She does fantastic art.

She's up and coming and every new painting just keeps getting better.

I've seen lots of other artists attempt this genre, but few seem to be able to stay consistent. The fact she seems to sell all her paintings in an instant seem to say that there's people definitely liking her stuff

Check her site to see what I mean. Helmet Girl is a kicker

BUGS: If you order online, try and ensure that they indicate on the packaging that it is a GIFT or USED BOOKS or whatever.. this is hard or impossible with a large retailer, so, ebay and amazon can be your friends.

In the past I had a couple times where I received stuff from the USA and the idiots put what the real contents are (new iPod, etc) and so I had to pay local VAT (in Europe, average is about 20%!!!).

So, getting a laptop sent over can be tricky, but not impossible. If possible at all, get it sent to a friend, have them "use it" a bit and even change the packaging if possible.

Re the packaging.. see, what customs DOESNT want you to do is RESELL it.. because then the State doesn't get their cut. So, if you bring a brand new laptop from USA in its original packaging.. well.. yeah.. they're gonna ask questions.

DO THIS WITH NEW CLOTHES AS WELL!!! Take off all tags and whatnot from all the new clothes you buy!!! If customs feels like it they will ALSO MAKE YOU PAY for your brand new Diesel jeans and if you don't have a receipt, they'll make one up for you..

You're very right.

And you can actually pay the price of the flight with the difference you would save instead of buying in Europe. I've done this on several occasions.

Another area where you save bundles is photography equipment.

If you've ever been to BH Photo Video in Manhattan you'll see that the VAST majority of people in there are all foreigners, coming to the AV Mecca of the world, gauging on new equipment.

Remember, however, DO NOT FLY BACK WITH ORIGINAL BOXES. In Paris at least, customs are very severe sometimes. They'll ask for receipts, etc. I've seen a LOT of people get busted for not declaring items they just bought abroad.

I personally either mail myself the folded box and receipts or just keep the receipts.

Obviously, USE the equipment (take a picture or two, have that iPhone/iPod loaded with a few songs). Basically, prove that you're not going to do some reselling.

Customs officials try everything to make you pay up.. but just keep insisting that it was already used and that of COURSE you don't go traveling around with the receipts of all the stuff you buy. They will (usually) eventually just tell you to go on your way.

This reminds me of www.sayitfromfrance.com

Send virtual or even real postcards from Paris. Funny thing is that it has a hilarious "insult generator" which comes up with some pretty whacky stuff...