Cool Dolls for Cool Girls

As many doll collectors (and little girls, of course) know, 2005 has been the "year of the Bratz." Bratz dolls have replaced Barbie dolls in many countries as the top selling dolls, bringing an end to Barbie’s control of the doll market and giving birth to what may be called "the age of the Bratz dolls."

But what's the main reason behind little girls preferring Bratz dolls over their formidable competition? The answer is simple: coolness. While a lot of moms out there seem to avoid buying Bratz because of their diva looks, the excess of makeup on the dolls' faces, their bad attitude expressions and the "trashy" clothes they wear; these precise features are what make little girls (and not-so-little too) go crazy for Bratz dolls. Let's face it: reality shows us that more and more young women every day tend to adopt the latest fashions and trends, so it is rather logical for a little girl to prefer stylistic Bratz dolls over the more conservative and outdated Barbie dolls.

It seems to me that MGA Entertainment (the creator of Bratz dolls) made the right choice when they started producing these cool fashion dolls back in the summer of 2001 since these chunky, ten-inch vinyl dolls are the number one choice among girls between 8 and 12 years of age.

Maybe the reason for the popularity of the Bratz dolls is the large number of accessories available: from clothing for different seasons to mini-malls, from a sushi restaurant to a cool disco, these Bratz seem to know how to have fun! The different Bratz available include: Bratz Angelz (yes, they are rock stars!), and of course the Angelz tour bus and party plane (every rock star should have one…), the cool Wild West Bratz (I just love those little cowboy hats and the horse), the plain Step Out Bratz dolls, and (my favorites) the Bratz Campfire Girlz. There is also a couple of little Bratz (the Bratz Babiez, Phoebe and Roxxi) to choose from. I specially recommend the Bratz Holiday Doll, a nice lovely doll with a beautiful long evening dress.

There is also a huge number of cool playsets for the Bratz, including the CampFire tent, the limousine, a sushi – karaoke bar, the Bratz shopping mall, the retro cafe, and a vast selection of different places where your Bratz dolls can hang out.

MGA Entertainment has, as has many other doll-producing companies, introduced a line of makeup and many other lifestyle products for girls to complement the "Bratz dolls experience." Maybe the biggest news in this area is the brand new line of Bratz electronics. A portable DVD player, a digital video recorder (yes, a Bratz camcorder!) and a TV/DVD combo are just some of the Bratz dolls electronic products available. Bratz dolls DVD's, a video game and even a movie to be released this year complete the magical Bratz dolls world.

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Big Boy Toys

Are you getting older, but still have a fun side that you like to show?  If this sounds like you, you are not alone.  Remember, just because you are getting older does not mean that all the fun has to stop.  In fact, there are hundreds of toys that you can buy to satisfy your inner joker.  With these toys you will be enjoying yourself just like you used to when you were younger.

Listed below are a few “big boy toys” that you may want to consider.

1. The brick is one of the funniest toys that you can buy.  This is nothing more than a brick that looks 100% authentic, but it is actually made of foam.  So the next time that you get upset, all you have to do is act like you are going crazy.  Throw the brick at a window and watch all of your friends faces!

2. If you miss your old squirt gun, you should look into buying the space rifle.  It is the ultimate soft disc weapon that will supply you with hours of fun.  It comes with two cartridges for quick loading, as well as the ability to shoot down targets that are up to 20 meters away.  This is great fun either indoors or outdoors.

3. The cosmic thruster is designed for people that like guns and shooting things; mainly your friends!  This device loads up with foam balls so that you can shoot your friends time and time again without thinking twice.

4. For people that are really bored, the 10-in-1 game table is a great option.  This product is exactly what it sounds like, 10 games wrapped into 1.  The following games are included: table football, air hockey, backgammon, skittles, shuffleboard, play cards, pool, table tennis, chess, and checkers.  If you have this game table you will never be bored again!

5. Paintball is increasing in popularity all over the world, and if you want to get involved you will want to pick up the patriot pump action paintball gun.  This gun has real pump action, as well as the ability to fire paint balls with more power than the average gun.  

