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Nokia Lumia 920 Review
Windows Phone Central's review of Nokia's highly anticipated flagship Windows Phone 8 device
If there were one device that the tech world is focused on for measuring Windows Phone success, it would be the Nokia Lumia 920 (available now on AT&T; $99). It is considered by many to be the "flagship" phone (a term we find to be ill defined) for the platform and as such it has a lot riding on it.
We've had the AT&T Nokia Lumia 920 for well over 10 days now so we figured we would finally share our thoughts. The reason for the delay? Simply put, the device was not available to most of you and we happen to believe in spending more than 48 hours with a phone before deciding on the pros and cons. Some reviews, in our opinion, have glossed over some issues, others have missed new developments and most have focused on just a few aspects e.g. the size issue.
The too long, didn't read it version? We like the Lumia 920 a lot and it is easily the best Windows Phone to date. It's perhaps not for everyone but Nokia have done a great job.
Wireless charging, NFC, Super Sensitive Touch display. Greatly improves upon the Lumia 900, bringing top of the line hardware, gorgeous design and a formidable camera. Easily the best Windows Phone to date. It's also a steal at $99 on AT&T. | The PureView camera underperforms during the day, resulting in soft photos with muted colors. Phone may be too big for some but the weight issue is overstated. Limited carrier availability. |
The Lumia 920 is the pinnacle of Nokia engineering. It has great build quality, filled with the latest technology and it also looks really good while doing it. We found nary any issues with the hardware and if you're comfortable with Windows Phone 8, this phone is your best option…if you want the best. The PureView camera, while not perfect, gives outstanding night photos and shoots the best video of any phone on the market today. The plethora of Nokia software like GPS navigation only sweetens the deal. |
The Hardware
The Nokia Lumia 920 has some of the most top of the line features for Windows Phone 8. Although there are still minimum chassis requirements for the OS, most hardware manufactures have great leeway with this latest version.
The Lumia 920 does not disappoint as it comes in with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage (27+GB available on boot), NFC, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and a quite larger 4.5" IPS display. In addition, it features wireless charging and Nokia's 8.7MP PureView rear camera.
The Display
Coming in at 4.5", the Lumia 920 has one of the largest displays for a Windows Phone 8 device, only bested by the yet-to-be-released Samsung ATIV S. It also features Nokia's ClearBlack display technology (basically dual polarizers to reduce glare and make the colors sharper), Super Sensitive Touch display and Corning's Gorilla Glass. Basically, Nokia packed as much tech into the display as possible except for an oleophobic layer to reduce smudging from greasy hands.
This combo of high-end technology works out well for the phone. Users can wear gloves in the winter and operate the display (a first for modern smartphones) get a boost in brightness when out in the sunlight, great scratch resistance and have vibrant, accurate colors.
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One area where we are a little disappointed in is the lack of AMOLED display. Nokia opted to go with IPS instead, which provides excellent viewing angles but lacks a bit in one area: deep blacks. Here we're comparing it to the Lumia 900 (see our review), which did have an AMOLED screen. On that phone, the difference between the black background of the OS and the black bezel of the phone was indistinguishable. But on the 920, the blacks have a lighter look to them allowing you to see the bezel versus display.
We're nitpicking here though as the 920's display is one of the better ones we have used and the lack of PenTile Matrix for many is a welcomed addition (however, we would not have minded an HD Super AMOLED with traditional RGB matrix). The auto-brightness is tuned very well and adjusts to the ambient light appropriately. This may seem odd to point out but many companies get this wrong—too bright when in a dim room, too dim when outside.
The Super Sensitive Touch technology, developed by Synaptics, works well enough and assuming that Nokia can market the advancement, could be a great selling point. Should one be worried about the display being too sensitive, you can quickly disable the feature in settings. The technology mimics yester-year's resistive displays (where you had to press to get a response) with the more modern capacitive screen. As a result, you can use the display with gloves or even objects and we have to admit it's very cool.
Finally, the Gorilla Glass is a curved, allowing the display to taper off on the edges. The result is a much better tactile feel when using the device as your thumb glides off the phone. To conclude: the display on the Lumia 920 is admirable and arguably one of the best around.
The body
Like its predecessor, the Lumia 920 uses a polycarbonate shell. It also comes in numerous colors such as grey, black, cyan, white, yellow and red with the latter three being "glossy" and the former "matte". This time around, Nokia has wisely curved the back of the phone, which gives a much nicer feel to it when being held. The device is smooth where it needs to be and easily feels high quality. No creaking, no loose parts. Likewise, the buttons have gone from silver to a dark-metal ceramic which promises to not scratch as easily. This was a particular problem for the chrome bezel around the Lumia 800 and 900 and we can say that from our experience, that problem has been eliminated completely. Button had excellent tactile feel (much more so than the HTC 8X0 and travel of the button in our opinion is perfect.
Even the SIM tray near the top aligns more straight on the 920 with no-give like it had on the 900.
What can we say? Nokia has taken the Lumia 800 and 900 and evolved it to perfection on the 920. It's solid as a rock, granted a slipper rock. That's probably the only downside we can think of is that device is a tad slippery, mostly because it's smooth and dense. We're not calling it a complaint though—it's like calling a Ferrari too nice. Sure, you can say that but you sound ridiculous. Besides from our experience if you do drop the Lumia 920, the only thing you should check is that you didn't crush and small animals or crack the floor. Which brings us to…
He's not heavy, he's my phone
If there was one constant complaint we have come across about the Lumia 920 it is in regards to its size and weight. Every review has mentioned it with some calling it a "tank" or even a "brick". In fairness, most have also said such things with positive aspects, only noting the difference when compared to other phones. So, what's the deal?
The Lumia 920 weighs in at 185 grams. In comparison to the new "super thin" iPhone 5, that's about 73 grams heavier. That sounds heavy though, right? Well, yes and no. As a popular image post on Reddit (made by Victor P.) has pointed out, if you added 2 slices of deli turkey to the iPhone 5, it'd weigh nearly the same as a Lumia 920.
The reality of the situation is yes by comparison the Lumia 920 is a big, solid phone and weighs the most. But the phone in our opinion is not prohibitively heavy, meaning most of you will walk into an AT&T store, pick up the device and say "Really? That's what everyone is talking about?".
That's because the Lumia 920 doesn't feel like it has wasted weight. It has 32GB of storage, a massive 2000 mAh battery, wireless charging coil, high-end camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), NFC and more all in a solid body. Instead, when you pick it up you it feels like quality, that it is something substantial.
This is not to say everyone will be happy with the size and weight. Heck, people were complaining that the iPhone 5 is too light, so it makes sense that others will go in the opposite direction with this phone. People who don't want or don't prefer a 4.5" display, those with smaller statures or who don't like feeling their phone in their pocket may be dissuaded from the 920. In a way, that's a shame as something like young kids, women and large dudes, use the iPhone 5. We don't think the same will apply for the Lumia 920, thereby limiting some of its audience.
From our personal use, we had no complaints with the phone's weight and size. Yes, it is larger than most phones out there but in our opinion, not freakishly so. Our recommendation: if you are really hesitant, just walk into Best Buy or AT&T and try it out yourself and use that 14-day window.
We would not complain if the Lumia 920 was thinner (and slightly lighter), don't be silly. But its size is not playing into our decision on whether or not to use it everyday. The other aspects of the phone more than outweigh the size issue, forgive the pun. But in our opinion, the 920's weight is a non-issue and way overblown.
Under the hood
As we mentioned, the Lumia 920 is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU with 1GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage (no expansion). Besides the storage issue, the 920 is run of the mill for high-end Windows Phone 8 devices and that's a good thing. That Snapdragon S4 processor is super fast, pushing the OS to a comfortable pace and allowing very quick app and game launches.
Does it get warm? Yes, it can. Not always but if that radio is straining to find a signal, or you're downloading a lot or you're playing an intense game you may feel the back of the device (near the top) warm up a bit. It's actually surprising seeing as the Lumia 900 did not do this but seeing as this has two cores, is clocked higher with a faster GPU it's not unheard of either.
In our opinion, 32GB of storage, even if can't be expanded, is more than adequate for most users. On first boot you'll "only" have 29GB of space. With a lot of apps coming in under 5MB, storage won't be a problem.
Reception on the phone was excellent with no dropped calls and a strong, reliable signal. Likewise, 4G LTE (where available) was blazing fast with no more bottlenecks coming from neither the hardware nor OS.
The speakers are placed on the bottom of the device, which has the benefit of not being blocked when placed backside down (unlike the HTC 8X). There are two speakers on the bottom and for music and games, it can crank quite loudly though for speakerphone it is just so-so. One downside to having the speakers on the bottom though is when playing a game and holding the device horizontally, you may block the speakers. But it's not too bad since there are two areas for the sound to leave the device.
Battery life on the phone is decent. It won't set any records nor will it send you running for a charger every few hours. The Snapdragon S4 is said to be very nimble with the battery (here at 2000 mAh) and so far from our experience this is accurate. After 8 hours of heavy usage—a few phone calls, lots of photos, 30 minutes of a gaming, push services—we're at 54% with a whopping 18 hours of estimated battery left. In short, no complaints and we think Nokia got the right balance here.
Even if you don't find the battery adequate, the wireless charging pad (and other accessories) makes getting a quick charge out of the phone effortless. By just tossing the phone down on the pad (free for AT&T users), the device starts to trickle charge away. While it is not as fast as straight USB (we'd put it about 75% efficacy by comparison), it is more than enough to get a quick boost to the device.
The wireless charging pad really does make re-powering the battery a breeze, though we couldn't help but wish there were some alignment magnets similar to those found on some webOS devices (allowing a more secure "click" when placing on the pad).
Conclusion: wireless charging is not a gimmick. It really is preferred.
The PureView Camera
A lot has been made about the 8.7MP PureView camera on the Lumia 920. Here, Nokia concentrated on low-light performance in comparison to the over-sampling of the massive 41MP sensor found in the PureView 808. PureView, after all, is a set of technologies for Nokia and not a single device or even a camera. So how does the Lumia 920 measure up?
Low-light performance is nothing short of astounding. We've taken photos in our backyard at night, in bars, restaurants and from our hotel window. Every time we were shocked at the resulting bright image. We saw things in the pictures we could barely see with our own eyes, which recall our experience with more high-end cameras like our new Samsung EX2F and Nikon DSLR.
