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Do you feel clueless when it comes to how to manage your money so that you keep more of it for yourself each money?
Are you confused about how to invest for your future?
Do you find yourself avoiding your relationship with money?
Do you struggle talking to your spouse or partner or your children about money?
Do you ever feel like this…
when you would rather
feel like this instead?!
If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you're not alone. Most of us simply weren't taught about money and investing at school or at home.
It's OK. We want to help!
We want you to feel financially secure, empowered, and capable in your relationship with money!
We want to help you eliminate debt and financial stress so you can create a life full of freedom and ease…even in the toughest economy.
The great news is that now you have a way to change this.
Celebrating Women & Wealth was designed by women, for women of ALL economic levels, taught by women and presented in an environment where women learn best, with the heartfelt, girlfriend-like support of other women.
Celebrating Women & Wealth is here to provide you with the financial education and information you need so that money is never again the source of discomfort, fear, stress, conflict, or despair.
Check out Celebrating Women & Wealth Website to learn about our womens-only financial education programs if you want to:
- Change your relationship with money.
- Are ready to "get real" with your finances.
- Want to make more money.
- Want a healthy, workable financial relationship with your partner.
- Step into the investment world but don't know how.
- Experience a dramatic change in your lifestyle: a new job, a divorce, a marriage, a new baby OR you are finally ready to face your money situation and make that dramatic change yourself.
Women everywhere are seeking the financial education they did not get when they were young.
Fabulous Steps Forward
|Elisabeth and the Creative Wealth Program helped me identify my unconscious beliefs about money. This HUGE first step is already allowing me to transform my attitudes and forge a NEW VIEW. It is fabulous and exciting to explore the true meaning of money and stop being afraid of it! I loved Celebrating Women & Wealth and I'll tell everyone I know! ~ Mary Thieme
Powerful Tools to Reach Your Goals
|I loved it! I feel like I've started on a life-long path of being empowered and informed and free with my financial life. I feel like I can set more ambitious goals and know there ARE powerful, easy-to-use tools to help me reach them. ~ Nicky Lafleur
Amazingly Empowering
|I rarely use the word amazing. But this class amazed me. You said it would be powerful and it was. I had no idea that finance and freedom could be linked together. But you have given me the possibility to rise above the drudgery of bills and taxes to playing with and enjoying money. Sincere thank you. ~ Daphne
It doesn't matter what type of financial challenge you are experiencing, we're here to help you move through it gracefully and easily. We want to help you experience the financial peace and security you deserve.
"A light after a dark tunnel. I learned a lot and enjoyed it immensely through a very lively, colorful, emotional, supportive environment. I am looking forward to attending another reunion like this. Thank you a lot. Thanks for the scholarship too! I hope one day, very soon, to give it back in some way!" ~Terry (Jan. 08)
The need for financial education among women has led us to develop our womens-only financial education program for ages 16 and up. This program focuses on the special financial needs of women.
Did you know…
- Women, on average, live quite a bit longer than men?
- Women end up, on average, divorced with the financial responsibility of raising the children?
- Women lose, on average, 14 years of earning potential because they are raising children on one end and caring for elderly parents on the other end of their lives?
- Women, in general, earn less money than men in the same jobs?
These statistics may be negative, but here is the good news…
Women…you are better investors than men,
once you learn what to do AND you donate a lot more money to charities and causes than men do as well.
Who knew! We did and we want to teach you how to do these things so you can experience the amazing joy and satisfaction of giving back and doing good also.
Elisabeth Donati teaching her favorite subject…money!
The women making the space their own!
Celebrating Women & Wealth is packed full of education, entertainment, fun and support.
Life-Changing Direction
|For a long time, money was not important to me; it took a back seat in my life. Anytime I took a financial class, it bored or overwhelmed me. Creative Wealth for Women changed all that!! The workshop was fun, supportive, energizing, uplifting. I learned that my relationship to money is something that I can nurture, not ignore. Even after taking the workshop, the Creative Wealth team has remained by my side helping me continue to develop (for free!!) – it wasn't just a one-weekend side-trip but a one-weekend life-change of direction. ~ Sheila Chatterjee
Women Need to be Empowered
|I learned a ton! I loved having a variety of information I could apply to my life! I am excited about teaching my own Creative Wealth programs! Women really need this! Women need to be empowered! ~ Tasha Orshoff, Stay-at-home Mom
Empowering Journey for All Women
|If you are asking yourself what will you take home from this product, I can answer you with one sentence: an amazing and empowering journey that will last forever, for you and for the people you love. Just trust Elisabeth and go with the flow. ~ Terry Inglese, Researcher
Worth the Price of Admission
|This was a wonderful beginning experience to learn about finance and money management. It was worth the entire weekend of my time to come to this. I am ecstatic! Elisabeth is passionate and gave her 'all' to form this program. The all-women seminar was motivating and eye-opening. I can't wait to get on track! ~ Linette Jackson, Insurance Saleswoman
Celebrating Women & Wealth workshop may just change your life.
- How your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes dictate your wealth potential and how to quickly and easily tweak them so they support your desired wealth goals.
- How to save and invest using a simple financial allocation tool anyone can use.
- A sure-fire way to get out, and stay out, of debt.
- Why investing in assets is the key to financial freedom and why learning about those assets isn't as hard or complicated as you may think!
- That there is hope for your future.
- That it's never too late to start creating the wealth you desire.
- The knowledge that you CAN do it on your own!
- And so much more!
Please join us! Don't wait another year, another month, another day!
Creative Wealth for Women was designed with you in mind. It was developed and created by Elisabeth Donati, who has known personally what it's like to not understand money…until you wake up one morning and realize that if you're going to figure out the money thing, it's up to you to do it!
Creative Wealth for Women is taught by Elisabeth Donati, creator of the unique Camp Millionaire program and author of The Ultimate Allowance. Elisabeth and her team create a safe, supportive environment for you to explore what's holding you back from reaching YOUR dreams. Then they give you great new tools that are easy to use and will help move you forward financially.
"This was a wonderful introduction to money. How we need to first prepare our minds to receive and use money. We are worthy to have it. Not all rich people are unkind or uncaring. Asking for help and direction is OK. I loved all of the basic information on investing and how the interaction and activities made this work fun and memorable." ~Sharon (Jan. 08)
In a year from now, you will be grateful that you did this now!
And if that's not enough to convince you that this program will change your life:
Education Pays the Best Reward
|My life hasn't been the same since connecting with Creative Wealth. It's hard to believe that I might have missed out on one of the most important weekends of my life all because I was afraid to spend the money. Creative Wealth for Women has truly changed my life and the way I choose to live it. The most wonderful gift CWW gave to me was a new-found sense of empowerment over my finances, over my fears, and over what I truly want in life. With this sense of empowerment, I have learned and continue to learn more and more about myself and how I want my life to be shaped here and now. I am so much stronger when faced with making day to day financial decisions. I no longer feel guilt ridden when spending money because I am confident that I know where my money is being spent. CWW has taught me to take ownership not only of my finances, but ultimately to look at each new day as an opportunity to tell the world what I want and not let the world tell me what I need. ~ Mary Derby, Attendeee
Mandatory Women's Experience
|The experience was amazing ~ the skills, the teachers ~ very enthusiastic and fun! I learned so many new things that I didn't know about money and creating wealth and the program reinforced what I did already know. Every woman should take this seminar. It will change your life and help you manifest what you want. ~ Andrea Slaby, Professional Photographer
My Self-Worth is NOT My Net-Worth!
| The most important thing I learned from CWI is this: how to detach my self worth from my net worth ~ one of many things not taught in my college accounting classes. This program also marks something significant for my family ~ this gave my mom and me the motivation to create and sell a Tribute 2009 Calendar to honor my dad's life (and its success has helped pay her mortgage!). As a recent widow, my mom gained a lot of knowledge about finances. And, if you majored in business like I did, the CWI programs just might provide inspiration for your own entrepreneurships!
~ Tracy Cooper, 25, Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and Accountant, Santa Barbara County Education Office
My Financial Eyes Were Opened Wide!
|Without Creative Wealth for Women, I might be in the midst of a divorce ~ from my money! My relationship with money, felt like an arranged marriage. I had a hundred stories about why it didn't work which kept me emotionally paralyzed and unwilling to put forth any effort at all. It felt like "money and I" were doomed from the start. But I got help! The Creative Wealth program ~ and Elisabeth Donati ~ opened my eyes to the reality beyond my stories. It was the turning point for me. Achieving financial freedom is now a reachable state of being. I'm not "there" yet but "money and I" are going to make it after all. I'm sure of it.
~ Jan Ruskin, Life Coach & Financial Integrity Advocate
Just remember this…
If you don't do something now, next year you may find yourself in the exact same financial situation you are right now, wondering why things haven't changed.
A year from now, however, your life could be completely different, headed in the direction you've always dreamed. It only takes one phone call to change that direction.
Please join us!


