Celtic Attic

I've always loved the products on CelticAttic. I also really enjoyed playing chess as a kid, and probably still would if I actually did have a chess set. It's just not the same playing it online (though it makes a just barely suitable substitute)!

The chess sets available on this website are exactly what I'd like a chess set to look and be like. This is the Mandarin Ivory chess set which features detailed pieces in both ivory-like and Hong Tze finishes. It's priced at US$55. They also have a drop-dead gorgeous medieval dragon chess set which is going for US$106.

Hong Tze is a special stone found in the Sou mountains of China. It has a deep red color. Sculptures and items made of Hong Tze are polished to further bring out the intense, deep red.

Poetry of John Keats

I am someone who loves to read. I wonder what some of the greatest writers would have to say about our digital amenities like TV, the Net, YouTube, etc.

Anyhow, I have always believed in the remarkable power of the written word and poetry especially (save for a few turbulent years of my teenage life, but I'll elaborate more on that another time).



The Complete Poems of John Keats (Modern Library) is intensely and divinely romantic. I still remember the first time I read the poem, Bright Star, Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art. It still is a sheer delight to read. I thoroughly loved The Eve of St. Agnes as well. Keats based this poem on the superstition that a girl could see her future husband in a dream, if she performed certain rites on the eve of St. Agnes.

At one point in time, I had a difficult time finding books I actually found pleasure in reading. I thought the problem was with me at first. When I shifted my focus to some of the literary greats and classics, I began to find what I was looking for. My choice is not out of snobbery; simply pick up just about any "modern day bestseller" on The New York Times, and compare the difference.

I appreciate writers who not only care about their craft, but actually live and breathe penning down everything they have to onto paper. I'm not interested in formulas (there's enough of that in the music industry), and I'm not interested in writers that are banking on a current hot topic: be it vampires, urban faery, whatnot.

Perhaps I gauge a good writer/a good book, by how little it annoys me in general. John Keats' poetry brings you to another world altogether, and an anthology of his is a worthy addition that should be included in any collection of fine literary works.

Fashion from Spain, Bizarre Accessories...

Outfits by Carlos Diez during the Spring/Summer 2008 Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid September 21, 2007

I just saw this on Yahoo! News. I wouldn't exactly like to walk around with that hanging all over my face. Also, check out the close-up of photo number 2 above. Quite frankly, I'm getting tired of viewing pairs of rather sickly-looking, unhappy knees. To be healthy is a better fashion statement.



Photo #3 here shows an "outfit" which I'm not really sure is what. Photo #4 has the same model looking like he's enduring the discomfort. The accessory is covering up that male model's attractive facial features and toned torso, which in my opinion is most certainly a fashion no-no. Don't ever cover up what can be flaunted.

I know fashion is a creative industry, but these accessories don't just border on the line of silliness, they cross it by milestones.

PS: The accessories thing could have ticked me off from the start, but Photo #111 on page 14, shows a model in a voluminous dress with that billowy silhouette type of look.



I find it very difficult to find that honestly attractive. When volume and lots of excess space are in, I'm always waiting to witness the humbler, cheaper, and much more durable potato sack becoming the ultimate fashion statement.

Victoria's Secret Pink: V-string

The beautiful Adriana Lima for Victoria's Secret

This was the first time I bought something from Victoria's Secret (from VSPink, to be exact, a sub-brand of VS).

And I can say that the V-string is a good buy! Some background info on this product.

• The V-string is a variant of the G-string.
• The original G-string has less material between the legs and buttocks, with a string-like appearance (and minimal tan lines).
• The V-string is a thong with a triangle "v" of cloth at the top of the rear.

Apparently, the V-string was created/named, to separate it from the somewhat trashy (to some people) association with the G-string. Well, I think people should be free to wear whatever they like and want to, as long as there's no harm done to anyone in the process :).

I forgot whose quote this is. I think the person was a model: "A good G-string just sits there." So yes, the V-string does just that.

Needless to say, VSPink has many, many gorgeous prints and patterns for their undies.