The secret is a combination of various technologies including a backside illuminated sensor (BSI), optical image stabilization (OIS), decent sized sensor and Nokia software "tricks". BSI sensors let more light in from the lens, making scenes more bright; OIS helps steady the camera by having "springs" around the housing allowing you to take longer exposures and Nokia is doing some ingenious software tweaking to give some highly impressive pics.
But let's be clear: the Lumia 920 camera does have a few downsides, though nothing we see as game ending. Let us explain.
Daylight shots look just "ok" on the 920. By that we mean the photos come out but they tend to be soft. The reason for this, as far as we can tell, is Nokia is not applying any type of sharpening to the images during the JPEG processing. When compared to the HTC 8X and iPhone 5 we consistently found the 920 to under-perform.
Don't get us wrong the Lumia 920 still does well especially for light balance. But the images are soft and it does bother us. The good news is two fold: (1) You can always add sharpening after the photo using software like Thumba or the excellent Nokia Creative Studio and (2) Nokia can easily tweak this in a firmware update.
To be fair, number one is not ideal. To ask people to buy and use post-processing software is a bit of a copout on our end, though it is a viable option. And Creative Studio by Nokia is a well made app. Number 2 is also a bit of a downer as people buy the phone for what it is, not what it may be.
Nokia has publicly acknowledge that the Lumia 920 does not perform as well during the day as they would like and they have said an update will tweak things to make the photos better. People who bought the Lumia 900 know this very well as that camera went from sub-par to very good with one solid firmware update. While the Lumia 920 does not have deficiencies nearly as bad as the 900 had on launch, it is safe to say that Nokia will optimize the camera in short order. As we mentioned, we actually think this should be an easy fix as fine-tuning JPG algorithms is common practice for camera companies.
That brings us to another unique complaint: options.
On a lot of Windows Phones, users can control things like metering, saturation and sharpness via the Settings option. Ironically, the super advanced PureView camera on the 920 has none of these settings.
You do have ISO, white balance, image size (only 16:9 or 4:3), exposure value and Scenes but nothing else. That's a shame as typically we would just tell people to bump sharpness to something higher and in this case, also increase saturation (images are perhaps a bit too neutral in color). But users cannot do that on the Lumia 920 and "auto correct" only tends to fix brightness.
We think that's because Nokia wants you to trust their algorithms more than you fiddling with settings but here we think they may have erred a bit—images are soft and color is a bit bland. As previously mentioned, both areas can be compensated for by using third-party software but that is far from ideal.
A bit soft and washed out in color
Some people have asked about the Focus Assist Light (commonly called AF lamp on cameras). By default the Lumia 920 shines a light on the object before a photo is taken, regardless of the flash settings. This is to give more light to the camera, which can then properly focus on the intended object. While very useful there are plenty of situations where one would not like to have that one e.g. plays or anywhere where one is trying to be inconspicuous. That feature is easily disabled by going into Settings and tapping it off and yes, even in low light and no Focus Assist Lamp the Lumia 920 still performs well.
And video? It's outstanding. The image stabilization is unlike any other phone today on the market. Video is truly more consistent with that subtle shaking completely eliminated. Even low light performance, while not as impressive as still photos, is more than ideal. Really we have nothing bad to say here outside of the fact it does very well (though do note that by default, the 920 uses 720P meaning you'll have to switch to 1080P if you prefer that resolution).
The Lumia 920 at night
In conclusion, the Lumia 920 has an excellent camera—one of the top found on any phone today, especially in low-light situations where other cameras easily fall short. Ironically it is during "normal" situations (e.g. well lit) where the Lumia 920 becomes simply mediocre. It's not bad just not as impressive. The good news here is this appears to not be a fatal flaw of hardware but rather a lack of attention to post-JPG processing.
If Nokia simply bumps default sharpening and saturation slightly, the 920's camera will become an all-around powerhouse. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Nokia pushes out an update to optimize the hardware for this change. That being said we would not in the slightest give it up for any other camera out there.
The Lumia 920 has a limited stock of accessories though Nokia and JBL have made a few that are highly specialized. Things like the JBL PowerUp speaker features NFC pairing, wireless BT streaming and wireless charging. Folks on AT&T get a free wireless charging pad, which we found to be an excellent addition. There's also a wireless charging stand for your bedside and Purity Pro headphones. None of those items are cheap but they are high quality.
For more information on accessories like cases, screen protectors and more, head to the Windows Phone Central Store for the Lumia 920. We'll be adding stock of new items as soon as they become available on the market. We'll of course be reviewing as many Lumia 920-specific accessories as we can, so make sure to check in regularly.
The Software
We're not going to delve too deep into the Windows Phone 8 OS here. For that you can check our full OS review and overview here for more information. Obviously Microsoft prevents their hardware partners from modifying the OS is any significant way and although Nokia technically could do so, they have not. There are still a few areas that we can talk about.
- Stability – Although the firmware we were running (1242) and OS (89903) technically are not finalized, we had no significant issues with stability or crashes. Our device did not reset, signal strength remained strong and basically we did not have any complaints
- Customizations – We already covered what additions to the OS Nokia have made in our previous video, which can be seen here. Nokia has added the ability to disable the Super Sensitive Touch, Dolby Headphone and a Graphic EQ for sound—all good stuff
New Lenses for Windows Phone 8 and the Lumia 920
In addition to the above, Nokia has embraced "Lenses" for Windows Phone 8, which can be thought of as mini-camera apps. Here they have Cinemagraph, Panorama and Smart Shoot.
Cinemagraph takes a series of photos and makes animated GIFs, which can be uploaded to Skydrive or shared with Email. The GIFs can be larger, often hovering around 10MB. While they certainly look good (see our examples on the web version of this review), the fact that you can't see them in action on Facebook, Imgur or Photobucket limits their usage. That's not Nokia's fault exactly—FB doesn't support animated GIFs and Imgur and Photobucket have size limits—but it is something to consider when asking how people will view them. You can see them on Skydrive after sharing the link but only if you hit "view original", something we're not sure if most people will do. Having said that, Cinemagraph is darn cool.
Panorama is Nokia's panoramic Lens for their Lumia line. You take a photo and a neat little guide will direct you to the second shot and then to the third, etc. So long as you pan slowly the app works very well.
Smart Shoot operates in a similar fashion to Cinemagraph by taking a series of photos. But instead of stitching them together like a mini movie, you can go through and "erase" any errant objects, people walking in the background, etc. It's a niche app, much like Cinemagraph but it works well.
Nokia Drive…Music…City Lens…Maps…Transit...
If there is one other serious reason to consider the Lumia 920, it has to be the apps. Nokia has created a whole ecosystem of super useful tools that greatly expand upon the value of their Lumia line.
Nokia Drive+ Beta, which we've detailed before, is an all-in-one GPS navigation system that works with Nokia Maps. It allows offline navigation by downloading whole maps for states, greatly speeding up the experience (for reference, all of New York was only 153 MB). Those offline maps are shared between Maps and Drive+ too, reducing redundancy. While Nokia Drive started off as an "ok" navigation solution months ago, this latest version is quite amazing. Between the voice packages, accuracy, 2D and 3D views, smoothness and integration with the OS, it is a monstrous value for those of you who commute. Whatever features it may lack, Nokia is constantly improving it with frequent updates. And considering it is 100% free, you have to include it as a top ten reason to get the Lumia 920.
Nokia Music allows you to download a few hours worth of music playlists, an incredible value even if you already have Xbox Music.
City Lens is Nokia's augmented reality app—also a Lens now in Windows Phone 8. You simply hold your phone up in public and it will show you where food, bars, attractions, etc. can be found. It's a neat app and works well enough though we do find it a bit gimmicky at times. Your mileage may vary though we'd rather have it and not use it then to not have the option.
Nokia Transit is yet another location tool that helps you get from one place to another using public transportation. Whether trains, buses or subway the app is quite handy when you're in a new city.
In short, Nokia's apps including their increasingly growing selection of exclusive games, all of which can be found in the Nokia Collection, are a huge value for the phone.
Wrapping it up
Enough with the review formalities: if you're here there's a good chance you're already a Windows Phone user. Maybe even one who owns a Lumia. So you may be wondering what is my personal opinion of the Lumia 920?
Quite frankly, I'm thrilled with it and yes I consider it better than the HTC 8X (even though I adore that phone too).
Nokia has in my opinion taken all the best aspects of the Lumia 800 and 900 and improved upon it greatly with the Lumia 920. The device is better built, feels nicer in the hand and packs a punch in terms of raw specs. Throw in that low-light camera ability, fantastic video-capture, the super smooth and clear display and I am sold.
A lot of people when first holding it may quip, "It's a brick" but soon after they immediately notice how right it feels, commenting on the craftsmanship. On paper and when compared to other phones, the Lumia 920 does appear to have some extra mass. But when you actually hold and use it, it's the last thing on your mind. Having said that some people just don't want a large display and prefer 4.3" or even 4" devices. Fair enough and that is why you should go to the store to try one out first.
As a hobbyist photographer, the 920's camera is very impressive. But as I note, Nokia can improve the daylight performance especially when it comes to sharpness. I firmly believe they will get this right with a firmware update so I'm quite okay to settle for the softer images for now. Why? Because I mostly shoot at night anyway and there the Lumia 920 is unmatched.
Whether it's the excellent sound quality, the extremely useful wireless charging or that curved display, the Lumia 920 is a powerhouse of a phone. As a fan of the Windows Phone operating system, I do consider this to be the best offering for 2012 and the near future. For the price on contract with AT&T ($99), it's a huge value for what you are getting. And even compared to the iPhone 5 and whatever Android is floating this week, the phone certainly holds it own.
In using the phone for the last 10 days I have had not one serious complaint—no bugs, no issues and no quality problems with the hardware. Others may find some and we'll be paying close attention to what users are experiencing, but Nokia looks to have done right with this phone.
For all of these reasons, we enthusiastically recommend the Nokia Lumia 920.
- Windows Phone 8 Review and Overview
- Windows Phone Central Lumia 920 Forums
- Buy Nokia Lumia 920 Accessories
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.


