and other places key blanks industry, the rise of Mao Tong village of production of key blanks had a great impact. The face of increasingly fierce market competition, Bergen House, San Man and some other large scale business owners decided to set up a lock industry group, a unified procurement of raw materials, uniform production, selling products, the introduction of advanced production equipment and techniques to enhance competitiveness of their products. Due to various reasons, this group did not really operational, competition in the market to play its due role. Since then, the key blanks Mao Tong floor weakening the competitive advantage, and gradually lose its leading position of the same industry.

How do I re Mao Tong, the main village of the key blanks industry, the glory of the past to achieve the second business to promote economic development? On the Town Party Committee, the Government decided Yi Industrial Park, West 3 development plan for an area of 100 mu metal city, to conduct a high starting point, high standard of development. We believe that sooner rather than later, once the key to glory billet production base will surely rise again Yixi earth.

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Cures for the Winter Blues: Fashion Essentials for Spring

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The calendar says spring is just a few weeks away, but the temperatures outside and weather forecasts have not been in sync. If we can’t fight Mother Nature, how can we everyday fashionistas prepare to dress in season while keeping warm at the same time?

The easy answer is that little accessory we know and loved all winter… the scarf. Available in more styles and sizes, as well as, patterns and colors, the new lightweight scarf is your best fashion friend for Spring 2010 starting now! This accessory essential will add a fresh touch to the winter clothes you are getting tired of seeing let alone putting on. You can wrap it, twist it and tie it. You can wear it as a shawl for an added layer (of warmth) or venture out and use it as a head wrap for a more dramatic look. Fresh scarves should be one of the first additions to your accessory selection for this coming season. You will find them in every price range to suit your budget (or indulgence), for yourself or as a great gift for just about anyone. At LBMgifts, our early spring selections begin with soft jersey knit scarves in yummy candy colors. Measuring a generous 80” l, they can be worn in many different ways. Prints to look for include neutral tie-dye mixes like indigo/white, black/white and brown/white and paisleys with a shot of bright color that coordinate well with your current winter wardrobe but will still work with your nicer weather looks later on.

It’s also time to think about your perfect bag(s) for Spring 2010. Roomy, unstructured shapes continue to prevail. Not a surprise, as they make a lot of practical sense, enabling us to carry everything we need from our beauty essentials to electronic must haves. This Spring’s offerings come in a choice of bright colors— lipstick pink, tangerine orange, turquoise, bright blue and lifesaver green. So if you didn’t have the courage to step out and carry something other than your basic black, now is the time to go for it! Bags don’t just look great this spring. Many are made of high quality faux leather, a material that is both lightweight and durable and can be found at very reasonable prices.

As far as trendy jewelry goes, keep wearing and looking for chunky necklaces. After gaining popularity this past Fall/Winter, the statement necklace is still so this coming season. These wonderful pieces are innovative collections of unique charms, unfinished stones, pearls and various non-traditional findings. You will find so many different looks that catch your eye. These necklaces make an easy finishing touch and great gift for women of every look and age. They are surprisingly lightweight, comfortable to wear and priced right. The selection at LBMgifts includes striking stone pendants on fine chains to freshwater pearls mixed with suede or leather and other unusual combinations. We are excited about finding and introducing new designers who handcraft most of their collections.

So if winter is making you cranky, go ahead and treat yourself (and your friends) to a guilt free gift and get your spring season started!

H.K. Leib is the owner and gift finder of Lou, Bags & Moogs, an eclectic shop and website filled with an everchanging mix of unique and useful gifts for all occasions. See her blog and more great gift ideas at www.LBMgifts.com

Cambodia Genocide – What Happened Then

Monday, March 8th, 2010

We are in the year 1970. Cambodia, a country within South East Asia has just broken out into a civil war due to conflicts between Prince Sihanouk, who has recently joined forces with a fierce communist organization, and Lon Nol – the newly posted president of the ‘Khmer Republic’.

