Monday, August 6, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Five Best Cigar Lighters
The Five Best Cigar Lighters
So you've taken a liking to the wonderful world of fine cigars. Initially, the aromas, relaxation, and fellowship pulled you in so you bought a few sticks. Of course your collection quickly grew and now you find yourself in a full-on hobby, a tasty hobby, I might add. One thing you might not have anticipated from all this stogie madness is all the little things that go along with cigar smoking: the humidor, cutter, and lighter, just to name a few. And while there are just too many aspects of the cigar world to consider for this article, I thought I might give a few pointers in the way of the all-important cigar lighter, possibly the most important cigar accessory you can own (tied with the humidor of course).
First of all, there are many ways to light a cigar, some better than others, and some you simply shouldn't try (trust me, I've lit my stogies in ways I care not to mention). Now I'm sure you've heard this already, but I'm going to mention it anyways - throw out that Bic lighter! Cigars deserve more respect than that, they have special needs... Kerosene and other oil-based lighters (Zippos) should not be used for cigars as it taints the flavor of the cigar. Matches can be used to light up, but avoid sulfur tips (strike anywhere) as they too will have a foul taste. Another downside to matches is you'll end up using half the box if you're going to get a proper light. Some will light cedar sticks called "cedar spills" and use these to light the cigar, but most choose a butane torch lighter; clean-burning, easy to carry, and affordable for the most part... this is what you want.
What to look for
When making that vital decision of what lighter to purchase, you'll notice right away there's a lot of options out there! From the widely varying prices, to size, brand, and more, there are generally five factors I watch for.
Look/size:
You're going to be using this thing a lot (I hope), make sure it's something that catches you're eye. It should also be easy to fit in your pocket, so don't get some ridiculous dragon-shaped torch...
Ease of Use:
Again, you will be using this often, a good lighter should be simple to fill, open, and light. Look for lighters that open and light simultaneously if you really want to avoid a hassle.
Flame Count:
This is entirely up to the individual, one flame will take longer to get the cigar started but works great for those fine touchups. Three flames will get you up and running with no questions asked. Like you might expect, two flames is kind of like the best of both worlds! (in my opinion)
Fuel Capacity:
Something you might not think to look for, a small fuel size can get rather annoying rather quick. A good lighter should be able to handle a table of cigar smokers no problem. On the other hand, a lighter can get fairly bulky with a large fuel tank, try to find a good balance.
Reliability:
This is the most important factor for a good lighter. What's the point in a lighter that doesn't light?! The best lighters light every time, no exceptions. And while the top-of-the-line lighters are generally the most reliable (naturally), a dependable lighter can be found at a decent price, you just need to know where to look. Consequently, a "cheapy" lighter is almost guaranteed to be unreliable, avoid those "great deal" $5 lighters if you want something that will work when it should.
So what lighters are out there? What brands can we trust to deliver on all or most of these aforementioned traits? While I haven't tried 'em all (who has?), I've been around long enough to get a good feel of which lighters are the "real deal" and which ones just... blow. In my opinion, these are some of the best cigar lighters out there for your hard-earned cash.
The Top 5 Affordable Cigar Lighters
#5. Blazer Optimus
This is an interesting and unusual lighter in that there is actually a guillotine cigar cutter built in! On the front of the Blazer Optimus is a magnetically held cutter that simply slides off and on. The blazer also has a nice lighting mechanism as the cover doubles as the striking button. On the downside, the Optimus is a little bit bulky in size and doesn't feel as solid as others on this list, loosing the guillotine cutter can also be an issue which compromises the look and feel, be careful to keep this lighter in one piece.
#4. Colibri Evoke
The Colibri Evoke is a single flame torch lighter made with style and class in mind. The Evoke is a slim, metallic lighter that will fit into any pocket with ease. It has a flip-top that feels very solid and smooth, this also reflects the lighter's higher $55 price range. There is a viewing window on the side to gauge your butane and a punch cutter that opens from the bottom. This is a very solid and reliable lighter with features (and price) that may not be appreciated by the beginner.
#3. Xikar Tech
This is your traveling lighter: durable, easy to operate, and one huge butane reservoir! The Xikar Tech is a single torch lighter that simply gets the job done. With a large flame adjustment wheel on the bottom (no screwdriver!) and a clear body, this thing makes it incredibly easy to manage that oh-so-precious butane. With a fair $30 price range, this is a must-have for the traveling aficionado.
