Holiday Shoppers Guide

Archive for October, 2007

by Bill Murphy

There is a subtle, but important difference between model train enthusiasts and model train collectors. Collectors are generally more concerned about the “collectability” of an item – how rare it is and what shape it’s in – where enthusiasts are all about operating their model railway.

Pretty well every hobby you can think of has collectors in it. They’re the people who drive up prices of old items like the first edition of a famous novel. Most people don’t understand the obsession, but collectors certainly do.

They help set standards and values, expend vast amounts of time detailing and listing historical facts about existing railroad prototypes and in general help to drive a level of professionalism into the hobby that otherwise might be missing. Model train collectors are a good thing, and the fact is that most collectors are also hobbyists – displaying their collections not in jewel cases or behind glass but in a Model Train layout of their own design.

Companies like Lionel Trains even go so far as to sponsor collectors’ clubs for their past equipment. There are plenty of groups you can join if you’re interested in learning more about the hobby.

One of the things these groups do is create standards by which equipment can be rated. The equipment is often rated separately from the packaging it came in, if the box is still intact, and those that are still in the original box, never having been removed, fetch the highest prices.

How Products Are Graded

* NEW – In order to be considered “new” the item must be unused, ideally never even removed from its original package.

* LIKE NEW – This grade indicates that the model train is as good as new, but may have been used and removed from its packaging in the past.

*EXCELLENT – Excellent condition means there is no rust, dirt or damage but that the item has definitely been used.

*VERY GOOD – This level indicates that slight wear but no damage or rust exists.

* GOOD – There may be some slight scratches as well as normal wear but no rust.

* FAIR – Some damage and wear, possibly scratched but still working well.

* POOR – Suitable only for parts and possible not working.

How Packaging Is Graded

* NEW – Original packaging complete with no damage or fading.

* LIKE NEW – Original packaging, may have some slight wear.

* EXCELLENT – Packaging is in original condition but may have some minor signs of wear.

* VERY GOOD – Minor damage possible, maybe even some tape for repairs but still complete.

* GOOD – Could be missing certain elements, noticable wear and possibly mildew damage.

* FAIR – Pieces missing and tears and/or discoloration are possible.

* R – A replica, not the original packaging.

Knowing these grades and having some money to spend will give you a big headstart on collecting model trains. Pick your favorite era or brand and dive right in. Just keep in mind that a collection’s value is in the eyes of the collector – it may not be the best investment!

LIONEL TRAINS RARE PASSENGER CAR SET ALUMINUM POSTWAR

LIONEL TRAIN SET 2026 3451 6454 6466WX 6465 6357 BOXED

Lionel Southern Pacific "Oil Can" Tank Train Set

LIONEL PREWAR TRAIN SET 259E LOCO. & TENDER W/ 4 CARS

Vintage Lionel Train Set O-Gauge Engine 1666

LIONEL STANDARD GUAGE TRAIN SET W/BOX

VINTAGE LIONEL 027 6PC TRAIN SET W/TRACK AND EXTRAS

Lionel Prewar O-gauge Passenger Train Set

LIONEL TRAINS SOUTHERN STEAM ENGINE SET SMOKE SOUND BOX

Lionel 1928 No. 296b Boxed Prewar O-gauge Train Set

 

About the Author:

Author Bill Murphy writes about train scenery building and other Model Railroading subjects at TheModelRailroader.com. Surf over to http://www.themodelrailroader.com for a free copy of my report “Model Railroad Design Secrets” Click here to get your own unique version of this article.

 

 

Diamonds are truly forever. Dazzling points of light to sparkle as she moves, diamond earrings will be a treasured gift.