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The-Blendersauce Vault
While being Admin of a Facebook Group another Admin of the group asked me to have a look on some Material- and Compositing Nodes Screenshots to test them and put them in a Album of Screenshots in the Group. While working and testing some of these Screenshot in Blender I came up with the Idea to provide the Blendfiles instead only the Screenshots, after some thinking I thought there should be more.
Beginners in Blender are often struggling after the modelling with creating good materials or textures, lighting and world setups. The rendered result often looks crappy and many of them are giving up before they have touched even the surface of the possibilities which Blender provides.
So I decided to create something really useful for the beginners. I created the The-Blendersauce-Vault.
Here I provide material node setups, textures, Normal-Maps and Alpha-Brush Sets and much more related to Blender and ready to use.
It's all for free. You can use the for your private project as well as for commercial use in your renders, animation and videos. The items in The-Blendersauce-Vault are based on Creative Commons (CC) license or on the Creative Common license BY-4.0.
The-Blendersauce-Vault will be released on the 23, Dezember 2017
After the Release I will permanently adding new stuff to the Vault Updates will be posted on Blendersauce.com on Facebook and Patreon.com.
The-Blendersauce-Vault will permanently grow.
User Contributions are planned for February 2018.
Stay tuned and Happy Blending

subset: commoncrawl


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Here's #50. I can't quite believe I've done 50 of these... There may be a short break after this one since I don't have any more saved up; depends on if I get chance to do some over the weekend.
I remember when Mark Watches/Reads went through Lord of the Rings, there was a lot of controversy over the idea of an entire race - the Orcs - being inherently evil. It was interesting to discover, on reading HoME, that Tolkien himself agonised over the same question - though in his case, more from a Catholic perspective that nobody should be inherently beyond redemption and God's grace, rather than a modern 'social justice' point of view. The version of the story I've gone with here is the one that makes most sense to me personally - possibly because it's conceptually similar to why Buffyverse vampires are inherently evil. There's a tiny sliver of Melkor's Ultimate Evil in each of them, constantly overriding any instinct they might have towards Good, and compelling them always to be Evil. Of course, the idea that buried somewhere deep inside each Orc is the original Elven soul, aware of what's been done to it and what it's become but powerless to fight it, makes this concept particularly horrible.
It's possible Sauron got the idea for the One Ring from helping Melkor make the Orcs.
Part 50: Say hello to my little friends
Next time: Part 51: ?
Chibis by tektek.org


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Mired in a year long slump, Brandon Inge watched the Tigers trade for Royals third baseman Wilson Betemit on Wednesday to serve as his replacement down the stretch. It was a move that was hard to swallow for the longest tenured Tiger, but Inge handled it with the class that made him a fan favorite over the last 11 years in the Motor City.
To make room on the active roster, the Tigers (assuming he clears waivers) will send the veteran third baseman to the team's Triple-A affiliate in Toledo. The caveat here was that Inge had to approve the move due to his major league service time, which he did.
Most players wouldn't have done that. If Inge had refused the assignment, the Tigers would have released him and paid the remainder of his $5.5 million salary this year and next year, leaving him free to sign with another team at virtually no cost to that other club.
In other words, Inge made the decision that he would rather head to the minor leagues to try to break out of his slump than leave the only organization he has ever known for an immediate shot to play in major leagues.
Inge is the only Tiger who lives in Michigan year round, he abundantly gives to local charities and has has been a model citizen since joining the team for the first time in 2001.
It's hard to walk 20 feet at Comerica Park without bumping into someone in a Brandon Inge number 15 jersey. In an interview after the trade, Inge said, "No matter what happens, no matter what ever happens, this is gonna be home for me."
You don't find loyalty like that very often in sports today. LeBron bolted for South Beach, Inge humbly took I-75 South to Exit 202 in Ohio.
It might be easy to criticize his sub .200 batting average this year, or some of his recent miscues at the hot corner. Trust me, plenty of fair-weather fans have.
But for me, his attitude, class, heart and loyalty are enough. He's had plenty of great moments on the field. He's hit big home runs and made key defensive plays over the last decade at Comerica Park, but if he never makes another one, he'll still be one of my favorites.
Brandon Inge is everything that is right with sports.
He's a role model. He gives 100 percent on every play. He's a great teammate. In a "Me, Me, Me" culture, Inge stands out.
He's a transplant from another time when sports weren't just a business focused on wins and dollar signs, they were a public trust. He's never been a Hall of Fame player, but he's a Hall of Fame person. He's been a joy to watch from the first minute, even if he strikes out more than you would like.
Brandon Inge can play for me any day and there will always be a place for him at my kitchen table. He is the kind of person I will want my kids to look up to.
So if this is the end for Inge, I am sorry to see him go. But it is never too late for a comeback and you can't help but think he has at least one last hurrah in him. Time will tell, but I'll be rooting for him no matter what.


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Create Your Own Masterpiece
This is the ultimate package for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. With 15 years experience in deck design and deck building, The Deck Store will be the perfect partner to help you design and build your own dream deck. Our knowledgeable staff will help you select the best deck materials, create the ideal deck design, and do all of the preparation essential to creating your own masterpiece; and, if you have any questions along the way, we can help with that, too.
Package Features
Our professional staff will spend time showing you all of the deck material choices, explaining the features and benefits of each product, as well as warranties, cost, and other important information. If you need a deck design, we can help. Our expert designer will sit down with you and discuss size requirements, budget, deck material preferences, deck accessory preferences, style preferences, traffic flow on and off of the deck, views overlooking the deck, and other deck design criteria. We will then create a set of custom deck plans using our state-of-the-art deck design software. This set of plans will include several views of your deck, including a fully dimensioned deck framing plan. Although applying for a deck building permit is unfamiliar territory for most people, it is really a simple process. We provide applications for deck building permits where they are required, as well as contact information for your local building authority. We also provide contact information for the underground utility locating services. Our deck materials are kept clean and dry in our heated warehouse, and will be delivered right to your driveway. Need some advice? Help is just a phone call away. Our extensive deck construction experience should help you through any unforeseen challenges.


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The Boutonniere is an unique and wonderful springtime cocktail. The idea for this recipe comes from Scott Holliday at Rendezvous in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. As the name indicates, this cocktail really looks like, smells like, and tastes like a boutonniere. It is a great afternoon cooler.
- 2 ounces applejack
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/2 ounce St. Germain Liqueur
- 1 dash Peychaud's bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
Mix the ingredients in a mixing glass with large ice cubes. Using a julep strainerstrain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
You can either leave the twist in the drink, or discard it. The important thing is that using a zester you zest the orange over the finished cocktail. This way the oils from the orange zest will spray onto the top of the drink. The oils floating on the top will add a wonderful aroma for each sip you or your guests take from this already fragrant and delicious cocktail.


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The Spot: Thick as Thieves
CP+B evolves its Kraft Mac & Cheese campaign with the pilfering parents and the knowing kids
IDEA: After running the same Macaroni & Cheese ad campaign for a decade, Kraft shook things up in 2010, shifting the target from children to parents. "We needed to give adults a little more permission to be eating it," svp of marketing Chris Kempczinski told Adweek last fall. The solution, ironically, was a Crispin Porter + Bogusky campaign that focused even more on kids—exasperated ones who complain to the camera about Mom and Dad stealing Mac & Cheese right off their plates. "The insight was that parents really love this stuff," CP+B executive creative director Adam Chasnow said last week. "But it's the kids, not the parents, who know what's going on. It's a kind of testimonial role reversal." The campaign is now into its third round of work, with four new spots in 2012 that stay true to the initial strategy but offer novel characters and plot twists.
COPYWRITING: The ads are comic set pieces in the Modern Family mold—wry takes on family life with parents who are just as fallible as their offspring. In one new spot, a child sleeping at a friend's house has brought pots and pans from home so his folks can't have Mac & Cheese without him. "This time I took precautionary measures," he explains. Two other spots characterize the stealing as learned behavior. In one, a grandfather steals from a father who steals from his son. In another, a boy pilfers from his sister. "I learned it by watching you!" the choked-up boy shouts when confronted by his dad. (CP+B would not comment on a certain 1980s anti-drug PSA that seems to have inspired that spot.) The plots are exaggerated but not cartoony. "We know how family dinners go down," said executive creative director Tony Calcao. The tagline is, "You know you love it."
ART DIRECTION/SOUND: The ads—shot with anamorphic lenses and letterboxed, with overly dramatic music— have a cinematic look and feel. This adds to the comedy but also gives the budget brand an aura of quality. "Let's face it, it sells for, what, $1.29 at the store?" said Calcao. "We wanted to bring some production values to it. The food section at the end looks really nice. Why not continue that throughout the body of the commercial?" Most of the scenes take place after nightfall—a good time for dark humor, but also a subtle repudiation of feel-good ads that pretend family dinners happen in the late afternoon. In another stab at realism, the product is modestly presented as a side dish, not the main course.
FILMING: Stacy Wall shot the early ads; Hank Perlman filmed the most recent ones. All of them were filmed on location at houses with a modern feel—first in New York, more recently in Los Angeles. The color grade is warm, as you would expect for food ads.
TALENT: The approach is offbeat, so the actors are, too. The children are "cute in their own way, not in a traditional way," said Chasnow. Since 2011, the voiceover at the end, famously, is Ted Williams—the homeless man with the golden voice discovered panhandling in Ohio in late 2010. CP+B made him the voice of the brand, which was a huge PR coup but also improved the spots. "The guy's voice is huge, just huge," said Chasnow. "He lightens things up tremendously—at the end of these overdramatized ads—because he's got such a jovial, big sound. It makes you feel like there's something magical about the brand."
MEDIA: National broadcast and cable. Digital efforts have included, most recently, allowing two octogenarian women to run the brand's Twitter and Facebook pages for a few days.
Client: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Campaign Title: "You Know You Love It"
Executions: "A Father's Lesson," "A Mother's Betrayal," "Precautionary Measures," "Diamond Jubilee"
Worldwide Chief Creative Officer: Rob Reilly
Executive Creative Directors: Adam Chasnow / Tony Calcao
Associate Creative Directors: Matt Talbot / Andrew Lincoln
Associate Creative Director, Copywriter ("A Mother's Betrayal"): Jason Levine
Sr. Copywriter ("A Father's Lesson" and "Diamond Jubilee"): John Benedict
Art Director ("A Father's Lesson" and "Diamond Jubilee"): Jeff Hunter
Sr. Copywriter ("Precautionary Measures" and "A Mother's Betrayal"): Kent Carmichael
Sr. Art Director ("Precautionary Measures" and "A Mother's Betrayal"): Bryan Denman
Art Director ("A Mother's Betrayal"): Grant Minnis
Executive Integrated Producer: Chad Hopenwasser
Senior Integrated Producer: Aymi Beltramo
Integrated Producer: Annie Turlay
Production Company: Hungry Man
Director: Hank Perlman
Executive Producer (Production Co): Cindy Becker
Producer (Production Co): Caleb Dewart
Director of Photography: Eric Steelberg
Editorial Company: The Now Corporation
Editors: Jesse Reisner, Owen Plotkin
Assistant Editor: Glen Montgomery
Post Production: Method Studios
Lead Compositor: Wensen Ho
Graphics Company: Buck
Mix Company: Lime Studios
Audio Engineer: Mark Meyuhas
Audio Engineer Assistant: Matt Miller
Music Company: JSM Music
Executive Music Producer: Joel Simon
Composers ("A Father's Lesson" and "Diamond Jubilee"): Joel Simon, Koki Saito, John Sneider
Composer ("A Mother's Betrayal" and "Precautionary Measures"): John Sneider
Color Design Company: Company 3
Colorist: Stefan Sonnenfeld
Group Account Director: Kate Frazier
Content Management Supervisor: Laura Likos
Content Supervisor: Eric Forsyth
Content Manager: Jessica Francis
Assistant Content Manager: Jake Welch
Director of Business Affairs: Nancy Espinal
Business Affairs Manager: Rebecca Williams
Cognitive Anthropologists: Jeb Tilly / Omar Quinones
Traffic Manager: Liza Johnson
Jr. Traffic Manager: Lauren Trojan


