Pick-Pocket Travel Wallet

One way to keep pickpockets away

Wallet Minder

If you are never the type to keep your mind on your belongings, you might need someone else to do it for you; or something else for that matter. A wallet minder may be just the thing for you. It’s got a wallet holder that can be attached to your belt. It’s not the usual heavy chains, but a more comfortable version. The wallet minder uses a cable made of aircraft-grade coated steel. Its elastic panels makes it fit for wallets of all sizes.

Electronic Device

If this still doesn’t sound mindful enough for you, you might find the electronic devices a more suitable choice. Such devices sound an alarm every time your wallet goes a certain distance from you. This device is especially suited to people who tend to leave their wallets behind. Through the warning the alarm gives off, you get the chance to get back to your wallet before anybody else does.

Money Clip Wallet

Or you can take the simpler route and use a money clip wallet instead. A money clip wallet virtually disappears into your pocket and out of the thieves’ view. And because it fits snugly into your pocket, you don’t have to worry about it falling off. This simple common sense approach may be all that you need to protect your wallet from hooligans. And oh, you will love how the wallet’s compact panache transforms into a fashion statement.

Keep safe with style!

Tara Chauffe, a 26-year old bride finds herself crying all day, as she comes to the realization that her special day will be meeting a strong rival.

It wasn’t until later that Chauffe realized that her wedding day, scheduled Saturday evening in New Oleans, will be happening at the same day the Saints are set to play the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome. She could not help but feel sorry for the people who already bought tickets but would have to ditch the game for her wedding. This tragic story is not the first time that football came into conflict with real life.

But that’s not really the gist of the story. The important realization one has to make is the value that comes with wedding favors. Every couple should realize that they are actually stealing a very valuable resource from their wedding attended and that is their precious time. It is but right that they compensate with worthy wedding gifts. Now this should give justice to all the fuss given to your choice of groomsman gifts. Now you should not wonder too much at the enormity of articles dedicated to the topic. Groomsmen gifts are definitely not something you can take for granted.

Now that the issue is brought up, what would actually make for the best groomsmen gift? The answer to this question will have to depend. You must consider the personality of your groomsmen.

If anything, nothing beats the classics when choosing gifts for men. Think liquor flasks, cufflinks, Zippo lighters and pocket watches. If these items are too heavy on your wedding budget, you can go for the cheaper groomsmen gifts. For these, you choose among money clips, passport holders, cigar accessories, cigarette cases, business card holders or leather envelopes. When choosing groomsmen gifts, the sentimentality and personalization added to the package matter more than the price of the gift. Bear this in mind when out shopping. And make sure that you choose items that are in good taste!

Women are often the ones who enjoy a myriad of accessories. And we get to express ourselves in many different ways. Men, on the other hand, don’t have this much freedom. Good thing there are the likes of cufflinks giving them the license they need.

Cufflinks have a history that goes back to the middle ages, when cuff strings were the vogue for men. The London Gazette would already make reference to what would later be known as cufflinks as early as the years 1684 and 1686. A gold cufflink that dated as far back as the 17th century was also found in Suffolk, England.

Cufflinks, however, only came to exist on its own in the mid-nineteenth century, when functional and minimal sleeves replaced elaborate wrist ruffles. Every discerning gentleman had to have adorning cufflinks. During the 20th century, King Edward VII of England gave cufflinks his stamp of approval by wearing one as he was ascended to the throne. Cufflinks later went mainstream, as the likes of Child & Child in London and Krementz & Co manufactured versions that were relatively affordable.
After the World War II, cufflinks saw a temporary decline in its popularity, with most areas in fashion suffering from a fall-down. With the death of refined culture came the end of formality, with cufflinks dying with it. It was only after 20 years that they returned into vogue, as haute couture and glamour began to reemerge. In 1990, a popular gentleman’s magazine, called the GQ, celebrated and paid tribute to the return of cufflinks.

