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Category Archives: Buyer & Gift Guides

Tech Savvy MuM

Mother’s Day: Gifts for tech savvy mums

Mother's Day: Gifts for tech savvy mums

Tech Savvy MuM

If your mum is obsessed with the latest gadgets our newest blog might help you out with what to get her this Mother’s Day.

Finding gifts for your tech savvy mum can be hard. If your mum is electronic mad and always keeps up with the newest releases she can be a NIGHTMARE to buy for. Remember the days when you were little and your mum insisted a drawing was enough for Mother’s Day? Well we hate to break it to you, those days are well and truly over. Now you’re all grown up its time to get your technology loving mum some gadgets she’ll love.

Take a look at our top products tech savvy mums will love for Mother’s Day…

Urbanears Plattan 2 On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones - Pink £66.95

Bluetooth Wireless Headphones

Help your mum tune out with a pair of wireless headphone. These headphones pack 9 hours talk-time or 8 hours music playback and 30 hours of battery. Ideal for her to use in the gym, or on the commute to work.

New Amazon Echo Plus - Sandstone White £129.55

Amazon Echo Plus

Busy mum’s could do with a helping hand now and again. With Amazon Echo on standby your mum can check the weather, play music, and much more. She’ll wonder how she ever coped without it!

Apple Watch S3 2018 Cellular 42mm - Alu / White Sport Band £371.66

Apple Watch

If she’s already got a smart phone take things to the next level and connect your mum up with an Apple watch. She’ll have no excuse not to reply to your texts any more! Stream over 40 million songs whilst in the shower the Apple watch does just about everything.

SMEG ECF01CRUK Coffee Machine - Cream £252.00

SMEG Coffee Machine

Is your mum sick of waiting what feels like years for the kettle to boil? Well with this state of the art coffee machine your drink will be ready in just 25 seconds. Mornings have never been easier.

HP Sprocket Photo Printer - White £111.55

HP Sprocket Photo Printer

Your mum will be able to print wherever she goes with this pocket-sized Bluetooth printer. Transform mobile photos she already loves by adding text, borders & emojis to make memorable photos more fun!

FITBIT Charge 3 SE - White & Graphite, Universal £134.10

For the fit mum or the one that wants to become fit, a Fitbit could be a lovely gift idea. Your mum will be able to receive notifications at a glance with this on-trend display Fitbit enabling her to tell the time in style, as well as keep fit!

instax Mini 9 Camera with 10 shots - Flamingo Pink £71.05

Polaroid camera

Ours mums probably remember the good old days where every picture that was taken was printed out immediately rather than stored on our phones for years to come. Let her relive her youth with a Polaroid Camera.

New Amazon Kindle Oasis eReader, £206.96

Amazon Kindle Oasis

If your mum loves to take a book in the bath or in the pool holiday this gift will be perfect for her. Introducing the newest waterproof addition to the Kindle family, the Amazon Kindle Oasis. The Oasis is protected against being dropped in up to 2 metres of fresh water!

Tile Mate 2018 Phone and Key Item Finder £21.55

Tile Key Finder

Forget about being blamed for losing mums car keys! This lightweight gadget can be used to find anything by connecting to a smart phone or tablet. Smart technology doesn’t have to be expensive at the very reasonable price of £21.55!

Mothers Day

Mother’s Day: Gifts for under £20

Mother's Day gifts for under £20

Mothers Day for under £20

Although the love for your mum has no boundary’s our pockets unfortunately do. Mums deserve to be spoiled rotten no matter the cost. Reality is there are plenty of cheaper gifts that she will still cherish forever.

Whether you decide to treat her with flowers or a relaxing gift set we’ve got you covered. We’ve chosen some of our favourite Mother’s Day gifts (Sunday 31st March for the forgetful among us) for every Mum out there… We promise it won’t break the bank.

So now there’s no excuse to leave Mum to the last minute!

Argos Home Ladybird Hot Water Bottle £14.39

Hot Water Bottle

Keep your mum’s tootsies toasty with a hot water bottle this Mother’s Day, soft scrumptious and snuggly, this Ladybird hot water bottle will stay warm for up to 4 hours, keeping your mum snug as a bug in a rug all evening.

Argos Home Flamingo Mug £8.86

Coffee Mug

Jazz up mums morning coffee with a new mug, its the perfect way to add a bit of fun and personalty to your kitchen! Inside this flamingo mug it says ‘Your’e flamazing’ the perfect message to give your mum!

Melodie Happy Times A4 Pastel Blue Photo Album £17.54

Photo Album

Treasure memories forever with a photo album. If you want to go the extra mile this Mother’s Day why not fill the pages with her favourite family photos. This baby blue photo album featuring rose gold foil detail on the text looks expensive but still won’t break the bank.

Ready Nail Varnish, Pack of 3 £10.80

Nail Varnish

For the stylish mum why not buy her some nail varnishes to make her feel as good and you know she looks. Organising a pamper day for you and her in the living room this Mother’s Day is a great way to show her you want to spend time together.

Yankee Candle Large Jar Candle - Vanilla Frosting £16.16

Yankee Candle

Fill your mums home with beautiful smells she’s guaranteed to love. A Yankee candle has over 120 hours of burning time and comes in around 200 different scents, what more could she want! Pretty good for just under £20 too!

Chocolate fountain
Pretty Pink Chocolate Fountain £19.75

Chocolate fountain

Surprise mum with a Chocolate fountain. Something makes me think she won’t be expecting this gift! From strawberries, to banana slices and grapes, a Chocolate Fountain is the perfect dipping indulgent treat. Great for dinner parties and cheat nights!

Catherine Lansfield Cuddly Cushion - Cream £12.56

Let your mum claim her favourite spot on the sofa with a cushion. A soft fluffy cushion would brighten up any room and would definitely put a smile on her face!

face mask
Yes to Cucumbers Calming Mud Mask £5.39

Face Mask

Treat your mum to a spa treatment without leaving the house, a face mask is the perfect way to show your mum that she deserves to relax this Mother’s day! Natural face masks create a barrier on the skin and are designed to deliver a super charged dose of skin hydrating ingredients.

Silver plated clear heart keyring gift £11.79

A beautiful heart keying acts as a gesture of love and affection when presented to your mum! She takes her keys everywhere so now she’ll know you love her wherever she goes.

However you choose to treat your Mum this Mother’s Day we hope you both have a great day!

Must have party essentials

Must have party essentials

Party planning can be stressful we know. This year save the cash and throw your event at home, we promise it’ll be one to remember. Whether your turning 18, 80, or just fancied throwing that 80’s party you’ve always dreamed about, we’ve got you covered with our list of must have party essentials…

Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone, £23.25

It’s always a good idea to have some sort of entertainment ready to distract those unruly guests. Why not invest in a Bluetooth microphone, they lets you perform solo, or for maximum entertainment order two for duet mode. Play your favourite song through the built-in speaker and sing to your heart’s content.

All Seasons Gazebo Party Tent, £180.00

A gazebo is never a bad idea for the unpredictable English weather. You don’t want to leave your guests out in the rain! This roomy gazebo can accommodate anything from garden chairs to dance floors. Gazebos’ are great for putting patio heaters in in the winter, or covering yourself from the rays of summer, definitely worth investing in if you’re an avid party host.

Vibe Single Use 36 Exposure Camera- 5 Pack, £35.05

Obviously its going to be a night to remember so why not let your guests document it for themselves! These individually wrapped disposable cameras work perfectly indoors and outdoors, look forward to looking through old school pictures and finding some possible photos to treasure forever.

Talking Tables Coloured String Party Lights, £12.15

Lighting should always be a top priority when planning an event. Fairy lights are pretty, colourful and can even turn your dinghy downstairs bathroom into a party guest hot spot! By adding battery-powered fairy lights you’re not only lowering the fire hazard candles have, but are making your house look picture perfect.

Bush High Power Bluetooth Party Speaker, £93.55

Get granddad out of his chair and boogieing with all your favourite tunes. This Bluetooth speaker will make you a real crowd-please, anyone and everyone can connect and play their party playlists through this speaker. The multi coloured light display on the front makes this speaker a must have party essential!

"Ultimate Party" 16 bottle white selection, £129.46

Greet your guests with 16 bottles of white wine to really get the party started. Buying your alcohol bulk in advance really helps you keep the party costs down whilst still providing an excellent party spread. Hopefully this crate will get everyone enjoying the karaoke machine!

Halographic Party Balloon, £8.55

What screams fun more than this stylish balloon banner? Balloon’s are the perfect way to jazz up a blank wall, it will be the talking point of your party. Word balloons are a 2019 must have trend, their great for photo shoots and letting everyone know what they should be doing ‘parting!’.

Tinc Boogie Light Party Plug In, £18.90

Disco in the kitchen, groove in the garage, or turn your living room into a real life nightclub! Jazzy disco lights instantly change the room from dull to dance in me, it really has no limits as to where your party guests can showcase their killer moves.

Brights Party Paper Hats, Pack of 4, £8.55

Have guests pose for pictures with their party hats on or add the finishing touches to your party outfit. If you’re feeling super creative you can make bunting out of party hats by cutting them in half and threading the string through all the different hat hole.

NOW That's What I Call A Party 2019, £8.10

Getting a little bit sick of your friends, boyfriends, brother thinking he’s a part-time DJ on your Bluetooth speaker? Why not just stick on a party album, its great for all ages and you know what you’re in for. No more spending hours creating the perfect playlist!

Folding Table 6ft Heavy Duty Extra Strength, £40.12

A folding table is perfect for displaying party snacks. Grab a snazzy table cloth and place below your party nibble spread. Buying a heavy duty sturdy table like this one means you won’t have to worry about people sitting where they shouldn’t be!

Find the perfect gift for her this Valentine's Day

What to get HER this Valentine’s Day

Find the perfect gift for her this Valentine's Day

What to get HER this Valentine's Day

It’s the year to make her feel super special. Whether the love is just blossoming and you need us to play cupid, or you’re looking for an extraordinary something for that special somebody in your life. We’ve compiled a guide for the best valentines’ gifts for her this year, from little surprises to pamper gifts, you have plenty of options to really make that lady in your life feel like the luckiest one in the world. We have everything for every type of budget too, take a look.

Urban Decay ‘Naked Cherry’ Eyeshadow Palette

Mattes, shimmers and intense colours, this palette is perfect for Valentine’s Day. The pinks and burgundy’s colours will create the perfect date-night look.

