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The World's Strangest Contests
Longest beard? Biggest nose? They're weird and they're wonderful and while they may not be as well-known as mainstream sports, they are some of the strangest competitive events in the world...
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The Eastern Great Egret: White Water Bird
Fascinating to watch, Eastern Great Egrets are a beautiful water bird that move with a natural elegance. Now a protected species, I'm lucky to have had one move into my neighbourhood...
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History of the Smiley Face
Ever wondered where that little round yellow happy face came from? Read on to discover the history of one of the most over-used symbols in the world.
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Hairstyles of the Dictators
Have you ever noticed how dictators have very distinctive hairstyles? What can this mean...an extensive of ego perhaps? A desire to be noticed or different? Is there a kind of Sampson-like power there?
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Power Dressing: How to Puff Yourself up with Importance
Ever put on a jacket with wide lapels and shoulder pads and suddenly felt more in command? Teamed with a pair of shoes with two inch heels and you might leave the house feeling pretty powerful
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How not to be Introverted
Introversion has become almost fashionable , yet so many shy introverts end up stuck in their shell, missing out on opportunities. Every introvert has an extravert lurking somewhere inside
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Why do Women Hang on to Bad Men?
Many people believe only weak, insecure or browbeaten women stay with very difficult men but sometimes the strong one's do too and it may be because they are strong that they believe they can transform the men who cause them so much pain
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Blue Flowers in Nature
Blue is a beautiful colour to have in the garden. Blue flowers will enhance your landscape, not only for their aesthetic value but because they attract pollinating insects. Learn about some old-fashioned favourites and what makes them blue
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Things to do with Fringes: Beautiful Bangs
Fringes/bangs can be a problem area. Don't feel comfortable without hair on your forehead but can't find the right fringe style? Here's some ideas - from classic fringes to rip snorting retro bangs
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Good Goldfish Names
Looking for the right name for your aquarium friends? How about Salty, Seabert or Sinbad? Read on to peruse 100 nautical themed goldfish names
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What's the Difference Between Love and Infatuation?
That swept away feeling people get when they are deeply attracted to another can feel like the real thing but is it love or just infatuation? What's the difference anyway?
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Age Differences in Relationships
Why do men seem to desire younger women more than women desire younger men? Do significant age differences between men and women really matter? If so, how much?
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Stoicism: What Does it Mean to be Stoic?
Is stoicism still a virtue? In this litigious society where every that happens is someone or something else's fault, there's not much encouragement to take a stoical perspective
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The Sexiest Men in Classic Literature
Have you ever fallen in love with a character in a novel? If sexual attraction begins in the brain, it's not surprising, some fictional men continue to seduce female readers, even after centuries....
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The Easiest Chocolate Cake Recipe on the Planet
This chocolate cake is so easy, anyone can do it. It's fast, super easy and most important of all, utterly scrumptious...
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Why Do Some People Have Dark Rings Around the Iris of Their Eye?
Learn why some people have dark rings around their irises and why it is thought to be attractive. If you don't naturally have them, I will list some ways you can get them.
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Great Opening Paragraphs
First impressions count, in literature as much as in life and if a writer is to immediately engage interest then those initial collection of words must be put together in a way which inspires the reader to want to carry on reading
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The Mystique of the Titanic
Human history is littered with ship wrecks, train wrecks - disasters and tragedies of all descriptions. So why has the Titanic, in particular, captured public imagination, so much so that we never seem to tire of its mystique?
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Best Advertising Slogans of all Time
Those in the ad industry know that a s great slogan is better than a hundred visuals because it's those few little words that stay in the consumers mind and form an indelible association with ...
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Vintage Kitchenware
If you have a vintage inspired kitchen or would like a touch of vintage to your decor, you don't have to go searching through thrift shop or auctions...
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Vintage TVs, Fridges and Small Appliances
The ageing baby-boomers are getting nostalgic and as a result there is a wave of retro design on the market, some of it reproductions of old styles, others brand new and retro-futuristic...
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Novelty Animal Masks
There's nothing so disconcerting as when a stranger comes up to you from behind at a party, says "hello" and when you turn around, discover he has the head of a horse.
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How the Internet has Changed Music
Over the past decade or so , the Internet has revolutionised the music industry. but what has this meant for consumers and artists alike?
