Great Opportunity for Up-And-Coming Fashion Designers

TAPSMACK™ OPENS DOORS FOR YOUNG FASHION DESIGNERS TO SELL ON WORLD-WIDE SCALE

Fashion entrepreneur Swati Kapoor, known for her Indian-fusion fashion, has received over 2,000 responses to her TapSmack offer.

On TapSmack.com independent fashion designers who submit their ideas are mentored by a long-time fashion industry expert, whose goal is to encourage the talent that is “waiting for its rightful recognition.”

With the outline provided by Swati on TapSmack, designers are free to think creatively of clothing that blends the sensuous and the practical, merging the art of the East to the West. Swati will pay for the designs that she and her design team choose to bring to the marketplace through TapSmack, which then pays the royalties to each.

TapSmack co-founder Sanjeev Thohan explains, “It is no longer necessary for designers to be isolated. They can now be interactive, collaborating with each other from all parts of the world and all ages. A chain of inspiration is the ultimate use of our TapSmack platform.”

TapSmack CEO Vagish Kapila adds, “This project is powered by collaboration. The creation of one designer is shared with and inspires other designers. With TapSmack all users share, combine and evolve their resources through this new form of interaction that we call co-creation.”

“Using TapSmack’s strengths, their international audience, powered by technology, we will create a world that is truly without borders,” Swati says. “My years of experience in the fashion design industry, and my business SWATI Couture, will serve as a catalyst in bringing forth a unique clothing line “The Chic Yogini” — named for an Indian celestial nymph. This will evolve as a web-based path in the design world, giving up-and-coming designers an opportunity to work with an innovative approach to designing,” Swati Kapoor’s Chic Yogini project can be viewed at www.tapsmack.com/guest/idea/designs/2284.

TapSmack founded in 2009 has merged social networking and co-creation enabling collaborative commerce technologies in a global community. This sharing can be for purely social, creative expression, educational or to convert an idea concept into reality. Users can personalize their favorite pair of shoes, create stickers, customized apparel, brand ambassadors. Tapsmack also extends this co-creative platform to include business processes, schools, niche marketing for micro brands, co-creative designs of homes to automobiles, and music. TapSmack enables the individual, brands and/or organizations to create and explore their own identity, creating their own very personal brand name. http://www.tapsmack.com

Cigars: An Enduring Smoking Pleasure

Smoking a cigar is an enduring pleasure that the cigarettes do not provide. In fact, branded and quality cigars are believed to be the status symbol that showcases your wealth and class. They come in a variety of flavors and brands to cater the tastes of different people. Put simply, smoking a cigar has long been a popular way to portray an air of high-status, especially in business deals to confirm your dominant status.

The history of a cigar

Researchers teach us that the cigar has been in use for more than five hundred years. According to history, records show that citizens of Europe were much more unaware of tobacco before Columbus’s grand trip of 1492. However, the original native population of the islands in the Caribbean and the rest of North America started the use of cigars. Since then, cigar smoking has generated a lot of interest and passion in the United States as well as European countries.

Types of cigars: choose according to your taste

Different people have different favorite types of cigars. Many cigars have their own unique specialty they have gained favor by aficionados globally. Cigars offer a number of options to choose from but only a handful boast global recognition. Some of these include Gurkha Cigars, Macanudo Cigars, Cohiba Cigars, Padron Cigars, Acid Cigars, Ashton Cigars, Arturo Fuente Cigars, Montecristo Cigars and the list goes on. Basically, every cigar has three parts – the filler, the binder and the wrapper.

Storage of cigars

As mentioned above, cigar smoking is an enduring pleasure that comes with a fresh and fine cigar. But it is a fact that cigars are very fragile and need special storage as well as an environment of sufficient humidity to keep the cigar tobacco fresh and tasty. This is why a good quality humidor is essential to keep cigars fresh and classy by keeping them away from a number of problems like harsh taste, a broken wrapper, fast burn, tobacco beetle infestation and difficulty in lighting. Put simply, a good quality cigar humidor keeps cigars in an environment of ideal humidity because an ideal humidity of around 55 to 70 percent is required to remain the tobacco fresh.