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A while ago I caramelized some bananas for use in huevos motulenos and they were so good that they have been on my mind since. I noticed that I had some over ripe bananas in the freezer that were crying out to be used and I was thinking that I could kill to birds with one stone in the form of banana pancakes topped with caramelized bananas. For a recipe, I went with a pretty basic banana pancake recipe and I added some bananas caramelized in butter and brown sugar to top the pancakes. As I thought about it, the bananas caramelized in butter and brown sugar sounded an awful lot like the beginnings of bananas foster and all I would really need to do to finish it off was to add a splash of dark rum which I decided to do. The bananas foster pancakes turned out so fantastically well! The pancakes were nice and light and fluffy and had the amazing aroma and flavour of bananas all by themselves but then they topped them with even more banana-y goodness. I am glad that I decided to add the rum as brown sugar does not dissolve into butter all that well and as soon as I added the rum the sugar disolved and the whole thing turned into a beautifully thick syrup that was just packed with flavour! Note: Bananas foster is typically finished by igniting the alcohol but I chose to omit this step. 🙂
Bananas Foster Pancakes
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 overripe bananas (peeled and mashed)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 dashes of cinnamon
- 2 ripe bananas (peeled and sliced)
- 2 ounces dark rum
- Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Mix the milk, egg, sugar, butter and bananas in another bowl.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients making sure to not over mix.
- Heat a pan and melt a touch of butter in it.
- Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan and heat until the surface starts to bubble and the bottom is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the pancake and cook the other side until the bottom is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Repeat 5 more times.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan.
- Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and let it come to a simmer.
- Add the bananas and cook until caramelized on both sides.
- Add the rum and simmer for a minute.

