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Say what?! We'd love to hear your thoughts on your recent Tradlands purchase. If you have a moment to let us know what you think, we'd be very grateful. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com with feedback on your Tradlands order.
Here is some recent feedback we have received from our customers:
I discovered Tradlands at Port in Northampton. Ben did a wonderful job describing the quality materials and superior craftsmanship of your clothing, not to mention the added bonus of being made right here in Massachusetts. His enthusiasm was so genuine, it made me look twice (okay, three times) at a shirt I would normally consider out of my price range. I tried it on, fell in love, but walked away. Two weeks later I went back to buy it and now, four months later, I own four Tradlands shirts. Thank you for your dedication to creating beautiful, comfortable, durable, high-quality women's clothing. And thank you for maintaining domestic production. I look forward to wearing these shirts for many, many years.
I got the Fort Point shirt for Christmas and I love it! It fits my shoulders, and hit at the perfect length. Biggest plus is that the buttons are spaced nicely to allow an open collar without going too far down. There was a little hiccup with my shirt that Tradlands fixed in a heartbeat, going above and beyond my expectations for customer service. Wonderful shirt, and great brand experience!!
I simply can not say enough about Tradlands and how much their vision speaks to me. My family owns two working ranches in Texas. Sounds exciting, but its shaped my lifestyle as a 23-year-old woman. Every Thursday evening, I'm packed and ready to leave after work on Friday to either the Hill Country or the Piney Woods, depending on the time of year and the demands at hand. Lifting feed sacks, hiking around the property, drawing back a bow... all big parts of my life but none of those things offers small shoulders or slim thighs. My usual apparel is a pair of canvas cargo pants, boots and whatever shirt I can find that won't be ruined. My whole life I've been fine with that until I graduated college and realized that working for a Public Affairs firm in Houston was nowhere to be found in my wardrobe. I was grasping onto random casual/work styles in department stores that weren't me and I felt unconfident, untailored and underdressed most days. Because of Tradlands, I have developed my own style and I have embraced every part of me and my life as a sleeves-rolled, working professional and rancher 7 days a week. Moreover, I've simplfied my closet and morning decisions to Cambridge or Ashburn, Waverly or Siskiyou? I wear my Tradlands shirts in a treestand and in my office, granted my boots are traded in for heels some days, and I am still myself. I am comfortable in my own skin, thanks to Tradlands.
I LOVE my shirt and thank you for having such a great sale that made it easier on the wallet. I chose to shop at Tradlands because as a woman who likes the designs and comfort of men's shirt styles, it's hard to find legit places and fit styles. I love that Tradlands offers women's sizing in styles that fit my style. I am so happy to have found you and please don't stop making awesome shirts!
So I meant to write a review for Tradlands since I purchased the Arapahoe, Waverly, & Lake Merced last September. I am so happy that I have them! The fit is really perfect, I've been told I actually look "thinner" in them, which I guess is flattering? Also I need to put the spotlight on the Arapahoe, I get compliments when I wear that shirt, all the time. ALL THE TIME! Also I usually am a very avid cardigan wearer, but that wonderfully comfortable and warm red plaid shirt has replaced them as my default top.
Thanks for reaching out, I'm loving my new shirt! My overall experience was great. I live in Vancouver, Canada and my shirt arrived quicker than expected. I found out about your Company on Pinterest that connected me to a blog called Reading My Tea Leaves. I love a striving for a simple and minimalist wardrobe so I try to find pieces I can wear a lot and that will stand the test of time. Also being on the small side I find it hard to find good fitting women's shirt so the fact that you specialize in women's shirting really appealed to me. I appreciate your commitment to quality and customer service. Keep it up! Excited to see what comes in for Spring!
I am loving my Tradlands shirts! They're everything I expected them to be. I love the sturdy material and it fits perfectly. I do admit that when I was looking at what size to order I was a little confused because I normally need a size Large in most brands and according to the dimensions you listed on your site, I should order a Medium. So I was waffling back in forth (order medium, or order large just to be safe?). But then I received a Tradlands email "Find Your Best Fit", where you mentioned "Many of you will find that your recommended size is one size down from mainstream retail brands". So I confidently ordered a Medium and I love how it fits! And to answer your 'PS Question', asking what made me purchase from Tradlands versus another women's clothing company: Over the last few years it has become very important to me to make good choices about the products that I buy. Almost all of my purchases are from brands that are fair trade, cause driven, small/independent shops, made in America, ethical, or organic/eco friendly. I am constantly on the lookout for women's clothing that falls within any of these categories and is also well made and fashionable. I first heard about Tradlands from Erin Boyle's blog, Reading My Tea Leaves. I read your About page and was impressed with your values: quality of the shirts and a healthy, happy work environment for your employees. I'm excited to continue purchasing shirts from Tradlands. =)
In the past month or so, I ordered both a Robie and Siskiyou shirt. I had been thinking about purchasing a Tradlands shirt for months, but I hesitated over the price. Now that I've owned and worn them for a few weeks, I wish that I had bought them sooner. The Robie has been wonderful for wearing to work with dress pants and pencil skirts or on the weekends with jeans. The Siskiyou is the perfect flannel shirt. It's exactly what I've been looking for: soft and casual but structured enough to not be sloppy looking. I've been slowly building a minimal wardrobe of thoughtfully made clothes that will last me for years, and these shirts have quickly become some of my most often worn pieces. I wear each of them at least once a week. In the time that I'll own them, I'm confident that I would have bought and replaced several lesser-made button downs. I had a few email exchanges with Sadie during the purchasing process, and she responded to my questions quickly and kindly. I'll definitely be purchasing more Tradlands shirts in the future!
I have been wearing both my Fort Point and Arapahoe shirts since they arrived. They are so perfect for me, comfy and cozy (I'm always cold), ready to take on whatever craziness my wild children throw at me, but still polished enough to look presentable. Thank you for doing what you do and for all your kind handwritten notes. I really appreciate the work and heart you put into your company and products.
The first word that comes to mind for me is "craftsmanship"! I'm not a fan of disposable clothing. I want to wear things that are well made, that look good, that feel good on and that will last. I dream of having a local haberdashery and expert tailor nearby that cater to women... and so I love that you and the Tradlands team are making that happen.
I love my shirt. I wear it a few times a week and it suits every occasion--from work to yard work and everything in between. The workmanship and tailoring are excellent. This shirt is roomy, flattering and just the right length. Unlike many women's shirts, it's loose enough in the armpits that I can move my arms around. It's soft, fits TTS and is machine washable. Lastly, it's made in the US. I live in a tiny house but like style. As such, I am trying to own fewer but better, and this shirt fits the bill. I can feel good about where my money is going and feel good that I'll be wearing this shirt for years to come.
I love the shirt that I ordered. It is the perfect flannel shirt for VT, and I am VERY happy with it. I bought from you because of how the clothes are made and the fact that you care about quality and being made in the US. For me personally, I'd rather spend a little extra up front and know that it will last a long time. Also, the tomboy style is sometimes hard to come by, as in that you can find 'boyfriend' fit but it's not really made for a women's body ... super props to making an awesome shirt. I'll DEFINITELY be ordering again.
I found it so unbelievably comfortable and soft while still being substantial. I feel ready for Autumn and Winter in it and just a step away from the woods.
I wasn't sure at first when I received this-- super light weight, I was honestly a little worried how this would last with my super physical job, however it has lasted beautifully! It's perfect for those Maine summers, which aren't too hot, but can dip in temperatures. Plus, imagine my surprise when my favorite button-up company, created a shirt after the state I live and play in. Plus, plaid-- am I right? It's super comfortable, and as always the handwritten notes are a beautiful touch-- as is the sustainable packaging. This gal is super happy, thank you! P.S it washes fantastically, and goes through the dryer super well!
Farallon Islands:
I don't always go for short sleeved button ups, but I was going on a limb--I am glad I did. It's a fantastic cut, plus there are hammerhead sharks on it! They're so adorable! I love the cut of the fabric, the fit, and now I know that a small fits beautifully on. As always, beautiful quality. It's perfect for those hot days that you just want to dress up, but anything else wouldn't do. Granted I will be wearing this in the fall too, but yes! Packaging sustainably is one of the many things I love about Tradlands, as are the personal notes! Thank you!
The beautiful Lake Merced arrived at my doorstep a few days ago and I have been in love ever since. I have had a major brand crush on Tradlands for a long time. Their brand concept is something I have been yearning for. However, with hot summers here down in Austin I just haven't been able to justify buying a long sleeve plaid shirt. That changed when Tradlands released this summer-weight button-up. The shirt is super light weight and fits like a gem.
I'm delighted with my order - I actually wore it for my birthday dinner (a few days late but still for dinner. I also instagrammed it during the day: (http://instagram.com/p/sN-Y89G0iS/) and felt really wonderful in it. The shade of grey is really delightful and lovely and with the white dots I alternatively feel like snow falling on an overcast day or pussy willows coming out in the spring. I was pleasantly surprised by the stiffness of the collar and cuffs and never had to worry about either of them drooping. It was definitely a treat myself kind of shirt due to the price but there's nothing as disappointing as buying a woman's button down and being frustrated by how it doesn't fit right (or it comes untucked from a skirt, which is my favorite way to wear them at work) and I'm glad I now have a shirt I'll enjoy for a long time. I've actually been hearing of Tradlands for a little while and I only recently bit the bullet and decided to try one out. I'm very much of the opinion that it's better to buy something you really like even if it's more expensive because you won't wear something you don't love. Expensive up front but in the long run very rewarding. PS I am so excited for your Fall collection. I've seen glimpses of that buffalo plaid and now DESPERATELY WANT IT (especially after seeing how your shirts fit). -Eva
This company is awesome! There has long been a need for quality women's clothing. Your shirts fit nearly as well as the custom one I ordered from Kipper Clothiers. No boob gap. And, no bust darts. Yet they still manage to fit splendidly in the chest. It's like magic. And (this is a huge deal), Tradlands shirts have nice stiff collars! I can't tell you how frustrating it is this most women's shirts have wimpy collars that fold under when you're wearing a blazer. It looks silly. And, I think it a little insulting. Like there's an underlying presumption that women don't hold the kind of jobs that'd require them to wear a blazer. So why do they need *real* collars on their shirts? *smh* Anyhow, keep up the good work! You guys keep making, and I'll keep buying :) Kind Regards, Robyn
I just wanted to let you know that I received my Arapahoe shirt and am loving it. (I'm actually wearing it right now). The fit is just right--not too fitted, not too boxy, a flattering length and enough give to move my arms around. Yay! Also, the workmanship looks wonderful. Thank you for making such a quality shirt. I've very pleased with it and will spread the word.
I LOVE my Brunswick shirt. I feel simply irresistible when I wear it!
I've been meaning to respond to your note to congratulate Tradlands on the Fall launch and the beautiful new website! I finally got around to purchasing the new shirts I had been eyeing -- of course since I wasn't on top of it, my sizes are on backorder, but I know the wait will be worth it, I feel lucky that I can get my hands on them at all! Really loving Volume 4. I think my favorite (tough to choose) would be the Robie -- mainly because the polka dot is unexpected, but seeing it in this shirt reminded me that it's just as classic as a plaid or stripe. The fabrics you've chosen really bring variety to the print and textures. The Piedmont cross-hatch pattern is so cool (I missed out on that one, unfortunately). What I really have come to appreciate about my Tradlands shirts is that while they started out being a "sensible" purchase for quality of fit and function (kind of utilitarian), over time they have become definers in my wardrobe, because of their versatility to be worn in so many different ways. They are a classic slate that I can build my personal style on top of, yet all the little details (cut, buttons, fabric) make for something really unique and special even on it's own. I was in New York last week for work and I wore the Busby on the flight (ease and comfort), and then I wore it again the next day in a business meeting with a jacket over. And it felt totally right and great in both instances! These things make me so happy. Hope you are having a terrific autumn!
Hi! I've been trying to figure out what to send you as feedback for at least a year now. Obviously, Tradlands shirts are awesome. The fabrics are beautiful, high quality, and (so far) are wearing quite well. For me, your shirts are as close to a uniform as I get. They make me feel confident and well dressed. I can wear your shirts to job interviews, while cycling on a trail through the woods or the city, to work and out to the bar afterwards. They're definitely meant to be lived in. Plus, I really like supporting a small business, especially since you're keeping the entire process (even the fabric!) in the US. Trust me, the quality of fabrics, the patterns, how they're cut & assembled — it all shows. In short, you and your products are the best! One thing I've been meaning to ask: who made the glass fish ornament you sent at Christmastime last year? It's gorgeous!
I absolutely adore my new shirts! I can't wait until it gets colder here in Oakland so I can start wearing them. I actually heard about your company when you first started because of Tomboy Style's first post about your company. I haven't been able to buy your shirts until now, but I've always been fond of your company. After receiving a Busby popover as a gift about four or five months ago, I fell in love with the detail and quality of your shirts and the fact that they're made so close to where I live. Whenever I go shopping I don't even look at the other women's button-ups anymore, I much prefer yours. I was very excited for your fall collection after I saw a teaser photo of the Robie and ordered one as soon as possible when the collection was released. I can't wait to see what you'll release in the coming collections!! I never got a chance to purchase a t-shirt with the company's logo or a denim jacket unfortunately. I'd love to see some more t-shirts and maybe new jackets in other fabrics like denim and canvas in the future.
