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Superman, Supercar: Incredible Days for Speed Lovers

Superman could fly at the speed of light….

For those of us brought up on the superhero, the urge to take off, travel at great speeds, and be able to move faster than light itself has always held a desirable, dreamlike quality.

Now, with the rise of supercars – high-performance sports cars that no expense has been spared on the creation of, from their hub caps to their brake lights, tyre treads to greaseless bearings – traveling at super high speed is a real possibility and something every wannabe Superman should try.

Supercar Track Day in Las Vegas is one incredible day out for speed freaks. Get up close and personal with such hot ranges as McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Corvette.

This is just one of the tracks along the Ultimate USA Driving Tour, during which you will drive in a supercar from Denver to Las Vegas. Along the way, you’ll pass through Colorado Springs, Santa Fe, and Sedona, until you reach your ultimate destination.

The tour takes five days and three nights to complete, and includes dinner with a real F1 driver, a welcome dinner, a gourmet dining experience, photo opportunities, aperitifs, signed merchandise, and more. It’s a luxury trip that offers a once-in-a-lifetime supercar experience.

Xtreme Xperience is another brand that brings the supercar close to you and into the realm of the achievable. Super doesn’t mean exclusive, and with XX you can try a number of different supercar makes, including some of the ones already discussed plus Nissan, Dodge, Ford Mustang, and Chevy. These classic makes have evolved over the decades to bring us some of the top level supercars, and there are also a range of routes available, such as Austin, Atlanta, Virginia, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Seattle, Colorado Springs, and many more.

In fact, there are over 35 cities included in the supercars routes offered by Xtreme Xperience, plus 50 packages, and that’s something well suited to any location of wannabe superman!

If you’re not sure about a supercar package, then getting yourself to a supercar show would be the next best bet.

There are showcase events all around the country all year round, including – but not limited to – events in Arizona, Florida, and LA, California. No doubt there will be a supercar event, fair, showcase, or festival near you, so keep an eye out and get ready to roll! Because supercars are all about superfast speed and getting behind the wheel, not just being a spectator and voyeur. These vehicles demand drivers, and that means you!

The Importance Of Recycling Plants

Most of us have never seen inside a recycling plant. We’ve not seen the mounds of trash drifting beneath HVLS fans, or the conveyor belts bringing garbage along to be cleaned and sorted. We’ve not seen the process of sorting, which is difficult, time-intensive, and very laborious – and neither do we want to. They’re kinda an eyesore in a town, right? And what goes on inside must be even more so. We shudder, or shrug, and more on to other, more seemingly topics.

But recycling plants are very much a positive, bringing a whole host of benefits. Perhaps you’ve never thought about it, but there are a large number of them. These include>>>

Reducing the pollution that’s caused by waste. Obvious, perhaps, but let’s not forget that this is the reason why recycling plants actually exist.

A linked effect of this is that the greenhouse gases and harmful chemicals caused by landfill sites are reduced, since recycling plants reduce the amount of waste in and of themselves.

Recycling lessens the need for new raw materials meaning that habitats remain intact. Countless animals lose their homes when we cut down trees and ‘cultivate’.

It also means that fewer trees are chopped down and so there is less deforestation, which in turns reduces the greenhouse effect. Trees help turn Co2 into oxygen, of course.

Energy is saved by recycling, because there is no energy used to make products from raw materials. This is a huge output normally.

Following on from this, it is the case that recycling uses less energy than creating products from raw materials. This is, again, very good for the environment and for our global carbon footprint.

Yoga at home, alone? for a local populace, in addition. This is happy human benefit, even as we work to save our planet.

Further to this, they are good for the economy. By reducing waste we save money and reap financial rewards.

The benefits of recycling plants are many. That strange, unsightly building helps us in the fight against climate change, essentially. There are very few negatives, and very many positives stemming from them. There may be other benefits, in addition, depending on the type of waste being recycled. If a plant specialises hard-to-recycle plastics, then it is of even greater value. But certainly these unsightly buildings do much to help us and our planet. It is the opinion of this writer that they are worth their weight in gold.

The Supercar Dream…

Supercar is the opposite of slow travel. Supercars are all about speed, greed, shine and sureness; they are diesel-guzzling and very eye-catching. They are also eye-wateringly expensive, but drop-jaw attractive!

Bugatti Veyron ‘Vivere’ by Mansory

Being a superman in speed and a batman in terms of your cool driving machine are something every American male aspires to (if he doesn’t then he’s not American!). Smooth and slick, their painted bodies like those of supermodels, supercars are a dream made reality, a fantasy come to life.

Whether it’s Ferrari, Corvette, McLaren, or Ford, the origin country and nationality of these dream machines just doesn’t matter.

  • Corvette Backside (Cars & Coffee of the Upstate)

You drive a supercar, you drive a dream, essentially! They are the most ethereal and ephemeral made corporeal, corporate flesh. Whoever dreamed of cars, dreamed the beginning of the supercar… Long may they reign, and long may they rule!

Cars R Us

Car lovers need to get their fix of this 4 wheeled beauty at every opportunity.

Whether that’s a car show, a car race, a road trip, or even just spending a few hours looking at a cool car magazine, car lovers’ love knows no bounds when it comes to keeping up with their passion.

Automobile enthusiasts will travel far and wide in order to indulge their hobby. Travel options become questions about cars – is there a car fest nearby? Will there be an automobile festival? Can we test drive a supercar? How about going to the races?

Car lovers everywhere – and their partners – will understand this – excuse the pun – driving enthusiasm! Every vacation becomes an opportunity to see, learn more about, or even drive cars.

It’s almost as if this is the American way of life – which it is!

