Love or Hate Valentine's Day, I've Got The Gifts For You

<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Love Valentine's Day?</span></span><br /><br />I'm bummed at all the crap people are posting on social shopping sites for V-day gifts. Just because it's red or heart-shaped doesn't mean it's a great gift! Here are some gifts that truly are unique, memorable, hip or collectible.<br /><br />From love spells and naming a star to customized rings made from your profile and sexy bed sheets. My 'Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts' list contains over 80 hip items, in a wide price range, for the one you cherish. No crappy gold-filled jewelry or heart soaps on here. Just the good stuff.<br /><br />Click on each image below for details and place to purchase.<br /><div class="tn_post"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><map id="ThisNext_map_3A1CC37E" name="ThisNext_map_3A1CC37E"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/06F9A3B7/3353EAB5/Andy-Warhol-Chocolates-flower?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Andy Warhol Chocolates & flower Chocolate bar" shape="rect" coords="11,11,135,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/680071C2/F29D363E/Dom-Perignon-LOVE-Boxed-set?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Dom Perignon LOVE Boxed set" shape="rect" coords="137,11,261,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/38320B91/291AF17F/Paul-Franks-Julius-Hearts?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Paul Frank's Julius Hearts Cruiser Bike" shape="rect" coords="263,11,387,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/66FE6DC0/14A1CA98/Donate-A-Life-America?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Donate A Life America" shape="rect" coords="11,137,135,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/358B11A5/1BDE5019/Dragon-Blazes-Sunset-or-day?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Dragon Blaze's - Sunset or day cruises on the Raja Laut" shape="rect" coords="137,137,261,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/C0EE40DF/CFF6FF6F/Name-a-Star-After-your-loved?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Name a Star After your loved one for Valentine's Day!" shape="rect" coords="263,137,387,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/7A13BF31/04988BA3/One-Male-Female-rings?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="One (Male+Female) -rings -" shape="rect" coords="11,263,135,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/D38801BA/B17B5206/Ego-Love-Edition-Notebook-Red?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Ego Love Edition Notebook - Red" shape="rect" coords="137,263,261,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/F82B696E/DC16CCF7/You-Know-It-Makes-Sense-Dinner?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title=""You Know It Makes Sense" Dinner Set for Two from Bailey Doesn't Bark" shape="rect" coords="263,263,387,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/9487C51A/DC6A309C/Dont-Have-A-Valentine-You-will?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Don't Have A Valentine? You will Now. Love Spells for sale." shape="rect" coords="11,389,135,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/C4B0EE09/76396E98/Love-Honor-and-Obey-Bedding?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Love Honor and Obey Bedding" shape="rect" coords="137,389,261,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/76D8B35E/B36281E8/St-VALENTINE-CHOCOLATE-GLOOMY?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="St. VALENTINE CHOCOLATE GLOOMY Bear" shape="rect" coords="263,389,387,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/B15731AE/47D86279/True-Love-Always-Graffiti?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="True Love Always - Graffiti Bedding" shape="rect" coords="11,515,135,639"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/6A8FEB0F/B4BCA16E/Contura-Platinum-10mm-Ring?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Contura Platinum 10mm Ring made from your profile!" shape="rect" coords="137,515,261,639"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/1F50BAB8/51857B67/Modern-Convenience-Kissing-Jim?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Modern Convenience: Kissing Jim" shape="rect" coords="263,515,387,639"></map><a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts"><img alt="Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts" height="661" src="http://s2.thisnext.com/media/blogit/3A1CC37E.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-width: 1px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" usemap="#ThisNext_map_3A1CC37E" width="400" /></a></div><p>See more of my <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog">Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts</a> list at ThisNext.</p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hate Valentine's Day?</span></span><br /></p><p>So... what if you're single, spurned, bitter or just plain against the commercialization of Valentine's Day? Well then I have gifts for you, too.</p><p>Valentine's Day isn't all hearts and candy for everyone. With the single population higher than ever, divorce rates increasing and those whose hearts are on the mend, here are some products for those who'd rather celebrate the St. Valentine's Day Massacre than the holiday.</p><div class="tn_post"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><map id="ThisNext_map_85BAFE93" name="ThisNext_map_85BAFE93"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/0FC9D046/E9F75B1E/worthysoycandles-I-Defy-You?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="worthysoycandles :: I Defy You, Heartman - Hang Man Purse/Bag" shape="rect" coords="11,11,135,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/FB28A505/A453FFBD/Black-Roses-in-Coffin-Box-or?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Black Roses in Coffin Box or devil" shape="rect" coords="137,11,261,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/9804F927/B667502F/Sterling-silver-Unwedding-Ring?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Sterling silver Unwedding Ring" shape="rect" coords="263,11,387,135"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/22E69D50/E6722D73/St-Valentines-Day-Massacre?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="St Valentine's Day Massacre movie posters" shape="rect" coords="11,137,135,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/761EF9A6/3F5722F1/BlueQ-Go-Intercourse-Yourself?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="BlueQ "Go Intercourse Yourself" Lip Balm" shape="rect" coords="137,137,261,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/C73FD883/A05478EE/Three-Anti-Valentines-Cross?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Three Anti-Valentines Cross Stitch Pattern Charts" shape="rect" coords="263,137,387,261"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/4689C1CB/DC635C8F/Love-Sucks-Belt-Buckle?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Love Sucks Belt Buckle" shape="rect" coords="11,263,135,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/864DA579/50CC13E7/Broken-Heart-Robot?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Broken Heart Robot" shape="rect" coords="137,263,261,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/BDB722F4/F6584F9A/BitterSweets?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="BitterSweets" shape="rect" coords="263,263,387,387"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/9E1A931A/4226E87C/Its-Happy-Bunny-LOVE-BITES?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Its Happy Bunny LOVE BITES Book#1 Autographed Edition" shape="rect" coords="11,389,135,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/F4944D5D/F73F5032/Lonely-Heart-Pillowcases?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Lonely Heart Pillowcases" shape="rect" coords="137,389,261,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/6FCFFA83/30776370/Broken-heart-necklace-by?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Broken heart necklace by Dottie Speck" shape="rect" coords="263,389,387,513"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/3D47F0FE/07824B1B/Broken-Hearts-Postcards?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Broken Hearts Postcards - Overrated" shape="rect" coords="11,515,135,639"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/1B0FDE44/488C5A70/Love-Sucks-T-shirt?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Love Sucks T-shirt" shape="rect" coords="137,515,261,639"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/7973BB11/31CF938C/Ouch-Voodoo-Doll-Toothpick?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="Ouch Voodoo Doll & Toothpick Holder" shape="rect" coords="263,515,387,639"></map><a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog" title="I Hate Valentine's Day"><img alt="I Hate Valentine's Day" height="661" src="http://s2.thisnext.com/media/blogit/85BAFE93.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-width: 1px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" usemap="#ThisNext_map_85BAFE93" width="400" /></a></div><p>click on the images above for details and place of purchase.<br /></p><p>See more of my <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day?u=laurasweet&p=/list/3202CFF5/I-Hate-Valentines-Day&t=blog">I Hate Valentine's Day</a> list at ThisNext.</p></div><br /></div>