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Rich Men: Clive Palmer
One of the richest Australians in the world and the man who plans to rebuild the Titanic, Clive Palmer is as controversial as they come but love him or loathe him, he's hard to ignore.
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Justin Bieber: Perfumier
The long awaited Justin Bieber fragrance has now hit the stores and no doubt will be lapped up by his legion of fans, even if they are too young to have an independent income and must pester their parents for the funds.
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Old-Fashioned Prams - Baby Carriages
The classic English-style perambulator is a cultural icon and while no longer the baby carrier of choice for most people, many of the old style prams are highly collectable works of art.
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Living Dolls
There's a new fad afoot among the young folk- turning yourself into a living doll. Harmless fun or is something more insidious at play...?
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Best YouTube Cat Videos
Why are cat videos so popular? Of all the content on YouTube, the cat is arguably the runaway success of the medium. There is a phenomenal amount of cat content out there, so is the cat the most popular animal on earth, at least on the small screen?
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How Can You Tell if Someone is Lying?
Do you think you are skilled at detecting a lie? Well perhaps it's not as easy as you might think. Read on to discover more about the fine art of lying...
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Complementary Colours
Imagine the world without colour - the brilliant blue of a sky, the velvet green of a lawn, the yellow of a canary, the glistening hues of a rainbow... and so on. It would be a drab place indeed.
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Fear of Flying: Strategies
Do you hands get clammy when you think of catching a plane? Does your heart beat faster? Feeling a little sweaty and anxious? Sounds like you might have a fear of flying...
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Jane Austen Fashions
Jane Austen wrote most of her novels during the English Regency period, a time of upheaval and changing cultural mores - changes that could be seen in the new fashions of the era, which harked back to the classical elegance of the ancient world...
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Finding Your Hidden Talent
I never thought I could sing. The trouble wasn't just a lack of confidence but rather that it never even occurred to me that I could sing, having always imagined that singing was something that just happened naturally and you either had it or you didn't.
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The Top Ten Uses for Baking Soda
Of all the bits and pieces that the householder is apt to keep permanently in the pantry, baking soda is among the most useful. Not only is it used in a multitude of recipes but it is also an efficient and handy cleaner and has medicinal purposes as well
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Lemon Power: Things to do with Lemons
The versatile lemon is one of nature's most useful fruits. Not only do they have medicinal (some say magical) properties, they are nice to look at, beautifully fresh smelling, decorative in slices, healthy and a natural bleach. Among other things lemons can cure hiccups, aid digestion, fade...
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How to Treat Nappy Rash
Nappy rash, or diaper rash, where the skin around a babies bottom and groin area appears red and inflamed, is a common phenomenon scores of babies have suffered from since the invention of nappies
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Scottie Dog Brooches
In design terms, the Scottie dog is special. With the exception of the ubiquitous French poodle, this little dog has probably appeared on more consumer products than any other breed
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1920s Handbags
Handbag styles in the 1920s were greatly influenced by the Art Deco design movement that swept through that decade
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Chunky Bead Necklaces
One of the defining features of iconic cartoon housewives Marge Simpson and Wilma Flintsone is their chunky bead necklaces - this is because that kind of jewelry was very popular from the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, when the housewife reached an iconic zenith. Think housewife...think 1950s.
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Military Messenger Bags for Men
Did you know that the term 'handbag' was first used in the early 20th century to describe a man's bag or satchel? A little ironic when you consider the strong cultural association between women and their handbags.
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Scarab Jewelry: Brooches, Charms, Bracelets, Pendants and Rings
Although a dung beetle may not seem like the most glamorous of motifs, to the ancient Egyptians, these humble insects were very meaningful, representing a sacred force and thus were an important religious symbol.
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Art Nouveau Jewelry
Of all 20th century design movements art nouveau is one the most interesting and certainly in its day, one of the most revolutionary
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Arm Jewelry: Snake Bracelets
Long, lean, stealthy and dangerous - the snake inspires admiration in some, fear and loathing in others.
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Starting Boys at School Later
Girls, it seems, are better able to cope with starting school at a very young age than boys. Of course much will depend on the individual child - some may be ready, some not but perhaps the biggest barrier to a later start is the parents enthusiasm to get their child off and racing on the school...