Whoever you gift this to, they’ll absolutely love it. High-quality, rich, velvety and easy to use, it’s a really thoughtful, beautiful gift for somebody.

Opulence Metallic Glass Votive Candles

Everybody loves candles and they can really set the mood on Valentine’s Day. These votive candles have a beautiful metallic design that will suit any type of interior.

Their fresh clean scent, crafted from a combination of citrus, bergamot and patchouli mean they’re a super safe choice and one that anybody would love to receive as a gift.

No. 1 Jenny Packham – Designer gold floral drape hair comb

A rather unique gift but certainly an unforgettable one. This floral hair comb will enhance any outfit, allowing your Valentine to shine, just like they deserve to.

It’s a gorgeous accessory that will make anybody smile when they open it. If you know your partner would love a hairpiece like this, it’s the perfect gift.

Activity Superstore – London overnight stay with Simply Windsor Castle afternoon tour gift experience for 2

This really is an unforgettable experience. Windsor Castle is a truly romantic location with its sweeping landscapes and the view of the Thames.

Your driver will take you straight from Central London to Windsor Castle where you’ll be treated to an audio tour and be able to visit the Windsor Castle State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St. George’s Chapel

This is a one-night stay for two, breakfast is included and you’ll be sure that it’s an unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift (be aware though, it isn’t valid to take this trip on Valentine’s Day itself!)

18ct White Gold 0.50ct Diamond Princess Cut Ring

An eternity ring to symbolise the eternity you’ll spend with your Valentine’s date. This really is a beautiful ring, one that has a rich shine and is suitable for everyday wear.

A princess cut diamond for the royalty in your life.

Beyoncé Heat Eau de Parfum Fragrance

They’ll need a special fragrance to wear for their Valentine’s date, and what could be more appropriate than Beyoncé’s Heat perfume?

Luxurious, sensuous and, importantly, a really delightful smell. If you were planning on gifting your Valentine’s with a fragrance, this is the perfect option.

Buyagift 2 for 1 Relaxation Day with Salt Cave Treatment at Twinwood Health Club

Valentine’s Day is really just a great excuse to relax a little, pamper yourself and love yourself as well as other people.

This fabulous experience gives you the chance to swim in the most unique swimming pool in Bedford, sit in a stunning sauna and be revitalised with an hour-long salt cave treatment. Best of all, it’s for two people, so, you get treated as well!

We hope this gift guide inspired you to find the perfect gift for her. Buying a thoughtful, unique present for your Valentines can show somebody just how much you care.

Looking for gift ideas for him? Check out our Valentine’s Day gift guide here.

Great gifts for him this Valentine's Day

What to get HIM this Valentine’s Day

Great gifts for him this Valentine's Day

What to get HIM this Valentine's Day

With Valentine’s Day only a few weeks away, it’s about that time when you need to start thinking about what you want to get the man in your life this year. However, due to the seemingly innate inability of many men to express what they want, a lot of people find it difficult to puzzle out the kind of gift that their partner will truly appreciate. Though all this may make getting the perfect Valentine’s gift for your lover a chore, we’re here to help with a helpful rundown of five great gifts ideas for him this Valentine’s season.

A good-quality set of headphones is an ideal gift for techies.
A good-quality set of headphones is an ideal gift for techies.

Whether it’s for listening to Spotify, at the gym, playing video games or listening to podcasts on their daily commute to work, many of us have partners who use headphones on a regular basis. Therefore, a high-quality headset or earbuds is a gift that they’ll use regularly for years to come.

For a masculine, woody scent, look to Hugo Boss The Scent Private Accord

Fragrance / Aftershave

A classic but a goodie… we all love receiving the gift of a new fragrance. Whether he’s sporty or more of a sophisticated gent, there’s a scent out there for every guy. Check out our list of our top 5 fragrances for him:

  1. Dior Sauvage
  2. Paco Rabanne 1 Million
  3. Hugo Boss The Scent Private Accord
  4. Joop! Homme
  5. Lacoste L. 12. 12. Blanc
Packed full of classics, the Nintendo Classic Mini NES this will keep any gaming lover occupied for hours at a time!
Packed full of classics, the Nintendo Classic Mini NES will keep gamers occupied for hours at a time!

Retro games console or record player

Everything retro seems to be coming back into fashion recently as people rediscover technology that has been forgotten for years. Why not send your video gaming partner on a trip down memory lane with a mini console or for music lovers, allow them the chance to redisover the beauty of a record.

A basic tool kit can even be handy just for fixing small things around the house.

DIY Tools

Have you been planning to do a bit of renovation around the house this year? With many men keen to use this as an opportunity to show offer their superior manly DIY skills (just go along with it, it’s makes them happy!), why not help them along with some new DIY tools to make their job easier. It may inspire them and before you know it, your house will be like something off of Grand Designs!

Get away and do something you both love together

Something for you to do together

Whether it’s a romantic weekend away, grabbing some afternoon tea or heading for a bit of sightseeing or theatre in the city, spending time with your loved one doing something exciting is one of the best gifts you can give in our book. Whatever your budget or interests, our wide range of gifts and experience offerings will have the perfect something to match both of your tastes!

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday 19th June, have you bought the ideal gift for your Dad yet? No? Well, if that is the case, we’re here to offer you the best advice we can by giving you a rundown of some of the most popular Father’s Day gifts and some hidden gems you may not have thought of! Whatever his interest, make sure your dad has a unique gift to make his day perfect.

With all of these gifts, you can collect epoints which you can use to treat yourself with! It’s so simple, all you have to do is log on to your account at before browsing for the perfect gift. If you’ll be browsing the high street as opposed to shopping online, you can redeem your epoints by using bigDL app (available on both the App Store and Google Play)

To make your shopping experience all the more rewarding, we’re offering you quadruple epoints at selected retailers! Here are some of our favourites below. Happy shopping!

Sporting gifts

Callaway 2016 X Series 416 Driver – Gamola Golf £159 (636 epoints)

Callaway Driver

Has your father been moaning for a while about how long it has been since he’s been out on the course and enjoyed a full 18? Freshen up his selection of clubs with this great offer on the Callaway 2016 X Series 416 Driver with Gamola Golf – now reduced by a massive 36% to just £159. Gamola Golf rewards you for shopping with them via epoints. Simply login to before placing an order to get your points.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Gamola Golf

Yurbuds Personalized Series Headphones  – Runners Need £18.74 (75 epoints)

 These professional headphones are perfect for those early-morning runs allowing runners to enjoy some of their own music whilst they stay in shape ahead of summer. Rugged, water and sweat resistant, these headphones are perfect for all conditions. Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast or needs a bit of encouragement to get out and active – these headphones are the perfect match.  Make sure to before placing your order so you can get your Runners Need rewards and epoints.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Runners Need

Aftershaves and Grooming

Aramis Adventurer Eau De Toilette 60ml Gift Set – The Fragrance Shop £28 (112 epoints)

An incredibly versatile fragrance, the Aramis Adventurer is unique and perfect for every occasion. The set contains not only the cologne, but also a matching body spray (60ml) and a body wash (100ml.) The rich blue box offers a visually pleasing present to give to your Dad on Sunday! Don’t forget to login to epoints before shopping to get your Fragrance Shop rewards.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at The Fragrance Shop

BaByliss for Men 6 in 1 Personal Grooming Kit – Boots £13.99 (55 points) Babyliss

Give your father the chance to groom himself however he sees fit. He can groom his hair, beard and body with this fantastically comprehensive grooming kit, complete with 3 different trimming heads to give everyone who purchases this kit the chance to personalise their style. Log in before you buy and claim your epoints and Boots Points for purchasing.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Boots

Food and Drink

Whisky Lover’s Gift Box – M&S £25 (100 epoints) Whisky

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice tipple once in a while? For all the whiskey loving fathers out there, this gift set is absolutely perfect. This box contains Speyside’s finest single malt whiskey, alongside single malt white chocolate truffles. Every box comes complete with an elegant matching Speyside glass, allowing your father to be reminded of the gift every time he enjoys a glass of his favourite whiskey. Collect Marks and Spencer reward points by shopping online via epoints or upload your receipt on the bigDL app if shopping in store.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Marks and Spencer

Beef Roasting Joint – Waitrose £12.99 (51 epoints) beef

So you’ve spoilt your Father throughout the day, but just how is the best way to finish off a relaxing Sunday with your family? I think we all know that there is only one logical answer to that question. A nice Sunday roast. This beef roasting joint will have enough to satisfy the whole family with its succulent and tender taste. Don’t miss out on your Waitrose Rewards and epoints when shopping online.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Waitrose

Gadgets and Tech

Mini Amp MP3 Speaker – Menkind £14.99 (59 epoints) amp

Does your Dad still think he’s a bit of a rocker? After a couple of beers, is he the first one on the dance-floor at a wedding showing everyone his air-guitar? We feel for you. Even if that doesn’t apply to you, you might want to consider this present. This neat speaker is small and portable but still offers fantastic audio quality for flawless audio playback. Pick up Menkind rewards and epoints when purchased online.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Menkind

Subbuteo Colour-Changing Light – Littlewoods £26 (104 epoints) subbuteo

As everyone with a father of a certain age will know all too well, Subbuteo once upon a time was quite literally the best invention in the history of humanity. If your father is one of those who still champions the old fashioned footballing entertainment, why not treat him to this iconic footie light? He may just stop with the lectures, you never know. Be sure to collect epoints and Littlewoods Rewards with your purchase.

QUADRUPLE epoints at Littlewoods

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

With Mother’s Day just around the corner on 6 March, have you selected the perfect gift for the special mums in your life? If not, don’t panic, we’re here to bring you a rundown of some of our favourite Mother’s Day gifts. From chic and stylish gifts to unique experiences that you can both enjoy together.

Don’t forget that with all these gifts, you can collect epoints to treat yourself too! All you need to do is log into your account on before shopping online. If you prefer to shop on the high street, you can collect epoints via the bigDL app (available on the App Store and Google Play).

As a special Mother’s Day treat, we’re also offering you quadruple epoints at selected stores!

Happy shopping!

mothers day 2016

Chic gifts for stylish mums

Jimmy Choo Parfume Debenhams Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum 40ml – Debenhams £36.90 (+147 epoints)

Jimmy Choo parfum oozes glamour and sophistication and this fruity fragrance with woody undertones is perfect for the yummy mummy in your life. Debenhams is now offering 10% off its 40ml bottle, now for just £36.90. To pick up your Debenhams rewards with epoints, simply sign into your account before shopping.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Debenhams

Diptyque candle – John Lewis £40 (+40 epoints)

Diptyque candle John Lewis

Diptyque candles have become synonymous with fashion and luxury and are the undisputed favourite candles amongst celebrities and fashionistas. The Baies fragrance is the most popular, with luxurious scent of blackcurrent leaves. Why not run your mum a candle lit bath to sink into and relax? You can grab one of these Diptyque candles at John Lewis. Don’t forget to login to epoints before shopping to get your John Lewis rewards.