These toys are great for anybody that is looking to have some fun.  But the great thing is that these are only five of the options to choose from.  If you keep your eyes open and search the internet, you should be able to find hundreds more.  This will allow you to build up a toy chest that rivals the one that you had when you were just a youngster!

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Fashionable Babies

Baby Bratz are part of the cool line of dolls manufactured by MGA: the Bratz dolls. But don't think for a moment these are your typical, oblivious baby boys and girls, because as with the teenage dolls, the Baby Bratz have a passion for fashion, and it shows in every set of clothes available for them.

The Baby Bratz are supposed to be the Chloe, Yasmin, Jade and Sasha Bratz dolls when they were babies. They each have a large head - even bigger than their teenage counterparts - which makes sense considering babies often have heads that appear to be too big for their tiny bodies! Kids (and even some adults) find the Baby Bratz to be cute and adorable, especially when you dress them up for the winter fun.

The price of the baby Bratz range from $7 to $11 each, depending on where you buy them, while their clothes are around $5 - $6 per pack. They have a lot of available accessories, which can go from as low as $8 to as high as $30, depending on which accessories you purchase.

A Baby Bratz doll is a terrific gift for most young girls, and is especially recommended if you are a mom or dad who is not fully happy with the teenager Bratz dolls' looks and attitudes. If you don't think that the excess of makeup and the arguably trashy looks are good influences for your little girl, then give her a Baby Bratz doll, and she may be equally happy.

As for the durability, these great dolls are resistant to a number of children's typical "abuses." I have accidentally stepped on a baby Yasmin once, and it didn't break (but she may just have been a lucky baby!). Other than that, I have seen Baby Bratz being thrown, having "traffic accidents" with toy cars, and even getting chewed by a dog, and I never saw them break under the abuse (unless you count dog teeth marks as breaking).

Whether you are a fashion dolls collector or you are just looking for a great doll to give to your daughter, you simply can't afford not to check out the nice baby Bratz line of dolls. They are a great way to bring tons of fun to your daughter without spending too much. It is possible to buy a Baby Bratz doll and two different sets of clothes for less than twenty dollars, which in today's economy isn't that bad.

The Baby Bratz line of cute dolls and accessories can be found in almost every store on the country, and is currently exported to a huge number of countries around the entire world. Once you get to know one of these adorable dolls, you will probably want another one, and soon you will have a preferred Baby Bratz. My favorite Baby Bratz is Jade; what's yours?

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All about Power Saws

Power saws are used for small and large projects. Some of them are light weight and other projects involve heavy objects. Power saws are available in a variety of sizes and different volumes of power to ensure you can always find the right power saw for any need you have. The newer power saws often come with an infrared light that you follow as you cut. This is a perfect way to ensure your cuts are as straight as possible.

The most common type of power saw is the chainsaw, used to cut down timber. They work well if you need to trim your trees or cut them down for firewood. On draw back of chainsaws is that the cut is often ragged so there is a great deal of splintering.

Circular saws are used for a variety of home improvement projects. They are very versatile, so it is a great choice if you don’t want to have to purchase several saws that you only use occasionally. Circular saws are powerful enough to cut through very thick wood. Make sure you choose one that has a high level of power and comes with the on/off location in an easy to reach location in the event you need to turn it off in a hurry.

A mitre saw is a type of circular saw that works well for crosscutting.  It is used to cut at exact angles, dimensions, and lengths.   For very detailed work, a scroll saw works great. These are both very common tools used in woodworking.

A saber saw works well to cut paneling and other thin, flexible materials. It is commonly referred to as a jigsaw. You want one that is sturdy and fits well in your hand. The quality of the saber saw isn’t that important, but the quality of the blades you use in one is a very important issue that will impact your cuts.

A table saw is used for bigger jobs or long pieces of material. It consists of a table with the saw blade located in the center of the table. This is a great way to have a surface to hold the other end of the material.

A band saw is the best option when you need to cut something in the middle or away from the edge of a piece of material. The band saw has a small table with a very thin blade that comes down from the top. Clamp your material in place to line up with the bland and pull the top part of the band saw down. This is great for cutting out wall plugs and door knobs.