Sexy and comfortable is a good combination. And these are cotton with no lace so they're pretty practical too. I admit that's quite subjective to my personal preference. So far, I've preferred looking at lace lingerie (which are very pretty), as opposed to wearing them.

In the meantime, I look forward to trying the rest of VS's product lines.

Cape Cod Potato Chips

Cape Cod potato chips stand out as old-fashioned, premium kettle cooked potato chips with a crunchiness and hearty potato flavor.

The nice thing is that this brand of chips isn't saturated with additives. Some brands of potato chips have loads of salt and dreadful MSG (monosodium glutamate, a food additive which can trigger headaches and other symptoms in some people. Myself included!). Cape Cod chips aren't soaked in oil either.

At first, I used to think that some of these "premium" brands were only marketing themselves as premium, so that each product item could fetch a higher price from us hapless consumers.

However, after a few years' worth of being slightly more aware of the food I'm actually eating, I think sometimes the higher price IS precisely because the product is of a higher quality than some other mass-produced brands. You spend less to buy stuff like that, but time-honoured traditions and care that goes into making a product (whatever it is), are compromised with mass production.

Whenever I want a good packet of chips - not just to munch on while zoning out watching TV - I'll find myself cruising the potato chip snack shelves of grocery stores, then stalling as I consider which new type of chips of Cape Cod's I'd try, heh.

I liked the Sea Salt & Vinegar packet (some might find the bite of vinegar a tad sharp. I find Sea Salt great on food though). The Cheddar Jack & Sour Cream tastes zingy. And of course, their good old Classic chips can be counted on.

Book Wyrms

Book Wyrms 1: Tender is the Knight

These fine gift collectibles would make a lovely gift for bookworms, that are fantasy/dragon lovers too!

The one in the picture is by Andrew Bill, a sculptor of dragon figurines.

His Book Wyrms I series, which features four very nice dragons, were actually made to fit together in a row. Book Wyrms II follows this pattern as well. The brilliant, colorful dragons are made from a cold cast resin, and hand painted with much attention to detail. Each order comes packaged in a neat box that looks like a pile of books.

The dragons are cleverly named. In Book Wyrms I, they're called White Fang, Drakes of Wrath, Lord of the Wings, and Tender is the Knight. The dragons in Book Wyrms II are Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger, Gone with the Wind, Black Beauty, and My Friend Flicker.

There are many more products found at IBelieveCollectibles.com.

Fairy cards and tins feature the mystical artwork of Nene Thomas, Amy Brown, and Jessica Galbreth. 2008 Calendars are available in limited quantities as well, so it'd be best to order early to avoid heartache at a later date.

I Believe Collectibles was created to provide a retail outlet for high quality collectibles where magic could be created everyday. They sure are meeting their goal of bringing joy and enchantment into the world, by offering unique items from all over the fantasy realm.

NIKEiD - Custom Designs

Nike IDs is an online service that allows you to design your own custom sneakers, bags, apparel, and accessories (watches and wristbands). You are free to apply your own choice of colors and materials to a broad range of equipment.

The favorite Nike models are there (Air Max, Nike Shox, Nike+), all from the comfort of your own home/computer. The Air Zoom Moire models (Women's>Running) can even be designed with the latest snazzy iPod colors.



The website interface is incredibly user-friendly. The Nike ID site is completely Flash-driven, so the shopping experience is unique and interactive. The webpages load quickly which is always a plus point for convenient online shopping. The main appeal lies in the freedom of personal expression by designing your own product.

There are color options for lace, midsole, and the iconic swoosh. Even the accent of the shoe can be tweaked (from a maximum range of 16 different colors), to give the product a truly personalized look and feel.

As a company, Nike has established a long-term commitment to eco-friendly organic cotton. Nike has set a goal of using organic fibers for at least 5 percent of its cotton-based garments by 2010. That means more than five million pounds of organic cotton a year. For the sake of our planet, I hope other brands will be more than encouraged to follow suit.