Love or Hate Valentine's Day, I've Got The Gifts For You

Love Valentine's Day? I'm bummed at all the crap people are posting on social shopping sites for V-day gifts. Just because it's ...

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Listen and Learn: The Art of Making Music By Reuge

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=0d650ffe-1ec7-4395-883b-24e806d21a65&type=website"></script><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLMFaA5urQVfQGPPe2DVUDabxnqmkz5Oya5BqmtPMPIbGZIfyIDCa2_BdBQjPkV6m79YWisb_9XGqVR8_BYMnoE7cLwRF2-5UsTvNUkjdBiOh2iphByfbxFQTyjvJ4dK7MKePLCvKtSyQ/s1600-h/factory.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027154841797562802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLMFaA5urQVfQGPPe2DVUDabxnqmkz5Oya5BqmtPMPIbGZIfyIDCa2_BdBQjPkV6m79YWisb_9XGqVR8_BYMnoE7cLwRF2-5UsTvNUkjdBiOh2iphByfbxFQTyjvJ4dK7MKePLCvKtSyQ/s400/factory.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 523px; height: 515px;" /></a><br /><i> <span style="font-size:85%;">above:the Reuge factory in Switzerland</span></i><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br />I came across <a href="http://www.reuge.com/">this company's site</a> awhile ago. I can't recall what I was searching for, but I can assure you it wasn't music boxes. I've never fancied myself a music box sort of girl. Although I enjoy classical music (which most music boxes play) I've never considered buying myself a music box, let alone invest in one. But <a href="http://www.reuge.com/">Reuge and their informative and impressive website</a> has changed my mind. Once I landed on their page with it's austere and mechanical logo and the clean layout, I started clicking around.<br /><br />Much to my enjoyment I found that I had stumbled upon not only 'art' but 'music'. Their music boxes (and that word does not do them justice) range from the traditional, elegant bird-in-the-cage-a-la-french-antiques type to black carbon and stainless steel music boxes that would make any modern maven sing with delight.<br /><br />Magic Forest Singing Bird Automaton Music Box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCWkesBUlMNHXZTyKNhv_RVrRS8Ei5MCAlMomiPs6eYk6yqntJWrNYfishJVSAOYBS-JqD5GNI6ydsS-o0CW25B9-6ys8_ofS_yJyg7znzKvDfPYiJeRqIazg7KHExVRPue5G0oPZfoSJ/s1600-h/Magic_Forest_black.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027154231912206754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCWkesBUlMNHXZTyKNhv_RVrRS8Ei5MCAlMomiPs6eYk6yqntJWrNYfishJVSAOYBS-JqD5GNI6ydsS-o0CW25B9-6ys8_ofS_yJyg7znzKvDfPYiJeRqIazg7KHExVRPue5G0oPZfoSJ/s400/Magic_Forest_black.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 528px; height: 505px;" /></a><br />Volière de la Cour Singing Bird Automaton Music Box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y8uIIrelAtUqbqcU7ifNHXW6inYHg3g1DW0kZrXhEO8erLYyfZwy93xZbYg1C8QMyOZJTjKy5GTpmc9wSz1VbWAShMf8xY4vs_qvdNXKyGK00w2L_my7WT1NNe47m_IMVnO5juj4JakD/s1600-h/AXO907005002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027126842905760034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y8uIIrelAtUqbqcU7ifNHXW6inYHg3g1DW0kZrXhEO8erLYyfZwy93xZbYg1C8QMyOZJTjKy5GTpmc9wSz1VbWAShMf8xY4vs_qvdNXKyGK00w2L_my7WT1NNe47m_IMVnO5juj4JakD/s400/AXO907005002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 527px; height: 491px;" /></a><br />Singing