Monday, May 11, 2009

A new Sims 2 expansion. What do you think?

January 4, 2006 - While we'd already collected plenty of evidence on the third expansion to The Sims 2, today Electronic Arts gave us a tap with the Wand of Officialdom: The Sims 2 Open for Business is indeed the next add-on for the popular sequel.











Open for Business lets you run your own business enterprise -- as conventional or outlandish as you wish. You're in charge of opening shops, hiring employees, managing your staff, keeping customers happy, and selling any number of goods -- from toys to floral bouquets to robots. You'll help your sims respond to each customer, dropping prices or even using "wacky outfits" to woo a cranky patron.





The expansion will offer more than 125 new items to support your Sim-business, including display cases, a beauty salon chair, a toy workbench, a floral station, and cash registers. Slick equipment will help, but you'll still need good business sense -- from training to promoting, from hiring to firing -- to bring in profits and grow your op

A new Sims 2 expansion. What do you think?
The Sims 2 is my favorite game, and as with the original series I am always excited when an expansion pack is released. I have yet to be disappointed; not only do they always come with 100+ new objects, but they expand the actual gameplay. I am especially looking forward to OFB, as it sounds like it will essentially add a tycoon-game aspect into the already delightfully fun world of the Sims.
Reply:I can barely wait for it! Only 19 more days and it's out. I'm so excited about the robots!
Reply:I love the sims, can't get enough! I'm sorta excited about the new game.
Reply:pretty neat i think
Reply:lame... its not worth it...
Reply:I think its pretty cool
Reply:i think open for business will be alot of fun it comes out in march i cant wait

nike casual shoes

Do cats behave themselves around vases of flowers?

I want to have a floral arrangment delivered to my friend who's just moved into a new home. She and her husband have three cats. Is there anything special that I should keep in mind while choosing a bouquet?

Do cats behave themselves around vases of flowers?
don't get something that can be knocked over easily. some cats do behave, but others don't. also, make sure the flowers aren't poisonous to the kitties.





(have 3 cats, only one broken vase in 3 yrs.)
Reply:Keep in mind what type of lowers to get, a major poisonous flower is Lilies. Cats like to eat plants and lilies cause acute kidney failure-usually fatal after just a little bit of flower or pollen. Go to the ASPCA website and their poison control has a list of flowers that are poisonous, as well as what isn't.
Reply:In my experience, NO, they do not behave around them. If mine smell fresh flowers, they are all over it! But, I would also guess that your friends are used to dealing with this with their cats. Otherwise, I'd look for something a little less appealing to the kitties.
Reply:Don't get any flowers that are potentially poisonious if ingested.
Reply:i wish i could say yes but i often wake up to find smashed vases and trails of sick with bits of flowers. Cats will do anything to get to the flowers and the only thing you can do is glue them down.
Reply:nope srry
Reply:As a general rule - try to get something with a larger base and possibly an arrangement in a pot. Also things that hang far down - such as ribbons or ivy might not be a good idea. Most kitties will want to explore the new addition to the room, but they're not necessarily going to try and destroy it. If it can stand up to a head being rubbed on it and a little tugging, it should be relatively safe. My cats have chewed on a lot of plants so far. The only plant I know of that you have to be truly careful with is a poinsettia.


But I wouldn't worry too much. Your friends will surely find a safe spot to display the flowers where their kitties can't get to them.
Reply:Some cats leave house plants or cut flowers alone, some don't. My cat is very gentle and careful not to knock over a flower arrangement, but likes to eat some types of plants. She LOVES anything with baby's breath (but that's tacky anyways!) and will chew anything with large leaves. She generally leaves most flowers alone, particularly if they are very fragrant. One trick my Mom taught me was to get a pot of cat grass at the same time and encourage the kitty to eat her plants, not yours. It works well with her cat, but not as well with mine. I think it's up to the individual cat.
Reply:From my own experience cats tend to break vases and eat flowers so maybe think about sending a fruit basket. It is nice and the cats don't bother it much.
Reply:You should see which plants are dangerous to cats (there are many out there). You could look at any vet websites, ex. aspca.org. Try not to use a glass vase if you can, it will most likely break soon. Hope I helped.
Reply:how about a basket
Reply:Damn no !
Reply:You're kidding right? :-)





Our cats bahve themselves around flower arrangmeent, that is until we walk out fo the room, then it becomes a free for all. And of course, they will look innocnet when you walk back in and see the leave still falling tothe ground. :-)





Some flower are poisonous to cats too. I'm thinking that orchids are the ones that are very toxic, but not positive.
Reply:I have a few cats myself. Some of them leave plants alone, some don't. I learned along time ago that it was destined to have no plants in my home. For a house-warming gift, try something a little more practical. I personally wouldn't want flowers. Try somethign they can actually use in there new home.
Reply:not really it depends on what type it is
Reply:They might. Like people, all cats are not the same. Mine love to munch all flowers and will go to any length to get to them. I have completely given up on having them in my home because there is nowhere the kitties won't be able to get to them.