Ted Baker London NOUEL purse – Ted Baker £85 (+85 epoints)

Inspired by Ted Baker’s stunning hanging gardens print, this statement purse has a zip fastening and coin, note and card compartments. The stunning design is the perfect accessory as we move into the spring and summer months. To take advantage of the epoints Ted Baker loyalty scheme, make sure to log in to epoints before shopping at Ted Baker online.

Sporty Mums

Nike FS Lite Run 2 Trainers – Sports Direct  £34.50 (+34 epoints)

Nike FS Lite Run 2 Trainers - Sports Direct

These lightweight trainers have excellent breathability with an upper mesh panels. The ‘Fitsole’ technology also provides excellent cushioning, fit and support. The trainers are available from £34.50 (size 4) to £46.00 (size 7) at Sports Direct. Make sure to pick up your Sports Direct loyalty points via epoints.
SONY Walkman MP3 Player – Currys £55 (+55 epoints)
Sony Walkman MP3 Player - Currys
If the mum in your life enjoys going to the gym, running or even swimming, this waterproof MP3 Player is ideal for listening to music and keeping motivation levels up. Lightweight, comfortable and wire-free, the MP3 player has 4GB of memory, ensuring there’s plenty of space available for a mum’s favourite music. Make sure to collect your Currys rewards by shopping online via epoints or upload your receipt on the bigDL app if shopping online.
Fitbit – Argos £89.99 (+89 epoints)

Argos Rewards

The popular Fitbit fitness tracker enables users to track their steps, distance travelled, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes. The multifunctional wristband also syncs seamlessly and wirelessly to iOS and comes in a range of colours. It’s available at Argos for £89.99, plus you’ll get Argos rewards when you shop via epoints.

Mother’s Day Hamper – Fortnum & Mason   £85.00 (+85 epoints)

Mother's Day Hamper - Fortnum & Mason

Famed for their wonderful wicker hampers, this Mother’s Day hamper from Fortnum & Mason contains a variety of treats. It is packed with the finest tea, biscuits, jam, chocolate and the exclusive Countess Grey Tea Votive candle. To collect your Fortnum & Mason rewards, make sure to log on to epoints before ordering your hamper online.

Michelin Starred Restaurants UK Wide £159 (+636 epoints)

Michelin Starred Restaurant - buyagift.comA real treat for foodie mums, this tasting menu and champagne offer for two from is available at a selection of Michelin-starred restaurants. There are five venues to choose from, each of which have earned their prestigious Michelin star with their quality menus. To receive your loyalty points, simply log on to before purchasing the offer and you’ll gain 636 epoints.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at

Great British Bake Off – How to Bake – The Works £18.99 (+18 epoints)

Great British Bake Off - The Works

The Great British Bake Off was one of 2015’s most-watched TV shows and if the foodie mum in your life loves to, or would like to, bake, this cookbook will be a winner. It provides tips and recipes for the perfect cake, biscuits, breads, pastries and more. Don’t forget you can collect The Works rewards when you shop via epoints.

Afternoon Tea for Two UK Wide Special Offer – Asda Gifts £32.50 (+128 epoints)

Afternoon Tea for Two UK Wide Special Offer

Nothing quite makes Mother’s Day for a mum than time with her children, so why not enjoy each other’s company with an afternoon tea experience. With Asda Gifts you can choose from a range of delicious venues with a flexible afternoon tea for two voucher for just £32.50. Log on to epoints before booking to take advantage of the epoints Asda reward scheme, where you’ll gain 32 epoints.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Asda Gifts
Luxury Champneys Overnight Spa Escape for Two – £185 (740 epoints) Virgin Experience Days

Champneys spa - Virgin Experience Days

Relax and unwind while spending some quality time with your mum with this luxury spa experience from Virgin Experience Days. You’ll get full access to the famed Champneys health resort with its swimming pools, steam rooms and saunas and will enjoy a delicious afternoon lunch. You’ll also get two luxury treatments including a facial and a pedicure or manicure. Make sure to collect your epoints Virgin Experience Day rewards.
QUADRUPLE epoints available at Virgin Experience Days

Smartbox with 1275 experiences to choose from – – £49.99 (196 epoints) mother's day experiences

If you want to enjoy some quality time with your mum, but can’t quite decide on the perfect experience, with this Smartbox, BuyaGift has chosen a fantastic range of experiences for you to choose from. This includes everything from adrenaline adventures to spa days with venues right across the UK. Make sure to log into your epoints account before purchasing this gift to collect 196 BuyaGift loyalty points with epoints.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at

Mother’s Day favourites

Continental Experience Collection Thorntons – £10 (+10 epoints)

Thorntons Rewards

No Mother’s Day is quite complete without a box of chocolates to indulge in. With this Continental Experience Collection from Thorntons, you’ll find a variety of delicious chocolates inspired by the continent, such as the feather-light Viennese Truffles. A classic Mother’s Day gift that will always impress. You’ll also pick up Thorntons rewards when shopping via epoints.

Large Pink Radiance flower bouquet – Interflora  £39.99 (+39 epoints)

Interflora Rewards

Nothing quite says happy Mother’s Day than a lovely bunch of flowers and this stunning bouquet from Interflora is sure to be a winner. The bouquet consists of fragrant roses, germinis and Oriental lilies. You can collect Interflora Rewards when you log in to epoints before ordering online.

QUADRUPLE epoints available at Interflora.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfume 50ml – Boots £68 (+272 epoints)

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle- Boots

This modern classic has a fresh oriental fragrance and some serious staying power. The fragrance draws inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel (Coco) and is aimed at the independent woman who breaks the rules and makes her own. Expensive, but worth the price tag. To collect Boots points via epoints, make sure to log in to before purchasing online.
QUADRUPLE epoints available at Boots
bigDL app: discounts and vouchers on the high street and online
Don’t forget, you can collect epoints with the bigDL app which gives you the very best single view of Mother’s Day discounts across the high street and online. The free money-saving app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

November Birthdays, No Problem! Birthstone Jewellery Gifts

November Birthstone JewelleryNovember Birthdays can be a little bit of a tough call so close to Christmas, you don’t want your gift recipient to feel left out or short-changed by the anticipation of all those amazing Christmas presents on their way soon.

If you’re looking for a birthday gift for a November-born gal, we think we can help you.

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Throw a hair-raising party to die for with these Halloween party essentials

Halloween Party Essentials

From ominous occasions, beastly banquets or gruesome gatherings, we have crawled the shops looking for the most extraordinary essentials and dreary decorations for any Fright Night.
So rise from you grave and pull yourself together – the witching hour is almost here and you’ve got a party to throw!
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Hair-Raising Halloween Experiences from Buyagift

Buyagift Halloween ExperiencesNot for the faint-hearted fan of Halloween (you’d be better off staying in with a not-really-that-scary film), Buyagift have some incredibly terrifying Halloween experiences to freak out even the most fearless of thrill seekers.

Yep, we’re talking snakes, zombies and even vampires!

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If I don’t go to Safeway this weekend, I may come down with scurvy or some other malnutrition related ailment.

I have no tangible amounts of food in my room right now. I’m outta Coke, cans of soup, bottled water, frozen food, vegetables, and fruit. I have some chocolate and instant noodles. Gross.

I’m tempted to make some instant noodles right now, but I don’t want to walk all the way up to the kitchen.

Hey, I wonder what Sea-Monkey food tastes like…

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Torino 2008 World Design Capital
Yesterday I went to a press conference by Torino 2008 World Design Capital at the Milan Design Fair which presented TORINO GEODESIGN.

TORINO GEODESIGN (described in more detail in this Core77 article) is an international competition which will bring designers from all over the world to collaborate with communities and businesses in Piedmont. It will be one of the major events of the Torino 2008 programme.

It is based on the concept of “self-organised” design, that is energetic and highly experimental. The project is generated by a community of consumers, living in large metropolises undergoing change and in cosmopolitan European cities, who transform themselves into suppliers of services.

Speakers were Sergio Chiamparino (Mayor of Torino), Stefano Boeri (project leader of Geodesign competition), Fernando and Humberto Campana (designers), Guta Moura Guedes (President ExperimentaDesign Biennial, Lisbon), and John Thackara (director of Doors of Perception and Dott07). Zaha Hadid was caught ill in New York but contributed via a written statement.

After Stefano Boeri’s presentation of the project, Guta Moura Guedes underlined how design is more and more an issue of people, and therefore increasingly democratic. Cities, she said, are becoming places for bottom-up experimentation in the design field aimed at improving the quality of life for and by those who live within those cities. Design is becoming flexible, hence the overall theme of Torino 2008 (“flexibility”), adapting to different circumstances and issues such as social change, political change and climate change.

Torino’s Mayor Sergio Chiamparino said that three elements in the project were important to him: the in-depth creation of knowledge about the city, the concrete collaboration with citizens and with the topics that matter to them, and the development of a future vision for the city.

Working with local communities is something that the Campana brothers have been doing for quite some time now and they presented several examples of how they work with the rich tradition of handicraft in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

John Thackara finally endorsed the GEODESIGN idea but connected it with the topic of sustainability. We would need, he said, 100 design cities to make a fundamental impact and the radical transformation that is needed. 80% of the environmental impact of the products in our world are the result of design decisions. A large part of the answers can come from other cultures or from other times, where people learned to live sustainability. How can we learn from them?

As described on the new website (and previously illustrated in my interview with Torino 2008 director Paola Zini), the year has been divided into four phases â€” Public Design, Economy and Design, Education and Design, and Design Policies â€” each aimed at four specific target groups: the citizens, businesses, the world of education and the institutions.

“Each of these groups represents a cardinal point in the life cycle of contemporary design. Each phase studies, develops and promotes the relationship between design and the urban fabric. This cross section involves the various actors who interrelate within the city and help delineate its aspect.”

Experientia contributes to Torino 2008 website

The editorial section of the new Torino 2008 website, i.e. the part that changes all the time, is curated by me (Experientia partner Mark Vanderbeeken).