Bird Alarm clock:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuqQVlnwXGKt1Np2y-I0PpwaJLeV878PhC7flNqQv2zp812WSmBt7JiBj9V7K5QH_6OOoNtPvbpa5gJ6rKz_IeUiYWZcLvR5dqbZmyeKCfJXdjrj5vaE_o2XaO4yxVNqUBy2QVh0zPiO2/s1600-h/Francastel-teracota---AXT.9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027127826453270882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuqQVlnwXGKt1Np2y-I0PpwaJLeV878PhC7flNqQv2zp812WSmBt7JiBj9V7K5QH_6OOoNtPvbpa5gJ6rKz_IeUiYWZcLvR5dqbZmyeKCfJXdjrj5vaE_o2XaO4yxVNqUBy2QVh0zPiO2/s400/Francastel-teracota---AXT.9.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 526px; height: 506px;" /></a><br />The Reverse Music Box in Mahogany:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharyPsoKwS2Ydu4MN65hC29PWzS1oVBV7T_1nP7OgT6XnV2nIrTDvCgecITi_9IWCACNHJk0kUSHA_81EsavbVBq0ENM2CSarXiyP71VB6R8BtFcFOZy2OS9Zi_35mMTkNm3LbtL7NZWMc/s1600-h/AXA.72.5830.001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027126976049746226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharyPsoKwS2Ydu4MN65hC29PWzS1oVBV7T_1nP7OgT6XnV2nIrTDvCgecITi_9IWCACNHJk0kUSHA_81EsavbVBq0ENM2CSarXiyP71VB6R8BtFcFOZy2OS9Zi_35mMTkNm3LbtL7NZWMc/s400/AXA.72.5830.001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 525px; height: 487px;" /></a><br />The Reverse in white:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB_IFVdDO3dkmO48G8XnaRGA6sXRhxja2zgqiy5vN3NlIbFGQLR3yv4sz9vLY9LRCG07UpBcK90A1zU1iNiwWcIRv1yYVV9s0uPdpN1l79Np_P__9LecMXJwoG5AF2a_VjWkL_1B-GYJ4/s1600-h/Reverse-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027157423072907746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB_IFVdDO3dkmO48G8XnaRGA6sXRhxja2zgqiy5vN3NlIbFGQLR3yv4sz9vLY9LRCG07UpBcK90A1zU1iNiwWcIRv1yYVV9s0uPdpN1l79Np_P__9LecMXJwoG5AF2a_VjWkL_1B-GYJ4/s400/Reverse-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 526px; height: 503px;" /></a><br /><br />And their lovely melodies are there for you to listen on their site! Multiple options for each piece are playable with just the click of a mouse.<br /><br />The Arche music box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup0062h-6k9S9GVmmtxFeCtlX_mW1RQzMRfq3jsfodfK_xBGLwv-MYLdbxkKYF4a1lq3-aB0ukqhuly61xXlH5MYfGf5DXIF3Ll94MpGWr9AswzRsyPqRf0VUMhWeI6lgWIU7Yv3F_7z2/s1600-h/Arche_.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027127272402489666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup0062h-6k9S9GVmmtxFeCtlX_mW1RQzMRfq3jsfodfK_xBGLwv-MYLdbxkKYF4a1lq3-aB0ukqhuly61xXlH5MYfGf5DXIF3Ll94MpGWr9AswzRsyPqRf0VUMhWeI6lgWIU7Yv3F_7z2/s400/Arche_.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 524px; height: 485px;" /></a><br />Burl wood music box with drawer to hold pens:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcrJlb0mOjAfxpqyQq8-JEoo3Dglet_Sk-uycaq45CE3t6jLMk6BArB16DtP6TDhPj_TDxhKuKbjzSXViyQsubejZi7cifJj8z7IjU4l7tQGbUo7aeyzeUmJnhiuzYPuOaSxjxCCaeUZ1/s1600-h/Capella.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027128152870785394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcrJlb0mOjAfxpqyQq8-JEoo3Dglet_Sk-uycaq45CE3t6jLMk6BArB16DtP6TDhPj_TDxhKuKbjzSXViyQsubejZi7cifJj8z7IjU4l7tQGbUo7aeyzeUmJnhiuzYPuOaSxjxCCaeUZ1/s400/Capella.