Buy your favorite cigars online

The availability of premium branded cigars at online stores at reasonable prices has also increased the popularity of cigars. One of the interesting factors about purchasing cigars online is that you don’t have to worry about the delicate nature of cigars. Moreover, these online stores accept all types of payment options like Paypal and credit cards and also deliver them to your doorstep as quickly as overnight if you desire.

Greatest rivalry’s new Finals chapter

Greatest rivalry’s new Finals chapter
The Lakers vs. Celtics matchup is basketball’s greatest rivalry as the two NBA legends battle for crowning glory.

Read more on USA Today

Cao Cigars – Cao Cigars Free Shipping $$$

Thompson cigar began operations in Florida, almost a century ago, in the year 1915. At Thomson Cigars you can find many different kinds & brands of Cigars to fit your needs. Thompson Cao Cigars Click Below

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Thompson cigar hit the jackpot, and managed to rise to a successful retailer in US. As all success stories, Thompson cigar had a secret; giving the consumers the most choices possible, with all the prices, shapes, tastes and sizes imaginable.

Thompson cigar started labeling their own cigars to give their clients the assurance they were so certain of the quality of the cigar, that they were going to put their name on it. People loved Thompson cigar for that, not only because they now could smoke surely a fine quality cigar, but because it was much more affordable. Pretty soon people started looking for the Thompson cigar brand and it acquired a solid and lasting reputation.

The service provided by Thompson cigar is impressive, and it was no simple task to accomplish. People came up asking for guidance, questions just poured in. What cigar was best? Which was stronger? What cigar could be a good gift? Which was the most affordable? What cigar had good ash? Instead of giving up or just ignoring the questions, Thompson cigar wanted clients curiosity satisfied and their questions answered. An army of specialized men and women, armed with all the knowledge of the cigar industry was assembled. Customers were simply thrilled. Cigar amateurs could be introduced to the marvelous world of cigar smoking and many felt comfortable knowing that Thompson cigar would not overwhelm them, but simply guide and help them make the best decision.

Quality is always in the mind of the Thompson cigar company, and have the largest humidor in America. Here, all the cigars are preserved fresh until it’s taken to the customers house. This is also very reassuring for the customers, as many retailers without such precautions sometimes give their customers dry cigars that are not good to smoke anymore. First time smokers will think that’s what a cigar should taste like and never want to repeat the smoking experience.

Humidor Cigars – Humidor Cigars Free Shipping $$$

Thompson cigar began operations in Florida, almost a century ago, in the year 1915. At Thomson Cigars you can find many different kinds & brands of Cigars to fit your needs. Thompson Humidor Cigars Click Below

CLICK HERE: Latest Cigar Offers $$$

Thompson cigar hit the jackpot, and managed to rise to a successful retailer in US. As all success stories, Thompson cigar had a secret; giving the consumers the most choices possible, with all the prices, shapes, tastes and sizes imaginable.

Thompson cigar started labeling their own cigars to give their clients the assurance they were so certain of the quality of the cigar, that they were going to put their name on it. People loved Thompson cigar for that, not only because they now could smoke surely a fine quality cigar, but because it was much more affordable. Pretty soon people started looking for the Thompson cigar brand and it acquired a solid and lasting reputation.

The service provided by Thompson cigar is impressive, and it was no simple task to accomplish. People came up asking for guidance, questions just poured in. What cigar was best? Which was stronger? What cigar could be a good gift? Which was the most affordable? What cigar had good ash? Instead of giving up or just ignoring the questions, Thompson cigar wanted clients curiosity satisfied and their questions answered. An army of specialized men and women, armed with all the knowledge of the cigar industry was assembled. Customers were simply thrilled. Cigar amateurs could be introduced to the marvelous world of cigar smoking and many felt comfortable knowing that Thompson cigar would not overwhelm them, but simply guide and help them make the best decision.

