Put an exciting, healthy twist on breakfast, using homemade juice from a juicer combined with fresh blended fruit. Create a pick-me-up milkshake for snack time, made with chocolate milk and exotic spices, or even energy drinks, soy, rice, or almond milk. Adding a whole new dimension to the slush experience, the Zoku Slush & Shake Maker is a great way to make frozen alcoholic beverages for party, pool or picnic time.

With a simple mix and scrape technique, anyone can enjoy personalized frozen beverages in as little as 7 minutes, without electricity.

The inner core of the Slush & Shake Maker is designed to store easily in your freezer. To use, simply place the frozen inner core into the outer sleeve, pour in your ingredients, and mix and scrape the cup with the included spoon every few minutes for up to seven minutes. The slushy will begin to freeze soon after you start mixing it. Use fresh summer fruit for a delicious Strawberry Lemonade Slush, or for a tasty pina colada or frozen Bellini, add alcohol near the end of the mixing process.

The 9-ounce Slush & Shake Maker comes with a protective outer sleeve, an inner freeze core, and a specially designed spoon for scraping and mixing. The outer cup keeps hands warm while mixing and scraping.

The Zoku Slush & Shake Maker comes in Purple, Red, Orange, Blue and Green. Choose your favorite color, or buy a different one for each family member. U.S. and International patents pending.

Easy to clean and entirely BPA and phthalate free, the Zoku Slush & Shake Maker is available at Zokuhome.com and Williams-Sonoma. It has a suggested retail price of $19.99.

The industry-acclaimed Horizon connects people in new ways, creating an interpersonal computing experience. For example, when the Horizon lays flat the Aura interface activates and allows four people to use it simultaneously and play games together on its multitouch screen with joysticks, strikers and e-dice. Users can also collaborate using Horizon upright as a traditional all-in-one (AIO) PC thanks to its 10-finger touch and Windows 8 support. Equipped with high performance Intel Core i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce graphics and Dolby Home Theatre® v4 audio even digital music creation software from StageLight, co-creation happens easily in either mode.

Each unique table highlights the intersection of the latest technology innovation and the possibility of unbridled home décor craftsmanship representing a new era of furniture design that integrates technology directly into places where people work, play and socialize.

The Treehouse

Peter Pan and Robinson Crusoe’s forts have nothing on this 21^st century treehouse. Designed by Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs, the Treehouse creates a magical world of whimsy to bring children and people of all ages together. Beaumont’s inspiration sprang from the Horizon’s roots in family-oriented games. Always looking to bend straight lines, Beaumont crafted the Treehouse to pair two seemingly separate objects into one seamless piece filled with personality.

“When I first learned about the Horizon and what it could do, I imagined excited children gathered around it,” said Judson Beaumont, Straight Line Designs. “Technology has become an important part of everyday living, and this design showcases Horizon’s ability to interact with children and people of all ages, enabling them to discover, create and play. Much more than a piece of furniture, the Treehouse is an extension of creativity and fun with a secret hiding spot underneath for toys; a child’s dreams come true.”

The Nest – Family Game Night Redefined

The Nest represents the next chapter in living room design hosting a 27-inch PC that essentially jumped into a coffee table. Input Creative Studio designers Brooke Lichtenstein and Yiannos Vrousgos blend a modern take on the nesting table idea with the Lenovo Horizon. It’s a new digital take on family game night where players can battle onscreen using strikers in Air Hockey or toss the e-dice on the glass in Monopoly or look at photos together for a stroll down memory lane. Horizon comes preloaded with a host of edutainment games for the whole family. The table even has hidden chairs and storage compartments for the Horizon’s accessories (power supply, keyboard and physical gaming pieces).

“Even in today’s technology-driven age, home is still where the heart is, and it’s where people spend the majority of their time. Horizon inspired us to enhance family life by integrating technology. It’s a way to physically bring everyone together at home for a modern take on family game night,” said Brooke Lichtenstein, Input Creative Studio. “The Nest is the perfect blend of technology and contemporary home décor, and we see it as the ideal opportunity to reinvent how people interact and display their PCs at home,” added Yiannos Vrousgos, Input Creative Studio.

AT-UM

UM Project designer François Chambard wanted to give people a central hub to power their creative projects and interests with a digital twist. Inspired by the dynamic styles of today’s life and work, AT-UM fits perfectly in a studio or café and invites multiple people to collaborate and interact by laying the Horizon flat or using it vertically as an AIO PC.

