Tropical Computer Software

Tropical Treasure House has a large collection of tropic themed computer software. Below are a few of our favorites:

OCEAN AQUARIUM 3D DELUXE EDITION This amazing software turns your PC monitor into an ocean aquarium so realistic it's hard to believe the beautiful sea creatures don't need daily feedings! Where else can you find sharks, dolphins, sea turtles and exotic fish living together? Nowhere other than Ocean Aquarium 3D.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF OUR LIVING OCEANS Climb aboard a research center, and learn about the dolphins, turtles, plankton, and other organisms that call the open seas home. Dive into the abyss to explore recently discovered underwater oases. A boat ride or walk along the shore reveals the distinct ecosystems on rocky and sandy coasts. This comprehensive resource includes articles on the history of oceanography, marine biodiversity, and the unique plants and animals that inhabit two-thirds of the planet. The oceans come alive with videos, photos, text, and interviews with marine specialists.

BIG KAHUNA REEF Go Hawaiian in this underwater adventure, diving from reef to reef as gorgeous fish surround you. Discover Sea Turtles and other aquatic life as you break open boxes in this classic style matching game, questing for the fabled Mask of the Tiki. Diving through over 140 levels, you will uncover greater challenges including the Skeleton Fish of Kamehameha. Lead on adventureryour quest awaits!

BELLISSIMO! Hand-Painted Glassware Collections

Tropical Treasure House - http://www.tropicaltreasurehouse.com - now features hand painted glassware from the BELLISSIMO! studio at discount pricing. Each piece is designed by the American artist, Raenell Accetta. Running the gamut from contemporary to whimsical and sophisticated to humorous, the plethora of Dazzling Designs created by Raenell provide tantalizing excitement for every taste. Look for artistic elements with lavish color splashed throughout. Glistening glass exquisitely adorned with surprises at every turn combined with saturated shots of color certain to amuse and delight. No longer does glassware have to be nondescript and relegated to the category of boring. This lively collection becomes an instant focal point at any gathering, be it large or cocktails for two. There is no need for elaborate decorations to get people into a party mood. Just set our a mixture of these wonderful designs hand painted onto a variety of glasses and the stage is set for a joyful evening with friends.

The five day process begins with the hand painting of each item in the time-intensive manner of applying multi-layers of color, with individual curing times required between coats. Intense heat is applied during the two step firing process, followed by hours of gradual cooling in a tightly controlled environment. Each piece is then uniquely embellished with a hand painted BELLISSIMO! Signature Glass Gem. Lastly, Raenell signs each piece, insuring it's authenticity.

Collections include:

Angel Fish Design - Rivaling the beauty of actual tropical fish found in the ocean waters near the BELLISSIMO! studio, these regal angel fish are elaborately hand painted in colorful shades of red and blue with stripes of silver and gold. Experience the enjoyment of viewing these gorgeous creatures without ever getting wet.

Beach Party Design - We all agree that nothing beats a lazy day spent at a sun-drenched beach. But when the weather is cold or the closest beach is many miles away, our exuberant Beach Party Design is the next best thing to being there. Look closely and you will spy many hand painted details including: carefree kites soaring above sand castles, beach balls, pails & shovels, sunglasses, exotic tropical libations and more, all scattered around multi-colored umbrellas with cheery striped beach towels.

Caribbean Excitement Design - Right now there are thousands of people sipping fruity concoctions and tasting delectable goodies from glassware carefully hand painted in the very popular Caribbean Excitement Design. Whether you're dreaming about an exotic vacation to the islands or want to be reminded of one, this is the design for you! No airline ticket needed, just sit back and relax while sipping your favorite libation.

Dazzling Dolphin Design - A Dazzling Dolphin dream world is the centerpiece of this delightful design. Human beings have an enduring love affair with these playful pups of the sea. Dolphins have a universal appeal, symbolizing freedom, joy, grace and serenity, uplifting the spirits of many people all around the world. Our friendly hand painted dolphin swims through gaily colored sea grass and then leaps from the depths to touch the sky...and our hearts.