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Vintage Knitting Patterns
Vintage knitting patterns have become very popular in recent times, driven largely by a general yearning for all things retro and also because some of those old pattern books from the 30s, 40s and 50s contain some really great designs, whether you are into retro or not.
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Cat Pins and Brooches
A simple brooch pinned to a dress, blouse or coat was once a staple look in women's fashion. These days, too many people tend to neglect the brooch as a fashion accessory, yet the right one can really lift an outfit, provide a focal point of interest and even be a conversation starter.
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Art Deco Jewelry
Art Deco was an exremely popular design movement that emerged in the early 20th century, influencing fashion, architecture, furniture, jewelry and industrial and commercial design.
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Ralph Lauren Polos
Polo Ralph Lauren is the up market casual clothing brand of well-known US designer Ralph Lauren
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Vintage and Retro T-Shirts
The humble T-shirt evolved from underwear, which in the 19th century, used to be a neck-to-knee, all-in-one affair, until a widespread fashion for two piece underwear came into vogue.
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Wah Wah Pedals: Guitar Emotions
The wah wah pedal is as versatile as your imagination will allow and has been used by many great guitarists since it's invention in the mid 1960s, including greats Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.
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Estée Lauder Perfumes
Estée Lauder has been around for a long time - in fact it has been nearly 70 years since Josephine Esther Mentzer, aka, Estée Lauder, founded the company in 1946
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Ben Sherman Shirts
British menswear manufacturer Ben Sherman has had a long association with the Mod movement, with Sherman having set up his first factory in Brighton, England in 1963.
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Kitsch Christmas Ornaments
They say 'todays kitsch is tomorrows collectable' and if that's true then the vast multitude of terrifically tacky Christmas ornaments available on the market is a good place to start gathering your future treasures. If there's one thing Christmas doesn't seem to be about - it's good taste.
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Men's Gloves
Gloves are more than just a style statement. They also offer warmth and protection and have been worn since antiquity in various forms and for various professions, including anything from from beekeeping to space travel.
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Ten Tips for Healthy Hair
Hair is a barometer of good health - shiny, bouncy hair is an outward signal of vitality and of course, vitality esentially comes from good diet and exercise, so if you really want good hair, eat well and move!
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Mobile Technology and the Internet: the Popularity of the Smart Phone
Do mobile users behave differently to traditional full-screen computer users and if so in what ways?
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The Colour Blue
Blue is a moody colour - over the years it has been associated with depression, sadness, spirituality and purity.
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How to Bleach Your Hair
If you intend to bleach your hair at home, it's definitely best to buy a purpose made bleaching kit, which come in various degrees of lightening strenghts and follow the instructions. Don't just grab a bottle of peroxide and hope for the best!
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How to Write a Condolence Letter
When someone we know, whether personally or through a friend, dies, it's the most natural thing in the world to want to offer sympathy and condolences to the people who were closest to them.
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Tips to Lighten Hair
Many people have blonde hair when they are children but as they grow older, an increase in melanin - the protective, natural chemical that causes skin and hair colour - begins to kick in and as a result the hair darkens and they lose their natural blonde streaks
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1950s Furniture
Furniture in the 1950s was very modern - it was streamlined, functional, unencumbered by fancy detail but produced in interesting shapes. Designs were comfortable and featured a lot of wood, sometimes combined with chrome. The style has also been referred to as 'Scandinavian' because of the clean...
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Best Milkshake Mixers
There so many varieties of milkshake mixers on the market it's hard to know which one to buy. Things to consider are: function, ease of use (including being easy to clean), quality, looks and price.
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The Most Expensive Wines in the World
To a distinct non-connoiseur like myself, the world of rare vintage wine is a strange and mysterious place, populated by "experts", Masters of Wine, historians, Auction Houses and wealthy clients who are passionate about their collections. Although they are prepared to pay astronomical prices for...
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Lang Hancock, Gina Rinehart and the Success of Hancock Prospecting
The success of Hancock Prospecting began when Lang discovered some of the richest iron deposits in the world. Rinehart took the reins after his death, rejuvenated the company and became one of the wealthiest people in the world.
