BidRivals Online Auction Bargains

I recently discovered a site called BidRivals. It's an e-commerce website featuring 1500 penny / cent auctions per day.

As soon as I saw a Navman GPS system sell for $15.72, I wanted to know more.  The object of the exercise is basically to make BidRivals lose money.  Sound confusing?  It's not really.  Try to pay as little for each item as possible and save as much money as possible on each auction.

The first thing to remember about BidRivals is that you will generally pay a fraction of the retail price. Only a nutter would keep bidding after the price gets to equal or above the RRP.  If you don't want to join an auction you can "BuyNow".  Read the FAQ regarding BuyNow and auctions before bidding so you are well prepared and understand how it all works.

Auctions can be quick.  Some can last as little as one minute.  If you are the last bidder when the timer reaches 00:00, you are the winner.

It works like this: You buy a pack of "bids" before the auctions.  Then bid on the items you want.  Each bid costs 0.67c AUD and raises the price of the item by 0.13c.  Each person is allowed to win 4 items each 24 hours, just in case you go a bit nuts with the excitement and try to buy everything at once! 

You can set up "BidAgent" for each auction, allowing a spending limit and automatic bidding for when you can't attend a live auction. 

Signups at BidRivals can get up to 25 free bids to start the process and new users are eligible to participate in "beginners" auctions for new members only. 

technorati tags: auction, bid, auction site, buy, bidding, online auction, shop, shop online, discount, bargains

What's IN and OUT for 2011

According to Yahoo Style Trends, 2011 has some interesting INs and OUTs.


So, without further ado, here's what is IN and OUT for the coming year:

 

Vampires - OUT

Well there's a relief. I always thought of vampires as nasty things for slaying with wooden stakes, not as eligible bachelors, but that's just me.  The point is, nobody has got it right since the Buffy TV series.  It had everything, vampires, Hellmouth, nerds, librarians and awkward nerdy and charming exchanges.  It seems that the latest Twilight movies and vampire TV shows in their own heavy handed and lacklustre way have elevated vampires to a desirable status.  The point is, vampires aren't really that attractive.  They don't tan (no beach trips), they drink blood (so dinner is right out of the question), they are always at risk of turning you into one of them, and they get a bit messy when they go out for a bite with their friends.

Communal Tables - OUT
Well yippee with maple syrup on it!!  I could never stand communal tables.  It was always a stupid idea.  I remember having to endure my own birthday party sharing a table with a bunch of noisy eating crusties because the restaurant "doesn't take bookings man, everyone shares the tables".

Well bollocks to that.  If I pay to go to a restaurant, I want a table for one, two or a group.  That is, people that I actually want to share a table with.  People I actually know and like.  The idea of eating food next to complete strangers with questionable table manners is my idea of hell.  I'd rather get take away or cook something myself until the restaurants can get it together to work out that people don't actually want to share a massive bench with strangers.  If I wanted that I'd go to a mess hall.

Austerity Weddings (ie. Kate and Will) - IN
I'm not sure I can count this $40 million "do" as "Austere".  Perhaps the article was being ironic?  Maybe it's more austere than $50 million...  

Anyway, if you as a slightly less royal person, want to get married, why pay a ridiculous amount like $30,000?  Can't you think of better things on which to spend your money?

Option 1:
1 big poncy day, lots of toasters and glassware and a highly pressurised (you HAVE to have a perfect time) holiday.  And leftovers bits from the $500 cake.  A large bottomless hole in your savings account or credit card.

Option 2:
A set of Callaway golf clubs, relaxed holiday, simple registry do.  Money in the bank.  Gee, let me think now...

photo courtesy of kelsey_lovefusionphoto

Ballerina Fashion - a'la "Black Swan" - IN
Pulled back hairdos, tu-tus and lots of makeup.  Hmmm.
Little does he know it, but I think there's a weirdo guy in Fitzroy who hangs around Brunswick street that's about to become extremely fashionable.

