There are many reasons to use personalized blankets. They not only make great gifts, but can come in very handy with your own family at home and other places. They are sure to be treasured keepsakes.

Personalized blankets as gifts

Anyone can give a plain blanket as a gift, but a personalized blanket shows that you gave some extra thought to your gift. For a bridal shower, the bride-to-be would love to have a blanket with her new last name on it. This makes it, not only a useful gift, but an instant heirloom as well. And what could be more special to an expectant mother than to receive a baby blanket that has been personalized for the new baby.

Other great occasions for giving personalized blankets include birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s day, weddings and even ‘just because’. The list of recipients who would love to get a personalized blanket as a gift includes any member of your family and friends.

Personalized blankets of every kind

Besides blankets that are used on a bed, there are personalized blankets of many different kinds and sizes to suit many different uses. They can be in solid colors, prints, landscapes or even have animals on them.

Personalized blanket throws are wonderful and come in several styles. Some of the smaller ones are used as lap blankets by those in wheelchairs or just for extra warm while watching TV or reading a book. Larger Personalized blanket throws can be used as a cover when taking a nap on the bed or on the couch. They are also good for traveling in cold weather. Some have snaps or ties so that they stay wrapped around you when you get up to fix yourself a cup of hot cocoa or a snack. These are especially nice as personalized blankets.

For the sports fan, there are almost endless choices for a personalized blanket. A full sized blanket or blanket throw of any size can also be a personalized blanket. Imagine a blanket that not only has your favorite team’s logo, but also your own name on it! For the equine enthusiast, there are personalized blankets that make very good saddle blankets. It will make the horse rider stand out from the crowd.

Have you ever bought a futon and the mattress kept on slipping and sliding? Did you ever have to tie up the mattress with rope to keep it from sliding? Do the words like hard, heavy, and lumpy come to mind? Have you ever had a family member or a friend visit with no place to sleep?

Unlike conventional futons that loose their shape over time, Istikbal sofa beds look and feel more like standard couches and offer comfort and convenience. The innerspring mattress is built in. It is part of this jackknife sofa bed. If you could imagine a mattress that folds in half, then you can imagine how the Istkbal sofa beds work. Not only can you sleep and sit on these sofa beds, but you can also store pillows and sheets in them. Once you lift up the sofa bed, a storage space is revealed underneath and we all know finding adequate storage in your home can be challenging at times.

With one sofa bed you get three benefits: sitting, storing, and sleeping. Istikbal sofa beds only require one click to convert from a sofa to a sleeper and they have a built-in storage where blankets, sheets, and pillows can be stored. Unique color schemes and extreme functionality make sofa beds from Istikbal an excellent choice. The contemporary styles and colors of these sofa beds provide refreshing sophistication, while the more traditional styles and colors provide refinement to any home décor. The availability of fabrics varies from microfiber to chenille.

The ipod has been one of the best little gadgets that apple has designed in a long time. Not only was it great for mac lovers for also for those who still like owning a pc. Microsoft has something in mind that will blow the ipod and the ipod nano clear out of the water. Microsoft calls it the zune and the features that this little mp3 player so far is showing much more promise then the ipod ever did.

The zune has a retail price of $249.99 and guess what that is more then worth the price just because of all the features the little powerhouse has. It gives you storage that you will probably never be able to fill along with being able to send information to other zunes through an ingenious wireless zune to zune connection. I can see apple starting to worry about the zune not only because it is a competitor for the ipod but also because microsoft has been able to dominate the computer market for a very long time and odds are will always.

There is talk of a zune shortage during the release time and this can always be met with many trying to get their hands on them as soon as possible. There are at the moment 3 great colors for the zune and odds are there will either be updated colors or skins that could possibly go over the case. Microsoft is also setting up a song site where zune owners can get a membership to and get a ton of songs that will go right into the zune.

Whether you are an apple fan or not you have to realize that the zune will end up taking over what ipod started. There were many diehard pc fans who ended up going and buying an ipod so whatever you do don't feel like you are a traitor to your brand. You just need to go with what suits you best and has the features that you are looking for. For most though it is hot, it is new and it is something that they need right now.

There are many places where you can purchase the zune just make sure and pick one up before they get too hard to buy. Odds are you will start to see these selling on ebay for an appreciated price due o the demand. Also do not forget that there are ways to get the brand new $249.99 zune completely free. Odds are a free zune is much better then paying for one but you need to be the judge of that.

It looks like most people are going to be getting the white zune and then there are a few who are actually going to test out the brown colored one. Not really the best choice for an electronic device but looks like money none the less.

All around probably going to be one of the best devices to be sold in the year 2007 and for good reason. Stop wasting your time and get a microsoft zune today.