Wow, you are so kind to check in. My shirt arrived several days ago, and I wore it for the first time today. It's never truly fall in San Francisco, but I used this morning's rain as an excuse to whip out the flannel. It's perfect. The cut, the material, color...all of it. I am willing to spend the extra $$$ on your products because a) I know I'll have them for years; you are excellent at choosing materials and patterns that are classic and the quality of the shirts is unmatched; b) they are made in the US; and c) I like having my money go to small companies with values I believe in and companies that care about their customer. Thanks you again. I'm always looking forward to seeing what you come out with next.
Thanks for checking in. It is way too hot here - L.A. - to wear my new shirt yet, but even just trying it on I love it! Great material, great fit. I am a size 6 but busty so boob gap is my enemy. Not a problem with this shirt. I will definitely be buying another one in the future.
I just returned from a vacation in Idaho. I packed your shirt and it travelled so well! It's so nice to have a button up that can get crammed in a bag without wrinkling. Your passion really comes through in the product and I'm happy to support someone who loves what they do!
I've just received the shirt in my mail box. I'm so thrilled and happy. It is certainly what I expected it to be. I am glad to be your first customer from Singapore! Thank you for the wonderful note and thoughtful packaging. Let's continue to support environmental sustainability.
Just wore my new Jones Street shirt today for first time and am so sold! It is me, me, me! Thank you. It fits perfectly, just perfectly! And is just the right length…did I mention I love the fit? Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with my purchase and I really liked the packaging – way cool job. Trying to decide which one or two I will buy next!
Thanks so much for the beautiful shirt, I absolutely love it! I am attaching a few photos.
Imagine my excitement as a woman "of a certain age" to discover the timeless quality and attention to detail present in my Tradlands shirts (I have two & counting!)! The beautifully executed touches such as a collar never in need of an iron due to its impeccable construction and buttons with understated quality testifying to a design team who knows the way each and every element of a shirt needs to fit together seamlessly if the final product is going to be worn again and again all harken back to a time when pride in product was the guiding principle. Tradlands shirts will always hang in my closet because, new as they are, their quality will stand the test of time.
The shirt is so gorgeous! I love it. I'm saving up now to get one for every day of the week!
I love the shirts I got from you! I really like that the Beach Chalet polka dot shirt is a bit "dressier" so I can wear it to meetings, etc.
I just wanted to say thanks and let you know how much I love my new shirt. It arrived yesterday lickety-split and I'm wearing it right now. The style is exactly what I was looking for. I was a little nervous ordering online without trying it on because I've had a lot of fit issues in the past. Mainly the shoulders and armholes are too narrow or the torso is too tight. I was so pleasantly surprised that your shirt fits as if it was tailored for me--a relaxed but flattering, feminine cut. And the arm and body lengths are just right. How did you do that? I appreciate the business you're building and wish you lots of success. It's funny because although the Tomboy Style blog is what finally prompted me to take a chance and purchase, I actually came across your company months ago via a local garment/Made in USA blog story. It was the perfect intersection of my own style aesthetic and ethics to support small American companies. Anyway, thanks again for the personal service and the fantastic garment. I look forward to many future purchases to fill out my wardrobe!
Just wanted to let the folks at Tradlands know how much I love my 4 shirts from Volume One. The quality, fabric and fit are amazing. I love how they can be dressed up or down. They can be paired with jeans or casual slacks. I am very happily awaiting Volume Two so I can add more to my collection.
I wear my denim shirt jacket over dresses and with pants, and find that it is the perfect weight for any day. I also feel like it looks spiffy enough to wear to work and is tough enough for my various activities. Total bonus that everything is made in California. I can't wait until they crank out some more magical gear!
I bought the Hayes Valley red chambray style button-up, almost as soon as they were available for purchase :). Such a great piece in my closet! It fits so well: small in the shoulders, not overly fitted--perfect tailoring. I know that this shirt is going to break-in like a good pair of jeans and I will have it in my closet for a long, long time. Thank you, Tradlands!
Also just wanted to say that you guys have a great return policy which I really appreciate, because you just never know how something is going to fit. Very cool that you cover the cost of returns and provide a year-long guarantee.
First day wearing my new purple Cole Valley -- got three compliments within the first hour, and one guy I work with wants to buy your shirts even if they are for women... Thanks!
Hi Sadie and Jeremy, Thanks so much for your sweet note! I find it funny that I was the first order for Volume Two, but not surprising since I had been stalking your site in eager anticipation. Everything went fantastically well in the ordering process, and I've already had so many positive experiences wearing it. In fact, you should know the very first time I wore the Bernal Heights shirt I got asked out on a date! :) I'll always consider my Bernal Heights to be a lucky charm. Thanks for making such excellently designed and well-executed shirts. They are truly worth the investment, and are the best shirts I've ever worn. I'm a student, so I make my purchases carefully, knowing the things I buy will have to be versatile, durable and classic. Your shirts never let me down. I know I'll love mine for such a long time. Thanks so much! Anna
Love love love...such a classic camp shirt.
Have been living in the checked shirt. Saving the blue stripe for the weekend...LOVE these shirts! If only they had a second button all would be perfection :) All went nicely with order and enjoyed seeing the mention if me ordering before.
Hey Sadie and Jeremy, I love my new Alamo Square flannel! The weather hasn't quite cooled down enough for me to wear it, but I can't wait for it to start truly feeling like fall so I can bust it out. I also am happy that I went with the medium, because when I bought the Hayes Valley, I got the large and it was a little too big. But the Alamo Square fits like a dream. Also, you may not remember, but I had asked you about your experience with Shopify a while back, and all of your input was invaluable. I never thought it would take this long to get a shop that I am proud of up and running, but now I have a new found respect for what you do. I hope to have the shop in full running order by the start of the year and you will definitely have some treats coming your way when I do! Thank you again! And congrats and best wishes on your newlywed life... Take care, Alyssa
I'm not even a button down time of girl. But there is something about these shirts... They are so crisp and clean, yet casual, so beautifully and simply tailored, you just feel wonderful in them. It's a great company too. You know they put their heart in it and they are personal and gracious with their customers. That's rare. Makes you want to support them and buy another shirt.
Hi Sadie and Jeremy, Thanks for the email. I actually did want to write to tell you how much I love the shirts I ordered, but I thought that would be a little overzealous, so I'm glad you reached out to give me a platform to thank you! They are truly of superior quality and the fit is perfect. I can't wait to order from you again soon. Again, thanks for the great customer service and the impeccable clothes! Hannah
Thanks so much. I loved the shirt I ordered a couple weeks ago + look forward to the blue. Perfect fit! Cheers, Paige
Hi Sadie, I just received my blue henley and i love it! This is my first but not the last buy. I hope I'm you're first customer from Quebec City :-) Merci! Josée
Hi there! Just wanted to say that I love my new Tradlands flannel, it makes me feel the most like myself which is a pretty high compliment :) Also I love your logo, so if you ever were to sell t-shirts or stickers with the logo I'd be very interested! Thanks for making great products, Christine
Hi, Thanks for the follow-up email. I love my shirt! The fabric has a solid weight, which I appreciate, and I can see myself wearing the shirt often, which is important to me b/c I pretty much subsist on button-down shirts. I definitely like the color and pattern. The width and length are great for me, and I like that the shirt has a chest pocket (so cute). Also, when I button it up all the way, it's not too tight in the neck (I love the look of shirts buttoned up all the way). The cons I noticed were: - the sleeves are long on me, but I hover between petite and regular sizes, so that's not too unexpected. - sometimes the shirt lies on me in a weird way. What I mean by this is that when I button up the shirt all the way, sometimes there's a slight gap in fabric (from the side view) between the second and third buttons. I don't think it's a bust issue because the shirt fits my bust (third and fourth buttons). Usually, I just adjust the shirt on my frame and it's fine. I don't know of any of this is useful, but if it is, I'm happy to help. I can't wait to see your next collection! :)
I own 4 shirts from Tradlands - Pier 7, Hayes and Laguna, Fort Point and Sea Cliff. I came across Tradlands while looking for clothing that was made locally and instantly fell in love with my first shirt - Pier 7. My mornings have gotten so much easier having these shirts in my wardrobe. Most days I just pick one to wear with my jeans and off I go to work. I love the hand-written notes that come with every shirt and the responsiveness from the owners when the postal service lost my much-awaited Fort Point shirt.
Hi Sadie and Jeremy, I would like to give a review! I purchased Pier 7 recently and it arrived so crisp, with the collar and wrist cuffs beautifully tailored. I love the colours, fit and the material is even good for wearing in Summer. I really love the shirt and am pleased and proud of its handmade San Franciscan origins! - Lara :)
Got the shirt and the gift certificate. Thank you so much! This shirt fits like it was made for me :) Happy New Year! Chiara DeLucia
Hi Sadie and Jeremy, I received my second order this month. Your customer service is dynamite. You may wonder sometimes if people notice the effort, individual service and attention to detail which you pour into your work. Well, they do. You keep your customers well apprised of the progress of their order and follow up; you ship with lightning speed; and most importantly, you create a well-made, high quality product. I'm very pleased. Love the flair with which you package your shirts. Love the personal notes which accompany the orders. I was disproportionately pleased to hear that I scored the very last blush polka-dot shirt. Made me smile. You make your customers feel genuinely appreciated. Thanks!
Hi, Sadie and Jeremy. I ordered the Cole Valley shirt in size small, and I have to say that it's a high-quality shirt worth every penny. Even though I very much appreciate the fit and the color, the fabric could be a little softer. It's a minor complaint I have with Steven Alan button downs as well. The cotton is just a bit rough. I suspect the Cole Valley shirt will soften up after a few washes, so that's what I'm attempting to do. Don't worry. I'll be back. Perhaps one of your lighter weight cotton shirts will be a bit softer? All the best, Megan C.
Hello Sadie and Jeremy, Thank you for following up on my purchase. I have been meaning to shoot over an email because I absolutely love my shirt. I have been wanting to buy one of your shirts since I found you earlier last year and I'm glad I finally made the purchase. I can tell you this, it will not be my last. Your story is so inspiring to me, as I have been a seamstress all my life with the secret dream of making clothes for a living. One of my day jobs was a museum registrar, setting up exhibitions in an art museum, a job that requires such an acute awareness for detail that it transferred to every other aspect of my life. So when I opened my shirt and took a look at it I was immediately struck by the perfection in the workmanship. No hanging threads, perfect seams, straight grains, and best of all PERFECT FIT! I make it a point to buy clothing made using ethical standards and to support small businesses in the U.S. And if not, then I sew. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for Volume Three. I have already seen some promising hints on Instagram. Congratulations on reaching your first anniversary and your success thus far. I wish you many more years to come. It gives me great pleasure to be one of your customers. Thanks. Carol
Sadie and Jeremy, Just a note to say thanks for the ornament and gift card ya'll send for the holidays. It just reminds me how much I like to shop with small businesses, run by people who care! The gift card was super generous but totally unnecessary. I'm just really happy with the quality and fit of the shirts I've received. So I'm a devoted customer. I'm really looking forward to seeing the spring shirts. Thanks for what you do.
The shirts are exactly as they should be: perfect in length, meaning long enough to tuck into jeans or trousers, generous pocket:), men's tailoring and nice fabric. I am going to France tomorrow and will be sure to pack them. And again, i want thank you Sadie for the email about the checked shirt not being in stock and suggestions on other options. I hope you make more shirts soon. I really do:-) Best, Emilia
I've been living in my Tradlands shirt these days. Love the soft fabric and perfect fit. Love this one so much I also got it in blue! Just wish my photo-taking skills did justice to this amazing shirt Thanks @carolinaguisande for the best recommendation!
Hi guys! I got my shirt in the mail a while ago and I LOVE IT! The fabric is so soft and the workmanship is impeccable. I've recently gotten more into buying American made goods with my boyfriend, and I've been so happy with everything I've found. My only suggestion would be that you guys make mens shirts too! My boyfriend was jealous when he saw my new shirt :) Keep up the great work, and thanks for all you do! Melanie
Thank you for the follow-up email. My only comment is to say these are, hands down, the best shirts I've ever owned. They are officially the only items in my closet I actually want to wear in the morning. The quality is outstanding, the fit is perfect, and I'm proud to support the company you are creating. Looking forward to seeing the Spring collection! Best, Nicole
The small is perfect! It's like sizes used to be. These days I have to take a medium in shirts because of my bust measurement, but then the entire shirt is too huge. Small fits me perfectly except for the bust. PLEASE DON'T change your sizing - It's The Best! You've been just great. I wish you a "Happy Everything" for 2014 and every year afterwards. Best, Carol
I can't say anything negative about this shirt. It's well-made. It's fit is perfect. And the color of the material is simple yet intriguing - I love the overall red hue of this shirt, but if you look closely, there are patterns of red and black all throughout... Oh, and it keeps me warm! I can comfortably wear this without an undershirt and feel completely warm and secure. I also like to wear it as a light jacket. It's large enough to let me layer up, without being "baggy." Buttoned all the way up, or completely unbuttoned, my Fort Point is so versatile. I'm a customer who appreciates and searches for not only clothing, but also everyday items that can last for years and years to come - things that I'd like to hand down to my future children, lend to friends, etc. It's no question that my Fort Point is durable and will hardly be living in my closet, because I'll always be wearing it and bringing it along in my travels. Thank you for your craft, taste and most importantly, your endless selflessness to your customers. I cannot wait to see what you have in store this year and the next (and the next). Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day as well! Cheers, Kay