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SAE-A are proud to announce the 18th Asia Pacific Automotive Engineering Conference (APAC) including Australian Supplier Showcase and Cars of Tomorrow Conference from 10th to 12th March 2015.
APAC will be held at the Crown Promenade Hotel, in Melbourne Australia. The event is combined with the Cars of Tomorrow conference, taking place on March 12.
Over 70 technical presentations will be made during APAC by key international experts, exploring: Gaseous Fuels, F1 Technologies, Hybrid and Electric Powertrain, Noise Vibration and Harshness, Emissions and Air Quality and Future Vehicle Technologies.
To register or to discover more about this key technical event of 2015, visit apac18.com.au [2].
Click here [3] to download the Media Release.


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Education Needed to Become a Commercial Photographer
A number of successful commercial photographers achieved their success and popularity because of their years of experience and their natural artistic talents. That combination can be good enough if you want to be an artistic photographer but if you want to get into commercial, industrial, scientific or journalistic photography, you need to know more technical information about all the elements concerning the field, like the required equipment and how light works. Education needed to become a commercial photographer does not need to be a full on four-year course at a university, but that would be very useful.
Benefits of Formal Education in Photography
Most photography course available in art schools, colleges and universities end with a senior project that tests photography skills and knowledge gained throughout the course. This often leads to the formation of a portfolio and this will give you the opportunity to have an organized body of work when you graduate. That means it would be easier to show people what you can do, your artistic talents and your technical skills. Eventually, this leads to an easier time in getting a job.
Doing projects while taking the course can also bring exposure to your work as they are often displayed around the campus where everyone, including professors and experts in the field of photography, can see them. Exhibits are a good way to develop your craft even if they are not located in high end venues, but exposure is exposure. You start small and before you know it, you've graduated with a brilliant portfolio at your disposal. Getting a degree in photography also opens doors to a Master's degree, which can then lead to a teaching position.
What Kinds of Courses are Available?
Generally, you can find courses dealing with photography at most universities that offer art courses. Usually, photography is a major of a Fine Arts course. Topics that are tackled in these courses include digital photography, studio lighting, graphic design, color theory and photography techniques. Some courses even involve marketing and business management. This kind of education can arm you with the proper set of skills to give you the ability to put up your own photography business.
If a bachelor's degree is not enough for you, you can go for a master's degree. It takes an additional two or three years to finish. Students will develop an advanced set of skills coupled with advanced knowledge during these additional years. They will be allowed to develop their own curriculum based on their expertise and interest. This gives them the chance to explore their strengths and get rid of their weaknesses, eventually making them masters in this field. Whether they use this advanced knowledge of photography in business or in the academe as a teacher is entirely up to them.
Where Can You Take These Courses?
The conventional way is of course art schools, colleges and universities. These places can give you a learning environment that would help you develop your creative skills and technical knowledge before you go out to set up your own business or take on photography jobs. One can argue that developing one's skills and gaining knowledge can be achieved outside the academe. That is true but the academe offers one benefit that is hard to find when one chooses to go about it alone, and that is networking. Surrounding yourself with people who share the same interests as well as people who are experts in the field would allow you to gain valuable knowledge you can't get if you are just gaining experience taking pictures at wedding or birthday parties.
If you do not have the time and the resources to invest in several years in school, you can still experience formal education via the Internet, thanks to online photography classes and courses. These online courses may not offer you the same kind of creative and social environment as that of universities and colleges, but it makes up for it in convenience since you do not have to leave your house to learn. There are articles, videos and digital books available as learning materials online and they are always available for you to access.
The Bottomline
Although it is true that the artistic vision and the creative skills required for commercial photography can be developed using one's own experience and self-study, we can't ignore the fact that formal education offers a lot of benefits. Education needed to become a successful commercial photographer involves science, technology, marketing and business management. These fields, coupled with one's creative talent and the love for photography, make up a successful commercial photographer.
Photo Courtesy of Morguefile.com / Supplied by Procrastinator


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"Around one million people came to Germany as refugees in 2015. Providing for the needs of thousands of refugees presents new challenges daily for councils and volunteer organisations. In addition to short-term assistance, it is now more important than ever to create long-term perspectives. Work is becoming a key factor for integration, as a decisive element in personal dignity and financial independence, for acceptance and participation in society." (Joblinge Kompass)
The launch event of Joblinge Kompass was held on 15 July 2016 in the "double cone" of BMW Welt in Munich. The task was to design a invitation that consistently and effectively communicated the key message of Joblinge Kompass:


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Just a quick note to confirm that your photos for display that weekend, in the interest of uniformity, should be A4 size.
All photos will be reviewed for entry to the VAPS Interclub competition and successful entries may receive a financial subsidy to assist in the cost of printing and matting a larger print. Any other print you wish to be considered for inclusion in the VAPS competition should be presented at the Feb. 8th club meeting.