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Cheap Flooring Solutions: Seagrass, Painted Floorboards and More
Floor coverings are probably the single most expensive decorator item you will purchase but it's also the one thing that can really transform your home. However not everyone can afford lush pile carpet, ceramic tiles or expensive polished floorboards. This article is designed for for those on a...
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The Microwavable Hot Water Bottle
The days of mucking around with scorching hot water, boiling the kettle to fill a hot water bottle, are over. One of the best, if underated, inventions of the 21st century is the microwavable hot water bottle. Not only do they last longer than ordinary hot water bottles but they are much easier to...
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Les Paul Guitars
The Legendary Les Paul, singer, songwriter and hot guitarist, pioneered the solid bodied electric guitar that revolutionalised music in the middle of the 20th century and made the whole rock'n roll thing possible. So revered was Les Paul in the music industry, he has a stand alone exhibit in the...
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Egyptian Cotton Sheets and Pillowcases
It's the length of the fibres which gives Egyptian cotton its edge and quality and the special luxurious feel that we find in Egyptian cotton sheets and pillow cases. Longer threads mean a thinner and finer fibre.
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Clarice Cliff
Clarice Cliff was a well known 20th century ceramic artist who worked in the industry from 1922 to 1963. Cliff is known chiefly for her bold, colourful and distinctive designs and her works are highly sought after by collectors.
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Pedal Pushers
Classic Pedal Pusher pants were popularised in the 1950's and were a variation of the Capri style pants worn in the late 1940's. Also known as "Clam Diggers", pedal Pushers (so called because of the cyclists who wore them) are three quarter pants, worn below the knee on the rounded part of the calf.
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How to Volumise your Hair
For those of us with thin or flat, limp hair, volumising is particularly important as it can offer the illusion that we have twice as much hair as we do. Fortunately there are a plethora of products, along with tips and tricks. to help us achieve the seemingly impossible and make small hair appear...
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Rich Men:The Sultan of Brunei
Brunei is a small sovereign state, lying along the north coast of the island of Borneo, the remainder of the territory belonging to Indonesia and Malaysia. Geographically, it occupies a strageci position, located as it is, on the South China Sea, close to vital sea lanes linking the Indian and...
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New Trends in Housing
Over the last twenty years or so in Australia, there's been a distinct fashion for very spacious, ultra modern but essentially boxy-like houses, known colloquially as Mc Mansions. They are often built on smallish sized blocks and because they are big there's not much room to do anything creative...
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Old Fashioned Travel Games for the Car
Playing games on a long family car trip can be great fun, keeps the kids occupied and it's also a good way to keep the driver awake and alert. The following games are old standards that have probably been played by families for as long as car trips have been around. They require no special bits and...
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John Lennon Glasses
The cool and groovy skinny wire-framed, round 'granny glasses' that John Lennon first appeared in the 1960's are a classic design and of course, predate Lennon. The circle style goes right back to the earliest glasses and up until WW2 were still the commonest style.
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Pets Names for Cats and Dogs
Abba, Abby, Abel, Acme, Achoo, Addy, Ahab, Ali, Animal, Amber, Ambi, Angel, Apple, Apollo, Arnie, Archer, Archie, Arkey, Arlo, Artie, Artemis
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Best Educational Toys for Kids
It could be said that all toys are educational, in as much as they provide for play and play is one of the chief ways by which children learn. However all toys are not equal and a good educational toy will offer the child a richer and better quality play experience. So what makes a good educational...
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Brain Tumour Symptoms
There has been much discusson in the media lately about the relationship between the use of cell phones and the development of cancerous brain tumours. While there doesn't appear to be absolute evidence that there is a correlation, the recent warnings from the World Health Organisation are...
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The Etoro
n the remote mountains of southern New Guinea, there are still primitive tribes who have liittle contact with the ousdie world; who are still surviving as hunter-gatherers and engaging in the same rites and tradtions as their ancestors did for hundreds of years.One such tribe is the Etoro, famous,...
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The Kings and Queens of England
England is one the few countries left in the world that, wrongly or rightly, still maintains a monarch who has a constituional role in the workings of government. Why?
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Retro Rayban Sunglasses
The original Rayban Wayfarer sunglasses were designed in 1952 and in their day, were a revolution in eyewear, as they departed from the traditional metal frame that had previously dominated the sunglasses scene.