I just bought my first Tradlands shirt at Hawthorn in Oakland. You all have just won me over!!!!!! I try, try and try again to wear men's stuff all the time, because I have a body that doesn't have many curves, but it still looks like a men's shirt on a woman. It's such a bummer, but now, I have no reason to be bummed out. I have found Tradlands. The XS fits me impeccably. I really appreciate that your shirts are made in SF and are done so well. I will be a lifetime customer, I am sure. Button downs are my "go-to" shirt for work and play. Thank you so much for creating a shirt so needed and done so well. Best, Suzie Rudloff
Sadie, I luv my oxford. It is made so very well and the fabric is beautiful ! I will be a return customer as long as you keep manufacturing in the USA. Thank You, Kelly
Hi Sadie and Jeremy! Thanks for checking in! The shirt arrived on Friday and I had the great pleasure of wearing it all weekend! For a long time, I've written off button-up shirts because I haven't been able to find the right fit (baggy through the waist, pulling at the bust, I'm sure you've heard it all before) and I was especially wary of ordering one online…. but of course it's perfect — not too boxy or fitted, crisp but comfortable, and so obviously well-crafted and lovely. Needless to say, I'll be ordering more! Can't wait to see the spring collection. Keep doing what you're doing, -Alanna
Thought you might appreciate this shot of the workwear-inspired EMB denim shirt jacket engaging in some actual work :). Can't wait for volume 3!!! Also, wanted to thank you for the extra dough you tacked on to my Xmas gift card from my dad and stepmom. My stepmom is still raving about your customer service, and the Xmas card she received from Tradlands :). Hope you two are well!!
I am super happy with my order; all three shirts are like no other button downs that I have had before. I found you through the tomboystyle blogwhich I read all the time and loved the style of the shirts and the fact it's made in SF. Originally, I almost bought shirts from O'Harrow Clothing, I liked the style of the collars and the fit. However, the sizing seemed to be for breast-less women with the body of a model and I didn't want a shirt that I wasn't comfortable in. Other women's clothing companies are just not oozing of the same quality and attention to detail that Tradlands has. Can't wait for the new volume of shirts to come out! Thank you for making a great women's button down! Jory
I checked out Tradlands because I stumbled on the Tomboy Style blog by accident. So I looked around on the site, and when they had a christmas special for a 4-shirt bundle, I picked out my selections and gave it a whirl. Man, these shirts are everything that I've been subconsciously missing from most ladies button-up shirts; quality construction, not feeling like I'm going to rip a hole in the space-time continuum every time I raise my arms, and a super clean, classy style that I can rock for all of my foreseeable decades to come. I like these shirts. Plus they go above and beyond good customer service, if you have any questions, these folks will put all your fears about ordering online to rest. Plus, when I mistakenly thought I was a stick instead of a human, Sadie made it super easy to exchange my smalls for mediums. Very good service, I really want these guys to go big. Rosie
I really like my shirt so far! The times I've worn it friends where interested in where I purchased it from.
I usually don't go for button-down shirts because they usually fit my body well. The Jones St shirt fill well and was sooo comfortable.
I love Tradlands! The clothing is high quality and cute, and I love that it's American-made too.
There are no other companies that I have ever been so satisfied with they way I have been with Tradlands. The fit of their fantastically crafted women's shirting is unparalleled. They have unique fabrics and prints (hello Hammerhead sharks!) that are fun without sacrificing a classic and timeless appeal. I now have three of their glorious button ups and I find myself reaching for them on an almost daily basis. As for the service they provide, Sadie and Jeremy go out of their way to make sure that you are satisfied and beyond with your purchase. I can't wait to get my next shirt because I know that it will be well worth investing not just, in my closet, but in this company too. Thank you so much Sadie and Jeremy! Alyssa
Hey I just wanted to thank you for making a great shirt. It's nice to wear a size small again. I received my Ashburn on Saturday and I've already worn it twice (in a row....). I've never understood why people don't make clothes that don't fit women's bodies... so this shirt was a big deal. You never know how much peace of mind not worrying about if your 3rd button has popped open can bring, until you don't. Brianna
I really like both the Farallon and Stow Lake shirts that I purchased. I'm a 38"" bust, 35"" waist and 42"" hip, so I have a really hard time finding button up shirts that fit well. Either they are too tight in the bust or too generous of a boyfriend cut. The Tradlands shirts fit VERY well. Slimm-ish and feminine, with enough room for the girls. The Hammerhead shark fabric is very unique and I've been getting lots of compliments. I'm already a big fan of chambray and swiss dot, so the Stow Lake was a gimme for me. Well done Tradlands. I look forward to wearing these shirts for years to come.
One shirt for all occasions. In the past 24hrs I've worn my Stow Lake @tradlands shirt to work > an art/menswear happy hour > dinner > a house party > thankfully borrowed a different shirt to sleep in > a walk in the park > brunch. And it still looks good. #madeinamerica #usamade #wiwt #tradlands
What I Wore Today: Hammerhead Shark Edition #project365
Thanks for the follow up. I gave my wife the shirt for Mother's Day yesterday, and I think it'll look great on her. I appreciate the hand written note in the package too. You never see that these days, but what a great touch, I originally saw the blurb on Tradlands in 7x7 and checked out the website, always interested in local SF companies. Was impressed that when you didn't have the size of the shirt I wanted that I could put in a request to be notified, and even more surprising I actually did get an email when it was available again. The ordering process was all smooth and easy, package came in short order, and everything was as I had wanted. I'm definitely a fan and will help spread the word. Good luck growing the business. Joe
I'm so happy with my shirt! I ordered the Busby and it's absolutely lurrrrrvely, and the packaging and note included was so sweet! It fits beautifully, is super comfortable and chic and so, so useful, and it's really rare to find all those things together in one garment that's also made domestically. Thank you so much, I know I'll wear this shirt fondly for years to come. Much love, Vicky
Happy with my new shirt, thanks. I bought this shirt because of the collaboration with a favorite blog, Tomboy Style. I'm sure it'll become a favorite. -Becky
Just received my Ashburn shirt in the mail. It is so beautifully made and the material oh so nice and sturdy. Thank you for making women's clothes with quality and craftsmanship that will last, it is so rare now to find a shirt that you can tell will last for years. I can't wait to get more of these shirts for my wardrobe!! Thank you -Justine
I'm actually wearing the Utica shirt at this very moment! it's great. I haven't gone sailing in it yet though. I love that it moves with me and doesn't gape at the bust yet isn't baggy (I'm a 32FF or G, so that's a big deal).
Love the shirts. Someone sent me your site, but now I don't know who. I got the shirts because I wanted summer tops that I could take traveling back east that could be for beach as well as cooler evenings. I like the casual style of the pullover. The fabric used for the white one is just great, a little thicker than a regular oxford. let me now if that pullover style is ever going to be made in other colors. (red stripe?!) - Linda Cassidy
Thanks for the check in email. Everything was great with the Busby shirt. Now i just cant decide which I like more, the Ashburn or the Busby, and I can't wait until you guys have more colors, I am a sucker for the pop-over! to answer you PS, I saw your company on Tomboy Style, and loved the look of your shirts, the cut and the classic styles and also the quality of the shirt that looks like it would last. After reading more about your approach to design and manufacturing I knew it was a company I could get behind. While I am not 100% committed to buying products made in the US, (or Canada for that matter as that is my home), I do try to buy with the philosophy of fewer, better quality items that are made as ethically and responsibly as possible. So thank you for making such a great product! -Justine
Feeling slightly more boy today in my hammerhead shark #tradlands shirt
My new Tradlands Stow Lake shirt is the Number 1 favorite item in my wardrobe. Not only is it beautifully made and the perfect fit, but it looks great with everything and is really comfortable. I'm a convert!
I love my new shirt! It is the first dress shirt that I know will last more than a year-- and in theory I expect to last for the next decade or so. It's beautiful, and while I bought it a bit large, it's actually tailored-- so it's not bulky on me, just relaxed and loose. It's so wonderful, and I get comments on it all the time, thank you! Hello, by the way!
Thank you very much for the superb service and a very nice shirt with an excellent cut! I read infrequently Tomboy Style blog, and that got me to browse your fine web shop. I am always looking for functional clothing, to be worn at work, biking, hiking, etc. Especially good button-downs cut for taller wide-shouldered women are not easy to come by. So I am quite pleased with you guys. I will be ordering more shortly! Cheers, Pinja, Your new regular customer
Hi Tradlands! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my shirt. My mother even mentioned it was her favorite shirt of mine (quite a compliment to Tradlands). Wanted to thank you for such awesome customer service and incredible workmanship. My stylish friend (Jade Padkas-bather) recommended me to your website and I'm now quite the fan. I like the simplicity and clean lines of your clothes. I plan to be a loyal customer. Props to your company. I wish you continued success and I will pass along your website to friends/family. Peace. Michelle
Dear Sadie and Jeremy, today I picked up my Busby shirt at customs. I'm really happy with my order, thanks for asking. I love the colour and sturdy material! I'm wearing it now and it fits perfectly, I don't feel dressed up (or disguised?) in the wrong way at all (I hope you know what I mean by that.. :)) To answer your question, I first heard of Tradlands when it was featured on the blog The City Sage and in Verily magazine. Next to the great designs of the shirts, I like the personal commitment the two of you have to the products. Many Greetings, Kerstin
I appreciate the quality. I can tell that the shirts will get better with age. They are classically designed, so that I can make of them what I wish: tomboyish with plaid shorts, rocked-up with leather jeans and combat boots or over a bathing suit for beachy. I also like thatI don't feel that I have to iron them, in fact, I'd argue that the rumples add character.-L. Michel-Cassidy
I bought the Tradlands Jones St. Red shirt, and really love it! The fit is fantastic; I don't have gaps between buttons as in other brands. Love the subtle red/white stripe. It's just a fun, easy piece. I love all of the little details too--like the little triangular piece sewed in at the hems.-Jade Pagkas-Bather
My shirt was delivered a couple of days ago, and it is wonderful! It fits my shoulders, doesn't gape at the bust, and doesn't ride up my back when I bend over. The colour is gorgeous, and it is so comfortable. You have made the perfect women's shirt! I'm on the wait list for a couple of your other shirts (the Ashburn and the Busby) and I will be sure to buy them when they become available again. I decided to try a shirt from Tradlands, firstly because your clothing looked beautiful and well-made, and secondly, because you both genuinely care about your product and the women who wear it (we are not all the same shape!). I also loved your packaging, and your note. You will have me as a customer for as long as you continue to make shirts :)
I love my Tradlands Vacationland button-up! Living in Maine, it's perfect for the spring and summer, when those beautiful days hit up to eighty and then drop down to sixty degrees. I get so many compliments on it. It's versatile, so I can wear it up to work, or out with a pair of shorts when I'm just on my own.-Kaiulani Anderson-Andrei
I finally got my own Farallon Islands! It was well worth the wait. The fit as always is perfect and the quality is next to none! It goes to show you American made products are and will always be the best. Several people have complimented the shirt and I am happy to say I referred them to you! Only Tradlands shirts fit well and dont have that annoying gap. The length is just right for someone who is a little short like me. Other brands feel an inch too long and tend to be smaller at the hips which means getting a size bigger. Its also Autostraddle recommended=) -Vivian Coloma
I am happy with my new shirt. I can't normally afford well made creations like this but I couldn't resist. I feel so comfortable in this shirt and in myself while I'm wearing it, hoping it lasts me a long time!
Thank you for your e-mail. Yes everything went as expected and I received my first short-sleeved shirt from Tradlands and I love it. Yet another shirt to add to my collection. I find myself reaching for one of my Tradlands shirt every morning. It's a no-brainer because all the shirts that I've purchased so far go well with my favorite pair of jeans and I'm glad I don't have to think about what to wear. Thank you for simplifying my mornings. -Saritha
Although I had political/social reasons for pulling the trigger on the purchase, the shirts really sell themselves. They are so beautiful! I really appreciate the design and craftsmanship - I love the cut (I am not big on darts), the buttons, the stitching, and the thicker fabric. And I think they are the only pieces in my wardrobe that I can wear casually on the weekend and at work with a suit during the week. I am so glad you make these and I look forward to ordering more in the future! Best, -Stacey Steep
My shirt arrived on Monday and I wore it yesterday. Love it! Thanks for the note, Sadie, it was a nice touch. I bought from you because the shirt has FREAKING SHARKS on it. Two thumbs up, would absolutely buy more clothing with sharks on it from you. Also octopus or mountain lions. -Jen G
I ordered the Ashburn after I had ordered my Stow Lake because I loved that one so much! And it's the same with the Ashburn. It just fits and looks amazing. It's nice for warmer days because the material is really cooling. But I've also been wearing it on colder days with a tank underneath. Just perfect! The material and the way the shirt is made are just amazing! Thank you for making a shirt with such a great quality! I just can't wait for your flannels. I really want one! Best wishes. -Nathalie
Hello Sadie & Jeremy, The shirt is everything I've ever wanted! I am very happy with my order :) Thanks for checking up on me! I wanted to send you guys an email about how satisfied I am with my shirt. Something just drew me to your shirts. The quality, prints, patterns, and fit are all great. Your timeless shirts make other big brands look cheap. Made in USA is also a plus:) I just really like well made shirts (haha). I'll be buying more shirts!
I received my shirt and everything went perfectly, it fits great! I was first introduced to Tradlands from stumbling upon your website. I was actually researching websites and loved how clean your site was so I poked around and really liked the Stow Lake shirt. I also really enjoyed all of the other fabrics you use as well. Unfortunately, at the time Stow Lake wasn't in my size so I thought it wouldn't hurt to get an email when it was back in stock! I read more about your company and really liked your business model. I especially really liked your attention to detail. That is something that's very important to me and my own line of work and appreciate it when other people do the same. I will admit that I was a little nervous receiving my shirt because a lot of women's clothing doesn't fit me well. I always thought I had too long of a torso, or too long of arms, but then I realized, it's not me... it's these shirts! When I finally tried on my new Tradlands shirt, it fit me great! A bit after I was notified Stow Lake was in stock in my size I got a $10 coupon in an email, so I went for it. It was definitely worth it to get something so high quality. I already have my eyes on the next shirt I plan on purchasing from you. Thanks a bunch! -Christina