Every month the site will feature an interview, an essay, a profile of a foreign design centre, and a short reflection on the international press. The first interview is with Ranjit Makkuni of the Sacred World Foundation and the first essay is by myself on people-centred design as a means to affect cultural and social change.

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  1. […] Ieri in occasione della Fiera del Design di Milano Ã¨ stata tenuta la conferenza stampa da Torino 2008 Capitale Mondiale del Design la quale ha presentato uno dei principali eventi in programma: TORINO GEODESIGN, evento che coinvolgerÃ  designer di tutto il mondo nella collaborazione con le comunitÃ  e l’economia piemontese. Gli speaker intervenuti alla conferenza stampa, tra cui il sindaco di Torino Sergio Chiamparino, hanno sottolineato l’importanza degli eventi in programma per il 2008. Molte altre informazioni sono disponibili sul sito di Torino 2008, della cui sezione editoriale si occuperÃ  Mark Vanderbeeken, socio di Experientia.   Scrivi un commento […]

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Features and Fixes Release

We are excited to release a feature set and fixes that have been planned and requested. The release contains over 30+ fixes and couple of features such as:

  • Duplicating form using an existing form
  • Passing in data to a form - You can now pass data to a form using URL Query Strings. For example, if you want to pass in customer's name, use this syntax: ?firstName=leena&lastName=m
  • POST to external URL - Submit the data received to an external web service for integration
  • Export raw data of a form to CSV form
  • Over 30+ bugs/issues fixed

Not only that, we have maintained up-time during the releases. You can view the current status of service at Service Status.

We're excited to share the latest feature set and release. If you have comments or suggestions on our road map or would like to get involved, feel free to reach via email or chat.

Happy New Year!

Leena Mehfooz

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Watching belugas in the Churchill River estuary.
Jul 31

The Beluga Boat Cam is Live!

The time of year has come for the Churchill River to fill with the songs of beluga whales, and you can watch these incredible
Jun 25

Five Fascinating Facts About Beluga Whales

Every July and August, approximately 4,000 beluga whales migrate into the Churchill River to feed, give birth and frolic around
A Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Mar 29

7 Ways to Explore Churchill This Year

In 2021 we are offering a number of ways to experience Churchill, Canada in summer or autumn. Learn which tour is the right one
Mar 24

New! Fly to Churchill Direct from Calgary and Montréal

We have some exciting news for anyone in western and eastern Canada who dreams of experiencing Churchill - you can now fly direct
Buggy One studying polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Oct 06

3 Reasons Why our Conservation Journeys are a Special Experience

For those passionate about responsible tourism and wildlife, our Conservation Journeys® provide an immersive wildlife adventure
People enjoying a Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Sep 01

Our 2021 Trip Collection is Here

Satisfy your wanderlust and come to Churchill. Let our 2021 Trip Collection take you there!
Jul 29

Wandering Wagars' Churchill Family Adventure

Did you know Churchill is a fantastic family destination? For all you adventure-loving parents, follow Kevin Wagar and his family
Jun 26

Drive and Ride Your Way to Churchill This Summer

For years you’ve considered a trip to Churchill but chose to travel elsewhere instead; or maybe you’ve never thought about
Jun 02

Meet the Beluga Whale Scientist Joining Our New Summer Tour!

Say hello to Dr. Valeria Vergara, the veteran beluga whale and marine mammal scientist who is our special guest on our brand new
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Quality Assurance: Is it a Boy or Girl?

         August 18, 2015

A common question that comes through support is if there are options in SVS for doing gender inference or checks. There is indeed functionality in SVS for this QC check!  This function is under the Genotype Menu for Sample Statistics; there are a lot of great statistics available to check the quality of your data in SVS, but I’ll walk you through the Gender Inference tool.

This functionality takes your specified sex chromosome and calculates the heterozygosity rate, and based on the desired threshold will provide a call for the inferred gender per sample. This functionality is also designed to work for animals with a ZW sex determination system, such as chickens and some species of fish and reptiles. Figure 1 shows the menu options for a chicken GWAS dataset with the Z Chromosome selected for gender inference.

Genotype Statistics

Figure 1. Genotype Statistics by Sample with Chicken Z Chromosome selected for inference

In humans, and all other mammals, females are the homogametic sex and we use the X chromosome for inference with a threshold of 0.2 being acceptable. After running this function, you can see in Figure 2 below a normal distribution for the female heterozygous rate, but the males have hardly any heterozygosity, which we would expect due to human males being hemizygous or the heterogametic sex.

AHL 2Figure 2. Heterozygosity rate histogram colored by reported gender.

You can see in Figure 2, there are areas in purple which indicate samples that were reported the opposite gender than their X heterozygosity rate indicates, which could be due to a reporting error or potential sample contamination. At this point you can check the original records or decide to remove these samples before continuing your analysis.

SVS has many other options for performing quality assurance for your GWAS and DNASeq datasets; I’ve merely highlighted one option here that is frequently asked about. If you have any questions about what is possible in SVS please don’t hesitate to contact our Support Team at support@goldenhelix.com.

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Free Pack
Download BuildMaster Free Trial

by Scott Reece, on Jul 31, 2019 2:00:00 PM

Enterprise organizations are adding new and complex features into development faster than ever before. But with business timelines taking precedence over all else, these rapid changes often result in features …

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Topics:Performance TestingCI/CD

by Marisa Vesel, on Jul 29, 2019 1:00:00 PM

Release management is the process of overseeing the planning, scheduling, and controlling of software builds throughout the entire software development lifecycle. Today, the increasing complexity of software makes it a …

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by Olivia Glenn-Han, on Jul 26, 2019 2:30:00 PM

At Inedo, our goal is to make your development process seamless so you can concentrate on creating the applications you need and not waste time on the process. ProGet Free …

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by Nikki Gannon, on Jul 26, 2019 10:00:00 AM

Understanding the lifecycle of an application and how to efficiently and effectively release applications is a vitally important concept for developers. Oftentimes, development projects are poorly managed and fail. However, …

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by Nikki Gannon, on Jul 19, 2019 10:30:00 AM

Kubernetes is a popular open source container orchestration system that automates application deployments, scaling, and managing. It is one of the most popular container solutions available today. The list below …

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Ideally, configurations across developers’ environment servers (Dev/QA/Staging/Prod) are uniform. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many of us. As new features, both customer and internal facing, are introduced to applications, owners constantly …

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In the last decade, DevOps practices have become much more commonplace in organizations around the world. With the rise in popularity, there has been a rise in DevOps automation tools …

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Let’s Talk About TALON!

the talon of the hawkWow – I can’t believe we’re almost to release day for THE TALON OF THE HAWK!

I’ve had this date in my calendar since my agent sold the trilogy in late 2012. It’s kind of like finally getting to go on an amazing vacation I started planning three years ago.

The most fun aspect is finally having people read the book – and talk about it! Here’s two great posts from the last couple of days.

Mala Bhattacharjee did an amazing First Look at Heroes and Heartbreakers.

And Veronica Scott has a terrific interview posted at the Sci-Fi Encounters column on the USA Today HEA blog.

3 Replies to “Let’s Talk About TALON!”

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Monday, December 12, 2011

central library: downtown la's block of knowledge

From the first days getting situated with my new neighborhood downtown, the Central Library has been near the top of my list of things I have wanted to shoot.

As I penetrate deeper into the realm of professional photography I find inspiration in so many things. Today, December 12th, 2011 marks my 1 year anniversary living in California...Let this post serve as a celebration, and also a secret desire...

...Perhaps one day my work documenting the many treasures of SoCal will be in this very library!

thanks for reading!

        - j

Friday, December 2, 2011

lapd & the eviction of the occupyLA protesters

This last tuesday, November 29th, 2011 started out like any other.  I got up, checked e-mail, ran some errands around town, and ate some food.  All in all, a pretty un-eventful day.  4 blocks away from my apt. downtown, rumors had been circling for days about a possible raid of The OccupyLA protesters from City Hall by the LAPD.  By midnight 'un-eventful' would no longer describe the day, as it was replaced by a somewhat coordinated chaos.

I was on my way to the bar to grab a drink, when I decided to randomly check my twitter.  twitter isn't a source I often check for news, but after a quick check of my feed I saw @blogdowntown  post "Twitter is abuzz this evening with the idea that LAPD might clear the City Hall Occupy LA encampment tonight. If so, we'll be there."

A massive hoard of LAPD officers flooded the streets surrounding City Hall in Downtown LA.  Reports estimate 1,400 officers were on location to Evict the Wall St. Protesters.

I grabbed my Canon Rebel xs and prepared myself for a genuine adventure.  At 12:45am I made a peanut butter & jelly sammie, grabbed a bottle of water and hurried out to the streets.  I could hear a handful of helicopters swarming the area from my apt. and knew it might be difficult to get to the heart of the action if LAPD had already set up their blockades....  Unfortunately, I was right in thinking the blockades were already up...
Fortunately, I thrive off jumping fences, crawling behind benches and speed-tip-toeing past authorities.  This wasn't my first time playing free-runner with my camera slinged around my back, but it has certainly been the most exhilarating to date.

There were a few other citizen reporters that couldn't break the blockade, nor could they repeat my fence domination.  I felt bad, but had to keep movin' (sorry guys). Once I had slid through the lines, I had about 200 ft. of open road I had to cross.  It was the only route to the epicenter of the Eviction, the lawns of City Hall.  I straightened up, and walked with confidence.  A handful of officers passed by and I said to myself, 'you belong here, you belong here, you belong here!!!'  keeping my eyes straight ahead, the officers passed by without a 2nd glance...whew!

The sea of officers I witnessed on arrival was shocking.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Never have I seen so many uniformed police descend on a single location.  By the time I reached ground zero the tent city of the Protesters was in shambles.  Later, protesters would explain to me how they were given little warning before officers began tearing their tents down with knives.  One protester even said she and those near her were 'beaten.'  According to @blogdowntown 292 arrests were made throughout the night

Once I established my presence as part of the media, I made my way around the chaos, talked to protesters and got my photos.  The police lines looked more like military units ready to react to any problems from protesters.  It was an experience I will never forget.

Thanks for reading!