Quality is always in the mind of the Thompson cigar company, and have the largest humidor in America. Here, all the cigars are preserved fresh until it’s taken to the customers house. This is also very reassuring for the customers, as many retailers without such precautions sometimes give their customers dry cigars that are not good to smoke anymore. First time smokers will think that’s what a cigar should taste like and never want to repeat the smoking experience.

A Cigar Guide Will Teach You Everything You Need To Know About Smoking, If You Study It

Many people wonder if a cigar guide is truly necessary for a smoker to find what they are looking for. Necessity is not the issue here; expediency is. A guide of any kind makes a search of any kind easier to pursue, and more likely to pay off in the end.

In this case, a cigar guide provides cigar smokers with all kinds of information that pertains to both cigars themselves and the general world of cigar smoking as a whole. Things such as local bans on smoking, information on humidors, new and exciting cigar packs as gift items, cigar accessories you may not have thought of, and cigar etiquette for cigar lounge aficionados are all explained in sufficient detail to make good decisions and to act appropriately.

Much needed advice for beginning smokers is almost always included. After all, we were all once beginners, and none of us would have stuck with it had there been someone or something to give us the basics of brand and etiquette. New smokers will also gain from these publications (both print and online) a wealth of information about cigar products like humidors, cigar cutters, how to prepare and install humidifiers, and helpful tips about health and legal issues that relate to cigars.

A cigar guide is a resource for the inquisitive, but somewhat shy, new smoker who does not want to risk embarrassment by asking too many questions at a cigar lounge.

Much to their surprise, the average beginner tends to be a little shocked at how truly different smoking a cigar is in comparison to a cigarette. For instance, a cigar has to be cut a certain way before it is smoked in order for a person to draw smoke from the end. This is not necessary with a cigarette. Another difference is the way a person has to light a cigar. The end must be lit deliberately and evenly, otherwise, the cigar will not burn evenly. Perhaps the greatest difference, however, is the way a person actually smokes a cigar. Cigar smoke is drawn into the mouth and tasted, but it is never inhaled like cigarette smoke.

Making these mistakes in a cigar lounge can be so embarrassing a person tries a cigar once and never tries one again. That is, unless he or she learns NOT to make them by reading a cigar guide first. With a little bit of motivated self-study, one soon learns that the world of cigars is not about being an elitist, but rather being confident and classy in a way that silently communicates that you know what you are doing no matter what you are doing or where.

This is also the best place to find information on how individual brands of cigars are made. Most seasoned smokers prefer to smoke hand-rolled cigars. Machine-rolled cigars are considered cheap. The cigar connoisseur needs to know up front what he or she is buying before money is actually put on the table.

Cigar aficionados also care a great deal about cigar country of origin. Nations like Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are world famous for their cigar quality. A cigar guide can and should give as much information on where a particular manufacturer grows the tobacco used in its cigar fillers and wrappers.

Cigar guides will often publish news on the latest developments in the cigar world, also providing information on what is happening in the worlds top cigar companies.

10 Tips for the Cigar Novice

Starting up a new hobby can be intimidating. Going golfing for the first time with a bunch of guys who have been doing it for years can make a beginner feel self-conscious about his lack of prowess on the links. People just learning to play guitar will go for years refusing to play in front of others. Even someone learning to cook might be embarrassed to share a less than savory meal with his family.

Some people might not consider smoking cigars a hobby, but it certainly is a pastime and it has its own intricacies just like anything else. There are traditions and faux pas when it comes to smoking cigars that any old puffer at the country club will notice and call you out on in a heartbeat.

