Some Beautiful Ornaments to Get You in a Holiday State of Mind

Because You SO Want
to Know About Kevin
Jonas' Wedding Jewelry

On Saturday evening, pop star Kevin Jonas said “I Do” wearing custom-made platinum jewelry by CliQ (BeansTalk note: is it just us or does she look a heck of a lot like Haylie Duff?):

· Platinum cufflinks with 3.5 carats of diamonds and crafted with 186 round diamonds ($15,500).
· Platinum tuxedo shirt studs surrounded by diamonds ($8,900).
· Platinum tie accent with round diamonds ($5,400).

“Since Kevin’s accessories are set in platinum, they will last forever and become family heirlooms,” says jewelry expert Michael O’Connor. “Kevin can give them to his brothers for their weddings, or pass the jewelry along to his future children as keepsakes,” adds O’Connor.

Designer Eric Alulis from CliQ Jewelry spent months perfecting Kevin’s request. “We recommended Kevin wear platinum because no other metal is capable of showing off the 4 carats of diamonds and fine hand setting work in our pieces,” says Alulis.

This isn’t the first time Kevin has requested platinum jewelry. He purchased a platinum 3-carat diamond engagement ring from Jacob & Co. for his bride Danielle Deleasa.

Men are fans of platinum jewelry because of its heft and durability. Other leading Hollywood men including Tom Cruise, Lamar Odom, Marc Anthony, Pete Wentz, Donald Trump, and Jeff Gordon wore platinum on their wedding day.

Visit www.PreciousPlatinum.com for more information

See? What'd we tell ya? Haylie Duff, and Danielle Deleasa

Looking Ahead
New for New Years

Looking for a new and fun New Year's Drink? Why not try the

“Bombshell”

3/5 42 below passion fruit 42BELOW vodka
1/5 42 below pure 42BELOW vodka
1/5 cranberry juice
A splash of passion fruit puree and garnished with lemon

Our Holiday List

What WE Want For the Holidays
(And You Might Want, Too!)

Our readers may not be Santa -- to us -- but you are to those around you. If you haven't gotten all your gifts yet, consider this very much from the heart list of some of the things we want. Yes, you read that right what we at BeansTalk really want, for ourselves.

Above: Sanford Ink Sharpie Permanent Markers, Ultra Fine. Sharpie markers allow you to make permanent marks on most hard surface. The fine point provides a clean, neat writing line. Features fade-resistant and water-resistant ink that further extends multiple project uses. Quick-drying, nontoxic, alcohol-based ink formula. Colors include black, blue, red, green, yellow, purple, brown, orange, berry, lime, aqua, turquoise, magenta, tangerine, olive, navy, burgundy, marigold, plum, lilac, pink, sky, mint and peach. $30

Tree Show by Mark Ryden By Mark Ryden - Porterhouse Fine Art Editions (2009) - Hardback - 124 pages

Absorbing Roman poet Ovids tales of transformation in Metamorphosis and adding his own dash of art historical figuration and contemporary Pop Culture, Mark Ryden broaches new terrain with The Tree Show. Arcadian Gothic might hint at the nature of this new work, and fans of Ryden will find familiar preoccupations in these new paintings, drawings and sculptures established since his first solo show in 1998 transposed to new pastures. Never reluctant to freight his work with layers of reference that range from Renaissance landscape and Neoclassic portrait painting to occultism and literature, in his latest works Ryden combines the arcane with popular cultural images as ground from which to make his carefully executed leaps into fantasy. Rydens series includes depictions of oak trees consuming children, floating tree stumps with seeing eyes, imaginary wood nymphs, and mythological characters who personify Nature herself. Ryden paints his characters with a masterful, porcelain glow reminiscent of Ingres, and renders his trees with a care that evokes Audubons botanical illustration, and has put several of his paintings in elaborately carved frames that project their narratives beyond the canvas. The Tree Show shows these paintings and sculptures alongside the fruits of Rydens research on the tree as myth, from the Buddhas Bodhi tree, to Adam and Eve, the Sephiroth of the Kabbalah and matters of ecological science. As such, it constitutes an enticing dossier on Rydens encyclopedic exploration of the subject and reproduces in its entirety this series centered around the arboreal world. $35

Anna Griffin Embellishments, Papers and Albums


We know, you are thinking that this is a total weird-ass list, but we did say it was what we wanted for the holidays, with the caveat that it might be something you might want, too.

It makes us sound like home schoolers -- or Mormons (we are neither), but here we announce to the net wide that we make scrapbooks and scrapbook journals. We make them to pass onto the Chairman of the Board and we make them for (very) good friends. We find it relaxing and creative. Sneer if you will, but if you ever received one of these beauties from us, you'd be forever grateful.

There are many companies in the world of (we don't like this word) "Scrapbooking" and they're primarily based in Provo or other environs in Utah. But one of our particular favorites are papers and epoxy embellishments and chipboard letters by Anna Griffin. We've always loved all things antique-y and retro and the 1940s are probably our favorite "pattern" era (think large floral oilcloth couches and the like). Griffin's products, found at QVC, craft stores and the like, are just beautiful quality.

Massage

One beautiful word in the English language that translates into a gift of bliss. Need we say more? There are few gifts that are this pleasurable!

Tory Burch "Thora" Sandal

Hello, yes, we know it's winter, but we're based in Southern California! Even though it has gotten quite chilly, there are enough lulls of warm weather waves, that we'd be able to don these, the cutest of the cute in the Tory Burch line. It's quite a popular style and has been a part of the popular line for awhile now. We love them; we want them with the silver TB medallion. But they're pretty pricey for flip flops. From Nordstrom's site: A shiny metal logo medallion tops a stylishly casual thong sandal with a similarly detailed, embossed lining. Patent leather upper/leather lining/rubber sole.
$115

Fever Clothing

This is one of our favorite lines of clothing and we have several sweaters and tops. Great Styling. Sold at Nordstrom and other fine stores. (FYI, this is not us in the photo.)

Kinerase Extreme Lift Face
Look 10 years younger in 5 minutes

OK, we admit we have not tried this on a regular basis (where would we get the $$?), but we make it a habit to sample it anytime we're at a Sephora (Oh, please, we are so not the only one who does this -- we have seen women go there pre-date for a full-on makeover). At any rate, we really can see the results and it's freaking amazing. We cannot say we will be buying this soon (or know anyone who will gift us), but if you afford it, or you're looking for a special gift with real (and quick) results, try this.

