D is for Dexter

Well the A-Z Blogging Challenge is really heating up and now we’re on the letter D, there were so many things I wanted to blog about starting with D, but Dexter Morgan was the winner.

If you don’t know who Dexter Morgan is then you obviously haven’t been hooked into the Showtime television series, Dexter. I absolutely love this program and it’s one of the few that I refuse to miss about a serial killer who works for the Miami Police Department and actually has a conscience about who he kills – they have to be guilty of killing someone themselves and yet haven’t been put in jail for the crime.

The series is now going into it’s sixth season and I’m not the only person who loves the show which means that there’s lots of merchandise available for fans of the show including these mugs –



















Nothing like a Dexter mug to start your day off with! If you want something to show off your love of Dexter in the office with though what about a Dexter bobblehead – I love these -



















Of course it’s not just Dexter that’s available in bobblehead form, you could collect the whole case (just click on the link above).

That’s all I’ve got time for today, but why don’t you let me know your favourite Dexter ‘villain’ in the comments.

C is for Chocolate – Gifts for the Chocoholic in Your Life

Carrying on into the third post of the A-Z challenge and we are up to the letter C, which as the title suggests is for chocolate.   There can be no doubt that chocolate is the nectar of the gods.   It tastes good, makes us feel good and apparently is full of antioxidants which are things that make us look younger!

Do you think that knowing all of these things means that chocolate is the elixir of life?   I don’t really know about that, but if you know of a chocoholic or two then here are some 5 great gift ideas for them –

Chocolate iphone cases – there are some great designs available such as this one from Zazzle -

Chocolate Collage iPhone 3G/3GS Case by dgpaulart

If you don’t think the chocolate iphone pictured quite ‘hits the spot’ but you like the idea of a chocolate iphone case then click on the earlier link to find a great selection I compiled.

Chocolate t-shirts – now I love my tees, in fact I even write a blog – Tees That Rock – and there are some fantastic chocolate t-shirts around including this one that I designed myself –

WARNING, Chocolate makes clothes shrink... by lou165

Chocolate Mug

As well as enjoying my chocolate a little too much at times I also love a nice cuppa – sometimes I enjoy tea and sometimes a coffee.   My preferred coffee for years was a latte, but these days I’ve been quite taken with a morning mocha.   Whatever you like to drink a chocolate mug is another great gift idea.

Chocolate by TLArnold2

Chocolate tile or sign– now I was given one of these for my 40^th birthday and it’s sitting on my desk as I type this out.   It really is true and I love having it look at me every day :D

The only one I could find online is this wooden sign, but I was given the same quote on a ceramic tile that sits on it's own little stand and it really is a great gift idea.

Actually I wouldn't mind any of the gift ideas for chocoholics that have been mentioned, but so far I've only given you four and I promised five.

If you really don’t like any of these ideas then what’s wrong with just giving chocolate?   Let's face it you can't go wrong with giving a chocoholic chocolate - not ever!

You can choose from a box of their favourite chocolates to a chocolate gift basket –

B is for Birthstone Jewelry

For the second day of the A-Z Blogging Challenge we need to find something beginning with B and I’ve decided to choose birthstones.   It’s no secret that I love jewelry and so we have yet another post about pieces of jewelry – this time we’re talking about birthstones.   Did you know that wearing your birthstone is supposed to be lucky?

There are 12 different birthstones one for each month of the year.   Most people know their own birthstone, but how are you on other months?   If you fancy yourself as a bit of a gem know it all or you just love taking quizzes then check out this one –

What is Your Birthstone?

Some of the more popular birthstone jewelry designs are hearts, so much so that there is even a Heart Shaped Birthstone Jewelry Store that sells just this type of jewelry.

If you don’t really like heart jewelry then what do you think of these funky designs?

      












      












      

A is for Apple

Well this is my first blog post in the A-Z Challenge which means it has to be something beginning with A.    One of the first things we learn as children is that A is for Apple.    On that note today I’m going to show you the Apple ipad 2.   This was only released in Australia last Friday which has meant that it’s been all over the morning television (along with the usual places).   One thing that really impressed me was the load time between the ipad 1 and ipad 2, the apple ipad 2 was so much faster when it compared to two side by side.   They tried three different things and the difference in response time was very noticeable.