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 523px; height: 496px;" /></a><br />The Francastel music box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5v1rbkXYg44gVb70qWmQ_UzXb9MxxhozyxPcl3FYWMEwdpieH8PdCUwSVOgFibtg-XBHHixOKBushMcwOBMd0KZmz1Paw5UDQHrjL3STmFor-E8bv4UXjYVDIqFNnTh93aizIsuGcSp/s1600-h/Boa%C2%A6%C3%A8te-Francastel---AXA.72.5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027155902654484946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5v1rbkXYg44gVb70qWmQ_UzXb9MxxhozyxPcl3FYWMEwdpieH8PdCUwSVOgFibtg-XBHHixOKBushMcwOBMd0KZmz1Paw5UDQHrjL3STmFor-E8bv4UXjYVDIqFNnTh93aizIsuGcSp/s400/Boa%C2%A6%C3%A8te-Francastel---AXA.72.5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 524px; height: 501px;" /></a><br /><br />They use every material you can imagine, from exotic woods to glass and enamels, and each is crafted by hand.<br /><br />With music boxes containing sets of 16, 36 and 72 notes as well as ones that double as candle holders and incense burners.<br /><br /><br />The Music Box votive holder, Ambiente:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazBZxWvL24ELP4GXbgWwjyQZq1GIsQOMnKzfJbYGSUNa9gTGvT_yjwpiNMTdxtgyCMfNvaErsFIrVJQGGliPbSAaLXbGYcZ2XnxCLRFrAN7hOBVe3WaGnA8nqnlWlx8bGR5MDDUlw0X0T/s1600-h/Ambiente.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027128466403398018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazBZxWvL24ELP4GXbgWwjyQZq1GIsQOMnKzfJbYGSUNa9gTGvT_yjwpiNMTdxtgyCMfNvaErsFIrVJQGGliPbSAaLXbGYcZ2XnxCLRFrAN7hOBVe3WaGnA8nqnlWlx8bGR5MDDUlw0X0T/s400/Ambiente.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 525px; height: 486px;" /></a><br />Music Box incense holder<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9JuBeJKZHdvQ53P0wPS2TuPBJKCpDEjkmYy7mjKVKshuqdNwwq7UbgNUti_6Da_6u_Ed9JKaoGa13fmIXmt4d60lCbBeFEhF55oKVIrbSFYZIMWf8reDHMoGskssDAOB8-ffNYxfY5FO/s1600-h/AXA.36.5362.000.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027126456358703378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9JuBeJKZHdvQ53P0wPS2TuPBJKCpDEjkmYy7mjKVKshuqdNwwq7UbgNUti_6Da_6u_Ed9JKaoGa13fmIXmt4d60lCbBeFEhF55oKVIrbSFYZIMWf8reDHMoGskssDAOB8-ffNYxfY5FO/s400/AXA.36.5362.000.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 525px; height: 488px;" /></a><br /><br />Okay, so I was really impressed with their designs and array of offerings. But that was only half of it.<a href="http://www.reuge.com/"> Reuge</a> (whose tagline is appropriately 'the art of mechanical music') has developed an unusually informative website. They have a time line of the history of music boxes, written in a digestible manner and not overwhelmingly pedantic.<br /><br />They go into intense detail of every step of production (a lot goes into a music box!). They make it easy to browse through their products with rollover titles and nice large clean imagery. They have a wonderful section on craftsmanship with detailed images, down to applying a feather on a bird.<br /><br />It's a rare product inventory indeed, but equally rare is a site that's such a pleasure to explore.<br /><br />Singing Bird Poem music box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIotUlt40j2ojSfSaWtNYWlJb8AptaDNFb3g0BS9_6vjRqaA4EBk-dBSXW5NIntJ_0qaXdgG_q9yagZqXsKz5qO9Z2Y8sWFcKiDmYotn0wxhu7HXOVifHrfMjx3VLjobFnr3FdqEeZN4jm/s1600-h/Saint-John-Perse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027158612778848754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIotUlt40j2ojSfSaWtNYWlJb8AptaDNFb3g0BS9_6vjRqaA4EBk-dBSXW5NIntJ_0qaXdgG_q9yagZqXsKz5qO9Z2Y8sWFcKiDmYotn0wxhu7HXOVifHrfMjx3VLjobFnr3FdqEeZN4jm/s400/Saint-John-Perse.