I was out with a friend the other day at a nice restaurant we like to go to on the weekends because it has got some amazing beer and fiery hot chicken wings, big screen tvs and great music. We were talking about how much the internet has changed our lives and how we have traded in the old metal baskets that we used to push around the store with our moms for the new kind of digital shopping carts like the dotnetnuke shopping cart. As a website designer, he really knows how important good ecommerce software is these days for easy online shopping like we can enjoy on many websites now.

As for me, I definitely always like to do my shopping online. I bought everything from my bike and my snowboard and boots to even my car and my health insurance online. It is so much easier, faster, and usually a ton less expensive to buy as much as possible online. It is not as dangerous and unsecured as it used to be to use your credit card online, which has helped too. In fact I have been meaning to buy a new jacket for this upcoming winter, so I had better get going to get to my favorite digital store. 

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It’s that time of the semester again! The professor in my Photography course just handed out our final assignments for the term. The assignment is actually pretty open to interpretation. He wants us to do a photo series on something that represents who we are deep down. Examine our interests, our likes, and our dislikes. Should be pretty fun.

I’m thinking I want to do something involving tattoos. Tattoos are an important part of me and the culture I grew up in. I just want to do some great photographs that focus on the beauty and significance of the tattoos. I want people to see the pictures of ankle tattoos, Jesus tattoos, and even rose tattoos in a way that they’ve never seen them before. Something that forces them to dig deeper… to look beneath the surface.

I guess the first thing I need to do is talk to some friends to see if they’re up for being photographed. I also have to figure out how I’m going to capture the significance of each piece. The project should tell a story. It’s definitely going to be a little tricky, but I have a couple of months to work on it. I’m sure I’ll be able to tie it all together.

Technorati Tags: ankle tattoos, Jesus tattoos, rose tattoos

Spas and hot tubs used to be these big, bulky things that were difficult to set up and hard to maintain.  With advances in technology, the day of the ugly hot tub is gone.  Now you can take your hot tub with you, anywhere you want to go thanks to the advent of portable spas.  Imagine sitting in a hot tub while you are camping in your RV, staring up at the stars while relaxing in the warm, bubbling water, your stress floating away with the mountain breeze.  As long as you have a 110-volt outlet available, it’s a real possibility.  Portable hot tubs come in various makes and models, with a starting price of around $700.  A Pool and Spa News article republished by BNET Business Network states that “portable spas are becoming increasingly mainstream” with today’s models being “armed with state-of-the-art features.”  Inflatable hot tubs have become extremely popular due to the ease of set up and lower prices.  Other Spa-in-a-box versions, while requiring a bit more set-up, offer a faux wood look for a more finished look.  Still others are made of vinyl and finished to look like sandstone.  Most can seat at least 4 people and come with at least a 1hp motor to power the jets.  If a portable spa is a viable option for you there are many hot tub dealers who carry several different models with a price range for every budget.

Technorati Tags: hot tubs, portable hot tubs, inflatable hot tubs, hot tub dealers, hot tub prices

There are several reasons why every woman should get herself a college education. The first of course, is financial independence.   There is evidence to prove that a person with a college education can earn double the amount a high school graduate can earn over his or her lifetime.  In these days of rising prices, it’s hard to maintain any kind of monetary independence if you’re still stuck at the same salary that you were drawing two years ago. A college degree enables a woman to better her career prospects and earning potential, significantly.

Plus, there’s the added confidence that having a college education can give you.  Being around people from a diverse set of backgrounds gives you a chance to enhance your personality. You’re less likely to be subject to abuse because you have the confidence of the knowledge that you can make it on your own, even without a man in your life.

For women belonging to certain communities in the country, getting a college education has always been a little harder, because of cultural factors.  Moslems for instance, are less likely to feel comfortable in the mixed-sex setting that college demands. For such women, there’s the benefit of online colleges and online universities.  Through these virtual learning centers, women can get anything from online nursing degrees to business and management degrees, as wall as certification in several other courses.

Technorati Tags: online colleges, online universities, online nursing degrees

I’m getting married in a few months, and as with any bride I want to look my best.  I’m naturally a pale person, and due to the nature of my job I rarely get to spend any time outside. And when I do I tend to burn.  But I want a nice glowing tan for my big walk down the aisle so I hit the store to look at tanning lotions. 

There is such a large variety of tanning lotions that I wasn’t sure which would be the best tanning lotion for me.  I didn’t want an extremely dark tan, just a bit more color that I currently have. After looking for a bit, I asked for help from the beauty consultant working.  She steered me towards the best suntan lotions for my skin tone and helped me make the final pick.  She also recommended a tanning salon so I could start on my glow right away.

I went in and booked the appointment, a bit hesitant.  I wanted to look as natural as possible.  Nothing orange or fake looking.  I was assured that the tan would look as natural as if I had sunbathed outside.  I have my first appointment in a couple of days and I’m really excited. Now I won’t look as white as the dress!

Technorati Tags: tanning lotions, best tanning lotion, best suntan lotions