subset: commoncrawl


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So, How Dilated Are You?
Or you could've smacked her in the head with the book!
Um, gross.
I don't much care for discussing my vaginal width with strangers.
I'm about 4cm's just shy of that magic halfway point... thanks for asking... the membrane sweep was truely horrifying but seems to be doing its job as I am cramping like mad and there is enough bloddy tissue to make me think I'll squeeze this thing out in the next day or two. Oh and I haven't even bought the sautee pan and e.v.o.o. for the placenta yet! What was I thinking taking the time to come to this? sips sparkling water and bats eyelashes while rubbing aforementioned belly.
My brains fall out EVERY TIME I AM PREGNANT and so I'd probably just have stood there earnestly discussing my cervix with her until she was ready to gnaw her own ankle off.
That's just the way I roll.
People are clueless and cruel. But you are clearly cleverer than I.
Maybe that was her way of offering to check it out for you.
TG - yeah, um, maybe. But: EWWWW.
hysterical! (really, no better word to use is there?)
but she got it wrong - it's the male ejaculation that brings on labour (some chemical in the, uh, ejaculate), but maybe she just wanted to make sure you had a good time.
Okay, that is just plain creepy.
But you hit her with "mucus plug" (the phrase, not the actual plug), and she still kept on. I don't think anything would've stopped her.
Except maybe dropping the actual plug into her drink. Mmmmmm!
the whole "sex brings on labor" conversation was my least favorite of the crappy things people would bring up when I was pregnant, and 2 weeks overdue.
You are very polite! But not squishy! Good for you, LOL.
Me? Someone opens the floodgates for me then by all means I flood. LOL
Like Beck, I'd talk her to death until she spilled her own drink and claimed her water broke.
You should have asked her - since she was so interested- if she would like to check for you, right there on the table.;)
Old biddy, she was probably just jealous that you had obviously had sex in the last 9 months and she hadn't.
I've certainly never heard a dilation question not from a medical professional!
I did hear a friend of mine return a parry with an acid, "My, my, what a personal question" and shut up a room of snoopers.
wow, that would have floored me. I'd have stood there with my mouth gaping open and shut like a fish.
There is NO WAY that conversation actually happened!!! Did it??? Really? God. I am choking on my mac n cheese over here.
Mucus plug between the eyes...
I probably would have started crying or something terrible embarrassing like that.
This was hilarious!
You could have asked her to check it.
Yikes! I agree with oh, they joys.
Seriously, when will these idiots learn to leave pregnant women alone???
I've got 2 1/2 weeks left before my due date and I'm already getting to the point of killing anyone who even looks at me sideways. If I had been in your place I probably would have attacked her and sent her to the emergency room!
You win(hopefully)! I think your story is the best so far!
Well. That's just weird. Inexplicable.
Bossy remembers labor. It involved a baby, right?
Oh, I hate it when I do this, but I just can't help myself. She's a dumbass. A mean one. Nobody can check your cervix by looking. Unless they have a speculum and a flashlight.
What is it about pregnant women that brings out the a-hole in people?
"Sorry, my husband doesn't understand the metric system."
I guess that would work better for those of us in the US, but still...
I've been asked if I've dilated but not to the extent you were.
Oh and working girl, they don't need either actually, my doctor just used his finger to measure.
Honest to God, I don't know what I would have said...
I like the last response someone wrote here...
"Sorry, my husband doesn't understand the metric system."
LOL That would have been great.
oh god. how dreadful. I would have died on the spot.
LMAO! Love the metric system one!! I'm in chemistry right now and converting the American system of measuring to metric is a bitch.
I cannot believe some had the audacity and the lack of common sense to ask you this question.
FYI~it's the protaglandin in the ejaculate that may cause contractions. I emphasize the word may cuz it NEVER worked for me.
Great humorous blog!
Having never actually dilated...how you ask? Well, Papoosie Girl was a month early when my water broke and according to the nurse I was as "tight as a steel drum" when we arrived - right before the Pictocin drip started. Then there was Rosebud who was breech.
So I think I would have asked her about her cervix instead.
I saw your website is very good, so you have the opportunity to sell space ads on you blog...
i receive 72$ every month doing nothing, there is just 6 links at my website)))And you're website is much more better then mine.
Payments via PAYPAL and CHECK!!
try them...
After you'll sign up here write to me... and i'll tell you how to optimize it for well... and give you several good tips...
I WISH I knew someone that crazy/ interesting....it would keep me on my toes at least....
I'm wondering why you pointed out that she was Jewish?
Oh, yucky! You should have asked her last time someone saw her cervix! :)
I would have just had to ask her if she would like to step into the bathroom and check it for me. Maybe she could even push in that bothersome hemorrhoid while she's at it.
I am rotten that way. People can be so rude, myself included.
Damn the mucus plug didn't stop her?
It is usually the deal breaker.
You come across as too patient and nice. This harridan either had a case of fertility envy coupled with an umbridled tactlessness or was just beginning to show the early signs of -- god knows what. Was she auditioning for the role of The Fool in King Lear? If not, she gave a good audition. When you meet people like that, it's hard not to be an misanthrope.
I realize that my gender does not allow me the joys of pregnancy and childbirth, but if I were in your shoes I think that I might have said, "It's none of your goddamn business."
That would have been counterproductive strategy as there would not have been a story to tell about the prying, pampered woman who peppered you with questions.
As it is, to borrow the hackneyed phrase, hindsight is 20-20.
"I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours" might've shut her up.
What a creepy conversation to have with a stranger...
Oh good gravy, that's brazen.
I would have asked something about the toll age and babies took on vaginas, asking her about hers... Turnaround being fair play, and all.
There is no way I could have been as clever as you were.
There is no end to the weirdos that pregnancy brings out.
This time I was more ready for them.
I always liked Ann Landers' answer to what to say to uncomfortably personal questions-you just open your eyes real wide and say "my goodness, what a personal question! Why would you be interested in knowing that?" blink blink...ha!
I wrote that no one can check by LOOKING without those two things. And we often check with a speculum and a flashlight when someone is preterm. But the two finger method is the norm for full term pregnancies. With my smallish fingers? One finger in the cervix = 1 cm, 2 fingers, one on top of the other = 2 cm, 2 fingers side by side and touching = 3 cm...
Kgirl? Hysterical. Oooooh, exactly. I'm swooning at the etymological punning going on.
And me, I would have talked and talked and talked about my cervix. I was obsessed. Woulda bored her to death.
Part of me is sorry you had to endure such rudeness. The other part thinks it's one of the funniest posts I've ever read.
I always think of the perfect thing to say about 30 seconds too late.
You're probably getting into hot weather if you're not there already. Hope you're not too miserable and the rest of your pregnancy goes well.
LOL! That's hilarious. As a doula the conversation probably wouldn't have phased me at the time so I probably would have started talking to her about nipple stimulation. Then I would have walked away and realized how bizzare it all was later.
For serious?
That is a crazy story.
I wrote about the sleeping through the night thing at www.mamaknj.blogspot.com
Crazy bitch. I think you handled her with aplomb.
You should've said "your fingers look nice and long, would you like to check for me?"
it amazes me how some women can talk to other people about their nethers without batting an eyelash...while other woman can't even say the word 'vagina'
there's no way i would have been as witty as you were.
I suppose there might be something to say for a woman who feels that comfortable in talking about cervixes (cervii?) but, really, good grief. I might have offered to let her check if she was so darn nosy! HA!
See, guys don't sit around talking about each other's tools like this.
Sounds like you met my MIL, but it couldn't be her -- she's not Jewish and she lives in Texas!
Drunk vagina talk gets me all hot.
OK, you win! That has to be the worst question and the weirdest conversation to endure while pregnant.
That is hysterical!!
I thought I had it bad when random strangers asked me from month 6 on if I was due 'any minute'.
I probably would have out grossed her and felt really embaressed about it afterwards. I have a hard time backing down from someone as brazen as that.
Jodi, I pointed out that she was Jewish because she WAS Jewish (I would have pointed out if she were Jamaican, or British or Greek or Mormon, just to flesh her out, no pun intended). Anyway. I was going somewhere with a little joke in my head about the confusing juxtaposition of middle-aged Jewish woman/Italian restaurant/sex talk and the off-putting multi-culti nightmares that would ensue. I may not have arrived.
You did the right thing. Going toe-to-toe would have been the loosing strategy. She obv. had a lot of practice.
I can not tell you enough how much I enjoyed this post!
I hate people like that. Nothing you could do really, except to nod at her husband and say that you're lucky your husband doesn't realize that HE'S the real father.
Oh man, how hilarious.
I would have been (very) tempted to say, Dilated? I'm not even pregnant!.
Which reminds me, I hate getting those "Are you pregnant?" comments? Well gee, I'm over 32 weeks and DEFINITELY showing (since I'm pretty petite everywhere else)... so I HOPE SO!
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Consultation launched for Shardeloes Road substance misuse treatment centre
Jack has sent us the details of a consultation being carried out in relation to a proposed new substance misuse treatment centre. The link to the site is at the end of the article and we have reproduced the Q&A they provide below.
The current service
Lewisham Council and NHS Lewisham jointly fund a drug and alcohol treatment service. The service is currently based at New Direction, 410 Lewisham High Street. This is backed up by a service for users in the south of the borough at Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill. Many service users will also get regular services - such as repeat prescriptions and needle exchange - through their local GP or pharmacist.
The service has had some real successes but we think we could achieve much more if our sites were better located - so that service users from the south and the north of the borough were better able to access them. In particular, we have many service users in Brockley, Deptford and New Cross that would benefit from a site more local to them.
The proposal
We are proposing to establish a new treatment site in Shardeloes Road, Brockley. This new site would be the main service site for users in the north of the borough and, together with the Dartmouth Road site in the south, would mean service users from all over the borough would be able to travel easily to access the service.
The New Direction site would become the main site for after-care, helping improve the overall service further by reducing the numbers of service users who relapse. We welcome your views on this proposal.
Why Shardeloes Road, Brockley?
As we want to cover a larger area of Lewisham to help more people access treatment, we aim to have a treatment service in the north of the borough. Most areas of the country have drug services based within local communities and Brockley has been identified as being in need of services to provide help and support to local people.
The building is on the main road and has good public transport services. The railway station is close by, and bus services are frequent. It is therefore an ideal location, making the centre accessible to local residents. The building is appropriate for drug and alcohol treatment, as it offers space for the kinds of services and interventions required.
How can local people get involved and find out more?
We intend to provide high quality, effective services that improve the lives of both individuals and local communities. In order to ensure that our services meet the needs of the community, we continuously seek the views and opinions of local residents and people that use our services.
New Direction staff will be organising opportunities for people to discuss the centres and their activities, which you are very welcome to attend.
For details of drop-in sessions, venues, dates and times please go on to the Council's website at www.lewisham.gov.uk/consult .
We are also happy to come along to other local community events to tell you more about the consultation and give you the opportunity to share your views.
You can contact the service via the local council:
Jason Browne: Drug and Alcohol Action Team, 23 Mercia Grove, Lewisham, SE13 6BJ.
Telephone: 020 8314 3263
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Two Americans in Paris: Stuart Davis and Grant Wood
From the mid-nineteenth century until WWII, American artists flocked to Paris in pursuit of inspiration and professional credibility. Widely regarded as the cultural capital of the world, the French metropolis provided fertile ground for inspiration by enabling aspiring artists to study the Old Masters on display at the Louvre and experiment with contemporary artistic trends.
The exhibition Two Americans in Paris focuses on the experiences and subsequent careers of two such artists--Grant Wood and Stuart Davis. Both studied in Paris during the 1920s and eventually enjoyed considerable reputations for depicting scenes of American life. But while Wood adopted the more retardaire impressionist style of painting during his travels and famously rejected abstraction upon his return to the United States, Davis responded to the artistic innovations of French modernism. Deeply affected the art of Matisse and Fernand Léger, Davis developed a unique style of art that reconciled the aesthetic concerns of avant-garde artists with his desire to capture the vitality of American urban life and culture.
Curated by Dr. Rima Girnius, the exhibition will feature paintings and works of paper from the Figge's Grant Wood Archive as well as a selection of Stuart Davis lithographs from a private collection.
This exhibiton will be on view July 12, 2014 through November 2, 2014
Sponsored by Don and Connie Decker and Robert W. Baird
Grant Wood, The Luxembourg Gardens, 1923, oil on masonite, 2001.12


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Henry Rielly was a foundation member of the Victorian Academy of Arts, exhibiting annually between 1870 and 1885. Woodland, vale and hillwas one of eleven works exhibited by Rielly in the 1874 Academy exhibition.1 He painted numerous scenes of the Yarra Valley and the regions surrounding Melbourneand this may be the location of Woodland, vale and hill. Rielly was a council member of the Academy and would have known the work of two other council members, Eugene von Guérard and Louis Buvelot, who also exhibited a number of paintings in the 1874 exhibition.
Rielly divided the composition of Woodland, vale and hill into five distinct areas: an open foreground of ground-growth, a band of dense woodland, a stretch of valley, a distant mountain range and a large cloud-filled sky. The artist has combined topographic detail with a naturalistic approach in this painting. Unlike Louis Buvelot, Rielly does not attempt to domesticate the landscape; instead, he includes wild horses grazing in the woodland. He has paid most attention to the foreground, portraying a type of gum tree with knarred limbs as well as scraggy foliage and thick ground-growth consistent with a swampy region.
In 2006 the National Gallery of Australia carried out extensive conservation treatment of this painting. It was discovered that two figures and a campfire had been added probably in the mid-twentieth century before the painting entered the National Collection. These elements were removed, revealing a second horse within the composition.
1 The fourth exhibition of the Victorian Academy of Arts, exhibition catalogue, 1874. Woodland, vale and hill listed as no. 52, p. 8.


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How to find your model name and serial number?
Your model name enables you to get information and services specific to your device. The model name and serial number can be found in several locations, depending on the product:
- A label on the back or bottom of the device
- The original packaging and printed instruction manual inside it
- The system menu in products with a user interface (e.g. TVs or cameras)
Click your product category below for help finding your model and serial number for your device. If your device type is not listed, please refer to the documentation or packaging supplied with your product.
What's the difference between a model name and a serial number?
- A model name is a combination of numbers and letters (e.g. KD-43X8000H or WH-1000XM4).
- A serial number consists of numbers only (e.g. 6007041). It's a unique identifier that designates a single device.