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The following terms and conditions apply to the agreement between the Victoria and Albert Museum and Members of the V&A Membership, Director's Circle and Young Patrons' Circle schemes. Solely natural persons may register as a Member of the V&A Membership scheme; registration is not open to legal bodies or other entities. These terms and conditions of Membership should also be read in conjunction with the V&A's Privacy policy.
When you become a Member of the V&A you are entering into a contract with us, the Victoria and Albert Museum (a charity exempt from registration under the Charities Act 2011) which is governed by these terms and conditions.
A copy of the terms and conditions can also be downloaded:
1. Definitions
In these terms and conditions, the following words have the following meanings:
V&A means the Victoria and Albert Museum and its associated organisations, V&A Enterprises (VAE) and V&A Foundation.
VAE means V&A Enterprises Limited, which is the V&A's trading division and is a private company registered in England & Wales (company registration number 01955898).
V&A Foundation means V&A Foundation Ltd, a charity established to raise funds for the V&A. It is a charity and company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales (company registration number 7788681 and charity registration number 1144508).
Member means you and/or any other member of the V&A Membership, Director's Circle or Young Patrons' Circle schemes (depending on the type of membership purchased by you) and "Membership" shall be construed accordingly. If you purchase a V&A Membership as a gift, the V&A's contract is with you and the applicable Membership benefits will be provided in accordance with these terms to the Member.
V&A Membership means the scheme made up of the Membership products described in clause 2.1.
Director's Circle means the scheme made up of the Membership products described in clause 2.2.
Young Patrons' Circle means the scheme made up of the Membership products described in clause 2.3.
Membership Card means the card or cards provided to the Member(s) by the V&A confirming that you are a Member.
Membership Fee means the money paid or payable to the V&A to become a Member. This does not refer to the suggested voluntary donation that might accompany the Membership Fee for Membership of the Director's Circle and Young Patrons' Circle schemes.
Membership Period means the date from which the V&A receives your Membership Fee to the date on which your Membership expires. This will usually be 12 months from the last day of the month in which we receive your Membership Fee. The term of your Membership Period is set out on your Membership Card.
2. Membership products
2.1 The different types of V&A Membership are as follows:
- 2.1.1 Standard, Concessionary or Under-26 Member – admits one adult (yourself; or the gift recipient if bought for someone else, subject to clause 7.7).
- 2.1.2 Standard, Concessionary or Under-26 Member plus Guest – admits the Member plus one adult guest.
- 2.1.3 Standard or Concessionary Member plus Guest plus Extra Card – admits the Member and his or her named Associate Member with one guest each.
- 2.1.4 Contributing Member plus Guest plus Extra Card – admits the Member and the Member's named Associate Member with one guest each.
2.2 The different types of Director's Circle Membership are as follows:
- 2.2.1 Silver level – entitling the Member to the Membership benefits described in clause 3.2.
- 2.2.2 Gold level – entitling the Member to the Membership benefits described in clause 3.3.
- 2.2.3 Platinum level – entitling the Member to the Membership benefits described in clause 3.4.
2.3 The different types of Young Patrons' Circle Membership are as follows:
- 2.3.1 Individual Membership – entitling the Member to the Membership benefits described in clause 3.5.
- 2.3.2 Dual Membership – entitling two named Members to the Membership benefits described in clause 3.5 each.
3. Membership benefits
3.1 Members of all V&A Membership schemes (V&A Membership, Director's Circle and Young Patrons' Circle) are entitled to the following benefits during each Membership Period:
- 3.1.1 Membership Card(s). Membership Cards will be distributed or handed over after receipt of payment. Alternative criteria may apply to registrations from countries outside of the UK. In accordance with clause 6.10 the V&A retains the right to recall any Membership Card(s).
- 3.1.2 Unlimited access to ticketed exhibitions at the V&A in South Kensington and V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green with no need to book and to the Members' Room located at the V&A Museum within public opening hours, subject to capacity in line with last admission times. Members are required to present their Membership Card(s) when entering an exhibition or the Members' Room and may also be asked to provide identification.
- 3.1.3 A copy of the V&A Magazine three times per Membership Period. Published in or around March, June and October.
- 3.1.4 You are permitted to bring as many of your friends and family to exhibitions and the Members' Room as your Membership type allows and up to four children aged 18 or under. 13–17 year olds are classed as children of, or accompanying, the Member but this does not extend to teachers and their students. Under 12s visit free anyway. The number of permitted guests for Director's Circle and Young Patrons' Circle Members is stated on your Membership Card. Please note that some exhibitions may not be suitable for children under the age of 18. Your membership card and guest access to exhibitions and the Members' Room may not be loaned, sold or hired.
- 3.1.5 Access to previews of new exhibitions and galleries. Booking for previews is not essential, but is strongly recommended. Tickets are free and subject to capacity in line with last admission times.
- 3.1.6 Priority booking for evening talks and access to exclusive Members-only events. Priority booking notification is primarily communicated by email.
- 3.1.7 Updates via email to provide you with your Membership benefits as stated above as well as other information the V&A believes that Members would like to receive as part of their Membership. These email updates may include, from time to time, at the V&A's discretion and amongst others, invitations to both fundraising and other events, details of the V&A's general activities, information regarding legacy gifts or other opportunities to support the V&A and information relating offers, products or services available from the V&A's sponsors, partners and other commercial or charitable entities. For further details of what we might use your personal data for, please consult the V&A's Privacy policy.
3.1.8 Use of the Members' Reception cloakroom, in accordance with the terms set out in clause 4.
- 3.1.9 Access to evening talks and exclusive Members-only events as described in clause 5.
3.2 Silver level Members of the Director's Circle are entitled to the benefits listed in clause 3.1, plus:
- 3.2.1 Attendance at four opening night parties, celebrating major V&A exhibitions and new galleries.
- 3.2.2 Exclusive visits and tours with V&A experts and curators.
- 3.2.3 Early and breakfast viewings of exhibitions with V&A curators.
- 3.2.4 Acknowledgement in the V&A's Annual Review.
3.3 Gold level Members of the Director's Circle are entitled to the benefits listed in 3.1 and 3.2, plus:
- 3.3.1 A place for the Member and a guest at the Director's Circle Dinner, hosted by the Director of the V&A.
- 3.3.2 Priority booking on Director's Circle events.
- 3.3.3 Attendance at one additional opening night party (five in total), celebrating major V&A exhibitions and new galleries.
- 3.3.4 The opportunity to participate in the Travel with the V&A programme of cultural trips – places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (the cost of each trip is not included in the Membership Fee).
- 3.3.5 A book from the V&A Publishing catalogue, subject to availability.
3.4 Platinum level Members of the Director's Circle are entitled to the benefits listed in clauses 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, plus:
- 3.4.1 A private curator-led tour of a gallery or exhibition with ten guests.
- 3.4.2 Priority booking for Travel with the V&A trips – places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (the cost of each trip is not included in the Membership Fee).
- 3.4.3 Attendance at a minimum of five (total) opening night parties, celebrating major V&A exhibitions and new galleries.
- 3.4.4 Priority hire of V&A spaces for private events (the cost of hire is not included in the Membership Fee).
- 3.4.5 Two front row seats at the V&A's Fashion in Motion catwalk shows.
3.5 Each named Member of the Young Patrons' Circle is entitled to the benefits listed in clause 3.1, plus:
- 3.5.1 Attendance at two opening night parties, celebrating major V&A exhibitions and new galleries.
- 3.5.2 A ticket to the V&A's Fashion in Motion catwalk shows.
- 3.5.3 Exclusive visits and tours with V&A experts and curators.
- 3.5.4 Early and breakfast viewings of exhibitions with V&A curators.
- 3.5.5 Acknowledgement in the V&A's Annual Review.
In accordance with clause 11.3, the V&A may from time to time vary the benefits of Membership in line with the programmes and shows generally offered by the V&A e.g. the "Travel with the V&A" programme and/or the "Fashion in Motion" catwalk show may be replaced, varied or updated.
4. Evening talks and exclusive Members-only events
4.1 See clause 3 for all associated Membership benefits
Note that Director's Circle and Young Patrons' Circle Members receive additional priority booking on events organised by the Membership team.
4.2 Event capacities
Event capacities are determined by the V&A, which reserves the right to restrict the number of tickets available for selected events. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Allocation cannot be reserved in advance of payment or by sending payment details in writing/via email. All tickets are subject to availability.
4.3 The V&A aims to be fully accessible to all
Please help us to accommodate any specific individual needs by contacting the relevant Membership team (contact details are listed in clause 12) in advance of attending. Any events held at the South Kensington V&A site are deemed fully accessible, subject to a fully operational lift service.
4.4 Online booking for events in the Lecture Theatre
Online booking for events in the Lecture Theatre is limited to six per person, regardless of membership level. Bookings of more than six are at the discretion of the Membership Team, and must be made over the phone before 17.00 on the day of the event. Guests do not need to be Members.
4.5 Paying ticket fees
Ticket fee(s) must be paid by credit or debit card over the telephone, online or at the museum. Receipts will not be sent, unless specifically requested by telephone. All prices include VAT.
4.6 Bookings will be confirmed by email
If confirmation is not received, your payment and booking may not have been successful, in which case you will not have been charged.
4.7 If an event has sold out
If an event has sold out your name can be added to a waiting list by contacting the relevant Membership team (contact details are listed in clause 12). Please do not attempt to attend a sold-out event without a booking.
4.8 The V&A does not offer refunds or credit vouchers
The V&A is not liable for unforeseen circumstances such as travel and weather disruption or personal reasons. The V&A's decision on this is final.
4.9 The V&A reserves the right to cancel any event
In which case you will be fully refunded.
4.10 Making alterations
The V&A reserves the right to make alterations to the advertised programme without prior notice and as a body, is not responsible for the views or opinions expressed by individual speakers. All end times are approximate.
4.11 Reselling tickets
Tickets may not be resold or offered for resale by anyone without the permission of the V&A and may not be resold at a price exceeding their face value at any time.
5. Subscription fees and payment
5.1 All Members must pay an annual Membership Fee.
The V&A reserves the right in its absolute discretion to change the Membership Fee each year.
5.2 The agreement between the V&A and you is entered into for 12 months from the date of registration or renewal.
5.3 The V&A is not obliged to accept an application for Membership
Notification will be provided if the application is not accepted. Once accepted and following receipt of payment, the V&A will process the registration and the Member will subsequently receive confirmation.
5.4 Valid Membership
The Membership is valid immediately from the day that the Membership Fee is received (or on receipt of the first instalment if paying for Director's Circle or Young Patrons' Circle Membership by monthly Direct Debit (not accepted for V&A Membership)). If you do not renew your Membership it will expire automatically at the end of the Membership Period unless it is renewed in accordance with clauses 6.6 or 6.7 below.
5.5 Membership expiry
Upon expiry of your Membership you will no longer be a Member and you will no longer be entitled to receive any Membership benefits.
5.6 Renewal by Direct Debit
When each Membership Period approaches an end, the V&A will send you a renewal reminder. If you do not wish to renew your Membership you must inform the V&A at the earliest opportunity and preferably at least 10 days before the end of your Membership Period otherwise your Membership will automatically be renewed. The V&A may contact you later to ask you to rejoin if you do not renew.
5.7 Renewal by cash, cheque, and credit/debit card
When each Membership Period approaches an end, the V&A will send you renewal reminders, and your Membership will lapse unless a further Membership Fee payment is received from you. The V&A may contact you later to ask you to rejoin.
5.8 Complying with HMRC guidelines
In order to comply with HMRC guidelines. The V&A is not able to accept CAF cheques or payments from Charitable Foundations as payment for the Membership Fee.
5.9 Monthly Direct Debit
If paying for Director's Circle or Young Patrons' Circle Membership by monthly Direct Debit (not accepted for V&A Membership), you agree to pay the Membership Fee in full within the Membership Period. Failure to pay may result in cancellation of your Membership, Membership Card(s) and all associated benefits.
5.10 Suspending Membership Cards
Should the V&A not receive payment within the specified time period, the V&A reserves the right to suspend any associated Membership Cards.
5.11 Terminating Membership
The V&A reserves the right in its sole discretion to terminate your Membership at any point during the agreement if in its reasonable opinion you behave in a way which is inappropriate or considered to be harassing, causing distress or inconvenience to any visitor or member of V&A staff or may bring the V&A into disrepute; or if you breach any of these terms and conditions.
5.12 Following suspension or termination
Following suspension or termination of any Membership, invitations to museum or Members-only activities and all associated Membership postal mailings will cease. A suspension will only be lifted once full payment has been received. In all cases, the Member is obliged to pay the Membership Fee from the date of registration.
5.13 When your Membership Fee is non-refundable
Subject to any statutory right to cancel, your Membership Fee is non-refundable once payment has been received by the V&A and you are not entitled to cancel or terminate before the expiry of the Membership Period.
5.14 Membership rights and benefits and Membership Cards are not transferable
5.15 Membership rights shall cease on a Member's death or on an individual ceasing to be a Member
5.16 Lost, stolen or damaged Membership Cards
If the Membership Card is lost, stolen or damaged, the Member is entitled to one free replacement card per Membership Period.
6. Your details/personal data
Personal data is information that identifies an individual such as name, address, phone number or email address. This information, provided by you, is required by the V&A in order to allow both the V&A and our Members to fulfil their contractual obligations and for the V&A to provide the membership benefits. It also enables the V&A to provide you with relevant information about the V&A, unless you ask us not to do so.
6.1 We collect data regarding your relationship with the V&A, which includes:
- 6.1.1 When and how you join as a Member.
- 6.1.2 Which events and exhibitions you have attended and your visits to the Members' Room.
- 6.1.3 When you make bookings for V&A events.
- 6.1.4 When you make a purchase in the V&A's shops or online.
- 6.1.5 When you make a donation, object gift or other "in kind" gift, or legacy to the V&A (or express an interest in doing so).
- 6.1.6 When you open, click or respond to V&A emails or browse any of the V&A's websites.
- 6.1.7 Communications you have with members of V&A staff.
- 6.1.8 Details of your family members and/or guests that you invite to the V&A events.
6.2 All information regarding Members is kept confidential
Data is stored on secure, encrypted servers and on the V&A's CRM system. For further details of how the V&A stores your data and on what it is used for, please consult the V&A's Privacy policy.
6.3 Policy for retaining Members' details
The V&A's policy for retaining Members' details is stated in its Record Retention Schedule (a copy of which is available on request). The V&A values its relationship with all Members and seeks to maintain and preserve these relationships. The V&A may contact you regarding your Membership or any renewal and you will always be given an opportunity to easily opt out of any further communications from us.
6.4 Change of details
The Member is obliged to inform the V&A of a change of address or other personal details in writing or by email or telephone. See clause 12 for the relevant contact details.
6.5 Data
The V&A will not collect or process sensitive personal data on Members such as race, ethnic origin, physical or mental health, political or philosophical views or sexual orientation without a good reason to do so. For example, we may need information regarding accessibility requirements or dietary requirements so that you are able to access and enjoy our facilities and events. It is part of the V&A's inclusive policy to provide as similar an experience as possible to all visitors and individuals, regardless of any disability. Similarly, when undertaking due diligence checks in order to accept support and donations, we may have access to special category information or information relating to criminal offences or convictions. The V&A processes such information in accordance with its privacy policy and its policy document in relation to such categories of information.
6.6 Members' personal details
The V&A will never sell or swap the personal details of its Members. Personal data will not be disclosed to external organisations other than those acting as contracted agents for the V&A for purposes outlined above and in the V&A's Privacy policy.
6.7 If you are purchasing a Membership for yourself or as a gift
If you are purchasing a Membership for yourself or as a gift you confirm that you or the relevant Member is over the age of 16. The V&A does not accept applications for Membership from anyone under that age.
6.8 If you are purchasing a Membership as a gift
If you are purchasing a Membership as a gift, you confirm that you have the relevant individual's consent to share their information with the V&A.
6.9 To increase support for the museum
To increase support for the museum, the V&A sometimes uses Members' (and former Members') personal information to undertake research (sometimes with the help of third party organisations) to increase support. Please refer to the section of our Privacy policy entitled "Identifying potential donors, supporters and sponsors and increasing our support".
7. Publications and other materials
7.1 Copyright and all other intellectual property rights
Unless stated otherwise, copyright and all other intellectual property rights in all publications and materials supplied to you by the V&A are owned by the V&A or its licensors. Members may not reproduce, transmit, distribute, sell or commercially exploit these materials without the prior written consent of the V&A.
8. Liability
8.1 Death or personal injury
Nothing in these terms and conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by the V&A's negligence (or that of its staff, employees or agents) or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation or for any other liability that cannot under applicable law be excluded or limited.
8.2 Subject to clause 9.1, the V&A shall not be liable (howsoever arising and whether for breach of contract, negligence or for any other reason) to Members or to any other third party for:
- 8.2.1 any loss of profit; or
- 8.2.2 loss of sales; or
- 8.2.3 loss of revenue; or
- 8.2.4 any special, incidental, indirect or consequential loss.
8.3 Total V&A liability
Subject to clauses 9.1 and 9.2, the total liability of the V&A for anything that it has done or not done under or in connection with these terms and conditions (and whether the liability arises because of breach of contract, negligence or for any other reason) is limited to an amount equal to the annual Membership Fee paid or payable during the year in which the cause of action arose.
9. Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA")
9.1 Third party requests
The V&A is a 'Public Authority' for the purposes of FOIA. Subject to certain exemptions, the V&A may be required to release information to a third party upon request which may relate to the Membership schemes.
9.2 Disclosure of information
The V&A shall not be liable for any loss or damage that any Member may suffer as a result of the V&A's disclosure of information under FOIA.
9.3 The obligations contained in this clause 10 shall remain in force notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever
10. General
10.1 Waiver of rights
The failure of or delay by the V&A to exercise or enforce any right in these terms does not constitute a waiver of such rights.
10.2 Informing the V&A
The Member is obliged to inform the V&A as soon as possible in case of loss, theft or damage to the Membership Card. See clause 12 of these terms and conditions for the correct contact details.
10.3 Revising terms and conditions
The V&A reserves the right to revise these terms and conditions and the substance of the Membership. Such revisions also apply to existing agreements.
10.4 Dispute
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law and, in the event of any dispute arising out of these terms and conditions and/or your Membership, you agree with the V&A to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
10.5 The V&A shall not be liable
The V&A shall not be liable if it is delayed or prevented from performing any obligation under this agreement for reasons outside of its reasonable control.
11. Contact details
11.1 The contact details of the V&A Membership office are as follows:
Membership Office
The Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
London SW7 2RL
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2271 (lines open Mon – Fri, 10.00 – 17.00)
11.2 The contact details of the Director's Circle team are as follows:
Director's Circle
Development Department
The Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
London SW7 2RL
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2717 / 2272 (Mon – Fri, 9.30 – 17.00)
11.3 The contact details of the Young Patrons' Circle team are as follows:
Young Patrons' Circle
Development Department
The Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
London SW7 2RL
Email: email@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2444 (Mon – Fri, 9.30 – 17.00)
Changes to these terms
These terms and conditions were last updated in March 2019.
We may change or update these terms from time to time so please check this page occasionally to ensure that you're happy with any changes.


