Mariner

Gold chains come in a variety of styles, colours and designs and it may well surprise you to know that though yellow gold is the standard, there are many other varieties. You may choose from white, rose, black, green, grey, blue and purple gold. These variants can be combined in interesting colour combinations to create a unique and beautiful gold chain that defines your individual style.

Today's modern style trends call for bolder designs and the combination of beautiful chain link patterns accentuated by beautiful accessories. Charms, pendants, amulets and even dress rings are worn attached to beautiful gold chains. Today's consumer is spoilt for choice and inundated with variety.

Take, for example, the beautiful mariner's link design. This classic beauty is enhanced by the lustre of gold and can be worn as a stand alone piece or can be accessorized with any number of pendants and charms. This classical single link design is one of many created to entice a buyer into parting with his hard earned cash.

The Figaro chain is a distinctive design comprising one large link, followed by three smaller links in a continuous succession. The links are flattened ovals that are well suited to longer lengths of at least 18 inches. The curb chain is formed by an attractive series of twists that creates a sinuous look well suited to short as well as longer lengths of chain. This design suits a heavy weight chain.

The box link is delicate, pretty and definitely well suited to a fine design and lighter weight chain. Accentuate this design with a pretty pendant such as a cross or a circular pendant of your choice. Rope chains are beautiful and intricately worked multi-strand confabulations that twist with multiple rings in a twisted S-shape that draws the eye.

A preferable length for any rope chain is below the hollow of the throat, so over 14 inches. This beautiful piece of craftsmanship can well be worn with an accessory such as a pendant but makes an elegant statement all on its own. A stunning addition to any jewellery collection is a Byzantine gold chain. This tubular collection of links intertwine and twist together to create a stunningly distinctive pattern that to my mind requires no accessories.

A herringbone gold chain is another very distinctive piece of craftsmanship and does indeed, remind one of a herringbone when viewed close up. Flat, rectangular links are expertly woven together to create a braided, flattened look that echoes elegance and simplistic design. The omega style does contain echoes of the herringbone look, but is slightly convex in appearance with each strand of gold seeming to connect together as if by magic. This particular design is ideal as a choker and should be worn at 14 inches.

A new trend is reversible jewellery that can be worn one day to show off say, for example, the yellow gold side and the following day, simply reverse the gold chain to display the white gold side. This clever new feature can go a long way to adding versatility to your wardrobe by accessorizing in a number of different ways with one particular piece of jewellery.

How can you determine the character and personality of your favorite presidential candidate, or favorite politician? What better way to see how their comments measure up to their lifestyle by looking at the vehicle that they drive? Just for fun, lets look at the primary cars (or SUVs) of a few politicians that have currently been in the limelight. The first thing to notice about all of them, unlike many of the rest of us, are that they are all American Company cars. Not a Toyota, Mercedes, or Honda among them. (Of course, since Mercedes is now owned by Daimler Chrysler, the whole situation gets a bit confusing, but we will forge ahead.)

Let's start off with the Democratic party, and look at some of the nationally known figures here, as well as the two remaining candidates for the presidential race. John Edwards drives a Ford Escape hybrid, as does Al Gore. This American-made car gets 35 miles to the gallon highway, 30 miles to the gallon ends the city. It is a middle-class vehicle that would blend these men in with much of their constituency. The first full SUV that is also a true hybrid, which means that it runs on electricity at lower speeds (typically 25 mph and below), and gas fuel at higher speeds. The switchover point is determined automatically by the vehicle. This won a Truck of the Year award in 2005.

Barack Obama drives a Chrysler 300. This car is a lovely car, but only gets about 21 miles to the gallon. Looking at the average miles per gallon for the American industry as a whole, this car certainly does not help in the average fuel economy for its owner Daimler Chrysler. On the other hand, the comfort and ride of this car is a good bid for Chrysler to start on a "return to glory" road, as it is one of the more popular current choices for a sedan. Since Daimler Chrysler also runs Mercedes-Benz, a number of the mechanicals are derived from Mercedes technology, and the ride and performance make this evident.

Hillary Clinton and her campaign did not specify what vehicle she drives, but the family vehicle is a Mercury Mariner hybrid. The interesting option in this vehicle was an extended back seat for more leg room, and a mini fridge also installed in the car. The choice of this car is an interesting reflection on Mrs. Clinton's views of fuel efficiency. She is calling for a minimum of 40 miles per gallon for cars by the year 2020, and 55 miles per gallon by the year 2030. The Mariner claims to get the same fuel efficiency that the Fort Escape hybrid does, which is again 34 miles per gallon highway.

On the Republican side, John McCain drives the Cadillac CTS, and has chosen the V-6 model. As anyone that drives the Cadillac knows, this is a powerful, responsive car. It gets 27 miles to the gallon highway, and about 18 miles to a gallon in the city. A suitable choice for a moderate politician, agreeable to both the successful businessmen that support him, and a compromise between the gas guzzler and the green cars.

Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, drives a Chevrolet Tahoe flex fuel automobile. The ratings for the flex fuel, in terms of gasoline miles per gallon, is about 33 highway, about the same performance as the Escape hybrid.

This summary of candidates, politicians, and their vehicles hopefully make an interesting light political discussion over the work water cooler.

Concord Watches offer stylish looks and beautiful details, which is one of the many reasons this company has grown to be a well known and loved choice. The company was started in Bienne, Switzerland. Over 100 years ago, two young watchmakers set out on a dream. Their dream was to create pieces that offered high quality and were stylish pieces. Over time, the business grew and developed its own unique design.

The history of this watch company dates back to 1908, but the company's real fame came in the time right after World War I. Prior to this, the company was modestly sized, offering high quality pieces but it did not have the following that it did just a few years later. After World War I, the company's watches became well respected and highly esteemed pieces. During this time, the watches seemed to attract a new audience. The watches have always been a wonderful marvel of technology in the way they have worked. At this time, though, they grew in popularity not only for their quality but also for their artful qualities.

Concord Watches especially after World War I offered a unique design that was quite attractive. Many were adorned with beautiful gems, including diamonds, gorgeous sapphires, rubies and brilliant emeralds. Since this time, the same effort that was used then is used now, in the selection of the jewels for these pieces.

In fact, every diamond that will adorn a Concord Watch is specifically selected for its ability to match the watch perfectly. The final appearance of the watch is the most important element and therefore diamonds must fit the goals of the appearance and design in order to be used on the watches. This element of Concord Watches can be seen in The Concord La Scala Grande. This particular model has some 292 brilliant cut diamonds placed on it. With its fine workmanship and its intricately selected diamonds, this particular piece has been hailed as one of the top diamond pieces of all time. It received an award for this, too.

There are several styles of watches offered by Concord today. Their current lines including a sports line, a fashionable line and a sport luxury line. The company also offers several unique collections, each with a different flare and sophistication about it. This includes The Bennington, The Mariner, Saratoga, Delirium, Soiree, Veneto, Scala, and Sportivo watches.

The Concord Watches are designed to be timeless pieces, with many of their collections offering a timeless elegance to them. Additionally, many of these watches are designed to house the latest technology and sophistication in watch design. Some offer highly new technology while others are designed to fit with and set trends within society. Concord continues to dazzle those who buy their watches and they have a large following. You will find these watches in high-end fashion boutiques around the world, always as some of the most precious watches available. The Concord Watches available today will likely continue to change to fit with the looks of tomorrow.

Retail hybrid car prices as suggested by manufacturers (better known as MSRP) are decided by the car makers and advised to the car dealers to be the base price guide in dealing with public sale. Dealers providing fleet sales to corporate buyers have also the invoice price, or that amount paid by the dealers to the automakers, better used for wholesale purchases being made from the dealers.

While these two serve as guides for the car buyer, prices may increase due to additional costs for non-standard features or add-ons to the vehicles. There are also charges for delivery to move the vehicles to the final destination where buyer is situated. Thereafter, sales taxes, marketing costs, registration costs and other costs may be added by the dealership over and above the MSRP or invoice price.

Price Ranges

As of this writing, at the bottom rung is the Toyota Prius, most reasonably priced at suggested retail of $22,175, exclusive of tax incentives that come along with purchases of hybrid, environmentally-friendly units. At the high end of the spectrum will be the 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid 4-wheel drive four-door sedan, at around $31,000. Both these prices do not include delivery or destination pricing.

The Array of Hybrid Car Prices

In between the Prius and the Accord, the Camry Hybrid from Toyota is priced at around $26,000. The Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid starts at $22,695, a highly recommended purchase by many hybrid enthusiasts. The Honda Hybrid FWD four door sedan starts at $22,600 exclusive of destination costs.

To give you a gauge on SUVs, the Mercury Mariner 2008 Hybrid four-wheel drive SUV starts at the bottom with $27,515, followed by the Ford Escape Hybrid 4FD SUV at $27.250. Packed and loaded with all amenities you can ask for, the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid can be yours for $32,500.

Price Indicators

The brand name comes with the package. With such prestigious car makers as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Saturn, Mercury, Volkswagen, Mercedes, the name comes at a premium. Brand name notwithstanding, the full array of features and accessories not included in standard units also impact on the final price of the hybrid car you are purchasing.

Hybrid car prices are definitely higher than for conventional models. That's because the manufacturer requires more resources to produce the hybrids with their added valuable features - these all add up to the cost. It is envisioned, though, that the fuel savings from hybrids will more than compensate for the usually higher purchase price compared to pure fossil-fuel models.

