Subject: RE: Freelance Copywriter |
From: "Adam Kruvand" <adamk@studio2a.net> |
Date: 9/4/07, 13:05 |
To: "'Barrett Brown'" <barriticus@gmail.com> |
Thanks. I’ll get back to you on this.
I think there are some good things going on here – but we
might have to dial it back a notch to the conservative side.
Thanks,
adamk
visualize!
From: Barrett Brown
[mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 4:31 PM
To: adamk@studio2a.net
Subject: Re: Freelance Copywriter
Adam-
Here's a sort of rough draft I've come up with today; let me know if this is
close to what you'll want. This has a sort of "3d as love" thematic
to it, but I've got several other ideas for the general theme as well. Not
quite as modern-urban-kooky as the dress code site you showed me, but I thought
perhaps that a sales letter ought to be generally conservative with just enough
hook to differentiate it from everything else. At any rate, I can do some more
sales letter samples for you this evening if you've got some notes for me. And
if you like this one, I'll still be tightening it up here and there and
changing up some word mechanics.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Sales
Letter Draft #1 – Architectural Rendering
3d
is a harsh mistress, as well it might be. 3d is fully aware of its own beauty,
and demands to be dressed up in a manner that accentuates its loveliness. 3d is
similarly conscious of its own staggering utility, knowing perfectly well that
it can save your company time, money, and effort, which is to say that it can
save your company altogether. We, too, are aware of this, having used 3d to do
exactly that for clients both large and small. And so it is that we cater to
3d's whims, dress it up in the finest clothes, ignore its cruel taunts, and
forgive it for the drinks it throws in our face on those occasions when 3d has
been hitting the bottle all afternoon. Such is the life we have chosen.
Tumultuous
as the relationship has been, Studio2a and 3d have been together for quite a
while. Our licensed architects, for instance, have mingled with 3d in the
course of decade-spanning careers spent working in every imaginable capacity,
from pre-schematics to the final punch list. Our interior designers have come
to call 3d their own over the course of their efforts to create photo-realistic
representations that take every imaginable factor into account. Likewise, our
industrial designers have seen their early flirtations with 3d develop into
something more significant, more substantial – even, perhaps, a bit
frightening in its intensity - as their particular calling has come to rely
more and more on fully accurate modeling of the sort that simply won't allow
for errors.
Our
combined expertise allows us to do things that would have been impossible a few
years ago, and to do these things in a way that no other design firm can
emulate even today. Studio2a can transform a standard design plan consisting of
sketches, photos, CADs, and the like into a visually realistic architectural
rendering that brings a project to life, from the overall structural concept of
a building's exterior to the dozens of nuanced pieces that make up its
interior. The texture of a fabric, the color scheme of a chair, the finish on a
wooden cabinet, the lighting scheme of a windowed room – each facet of a
particular design plan is taken into account, and the end result is a visual
representation that's virtually indistinguishable from the finished product
itself.
Having
on hand a perfect, photo-realistic model of your intended project solves quite
a few of the more irritating problems of the sort that were once considered
unavoidable costs of doing business. Total design representation provides for a
similarly total understanding of what the finished product will be, and one
that's easily accessible to all parties involved regardless of background or
expertise. Reducing such communicational friction reduces confusion in turn,
thus minimizing overhead, change orders, lost man hours, and other such
avoidable nonsense.
Beyond
all that, Studio2a's finished product helps to ensure that your product gets
finished as well. A realistic model of a proposed architectural design project
is of obvious benefit to those in need of a green light; whether you're
planning a presentation, hoping to generate interest from potential user
groups, or trying to loosen up a little capital, the manner in which we can
bring a project to life for any imaginable audience is a fundamental asset in
the effort to bring that same project to eventual realization. When it's simply
indescribable, we'll help you describe it.
Together
with our diverse array of clients, we've come to love 3d. Call us romantics.
Better yet, call us for a free estimate.
