Shipping Masts To Fashion ~ History's Look At Denim Jeans

Jeans, or denim, was first used as material in ship's sails in Genoa, Italy, as it was sturdy and could stand up to the strong gales that blew in the middle of the oceans.  Peasants soon found that the cloth was more resistant to stress than other fabrics and many favoured it over any other cloth.  

The words "Jeans" comes from the Italian word, "genuense", meaning "of Genoa" and the word "jean" was what the locals called corduroy; which it closely resembled at the time.  The first pair of jeans is now on display at the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento and were ones that were worn by Giuseppe Garibaldi in May, 1860.

After jeans were exported throughout Europe, the procedure was copied by weavers in the French city of Nimes.  After much painstaking experiments that often failed, a twill fabric was developed that became quickly known as denim, or "de Nimes".  It wasn't until the end of the 18th century that jeans arrived in North America.

In the 1850's, dry goods merchant, 24 year old Levi Strauss left New York for San Fransisco where he began selling his Levi's jeans to the mining communities of California during the peak of the Gold Rush.  When asked by one of the prospectors what he was selling, Strauss replied tents and wagon covers and the prospector retorted, "You should've brought pants!", Strauss put his business savvy to work and created the first pair of denim trouser overalls.

One of his regular customers, Jacob Davies, a tailor who often bought bolts of cloth from Strauss' wholesale house, invented the copper rivet to help reinforce the stress points that his customers were often complaining about.  Davis, a man of meager means, approached Strauss and asked if he would like to go into business together and the two patented the idea on May 20, 1873.

Jeans were first used in North America by workers, as trousers were simple and sturdy, especially those who worked in the factories during World War II.  Until the 1960's, Levi Strauss dominated the market with his "waist overalls" rather than "jeans.:  

In 1955, James Dean, set the pace for jeans as we know them today, when he wore the first pair in the movie, "Rebel Without A Cause."  This trend began to plant the seeds of teenage angst and rebellion.  During the 1950's, jeans were banned from being worn in theaters, restaurants and schools.  During the 1960's, jeans became more acceptable as the hippie movement continued to express themselves through the rebellious process of wearing what they considered an act of freedom of choice and by the 1970's, they were the general fashion choice for casual wear clothing.

Nowadays, you can find jeans in almost every colour, style and size, for men, women and children.  In 2005, American's alone,spent over $15 billion dollars in jean fashion sales.  From supporting ships to supporting fashion, denim has proven to be a remarkable invention indeed.

  **  Written by me...just because I wanted to~!!  **

Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs

Dogs need exercise and most enjoy being outdoors. While dogs must have time outdoors, it is important to supervise them to avoid accidental ingestion of poisonous landscape plants. Indoor plants can also be a problem when dogs live inside the home. Many popular indoor plants are actually toxic to animals. While plants and flowers beautify our surroundings, then can have potentially serious effects on domestic pets. The symptoms associated with plant poisoning largely depends on the type of plant ingested, the size of the dog and how much of the plant was consumed. There are some types of plants that are more toxic to dogs than others. If possible, avoid placing these plants in or around your home to prevent accidental ingestion.

Ornamental Plant Dangers
Woody ornamentals are often used outdoors as hedges and specimen trees. However, there are several types of woody ornamental plants that are extremely toxic to dogs. Azaleas, Chinaberry tree, box, privet, oleander, sago palm, laburnum, horsechestnut, wisteria and rhododendron are all ornamental plants that can cause plant poisoning in dogs. Consuming any portion of these plants will result in serious symptoms in dogs and could even have fatal consequences.

Poisonous Flowers
Flowers are often used outdoors to add color to flower beds, as a border around trees or may be used to line driveways. Colorful flowers are often cut and placed in vases inside the home, as well. However, some of the most popular plants should never be placed in a home with pets or planted outdoors within easy reach. Tulip, Virginia creeper, foxglove, Autumn crocus, Lily of the Valley, larkspur, chrysanthemum, stinging nettles, rhubarb and pothos are all capable of making dogs extremely ill or causing them to develop other conditions that can be fatal. Hemlock, mushrooms, English ivy, cyclamen, castor bean, dumbcane, jimsonweed, kalanchoe, yew and mistletoe are all poisonous to dogs as well.

Symptoms
While the symptoms of plant poisoning in dogs can vary slightly depending on the type of plant ingested, there are some common symptoms to look out for. Plants that are mildly toxic may produce symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, mouth irritation, nausea, diarrhea, weakness and vomiting. More serious symptoms may also arise after consumption of poisonous plants. Tremors, convulsions, problems swallowing, cardiac arrhythmia and organ damage may also occur. Certain species of plants can cause kidney and liver failure that can lead to death.

