Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

Have you ever been invited to a wedding, but you didn’t know what kind of gift to give the bride and groom? If so, a wedding registry would have come in handy. But there can be mixed feelings about gift registries. So if you’re a soon-to-be bride, should you set one up? Let’s look at some reasons this can be a good idea, as well as some situations when you might want to think twice.

What is a Wedding Registry?

A wedding registry is basically just a list of items you would like to receive as your wedding gifts. They’re often run on a store-by-store basis, and as a guest purchases an item from your registry, it’s removed so others don’t buy you the same thing.

Benefits of Wedding Registries

Bride registering for gifts - Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

There are a number of benefits in having a wedding registry. For example:

• Guests know what you’d like without each of them having to ask you for gift ideas individually.
• Guests won’t buy duplicate gifts (which means you don’t have the awkward situation of having to return someone’s gift while keeping the one from another person).
• Some stores let you and your future spouse get a discount on items you register for if they aren’t purchased by your guests.
• Registries allow you and your partner to keep control over the design of your place and the items you plan to use on a regular basis (in other words, gifts can be coordinated even if the gift givers have never met).
• You can register with multiple stores (with different items at each store). That can make things more accessible if guests don’t have your ideal store near them.

When Not to Set up a Wedding Registry

While there are plenty of good reasons to set up a wedding registry, there are also a few situations where they can be a “not so good” idea. Sometimes that means you’re better off skipping registries altogether, and sometimes it just means you should weed out a specific registry option. Here are some examples:

• You’re having a destination wedding or you’re eloping, and you aren’t inviting people to your wedding. If you don’t invite people, you shouldn’t be asking them for gifts. An exception is if you plan to have a later reception after the main event (although it’s a good idea to let people know about that before they get registry information — otherwise it can come across as off-putting and incredibly rude).
• You’re on your second (or third, fourth, or whatever) wedding. In this case there’s nothing wrong with registering for simple gifts. But you probably don’t need as much as a first-time bride and in some families it’s considered rude. After all, they already gave you a gift the first time around, and wedding gifts aren’t supposed to be a recurring thing. On the other hand, if you know your family and friends want to give gifts anyway, a registry is often appreciated because it gives them ideas.
• When it comes to specific registries, don’t set up a registry just because you love a certain store. If very few people on your guest list have access to that store, your registry can become a huge inconvenience for them. While you might assume they can place orders online, many in-store items (the ones you pick from when registering) aren’t available on a company’s website. In this case, give people options that they can actually work with. And if you still insist on that hard-to-find store registry, make gift cards an option or offer alternatives.

So should you have a wedding registry? For most brides, the answer is “yes.” But in some situations, families, or cultures they aren’t a great idea. In the end, it’s your wedding and you can do whatever you’d like. Just understand how certain actions might be received by your guests before you commit to them.

Did you have a wedding registry? What registry-related tips would you give brides and their future husbands?

The internet categorically and unequivocally changed the way we shop forever, but there’s a new player in town when it comes to shopping styles for the 21st Century: social media.

While once upon a time, shopping online was a solitary activity – a stark contrast to the social shopping of yesteryear, thanks to social media, ‘social shopping’ is making a comeback. These infographics show us how:

Meet The Connected Consumer

This clear, colourful, and concise infographic uses percentage statistics to demonstrate who our average connected consumer is (in case you were wondering, ‘connected consumer’ refers to those who have most embraced online shopping).

What do we learn:

• That despite what most might believe, it’s not the teens and twenty-somethings that shop online most regularly – it’s in fact, women in their forties. Why? While we can’t say for sure, it’s most likely a combination of watching and playing along with the internet as it evolved, and of course, more disposable income at their fingertips.
• Most ‘connected consumers’ carry more than one portable internet-connected device – in addition to owning a laptop or desktop computer.
• ‘Connected consumers’ almost unanimously prefer browser based shopping over apps.

Talking To Strangers: How Social Influences Millennials’ Shopping Decisions

For those who were wondering, ‘Millennials’ are those born between 1981 and 2000; the ‘children’ of the internet.

It’s this age group that have grown up with the internet and social media and are soon to become the world’s biggest online spenders. This infographic looks at what the Millennials think and how they shop: social brands, listen up – chances are, many Millennials know more about using social media than you.