#2. Vector Vulcan
The Vulcan is a solid, triple flame torch lighter. The thing I love about it is the lighting mechanism, located on the side of the lighter, simply squeeze the lighter and the top opens while giving a huge triple-flame burst of heat! The Vector Vulcan has a nice heavyweight in the hand feel as well as extras like a punch cutter at the bottom and an easy fuel gauge on the side. Be careful though, as the triple flame uses triple the fuel, something to keep in mind. At $50, the price feels a little steep, try to find this lighter on sale, you won't be disappointed.
#1. Xikar Element
This is a beast of a lighter! The Xikar Element is a double-flame torch lighter that seems to have the best of everything. A solid, heavy, metal feel lets you know this thing aint breaking, and hey, if somehow it does - it's guaranteed for life, no questions asked! Go ahead, run this thing through its courses, you'll never need another lighter. Again, the lighting operation is seamless, press the button on top and the cover slides to expose the double-flame (my favorite)! The Element also has the extra gizmos like punch cutter and fuel gauge, with front and back side-grips to ensure a steady light. With a mid-range $45 price tag, cigar lovers of all levels will find this to be a great mixture of design, quality, and reliability.
So you've taken a liking to the wonderful world of fine cigars. Initially, the aromas, relaxation, and fellowship pulled you in so you bought a few sticks. Of course your collection quickly grew and now you find yourself in a full-on hobby, a tasty hobby, I might add. One thing you might not have anticipated from all this stogie madness is all the little things that go along with cigar smoking: the humidor, cutter, and lighter, just to name a few. And while there are just too many aspects of the cigar world to consider for this article, I thought I might give a few pointers in the way of the all-important cigar lighter, possibly the most important cigar accessory you can own (tied with the humidor of course).
First of all, there are many ways to light a cigar, some better than others, and some you simply shouldn't try (trust me, I've lit my stogies in ways I care not to mention). Now I'm sure you've heard this already, but I'm going to mention it anyways - throw out that Bic lighter! Cigars deserve more respect than that, they have special needs... Kerosene and other oil-based lighters (Zippos) should not be used for cigars as it taints the flavor of the cigar. Matches can be used to light up, but avoid sulfur tips (strike anywhere) as they too will have a foul taste. Another downside to matches is you'll end up using half the box if you're going to get a proper light. Some will light cedar sticks called "cedar spills" and use these to light the cigar, but most choose a butane torch lighter; clean-burning, easy to carry, and affordable for the most part... this is what you want.
What to look for
When making that vital decision of what lighter to purchase, you'll notice right away there's a lot of options out there! From the widely varying prices, to size, brand, and more, there are generally five factors I watch for.
Look/size:
You're going to be using this thing a lot (I hope), make sure it's something that catches you're eye. It should also be easy to fit in your pocket, so don't get some ridiculous dragon-shaped torch...
Ease of Use:
Again, you will be using this often, a good lighter should be simple to fill, open, and light. Look for lighters that open and light simultaneously if you really want to avoid a hassle.
Flame Count:
This is entirely up to the individual, one flame will take longer to get the cigar started but works great for those fine touchups. Three flames will get you up and running with no questions asked. Like you might expect, two flames is kind of like the best of both worlds! (in my opinion)
Fuel Capacity:
Something you might not think to look for, a small fuel size can get rather annoying rather quick. A good lighter should be able to handle a table of cigar smokers no problem. On the other hand, a lighter can get fairly bulky with a large fuel tank, try to find a good balance.
Reliability:
This is the most important factor for a good lighter. What's the point in a lighter that doesn't light?! The best lighters light every time, no exceptions. And while the top-of-the-line lighters are generally the most reliable (naturally), a dependable lighter can be found at a decent price, you just need to know where to look. Consequently, a "cheapy" lighter is almost guaranteed to be unreliable, avoid those "great deal" $5 lighters if you want something that will work when it should.
So what lighters are out there? What brands can we trust to deliver on all or most of these aforementioned traits? While I haven't tried 'em all (who has?), I've been around long enough to get a good feel of which lighters are the "real deal" and which ones just... blow. In my opinion, these are some of the best cigar lighters out there for your hard-earned cash.