There are several very small power saws as well. The crosscut saw is used when it is necessary to cut across the grain. A rip saw operates similar to a circular saw but it is smaller. A keyhole saw is used to make curved cuts or to put round holes in paneling and dry wall.

Most saws are long lasting and durable. It is very important that you store them where the blade won’t be a safety hazard. Make sure you unplug them after every use if you don’t  have a cordless saw. Since the last so long, it is important that you protect the blade. They can become rusty if you don’t clean them after use. Never operate a saw with a rusty or bend blade. It is a potential safety hazard.

Saws are very powerful tools. You should always were safety glasses while operating any type of saw. You also need to use any guards that come with the saw for your own protection. Make sure you fully understand how to operate the particular saw you are using. Take some time to investigate the right saw to use for your particular project. Some saws are very versatile and can be used for many different things.

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All about Power Screwdrivers

Have you ever had to deal with a stubborn screw that just wouldn’t go into the material like you wanted? How about one that wouldn’t come out for you? This can be frustrating as well as time consuming. Power screwdrivers are a great solution for these issues. They are very efficient and inexpensive.
In line power screwdrivers are designed for basic household projects. They aren’t too powerful, but more than sufficient to get the job done. For heavy duty projects, consider using a drywall screwdriver. Some models offer various speeds. There are several models to choose from. Some are very similar in design to a basic screwdriver. Other are shaped like the number seven, with a handle for you to guide the screws in. Others come with a handle that pivot to help you get into just about any angle you can imagine.
Select a power screwdriver that fits well in your hand. Some of the handles are rough and others have a soft, foam grip to them. Hold the power screwdriver in your hand and see how it feels after a few minutes. If you will be using it for lengths of time then comfort is very important. You don’t want to end up with sore hands or blisters.
Different power screwdrivers have varying amounts of torque power and speeds. You will want to compare this information before deciding on the power screwdriver you wish to purchase. Take some time to review what each power screwdriver is recommended for. Compare that to the projects you are likely to undertake with the power screwdriver.
It is good idea to keep your power screwdriver fully charged. This will give you the best possible results from it. If the battery won’t hold a charge for very long, you are going to have to replace the battery. Some people choose to purchase a second battery separately so that they can have one charging and one in the power screwdriver. This is highly recommended if you will be using the power screwdriver on a regular basis.
For those of you who intend to use your power screwdriver regularly, consider purchasing a power screwdriver kit. It comes with a sturdy carrying case. Inside you will find the power screwdriver and a slot for each accessory. You will often get many sizes of tips to use. It will also include a power cord. Some of the power screwdriver kits also include an extra battery as well as a charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter. You can get a power screwdriver kit at a much better price than having to purchase accessories separately.
Very few accidents actually occur from using a power screwdriver, but they can. While using a power screwdriver, remember the driving force behind it. Both of your hands should be away from the area that turns. The turning blade can slice your hand if you aren’t careful. It is a good idea to use eye protection as well.
Power screwdrivers will drive through most anything. It is very important that you make sure there are no power cords or wires behind the area where you are working. Keep your hair pulled away from your face as well. Leaning forward to see your progress can result in loose hair getting caught and twisted.

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10 Great Winter Fashion Trends This Season

It's that time of the year again with snowflakes falling, yuletide cheer and Christmas shopping, hot cups of coco and cozy warm fireplace with sizzling embers of coal crackling away. But what's heating up the fashion scene this winter, a closer look reveals some interesting insights on the latest winter fashions.

This seasons winter colours

True to the season, soft snowy white shades seem to be a good choice for clothes that blend in with the winter theme. Another popular colour to helps produce a sharp contrast is Black and various shades of bright black; while dull and muted greys give a nice warm and fuzzy touch and hues of rich red right through to mellow maroon are reflective of the season.

For women, earthy colours ranging from the deep shades of olive, maroon, brown, deep blue's to chocolate brown are colours set to form the trend. While for men, muted shades of pink, lavender, brick red, grey, deep shades of purple and black are what’s going to be setting the stage for fashion.

Hair

Choosing the right hair style to go with the fashion and season can be a daunting task. You don't want to be seen in last year's styles and certainly not something that’s not the hottest rage at the moment. So if you're trying to figure out the hairdo that's the pick of the season by stylists and fashion models;  it's time to let you in on that little secret, apparently for women wearing your hair in the all so classic 'Bob Cut' seems to be the favoured trend this season.