What do we learn:

• 84% of Millennials claim to be influenced by user generated content (UGC). Only 70% of Boomers (the generation before) claim the same thing.
• There are many items that a huge proportion of Millennials claim they will not purchase without referring to UGC; this includes: cars, hotels, credit cards, insurance, and expensive electronic goods.
• 51% of Millennials claim that they trust the opinions of strangers on websites more than their own friends and family.

How Social Media Affects Holiday Shopping

The holidays are a time during which most of us let loose and spend, spend, spend. It’s a vital time for brands to profit, and in a climate where spending throughout the rest of the year is down, many companies report relying entirely upon the Christmas period to see them through.

This infographic looks at how social media affects the biggest shopping period of the year.

What do we learn:

• 66% of social media users who made a purchase on Black Friday or Cyber Monday did so entirely because of interactions on social media channels.
• 36% of social media users report trusting brands with a social presence more than those without.
• 52% of social media consumers said they will pay more for brands they trust.

Social Impact of Facebook for Consumers

If there’s one social media channel that’s deserving of the accolade of the social media channel, it’s Facebook. This infographic focuses specifically on the influence Facebook has over consumers’ shopping habits.

What do we learn:

• That when consumers make a purchase online that they love, the often share it with their friends on Facebook.
• 62% of social users report reading what their friends share, 75% of those then click on the product link, and a further 53% of those go on to buy the product.
• 57% of social users are more likely to make a purchase upon seeing their friend’s activity on an ecommerce site.

While there’s a lot of awesome stuff here for the 21st Century brand to consume, easily the most predominant takeaway is that if brands want to succeed in a market that’s gone social they need to be embracing transparency and engaging with their customers.

Brands today can’t hide behind marketing, advertising, and clever PR. The internet and the lines of sharing and communication it’s launched has opened a window into our lives, and if brands want to succeed, they need to be social.

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

If there’s one thing you can’t cut from your budget completely, it’s food expenses. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save money on the foods you love.

Here are some money saving grocery shopping  tips for the budget-conscious consumer:

1. Take couponing to the next level.

Cutting coupons from your weekly newspaper is a great idea when you want to save money on groceries. But you can do so much more. For example, if you sign up for a bonus card with your favorite grocery store they might mail you store-specific coupons. Some communities also send out their own coupon mailers on a weekly or monthly basis (often supporting local businesses). And you can find additional coupons online from coupon sites, manufacturers’ websites, and through social media like daily deals websites.

2. Don’t commit to a single store.

Another way you can save a good bit of money on groceries is to shop around. Don’t stick to a favorite store. Instead compare circulars from all of the stores in your outlet. And either hit multiple stores for the things you want or plan your weekly meals around whichever store has the best deals that week.

3. Stick to seasonal meal choices.

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

Buying fresh food in season can save you a lot of money. So try to plan your side dishes around whatever’s in season. Better yet, look for locally-grown options. Not only can you save because prices are lower when supplies are up, but you might be able to save even more by shopping your area farmer’s markets.

4. Consider discount stores and food outlets.

Don’t limit yourself to traditional groceries stores if you want to maximize savings. These days some discount stores (like Walmart) have full grocery stores inside. You might also be able to find grocery-specific discount stores (like ALDI) near you. And depending on where you live, you might be able to find food outlets too — especially if you live near a food company’s manufacturing plants.

5. Shop the perimeter.

Even if you do opt to stick to a single traditional supermarket, there’s a simple tip that can save you money. Spend most of your time shopping the perimeter of the store.

Grocery stores are designed in a way that makes you walk through aisles of processed foods (with higher profit margins for the store) to get to all of your basics like milk, bread, meat, and vegetables. That’s why those items tend to span the perimeter of the entire store — making you cover more of it in each trip.

Stick to the perimeter to avoid impulse buys and higher priced items and stick to the basics. Not only is it often cheaper, but it can also be healthier.

Do you have any other tips that could help readers save money on grocery purchases? If so, feel free to share them in the comments below.

A parent’s nightmare is often be embodied by a house full of energetic bodies, all longing to head outside but stymied by the cold, wet weather of winter. Lethargy sets in, video games and gadgets become a more intimate part of daily life and everyone looks forward to a time when the sun isn’t hiding by 6 PM.

