Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End opened today, well technically there were advanced showings last night at 8pm and midnight at some theaters. This movie can claim fame to the widest North American release ever, 4,362 theaters, and has projected making up to $200 million this weekend alone. Along with it’s fan-pleasing length of 2 hours and 47 minutes I hear this movie ties up loose ends, brings all three movie story lines together, and all the mysteries become clear to us fans. Read the split movie reviews over at Rotten Tomatoes and get a feel for what you are in for.

I hope you’ve watched the other two Pirates of the Caribbean movies on DVD within the past week to refresh your memories. Then when you get home from the third installment, you’ll undoubtedly be in the mood to dress like a pirate, talk like a pirate, perhaps even get a badge to show off your pirate name. If you can hold on to your love of pirates until Halloween then I’d suggest taking a look at the new Pirates of the Caribbean costumes coming out this year. Is your birthday coming soon, or do you just want to throw a huge pirate themed party? Be sure to check out all the pirate party supplies we’ve scrounged up from trusted online stores.

Are you looking for a new feel to your computer experience? Commandeer your entire Windows interface with a pirate theme sure to impress any scurvy swashbuckler. Available now, this pirate theme was created by Stardock Design to WOW everyone who uses it.

Has your child suddenly become interested in pirates and wants to decorate his entire room to look like he just stepped onto the deck of the legendary Black Pearl? (Heck, I want that, too.) Well maybe a hand painted treasure map sign with his name on it would ease his hankerings. It’s personalized with your child’s name and comes at a price any pirate could plunder in half a days work.
$35

Now let’s try a test. Ask your 5 year old what she wants more: a fantastical child-sized pirate ship playhouse… or a college education. Seriously though, if you have the money, this Posh Tots exclusive handcrafted playhouse is going to make a whole neighborhood of kids insanely happy. As the price tag assumes, this is a movie-quality structure that’s got 2 levels, a crow’s nest, sleeping quarters, and it looks amazing. If it was a little bigger, I’d be saving up to get one for myself.
$52,000

If all this talk of kid’s pirate bedrooms has sparked your imagination, then try your hand at entering the pirate contest at Home & Bedroom Furniture. They want you to describe, in 100 words or less, what a real pirate’s bedroom would look like. Winner gets a Pirates of the Caribbean bedding set. What if your bedroom decor is all ready chosen? Why, create a pirate bathroom, of course!

The fine folks scurvy dogs at PirateMod are our kind of people. Their business was created due to the lack of cool pirate duds available, and using their impressive design skills, they found the perfect solution. Instead of wearing the same generic old skull and crossbones styles that can be found at every mall and online pirate store, they went about illustrating their own unique pirate shirt designs.

They carry tons of exclusive shirt designs ranging from the spectacular (containing Victorian inspired elements) to the common (skulls and swords, what else?), and even have some gear for your wee ones. They “cater to every kind of pirate doin’ every kind of thing”, and the proof is in their selection of themes and slogans. Whether you’re a vampire, a hockey nut, musician, biker, tattoo lover, kitty lover, or just a boozy bilge rat, PirateMod has a shirt for you.

$16.00 – $22.00

Sean says: Be sure to check out the Jolly Roger Evolution section on their site as it has some unique skull n’ bone variants I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

At World’s End, the final installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is less than a week away! Yesterday was the unconventional world premier, which was held at Disneyland, and many of the stars were in attendance. Tickets were sold to the public at a whopping $1,500 a piece, with proceeds benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

For the rest of us, we still have about 5 days left of waiting (or 4 and some change if you hit up a night-time showing on Thursday). To further add to the anticipation and excitement, and to speed the week along, next week is Pirate Week at Mable’s Blog. From Monday through Friday we’ll be blogging about “salty old pirates” and all the savvy merchandise they have spawned. Who doesn’t need a little more adventure in her life? So join us May 21-25 for a week of pirate booty!

Imagine going back to your childhood. How vividly do you remember your bedroom? Was it unimaginative or boring, or did you have the perfect room? Would you have been the happiest kid alive if you had your own fantasy bed? I’m not sure if this type of custom dream furniture was even available when I was a kid, but nowadays some very lucky kids can have their own dream beds.

Posh Tots has an awe inspiring collection of fantasy furniture available in many different themes: each one a unique work of art. One of the grandest beds they offer is the Fantasy Coach bed. Themed like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach, this bed is as magic as the real thing. This princess carriage bed is handcrafted in England, and is sure to make all your little girl’s dreams come true. For those of you with little pirates in training, you’ll love the ornately decorated Shiver Me Timbers bed and bedding. If your little swashbuckler dreams of sailing the deep blue sea, and wants to be the captain of his own pirate ship, then this is the bed for him! Another amazing bed is the Gingerbread Cottage. A Posh Tots exclusive, this charming cottage is sure to make your little girl feel just like Goldilocks. It’s a 2 story cottage with room for a twin size mattress, and an entire upper floor for imaginative play.

These beds are exquisite, but being a splurge item, they are not for everyone. If you have the budget for a fantasy bed, Posh Tots is the place to order from, otherwise you can try your hand at making your own!

$1,000-$49,000

COUPONS: Save 10% on orders $200-$999 with code LOVE10
Save 15% on orders over $1000 with code LOVE15
Coupons good until 2/28/07

Remote controlled cars and trucks make great toys to play with, but pale in comparison to being captain of your own pirate ship. Ready to sail for captains ages 5 and up this remote control pirate ship is best suited for calm waters (pools, ponds, and small lakes). This 18″ galleon comes equipped with twin propellers and a deadly cannon that makes sound and light effects upon command. The wireless range is 80′ so don’t let it out of your sight or it might sail off into the sunset.

For those little landlubbers who want be captain of a ship, but aren’t yet allowed to play in the water there is the Black Pearl Remote Control Pirate Ship that operates on land and features Jack Sparrow and friends action figures.

For the big kids who need the attention to detail and can handle a bigger motor there is the King’s Ransom RC pirate ship. Made by AquaCraft this galleon has a pre-painted fiberglass hull and is ready to hit the waters or sit in a static display.

Complete the pirate themed gift set with a very special Captain’s Dream t-shirt from Threadless or pirate costume. Heck, why not throw a huge pirate themed party and get every guest in the swashbuckling mood?

Recently, a contest to win a Healthmate Air Purifier caught my eye, and got me thinking about the myriad of other sweepstakes that are on the internet. I’ve skipped the ones that require more participation (like submitting an essay) or a purchase, so you should be able to enter all these in less than 5 minutes. Remember, the only guaranteed way to lose is by not trying, so fill out those quick little forms and good luck!

Sign up for their newsletter, and be entered in a drawing for a free air purifier ($299 value).

Win a trip for 2 to join Master Cameron Shayne for an intensive Budokon week-long retreat in the pristine Turks and Caicos Islands valued at $5,000.

Monthly drawing with a grand prize winner (prize value is always big; for July it’s a $1,000 scrapbook package), and either a $100 or $50 gift card from Joann’s.

Become a registered user of Zappos and you’ll automatically be entered into their weekly drawing for a pair of free shoes.

Monthly drawing for a tabletop water fountain from Serenity Health.

You heard it right: Free gas for a year from Mental Floss.