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Be a fun and free spirited Hot Kiss® girl! Don't be afraid to show your love for leopard print with these multi-layer acetate frames. Discretely displayed on the interior temples, it's the perfect balance between showing off and not.
- Spring hinges
- Protective case and cleaning cloth included
- Age Range: Teen
- Frame Type: Full Frame
- Frame Shape: Oval
- Frame Material: Plastic
- Frame Type: Progressive Eligible
- Brand: Hot Kiss
- Frame Weight: Light
- Frame Size: Medium
Already have a frame that fits?
with Thin & Light lenses


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Decorating for a backyard summer party can be simple, inexpensive, and fabulous all at the same time with just a little preparation and a few personal touches in your yard and on your table.
I decorated for my summer backyard party with several inexpensive elements that still had a bit of pizzazz, even if they didn't break the bank. I also shared a few tips on how to decorate your patio here. Depending on who you're inviting to the barbecue, you can add personal touches to your decor that will appeal to your guests and double as party favors when it's time to send guests on their way home.
Water balloons:
This is a great kids activity. Since we always host informal family barbecues at our house, water balloons are an easy way to decorate. All those fun colors in a glass bowl will keep hot kids happy at the same time. As long as parents don't mind kids getting soaked while they cool off from the heat of the summer sun, water balloons are a safe and easy bet for happy kids.
Water Balloon Pumping Station – $14.94
Fresh Flowers
Beautiful summer flowers are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to decorate for a party. If you don't have access to fresh flowers in your yard, like the ones I used for my backyard party, purchase inexpensive mixed summer bouquets at the grocery store. Even if some of the flowers don't match the color palette of your party, it's okay; pull out what you don't want and mix and match flowers until you come up with arrangements you're happy with. In a pinch use old canning jars for vases instead of stressing about taking your lovely ornaments outside.
Fresh Flowers – $39.95
Simple tablecloth/tablerunner:
Hostess with the Mostess inspired me to decorate for a backyard party with beach bag elements in my styling. Using a big striped beach towel as a tablecloth for a patio table brings a big pop of color to the party with absolutely no effort on your part. Fold the beach towel in half and use as a table runner or spread it out and use as a whole tablecloth. Additional beach towels can be draped over the back of a few chairs to re-emphasize the casual, colorful theme of the party. Or buy this beautiful recycled Kantha table runner.
Recycled Kantha Table Runner – $ 29,99
Portable lanterns:
Something to keep in mind when hosting any event in your yard where you're depending on the light of the sun is extra or backup lighting. Hanging, battery or solar-powered lanterns does more than add a pop of color to your yard. They can actually help light up the party after dark. Scatter lanterns throughout the yard hanging from trees or set them at individual tables as beautiful, colored centerpieces that will glow well into the night. These cute portable lanterns will not only look cool at your backyard, but also entertain the kids.
Portable Glowing Lanterns – $24.99
Fireworks as decorations:
Depending on what's legal in your area, fireworks can be an excellent way to decorate tables. They serve as takeaway party favors at the end of the night. If you're throwing a summer party with families, like we always do, snaps are perfect for children of all ages. All your guests, big and small, will be thrilled by the sparklers when it starts getting dark.
Have fun in your decorating, and you'll enjoy your backyard party as much as your guests will!


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Mobile Games
Total Domination: Reborn
Total Domination: Reborn
Prepare to Dominate!
The nuclear apocalypse has come and gone – now you must fight for survival in the merciless wilderness of the Wasteland! Prepare yourself to command both man and machine in your army: develop your Sector, research Technologies, produce Resources, and fight against your enemies. The strong can save mankind from the Mutant threat, but only the strongest will dominate!
Your Sector
A strong Sector is essential for a powerful Army. You must build and upgrade the Buildings that will help you thrive, and secure your Sector from enemy attacks! Only then will you be able to dominate the Wasteland…
Train Troops!
Prepare your military forces: Infantry, Armored, Artillery and Air Forces - and send them to war! You will need a powerful army in order to fight successfully against other Commanders and Morgana's mutants.
Get Resources!
There are three main types of Resources - Uranium, Titanium, and Credits. Your Sector has fields of both Uranium and Titanium, where you can build mines to extract these Resources.
Hire Striders!
Hire Striders and upgrade them to make higher-Level Units! These unique Units are equally strong in Offense and Defense, and can be upgraded to create Mutant-smashing forces like you've never them seen before!
Live. Fight. Dominate.
Total Domination: Reborn


