getting the I ❤ view

Windows bring a room much needed light, a view and a general sense of airiness and space. Who hasn't been in a small windowless office or single windowed cramped hotel room and felt like a caged animal?

Problem is, windows work both ways and while they let you see what is outside they also allow what is outside to see what is inside which may not always be the best thing depending on the situation. Sometimes the view from the inside is not so great, either. Who wants a view of a neighbor's car or trash bins?

So how to create the space you want, let in the light and shield the view? One affordable solution is quality roman blinds, custom fit to your design style and particular window. Many window treatments can cost more than a month's rent or mortgage payment– and if you are like me that may make for a great view but a serious minus when it comes to enjoying your home. See how you can create a truly luxurious feel for your home. With products inspired by the latest trends in interiors in a wide range of fabric styles, anywhere from plain to textured at prices you will enjoy as much as how your new looks.

Get a look you will enjoy as long as you own your home at prices that won't drive you out of it!

need to get away

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back to School season is upon us for most of America, maybe you or your kids have already gone back to school. Time to start thinking about putting away the BBQs, the swim suits and the shorts while pulling out the jeans, sweaters and sensible shoes. Still, it doesn't mean you can't have one last trip (with or without the kids if you so choose) before studying begins in earnest, right? Especially if someone else is footing the bill!

As you read this, Hampton Hotels is having a daily giveaway of a free weekend stays at any of their locations. Head over to the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes page and cast your lot to win! Entering is easy and well, winning is always sweet. Time spent with family or friends is something you can always look back on, if you choose to bring a camera to document the even is up to you! I've been to Southern California many times with siblings, aunts and friends and have always had a blast and you can too. Think of how thrilled they'll be when you tell them you have won and it is them you want to spend you vacation week-end with. Personally, I don't think I would leave the kids behind, especially when going someplace new – that way you get to see the sights both yourself and through the eyes of a child. Plus, you'd be getting them hooked on travel and learning new ideas and cultures. So, up off your backsides, put down the videogames and the social-networking and win you and your kids a week-end trip you will all remember all thanks to Hampton Hotels!

image is everything in some cases

Say you want to create an Escort website but you have no web design knowledge and don't have a lot of money to spend on startup costs? What are you going to do? You could try out the helpful templates and hosting at Escort web design– they have dozens of professional website designs, with all sorts of modules and widgets. Just pick and choose which parts you like and before you know it you will have created your unique escort page!

Blogs, forums, polls and a video-chat function too if you like, it's all up to you and all absolutely free. Why go it alone or with a generic system when you can have EscortSite providing a full content managent system specifically targeted to the escorts world.

See how fast and easily you can migrate or start your own website while personally managing your online content, your fan community and newsletter subscribers. Go with the experts and let their skill make it easy on you so you can concentrate on what you do best. In a field where image and perception counts, can you afford to look second rate?

Check it out for yourself and just so you know, the link is safe for work.

The Doughboy in Tins

PNE at Night (11)
Originally uploaded by SqueakyMarmot

No details of this amazing reproduction of the Pillsbury Doughboy done up in tuna cans. Stay tuned and more details when I find them.

Too good not to share!

save with cheap insurance

Like books and phones, shopping for car insurance is one of those things that is has been made so much easier now that we are in the online information age. Do what I and countless thousands (millions?) did by getting and comparing auto insurance quotes online to see what potential ways you can customize your coverage and save yourself some money.

By requesting a number of online quotes to compare prices and coverage is one of the best way and really only the easiest way to be certain that you are getting the lowest rate plus any other discounts you may qualify for (like safe driver or good student).

When shopping around, just remember that often the bigger names that advertise frequently in the insurance business are not always going to provide you with the best coverage yet they may also surprise you by being the best choice for cheap auto insurance in NC. You really can't tell until you have all the facts in front of you and the best way to do that is to get quotes in front of you. Leverage the power of the internet to see how you can be saving money as soon as next month – remember being frugal isn't about paying the least but about getting all that you pay for. This has been a sponsored post.

Rapid Transit to the San Francisco International Airport: View of Terminal Complex with elevated BART scheme (1969)

Rapid Transit to the San Francisco International Airport: View of Terminal Complex with elevated BART scheme (1969)
Originally uploaded by Eric Fischer

Oh the places we could have gone... take at look at how BART was supposed to be, circa1696.

What Not to Wear

The dresses worn by the actress Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in the film adaptation of "Gone with the Wind" are beginning to disintegrate.

In an odd bit of irony, the parody dress worn by carol burnet is in great shape at the smithsonian. 

Made of 100% recycled material.

There & Back Again

Steve Thomas takes us to Tolkein's imagination with these vintage inspired travel posters. The others are painted with acrylics on paper, the Rivendell one was all digital it seems.

http://stevethomasart.blogspot.com/2010/08/fantasy-travel-posters.html

have we met?

Can't make a sale if the customers can't find you. Want to make your website a destination website?Web Backlinks wants to help you promote your website with their free website listing submission, SEO tools and services. Find out what a free regular backlink can do for your traffic and see how the help of professionals can get you the hits you want. The more hits you get the more chances of a sale, right?

This has been a sponsored post.

get smart, it pays

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

The old saying, "you can never be too rich or too thin," needs to be updated for the 21st century, I would add, 'too well educated.' Besides, now that you can get an advanced degree in your own home or local wifi enabled coffee house, what's stopping you?

The USC ’s MAT@USC offers both working educators as well as the aspiring teacher all the prestige of earning a Master of Arts in Teaching from one of America's most elite research university via the convenience and flexibility of studying online. Their highly interactive online classes combined with traditional field-based experiences mean you can become a part of the elite USC Trojan Family in as little as 12 months!

Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching degree from an internationally renowned research institution with a 100-year history of educating teachers to be "agents of change".
USC's Rossier School of Education was recently ranked Nº22 in the United States, and Nº9 amongst all private universities by US News and World Report, so why pass on the chance to learn from the many distinguished USC faculty members, many of who have been recognized for their contributions to modern education?

Take a look at their program information and stop thinking that next year will be the year you change careers or add to your education, and start to see all that USC has to offer and be the change you want to see in yourself, in your career, in your neighborhood and in the world.

Real vs. Counterfeit

Fine wisdom from the overlords at Frito-Lay:

You should not knowingly use a counterfeit coupon. We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and confusion this has caused.

wild blue yonder

You have probably seen the TV commercials where various phone companies are comparing their 3G coverage maps but if you are in one of those 'white' areas of the map where the big media companies don't provide coverage– what are you going to do? Worse, what if you live in an area like I grew up in where the big cable or internet companies have decided that you are simply 'too far away from the rest of the population' to make it cost effective for them to bring the internet to your door. Well, now you can have the same speed in your country house as your friends get in the city with Wild Blue high speed internet satellite service. High speed internet access via satellite to virtually everywhere in the U.S. is within reach and withing your budget. Read how these satellite internet service providers work and start watching movies and more online just like everyone else is. Don't let your address prevent you from having a rich and full internet experience when all you need is a small dish and a view of the sky.

Satellites are standing by to bring the world to your computer, just get the hook up and et the dish look up!

Don't be a Spock

Reportedly posted in the bathroom at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Don't be a Spock - Adjust your monitor height.

via xadamdx