Fantasy Fish Design - Encouraged by the unending variety and enchanting variation of fish found in the sea, the Fantasy Fish design showcases the most fanciful hand painted fish imaginable. The result is a whimsical assortment of vibrantly colored tropical fish swimming in an underwater paradise of coral and sea grass. Watch for exquisite details such as lobsters, sea shells, playful crabs and the ever-present treasure box spilling it's bounty out onto the sea floor.

Hibiscus Design - A glorious profusion of vividly colored hibiscus blooms with a tropical flair. Each hand painted original inspires visions of sun drenched Caribbean days followed by balmy romantic evenings. Look for the charming ladybug hand painted onto the signature BELLISSIMO! glass gem.

Kismet Cruise Design - This stunning mixture of hand painted cruise ships, swaying palm trees, exotic cocktails, tropical fruits and lush foliage will delight and excite. Set an incredible table for a fabulous Bon Voyage Party or toast to past present and future cruises. Truly a cruise memento that takes the boat!

Lively Lighthouses Design - Light up your next party with glassware elaborately hand painted with an assortment of Lively Lighthouses. These fantasy lighthouses are gaily colored in bright red, green and blue stripes. With no two exactly alike, they are situated by the sea surrounded by multi-colored sailboats bobbing about on a gorgeous sunny day.

Sailboat Regatta Design - Once upon a time you dreamt of owning a beautiful sailboat and sailing the high seas. Whether you got your wish or not, you will fall fast for these fanciful hand painted sailing ships that are both colorful and seaworthy, and best of all - never need maintenance or insurance.

Sea Shell Shimmer Design features a stunning collection of highly decorated hand painted sea shells luxurious in the rich metallic shades of gold, silver and bronze.

Stars of the Sea Design - In a sheltered pool of water, amidst the rocks at the ocean's ledge, our fabulous starfish swim in warm and salty water and play among schools of tiny tropical fish. Befriended by a beautiful seahorse, each Star of the Sea is individually hand painted in fanciful details and adorned with all the colors of an underwater rainbow.

Under the Sea Design - As if illuminated by moonlight, this fanciful hand painted underwater scene shimmers with gold and silver. Watch tropical fish dart though waves gaily colored in many hues of blue. On the base you will find a unique surprise, our signature glass gem hand painted with your own pet fish!

Mermaid Merchandise

Stories of Mermaids have been told for centuries, be it in the form of folklores, legends or faerie tales. Images of this creature have plagued artists and writers in their efforts to bring to life the mystery and beauty of the mermaid to their audiences.

Mermaids, in folklore, are sea-dwelling creatures commonly represented as having the head and body of a woman and a fishtail instead of legs. Belief in mermaids, and in their counterpart, mermen, has existed since earliest times. They are often described as having great beauty and charm, which they use to lure sailors to their deaths.

Tropical Treasure House has nearly 200 mermaid items available for purchase on-line including books, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, music, poster art, sculptures and videos. Below are a few mermaid collector's items that you might want to consider for decorating your tropical home:

Mermaid Coffee Table - A mermaid rides along with a playfully loving dolphin in this charming table sculpture. Cast entirely from brass, this work has a glass tabletop surface, supported by the sculpture which is mounted on a marble base.

Judith of the Sea Mermaid - A mermaid is seen greeting a dolphin within this portrayal of the magical kingdom beneath the sea. This brass sculpture is mounted on a marble base for display.

Mermaid End Table in Imperial Finish - A mythical mermaid serves as the base for this wonderful glass topped end table.

19W X 26H Mermaid Of The Sea Window - Clear glass jewel bubbles and rippling aqua waters surround a enchanting mermaid in this meyda tiffany designer original window. Her hair of gold and chestnut swirls against the lunar reflection as she plays with her deep sea companions. 506 pieces of hand cut stained glass and 48 glass jewels are used to make this delightful window. A solid brass hanging chain and brackets are included.

Mermaid Fountain - Beautifully crafted brass mermaid, with vivid colors accentuating the detailed work of this sculpture.

Mermaid Trio with Vase - A trio of bronze mermaids clasp hands to create the frame for this striking vase sculpture. The vase itself is fashioned from crackeled glass and sits atop a marble base.

Hammocks Make Great Father's Day Gifts

After a long tiring week, there is nothing better than to take a nap in a hammock in your own backyard. Dads love it!