On 9/2/07, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Great, that's what I've been doing this morning. It's about
done, I'll send along a draft version a bit later.
On 9/2/07, adamk@studio2a.net
<adamk@studio2a.net>
wrote:
Oh - probably just the 3d arch
viz. We focus on that as our core
business, as you must have noticed - but we are looking for ways to
get more into the editorial and product viz stuff - as well as
advertising, and video work.
But as far as our 'sales pitch' goes - I think most of our value
advantages tend toward the architectural work.
Thanks,
ak
Quoting Barrett Brown <
barriticus@gmail.com>:
> Working on the sales letter today, and was wondering if it's supposed to
> emphasize your 3d architectural work or instead serve as an overall pitch
> for all of the design work that you guys do. Let me know.
>
> On 8/31/07, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I gotcha. That's about what I thought you were after, but wanted to
make
>> sure. I'll have something for you by Monday or so, then.
>>
>> On 8/31/07, adamk@studio2a.net
<adamk@studio2a.net >
wrote:
>> >
>> > I would say more unconventional that not, cause I
don't want to risk
>> > saying somewhat standard – and then end up with standard
fare +/- some
>> > "color"…. But it can't be so far out
that it is embarrassing or insulting
>> > to clients/ potential clients. Still needs to be
professional business
>> > crap…. This is the fine line we walk here – between
the 'artist' and the
>> > 'stodgy old architect'. We want to be cool artists for
the hip younger
>> > 'internet generation' designers but we have to maintain our
>> professionalism
>> > for the old guys with deep pockets – while still differentiating
ourselves
>> > from both of them. Does that make sense?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Yes, punchier than what we got now.
>> >
>> > The best stuff I thought I ever wrote is on the webdesign page:
>> > www.studio2a.net/webdesign
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Let me know if you want to know more. I know I am not
a very good
>> > communicator (that is also why we need writing
help). I don't know if we
>> > are working Monday – so don't work to hard over the holiday
weekend.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > ak
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > visualize!
>> >
>> > www.studio2a.net
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > *From:* Barrett Brown [mailto: barriticus@gmail.com]
>> > *Sent:* Friday, August 31, 2007 8:04 AM
>> > *To:* adamk@studio2a.net
>> > *Subject:* Re: Freelance Copywriter
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Nah, turns out the problem was on my end; the site had crashed my
funky
>> > browser, which just stopped the site from loading from then on,
>> but I got a
>> > friend to copy the contents and e-mail them to me, so we're all
set.
>> > Regarding the sales letter sample, are you going to want this to
be fairly
>> > unconventional as well? If so, how unconventional? Or do you just
>> want to it
>> > be written in a somewhat more punchy style than what you've got
>> on the site
>> > at this point?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Barrett
>> >
>> > On 8/30/07, *adamk@studio2a.net* < adamk@studio2a.net >
wrote:
>> >
>> > It works fine here….
>> >
>> > http://www.studio2a.net/
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Please let me know more if you continue to have
problems. We've been
>> > changing things as far as the way everything is setup, and I
wonder if for
>> > some reason you can't get to it?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Try these pages too:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > www.studio2a.net/work.htm
>> >
>> > www.studo2a.net/info.htm
>> >
>> > www.studio2a.net/architectural-rendering.htm
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Attached –We have a short stack of postcard brochure with a
few cards of
>> > text – this is the newer/est marketing writing we have.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I am leaving now – so you won't hear anything else from me
till morning.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > thanks,
>> >
>> > adamk
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > visualize!
>> >
>> > *www.studio2a.net*
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > *From:* Barrett Brown [mailto: barriticus@gmail.com ]
>> > *Sent:* Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:10 PM
>> >
>> >
>> > *To:* adamk@studio2a.net
>> > *Subject:* Re: Freelance Copywriter
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Adam-
>> >
>> > I've been having trouble accessing your website this evening; is
it
>> > down? If so, could you e-mail me some basic text, like an old
>> press release?
