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Enough Is Enough Already
The personal 3D printing industry is in the throes of a self-destructive trend that needs to be addressed. Fueled by an overabundance of competition and easily attained headlines such as, "New Printer Blows Up On Kickstarter," crowdfunding has become viral marketing roulette, a game of chance that utterly blurs the definition of success.
The speed and extent to which a campaign's goal is surpassed has started taking precedence over a viable business venture emerging from the process. A suicidal price war has ensued, but unlike most price wars, this one does not necessarily benefit the consumer.
Those who launch on a crowdfunding site face a dilemma. With so many similar machines constantly being funded, how does one stand apart? The solution increasingly seems to be pricing the product as if it were only about selling units and not about funding a startup. The resulting discount entices throngs of new users who were formerly sitting on the fence, waiting for a machine that fits within their budget. Many of these buyers aren't acutely aware of just how different Kickstarter is from Amazon and when they learn, new and creative ways to voice displeasure on the internet are invented.
Undoubtedly, some who crowdfund a project are cognizant of the significant percentage of indirect costs associated with running a manufacturing business. However, these costs are often being ignored simply because others are ignoring them. And there are so many others – five printers currently on Kickstarter and four currently on Indiegogo.
Printers (particularly FDM printers) priced in a range that could adequately cover direct and indirect expenses, get delivered in a timely manner and result in a sustainable company are frequently being forsaken by a fresh consumer base that thinks falsely deflated prices are the new norm, and that those selling at such prices are actually making good money.
Even the reigning crowdfunding champion, this year's aesthetically pleasing M3D Micro, with over 10,900 units sold, is not enjoying the economies of scale historically seen in 2D printer manufacturing. 3.4 million dollars is a lot of money, but it only averages out to $311.48 per printer. For comparison, production runs of 2D ink and laser printers were much larger before prices fell below $500 and that's when the toner/ink-reliant profit model snapped into place. The Micro 3D printer does not require proprietary filament, so M3D's profit needs to come solely from the printers. I believe they will fulfill all the pledges, but can prices remain that low after the crowdfunded printers are delivered? If they must raise prices for the retail launch, how will they feel about competing with future crowdfunded printers that will inevitably undercut the crowdfunding price example they set?
Underpriced crowdfunding is not new. In January 2012, the Filabot filament maker was successfully funded, but went on to become something of a nightmare for mechanical engineering student Tyler McNaney. His costs ended up being higher than estimated. He did what he had to do to personally cover the project and Filabot is alive and well, but the price is now roughly twice what it was during the Kickstarter campaign. McNaney had all he could take of working to lose money and who can blame him?
The difference between McNaney's story and what we are seeing now is that the Filabot's pricing was an accident. Many of today's crowdfunded projects are intentionally underpriced, because campaign coordinators feel they don't have a choice.
Loss leader creativity recently reached new heights with the MOTA. The printer was comically cheap for the first 50 backers at $99. The next 160 backers were more than willing to pay $299 – a price similar to the aforementioned M3D Micro. The next group of backers were required to pay $499. As someone who has studied hundreds of 3D printers, I can safely say $499 was still a great price. Sales started to slow, but it looked like the $100,000 goal was a certainty. That is, until the campaign was suddenly cancelled and a letter including the following text was posted by MOTA co-founder Kevin Faro on the Kickstarter page.
"I wish there were a way to offer truly high-quality, highly precise 3D printers at incredibly low prices. That would bring about the mass-market adoption that this technology so needs. The reality is, like any technology, it is expensive to develop and manufacture. At MOTA, our vision is to always bring you the best of what technology offers at the absolute minimum price possible. We don't want to promise something that cannot be delivered, or whose quality is anywhere below outstanding, and the fact of the matter is that delivering this high standard of quality would cost a premium."
If the team knew delivering a high standard of quality costs a premium, why weren't they charging more in the first place? Because pricing for the M3D Micro and the New Matter MOD-t, both of which were funded within the previous two months, changed everything. Going back further, it's hard to imagine the MOD-t and Micro weren't influenced by the Pirate3D Buccaneer – the first stunningly inexpensive 3D printer.
The truth is that the MOTA team did have a plan to make money, but as is sometimes the case with Kickstarter projects, a vehement crusade took place on the campaign's comments page to drive that plan into a ditch. The MOTA was going to have a proprietary filament cartridge like the 3D Systems Cube and XYZ Da Vinci 1.0 – a proven method of making money on materials instead of the machine itself. Unfortunately, the campaign fell victim to something I'll never understand. If you are going to allow people to jump into your campaign's comments section and demand that you change your business model, device's features or intended consumers, shouldn't you charge them more than one dollar to do it? This is a negative example of the crowdfunding-as-marketing gamble and we've seen it before with other perfectly good products.
However, it was the conceivably negative outcome of the crowdfunding-as-venture-capital gamble that I believe worried Kevin and Michael Faro the most. They only needed to sell 72 more printers at the $499 price in order to reach their goal. It looked like they were going to do it, but it didn't look like they were going to sell many times their goal like Pirate3D, M3D and New Matter had done. This meant terrible economies of scale on a printer priced to make money off the materials. In order for that price to work with a printer that employed generic filament per the comments crusade, they may have needed to sell a thousand more printers, or get stuck losing money.
Frankly, I applaud MOTA for bailing on the project instead of succumbing to pressure and doing something that might have killed them before they got started. Some of the backers expressed similar sentiments. Of course, the internet being what it is, others took it upon themselves to pontificate reddit-style.
J Morley wrote, "if wishes were horses. You wish ????? I wish people would deliver on their promises! MOTA = LOSERS." He later continued, "do you really have a company? Is there really a product? What's your next project? Potato salad?"
Is Crowdfunding Really Necessary?
In 2011 and 2012, the Printrbot, B9Creator and Formlabs' Form 1 clearly inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, but would any of those campaigns have succeeded today? Even the Printrbot, a brand now synonymous with affordable 3D printers, was backed at an average pledge of $567.89 and most of that was for unassembled kits, some of it for just parts of kits. Fully assembled pricing started at $750. Has manufacturing changed so much in the last two and a half years that fully assembled machines should now be selling on Kickstarter for closer to $300?
Luckily, the Printrbot had enough margin built into the price that Brook Drumm was able to birth a company that stands as one of the most popular personal 3D printing manufacturers on the planet. One has to wonder, would this have been possible without Kickstarter? I asked Drumm that question.
"It wouldn't exist as such a fast growing company. But I'm as tenacious, obsessed and stubborn without seed money. We wouldn't have sold as many as we have I don't think. And I would have warmed to the idea of venture capital sooner. So maybe we would be bigger having secured bigger funding sooner," said Drumm.
In my opinion, Printrbot was going to succeed with or without Kickstarter. The secret to Printrbot's success is Drumm, not how his startup was funded. He isn't just a 3D printer designer, he is a marketer and businessman. For those of us in the media, getting Brook Drumm to answer an email is easier than getting out of bed in the morning. He goes out of his way to maintain ties with the maker community, both local and online. He regularly exhibits, attends or speaks at Maker Faires and 3D printing trade shows, where he is one of the friendliest people you will ever meet. He also understands branding. He left the "e" out of Printrbot because he knew the unique spelling would make him easier to find on the internet. He analyzes his decisions and reacts rapidly to mistakes. He boasts of running his company lean and says he doesn't know any other way to do it.
SeeMeCNC successfully crowdfunded two 3D printers in 2012. The campaigns didn't generate titanic numbers like the Printrbot, but the company has gone on to great success using many of the same methods as Drumm. The majority of SeeMeCNC's printer parts are manufactured in their own factory. It was already an operational machine shop business, so adding 3D printers to the mix wasn't much of a stretch. John Olafson and Steve Wygant are easy for the media to reach and they are active online and in their local community. They exhibit, attend and speak at 3D printing-related events and they are promoting a 3D printing education curriculum.
Eva and Erick Wolf never crowdfunded a 3D printer, but Airwolf 3D is one of America's fastest growing 3D printing companies. When we first visited Airwolf's facility in the spring of 2013, there were four employees. There are now 27 and the company recently hired Mark Mathews, former president and CEO of Toshiba America Business Solutions, as their new president.
Without crowdfunding, how did Airwolf get started? You could say it was done the old-fashioned way. Educated as a mechanical engineer, Erick built a 3D printer in his home and sold it on craigslist.org (trivia note: his first printer is still in use in MatterHackers' shop today, with something like 8,000 hours on it). He worked on more printers during his spare time, but kept his day job as a patent attorney. His wife, Eva, dealt with the fledgling business during the day, taking tech calls and using their garage as a factory until the company was in a position to support Erick joining her full time. The entire operation was funded by sales of printers they were building in their home.
They now have plenty of people to help them manufacture printers faster, but Erick still designs the machines and Eva still manages the social media and blog, and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. They do onsite and in-house 3D printing and modeling instruction for local educators and other interested parties. When they want publicity, they don't look to crowdfunding. They make a phone call, send email or do a press release, because they know the secret – there are so many 3D printing web sites competing with each other for stories, you don't need crowdfunding to get multi-site coverage for a new product.
Like SeeMeCNC and Printrbot, Airwolf frequents trade shows, so people who don't happen to live nearby can watch their printers in person. All three companies primarily make their money by selling printers on their own web sites or via retailers.
On separate occasions, I recently spoke to Erick Wolf of Airwolf and Steve Weatherly of 3D Stuffmaker USA. I relayed a story to them about a certain crowdfunded printer that shall remain nameless out of respect, one that was considered very successful last year, but whose backers know how much pain the project has caused its founders. "They said the printers cost about $350 to make and they were being sold for $850-$1000, depending on bells and whistles," I told them.
Wolf and Weatherly responded with the exact same phrase. Each told me, "that's not enough."
Weatherly went on to talk about costs like office space, storage, equipment upkeep, web site maintenance and hosting, bookkeeping and R&D for the next product. "There is a lot more to running a 3D printing business than parts and labor."
My conversation with Wolf went to the crux of the issue. I asked him if he would still be a 3D printer manufacturer if he was trying to make $500 printers. He laughed quietly and said, "No way. I can't make my printers for that price. I would do something else for a living."
For SeeMeCNC, Airwolf 3D, Printrbot and 3D Stuffmaker USA, the crowdfunding price war has not gone unnoticed. The interesting thing is how they are responding to it. Instead of following the lemmings over the cliff, they are doubling down on quality and innovation. Instead of producing less expensive printers, 3D Stuffmaker USA and Airwolf are carving a niche in the prosumer realm alongside MakerBot's higher end and Holland's Leapfrog. SeeMeCNC just announced the welcome addition of an SLA printer and Printrbot's best seller is now the Metal Simple, which is not the company's least expensive machine. Rumor has it that new, larger printers from Afinia and UP are also on the way, but you didn't read that here.
These manufacturers are proving that new features, printer model options, old-fashioned marketing and company stability are all important aspects of continued success, along with pricing based on a desire to offer these traits. They are not alone, but I can only talk to so many when dealing with a deadline.
It Was A Fun Ride, But...
Thanks to crowdfunding, tomorrow's early adopters now expect old technology pricing and before they take possession of what they bought, they are angry because they see a new crowdfunded printer they think is a better value. That is no way to introduce unfamiliar consumers to 3D printing.
I'm not suggesting vendor collusion should be the order of the day, but a little common sense wouldn't hurt. Everybody doesn't get to be Formlabs. The lightning in a bottle we've seen the last three years is quickly becoming mud in a jar – a slow jar with a small build area, sitting on a shelf with a hundred others like it.
3D Printer World has been as guilty as anybody of promoting crowdfunding as a marketing solution instead of a venture capital solution, if not more guilty. I have personally written many of those catchy headlines and as a media group, all of the 3D printing news sites have been so hungry for stories that we have at one time or another covered a crowdfunding project that in our hearts we knew had no chance of reaching its goal, nor should it.
Perhaps this is as much a statement about the plenitude of hyperactive 3D printing news sites as it is an essay on crowdfunded 3D printer competition, but for our sake, and we believe for the sake of the industry, we are changing. We no longer write articles about every single crowdfunded printer project there is. We are still likely to mention new campaigns to our healthy Facebook following, because some people want to know, but we aren't going to do a story unless there is something special or new being brought to the table, or unless the crowdfunding fire hose gets choked off and it is no longer passé to cover yet another campaign, not very different from the last.
Kickstarter isn't the only way to market a new product and dropping prices to unprofitable levels drags down the entire industry. It is far better to teach new users about getting what they pay for than it is to create a company that can't cover its rent, provide decent support, or develop its next product without going back to Kickstarter, where it is likely to fail because of similar machines priced as a loss leader to gain media buzz.
The end of the Kickstarter gold rush is in sight. It was fun while it lasted, but the bandwagon's wheels are bearing too much weight.