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Antique Dollhouses
Anyone with an interest in miniature houses and furniture will probably have heard of the exquisite model house, known as "Queen Mary's Dollhouse", finished in 1924 and constructed for Queen Mary, wife of George V
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Frozen Shoulder: Adhesive Capulitis
Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, as it is otherwise known, is a debilitating, painful condition that more often than not, appears out of the blue, usually in people over forty and is characterized by painful, limited movement, most often in one arm but very occasionally, in both
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The Shortest Person in the World
Not so long ago, He Pingping of China, at 73 cm, the size of a six month old baby, was officially the shortest person in the world, however Pingping died in March 2010 at age twenty-one, from complications due to the condition that caused his exceptionlly short stature.
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Best Baby Bags
For the parent of a newborn, a baby bag is an indispensable item. You'll need something to keep all that baby clutter in, such as bottles, nappies, bibs, pins, face-cloths etc. So, what to look for? Design and looks are important, as you'll be carrying it around everywhere, so it needs to be...
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History of Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty began in London in 1974, as result of a request made by the Japanese Sanrio Company to a young designer, Ikuko Shimizu, to create a character that would appeal to the pink and fluffy tastes of pre-teen girls.
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Top Facebook Fads
Who would have thought that the wondrous developments of technology over the last one hundred years or so would partly culminate in one of the most banal and trivial activities ever to plague mankind...and yes, I'm talking about Facebook.
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Victoria Beckham's Hair
There are certain celebrities who are, for whatever mysterious reason, held up as 'style gurus'. . You can't escape them as they permeate the media like a noxious miasma. Whether we wish it or not, we are forced to take note of their shoes, outfits and in some cases, especially their hair. Former...
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How did Google get Started?
The story of the most successful search engine in internet history thus far, began at Stanford University in the mid 1990's.
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Dollhouse Furniture
For centuries dollhouses have been delighting little girls and indeed, there is something fascinating in miniature things, even for adults. There's a huge variety of dollhouse furniture available online, from tiny little chairs and tables, sofa's beds and nursery equipment to kitchen and bathroom...
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Andrea Casiraghi
The Casiraghi's/Grimaldi's attract the tabloid media and paparazzi like flowers attract bees, only the relationship is not as wholesome. If your'e rich and famous it's almost inevitable but if your rich, famous royal AND goodlooking, your fate as media-feed is completely sealed.
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French Provincial Style Furniture
As the name suggests French Provincial comes originally from the rural areas of country France in the seventeeth and eighteenth centuries and combines natural materials such as wood and iron, with light, bright shades and hues. A blending of natural wood with white is also characteristic of the...
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Knitting Nancy for Kids
If you're ever looking for something to keep a child busy on a rainy afternoon, this could be just the thing. The Knitting Nancy, or French Knitter as it's sometimes called, is a very simple device for creating a rounded knitted cord in any length that you choose
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Best Beach Umbrellas
A beach umbrella provides great protection from those harsh, penetrating rays of the sun and if you're going to take the family out to spend a long afternoon at the beach, they really are a must. Umbrella's for sun protection have been around since ancient Greece, in the form of personal parasols....
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Andy Warhol Soup Cans Products
Andy Warhol's iconic Campell's Soup Can series is one of the most recognizable works of art in the world.
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Poufs
Every home should have a pouf. Yes indeed, I'm talking about a soft, cushiony place to rest your feet and relax
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Summer Hats
When choosing a hat for sun protection, it's wise to go for a wide brim for maximum shelter from those penetrating rays. Ideally, brims on broad brimmed hats should be 8-10cm wide
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Planking
What is Planking? Ever since the daring flag pole sitters of the 20th Century Depression era, there's been street crazes of one sort of another at various times -parkour for example. Only now we have instant communication and Facebook, crazes go crazy.
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Vintage Swimsuits
Swimsuits began getting daring in the 1920's and have been shrinking ever since; many of todays togs could fit inside a cigarette packet. There's freedom now to wear whatever you like and on some beaches it's okay to wear nothiing at all!
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Accessories for Model Train Sets:Trees, Figures, Houses
Part of the joy of a model railway is the creation of a miniature world and there are so many details to think about. What sort of environment will it be? Desert, lush and green,hilly rocky...all of these?