A crossover between a desk, a stand and an easel, the AT-UM brings the likable and smart three-legged creature to life and provides a collaborative workspace for all types of creative people, at home and at work. The table features strong graphic and functional moments with splashes of color along with hidden surprises like a sliding accessories drawer and a keyboard tray that caters both to lefties and righties.

“The combination of the analog and digital worlds intrigues and inspires me to mix them and produce unexpected process and products. The piece I designed and made for Lenovo is probably one of the best examples of this approach: it’s playful and functional, a surprising hybrid between technology and furniture. AT-UM is more than a table with a built-in PC though: it’s an interactive platform for any creative space.”

Pricing

The Horizon Table PC is available for purchase via Lenovo’s website (www.lenovo.com) now. Prices for models on www.lenovo.com start at approximately $1,699. It will also be available via retailers including Best Buy, Fry’s, Microcenter, Amazon.com, Newegg.com and other Lenovo retailers in late June. Those who are interested in working with a designer to commission a custom piece, please contact the designers directly for a quote and further details.

The report, 2013 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry, found that women comprise 31 percent of the video game-playing population, while boys 17 and under represent only 19 percent of game players. Women are 45 percent of the entire game playing population and 46 percent of the time are the most frequent game purchasers.

“This new data underscores the remarkable upward trajectory for video games. It is an entertainment form enjoyed by hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of ESA, the trade association that represents the U.S. video game industry. “A diverse and energized consumer base, remarkable new hardware, and outstanding software all combine to foster growth for our industry.”

In addition to changing demographics, the report shows that parents are closely monitoring what their children are playing. According to Essential Facts, parents are present when games are purchased or rented 89 percent of the time, and children receive their parents’ permission before purchasing or renting a game 80 percent of the time. More than a third of parents report playing video games with their children at least once a week.

Parents continue to rely on the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) video game rating system and parental controls to make purchasing decisions and monitor game play. Nearly 90 percent of parents said the ESRB rating system is either very or somewhat helpful in choosing games for their children, and 86 percent said parental controls available on all video game consoles are useful – a sharp increase from 73 percent in 2012.

“Our industry takes seriously our partnership with parents and our responsibility to provide families with tools to help them make educated entertainment choices. We are encouraged to see parents use these resources and take an active interest in their children’s game play,” Gallagher said.

The 2013 Essential Facts provides statistics on industry demographics; the types of games played and game platforms used; how parents monitor and engage with their children around game play; the top-selling computer and video games; and overall sales information for the industry. Notable findings include:

• 58 percent of Americans play video games;
• 51 percent of U.S. households own a dedicated game console, and those that do own an average of two;
• The average game player is 30 years old, and 36 percent of game players – the largest age segment – are 36 or older;
• 43 percent of game players believe that computer and video games give them the most value for their money, compared to DVDs, music or going out to the movies;
• 62 percent of gamers play games with others, either in-person or online; and,
• Consumers spent nearly $21 billion on game content, hardware, and accessories in 2012.

Ipsos MediaCT conducted the research for Essential Facts, which is the most in-depth and targeted survey of its kind, gathering data from more than 2,000 nationally representative households.

The survey which looked at what’s hot for Father’s Day 2013 and how consumers were spending discovered 32 percent are opting for entertainment gifts, such as consumer electronics, music, DVD’s and games.  Practical gifts such as ‘tools and appliances’, ranked third with 29 percent of the vote, and 21 percent selected ‘hobby related gifts’, such as golf, tennis, fishing equipment.

UK shoppers don’t give this occasion too much forethought, over half (55%) admit that they only consider getting the gift 1 week in advance, with a further 22 percent confessing that they often leave it up to the last minute to buy something. Over 53 percent also said that they never buy a Father’s Day gift and 36 percent said that they plan to spend about the same as this year on the gift, which the majority said was between £25.00-£49.00.

Justin Sedgmond Head of PriceGrabber.co.uk said, “Over 61 percent of the respondents said they would be shopping online for their Father’s Day gifts. Alongside the last minute nature of this gift, you can see why it makes complete sense to the majority of our respondents, who are budget conscious, to shop around online. With the abundance of gift options at their finger tips, websites such as PriceGrabber® help the consumer cut through the din of the marketplace and get directly to the gift that to their Dad says, ‘Thank you, I’m thinking of you, I love you,’ at the best prices available for that product anywhere.”