With spring and summer approaching quickly, consider mixing your children’s outside time with their love of toys and simple technology with these 10 awesome gadgets to get your kids prepared for the changing season:.

1. Grass Sledge

Let the sledding fun continue even long after the last of the snow has melted away with the Grass Sledge! Running on tank-like tracks rotating on 204 rollers, the Grass Sledge allows kids to continue to fly down the local hills even in spring and summer. Built from high-quality material to ensure a long life and boasting two brakes, a deep foot well and a well-rounded seat, the Grass Sledge represents an excellent compromise between the adrenaline-pumping action that your children crave and the safety you demand.

2. Moon Shoes

They may not literally take you to the moon but the ever-popular Moon Shoes are a sure hit with kids of almost any age, assuming they’re heavy enough to get their bounce on! Moon Shoes strap to a child’s feet, providing an unnatural spring in their step similar to what would be felt in low gravity situations via a series of springs. With sizes ranging high enough to fit the feet of some men, there is a good chance that your kids won’t be the only ones bouncing around the yard!

3. Lego Gadgets

If there is one thing in life that kids of all ages (and not a few adults) love, it’s Lego. From houses to vehicles to those cute little men, Lego has been a mainstay in nearly every kid-friendly household for many years and the brand has now branched out to offer gadgets like cameras and walkie talkies. With outer casing constructed of tried and true Lego blocks and with high-quality electronics to be found inside, this line of toys has proven to be a hit with Lego-loving children young and old.

4. Discovery FRS Walkie Talkie Watch Set

If a walkie talkie made of Lego doesn’t tickle the fancy of the older kids in your life, consider the Discovery FRS Walkie Talkie Watch to bring out their inner spy. Doubling as a pair of digital watches, the set features a long range of more than two kilometers to keep kids connected at a distance.

5. Discovery Butterfly Canopy

Witness a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, up close and very personal, with the Discovery Butterfly Canopy! Able to be reused over and over again, this artificial butterfly habitat sports room enough for foliage along with a built-in feeder and comes with butterfly larvae to easily setup your child’s first experience.

6. Shadow eBike

A tad pricey but sure to be well-loved by kids of all ages, the Shadow eBike offers the latest in motorized bicycling with a just-powerful-enough motor and a battery big enough to take them up to 40 KM on the open road.

7. The Numbrella

The umbrellas of our age are apparently becoming a thing of the past as modern kids are seen sporting the oval shaped Numbrella more and more often. Featuring a sharp dome instead of a large, flat surface area, the Numbrella is a cool, stylish and highly useful way to keep little heads dry during the rainy days of spring.

8. Remote Controlled Flying Cybird

First it was remote controlled cars, then boats, and then helicopters and planes. If these typical forms of RC fun have been left behind by your kids, try them on the Flying Cybird, a remotely controlled bird that really flaps its wings and takes flight!

9. Wicked Wedge

When playtime is winding down and a little backyard break is in order, nothing makes kids more comfortable outdoors than the Wicked Wedge, a back-propping shaped pillow that any parent could also put to luxurious use – if they can find the time!

10. Folding Furniture

Bring the interior designer out in your little boy or girl with the Fold Your Own Furniture set! Featuring three pieces to be made (a stool, a chair and a rocker) along with simple, easy to follow instructions, kids will get a kick out of building, tearing down and rebuilding actual, usable furniture!

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

For many of us, we’re now well into the cold winter months. And we’re looking for comfortable and creative ways to stay warm, whether we’re at work, play, or asleep. Sometimes the trick is keeping ourselves comfortable without breaking the bank with high heating bills.

If that sounds like you, here are some products you might enjoy. These examples are all portable options that you can take with you so you can keep warm just about anywhere.

1. Personal Fireplaces

These little tabletop fireplaces are great options if you don’t have a traditional fireplace at home. Warm your hands or just enjoy the warm glow of a real fire, from your home office to the bathroom vanity while you soak in the tub. My favorites are the ones that use gel fuel cans.

2. Snuggies / Blanket Shawls

A personal favorite winter product of mine. - Credit: UltraCuddle.com.