Men on the other to make the cut will have to aim to get their hair into the bushy straight yet carefully dishevelled look that gets tucked away into the tops of their mufflers.

Hats

If you like hats you're in luck, this season hoods, hats and caps are the rage. Large knitted beanies or those furry oversized Moroccan hats all in this winter. The styles in vogue are hats that are either huge and puffy or tiny and pointed. Fur lined hoods blended into the garment are also turning heads this winter.

Coats

This season coats come with a nice thick mantle like look that feature tousled sleeves and funnelled collars. Other patterns included coats with widely placed collars and a rich furry texture.

Fabrics

The prevailing tendencies for fabrics this season are fabrics that are over-worked with several different effects across their surfaces. The fabrics are very solid or concrete with a sort of untamed natural feel blended with soft lustres. Prints around the winter theme are almost subtle while the focus in on rich exterior of the fabric.

Lightweight wool or reworked cottons are the base for designs that will debut this winter.

Effects

Complementing the feel and textures of fabrics the designs around these effects that are set to make the stage this winter, range from, long pleats, to subtle wrinkles and clearly visible overstitches, to the blistered and tangled effects.

Cashmere worked in with regular wool and mohair is blended to give the fabrics a light yet visibly textured look. While some of the other fabrics are roughly cut to give a thatched heavily threaded effect. Most knits are made with heavily emphasised gages to draw out the raw protective feel against the winter chill.

Denim is one of those fabrics that will probably be around forever, this winter, the theme is a slight gleam in the denim with an oxidised look. In fact this seasons going to have you seeing a lot of ultra cool effects.

Scarves

This season, trade in your old winter muffler for those large woollen scarves that can be draped over your shoulders like a stole. Embodied with various prints on dulled wool the scarf lends a casual yet protective loo to the wearer be it a man or a woman.

Footwear

Ankle length shoes in shades of silver and grey are this winters winner. They shriek elegance and comfort in a very casual sort of way. For women transparent slippers laced with silver give an almost Cinderella effect.

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Armani Sunglasses - The Leaders In the Field

Armani sunglasses are the leaders in the area of eyewear as protection from the sun. Designed by Giorgio Armani, these sunglasses are the best Italian sunglasses on the market. Armani sunglasses are extremely light and the only reason you know you’re wearing them is because they block out the glare of the sun.

The Armani sunglasses come in styles for women or men, but you can also get these designer sun glasses in unisex styles. Giorgio Armani sunglasses are one of the most stylish brand names in sun glasses in the world. These designer sunglasses are sought after and everyone wants to wear them to make a fashion statement.

If you are looking for authentic sun glasses designed by the best, then Giorgio Armani sunglasses are the ones to choose. When you order your Armani sunglasses online you can choose from a wide selection of style and find out whether the design you like best are suited for male or female. For example, the 134/S line of Armani sun glasses are marked as male and feature metal frames. If this is a style that you like, you can choose the type of lens you want in these sunglasses, such as Rhodium/ Riviex, Shiny Violet or Rhodium gray.

Each type of Armani sunglasses has a different selection when it comes to the color of the lens. You can get Giorgio Armani sunglasses to fit the size of your eyes and you can add your eyewear prescription when you place your order online. If you are not sure what your eye size is to help you order the sun glasses correctly, the information is included on the site to help you.

When you order Giorgio Armani sunglasses, you should know that only the highest quality lenses are used in every pair of sun glasses. Armani applies just the right coatings to the lenses and each purchase of Armani sunglasses also includes a free silk lens cleaning cloth. In addition, the Armani sun glasses carry a one-year warranty against any lens defect that might occur in the manufacturing process. What more could you ask for when you are getting this much quality for your money?

Armani sunglasses – you really can’t get better sunglasses.

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An Introduction to Shrink Wrapping

 

Shrink wrapping is a particularly well-established form of packaging that has developed over the past four to five decades.