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 526px; height: 503px;" /></a><br />Singing bird Sweetheart music box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl5e3JHNaBQZ5AAegn0ZNZRuJ62JM5UhPvMpv_ZVXlDpQt0u-7Q7rKB22xq7FC6zElY5ZpQa-s3frlWJ9VKEcd8Z5-hvc_AXx-0y9BPQzmQ1AmUgrKT4ytLY0EbQRmNpokMSTUph2HIyC/s1600-h/Sweetheart_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027155602006774210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl5e3JHNaBQZ5AAegn0ZNZRuJ62JM5UhPvMpv_ZVXlDpQt0u-7Q7rKB22xq7FC6zElY5ZpQa-s3frlWJ9VKEcd8Z5-hvc_AXx-0y9BPQzmQ1AmUgrKT4ytLY0EbQRmNpokMSTUph2HIyC/s400/Sweetheart_.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 531px; height: 507px;" /></a><br />Singing Bird Black Tie Music Box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2K27_zvd1xqu_g5Jqr0-UDoEuazn4WPX5u9QXu9RMYvogyTfm7RkuD-d4z2qaWbg5Bibff1SVpuROPpDbtJUW0HqJYPRG4yhandb0YAFaYNLseMoKHxmm5cBt9CescgiDpa5Tt-9EX5F/s1600-h/BlackTie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027127547280396626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2K27_zvd1xqu_g5Jqr0-UDoEuazn4WPX5u9QXu9RMYvogyTfm7RkuD-d4z2qaWbg5Bibff1SVpuROPpDbtJUW0HqJYPRG4yhandb0YAFaYNLseMoKHxmm5cBt9CescgiDpa5Tt-9EX5F/s400/BlackTie.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 532px; height: 491px;" /></a><br />Wood art deco music box:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6BHCPWnxzOxPbQ3AcUrt4HjdAoEInjkRE-V95WoQH09Rc6JQwv-EHUNT4D6YxVhIHyex6iO2oyxIf4bXce5UqFl726PaVs_XFSAGAxiNrbHsL_Xo7lJavAKzpPbNC1UO3yF8CpmBcv17/s1600-h/Wiener_Wetkstaetter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027130656836718994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6BHCPWnxzOxPbQ3AcUrt4HjdAoEInjkRE-V95WoQH09Rc6JQwv-EHUNT4D6YxVhIHyex6iO2oyxIf4bXce5UqFl726PaVs_XFSAGAxiNrbHsL_Xo7lJavAKzpPbNC1UO3yF8CpmBcv17/s400/Wiener_Wetkstaetter.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 530px; height: 490px;" /></a><br /><br />Wanna really be impressed? Check out the FAQ link and you'll not only see every question a possible interested party or owner could have, but the numbers of people who have accessed that very question.<br /><br />Suffice it to say, these products aren't cheap. And, as one would expect from master craftsmen they offer owner upkeep and a two year guarantee (with limitations). Even limited editions and custom designs are available. It is truly an art.<br /><br />Which is why, at the beginning of this article, I said 'invest' in a music box. But from what I see and hear, it's a pretty wise investment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnEbiVp7q4xxhppjlGaWvREk8NAHSWTjFW9xN34zUdROrlKTm1trHh1avxWa2GBbZmDZDAJsK2LomTEN49bKFiHvSapiEs9Q1eohhpwzM3HOnHRa1wJNrC_BjCFbtk9ry-Ya6knoLlT0/s1600/REUGE+gris.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500150961362690594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnEbiVp7q4xxhppjlGaWvREk8NAHSWTjFW9xN34zUdROrlKTm1trHh1avxWa2GBbZmDZDAJsK2LomTEN49bKFiHvSapiEs9Q1eohhpwzM3HOnHRa1wJNrC_BjCFbtk9ry-Ya6knoLlT0/s400/REUGE+gris.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 538px; height: 103px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.reuge.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><br />Click here and see for yourself.</a>