What makes DNA testing so popular is its ability to be performed not only in DNA Test Laboratories, but also in the privacy of their own homes. The search for biological parentage can be an emotional time for most people. Some find it rather uncomfortable to let friends know they are undertaking a DNA paternity test. Some also find it awkward if their surrogate family, the one who has raised them and love them all their lives, find out that they are undergoing a DNA paternity test to prove or disprove relationships and parentage!

With that in mind, DNA test laboratories and DNA testing companies came up with the home DNA test kits. Home DNA test kits are easy to perform and the best part is that home DNA test kits can be bought online, delivered privately, and be done in the privacy of the home!

Without question, home DNA test kit can be bought online. But the question remains: with all the home DNA test kits to choose from, which one is better? Here are some points of comparison or things to consider when choosing a home DNA test kit:

1. ISO 17025 Accredited Like any organization or companies, DNA testing companies should be ISO 17025 accredited to ensure that consumers are receiving quality products. In this case, a home DNA test kit should be ISO 17025 Accredited to guarantee its quality.

2. AABB Parentage Accreditation Program The better home DNA test kit should also be one that comes from a DNA test laboratory that is a member of AABB Parentage Accreditation Program. Again, this is an international accreditation program to ensure that quality of DNA testing procedure and of the accuracy of interpreting test results.

3. Collection services A better home DNA test kit should come from a DNA testing company with an affiliate DNA test laboratory that is willing to collect your DNA test kit and your specimen where you want it and when you want it. Again, privacy of the DNA tester should be of their primary concern.

4. Percentage of Inclusions and Exclusions A better home DNA test kit should come from a DNA testing company that offers 100% exclusions of paternity and 99.9% inclusions of paternity. In simple layman’s term, exclusion percentage shows the tester who can not be their fathers, and inclusion show who can possibly be their father.

The best things in life are free as what the famous saying goes. However with the modernized technologically and advanced society that we have nowadays, is there such a thing as ‘free’? Of course there is! There are lots of things that you can do without spending that much and that includes sending of free online greeting cards.

Greeting cards can express the emotions that you may not be able to show and the words that you may not be able to say especially if you are hindered by space and distance. Sending of greeting cards does not have to be done solely in times of special occasions like birthday, anniversary, Christmas and New Year. A greeting card can as well be sent to make someone know that he or she is remembered.

Greeting cards originated sometime in the 1800s among the elite groups in the society. It was originally used to send private messages with added designs. The cards were hand made which were then meant for the rich because of its expensive cost. It was formally introduced to the whole world in 1840 in the form of postage stamps. It was made open to the general public in 1850 through printers. Nowadays anyone can have access to the wide array of greeting cards with various styles and designs to suit the same varied preferences of users and customers like you.

Free greeting cards that can be sent online are accessible to anyone. There are billions of card types in the World Wide Web for ordinary and special occasions. What makes them more entertaining are the animated characters and designs commonly accompanied with music to set the tone and theme of the message or greetings conveyed...CONTINUE

Greeting cards have been a part of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Christmas, New Year and other occasions and celebrations. It has been used as a medium to express one’s feelings. At times, greeting cards can even say much more than the words said personally. Greeting cards do not actually require a special occasion. You can send it anytime to anyone you wish to remember and make them feel how much you love and care for them.

The traditional manner of sending and receiving cards is made even easier and faster through the computer and the internet. It can be sent in just a few clicks so you don’t have to stay too long in front of your computer. Before, there is a need for a mailbox and a postman for cards to be received by the person. But sometimes, this is inefficient. And the person may or may not receive the card sent through this system. The card may also get torn or strip. With online greeting cards, you are assured that your buddy or loved one will get your message, provided that you send it to the right email address.

It was recorded that the elite people in the society during in the mid 1800s did send greeting cards. They used cards to send private messages to each other. The greeting cards were hand-made with prices that the common folks may not afford. It gained much prestige when the first postage stamp was introduced in 1840. In 1850, greeting cards were introduced to the public with the debut of printers. The oldest greeting card was crafted in 1400s. It was meant for Valentines Day. It can be seen nowadays in the British Museum...CONTINUE

People buy Elmo TMX because he is this furry, adorable little creation and has been the most hard to find toy of the holiday for the past ten years. Oh my goodness! This laughing elmo has been here for ten years which means this is his tenth anniversary since appearing on Good Morning America.

But seriously. Why do children love this little red, furry monster, that is yet, so cute and lovable?

One word. LOVE

It seems that Elmo connects with children and adults on the most purest level of life. That is the human desire to love and be loved.

The real reason why people buy Elmo Tmx is to share that love experience with their child. This would be the most memorable gift for any child.

He has three tickle spots, his chin, toes and tummy. Just tickling him and watching how he reacts (the same as a child) will most definitely tickle children's funny bones and adults, too. Think of how you tickle your child and how they roll, and fall backwards, kicking and laughing.

Do you remember the joy it brought to you?

It is the same feeling they get after tickling Elmo. It is a very good feeling. This awesome toy will surely bring lots of laughs and is well worth the money.