However, nobody could have imagined what would come next; the Cambodia genocide was just around the corner. This guerrilla communist organization that I speak of is more commonly known as the ‘Khmer Rouge’. Formed sometime in the 1960s, it was still a relatively small group in 1970. Their leader, Pol Pot was deeply fascinated by the principles of Chinese communism. Around the time of the civil war and the onslaught of the American army, Cambodian citizens started to follow his rule as opposed to conforming with Lon Nol and his cooperation with America. With support from communists of both China and North Vietnam, the Khmer Rouge received training and grew to over 700,000 men by 1975.

With the Khmer Rouge organization and invading communists from Vietnam, Lon Nol was quickly defeated. It took a matter of days for Pol Pot to step in as the leader of Cambodia, diminishing the former government and commencing with a merciless program to regenerate the country under ideals very similar to that of a communist China. He imposed that each and every citizen must carry out work within a huge formation of collective farms. Anyone who dared to object would be eradicated, including intellectuals or professionals who even without obvious objection, were put to death on the ‘assumption’ that they might. Not only that, but all former traditions of Cambodian society were turned over if they did not consent with his ideals. So monstrous were these killings that they would later be referred to as the Cambodian genocide.

Thousands had to flee their homes to sacrifice themselves to hard labor. With no regards to age or sickness, inhabitants would be killed if they didn’t agree with the terms. Absolutely nobody was safe from Pol Pots grasp, who would order death to anyone on the grounds that they refused his regime. He was a very remorseless man who has left a gigantic scar across the face of Cambodia and its people.

So extreme was his rule that he even forced the closure of schools, hospitals, and factories. Religion was just another cause for death, in particular Buddhism, with many monks being murdered and their places of worship pulled down and demolished. Even those too afraid to protest could be shot down for simply laughing or listening to the radio. Every citizen was just as vulnerable as the next.

You would be wrong to believe that they had any loyalties for working such long hours on labor camps. They received no pay for their efforts and very little food or water. It was inevitable that they would become exhausted, starved, and prone to sicknesses of which there was no cure – only death.

In 1978, troops from Vietnam were sent to Cambodia to attack the Khmer Rouge and rid their neighboring country of any links with China, with whom they had their own troubles. Another war that went on to last nearly a decade, killing thousands more in the ceasefire, and resulting in Vietnam setting up a temporary government within Phnom Penh. Pol Pots regime retreated to the jungles of the west and began to collapse. In 1993, the former monarch Prince Sihanouk was chosen to lead the new government and finally some peace was brought back to the land torn apart by the Cambodia genocide.

Rahmi Hidayat writes and maintains the contents of the Holiday In Angkor Wat website, a resource website for first time and repeat visitors to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It provides free information about the different ways to experience Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. Click here for more articles on Cambodia Genocide.

The History of Fiji

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Fiji is a beautiful tropical paradise located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Because of its geography, this archipelago of over 300 islands has long been a crossroads for the meeting of many different island cultures, as well as a popular tourist destination. Fiji was part of an important trading route between various Pacific island cultures long before contact with Europeans. Over the centuries, a distinctly Fijian culture developed as a result of this rich mixture of cultures.

It is believed that the first settlers in Fiji came about 3,500 years ago from Southeast Asia, perhaps via Indonesia. Little is known of Fiji’s early settlement, although archeological evidence shows that people had settled on the island somewhere between two and five thousand years ago. According to oral folklore, today’s indigenous Fiji population was descended from Chief Lutunasobasoba, a Lapita chief and ancestor of modern-day Polynesians believed to have landed in Fiji. Some evidence suggests that the same Lapita group to settle in Fiji also came to Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, and other Pacific islands.

By the tenth century, the important Tu’i Tonga Empire in nearby Tonga brought Polynesian influences to Fiji, leaving an impact on the island’s culture and language. Fijian culture was again impacted in the seventeenth century, when European explorers, missionaries, and whalers began to visit Fiji, although Europeans avoided the country for many years because the Tongans warned Europeans that Fiji was inhabited by dangerous cannibals. The first permanent European settlement on the archipelago is Levuka, founded in 1822. Soon after, Christian missionaries from Tahiti and Tonga began arriving in an attempt to convert the native Fijians to Christianity. The missionaries succeeded in converting several important Fijian chiefs.