>> > I'd already taken some notes based on your existing copy this
morning, but
>> > wanted to pull out a few more details about your company and all
that.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Barrett Brown
>> >
>> > On 8/30/07, *Barrett Brown* < barriticus@gmail.com>
wrote:
>> >
>> > Great, in that case I'll get it in to you this weekend if that's
okay.
>> > Perhaps earlier, just depends on how my
>> > running-around-through-Brooklyn-and-signing-things schedule plays
>> out today.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Barrett Brown
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 8/30/07, *adamk@studio2a.net* < adamk@studio2a.net>
wrote:
>> >
>> > Yeah. No rush.
>> > Good luck with the move. The other Adam is also moving
this week, and
>> > he
>> > would have to review your work anyway - which probably won't
happen till
>> > Monday.
>> >
>> > RIIGHT is weird, but I am glad to see something different than
the last
>> > 50
>> > people that have replied to the craigslist post.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > adamk
>> >
>> >
>> > visualize!
>> > www.studio2a.net
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Barrett Brown [mailto: barriticus@gmail.com ]
>> > Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:30 AM
>> > To: adamk@studio2a.net
>> > Subject: Re: Freelance Copywriter
>> >
>> > Sure, I can create a sales letter for you. Since this is a
sample, I
>> > won't charge you for it, but I might not be able to get to it
until
>> > later today, as I'm in the middle of moving into Brooklyn. Let me
know
>> > if this is okay.
>> >
>> > Regarding the "about us" section, I've done something
along those
>> > lines for another company that wanted something conventional.
It's
>> > probably a littler weirder that you're after, but here's a link:
>> >
>> > http://www.riight.com/company/index.php?page=about
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 8/29/07, adamk@studio2a.net
< adamk@studio2a.net>
wrote:
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > As a trial, can you use the info on the website and create 1
or 2
>> > sales
>> > > letters that are fun and creative?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > How long / and how much $ would this take? What
is your process?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I've attached another sample from Dan and Andre that is no
longer on
>> > their
>> > > site - from a story that was written about them that we also
liked the
>> > style
>> > > of.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > As far as the bigger picture - we have been trying to rework
the
>> > "about"
>> > > section on our webpage to include bios and more interesting
stuff. We
>> >
>> > > haven't found a writer that can do this witty personal but
also
>> > professional
>> > > style. Have you worked on this kind of thing
before? Any
>> > example/ideas?
>> > > After that there we need all kinds of marketing materials,
and I have
>> > some
>> > > ideas for feature articles and stories for our webpage /
submittal to
>> > > industry journals.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > adamk
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > visualize!
>> > >
>> > > www.studio2a.net
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > From: Barrett Brown [mailto: barriticus@gmail.com ]
>> > > Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:53 AM
>> > > To: adamk@studio2a.net
>> > > Subject: Re: Freelance Copywriter
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Adam-
>> > >
>> > > Sounds good to me. I just checked out the dress
code site, and I
>> > think I
>> > > understand what you're after. Let me know how to proceed.
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > Barrett Brown
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > On 8/29/07, adamk@studio2a.net < adamk@studio2a.net> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Hi Barrett,
>> > >
>> > > Thanks for your interest.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > We are looking to craft our message so it is interesting AND
fun, not
>> > cold
>> > > or dry like what we have now. Mostly trying to
start with our "about"
>> > text
>> > > to expand to include bios and other typical press kit
materials.
>> > Ultimately
>> > > your writing could / would be text for everything we do from
postcard
>> > > mailers and web bios to feature stories for industry
journals or other
>> > > publications.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > We are having problems finding writers with a edgy
"hip" but not
>> > trendy
>> > > style. We really like www.dresscodeny.com - not
only because it is
>> > > entertaining, but also personal - fake or not, I have a
sense of their
>> >
>> > > personality just from the random clips on the website.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > We also need some kick-ass sales letters, and I think maybe
this would
>> > be
>> > a
>> > > good test / warm up to the rest?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Let me know what you think.