So if you are looking for a great Father's Day gift, consider choosing a hammock. Here are some best buys:

Outback Polycord Rope Hammock - Sand - The Outback Poly Cord Hammock takes our classic American-style hammock-the Charleston Hammock-and gives it an extended life. Constructed of durable, all-weather poly cord, this hammock is truly a hammock for all seasons. With its bed length of 7 feet and its 5-foot width, the Outback Poly Cord Hammock takes comfort to another level. Whether you float unaccompanied or with that somebody special, you can be sure of an uplifting experience.

The Height of Relaxation. When you need to lie low, the Outback Poly Cord Hammock makes for a perfect refuge from a busy world. So get horizontal and drift away.Versatility. The Outback Poly Cord Hammock is well suited to the outdoors. Anywhere you find pillars, columns, or a couple of hang-friendly trees is fair game for an airy getaway.

Durability. The Outback Poly Cord Hammock is crafted by hand using miles of all-weather textured poly cord rope. Varnished Indonesian hardwood spreader bars with countersunk holes make this an incredibly strong and durable hammock that can withstand anything Mother Nature throws at it.

Warranty. The Outback Poly Cord Hammock has a 10-year warranty.

Oolaroo Hammock - The Oolaroo swings like a traditional hammock. It requires no tools to assemble and is easily erected. The fabric is made of soft woven cotton with wood spreader bars. Hammock weighs 30 lbs and comes with its own carry bag. No chains, comes with extenda-rope. This hammock is intended for one (1) person. Maximum weight limit of 250lbs.

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

In the United States Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe as a day dedicated to peace.

The cause of world peace was the impetus for Julia Ward Howe's establishment, over a century ago, of a special day for mothers. Following unsuccessful efforts to pull together an international pacifist conference after the FrancoPrussian War, Howe began to think of a global appeal to women.

"While the war was still in progress," she wrote, she keenly felt the "cruel and unnecessary character of the contest." She believed, as any woman might, that it could have been settled without bloodshed. And, she wondered, "Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters to prevent the waste of that human life of which they alone bear and know the cost?" Howe's version of Mother's Day, which served as an occasion for advocating peace, was held successfully in Boston and elsewhere for several years, but eventually lost popularity and disappeared from public notice in the years preceding World War I.

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) is credited with originating the United States Mother's Day holiday. She never married and was extremely attached to her mother, Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis. Mrs. Jarvis was a minister's daughter who for 20 years taught Sunday School in the Andrews Methodist Church of Grafton, West Virginia. Miss Jarvis graduated from the Female Seminary in Wheeling, West Virginia, and taught in Grafton before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the rest of her family. For Anna Jarvis, also known as "Mother Jarvis," community improvement by mothers was only a beginning. Throughout the Civil War she organized women's brigades, asking her workers to do all they could without regard for which side their men had chosen. And, in 1868, she took the initiative to heal the bitter rifts between her Confederate and Union neighbors. The younger Anna Jarvis was only twelve years old in 1878 when she listened to her mother teach a Sunday school lesson on mothers in the Bible. "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day," the senior Jarvis said. "There are many days for men, but none for mothers."

Anna Reese Jarvis died in Philadelphia in May of 1905. Still unmarried and left alone with her blind sister Elsinore, Anna missed her mother greatly. Two years after her mother's death (1907) Anna Jarvis and her friends began a letter-writing campaign to gain the support of influential ministers, businessmen and congressmen in declaring a national Mother's Day holiday. She poured out a constant stream of letters to men of prominence --President William Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt among them-- and enlisted considerable help from Philadelphia merchant John Wannamaker. She felt children often neglected to appreciate their mother enough while the mother was still alive. She hoped Mother's Day would increase respect for parents and strengthen family bonds.

The holiday was declared officially by some states beginning in 1912. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honour of those mothers whose sons had died in war.

The first offical Mother's Day service was held at 10:00 A.M. in Andrews Methodist Church on May 10, 1908. This beautiful, historic church, built in 1873, is located on Main Street, in downtown Grafton, West Virginia. The church is now called the International Mother's Day Shrine and can be visited April through October, Monday - Friday from 9:30-3:30. A special Mother's Day Service is held each year to honor Miss Anna Jarvis and all mothers.

Nine years after the first official Mother's Day holiday, commercialization of the U.S. holiday became so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become. Mother's Day continues to this day to be one of the most commercially successful U.S. holidays.