Here's another idea though - someone I know received one of these the other day and it was fantastic.
Reply:NO.
Reply:You might try a basket instead of a vase :) Harder to knock over.


Cats are very curious animals, so you might select flowers that won't be toxic if ingested.





Let us know how it goes! :)
Reply:if they have three cats they probably know how to handle them they will know where to put breakable things and where not to put them,
Reply:Cats are very interested in everything, especially smelly dangling flower pettles or leaves. They may not mean to knock over the vase but the flowers needed to go.
Reply:yes, don't do it. The cats will probably eat whatever you send making them sick or knock it over making a mess.


I would recommend a nice bottle of champagne instead.
Reply:They will knock it over as soon as they see it. If you get something that the cats aren't going to be poisoned from and if you make sure the vase has a very study bottom and is wide enough to not be tipped over that would be better than a traditional base. Good Luck!!!!!!!!





PS I am sure they could keep the cats in a room away from the flowers or vice versa....they could make it work I would send it.
Reply:cats are wild it depends on the cats personality and how they act arounf your furniture


Can you say this in your own words?

Prepare the arrangement by pokeing the base end of a stick into the florist foam. The tricky part is to achieve the "floral bouquet" look. Try to imagine the fruits going up in a bouquet shape, with a pointed middle piece and with the bulk of the fruits layering out to the sides. Use your original; sketches and designs in this stage, but do not feel you have to follow them, follow your creative instincts first.

Can you say this in your own words?
Arrange the display by prodding the bottom end of a stick into the florist foam. The difficult part is to attain the "floral bouquet" appearance. Attempt to visualize the fruits rising in a bouquet form, with a pointed center part and with the majority of the fruits layering out to the sides. Make use of your innovative; drafts and plans in this phase, but do not feel you have to pursue them, chase your artistic instincts first.


Has anyone ever tried cutting hibiscuses and making a bouquet out of them?

I'm a budding floral designer (pun intended) with lots of gorgeous hibiscuses on my patio. I'm dying to t ry to arrange them for the dinner table, but will they wilt quickly?

Has anyone ever tried cutting hibiscuses and making a bouquet out of them?
I HAVE NOT MY SELF,PERSONALLY---BUT, MY MOTHER DID WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE!!!---to be placed into a floral vase.
Reply:No


Too much pressure?

I have a very tight budget for my wedding, so i figured I could make my floral bouquets and centerpieces myself. They seem pretty easy to make. My mom says it would be too much pressure. what do you think?

Too much pressure?
you can easily do this without any drama or pressure.





if using fresh flowers: talk with local florists regarding what will be in season, how much she/he can supply and the cost.


you can then design them in advance and buy all the wires and vases necessary in advance. So all you'll have to do is have them delivered (or pick them up) and arrange them. This can be very therapeutic and help you relax instead of being stressful..


but then you risk having a time management issue, and chances of the flowers not being available when you need them, or not being "open" yet etc.





if you are using silk, plastic, dried flowers: you can buy a sample of what you are thinking off and design it at home until you are happy. then buy the lot in bulk and get to work. you can do this months in advance, and with good storage you won't have any dramas come the wedding.








my friend designed all her own centrepieces and the church flowers. we (the bridesmaids) helped her on the morning of the wedding by putting them all in vases and arranging them. it was very relaxed and fun, and they looked beautiful.





xx
Reply:The bouquets are pretty simple, as long as you simply tie some stems together--that's a nice look anyway. If you feel you can handle it, then I say go for it. One suggestion though on the centerpieces--if you've never done it before, you might want to take a class at a craft store in flower arranging.
Reply:No pressure at all...in fact it may ease some financial pressure. I made centerpieces, bouquets, and boutiniers for my wedding. It took me about 3 hours to make everything and in total it only cost me about $75...way cheaper that going to a florist.
Reply:Well, depending on how much time you have, I would do it. I am on a tight budget also and its a six month engagement. We did the bouquets, corsages, and boutoniers. We did them all in one weekend and bought all the flowers at Hobby Lobby when there were 40% off. It ended up being 1/3 of the price, someone else was going to do it. My other suggestions is eBay has yesss-i-do seller who isn't too expensive and I was going to user her but ended up doing my own. I was also going to do the centerpieces but I found some awesome ones at Wal-Mart craft for cheap when they were closing all of our flower departments.


Good Luck and Best Wishes! b2b 12-29
Reply:I think making your own center peices is an excellent way to cut cost and as long as you get things together well enough in advance it shouldnt be that stressful. I am also planning a wedding very soon and here are some simple examples I found that are inexpensive.





http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


Both would be pretty for a spring wedding. Possibly use daisy or other wild flowers that are inexpensive.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


beach wedding


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


fall wedding


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


possibly something similar for a seasonal wedding, maybe you could put candycanes somewhere too.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/ye...


And this is possibly the most simple and one of my favorites.


You just gather some river rocks and place then in a vase. You could gather some branchs and if you wanted a diffrent color other then the natural browns, you could buy spray paint the same color as your wedding colors ( prolly about 2$) and put those in place of the brown ones.