>> > >
>> > > www.studio2a.net
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > adamk
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > From: Barrett Brown [mailto: barriticus@gmail.com]
>> > > Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 5:41 PM
>> > > To: gigs-407458805@craigslist.org
>> > > Subject: Freelance Copywriter
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
>> > > ** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals,
work-at-home
>> > > ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow,
shipping
>> > > ** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I understand that your company is in need of a
copywriter to handle
>> > various
>> > > projects on a freelance basis, and I'd like to be
considered. I've
>> > performed
>> > > work under similar arrangements both for ad agencies as well
as my own
>> > > clients, including tech, energy, and real estate firms, my
other
>> > freelance
>> > > work has appeared in dozens of publications ranging from
humor mags
>> > like
>> > > National Lampoon and The Onion A.V. Club to B2B pubs
covering dining,
>> > > nightlife, and retail, and my first non-fiction book was
released last
>> >
>> > March
>> > > to praise from Rolling Stone, Air America Radio, Skeptic,
and Harvard
>> > > constitutional scholar Alan Dershowitz, among other sources.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I've pasted a couple of samples below; the first is a pretty
>> > straight-laced
>> > > pamphlet for a tech company based in New York, the second is
a series
>> > of
>> > > restaurant write-ups, and the third is a short B2B piece on
gadget
>> > > accessories aimed at retailers. My per-hour rate is $20.
Please take a
>> >
>> > look
>> > > and let me know if you'd be interested in discussing this
further.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Barrett Brown
>> > >
>> > > 512-560-2302
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > (Cover)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Organic Motion
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Reinvisioning Vision
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > "What's not to like here?" - Newsweek
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > (Page One)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > TBA - Reinvisioning Motion Capture
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > After four years of under-the-radar development, Organic
Motion Inc.
>> > is
>> > set
>> > > to release the product that will not only redefine motion
capture as
>> > we
>> > know
>> > > it, but will also bring the technology into the day-to-day
lives of
>> > those
>> > > who may never have even heard of it.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Organic Motion's newly-released TBA system shatters the
barriers
>> > inherent
>> > to
>> > > pre-organic motion capture implementation by ditching the
assumptions
>> > that
>> > > have limited the field's potential for more than twenty
years. TBA is
>> > not
>> > an
>> > > incremental advance in established mopac techniques -
rather, it is a
>> > > comprehensive, top-down overhaul of the entire process,
fueled by
>> > scientific
>> > > breakthroughs in computer optics, AI, and the methodology by
which the
>> > two
>> > > are combined, and further augmented with a streamlined
workflow
>> > > implementation that cuts time, cuts costs, and cuts manpower
>> > requirements.