Listen and Learn: The Art of Making Music By Reuge

above:the Reuge factory in Switzerland I came across this company's site awhile ago. I can't recall what I was searching for, but ...

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So, what are you getting her/him?

<div class="tn_post"><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I'm bummed at all the crap people are posting on blogs and sites for V-day gifts. Just because it's red or heart-shaped doesn't mean it's a great gift! Here are some gifts that truly are unique, memorable, hip or collectible. No crappy gold-filled jewelry or heart soaps on here. Just the good stuff.<br /><br />Starting with a droog signature vase made from your own signature to naming a star after your significant other, you can purchase all these great gifts just by clicking on their images.</p><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><map id="ThisNext_map_9D9F583B" name="ThisNext_map_9D9F583B"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/090C001D/E5D5D2AF/A-Personalized-Signature-vase?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="A Personalized Signature vase for your Valentine!" shape="rect" coords="11,11,132,132"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/7F1082DA/6F40EC20/VISIONAIRE-Love-art-book?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="VISIONAIRE "Love" art book Tiffany Cover" shape="rect" coords="134,11,255,132"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/66FE6DC0/14A1CA98/Give-your-heart-this?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Give your heart this Valentine's Day. Literally." shape="rect" coords="257,11,378,132"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/DAE609C4/D6702786/Original-Signed-Robert-Indiana?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Original Signed Robert Indiana Love serigraph" shape="rect" coords="11,134,132,255"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/51012E12/CA6AA088/Romance-By-You-Personalized?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Romance By You: Personalized Romance Novels!" shape="rect" coords="134,134,255,255"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/AFC6BD5F/8E7216BC/Chic-and-sexy-silk-suede?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Chic and sexy silk & suede blindfolds!" shape="rect" coords="257,134,378,255"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/8B51C6F6/43C4DEE2/Melting-Love-Pendant-in-14k?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Melting Love Pendant in 14k gold" shape="rect" coords="11,257,132,378"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/9487C51A/DC6A309C/Dont-Have-A-Valentine-You-will?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Don't Have A Valentine? You will Now. Love Spells for sale." shape="rect" coords="134,257,255,378"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/BEE5C665/65A6F054/The-Ultimate-leather-picnic?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="The Ultimate leather picnic basket...er, trunk! by Pinel & Pinel" shape="rect" coords="257,257,378,378"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/EB2CBECC/36C6FBD5/Tatoo-Your-Diamond-4?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Tatoo Your Diamond 4 Valentine's" shape="rect" coords="11,380,132,501"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/C0EE40DF/CFF6FF6F/Name-a-Star-After-your-loved?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Name a Star After your loved one for Valentine's Day!" shape="rect" coords="134,380,255,501"><area href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/AEF1737B/7107A5B0/Reuge-Special-Edition?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Reuge Special Edition Valentine's Music Box" shape="rect" coords="257,380,378,501"></map><a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog" title="Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts"><img alt="Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts" height="523" src="http://www.thisnext.com/media/blogit/9D9F583B.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-width: 1px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" usemap="#ThisNext_map_9D9F583B" width="390" /></a></div><p>See more of my <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines?u=laurasweet&p=/list/61BDDFAC/Seriously-Good-Valentines&t=blog">Seriously Good Valentine's Gifts</a> list at ThisNext.</p></div>

So, what are you getting her/him?

I'm bummed at all the crap people are posting on blogs and sites for V-day gifts. Just because it's red or heart-shaped doesn't ...

Read more »