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This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign
The Facts About Keratin TreatmentsRead these expert opinions and reader reviews before deciding if a Brazilian keratin treatment is right for you |
Older comments
I was COMPLETELY loving this until I read the part about some products containing Formaldehyde. Reading some of the positive comments below is putting an idea in my head of trying this! Thanks!
by GigiSD Monday, May 6, 2013 at 06:31PM Report as inappropriate
Comments: Great and useful product information. I have exceptionally curly, damaged and have dandruff hair. To remove that problem I had tried dove dandruff care shampoo and find some good result. But now I have decided to use keratin hair treatments.
by ashira Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 12:33AM Report as inappropriate
I recently had my first keratin treatment done and was informed that I would need to purchase a shampoo and conditioner that is both sulphate free and if possible sodium chloride free. My hairstylist watered the explanation down by telling me these ingredients found in every shampoo and conditioner unless otherwise specified would strip all the precious treatment I just paid for out of my hair. I went to online and did alot of research and spoke to my hairstylist (5th ave salon). I went with the Shielo Hydrate Shampoo and the Shielo Hydrate Conditioner and am pleasantly surprised. Not only is it keeping as much of the treatment in as possible, but it leaves my long, thick, newly straight hair SO SOFT! Especially in combination with the conditioner. It has a subtle, clean smell and feels slightly thick when applying. The $20 price tag is a little harsh in comparison to say a drugstore shampoo, but it definitely shows a difference than those products.
by melissa_locks Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 07:43PM Report as inappropriate
I highly recommend Brazilian Silk. First of all this company has ALWAYS been up front with it's ingredient. And YES it does contain a very small amount of formaldehyde. However, the amount is way below the safety standards set by OSHA. As long as you use a fan and have a window cracked you are fine. The results from Brazilian Silk are like no other. You hair literally feels like silk. The only reason you should be wary of using this product is if your hair is extremely damaged. There is nothing in this product that will damage your hair BUT your hair needs to be able to withstand a flat iron at a high heat. The other great thing about BS is that you can control the amount of volume you leave in the hair and the amount of curl you leave in the hair. If you want to leave your curls and just smooth your frizz then you flat iron base to ends. If you want to elimate as much curl as possible you use a "stepping" motion when flat ironing. Do NOT get this product mixed up with Brazialian Bloxout. Brazilian Blowout has something like 3+ times the amount of formaldehyde that OSHA considers safe. OSHA considers anything 2 ppm and below safe to use. Brazialian Silk contains .42 ppm.
by Lisa11lisa Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 07:12PM Report as inappropriate
I would like to try this, but all the health warnings make me pretty wary. Also I don't want to get rid of my waves.
by cheerio9551 Friday, November 30, 2012 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate
i got perms in my hair in oct 2011 and i still have few. but my hair are damaged so much. can i still go with this keratin treatment?
by ruchika_gandhi Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 09:23AM Report as inappropriate
I have extremly curly hair, and i just did the Keratin today, i didnt find the smell strong what so ever, and i always have my hair up ], i think the Keratin i just did will help finally leave my hair loose. im still getting use to the long straight hair now. I hope it works and i have really thin hair, and alot of hair as well. The process took a good amount of timee and i have great results!!! :D
by DaniellaGee Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 05:31PM Report as inappropriate
I'm looking forward to trying out one called Cocoa Keratin Smoothing treatment. From what I've read it has no silicone, sulfates or parabens and it's much gentler on all hair types, plus it comes with its own pre and post treatment shampoos and conditioner.
by laura_wolfhart Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 03:19PM Report as inappropriate
Please listen to me...do not do this to your hair. I did it twice and loved my long straight thick hair. But a month after the second treatment I got a bad sore throat and bloody nose. I made an appointment with my doctor and was crying cause my throat was burning so bad. She tested me for strep which I did not have so she couldn't give me anything to treat my sore throat. 3 days later I went to urgent care. I was given a numbing medicine cause my throat hurt so bad I could not swallow and I still had blood coming from my nose. They gave me cough syrup with codeine, the codeine would help with the pain. The sore throat lasted for 7 weeks. I still have the after effects of that sore throat. And to top it all off my hair fell out by the hand fulls. How heart breaking to lose my hair like that. It has finally stopped falling out, but i now have thin hair and it took weeks of looking for all kinds of vitamins and trips to the herb shop and experiments with herbs to find out what would work best to help me keep what hair I had left. I finally have healthy looking hair again and as much as i loved the way my hair looked after the blow out, I would never ever in this world have that treatment done again EVER!!. I got a ton of compliments on how beautiful my hair looked, but still...NO! I have lost a lot of weight from the stress and from worrying about throat cancer. Please it is not worth the worry or stress. I would give anything if I had never ever done this.
by uofoduckfan Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 08:37PM Report as inappropriate


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But sometimes,you let go of all inhibitions when something appeals to you strongly,very strongly in my case.Few days back,on a Sunday I was lurking around in Facebook when I saw Nags' status message saying she just tried these Garlic rolls from Suhaina's.That got me interesting and I hopped over to Suhaina's blog for the recipe and I should say I had the urge to try it right then.I checked my fridge for the Yeast sachets I got from Ekm last time and hoped the yeast wouldn't disappoint my enthusiasm.
The recipe is easy peasy.Just mix everything together and bake.Yep,that's it.As the rolls were baking,the house was smelling so good and when I saw them puffing and browning so nicely my joy knew no bounds.Half of the rolls were finished as soon as they came out of the oven and half for dinner along with Broccoli soup.Only then did I realize i didn't take pictures,but wait-it just gave me the opportunity to bake it once more..yay!!Do give it a try!!
Garlic Pull-apart Rolls
Recipe courtesy - Suhaina
Flour/maida - 1 1/2 cups
Warm water - 1/2 cup
Yeast - 1/2 tbsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 1 tbsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
For the garlic spread
Salted butter, at room temperature - 25 gms
Garlic - 2-3 cloves,grated
Chopped coriander leaves - 2 tbsp
Mix together warm water,sugar and yeast in a bowl and let it proof for about 5-7 minutes.It should bubble and froth up within minutes,if not start afresh.
Mix together flour,salt and yeast mix till you get a slightly sticky dough.
Add oil and knead for 5-7 minutes till you get a smooth dough.
Cover the dough with a cling film or a kitchen towel and allow to proof for 40-45 minutes.
Meanwhile,mix together all the ingredients for the garlic spread and keep aside.
Grease a baking pan or a loaf tin with butter[I used my loaf pan for the first trial and a round tin for this one-both work fine]
Knock down the air in the dough and divide the dough into two equal portions.
Roll one half of the dough on a floured surface using a rolling pin to a rough rectangle.
Now place the rolls with the cut side up in the greased pan.
Repeat the same procedure for the remaining dough.
Spread a little milk on the rolls and add the remaining garlic spread on top.
- The recipe is a very simple one,perfect for beginner yeast bakers.Of course,it all depends on the quality of the yeast you use.Make sure you use a fresh batch of yeast.I use Mauripan Yeast sachets.
- The yeast granules can be directly added with the flour,but I always take the tried and tested route of proofing the yeast first and then kneading the dough.
- Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes to develop gluten.This creates soft and fluffy rolls.
- Every oven is different so baking times may vary.
Pictures updated on 11/08/12


