A Grandiose Blog - Cocktails, Gadgets & More

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In terms of price, that is. Meet the Samsung Upstage (Sprint). Then again with similar features and the ability to add a 2GB memory card - this might even be a better deal than the iPhone ($500). If you hurry now (promotion ends tomorrow 07/03!) you can get one for FREE (with a 2yr contract) plus a $50 rebate from Sprint while supplies last.

The Samsung Upstage is an ultra-thin, lightweight (2.6oz) phone, about the size of an ipod nano (1.73in w x 4.07in l x 0.37in thick). It’s a single unit with 2 screens, one side for phone features the other side has a larger screen for entertainment. Add a 2 GB memory card to store hundreds of songs you can download straight to the phone.

There’s Bluetooth, EV-DO, a 1.3-megapixel camera & music integration all in a very sexy and slim package. Watch more than 50 live TV channels with Sprint TV or stream music with Sirius or MTV. You can also download music wirelessly from Sprint at $.99 per song.

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Around here, we play to win - and when it comes to casinos there’s really only 3 games that are worth playing. Those games are blackjack, live poker & craps. But in order to be able to beat the house, you have to MASTER the basic strategy for each game.Blackjack is a lot like math. You need to learn it like you know your multiplication tables. Remember those? 2 times 2 is 4, 2 times 3 is 6, 2 times ….Blackjack Buddy Gold from Nickel Buddy LLC is a full featured game for blackberry devices that is guaranteed to teach and allow you to master basic strategy, anywhere anytime. On your train ride home. Waiting in line at the grocery store. During that staff meeting where you’re talking about what you talked about last week and you’ll talk about next week.
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Buy the best quality you can afford, and always wash glassware by hand to prevent chips and cloudy build-ups. Stick to the sizes shown so that your drinks look right in the appropriate glassware. Bottoms up!

1. Martini glass: 4 - 6 oz

2. Old fashioned / rock glass: 8 - 10 oz

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Apple is at it again. June 29th will mark the launch of the Apple Iphone, probably the most anticipated phone launch in the wireless industry. To wit, there’s been a race from other manufacturers to launch their own “Iphone Killers”, the two most popular models being the LG Prada and Nokia N95. If the gargantuan success of the Ipod is anything to go by, nobody stands a chance against the Iphone.The LG Prada KE850

LG + Prada = Sexy. The LG Prada’s beauty is in it’s minimalist design. It’s a sleek, Tri-band 3″ LCD touch screen phone, with a stunning 320 x 480 resolution, in addition to a 2 MP camera.

When the phone is not in use, the glowing icons on the screen disappear to reveal a pure black, un-aldulterated black exterior. The phone is ultra-thin (12mm) but throws in a micro-SD slot, an mp3 player, bluetooth and an additonal external memory slot to increase memory capacity.

Prada’s involvement in the design extends beyond the phone itself and is apparent in the exclusive leather case design, mobile phone accessories and pre-loaded content.

The LG Prada retails for around $700 - $750. Expensive? Yes. Sexy doesn’t come cheap.

Get yours here.

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The Liquid Muse is more than just a cocktail blog. The site is run by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, a cocktail, restaurant and nightlife expert. Widely quoted by various media outlets such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Washingtonian and Marie Claire - Natalie is an entertainment lifestyle expert who definitely knows her way around a shaker. Hey Natalie, next time you get invited to create custom cocktails at the Playboy mansion, can we tag along as your barbacks?

Setting up a home bar is all about having the right equipment and ingredients. In the first part of this series, we’ll cover the essential utensils you’ll need. Part 2 will cover glassware and Part 3 will cover liquor.

Stock up on these essentials and don’t cut corners on quality. You’ll soon be the toast of your town, or city, or suburb…

• A Boston Shaker. This is the professional version that most bars use. 2 pieces, a pint-size mixing glass and a stainless steel shaker cup. We prefer this type over the more common 3 piece stainless steel types because the clear glass in the Boston Shaker allows you to see what you’re mixing and let’s you know if your proportions are right. We like the Rosle Boston Shaker. Get it here.
• A Hawthorn Strainer. A basic strainer shaped like a spoon with a spring edge. The Hawhorn Strainer ensures that you don’t get any bits of ice in your drinks. Fits over any size glass. Always strain your drinks from the mixing tin. This way if you’re off on your measurements, nobody else will be the wiser. Get one here as part of this bar set. Read the rest »