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Suroor Alikhan, the official travel book reviewer for Women on the Road, manages a multi-author blog called Talking about Books. She also enjoys good food, music, movies and of course travel.
Travel book reviews are an important part of our travel lives, because there's probably a new travel book published every five minutes. And we can't read them all, so someone has to undertake that onerous task with passion.
In our case, that someone is Suroor Alikhan, whose
love of reading and international background makes her the perfect choice to
review books for or about traveling women. Suroor was born in India and started
travelling as a one-year old. This meant that part of her childhood was spent
in Baghdad, Ankara, Santiago de Chile and Kabul (long before some of these
places became trouble spots). She now lives in Geneva.
Reading has always been one of her passions. "Ever since I realized that words opened up pathways to different worlds, I have been an avid and voracious reader," Suroor said. "It's like having my own collection of magic carpets."
She's very much old school - she won't read books electronically and as a result the walls of her home are hidden by years of collecting.
Her tastes are eclectic but in our case, she's focused on women's travel, anywhere, everywhere. We've divided up her reviews into continents to make them easier to find:
Africa travel book reviews
Americas travel book reviews
Asia travel book reviews
Europe travel book reviews
Travel book reviews from everywhere else
Travel writing has long been a genre dominated by male writers in spite of the fact that there have always been women travellers and women travel writers. This is an attempt to raise their profile and show off some of the wonderful work being undertaken by us (although the occasional male writer does make a rare appearance). Women's travel writing can be inspirational and open a path for others to follow.

subset: commoncrawl


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To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 13 December 1812
From Henry Dearborn
Albany Decemr. 13th. 1812
I confidently hope that the Campaign that has now closed, has afforded sufficient evidence of the necessary of having a regular Army fully competent for all offensive opperations,1 from fifteen to twenty additional Regiments, ought in my opinnion, to be raised North of the Potomack, what additional force will be necessary to the South, & west, I have found no opinnion. If an adaquate force could be raised in season, the latter part of February, or first of March, would be a favourable time to take possession of Montreal, It would not require a very large force to take possession of that place at that season, but we ought not to enter Canada with an Army that would not at all events be able to hold Montreal and the adjacent Country, against not only what force the Enemy could muster under present circumstancies, but such additional force as may arrive in May or June. I think we ought not to attempt more than we can with certainty accomplish, delay would be a serious evil, but defeat would be a much greater misfortune. I should think it more advisable to act on the defencive the next campaign, than to attempt more than the strength of our regular force would be fully competant to, my having volunteered the foregoing opinnions & remarks may be concidered as officious, but I must rely on the purity of my intentions as my only apology. I fear that the close of our Campaign will occasion some uneasiness, and probably much censure, I must expect my full share of it. I am not intirely satisfied with what has taken place at Niagara,2 but I trust that on more particular information, It will appear that the measures were dictated by sound discretion, but unfortunately, the commanding officer has not been as popular as could have been wished—in relation to myself, I have expressed my sentiments in my last letter to the Secretary of War with frankness and candour.3 It will be eaqually agreably [sic] to me, to imploy such moderate talents as I possess, in the service of my Country, or to be permited to retire to the shade of private life, and remain a mere, but interested, spectator of passing events. With sentiments of the highest respect I am Sir your Humbl. Servt.
H. Dearborn
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Dearborn's plans to launch a winter campaign against Montreal faltered due to poor road conditions, the unwillingness of some militia companies to cross the Canadian border, and sickness in the camp. Dearborn's final effort of 1812 was to give the appearance of an excursion into Lower Canada, as a diversion to aid western U.S. troops, and then to retreat into winter quarters. However, even this modest goal could not be reached without incident. While attacking an outpost at Lacolle Mill as part of this operation on 19 Nov. 1812, Col. Zebulon Montgomery Pike reported that his men were so overzealous and undisciplined that "the fire of the volenteers and ours was in a direction to endanger the lives of our own men" (Dearborn to Eustis, 24 Nov. 1812, enclosing Pike to Dearborn, 20 Nov. 1812 [DNA: RG 107, LRRS, D-254:6]).
2. On the Niagara Peninsula troops under Brig. Gen. Alexander Smyth had prepared to cross the Niagara River in force from his camp near Buffalo, New York. Smyth believed that 3,000 regulars, volunteers, and militia were ready to make the crossing, the number mentioned in his orders from Dearborn. On 27 Nov. he sent two parties across in advance, one to "capture a guard & destroy a bridge about five miles below Fort Erie" and the other "to take and render useless the Cannon of the enemies Batteries, and pieces of light Artillery." The first group took prisoners but did not destroy the bridge. The second group destroyed some enemy artillery but then in confusion brought all of the boats back, stranding Capt. William King and his men in Canada. King made the most of the situation, taking captives, destroying batteries, and finding boats to send the prisoners and some of his men across the river before he and his remaining troops were captured. However, this turned out to be the full extent of Smyth's invasion. On two occasions he called for a general embarkation but could not raise more than 1,500 troops for the crossing. He particularly noted that the number of regular troops was declining rapidly. He and his officers deemed it inexpedient to attempt the crossing under these conditions, and after the second failed embarkation on 1 Dec., Smyth called off the operation altogether, ordering that huts be constructed to house the regulars over the winter (Smyth to Dearborn, 4 Dec. 1812 [DNA: RG 107, LRRS, D-262:6]).
3. Dearborn's 11 Dec. 1812 letter to Eustis, enclosing Smyth's 4 Dec. report (see n. 2, above), expressed his view that "something like fatality has pervaded our military operations, through the course of this campaign." Expecting censure for the failure of military operations in the East, he claimed to be happy to yield his command to someone more talented and popular (ibid.).


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The Caribbean welcomed a record 8.7 million long-stay international tourist arrivals for the first quarter of this year.
This represents an increase of 150,000 or 1.8 per cent increase for the same period in 2016.
However, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Hugh Riley said the hotel industry continued to be challenged with a drop in room revenue.
Speaking at a media conference at Caribbean Week in New York on Thursday, Riley said the "other Caribbean" market, which includes Cancun, Cozumel, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Suriname, led growth across the sub-region for the period under review with arrivals up 6.3 per cent as at the end of March.
"Of the remaining sub-regions, the French Caribbean was the only one to record an increase in international trips. Within the other groupings visitor arrivals fell by 1.3 per cent.
"After uncharacteristically weak performance in 2016, the Canadian market has rebounded in 2017 to post the highest growth rate of 4.8 per cent in the first quarter," said Riley.
"Europe was up 2.9 per cent and the United States was up 1.3 per cent. However, data compiled by STR Global Limited for the first quarter indicated that the hotel industry continued to struggle. While the number of available rooms increased by 1.1 per cent room revenue, average daily rates and revenue per available room all fell," he said, without saying by how much.
Riley said cruise passenger arrivals for the first three months of this year increased by an estimated 4.5 per cent to reach ten million, compared to last year.
The tourism official also pointed out that the CTO had embarked on a five-year plan to grow the organization and better assist members, adding that CTO was also looking at the possibility of expanding its membership to countries "outside the traditional Caribbean region but washed by the Caribbean sea and seek membership in the organization".
"The Council of Ministers and commissioners endorsed a joint CTO/CHTA collaboration to put together for the consideration of Caribbean Community heads of government, a framework for the development of a Caribbean public/private sector tourism marketing and development initiative," he added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Barbados TODAY Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) William Griffith said he was pleased with the progress being made in the Barbados market to grow the tourism sector.
He said overall numbers were trending upward for the first four months, with air arrivals increasing by just over eight per cent.
"The trend continues to be positive. It is positive because we have increased airlift out of the UK this summer, increased airlift out of Canada . . . . The airlift out of the United States is flat this year, with a small reduction in Jetblue and Delta. The Caribbean continues to do well. We have had a new service out of Martinique for example," said Griffith, adding that the forecast for the remainder of the year was one of cautious optimism.
"So when we look at the overall net gain as well as when we look at the positive trend in terms of the accommodation on the island, with a new Sandals to open in November and the Sea Breeze hotel under major renovation to be opened with 44 more rooms, it is really a good time for us," he said.
Griffith said the positive trend was further bolstered by the range of events to be held in Barbados for the rest of the year including Grand Kadooment and CARIFESTA in August, the year of sports events, Run Barbados and the Food and Rum Festival.
Griffith said he remained confident about the business coming out of the US despite current uncertainty associated with the Trump administration policies, adding that the US market remained the strongest growth market, having increased about 20 per cent year to date.