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From the time we're old enough to read a children's book, each boy and girl is taught about great historical figures who overcame unprecedented opposition to advance a mission or succeed in a chosen pursuit. Even though we live in a culture that rewards greed and often punishes selflessness, the prominent individuals we're taught to admire from an early age are not CEOs or advertising executives. Instead, the better angels of our families and teachers wrap our minds in the tapestry of stories about religious figures, war heroes, and courageous political leaders. There's one thing this group possesses that the former does not.
Make no mistake about it. Throughout the civilized world, each person grows up with a keen understanding of humanity's secular religion: the worthy garners esteem among their contemporaries, by performing one or more acts of bravery to ensure a noted place in history.
In fiction, we use this notion of honor to build heroic characters that the masses can identify with and root for throughout a written story, live theatre, or motion picture. Mythology master, Joseph Campbell, discusses this kind of human psychology in his book, The Hero's Journey. His thesis is that mankind throughout human history has bestowed honor and courage onto legendary figures in myth and religious doctrine. The point being, these myths are used to teach us (or inspire an instinctual belief) in what makes a moral and honorable person.
Hell, even in modern storytelling, the antihero is a dishonored person or coward that's forced to strive for an honorable outcome in a story's plot. Rarely, if ever, do we see a complete aversion to the myths of honor that mankind has perpetuated for millennia.
In modern life, we see the importance of honor play out most commonly in the biographies of our political leaders. They are the one group of people who have the financial resources and power to advance heroic story lines that play into the mythological needs of a population. It doesn't matter how true or false their stories are. It's the perception of honor that matters.
We as a society also place a value of honor onto our soldiers, sailors, firefighters, nurses, and police officers. We find it comforting that these people are looked upon as heroic figures in our social narrative. These people forego financial rewards and risk their lives on a regular basis to earn the respect that comes with the elevated distinction of being an honorable professional. Sure, there's an argument to be made about the human need for adventure, but that need is often fulfilled by self-serving acts of skydiving or bungee jumping.
Honor is about the virtue of sacrificing one's personal desires or needs for the good of others.
That's why Captain James Kirk in Star Trek is a less honorable character than Commander William Adama in the modern version of Battlestar Galactica. Both lead thrilling lives and take risks to accomplish their goals. Both carry the responsibility of thousands of lives on their ships. Both fight technologically advanced enemies on a regular basis. But Kirk does it because he believes he's the only one that can. Adama simply rises to meet the challenges presented. Kirk fights because he believes it's his life's work and therefore, he's sacrificing little. Adama accepted retirement until the Cylons obliterated his civilization.
Think about it this way. Kirk freely admits that he "cheats death" and places his trust into the hands of Spock and McCoy to handle the challenges of each storyline. On the other hand, Adama tells his crew they have to "roll the hard six," an indirect statement that they're sacrificing much to accomplish a goal. He tells Starbuck to "Grab your gun and bring in the cat," to reel her in from Kirk-like theatrics so he can absorb the brunt of honorable sacrifice.
Lastly, Kirk never fully accepts the Klingons as true equals. They are always adversaries to never be trusted. Adama wrestles with the moral definitions of what it is to be Human vs. Cylon and grows into a better man from learning. He literally sacrifices part of his own humanity to accept others.
To test our understanding of honor, let's choose who is the more honorable figure: Obi Wan Kenobi or Han Solo?
Most would immediately say Obi-Wan, because he's a noble Jedi that dedicated his life to the Force while Han is considered scandalous. Obi-Wan worked all his life to ensure peace and advancement of his faith in the universe...and he sacrificed his own life for Luke Skywalker.
Yes, Obi-Wan is an honorable character and his place in George Lucas' story is paramount. But Obi-Wan didn't break the mold of his conditioning. He didn't reach beyond his own training or mindset to achieve his goals. He played a noble cog in the machine of morality.
Han Solo is actually the more honorable character. He's the man that sacrificed everything to join the good guys. His character went through a metamorphosis from unethical smuggler to ardent supporter of a just cause. By mythological definition, Han Solo is the most honorable character in the Star Wars story...and that is specifically why girls like him best. Everyone thinks it's because he's the edgiest and falls in love with Leia. In psychological truth, it's because he's the only one that gives up everything he knows to embrace what's right and good.
When writing your next story, (fiction or nonfiction) keep the true definition of honor in mind. Every story contains an honorable character. By defining those attributes correctly, your hero or antihero will be more broadly understood and accepted by a larger readership. That understanding will secure a permanent place in the minds of your readers.
Good hunting.
BIO: Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ron Gavalik is a seasoned freelance journalist and fiction author of the successful Grit City thriller series. As Publisher for Grit City Publications, he oversees the Emotobooks Revolution. Ron holds an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and a B.S. in Marketing Communications from Point Park University. When not writing, you can find him in the outdoors of Southwestern Pennsylvania on his trail bike, hiking, or fishing.