Needing inspiration? PriceGrabber® recommends:

1. ADIDAS British & Irish Lions Rugby Polo Shirt Navy/White
2. PANASONIC Lumix DMC-TZ30 Black Digital camera
3. SHERLOCK HOLMES – The BBC Collection Box Set
4. FLYMO Power Trim Electric Grass Trimmer and Lawn edger
5. BOSE IE2 Headphones – Black

Did you know about PriceGrabber Apps?

http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/ipad-iphone-android-app.php

If this sounds pompous, you may already be inclined toward plastic surgery as you age. However, the experienced physicians at We Know Beauty have spotted a rising tide of patients who have apprehensions about surgery, yet still seek out board certified plastic surgeons as they look for a compromise between the two competing types of so-called gracefulness: beauty on one hand, and aging “authentically” on the other.

Consequently, a non-invasive face lift can be a godsend for patients looking for an effective way to fight aging without “going overboard,” and for former patients looking for restore a natural look, breast augmentation revision from a truly experienced surgeon can bring back confidence that may be lacking.

Facial plastic surgery can be seen rising in popular culture over the past few years, for several reasons. Not least among these is the idea that facial plastic surgery yields some of the most drastic results, and that a patient’s entire appearance can be transformed. While there are detractors, there are countless patients who view their “extreme makeover,” as a watershed moment in their lives, bringing them confidence and positive attention that they never thought possible.

However, either because patients already see themselves as beautiful, or because of a belief in some type of authentic identity, many patients take the equally legitimate position that surgery should merely correct for attention grabbing changes that come with age, such as the dreaded “turkey waddle” at the neck, or cheeks that sag in an unsightly way. At We Know Beauty, finding a non-invasive solution to these issues that leaves the patient’s face looking refreshed, but not dramatically transformed, is a popular option. Even more traditional plastic surgery methods can be used and, with the expert hands of the surgeons of We Know Beauty, facelift or facial liposuction recovery time can surely be kept at a minimum.

Moreover, there are multiple reasons to get revision plastic surgery, including a change of heart about a past procedure, or dissatisfaction with how once positive effects have changed with time. Breast augmentations that were enjoyed in younger times might be seen by older women as an extravagance not befitting a grandmother. Many who look to recent examples of gorgeous women in their sixties and even seventies might beg to differ, but the point is again a valid one, and women seeking breast augmentation revisions are seeking out We Know Beauty in droves.

Drs. Anous, Hodnett, Cohen, Mandris, Jarrah-Nejad, and Bruno are eager to consult with anyone seeking a physician at the top of their field. The highly selective patients who seek out We Know Beauty are consistently pleased not only with their results, but with the overall experience, no matter what drew them to the idea of surgery in the first place.

Give We Know Beauty a call at 800-832-0510 to schedule an initial consultation. You can also see photos and read more at www. weknowbeauty. com.

From alcoholic drinks like brandy to non-alcoholic liquids like olive oil, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony travelers can sip and swig their way through the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Western Europe until December, learning about the history and culture behind iconic lubricants along the way.

Examples of tasting and crafting excursions include:

• Arctic beer at the oldest pub in Tromso.
• 16th-century Benedictine herbal liqueur, at a palace near Honfleur.
• Fresh cider and apple brandy from the centuries-old “Orchard of Norway” area near Eidfjord.
• Vodka in Honningsvag, Lofoten, and Stockholm ice bars.
• Cafes offering rum and honey poncha near Madeira, limoncello in Sorrento, and soumada in Mykonos.
• Famous alcohol distilleries like Bushmills near Belfast, Hennessy in Cognac (near Bordeaux), and Heineken in Amsterdam.
• Olive oil at a Malaga mill.
• Traditional tea at an 18th-century Belfast area estate and a Russian tea plantation near Sochi.
• Highland, Lowland, Speyside, and Island whiskies, at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society near Edinburgh.

Wine-related outings are especially numerous, with insight into:

• Unconventional winemaking, seen through a Mykonos winemaker who plays classical music to his wines, and a modern reserve winemaker near Bilbao whose cellar integrates into the landscape.
• Medoc Classified Great Growth Chateau estates, from the man who literally wrote the book on Bordeaux wines.
• Wine history, including a 400-year-old Malta wine cellar, Mallorca‘s oldest winery, and French wines’ birthplace, Nice.
• One of the most celebrated limited private label white wines, at a Corfu Count’s private estate.
• International wine distribution, via a leading Bordeaux wine trader.
• Viticultural geography, at wineries in St-Tropez — where south-facing slopes and microclimate make it ideal for certain vintages – in Constanta — where Champagne-like land and weather have helped win 130+ international wine gold medals – and Arrecife, where the volcanic soil is inhospitable for crops, yet extraordinary for grapevines.