Good-natured as the ribbing may be, it can’t hurt to brush up on some cigar “do’s and don’ts” before you have a cigar among the aficionados. Included are some suggestions for classy cigars and accessories that will show off your sense of refinement and good taste.

1. It is not a race. Smoking a cigar should be a leisure activity. The best way to start is to smoke as if it is no big deal. Take your time and enjoy it.

The Ashton Magnum is a smooth and creamy cigar that is perfect for new smokers. The aroma and flavor is remarkably consistent so you won’t ever get a bad draw. Ashton Magnums are made from Dominican leaves and shade-grown Connecticut wrappers. It is truly a cigar to be savored.

2. Trim the end of your cigar with a cigar cutter. Don’t try to bite it off with your teeth. This may look cool in the movies but it will just leave you with an unsightly and decidedly uncouth mouthful of tobacco.

The Double Blade Stainless Round Cigar Cutter from Orleans is an inexpensive yet fully functional cigar cutter. In other words, it is perfect for beginners. It works with a dual-blade guillotine action, which ensures a shred-free cut. It is housed in a durable stainless steel case for a long lifespan.

3. Don’t grind out a cigar in an ashtray. Let it go out on its own. This is a handy technique for being able to re-light a cigar later on. It is also polite to not leave the smudged out remains of tobacco scattered around in an ashtray.

In your own home, it is also nice to have a relatively clean ashtray. The Flor De Gonzalez Ashtray is made of simple black porcelain with the company’s logo in the center. It is square with resting places for your cigar in all four corners.

4. If there is less than a quarter left, let it go out in an ashtray. When a cigar starts to get that short, it will begin to lose its flavor. Nothing gold can stay. When it gets to the ¼ mark, it is time to let it go.

Another practical and stylish ashtray is the Hexagon Crystal Cigar Ashtray from Orleans. It looks incredibly luxurious for its modest price. It has wide stirrups (that’s where the cigar rests) to accommodate bigger cigars and a deep bowl for plenty of ash.

5. Don’t show off. Nothing screams amateur more than someone who makes a big deal out of smoking a cigar. Cigar holders and fancy smoking techniques are the antithesis of the cool guy casually smoking a cigar. You are allowed to blow smoke rings though. That’s a cool trick that’s not overtly flashy.

The best way to look natural smoking a cigar is to find one that you enjoy. In the beginning, it is best to start with a milder cigar and work your way up to fuller flavors. The Montecristo #1 is a legendary Cuban-inspired cigar that is made in the Dominican Republic.

6. Don’t chew on it. You are not Peter Parker’s grizzled boss at the newspaper. You are not a grunt in World War II. Unless you are being shot at or trying to ruin Spider-Man’s good name, chewing on a cigar is just plain gross.

Fine cigars can be works of art and the Griffin’s Robusto Natural is not something that you chomp away at. It has a rich and mild taste that smokers of every level can enjoy.

7. Don’t ask for a light. Seriously, you are a cigar smoker now. You should be carrying your own lighter around. In the worst case scenario, ask the bartender for a pack of matches.

The refillable Xikar EX Windproof Flame Cigar Lighter is far more practical than it sounds. It looks good and is affordable without appearing cheap or flashy. It is a functional, fantastic lighter that gets your cigar lit. What else could you want?

8. Don’t be afraid to let it go out and re-light it later. If you have spent some money on a nice cigar, there is no need to smoke it all at once and no need to waste it. Just scrape the ash off and rotate it over a flame for a moment to catch it again.

The Davidoff Millienium Churchill is a full-bodied, hearty, Dominican cigar that you won’t want to let go to waste. These cigars are top-notch and have a complex blend of aromas and flavors. Don’t be afraid to let it go out and enjoy the rest later.

9. Take your time warming up the end before you light it. This prevents you from charring the tobacco.

The Vector Vulcan Triple Flame shoots out a powerful trident flame that will allow you to perfectly light your cigar without over-toasting it.