subset: commoncrawl


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Categorizing Storage Devices
Storage devices can be categorized as
1. Magnetic
2. Optical.
Magnetic Storage Devices
The most common magnetic storage devices are diskettes, hard disks, high-capacity floppy disks, disk cartridges, and magnetic tape. Magnetic storage devices work by polarizing tiny pieces of iron on the magnetic medium. Read/write heads contain electromagnets that create magnetic charges on the medium. Diskette drives, also known as floppy disk drives, read and write to diskettes. Diskettes are used most often to transfer files between computers, as a means for distributing software, and as a backup medium.
Diskettes are available in size 3.5 inch. Before a magnetic disk can be used, it must be formatted a process that maps the disk's surface and creates tracks and sectors where data can be stored. Hard disks can store more data than diskettes because of their higher-quality media, faster rotational speed, and the tiny distance between the read/write head and the disk's surface.
Optical Storage Devices
The primary types of optical storage are compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disk read-only memory (DVD-ROM), CD-Recordable (CD-R) and CD-Re Writable (CD-RW.
CD-ROM uses the same technology as a music CD does; a laser reads lands and pits on the surface of the disk. Standard CD-ROM disks can store up to 650 MB. Once data is written to the disk, it cannot be changed. DVD-ROM technology is a variation on standard CD-ROM. DVDs offer capacities up to 17 GB. Other popular variations on CD-ROM are CD-Recordable and CD-Re Writable.