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FDA eases into regulating e-cigarettes
April 24, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government's move to regulate e-cigarettes is a leap into the unknown.
Most everyone agrees a ban on selling them to kids would be a step forward. But health and public policy experts can't say for certain whether the electronic devices are a good thing or a bad thing overall, whether they help smokers kick the habit or are a gateway to ordinary paper-and-tobacco cigarettes.
The proposed rules, issued Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration, tread fairly lightly. They would ban sales to anyone under 18, add warning labels and require FDA approval for new products.
Some public health experts say a measured approach is the right one. They think that the devices, which heat a nicotine solution to produce an odorless vapor without the smoke and tar of burning tobacco, can help smokers quit.
"This could be the single biggest opportunity that's come along in a century to make the cigarette obsolete," said David Abrams, executive director of the Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at the American Legacy Foundation.
Still, some wonder whether e-cigarettes keep smokers addicted or hook new users and encourage them to move on to tobacco. And some warn that the FDA regulations could have unintended consequences.
"If the regulations are too heavy-handed, they'll have the deadly effect of preventing smokers from quitting by switching to these dramatically less harmful alternatives," said Jeff Stier, senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank in Washington.
Scientists haven't finished much research on e-cigarettes, and the studies that have been done have been inconclusive. The government is pouring millions into research to supplement independent and company studies on the health risks of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products — as well as who uses them and why.
"There are far more questions than answers," acknowledged Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.
But he said the proposed rules "would result in significant public health benefits, including through reducing sales to youth, helping to correct consumer misperceptions, preventing misleading health claims and preventing new products from entering the market without scientific review by FDA."
The FDA has left the door open to further regulations, such as a ban on TV advertising and fruit- or candy-flavored e-cigarettes — measures that some anti-smoking groups and members of Congress are demanding.
"It is inexcusable that it has taken the FDA and the administration so long to act. This delay has had serious public health consequences as these unregulated tobacco products have been marketed using tactics and sweet flavors that appeal to kids," the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a statement.
The FDA said it wants more evidence before it rushes into more regulations.
Any further rules "will have to be grounded in our growing body of knowledge and understanding about the use of e-cigarettes and their potential health risks or public health benefits," FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said.
Electronic cigarettes are becoming a big business. The industry started on the Internet and at shopping-mall kiosks and has rocketed from thousands of users in 2006 to several million worldwide, with a choice of more than 200 brands.
Sales are estimated to have reached nearly $2 billion in 2013. Tobacco companies have noticed that e-smokes are eating into cigarette sales, and they have jumped into the business, too.
Smokers like e-cigarettes because the nicotine-infused vapor looks like smoke but doesn't contain the thousands of chemicals, tar or odor of regular cigarettes. Some smokers use e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking tobacco, or to cut down.
"If the product as I use it now becomes illegal, I'm not sure what'll happen. I'll probably end up smoking again," said 38-year-old Jason Todrick of Huntington Beach, Calif., who kicked his more than 20-year smoking habit two years ago using an e-cigarette.
In addition to mandating warning labels that say nicotine is an addictive chemical, the rules would require e-cigarette makers to disclose their products' ingredients. They would not be allowed to claim their products are safer than other tobacco products.
In addition, they couldn't give out free samples or sell e-cigarettes in vending machines unless they are in a place open only to adults, such as a bar.
The public and the industry will have 75 days to comment on the proposed rules. There is no timetable for when the FDA will issue its final rules. Many believe the process will wind up in court.
"It seems to be a responsible approach … and shows the FDA's commitment to look at particular e-cigarettes in a science-based way rather than just conjecture," said Jason Healy, president of Blu e-cigs, which is owned by the tobacco company Lorillard Inc. and is the largest player in the market. Blu accounts for almost half of e-cigarettes sold.
Also on Thursday, the FDA proposed extending its authority to regulate cigars, hookahs, nicotine gels and pipe tobacco.
MICHAEL FELBERBAUM, AP Tobacco Writer


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The discovery of gold in the regions north-west of Melbourne in 1851 triggered a huge influx of miners to the district. With many men seeking fortune from mining, the populations of small towns grew rapidly and, during the height of the gold rush, Creswick, some 18 kilometres north of Ballarat, had a population of more than 25000 people.
In Miners and cradle, Creswick Percy Lindsay presents the physical labour of cradle mining: the backbreaking trawling and sifting of the earth in search of gold. The industrious miners wheel their barrows of earth up and over the heavily worked land. Lindsay painted this picture outdoors, seeking to capture the momentary conditions of light and atmosphere.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, as a young artist Lindsay did not settle in Melbourne to study or pursue painting as a profession. In 1895 he attended the National Gallery School in Melbourne for less than a term, returning shortly after to his hometown of Creswick. The works Lindsay produced in Creswick between 1890 and 1900 are his best pictures. These rural scenes are important images by an Australian artist – who was born and trained locally – depicting his region.


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Ksport Rally AR Spec coilover System is designed specifically for asphalt rally competition. It features extended stroke, heavy-duty internals, and simultaneous compression and rebound adjustment.
36 levels of damping adjustment allow you to fine tune the ride to your handling and comfort needs. The damping adjusts compression and rebound simultaneously for ease of adjustment.
Pillow ball top mounts in the front and rear on some applications allow you to maintain vehicle manufacturer suspension geometry design. The pillow ball top mounts also allow you a more direct feel for solid driver response.
Camber adjustability is included on pillow ball top mounts that allow it for the ability to adjust camber from the actual coilover, instead of a separate camber kit. Most applications utilize an adjustable lower mount, which means you adjust height without losing suspension travel like some other coilover designs do.
With the mounts and most pieces of the coilover being designed for 6061 billet aluminum the kit is lightweight, durable, and rust resistant. The steel shock body is electroplated with zinc to resist rust and the elements. The valving of each set is matched to the springs installed for unmatched ride quality and reliability.
The Ksport system uses a Monotube design in which the oil and gas are separated within the cylinder. When compared to twin tube designs the Monotube dissipates heat better, allows finer damping adjustments, and requires more expensive design process. Aeration and cavitation are a lot less common in a Monotube design, which results in a better ride.
Note: For many vehicles (but not all applications) the Ksport Rally Spec AR coilover system will allow your vehicle to achieve OEM height levels. Depending on application, your vehicle will be able to lower up to 3 inches from OEM level. This is a concern for people competing in rally events, as many sanctioning bodies have rules that pertain to ride height.


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To celebrate Valentine's Day, we dream-cast 15 of our favorite real-life couples in musicals we'd like to see them do together. From Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu in Evita to Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs in Sunday in the Park with George, our list of stage pairings would be an endless treat for Broadway lovers! Read on, and see if you agree.
Stephanie J. Block & Sebastian Arcelus in Kiss Me, Kate
Husband and wife Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J. Block would bring fiery passion to the warring couple at the center of this classic backstage musical. (Block already played a star diva in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.) Also, they would get a chance to sing their faces off. Too darn hot indeed.
Laura Benanti & Steven Pasquale in Guys and Dolls
The mission "doll" in this classic musical does not have to be boring. Imagine the chemistry between Tony winner Laura Benanti and her dashing hubby Steven Pasquale as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson, especially in the Havana scenes. Ding Dong Ding Dong DING!
Jeremy Jordan & Ashley Spencer in The Rocky Horror Show
Smash star Jeremy Jordan has expressed interest in co-starring in Urinetown with his wife, Ashley Spencer. While we love that idea, we'd prefer to see them as Rocky Horror's naive and nearly naked couple Brad and Janet. We see you shiver in an-ti-ci…pation.
Benjamin Walker & Mamie Gummer in She Loves Me
A Broadway revival of this enchanting musical is way overdue, and we can picture spouses Ben Walker and Mamie Gummer as Georg and Amalia, who bicker at work but fall in love as pen pals. If Gummer has the voice to deliver "Dear Friend" and "Vanilla Ice Cream," this revival could be a smash hit.
Matt Doyle & Ryan Steele in Hair
Take a deep breath and get high off the idea of The Book of Mormon's Matt Doyle and his boyfriend, Matilda's Ryan Steele, as Berger and Claude, the central hippies in Hair. These two can bring some closure to the age-old question: are Berger and Claude friends, lovers or was it just the '60s?
Jessica Stone & Christopher Fitzgerald in Little Shop of Horrors
Skid Row would get a whole lot funnier in the hands of comic standout Jessica Stone and her Tony-nominated husband, Christopher Fitzgerald. This quirky couple could unearth a new layer of laughs (while nailing the melancholy subtext) as Audrey and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.
Celia Keenan-Bolger & John Ellison Conlee in The Sound of Music
The hills would be alive with the sound of "aw" if adorable Broadway duo Celia Keenan-Bolger and John Ellison Conlee took on the roles of Maria and Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. No doubt, this stage pairing would be "something good."
Lea Michele & Cory Monteith in Once
It would take a heck of a lot to lure Glee star Lea Michele back to Broadway, but stepping into the Tony-winning musical Once with her real-life beau Corey Monteith by her side might do the trick. Lea, "when your mind's made up" to come back to Broadway, look no further than Once.
Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley in A Little Night Music
It's a shame that brilliant Sondheim performers Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley have not taken on the master in the same show yet. We'd like to see this married pair play Night Music's complicated couple Desiree Armfeldt and Fredrik Egerman now, soon or later.
Orfeh & Andy Karl in Annie Get Your Gun
Who better than Orfeh and Andy Karl to play a tough, big-voiced broad and the debonair sharp-shooter who tames her? The only hitch: finding a theater big enough to contain the power of this pistol packin' mama and her man (with a gun).
Idina Menzel & Taye Diggs in Sunday in the Park with George
We'd love to hear Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs wrap their voices around Sondheim's beautiful Sunday in the Park score. The complex and heartbreaking story would be a walk in the park for these two Rent vets—and we'd especially love to see Idina at Dot's dressing table!
Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka in Falsettos
Broadway is in desperate need of a Falsettos revival, and who better to play the major roles of Marvin and his lover Whizzer than How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris and his B'way hubby David Burtka. What more can we say?
Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick in Hello, Dolly!
Let's see Sarah Jessica trade her designer shoes for some oversized hats! Parker would be looking swell as meddling matchmaker Dolly Levi, and her Tony-winning husband, Matthew Broderick, would bring his dry wit to the ornery half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.
Sierra Boggess & Tam Mutu in Evita
Stand back! As Eva and Juan Peron, the unbelievably talented engaged couple Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu would not only rule Buenos Aires, they'd rule Broadway. At last, the new Argentina we've been waiting for.
Audra McDonald & Will Swenson in Next to Normal
Recently married Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Will Swenson would be electric as bipolar mom Diana and her supportive husband Dan in Next to Normal. With these two telling the heartbreaking story and belting center stage, you know "it's gonna be good."