During the nineteenth century, Fiji was the site of many battles between warring chiefs. This era was marked by several invasions and revolts. By the 1850s, Chief Cakobau had gained control of most of the islands. He had been converted to Christianity, and was largely influenced by connections with the western world. In 1858, he offered to cede the territory to the United Kingdom, in exchange for a payment of $40,000. However, the United Kingdom, realizing that Cakobau was not universally recognized as the King of Fiji, did not accept this proposal. In the 1970s, members of Cakobau’s government again offered the territory to Britain, and in 1874 Fiji became a British colony.

During this time as a British colony, Fiji was subjected to many stresses. In 1875, an outbreak of measles left a third of the country dead. Between 1879 and 1916, over 60,000 indentured laborers would arrive from India to work in large sugar mills. During World War II, Fiji was turned into a training base for Allied soldiers. Thousands of Fijians fought in the Solomon Islands during the war, where they became well-known for their knowledge of tropical jungles.

Until 1963, indigenous Fijians, as well as Indian laborers, were not enfranchised, and had no representation in the colonial government. One of the highest ranking Fijian chiefs, Ratu Sukana, promised to fight for Fijian independence, continuing to push for independence until his death in 1958. Like many islands in the Pacific, Fiji remained a British colony for many years, before finally gaining independence in 1970. However, Fiji’s route to independence has not been a smooth one. Several coup attempts as recently as 2006 demonstrate continuing strife between native Fijians, Indians, Europeans and other groups.

Royal Tiki’s beautiful range of Tiki are hand-carved on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. Also check for current specials on our Tiki hut decor

Cowgirl Attire – the Perfect Blend of the Rough With the Smooth

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The word cowgirl brings to mind pictures of lowing cattle, galloping horses, green grass golden sunshine, camp fires, nature at its unadulterated best and energetic smart girls in traditional jeans and checked shirts. The various items of cowgirl attire grew out of practical requirements to handle the environment they worked in. Every cowgirl traditionally wore a hat, bandana, boots, chaps, jeans and gloves.

Hat: – high crowned hat with a wide brim to protect from the harsh sun and overhanging brush and creepers.

Bandanna – a large cotton handkerchief worn around the neck and served a myriad of uses from mopping up sweat to covering the face to protect it from dust that was bound to fly around when horses galloped or when strong winds blowed.

Boots –traditional boots had hightops, pointed toes and high heels. The high tops protected the lower legs, the pointed toes help to guide the foot into the stirrup and the high heels prevented the foot from slipping through the stirrup.

Chaps – chinks to protect the riders legs especially while riding through heavy brush or while doing rough work especially involving livestock.

Jeans – close fitting trousers made of denim designed in such a way that the trouser legs do not sag. This is to prevent them from getting caught on brush or barbed wire or any other equipment. These jeans also had a lining to prevent itching and rubbing against the thigh. Sometimes trousers made of canvas were also used.

Gloves – made of flexible, soft and yet durable materials like deerskin to protect the hands while working with tools and barbed wire and while trying to clear away the brush.

Today of course cowgirl attire has become a fashion statement. Alongside the traditional clothes, there are accessories and jewelry to match the rugged, tough look. Cowgirl attire is a common theme for fancy dress parties and Halloween. It is also not very difficult or expensive to put together a cowgirl costume. Creative variations can be made in the attire. For example instead of a cotton bandana a silk neck scarf can be worn, the belt can be more ornamental than functional, etc.

You can find stunning cowgirl attired in fashion shows or in song sequences in the movies. There are people who still move out with this clothing and it is something which cannot be avoided. The dress has its own elegance and is something which adds to the beauty with a perfect look created with the best accessories along with it.

So the next time your little girl wants to have a birthday bash try out a western country theme and watch her spirits soar to the skies even as you plan it out. Watch her eyes sparkle as you put together her little cowgirl attire. Add a splash of originality if you can by picking up your guitar and strumming a couple of country numbers that everyone can sing along to – if you can’t then just settle for recorded country music. You can be sure of putting to bed that night, one ecstatic, excited, cowgirl whose dreams have come true!!

I am basically a graduate at the University of Hamburg and you can get awesome articles and valid information from the ones which I submit specially for you to take a look at. Check out Cowgirl Images, Cowgirl Graphics or Cowgirl Pictures.