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In 1989, a group of unknown Utah actors starred in what would be crowned the worst movie of all time: TROLL 2. After two decades of running from this cinematic disaster, the cast can no longer hide from the legion of followers that celebrate them for their ineptitude.
BEST WORST MOVIE, directed by TROLL 2's once-disgraced child star, Michael Paul Stephenson, unravels the stories of these unforgettable real-life characters and the colorful army of devotees who continue to revel in the film's perfectly flawed brilliance.
At the center of this celebrated documentary is the improbable story of a small-town Alabama dentist-turned-cult-movie-icon, and an Italian filmmaker who come to terms (or doesn't) with his internationally revered cinematic failure.
BEST WORST MOVIE is an affectionate and intoxicatingly fun tribute to the single greatest bad movie ever made and the people responsible for unleashing it on the world. The result is a hilarious and tender offbeat journey that pays homage to lovers of bad movies and the people who make them, while investigating a deeper story about the strange nature of celebrity, the catharsis of redemption and the humanity that exists in making even the worst movie ever made.
Top 10 Films of the Year!
Top 10 Films of the Year!
Curiously touching…
Curiously touching…
Roger Ebert
A raging success… Infectiously fun, energetic, and crazily enthusiastic.
A raging success… Infectiously fun, energetic, and crazily enthusiastic.
Leonard Pierce, The Onion A.V. Club
Hilarious and sad… Priceless.
Hilarious and sad… Priceless.
The New Yorker
A touching and at times uncomfortable portrait of people making peace with an unwanted past.
A touching and at times uncomfortable portrait of people making peace with an unwanted past.
The New York Times
BEST WORST MOVIE around the web
Rotten Tomatoes
Official BEST WORST MOVIE Store
New York Times Spotlight
Los Angeles Times Spotlight
Best Worst Movie on ABC's Nightline
Goblins invade Last Call with Carson Daly
CNN tackles the 'Troll 2′ Phenomenon
Best Worst Movie on the Creative Screenwriting Podcast
Best Worst Movie on KCRW's The Business
The Beauty of Best Worst Movie on NPR
TROLL 2: bad movie greatness
New to Nilbog? Watch Troll 2 on Netfflix Instant View right now!
Troll 2 on iMDB
Troll 2 on Rotten Tomatoes
Troll 2 Montage of Amazing-Wonderful-ness
Original Troll 2 Trailer
Troll 2 Indie Trailer Mashup


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Meet Our Author Support Team
Linda Brendle
Accounting Specialist
Linda spent forty years in the business world processing words and manipulating numbers around spreadsheets. In her semi-retirement, she serves as the part- time secretary at her church, and she assists Brianna and Doug in the Accounting Department at BookPros. In her spare time she writes memoirs, novels, and a column for the weekly newspaper in the tiny East Texas town where she and her husband David live.
Doug Knight
Doug has been building software for more than 20 years. Code he has written is running in North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, and Asia. He has helped LivingSocial refine their online business, helped Mary Kay collect cosmetic orders around the globe and helped other companies too numerous for this profile blurb.
Alison Towle Moore
Editorial Support
Alison was VP for Community Investment for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles where she oversaw grant making, research and initiatives in early childhood and youth development and anti-poverty strategies. She also served as Manager of Budget and Intergovernmental Relations for the community development agency of Los Angeles County. She has an MFA in writing from Pacific University and recently contributed to and edited an anthology titled "Come Shining: Essays and Poems on Writing in a Dark Time."
Erika Newsom
VP of Sales and Marketing
Erika has over twenty years of experience contributing to successful marketing campaigns for national brands such as Dr Pepper, AT&T, and Doritos. While serving in a strategic sales role at Microsoft, she consistently exceeded quotas, won several sales awards, and was ranked among the top 20% of employees within her organization. After leaving the corporate world, Erika spent six years as a successful marketing consultant and joined the BookPros team in 2017.
Christian Piatt
President and CEO
Christian's primary passion is for writing. In the process of publishing nine books, he has learned a lot about honing the craft of writing, along with the industry of publishing. He has worked in nonprofits, education and started with BookPros, formerly Crowdscribed, in 2014, becoming the President and CEO in early 2016, charged with the vision of helping bring the publishing industry into the 21st century.
Brianna Snyder
Operations Manager
Brianna utilizes her administrative and customer service experience to direct daily operations and fulfill client service needs. Her design background enhances the publishing process by providing creative guidance during early stages of book development and executing patrons' ideas. Brianna has supplied work for Magaw Medical, Hydro Repair Specialists, and numerous small businesses. She has been involved with BookPros, formerly Crowdscribed, since 2014.


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Earlier today we heard that the Apple event would be live streamed on the Apple TV, and now Apple has updated its homepage with details of the event, which will also be streamed on the web.
You will be able to watch the Apple event live on a Mac with Apple's Safari browser, or an iOS device, the event will also be available on the Apple TV.
In order to watch the event, you will need Safari 4 or later on OS X 10.6 and above, or an iOS device running iOS 4.2 and above, the event will also be available on the second and third generation Apple TV running 5.0.2 or above.
The Apple Event takes place at 10AM Pacific Time, which is 6PM UK time, and Apple will announce their new iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2.
Both the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 are rumored to come with the new 64-bit A7 processor, both devices will be available in three colors, gold, sliver and space gray.
We are also expecting the iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 to come with Apple's new fingerprint sensor Touch ID, which can be used to unlock your device and is currently available on the iPhone 5S.
We will have full details on everything that Apple announces at their event later today, we are hoping to get a release date for the new Mac Pro, and OS X Mavericks.
Source AppleFiled Under: Apple, Top News


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How we Became Personally Responsible for ourselves.
DATE: July 7, 2018
In this workshop, development of the Ego/Self is explained and illustrated as a birthing process. This aids in understanding the psychological concept and content of the deep Self and its "seed" of our ongoing becoming. Taking our psychological planetary tasks (Fate] and shaping them (Self awareness) is what the gift of consciousness brings.
The focus of this worksohp is on the Sun and Saturn as "Self and Containment"; and the Outer Planets: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto as "options in consciousness".
Astrology is the best and most elegant way of connecting us to our deep Self and our consciousness of that fact: understanding depth archetypal astrology we have volition, choice and preparedness!
Planets do not make us "do" anything.
Psychologically, planets are in collusion as archetypal symbols of the deep inner Self. With the sighting of each outer planet, our options in consciousness increased – for the good and also, in some ways, for the darker forces.
When we can no longer blame the stars and the gods, but see the horoscope and its planets, signs and aspects as our interior personal motivation, we are liberating our Self. Looking at the natal horoscope in this way, we become increasingly more of ourselves.
This class brings the archetypal character of the gods of the ancient western world into their relationship as active participants in our own psyche . . . "integration of the gods" simply means becoming more conscious - thus empowered – through our own horoscopes - and the transits of the times.
Each student will receive a copy of the Lecture of the power-point video so reviewing it will be a way to embed the information and images into your work and study.
Erin Sullivan's 45 years as an astrologer has brought her international recognition. Her 6 books are classics, and are read worldwide in several languages, and on the reading list of major schools around the world. Erin's consulting practice is global, integrating all aspects of contemporary astrology. She has an online Training Course. She was Series Editor for Arkana, CAS, London, UK, and published some of the best minds in our field. Background in cosmology, archetypal astrology, and classics feeds her astrological philosophy. She is both profound and witty. Erin has a very full and creative website, which has hundreds of articles, free podcasts, over 135 mp3's for home study . . . and her site is: www.erinsullivan.com


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"I asked myself what kind of a wife stays with a man who raped Juanita Broaddrick?" O'Brien asked.
Katherine Prudhomme O'Brien, the New Hampshire state legislator who confronted Hillary Clinton in a town-hall rally in Derry, New Hampshire, during the state primary on Jan. 3, explained to WND in an exclusive telephone interview why she was so upset at reporters who defend Mrs. Clinton by suggesting she should not be blamed for her husband's infidelity.
"This is about rape, not infidelity," O'Brien insisted, explaining that at the Derry rally her goal was to confront Hillary about Juanita Broaddrick, a woman who went public in an interview with Dateline NBC that broadcast on Feb. 24, 1999, that Clinton had raped her decades earlier, in 1978, while Clinton was yet Arkansas attorney general.
The YouTube video of O'Brien's encounter with Hillary at the Derry town-hall rally on Jan. 3 shows O'Brien standing to shout her question at Hillary as Hillary at first ignores her and then declares that she does not intend to call on O'Brien for a question, charging that O'Brien was being "very rude."
"I asked myself what kind of a wife stays with a man who raped Juanita Broaddrick?" O'Brien asked.
In the YouTube clip, the CNN reporter interviewing O'Brien was clearly antagonistic, agreeing with Hillary that suggesting O'Brien was a Republican operative who only heckled Hillary to embarrass her politically.
"I was a Democrat but I became a Republican because of what I saw during the Clinton administration of the so-called 'women who fight for women' – the height of hypocrisy," O'Brien told WND.
O'Brien explained to WND her reaction to the Juanita Broaddrick allegations was explained in part by the fact that she herself, at age 15, was a rape victim.
O'Brien told WND she had a certified receipt from Clinton's campaign office proving information O'Brien had sent regarding the Broaddrick rape accusations had been received, yet in an encounter with Hillary the previous summer, Hillary had denied knowing anything about Broaddrick's allegations.
"If Hillary Clinton does not know about Juanita Broaddrick, she has a dangerous blind spot, she is inept," O'Brien insisted. "Someone as allegedly astute as Hillary Clinton should understand the difference between rape and infidelity. Why doesn't Hillary Clinton understand that? What's her problem? I thought she was the founder of the Rape Crisis Center in Little Rock. I thought she was a lawyer."
Read the full story at WND.