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Hiccups and How to Cure Them
Hiccups are incredibly annoying but I have a sure-fire cure that has has never failed me;
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Stuttering and Stammering
A severe stutter can be terrible burden - the sufferer may avoid certain words in conversation and/or may avoid certain situations altogether if they feel they will be put under stress. This can limit their life experience and potential for interaction and relationships.
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Popular Scams
What defines a scam? If enough people believe in something, even without evidence, does that legitimise it? If the snake oil salesman believes in his product, is it still a scam?
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The Tallest Woman in the World
At 7 foot 8 inches, (233 cm) Yao Defen, has a rare kind of fame, that few people would envy. Yao has the distinction being the tallest women in the world, (as defined by the Guiness Book of Records) weighing 200 kg (440 lbs) and with size 26 feet
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Working with Computers: Sitting Down Can Kill You
Did you know that sitting down for long periods of time can significantly shorten your life, even if you exercise regularly? Not great news for those of us who spend hours hunched over a computer keyboard - whether by necessity or by choice
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Charlotte of Monaco
When Grace Kelly, Hollywood actress, millionaire's daughter and international beauty, married into Monaco's House of Grimaldi in 1956, she set off a genetic domino effect resulting in some seriously good-looking Monaco royals. Grace's fair Irish and German ancestry and the unusual, dark looks of...
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Old Fashioned Deckchairs
Traditional deck chairs feature in many old family photographs and on the covers of old ocean liner brochures. They also conjure up images of boater hats, gardens, Brighton Beach and summer fun and relaxation.
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Pierre Casiraghi
Handsome, rich, royal and loaded with bags of European style and charm. Has Pierre Casiraghi got it all?
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Vintage Reproduction Jukeboxes
From the earliest coin-slot phonographs to the dazzling light-up machines of the 1950's and 60's - for a large chunk of the 20th Century, jukeboxes provided musical entertainment for patrons of cafes, clubs, pubs, soda fountains, roadhouses and other sundry venues
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Mad Hats!
Nothing says look at me quite like an outlandish hat and every celebrity knows that if you want to be noticed on the world stage a mad hat will do it every time. True, not every celebrity wants to be known in that particular way but over the years, the world stage has seen some pretty crazy hats...
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Prince Harry's Charm
Harry, on the other hand, has a kind of rakish charm that is very appealing..at least to this writer. Of course, not having had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with him, I'm unable to say with any accuracy whether he is a complete airhead or a thoroughly great guy
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Phobias: A List of Common Fears
We all have our fears; some mild, some not so mild but when fear begins to get out of proportion and we actually feel physical symptoms such as rapid hearbeat, tremors, difficulty breathing and anxiety, we might be heading into phobia territory.
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Princess Anne: Inside the Princess Royal
Does anyone care about Princess Anne these days? Perhaps they do in dear old England but as a non-Brit I rarely see her photograph grace the pages of a celebrity magazine, nor do I hear any gossip coming from that direction.
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Living in Tree Houses
Deep in the rainforests of West Papua, in one of the remotest areas on the planet, live tribes of of extraordinary people called the Korowai- The Tree People. They are among the last hunter-gatherers on earth and have developed a very impressive resiliency to their environment.
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Landline Telephones: Funky Phones, Novelty Phones and Old Fashioned Phones
Telephones have come a long way since Alexander Graham Bell rushed off to patent his new invention in the 1870's.
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Phillip Treacy
One of the hottest hat makers around at the moment is Londoner, Philip Treacy...milliner to royals, celebritries and other miscellaneous society ladies. Recipient of an honorary OBE for services to the British fashion industry, it's estimated that he designed around forty hats for guests at the...
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Pippa Middleton
Of course the media are desperate to make stars of women like Kate and Pippa Middleton because it helps them sell their appalling rags. Princess Diana was a goldmine. It seems the public just can't get enough of slavishly worshipping one 'hot' celebrity after another.
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Beatrice and Eugenie
Does it matter that Beatrice appeared to be wearing something deeply ludicrous by on her head? Or that Eugenie's outfit looked like it could have been purchased from a regional ladies wear shop...and old stock at that?