10.  Don’t smoke one after another. You are not chain smoking cigarettes here. Cigars are meant to be savored. Take your time and enjoy it. When it’s done, it’s done. Get on with your life for a while before having another.

If you find yourself enjoying your new pastime of smoking cigars, you are going to want to eventually invest in a humidor to keep them fresh. The Capri Humidor is a lovely, affordable way to keep your cigars tasting fresh for a long time.

Smoking cigars isn’t like smoking cigarettes. It is a hobby, not a habit. It is the difference between enjoying a fine glass of wine and slamming whiskey before noon. Take to heart these tips and smoke in moderation and you will be on your way in no time.

GOLF / Bohn 1st, Mickelson 89th

GOLF / Bohn 1st, Mickelson 89th
Two of the top golfers in Thursday’s first round of the Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, weren’t feeling so hot. Phil Mickelson felt fine, but cooled off after opening with two birdies. Jason Bohn, so congested he couldn’t hear out of his left ear, was in a tie… Phil Mickelson – Jason Bohn – Golf – United States – Fort Worth Texas

Read more on San Francisco Chronicle

Smoke Cigars like a True Connoisseur

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It’s perfectly understandable for you to be a bit intimidated by all the information out there about cigars. You might even be a little anxious if you’re trying to figure out which cigar is best for you.

But consider this: do you have to be an expert in the nuances and eccentricities of baseball in order to enjoy a game? Do you have to possess an encyclopedic knowledge of whiskey in order to enjoy a nice after dinner drink? Do you have to know the ins and outs of hops, barley, and wheat just to enjoy a cold beer?

You see the point: an in-depth familiarity with cigars is not necessary to enjoy them. All you need to know are a few basic attributes about cigars, and you’ll soon be smoking them like a true connoisseur.

Time of Day

The first thing you should know is that certain cigars generally go better with specific times of day. Conventional wisdom maintains that if you are planning to smoke in the morning, then smaller, milder cigars are the most appropriate. Cigars of medium flavor and size are usually preferred during the afternoon hours. And if you are lighting up a stogie at night, you should choose the longest and boldest-flavored cigars in your collection.

Cost

 

It’s easy to assume that the more expensive the cigar is, the better its quality will be. But you should know that this is not necessarily the case. As with wine or cars, you can certainly find high-quality cigars in any price range. When you are at a smoke shop, don’t be afraid to reveal your budget to the sales associate. He can probably pick out a few cigars which would meet your needs without sacrificing quality.

Color

If you do any cigar browsing at all, you will see that there are dozens of possible different colors associated with cigars. But they all generally fall somewhere within this scale:

Double Claro: light green wrapper, very mild flavor

Claro: light tan wrapper, smooth and mild flavor

Natural: light brown wrapper, full bodied flavor

Colorado: reddish dark brown wrapper, robust and rich flavor

Colorado Maduro: dark brown wrapper, aromatic and rich flavor

Maduro: very dark brown wrapper, sweet and strong flavor

Oscuro: nearly black wrapper, very strong flavor

if you see a wrapper shade with a hue is slightly between the colors mentioned above, you can extrapolate what the flavor will be accordingly.

Size

Does cigar size really matter? The answer is: it depends. Different-sized cigars lend themselves to different cigar-smoking experiences. As you might expect, longer cigars take more time to smoke – which could translate into more enjoyment while you smoke them. But the length of the stogie is not related to the cigar’s actual quality.

That being said, you should know how cigars are measured. The length of cigars is recorded in inches. But the width of the cigar is denoted in what is called ring gauge. The ring gauge is shown in increments of 64th of an inch. So for instance, a ring gauge of 56 would mean that the cigar is 7/8 (56/64) of an inch wide.

Both of these measurements will be denoted on the cigar’s packaging, usually in this format: Length X Ring Gauge.

So if you see a cigar with the denotation of 6X64, you know that the cigar is six inches long and 1 (64/64) inch wide.