From their site: This skincare breakthrough treatment is the alternative to physician administered injectables to instantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This one-of-a-kind treatment has been clinically shown to fill in and smooth wrinkles to noticeably lift and tighten. Works on trouble spots like forehead furrows and frown lines for a more youthful look.
• Non-comedogenic
• Hypoallergenic 1 fl. oz (30 ml) $150.00

Liz Earle Superbalm

We adore this, and use it on our face. It smells amazing and the result is lovely skin. From their site: "Our ‘emergency’ skin salve rescues and soothes skin. Made from pure plant oils and natural waxes plus shea butter, it gently softens and calms dry skin on hands, heels, elbows, lips and helps condition nails and cuticles. $30

Rodan + Fields Reverse Exfoliate

This stuff smells good enough to eat (but don't because we tried it; as fantastic as it smells, it's not so tasty). It's crazy expensive, but luxurious and gorgeous to use. From their site: Combines salt and sugar to promote maximum safe exfoliation and enhanced cell turnover. Allows for controlled exfoliation (wet or dry). Includes vitamins C + E to reduce environmental damage. Oil-free high-glide formula won't clog pores and smoothes quickly over skin. Seals in moisture to leave skin luminous. Has a fresh citrus fragrance. As we age, the rate of cell turn-over dramatically slows. This creates dull, uneven pigmentation. To keep skin healthy and radiant on a regular basis, using Rodan & Fields Exfoliate is ideal. Acts as a booster to the REVERSE regimen to reverse brown spots, fine lines and the signs of photo-aging as it helps penetration of the regimens active ingredients. Great for lips, hands and body too! Directions For Use: Use AM 1x-3x per week as tolerated. Apply Exfoliate to completely dry face for maximum exfoliation with fingers. For less abrasive exfoliation, dampen fingertips or face prior to massaging on Exfoliate. Massage on face for 1-2 minutes. Rinse off with water. If excessive dryness or irritation occurs, integrate ESSENTIAL Moisturize into your regimen following REVERSE 3. Do not use on irritated or acne skin. We recommend that you start using Rodan & Fields REVERSE regimen once daily for a week and then progress to twice daily as tolerated. From Rodan + Fields, creators of Proactiv. $65

Sonya Dakkar Omega-3 Repair Complex - Irritation Formulated for Irritated Skin

We have extremely sensitive skin, but can heartily recommend this serum from Sonya Dakkar. We've used the product for nearly 10 years (god, that makes us feel old) and are restored when we use it. $42.00

Warren-Tricomi Style Smoothing Conditioner 9.3 fl oz (275 ml) $20
We were able to sample this great conditioner because the former packaging eventually made its way to the clearance section of Marshall's. We've always taken good care of our hair and therefore have tried many different products of varying quality and prices. But we can say in all honesty, this is the BEST smelling conditioner. Love it. It's currently out of our price range for hair conditioner, but you might want to try it. It makes hair whisper soft, too.

Hi-fructose Collected Edition (Hardcover) ~ Annie Owens
Hi-Fructose magazine showcases an eclectic mix of underground artists, pop surrealists, emerging and rediscovered countercultures, and awe-inspiring spectacles from around the world. For the first time, this critically acclaimed arts magazine is collected in an expanded hardcover edition, compiling the best of the sought-after, long-sold-out first four volumes. Features the art of Mark Ryden, Tim Biskup, Junko Mizuno, Dave Cooper, Greg "Craola" Simkins, Gary Baseman, Alex Pardee, Gary Taxali, Scott Musgrove, Jeff Soto, Ray Ceasar, JennyBird, Joe Ledbetter, Longo Land, Michael Salter, Fawn Gehweiler Kurt Halsey, Invader, Ron English, Wilfrid Wood, Jim Woodring, Seen, Leslie Reppetaux, Brian McCarty, Attaboy, Saur Kids, Chris Uphues, Kaiju Big Battel, Chris Uphues, PShaw!, Ragnar, Cat Chow, and more.
$35

The Twelve Terrors of Christmas: Drawings by Edward Gorey by John Updike, Edward Gorey (Illustrator)

Edward Gorey’s off-kilter depictions of Yuletide mayhem and John Updike’s wryly jaundiced text examine a dozen Christmas traditions with a decidedly wheezy ho-ho-ho. $8

Category: Fifty Drawings by Edward Gorey

Finally, back in print! Edward Gorey's CATEGORY was first published by Gotham Book Mart in 1974. The English language edition has been out of print for decades. One of Gorey's most beloved books, CATEGORY collects a series of fifty cat vignettes, originally created by the artist as accompaniments to a limited edition of his book Amphigorey. Gorey once said, "I can't conceive of a life without cats." Now Gorey fans and cat lovers alike won't have to conceive of a world without CATEGOREY. Edward Gorey (1925-2000) may be best known for his mildly unsettling illustrated tales and cautionary alphabets-The Deranged Cousins, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and The Doubtful Guest, among many others. He was also a playwright, an award-winning set and costume designer, and the creator of the animated introductions to the PBS series Mystery! $8

The Unstrung Harp; Or Mr. Earbrass Writes a Novel by Edward Gorey

Perhaps one of his most autobiographical works, THE UNSTRUNG HARP is a look at the literary life and its 'attendant woes: isolation, writer's block, professional jealousy, and plain boredom.' But as with all of Edward Gorey's books, TUH is also about life in general, with its anguish, turnips, conjunctions, illness, defeat, string, parties, no parties, desuetude, fever, tides, labels, mourning, elsewards. Finally, TUH is about Edward Gorey the writer, about Edward Gorey writing THE UNSTRUNG HARP. Originally published in 1953, it's a small masterpiece.

The Blue Aspic by Edward Gorey

Exquisitely illustrated with Gorey's signature pen-and-ink crosshatching, "The Blue Aspic" is a heart-wrenching and oddly hilarious tale of unrequited love and ...

If you couldn't tell by now, we love Gorey and have a shelf on our precious bookcase dedicated just to him. The books listed here are ones not currently in our collection. But if you're interested enough, you can go to goreydetails.net for more scoop.