If this takes off, the whole of Melbourne will be like going out for a ciggy at College of the Arts or the National Theatre.  I hope that distinctive dancer's walk doesn't take off as well, it kind of looks like Charlie Chaplin on Ritalin.  That is, if Charlie Chaplin got rid of his walking stick, was really thin and wore his hair in a bun. 




SaveSaveSave's IN and OUT for 2011:

IN

Ferrets
Carmen Miranda fruit hats
Protective padding for vague people who text and drive or walk across busy streets
Leaves
Skin
No nail polish and short fingernails
Roses
Salt crystal and lava lamps
Queens of the Stone Age
Rock N' Roll in general



OUT


Stamps
Flat pack furniture
Australian/American/whatever Idol
Highlighter pens
Grass
Holidays in Ibiza
Guy Sebastian
Dance Clubs
Auto Correct
LOL, BFF, OMG

technorati tags: black swan, ballet, style, in, out, 2011, trends, fashion, accessories, the new black, queens ofthe stone age, rock n roll, charlie chaplin, carmen miranda, kate, william, wedding

Tabasco Original Red Magic

This post brought to you by TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love Tabasco Original Red.  Ever since I could eat hot things (which was very early indeed!) I developed a taste for Tabasco on just about anything.   Recently I have been developing my repertoire to include simple things like toasted cheese sandwiches with Tabasco.   It changes a simple toasted sandwich from okay to simply amazing!  A lot of people think of Tabasco as "hot" and leave it at that.  However Tabasco is so much more than that.  A dash of Tabasco can unlock the flavour in all your favourite foods, bringing out the best so you can get the best out of every single bite.  Tabasco can bring out the best in virtually any dish, the only limit is your imagination!!

Here is a recipe for my famous "Tabasco Omelette"
3 eggs
dried oregano
parsley
grated cheddar cheese
salt
pepper
TABASCO® Original Red

Mix up the ingredients except for the Tabasco and cheese.  Add the cheese on top when the omelette is in the pan, frying.
I usually add the Tabasco just as I am serving the omelette.  It brings out the combination of the eggs and cheese to give it that extra zing.  I highly recommend this omelette recipe.  Add the Tabasco according to your individual tastes.  (I use a lot!!)

But the ideas don't end there.  Many times when I have ordered a pizza I find it doesn't have the right "zing".  Easily fixed!  I get the Tabasco out and after a few shakes the pizza is turned into a masterpiece.    For more pizza ideas, be sure to check out Pizza Perfected. 
For the best food ideas for your next party or gathering, check out the excellent Game-Day Party Menu.
For breakfast and a quick pick me up, I like fried eggs with Tabasco, mushrooms and spinach on toast.  You can't go wrong with this combo!

For a snack, Tabasco can spice up anything toasty, cheesy, even antipasto!!  (I love Tabasco with olives!)

And for the piece de resistance, my "Tabasco Red Virgin Mary":
Tomato or V8 Juice
Tabasco Original Red
Ground black pepper
stick of celery
Combine and serve with the celery stick (the celery stick also double as a stirrer)
But don't just take my word for it.  Try these recipes yourself or come up with your own creations!

QLD and VIC Flood Disaster Relief

The recent floods in Queensland and Victoria have devastated homes, businesses and lives.  When the waters subside, the damage will still remain and there is much rebuilding to be done.

One way you can help Queenslanders is to donate to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal. This appeal is for financial donations only.


If you wish to donate goods/clothing, go the givit website.


Another way to help is to offer accommodation to those affected by the floods: oz flood help


You can also volunteer to help with the flood recovery in affected areas in QLD.


If you have been affected by the floods in Queensland, you can use this form to apply for flood relief.


You can help in the Victorian floods by registering as a volunteer to help with the emergency cleanup, donate funds or offer accommodation to those affected in Victoria.