           - j


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先總統　蔣公紀念歌

看了內容後，赫然發現那臭小鬼說的「笑話歌」竟然是此名曲！幹這種侮辱偉大的　蔣公的事情，這小鬼若早生十年早就送綠島管訓了！

在〈先總統　蔣公紀念歌〉中有 16 則留言

  1. 念各縣都有的菜市場名國小的更慘，國中以後的校歌我都不記得，國小的因為常常唱就記起來了。

  2. 是阿，那時這邊一樣可以不經調查不經審判就抓人關人斃人喔。

  3. 唉..紀念歌。

  4. 部隊有句名言: [階級是國家給的, 尊嚴只能用血汗換來. ]
    管仁健在其網頁 [你不知道的台灣]
    有一句針對 [巧克力憲兵] 的超贊評語 : [沒有人能侮辱憲兵, 除了憲兵自己以外]. 說穿了這就是 : [人必自辱, 而後辱之.] 的白話時事註解.

    同理可知, 老蔣的尊嚴和他治國的績效成正比. 這樣您應該滿意.

  5. 蒋中正先生确实是一位了不起的中国人，他领导了抗日战争并取得最后胜利，让中华民族实现了民族独立。

  6. Chiang’s police record in the British-administered International Settlement grew over the years to include murder, extortion, numerous armed robberies, and assorted other crimes. He was indicted on all the listed charges, but was never brought to trial, or jailed.

    [Chiang Kai-shek] abandoned himself to a life of intense dissipation. He would disappear for months from headquarters in the houses of sing-song girls, and for some reason or other he acquired a fiery, uncompromising temper which weighed very tryingly on his friends…He also came into contact with the leaders of the secret societies of Shanghai, which later on became very useful to him in his dealing with the Shanghai capitalists.

    Still unaware that Chiang Kai-shek was their Judas, the Shanghai Communists and KMT labor organizers were anxiously awaiting the arrival of ‘their’ army.

    In an act of calculated treachery, Chiang ordered his army vanguard to stop 25 miles outside Shanghai. Some of the headless bodies that littered the streets of the city clutched handbills that read: ‘WELCOME CHIANG KAI-SHEK, GALLANT COMMANDER OF THE CANTONESE.’

    But Chiang Kai-shek had other ideas. He had to replenish his army’ bankroll. Shanghai’s financiers had regarded him as their savior. Now they discovered to their everlasting dismay that he was to be their tormentor. The White Terror was turned against the wealthy merchants. According to journalist Sokolsky, ‘Every form of persecution was resorted to on the pretext of hunting Communists. Men were kidnapped and forced to make heavy contribution to the military fund..

    Next, Chiang issued his own short-term ‘government’ bonds, and used soldiers and Green Gang toughs to force everyone from small shopkeepers to bank presidents to buy them. When one millionaire refused, his son was kidnapped. Another youth, the son of a dye merchant, was arrested as a ‘counterrevolutionary,’ but released when his father ‘donated’ $200,000 to Chiang.

    Harry Truman said, ‘They are all thieves, every damn one of them. They stole 750 million dollar out of the [$3.8] billion that we sent to Chiang. They stole it, and its invested in real estate down in Sao Paulo and some right here in New York. And that’s the money that was used and is still used for the so-called China Lobby.

    In China, while this FBI investigation was getting under way, the Generalissimo was very busy planning his escape to Taiwan. A man who bombed his own troops to prevent a few weapons and supplies from falling into Communist hands was not about to leave far more significant treasures to the ‘bandits.’ Chiang set his most trusted men to systematically emptying China’s banks, her arsenals, and her museums.

    The people who suffered most were those earnest souls who some how had managed to save US $2,000 worth of gold in the course of a lifetime, and obeyed Chiang’s orders and brought it to government banks on the prescribed day to trade for gold yuans. When their gold yuans became worthless overnight, they could be seen sitting in teashops in Shanghai or Hankow or Canton, in a state of shock, abandoned by the KMT, certain to be persecuted as capitalists by the Communists, sitting without even enough coppers to spirit the wife and children out of the country to Macao or Hong Kong before the roof caved in. They were the last of Chiang’s constituents.

    On an island of such moderate proportions, Chiang’s secret police and armed forces were effective in a way they never had been on the mainland. They gave Taiwan the treatment that Chiang had given Shanghai in Black April 1927.

  7. 秦孝儀版的總統蔣公紀念歌比較好聽，且歌詞較美，我至今都還記得旋律。Wiki的繁中版裡竟備一個混蛋刪了，而簡體版上卻存留著。

  8. [但若非他，中國早就亡了，你我都跟琉球人民無異，成了皇民，不會有人用英文再此大放厥詞，因為只會用日文了。]

    你看的應該是國立殯儀館的歷史課本, 醒醒吧!

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Back to blog

“…is the biggest waste of money!” Complete The Line & Win an iPod Shuffle!

Check out our latest Twitter contest to win an Apple iPod Shuffle! Just follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Follow Mogo on Twitter:

2. Copy and paste this text into your Twitter status box:

  • “…is the biggest waste of #money! Follow @mogomoney” Complete the line to #win an #iPod Shuffle!*

3. Complete the line and hit TWEET!

Tweet away and good luck!

Open to Canadian residents only. Contest closes April 30, 2011 @ 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by private Twitter message. 1 entry per original tweet.

The lucky winner is @dewinner. Thank you to everyone to who tweeted and followed us. Way to go for sharing some great savings ideas!

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Wedding at Villa Caletas' Amphitheater
Courtesy: pinterest.com (Renee Rose Andrade)

Getting Married in Costa Rica? Check Out These Resorts!

Costa Rica is becoming a popular choice for a destination wedding. Here are six stunning resorts for your dream nuptials.

1. Villa Caletas

Resort View of Villa Caletas
Courtesy: zephyrpalace.com

Located in Punta Leona, Villa Caletas is a family-friendly, luxury boutique hotel. You and your guests will love staying more than eleven hundred feet above the vibrant Central Pacific coast with a lush tropical jungle surrounding you.

Reception at Zephyr Palace
Courtesy: kayak.com

This intimate resort has only forty-three rooms. Have a truly unique experience in one of seven themed suites at Zephyr Palace. The rest of the resort offers a private beach, pool and spa.

Wedding at Villa Caletas' Amphitheater
Courtesy: pinterest.com (Renee Rose Andrade)

Instead of a classic beach wedding, say, “I do,” in the faux Roman amphitheater with a stunning seaside cliff as your backdrop. Keep the party going with a plated dinner and then late-night dancing at the disco. Check out these incredible bridal testimonies about their experience at Villa Caletas.

“I recently got married here at Villa Caletas, and the entire experience was absolutely incredible. From the very first conversations with the coordinators, they were very professional, accommodating, and responded quickly. If you’re thinking of planning a stay or wedding at Villa Caletas I would highly recommend it. Our entire group said it was the most amazing wedding experience they’ve ever had.” – Alli E.

“Within 6 months, Larissa and her team helped me put together the wedding of my dreams—with some very unique requests (fusion ceremony, larger guest list, special events at multiple locations). I never thought I could have a wedding as amazing as I did, and both my rehearsal dinner at the Marriott and wedding day at Villa Caletas/Zephyr Palace exceeded all of my expectations.”  – dattchic

2. Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

Courtesy: tripadvisor.com

This next resort is a perfect adults-only option and it’s all-inclusive! Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is surrounded by lush mountains and sits on a black volcanic sand beach. It’s close to the airport and just thirty minutes from downtown Liberia. The oceanfront resort has more than two-hundred spacious bungalows—some with a private terrace or patio.

Restaurant at Secrets Papagayo
Courtesy: secretsresorts.com

With so many amenities to choose from, your guests are sure to have an amazing experience. No reservations are required at the five restaurant options. Plus, top-shelf spirits are served at five chic bars. Other activities include water aerobics, beach volleyball, water sports, cooking lessons and a top-rated spa.

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica Ultimate Wedding Package
Courtesy: secretsresorts.com

Secrets Papagayo offers three intimate wedding packages ranging from ten to twenty guests. If you’re staying at the resort for your honeymoon, you also have two newlywed packages to choose from. Here are what former brides had to say about their wedding at Secrets Papagayo.

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about this resort. The food served for the wedding was fabulous. Everyone had a wonderful time. It was honestly a dream come true. This was my dream vacation and I legitimately feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have been married at Secrets Papagayo.” – michellerwelton

“The wedding was even more magical than I anticipated. Jenny, the wedding coordinator did a wonderful job. The food was some of the best wedding food I've had, it made me really proud that it was at my wedding. The ceremony was romantic, with the most beautiful backdrop of the beach and ocean. I could seriously go on and on reliving it. We will definitely go back for an anniversary in the future.” – Miranda Urquilla

3. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

Riu Palace aerial view
Courtesy: bookit.com

If you’re looking for a resort that has it all, then look no further than Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica. This all-inclusive resort is family-friendly and has a kids’ club, but also caters to adults-only weddings with a casino and great nightlife options. Guests will also love the resort’s latest addition—a water park!

Riu Palace pool
Courtesy: hotels.com

Leading up to the big day, you and your guests have access to four swimming pools, a hot tub, gym, tennis courts, a sauna and wellness center. For beach lovers, the resort is located right along the edge of the beach of Matapolo.

Riu Palace wedding ceremony
Courtesy: wedding-spot.com

Riu Palace offers five wedding packages—perfect for any wedding imaginable. Each package includes dinner, cake, wine and a wedding specialist.

Want a fun-filled reception? Dance the night away at the resort’s night club “Pacha”. Here are some highlights from these former brides.

“This was the best vacation I have had to date. The wedding was great, and everything went off without a hitch. Susan Hernandez was a great wedding coordinator and made communication very easy throughout the whole process. I couldn’t have imagined it any better.” – Cydnee E

“My husband and I came out to the Riu Palace for our wedding with 30 family and friends. The resort itself was gorgeous! We loved our room (we did upgrade as it was our wedding). Food was available at all times and was delicious. We had Italian for our wedding dinner, and it was fantastic. The staff overall at the resort was wonderful and accommodating. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone planning a trip, and especially a destination wedding.”  – anthrolady80

4. Occidental Grand Papagayo

Occidental Grand Papagayo
Courtesy: wedding-spot.com

This luxury resort is a very popular option for couples wanting an all-inclusive setting in the Gulf of Papagayo. Bonus: it’s adults-only! Make the most of the numerous activities offered such as diving, cycling, kayaking, guided tours and more.

Disco inside Occidental Grand Papagayo
Courtesy: barcelona.com

The food options are endless between three unique restaurants and four bars. Dance the night away at the resort’s disco or take a day to relax and restore at the U-spa. You and your guests may also opt for some pool time or a short walk to the beach!

Occidental Grand Papagayo wedding reception
Courtesy: destinationweddings.com

Occidental Grand Papagayo is a great choice for weddings with about twenty guests. Book ten or more rooms for a four day weekend and receive a free wedding package including an on-site coordinator, floral arrangements, cake, champagne and more. More packages are available and totally customizable. These brides have great things to say about how their dream wedding came to life.