Diagnosis And Treatment
It is difficult to tell which parts of plants contain the most toxic substances. Certain species contain toxins only in the seeds, others have toxins in the leaves and flowers as well. Just how severe poisoning symptoms are depends on how much of the plant is eaten and the dog's overall health and body weight. Anyone who suspects plant poisoning in their dog, must contact a veterinarian at once for advice. Waiting until severe symptoms appear can be a fatal mistake many dog owners make. If possible, always take a portion of the ingested plant or substance to the veterinarian, which can speed up the diagnosis.

There are several other toxic substances that most people have around their homes. Many dog owners feed their dog table food as a treat. However, studies have shown that dogs may experience poisoning symptoms after consuming grapes, garlic and tomatoes. Macadamia nuts can cause dogs to experience sudden and severe pain in their hind legs. Many lawn insecticides are also poisonous when ingested. These products can cause tremors and seizures in dogs shortly after exposure. Old fishing weights and paint can cause dogs to suffer from lead poisoning. Veterinarians have medications that must be administered quickly to remove the lead from the dog's body.

Conclusion
Avoid placing potentially hazardous plants inside your home or in your garden to avoid plant poisoning in your dog. Unfortunately, many plants are difficult for dogs to resist tasting especially curious puppies. If you do have poisonous plants in your home or garden, always supervise your dog to be sure he does not consume any portion of the plant.

This article was written by Jet Russell who blogs for StorageMart. In his spare time he likes to write articles ranging on all different topics. He has owned many dogs, and takes enjoyment in helping to train dogs.

BOOK REVIEW: A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson

A Most Unsuitable Match

Author:  Stephanie Grace Whitson
Paperback:  336 pages
Publisher:  Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2011)
Language:  English

An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...

She is a self~centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic.  

He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world.

She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death.

He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana.

Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are the opposites in every way...except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.

I found this to be a very enjoyable romance novel and I am not usually all that fussy about them.  I liked the characters within the pages and found Fannie to be a charming young lady.  The books description is totally wrong for the person found within the pages, I wouldn't say she was self~centered at all, sheltered yes and I never seen where she was afraid of the outdoors nor anything rustic, to me, it seems she was always trying to break the male stigma's of women.

I found her to be a courageous and caring women who was thrust into maturity before she felt she was ready.  After her mother dies, Fannie is left with the care and upkeep of her family home and family name.  Her accountant wants her to find an eligible bachelor before her money runs out and she has nothing to bargain with, his choice in men leave Fannie feeling nauseous.

Fannie wants to meet her heart's echo, just like her best friend Minette has done.  After a few failed attempts at romance, Fannie comes to realize that she many never find a man that makes her heart sing.

Samuel does not start out as a Preacher, nor is his mission to help those in need.  He has set on his journey to find his run~away sister who he has learned has hooked up with an Army Major.  Along the way, he meets Fannie and after a terrible accident on a river boat, he becomes her guardian angel and protector.  After encouragement from his friend, Lamar, it is then that Sam begins to preach the word of God and his future seems to be set before him.

Many trials and tribulations happen along their journey and you will enjoy the relaxing flow that author, Stephanie Grace Whitson, writes and intrigues her readers with.  It's a delightful tale of coming of age, finding yourself and falling in love.  I would give A Most Unsuitable Match a four out of five stars.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Craftsy Crafting ~ Sewing Machine 911 ~ FREE Online Classes with Claudia Miller

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Gain confidence in troubleshooting your own machine issues with my tips and tricks. In this class, I discuss both vintage and modern machines, new and used. 

All of these machines can sew, and they can sew well when the user understands them correctly. Work with me and get to know the ins and outs of your sewing machine, including the basic components of each machine, spotting symptoms, knowing when to take your machine to a professional, and much more! 

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Craftsy is the fastest growing online community for Crafters - with over 500,000 monthly unique visitors, having just launched in May 2011. This rapid growth results from two primary offerings which Craftsy users love: 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: Cadbury Dairy Milk ~ Pretzel & Peanut Butter

In 1824, a young Quaker by the name of John Cadbury, opened a shop in Birmingham, UK and began selling tea and coffee.  With innovation he saw a new opportunity arise in cocoa beverages and laid the foundations for the creation of chocolate and then confectionary, as he hand~ground his cocoa with a mortar and pestle in the back of his shop.