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Restored Colonial Buildings – Penang
When Penang was under the British rule, alot of buildings were erected and their designs were majestic and impressive. Over the years, some of these buildings were left abandoned and not being maintained. As a result, most of them is an eyesore.
Lately these few years, Penangites began to appreciate all this heritage buildings and slowly restoring them. Hubby and myself went around the town to capture images of some of these buildings. Most of them are found along Beach Street.
Beautiful artistic iron works.
The newly restored High Court.
We were glad that the owners and the Penang government have taken the initiative to bring back all these buildings to its majestic state again but there are still alot of them left run down or abandoned. Hopefully we get to see more of them being restore in the near future.


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Bolinas is about an hours drive north of San Francisco. It is close to Stinson Beach which is a popular place to go to the beach for both Marin and San Francisco residents - just separated by a stretch of water pouring into Bolinas Lagoon. The community is known for its reclusive residents. The road is unmarked. Road signs along State Route 1 that points into town has been torn down by local residents and they seem to prefer it like that. On a Thursday morning it certainly seemed very quiet. The weather was great again after some days of rain and wind, so I went for a drive to Bolinas with my husband. The drive over Mt. Tam along W Ridgecrest Blvd has spectacular views. A photographers paradise especially at sunset.
First stop was Agate Beach with Duxbury Reef. Its a great place for tidepooling, but we arrived midway between low and high tide, so we could not walk very far along the beach and there were no tidepools. Instead we spent time enjoying the view from above. It was a clear day, so we could see all the way to Point Reyes.
Downtown Bolinas have a few shops, supermarket, Bolinas People's Stor - a local food co-op, a museum, a cafe, a bakery, a liquor store, a bookstore and an expensive gas station and a few artist galleries and other places. It has a really relaxed feeling. This morning many places where not open and there were very few people around. The cafe was open for coffee and pastries though. We have eaten there before and it is good. Only about 1600 people live in Bolinas, so I think they have a lot going on for such a small place, but I guess in spite of the missing signs to town tourists are still finding their way here. Today some people walked past speaking german. We walked down wharf road to the beach and enjoyed the sun. Its a very charming little town on a day like this.
After the beach we walked back past downtown and towards the other end of town. We walked by a few different places of worship - all very interesting in their own way…
Some beautiful and interesting victorian homes line the left side of the street leading from downtown towards the surfers preferred spot. The grand hotel actually is a tiny hotel with 2 rooms. On the other side of the street people were living in old campers.
In the other end of town the parking lot is full of cars with surfboards, but we only see a few surfers in the ocean. There is a surfshop in town where you can learn to surf and its the most popular passtime around here it seems. This morning we see mostly older folks carrying their boards to their cars after a morning surf. On weekends there will probably be busy if the weather is good.
Bolinas seems like a town of happily relaxed seaside living where time has slowed down. Its a nice place to stroll around, to start a hike, go surfing or go to the beach. We definitely had a relaxing and enjoyable time.


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Jay-Z's New Song "Glory" | Take a Listen
By Mercedes Sanchez Congratulations to Beyonce and Jay-Z on the birth of their new baby Blue Ivy.
We have a favorite new Jay-Z song and that's "Glory," -- his latest release where he speaks about the birth of his baby and reveals Beyonce suffered a miscarriage before. Listen closely because Blue Ivy makes her musical debut.
Take a listen:
Glory - Jay-Z feat. Blue Ivy Carter by Warhol2011


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Pictures from from the smartphone photography exhibition held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel yesterday themed "The Colors of Lagos". This exhibition was also a CSR project by @phoneographylagos to support the over 3Million people living with Epilepsy in Nigeria as November is World Epilepsy Awareness Month.
By the end of yesterday, we were able to raise about $180 for the Epilepsy foundation in Nigeria from the event. This is the part that touches our heart the most; that through our work and our art, we can touch lives and be a blessing. 😊😊😊 📸: @wakafire.photography X @phoneographylagos


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Pollen Street Social
Top tags:
Special Offers
3 courses for £39.50 + service charge
...from an early dinner set menu.
Terms and Conditions: Maximum of 6 diners. Includes Tax, excludes service.
Valid For: 1 - 6 people
Starts: 12 August 2019
Ends: 30 September 2019
Availability: Mon-Thu 18:00-18:45
The food was good, but not Michelin-star quality. The service was just bad. I couldn't understand one of my servers at all. The other server twice put a plate down in front of me and immediately walked away without explaining the dish at all. I had to ask another server each time, and the second time the servers said, "Oh, it looks like she also forgot to pour the sauce."
Excellent chef, deserves being awarded a 2nd star. Hope he is recognised soon.
Food was good. Service adequate. Dessert served was odd. Given a fried potatoes as a complimentary desert. Not a pleasant bite to finish off a nice meal.
Amazing experience and well worth it for a special occasion
Fantastic birthday lunch and the reality lived up to the reputation on all fronts.
Excellent fine dining at a good price for the lunch menu. This is my second time here and I had the tasting menu - the only time I've enjoyed a dish more is when I had the quail from here on the lunch menu. We quietly celebrated our anniversary lunch for two and treated ourselves to the wine flight which was entertaining and informative. I probably couldn't afford to do that again, but it was a great experience. Michelin starred dining in central London will never be cheap, but I do not regret paying over a week's wage (I'm just an NHS nurse) for a great experience.
Great food, great flavours and great service by the staff.
Amazing dinner!
They really made us feel special. Birthday Card was waiting on the table,lovely touch.
Perfect timing between courses.
Food was cooked perfectly and we loved the petit fours & canapés.
Service was impeccable.Friendly staff helped us to decide wine pairings.
Restaurant was very busy still they looked very well after us.
Thank you, Pollen Street Team!
Incredible service and food. We went for the set lunch menu and were blown away with the quality of dishes to choose from, a fantastic experience.
Had the tasting menu, just fabulous. Matching classic wine with an extremely knowledgeable sommelier. Really great service. Nice Birthday touch as well. Would recommend going (for that special occasion).
We had the early dinner set menu which was fantastic value and absolutely delicious. PSS are very generous with all the little extras too which make the dining experience even more special. Service was friendly and helpful but not intrusive. I cant wait to return.
The food was exceptional and didn't disappoint on any level. Every flavour and texture made sense with perfect seasoning and everything was beautifully presented. The value with the special offer was amazing for such quality. The chefs starter of their take on afternoon tea was very memorable with a deep mushroom broth and Parmesan foam. Beware, desserts were followed by very substantial (still delicious) petit fours which included a Bakewell tart, so we certainly left feeling very replete. Only slight criticism would be that the tables are a bit crammed in. Would definitely consider returning though to do the whole tasting experience.
What a wonderful restaurant in London. I will recommend to my friend.
Thought we would give this place a try as it has had such good reviews and interesting to see how a Jason Atherton brigade works in reality ! We had the set lunch which is not bad value at all at £58.50 each to include half a bottle of wine. Read a review on here saying somebody was not given bread which was not the case for us but had a beautiful sourdough roll , nicely warmed and very tasty. The amuse bouche was one of the stars of the whole show , as they replicated the concept of afternoon tea through savory canopies and the most exquisite mushroom tea I have ever tasted. It evoked memories of picking fresh ceps in France with this wonderful earthy smell , a memory never to forget. I had the crab starter which was beautifully presented and tasted delicious , particularly impressive was the turnip which was wafer thin and covered in the gazpacho gel. Partner had the farm egg which was very good with the Parmesan and seaweed crumb outstanding. We both had the Guinea fowl for mains. The ballotine style Guinea fowl was delicious and the sauce a lovely rich accompaniment, we didn't feel the pressed duck leg served separately worked very well and it almost detracted from the dish rather than enhanced it , didn't get the vegetables at all which didn't look right and didn't taste that good either. I think the kitchen needs to tweek this dish a bit. Both had raspberry mouse for desert which was beautiful made and presented . Although very rich it was a true delight. To end the meal off I was presented with a mini birthday cake which was a lovely touch and although very rich it was a bit of decadence I was allowed on my birthday. The wine didn't blow me away but was i guess acceptable quality at the price point we paid. Service professional , attentive and friendly. All round apart from the odd blip a wonderful birthday lunch and definitely worth the money.
We had a fabulous time , food superb, can't wait to return
Consistently one of my favorite places to eat in London, both for the quality of food and the fun that we normally have. We usually have the tasting menu, but this time we ordered a la carte and were not disappointed. A new (to me) item—the fish & chips—was off the charts good. Great wine list and outstanding service to boot!
Excellent experience throughout. Fine dining at its best
This is our favourite 'go to' restaurant, particularly when it is a special occasion. At our last visit, the food was delicious and imaginative. The wine, recommended by the sommelier, was perfect. The atmosphere is busy and bustling with just the right amount of background noise and the staff were attentive (but not over-bearing).
This was our third trip to Pollen Street Social, and we live in Atlanta. Seriously great food. We will undoubtedly return. The off the beaten path location means it is not overrun with tourists. We have recommended it to friends and will continue to do so.
An expertly prepared and served lunch in a busy but not overpowering restaurant. Wonderful ingredients and flavour combinations made all the more delightful by the extra touches added throughout the meal. All rounded off by a visit from a courteous and charming Mr Atherton. The table d'hote menu is great value and we would recommend anyone to visit this superb restaurant.
Amazing food quality.
Still my favourite London restaurant for six years
Oh my...that pistachio soufflé...to die for!
Met up with my cousin here for dinner, service was impeccable from the moment I walked in to the moment we left.
We even got some freebies to whet our appetite and we were made to feel special all through the night. Highly, highly , highly recommend.
We enjoyed our meal, but it did not quite hit the high expectations we had going in. The starting "tea" was delicious, including the creative accompanying morsels. The staff was not quite as engaging as we have encountered at other similar restaurants such as Hide. Maybe we just hit it on an off night.
The food was good as we have visited this restaurant many times. The most upsetting experience as 5 of us were squeezed into a table for 4. We were refused to move to other tables as they claimed that the restaurant was full. But we finished a 3 hour dinner with an empty table next to us. We just left this place with a bad after taste.
At 39.50, the 3 course deal with appetizers, amuse bouche and petit fours and palate cleanser is great value. Guinea fowl was cooked tenderly, crab gazpacho was refreshing and lemon meringue hinted citrus, crunch and refreshing basil sorbet. Service - no menus until having to order the deal, wine nor extra bread
My wife had the vegan tasting menu. I had the fish/oyster ice cream/awesome beefy goodness one. Both were outstanding. The amuse bouches of 'Afternoon tea' with an intense mushroom drink was a wonderful way to start. And I got a bakewell tart. AFTER dessert. Oh and a cheese trolley to die for. The sommelier was excellent. And, and, and... Just top-notch.
Food was excellent and fairly good value for a restaurant of this kind in central London. However, drinks were exorbitant and staff were pushy on the upsell.
Superb. Truly excellent. Thanks to the whole team.
Lovely setting but very noisy. Once relocated we were served amazing dishes and brilliant wine. Clever menu and overall a great evening.
Booked at last minute when my original booking cancelled. Heard much about this chef and his many establishments. The meal was okay without really being memorable. The service was good and with my late booking we weren't seated in the buzzy part of the restaurant which meant we could talk but perhaps lacked atmosphere. The ambience of the place however is good.
Lovely setting, fantastic staff and delicious food. They had a separate vegetarian menu which gave a lot of choice with some really interesting dishes. Look forward to returning!
Wonderful anniversary meal. Impressive gastronomic experience. Highly recommend eating at the dessert bar!
Not a meal but an experience-truly amazing-loved it, exceptional service, food beautiful and attention to detail second to none
Fantastic food - just the right level of service. Excellent
A great restaurant, outstanding food and wine served with imagination
Excellent, will be going again!!!
I have never felt so comfortable out to lunch with a baby. Of course the food and service was exceptional, but what made it even more special was the kindness and compassion everyone gave to us while dining with a baby. We all enjoyed the set lunch menu, the wine, and the people who made the experience. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate our family being together in such a special and delicious way.
Service was out of this world good. Food is also exceptional I'm just judging against the very best, which is the correct category for this outstanding place