>> > > We haven't improved on the wheel; we've reinvented it.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Fundamental to this reinvention is TBA 's extraordinarily
unique
>> > optical
>> > > computer intelligence engine, which allows for computerized
>> > visualization
>> > of
>> > > the actual human subject itself by way of a pre-programmed
conceptual
>> > "map"
>> > > of what a human body looks like, how a human body moves, and
where a
>> > human's
>> > > natural body points are located. Bringing the human into
human
>> > movement
>> > > detection is not only a natural progression of mocap tech,
but is also
>> > one
>> > > of tremendous benefit to every stage of the process, from
initial
>> > capture
>> > to
>> > > finished product.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > The extent of TBA's strength and accuracy is such that one
major
>> > > Northeastern research hospital has partnered with Organic
Motion to
>> > obtain
>> > a
>> > > grant from the National Institute of Health to use the
technology in a
>> > study
>> > > of the effects of cerebral palsy on human movement; the
extent of TBA
>> > 's
>> > > customability and ease of use is such that several diverse
firms are
>> > already
>> > > making plans to implement it in ways that would have been
previously
>> > > impossible due to the constraints of earlier mocap. Imagine
what it
>> > can do
>> > > for your studio.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > (Page Two)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Reinvisioning Entertainment
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Whereas pre-organic mocap systems required a human subject
to be clad
>> > in
>> > an
>> > > expensive, cumbersome bodysuit studded with reflecting
markers, TBA
>> > requires
>> > > no suit, nor any prep time at all; subjects may simply walk
onto the
>> > camera
>> > > zone dressed in street clothes, and the system will
immediately
>> > capture
>> > > their every move. Whereas previous mocap systems recorded
the
>> > positions of
>> > a
>> > > few dozen attached markers, thus giving only a general
impression of
>> > the
>> > > body's movement, TBA tracks the body itself - and does so at
thousands
>> > of
>> > > natural points recognized by the system's advanced visual
mapping AI,
>> > from
>> > > the joints of one's limbs right down to the corners of one's
eyes. And
>> > > whereas previous mocap systems entailed a severe degree of
lag between
>> > > capture and usability, the necessity of technician oversight
during
>> > use,
>> > and
>> > > weeks of manual data cleanup before an accurate recording
could be put
>> > into
>> > > play, TBA eliminates all of these things, delivering clean,
usable
>> > data in
>> > > real time, not at some unknown time in the future.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > The implications are profound for game developers, 3D
animators,
>> > university
>> > > project managers, special effects broadcasters, and anyone
else who
>> > has
>> > > already incorporated mocap into their studio output - as
well as those
>> > who
>> > > haven't. By lowering the financial threshold for mocap
implementation,
>> > we
>> > > turn it into a viable option for those entities engaged in
>> > lower-budget
>> > > projects of the sort that might not have justified the
advantages of
>> > the
>> > > technology due to cost considerations. And with the
hundred-fold
>> > increase
>> > in
>> > > capture accuracy, teams of every shape and size will see
dramatic
>> > benefits
>> > > in the quality of their finished product - and they'll see
those
>> > benefits
>> > > immediately, thanks to the clean, real time feedback which
allows
>> > animators
>> > > to get a full sense of how the data is playing out during
the
>> > recording
>> > > process itself, thus freeing them from the technical
concerns inherent
>> > to
>> > > pre-organic mocap (did we mention that TBA's organic
approach to point
>> > > tracking entails absolutely no occlusion whatsoever? Pretty
sexy,
>> > huh?)
>> > and
>> > > encouraging them to get more closely involved in every stage
of the
>> > creative
>> > > process.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Our reinvention of mocap promises to similarly redefine the
industry,
>> > which
>> > > is why TBA's unveiling at the 2007 Game Developers
Conference in San
>> > > Francisco and subsequent demonstrations of the technology's
>> > revolutionary
>> > > potential have so far won us some rather unreserved
accolades from
>> > Newsweek,
>> > > Macworld, Engadget, Game Daily, Gamasutra, and others.
Organic Motion
>> > has
>> > > already received deposits in advance of the initial product
release,
>> > with
>> > > the first one hundred units set for delivery in September
2007.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Get on board. We're reinvisioning vision.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ***
>> > >
>> > > Fran's Hamburgers
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > With the faux-classic hamburger stand being a moderately
popular motif
>> > among
>> > > several large fast food chains that shall remain nameless,
it's
>> > refreshing
>> > > to hit up a genuine article in which the waitresses are
caustic in a
>> > cute,
>> > > endearing way and in which the interior is done up all wacky
not out
>> > of
>> > > purposeful irony, but because the Eisenhower-era designers
really
>> > thought
>> > > that this was how a restaurant should look. Fran's is a
burger-lover's
>> > > burger joint, offering their wonderfully greasy item of
specialty in
>> > three
>> > > sizes, and further supplementing one's caloric intake with
sides
>> > > representing the fries-and-onion-rings school of understated
>> > accompaniment.