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Our partner, YourTango.com, recently completed a scientific survey of over 20,000 people with their partner sites, MSN's lifestyle website Glo.com and Chemistry.com, on sexual chemistry and what keeps a relationship alive and growing.
The effort was overseen by a leading biological anthropologist and relationship expert, Dr. Helen Fisher, who also analyzed the results.
Some of their findings might just surprise you, including the finding that 90 percent of men and women believe that dwindling attraction in a relationship can be rekindled.
Their findings are detailed below.
- Did you know? The Truth About Sexual Chemistry (Video)
- The New Age Of Relationships: Sex, Love And Attraction In 2011 (An interview with Helen Fisher)
- Survey: 90% Of Americans Believe Attraction Can Be Rekindled
- Lifelong Attraction: 7 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Sexy Forever
- Why He Doesn't Want To Cook With You: Gender & Quality Time
Check out the articles linked above — a lot of interesting and a few eye-opening findings there garnered from their survey. And just to whet your appetite…
7 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Sexy
Who doesn't want to keep their marriage or long-term relationship on the sexy side? I know I do! Here is a summary of the seven tips offered by the article above, Lifelong Attraction: 7 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Sexy Forever.
1. Flaunt your sexy self.
The first step to staying attractive to each other: Feeling attractive. There's nothing more appealing to a man than a woman who feels sexy in her own skin.
2. Have sex. Lots of it.
Two-thirds of women don't get aroused until they're already in the act, says marriage and family therapist Pat Love. Translation: Don't wait to "feel" like having sex to do it.
3. Be a little selfish.
The happiest marriages are the kinds in which both spouses have their own hobbies and interests, according to a Monmouth University study.
4. Step out of your comfort zone.
If your the Chinese delivery restaurant knows your Friday night order by heart, listen up: One of the best ways to stay hot for each other is to do new things together.
5. Have an affair… with your partner.
Having an affair with your spouse can bring back the feelings of excitement and closeness—not to mention the smoking-hot sex—that you had when you first met, Love says.
6. Celebrate the good times.
Couples who celebrate joyous moments together have the happiest, most trusting, and most committed relationships, a University of California study found.
7. Compete!
Pitting yourself against your guy can boost attraction, add chemistry, and lead to a hotter sex life.
Read the full article: Lifelong Attraction: 7 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Sexy Forever
What do you do to keep your relationship strong?
What are some of the techniques you use to keep the magic and sexiness alive in your committed relationship?
Grohol, J. (2018). Sexual Chemistry and Keeping Your Relationship Alive. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 24, 2020, from https://psychcentral.com/blog/sexual-chemistry-and-keeping-your-relationship-alive/
Last reviewed: By a member of our scientific advisory board on 8 Jul 2018
Published on Psych Central.com. All rights reserved.


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I've recently switched from coffee to tea for dietary reasons. (I need to drastically cut down carbs.) Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a bit of a coffee addict — one of my favorite lines from a TV show was an exchange from Homicide: Life on the Streets, in which we discover the most intense character drinks "Two or three… pots" of coffee per day; that was me before I got obsessed with quality. Once you start caring about the quality of coffee, you either need to have a great local cafe, or you need to start making your coffee yourself. It's a slippery slope — I grind my own coffee (and flirted with roasting, but I decided I'm not that dedicated) although for a while I did subscribe to coffee. Anyway, that reduced my consumption to 2-4 cups per day.
The problem is, I like milk in my coffee. I like lattés, although I can't be bothered to make them at home very much. And I like to drink cold coffee (a double-shot in a cup of cold milk). And milk has carbs. (About 7% of my daily target in one cup.) I also drink espresso shots, but that's not really a drink.
Now, before I got into really good coffee, I used to switch from mediocre coffee to tea for months at a time. I'm partial to Twinings, specifically English/Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey (which, I just discovered, recently had its very own New-Coke-style-debacle and aftermath), and Darjeeling. It's hard to get good tea in the US (sure, it's also tricky to get good coffee, if you're a coffee snob, but it's hard to get good tea if you're only vaguely interested in tea — e.g. our local supermarkets have ample decent choices of whole bean coffee, but the only loose leaf tea is Liptons. That's like only being able to buy Maxwell House coffee beans.
So, what are the advantages of tea over coffee (assuming you don't drastically prefer coffee for its taste)?
- Tea is cheaper than coffee.
- It's harder to screw up tea — e.g. by over-roasting or incompetent preparation.
- You can make a lot of tea at a time and it will be Just Fine.
- If a cup of tea gets cold, it's still quite drinkable. A cold cup of coffee is a biohazard.
- Tea has far less caffeine (or its equivalent) than coffee.
- I find tea without milk (especially green or jasmine tea), or with only a little milk, much nicer than black coffee or "Americano" with milk.
- Tea masks Splenda's slightly unpleasant finish; coffee exacerbates it.
Obviously, if you simply prefer the taste of coffee, none of this matters. But for me, it gives me a harmless (possibly even beneficial) alternative to water (which is great too) I can have all day that won't blow out my carbs, is easily made in quantity, and doesn't become undrinkable when it gets cold.


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Israel: Syria Responsible for Border Incident
Foreign Ministry gears for PR campaign following violent events of 'Nakba Day'; says only way protesters could approach Syrian border was with Damascus' consent.
Israeli embassies worldwide received a memorandum from the Foreign Ministry Sunday evening, detailing Israel's planed PR approach to the violent events on the Syrian border.
The memorandum asked all Israeli officials stationed abroad to emphasize in interviews with the foreign media that since the Syrian military is in control of the northern border crossings, the protesters who rushed the border would not have been able to approach the border – let alone infiltrated the village of Majdal Shams – without the Syrian military's knowledge and consent.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to exercise maximum restrained: "We hope to see the calm reinstalled as soon as possible, but make no mistake – we are determined to defend our borders and sovereignty," he said.
Netanyahu stressed that contrary to statements made by "Nakba Day" protests' organizers, "Their fight isn't about the 1967 borders, but the very undermining of the State of Israel. It is important that we face reality and know who and what we are dealing with."
Former Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon also commented on Sunday's bloody events saying that violent incidents were proof that the struggle is for the very existence of the State of Israel and not just over borders.
The Arabs have a right to mark "Nakba day" but "as long as they deny their responsibility and mainly, the responsibility of their leaders in their own catastrophe – there will never be true peace."
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz also assigned full blame for Sunday's events to Syria: "The fact that the dictator Bashar Assad sends people to cross the border right in front of IDF soldiers knowing that they might be hurt or killed is very typical of dictators of his ilk. This is an example of who we are dealing with and what neighborhood we live in."
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-GeneralBenny Gantz arrived in Majdal Shams Sunday evening for a debriefing.
Gantz ordered IDF forces in all sectors to prepare for any scenario. GOC Northern Command engineers are mending the breached sections of the Israel-Syrian border fence.
Shin Bet Chief Yoram Cohen warned Sunday that the current regional instability in the Middle East benefits extremist Islamist elements, adding that "the situation also affects existing threats and those we have ahead of us in the Palestinian arena.
Attila Somfalvi and Avital Lahav contributed to this report
This story is republished from YNet with permission
Round one to the Chinese Government.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent visit...


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BSIP42 works fairly well for bitCNY, now it's time to also apply it to bitUSD, we'd like to support the witnesses that take positive actions on this.we also hope that witnesses can publish the price feeding algorithms, that can help voters to judge.
if there's consensus among the fund holders, why can't the fund vote?
wether the fund can vote is an internal problem among the fund holders.
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Life Hacks: Dance Every Day to Prevent Dementia
We recreate (yes, as in the verb at the root of the word recreation) quite a bit around these parts of the great American West and one activity I'm particularly fond of is getting my groove on to Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher. Why? Because, research shows that physical activities spur the growth of versatile new brain cells in humans and when used correctly, brain cells make us smarter.
Dance is unique from your run of the mill jog around the block, however, in that at its core it provides a platform for a myriad of solutions to any one problem. When we lift our leg up for instance, we can do so any number of ways and once its airborne our organism will work across the board to ensure stability and balance before reiterating the process mere moments later as we throw our arms up, point our toes and spin. This type of on the spot decision making necessitates sharp focus, fast-paced strategic thinking, versatility of execution, and continuous adjustment.
Dancing is thus special to our brains because it not only improves our cognitive prowess by creating new neurons, but also because the quick and precise decision making inherent to it (and other activities like skiing and snowboarding through the woods for instance) causes the formation of an intricately connected (by way of synapses) neuronal network, which in turn serves as one of the most powerful protective factors capable of preventing the onset of dementia symptoms.
Basically, by dancing you are both creating new neurons and ensuring that they are put to use before they die (neurons must connect to the network or perish). The thicker and better connected the neurons in your brain network, the more able you will be to withstand and overcome both psychological and biological adversities of all forms.
So, before your brain turns to mush friends, grab your tutu and dance your heart away.
Clark, P. J., Bhattacharya, T. K., Miller, D. S., Kohman, R. A., DeYoung, E. K., & Rhodes, J. S. (2012). New neurons generated from running are broadly recruited into neuronal activation associated with three different hippocampus‐involved tasks. Hippocampus, 22(9), 1860-1867.
Powers, R. (2010). Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter.
Yau, S. Y., Lau, B. W. M., & So, K. F. (2011). Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: A possible way how. Cell transplantation, 20(1), 99-111.


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A Tart Favorite Among Apple-LoversDelicious Tart Apples
Long Lived Tree
Heat Tolerant
Stores up to 6 Months
Granny Smith Apple tree is a fruit tree that produces high-quality, tart apples on a reliable tree. Plant one in a sunny location and watch your harvest grow!
One of the best known apple varieties for both cooking and snacking, Granny Smith enjoys a long history of being an apple with exceptional qualities. Its lovely, green skin (occasionally with a subtle, pink blush), presents a vibrant sight amid the branches in October.
The juicy, white flesh is likewise energizing, with a crisp, tart flavor that's perfect for award-winning pies, culinary dishes…or just right off the tree. Granny Smith apple's high acid content means that they won't go brown as quickly once cut, so they're especially valued for fruit trays and salads. Granny Smith apples are also chocked full of vitamins and antioxidants, but not calories, so they're a great way to encourage good health.
It tends to be a strong-limbed tree, able to manage its harvest without the need for additional supports. It can be long-lived under optimal conditions and is quite heat tolerant. Even the apples are durable, lasting up to six months with refrigeration.
If you love a tart apple, or just enjoy one with good storage and a variety of culinary uses, Granny Smith is the perfect apple for you. Order one today!
Although self-fertile, you can also use Fuji, Ginger Gold & Honeycrisp apple trees as pollinators.