As Quakers, John and his family believed tea, coffee and cocoa beverages were a much more enjoyable alternative to alcohol, which was seen to be the cause of poverty and deprivation among the poor and working classes.  Cadbury was once a pioneer in justice, equality, anti~slavery, better housing, saniation and social reform and his chocolate delights have been satisfying taste buds for over 150 years.

John, along with his brother Benjamin and sons, Richard and George, continued to strive for customer excellence while exalting their energies for better living and working conditions amongst the families and animals they met on a daily basis.  With genius such as this, its no wonder that Cadbury Chocolate is adored by millions to this day~!!

Cadbury Dairy Milk ~ Joy Department

When the opportunity arose to check out Cadbury's latest creations, I couldn't apply fast enough.  While I like chocolate, I am very particular on which I eat and Cadbury has always been a favourite of mine.  I just enjoy the creamy smooth texture and the delightful milk chocolate taste.  

There are three new flavours in Cadbury Dairy Milk's "Joy Department" series.  

Honey Roasted Cashews & Hazelnuts

Toasted Coconut and Cashews 

Pretzel and Peanut Butter

Now, while I would've been happy with any of the three to try, however, I didn't have choice and I was kind of learning towards the Pretzel and Peanut Butter version, which is EXACTLY the chocolate bar I received~!  When it arrived, it was a VERY hot day outside and as you can well imagine, it was like chocolate soup inside of the packaging.  Which, I might add, held up and no leakages occurred...I put it in the refrigerator to set again and even though I didn't get to taste it as it should have been, it was still fantastic and very enjoyable.

My oldest son, who is a sweet treat freak, also had a nibble or two and he gave it two thumbs up, he loves peanut and chocolate together and thought the pretzels can it a nice toasty crunch that was delectable to his palate.

If you have the opportunity to check one of these new flavours out, I wouldn't hesitate, I'm on the hunt for the Honey Roasted Cashews & Hazelnuts next~!!  I'm thinking these chocolate bars are going to be REALLY groovy to bake with....hmmmmm~!!

JOIN Cadbury Dairy Milk ~ Canada on FaceBook~!!

The Top 5 Most Beautiful Flowers

The very use of flowers within the culture of most countries in the world has been down to their beauty and ornamental excellence. The most expensive flowers in the world may not be the most beautiful. In fact the most expensive flower ever sold, the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid, has been described a Frankenstein flower, this may be more to do with its manmade nature as appose to its aesthetic but none the less it proves that beauty in flowers, as with most things in life, is of course in the eye of the beholder. There are some classic blooms though, whose beauty could not be strongly protested.

Roses
The first is the classic rose - Rosaceae. Roses can come in over 100 different species and are known the world over as symbols of love and romance. Roses are also famous for their aromatic aroma and come in nearly every colour you could want or need. The deep red rose of course being the most enigmatic symbol for love and the audacious bloom is juxtaposed with its thorny foliage entrenching the romantic based representation.

Orchids
Orchids - Orchidaceae, can also boast a variety of species, over 20,000 varieties in fact. Orchids are far from rare and horticulturalists have produced over 100,000 hybrids from the original species. Their habitat covers all continents, apart from the poles and they are incredible durable. Their history goes back as far as ancient Greek Myth and their beauty has been referred to in literature for years.

photo attributed to Galileo55

The Calla Lilly
The Calla Lilly - Antedeschia Aethiopica, has many different names such as Lily of the Nile, Easter lily, Arum lily and Varkoor. The choice for this is a specific species of flower this time is due to the fact that it is perceived as the most elegant of its members. It’s native only to Africa and its tropical aesthetic has brought a touch of class to many wedding bouquets in recent years. Many big purveyors of flowers such as Interflora.com can supply you with a classic calla Lilly bouquet. Its pure white bloom has a velvety texture which is penetrated by its idiosyncratic bright yellow stamen.

photo attributed to aresauburnâ

Water Lilies
The sultry water lilies - Nymphaeaceae have earned their place as one of the most beautiful flower species due to their fame in the world or art; poets have used the water lily as a muse as well as infamous paintings of the blooms. Another member of the lily family, these archetypal shapes and colours are the epitome of natural beauty and exotic aesthetic as their lily pads float on the water.

Cherry Blossom
Cherry blossom, though a plant whose primary use was for food, has now become an ornamental flower in itself. These Japanese wonders scatter a Spring time meadow with subtle beauty and feature heavily within their folk lore symbolising the ephemeral nature of life, an idea preached within Buddhism. Cherry blossom is now seen in most countries in the world and is often purposely planted within urban areas as these fresh blossoms give a naturalistic element to the most metropolitan borough.

