Trendy, Affordable Handbags

Brown Large Vicky Heritage Stripe Faux Leather Bag
$45.99

Accessory Bug offers arm candy that’s chic and affordable. From prim and proper to trendy metallic, the picture-perfect handbags and fashion accessories quickly spice up any ensemble.

With girls-on-the-go in mind, the assortment of durable pieces is practical, as well as functional.


Yellow Aiko Faux Leather Evening Bag
$34.99



Pink Vanessa Patent Leather Boston Tote Bag
$44.99

Cathy Chiang and Peter Lin are behind Accessory Bug. The duo is accustomed to operating successful fashion boutiques. Their focus is on hip and unique accessories that exhibit similar craftsmanship as ensured in comparable designer-made goods.

Guided by Chiang’s fashion know-how and Lin’s business-savvy skills, the two ventured out on their own in 2005.

The carefully selected designs boast an amazing assortment of chunky chains, intricate stitching, buckles, beads, glossy patent and supple leathers, and lush fabrics in various faux-textures. All selections allow customers to indulge, or stock up on gifts for special occasions through the year.

PS: To get 20% off, use coupon code: mom08. It expires on 8th May 2008.

Unusual Jewelry

HeBe Jewellery sources unusual contemporary jewelry from British designers, and generally tries to stay away from the high street brands.

There are a wide range of jewellery gifts for men and women. HeBe Jewellery specialises in handmade jewellery pieces that express one's true personal style.



Nick Hubbard Love is in the Air Locket

A very romantic locket by Nick Hubbard. The locket is a beautifully formed piece on Nick's trademark oxidized silver chain. The door can be opened to reveal a tiny mouse on a red enamel background. Little silver hearts and a special 9ct gold heart complete the piece.

The locket is presented in a luxury HeBe wooden box, with a Nick Hubbard gift certificate.



Silver Necklace set with Opal Flower Detail

Here's a funky solid sterling silver necklace, with silver and opflower detail.

The necklace comes with a 16inch (40.64 cm) chain. The pendant size measures 23mm x 23mm.




Windrose Melange Mint Jewellery Box

This is a luxury Melange jewellery box from Windrose. The box is made from structured mint colored Italian leather, with a soft cushioned interior.

Two pullout draws and handy compartments (more pictures available on website) make this an essential jewellery box for serious collections! The box is also fully lockable for added security.

Unique Gift for Grandparents

Rory Siefer is a family historian, whose goal is to help others pass on some of their best life stories, so that they will always be remembered. She was inspired by her grandfather, a WWII veteran, who always loved to tell stories.

These gifts are especially great for the grandparent who has everything.

CatchMyMemory.com features two different Family History kits -- MemoryCatchers, the first of their kind! The MemoryCatchers make saving and sharing a lifetime of stories easy and fun.



The StoryCatcher

The StoryCatcher was created so that you never lose your loved one's voice, and most importantly, their life story.

This kit was made so that the entire project could be completed in one weekend. Using the included Interview Guide, you will be able to prompt your parent/grandparent to tell stories about the special events (from childhood through their adult life).

Using a simple digital recorder you may complete up to 8 hours of voice recorded interviews. The best part is that the whole family can be involved.



The PhotoCatcher

This kit was created to save the history behind a loved one's photographs.

The PhotoCatcher helps a parent review, sort, organize, and select 60 of their best photographs. Once the photos are chosen a memory page is created for each image with short written narratives.

By the end of the process, an amazing 60-page storybook is ready to read and share with the whole family! The PhotoCatcher can make a great bedtime story for future generations, or an instant heirloom to keep on the coffee table for everyone to read.

Ms. Siefer truly believes in the importance of taking the time to save the stories while you still can. It is almost like creating a mini time capsule of your loved one's life so it can always be remembered. Both kits retail for $125/each, which includes all the tools needed to complete the process.

World's First Novel, Novelist

Murasaki Shikibu

Love, intrigue, lust and adventure are all ingredients of a bestselling novel. One such book with these elements thrilled readers almost one thousand years ago. The Tale of Genji, is considered by many to be the first novel in the world. It was written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu.

* I remember borrowing this book from the library some years ago. Didn't finish it (but I'd like to add it to my collection -- next purchase...).

Lady Murasaki's real name is unknown. Murasaki Shikibu roughly translates to "Lavender Secretary". The main source of knowledge about her life is the diary she kept between 1007 and 1010.

The novel is generally regarded as the greatest work of Japanese literature.



The Tale of Genji captures the image of a unique society of refined aristocrats, who were skilled in poetry, music, calligraphy, and courtship. Much of it is concerned with the loves of Hikaru Genji (the shining prince) and the different women in his life. Though the novel does not contain scenes of dramatic action, it is written with an exquisite sensitivity to human emotions. Genji is also very concerned with cultivating a beautiful and elegant lifestyle, a principle called miyabi.

The Tale of Genji continues to have cultural prominence in Japan. Images of its characters grace everything from tee-shirts to stationary, and manga and anime versions of the famous love story have been produced. It is required reading in all Japanese high schools.

Most recently, a new 2000 yen note was produced. One side features an image of Murasaki Shikibu.

References: World's First Novelist, Genji.

Not So Romantic, Quirky Love Quotes

I think there should be a Single's Day holiday -- since there's V-day for couples. As Mr. Oscar Wilde says: "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."

Anyway, I received a forwarded e-mail from a friend long ago. These are some of the entries to a Washington Post Competition. The contest asked for a rhyme with the most romantic first line, but least romantic second line.

Caustic witticism. Enjoy!


Stock Vector: I Heart Evil

~

Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss
But I only slept with you, cause I was pissed

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet, and so are you
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead,
The sugar bowl's empty, and so is your head

Of loving beauty you float with grace
If only you could hide your face

I thought that I could love no other
Until, that is, I met your brother

Kind, intelligent, loving and hot
This describes everything you are not

I want to feel your sweet embrace
But don't take that paper bag off your face

I love your smile, your face, and your eyes --
Damn, I'm good at telling lies!

Every time I see your face
I wish I were in outer space

I saw your face as you walked by
but then I saw a better guy

My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you screwed up my life

I see your face when I am dreaming
That's why I always wake up screaming

My love, you take my breath away
What have you stepped in to smell this way?

My feelings for you, no words can tell
Except for maybe "go to hell"

What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.