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Who we are
Established in 2002, Sunwing Vacations started as a family business, and has grown substantially, providing more vacation packages to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America than any other travel company from coast to coast. We may be one of Canada's fastest growing and most successful companies, but we are still owned and operated by the Hunter family and like to see ourselves as a 'large' small company. As although we may have increased in scale, what drove us then during our early beginnings back in the 2000s is still central to our business today.
Our mission
We believe in delivering Canadians exceptional vacation experiences and being with them every step of the way to make sure each trip we book for our customers is one that will be savoured for years to come. We pride ourselves in our innovative, creative, and forward thinking management team, which allows us to be pioneers in creating new products, new concepts, and new ideas.
When you travel with Sunwing, we make sure that you experience the difference that booking with North America's largest vertically integrated travel company can offer. As well as receiving sound advice from the travel experts to help you select the vacation that's right for you, you'll also benefit from exclusive holiday types specially designed for different travellers' individual needs together with a host of dedicated perks and privileges ensured to make your vacation budget go that bit further. Each vacation package also includes the assistance of our knowledgeable representatives. Our team meets you upon arrival, can help with advice on what best to see and can even book tours and activities.
We know that you want to spend as much time as possible on vacation, not getting there; so we offer convenient departures from 33 different gateways (including smaller, regional ones not offered by many airlines) across Canada; allowing you save both money and time by departing from your local airport. We also think that your vacation experience begins the moment you step on board and are proud to include return flights with Sunwing Airlines with every package we sell. Once on board passengers are invited to sit back and relax with our award-winning inflight service that includes a welcome sparkling wine toast, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages (including tea and coffee) , inflight audio channels and knapsacks for kids filled with games and toys. Our Sunwing Café menu offers an extensive buy on board selection of light meals and snacks.
Service that suits you
On top of our award-winning inflight service* and having one of the best on-time records in the industry, passengers that travel with us are also travelling with one of Canada's most modern and environmentally conscious fleets. Our Boeing 737-800 aircrafts are some of the most fuel-efficient in the world – reducing both carbon emissions and overall fuel consumption by up to 5% per flight. We were also the first airline in Canada to retrofit all our airplanes with split-scimitar winglets; another key factor in reducing the environmental impact of each flight our aircraft makes.
We have won a number of awards and accolades over the years and most recently are proud to have been voted the best leisure carrier in both the Greater Toronto Area and in Vancouver. We look forward to having you on board soon!
Sunwing is also the proud winner of the Consumer Choice Award for its Toronto operations for five years running. Adding onto this prestigious accolade, our operations in Winnipeg, Hamilton and London recently received the Vacation Provider award for the first time. The award is only bestowed upon a very select group of business owners and entrepreneurs recognized by customers for their business excellence. Established in 1987, the Consumer Choice Award is the only organization in Canada to conduct independent market research surveys to determine brand reputation and customer satisfaction. Companies are ranked based on over 1,250 customer surveys carried out by some of the largest, independent Canadian-owned research companies.
*Service may be unavailable on select flights.


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Last week the Republicans took the first steps in taking down Obama Care, leaving many people unsure of how they'll survive if the bill is implemented. Catch up on U.S. health care information with the help of this list.
Partisan approval with one vote to spare sends American Health Care Act to uncertain fate in Senate, after negotiations reveal cracks in Republican party.
Obama subtly mentioned his successor without ever saying his name.
For years, Donald Trump has been single-payer-curious. But his new bill is a just a massive giveaway for the rich VIDEO
After weeks of struggle, House Republicans narrowly passed hard-fought legislation to repeal and replace large parts of the Affordable Care Act.
"Americans are being conned, and there will be consequences for the people doing the conning."
Your move, Senate.
The House narrowly passed the American Health Care Act Thursday, which would restrict access to abortion insurance coverage and block Medicaid money for Planned Parenthood. It would also make it easier for insurers to charge women more if their medical histories include "pre-existing conditions," including a rape or a Caesarian section.
For America's women, our rural communities, and low-income families, we have to do better.
Trumpcare would let states allow insurers to price women out of health-care plans if they've given birth or survived sexual assault.
On October 7, 2016, when the Hollywood Access tape was released featuring the man who is now our president bragging about grabbing women by the pussy, Donald Trump dismissed it as "locker room banter," and claimed it was no reflection of how he actually felt about women.


text: Our Guarantee All plantings performed by Green Fields are guaranteed for one year from the installation date. All regularly-priced nursery stock is guaranteed for 30 days from the purchase date. Items must be returned within the guarantee period with a receipt for credit towards nursery stock. Sale items are not guaranteed and all sales on discounted nursery stock are final. Please be advised that the following are not guaranteed: transplants, replacements, plant material installed in pots (or above ground), sod and grass seed, annuals and perennials, bulbs, houseplants, live and cut Christmas trees, pottery, and sale items. Our guarantee does not apply to lapse or failure in proper care and watering, or to any other factor beyond our control, including drought, extreme cold or winter damage, storm damage, or any damage done by deer, pets, and pests.


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For talented young sailors continued their sensational recent run of results with national titles.
Ewan Luke and Zac Blomeley, together with the brother duo of Kevin and Liam Farrell, emerged victorious from their respective competitions at the RYA Welsh Youth National Championships, which were held at Pwllheli Sailing Club last weekend.
Sixth Formers Ewan and Zac, aged 16 and 17, added to their outstanding list of accolades with a standout effort in the 29er class, which secured first place for the GBR Youth Sailing squad members.
The pair have been working incredibly hard as part of Rydal Penrhos' dedicated programme over the winter months under the expert tutelage of Max Todd, while their experience as part of the national squad has also aided their progression considerably.
There was further cause for celebration in the form of Year 10 and 6 brothers Kevin and Liam, who are also riding on the crest of a wave and sealed the RS Feva class in stunning fashion to make it a notable national double for pupils at the school.
The Farrell's have been thriving as part of the Llandudno Sailing Club set-up in recent months, and both have benefitted considerably from competing against older and more experienced opposition on a weekly basis.
Director of Sport Allen Boyd, said: "This is yet further proof of the fantastic amount of sailing talent we have here at Rydal Penrhos, and huge congratulations go to Ewan, Zac, Kevin and Liam on their continued success on the national stage.
"All four possess a great deal of determination and a natural chemistry in pairs that has played a significant role in the achievements gained over the years, and there is plenty of cause for optimism in terms of what they can achieve in the future."


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Will target your factories, North Korea tells South
The rising tension between North and South Korea escalated further as Pyongyang threatened to shut down a vital factory complex run jointly by the two countries.world Updated: Apr 01, 2013, 02:14 IST
The rising tension between North and South Korea escalated further as Pyongyang threatened to shut down a vital factory complex run jointly by the two countries.
North Korea has been engaged in a massive display of sabre-rattling in recent days, declaring that it was in a "state of war" with its far wealthier and more powerful southern neighbour.
It has also cut a military hotline between the two countries that was one of the few ways that senior North and South Korean officials could talk to each other, adding to a sharp sense of unease about events on the Korean peninsula.
Now North Korea has explicitly said that it may target the Kaesong industrial park — an important trade zone that is run jointly with South Korean expertise and North Korean labour.
Kaesong is a vital source of foreign currency for the North and has been operating normally so far, despite the bellicose warnings dominating headlines in both Koreas.
A spokesman for the North Korean department controlling Kaesong was quoted by the country's state news agency as warning the country would "shut down the zone without mercy" if it felt it was not being taken seriously.
Recent weeks have seen a torrent of bellicose rhetoric from Pyongyang threatening dire consequences for both South Korea and the US.
North Korea is angry about the annual South Korea-US military drills, which will run until the end of April, and at the UN sanctions.
North Korea is also seen as trying to persuade the new government in Seoul, led by President Park Geun-hye, to change its policies toward Pyongyang, and also to win diplomatic talks with the US that could get it more aid.
A final factor could be a attempt by the North's young leader, Kim Jong-un, to strengthen his military credentials and build a sense of unity in the secretive state by highlighting a sense of an outside threat.
Though the two Koreas have technically been at war for more than half a century – having never signed a formal peace deal after the Korean war in the 1950s – there is a concern that mis-steps could provoke a real crisis amid the blustering words and dire predictions emerging from Pyongyang.
On Thursday, US military officials revealed that two B-2 stealth bombers dropped dummy munitions on frontlines as part of their drills with South Korean troops.
Hours later, Kim ordered his generals to put rockets on standby and threatened to strike US targets if provoked.
But generally North Korea watchers and senior security officials in the White House and the Pentagon have sought to play down the reality of the crisis, portraying it as just the latest in a long series of such incidents.
On Saturday, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the US was in close contact with Seoul over the crisis and took the threats seriously.
But she added that North Korea had repeatedly made such threats, including claims it would shut down Kaesong.
But, despite such attempts at maintaining calm, the US has also strengthened its missile defence capabilities on its west coast.
"We continue to take additional measures against the North Korean threat, including our plan to increase the US ground-based interceptors and early warning and tracking radar," an official said.