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Mitt Romney now joins the long list of the kinds of presidential candidates favored by the Republican establishment – nice, moderate losers, people with no coherently articulated vision, despite how many ad hoc talking points they may have.
The list of Republican presidential candidates like this goes back at least as far as 1948, when Thomas E. Dewey ran against President Harry Truman. Dewey spoke in lofty generalities while Truman spoke in hard-hitting specifics. Since then, there have been many re-runs of this same scenario, featuring losing Republican presidential candidates John McCain, Bob Dole, Gerald Ford and, when he ran for re-election, George H.W. Bush.
Bush 41 first succeeded when he ran for election as if he were another Ronald Reagan ("Read my lips, no new taxes"), but then lost when he ran for re-election as himself – "kinder and gentler," disdainful of "the vision thing" and looking at his watch during a debate, when he should have been counter-attacking against the foolish things being said.
This year, Barack Obama had the hard-hitting specifics – such as ending "tax cuts for the rich" who should pay "their fair share," government "investing" in "the industries of the future" and the like. He had a coherent vision, however warped.
Most of Obama's arguments were rotten, if you bothered to put them under scrutiny. But someone once said that it is amazing how long the rotten can hold together, if you don't handle it roughly.
Any number of conservative commentators, both in the print media and on talk radio, examined and exposed the fraudulence of Obama's "tax cuts for the rich" argument. But did you ever hear Mitt Romney bother to explain the specifics that exposed the flaws in Obama's argument?
On election night, the rotten held together because Mitt Romney had not handled it roughly with specifics. Romney was too nice to handle Obama's absurdities roughly. He definitely out-niced Obama– as John McCain had out-niced Obama in 2008, and as Dewey out-niced Truman back in 1948. And these Republicans all lost.
In this year's first presidential debate, Obama out-niced Romney. But, when he lost out doing that, he then reversed himself, became the attacker, and ultimately the winner on election night, despite a track record that should have buried him in a landslide.
When you look at this as a horse race, there is no question the Republicans deserved to lose. But the stakes for this great nation, at this crucial juncture in its history and in the history of the world, are far too momentous to look at this election as just a contest between two candidates or two political parties.
Quite aside from the immediate effects of particular policies, Barack Obama has repeatedly circumvented the laws, including the Constitution of the United States, in ways and on a scale that pushes this nation in the direction of arbitrary one-man rule.
Now that Obama will be in a position to appoint Supreme Court justices who can rubber stamp his evasions of the law and usurpations of power, this country may be unrecognizable in a few years as the America that once led the world in freedom, as well as in many other things.
Barack Obama's boast, on the eve of the election of 2008 – "We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America" – can now be carried out, without fear of ever having to face the voters again.
This "transforming" project extends far beyond fundamental internal institutions, or even the polarization and corruption of the people themselves, with goodies handed out in exchange for their surrendering their birthright of freedom.
Obama will now also have more "flexibility," as he told Russian President Medvedev, to transform the international order, where he has long shown that he thinks America has too much power and influence. A nuclear Iran can change that. Forever.
Have you noticed how many of our enemies in other countries have been rooting for Obama? You or your children may yet have reason to recall that as a bitter memory of a warning sign ignored on Election Day in 2012.


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George Zimmerman, the man charged with second-degree murder in the death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, is going to ask for a "stand your ground" court hearing in an attempt to have the case against him dismissed without ever going to trial.
Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, confirmed the news this morning in an announcement on his client's legal defense website.
As NPR's Greg Allen reminds us, "under Florida's stand your ground law, people involved in violent altercations have no duty to retreat. If a person is in fear of death or great bodily harm, the law says he or she can act in self-defense and is immune from criminal prosecution."
Greg adds that the hearing "likely won't he held for several months."
O'Mara's announcement says that;
"In a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, there is no jury; the decision is made by the judge alone. In a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but in a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, the burden is on the defense to prove that the evidence fits the conditions of the 'Stand Your Ground' law. If the Court rules in favor of the defendant in a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, not only are criminal charges dismissed, the defendant is also immune from civil actions related to the shooting. The primary focus of a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing is whether George Zimmerman reasonably believed that his use of his weapon was necessary to prevent great bodily harm to himself at the hands of Trayvon Martin."
Zimmerman shot and killed Martin on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, had called police to say a "suspicious" young man was walking through his development. At one point, Zimmerman got out of his vehicle. He says that as he was returning to the vehicle, Trayvon threatened and attacked him. Trayvon's family and supporters say Zimmerman racially profiled the young African-American and should not have been following the teen. The case ignited a national conversation about profiling and race relations.
While expected, today's announcement is "the first time Zimmerman's attorney ... has publicly acknowledged his intention to argue the case on the grounds of the controversial Florida law," The Orlando Sentinel says.
Update at 12:45 p.m. ET. Trayon's Family Wants Jury Trial:
The Sentinel reports that "Benjamin Crump, the attorney representating Trayvon Martin's family, released a statement this morning saying that the family feels 'confident that the unjustified killing of Trayvon Benjamin Martin should and will be decided by a jury. ... A grown man cannot profile and pursue an unarmed child, shoot him in the heart, and then claim stand your ground.' "
Also today, prosecutors released 76 pages of evidence in the case against Zimmerman and then withdrew most of the materials from the Web. Officials said the materials had been released "prematurely."
The Sentinel writes that there are no "bombshells" in the materials. It leads its report on them with this: "Authorities found Trayvon Martin's blood on the bag of Skittles he had in his pocket."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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My mom used to bake cakes and make desserts every week. I'd always take a slice of freshly baked cake to school to eat as a snack between classes.
This cake is one of the most common cakes here in Brazil and it's different from the American and European carrot cake recipes I've seen and made.
We blend the carrots with all the other ingredients and the cake has a beautiful and intense orange color.
There are no nuts, raisins or spices in this cake, and the cream cheese frosting is replaced by a chocolate icing – so simple and delicious that can be used in other cake recipes, too.
I once added chocolate chips to the batter – it was great!
Carrot cake – Brazilian style
250g carrots – aprox. 3 small carrots
260g all purpose flour
320g sugar
4 eggs – if you use very large eggs cut down to 3
200ml vegetable oil
1 tablespoon baking powder
pinch of salt
Chocolate icing:
4 tablespoons hot chocolate powder or 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons milk
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/355ºF. Grease and flour a 24cm ring pan - I used a slightly smaller pan, and this is what happened:
Chop the carrots in small pieces.
Place all the ingredients in a blender – liquids first – and blend for a couple of minutes until you get a creamy mixture.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
For the icing: mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it boils.
Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before pouring it over the cake.
Serves 10-12.


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Welcome to the exciting world of Healthcare Delivery Providers!
This second course in the Healthcare Marketplace Specialization will help you understand the various providers of healthcare across the U.S. delivery continuum. We will explore the unique value proposition of the various providers- from hospitals and clinics to physicians to community based providers. We will dissect this important value chain using various lenses such as- site of care delivery, people who provide the care and payers who pay for care. You will also learn about the challenges facing these providers and the innovations they are creating in order to help transform this important industry. I will use readings such as a case study and videos to make this learning more experiential for you, so that you can see and feel the world of healthcare delivery. I will also explain the various acronyms and specialized terms used in healthcare, so that you become more proficient and familiar with the language. Given the fact that Healthcare is one of the largest industries in the U.S. and growing at an rapid pace, it is critical that current and future leaders understand the internal and external drivers that are shaping this industry. Current and future leaders will need to constantly innovate in order to sustain this industry into the future- by creating value for the end customer and the entire population, as well as increasing engagement of the humans who work within this industry. Get ready to take a deep dive into the complex ocean that is U.S. healthcare delivery- and make sure your oxygen tank is securely fastened!