I know a few colleagues who swear by Snuggies (one of their perks of working from home). But they didn’t appeal to me. Instead I found something called a blanket shawl — a plush blanket that hangs down your back and then splits in two in the front. Your arms are still free (or you can tuck them under the blanket), you can wrap yourself up in it, and there are foot pockets to keep your toes warm too. Mine is quickly becoming one of my favorite products. Either a blanket shawl or a Snuggie is a great option for lounging around.

3. USB Heated Cup Warmers

If you like to keep warm with a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa, don’t let it get cold too quickly. Keep your cup piping hot while you work, catch up on emails, or play games with a USB cup warmer.

4. USB Heated Fingerless Gloves

These look toasty for long writing or gaming sessions. - Credit: Amazon.com

I work as a writer. So I’m a big fan of fingerless gloves in the winter. They keep my hands warm on even the coldest mornings, but they leave my fingertips free for easier typing. I’d never seen heated options before, but these USB heated fingerless gloves just made my short list of must-haves this winter.

5. Footie Pajamas

You probably had some as a kid. But guess what. They’re back in a big way! I’m talking about footed pajamas (or “footies”). I’ve seen them around for a couple of years, but this year they seem to be making a big comeback in retail stores in my area (and online). Whether you want something warm for sleeping or you just want to lounge, this could be a great nostalgic option.

What are your favorite products to help you keep warm through the winter? Share links, photos, or just tell us about them in the comments below.

Most of the world agrees that Apple’s iPhone is one very cool device, attested to by the sale of millions of the popular smartphone over the past few years. In a world full of iPhones and iPhone owners, the only way to set yourself apart is to focus on cool, funny and otherwise notable accessories.

With that thought and your desire to make you and your loved ones stand out in a crowd in mind, here are seven cool and funny iPhone docks to be considered as your next gift for the iPhone owner in your life, yourself included.

1. Shelf iPhone Dock

Minimalists will love the aptly named Shelf iPhone Dock, a simple wall-mounting shelf with iPhone dock embedded. Hidden along the ridges of the shelf are a few extras, including all of the ports necessary to connect to your home theater system and a nifty little remote control.

2. DashLink Harley iPhone Dock

This one is perfect to take on your trip! If you’re looking to provide yourself with the best of your music library while hitting the road on your hog, the DaskLink iPhone Dock for Harleys has you covered. Functioning as a replaceable fuel tank, this roadworthy dock gives you access to both your music and the iPhone’s GPS functions while on your bike, making your ride more enjoyable and more direct than ever!

3. Sinjimoru Sync and Charge Dock Stand

If modern style is on your iPhone dock checklist then the Sinjimoru Sync and Charge Stand is for you. With sleek, curvy design implemented beautifully on a minimalist frame, the Sinjimoru supports an iPhone standing upright or on its side for ease and visual effect.

4. Logitech S715i Speaker Dock

Prices vary wildly where iPhone speaker docks are concerned but a great dollar for dollar value can be found in the Logitech S715i dock. Sporting a sleek, stylish design and featuring true portability (it even has a carrying handle), the S715i offers fantastic sound powered by a rechargable battery offering up to eight hours of playing time. If your dock is meant for music, the S715i is an unbeatable value.

5. Armstar Body Guard iPhone Dock

For superhero geeks in general and Batman fans in particular is the Armstar Body Guard, a very unique iPhone dock designed to go where you go, firmly attached to your arm.

With the appearance of something taken directly from the bat cave’s storage room, the Armstar Body Guard not only gives you a spot to dock your iPhone for easy communications (think Leela from Futurama), but also offers real life protection with its Kevlar build, on-board audible alarm and even a built in stun gun. Additional features include an HD camera with video recording capability and a high-powered flash light.

Whether you’re looking to stand out in a crowd or protect yourself when taking the train late at night, the Armstar Body Guard has got you covered.

6. DIY: Retro Gamer’s Dream

One clever gaming enthusiast has turned a classic Nintendo Entertainment System controller into a very unique iPhone dock. You may not be able to find one of these on a store shelf, but remember: the possibilities are only as limited as the materials available to you!