The Top 5 Affordable Cigar Lighters
#5. Blazer Optimus
This is an interesting and unusual lighter in that there is actually a guillotine cigar cutter built in! On the front of the Blazer Optimus is a magnetically held cutter that simply slides off and on. The blazer also has a nice lighting mechanism as the cover doubles as the striking button. On the downside, the Optimus is a little bit bulky in size and doesn't feel as solid as others on this list, loosing the guillotine cutter can also be an issue which compromises the look and feel, be careful to keep this lighter in one piece.
#4. Colibri Evoke
The Colibri Evoke is a single flame torch lighter made with style and class in mind. The Evoke is a slim, metallic lighter that will fit into any pocket with ease. It has a flip-top that feels very solid and smooth, this also reflects the lighter's higher $55 price range. There is a viewing window on the side to gauge your butane and a punch cutter that opens from the bottom. This is a very solid and reliable lighter with features (and price) that may not be appreciated by the beginner.
#3. Xikar Tech
This is your traveling lighter: durable, easy to operate, and one huge butane reservoir! The Xikar Tech is a single torch lighter that simply gets the job done. With a large flame adjustment wheel on the bottom (no screwdriver!) and a clear body, this thing makes it incredibly easy to manage that oh-so-precious butane. With a fair $30 price range, this is a must-have for the traveling aficionado.
#2. Vector Vulcan
The Vulcan is a solid, triple flame torch lighter. The thing I love about it is the lighting mechanism, located on the side of the lighter, simply squeeze the lighter and the top opens while giving a huge triple-flame burst of heat! The Vector Vulcan has a nice heavyweight in the hand feel as well as extras like a punch cutter at the bottom and an easy fuel gauge on the side. Be careful though, as the triple flame uses triple the fuel, something to keep in mind. At $50, the price feels a little steep, try to find this lighter on sale, you won't be disappointed.
#1. Xikar Element
This is a beast of a lighter! The Xikar Element is a double-flame torch lighter that seems to have the best of everything. A solid, heavy, metal feel lets you know this thing aint breaking, and hey, if somehow it does - it's guaranteed for life, no questions asked! Go ahead, run this thing through its courses, you'll never need another lighter. Again, the lighting operation is seamless, press the button on top and the cover slides to expose the double-flame (my favorite)! The Element also has the extra gizmos like punch cutter and fuel gauge, with front and back side-grips to ensure a steady light. With a mid-range $45 price tag, cigar lovers of all levels will find this to be a great mixture of design, quality, and reliability.
Website Promotion 101
Marketing your business on the net can be accomplished in many different ways. A number of the popular choices include having an email advertising and marketing campaign, using related forums or message boards, and also placing banner ads. You can also advertise your business by producing a web site and use it for marketing and this web site can be used in many different ways, such as providing information regarding your business and what you offer in services and products. You are able to actually use the web site to advertise your products and services directly, or simply use it as a way for your prospective buyers to reach you. There are ways your web site can be useful, and advantageous for marketing your business, and that's what you'll learn on this page.
There are lots of people that will simply list the products they have to sell and offer a description so individuals have an idea of what is being offered. But I should point out that there are more people attempting to find products on the net right now, which makes this an advertising medium that everybody should be using. You should also take into account that this will put you above your competition that doesn't use the Internet to be able to market their products. Another advantage of having a site is being able to directly sell your products from the web site. And again, if your competition is not using this medium you'll be able to obtain more customers than them. Another thing I want to point out concerning this kind of marketing is the fact that increasingly more men and women are buying things from the Internet to be able to avoid having to search for things in the store.
One of the greatest reasons for having a web site is the ability to market to the whole world. Simply because the Internet has no boundaries, you may possibly find that you are just as likely to receive a customer from Europe as you are from the United States Of America. And mainly because the Internet is worldwide you ought to also understand that your website will be available to everybody from around the world. Even forms of advertising and marketing, such as radio, television and also the print media, are limited to a geographical area that isn't that large.
The World wide web is available twenty four hours every single day, so your business is constantly open. You have the opportunity to have a 24 hour storefront, selling all your products and if you are competing against businesses which are only open certain hours of the day, you have an enormous advantage. This is particularly true of customers who are unable to shop during business hours, but are happy to come online at any time throughout the day or night.
You ought to also understand that selling advertising space on your website is another way that you will have the ability to increase the volume of income you produce every year. Something you may want to avoid doing is selling advertising and marketing space to a competitor who is right down the street from you. In relation to allowing people to advertise on your site, you might want to limit it to people who are associated with your niche but not directly connected to it, for instance selling the same products. Something you are going to want to avoid is making your website look like a billboard, so keep your advertising minimal.