This Article was brought to you by Interflora

PRODUCT REVIEW: Smelly Washer Cleaner

Are you fed up with your home and appliances smelling like mildew??  Are you tired of musty, mouldy or sour odours in your towels and laundry??  Then Smelly Cleaners is the cure~!!

Their safe, effective and easy~to~use cleaners and deodorizers remove bad odour at the source...from your clothes washer, towels, laundry and even your dishwasher...forever~!!

Smelly Washer Cleaner is really easy to use~!!  

Add a level cap (1 tbsp.) to a hot setting and allow the cycle to complete.  Most users find this will remove mildew odour from any top or front loading washer.  

Worse cases will need more than one cleaning and sometimes, in worst case scenarios, it will need more than one cleaning and you may need to soak your washing machine for a few hours to remove the odour~causing buildup.

ARV ~ $16.99

#1 Recommended by consumers and experts~!!

Doesn't just mask the odour...but removes the source of the stink~!!

Safe with all septic systems~!!

24 treatments in one bottle~!!

12 ounce bottle ~ up to a one year's supply~!!

This product couldn't have come at a better time for me~!!  I had just went through a washing machine nightmare...and it lasted a year...can you imagine??  Anyhow...I went through several washing machines...all of them catching on fire and I was forced to use a Bubblelator in order to wash my clothes.   What that implies is that I washed four or five pieces of clothing at a time and then wrung them out by hand.  Let me tell you, I appreciated our fore~mothers and the HARD work they had to survive on a daily basis.

Well, I FINALLY got myself a working washing machine, it was second hand but came with a three month warranty...I'm not sure how long its going to last as I STILL wait for it to blow up in my face to this day...lol  It had a funky smell to it and I was loathe to use it...then I remembered I had the Smelly Washer Cleaner to review and followed the directions to the tee.  

I was truly amazed, the nasty smell was gone and now I could wash my clothes without fear of transferring anothers, um, germs to my own families clothing~!!  AND...after using the Bubblelator for soo long, I decided to give it a thorough clean.  I had to do a deep soak with this job and left it for about four and a half hours, and I must say, it has a faint smell, that I am sure one more use would cure, but I'm not using it for anything special and just wanted to test out those deeper, built~in smells~!!  Going to have to say that this is a pretty amazing product and does what it is meant to do~!!






**  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  **

Python Printable Games Giveaway~!!

Python Printable Games is giving away $250 in prizes~!!!

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The contest is being run on Rafflecopter, so you will need a Facebook or email log~in in order to participate.

SPONSOR REVIEW: EdenFantasys.com

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Enter the "Where Are Mike & Ike~?" Contest

Famous Candy Icons Split - Help Find Them!

Enter the “Where Are Mike and Ike?” Contest to Win an Apple iPod Touch and other MIKE AND IKE® Prizes

Contest Runs from May 29^th to July 11^th 2012

Bethlehem, PA (May 2012) – Just Born, Inc., makers of MIKE AND IKE®, need your help to find Mike and Ike and reunite the delicious candy making duo.

“Where Are Mike and Ike?” is a social media based contest where participants will be asked a question about the location or activities of Mike or Ike. Participants will be given a link to one of the MIKE AND IKE® social media pages to get a clue that will help them answer their question. Each Tuesday and Friday, a new question will appear on the contest page.

Participants can earn points by answering the questions correctly, sending tweets about the contest, liking the MIKE AND IKE® Facebook page and emailing up to five (5) friends per day requesting that they enter the contest (points are awarded only after the friend participates).

During the contest, participants can view a leader board to see which three players have the highest number of points.

After July 11^th, the one (1) participant with the highest number of points will receive an Apple iPod Touch. Four (4) second prize winners will each receive an Apple iPod Shuffle. Fifteen (15) third prize winners will each receive a box of twenty four (24) 1.8 oz bags of MIKE AND IKE® Original Fruits™ and a MIKE AND IKE® t-shirt.

In addition, each week there will be a random drawing that will award any of the participants a MIKE AND IKE® t-shirt and a box of twenty four (24) 1.8 oz bags of MIKE AND IKE® Original Fruits™

To Enter:

Participants can enter the contest by visiting the MIKE AND IKE® Tumblr page at www.mikeandiketumblr.com.

Music Video Debut:

Since the split, Mike has been working on his music. He recently debuted his first music video, “Strawberry or Die”, featuring Blaze Kelly. The vibrant music video can be seen here.

About Mike and Ike

MIKE AND IKE® candy, with varieties such as Original Fruits, Tropical Typhoon®, Berry Blast®, RedRageous!™ and others, will continue to be offered at all retailers. Consumers will see no changes in flavors or distribution.