Country of Origin

You’ve probably heard about the mystique of “a great Cuban cigar.” While Cuba is home to a long tradition of fine cigars, the nation does not have a corner on the market. Many other fantastic cigars are produced in places like Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. And unlike Cuba, these countries have trade agreements with the U.S. – which means they can legally be purchased in America.

Brand

You may hear other people bandy about specific cigar brands, such as Cohiba or Montecristo. While those are names of top-quality products, there are many lesser-known brands which are just as flavorful and enjoyable. Some of these brands include Davidoff, Macanudo, Ashton, Dunhill, or Arturo Fuente.

One major advantage to these lower-profile brands is that they are all legal for purchase in the United States, while Cohiba and Montecristo cigars are not. So if you happen to see a Cohiba or Montecristo cigar in an American cigar shop, be warned: they are probably fakes or knockoffs.

Manufacture

This one is easy: choose hand-rolled over machine-rolled. Every time. You’ll be able to tell the difference.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when making your cigar selection is this: you decide what you like. Don’t automatically choose what some cigar magazine or website tells you is the best cigar. Do some experimenting with different brands, colors, and flavors. Develop your tastes and preferences. Then smoke the cigars that taste the best to you.

The biggest part of smoking cigars like a connoisseur? Knowing what you like and being able to pick out a cigar that lets you enjoy it to its fullest!

Cheap Acid Cigars

Buy Acid Cigars   Prices Rolled Back …BUY NOW AND SAVE…As cigars become increasingly popular, manufacturers across the globe are coming out with different flavors of cigars. Whether it is the uniqueness of Padron cigars, the innovation in Acid Cigars, or the other amazing number of options and variations you consider, the cigar industry has truly a lot to offer to any cigar enthusiast. Despite the accessibility or the number of options available for cigars, the charisma of the product that took Europe by storm and witnessed a worldwide phenomenal comeback in the 1990s is still intact, and growing.

cigar.cigarrettes-online.com, catering to varied tastes and demands of cigar aficionados across the globe, offers an array of cigars like Acid cigars, Padron Cigars, Macanudo Cigars, and more that can be easily ordered through our website at heavily discounted prices.

What makes Acid cigars stand out?

Jonathan Drew, the founder of Drew Estate Cigars is credited for treating cigar lovers to this amazingly rich Acid cigar. Known as the father of Acid cigars, he is known to have given cigars a new dimension, elevating them to yet another level. While the process of manufacturing this cigar is as unique as its name, only natural components are used to make the Acid cigar.

Much effort goes into the making of Acid cigars so as to provide the smoker an experience of a lifetime, as soon as it touches the lips. Made with the combination of superior quality whole long leaf filler Nicaraguan tobacco and essential rich aromatic oils, the Acid cigar is one of it in its class. The aromatic oils are infused in these cigars and lend the latter unique aromas that can’t be found in any other cigars.

Bringing to you the best Acid cigar, cigars-now offers a huge discount on the same, besides, of course, adequate safety in shipping them. Just visit cigar.cigarrettes-online.com and order you Acid cigar today.

What’s your Acid?

The first thing you would probably notice on our online store is the amazing variety (various wrappers and sizes) in which these Acid Cigars are available. Their catchy names- Acid Blondie Cigars and the Acid One cigars are sure to attract you. Like the Padron Cigar, Acid cigars have definitely found a niche for themselves in the highly competitive cigar market and are extremely popular with those appreciate variety.

Acid Blondie Cigars: Don’t go on the size!

Size doesn’t necessarily need matter all the time. This holds true, especially with regard to superb products like the Acid Blondie cigar. The whole experience of smoking this highly popular cigar is bound to metamorphose you and is a must for all smoking enthusiasts. The Acid Blondie cigar has a sweet beginning and a terrific knockout end. You are bound to experience some notes of honey in the beginning. Just order some today and try for yourself.

 

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