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There are 501 American Indian gaming operations in the United States. These are owned by 241 of the nation's 573 federally-recognized tribes. These gaming tribes operate in 29 of the 50 states. The annual revenue from all Indian gaming exceeds $32 billion and represents 43% of all casino gaming revenue in the U.S. (Source: National Indian Gaming Commission)
FOR CANADA, please visit our First Nations casino section.
Each state has negotitated gaming compacts with their tribes. These compacts specify the minimum age for gambling as well as the type of casino games, number of slots and other gaming-related issues.
Many states set the minimum age at 21 if the drinking age is also 21 and the casino has a liquor license to serve alcoholic drinks on the casino floor.
Other states have set the minimum age at 18 or 19, and some have two minimum ages depending on whether or not there is a liquor license.
For state-by-state age limits, see our page entitled Minimum Gambling Ages.
At the present time there are 29 states with Indian casinos. This number will increase to 31 states in the near future if Massachusetts and Virginia tribes are successful with approval of their casino projects.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
These 21 states do not currently have Indian casinos:
Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.
This list will likely be reduced in the new future, as Indian casino projects are proceeding in the states of Arkansas, Massachusetts and Virginia.
This list is ranked by number of slot machines, number of table games and the size of the gaming floor at each casino.
WinStar World Casino and Resort
Thackerville, Oklahoma
600,000 gaming square feet
7,400 slot machines, 100 table games, 46 poker tables
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Mashantucket, Connecticut
344,000 gaming square feet
4,800 slot machines, 250 table games, 114 poker tables
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, Connecticut
300,000 gaming square feet
5,000 slot machines, 300 table games, 42 poker tables
Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Tampa, Florida
216,000 gaming square feet
5,000 slot machines, 140 table games, 46 poker tables
San Manuel Indian Casino
Highland, California
220,000 gaming square feet
4,800 slot machines, 130 table games, 32 poker tables
Pechanga Resort & Casino
Temecula, California
200,000 gaming square feet
4,500 slot machines, 154 table games, 54 poker tables
Choctaw Casino Resort
Durant, Oklahoma
218,000 gaming square feet
4,300 slot machines, 48 tables games, 26 poker tables
Mystic Lake Hotel and Casino
Prior Lake, MN
150,000 gaming square feet
4,000 slot machines, 100 tables games
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Cherokee, North Carolina
150,000 gaming square feet
3,280 slot machines, 100 tables games, 20 poker tables
River Spirit Casino
Tulsa, Oklahoma
136,800 gaming square feet
3,100 slot machines, 32 table games, 12 poker tables
Indian casino revenue neared $32.4 billion in 2017.
Indian gaming operates in 29 states. 25 states allow Vegas-style Class III Indian casinos, 4 allow Class II-only casinos (bingo slots).
38 percent of all U.S. gambling revenues come from the two states California and Oklahoma.
Indian gaming provides 612,000 jobs nationwide (both direct & indirect jobs).
Indian gaming pays $9 billion in taxes and revenue sharing payments to federal, state, and local governments.
The top 5 states for Indian casino revenue:
Source: Casino City's Indian Gaming Report 2015
Use this map to find state-by-state casino locations, gaming information, bingo, restaurants, entertainment, hotel room accommodations.
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USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards has recognized the ten "Best Casinos Outside of Las Vegas." Six of the ten are Indian casino. The overall First Place Award went to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
- Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket, CT
- Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT
- Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV
- Pechanga Resort & Casino - Temecula, CA
- L'Auberge Casino Resort - Lake Charles, LA
- Harrah's Resort Southern California - Valley Center, CA
- Cactus Petes - Jackpot, NV
- Coushatta Casino Resort - Kinder, LA
- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa - Rancho Mirage, CA
- Peppermill Resort Hotel - Reno NV
Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by 500 Nations for informational purposes only.
500 Nations is an independent directory and information service free of any gaming operator's control and not affiliated with any casino.
Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a casino or placing a wager. There are hundreds of jurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet. Do not assume that Internet gaming sites are in compliance with the rules and regulations of every jurisdiction from which they accept players. YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to play any particular game or place any particular wager under the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located.


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Press Releases
AMResorts Takes Eight TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards
Luxury Brands Recognized in Romance, Hotel and All Inclusive Categories
PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 11, 2013) — AMResorts was honored with eight 2013 Travelers' Choice Awards from leading travel site, TripAdvisor. Travelers' Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers around the world.
AMResorts' "Save Your Date" Wedding Promotion Returns to Reward Couples Booking Early
Luxury resort brands continue to innovate in the destination wedding space with added-value offerings, dedicated microsite and Pinterest contest tied to promotion
PHILADELPHIA (June 18, 2013) — AMResorts brings back its limited-time "Save Your Date" promotion to reward couples who book their wedding in advance at one of the participating 28 luxury resorts across six brands.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun Receives Coveted AAA Five Diamond Award
AMResorts Redefines Luxury All-Inclusive Segment with Second AAA Five Diamond Property
PHILADELPHIA (June 24, 2013) — Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun has been named a recipient of the 2014 AAA Five Diamond Award. The property is one of only two adults-only, all-inclusive resorts to hold this honor. Part of the Unlimited-Luxury®, adults-only Secrets Resorts & Spas portfolio, Secrets Maroma Beach is the first hotel in the brand to receive the important recognition which is awarded to fewer than one-half percent of the nearly 31,000 properties inspected by AAA.
AMResorts Named One of 2013's Top Companies by CNN's Expansión Magazine
AMResorts only hospitality company to rank amongst the top 10 in its category
PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 14, 2013) — AMResorts was recognized by leading business magazine, CNN's Expansión, as one of 2013's Top Companies or Súper Empresas. After an extensive evaluation process, AMResorts was ranked number nine in a group of 148 leading companies with more than 3000 employees. AMResorts also was the only company in the hospitality industry to have a position on the list's top 10 in its category.
AMResorts Offers First Ever "Air Credit" Promotion
Rewards and savings for agents and consumers on travel across five brands through the end of 2013
PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 4, 2013) — AMResorts has officially launched its first "Air Credit" promotion. Agents and consumers who book starting now will receive special rewards and savings on stays through December 22, 2013 at any Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and Secrets, Dreams, Now or Sunscape Resorts & Spas property.
AMResorts Receives Rainforest Alliance 2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award
AMResorts' commitment to sustainable tourism remains a priority as the company rapidly grows
PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 5, 2013) — AMResorts was recognized by leading environmental organization, the Rainforest Alliance, with the 2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award for its commitment to sustainable tourism. Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group, accepted the honor at the Rainforest Alliance Gala held in May in New York City.
AMResorts' Annual "Free Fall" Promotion is Back
More opportunities to win cash bonuses, free nights and other incentives
PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 27, 2013) — AMResorts' "Free Fall" promotion is back with more opportunities for travel agents to win cash bonuses on bookings through the end of July. Consumers also will enjoy a host of benefits when booking fall 2013 travel early including free nights, free kids stays and resort coupons.
AMResorts Announces Major Investments in Support of the Travel Agent Community
Company Increases Cash Rewards for Travel Agents by 360% in One Year; Restructures Sales Team and Offers New Tools and Quality Inclusions to Help Agents Sell
PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 8, 2013) — AMResorts continues to reaffirm its commitment to the travel agent community with a more robust rewards program and sales support system. Cash will remain a primary focus for promotions and booking incentives across the company's six luxury resort brands: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.
AMResorts' 'Ready to Wed' Promotion Offers More Incentives to Couples Tying the Knot in the Next Six Months
Limited time only rewards include free stays and resort credit at 17 luxury resorts across 6 brands and 7 destinations
PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 13, 2013) — AMResorts' new "Ready to Wed" promotion is rewarding couples planning to wed by January 31, 2014 at one of 17 participating luxury resorts across six brands throughout Mexico and the Caribbean.
'Fall in Love with AMResorts' Offers Travelers Special Discounts and Freebies This Fall
Limited-time offer includes 30% off travel, up to $400 in coupons, kids stay free, complimentary green fees and Unlimited Connectivity; Travel agents receive bonus commission
PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 5, 2013) — AMResorts is rewarding its guests and travel agents this fall with the all new "Fall in Love with AMResorts" promotion. The added-value promotion is valid for bookings and stays from September 1 to December 22, 2013, at a choice of participating resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. Award-winning brand choices include: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.


