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Thankful Troops Smoke 7,000 Cigars

Filed under: Cigars

While we are constantly reminded of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we often lose site of the people serving. Sure, we support the troops and lament the fact that some are separated from their families for a year or longer ... with unfortunate regularity. But, these concepts remain abstract from those who don't don the uniform every day. Many have a friend or family member serving, but the vast majority is another step removed from the sacrifice. Chuck Ley, founder of the organization Cigars for Soldiers, is bridging the gap. His effort has added a personal and genuine touch to a "support the troops" message that the mainstream media has forced into cliché too soon.

Ley, like me, was a soldier. While my service entailed comfy pencil-pushing positions in Uijongbu, South Korea and Fort Gordon, Georga, he was an infantryman – the real deal – wounded in action in Mogadishu, Somalia. It wasn't the event immortalized in Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down, but few realize that we fought more than once over there. Though back in civilian life for more than a decade, Ley has not forgotten his time in uniform, and many of his friends continue to serve.

From time to time, Ley would get a phone call or e-mail from overseas, a friend in some far-flung place. The tone varied from casual inquiry to begging to near-demand: send cigars. How could a cigar-smoking former soldier refuse?

Gallery: Cigars for Soldiers

Soldiers smoke Pepin Garcia cigars in Iraq

Don Pepin Garcia addresses the crowd at De La Concha

The cigars donated to Cigars for Soldiers by Don Pepin Garcia

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Usiku Organic Bath & Body Collection

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

We're not there yet but the holidays are just around the corner, and along with them all the stress of thinking up gift ideas for everybody and finding time to shop. Some bath and body products probably belong on your shopping list regardless, whether as a gift for someone or just a way to help yourself relax amidst the annual holiday stresses, and I'm thinking the Usiku Organic Bath Collection sounds particularly good since they work for men or women and I love all things organic (not to mention the fragrance description sounds heavenly).

The collection from Jo Wood includes body soap, body lotion, body oil, and bath oil, and prices range from $24-$125 each.

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Tags: bath, bath collection, bath oil, BathCollection, BathOil, body, gift, gifts, holidash, holidays, Jo wood, JoWood, lotion, neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, oil, organic, relax, shopping, soap, stress, usiku

The Sahara Infrared Sauna

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

The Sahara Infrared Sauna couldn't be easier to use or install. No plumber or contractor needed, simply put it where you want it and plug it in. The Sahara uses infrared rays to heat your body directly, much like the sun would, which avoids the need for water or steam. It has features including a session timer, temperature control, ozone sterilization, programmable radio, and inputs for your mp3 player, iPod, or CD player so you can relax to your favorite tunes. And it's beautiful to look at also, made of Finnish fir and tempered safety glass. £1495

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Tags: heat, hot, infrared, relax, relaxing, sahara, sauna, warm, warmth

Sling by Ting

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Garden, Green

Do you want to relax and enjoy a lazy summer day, but you can't sit still for worrying about the environment? In the Sling by Ting, you can satisfy your need for relaxation and feel confident that at least at that very moment, you are part of the solution, not the problem. Made from end-of-the-line seat belt webbing that would otherwise end up in a landfill, the sling is as eye-catching as it is environmentally friendly. Designed by Inghua Ting, this durable and weather-resistant hammock is available in six colors, including my favorite - orange. $578.

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Tags: eco friendly, eco friendly design, EcoFriendly, EcoFriendlyDesign, environmentally, garden, green, hammock, inghua ting, InghuaTing, landfill, luxe hammock, LuxeHammock, luxury hammock, LuxuryHammock, relax, seat belt, SeatBelt, sling

Ritz-Carlton Meets Prada, in the Pines

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Prada Beauty and the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation have joined together to create a relaxing beauty experience on Lake Oconee, deep in the Georgia-native loblolly pines. In addition to the usual Ritz-Carlton luxuries like feather beds, private porches, and oversized marble & granite bathtubs, the "Prada in the Pines" package will get the additional benefits of Club access, a men's or women's Prada Fragrance, a Prada Exfoliant Visage Facial, and in-room champagne and truffles.

The package starts at $1,109 per evening and is available for a limited time, this spring through fall.

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Tags: facial, fragrance, hotel, prada, prada in the pines, PradaInThePines, relax, resort, Ritz, Ritz carlton, ritz-carlton, RitzCarlton, spa, travel

Multimedia Chair, Father's Day Gift of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Dad deserves a day to lounge around the house and maybe catch a game or two from time to time. To ensure that he experiences the ultimate in entertainment while he's relaxing, you might consider setting him up in a Multimedia Chair from Hammacher Schlemmer. The plush chair is upholstered in ultra-soft microfiber on top of high-density cushioning. There is a 50-watt speaker built into each side of the headrest and a 300-watt amp in the chair base to provide the ultimate sound quality, but the most impressive thing about the sound system is the tactile sound transducer that converts low-frequency sounds into vibrations. This means that Dad will feel like he is experiencing every car chase and high-adrenaline fight scene he watches; the technology is the same used in flight simulators. Just keep in mind that if Dad plays video games, you might not see him for days at a time, though. Price: $799.95.