Essentially, material is produced such that molecules are stretched as part of the manufacturing process. When this material is subjected to heat, the elastic memory of the plastic is activated, causing the material to shrink around the product.

This is a traditional division between packaging for transit and packaging for display, whilst the latter has a further division into food and non-food applications.

The key to the application of shrink wrap for transit is cost so that the material and its application provide the lowest cost solution in delivering the product from the manufacturer to the end user.

The conventional definition of a transit wrap involves the use of a sleeve sealer and polyethylene film. An individual or bundled wrap provides the necessary solution of achieving the shipment at the lowest cost.

A typical wrap offers two open sides as a consequence of the use of a sleeve although in certain applications the sleeve may be effectively eliminated by the use of appropriate machinery. Generally, the latter is not a particular requirement.

Polyethylene has the attributes of strength at a certain thickness together with shrink ratios and slip. Accordingly, a user will be able to specify a thickness to provide the necessary pack integrity to the end user and shrink ratios to ensure that the wrap is tight. Slip can be altered to ensure that packs stack appropriately.

There are further benefits of shrink wrap since waste disposal after delivery is relatively insignificant whilst the material has clarity to allow product to be identified. In addition, there are tamper-evidence and moisture-prevention benefits depending on the exact application.

Normal applications involve the collation of products although individual packs are readily benefited from transit wrapping.

The market also offers developments in this area such as coloured and printed films. Polyethylene is not a particularly good medium for product enhancement through printing or pigmentation as it has a naturally soft surface which allows scuffing and dust retention whilst it is also relatively cloudy.

However, polyethylene may frequently offer sufficient optics so that it is acceptable in these applications.

As technology has advanced in this market so have applications crossed over traditional definitions in certain areas.

Consequently, certain transit packs are found using normal display films where the pack and its marketing benefit from the increased investment in a material that offers better optics and machineability.

There are highly specialised display films that are designed to offer the same strength as polyethylene but with far better optics and the marketing benefit is such, in these very specific areas, that the greater film cost can be justified.

Display shrink wrap is traditionally oriented towards non-food point of sale packaging where the principal goal is product enhancement with some limited pack protection through an overall wrap.

The latter is the main distinguishing feature of display packaging, the partial wrap with a sleeve generally found is replaced with a total wrap involving the creation of a two dimensional bag around the product.

Some years ago, the conventional film used for this purpose was PVC – polyvinylchloride with plasticiser; an amorphous crystalline structure.

PVC has largely been replaced by polyolefin shrink film although PVC continues to be offered.

PVC has particular benefits in that it is the easiest of any films to seal and shrink but it suffers from problems on sealing, whilst it also has strength and storage issues.

PVC’s sealing temperature is very close to its degradation temperature at which a number of by-products are created. These include very small quantities of hydrogen chloride gas and carbon deposits on the sealer.

The HCL may be dealt with through ventilation. It is to be stressed that all materials should be used with regard to good manufacturing practice and as a consequence, polyolefin films will also require ventilation in the same way. The by-products of combustion should always be considered in relation to the use of any specific machine operator.

Carbon deposits require regular cleaning whilst the presence of HCL will give rise to a need for regular maintenance of the sealer. As polyolefin’s have no chlorine, this does not arise with their use.

The plasticiser in PVC will harden in cold conditions and soften in hot conditions and this may well cause strength problems in cold weather and equally machineability problems in hot. Again, as polyolefin material has no plasticiser, these are not issues where this film is concerned.

PVC requires storage at normal room temperature failing which it is likely to start to shrink. Polyolefin will tolerate higher storage temperatures.

The overall machineability of PVC still gives this material some market share but, increasingly, polyolefin has dealt with its lower overall machineability whilst offering the benefits noted above so that it is now by some considerable margin, the principal display material.

Display wrapping involves the creation of a two dimensional bag around the product.

This is conventionally performed using an L Sealer with centre folded film. The sealer allows continuous production of wrapped packs that are then processed through a shrink tunnel.

L sealers are found in a variety of forms – manual, semi and fully automatic. A large part of the manual and semi automatic market has been taken by combined seal and shrink machinery. These machines are commonly referred to as chamber machines.

Fully automatic L sealers have found increasing use as their cost and versatility have improved.