“Local wine, spirits, beer, teas—such drinks embody the aromas and tastes of destinations,” says John Stoll , vice president of land programs. “These excursions are another way to gain understanding of unique European cultures and traditions.”

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail throughout Europe from now to December, on voyages ranging from five days to month-long, extended vacation combo cruises.  All-inclusive, Luxury European cruise fares start at $1,895/person, with additional savings if booked by April 30.  Prices for the culinary excursion series start at $64/person.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal vacation.  Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity’s extensive, innovative choices for gourmandizing include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars, overseen by on-board, certified sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified for wine); all-inclusive, chef-like cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea, or in Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio’s specialty restaurants.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com

1. Visit a national park. There are more than 400 national parks to choose from, and each one has something special to offer. You can enjoy some time with Mother Nature or sign up for organized hikes, go fishing, horseback riding, or rock climbing. End the day camping and resting next to a campfire.
2. Cool off at the beach or community pools. If your family likes to spend time in the water, you can always plan a trip to the beach. Make sure to plan ahead and take what you need to build sand castles or play games on the beach. If you live far from the ocean and prefer to stay close to home, you can go to a public pool. Make sure to visit Poolsafely.gov to learn about how to keep your family safe while enjoying the water.
3. Take a bicycle ride. There are lots of options when it comes to riding your bicycle. You can go around your neighborhood or explore your local parks or beaches. Make it a family routine and teach your children the importance of exercising and staying active. Don’t forget to put on your helmet and follow the basic safety rules of riding a bicycle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has many safety tips.
4. Attend local events. Many federal properties host community events where you can enjoy different activities with your family, including farmers’ markets, art galleries, concerts and other live shows. Check your local community calendar to see what’s coming up and learn more about how to use federal buildings as community spaces.
5. Organize activities in your home. You don’t need to spend money or get out of town to stay active. There are lots of things you can find in your own home to keep your family entertained. You don’t need much space to plant a garden, and you can learn what you can do to help the environment by visiting the citizen action page of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The area’s long stretches of unspoiled beaches, spectacular scenery and blends of history and adventure make it the perfect destination for every interest.  This versatile Caribbean playground has developed dramatically since it initially caught the public eye nearly 40 years ago. Packed with affordable and adventurous activities, and with the upcoming completion of the modern Amber Cove Cruise Center on the Bay of Maimon, the city is ready to welcome an influx of visitors.

“Puerto Plata ‘s an enchanting province where culture, history and nature collectively create an atmosphere fit for free-spirits,” said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. “Whether visitors surf along the coastline, experience energizing nightlife, feel the rush of the region’s waterfalls or visit the Amber Museum, it will be an unforgettable escape.”

Revisit the destination that had it all first and enjoy an incredible array of activities:

Water Sport Wonderland: When it comes to water sports, your selections are limitless. Cool breezes and gentle swells make Puerto Plata a world-renowned area for kitesurfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. Visitors are drawn to Cabarete, the popular town recognized as the world’s kiteboarding capital because of its warm waters and trade winds. Snorkelers gravitate toward Sosua, a small town where the water is decorated with spectacular coral reefs and a wide variety of fish.

Adrenaline Adventures: The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua is nature’s waterpark that features a series of spectacular waterfalls. Courageous visitors are encouraged to slide down natural water chutes or jump in the waters’ peaceful pools. Those who prefer activities outside of the water can take a 30-minute scenic drive from Puerto Plata to Yasika Adventure Park and zip-line up to 30 mph at heights of 100 feet.

Golf Greens: Puerto Plata has three expertly-designed golf courses framed by the region’s striking scenery. The Playa Dorada Golf Club, designed by world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. , is in the Playa Dorada Resort Complex and known for its outstanding conditioning and greens. Los Mangos Golf Course is a diverse 18-hole course with nine sea views located in the Costambar residential development. Playa Grande Golf Course in Rio San Juan cuts into the cliffs overlooking the ocean with lush land and royal palms neighboring the course. No matter your skill set, Puerto Plata ‘s courses are fit for both champion and leisure players.