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Beauty and Advertising
Some beauty advertisements make extraordinary claims...that's surely nothing new but there's "oh, yeah, riiiiight" extraordinary and then there's "what the?! you're kidding me?!" extraordinary. In our beauty obsessed culture, women (and men) will spend a lot of money, take risks and suffer untold...
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Permanent Eye Color Change
Amazing as it may seem, it is possible to permanently change the color of your eyes using an artificial iris diaphragm implant, which is inserted via intraocular surgery. But how safe is it?
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Retro Watches
A watch desiged with an inbuilt mini-boombox as the clock face - how funky is that man? The boombox was invented in the late 70's, so this watch has the vibe of that decade.
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Radio Days: Vintage Replica Radios
As more and more radio receivers sprung up in the community the commercial potential of the radio became obvious. Over the next few decades, and until the invention of television, families would sit huddled by their radios listening to music, comedy, quiz and variety shows, radio serials and plays.
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Retro Disney Mickey Mouse Watches
Many of Mickey's early merchandising items are highly collectable, particularly Mickey Mouse watches, which are a classic piece of Disney merchandise.
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Vintage Reproduction Turntables
As great as mp3 players are, they just don't have the feel and tangibility of an old fashioned record player.
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Vintage Reproduction Coca Cola Fridges
Coca-cola has had a long, long history, stretching way back to 1886, when it was sold as a medicine for five cents a pop. As far as carbonated drinks go, no other liquid has such phenomenal success all the way along the llne; coke is now sold in more than 200 countries worldwide and its signature...
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Retro Appliances; Vintage Mixers, Toasters, Fans and Blenders
Although it's hard to believe, helpful electrical household appliances -vacuum cleaners, mixers, toasters, washing machines, fridges etc. have only been around since the early 20th Century. Such things revolutionized modern life, particularly for women, who no longer had to spend hours hand washing...
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Strange Superstitions and Weird Wives Tales
Some old wives tales and superstitions predate literacy and are part of the great oral tradition that is passed down through generations.
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Emu Farming: Some Facts and Figures about the Emu Industry
Emu farming is a relatively new industry in Australia, having begun in WA in the 1980's but there are now many farms in various parts of the country. Wild emus are a protected species and those that are used for meat are bred in captivity, under a special license, which must be obtained from the...
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The Fake Medicine Trade
Have you ever had an email land in your inbox offering you medication at discount prices? Viagra perhaps? Erectile dysfunction? Or something else? Well if you have, chances are it could be fake medication. The fake meds industry has been growing at an exponentially high rate over the last decade or...
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How to get Your Child into Acting
First and foremost if you're going to steer your child toward any sort of acting, modelling or television advertising career, you will need a good, professional headshot. It doesn't have to be a plethora of photographs from every angle so don't let yourself be ripped off by opportunistic...
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40's Poster Girls: Sex Symbols of WW2
Poster girls or pin-up girls represent a feminine ideal in the popular culture of a particular period. Although the practice of selling blown-pictures of attractive women dates back to to the 1890's, it really reached it's zenith in the 1940's during WW2 when soldiers, seperated from their wives...
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Doma People: the Tribe with Two Toes
West of Zimbawbe, near the Zambezi river, lives a relatively isolated tribe known as the Doma (Wadoma and Madumo), who have an interesting feature. A majority of its members were born with a genetic mutation known as ectrodactyly which affects the development of fingers and toes.
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The First Child Star
The phenomenum of the child star did not begin in Hollywood but rather on the stage. In the mid nineteenth century an American girl with English immigrant parents, called Lottie Crabtree, was a huge sensation, not least because she had a very pushy stage mother.
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Kids Bouncy Castles
Bouncy castles are a great choice for kids on a a number of levels. First and foremost, they love them and it's an activity that will keep keep them occupied for long periods of time.
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Top Models of the 1960s
The 1960's were an explosive time, musically, culturally and particularly fashion-wise
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The Beaumont Children
When a child disappears, it is a parent's nightmare realised - but when three disappear from the same family all at the same time, it is an unimaginable tragedy beyond even nightmares. Yet that is exactly what happened to the Beaumont parents; Jim and Nancy, on January 26, 1966.