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$831.4 million total budget
8.6% Total expenditure increase
$28 Increase for the average household in 2019*
$534 Average annual cost for all Metro Vancouver services
The budget document below reflects the 2019 Budget and Five Year Financial Plan approved by the respective Boards on October 26, 2018.
Metro Vancouver's annual budgets are driven primarily by the costs of delivering fundamentally important utility services, in partnership with member municipalities, to the region's citizens and businesses.
Drinking water supply, sewerage and management of solid waste represent the majority of both operating and capital budgets, and are financed primarily through utility fees. Property taxes account for a small portion of the regional budget, and support the Regional Parks system, as well as other services including Air Quality Management and Regional Planning activities.
Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation is financed almost entirely through rents paid by tenants.


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ATLANTA -- I'll come right out and admit it: I had the Atlanta Hawks quitting in this game.
I figured, down 2-1 against the team with the league's best record and having given back home-court advantage after stealing it with a Game 1 victory, the Hawks would just mail in the rest of this series and accept their routine place as second-round playoff fodder.
In addition to Augusta, semifinal round ousters in the NBA postseason by the Hawks have become Georgia's other springtime tradition unlike any other. All the signs were there before and early into Sunday's stunning 100-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2.
There was star player Joe Johnson still privately bickering Sunday about how the offense had gone away from him in the Game 3 loss that pushed the Hawks into a 2-1 series hole.
There was wannabe star Josh Smith overheard venting to teammates after Sunday's shootaround that majority of the blame for losses -- from media, fans and/or coaches -- too frequently falls on his shoulders.
There was second-year point guard Jeff Teague, in the middle of the first quarter Sunday night, shouting back at an assistant coach after he was taken out of the game, presumably for a mistake he didn't believe was his fault.
But most of all, there was Derrick Rose and the top-seeded Bulls, refusing to fade despite the Hawks coming out with more energy, effective adjustments and an emotional boost from the home crowd.
At some point during a chaotic timeout early in the second quarter -- after Hawks coach Larry Drew exchanged heated words with Smith as Johnson sat about two seats removed from the huddle and hung his head -- this inconsistent and fragile team had come to a fork in the road.
As he reflected on that moment hours later, Drew remembers having one thought.
"Where would my team be if things had gone the other way?" Drew said. "That's the million-dollar question. One thing I know is we have responded when our backs are against the wall."
Some strange things would happen soon after the Hawks emerged from that huddle.
Johnson started moving the ball, trusting the offense and getting his shots. Teague regained his confidence and, yet again, stared down Rose in the second half. Al Horford would finally show up and join the series already in progress.
But none of those developments were bigger than The Transformation.
The good Josh Smith kicked the bad Josh Smith out of Philips Arena just in time for the Hawks to save themselves from themselves and make this a series again, one that is becoming increasingly more difficult for the Bulls to put away and prepare for the Eastern Conference finals.
If the Hawks refuse to cooperate with their own coaches at times, what makes you think they'll comply with any sort of outside expectations and simply go away in this series? Instead, these knuckleheads are knocking heads with the Bulls and head back to Chicago for Game 5 on Tuesday far from finished.
And the much-maligned Smith is the reason why they fought their way into this position Sunday. Through three quarters, "J-Smoove," Smith's nickname and alter ego, had missed 11 of his 15 shots from the field and seemed to have neither a conscience nor remorse for jacking up the same ill-advised jumpers that his coach repeatedly has asked him to stop taking.
And then, in the fourth, J-Smoove left the building and Josh Smith finished the game. Same body. Same uniform. Same sweaty headband. Same striking resemblance to rapper The Game.
But different mentality. Different results. Smoove was awful, booed mercilessly by his hometown crowd with his father sitting courtside. Smith was cheered and revered the moment he appeared and took over the fourth by taking the ball to the basket.
Smith scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and also added 16 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, a steal and some stifling defense on Rose late as the Hawks closed the game on a 16-4 run. The Hawks really want to get rid of Smoove, and they almost did at the February trade deadline.
But this Smith dude that showed up in the fourth is the reason they keep holding on to him and continue to hold out hope that he'll eventually mature into his better half on at least a semi-regular basis.
"I just tried to stick with it and stay aggressive," Smith said after what, by far, was his best game of a series in which he shot just 35.9 percent and averaged 12.7 points entering Sunday. "I did a good job of not settling. I just stuck with it and had the game I had tonight. I knew this rut wasn't going to last."
And in just that instant, in typical Smith fashion, he let Smoove out to say a few words at the dais.
"When people who don't understand the game or know the game [criticize me], it really doesn't faze me," Smoove responded when Smith was asked how he handles the terse reaction from fans to his struggles on the court. "We got the win. That's all that matters."
Atlanta has been coping with this Smoove-Smith identity crisis for years now. He's a native son who is a microcosm of his franchise. The Hawks, like Smith, have shown for two series now just how talented and filled with potential they are. And, just like Smoove, just when the expectations start to form, they seem to revel in showing the warts in their game and the frustrating lack of focus that got Mike Woodson fired after a 50-win season and often now leaves Drew shaking his head in bewilderment.
But this time, Drew didn't wait to see how his team would react once Sunday's game started. He took it upon himself to shake things up and agitate his players to make sure they were on edge going in.
When he learned of Johnson's gripes about a perceived diminished role in the offense in Games 2 and 3, Drew talked about how other superstars in the league find other ways to be effective and aggressive.
"A real pro would look you in the eye and say, 'Coach, you're right. I've got to do this better,'" Drew said during a candid moment after Sunday morning's team shootaround.
When asked during that same conversation if he had sat down and talked with Smoove-Smith about taking all of those bad shots, Drew said he not only repeatedly discusses the issue in individual meetings but that he also breaks out game film and creative charts to back up his case.
Sometimes, it's just hard to get through to Smith when Smoove shows up to the office.
"Now is no time to be experimenting with your limitations," Drew said regarding what his message has been to Smoove-Smith during those heart-to-headband talks.
Drew is not alone in trying to get through on this front.
"When Josh is playing that way, attacking the basket and making plays, that's the Josh Smith we need," Horford said. "We've been saying that to him every day. Now, it's just to the point where we hope he goes out and does it. And he did it. We were kind of waiting for it, and he showed it tonight."
Even his Hawks teammates know they're a different beast in those moments when Smith enters the game and decides to leave Smoove on the bench. He becomes the X factor capable of tipping the balance firmly in Atlanta's favor on most nights.
Sunday night was exhibit A, B and C.
First, the Hawks beat the Bulls with balance as Johnson, Smith and Horford each scored at least 20 to lead five players in double figures.
Secondly, they won with solid defense, holding the Bulls to only 41 percent shooting and limiting them to only two field goals over the final 4:31 of the game.
And thirdly, they also came out on top in the poise department. It was Chicago that came apart at the end, with six turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Bulls also had an honorary Chris Webber mental lapse when coach Tom Thibodeau was assessed a technical foul with 18 seconds left after a timeout was called that Chicago didn't have.
Perhaps it was an act of defiance and protest on Thibodeau's part after some questionable calls went against the Bulls late in the game.
Smith knows all about that sort of defiance to make a point.
Smoove defiantly shoots those jumpers because he believes he's hurting the team if he doesn't take those open shots. Then Smith has to clean up the mess with a resounding blocked shot, thunderous dunk or nifty pass in transition.
For Atlanta, it's been a tale of two Joshes not even Charles Dickens can narrate.
For his part, Drew said he will bring Josh into the office again Monday and show him the tape of Sunday night's performance, with Smoove starring in the first half and Smith playing a lead role and becoming the hero in the end.
"Josh knows," Drew said. "When he rebounds, runs the floor and pushes the ball, he has an ability ... a very unique ability. It sank in a little bit."
Smith can keep the Hawks in this series and possibly help them engineer an upset.
Smoove might end up sending them on vacation.
Smith understood the situation well enough after Sunday's game to say that he needed to "just make plays ... do the things at [small forward] that [Luol] Deng does."
And then, Smoove seized the moment again.
"The media tries to T.O. me," Smoove said in a reference to controversial NFL receiver Terrell Owens, comparing the level of perceived negative criticism they receive.
A moment later, Hawks media relations director Arthur Triche stepped in to cut off the postgame interview just as another question was being asked.
No sense in allowing Smoove to get the final word on a night Smith saved for the Hawks.