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47 Signs You're an LA Douchebag
Look, LA has a reputation, and it's mostly incorrect: there are tons -- TONS -- of great people in LA, people working to make the city work better, and be better, and be nicer, and be more fun, and be overall just even more the best city in the country to live in. This story isn't about any of those people though, it's about the people who give LA that mostly incorrect reputation -- yep, the douchebags, and specifically, 47 signs that you're one of them.
1. You never go east of Lincoln
You do know that there's a big city out there, right?
2. You never go west of La Brea
You do know that there's a big city out there, right?
3. You never go over the hill
4. "I'll have my agent call your agent and we'll find a time for lunch"
5. You merge. Without signaling.
6. You make a left without signaling
7. You do any goddamned thing without signaling
8. You have Kings season tickets, but can't name a single player
(And, no, Wayne Gretzky doesn't count.)
9. You claim to be from LA, but were born and raised in Santa Ana
Or anywhere else in Orange County for that matter.
10. You don't pick up after your dog at the dog park
Seriously, how hard is it to bring a couple plastic bags?
11. You bring your kid to bars
Doesn't matter how old or young your kid is. Unless they're, like, 23. Then, you're cool with us.
12. You complain about the Eastside being overtaken with hipsters...
... while sipping a coldbrew at Intelligentsia/eating a veggie meal at Elf/loading into The Satellite/going for a pedal boat ride in Echo Park Lake.
13. You expect your friends to be excited about your new web series
14. You expect your friends to be excited about your improv show
15. You expect your friends to be excited about your pay-to-play "showcase" at The Whisky
16. You expect your friends to be excited about a national ad...
... in which you have a one-second, non-speaking part.
17. Your band leaves fliers on the shelves at Amoeba
You have heard of the Internet, right? Just checking.
18. You're drinking bottle service... at the Viper Room
Or, kinda, anywhere.
19. You've ever said "Do you know who I am?" and meant it
Unless you're David Spade.
20. You're David Spade
21. You're on the list. Like, definitely on the list.
Please, just check one more time.
22. You're the guy checking the list
Seriously, just check it one more time??
23. You never valet
You've gone around the block six times. Just pay the $5.
24. You only valet
25. You never leave the Sahara Tent
BoatsAndCatsAndBoatsAndCatsAndBoatsAndCats (and ecstasy!)
26. You had no idea LA had a subway
And, no, not the kind that Jared works for.
27. You still water your lawn every day. In the middle of the afternoon.
You actually might be the worst person in all of Los Angeles.
28. You're writing a 10-page email right now. At a green light.
Or reading this at a green light. Or playing Candy Crush at a green light. Or...
29. You've never met a waitress you don't hit on, incessantly
Dude, seriously, let it go. She's not interested -- she's half your age.
30. You only date people half your age
Oh, right.
31. You take selfies. With your iPad. On the beach.
Three for three!!!
32. You're on some weird diet that means we can't go to dinner anywhere
Nope, not there. Yeah, no, not there either. At least everything we have at home is gluten-, sugar-, and carb-free...
33. You ask for a ride to LAX. Or from LAX. Or both.
Okay, at this point, you've at least heard of Uber, right?
34. You're a Lakers fan... unless the Clippers are better. Then you're a Clippers fan.
Also, you bleed Dodger Blue... for a week. In October.
35. You brought a guitar to the party in the Hills
Guess what: you're only gonna help everyone else get laid.
36. You're a Scientologist
37. You own a little tiny Chihuahua
Bonus points if A) it barks incessantly, B) you dress it like a baby, and C) your last name is Kardashian.
38. You're excited about the prospects of Entourage 2
39. You use the carpool lane, with no one in the passenger seat
40. You took the last spot in the Trader Joe's lot
Okay, we're rethinking this: YOU are the worst person in all of LA.
41. You've got to leave work early for spin class
42. You teach spin class
43. You have to leave work early to teach spin class
44. Your entire day is based around readings from your "crystals"
45. You won't shut up about how much better NYC is
Yeah? You can leave. Oh, you like the weather? SHUT UP THEN.
46. You complain about fog in June
... and how hot it is in November. Ugh.
47. You're texting through the whole hike
Or are you just reading this piece?
Jeff Miller is at least eight of these. Figure out which ones at @jeffmillerla on Instagram or @thrillistla on Twitter.


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awkward as fuck!
Blue hat guy never takes off his hat. Is it to hide something, like a misshapen head?
maybe hes bald and his head gets cold from all the insecurity
premature balding?
maybe he was bitten by an animatronic when he was a kid and he has horrible marks on his head
Wtf did he buy? The price seems steep.
Two $2.00 bills.
It's sad how much I relate to this comic
Oh god, I hate when this happens. I just come back from the store and crawl in bed and quietly say "I'll never go back there again."
Baths are friends.
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by Emily Bell
Restarant Info
Gitane Restaurant and Bar
6 Claude Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-6686
Photo Galleries
Gitane – San Francisco, CA
Video Interview
Sean Diggins of Gitane – San Francisco, CA
Yes, sherry. This centuries-old product of the Jerez region of Cadiz province, Spain, has been largely misunderstood on American shores for decades. The sheer popularity of the drink made it a prime target for unscrupulous peddlers, whose cheaper incarnations flooded the market and deteriorated sherry's good name for the better part of the early twentieth century. Only in 1933, when the Spanish Wine Law made the Regulatory Council of the "Jerez-Xérès-Sherry," "Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda" and "Vinagre de Jerez" official Denominations of Origin has sherry production begun its slow climb back to its original quality.
Diggins, for one, couldn't be happier. The sugary swill imitations of yesteryear, with their cloying sweetness and overpowering alcohol, are a thing of the past. The challenge now is to get the word out, to signal the all-clear for sommeliers, beverage directors, and diners alike, which Diggins does from the enviable perch of Gitane. "San Franisco is definitely cutting edge in wine, for sure," says Diggins. But one thing the food-forward region hasn't incorporated into its wine-savvy is Diggins' beloved sherry. And Diggins makes a strong case for it, nor simply with a well-stocked dessert list.
Photo by Antoinette Bruno
The tactic works, especially because sherries are classically suited to the start of the meal. "Fino and Manzanilla are probably the two most common aperitifs," says Diggins. But the Gitane sherry menu doesn't stop at aperitifs. "All the sherries on the cocktail menu are dry sherries," says Diggins, suited to pairing, while the one of the cocktails themselves always contains at least a dram of the stuff. "At any given time we have a cocktail made with a Fino, Manzanilla, or Amontillado," says Diggins. The Adonis, for instance, pairs the almond notes and salty finish of famously dry Barbadillo Manzanilla sherry with sweet vermouth and orange bitters. The Sherry Flip combines seasoned richness of Dry Sack sherry with simple syrup and freshly grated nutmeg.
Cocktails like these introduce diners to sherry's mixology potential, but dinner pairings are where sherry—and Diggins—really shine. Diggins maintains a list of about 20 dry sherries for savory pairings, a mixture of Finos, Amontillados, Manzanillas, Olorosos, and the even the rarer Palo Cortado (a sherry originally intended for the dryer fino or amontillado style that loses its yeast "veil" and consequently ages by oxidation, like a richer oloroso).
With this range of sherry types and producers, Diggins relies on different tools to train his staff about its pairing potential, chief among them Heston Blumenthal's The Perfect Marriage: Pairing Food and Sherry Wines from Jerez. "It's a little primer on sherry, arranged by Blumenthal. He got a group of chefs to talk about sherry and make a recipe to pair with it, explaining why the pairing works. I show it to my staff," says Diggings, "not only back but front of house, to see the unbelievable range of stuff you can pair sherry with."
Diggins, for his part, follows suit with creative pairings that capitalize on the characteristics of different sherry varieties. The results of a multi-variable process that's been perfected and adjusted over the years, the sherries that make up Diggins' list are the combined result of contact with a flor yeast veil, oxidation, and the vintage-stacking solera process, all in addition to the typical variables of grapes, soil, climate, and producer. The results of this intricate process, now thankfully regulated, are consistently complex and surprisingly affordable—no small attraction in a recession.
Diggins might pair a dish with "the brininess and saltiness and crisp apple qualities of a Fino or Manzanilla" or serve a plate of smoky barbecue flavors alongside a richer, complex Oloroso. "With a dry sherry you get sweetness in the nose, but acidity to cut through the fat of the meat," he explains, "marrying it to the dish" where a port pairing might overpower with residual sugar. In fact a key characteristic of dry sherry pairings is the contrast between perceived and tasted sugar. Dry sherries exhibit a "perceived aromas of sweetness," says Diggins, with flavor notes that vary depending on type, "but they have a dry flavor."
It's this exact contrast—the sweet nose and dry savor—that makes sherry such a powerful pairing in Diggins' arsenal. With a dish like chef Eyherabide's Tolenas Farm Quail Stuffed with Chicken Mousseline, Raisins, and Shallots with a Port Demi-Glace and Truffle Oil, the golden sweet aroma Palo Cortado compliments the sweetness of the raisins and port demi-glace, while the first sip reveals its crispness and complexity, ideal to pair with the savory, gamey quail and mousseline.
And all it takes to convert a diner to this world sherry pairing, says Diggins, is one well-chosen glass—wine glass, that is. "I try to put sherry in a bigger wine glass instead of the traditional copita, because it warrants it," Diggins explains. Once the sherry is in a wine glass, Diggins knows, the intimidation factor and—perhaps more importantly—the cobwebs of old cultural connotations are gone. "As soon as you put a glass in front of them, they smell it and it's just incredible," he says. "People are just blown away by the nuances."
No doubt owing (at least in part) to its saccharine reputation, Diggins puts serious thought into the dessert sherries on his list. No modest collection of mediocre cream sherries, Diggins' dessert sherries exhibit a balance of residual sugar and complex character, imparted in part from the careful fractional blending of the solera process. A far cry from the syrupy, high-alcohol imitators of sherry's inglorious past, these varieties are as rich and nuanced as a vintage dessert wine—and they should be treated as such. "Sweet sherry can be taken like any sweet wine when you're doing a dessert pairing of sweet with sweet—you don't want too much," says Diggins.
Most of what sommeliers are just learning about sherry's potential has been common knowledge in Spain for centuries. Basic pairings that are revelatory here are considered classics in Spain. For instance, pairing ice cream with a dark, mahogany Pedro Jimenez, with its rich notes of raisin and molasses, "is really common and really good," says Diggins. "People in Spain would roll their eyes and say 'We've been doing it for 400 years! What's the big deal?'" But for the uninitiated—the very people to whom Diggins is preaching his sherry-gospel—the "classic" pairings of sherry's distant past are a recent revelation to the New World. And Diggins is happily spreading the good word.