Saturday, November 24, 2012

Gifts That Do Good

This holiday season why don't we pick unique gifts that also make us doing good?

WWF Singapore
There are many items from WWF gift shop that you can actually order and send to your loved ones as gift.
WWF Singapore has 4 sets of gift package you can choose:
- Love our Forests: Tiger
- Fight Climate Change: Polar Bear
- Protect our Earth: Panda
- Save our Seas: Dolphin

The gift package includes:
- plush toy
- a set of limited edition EZ-Link stickers
- a customized certificate. You can put your name or your loved ones on it
- a Singapore Seafood Guide

You can also get other items sold in Singapore here.

WWF Virtual Gift Shop
Alternatively, you can buy a virtual gifts from WWF. When you buy these gifts, you are helping WWF to save these endangered animals. WWF will send you a certificate with your name or your friends' name if you want to buy it as a gift. You can browse around the virtual gift shops here.
Virtual gifts from WWF

You may want to check WWF UK Gift Shop too for merchandises.

Happy shopping!



Sunday, November 18, 2012

DIY Coaster from Old Magazine

Do you have a stack of old magazines or booklets that you don't know what to do with it? Let's make something useful out of it. Here is 1 of bunch ideas you can make.

This tutorial will teach you how to make a simple coaster from an old magazine paper.

1. Prepare a piece of paper torn from old magazine or booklet.



2. Now, we need to get perfect square paper. From this position, take one edge, let's say left bottom, fold it to be aligned to the right edge of the paper.

3. Now you have a double triangle shape with excess paper. Fold the excess paper to the triangle, use the edge of the triangle as the guide. Cut this excess paper.

I used ruler to cut off the excess paper

4. You have perfect square paper! Because of previous folding, you'll see a line from 1 side to another side diagonally. We need to make another line so we get the center point.




5. Fold each corner of the paper to meet at the center point. Use clear tape to secure them.



6. You get a very big coaster at the moment. But it's too big and not thick enough, don't you think? Let's fold it again to make smaller and thicker paper coaster.

Flip the big coaster so the side with tape is below. You should see a center point on the coaster from previous folding. Bring again each corner to the center  point and tape them.




Okay, that's it! You get a DIY paper coaster made from old magazine. You can decorate the coaster to look nicer for you to use on your desk or as a gift.



8 Beautiful Books for Christmas Gift

If you're thinking to get book as gift for your loved ones this holiday season, you may want to check these books out. All these beautiful books are from Book Depository. Book Depository offers free worldwide shipping.

1. Narnia Pop-up Book, based on C.S Lewis
In this celebration of the classic series by C.S. Lewis, the world of Narnia comes alive with lavish pop-ups from world-renowned pop-up engineer Robert Sabuda.

SGD33.88, buy here













2. Christmas in New York Pop-up Book
This interactive pop-up book makes the perfect gift for those who love the holiday traditions that originated in New York - from lighting the tree in Rockefeller Center to watching the ball drop on New Year's Eve.CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK is a spectacular gift book featuring the world-famous holiday traditions of New York City presented in the three-dimensional art of a pop-up book. Its unique construction combines original art by Chuck Fischer with photography of famous New York City landmarks and past holiday celebrations. Each pop-up spread will include short histories, architectural legacies, anecdotes, and fun facts contained in mini-pop-ups, pullouts, removable booklets, and other extras. Destined to become a treasured keepsake, CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK has been a perennial bestseller for years to come.

SGD42.55, buy here




3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: a Commemorative Pop-up Book
Robert Sabuda has created a resplendent pop-up version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original publication. This glorious edition is told in a shorter version of L. Frank Baum's original text, with artwork in the style of W. W. Denslow. With sparkling touches of colored foil and Emerald City eyeglasses, this classic tale is certain to find an honored place on the family bookshelf.

SGD34.02, buy here










4. Mangoes and Bananas
Kanchil the mouse deer and his friend, Monyet the monkey, plant some trees and look forward to eating their fruit. When they are finally ripe, Monyet climbs the trees to pick them. But once he gets up there, Monyet can't resist eating all the fruit by himself - and Kanchil can't resist getting even. A deft and humourous re-telling of one of the best-loved tales in Indonesian folklore, Mangoes and Bananas features exquisite art in the traditional Kalamkari style of textile painting from southeast India.

SGD21.50, buy here









5. The Polar Express
Late on Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer's harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring.

SGD12.13, buy here











6. The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 2
The universe isn't made of atoms; it's made of tiny stories. Praised by fans and critics alike, "The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories" has been one of the most beloved projects to come out of actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt's online creative coalition hit Record. With Volume 2, the journey continues with a fresh selection of stories small in scope but outsize in impact. To create "The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories" - half short story collection, half communal poem (Flavorwire) - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, known within the hitRECord.org community as Regular JOE, directs thousands of collaborators to tell tiny stories through words and art. With the help of the entire creative collective, Joe culls, edits, and curates the massive numbers of contributions into a finely tuned collection that is at once ingeniously illustrated ...witty [and] meaningful ("Entertainment Weekly"). "The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, Volume 2" once again brings together art and voices from around the world to unite and tell stories that defy size.