9CT SOLID GOLD DIAMOND & RUBY PIERCED EARRINGS WOW

RETRO 14K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND DANGLE EARRINGS

0.90 Ct Princess Diamond 14K White Gold Stud Earrings

10k white gold stud round black diamonds earrings #E811

Nearly 1/2ct Diamond Earrings .40ct , 14K Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Round Diamond Stud Earrings 1ct tw. NEW

1/3ct tw Diamond Earrings 14K Yellow Gold Round Studs

1.55CT ROUND DIAMOND HOOPS HUGGIES EARRINGS WHITE GOLD

by Sexy Bunnie

The Christmas season is just around the corner. So if your thinking about what to give her this year, consider lingerie. Lingerie can be the gift ‘that keeps on giving’. A man can’t go wrong giving lingerie as a gift. The only time this gift idea might backfire is if the lingerie is the wrong style or yet worse, the wrong size. If you put a little time into it and do your homework you both will be rewarded with this great gift.

Men are always tempted to buy what they think is sexy when it comes to lingerie. They purchase the lingerie only to find that their taste is in direct conflict with the taste of their partner. Take as an example, thongs or g-strings. It takes a special type of woman to be comfortable wearing this type of undergrament. Men find them sexy and give them as gifts only to find their wife or girlfriend don’t like them and refuse to wear them.

Given that thong sales only represent about 20% of all lingerie purchases, it is quite possible that a woman may not appreciate thongs as gifts as much as the men giving them as gifts.

It is important to do your homework in order to make sure your gift selection is successful. Ask yourself what part of her body is she proud of and then consider lingerie that will flatter and accentuate that part. If she is most proud of her cleavage as example, a halter might be a good choice. If she is particularly proud of her legs, then you might want to consider a chemise. No matter what part of her body she is most proud of there is lingerie out there that will work.

Women are very color concious so you need to consider this when deciding on your gift also. Some things to think about are hair colors and skin tones. Redheads look best in darker colors that compliment their hair color. Greens and blues work best for that. Blondes look best in lighter colors or even pastels. Brunettes look best in colors that accentuate their darker hues. Colors like purples, dark greens or even reds work well for them.

It goes without saying that the lingerie needs to look good, but equally important is the need for the lingerie to feel good. A good rule of thumb it if you enjoy touching it, she will probably enjoy wearing it. Satins and silks are always a good choice. They are smooth to the touch and will feel great on her. If your buying your gift online I recommend buying fabrics you are familiar with so you know what to expect.

If you don’t remember anything else, remember this. Buying the right style, color and fabric will all be in vain if you get the wrong size. Most men think they have what I like to refer to as ‘calibrated eyes’. Don’t rely on what you think is the right size, don’t use the old joked about method of using your hands to cup an imaginary breast to determine cup size. Know the sizes and be sure! If possible, ask, if not, do some detective work. Snoop around when she isn’t home and make sure you get the right sizes. If you don’t your gift idea will definately come back to haunt you.

Lingerie is definitely one of the most intimate and rewarding gifts a person can give or receive. When the desires, size, body, and tastes of the receiver are considered when making a purchase, lingerie will be rewarding to the buyer in ways like no other gift can. But, when you buy something that you think they will like without taking into consideration the person you’re buying for, a lingerie purchase can backfire. Lingerie should be a gift that she will remember fondly so be sure to think of how she would feel wearing it before buying and you are sure to have a very merry Christmas season with many happy returns!

About the Author:

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Cigars and brandy, reminiscent of olden days when the ladies “retired” to their salons and men retreated to their private sanctuary, the mahogany paneled private library…