Up until these modern times, cufflinks have continued to retain their popularity and acceptance by mainstream. They have also become popular gifts items, the engravable cufflinks most especially. And they are a favorite among groomsmen who are excitedly anticipating their wedding favors.

Cufflinks have grown to become a comfort to every man, and definitely a worthy gift item for every occasion. Don’t forget to include it in your gift lists!

It’s already been 5 years since the Iraq war erupted. American troops are still out there, across the globe and away from their family. Naturally so, the situation is a tough one for them. These soldiers cherish the ordinary things that people at home take for granted. Any box of goodies is accepted with much relief and gratitude.

Right now, the number 1 item on the troops’ wish list is cigars. Coffee follows at number 2. If you are in Iraq, you will definitely, marvel at what cigars have to offer. Not only are they relaxing, they’re great for driving the bugs away too!

Other items that are usually sent to the troops are snack foods, DVD’s, batteries and toiletries. These are mostly basic, but well-loved by the soldiers. Non-governmental organizations and local businesses usually take charge of these donations.

Thompson Cigar, for one, launched a promotional programThompson Cigar, for one, launched a promotional program called the ‘Two for the Troops’. Through this special offer, customers get to donate two cigars to the troops. Some of these customers would willingly mail in more than the automatic two cigars.
Bob Franzblau, owner of Thompson, does not wish to stop there. He’s also considering sending in Swiss Army Knives too. There seems to be a high demand for this item among the soldiers, but little supply coming in.
If the troops are already too happy to receive basic items, you can imagine their joy if they actually receive handsome cigar accessories. Wouldn’t you wish to give out the best gift you can possible hand out, for the love of your country?

Or you can send in monetary support to the ‘Support Our Troops’ organization. They are in dire need of funds that will cover the expenses needed to send the donations to their designated destinations.

The troops are asking for cigars, coffee pots, sheets and pillows. Wouldn’t it be great if they got more than just these basic items?

Go ahead and rekindle your patriotic spirit!

It all started with an adolescent boy reading a warning on a tour book about the inevitability of getting one’s wallet snitched when traveling in Europe. Determined to get the most out of the trip, Kyle decided to take the queue from author Rick Steves and get the most out of his travel abroad. The adolescent boy bought a wallet for the purpose of using it as bait. He even had the sense of humor and left a note that said ‘gotcha’. He also added in his home address, in the hopes that the thief might have the same sense of humor and make him reuse the wallet for more pickpocket-baiting activities.

And bait pickpockets he did. First, he positioned his wallet so that it peeked out of his pocket. It seemed to wink at any nearby pickpockets. After the wink failed to work, Kyle made his wallet scream at any possible thief in the area, with most of the thing protruding out of his pocket. Still, nobody bought the lure.

In his desperation, Kyle decided to broadcast what any willing pickpocket might get from his wallet. “Uh, Mom, do I still have that hundred-euro in my wallet or did you take it?” Still, no fish in the hook!
Kyle went to five different countries, doing the same experiment and getting no positive result (or should I say negative?). What he would usually get were warnings from all sorts of people, pickpocket-looking types included! The excited and determined adolescent later found himself annoyed and disgruntled by the goodness he found. His experiment was a failure after all. And he did not get what he thought would be the Total Travel Experience.

Well, for those who aren’t in some sort of experiment, better do the opposite of what Carl kept doing. For in the real world, people do get pinched of their hard-earned money. Maybe the pickpockets were smart enough to sense what Kyle was trying to do. After all, this bunch is especially clever with their craft. So grab your cash clip wallets and make sure that your belongings are hidden from watchful eyes and not set out as baits.

Keep safe!

Did you know that Zippo manufactures about 45,000 lighters each day? As a matter of fact, Zippo has produced about 425 million lighters since 1932. These figures prove that Zippo windproof lighters do indeed rank among the fastest growing collectibles in the world, with thousands of enthusiasts from every continent raving over their Zippos.