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Sock it To 'Em!

Sure, it's boots weather, but if you're not wearing shearling boots, you're going to need socks. And there are so many fun and quality foot and calf warmers available, we thought we'd show you a few.

The Dav over-the-knee socks seen above are not only chenille, but quite pretty. They retail for $19, and the cable knit version is $17. They're great with the company's trademark fashionable rain boots, but they can be worn with any kind of shoe or boot.

Here are some other options:

Bridgedale Women's Precision Fit 2-Pair Pack

• A performance fit that improves toe warmth and comfort.
• Lightweight.
• Anatomically shaped for a women's specific fit.
• Mapped toe box improves warmth.
• Graduated compression for calf comfort.
• Shin pad shape improves boot tongue comfort.
• Best for performance fit and warmth.
• 40% Merino wool, 39% Endurofil™, 19% nylon, 2% Lycra®.
• Machine wash warm.
come in a bevy of color combos, pink and red, black and pink, blue and turquoise.

$47.50

Wigwam Snow Preppy Isle Pro 3-Pair Variety Pack

• Who says fashion can't exist in the flaky world of snow apparel? Get some mad props when you sport these funky lil' socks from Wigwam®.
• Features a classic argyle patterned sock with soft, foot-hugging warmth and the comfort of Merino wool.
• Ribbed collar with stay-put leg and top.
• Lightweight design for maximum control.
• Cushioned sole for comfort.
• Foot-hugging stretch.
• Seamless Classic Linking toe closure.
• Machine wash warm inside out, tumble dry low.
• Consists of:
53% stretch nylon
27% Merino wool
20% Olefin
• Sold as a 3-pair variety pack.
• Product measurements were taken using size MD (Women's 6-10). Please note that measurements may vary by size.

$54

Teko Ecomerino Women's Ski Light 3-Pair Pack

• You want comfort and quality in your ski socks; with the ‘Women's Ski Light' from Teko® you won't sacrifice either.
• Officially-Certified Organic wool ski socks.
• This bold new line of high-performance winter sport socks is certified organic EcoMerino™ wool.
• Designed for high-performance and comfort, Teko's redesigned ski line has a winter sport sock for every condition or boot fit.
• All styles have a totally flat knitted toe seam (no ridges against your toes) fir the ultimate in athletic comfort.
• Lycra® arch band and skeleton keep the sock from bunching in your boot.
• Light cushion at top and bottom of foot, heel and ankle.
• Heavy cushion at shin.
• Instep flex-zone and y heel gore.
• Air channels at sides of foot.
• EcoPoly reinforced heels and toes.
• Consists of 64% EcoMerino™ wool, 18% EcoPoly recycled polyester, 15% nylon, 3% Lycra® spandex.
• Sold as a 3-pair pack.
• Product measurements were taken using size MD (Men's 5-8.5, Women's 6-9.5). Please note that measurements may vary by size.

$64

Missoni Multi Above The Knee Sock

• With riveting style like this, why be rational? Rejuvenate your wardrobe from head to toe, starting with these rousing above the knee socks from Missoni™!
• Over-the-knee socks in fun and fabulous multicolored stripes.
• 50% cotton, 30% rayon, and 20% nylon.
• Hand wash cold, line dry.
• Made in Italy.

$100

Smartwool Floral Fan 3-Pair Variety Pack

• The Smartwool Floral Fan socks are that final touch of decoration you always want.
• Non-cushioned knee high sock will be an easy fit into any shoe without the bulk.
• This ornate sock is reminiscent of the Victorian era with its elaborate floral fan design and the circular pattern down the calf.
• Wool has a natural moisture management that protects against bacteria and odor.
• Signature Smartwool logo on bottom of sock.
• Made with 65% Merino wool, 31% nylon, 4% spandex.
• Machine wash warm and tumble dry low.
• Product measurements were taken using size MD (Women's 7-9.5). Please note that measurements may vary by size.

$70

Juicy Couture Decadent Plaid Knee High

• Delightfully dine on the smoothly Decadent Plaid Knee High socks from Juicy Couture™!
• Scrumptious striped pattern. Enjoy!
• 70% rayon, 28% nylon, and 2% spandex.
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low.
• Imported.

$28

Betsey Johnson Velvet Trim Dots & Flowers Knee Sock (2-pack)

• Dress out loud in these vivacious Velvet Trim Dots & Flowers Knee socks from Betsey Johnson™!
• Small floral and dot pattern.
• Pretty ruching detail at top of sock.
• Small bows accent the top back of sock.
• Contrast toe cap.
• 75% cotton, 20% nylon, and 5% spandex.
• Machine wash cold turned inside out, line dry.

$34

The Scoop on Uggs

Uggs!!!

We got our holiday prezzie from our CFO and Chairman of the Board early this year and we LOVE it. We got a pair of Ugg Ultra Tall Boots in Chocolate (yep, the ones in the image above). They're amazing!

It was a bit of an impulse -- and, it turns out a very fortuitous buy -- we were at the Marina del Rey Sports Chalet and checked out their large selection of Uggs.

For those of you who reside in places where the weather is actually and technically cold, you should know that everyone (or seemingly everyone) in Southern California wears Uggs, or at least some facsimile of them (we're talking about actual sheepskin-shearling boots, not the faux-suede and faux-fur lining boots you see everywhere from $12.99 at Tuesday Morning to $99 at DSW).

In other words, it's not crazy that we were getting our third pair of Uggs (but, hey, that's in the last decade!). And as we're maturing, we're feeling the bitter bite of the cold more sharply, so throwing on a pair of Uggs over our (always) bare feet keeps us cozy.

At any rate, like any new purchase, we combed the internet, looking to assure that we got a good deal. At the SC, there were two pair of the Ugg New Zealand [pay attention to this part, it will be important later]-made Ultra Talls in Chocolate remaining, one in a size 5 (ours!) and one in a size 9 (some other lucky person's!). They were marked down to $119, $80 off their original price.

As we were debating over our choice, a salesperson walked by and said, to us, in an aside, "Those are really good ones, the ones that came out last year are a lot better made than the ones we got this year, and they'll last a lot longer."