SGD18.32, buy here


7. Swan Lake
Bring Tchaikovsky's best-loved ballet to life in your very own ballet theatre, complete with dancers, music and story booklet. From the creators of "The Nutcracker" and "Sleeping Beauty" ballet boxes comes the most famous of Tchaikovsky's ballets, "Swan Lake". Open up the box to reveal a lavish theatre, complete with twirling dancers and scenery to change. Put on the CD, follow the story booklet and make your dancers pirouette along with the music! With a handy drawer in which to keep the scenery and dancing figures, this is the perfect gift for budding ballerinas.

SGD26.90, buy here







8. The World of Peter Rabbit - The Complete Collection of Original Tales 1-23

A box containing 23 Original "Peter Rabbit Books". It features the books that take you deep into the English countryside as you become familiar with the author's famous and (mostly!) lovable characters, from naughty Peter Rabbit himself, to tidy Mrs Tittlemouse and unlucky Jeremy Fisher.

SGD160.69, buy here









Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Amazon Black Friday Gift Guide For Musical Person

Gift guide for musical person to get from Amazon's Black Friday promotion:

1. Singing Machine SML-383 Portable CDG Player Karaoke Machine, Black (US$39.87)

  • Portable CDG karaoke system with disco lights and vertical loading CD compartment
  • 2 microphone jacks with separate volume controls-great for singing duets
  • Disco Light Effect
  • Auto voice control; balance and echo controls; built-in speakers; AC/DC power
  • Includes wired microphone and sampler disc

2.  Musician's Gear Tubular Guitar Stand Black (US$9.95)


  • Finish-safe rubber tubing
  • Folds up for easy transport

3.  Mendini 4/4 MV300 Solid Wood Violin in Satin Finish with Hard Case, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin and Extra Strings - Full Size (US$59.99)


  • 4/4 (Full Size) violin with solid wood spruce top, maple back, neck and sides with beautiful satin varnish finish
  • Rosewood fingerboard, pegs chin rest, and alloy tailpiece with 4 built-in fine tuners
  • Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair
  • Includes: Lightweight hard case, adjustable shoulder rest, 2 bridges, quality rosin cake, and an extra set of violin strings.
  • 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects

4.  Memorex MKS-SS1 SingStand Home Karaoke System (US$59)


  • Dual microphone inputs for singing duets (one dynamic microphone included)
  • Auto Voice Control (AVC) is your built-in vocal guide
  • Connect keyboard to play with band
  • Cable management clips
  • Powerful speakers built into base (Two 4W speakers)

5.  Danelectro N10B Honey Tone Mini Amp in Burgundy (US$19.95)


  • Leather Handle
  • Clean and Overdrive Tone Settings
  • Belt Clip for Travel Use
  • Louder than most mini-amps
  • Offers a great clean, or overdriven sound

6.  Audio-Technica ATH-M30 Professional Headphones

  • Professional-quality closed-back cynamic stereo monitor headphones
  • Great choice for project studio engineers, home recordists and recording musicians
  • Adjustable cushioned headband and lightweight design for maximum comfort
  • Ultra-flexible 11-foot cable with single-side exit
  • Includes 3.5mm stereo connector with strain relief and professional and screw-on 1/4-inch adapter
  • OFC litz wire cable, convenient one-side exit

Amazon Black Friday Gift Guide: For Her

Here are 5 gift ideas you can stock up from Amazon for your family, friends, or colleagues this Black Friday.

1. Philosophy The Birthday Girl Gift Set (5 Piece) (US$35)


A collection of bath and skincare products to make the birthday girl feel extra special.
Celebrate the birthday girl with amazing grace perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 2 oz.; purity made simple one-step facial cleanser 2 oz.; time on your hands exfoliating hand cream 1 oz.; soul owner exfoliating foot cream 1 oz.; and vanilla birthday cake high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine .5 oz.
 

2. John Frieda JFHA5 Hot Air Brush (US$31.97)



  • Advanced ionic technology provides up to 50% more ions
  • 2 heat settings plus cool setting
  • Titanium ceramic coated barrel
  • Enhanced air control
  • Swivel cord


3. SHANY Cosmetics Carry All Trunk Makeup Kit with Reusable Aluminum Case Exclusive Holiday Gift Set (US$29.95)



  • Multiple eyeshadow palettes
  • Lipglosses, lipsticks, cosmetics brushes
  • Appplicators, bronzer, blush compact kit and more
  • Clear reusable case
  • Holiday exclusive


4. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel (US$16.50)
 
Description:
A gleeful and exhilarating tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure, and the secret to eternal life—mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a San Francisco Web-design drone—and serendipity, sheer curiosity, and the ability to climb a ladder like a monkey has landed him a new gig working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after just a few days on the job, Clay begins to realize that this store is even more curious than the name suggests. There are only a few customers, but they come in repeatedly and never seem to actually buy anything, instead “checking out” impossibly obscure volumes from strange corners of the store, all according to some elaborate, long-standing arrangement with the gnomic Mr. Penumbra. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes, and soon he’s embarked on a complex analysis of the customers’ behavior and roped his friends into helping to figure out just what’s going on. But once they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, it turns out the secrets extend far outside the walls of the bookstore.


5. Betsey Johnson "Creepy Critter" Owl Drop Earrings (US$45)
  
  • Items that are handmade may vary in size, shape and color 
  • Gold tone owl drop with fuchsia and purple colored crystal accents and green details, fuchsia flower with crystal accent at post 
  • Made in China
  • Material: Glass
  • Width: 0.75 inches
  • Length: 2.5 inches