The highest output speeds are offered by flow wrappers using side seal or overlap mechanisms. Nevertheless the common feature of a two dimensional bag remains the principal similarity between all these sealers.

Polyolefin films offer a variety of attributes so that a very large range of applications can be made.

In general, these are not found in food applications although once more, definitions continue to be stretched. Polyolefin is quite well used in certain applications notably pizza and egg wrapping as well as produce packaging. However, a more precise definition might be that polyolefin is not used to extend the shelf life of a food product. This applies generally except where shrink barrier film is used although this latter product is particularly specialised.

Normally, other materials than shrink are used to extend shelf life and as a consequence, shrink is found only in certain food applications although volumes can be significant.

Display applications for polyolefin have almost no limits as materials have been engineered to deal with any given requirement.

Soft shrink as well as perforation and printing are standard offers. At a more specialised level, slip and anti-fog treatments are also available.

There are a few notable ranges of polyolefin shrink film that offer better machineability and performance than the majority of the market and these are particularly distinguished by technical differentiation in manufacturing. These lead to irradiated grades which offer enhanced strength and multi-layer complexes that may be tailored to a particular requirement.

Polyolefin manufacture typically uses three or five layer extrusion and this confers performance benefits as a consequence.

It will be noted that the key to market movement is the development of material to address specific requirements, since its application is relatively uncomplicated.

There is no doubt that polyolefin shrink film will continue to develop so that it addresses even more uses than at present.

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Air Compressors - How To Choose One

There are three main types of air compressors. Which you need will depend on the air pressure you need and how portable your compressor needs to be.

Reciprocating compressors come in a range from 5 HP to 1000 HP. The smaller compressors are portable, sometimes being mounted on wheels. These may be petrol driven or electrically powered. They compress air by a series of pistons in cylinders. The pistons are driven by a camshaft. Reciprocating compressors are often used in Auto Body Repair shops.

Larger reciprocating compressors are gradually being replaced by simpler rotary screw compressors. A large reciprocating compressor can discharge air at 35 Mpa, more than 5,000 psi.

If you are looking for a compressor for continuous use a rotary screw compressor may be suitable. These compressors use helical screws to compress the gas into a smaller volume. Portable and fixed rotary screw compressors are available. These compressors vary in size from 5 HP to 500 HP. You will find rotary screw compressors that give you a low pressure gas output, or a high pressure output, up to 8 Mpa. These compressors are used to power pneumatic drills when workers are digging up roads and pavements.

For continuous, heavy industrial uses you need a centrifugal compressor. A centrifugal compressor uses a rotating disk with vanes. Output from centrifugal compressors can be as high as 70 Mpa, 10,000 psi. Snow blowing machines use this type of compressor. Superchargers and turbochargers in car engines are centrifugal compressors.

When you buy compressed air for diving the air has been compressed using a three stage, reciprocating compressor. The cylinders in the compressor are ceramic lined, so no lubrication is needed. This avoids the air in the cylinders being contaminated with lubricating oil. If a non-recommended lubricating oil is used it can undergo partial combustion and cause carbon monoxide to enter the air cylinder.

The compressed air is filtered through silica gel to remove water, then through activated charcoal to remove any traces of oil.

Sometimes air from a cheap, low powered compressor will be stored in a bank of large high pressure cylinders. Air from these cylinders is then used to quickly fill diving cylinders. The diving cylinders need to be filled slowly to prevent the compressed air inside them from getting hot. If the gas inside is hot, it will expand and the cylinder maximum pressure will be reached with less air inside. The gas cools and the cylinder may only be half full.

For valves check out http://www.valves-today.info.

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Air Beds in Today’s Age

 

A large number of peopel seem to be avoiding the purchase of an air bed as a result of a lackluster experience in the past. Although this is certainly understandable, people need to realize that the air beds of the past couldn't be any more different from the ones available today. Given that a quality air bed is purchased, almost all of the things which were once issues should no longer be areas of concern.

The first impression which most seem to be under is that they'll wake up to a deflated air bed come the first night of utilization. This scenario is not only unlikely but downright outrageous. Modern air mattresses are constructed of heavy vinyl and are designed to support large amounts of weight. In contrast, older air mattresses were made with either thin plastic or vinyl. This thin material made them very prone to air loss.