>> > > Things tend to get understandably hectic around midday;
resign
>> > yourself to
>> > > lunchtime delays. Great For: Cheap burgers, people who enjoy
being
>> > called
>> > > "darlin'." Entrees: $2-6 (1822 S. Congress,
444-5738; 6214 Cameron,
>> > > 458-6007)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Freda's Seafood Grille
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Although the restaurant's billing of itself as
"American-Cajun" may be
>> >
>> > > technically redundant, the description does get the point
across - in
>> > > matters of decor, Freda's opts for Upscale Antiseptic chic
over the
>> > Anarchic
>> > > Crawfish Shack Out In The Swamp sensibility which has served
so many
>> > > informal Cajun joints so well for so long; in matters of
cuisine,
>> > Freda
>> > > borrows liberally from all comers, with the result being
such things
>> > as
>> > > bacon-wrapped sea scallops, pine nut-crusted trout, and a
selection of
>> >
>> > > steaks and pastas benefiting from the sort of ingenious
Cajun culinary
>> > > preparation in exchange for which the rest of the nation has
duly
>> > forgiven
>> > > Louisiana its rampant, eternal corruption. Great For: When only
the
>> > fanciest
>> > > gumbo will do. Entrees: $14-29 (10903 Pecan Park, 506-8700)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Green Mesquite Barbeque & More
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Green Mesquite is pretty serious about the "more"
mentioned in its
>> > extended
>> > > moniker; beyond brisket and such, the Barton Springs
mainstay (and its
>> > West
>> > > Oak counterpart) deals in catfish, po' boys, burgers, tacos,
chicken
>> > fried
>> > > steak doused in enough gravy to drown a baby elephant, and
even
>> > jambalaya;
>> > > all of this is made more accessible by way of the
restaurant's
>> > > all-you-can-eat option, which goes for even cheaper on
Mondays and
>> > Tuesdays,
>> > > when it becomes one of the city's truly great culinary
bargains. In a
>> > nod
>> > to
>> > > Texas BBQ orthodoxy, Green Mesquite offers bottles of
Sunkist and Big
>> > Red;
>> > > in rebellion against same, it also offers salads and even
veggie
>> > burgers.
>> > > Great For: Getting stuffed after a dip at Barton Springs.
Entrees:
>> > $3-14
>> > > (1400 Barton Spring, 479-0485; 710 Highway 71, 288-8300)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ***
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > The Restaurant at The Mansion on Turtle Creek (1980?)
>> > >
>> > > 2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard
>> > >
>> > > Dallas, Texas
>> > >
>> > > 75219
>> > >
>> > > 214-559-2100
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > If the walls at the Restaurant at The Mansion on Turtle
Creek could
>> > talk,
>> > > they'd probably bore you to death with real estate lingo and
>> > commodities
>> > > jargon, such things being the most common topics of
conversation on
>> > the
>> > > premises. Rather than talking to the walls, then, visitors
are advised
>> > to
>> > > instead focus on the award-winning menu that's brought in so
many real
>> >
>> > > estate moguls and commodity traders over the years in the
first place;
>> > > awaiting the diner are such high-end treats as wild river
salmon
>> > served
>> > with
>> > > braised bok choy, green curry and coconut sauce, and red
curry foam.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > St. Martin's Wine Bistro (1977)
>> > >
>> > > 3020 Greenville Avenue
>> > >
>> > > Dallas, Texas
>> > >
>> > > 75206
>> > >
>> > > 214-826-0940
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Whereas most restaurants pair wine with food, St. Martin's
Wine Bistro
>> >
>> > pairs
>> > > food with wine - over two hundred varieties are on hand.