The camera also looked pretty cool, forget about the little screens on the back of your digital camera, this shows your photo on a 9.7 inch screen which looked awesome (note I only saw this on TV, but I’ll go out on a limb and say this is a feature that I love).

Here are the technical bits (straight from Amazon, in case I stuff them up :D)

 Technical Details

Capacity: 16GB | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Color: Black

   ·       Apple's newest generation of iPads.

   ·       9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology.

   ·       1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 custom-designed processor.

   ·       Forward facing and rear facing cameras.

   ·       Apple's iOS 4 and access to Apple's app store.

Personally I haven’t seen the ipad 2 in real life, but then I still don’t have an ipad so………..

What are your thoughts on the ipad 2, do you have one, want one or are you just meh about the whole thing?

A - Z Blogging Challenge

No, I'm not talking about gifts in this quick post I'm talking about the A-Z Blogging Challenge.   Click on the link for more information and/or to join me in this challenge.   I have never participated in a blogging challenge before, but as you know I have been trying to blog just once a week on this particular blog so anything that encourages me to blog has to be good - doesn't it?

The difference with this blog is that I will up my ante so to speak as I will need to post every day (except Sundays) throughout April.   This in itself will be quite a challenge to me, but it only takes three weeks for something go become a habit so hopefully...........

But wait there's more - no I'm not about to sell you a set of steak knifes, but since you mentioned it here are some just for you.  

The challenge is about more than just blogging each day - I have to blog on a different letter everyday starting with A and working my way through the alphabet until I reach Q.

So what are your thoughts?   If you think it sounds like fun then why not join me and over 500 (at last count) others - here's the link in case you missed it last time -

A-Z Blogging Challenge

Japan Quake Relief Wristband

If you're like me you were glued to the television at the time of Japan's devastating earthquake.   I was in New Zealand at the time and all of a sudden Christchurch's disaster was pushed off of the news as we watched a proud country like Japan attempt to deal with a catastrophe of epic proportions.   I must admit I had to stop watching after a few days because the news kept getting worse and the news of the nuclear plant reminded me of the way the hairs stood up on the back of my neck when we heard of the Chernobyl disaster of 86.

Japan is going to need a lot of help to recover from the triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown and many people have offered help around the world.   So when I was wondering what to add to this post today and I came across these Japan Quake Relief Wristbands I thought - yes!

According to the company's website all proceeds from the sale of these wristbands will go towards the American Red Cross Aid to help Japan.   Bungie aren't the only people who are selling wristbands for Japan - Lady Gaga also has wristbands available from her site that say Pray for Japan.   the wristbands are much nicer looking in my opinion, but I've read differing views and it seems that only 50% of proceeds from these ones will be going to help Japan.

The Gift of Funky Nails!

You can have a great looking manicure with the latest in nail fashion.......or you could give it as a gift.   My daughter was after some nail polish for Christmas and so I got her nail stencils to go with it and you'd think she'd died and gone to heaven with the response I got.

If only I'd have known about Katy Perry and OPI's collaboration.    I'm sure that you would remember the red carpet gossip that occurred last year with Katy Perry wearing Russel Brand's face on her nails - is it any wonder that she now has her name put on a nail polish collection?

The key to this collection is what is called the Black Shatter Crackle and it's how the effects pictured are achieved.   You see nail polish manufacturers are putting a special ingredient into some nail polishes that give the cracked or shattered look to a nail.

You can't really give a gift like this without knowing how it works or you could end up with egg on your face so let me give you the steps involved.

First you need to start with clean nails and apply a base coat.    Next you apply the color that you want to show through like the blue, grey and pinks in the picture.   The key is to make sure that this color is well and truly dry before moving onto the next step which is to apply the black shatter crackle polish evenly - apply only a thin layer of this.

A top coat is optional if you're using this collection of nail polish - the black shatter crackle leaves a lovely matte finish all by itself.   If you prefer to have a high gloss finish then add your top coat.

If you have a teen they will absolutely love you for this gift.............guess what my tween is getting for her birthday?   I'm hoping to hide the fact that this product exists from her until I give her some, but with some uber-trendy friends (and friends moms) I'm not sure I'll be successful!