OK - now that you know some history of how Mother's Day originated in the United States, here are some wonderful Mother's Day gift ideas:

Triple Star Bromeliad Silk - No need to worry about water or sunlight, our beautiful nearly natural Bromeliad is always in perfect bloom. While other houseplants require endless tending, you and your guests can enjoy this silk plant year-round with no fuss. At 21 inches in height and with three huge Bromeliad blooms you can’t go wrong. Our tropical Bromeliad arrives in a stylish ceramic pot. Color: Assorted, Height: 21"", Vase: H 7"" W 8-1/2""

Mixed Tropical Silk Arrangement - Orange/Red - If a tropical getaway is what your looking for then this mixed silk tropical garden is what you’ve been waiting for. At 32.5 inches this silk arrangement boasts two giant bromeliads, a beautiful assortment of greenery, black river rocks, a woven wood decorative and an attractive brown base. This silk plant is the perfect finishing touch for the home or office. Color: Mixed, Height: 32.5”, Vase H: 8.5”, W 6.5”

BORA BORA by Liz Claiborne - EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY - 3.4 oz - Launched by the design house of Liz Claiborne in 2003, BORA BORA by Liz Claiborne is classified as a flowery fragrance. This feminine scent posesses a blend of: pink peppercon, sand accord and tropical mango musk. It is recommended for casual wear.

Deluxe Organic Spa Gift Set - Bamboo Flower - Create a relaxing and renewing home spa experience with this bounty of natural and organic Bonicca skin treatments beautifully fragranced with sweet Bamboo Flower essence. Contents: Organic Spa Lotion with Olive and Grapeseed - 8 fl. oz., Organic Spa Bath & Shower Gel with Oat and Apple - 8 fl. oz., Spa Botanical Mineral Salts - 8 oz., Spa Luxurious Lather Bath Sponge, and Spa Loofah Exfoliation Mitt. Fragrance Description: Bamboo Flower - Escape to an exotic tropical grove where the fragrant blooms of rare bamboo flowers float on a renewing veil of creamy coconut milk and refreshing Thai lime and star fruit.

Paradise by Alfred Sung - Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz - The fragrance version of utopia, Paradise by Alfred Sung is an interpretation of what Paradise will smell like. Notes include tropical greens,tagete absolute, white peach, jasmine, gardenia buds, Rose de Mai petals, orchid vanille, sandalwood, and musk.

Bonsai Plants and Trees

Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers. While mostly associated with the Japanese form, "bonsai" originated in China and was originally developed from Chinese penjing. In Western culture, the word "bonsai" is used as an umbrella term for both Japanese bonsai, Chinese penjing and Korean bunjae.

Click here for a helpful article on Bonsai care tips.


Here are some easy-to-grow Bonsai best buys:


Shimpaku Juniper - Trained (juniper chinensis) - The Japanese Shimpaku Juniper is a needled evergreen tolerant of a wide variety of soils and is dioecious which means that there are separate male and female plants. Shimpaku is a naturally irregular vase shaped Juniper which we have trained in the traditional bonsai style. The Shimpaku has attractive year round foliage and its dark green needles are soft to the touch. Very popular and easy to care for bonsai. 7 years old. 5"-7" tall.

Hawaiian Umbrella Tree - Large (arboricola schefflera) - This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful trouble-free evergreen. If you don't know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. This impressive trouble-free evergreen is a very popular and easy to care for indoor bonsai. 13 years old. 14"-16" tall.

Flowering Crabapple (Malus Sargenti) - Flowering crabapples are one of the best flowering trees for bonsai. They produce beautiful +" white, fragrant flowers covering the entire tree in early spring before the foliage appears. The foliage is really small and lobed. Little green pomes (apples) appear in summer, derived from the enlargement of the entire flower receptacle which becomes fleshy. The fruit ripens to all different colors in the fall when the foliage begins to turn to shades of yellow, orange and red. Winter brings a nice twiggy skeletal outline punctuated by the fruit which persists throughout the winter. They are easy to grow and quite pest and disease resistant. Deciduous. Keep outdoors. Available 12 months a year. Will have no foliage during winter months. 11 years old. 13 - 15" tall.