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Top 10 Bestselling Women's Fashion Sneakers of 2017 To Really Make You Fall in Love
Nowadays, the new fashion trend in the shoes is continually on the rise. More and more females, teenagers and young girls prefer to use latest fashion sneakers that are not just stylish but also affordable. There are so many advantages of using unique and high quality fashion sneakers which are perfectly made for women. Before going to those advantages, let's check out our top 10 rankings of best fashion sneakers for women in 2017.
Unique Advantages of Using Latest High Quality Women's Fashion Sneakers
Sneakers were once only limited to use in the gyms and for some sports like basketball and snowmobiling. But in the recent days, the trend is drastically changing. Thanks to the newly found fashion sense in the minds of our beautiful ladies.
But sneakers are not for just fashion purpose. They have multiple benefits such as the following ones.
1.Sneakers Provide High Comfort.
Sneakers are originally made to provide good comfort and support for the feet. They are also used for activities such as running and exercising on a regular basis. A good quality pair of fashion sneaker not just provides you a good look and style but also helps you maintain your health by helping you run without any injuries.
2. They Offer Good Reliable Support.
If you have flat feet or need good arch support, quality fashion sneakers can certainly provide you the much needed support and foot stability. With the right arch and heel support, you can easily obtain good stability and sustenance while walking, running and performing various types of exercises.
Here, one good example can be mentioned when it comes to good support and comfort is Adidas ZX Flux Sneakers series. We have reviewed one of the Adidas ZX Flux Multicolor Prism Sneakers which you can read on our site.
3. Fashion Sneakers Also Offer Sufficient Grip and Cushioning.
Fashion sneakers are not just good for looks and style but they also offer good cushioning and grip. They are really good for women who go on regular jogging and follow workout regimen such as yoga, zumba and Pilates.
These sneakers provide great cushioning for your midfoot, heels, arch, toes and ankles. Thus it helps to reduce unnecessary burden on your heels, toes, ankles and leg muscles that could happen by regular jogging and exercising.
At the same time, such women's fashion sneakers give you a good grip and traction on slippery surfaces. This helps you to safeguard your legs from possible injuries.
4. They Provide Protection from Leg Injuries.
Due to the high amount of cushioning and support, these fashion sneakers greatly help you in avoiding possible leg injuries during workout or running. The sneakers are also helpful in getting good balance and grip on wide variety of surfaces. Due to the high comfort, cushioning and support, the sneakers are good option for women to use in their everyday life routine.
Now that we have covered few important benefits of women's fashion sneakers, its time to look at some of the do's and don'ts while you use these sneakers. Some things which you should keep in mind while using these fashion sneakers are as follows.
Important Tips to Remember While Using Women's Fashion Sneakers:
1. Favor All Time Classic Sneakers.
Classic sneakers are considered to be all time favorite sneakers for women. They can be easily used with anything you wear on a regular basis without being mismatched.
With number of colors, style and sizes available, you can use them with any kind of apparel from jeans to mini skirt and other types of casual dresses. You can give preference to classic, low-cut lace-up basic sneakers such as Converse and Sketchers fashion sneakers.
2. High-Top Fashion Sneakers are Also Trending Rapidly.
Nowadays, along with classic and regular sneakers, many girls are choosing sneakers with high-tops. If you are wearing hip-hop jean shorts or skinny jeans or if you are playing sports, these high-top sneakers can really fulfill your fashion as well as usability functions at the same time.
3. Do Not Purchase Hybrid Sneakers at Any Cost.
This is the number one mistake which most clueless young girls and some misinformed ladies often make in their lifetime. Hybrid sneakers do not look good at all when used in conjunction with your regular jeans and skirts.
The bulky leather and thick lug soles of these hybrid sneakers make you look like you are going for a long cumbersome scientific expedition on Antarctica! So my request to you ladies is just avoid them when you see them in the store.
4. Avoid Using Shiny, Colorful and Highly Bright Sneakers.
Some might prefer too bright and colorful sneakers, but in my personal opinion, they do look like over-designed and overrated sneakers. Imagine, you taking a walk in the park in the morning with those shiny and too colorful sneakers.
The folks who will look at you will really have an uneasy feeling about your overall looks and style. Is this what you really want? Therefore, I highly recommend going for fashion sneakers having soft colors and classic print designs.
5. Use Different Sneakers for Different Occasions.
Now this one is a very common advice but most of the times it is not so common in nature. You should at least have two different pairs of sneakers for different occasions. Choose one for your regular workout regimen and the other for your regular work or other daily activities.
Your fashion sneakers should definitely provide you the much needed support, balance, grip and comfort during your daily routine. Overall, your pair of sneakers should be a good combination of style, looks and comfort.
Here is a short video that shows latest trend report in the high top fashion sneakers that are used by today's top models and celebrities. Take a look.
Now that we have covered primary advantages of fashion sneakers along with important tips while buying these sneakers, let's go forward and check out the reviews of our top 10 best fashion sneakers for women in 2015.
Review of Top 10 Best Women's Fashion Sneakers
No. 10 : Onitsuka Tiger Serrano Fashion Sneaker ReviewThe original creator of Onitsuka Tiger brand is a person named as Kihachiro Onitsuka who started to build ASICS shoes in 1949. Since then this premier sneaker and shoe brand has never looked back.
The Onitsuka Tiger sneakers are great combination of Japanese heritage and modern designs. The unique craftsmanship and keen attention to overall build quality makes this Onitsuka Tiger Serrano Fashion Sneaker very stylish and classy in nature.
1. The sneaker is made up of premier quality leather and synthetic material.
2. Made of Japan brand provides this sneaker unique authenticity and attractive looks.
3. The heel height is approximately 0.75 inches.
4. This Onitsuka Tiger sneaker is highly breathable because of its breathable textile panel and leather overlays.
5. The rubber sole offers good support and balance.
1. This sneaker features attractive retro-infused design and attractive leather overlays.
2. The sneaker is highly lightweight and comfortable to wear for a casual walking and a night out.
3. The fitting is true to size and the looks are very stylish and fashionable.
4. It also provides great support and breathability for the feet.
1. Sometimes size fitting can be narrow if you have bigger foot size. So we recommend you to order correct size sneakers online.
2. Not very supportive for hiking and running if you are planning to buy for the same.
Average Customer Rating: 4.2/5
Overall, this Onitsuka Tiger Serrano Fashion Sneaker is a very good choice for women who are looking for an affordable yet very comfortable sneaker. It is good for casual walking and the overall appearance is very stylish and attractive. Our rating is 4 out 5 stars.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Onitsuka Tiger Serrano Fashion Sneaker.
No. 9: New Balance Women's WL574 Sneaker ReviewNew Balance, as well know, is one of the leading US based footwear manufacturer working in this field since 1906. The shoes and sneakers produced by New Balance are of very superior quality as compared to their competitors.
The New Balance sneakers feature high quality heel counters, gel inserts and wide selection of sizes along with quality material used to build sneakers. New Balance Women's WL574 Sneaker is no exception to this rule.
1. This New Balance Women's fashion sneaker looks sporty and has a very retro appeal.
2. The leather quality of the sneaker is really good.
3. The color combination of the sneaker is very attractive and eye pleasing.
4. It is highly breathable in nature because of its mesh tongue and toe.
5. The midsole is extremely comfortable and supportive for the feet.
1. The fitting is true to size for most women.
2. This New Balance Women's WL574 Sneaker is highly comfortable and supportive.
3. These women's New Balance fashion sneakers are really suitable for ladies who work all day while standing on their feet.
1. Cushioning is not that great as compared to the other sneakers in our top ranking sneakers list.
2. If you have somewhat narrow feet, we recommend you take a look at the other fashion sneakers in this list.
3. Only suitable for casual walking and not for regular workout regimen.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7/5
All in all, this New Balance women's fashion sneaker is a good choice for women who are looking for a retro style, comfortable, supportive and highly breathable fashion sneaker. It is good for casual walking and running on a regular basis. We give it 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of New Balance Women's WL574 Sneaker.
No. 8: Converse Women's All Star Hi Chuck Taylor High Top Lace Up Boot Sneaker ReviewConverse is a famous US footwear brand that is known for its top quality sports wear footwear products. It is also happen to be a subsidiary company of Nike Inc.
Converse sneakers can uniquely be identified with their Star Insignia. It produces the unique quality boot sneakers under the names such as Chuck Taylor All Star, One Star and Jack Purcell, etc.
1. This Converse Women's All Star Hi Chuck Taylor High Top Lace Up Boot Sneaker has a good quality full canvas upper.
2. The rubber sole of this boot sneaker is fully vulcanized in nature.
3. Shaft height of this Converse women's sneaker is approx. 0.25 inches from the arch.
4. The sneaker also features rubber toe cap which provides good support and protection for your toes.
5. It has a single stripe around the sole of the sneaker and comes with a lace up front.
1. If you love Chuck Taylor kind of sneakers, you will definitely fall in love with these Converse fashion sneakers.
2. They are very ergonomic, comfortable and sustainable type of sneakers.
3. These high top boot sneakers have usually long laces which can be easily adjusted to a snug fit without any need of pinching at the instep.
4. The flat soles of these sneakers are good for ladies who have flat feet and are looking for support and balance.
5. The feet remain cool and comfortable due to the canvas upper.
6. This Converse sneaker closely resembles the feeling of barefoot shoe experience and hence produces no unnecessary pressure on your feet which reduces any unsightly feet injuries.
1. Some people have reported that these sneakers run extra big in sizing. So make sure to identify your correct foot size and order the sneakers accordingly while purchasing them online.
Average Customer Rating: 4.6/5
Overall, if you are a fan of One Star and Chuck Taylor All Start kind of fashion sneakers, these Converse Women's All Star Hi Chuck Taylor Sneakers are definitely recommended for you. They are warm, comfortable, supportive and breathable and best of all a good fashion icon. We give it 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Converse Women's All Star Hi Chuck Taylor High Top Lace Up Boot Sneaker.
No. 7: Grasshoppers Women's Janey Leather Lace-Up Sneaker ReviewGrasshoppers women's sneakers are well known for their comfort, flexibility, fitting and lightweight features. Grasshoppers Women's Janey Leather Lace-Up Sneaker is also no exception to these features. This is one of those simple yet effective fashion sneakers which could fulfill all your daily walking needs. Some of the primary features of this sneaker are as follows.
1. Its one of the most comfortable and classic fashion sneakers in this top fashion sneakers list.
2. The insole is made up of removable PurefitTM material which is highly cushioned and supportive.
3. The padded topline gives good breathability and support for the feet.
4. The heel of this sneaker is approx. 1 inch in height.
5. The canvas upper is mostly lightweight which also features comfortable laces for perfect fitting.
1. This Grasshoppers Women's Janey Leather Lace-Up Sneaker is highly comfortable and good fit for everyday wear.
2. The sneaker looks very classic and stylish too which becomes a good style icon for fashion lovers.
3. It is very supportive and very easy to clean and wash.
4. Fitting is true to size and its footbed is exceedingly cushioned and comfortable for everyday walking.
5. It does not look ugly and clunky which is a plus point for Grasshoppers fashion sneakers.
1. Order correct sized sneakers when buying online. Because if you don't, you might end up getting the sneakers that are way too big and very stiff to wear.
2. The sneaker is sometimes very wide in the heel side which could be uncomfortable for some women.
3. Some customers have reported the problem of discoloration after cleaning the sneakers.
Average Customer Rating: 4.2/5
If you love Grasshoppers brand and looking for good, clean and classic style of fashion sneakers, this is the one you should be buying right now. Grasshoppers Women's Janey Leather Lace-Up Sneaker is very supportive, true to size and highly comfortable fashion sneaker. We give it 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Grasshoppers Women's Janey Leather Lace-Up Sneaker.
No. 6: Dansko Women's Elise Oxford Sneaker ReviewDansko is a brand which is very prominent in the health and wellness industry since 1990. Several nurses and doctors use Dansko shoes, boots and sneakers on a regular basis because of its high standards of construction quality and comfort features.
Dansko fashion sneakers provide good support for your legs, heels and ankles. This brand is very popular amongst women due to the variety, style and support factors.
1. This Dansko Women's Elise Oxford Sneaker comes with exceptional arch support and higher comfort.
2. The sole of the sneaker is greatly slip-resistant and offers good grip and traction on slippery surfaces.
3. It comes with great variety in terms of colors and heel heights.
4. Its neoprene collar helps to keep your feet snug without shrinking movements.
5. It is also very lightweight and flexible in nature.
1. This Dansko fashion sneaker is very good for women who work at the places where they need to stand all day for a long time on a regular basis.
2. The sneaker is highly stable and durable in nature due to the quality of the material used in the construction.
3. The comfort and style factor makes this sneaker a good fashion icon for young girls and women.
4. Fitting is true to size and it provides indeed good arch support.
5. The sneaker also offers roomier toe box for comfortable toe movements which also means you can use it for a power walk.
1. Some customers have found out that the insole of this sneaker is somewhat uncomfortable. So it is important to check the quality of the insole. In case you feel so, you can change the insole by ordering the same online.
2. Some people feel that the sneaker is not good for full time standing job. Instead, it is better for casual and power walk. This is something that you need to test on your own.
3. Some have experienced that the snug fit of the sneaker is little uncomfortable. Again, this is something which every person needs to check on his/her own.
Average Customer Rating: 4.2/5
All in all, Dansko Women's Elise Oxford Sneaker looks very cool, stylish and comes with variety of colors and heel heights. It is definitely very comfortable, supportive, breathable and looks very stylish as compared to the other sneakers in this list. We definitely recommend it to use as a good Dansko fashion sneaker. We give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Dansko Women's Elise Oxford Sneaker.
No. 5: DC Women's Court Graffik SE Sneaker ReviewDC is a brand that needs no special introduction. It started its shoe manufacturing in the year 1994. Initially, they began producing high performance skateboarding sports shoes and after that it expanded the operations.
Today, DC is known for its highest quality lifestyle and sports shoes and sneakers for men, women as well as for kids.
1. The padded collar and tongue of DC Women's Court Graffik SE Sneaker offers extra cushioning and support for the feet.
2. The rubber sole of this DC sneaker is highly durable and provides good amount of grip and traction.
3. The sneaker is highly comfortable and protective for the feet because of its foam padded tongue and heel collar.
4. The leather upper offers good ventilation and breathability thanks to its specially constructed air holes.
5. The sole also features pill pattern tread which is a special DC trademark.
1. Its one of the most sought out and the stylish DC fashion sneakers for women.
2. Fitting is true to size and the sneaker offers super comfortable walking experience.
3. Cushioning is great and material quality is certainly durable in nature.
4. Pricing is perfect and sneaker design is actually attractive.
5. The sneaker's sole provides good grip and stability on dicey surfaces.
1. Some customers have reported the problem of small sizes. It is important to buy correct sized sneakers while placing order online.
2. The toes of the sneakers are somewhat tight. If you have large sized feet, it is better for you to choose other sneakers from this list of top 10 best women's fashion sneakers.
Average Customer Rating: 4.3/5
If you are a fan of skateboarding sports and loves to wear action sports shoes, DC Women's Court Graffik SE Sneaker is the one for you. This women's fashion sneaker is not just looks cool and stylish but also very comfortable, durable, stable and supportive for your feet. We highly recommend it for sports activities and for party wears. Overall, we give it 4.6 out of 5.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of DC Women's Court Graffik SE Sneaker.
No. 4: Clarks Women's Clarks Wave.Trek Lace-Up Fashion Sneaker ReviewWhen it comes to ultimate style, comfort and design architecture quality, Clarks women's sneakers always tops the list. From timeless classics to fashion forward trends, Clarks shoes and sneakers usually appear in the forefront. Due to their innovative technology, premium quality materials and exclusive craftsmanship, Clarks sneakers have carved a unique position in the footwear fashion industry.
1. This Clarks women's sneaker is fully waterproof in nature and offers good protection against water and mud.
2. It is equipped with premium quality WAVEWALKTM walking technology which provides highest amount of comfort, support and style.
3. The shaft height is approx. 1.5 inches from arch.
4. It has a comfortable removable footbed which can easily support custom designed orthotics.
5. The sneaker has its own internal EVA foam heel wedge which helps in easier, comfortable and injury free walking experience.
6. This sneaker also features the Seal of Acceptance from the APMA.
1. Clarks Women's Clarks Wave.Trek Lace-Up Fashion Sneaker offers very strong arch and heel support.
2. This sneaker is not just a fashion icon but also very useful for long distance walking without any discomfort.
3. It is greatly comfortable and fits well to your feet.
4. The outsole offers great support for your heels, toes, and ankles.
5. The sneaker provides great shock absorption and cushioning for the joints during walking.
1. It gives somewhat poor arch and ankle support as compared to our top 3 women's fashion sneakers.
2. The sneaker size is somewhat tight for people with large sized feet. So order carefully while keeping in mind your correct foot size.
Average Customer Rating: 4.3/5
This Clarks Women's Lace-Up Fashion Sneaker is highly suitable for hiking activities. It offers good comfort, cushioning and support for the feet. It is good for casual walking and trekking purposes. This waterproof fashion sneaker is highly recommended for women who love to use fashionable sports shoes. We give it a rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Clarks Women's Clarks Wave.Trek Lace-Up Fashion Sneaker.
No. 3: PUMA Women's Suede Classic Sneaker ReviewPUMA is especially famous for its world class lifestyle products such as men's and women's apparel, men's and women's shoes and sneakers, etc. When it comes to top notch fashionable high performance sneakers, PUMA always comes at the top of the list. Latest trendsetters and weather-matching styles are USP of PUMA women's fashion sneakers.
1. PUMA Women's Suede Classic Sneaker is the best example of retro fashion and style with the epic icon of PUMA on the sneaker.
2. The suede upper is made up of trademarked PUMA Formstrip which gives good breathability.
3. The sneaker offers high comfort thanks to the inclusion of foam padded collar and tongue.
4. Lace-up closure of this PUMA sneaker gives comfortable fitting and support.
5. The midsole of the sneaker is very wide, stable and it gives great cushioning as well as support for your feet all the time.
1. This PUMA Women's fashion sneaker is a good combination of excellent comfort and support.
2. The sneaker looks very attractive and fits really well.
3. The sneaker is highly comfortable and its lacing structure is very easy and looks very stylish.
4. The quality of the materials used and the overall craftsmanship is excellent.
5. Break in time is very short and it provides good support and protection from injuries.
1. This PUMA sneaker is more suitable for women with flat feet. If you do not have flat feet, it is better to choose other sneakers from our top women's fashion sneakers list.
2. Some customers report bad impression about the quality of the suede used for the upper.
Average Customer Rating: 4.5/5
In case, you are a fan of PUMA brand and loves classic style colorful sneaker, this is it! PUMA Suede Classic Sneaker is a great example of supportive, comfortable and fashionable women's sneaker. We highly recommend this retro style sneaker for ladies who adore cushy and cute looking high performance women's sneakers. We give it 4.8 out of 5.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of PUMA Suede Classic Sneaker.
No. 2: Keds Women's Champion Canvas Sneaker ReviewKeds company was officially started in the year 1916. It began manufacturing high performance canvas shoes with quality rubber soles. Since then, it has become a household brand which is now renowned for its premier quality canvas top sneakers. Keds Women's Champion Canvas Sneaker is one of the most elegant, durable, and all time favorite sneakers for women from all across the world.
1. The sneaker comes with a roomier toe box which is helpful for women suffering from foot deformities such as bunions and plantar fasciitis.
2. The heel of this sneaker is more supportive and provides greater safety and security for the heels.
3. The lining is made up of very soft fabric which is of premier quality and provides good support.
4. The upper is highly breathable and offers higher comfort and durability.
5. The sneaker provides good arch support and its wedge supports your heel comfortably.
6. The outsole of this Keds sneaker is really flexible and durable which also offers good grip and balance on different types of surfaces.
1. There are so many incredible features of this Keds women's sneaker. Thought it looks real simple and classic styled sneaker, it is full of features that make your feet look cool and fashionable.
2. The sneakers look really good with variety of apparel choices such as jeans, capris and even with your skirt or any other casual dresses.
3. The sneaker supports your feet and provides injury free environment for walking and casual roaming throughout the town.
4. The break in period is much less as compared to the other canvas top sneaker brands.
5. Fitting is true to size and the sneaker provides higher comfort and support for the ankles, heels and toes.
1. You definitely need to wear low footie socks along with your shorts or capris. Ankle socks will not look good with these types of canvas sneakers.
2. Some customers have reported the canvas to be somewhat thinner and there is less amount of padding to the sneaker.
Average Customer Rating: 4.3/5
If you love to wear simple, elegant, classic, comfortable and durable canvas fashionable sneakers, then we highly recommend trying this Keds Women's Champion Canvas Sneaker. Just like the name suggests, it is truly a Champion when it comes to stylish canvas top sneakers.
There are lots of colors to choose and you can wear them for variety of dress styles which is a big plus of this classic sneaker. We give it 4.9 out of 5.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Keds Women's Champion Canvas Sneaker.
No. 1: Skechers Women's Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker ReviewSkechers Women's Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker is our no. 1 best women's fashion sneaker choice. The reasons are obvious ones. Skechers is the leading fashion footwear manufacturer in the world. It always produces top quality, diversified and affordable fashion sneakers. For latest trend-savvy girls and women, there is no best choice than the Skechers sneakers.
1. This sneaker has a unique, premier quality mesh construction on the upper which is highly breathable and protects your feet from excessive sweating.
2. The sneaker is made up of good quality synthetic and fabric material.
3. There is memory foam insole which provides good cushioning and support for the feet. Watch this video about the benefits of having memory foam insoles in your sneakers.
4. The outsole is constructed with flex grooves which offer good grip and traction along with support and comfort.
1. The fitting of this Skechers sneaker is really great and it provides highest comfort than any other sneakers in our top 10 list.
2. The sneaker is very easy to slip on and it is highly lightweight in nature. This obviously helps to reduce any fatigue and unnecessary burden on your feet after long distance walking and running.
3. You can also wear these sneakers without socks. Even without socks, they feel very comfortable and supportive.
4. The memory foam in the footbed really adds extra cushioning and comfort. They are perfect for women who have foot ailments such as arthritis and plantar fasciitis.
5. The cushioning of this Skechers sneaker is equally phenomenal. The amount of support and cushioning it provides; it is really very helpful for women who work by standing all day on their feet.
1. Some customers have reported that the sneaker is somewhat wide and it does not fit well for people with narrow sized feet. So it is important to keep in mind your actual foot size while shopping for fashion sneakers online.
2. The outsole of this sneaker gets heated too early while walking on the road in the summer days. So, if you are looking for a good summer sneaker then kindly look for the other sneakers in our list.
Average Customer Rating: 4.6/5
All in all, Skechers Women's Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker is our no. 1 top women's fashion sneaker. We have already seen the pros and cons of this sneaker. This is the best fashion sneaker for women who love easy to slip on, comfortable, supportive and well cushioned sneaker.
The sneaker looks stylish and trendy. If you are a nurse or a store attendant where you need to stand all day on your feet, this is the best sneaker we can recommend from our list. We give it 4.9 out of 5.
Click Here to Read Latest Customer Reviews and Current Discounted Price of Skechers Women's Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker.
So that's it. These are our top 10 best women's fashion sneakers for this year. If you have any queries, please comment in the comment box below and I will try to reply you as soon as possible.
One thing to remember here is that these are our own rankings based on our research and they should be considered our opinions only. You can do your own research in case you want more information regarding these sneakers.
Thanks for your time.