This got us thinking, so we walked around the checked out the rest of the stock -- and most of the Uggs (authentic, of course) were now made in China. The salesperson noted the easy way to tell if you're looking at boxes of Uggs is by the label. The "classic" Uggs, plain suede with shearling lining are almost all now made in China. You most commonly see this style in bone, tan, black and brown and now come in heights ranging from a super short ankle boot to the Ultra Talls.

The newer (and more fully stocked) Ultra Tall Uggs were, upon inspection, still made in New Zealand (that's a tip, btw, if you want a quality pair, it appears that the more chunky solid soled-versions are made by Kiwis). But those boots retail, at both SC and online at Zappos, for $225.

More internet research seemed to pull up a bunch of sites selling "Uggs" for what appeared to half price. In a time when stores are putting up signs that brag "We Have Uggs!" it seems curious that a retailer is able to sell them at such a reduced rate. As we examined the site further, we realized that all items to be returned had to be "shipped back" to China.

Ah, they were knock-offs! How could they then, be selling them not as Ugg like but claiming authenticity? A web search came across several similar sites (an example, the one we initially found, can be seen at http://www.55uggs.com/ these are not authentic).

This got us thinking -- now that Uggs are actually made in China (well, most of their most popular styles, at least), were these knock-off sellers offering shearling boots from an actual Ugg manufacturer or were they of lesser quality? We don't really know, but anyone who will make this investment (and for us, a pair of Uggs are an investment), should take all this into consideration.

That said, it seemed unfair to consumers who think they are getting the real thing when they're not. If the website sells only Uggs and shipping is international and there's a not of the issue of customs' payment (often they'll absorb the cost and mention it), you're likely to be getting a pair of fakes. But the simplest way of determining if you're getting a real or faux pair is if the prices seem outrageously low.

Uggs are in heavy demand, period. And in a time (like now) when stock is depleted (there won't be many who'll get the amazing deal we did last Sunday), there are people who buy them up and sell them on Ebay for an even more inflated price than the actual retail price. Retailers are getting the highest suggested retail price, and some (the stores with a very large stock, you'll often find) even bump the prices further up. That means, they are not liquidating them by any means.

It really does boil down to the old truism: "if it sounds like too good of a deal, it probably isn't."

If you don't care if they are not authentic Uggs, and would like to pay less, instead of buying a pair of sent-from China knock-offs that claim to be Uggs, consider other brands that sell actual shearling boots. Off the top of our heads, we can think of Bear Paw and Minnetonka.

In trolling Zappos, it appears that Fitzwell, Lugz and Gabriella Rocha make an actual shearling-lined boot (at a lower price point than authentic Uggs).

The key is to look for quality inside and outside the boot. They'll last longer, look nicer longer, and will be more comfortable (removable real-shearling insoles can be washed and the nap revived by brushing if they become flattened; faux cannot).

Boots that look real but aren't (your first clue will be the "all man-made materials adhesive tag") won't be of the same quality caliber as our New Zealand-made Uggs Ultra Talls, but at least you're not getting the all-over-the-malls faux suede lined with man-made/faux fur.

Get fakeys, and you'll not only get minimal wear from them, but they're likely to grunge-out quickly and (this isn't pretty, but it's true) they'll develop an odor which will have you Fabreez-ing them frequently. They may last you a season, but not even that, if you live in significantly wet or snowy weather.

Brands that can feature real suede outside, but faux-fur linings include Steve Madden and Rocket Dog -- there may be exceptions within these brands, but you probably want to check carefully. There are also plenty of nice boots (La Candienne comes to mind) of similar styling that are a good deal more expensive, than even the authentic Uggs.

That said, we shot off a quick email to Uggs Australia about the site claiming to sell authentic Uggs that were so obviously not.

We got the following response today:

----

Thank you for your email. In regards to your inquiry we do have a department that is continually working on getting fraudulent websites shut down, however since this process involves many facets of our company as well as a legal department it is very time consuming. Please report any fraudulent sites you may come across to the following email address so that we can work on getting them shut down: uggip@uggaustralia.com If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us back either via email or by phone at 1-888-432-8530.
___

The email was from a rep of the Deckers Outdoor Corporation, of which Ugg falls under.

As we always suggest at BeansTalk, buy smart. Do a little research and be tenacious. You might get lucky in your quest for Uggs. We did!

White House Christmas 2009 Premieres Sunday, 20 December 2009 8/7c on HGTV

It's the Obamas' first Christmas in the White House and dozens of volunteers help transform the home with traditional, eco-friendly Christmas decorations. Designer and HGTV host Genevieve Gorder gives a one-of-a-kind glimpse of everything that goes into creating a fun and festive holiday season at the White House, including decorating tips and updates from the volunteers, design secrets and menu temptations. See what it's like to be inside the White House and all around the nation's Capitol at Christmastime.

BBC's Gavin and Stacey Returns

If you didn't catch the first and second seasons Gavin and Stacey, you should consider the third. Gavin and Stacey is a fun little BBC series -- in addition to deciphering of the cool Welsh accent, it's a comedy focusing on the lives of a couple who met cute in the first season have dealt with the chaos of their best friends and family through thick and thin.

Ultimately, the series is best in its supporting players as leads Joanna Page and Mathew Horn simply can't compete with the likes of Alison Stedman as Gavin's mother, Rob Bryn as Stacey's uncle, James Corden as Gavin's bestie Smithy, and particularly Corden's real-life writing partner, Ruth Jones as Stacey's best friend Nessa. Jones is a wonderful actress whose turns in the big Emmy winner, Little Dorrit, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Saxondale, as well as Little Britain (she's Myfanwy), demonstrate her versatility.

The U.S premieres of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special and the series' third season will air on BBC America. The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special premieres Thursday, December 24, 2009 10 p.m. ET/PT and season three premieres in the second quarter of 2010.