Home Business 101
Not every person is cut out to own their own home-based business, but that does not mean you should not give it a go. This is especially true now, when at an insignificant cost you can put in place any of a variety of home-based businesses with a computer. All it requires is a low cost, high-speed Internet access, and the enthusiasm to spend time doing the research. A computer-based business has a global reach with limitless customers, whereas a brick and mortar business is restricted to local custom and has costly set-up expenses. All that's necessary for someone to be a possible client is for them to manage to connect to the Internet.
If you really would like to try an internet business, there are numerous ways of going about it. To make a start you certainly need not be an IT nerd, but being familiar with using a laptop or computer would be helpful. Instead of technical skills, what is even more important for success online is your level of knowledge concerning something you like doing. Someone who is a competent writer could, for example, have an online business that does copywritng. Content is always needed, so a writer could also work on a freelance basis, picking up writing jobs from those who are no good at it. The key, if you are able to provide a specific skill, like content in our writer's example, is to locate those individuals who have a need for it and sell it to them. Create a couple of samples of what you can do, advertise yourself, and in no time at all you can be generating revenue.
There are online auction web sites that are making lots of money for many individuals. Perhaps you have more than one products that you could market online, or you could source some from wholesale suppliers and then profit by adding a mark-up. Online auction websites, such as eBay, do the hard work of bringing the shoppers to your offers. All you have to do, is determine a price for your product, list it available for purchase, and then wait until a shopper chooses your product. You'll collect payment if somebody makes a purchase, and then you fulfill your side of the deal by sending the shopper their purchase.
Life is starting to be easier in many ways through the advancements in technology. Given a computer anyone can now launch a business. The Internet has all you need to launch a business. It provides access to products you can sell and information that shows you how to do it. The best way to build a business online, is to look for anyone who has a business model you prefer, and pattern yours after theirs.
Instead of a fulltime business you could just be after an extra income stream, which the Internet caters for handsomely. Spend a little time on your computer searching for information on starting a web based business, and you will find plenty of it. You can only begin to make money once you get your business launched, so don't hold off in doing your research.
If you really would like to try an internet business, there are numerous ways of going about it. To make a start you certainly need not be an IT nerd, but being familiar with using a laptop or computer would be helpful. Instead of technical skills, what is even more important for success online is your level of knowledge concerning something you like doing. Someone who is a competent writer could, for example, have an online business that does copywritng. Content is always needed, so a writer could also work on a freelance basis, picking up writing jobs from those who are no good at it. The key, if you are able to provide a specific skill, like content in our writer's example, is to locate those individuals who have a need for it and sell it to them. Create a couple of samples of what you can do, advertise yourself, and in no time at all you can be generating revenue.
There are online auction web sites that are making lots of money for many individuals. Perhaps you have more than one products that you could market online, or you could source some from wholesale suppliers and then profit by adding a mark-up. Online auction websites, such as eBay, do the hard work of bringing the shoppers to your offers. All you have to do, is determine a price for your product, list it available for purchase, and then wait until a shopper chooses your product. You'll collect payment if somebody makes a purchase, and then you fulfill your side of the deal by sending the shopper their purchase.
Life is starting to be easier in many ways through the advancements in technology. Given a computer anyone can now launch a business. The Internet has all you need to launch a business. It provides access to products you can sell and information that shows you how to do it. The best way to build a business online, is to look for anyone who has a business model you prefer, and pattern yours after theirs.
Instead of a fulltime business you could just be after an extra income stream, which the Internet caters for handsomely. Spend a little time on your computer searching for information on starting a web based business, and you will find plenty of it. You can only begin to make money once you get your business launched, so don't hold off in doing your research.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Snoop Lion #Reincarnated Press Conference
A live webcast of a very special conversation with international superstar Snoop Dogg, as he explains his reincarnation to Snoop Lion for his upcoming musical offering, Reincarnated. During the event, Snoop Lion will unveil several significant artistic components of the project and discuss the influences and inspiration behind Reincarnated. Featuring Snoop Lion, Diplo, Suroosh Alvi, Ted Chung, and host, Sway broadcast live from Miss Lily's in NYC.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Summer Fashion: Less Isn't More Anymore
Just because the sun has finally got its hat on doesn't mean that everyone will be taking theirs off... As spring has already provided glorious bank holiday weekends and the UK prepares for what is predicted to be a warm summer; trends and fashions haven't compromised by lightening the load, just simple changes of cut and style to adapt to the welcome warmer climes.