text:
F-ck Cancer! Fight Aids! We've got 5ks and telethons for the worst of ailments and suffering human kind carries. But suicide? What does that even look like? How do you tackle an illness that doesn't always show it's self so clearly as cancer and disease?
I'm well aware of the celebrities we've lost. The talented. The tormented. Robin Williams, Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Chester, Bordain…the list keeps growing every month. I thought my family was immune or safe from the grief of suicide, but that changed September 10th, 2017.
The day my Sister's husband took his own life. He's been part of mine for over 6 years. Camping trips, Florida trips, bonfires and beers. I'd be lying if I told you I don't think about him every hour of my day. The guilt, anguish, and empathy I carry for him and for my Sister is immeasurable. It's gotten so bad that I started therapy myself last week to talk about it. To borrow a friend's quote on therapy, "If you have a car, you have to perform regular maintenance on it. Change tires, oil, brakes. Most of us don't know how to do those things, so you bring it to someone who does, right? Same thing with the brain. Going 1000 miles a minute everyday doesn't come without some wear and tear. So we take it to a professional who can help us out with that."
Depression doesn't care how wealthy you are. How many kids you have. How the world would be lost without you. That's not how your sick brain works. We give well wishes and support to people with cancer. It's time to treat suicidal thoughts and mental health the same way.
If you feel like there's something wrong, it's time to fix it.
If you feel like you're beyond fixing, you're not. Call 1-800-273-8255.