GAVIN & STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - U.S. PREMIERE
Last season ended with Gavin and Stacey reuniting after a difficult separation and happily celebrating the birth of Smithy and Nessa’s baby. Now it's Christmas Eve and Stacey’s family decide to join Gavin’s for one of his dad’s famous turkey dinners. Chaos erupts - obviously. Smithy, excited about his first Christmas with his son, doesn’t count on Nessa’s boyfriend Dave Coaches (Steffan Rhodri) tagging along and hilarity ensues throughout the day as Smithy’s jealousy builds. The neighbors Pete (Adrian Scarborough) and Dawn (Julia Davies) get embroiled in a family argument and it ends with Pete punching Dave Coaches. Meanwhile Stacey's older brother, Jason (Robert Wilfort) and Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon), have a heart-to-heart about “that” mysterious fishing trip from season one while Gavin and Stacey’s reveal their plan to move to Barry Island which doesn’t quite turn out to be the Christmas present their families were expecting.



GAVIN & STACEY- SEASON 3 - U.S. PREMIERE

As Gavin starts his new job, the move to Barry Island means big changes for the whole family. Gavin’s parents, Pam and Mick have to adjust to an empty nest while Stacey’s mom, Gwen's got a full house again. Stacey’s in her element, but will this finally be the solution to the couple's long-distance problem? And how will Gavin take to living in Wales?

Corden, Page, Horne and Jones of Gavin and Stacey

The cast of BBC's Gavin and Stacey, returning for a Christmas Special and its third season.


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BeansTalk's Lex-Ed

BeansTalk's Customized Mystery

The entry in which we investigate what happened to Lexee and discover Chamilia.

We're not sure what happened to them.

Lexees are (soon to be were) "convertible" wedge sandals available in all-black flat and high, as well as black with a brown sole, in both heel heights, and the highest wedge, a cork slide.

Two BeansTalk staffers independently -- and simultaneously, based on a Tuesday Morning flyer -- developed quite a curiosity about these versatile sandals.

The removable/changeable top or Flexee, features high-quality snaps (three to a side) making changing tops to suit your outfit, easy-peasy.

The bottoms' average retail was $65 and the tops sold for $16.99. The company's original website, wwww.lexees.com has been shut down and all on-line stores are selling them as "clearance" (bottoms are in the $25 range and tops in the $12 range).

However, last Friday, 11 December 2009, Tuesday Morning stores were offering Lexees for $14.99 and the tops (Flexees) for $2.99. Today, Monday, 14 December 2009, Lexees go back to the store's "regular" deep discounted rate of $19.99 -- still not a bad bargain.

We picked up a pair, the high heel, in all black and got three Flexees (Summer Rays, Dark Navy, Circle and Squares). The Flexees were originally available in more than 150 styles.

Apparently, several on-line stores monogrammed or personalized (via embroidery) the plain tops. We saw traditional initial monograms, sports logos and names, among others.

Lexees are called a comfort shoe, and while not exactly the height of fashion, they are comfortable (although we haven't walked in them yet, only tried them on) and they're potentially very versatile.

We're very curious about what happened to company, which launched in May 2006, with a single location, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Lexees and Flexees were made in China.

Here's some info from the original release of the shoes:

""Lexees are the comfort shoe of the future," says company President Jeff Julkowski. "Empowering women with the ability to go from casual to dressy in a snap, Lexees are lightweight enough to be stored inside a woman's purse and make an ideal shoe for business casual offices and weekend getaways. We view them as the essential shoe for the 20-65 year old woman this summer."

A former Cole Haan designer was contracted to design the comfort cushion sole in Lexees shoes. Each shoe base has three side snaps which accommodate comfy, Neoprene fabric tops called "Flexees.” Flexees are available in a variety of over 100 patterns, styles and colors with everything from a Puce style print to crystal and rhinestone studded tops, animal prints, and other expressive styles. Retailers carrying the line will also be able to offer custom Flexees tops branded with a company logo.

"Many women obsess over coordinating their shoes to each outfit, but the hobby can be expensive and problematic when it comes time to store the shoes or pack for a weekend getaway. Lexees enables you to achieve over 100 looks from a single shoe base, depending on how many Flexees tops are purchased," says Eda Persampieri, director of product development.

Lexees interchangeable shoes are expected to ship into retail gift stores this month.

The retail price is $90 per pair and they are available in sizes 6 through 11 which includes one base and three Flexee shoe tops. Additional Flexee tops can be purchased online or through retailers at $14 per pair. Tops may be hand washed and are quick to dry.

The company is already working on expanding the Lexees collection to include closed top interchangeable shoes for the winter months as well as interchangeable shoes for men and more interchangeable fashion choices for women."

It doesn't appear that they expanded into the "winter" version of the Lexee.

(Side Note -- or SideTrack -- President Jeff Julkowski may be the same Jeff Julkowski, who in 2002 owned 12 Aquamassage machines in six malls in New Jersey.

The Aquamassage Jeff Julkowski is one in the same with the Julkowski whose "custom" jewelry company, Chamilia, won a lawsuit brought against them by Pandora. Chamilia, founded in 2002, features handcrafted beads made out of Italian Murano glass and were launched this summer in the U.K. BeansTalk checked out the Chamilia beads and they're quite pretty -- but really do look an awful lot like Pandora. For the record, prices for both the Chamilia and Pandora beads seem to be on par -- both, for example, have 14-kt gold beads in the $300 price range, and Murano glass beads in the $15 to $18 range)

There appears to be a Jeff Julkowski in New York -- he's married to a woman named Elizabeth Rose. There's a Jeff Julkowski in Minneapolis, but we do not know if they are one and the same, but may be -- especially since Chamilia was founded in NY and is now based in Minneapolis.

(several Google searches later....) At last, we have found the connection Lexees/Chamilia is one and the same. We suspect that with the success of Chamilia -- they've done well in their international launches, including the previously mentioned U.K., as well as Australia.)

The Lexee were described in online sales thusly:

"The Lexee comfort shoe. Purchase one base shoe and unlimited snap-on tops. Easy to travel with and match everything in your wardrobe. Available in 3 heel heights: Flat, 2-1/2-inch wedge, or 3-inch cork wedge. Shoe set comes with your base shoe and one black top. Additional designer tops can be purchased separately.

All shoes have an excellent arch support and are comfortable to wear all day. We wear ours standing and walking in the store for 8+ hours at a time with no problems! Shoes come in full sizes 6 - 11; if you are a half size, get the next larger size (for example, if you wear a shoe size 7-1/2, purchase a size 8.

You can use a damp cloth to spot-clean your FLEXEES toppers, or hand wash and lay flat to dry."

