Online surfing and shopping is undoubtedly fun, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not careful where you click. Some statistics report that more than 90% of computers are infected with malware which can compromise privacy and cause systems to run at a snail’s pace. A recent study at North Carolina State University revealed an alarming trend which certainly contributes to security threats. According to the study, more than 60% of computer users fail to identify fake pop-up dialog boxes leaving them exposed to hackers, adware, and malicious malware. A fake pop-up could look like the following:

Computer users generally see these as a mere annoyance and click “OK” or “Yes”. To avoid the installation of harmful software, it’s very important to be suspicious of all pop-ups. As a general rule, you should close the boxes instead of clicking buttons to remove them.

For those of us serious about dance - not capital-D Dance in a studio with a bar and a requisite body dysmorphic disorder, but dance! in a space packed with friends, no restraints, no regrets, and no cover - 2 things are essential: amazing music and room to move. Music meaning sick beats that not only make you want to dance, but make you have to dance, and room to move as in hot, free-wheeling joy-clothes and dancing shoes that never hold you back.

 

 

Hailed by Norman Mailer as a ‘better dressed me,’ we’ve come to learn the likes and dislikes of the century’s prominent urban raconteur on Pocket Change.  Richard Nouveau has made it his life mission to show us only the best of the affluent life.  Since he would rather spend every hour of the day shopping (and unabashed spending come naturally to him) it only make sense to find him on ThisNext.  Here’s what the handsome chap who spares no expense has to share:

TN:  Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
RN:  New York’s Most Expensive Manscaper – Landscaping male body hair.

TN:  Biggest response a post of yours has received from readers?
RN:  New York’s Most Expensive Yom Kippur Tickets.

TN:  The product that’s had the biggest influence on your lifestyle?
RN:  New York’s Most Expensive Co-Ed Nude Lifestyle.

...continued: Who is Richard Nouveau?

This Friday, we start the glorious six weeks out of the year when one can shop guilt free. Simply insert “gift” at the begining of every purchase and you’ll feel just fine. A gift for you. A gift for me. (See?)

Of course all that fun comes with a small price: The gift wrapping, boxing, labeling and mailing. No worries. Here are a few tricks of the trade to save time and get organized, so you can focus on what’s  really important. Shopping!

 

Bookmark this Fed-Ex shipment tracker soon. Come December 24, when Mom is still hinting, “Oh, please don’t get me anything this year,” you’ll be on this site typing in your identifier number.

Eight Days a Week Planner from TheStylePage. The alternative use for this cute planner is as shopping journal. Jot down the item you like and where you saw it. Trust me, three days ‘til Christmas when you run out of ideas, this book will be your savior.

Want to add style to your labels? Transform your Sharpie into a calligraphy pen. Use an exacto knife to slice the tip of pen at an angle. The straight edge will transform simple words to fancy writing.  Via LorieParcie.

 

The trick to cutting paper is to slide the blade, instead of the expected chop, chop. These scissors are the way to go: Soft handles are easy on the hands, smaller blades make tape cutting effortless and sharp blades let you slide away.

 
 

After day two of holiday shopping, these plastic bins will become your best friends. Large enough to tuck away lots of Secret Santa gifts and stackable, so you can add as many bins as your heart desires. So you over shopped a little? No worries. These can store your extra gifts until the next event.

 

From one of my favorite lists, Survivor Tools for the A.D.D from LisaJay, these bags are incredible because they can shrink large fluffy item to a much smaller size, so storing or shipping textiles become hassle-free. Simply use your vacuum cleaner to suck out the air, and voila, in seconds your throws or sweaters become half the original size. 

 

 

Another super tip from Survivor Tools for the A.D.D by LisaJay, Google Notebooks is a dream come true for organizational afficianados. A great way to keep a list of gift recipients, gifts purchased and notes about the gifts. Best of all, it’s free!

 

Shipping gifts across the country can be less stressful with good tools.  From LukeMiller,  this packaging tape with dispenser is must-have tool if you have lots to ship this year.  A single strip at the top and bottom is all you need to keep the box intact for transit. (Seriously, one strip and no more.)