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Elvira is back with her sultry, voluptuous beauty and a bright red carnation that she uses like a lovers hand.
As the flower gently caresses her skin, she watches to see your reaction. Her lips part when the petals touch them, her eyes grow wider when it moves further down.
Can she tell what she does to you? Can you tell what it is doing to her?
Sensual and erotic, the music teases as much Elvira does, but the flower still has all the fun.
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Presenting the Introduction
Are You A Business Owner Or Entrepreneur Looking To Design A Logo Utilizing Looka? mes, Looka is an invaluable asset for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to craft professional logos for their businesses, without requiring prior design experience. Thanks to Looka's intuitive platform and simple interface with wide library of design assets, creating your distinctive and professional-looking logo with minimal effort is now easier than ever. In this article we'll examine its features and benefits that help produce stunning logos for business.
Unveiling the Essence of the Looka Company
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The Significance of Brand Development and Logo Design
Branding and creating logos play an crucial role in any business's success, and Looka can assist. A powerful brand and logo can leave an indelible mark on customers and set you apart from competitors; well-designed logos can communicate value propositions to target audiences while building trust through consistent brand identities across marketing channels – these aspects should all play into investing in professional branding and logo design services to stand out.
Content's Intention
The aim of this article is to provide insight into Looka, a well-regarded logo creator tool among small businesses and startups. Here you'll learn information about Looka's features, pricing structure, user experience, and useful tips for making optimal use of Looka's platform when designing logos that genuinely embody the values and identity of your brand. Whether you are a solopreneur or a team leader – this article will illustrate how Looka can help you in developing professional-looking logos without exceeding your budget!
Looka is a highly regarded online platform offering top-notch design solutions for businesses and individuals alike, from logos to complete branding packages. Its user-friendly interface and artificial intelligence-powered design tools make creating high-quality designs easy for anyone regardless of design experience – you can even pick from thousands of design templates to match the unique style and personality of your brand! Whether it's starting up a new venture or revamping an established one, Looka delivers everything needed for creating a strong identity for either case!
Exploring the Fascinating Story of Looka
Since 2016, Looka has been assisting businesses in establishing their brand identities with its reliable logo-making platform. It all started when two friends looked for a professional designer for their startup but couldn't pay his fees; recognizing there was an open market, they built Looka with the goal of democratizing. Today, millions of users globally use Looka's user-friendly and user-friendly tools to create logos, websites, and branding materials for businesses worldwide.
Looka delivers products and solutions aimed at improve shoppers' shopping journeys.
Looka is an online platform offering a range of offerings and solutions designed to simplifying branding for businesses. Their logo maker tool enables users to easily create professional logos for their brands even if they lack design experience. Looka's branding packages include custom logo design, business card design, brand guidelines, and a website builder that makes the creation of professional-looking websites without requiring coding knowledge for businesses. Ultimately, Looka can support businesses in creating cohesive yet professional brand identities that engage customers while setting them aside from their competition.
Looka's primary target audience
Looka is an ideal solution for business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and individuals looking for professional online presences. Providing an intuitive interface for rapidly creating professional logos without needing design experience is what sets Looka apart from its competitors – affordability, simplicity, and quality design are highly valued by Looka's users – whether just starting out or refreshing their brand's aesthetic, Looka provides customizable logo options customized to meet unique requirements.
The Looka Logo Maker is an outstanding tool that empowers businesses and individuals alike to efficiently design professional-looking logos in moments. Utilizing its wide selection of design templates and customization features, Looka is perfect for efficiently crafting a captivating logo that represents their brand's identity – regardless of whether that involves startups on tight budgets or established businesses wanting to refresh their look, Looka offers stunning solutions with user-friendly interfaces and affordable prices – an essential choice when requiring a logo rapidly and efficiently!
Key aspects of Looka's Logo Design Tool
The Looka Logo Maker is an priceless tool for any individual or business looking to design an eye-catching brand identity. Pick from over 5 million icons and 300 templates available through Looka, customize font styles, colors, and layouts using Looka's AI algorithm making sure your logo always remains on-trend and visually pleasing – plus, download high-resolution files of it directly for use across websites, social media, and marketing materials – Looka offers an accessible solution at an affordable cost that renders developing memorable brand identities simple!
Understanding the functioning of Looka's Logo Maker
Looka logo maker is an straightforward and user-friendly tool that enables anyone to rapidly design professional-looking logos in moments. Just enter your brand name and industry, and the Looka AI algorithm will create multiple logo designs for you to choose from. From there, you can personalize it to fit your preferences in terms of colors, fonts, and symbols before previewing on different backgrounds and materials for real-world feedback. With the Looka logo maker, creating one that perfectly represents your brand has never been simpler!
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Make an impressive first impression for your business with Looka's easy-to-use logo maker! Create an impressive and unforgettable brand logo in no time by accessing an extensive library of icons and fonts, tailoring it to fit with the style of your brand, getting high-resolution files for marketing use, as well as budget-friendly pricing options to make logo making accessible to businesses of any size – quickly and without hassle! With Looka, creating the ideal logo that represents your business can happen quickly and seamlessly!
Looka's services provides these solutions
Are You Searching For Quality Logo Design Services? Looka may be just what you're after – using their user-friendly yet user-friendly Logo Maker, it enables users to design professional-looking logos quickly. Plus, their versatile pricing options ensure there's sure to be one to fit every budget and need. Plus, their designs can be adjusted and refined until you are totally satisfied with the final product! Whether starting out fresh or refreshing existing branding; Looka offers outstanding logo design options.
Looka provides various logo design services. Check out samples of some offerings provided by Looka
Looka is a top logo design service provider offering all-inclusive logo solutions customized to the individual business. Through their easy-to-use platform, Looka offers three main types of logo design services: Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise. The Basic package offers an effective yet basic logo design with basic colors and font choices. For businesses requiring more intricate and unique logo designs with multiple file formats and high-resolution images, the Premium package could be more appropriate. Looka's Enterprise package provides custom logo design services with a comprehensive brand identity package for large businesses that includes business cards, letterheads, and social media graphics. No matter which package is selected, Looka provides exceptional logo design services to help companies create strong brand identities.
Working with Looka's designers was an enjoyable process.
Working with Looka's designers is a smooth and satisfying journey. After creating an account on its website, you can opt for from an array of design packages customized to meet your budget and requirements. Once chosen, a brief questionnaire will aid the designers better comprehend your brand, style, and preferences so they can fashion an unique logo tailored specifically for you – with revision opportunities until your ultimate satisfaction. With Looka, developing professional yet distinctive logos has never been easier!
Pricing and packages for Looka's logo design services
At Looka the logo design services are cost-effective and versatile – starting at just $20 with the Basic package that provides a high-resolution PNG file of your logo design! For those looking for a comprehensive branding solution, the Corporate package delivers custom brand strategy development as well as business card design with endless revisions – something no other provider offers! At Looka, they recognize every business has varying requirements that must be taken into consideration, which is why the customizable packages can meet those specific requirements for professional results that precisely represent their brand.
Customer testimonials and experiences
Before picking a service such as Looka to create your logo, it's always a wise idea to read customer reviews and testimonials in order to gain an impression of their experiences. Looka has an entire section dedicated to customer feedback which can provide precious information when making decisions about service providers like them. Reading customer reviews provides understanding into work quality of work performed, level of customer service provided, and overall user satisfaction with these services; so before making a final choice take time out to read these testimonials from past users of Looka.
Looka's high customer satisfaction are remarkably positive.
Looka, a renowned logo-making platform, has repeatedly achieved high customer satisfaction rates since its inception. Boasting a user-friendly interface and multiple design options, Looka has enabled users and businesses to design logos that reflect their brand identities correctly. Furthermore, Looka's customer service team is responsive and helpful ensuring a positive user experience from start to finish; users have repeatedly given Looka high marks as their preferred resource for logo design needs. As such, Looka remains one of the premier choices available.
Authentic testimonials from actual clients
Finding a logo maker like Looka can be challenging, which is why genuine customer reviews and testimonials can be so useful in making an well-informed decision and feeling assured about it. Authentic customer testimonials provide insights into customer experiences with Looka that may give an indication as to if this is the right choice for you. By reading what real customers have had to say about Looka, genuine customer reviews provide helpful evidence about its quality, ease of use, customer support, as well as any recurring themes or issues users have mentioned – enabling an knowledgeable decision and feeling secure about making that choice!
Success stories from companies that have leveraged Looka's services
Looka has helped countless businesses create striking logos that accurately reflect their brands, with tremendous success. Many startups in the food industry used Looka to craft an memorable logo in an otherwise unremarkable market and increase its customer acquisition, while another fashion brand used Looka to craft an distinctive emblem which flawlessly captured its style and helped draw loyal followers on social media – these success stories prove the value of working with Looka to craft professional yet memorable logos for your business.
Summing up
Looka is an extremely user-friendly and efficient logo design tool, making the branding process smooth. Thanks to its artificial intelligence-powered algorithms and easy-to-use interface, anyone can quickly design a high-quality logo in just a few clicks – whether they operate their own business or freelance. Plus with budget-friendly pricing plans and various customization options, Looka is an superb solution for anyone wanting a unique yet remarkable logo without breaking their budget! Why wait – give Looka a try now and explore just how satisfying logo creation can be!
Summary of Looka and their Offerings
Looka is a design platform offering businesses of all sizes the tools needed to craft one-of-a-kind and professional logos, brand identities, and marketing materials. Users can generate a custom logo in minutes using Looka's AI-powered logo maker or work directly with skilled designers for a more personalized experience. In addition to logo design, Looka also provides services like designing business cards, creating social media kits, and brand identity guidelines for uniformity across marketing materials – its user-friendly interface and cost-effective prices make Looka an outstanding solution.
Establishing a strong brand and logo are crucial.
Branding and logo design are vital components of success for any business seeking to build itself in an oversaturated marketplace. A polished logo can help set you apart from competitors while conveying your unique value proposition to customers, while Looka can assist businesses in swiftly creating polished versions that accurately depict their brand identity. Through investing in such efforts, businesses can build trust and credibility among target audiences resulting in increased customer loyalty and sales.
Final thoughts on the worth and benefits of Looka
Overall, Looka offers great value and benefits to both businesses and individuals alike. Thanks to its user-friendly user interface and robust design tools, its easy-to-use platform enables anyone to quickly create stunning logos in a matter of minutes – or use other branding materials like business cards, social media graphics, and website designs – helping businesses create a unforgettable and consistent brand identity. Furthermore, Looka offers cost-effective pricing plans and top customer support, making it an excellent option for creating top-notch branding materials without breaking the bank. All in all, Looka is an superb solution.
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