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An Aging Population: Care Accommodation, Costs and the Baby Boomers
The personal costs of caring for an individual are high and can be further seen in reduced income, depression and isolation. According to Gill Pierce, a policy worker at Carers Australia, “ongoing care by family members should not be assumed. There is a pressing need for sufficient quality...
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Short Story: Hers and His
Hers Reality is overated thought Jane as she dipped her brush into the dishwater. Tim was telling her about his trip to Bunnings and the screws that the girl at the checkout had tried to overcharge him for. "It might be on special but it...
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The Pyjama Girl Murder Mystery
Every now and then an intriguing crime captivates public imagination, so that it is never completely forgotten, no matter how much time goes by. The Pyjama Girl mystery is one such case - an unsolved murder that stretches back over 70 years, to 1934.
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Vintage Teddy Bears
The old-fashioned Teddy Bear has been delighting children since 1902. As the story goes, the bears were created as the result of a Washington Post cartoon that made fun of President Theadore Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a bear while on a hunting trip.
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Easter Chocolates
Most of us have heard that Easter began as a Pagan festival which celibrated fertility...which is why eggs became a part of the Easter season but where did the association of chocolate with Easter come from?
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Martin Bryant and the Broad Arrow Cafe
Loneliness appeared to have plagued Martin Bryant, particularly after his father and benefactor died. He sought company but found people turned away from him and in the months leading up to the massacre he began drinking heavily. Was the killing spree at he Broad Arrow cafe some extreme, monstrous...
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Kate Spade Bags
Kate Spade designs are stylish and elegant but also fun-loving, with a hint of frivolity. Her bags stand out...but because of their style rather than any pretentious 'designer' kudos. The Kate Spade label imprinted on every bag is subtle, not garish.
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Fashions for Tall Women
Let's start with the shoes. It's all very well for Nicole Kidman to swan about in her limited edition, three inch heeled Salvatore Ferragamo's but not all of us have the funds to acquire such beauties nor the beauty to carry off the extra height.
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The Temptations
It was Motown's founder and legendary record producer Berrry Gordy, who in 1961 renamed what was formerly the Elgins, the Temptations. They became one of the most successful male bands of the 60's and 70's.
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Dutch Oven Recipes
A dutch oven is a lidded cooking appliance ...a large pot with thick walls, usually but not exclusively made from cast iron. They have been used in various forms cooking for hundreds of years.They're known as 'dutch' ovens for the simple reason that at one point in time the Dutch were the best at...
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Gift Ideas for Dads
Dads can be notoriously hard to buy gifts for. Perhaps this is because they tend not to go in for all the accessories and fripperies we might associate with women
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Dementia in Dogs
As dogs age, their senses begin to decline and they can no longer see, hear or smell with the same sharpness as before. These are the normal signs of aging, however if these are accompanied by noticable behaviourable changes, there may be something extra at play.
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A History of Barbie
Mattel's Barbie is far and way the most successful doll ever produced in the US and she has had a long and chequered history since her inception in 1959. Her voluptous looks are recognized all over the world....
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The Nasty Food Critic
For professional food writers, it seems a certain amount of acid reflux is almost mandatory and the profession has a long tradition of serving up inflamed tongue, with a flagon of extra vitriol on the side.
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How to Write for the Internet
For a writer accustomed to to a traditional print format, creating an online writing project requires a shift in perspective. Although both forms share the commonality of words, they are appearing in an entirely different context and a diverse range of elements must be considered for web writing.
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Children's Tea Sets
A kid's tea set is an old classic that has been enjoyed by generations of children. Children love to imitate the adult world and role playing games are a vital part of the learning process and help to stimulate a child's imagination.
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Chopper Read
Mark Brandon Chopper Read is one of Australia's most notorious and colourful miscreants. A controversial figure, the convicted criminal has been a long-time cash darling of the media, in what has proved to be a love-hate relationship . They hate his thuggery but love his sellability.
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Shirley Temple
In the 1930's Shirley temple's screen success was phenomenal. Not only did she she rescue an ailing Fox Studio but influenced its merger with 20th Century, to become 20th Century Fox.
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Mad Men Fashions
Critically acclaimed American drama series Mad Men is a nostalgic trip back to the cutthroat world of the advertising industry of the 1960's.