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Upgrade is the most recent film from director Leigh Whannell (of Saw fame). The Science Fiction film seems to be flying slightly under the radar, likely as a result of its microscopic budget. In an era where Sci-Fi films like Blade Runner 2049 are produce for upwards of $185 million, a $3 million-dollar sci-fi film seems to pale by comparison.
But Upgrade gets back to the basics of science fiction. In true Asimoff style, the story is a collision between mankind and technology. Set in the near future, the film explores life in the perpetual surveillance state. The film also explores implants and augmentation, and when we combine the human body with tech, where does one end and the next begin. For a Luddite like me, this is the most terrifying film I have seen in a long while.
The film follows Grey (Logan Marshall-Green) an auto mechanic who makes a living in the digital-world of the future by restoring classic cars. He is a man desperately out of touch with the rest of the planet. After his wife is murdered in a car-jacking and he is left a quadriplegic. After contemplating, and then attempting, suicide, Grey ends up hospitalized where he meets a tech-billionaire who promises to restore his motor-function. STEM is how he does it, an AI spinal cord implant which help to reconnect his nervous system.
In doing so, Grey is given the ability to hunt down the car-jackers who killed his wife; but STEM also grants him super-human-ninja-powers. This is all really badass. The movie has some spectacular fight sequences, as Grey, with mechanical precision integrates the environment as he battles futuristic-enhanced humans. These fight sequences are graphic and gory, as we should expect from a horror-film director.
The film is lean, probably due to the budget. This actually works very well, as the story is a character-driven drama, following one-man as he seeks to adapt to the dystopian future. Grey begins to question reality, his action, and the control he has over his own body. Is he controlling STEM, or is STEM controlling him?
With the looming "singularity" before us, and stories of Artificial Intelligence progressing faster than we imagined; the movie is an interesting thought exercise exploring the world tomorrow, and a place for humans amongst the machines. What is the relationship between technology and mankind? Are we transforming technology, or is technology transforming us?
Upgrade isn't the world's greatest science fiction film, but it is a good one. For all the young filmmakers of the world, it is a great lesson of pushing the limits of storytelling on limited budget.


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- Introduction
- Press Releases
- News Articles
- Newsletters
- Public Notice
Press Release
More Than $880,000 in Financing for Construction of New Supportive Housing in San Jose
July 18, 2006
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has approved more than $880,000 to assist with the construction of Edenvale Supportive Housing, a new 14-unit affordable housing complex in San Jose for adults living with developmental disabilities. Owned by Monterey Road Supportive Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public benefit corporation, and sponsored by Eden Housing, Inc, this project will bring the cost of rental housing within reach for adults in need of supportive services. The project contractor, L & D Construction Company, anticipates beginning construction in September 2006, with units available for rent beginning around August 2007.
The project will enable adults with developmental disabilities to live independently. Twelve of the 14 units will be restricted to households with incomes at or below 35% of the Santa Clara County area median income, with the remaining two units reserved for households with incomes at or below 50% area median income. The primary service provider, Housing Choices Coalition, will provide a comprehensive support services package and coordinate with the San Andreas Regional Center to provide services to the residents.
One U-shaped two-story building will be built on the 0.45-acre site. The building will contain 11 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats. One of the two bedroom units will be set aside for the on-site manager's residence. All units will be handicapped adaptable while some units will be designed with roll-in showers. Others are designed for use by vision and/or hearing impaired individuals. The site and all interior spaces will be wheelchair accessible.
CalHFA will provide $883,081 in construction financing at a three percent fixed interest rate for 24 months. Additional funding will be provided by the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Multifamily Housing Program, HUD, and Lenders for Community Development with funds from the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County.
The California Housing Finance Agency was created in 1975 with the goal of helping more Californians live in a home they can afford. CalHFA's Multifamily Division has invested more than $2 billion for the construction and preservation of 36,000 affordable rental housing units to assist very low and low income Californians. For more information on Multifamily Loan Finance programs and the full complement of CalHFA programs, visit www.calhfa.ca.gov or call toll free 877.9.CalHFA (877.922.5432).
Contact: Melissa Flores
Phone: 916.324.4647
Fax: 916.322.2345
Print Friendly Version (PDF)


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If you live or work in a place that has a particularly high count of particulate contaminants in the air that are hard or impossible to get rid of, especially if you have an allergy or a respiratory condition, you should look into protective respirators, which come in many shapes and kinds, and are quite effective at protecting the wearer from potentially harmful dust particles. Respirators can generally be categorized as two kinds: there are air purifying respirators, which filter the air that the person inhales, as well as air supplied respirators, which provide an alternative air supply that has little or no contaminants in it.
Protective respirators have been in use for about two centuries, and they proved themselves particularly useful on a mass scale in World War I, when the combatants used lethal gas as a weapon–respirators protect against dust as well as many poisonous gases and other harmful materials that can be found in the air. Respirators can be simple, cheap and designed for one-time use, but there are also more complex powered respirators that can be reused and generally provide better protection. The best respirators, which have filters that meet the HEPA standard (see "Air Purification"), can filter up to 99.97% of all contaminants in the air.
There are also powered air purifying respirators, which actively remove dust and other harmful particles or gases from the air supplied to the wearer, as well as self-contained breathing apparatuses, which include a tank of clean air supply. Respirator design can be varied as well; some respirators are full face masks, while others are half-face. For simpler purposes, for example to protect yourself against exposure to domestic dust while cleaning your house, a simple respirator with a good filter should do the job fine. Buying a reusable respirator can be an especially good investment if you have a previous respiratory condition, are allergic to dust, or if you live in a crowded city with a high concentration of particulate matter in the air.


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Many times I mention I am a locksmith, people automatically think I only open cars. The most common statement I get is, "Oh, you can open my car!" We offer services in many different areas, such as automotive (unlock, make keys, and duplicate keys), commercial (access control, and surveillance), residential (re-key, hardware install, and security survey), and safes (safe sales, safe service, and opening safes). With the many services currently offered, I am constantly working on expanding. Within the last six months, I have started doing surveillance and alarm systems.
There are not many locksmiths in the area that can offer complete security to the customer. Most of the work I do is in the commercial area, but I have plenty of experience in the residential area. Most of the time when I approach someone in their home or business I know I am working on their livelihood. Those two things tend to be the most important things to a person. A home contains you, your family and your belongings, all of which tend to be of importance. Security is important to your business because you carry a lot of information about yourself and your clients. And I look forward to securing that information and providing these services to the community and our service area.


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It is common in broker negotiations that after youve gotten all the facts together about a commercial real estate deal, youre going to want to contact the seller somehow to propose a deal. This is often met with a certain level of hesitance on the brokers side, but if you approach it in the right manner, you can convince the broker to let you contact the seller directly. Brokers like to maintain their position as the middle man at all times, so youll have to jump over a slight hurdle to get to a point that you can work with the seller on your own. Here are a few tips that may help you out along the way
Chances are that you arent going to be able to speak with the seller by yourself no matter what, so be prepared for a meeting or phone call with both the broker and the seller. During broker negotiations, simply state that you have all the facts that you need and that youd like to schedule some sort of contact with the seller in the near future. Propose a time for the discussion and see if it works for everybodys schedule. Be a little flexible to their time needs and try to work around their needs so you can seal the deal better. Dont forget to invite the broker to participate in the call with the seller so that he or she doesnt feel like you are trying to sneak behind his or her back. If the broker rejects the idea of you coming in contact with the seller, simply remind him of how much faster a deal can go that way. Otherwise, the broker has to converse back and forth between both parties, which takes up a lot of time and causes a lot of information to get lost in translation.If you position it right during broker negotiations youll get the opportunity to talk directly with the seller and end up with a big advantage. Sellers are often easier to deal with and you have the advantage of proposing the deal instead of having a broker attempt to do it for you and potentially mess the deal up. When you ask them direct questions, youll get a lot of quick yes or no answers. They probably wont ask you anything in return until much later along the road, after the deal is already set in place. Do your best to work with the broker to allow you to contact the seller directly as it will most certainly lead to the smoothest deal possible. More information can be found at http://www.makemoneyincommercial.com
Jason also teaches a land strategy called Joint Venture Facilitation where you bring land owners and developers together and get a piece of the project for yourself, thus eliminating the need for any cash, credit, or development experience or expertise, and no risk! For more information please go to: http://www.makemoneyincommercial.com/articles
Article Source:http://www.articlebiz.com/article/511636-1-broker-negotiations-how-to-contact-the-seller-for-a-deal/
This article has been viewed 980 times.


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Area Guides & Photography TuitiondSider is a registered trademark, all images are copyright, all rights reserved.
Royal Deeside guide
Photographers Guide
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Fairytale Scottish Castles, magnificent mountains and glens, Balmoral Castle, Glen Muick, Gatherings, Highland Games, Scottish pipe bands and people. A pictorial guide by dSider Media & Bill Bagshaw photography courses
What's happening on Royal Deeside & Upper Donside
Villages photo guide and accommodation
Aboyne, Ballater, Kincardine O'Neil, Alford, Banchory, Braemar, Strathdon, Torphins, Westhill, Echt, Dunecht, Peterculter, Tarland. Free lineage ads for Holiday Accommodation ownersRead more »
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Castles, pipers, bagpipes, places, nature, skiing & jousting in Royal Deeside and Upper Donside. Walks, cycling paths and museums.Read more »
Activities & Items for Sale
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Today is the first day of work where I will be without my Windows
Mobile and on my work given Blackberry and already I feel very lost and
stressed. My PDA has always been a source of very rich Personal
Information for me. It's how I manage my life daily. It has long
extended beyond just a storage of just contacts and calendar. I use it
for email, blogging, reading and communicating. While the Blackberry
does all these things, it doesn't seem to do it as well. And my Blackberry crashes just as often as my WinMo when I'm doing the same things on it.
Before I owned a Blackberry, my friends always teased me about the
WinMo crashes and how the built-in software has always been poor. What
they often fail to mention is that you have the option to replace most
of the built-in software with third party options. Most of them for
free. I haven't found this to be as true for the Blackberry. For
instance, there are at least 4 different types of browsers you can
download, at least 2 major calendar replacement and more than a handful
of contact replacements. I am yet to find a decent implementation for Twitter and the
implementation for Newsgator actually really sucks when you don't have
network connectivity.
The one thing that the Blackberry has done exceptionally well is the
idea of consolidating all communications into one big folder. It works
well when you want to respond to people. However, still not so easy if
you want to initiate communication. Pocket Outlook, the Windows Mobile
email is usable and does everything an email should but there is
nothing that stands out. I have to say that I do like Windows Mobile's
implementation of SMS a lot better though. Not only can I respond from
an SMS thread, I can also initiate an SMS from the thread.
Another thing that I like about the Blackberry is some elementd of its
hardware. It is pretty. I am using an older model – the 8820. It's
relatively thin and very slick looking device. And the battery last
forever when you compare it to Windows Mobile even when it is
constantly connecting to the internet. That being said, it's not
running on 3G so it's not necessarily a fair comparison. The negative
things are that I hate the keyboard form factor. It's great for one
handed use but already my hands are feeling "stressed" from blogging on
the keyboard. The landscape keyboard works so much better for my hands.
I am sure that the Blackberry works for some. For me, knowing there are
alternatives to the Blackberry, it has been quite frustrating to use.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network