The most important aspect of donating is making sure your donations go to the right place and to the right people. If you are unsure of any charity or organisation, you need to check out scamwatch and be informed about who is legitimate and who is not. 

technorati tags: qld flood, vic flood, flood relief, disaster relief, queensland, victoria, flood, donate, volunteer,charitable donation, flood assistance

Serious Hosting From ServerClub

I have discovered through experience with my own startup sites that choosing server hosting is much more important than we might think. If you just choose the first hosting plan you come across, it may be cheap now, but it may also cost you in the future. Which begs the question - why do I need a dedicated managed server?  The main reason is that with a dedicated server, you will not have to share bandwidth or server space with other sites.

You may be wondering "How could a managed server help me with my website?"
If you run your own internet business or are looking to start up a store or memebership site, you can take advantage of a dedicated server package to add shopping cart software, databases and the like.  It basically leaves you free to add features as your business grows. If you do not pick this option, your website may be limited in the future as new technologies become available and more space is needed.

A dedicated server plan can keep your online business running constantly, leaving no room for downtime. You do not want to be competing for bandwidth against other websites and losing out on traffic and customers as a result. Another welcome feature is the added security, firewalls, monitoring and backup service that come as part of the dedicated server package. You can also opt for unlimited hosting and never worry about bandwidth or disk space again. If you have questions you can discuss custom requirements to suit your business and get the best advice to ascertain which plan is the right choice for your website.

The Meaning of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope it's a great holiday period for all!

I have noticed a lot of people on tv, news and the like repeating "let's not forget what Christmas is about."

By repeating this phrase, it is clear that we have indeed forgotten what Christmas is about and need to be reminded all the time.

The fact that we celebrate the birth and life of an ascetic by buying stuff is a bit beyond me. But then, I run a shopping blog so what do I know...

So we celebrate the birth of Jesus, a non-material man with meagre possessions who wandered the land healing people and performing miracles.

It's not actually about the arrival of a rather obesese, materialistic Coca-Cola manufactured dude in a red suit.

It would be interesting to know the percentages of children who realise that Christmas isn't about getting the new Nintendo Wii so they can gloat to their school friends who didn't receive the latest gadget.

I watched a YouTube video where a kid received a book as a present. His response was "What the heck is this?" It seems that the spirit of Christmas is out of reach for many people.

I hope in some small way, we all find our own peace on earth, whatever it may be.

technorati tags: christmas, jesus, santa, xmas, noel, joy, peace, presents, spirit of christmas, holidays, family

Holiday Gift Bargains from Pier 1

This post brought to you by Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tis the season to be jolly.  And buy a rather large selection of holiday gifts.  The feeling of relief when we have bought the last gift, the final tick off the list and it's time to relax.  Right now I am looking at stocking stuffers from Pier 1.  Plush animals are often a good bet, cuteness being the universal currency of gift giving.

These little fellas are in the  $14-24 range.   Choose from crocs, zebras and owl or even a monkey!

Being a Scorpio, I am also partial to a bit of astrologically targeted gift giving.  According to the "Astrologically friendly gifts" section on the site, Scorpios are one of the most enigmatic signs of the zodiac.  Well I already knew that!  But I think they have me pretty well pegged, as I am quite partial to a bit of ocean-inspired art and I love plush bed stuff!  I can't speak for all Scorpios but I am a fan of all things Conan-Doyle-ish.  That is, large mahogany desks, banker's lamps and of course, a beautiful wooden globe.

This globe is a perfect pressie under $50!

For the perfect Christmas gathering, my must have would have to be this "yoga frog" centrepiece (around $25!

Nothing says Christmas more than a meditating frog!  Add some peace and goodwill to your table with this serene froggy!

To make you feel even more peaceful and benevolent during the holiday season, for every person who "likes" Pier 1 Imports on Facebook, $1 will be donated to Toys for Tots so that Christmas will be a tiny bit merrier for those less fortunate than ourselves.