Share this little red furry bundle of joy with your children and/or loved ones. People are trying to buy Elmo Tmx now while they're available. A lot of shoppers seem to wait until the last minute and then go out and try to buy the hottest christmas item of the year and is sadly disappointed when they are out of stock.

Don't be one of those shoppers.

This is the coolest, most interactive toy yet. His only mision is to keep kids laughing. Folks buy Elmo TMX because he is a true delight that will keep a smile on your child's face and fill them with amazing joy.

There are few things I love more than trying out new cosmetics, so I treated myself to a nice little shopping spree last week. I came home with a new mascara with a great little mirror built right into the tube for convenience, a black liquid eyeliner that will be just perfect for a dramatic holiday look, and a set of cream eye-shadow in six frosty shades. The best part is that I only spent a little over three dollars. See, my little shopping spree was at the dollar store around the corner.

I was always hesitant to purchase dollar store cosmetics, but a few years ago when I traded my traditional 9 to 5 job for a lesser-paying stay-at-home job in order to pursue my other dreams, cosmetics shopping became a luxury that I couldn't always afford. Gone were the days of hitting the local drugstore and having a cosmetics free-for-all. So eventually I gave in and tried dollar store cosmetics.

The truth is that there are pros and cons to buying cosmetics at the dollar store. For one, you won't always find the name brands that you're used to. For another, they're often the shades and products that didn't do so well on the regular retail circuit.

Still, there are great buys to be found in the cosmetics section of your local dollar store. Many no-name eye-shadows are just as good as the expensive brand name ones, and at a dollar per product, you can afford to take the gamble on a shade you might not normally have tried. Plus, there are times when you can find the name brands like Maybelline or Revlon, usually with products or colors that have been discontinued by the company.

The one thing to watch out for with dollar store cosmetics are products that have a shorter shelf-life. Nail polish, for instance, is probably not the best cosmetic to purchase at a dollar store because older nail polishes tend to separate and are harder to apply. Other liquid and cream products are a gamble as well -- although for a dollar, I'm willing to gamble on that liquid eyeliner and mascara.

Safer bets are items with a longer shelf-life like powder eye shadows and blushers, eye pencils and lip liners. Also worth purchasing at the dollar store are accessories such as cosmetics brushes, eye-shadow applicators and nail care items like cuticle pushers and orange sticks. These things are often as good as what you'll buy in the department or specialty stores and you'll be spending a whole lot less.

Me, I find dollar stores great for experimentation and for the times when I just feel like being a little frivolous and coming home with a full bag without spending a fortune. And while dollar stores weren't meant for targeted shopping for a particular item or color of brand, they're a great place to supplement and to try new things.

Since medieval times, dubbin, a waxy product, was used to soften and waterproof leather; however, it did not impart shine. It was made from natural wax, oil and tallow. As leather with a high natural veneer became popular in the 18th century, a high glossy finish became important, particularly on shoes and boots. In most cases, a variety of homemade polishes were used to provide this finish, often with lanolin or beeswax as a base.

In the 19th century, many forms of shoe polish became available, yet were rarely referred to as shoe polish or boot polish. Instead, they were often called blacking (especially when mixed with lampblack), or simply continued to be referred to as dubbin. Tallow, an animal by-product, was used to manufacture a simple form of shoe polish at this time. Chicago, Illinois, where 82% of the meat consumed in the United States was processed, became a major shoe polish producing area for this reason.

Prior to 1906, shoe polish was not well known as a purchasable product, nor was it particularly sophisticated. While sales were not especially high, a few brands, like Nugget, were available in England during the 1800s. The practice of shining people’s shoes gradually caught on and soon many shoeshine boys in the city streets were offering shoe shines using a basic form of shoe polish along with a polishing cloth.

Modern Polish

While a number of older leather preserving products existed (including the Irish brand Punch, which was first made in 1851, and the German brand, Erdal, which went on sale in 1901), the first shoe polish to resemble the modern varieties (aimed primarily at inducing shine) was Kiwi. Scottish expatriates William Ramsay and Hamilton McKellan began making "boot polish" in a small factory in 1904 in Melbourne, Australia. Their formula was a major improvement on previous brands. It preserved shoe leather, made it shine, and restored color. By the time Kiwi Dark Tan was released in 1908, it incorporated agents that added suppleness and water resistance. Australian-made boot polish was then considered the world's best. Black and a range of colors became available, and exports to Britain, continental Europe, and New Zealand began.

He named the shoe polish after the kiwi, the national bird of New Zealand; Ramsay's wife, Annie Elizabeth Meek Ramsay, was a native of Oamaru, New Zealand. It has been suggested that, at a time when several symbols were weakly associated with New Zealand, the eventual spread of Kiwi shoe polish around the world enhanced Kiwi's popular appeal and promoted it at the expense of the others.