For the Love of Zippo

The love these passionate collectors have for their Zippos are embodied in establishments like the Zippo/Case Museum and the Zippo Repair Clinic. In the world-famous clinic, Zippo fans get the Zippo Guarantee, “It works or we fix it free.”

Dating Your Zippo Lighter

Did you know that you could actually identify the date of a Zippo lighter? This is one of the reasons why Zippo collectors marvel at a Zippo. Every Zippo lighter manufactured since the mid 1950’s has a date code format. The whole thing began as a quality-control effort set forth by the Zippo founder, George G. Blaisdell. He wanted to keep track of the Zippos that were being handed in for repairs. It all ended as the ultimate collector’s dream-knowing the age of their Zippos. Like most collectibles, age matters with Zippos. The older they get, the more valuable they become.

And come to think of it, isn’t it just exciting to know that the brand new Zippo you have right now will one day become classic collectors’ items?

Beware of the Look-Alike!

Just like most legends, Zippos are not without counterfeits. Any interested Zippo collector should learn to identify the originals from the fake ones.

When spotting a genuine Zippo, look for the Zippo trademark and the bottom stamp. You’ll find the former at the lighter insert. Also, every genuine Zippo has got to have the famed Zippo Lifetime Guarantee. If you do happen upon a fake Zippo, make sure that you find time to report it to the Zippo Legal Department. Every Zippo enthusiast must lend a hand in protecting the trademark.

Good luck with your collection!

The Prohibition smelled of rats right from the very beginning. It was believed to be a result of efforts set forth by upper-class Americans, or those who were prepared with stocks of wines in their own cellars. These people apparently felt that they were the only ones who could handle the responsibilities that come with alcohol and that those belonging to lower classes needed to be clutched.

Their efforts only succeeded at proving one thing, that freedom curtailed leads to bigger problems. If anything, the Prohibition taught the Americans to drink irresponsibly. Even the degenerative alcoholics were inadvertently prevented from seeking help.

Even worse, the Prohibition led to new social problems. It was during this time that bootlegging, speakeasies and organized crimes went fully operational. The American Prohibition, set forth by the 18th Amendment in 1919, eventually found its end with the 21st Amendment in 1933. Alcohol was made legal again. Apparently, it was plain difficult to curtail something that has its roots in the ancient times. In the early ages, alcohol was believed to be a magical cure and was prescribed for just most ailments. Early doctors would also advice alcohol for most aches and pains, be it for infants or adults.

And there’s your favorite liquor flask. Can you imagine getting arrested for just bringing them around? That would have stopped you from showing them off to your friends. Now that would be such a waste. And oh, what would you have to show to the groomsmen the next time the next time you organize a wedding? Such foolishness would also have put an end to the flask’s long history. Your favorite flask started to make its appearance in the 18th century. It was a favorite among the gentry. This made flasks a trademark of social status. Peasants enjoyed the use of flasks too, but theirs were the makeshift versions, mostly made from pig’s bladders.

A toast to the repeal of the eighteenth amendment!

Railroad pocket watches mark the height of not just the American watchmaking industry, but of the Industrial Revolution itself. In 1891, just as the rail system was experiencing a rapid expansion, an unfortunate disaster happened. Two trains, a fast mail train and an accommodation train, met their fateful end. The Engineer at the accommodation train unwittingly relied on his watch, which actually lagged for 4 minutes. What happened next was unthinkable. The two trains met at Kipton, Ohio. Eleven people were killed, the two engineers included.

The untoward accident made one thing clear - that accurate timekeeping was vital. To uphold railroad safety, a commission was established. Their primary task was to set standards for timekeeping. And so, together with the General Railroad Timepiece Standards, the legendary Railroad Pocket Watch was born.

The Railroad Pocket Watch proved to be not only an item of precision and accuracy, but a symbol of timeless elegance as well. Pocket watches of these times bore labor-intensive craftsmanship. They’re simply unequaled by any modern watch.