E. Zarzuela Toro FuerteE. Zarzuela cigars are created with a Nicaraguan Cafe Habano wrapper that will provide smokers with a unique smoking experience. To complement the wrapper, a Cuban Seed Nicaraguan and Dominican filler blend with a Dominican binder to deliver a new enjoyment in the art of smoking a fine premium cigar.	EZ by E. ZarzuelaAfter creating E. Zarzuela full bodied cigars, Eddy Fontana Zarzuela understood that it was time to release another great blend. EZ is a rich blend of some of the finest tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic. To enrich this blend, an Indonesian binder and Connecticut Ecuador wrapper is used to produce one of the smoothest medium bodied smokes on the market. In the 2006 winter issue of Smoke Magazine, the EZ received a 9.1 rating, placing it among the elite of the industry.
EZ by E. Zarzuela Toro FuerteAfter creating E. Zarzuela full bodied cigars, Eddy Fontana Zarzuela understood that it was time to release another great blend. EZ is a rich blend of some of the finest tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic. To enrich this blend, an Indonesian binder and Connecticut Ecuador wrapper is used to produce one of the smoothest medium bodied smokes on the market. In the 2006 winter issue of Smoke Magazine, the EZ received a 9.1 rating, placing it among the elite of the industry.	Fonseca Cubano Limitado ToroFonseca Cubano Limitado is the boldest blend of the entire Fonseca line. Master blender Manuel Quesada blends a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero tobaccos with a dark, oily Honduran wrapper leaf to create medium to full-bodied smoke. Its complex flavor has notes of caramel and earthy spice. The Cubano Limitado truly has the smooth, rich character of a ‘Cuban’ classic.
La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-300Continuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.	La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-300 OscuroContinuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.
La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-400Continuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.	La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-400 OscuroContinuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.
La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-500Continuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.	La Flor Dominicana Ligero TorpedoContinuing La Flor Dominicana’s trend of making powerful cigars, the Ligero line of cigars will not disappoint you. Exclusivley grown at their farm, these cigars feature an all Dominican filler and binder. A dark Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper surrounds this fulfilling cigar. After years of aging estate grown Ligero tobaccos, La Flor Dominicana was ready for their first ‘full bodied cigar.’ The aroma from this cigar’s smoke is truly mouth-watering. Ligero cigars offer full-bodied flavor with smooth delicious smoke.
Oliva Bundles Original 7 x 50Flor de Oliva Original bundles provide a rich, flavorful smoke in a smooth, creamy Connecticut Shade wrapper. The Oliva Cigar Family creates these aged beauties from a long filler, Nicaraguan blend from the Jalapa Valley. The result is a amazing medium bodied cigar at an affordable price. If you are looking for a flavorful cigar with a smooth, long finish, Oliva Original bundles will satisfy your needs.	Oliva Bundles Original 5 x 50Flor de Oliva Original bundles provide a rich, flavorful smoke in a smooth, creamy Connecticut Shade wrapper. The Oliva Cigar Family creates these aged beauties from a long filler, Nicaraguan blend from the Jalapa Valley. The result is a amazing medium bodied cigar at an affordable price. If you are looking for a flavorful cigar with a smooth, long finish, Oliva Original bundles will satisfy your needs.
Oliva Bundles Original 6 x 50Flor de Oliva Original bundles provide a rich, flavorful smoke in a smooth, creamy Connecticut Shade wrapper. The Oliva Cigar Family creates these aged beauties from a long filler, Nicaraguan blend from the Jalapa Valley. The result is a amazing medium bodied cigar at an affordable price. If you are looking for a flavorful cigar with a smooth, long finish, Oliva Original bundles will satisfy your needs.	Oliva Bundles Corojo 7 x 50Flor de Oliva Corojo bundles have the biggest body and fullest taste of the entire Oliva cigar selection. A silky natural Costa Rican wrapper surrounds a medium bodied blend of Nicaraguan tobacco. A slightly spicy taste complements its creamy, rich aroma. If you are looking for a flavorful cigar with a smooth, long finish, Oliva Corojo bundles will satisfy your needs.
Oliva Bundles Corojo 5 x 50Flor de Oliva Corojo bundles have the biggest body and fullest taste of the entire Oliva cigar selection. A silky natural Costa Rican wrapper surrounds a medium bodied blend of Nicaraguan tobacco. A slightly spicy taste complements its creamy, rich aroma. If you are looking for a flavorful cigar with a smooth, long finish, Oliva Corojo bundles will satisfy your needs.