“We had our wedding here at Occidental Papagayo. It was absolutely amazing and worth our stay. I would definitely recommend staying here. The staff was great, we got upgraded to the honeymoon suite and got our own private golf cart. The views are spectacular.” – Genevieve L

“My husband and I chose this resort for our wedding ceremony and reception and we are very happy we did. Our group was a large one – there were 43 of us total – and the staff did a great job accommodating everyone. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting on the water with great accommodations and a very helpful staff, this place gives you a great value and unforgettable experience.” – HeatherMarie23

5. The Springs Resort and Spa

Exterior of The Springs Resort and Spa
Courtesy: jetsetter.com

A five-star Hollywood-inspired wedding is totally attainable at The Springs. This luxury resort provides amazing views of the Arenal volcano and valley. Fun fact: this resort hosted The Bachelor in 2011!

Pool view at The Springs
Courtesy: tripadvisor.com

Living up to its name, The Springs features seven natural hot spring pools. A number of massage and beauty treatments are offered at the world-class spa, including a floating water massage and body wraps using therapeutic volcanic clay. Guests will also enjoy nearby river tubing, horseback tours and rock climbing.

Wedding Ceremony at The Springs
Courtesy: weddingwire.com

The resort offers an elopement package and a wedding celebration package. Both packages include tropical flower décor and an amazing ceremony space located near the lush rainforest. These brides were blown away with their destination wedding at The Springs.

“This place is magical especially for a wedding!! The minute you step into the resort perched on a hill through a private road is like you were transported to another place. The view of the volcano is seen everywhere and is awe inspiring!! The whole staff was very helpful and accommodating to our large family. All in all, I would definitely come back here and possibly spend our anniversary!!” – Nina R

“There are really not words that can properly describe the overall beauty of this magnificent hotel. The views, the staff, the cleanliness, the food, and the location are just perfect. We stayed in a Honeymoon Vista, which was perfect for my husband and I. The staff did an amazing job with the wedding location, which consisted of an arch covered in flowers and overlooked the Arenal Volcano.” – elainehfc

6. Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

Dreams Las Mareas Exterior
Courtesy: tripadvisor.com

This vibrant beach getaway resort is perfect for couples and families. You and your guests will enjoy all the inclusions of an unlimited luxury escape. Lush green mountains surround the resort and a sugar-white sand beach is just steps away.

Restaurant at Dreams Las Mareas
Courtesy: dreamsresorts.com

With eight restaurants, six bars and a night club, your guests will never be bored or hungry! The resort also hosts themed parties and live nightly entertainment. Younger children will love spending time at the Explorer’s Club and teens have their own sports area where they can mix and mingle.

Wedding Ceremony at Dreams Las Mareas
Courtesy: destify.com

As far as wedding packages go, you have a number of options to choose from at Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica! Each of the four packages have unique differences and are customizable to fit your dream wedding. If you’re staying for your honeymoon, the Dreams Eternity honeymoon package is a must.

“We had a beautiful and amazing wedding. Daniel was our coordinator, and everything went perfect. I would recommend the Dreams Las Mareas to anyone. Thank you to the Dreams for making our wedding AMAZING while having a great trip!” – Jessica K

“When it comes to service, I have nothing but high remarks for the staff at Dreams Las Mareas. Rodrego at preferred club, Melvin the bellhop, and Claudia our wedding coordinator were truly greathearted individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions. Our wedding was the best day of my life.” – Christina L


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Papa John’s Progress: Save the Children Campaign

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A few weeks ago, we announced that the Papa John’s team would be working hard to raise money for Save the Children (STC).

This excellent cause aims to raise money to give clothes to children in refugee camps to keep them warm during the winter months and helps buy nutritious food for their families.

The great work that’s undertaken by Save the Children is something that we’re extremely proud to be a part of, and to celebrate this we thought you’d like to see how the team have been getting along with their fundraising initiatives.

So, without further ado, check out what we’ve been doing to support the STC campaign and really give children the chance to be children again.

Papa John’s Visits Manchester

As one of our location days around the country, Papa John’s visited the Arndale Centre in Manchester to spread the word about this good cause and raise money too.

Firstly, we created a massive pepperoni pizza made out of jumpers, and our amazing magician elf was present to entertain the children and show them some brilliant tricks.

The public were also able to dough-nate™ their old jumpers to the STC cause and try some tasty slices of free Papa John’s. What more could you want?

All in all, this event and the other location days in Edinburgh, Bristol and London were a huge success, so thanks to everyone who came down and dough-nated.

Remember that you made a big difference!

London Hughes Dough-nates Jumper

Children’s TV presenter, actress and comedian London Hughes also got involved with the Save the Children campaign, dough-nating her jumper to the amnesty to show her support.

Here she is tangled up in Christmas lights with her dough-nated jumper.

Speaking about the charity campaign, London Hughes commented:

“It’s so important to give to Save the Children as the charity does soo much for children all over the world. I got into the spirit by teaming up this green jumper with Christmas lights so I resembled my very own Christmas tree!”

It’s a pretty festive look, right? Thanks to London for getting involved.

Cycling to Paris and Sponsored Walk up Pen y Fan

You might remember from our first blog post about the Save the Children campaign that some of us were going to complete a sponsored walk to the top of southern Britain’s highest mountain, Pen y Fan.

Well, we’re pleased to say that the team achieved exactly that and their hard work, grit and determination helped to raise just under £3,000; a great team effort.

Here’s the team in action.

We also cycled a casual 350 miles from the Papa John’s office all the way to Paris to raise more money.

The team needed a strict training regime for this one and here you can see them putting the practice in to make all those miles just a little bit easier.

Save the Children: Christmas Jumper Day

Finally, to tie in with a national event which many of you will have probably taken part in, on 16th December, the Papa John’s team took part in Christmas Jumper Day.

This festive tradition saw plenty of us don our woolly Christmas and festive jumpers and do an extra bit to bring in more dough-nations.

Take a look at a few of us in our Christmas jumpers training on the bikes.

Stay in Touch with Papa John’s

There you have it! Thanks again to all of those who took part and a massive thank you for all the dough-nations we received from you the public too.

Don’t forget to keep up to date with all the latest pizza and Papa John’s news via our blog and check out our social media profiles too on Facebook and Twitter.


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Fix: There Might Be a Problem With the Driver for the Wifi Adapter

If you’re having trouble connecting with the Wifi, you might encounter this error ‘there might be a problem with the driver for the Wifi adapter.’ Unfortunately, this problem is common with Windows 10 users, and thankfully not such a complex problem to resolve.

As the very name of the error indicates, more often than not, the issue springs from a problem with the driver for wireless connection. However, there can be other causes as well. In any case, it’s incredibly annoying because you can’t get anything done as you’re not connected to the internet.

Before we go on to the solutions for this error, let’s find out the causes.

Causes of Wireless Network Adapter Issue

This is not a definitive list of possible causes behind the ‘there might be a problem with the driver for the Wifi adapter’ issue. However, these are the most common reasons:

  • Outdated or problematic network adapter drivers
  • Anti-virus causing the problem (like AVG Network Filter)
  • WinSock needs a refresher
  • Faulty network properties
  • A service not running

One of these issues is causing the wifi adapter issue or perhaps more than one. Unfortunately, you can only find out the actual cause when you apply the solutions one by one.

Fixes for Network Adapter Issue

You should apply these best solutions one by one until the problem is resolved and you’re connected to the internet once again.

Use Windows Troubleshoot

Microsoft has been working on improving Windows error resolving capabilities, and for that, they have made in-built troubleshooter more robust.

Whenever you have a network issue, whether, with ethernet or Wi-Fi, it’s best to use the troubleshooter to diagnose and perhaps even solve the problem.

In most cases, Windows will automatically take you to the troubleshooter once it detects the problem. However, this is how you can manually run the network adapter troubleshooter:

  1. Go to Settings and select Updates and Security.
  2. From the menu on the left pane, select Troubleshoot.
  3. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Select Internet Connections Troubleshooter and click Run.

Then follow the steps through to the end, where you’ll see a list of issues, as well as their status whether the troubleshooter resolved them.

If the troubleshooter resolves the issue by itself, you’ll see your network connection successful immediately.

In some instances, the troubleshooter recommends a network reset. This essentially resets the recent changes and can resolve the wi-fi adapter issue. Perhaps you can try the other solutions on this list, and if those don’t work, employ this fix as one of the last resorts.

Update Driver

Of course, the most straightforward fix to this problem is simply updating the drivers. Unfortunately, an outdated driver is the most common cause behind this network issue.

Now, finding the up-to-date driver manually is a little tricky. First, you need to find out the model of the wireless adapter. This information can be obtained from your PC’s manufacturer or user manual if you happen to have it. Then go on online and look for the latest Wifi adapter driver for that particular model.

An easier way to do this is to use Windows Updates to find the driver for you. Then, either keep the Windows update turned on or update manually through Settings. It’s typically Windows to keep the drivers updated, but sometimes it can miss one, and you may have to do that manually.

You can do that through Device Manager in the Control Panel by going into the list of drivers installed on your PC.

  1. Press Windows+R and type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and click Ok.
  2. In Device Manager, go to Network Adapters and expand.
  3. Find the Wifi adapter driver.
  4. Right-click and select Update Driver.

This is where you’ll also see the uninstall option, which you can use to uninstall it and then manually install the driver you found online.

Another trick is to uninstall it and restart the computer. Once the system restarts, Windows will look for the driver software itself and install it for the Wi fi adapter.

Once the driver is updated, check if the error is gone and if the internet connection is active.

Change Network Properties

Changing some network properties might help resolve this adapter problem. For this, you need to go to Settings and then Network & Internet.

Here you’ll find all the different network connection types, including Ethernet and Wifi. Since this is a Wifi related issue, you’ll click on Wifi.

Scroll down, and you’ll see the option ‘Change adapter options.’ Click on that, and a new window will open.

Right, click on Wifi, and select Properties. A list of properties will show with checkboxes. Make sure only the following checkboxes are checked:

  • Client for Microsoft Networks
  • File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
  • QoS Packet Scheduler
  • Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
  • Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
  • Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder
  • Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver

Uncheck any other checked properties. Now, click apply and select OK. This will apply to any changes you have made. Even if you didn’t, click apply and OK.