The independent and talented duo have decided to follow their true passions. Mike is a musician at heart and is rumored to be producing a CD; Ike is an urban artist and a lover of art. Their split is not unlike that of other famous celebrity duos like Simon and Garfunkel, Lennon and McCartney or even hip hop legends Slick Rick and Dougie Fresh.

“People of all ages love MIKE AND IKE® and we are reassuring fans and our retail partners that our famous fruit-chewy candies will continue to be produced and sold as we get this resolved,” says Donald Houston, Senior Marketing Manager for MIKE AND IKE®.

Consumers will be surprised to see packaging with one of the names scratched out with a note on the back and directions to the brand’s Facebook page. Retailers will feature new MIKE AND IKE® displays.

For more information on the split and to follow Mike and Ike’s individual exploits, log onto www.facebook.com/mikeandike.

Astrology - Why People Love it So

Just like the moon and the sun affect all life on Earth and the tides, these celestial beings have an effect on humans, their emotions and their overall makeup. Astrology is the study of how all these different forces work to make your life what it is. The study is about you as a person as well as the current environmental situations that make things harder or easier for you. When you understand more about where you come from and why you are the way you are, you can better focus your life and energy to be the person you want to be. Astrology does not tell you what your life has to be but rather helps you navigate the rough waters of life with a little more purpose.

When you were Born
The placement of the stars when you were born puts you in a particular zodiac sign which gives you a simplified list of some of your personality traits. While these traits manifest differently in every person, there are certain things that are similar. By recognizing these traits you can decide how you want to work them so that you are as successful as possible. For example, if you are a Taurus you are most likely stubborn. Just knowing this can help you open up to those around you and try and put aside your differences if you know you are just digging in because of your tendencies rather than fact.

Why Does this Pull Effect You?
The gravitational pull to your person is based on when you were born and the placement of the stars at that time. Astrology puts a lot of emphasis on how this gravity affects your path throughout your life. As the stars move around this changes your mood and your purpose. By knowing what these effects are you can plan to focus your energies according to where your strengths lie at any given time in your life.

What Your Horoscope Means
Horoscopes are generalized studies for your sign as a whole. They give you information regarding what the stars pull is currently doing to you and people like you. These changes can affect your relationships both personally and at work. There are times when it is better to be more outgoing while other times it is better to be reflective. Astrology tries to guide you in a direction that will be the best use of your time rather than wasting your time if the stars are not in the right place for you right now.

The Study of Birthdays
Astrology also believes in the placement of certain traits based on your birthday as well. Zodiac signs are a general belief for a whole group of people while birthdays can be much more specific. Those born on certain days tend to have some similar traits and can focus their particular skills in one way. If everyone under every sign was exactly the same we would only have 12 personality types which is not realistic. The study of more specific Astrology accounts for all the differences between humans as a whole. There are certain areas of your sign that affect you more than others.

Your Year and Your Life Path
Even further than your date of birth is your year of birth. When you are born the stars are differently placed depending on the year and this pull can push you in a particular direction. These are considered your destiny paths and when paired with your birthday information can be quite accurate in determining the type of life you can lead. When you look at the whole picture you can make some decisions based on what is likely to work best for you.

Many people don't believe in Astrology. Those who do tend to use it as a basic blue print for choices they make. This does not mean that it is the end all but it is a good guidepost when you are facing rough decisions or you are trying to determine your next step. It sometimes gives you just the inspiration you need to keep moving forward and get where you want to in your life.

Want to learn more about Astrology?

This post was written by Love Horoscope, a fun website with hundreds of articles about Zodiac signs, Astrology, horoscopes and more! Visit their site today or check them out on Facebook to get free daily horoscopes!

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Manilla - Signup for Free

What is Manilla? 

Manilla (manilla.com) is a free web based service that helps consumers better manage all of their household accounts, including financial, utilities, subscriptions and travel rewards programs, in one secure place online. 

Under a single password, Manilla provides customers with an automated, organized view of all of their account information, text and/or email reminders to pay bills and unlimited storage of account documents that Manilla has seamlessly retrieved for the consumer. 

Why is Manilla necessary?

 Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. 

In order to stay on top of all this, people have to manage daily incoming paper mail, an array of online usernames and passwords, and websites in order to access important account information and take action. 

Manilla seamlessly retrieves all your account information – current balances, previous payments, upcoming bills due – and stores it for you in one secure place. 

Most importantly, you need only one password to view, manage and organize it all. 

**  This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Manilla.   **