To give you an idea, take the Honda Accord as an example. While a value-packaged 4-door Accord Sedan can fetch for as low as $19,450, the Hybrid Accord's price is almost twice higher at more than $31,000. While Accord's special edition sedans and coupes range from $23,350 to $23,450, these prices are still a far cry from hybrid's prices. Only the EX-L four-wheel drive 2-door Accord Coupe comes close at $27,500.

The price differences among Civic models are somewhat more manageable and saleable. Take a 4-door sedan Civic EX priced at $19,510 add a hybrid system and you're $22,500 poorer. But the price difference, at least, is not all that much.

Eco-Friendliness Comes At A Cost

Even with Toyota models, the fuel efficiency and environmental-friendliness and zero-emission tags all come at a premium. The Camry Hybrid starts at $25,200 when its conventional sister is priced at only $18,570. Even with the federal tax reductions for hybrid vehicles, the MSRP is still a tad higher.

With the kind of research and development, not to mention the extensive testing done on hybrid or alternative-fuel models, it's not surprising that hybrid car prices are more expensive. And manufacturers do not stop at the hybrid or fuel-efficiency features; they also try and pack the hybrid with the latest in electronics for the interiors, dash and instrumentation and everything.

Standard or optional amenities notwithstanding, environmentalists will always say that hybrid car prices are worth every penny car buyers shed, if only to ensure a better, cleaner, safer world for tomorrow. Amen to that, say the hybrid manufacturers' environmental drumbeaters.

Virginia is a state in the United States of America. This state is named after Queen Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth was popularly referred to the Virgin Queen because she never got married. The state itself also has two nicknames. It is also referred to as the Old Dominion and Mother of Presidents being a state that has produced so many presidents. Virginia beach is the most populated city in this state. Majority of the people in this state are protestants. It has a humid subtropical climate in the Eastern and southern parts while the western part of the state has a humid continental climate. It is a wonderful and if you are dating in Virginia you are sure to have some un forgetful moments.

If you are dating in Virginia, you can go to the Mariner Museum which has a lot on preservation of the sea animals and interpreting their cultures. This museum is the largest not only in Virginia but also in the world. The Virginia Living Museum has a wildlife park, an aquarium, botanical preserve and a science museum which is great. If you do not want to go see the wildlife you can go the aquarium or any other place and still enjoy your day in this place. The Chrysler museum of Art has a lot collections of painting and sculptures that you can go take a look at while you are in Virginia. The Virginia Marine science museum has a lot of aquarium animals that you can go see. You can also take a walk in their nature trail.

While dating in Virginia you can go to Poplar Forest and have a forty minute guided tour of the Jefferson's octagonal house. You will also get a chance of writing with a quill pen and i think that is good. If you want to ride on a roller coaster you can go to Busch Gardens which has a big roller coaster that you can take. You can also go to see great rose garden at the Hermitage Foundation Museum. Go smell the flowers and be happy. Different smells have been known to induce different feeling in people. Go to the rose garden and see the beautiful color of the rose flowers and inhale the smell with your date. This place also has treasures from all over the world that you can go see.

Another place you can go while dating in Virginia is the Virginia beach. You can go and get yourselves great tans by lying on the beach and sipping on your favorite drink. You can also take a deep in the water and play with your date. You can never miss a group playing here and you can join them and have a lot of fun. After a day out at the beach, you can go to one of their night clubs in the area. Virginia Beach has a couple you can go to and have a lot of fun. You can however get out of Virgin beach and go to other cities in Virginia like Norfolk and Richmond.

The compact sport-utility vehicle ("SUV") class is one of the most competitive classes in the automotive industry. Consumers have more than a dozen new models to choose from some base prices starting below $20,000. Compact SUVs can offer more cargo space, passenger space, and four-wheel drive capability with a price comparable to many mid-size sedans.

New SUV models in the compact class for 2010 include the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV-4, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, GMC Terrain, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Mercury Mariner, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Vue are new for 2010 but General Motors has announced plans to discontinue selling the Pontiac and Saturn brands by the end of 2010. Buyers may be able to get these vehicles at deep discount.

Many SUVs in the compact class are no longer small in size. Many models have grown to the point where while classified as a compact SUV, they are actually a rather spacious vehicle. It can be difficult to classify some compact SUV models as the lines between compact or midsize class can be unclear. Generally compact SUVs do not offer third row seating, however some do such as the Toyota RAV-4. Some car-based vehicles such as the Chrysler HHR and Chrysler PT Cruiser are also sometimes classified as compact SUVs.

There are several other vehicles worth considering that are not always included in this class. The upcoming Mini Countryman, which is Mini's version of an SUV, has received good initial reviews. There is also the two-door Jeep Wrangler, which is a rugged, off-road style SUV that is compact in size.

Four cylinder engines typically power compact SUVs but many makes offer a V-6 option such as the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Mercury Mariner and Toyota RAV-4. Safety, fuel economy, and resale value should all be factors considered when purchasing a new SUV.