Check Essential Services are Running

Everything on Windows is using one service or another to run correctly. If any of those essential services stop, the feature stops. So it could be that the issue is resulting from a stopped or malfunctioning service.

Therefore, you need to ensure that those services necessary for wireless internet connection are up and running.

The leading service for wi-fi adapters would be the WLAN AutoConfig service. But, first, you need to check what services it’s dependent on and check if those are running. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Press Windows + R and type services.msc, press Ok
  2. Locate WLAN AutoConfig and double-click.
  3. A new window will open; go to the Dependencies tab.
  4. Note down the names of all the services (on notes on Windows or a paper).
  5. Close this window and go back to the Services window.
  6. Check one by one if these dependant services are running.
  7. Also, ensure their Startup type is Automatic (do this for each).
  8. Now, restart the system.

Reset WinSock

This solution is an extension of the final solution about checking whether services they are running ok. The ‘netsch winstock reset’ can also help with this network adapter issue. This resets the WinSock catalog back to its original settings.

For this solution, you need to use Command Prompt. Type Command Prompt in the search bar in the taskbar. Right-click on the icon and select ‘Run as administrator.’

Now, in the cmd window, type this:

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset reset.log hit

Press enter after each and wait until the WinSock is reset. Now, check if the problem with the wifi adapter is resolved or not.

Disable Antivirus

Antiviruses can often be annoyingly problematic. On the one hand, they help keep your device secure, but on the other, they can sometimes cause problems with essential services like the internet or software.

If the above issues haven’t resolved your problems yet, you should also look into the antivirus to ensure it’s not causing the network adapter issue.

Many Windows users have reported this issue when using AVG antivirus, especially its AVG network filter.

First of all, you should try disabling your anti-virus, including its internet security utility, to see whether that resolves the problem with the driver.

If you’re using an AVG network filter, you can disable it by going into the properties of your network. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Go to Settings, Networks, and the Internet.
  2. Go to Wifi and scroll down to Change adapter settings and click on it.
  3. Now, right-click on Wifi and select Properties.
  4. Uncheck the AVG Network filter from the properties list.
  5. Click Apply and Ok.

You don’t necessarily need to uninstall or obliterate your antivirus. Just disabling it should do the trick.

Even if you have another antivirus other than AVG, it’s worth checking whether that’s the underlying cause for this network problem.

System Restore

Perhaps a recent change or configuration has messed up the driver settings for the wifi connection, resulting in this ‘problem with the driver’ error. Restoring system settings to an earlier date or time when wifi ran just fine may do the trick.

  1. In the search bar, type system restore, and you’ll quickly see the option ‘Create a restore point.’ click on that.
  2. In the new window that just opened, click on System Restore and click Next.
  3. You’ll see some restore points in the list. You can also click to see more.
  4. Click one that you are sure had the network running fine.
  5. Click Next and then follow the instructions until the settings are restored to that point in the history of your device.

Once your system is restarted, look at the taskbar to check if you have an internet connection and that it’s running correctly.

Check With Your Internet Provider

If all else fails, you can also check with your internet provider if there’s something wrong with the wifi router. But first, check it yourself by connecting with another device. If it connects with your phone, tablet, or another PC just fine, then no need to contact your internet service provider, as the problem is definitely with your device and not the router or its settings.

Use Third-Party Driver Software

If you are sure that the problem with the driver is an outdated driver and you can’t find an update, driver software might help. Many third-party tools do just that: see and install the latest drivers for you.

These tools automatically update drivers as soon as one is available. So you don’t have to rely on Windows updates or go on the internet to look for the specific driver. This can come in handy if you cannot get the driver updated automatically via Windows update services.

There are both free and paid driver update tools. Paid ones, of course, are a little better as they have access to all sorts of drivers. One of the most popular ones is DriverFix.

Wrap Up

The problem with the wifi driver issue is pretty standard and may have several possible causes. However, the good news is that it’s easily diagnosed and resolved. In most cases, the old driver is the issue, and all it takes is updating it.

You can do it manually or use third-party software to do it for you. Either way, it’s a good practice to keep your drivers updated at all times.

For this, you should keep Windows Update turned on as that service automatically updates drivers for you. You can also do it manually from time to time.

One of the above solutions is bound to work and restore your wi fi connection.

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Receipt Mail-In Makes Expense Reports Easy

Filling out expense reports can be a costly hassle. Business travelers have to track and convert expenses to get reimbursed. There are many methods of dealing with the annoyance we all call expense reports: costly executive assistants, time-consuming Excel expense log-sheets, expensive scanners, and, of course, Shoeboxed Receipt Mail-In. But only one of these options is both cheap and easy.

For a year, Shoeboxed will scan your receipts for $19.95/month, leaving you with basically no work to do.

One great thing about Mail-In is that it’s so simple. Put receipts in the envelope, seal, and send. You will have easy-to-use access to all of your expenditures in your Shoeboxed account. When expense report time comes around, you will be prepared to deal with it!

Who said expense reports couldn’t be cheap and easy?

Sign up today to get started!


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Due to high demand, we are pleased to offer another photo shoot on

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2020 at Masters of Ballet Academy, East Acton Lane, London W3 7HB

My photo shoots have Covid safe distancing and hygiene in place Covid Risk Assessment

CREATIVE POSES & MID SHOTS – a collection of beautiful, creative dance poses and midshots, tailored to the student’s ability £65.00

AUDITION POSES –  suitable for applications for vocational/associate courses £45.00

Price for Audition Poses booked as a stand alone item, and not added to Creative Poses or Headshots is £55.00

 PORTRAITS – polished looking headshots £35.00

 The above prices cover session only.

Products (digital images or mounted prints) are sold online seperately
Prices for digital JPEGS start at £7.75 each

My assistant Wendy (a former ENB dancer) will be there to help with positioning the audition poses correctly.

Creative poses, above and below

Midshot examples, above and below.

Headshots, above and below.

You can wear costume and/or practice wear – see here for more information on what to wear.

To book your slot, or to ask any questions please email: sian@sian-trenberth.com or DM https://www.facebook.com/sian.trenberth/

If your child is also doing class on Wednesday 28 October, can you let me know what time you are booked in for.

I am a full time performing arts photographer and you can see examples of my dancer photo shoots here.


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NCAA Frozen Four Preview: UND vs. Denver

In the NCHC, it is clear that Denver/North Dakota is at the top of the league rivalries. Tonight’s NCAA Frozen Four semifinal will be the twelfth game played between the teams over the past three seasons, but the feud goes all the way back to Geoff Paukovitch’ illegal check on Sioux forward Robbie Bina during the 2005 WCHA Final Five.

Since that 2005 Final Five contest (a Denver victory), the two teams have met eight times in tournament play. Denver won the 2005 NCAA title with a victory over North Dakota and claimed a 2008 WCHA Final Five win as well. UND has won the four of the past six playoff games between the schools, including three consecutive victories in the WCHA Final Five (2010-2012) and the 2011 NCAA Midwest Regional final which sent the Fighting Sioux to the Frozen Four. The Pioneers throttled North Dakota 5-1 last March when the two teams met in the third-place game at the 2015 NCHC Frozen Faceoff, and a similar matchup in Minneapolis last month netted only a 1-1 tie.

Both teams are looking to hoist banner number eight in Tampa, Florida this weekend. It is worth noting that Denver collected five national championships by 1969. In the past 46 years, the Pioneers have won two. During that same span (1970-2015), the Fighting Sioux won five national titles, most recently in 2000.

Tonight’s tournament action will feature two of the top three rookies in the country. North Dakota’s Brock Boeser (26-28-54) is fifth nationally among all scorers, while Denver’s Dylan Gambrell (17-30-47) is tenth. Among freshman point-getters, the two trail only Kyle Connor (35-36-71), whose Michigan team lost to UND in the Midwest Regional final. Colin White (Boston College) is a distant fourth with 19 goals and 23 assists in 36 games played.

Since 1983-84, the only UND freshman to score as many goals as Boeser’s 26 was Zach Parise, who also had 26 in 2002-03. In their first years at North Dakota, T.J. Oshie scored 24 and Jonathan Toews scored 22. The only other freshmen in Fighting Sioux men’s hockey history to score more than 25 goals in a season are Troy Murray (33 in 1980-81), Kevin Maxwell (31, 1978-79), Perry Berezan (31, 1983-84), and Cary Eades (27, 1978-79). In fact, of the first twelve rookies to reach the twenty-goal plateau, ten went on to play in the NHL (Eades and Ian Kallay were the exception). Boeser assisted on all three UND goals at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in Minneapolis, added three points in the Midwest Regional (Cincinnati, Ohio), and joined Zach Parise (25-35-61) as the only North Dakota freshmen in the past 35 years to notch at least 50 points.

Denver’s ‘Pacific Rim’ line of Gambrell, Danton Heinen (20-28-48), and Trevor Moore (11-33-44) has scored 38 of the team’s 85 goals (44.7 percent) since January 1st. North Dakota’s ‘CBS’ line of Boeser paired with Drake Caggiula (20-25-45) and Nick Schmaltz (10-34-44) has scored 28 of UND’s 87 goals (32.2 percent) over that same stretch.

With the last line change, UND head coach Brad Berry will likely keep his top line away from the West Coast trio and instead counter with his “heavy line” of Rhett Gardner, Luke Johnson, and Austin Poganski.

North Dakota has been strong all season long, losing back-to-back games only once in six situations (4-1-1). UND’s offense receives most of the accolades, but there may not be a better defensive group in the nation than Gage Ausmus, Paul LaDue, Tucker Poolman, Hayden Shaw, Troy Stecher, Keaton Thompson, and Christian Wolanin. One of the freshmen (Shaw or Wolanin) will sit for today’s Frozen Four semifinal (Wolanin was in the stands for the two NCAA regional games), but all seven have shown the ability to take over games in all three zones. Expect the top two pairs (Poolman-LaDue and Ausmus-Stecher) to be on the ice every time Denver’s Pacific Rim line hops over the boards.

A big reason for UND’s success this season has been North Dakota’s ability to hold a lead. During the 2015-16 campaign, Brad Berry’s squad is unbeaten (25-0-3) when leading after the first forty minutes of play. In fact, over the past eight years, North Dakota is converting almost 90 percent of second intermission leads into victories and has just seven losses in the last 183 such situations (163-7-13).