text:
S.O.S. Chickie homework emergency.
(aka: I need to get over myself… urgently)
ok chickies,
I seem to be in a spot of bother… o.k, I'll admit it…
and I need some back up!
Remember the days when you left your homework until the last minute? See, I promised that I would "do it straight away"… But it was Christmas… The sun was shining, the birds were singing, there was all this festive stuff around me, calling out to be noticed There seemed to be SO many days left to get this done..
Heaps Plenty Loads A squillion, gazillion…..
But just like the grasshopper that surfed all summer, I now find myself in deep shit. (yes, ok its not me surfing, a girl can dream can't she??? )
Here is the thing:
Waaaay back in the golden, mistletoe-infested, glory days of December, I had a session with the lovely Julie from "beautiful you"….
(was going to insert a picture of her lovely face here, but probably best to not push my luck at this stage of proceedings.)
So, she greets me at the door with a great big hug, sits me down with a lovely cup of tea, looks me right in the eye with her beautiful big warm eyes… (yep, I'm feeling all safe and loved about now….) She gives me one of her sweet, comforting mega-watt smiles…. And then
out came the cricket bat, straight to the goolies….
What problem do you have with selling stuff she says???
Bloody hell…. I search around for a rock to climb under so that she'll leave my slack arse alone… rock count in julie's office= big fat ZERO!!!... there's not even a bloody couch or a big pot plant to hide behind… this is not gold!
"I'd like you to write me a reflective piece and send it to me", she says…. Still flashing the sweetest of smiles, but leaving me under no illusions…. (Fark she is dead serious….) "In it, I need you to explain the following : Why am I not promoting my products? What am I afraid of? What am I afraid will happen when I begin to self promote?"
I try to breathe…. Serenity now, serenity now… the thing is, past experience has shown that she only gets me to write the fancy list so that she can tear it up in front of me and say "get over it and just do it" Also, inevitably when I write the list, my reasons look so pathetic that I know it deserves to be ripped up too. Since we're all in this together chickies… and in the desperate hope that, by publically stating that:
I am a woosa!
(yep definitely a word…) and proving that I am mending my woosy ways by taking her advice and "getting over myself", and telling you about the smile chickie products we have so far,
that she will take pity on me and forgive me for handing my homework in late!
Otherwise, she's going to keep on making me write her reflective pieces ….
so chickies, here are the f-a-c-t-s concerning smile chickie's magical "stuff", will a drumroll make it more impressive???? so far we have:
1. A pretty book: to acknowledge the many amazing chicks out there who are getting on with living the best life possible (and an excellent way to raise money for the gorgeous chicks at the warwick foundation)
2. A cute necklace: that's so we can recognize each other out in the big wide world
3. A range of 10 cheeky journals: so we can subliminally proclaim what we stand for and make a quiet stand (not to mention that it's always important to have a place to write things down…)
4. A reusable chickie keepcup: to acknowledge that coffee is a food group and a basic human right. And that in order to have the stamina to keep on performing minor chickie miracles day in and day out, it is imperative to have caffeine on hand at all times, and in the most environmentally friendly (and stylish) receptacle possible.
oh god, i can't work out how to make this photo smaller and i also can't work out how to remove it.... SUCH a blogging whiz that i am... sorry!
So there you have it…
"Smile chickie stuff" is a cute, fun, cheeky way to spread the chickie word using products with meaning. Cheerful reminders to yourself, (and quiet way to show the world…) who you are and what you stand for. As a gift, Smile chickie products are also a great way to let another lovely chickie know that she is loved, valued and special to you.
So here's your LATE Christmas present lovely Julie. xxx
I hope that it proves to you that I intend to believe in myself more in 2012 and not be such a woosyscaredy-cat (new breed, very expensive…), and that it brings you a little smile!
NOW… if santa is still listening…
(sorry, I just like looking at him…) Julie was extra good last year…. next Christmas, PLEASE can you give her some kind of big chair??… shit, even a throw-rug would give me a fighting chance.
p.s. Please like this post if you think this counts, and that Julie should show mercy, cut me some slack and give me a big gold homework star (or at least not the strap) p.s.s. also, please feel free to show her what an excellent job I did, by heading over to smile chickie stuff and ordering something special for yourself or a special chick who deserves to be spoilt… then I would truly be a homework superstar!!!!
p.s.s.s. any hints on shrinking photos would be greatly appreciated right now... oops!