7. DIY: Lego iPhone Dock

There aren’t many things in this world nearly universally loved by people around the planet but Lego definitely qualifies as one of them. This DIY iPhone dock is a hands-on example of one very sweet way to combine your childhood hobby with your adult love of sleek gadgets!

You’ve tried the classic, “pay for her gym membership.” You’ve even tried installing a stripper pole in her bedroom for her to practice on. Now it’s time to get a truly unique gift to fix those lingering annoying tendencies your girlfriend still has!

No More Waiting!

Tired of waiting for your woman because she can’t find her keys? Pick up this inexpensive dog-shaped key ring, Fetch My Keys. All she has to do is whistle. A beeper will go off and the dog’s nose flashes. She’ll love the reminder that you think she’s irresponsible and can’t whistle.

No More Bathroom Breaks!

Tired of having to come in off the boat, drive from the campsite to a restroom, or stopping on long car rides? Get your girlfriend the go-girl. Now she can pee standing up! She’ll love finally feeling equal to the man you are.

Protect your Fruit

With this banana guard she’ll never have a bruised banana again! Show that you care about your girlfriend’s diet and the condition of her fruit. Over a million banana guards have been sold. Banana Guard says that its product “fits over 90% of commercially available bananas. How? Highly curved bananas can be straightened slightly to fit into upper curve and very straight bananas can be bent ever so slightly to fit into the mold.”

Outsource Cuddling

Get your girlfriend the Dream Man Arm Pillow and you might not ever have to cuddle again. Enough said.

She Asked for Nothing

Teach her a lesson. The next time your girlfriend asks for nothing, get her nothing! No, really. Order a vial of nothing, a gift she’ll never forget.

Spruce up her Place

Chances are if your girlfriend read 7 Truly Unique Gifts to Fix Your Boyfriend, she’s spruced up your place (apologies if she didn’t don a French maid costume). Now return the favor by adding a little class to her apartment. Get your girlfriend the beer glass candle! She likes candles, you like beer, could there be a better combination? She’s sure to think of you every time she lights this.

If All Else Fails…

Let her sculpt her own boyfriend. What better way to tell your girlfriend to stop trying to change you! Now she can create that rich guy, movie star, or prince she’s always dreamed of. She’ll get the message that trying to sculpt you is way too difficult, time consuming, and doomed to failure!

Please share your favorite girlfriend fixing gifts below. For that matter, please share any of your favorite or least favorite gifts from your significant other.

P.S. If anyone wanted to pay for my gym membership, I would not object.

It really is the little things that make or break a relationship. If you’re tired of the usual suggestions to fix your boyfriend (a watch so he’s on time) you’ll enjoy these truly unique gifts to fix your boyfriend. And remember, it’s the thought that counts!

Not-so-Subtle Grooming Suggestions

Wish he wouldn’t grow out that ridiculous beard in winter? Now he can stay warm, look cool, and not give you “sushi face” when you make out! Get the Beard Hat from Beardo. And why not pair it with a razor and shaving cream? Make sure he gets the hint!

Hair Today

And if that wasn’t enough, don’t forget the classic, Spray On Hair! This product “instantly covers thinning hair and baldness. This spray on hair is made up of “tiny fibers that accurately mimic real hair follicles. Good Looking Hair is ideal for covering up light to moderate balding, thinning, or shedding. Simply spray Good Looking Hair onto the scalp for a thicker, fuller head of hair, instantly!”

Clean his Apartment

What better way to snoop around and tidy up? Offer to clean your boyfriend’s apartment! No man wants to live in a pigsty and you don’t want to visit one. Your boyfriend will be feeling the love in no time. Cleaning up his place is sure to remind him of when his mother would vacuum and dust. (No doubt she found those magazines under his mattress offensive, too.)

Get him to Join you at the Beach

Has your man declined a beautiful day at the beach one too many times? Has he blamed it on his need to listen to music? Now he can look cool, rock out, and (thanks to polarized lenses) check out other chicks! Just pick up these MP3 Player Sunglasses.

Sober Up

Unwasted: My Lush Sobriety is the perfect choice for someone looking to discover that “nothing is as odd and fantastic as life without a drink in hand.” Remind him that you’re thinking about his long-term health.