A final note: All internet sales of Lexees and Flexees are specifically noted as clearance, with no return or exchange, and that rings an obvious death knell. Lexees are a clever idea, to be sure, but Chamilia with its personalized beads leaves the design to the buyer's caprice. Any person of any age, weight and size could create their own bracelet using the same interchangeable beads. With Lexees, the company had to deal with different styles which had to be made available in different sizes, as well as the huge selection of Flexee tops.

The "flat" Lexee and a small sampling of the once-available Flexees.

Just for good measure -- and because we know you're curious, here are a couple of examples of Chamilia.

More Pandora....

And for comparative purposes, Pandora Jewelry....

And lastly, Chamilia again....

Actress Kate Beckinsale arrives for the premiere of the film "Everybody's Fine" in New York December 3, 2009. Beckinsale wore LANVIN’s black washed metalized wool cocktail dress with tulle accents from the Fall/Winter 2009 Collection. She attended the premiere with her daughter Lily Sheen (dad is actor Michael Sheen), who wore a similarly designed dress. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)

Anna Kendrick attends the premiere of "Up in the Air" in Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. Kendrick, who also stars in New Moon, wore platinum jewelry by Neil Lane, a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings and a bracelet, all set in platinum. (Fashion Wire Daily/Maria Ramirez)

Rachel McAdams attended the Sherlock Holmes press conference on December 1, 2009 wearing a dress by Tadashi Shoji. She selected the peach and black abstract printed silk chiffon draped front dress from the designer’s Spring 2010 runway collection seen above.

Penelope Cruz sparkled at the World Premiere of Nine wearing Chopard’s High Jewelery earrings composed of briolette cut diamonds (7.40ct) and 2 pear shaped diamonds of 5.0ct each along with a unique ring set with a pear shaped ruby (7.36ct) and a pear shaped diamond (3.70ct), both within a pavé-set diamond band of 242 brilliants (1.59ct)

Australian actress Nicole Kidman arrives for the world film premiere of Nine, in Leicester Square, London, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. She wore platinum jewelry by Fred Leighton at the world premiere, a pair of platinum and 7-carat diamond drop earrings. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

SAG Holiday Auction TODAY
Begins 9 a.m. (PT)

Tickets to the SAG Awards®, Hawaiian Vacation Package, Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats, Autographed Celebrity Collectibles, and Set Visits will be Auctioned to the Public at www.sagawards.org/auction to Benefit the SAG Foundation

The Screen Actors Guild Awards® kicks off the first of three online auctions to benefit the SAG Foundation at www.sagawards.org/auction with a Holiday Auction today, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.

In January, the Red Carpet Bleacher Seat auction from Jan. 4-11, 2010 offers fans the opportunity to cheer the 16th Annual SAG Awards®’ nominees and presenters as they make their way down the red carpet.

The Ceremony auction launches Jan. 21-29 features one-of-a kind experiences and memorabilia donated by nominees and their associated production companies.

The SAG Foundation is currently celebrating its 25th year. The annual online SAG Awards Auctions help make possible the Foundation's nationwide children's literacy programs now reaching 100,000 children per week through BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Storyline Online, the Foundation’s Actors Center and Foundation programs providing emergency relief to members in economic distress, emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses, video and audio preservation of the creative legacy of SAG members and scholarships for performers and their children. (For details, visit www.sagfoundation.org and www.bookpals.net.)

The Holiday Auction opens today, Thursday, December 10, 2009, at 9 a.m. PT at www.sagawards.org/auction or www.clothesoffourback.com/sagawards. The auction stays open for eight days and closes at 5 p.m, PT on Friday, December 18, 2009.

Holiday Auction items are organized below by Vacation Packages, Experiences and Autographed Memorabilia and Collectibles.

Experiences:

* SAG Awards VIP Package with two tickets to the SAG Awards Ceremony & Gala, two coach tickets on United Airlines, a three-night stay at the Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey and a SAG Awards Backstage Tour during rehearsals
* Meet and greet with Betty White at SAG Awards rehearsals
* Backstage Tour during SAG Awards rehearsals for four people
* Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats (two seats)
* Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats (four seats)
* “The Jay Leno Show” audience seats for two
* “Chelsea Lately” two VIP tickets at a live taping
* Lunch with TV Guide Magazine Editor in Chief, Debra Birnbaum and Executive Editor, Craig Tomashoff
* TV Guide Network’s Red Carpet Ready Makeover
* Joe Cipriano offers a two-hour personal one-on-one voice-over experience and a signed copy of his book Secrets of Voice Over Success
* Party Planning consultation with Awards Event Supervisor Andrea Wyn Schall and a free downloadable version of her book Budget Bash
* Hollyscoop makeover and interview on the red carpet



Vacation Packages:

* Tahitian escape at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa for 5 nights in a water bungalow
* Hawaiian Vacation at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Winner receives for four nights for two in an Ocean View Room.
* Champagne Taittinger offers a private tour and tasting through the cellars located in Reims, France.
* Dry Creek Vineyard Dream Tasting, Tour and lunch in Napa Valley


Autographed Memorabilia & Collectibles:

* Michael Jackson’s "This Is It" CD autographed by Kenny Ortega
* Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Gabourey Sidibe & Lee Daniels autographed “Thank You Mr. Falker” book
* Brad Pitt and other cast members autographed an “Inglorious Basterds” poster
* “Sherlock Holmes” poster autographed by Robert Downey Jr.
* “The Blind Side” poster signed by Sandra Bullock
* “Brothers” poster signed by Natalie Portman and Ryan Kavanaugh
* “The Lovely Bones” poster signed by: Peter Jackson, Stanley Tucci, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Walhberg, Susan Sarandon, Rose McIver and Michael Imperioli.
* “Up in the Air” poster signed by George Clooney, Jason Reitman, Anna Kendrick and Melanie Lynski
* “The Boys Are Back” poster autographed by Clive Owen
* “An Education” mounted poster signed by Peter Sarsgaard and Carey Mulligan
* “A Serious Man” mounted poster signed by Michael Stuhlbarg
* “The Closer” photo autographed by Kyra Sedgwick
* “Dark Blue” photo autographed by Dylan McDermott, Omari Hardwick, Logan Marshall-Green and Nicki Aycox
* "30 Rock" Calendar and Season 2 DVD Signed by Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Dot Com and casting director, Jennifer McNamara
* “Glee” script and photo signed by Chris Colfer, Lea Michele, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale
* “Glee” photo signed by Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale
* “House” photo signed by Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer, Jennifer Morrison, Peter Jacobson, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean Leonard, Olivia Wilde
* “House” script signed by Hugh Laurie, Jesse Spencer, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Peter Jacobson, Olivia Wilde
* The Private Lives of Pippa Lee poster signed by Blake Lively and director Rebecca Miller
* ”Amelia” promotional picture book
* "Proof" mounted poster signed by Gwyneth Paltrow
* "One Hour Photo" mounted poster signed by Robin Williams
* "Rachel Getting Married" mounted poster by Rosemarie DeWitt
* "Michael Clayton" poster signed by Tilda Swinton
* "Stephanie Daley" poster signed by Tilda Swinton, Timothy Hutton, Amber Tamblyn
* "Kinsey" poster signed by Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Peter Sarsgaard, John Lithgow, Lynn Redgrave
* "Elegy" poster signed by Dennis Hopper
* "Easy Rider" poster signed Dennis Hopper
* “Max Payne” poster signed by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Beau Bridges as well as a bottle of Conjure Cognac donated by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, signed by Chris and fellow cast members Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis
* “The Fast and the Furious” jacket that was worn by Rick Yune
* “The Damned United” poster signed by Michael Sheen
* “Whatever Works” mounted poster signed by Patricia Clarkson
* “Big Fan” poster signed by Patton Oswalt
* “Leverage” mounted poster signed by Timothy Hutton
* “World's Greatest Dad” poster signed by Robin Williams, Bobcat Goldthwait
* Print signed by “American Primitive" cast and filmmakers including Tate Donovan, Anne Ramsay, Danielle Savre, Susan Anspach, producer Suzan Crowley, writer/director Gwen Wynne
* "The Greatest American Hero" poster signed by William Katt, Michael Pare, Connie Sellecca, Robert Culp, creator Stephen J Cannell, stuntman Dennis "Danger" Madalone, John Tesh
* "Towelhead" mounted poster signed by Peter MacDissi, Summer Bishil, writer/director Alan Ball
* "I Can't Think Straight" poster signed by Sheetal Sheth
* "The Dukes" poster signed by Robert Davi
* "Canvas" poster signed by Joe Pantoliano, Devon Gearhart, writer/director Joseph Greco
* “DARE” mounted poster signed by Emmy Rossum and Zach Gilford
* "About A Boy" press booklet singed by Hugh Grant
* "It's a Wonderful Life" book (small) signed by Karolyn Grimes (ZuZu), Carol Coombs (Janie), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy), Argentina Brunetti (Mrs. Martini)
* "The Nightmare Before Christmas" book signed by Tim Burton
* “District 9” poster autographed by Sharlto Copley
* "Looking for Palladin" poster
* “Poltergeist” DVD signed by JoBeth Williams
* “Major League: Back to the Minors” posters autographed by Scott Bakula
* "Johnny Angel" record autographed by Shelley Faberes
* "Spin Out" "Girl Happy" and "Clambake" artwork signed by Shelley Faberes
* 12th Annual SAG Award Show Poster signed by Rena Owen, Shirley MacLaine, Robert Patrick, Ian McShane, Rachel Weisz, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Danny Huston
* SAG Awards® tote bag signed by Christian Slater
* SAG Awards tote bag signed by Alyson Hannigan
* SAG Awards logo’ed collectibles including a black backpack, 11th tote bag and 12th-16th hats in various colors
* Variety Gift Basket including one-year digital subscription and logo’ed collectibles
* “Extra” set visit and gift basket
* Columbia men’s red snowboarding jacket size large, Columbia women’s red snowboarding jacket size medium, Columbia women’s pink snowboarding jacket size small featured in a People magazine holiday gift guide



The Red Carpet Bleacher Auction, held January 4 to 11, 2010, offers fans the chance to win seats on the red carpet bleachers. Up for bid are 15 sets of two seats and 15 sets of four seats. Winners can take photos.

The third and final auction, the Ceremony Auction, revolves around the nominated actors and ensembles, begins January 21, 2010 and closes on January 29, 2010. The auction includes autographed scripts and posters, wardrobe and props and studio set visits. Also included are items and experiences from entertainment news outlets, including “E! News,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra.” SAG Awards memorabilia including tote bags, hats and this year’s production team gift will also be auctioned. Additional auction items are announced throughout January.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards auction to benefit the SAG Foundation is managed by Clothes Off Our Back at www.clothesoffourback.com/sagawards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Get the Look!

90210 Star's Tresses Tended
Before 21st Bday Bash

Celebrity Stylist Theodore Leaf Tends the Tresses of 90210 Star Jessica Lowndes with Biolustre before her 21st Birthday Bash Lowndes celebrated her 21st Birthday Party, 7 November 2009 at The Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood CA

The Look: A glamorous, “showgirl” up-do inspired by Moulin Rouge

To restore healthy shine to her hair and prepare for styling, Leaf used Biolustré’s intense 4-step repair system:

- Release Cleansing Shampoo: A gentle, low PH cleansing shampoo designed to remove excess oils and product build-up.

- Revive Repair Treatment: A unique formula clinically proven to repair hair to a near virgin condition, restoring softness, shine and strength.

- Restore Maintenance Treatment Shampoo: An innovative formula containing Biolustré's exclusive Lustreloc Technology, which delivers low levels of polymers to provide added strength and shine to hair.

- Renew Daily Conditioning Sealant: A lightweight conditioner formulated with ingredients including mint and tea tree oil for a soothing sensation. Renew is designed to help smooth the hair cuticle and seal in moisture.

One her hair was treated, Leaf created her style by blow drying the hair with a large round brush, applying a lifting spray at the roots to create some height for the updo. After blow drying, he loosely pinned back sections of curls to maximize body and volume. He then combed the top of the hair with a fine tooth comb to add height. After that, he gently teased at the roots and finished with putty to set the style. Front pieces were pinned back with a festive hair clip.

Available at www.biolustre.com, $49.95 for the set.