Consequently,
>> > the
>> > > menu is dominated by steak, seafood, and pasta dishes
seemingly chosen
>> > for
>> > > their vino-complementing attributes (fairly representative of
these is
>> > the
>> > > Farfalle Pasta, a compilation of shrimp, scallops and
crawfish served
>> > in a
>> > > tomato pepper-jack cream); meanwhile, nightly specials help
to keep
>> > things
>> > > even more interesting. Similarly, the restaurant space
itself
>> > complements
>> > > both food and wine alike by way of an elegant, pre-war
interior first
>> > built
>> > > in 1925 and carefully renovated on a few occasions since.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > The Grape (1972)
>> > >
>> > > 2808 Greenville Avenue
>> > >
>> > > Dallas, Texas
>> > >
>> > > 75206
>> > >
>> > > 214-828-1981
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Over the course of a storied history spanning several
decades, The
>> > Grape
>> > has
>> > > been the scene of countless first dates - along with
countless wedding
>> >
>> > > proposals, countless wedding anniversaries, and countless
rare nights
>> > out
>> > > for couples with young children and spotty babysitter
access. The menu
>> > > itself fairly reeks of romance, listing such items of amorousness
as
>> > steamed
>> > > Prince Edward Island Mussels prepared with white wine and
Warmed Blood
>> > > Oranges with arugula and toasted hazelnuts. And despite the
nuanced
>> > > offerings to be had here, The Grape features a surprisingly
cozy and
>> > > unpretentious dining room that's as suitable for popping the
question
>> > as
>> > it
>> > > is for popping out of the house for a casual night out.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ***
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Go Go Gadget Retailer!
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Nothing sets the summer heart aflutter like that perfectly
stylish,
>> > > ever-so-necessary electronics accessory - and that goes
double if
>> > you're
>> > the
>> > > one selling it. But with fashionable designers increasingly
jumping
>> > into a
>> > > product genre that not so long ago was dominated by geek
chic, as
>> > opposed
>> > to
>> > > chic chic, retailers are facing a similar increase in
mind-boggling
>> > stocking
>> > > decisions - and that goes double for those whose fashion
sense may
>> > have
>> > > frozen in time in 1986. Never fret; we'll bring you up to
speed on the
>> > > things everyone needs.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > . Laptop
Cases
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > The girl-friendly gadget community is all abuzz about the
Lexie Barnes
>> >
>> > 2007
>> > > Echo line of laptop carriers - not so much due to the
water-resistant
>> > fabric
>> > > and extra pockets perfect for power cords and old-fashioned
reading
>> > > material; rather, it's the neo-retro (yeah, you heard us)
design
>> > scheme
>> > that
>> > > has everyone excited.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://www.lexiebarnes.com/
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > . Mouses
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Well, it's finally happened - someone's gone and blinged out
the
>> > mouse.
>> > The
>> > > culprit in this case is British design firm The Crystal
Chick, whose
>> > 2007
>> > > lineup includes a three-button optical laptop mini-mouse
that's
>> > encrusted
>> > > with swarovski crystals and available in clear, topaz, rose,
and
>> > sapphire
>> > > color schemes. Will wonders never cease?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://www.thecrystalchick.co.uk
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > . Portable
Comm Cases
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > For those whose tastes don't quite run to the
jewel-encrusted,
>> > Otterbox is
>> > > set to release a decidedly utilitarian see-through
Blackberry case
>> > that
>> > > allows for total functionality while protecting the device
from
>> > liquid,
>> > > dust, crushings, and other hazards of the modern workplace.
It's a
>> > must-have
>> > > for today's busy klutz-on-the-go.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://www.otterbox.com
>> > >
>> > > . Gaming
Cases
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Billing its product line as being "For People Who Hate
Wallets," Jimi
>> > seeks
>> > > to serve as savior to portable game enthusiasts with its
Jimi Game
>> > Shell,
>> > a
>> > > shockproof, liquid-resistant polypropylene case that keeps
Nintendo DS
>> > and
>> > > PSP game cards safe from the elements (not to mention their
owners).
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://thejimi.com
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ________________________________
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > this message was remailed to you via: gigs-407458805@craigslist.org
>> > > ________________________________
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>