Railroad pocket watches symbolize a period in history, marked by simpler and slower things. But more than that, the railroad pocket watch represents achievement and the beginning of what the 20th century was to become.

Now that you know why railroad pocket watches are so collectible, make sure that you take care of the one that you have (if you are indeed one of the few lucky owners). Not everybody is fortunate to have these precious heirlooms. But it’s always a consolation to know that there are modern pocket watches that are just as elegantly classic and quaint. Engraved pocket watches are especially great for those looking for special and well-appreciated gift items.

Modern pocket watches, though not as historically valuable as the railroad watches, manage to conjure an aura that is just as mystifying. I have my own prized collection of these quartz watches. I can’t afford the genuine railroad pocket watches, but I’m not complaining. I love what I got just fine!

You will find Colibri lighters that offer single-, double- or triple-flame functionalities. And there’s the multipurpose lighter that’s a delight to anybody who likes to have something to go with everything.

For the Cigar Smoker - any avid cigar smoker will find pleasure in the pipe lighters and cigar lighters Colibri has to offer. They will revel in the built-in cutters and cigar punches, all the things they need to maximize their cigar-smoking experience.

For the Outdoor Enthusiast - if you need something that will survive the rough and tough outdoors, you’ll find just the perfect Colibri to match your needs. Think rugged design with metal case and integrated carabiner clip. It’s waterproof too!

For the Glamorous Ones - if you wish to go classy and want a lighter that will match your style as you go dressed-to-kill, the Colibri models with inlaid genuine diamonds and mother-of-pearl is just the thing you are looking for.

For the Homey Ones - the multi-purpose Colibri is perfect for those who want convenience when lighting up the gas lamps and grills.

And if you’re the type who so hates running out of the lighter’s fuel, you have got to choose a Colibri that has a fuel-level window or a translucent tank. Or you might as well go for the battery-operated models. This way, you’ll never run out of fuel (coz you never needed them to start with!).

But you probably already know about all these. Now here’s the real news:

Colibri now offers a great guarantee! The change in the company’s policy started way back August, 2007. From then on, Colibri lighters have gone under a one-year warranty.

This is a wonderful gesture, but every Colibri fan knows that they might never need the warranty at all. Colibri lighters are made to last. And they are meant never to go back to the merchandisers again. This is foreseen, even as they leave the production line.

For what it’s worth, everybody loves good news!

This demand has extended even to the ubiquitous cigar flask of men. Of course, women have the right to use a cigar flask but it is usually the men who tout this all-in-one booze-and-nicotine container. This makes it a great gift for your cigar-smoking, alcohol-slugging friends and family, which is not saying that you cannot give these as groomsmen gifts to your alcohol and nicotine abstaining buddies. Of course, you can! But I digress.

One enterprising fisherman found another use for his cigar flask. Who would have thought that an item used for alcohol and cigars can be used to hold rigging needles and insect repellant? The different uses can be considered worlds apart - one for vice, the other for sports - that it comes as a pleasant surprise.

Imagine this: You have many cigar flasks in your drawer. You are an avid sports fisherman. You appreciate a good Honduran cigar and a good cognac. You regularly go fishing with your fishing buddies. While your friends struggle with keeping their rigging needles organized in a secure container with easy access, you just convert your cigar flask into a needle kit complete with a mosquito repellant. Your other cigar flask contains what it is designed to hold - your daily quota of Sancho Panza and a drink of Hennesy. Add in good fishing grounds, if that is not fishing heaven, then I do not know what is.

Just be sure that you label the cigar flasks appropriately. You neither want to drink mosquito repellent and slather on the Hennessy nor puncture your lip with the rigging needle and catch fish with your cigar. This might be a gross exaggeration but anything can happen, especially when one is slightly inebriated.

So, what else can you think about to make use of your collection of cigar flasks?