Sam Cooke Profiled

American Masters' “Sam Cooke: Crossing Over” will air 11 January 2010 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Before Otis Redding, before Motown, before Aretha Franklin became the Queen of Soul, Sam Cooke put the spirit of the black church into popular music, creating a new American sound. He had a silky voice and good looks; he was charming and brazen. Doors opened for him, bringing his unique gospel — “Good News,” “Wonderful World,” “You Send Me,” “Change Is Gonna Come” and more — to the airwaves.

New Pet Shop Boys Release

Grammy-nominated Pet Shop Boys' will release digital EP "Christmas" available via Astralwerks December 15

The track listing:
It doesn’t often snow at Christmas (new version)
My Girl
All over the world (new version)
Viva la vida/Domino dancing
My Girl (our house mix)
"All over the world" is a new version of the track which appears on Pet Shop Boys’ latest album, Yes.
Also included is a new version of "It doesn’t often snow at Christmas", originally an exclusive Christmas single issued to members of the Pet Shop Boys fan club in 1997. Both new versions are produced by Marius de Vries and Pet Shop Boys, based on the original tracks, and have orchestral and choir arrangements by Matt Robertson and Marius de Vries.

Pet Shop Boys’ arrangement of the Madness classic, "My Girl", was originally performed with Suggs and Carl of Madness at last year’s charity benefit, "Can You Bear It?", for the family of Chris and Neil’s former assistant and close friend, Dainton Connell, who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The EP also includes a medley of Coldplay’s "Viva la vida" and Pet Shop Boys classic "Domino Dancing" which the duo has been performing on their current world tour. This studio version is produced by Stuart Price.

In other Pet Shop Boys news, the band earned a 2010 GRAMMY® Award nomination in the "Best Electronic/Dance Album" category for their album Yes. This is their 5th nomination. They also recently hit number 1 again on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart with their single "Did You See Me Coming", their tenth number 1 overall and the second number 1 from their latest album Yes. Earlier this year, their single "Love etc" broke the record for the most number 1's on the chart among groups, vaunting over fellow electro-pop veterans Depeche Mode. By taking the top spot yet again, "Did You See Me Coming" further solidifies the duo's rarefied position as dance music godfathers. Yes, the band's first album on Astralwerks and tenth album overall, debuted at an impressive number 32 on the Billboard 200, achieving the act's highest position on that chart since 1993's Very debuted at number 20.

Mermaid Tails

As far as magical creatures go, mysterious, beautiful, seductive mermaids have provided authors with plenty of fantasy fiction fodder, with origins in folklore and literature. Believe it or not, the first stories of mermaids (the name comes from the old English "mere" meaning sea) appeared in Assyria ca. 1000 B.C.

With such a profound history, and romantic mythology it's not surprising that mermaids continue to fascinate. Disney's Academy Award winning The Little Mermaid, despite it's 1989 release 20-years-ago, continues to remain a fan favorite of little girls around the world.

So it doesn't come as much of a surprise when BeansTalk contributing editor Colleen Malone's tenacious daughter Katy uncovered the SO-gotta-have-itness of Mermagica's mermaid tails.

BeansTalk spoke with Mermagica's Texas-based Joe Davila about this inspired creation.

BeansTalk: Who designed the tails?

Joe Davila: Our mermaid tails were designed by my 7 and 12 year old daughters, Vanessa and Shauna. In the summer of 2008, Vanessa (our youngest) became obsessed with mermaids and kept asking my wife to make her a tail that she could actually use to swim in our pool.


B: How did you and the girls come up with the idea for the mermaid tails?
JD: YouTube. Vanessa began searching for mermaids on YouTube and found videos of other people swimming in their mermaid tails. Hannah Frasier was a huge influence on the designs that we eventually offered on Mermagica. After many design iterations we finally found the right balance between style and function. The first Super Tails we made had really big fins on the ends that weighed her down in the water. We made the fin smaller and gave it better curves for the realistic look that you see today.

B: What was the process for selecting the type of fabric?

JD: This was the hardest part. When you walk into any fabric store you can easily get lost in all the different types of materials offered. After making test tails with the thinner, cheaper materials we noticed that they weren't as durable as we needed them to be. We decided to use the more expensive, thicker materials in order to provide the best durability while still keeping the eye-catching factor we get from all our tails. We are always experimenting with different fabrics to improve the overall experience for anyone who buys our products.

B: What were the critical issues to the design?

JD: Functionality, Durability, Style, and Value - striking a balance between these factors is what we always strive for in our tails and all our products.

B: What is the difference between the two tails -- is their usability the same?

JD: The Super Tail design is more realistic and has extra skin on the ends of the monofin that really moves nicely underwater. The Basic Tail design is made around the monofin so does not have the extra skin. Both of our tail styles include the exact same swim monofin, so if someone buys a Basic Tail they can always get the Super Tail design by purchasing the Extra Tail Skin. It is really easy to remove and replace the tail skin if people want to change the design or color of their tail.

B: Where can one buy the tails -- is it only on your site?

JD: We are 100% online and have been since we opened for business in August 2008. We do not have any plans of opening any retail locations since being online allows us to keep our costs as low as possible without sacrificing our level of customer service. We also find that being online is a great way to introduce new products to our customers and very quickly learn which ones will be successful. For example, we just launched a new line of nutritional drinks we named Mermaid Drinks and have been seeing a generally positive response from our customers to those products. Mermagica is a wellness company that focuses on providing products that promote good health, fun, and youth.


B: Are they used in any water shows?

JD: We have taken a few orders from people who used our tails for special events and parties, although, the majority of our orders come from girls with shoes sizes between 1-4 who use them in pools all around the world! We have customers in 28 different countries around the world in places like Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Malaysia, and even Egypt!


This holiday season, BeansTalk loves the idea of promoting unique gift-giving -- and Mermagica's Mermaid Tails certainly qualifies. If there's a little dreamer in your house who can swim like a fish (or aspires to), this is a gift likely to illicit many appreciate "ahhhhs...."

For information: Mermagica, Inc 1310 Heather Brook Dr Allen, TX 75002 (469) 277-2357 www.mermagica.com

Mermagica's Gold Tail

Another view of one the Mermagica tails

Happy Birthday Baby Bear!

Knut is Three Today!!