Take Those Old Records off the Shelf…

 

Records. Oh Records. Such a delight to listen to the same band for hours in a pre decided order with durable technology. CDs scratch so easily and spotify can sometimes be overwhelming with options of sound and music. Did you know there was over 4 million vinyl records sold in the UK last year? Thank you bar karaoke for teaching me that one. Anyways, I went record hungtin this last weekened. Found this lil rock stand in Brooklyn and managed to scope out some amazing finds!

 

 

Queen because who can resist such classics as We are the Champions and Rock you? Plus didn’t Bohemian Rhapsody restore the Queen nostalgia? What a voice, what a talent, what a treasure.

 

This Simon and Garfunkel record my friend Dave bought me. I’ve been looking for their music for some time and I guess he snagged it right under my nose! So excited for this and a nod to NY. This concert dedicated all its proceeeds to Central Park which at the time was unkept. HBO was the network that agreed to show the concert on tv. So excited to sing along to me & julio, late in the evening, 50 ways to leave your lover, and the Boxer. Such magic music to dance and reminisce to!

 

Tips and Tricks for Bargain Hunting!

Having grown fond of scouring the markets, shops, estate sales, and other open spaces for a good deal,  I have learned a few things. So I figured I could share some tips. Here are some things that I have learned throughout the years. Some  are things  I wished I had learned sooner rather than later. Still reminiscing on that blue, satin sofa I should have came back for!

    1. Be There Early! And Late…?
      1. Of course the best stuff will be available in the morning. Having first pick should definitely be a top priority. On the other hand, better sales will be available later in the day. Flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, and the like are all designed to sell unwanted stuff. When owners see a large surplus of items at the end of the day, they are much more likely to put it on discount and potentially more susceptible to bartering. Which brings us to my next point…
    2. Bartering 
      1. Bartering can be a good or a bad idea. It all depends on the seller, and if they’re open to negotiation or not. My guide is to always ask. You will never get a sale if you don’t try. Make a reasonable offer and don’t try to insult the items for a better price. Insulting items will usually get you a tough rebuttal from the current owner/seller. Some may even refuse to sell to you.
      2. Some people will place a ND for No Discount tag on items
    3. Get Out of a Big City
      1. In cities like New York or Brooklyn, the competition for antiques/thrifting is stiff. Instead of battling the city dwellers, go out to the country side to find new items. In smaller cities, the thrift communities are teeming with opportunities and new items to find. Bring your car so you can safely get home all your treasures!
      2. Do your research and keep an eye on what is going to be auctioned off at Estate Sales.
    4. Keep Trying and Keep Looking!
      1. Good deals are everywhere waiting to be found and the only way to find them is to keep looking! Some days, I find all the things I want and more. Other days, I spend hours roaming through inventories not finding anything I like. That is part of the fun! Regardless if I buy anything or not it’s always a treat to look through old treasures. I love thinking about where these objects have been and the lives these objects had before coming into contact with me. Hopefully imaginging an item´s backstory will help motivate you as you continue to persist in your bargain hunting!

Continue reading “Tips and Tricks for Bargain Hunting!”

Top Three: New York Flea Markets

New York is, of course, the place to make a designer purchase, whether it be a clutch bag, a pair of pants, a hat, shoes, or a suit. 


It’s also a great place for grabbing yourself a fine piece of vintage clothing, from earrings to dresses to original mini skirts and 60s hippie robes. Furniture, too, can be found in every style under the sun, and from every era. Just head to one of the flea markets on this list and you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.

A day trip to NYC is always cool, and booking one of the various Hourly Hotels in NYC with Day Break Hotels is even cooler, especially on a hot summer’s day or cold winter’s one. An Hourly Hotel gives you a room to get freshened up in during the day – you can even get some shut eye – but the price is low and the benefit is that you can recharge, giving you enough energy to hunt for bargains at more than one flea market in a single trip.

Here’s a ‘top three’ featuring some of the very best flea markets in the city, then, which, depending on your preferences, will surely yield some fabulous treasures.

 

 

GRAND BAZAAR

One of the oldest flea markets in the city, Grand Bazaar is also the largest. With over 100 vendors, you’re sure to find that pair of 1950s Audrey Hepburn-style gloves or Cary Grant-era fedora hat. You can also purchase furniture, ornaments, photographs, and art.
When: every Sunday, from 10am – 5.30pm

Where: Columbus Ave, 100 W 77th St.

Website: https://grandbazaarnyc.org 

 

BROOKLYN FLEA

Founded in 2008, Brooklyn Flea occurs these days in two locations, meaning a whole weekend of vintage wonderment if you choose to venture forth to both. Jewelry, clothing, furniture, and bric-a-brac are the order of the day here, and artisan food vendors add a lot to the overall experience, too.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Where: Sat – Williamsburg, Sun – Dumbo

Website: http://brooklynflea.com 

 

CHELSEA FLEA MARKET

Taking place on both Saturday and Sunday, this cheerful Chelsea market is all about antiques, collectibles, and oddities. Some of the items are over 100 years old, making it an Instragrammer’s idea of heaven.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 6.30am – 7pm

Where: 29 West 25th Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue

Website: http://www.annexmarkets.com/chelsea-flea-market 

Masks at Chelsea (Photo: Carl Mikoy)

These flea markets are free to attend, although Chelsea charges a $1 entry which goes to a charitable cause.
Happy shopping!

Antikrundan: The Origin of My Love of Antiques

I grew up watching this show and absolutely loved guessing how much these items were worth. I still reminisce watching the show thewith my family and being astounded at the prices that some fo the objects were worth. This show is probably why I am so into antiques today. The show is now in the 30th season?? How amazing is that? Here is a clip of the best moments all over from 30 years worth….