North Dakota has enjoyed twenty consecutive seasons of unprecedented success, advancing to the NCAA tournament 19 times with eleven Frozen Four appearances and two national titles. Brad Berry is in his first year behind the North Dakota bench and set the program record for most wins by a rookie head coach (32). With their fourteenth consecutive NCAA tourney bid, North Dakota boasts the longest active streak in men’s Division I college hockey (and the second-longest of all time). Since 2004-05, UND has gone 18-4 (.818) in NCAA regional games and has qualified for the Frozen four in eight of those twelve seasons (no team has advanced to more national semifinal games in that time).

Amazingly, UND is 7th of 60 teams nationally in scoring offense and 2nd in scoring defense, notching 153 goals and allowing only 78 in 42 games this season (Denver has marks of 11th and 13th, respectively, and has outscored opponents 132-92). Nationally, only St. Cloud State (175 goals for/90 goals against in 41 games) and Quinnipiac (159 goals for/78 goals against in 41 games) boast a better scoring margin than North Dakota. Boston College (154 goals for/79 goals against in 40 games) has identical numbers to UND despite playing two fewer games.

Here are a few more interesting comparisons:

North Dakota’s record when leading/tied after one period of play: 28-5-4
North Dakota’s record when trailing after one period of play: 4-1-0
Denver’s record when leading/tied after one period of play: 24-5-3
Denver’s record when trailing after one period of play: 1-4-3

North Dakota’s record against the NCAA tournament field: 9-4-1
Denver’s record against the NCAA tournament field: 7-7-4

North Dakota’s record in one-goal games: 7-1-0
Denver’s record in one-goal games: 5-3-0

North Dakota’s road/neutral site record: 16-4-3
Denver’s road/neutral site record: 12-7-3

Denver Team Profile
Head Coach: Jim Montgomery (3rd season at DU, 69-39-14, .623)

Pairwise Ranking: 5th of 60 teams
National Ranking: #7/#4
This Season: 25-9-6 overall, 17-6-1-1 NCHC (t-2nd)
Last Season: 24-14-2 overall (NCAA East Regional finalist), 13-10-1-1 NCHC (4th)
Last Ten Games: 8-1-1 (.850)

Team Offense: 3.30 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.30 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.0% (26 of 137)
Penalty Kill: 82.0% (100 of 122)

Key Players: Sophomore F Danton Heinen (20-28-48), Freshman F Dylan Gambrell (17-30-47), Junior F Trevor Moore (11-33-44), Senior F Quentin Shore (13-15-28), Junior D Will Butcher (8-23-31), Senior D Nolan Zajac (3-17-20), Sophomore G Tanner Jaillet (17-4-5, 2.25 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO)

North Dakota Team Profile
Head Coach: Brad Berry (1st season at UND, 32-6-4, .810)
Pairwise Ranking: 2nd of 60 teams
National Rankings: #3/#2
This Season: 32-6-4 overall, 19-4-1-1 NCHC (1st)
Last Season: 29-10-3 overall (NCAA Frozen Four appearance), 16-6-2-0 NCHC (1st)
Last Ten Games: 8-1-1 (.850)

Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.64 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 1.86 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.5% (31 of 159)
Penalty Kill: 86.4% (133 of 154)

Key Players: Freshman F Brock Boeser (26-28-54), Senior F Drake Caggiula (21-25-46), Sophomore F Nick Schmaltz (10-34-44), Senior F Bryn Chyzyk (12-10-22), Junior D Troy Stecher (8-20-28), Sophomore F Tucker Poolman (5-19-24), Junior D Paul LaDue (5-13-18), Sophomore G Cam Johnson (22-4-2, 1.67 GAA, .934 SV%, 5 SO)

By The Numbers
Last Meeting: February 13, 2016 (Denver, CO). The Pioneers completed the weekend sweep of visiting North Dakota with a 4-1 victory. UND outshot the Pios 35-25 but could manage only an Austin Poganski goal midway through the first period. DU’s ‘Pacific Rim’ line scored three goals and added four assists. Denver won Friday’s opener 6-4 thanks to a game-winning shorthanded goal with under four minutes to play in the contest.

Most Important Meeting: It’s hard to pick just one game, as the two teams have played four times for the national title. Denver defeated UND for the national championship in 1958, 1968, and 2005, while the Sioux downed the Pioneers in 1963. But the game that stands out in recent memory as “the one that got away” was DU’s 1-0 victory over the Fighting Sioux in the 2004 NCAA West Regional final (Colorado Springs, CO). That North Dakota team went 30-8-4 on the season (Dean Blais’ last behind the UND bench) and featured one of the deepest rosters in the past twenty years: Brandon Bochenski, Zach Parise, Brady Murray, Colby Genoway, Drew Stafford and David Lundbohm up front; Nick Fuher, Matt Jones, Matt Greene, and Ryan Hale on defense; and a couple of goaltending stalwarts in Jordan Parise and Jake Brandt.

Last Ten Games: The teams are even (4-4-2) in the last ten meetings between the schools, although North Dakota has outscored Denver 30-24 over that stretch of games.

All-time Series: UND leads the all-time series, 142-122-11 (.536). The teams first met in 1950, with North Dakota prevailing 18-3 in Denver.

Game News and Notes
The teams are dead even in ten contests over the past two seasons, with each team winning four games and two contests ending in a tie. Denver sophomore forward Danton Heinen, last year’s NCHC Rookie of the Year and the reigning league overall scoring champion (16-29-45 in 40 games), is expected to sign with the NHL’s Boston Bruins after this season. North Dakota’s all-time winning percentage of .667 (50-25) in the NCAA tourney is the best in the country, and UND’s 50 tournament victories are tied with Michigan for 2nd all-time (Minnesota has 55 but might not win another one this decade). The Pioneers have lost just twice in 24 games (18-2-4) since the Christmas break. Denver (15) and North Dakota (14) have more consecutive seasons with twenty or more victories than any other Division I men’s hockey team in the country. Boston College is third with seven straight twenty-win seasons; Quinnipiac has accomplished the feat five consecutive times.

Media Coverage
UND and Denver will face off at 7:30 p.m. CT, with the game shown live on ESPN2 as well as TSN2 in Canada. There will also be a webcast available via the ESPN3/WatchESPN app. All UND men’s hockey games (home and away) can be heard on 96.1 FM and on stations across the UND Sports Network (as well as through the iHeart Radio app). Follow @UNDMHockey for real-time Twitter updates, or follow the action via live chat at

Pre-Game Events and Watch Parties
UND fans attending the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida are invited to gather for pregame festivities beginning three hours prior to today’s national semifinal. The pregame event will be held at the Maloney’s Local Irish Pub (1120 East Kennedy Boulevard), just under a mile from Amelie Arena. All UND alumni, family, and friends are invited to this free event with cash bars, a full menu, and more! There are also watch parties organized in Atlanta, Bismarck, Bloomington, Boise, Boston, Cavalier, Denver, Dickinson, Fargo, Finley, Grand Forks, Hatton, Houston, Las Vegas, Littleton, Long Island, Minneapolis, Mountain Iron, Omaha, Prescott, Rapid City, San Diego, Sioux Falls, Virginia (MN), Scottsdale, Waite Park, Washington (D.C.), and West Fargo. For more information or to see if additional events have been planned, please visit

The Prediction
All of the advantages are in UND’s corner: last line change, better goaltending, a deeper defensive corps, and playoff experience. If Brad Berry has his team playing the way they did in Cincinnati, there’s not much the Pioneers can do. If each side gets four power plays, however, DU has a chance. As it stands, though, this is a special squad, and North Dakota will advance to Saturday’s championship game. UND 4, Denver 2.

Bonus Prediction
In Thursday’s first semifinal, BC and the Bobcats will square off for East Coast bragging rights. There are question marks surrounding QU’s Sam Anas and his ability to play through a shoulder injury. Anas will play, but he won’t score enough to hold off Jerry York’s Eagles. Boston College 3, Quinnipiac 2

As always, thank you for reading. I welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions. Follow me on Twitter (@DBergerHockey) for more information and insight. Here’s to hockey!

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Supertext InstantTranslation

Super fast, creative and consistent: Supertext launches chat-based instant translation service

InstantTranslation connects business clients with Supertext’s translators in the blink of an eye. These language experts are all native speakers and provide human quality at superhuman speed.

From last-minute press release updates to website and app tweaks, small orders with just a few words or sentences are rapidly becoming the norm in the translation industry. And Supertext’s clients are no exception. Even as the total volume of words the company translates each year grows, the size of the individual orders is shrinking – by an average of 22% in the last two years alone.

And short texts often require quick translations – so quick that business people sometimes turn to Google Translate, DeepL and other machine translation engines rather than wait for a human translator. But while online translation tools offer impressively fast results, they can also introduce embarrassing errors into business communications. Not to mention the privacy risks if confidential data is uploaded to a public platform like Google Translate.

Supertext went looking for a solution to this problem at the request of a major customer. The result: InstantTranslation, a service that connects business clients to qualified translators directly in their browser. The live chat function lets the translator ask questions and discuss options with the client until every word is perfect.

Reliable, collaborative and compliant with corporate language

InstantTranslation offers major advantages when it comes to quality: specialized translators working in their native language guarantee linguistic accuracy and can resolve any context queries with the client directly. Where is the text being published? Will it include images or graphics? Does the client prefer a translation that sticks close to the original, or should the translator get creative? Clarifying these points during the translation process results in a text that isn’t just accurate, but perfectly tailored to its context.

Corporate language is critical, even when you’re under time pressure. That’s why Supertext’s InstantTranslation service integrates clients’ existing translation memories and termbases, ensuring that product names and client-specific terms are always translated consistently.

“As fast as Google Translate, and as good as a professional human translator”

Supertext is expanding its portfolio of copywriting and translation services with the new service for texts of up to 350 characters. Supertext’s services give companies of all sizes access to an international team of more than 2,000 language professionals working in every specialist area.

The InstantTranslation solution was developed in collaboration with AMAG, Switzerland’s largest automotive company, which has been introducing the service to its various departments step by step since summer 2020. A longstanding Supertext customer, AMAG was already using many of Supertext’s translation services and wanted to fill an additional gap:

“InstantTranslation gives us reliable translations of small, urgent texts in real time, offering crucial added value to our daily processes.”

Roger Rölli, Team Leader Marketing Services at AMAG

Following a successful beta phase with several clients, the new service is going live in Switzerland and Germany on January 27, 2021. InstantTranslation will initially be available in English, German, French and Italian, and the pricing reflects the principle that every second counts: translations are charged by the minute with no minimum fee.

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Press release

Media contact

Fabian Dieziger, Managing Partner, +41 43 500 33 81

Cover image via Supertext

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