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Richard (Rick) Mills
Ahead of the Herd
As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information
Silver is winning market share from gold buyers.
2008 – In March 2008, sales increased nine times over the month before – 200,000 to 1,855,000.
In April 2008, the United States Mint had to start an allocation program, effectively rationing Silver Eagle bullion coins to authorized dealers on a weekly basis due to "unprecedented demand."
On June 6, 2008, the Mint announced that all incoming silver planchets were being used to produce only bullion issues of the Silver Eagle and not proof or uncirculated collectible issues.
The 2008 Proof Silver Eagle became unavailable for purchase from the United States Mint in August 2008. The US Mint suspended sales of the silver bullion coins to its network of authorized purchasers twice during the year.
20,583,000 Bullion American Silver Eagles were sold in 2008. Silver averaged $14.99 an ounce and almost 80 percent more American Silver Eagles were sold then in any previous year.
"During 2008 there was a record inflow of over 93.1 million ounces (Moz) into the three main silver ETFs. Coins and medals fabrication jumped by an astonishing 63% to a record of 64.9 Moz. The main reason for this was a surge in investment-related purchases of bullion coins, both in the United States and Europe. Notably, fabrication of the U.S. Silver Eagle bullion coin achieved a record 19.6 Moz, approximately double the 2007 figure, and would have been higher if the U.S. Mint had sufficient blanks to produce coins to meet demand." silverinstitute.org
2009 – 30,459,000 Bullion American Silver Eagles were sold.
On March 5, 2009, the United States Mint announced that the proof and uncirculated versions of the Silver Eagle coin for that year were temporarily suspended due to continuing high demand for the bullion version.
On October 6, 2009, the Mint announced that the collectible versions of the Silver Eagle coin would not be produced for 2009.
The sale of 2009 Silver Eagle bullion coins was suspended from November 24 to December 6 and the allocation program was re-instituted on December 7.
Total ETF holdings rose by 132.5 Moz and ended the year at 397.8 Moz. Coins and medals fabrication rose 21 percent to post a new record of 78.7 Moz.
Silver Eagle bullion coins sold out on January 12, 2010.
The average cost of an ounce of silver in 2009 was $14.67
2010 – No proof Silver Eagles were released through the first ten months of the year, and there was a complete cancellation of the uncirculated Silver Eagles.
Production of the 2010 Silver Eagle bullion coins began in January instead of December as usual. The coins were distributed to authorized dealers under an allocation program until September 3.
Silver posted an average price of $20.19 in 2010. World investment rose by an 40 percent in 2010 to 279.3 million troy ounces (Moz).
"Exchange traded funds (ETFs) registered another sterling performance in 2010, with global ETF holdings reaching an impressive 582.6 Moz, representing an increase of 114.9 Moz over the total in 2009. A significant boost in retail silver investment demand paved the way for higher investment in both physical bullion bars and in coins and medals in 2010. Physical bullion bars accounted for 55.6 Moz of the world investment in 2010. Coins and medals fabrication rose by 28% to post a new record of 101.3 Moz. In the United States, over 34.6 million U.S. Silver Eagle coins were minted, smashing the previous record set in 2009 at almost 29 million." silverinstitute.org
2011 – Silver posted an annual average price of $35.12 in 2011, more than double the $14.67 average price for 2009.
Global investment in silver bars and coins & medals produced yet another historic high of 282.2 million ounces – the equivalent of $10 billion, itself a record high.
Physical silver bar investment grew by 67 percent in 2011 to 95.7 million ounces, global coins & medals fabrication rose by roughly 19 percent to an all-time high of 118.2 million ounces.
The US imported 6,600,000 oz of silver for consumption in 2011 – up from 2007's imports of 4,830,000 oz.
In 2011 the US Mint sold 40,020,000 Bullion American Silver Eagle Coins.
2012 – United States Mint Authorized Purchasers (AP's) ordered 3,197,000 Bullion American Silver Eagle Coins on January 3rd, the first day they went on sale. That opening day total catapulted January Bullion Eagle sales higher than half of the monthly totals in 2011.
As of January 25th 2012, 5,547,000 Bullion American Silver Eagle Coins had been sold.
From February to September monthly sales were weaker then the corresponding months in 2011.
In October demand started to pick up. In November, bullion sales took off with sales of American Silver Eagles more than doubling the figures from November and December 2011.
On December 17th the Mint said all remaining inventories of 2012 dated Silver Eagle bullion coins had sold out – no additional coins would be struck.
Since the 2013 dated coins would not be available to order until January 7, 2013 that left a three week void where no one was buying silver Eagles – yet Decembers sales were the third highest on record!
In 2012, the US Mint's silver coin sales surpassed the amount of physical silver produced via US domestic mine production.
2013 – On January 7th the new 2013 one ounce Silver Eagle bullion coins went on sale and a new record of nearly 4 million were sold that day.
According to David Baker over at the Sprott Group:
- The US Mint's silver coin sales reached an all-time high of 13.2 million ounces in the first three months of 2013. If annualized, the Mint would sell 52.8 million ounces of silver in 2013 – a new record.
- The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has dumped 141 tonnes of gold year-to-date (March 22nd) while at the same time silver ETF's added more than 20 million ounces of silver.
- Finally from David comes the fact investors are buying 56 times more silver ounces than gold ounces – ask yourself if silver is 56 times more available then gold?
The twin policies of zero interest rates and the continual creation of money and credit being enacted today, by all governments and central banks, means that the purchase of precious metals is the only way to protect the value of your assets.
"The major monetary metal in history is silver, not gold." Milton Friedman, Nobel Laureate
Investors are currently risk adverse and mining stocks are not well understood by the general investing public, but at least one thing is going to become very apparent to most – the best way to hedge yourself against inflation could be owning silver and the shares of a silver and gold producer.
Junior resource companies offer the greatest leverage to increasing demand and rising prices for silver. Junior resource companies are soon going to have their turn under the investment spotlight and should be on every investors radar screen.
If this is Silver's Second Age we need to get ourselves some silver, both bullion and the leverage of shares.


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TOMS $10 off $50 (EXPIRED)
As a part of TOMS 8th birthday celebration, all customers get $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. No code required. Expires at 11:59 PST May 27, 2014. Free shipping on orders $25 or more.
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All about Me
Hey, it's Jane - I'm 21 years old, and I started this deals blog back in May 2014. I love saving money, and I hope you do too, cause you're in the perfect place. Enjoy!
Be sure to follow Dapper Deals on Instagram & Twitter for the best deals!


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When I began creating my blog, I stumbled across a site filled with to-die-for pictures of their baked goodies. The pictures alone stuck in my mind and I found myself continually going back to this blog to search through all of their recipes. What site is this, you ask? Okay, I'll tell you.
Bake or Break. Sounds a little tough but take one look at this site and you'll understand what I'm talking about. The most recent recipe they've posted is for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake, and basically the second I laid my eyes on the photo, I knew it needed to be baking in my oven ASAP (in other words, it was love at first sight!).
The recipe begins by combining the butter, oatmeal and boiling water. Now, I've used oatmeal in other recipes before but I have NEVER actually cooked the oatmeal before it hit the pan. But I must say that this technique intrigued me. It made the oatmeal much softer (shocking, I know!) and really brought out that oatty (is this a word...?) flavor. The cake itself is extraordinarily moist with a fabulous hint of cinnamon and studded with rich chocolate chips. And what's a cake without frosting? A cream cheese frosting, at that! Yes, to take this cake above and beyond, a rich layer of cream cheese frosting is slathered across the top.
I know, I know, give you the recipe already! So here it is. You can thank me later. .
Bake or Breaks' Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake
1-1/4 c. boiling water
1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 c. unsalted butter, cubed
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1-1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Frosting:
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
5-1/2 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 c. powdered sugar, sifted
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1. Butter sides and bottom of 13x9-inch pan.
2. Place oats and butter in small bowl. Heat water to boiling. Pour boiling water over oat mixture. Wait 30 seconds, then stir to moisten oats and melt butter. Set aside 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Heat oven to 375°F. Whisk eggs, sugars, salt, baking soda, baking power, and cinnamon. Fold in oatmeal, stirring until well combined. Fold in flour, and then stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes.
5. For frosting, beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until combined. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth (about 1 minute). Cover bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.
6. Spread frosting over cake. Chill 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 24 cake pieces
*My Notes:
- Since one of the main components of this recipe are the chocolate chips, I recommend using the best (or better) quality of chocolate chips you can. I used Guittard Semisweet Chocolate Chips, which you can find at most grocery stores. A 12 oz. bag cost me $2.89, but the few extra cents will be worth it and you'll have some leftover to snack on :) The quality of your final treat will only be as good as the ingredients you put in it!
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting, otherwise the cake will be too soft and will break off. How do I know this? Yeah, my impatience got to me :)