Shorts are set to make a welcome return this spring and summer for both men and women, with many designers joining in. For the men, the forecast is smart chino style pieces in heavy cotton, while women can bare their legs in cropped styles reminiscent of hotpants in chunky knits, leathers and denim. High waisted sailor shorts with a slightly longer leg will have a big role to play too, whether in cord, suede, jacquard or thick cotton.
The nautical theme will be continued in tops, but nature will also be a big influence with animal prints prevailing and snakeskin patterns aplenty. Festival chic will see the welcome return of the psychedelic 70s with colourful and bold designs too. Neon brights will be another reason to whip out the shades as colour blocking makes a big return, and plenty of clashing patterns and prints battle it out with the sun to be the brightest, in a style best displayed in the Spring/Summer collection by Prada. While their fun, oversized and swirl patterned straw hats looked most at home on the beach, it was no doubt their fox fur stole which took the limelight and quickly became the season's hottest accessory with its bold stripes and eye-catching tones.
Fur hasn't lost any of its popularity and younger designers are more keen than ever to try their had at working with the material. This has meant that the industry has seen a huge range of new cuts and trends which have allowed fur to become a wearable fabric all year around, and no longer only suitable for the colder months. Styles for this time of year include stoles and boleros, perfect to accompany formal attire for Summer weddings, balls and garden parties, or for a more casual look gillets and light jackets can be paired with skinny jeans, t-shirts and shorts for day wear.
You can expect to see a range of oversized hats too as royal wedding fever permeates the country, paired with layered styles and offering shade from the sun. Retro styled sunglasses such as the Wayfarer are back too, seen in collections by Ray Ban and Sunpocket II, but we'll also be seeing a range of lighter, round styles as demonstrated by Victoria Beckham and The Row.
You can put your best foot forward this season, with summer styles in footwear for both men and women turning to more garish designs on the old favourite: the flip-flop. Gladiator sandals continue to be popular in women's ranges, along with variations on ballerina flats and European styled wooden clogs, while men can enjoy ankle boots in hard leather or suede, or softer boat soles and plimsolls in thick cotton.
Shorts are set to make a welcome return this spring and summer for both men and women, with many designers joining in. For the men, the forecast is smart chino style pieces in heavy cotton, while women can bare their legs in cropped styles reminiscent of hotpants in chunky knits, leathers and denim. High waisted sailor shorts with a slightly longer leg will have a big role to play too, whether in cord, suede, jacquard or thick cotton.
The nautical theme will be continued in tops, but nature will also be a big influence with animal prints prevailing and snakeskin patterns aplenty. Festival chic will see the welcome return of the psychedelic 70s with colourful and bold designs too. Neon brights will be another reason to whip out the shades as colour blocking makes a big return, and plenty of clashing patterns and prints battle it out with the sun to be the brightest, in a style best displayed in the Spring/Summer collection by Prada. While their fun, oversized and swirl patterned straw hats looked most at home on the beach, it was no doubt their fox fur stole which took the limelight and quickly became the season's hottest accessory with its bold stripes and eye-catching tones.
Fur hasn't lost any of its popularity and younger designers are more keen than ever to try their had at working with the material. This has meant that the industry has seen a huge range of new cuts and trends which have allowed fur to become a wearable fabric all year around, and no longer only suitable for the colder months. Styles for this time of year include stoles and boleros, perfect to accompany formal attire for Summer weddings, balls and garden parties, or for a more casual look gillets and light jackets can be paired with skinny jeans, t-shirts and shorts for day wear.
You can expect to see a range of oversized hats too as royal wedding fever permeates the country, paired with layered styles and offering shade from the sun. Retro styled sunglasses such as the Wayfarer are back too, seen in collections by Ray Ban and Sunpocket II, but we'll also be seeing a range of lighter, round styles as demonstrated by Victoria Beckham and The Row.
You can put your best foot forward this season, with summer styles in footwear for both men and women turning to more garish designs on the old favourite: the flip-flop. Gladiator sandals continue to be popular in women's ranges, along with variations on ballerina flats and European styled wooden clogs, while men can enjoy ankle boots in hard leather or suede, or softer boat soles and plimsolls in thick cotton.
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