Exciting Culture: Puerto Plata is an area with unbelievable architecture through which visitors gain insight into Dominican Republic’s incredible history. Housed in an epitome of Victorian architecture known as Villa Bentz, is Puerto Plata ‘s Amber Museum. It showcases some of the world’s best and most rare amber collections dating back millions of years. While amber is one of Dominican Republic’s staple products, so is its rum, which is often referred to as the world’s best. The Brugal Rum Distillery produces more than one million liters of white and dark rum each year, and offers free guided tours.

The largest light, music and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney features lighting installations around the Sydney harbour foreshore, live music performances, and over 120 creative industry events.

Vivid Sydney is expected to attract over 550,000 people in 2013.

This year, Vivid Light has tripled in size, with one-third of lighting installations from international artists including from the USA, Germany, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Korea, Poland, Brazil and New Zealand.

In a world first, Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge will come alive with an interactive lighting installation on the Bridge’s western face, controlled by the public from an interactive touch screen, through a collaboration with Intel and with Sydney’s 32 Hundred Lighting.

In another world first, Vivid Sydney now extends to the popular Darling Harbour, with spectacular water fountains, water screen projection performances and dazzling light and water shows, by France’s legendary Aquatique Show International.

Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House, part of Vivid Sydney’s music program, opened with performances by r’n’b soul legend Bobby Womack, as well as electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk, who opened the first of a four-night presentation of their acclaimed retrospective series that also sold out at MoMA in New York and TATE Modern in London.

Vivid Ideas, recognised as one of the world’s top ten ideas festivals in the world by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, brings leading international creatives and thought leaders to Sydney in over 120 creative industry business events.

Highlights include Australian-exclusive talks and events featuring visual artist and cult icon David Shrigley (UK), streetwear entrepreneur Johnny Cupcakes (USA), digital artist and storyteller Jonathan Harris (USA), IDEO’s Chief Creative Officer Paul Bennett (USA) and revolutionary product designer Jane Chen (USA/India).

Vivid Sydney is managed by Destination NSW as part of the NSW Government’s new tourism and events strategy.

The Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com/

Sugar Loaf, samba, and snorkeling may be most famous, but guests can take in such varied Crystal Adventures as:

1.  Learning the secrets of making Moqueca, a traditional Brazilian seafood stew, from a local instructor in Rio de Janeiro.
2. 4×4-ing to swim in waterfalls and lagoons otherwise only accessible by foot, followed by cachaca- tasting at a local Paraty distillery.
3. Reveling in the charms of  Buzios, know as Brazil’s St-Tropez, via foot, land trolley or ocean schooner. ( Brigitte Bardot famously fell in love with this charming old fishing village!)
4. Strolling the cobblestone walkways of Paraty‘s pedestrian-only historic core, an UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its beautifully preserved colonial architecture.
5. Sampling multiple varieties of caipirinhas while sailing along beaches and an ecological preserve in Ilha Grande , local forro and samba band in the background.
6. Attending a private, Crystal clergy-led Mass at the base of Rio‘s famous Corcovado: Christ the Redeemer statue.
7. Marveling at the magic of capoeira, an African-Brazilian mix of martial arts and dance, in Natal.
8. Hiking through the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest to a hidden waterfall, in Ilha Grande .

Crystal begins its South American cruise season with a 16-day, November 23, Miami-to-Rio voyage, followed by a 12-day, December 9, Rio-to-Buenos Aires sailing.   To savor more South America, as well as Crystal’s delicious, award-winning experience, travelers can combine the two voyages for an additional 5% savings.  In all, Crystal Symphony’s Brazilian calls include Belem, Fortaleza, Natal (maiden call), Maceio, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro (overnight), Buzios, Ilha Grande , Paraty, Santos/Sao Paulo, and Rio Grande du Sol.  Depending on the departure, the cruises also include ports in the Caribbean, Uruguay and Argentina.

“Our itineraries are designed to showcase the many flavors of Brazil,” says John Stoll , vice president of land and port operations.  “On the December cruise, Rio and Sao Paulo may be familiar star destinations, while Buzios is a less familiar delight.  What makes this cruise itinerary even more unique is that we stay in Buzios into the night because of its wonderful evening cafe scene.”

All-inclusive fares start at $3,990 and $3,555 per person, for November 23 and December 9′s voyages, respectively.  Travelers can save 5% off cruise fares when combining the two cruises.  Travelers also have a choice of Crystal Getaways carved from each voyage: 12 days starting November 27 from Barbados to Rio de Janeiro, or seven days starting December 14 from Santos to Buenos Aires.

Crystal Cruises’ passion for creating unique luxury experiences both on land and at sea have helped earn the company top ratings from international travelers for two decades.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.