Set the Bar High

Get your man to live up to your expectations by setting them high. He’ll be proud to display this mug with an adorable baby blue character at work. The Mr. Perfect Mug is sure to have your man checking everything twice to ensure he doesn’t disappoint you. Don’t be surprised if he checks to see that his hair isn’t out of place, the toilet seat is down, and his fly is always zipped.

Share his Sounds

Does your boyfriend tune you out to listen to his crunk or rap? These splitter headphones on a convenient keychain are the perfect solution to foster togetherness. Now you can listen to his music and remember why you don’t listen to his music.

Please share your favorite boyfriend fixing gifts below. For that matter, please share any of your favorite or least favorite gifts from your significant other.

If there’s one home improvement project I’m most looking forward to, it will be converting part of the basement into a home theater. Do you have a home theater, or would you like one?

Home theaters come in a wide variety of styles. Some are very casual, featuring big screen televisions and a living room style lounge area. And some are more elegant, mimicking more traditional theater designs — big projection screens, elevated theater seating with built-in cup holders, speakers built into the walls, and even bars, popcorn machines, and other fun theater add-ons.

If you’re considering creating a home theater of your own, check out these examples people shared online for some design inspiration. We’ll start with casual designs and move toward more traditional theater styles.

Credit: ActiveSteve (via Flickr)

Credit: Rod Herrea (via Flickr)

Credit: Paula Henry (via Flickr)

Credit: Chris Favero (via Flickr)

Credit: Chunky Salsa (via Flickr)

Credit: Posh Living, LLC (via Flickr)

Credit: Tom Borowski (via Flickr)

Credit: Vagabond Shutterbug (via Flickr)

Credit: gsloan (via Flickr)

Credit: Chad Jones (via Flickr)

Which of these home theater designs is the most inspiring for you? What things would you want in your own dream theater? And if you’ve already created one, feel free to link us to photos in the comments below. We’d love to hear what the process was like for you.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Are you planning to propose to a special someone? If you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring, there are many things to consider — from the 4 Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight) to your future fiancé’s tastes.

Those tastes involve everything from band widths and metals to the shape of her diamond. To help you find the perfect fit, let’s look at some of the diamond shapes you might come across as you shop for an engagement ring. For additional example, look at wedding bands from Helzberg to see how a set diamond would look.

Round

Round diamonds are what we usually envision in an engagement ring. This could be the right shape if your gal loves to keep things traditional.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Princess

These lovely square diamonds might be perfect for the princess in your life.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Marquise

These stones have a shape similar to a football, pointed on both ends. Marquise diamonds can look larger than other stones of the same carat weight, so they’re a good option if you can’t afford a huge stone but you’d like one to look a bit bigger. They’re also great for elongating the wearer’s finger.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Teardrop

A teardrop diamond (also called pear-shaped) is like a cross between an oval and a marquise. Like marquise shaped diamonds, teardrop stones can elongate the finger.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Emerald

Emerald shaped diamonds are a good option if you want to highlight the clarity of the stone.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Oval

If you love the traditional look of a round diamond, but you want to up the “wow” factor a bit, consider an oval shape instead. The stone can be just as brilliant, but with a larger appearance thanks to the length.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Trilliant

If you’re looking for something more unique, consider this triangular stone shape.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Radiant

If you like the look of a square princess cut, but you’d like something softer, a radiant diamond might be a good choice with its harsh corners removed. Radiant cut diamonds can also come in a more rectangular shape like the example below.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Asscher

If you love the look of an emerald cut stone, but you’d like something shorter or a bit more square, an asscher diamond could be perfect.

Credit: Fotolia.com

Heart-Shaped

For the ultimate romantic, you could always consider a heart-shaped diamond. Just remember that a stone this unique won’t suit every woman’s taste, so have a good idea of what yours likes before choosing.

Credit: Fotolia.com

In the end what matters most is that an engagement ring comes from the right person. But if you can find the perfect stone to suit your future fiancé, all the better. After all, she does have to wear the ring you get her for the rest of her life. If you aren’t sure what shapes appeal to her, it never hurts to ask.

In general I love the way marquise cut stones slim and elongate the finger. But for an engagement ring I prefer tradition, and that means a round cut for me. And that’s just what I received during my own recent proposal. Do you have a favorite diamond cut? What is it and why?