Well those are just somes ideas. Candles are always create a lovely effect and can usually be found at most any dollar store . Hope this helps and that you have a beautiful wedding =]
Reply:I am doing everything myself for my wedding also. As long as you have enough willing people to help, you will be fine. Gather up your bridal party and do it together and make it a party or pre-wedding event! I am using silk flowers so that we can make everything ahead of time so that we won't be stressed or pressured. Good luck! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions or need more advice :) Congrats!
Reply:I think it's a great idea to do your own centerpieces, however, the bouquets will be in a lot of the pictures with you and your new husband so i wouldn't attempt to make my own! Plus it's going to be a really busy day so don't try do do too much!
Reply:Hi and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!





If you are thinking of using silks, then, no, I don't think this would be too much pressure as you can get them done early.





If you are thinking of ordering wholesale flowers and putting them together the day before your wedding (as a florist would), then, yes, I do think that would be too much pressure.
Reply:I made my centerpieces and wanted to add more things to my bouquet, unfortunately I ran out of time.


Keep in mind that you need a lot of time because you have to have to have patience in case something gets messed up.


The making of the baskets, keepsakes, centerpieces and all of the other extra special touches helped me relax.


When I was glueing pearls and lace it was so distracting from the stuff that was going wrong that I had no control over.





Good Luck and Congratulations.
Reply:If you have so many other things to do, then you're just asking for stress.





If it's easy to do and doesn't take all day and all night then do it!





Otherwise, plan a get together party and have you and your friends do it in an assembly line fashion.
Reply:YOu know, simple is sometimes more effective than an intricate bouquet. Take a look online at floristry sites, and see what you think. I am also on a tight budget and I am considering doing my own flowers. Flowers are beautiful anyways so I am thinking of just tying a few pretty ones together simply with a ribbon.


YOu can save a lot of money doing this yourself but do remember that you will have loads of other stuff that has to be done, including getting yourself ready.....it might be easier to use silk flowers, that way you can do it with a few weeks to spare.
Reply:i made all the centerpieces for my friends wedding... they were beautiful! i got glass wide mouthed vases... glass wide, shallow fish bowls... i turned the vase upside down... hot glued the fish bowl on top... stuffed some flowers (artificial but you can use real) up the bottom of the vase.. make sure you get ones that are on branches so that they stand up.. put some colored stones in the fish bowl... with water and floating candles... and then i hot glued some flower heads around to outside of the fish bowl.. i also let some flowers float in the water.. they were gorgeous and sooooo easy to make! we made them a couple weeks before.. maybe even a month.. i dont remember...

sidi way rain boots

Does anyone know where I can find Purple Floral Cabbage? I had it in my wedding bouquet, but I can't find it

I'm not even sure of the correct name for this....but that's what the florist said it was!!?

Does anyone know where I can find Purple Floral Cabbage? I had it in my wedding bouquet, but I can't find it
a supermarket
Reply:Since you've already spoken with your florist, I presume you are wanting this for your garden? If so, I have found a place where you can order the seeds online: http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/store...





You might also try contacting some of the local nurseries in your area. They might have the flowering (or ornamental) cabbage or kale in stock. You might even call the florist back and see if he/she can recommend a nursery that carries the ornamental cabbage you're looking for. They shouldn't mind, given that they are in the cut flowers business more than the live garden business.





Hopefully the seed link I mentioned above will help you narrow your search and give you an idea of the exact name you will be asking for.





Sounds like you're about to have a very cheery garden!
Reply:I am a big Ebay fan, and this is what i found:





http://cgi.ebay.com/Purple-Lavender-Cabb...





There were also a variety i found using msn shopping.


http://shopping.msn.com/results/shp/?bCa...





If all ese fails, check with your local florist, they should be able to get what you want!
Reply:are you looking to plant it or to just have some as in a flower arrangement?





Because there are lots of decorative cabbages that you can purchase for planting at local nurseries and even places like home depot or lowes.





Also a florist should be able to tell you where they can be purchased.
Reply:Try a greenhouse in your area - there's flowering kale as well.


Pearl Floral Pins?

I am doing my wedding bouquet myself, and I am looking for a place online that I can order pearl floral pins from. However, I can't seem to find one. Please help? I want my bouquet to look like this:





http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/...

Pearl Floral Pins?
Here are some places-


THey are called corsage pins. Try using that in a search engine for more places to find online.


http://www.michaelsfloralsupply.com/h100...


http://www.directfloral.com/productdetai...


http://www.afloral.com/Floral-Supplies/C...





You could also check with a local florist and see if they would sell you some but the above places seem pretty inexpensive.


Hope to help!
Reply:look under corsage or boutonniere pins, something should come up with that. if you still can't find anything stop into a flower shop and ask them if they can order a box of them for you, they should still be pretty inexpensive getting them that way.
Reply:dont buy the pins at all


stick with roses


it draws more attention to the flowers
Reply:Why not purchase them locally at Walmart or Joanns so you don't have to pay shipping?
Reply:Try Hobby Lobby or Michael's craft stores. They would probably be in the sewing section.