The second concern on the minds of many is that of comfort. For some reason, it is believed that air bed manufacturers would be ridiculous enough (as they've been in the past) to leave bare vinyl atop their air beds. Let me assure you that these manufacturers know what they're customers demand and thus line the top of their beds with a comfortable, velvet-like material. With that, comfort should be anything but a concern.

Finally, many have been mislead into thinking that they'll be inconvenienced in adjusting the firmness of their mattress. Current air bed models offer the convenience of firmness adjustment from a remote control. This is far less burdensome when compared to the trial-and-error method involved with older air mattresses.

Now that you've been dug out of air bed lies, we hope you will put some thought into purchasing one. Chances are in your favor that your new air bed experience will be worthwhile.

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Air Bed Shopping with a Convenience Factor

Looking to beat the crowds (and prices) that are currently allotted by traditional stores, many people have headed to the internet to make their air bed purchase. While this is a perfectly understandable notion, it is important that consumers are informed of the precautions they should take while shopping online.

First and foremost, air bed shoppers need to be sure they're purchasing from a reputable vendor. Many have been stung (sometimes severely) from not sticking to this rule. While you may be forking over a few more bucks buying from a reputable online vendor, it's truly worth the piece of mind. We recommend checking out Amazon, Target, or QVC. If you unsure about a particular vendor, we suggest heading over to the Better Business Bureau for more information.

Second, online shoppers should conduct adequate research on the bed they plan to purchase before inputting any sort of credit card number. Don't stick to the description and review(s) available on the vendor's site. These might be biased and thus inaccurate. Once you've got a good overall idea on the product, then you can go ahead and either purchase it or scour the net for a new one.

Finally, you should check to see what the final price will come out to. Remember, when your purchase things online, you have to factor in shipping costs. Although air beds aren't very heavy, they can rack up a noticeable shipping bill. Analyze the final cost and see how it compares to the price at a retail store.

We wish those looking to purchase their air beds online the best of luck! If you exercise good judgment, chances are good that your online shopping experience will be pleasant. Review each and every site you visit before purchasing from a specific one. The last thing you want is to get scammed.

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3 Hot Selling Notebook Computers

The laptop market is an overcrowded field with literally hundreds of offerings available to consumers. Some laptops are very basic models with Celeron processors while others are full blown multimedia powerhouses. Featured here are three top models from the “plain Jane” to the middle of the road, to the fully loaded.

Dell Inspiron 1200 – It is possible to purchase a notebook computer for considerably less than $1000 and Dell offers several models below this threshold including the Inspiron 1200. This particular model is the price leader amongst laptops especially when rebates are figured in. A recent Dell advertisement has been touting the Inspiron 1200 for just $499 after a $150For rebate is received. What do you get with this model? Not a whole lot: an Intel Celeron M Processor 350 (1.30 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB); Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition; 30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive; and 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive. Surprisingly, Dell does include wireless capabilities in the form of a networking card.

HP Compaq nx9600 Notebook – HP’s acquisition of Compaq has produced a nice line up of notebook computers including this particular model geared toward those consumers replacing their desktop computer. Retailing at just over $1300 [before $100 rebate] this midrange offering is nicely loaded as it offers a 17" screen; Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition; an Intel Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology; a 40 GB hard drive; a 12 cell battery; wireless connectivity; and graphics oriented software.

Sony VAIO FS675P/H Notebookspacer – The Sony Vaio name is typically associated with high performing, high priced offerings. The VAIO FS675P/H Notebookspacer fits the bill as this workhorse retails at just under $2000. Chief features of this model are: an Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86 Ghz); Microsoft Windows XP Professional; DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+-RW;  1GB RAM; and a 100GB hard drive. The screen is 15.4" Widescreen5 LCD with XBRITE™ Technology and all of Sony’s top digital software for photography, video and audio are included as standard equipment.

All three models attract different types of consumers, but each model is a standout in its respective class. Consumers are the winner when it comes to shopping for a laptop as prices continue to drop, new features are added, and technology improves with every new model marketed.

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